She returned to the letter.
My girl, now that I have written my intentions, I shall act. The next time you see your mother, you will scarcely know her for the improvement in her deportment.
Elizabeth was weeping by the time she finished her father's letter. She missed him, and she missed her dear sister, andwished with all her heart that she could be at home, in the bosom of her family, offering comfort where she could.
At last, she resolved to walk down to the parsonage, share the letter with Mary, and together grieve over their sister’s disappointment. When she arrived, Mary ordered tea, and the two withdrew to her little parlor.
“Jane has written, and she is brought very low.” Elizabeth handed her the letter.
Mary read it in silence, then, lifting her eyes to Elizabeth, quoted, “‘Yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.’ Never were truer words written, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth sighed. “I wish we could be with Jane to support her or at least distract Mamma.”
Mary handed the letter back to Elizabeth. “She has Papa. He will help her through this.”
Elizabeth handed Mary their father's letter, and the two sisters discussed its contents and the family's troubles at length. At last, Elizabeth tucked the letter back into her reticule.
“If only Papa does as he intends and exerts himself to restrain our mother from speaking every thought that enters her mind, poor Jane will bear this better.”
Chapter 13: The Nephews
Darcy sat in the family drawing room of the Fitzwilliam townhouse, reading his most recent letter from Lady Catherine.
He made a low sound of displeasure. Richard raised his head and set aside his newspaper. “What is it, Darcy? Why do you growl?”
“Lady Catherine has postponed our visit until October first and insists I escort Anne to a Harvest Home dance, to be held in a barn.”
“Well, what of it? What is there in that to provoke complaint?”
“How is one expected to dress for a dance held in a barn, Richard?”
Georgiana’s eyes brightened with interest. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, I have never attended a Harvest Home festival.”
Richard interjected. “That is because your brother has never hosted a Harvest Home festival at Pemberley, as any respectable estate owner would do.”
Georgiana appeared puzzled and asked, “Is this something you ought to host every year, brother?”
Darcy held out the letter to his sister. “Here, Georgie, you may read all about the plans our aunt has in mind.” He cast a dark glance at his cousin. “How politic of you not to mention the Matlock estate, which does not host one either, Richard.”
The military man grinned. “I wished to provoke you, Darcy. This letter from our aunt has put you out of sorts, and I thought to improve your temper.”
Darcy rolled his eyes. “You are included in Lady Catherine’s stratagems as well, Sweetling.”
Georgiana took the letter.
“I am certain she expects me to offer for our cousin this year, Richard, but I shall not. I told my aunt last year, in no uncertain terms, I had no intention of proposing to my cousin, and here are the beginnings of another of her designs.”
They heard Georgiana exclaim, “Oh no, not Mrs. Jenkinson.”
Richard said, “Read it aloud, my dear. I cannot read your brother’s mind, and he will speak of nothing but his intended betrothal to Anne.”
Georgiana read from the portion that had most engaged her attention.
Excerpt of Lady Catherine’s Letter
“Fitzwilliam, plan to arrive by October first, for I expect you to escort Anne to the Harvest Home festival. She is much affected by the loss of Mrs. Jenkinson, and I believe a short outing of this nature, in the company of her three cousins, must be just the thing. And since you will have Little Georgiana with you during this visit, I feel certain my niece will enjoy a dance in Lord Barlow’s barn. Lady Grace has informed me Lord Barlow is to host a large Harvest Home festival upon his estate on the ninth of October, and all his tenants have decorated a Harvest Maiden especially for the occasion. I believe my little niece will be delighted to see the procession from the fields and then observe each sheaf displayed in the barn, where the dance is to be held. Lady Grace assures me there will be roast pig and roast beef in abundance, as well as ale, cider,bread, cheese, and the like. I can send Anne with pies as our contribution to the table.
Pray do not fail me, for I have never seen Anne so downcast, and if it were not for her companion’s constant attention to her, I fear Anne would sink into a deep decline, and you know, Fitzwilliam, she is so frail it would not require much to carry her off.”
