As for me, our Aunt hasinsistedthat I remain here in London so that she might introduce me to a number ofyoung ladies that she believes might be suitable to be the Mistress of Pemberley. I was not delighted by the idea, as you may imagine, but I certainly recognise the need for a wife. I also know that you would very much like to have a sister.
But it is not an easy process. Yesterday evening, I was introduced to a young lady who enjoyed living in the country because of the adorable lambs, but she could not name a single crop grown. This afternoon, the young lady to whom I was introduced informed me that she preferred the country because she was less often ill in the country than in Town. As you may imagine, neither of them could possibly be the next Mistress of Pemberley!
Frankly, I am ready to give up and go to Netherfield, as Bingley has been expecting me for some time, but I will do my duty here in London.
Your adoring brother,
William
Chapter Sixteen
Georgiana read her brother’s letter while nibbling on a piece of toast. She shook her head over the letter. Heavens! For all the world, it sounded as if Brother was conducting an interview for a position on Pemberley’s staff, rather than looking for a wife!
She went to her room, bringing the toast with her, to respond at once.
Dear Brother,
I confess myself astonished at the way in which you go about finding a wife! What does it matter whether or not she likes little lambs, or plays well or does not play well, whether she is beautiful or not beautiful! There should be something indefinable about her, something that draws you in, something that makes your fingers tingle when you touch hers, and your heart beat faster when you see her!
Doubtless you will dismiss this as mere romantic fancy, but I believe it exists. Despite everything, and you know to what I refer, I continue to believe in love. I want it for you, dearest brother. You, more than anyone I know, deserve to love and to be loved! I realise nowthat what I experienced at Ramsgate was simply being overly susceptible to flattery. None of the symptoms of a true attachment existed, which should have been enough to warn me off. But I shall not dwell on that distasteful subject.
You will be glad to know that there are no new cases of the illness that so plagued us. It seems to be over. How lucky we were that Mrs. Reynolds had the stillroom so well stocked! I have asked her to teach me about her remedies, and we meet every afternoon so that I can learn and take notes. I understand now how very important this is.
On a more mundane level, you will be glad to know that I am eating better and have gained back some of the flesh I lost after…well, you know. If you see crumbs on this message, it is from my morning toast!
Your own loving,
Georgiana
Chapter Seventeen
When Elizabeth entered the breakfast room, she found Kitty, Lydia and Mary already at the table.
Upon seeing her, Lydia complained, “Elizabeth, I think it very unfair that we are now excluded from anything fun.” As she spoke, she reached past Kitty to snatch a piece of bacon.
“It is not my fault that you are too ill-behaved to be seen in good company,” Elizabeth shot back, irritated at having been so accosted before even sitting down.
“Ill-behaved! Mama says I am lively, and that is very different from ill-behaved.”
“It is very different indeed, but sadly, you have not truly understood the difference,” Elizabeth replied. Upon seeing Lydia’s wounded expression, she sat down and sighed. “I am sorry, Lydia. Believe me, I would prefer that it not be necessary to pursue Mr. Bingley so single-mindedly that no distractions are allowed. You know that Papa was forced to attend the assembly; believe me, he was no happier than the two of you at the necessity of that.”
“But why is everything so different now? Why is Lizzy to pursue Mr. Bingley? What are we not being told?” Lydia demanded.
Elizabeth and Mary looked at one another.
Kitty intercepted the look and said, “So thereissomething to be told! If whatever this is means that Lydia and I cannot have any more fun, we deserve to know.”
Elizabeth sighed. “We have no money, Kitty. No savings. The harvest was bad, and the two largest farms are empty. We need three thousand pounds to pay off our accounts and get us through until the next harvest.”
“We are poor?” Lydia asked, in a small voice.
“Yes, and we may become poorer yet if something does not change.”
“Well, it is everything unfair! It is Papa’s fault that we have no money, so it is fair for him to suffer at least a little, if attending an assembly is to be considered suffering! But what did Lydia and I do? Nothing whatever! And yet, we are to miss out on all the fun!” Kitty said.
There was a moment of silence in the breakfast room. Mary said, “Whosever fault it was, it falls to our Lizzy to save the family from financial ruin. We must all do our best to help her. If that means losing some ‘fun,’ as you put it, Lydia, then it is a necessary sacrifice.”
“We can at least walk to Meryton, can we not?” Lydia asked.
