Dear Mr. Darcy Part 16

Charlotte and Mr Collins were here for a short visit earlier in the week but have now returned home. We were invited to a party at Lucas Lodge in their honour and we accepted. Lady Lucas could talk of nothing but Charlotte's interesting condition and Mama talked over her about Mr Darcy. I think Mama is growing bored, now that three of her daughters are married, and when Mary and Kitty marry, I think that it might be better if Charles and I were no longer in the neighbourhood, for she will have a great deal of leisure and will be here even oftener than at present.

After Christmas we intend to look about us for another house. Charles has long wanted to buy an estate, and as Netherfield Park is entailed on Frederick, it would not be possible to buy it, even if he wanted to. But I think he has a mind to move farther north, perhaps into Cheshire, and I am in agreement. The lease on Netherfield runs out next September and we hope to have found our new home by then.

Whether the Sothertons will move back to Meryton, who can say? It will depend on Mr Sotherton, and whether he has conquered his propensities for fast living. Frederick, at least, it appears, has been saved, for Susan writes that he has mended his ways. I am glad. I always liked him and felt he was good at heart. I would like them to return to Meryton and I know that Kitty and Mary would value Ellie and Lucy's company.

But that is for another time, indeed, another year, and there are many things to look forward to before that. Will you come to us for Christmas? I am longing to see you again.

Your loving sister, Jane.

Mrs Elizabeth Darcy to Mrs Jane Bingley Pemberley, Derbyshire, November 22.

Dearest Jane, I can see that we will have to perpetually argue about who is the happiest, because I cannot forego my own claim. Is not marriage wonderful? I cannot think how I managed before! Everything about life is so much better now. Our visit to the Lake District was wonderful and even the travelling was not tedious. c.u.mbria was very striking-beauty on an impressive scale-and the Fitzwilliam family were very grand but for the most part they were friendly.

We will not be able to join you for Christmas, as we will be holding a house party here, and of course you must come to us. Do say you will. Mama writes to me every day, dropping hints about visiting, and if she has a firm invitation for Christmas, I believe it will protect us from an impromptu visit before then. I have invited Charlotte as well, but she is not inclined to travel, with her olive branch so near to being delivered.

I have persuaded Fitzwilliam to invite his aunt Lady Catherine. I cannot say that I particularly want her here, but the rift must be healed sometime so it might as well be now. My resentment, once incurred, does not last forever, you see, though I am relying on you to rescue me from her if the occasion demands!

But do not let the thought of her prevent you coming to us. I am longing to show you Pemberley and I am growing to love it more every day. Fitzwilliam says that I must redecorate it if I wish but I prefer to leave it as it is. Everything is in good taste, and besides, it reminds me of my first visit here with my aunt and uncle. I can scarcely believe it was less than a year ago.

Fitzwilliam loves it even more than I do. He enjoyed our time in the Lakes but even then I could tell he was longing to return. He was eager to show me all his favourite spots in the house and garden and he wanted to introduce me to all his neighbours. We have been dining out every evening and so far I have met eleven of the princ.i.p.al families of the neighbourhood. I hope to meet more when we host our first dinner party next week.

Their welcome to me has been varied. Some of them have been warm and friendly, showing an interest in Hertfordshire; indeed, the Braithwaites know the Lucases-it seems that they all met at St. James's. But others look down on me shockingly. My dear husband left his conversation to give me his support last night when Mrs Yates drew her skirts away from me as though I were contaminated and asked me pointedly, 'Who are your people?' But I understood her malice easily enough, as her unmarried daughter was by her side, and I was not to be intimidated by the likes of a Mrs Yates, you may be sure. It is a good thing I have some irritations to put up with, or else my life would be in danger of being too perfect!

Lydia has already written to me, saying that Wickham would like a place at court and asking me to speak to Fitzwilliam about it. I have no intention of asking my husband to help Wickham any further, but I sent Lydia some money; otherwise I fear she will bankrupt the shopkeepers in her town before she is done.

It is interesting to hear that Kitty likes Mark Haydock. I think I will invite her to stay on at Pemberley when the rest of our guests leave after Christmas so that she can see more of him. Kympton is not too far away and she will be company for Georgiana. Georgiana is still very shy, although growing less so, and she would benefit from Kitty's lively spirits, as Kitty would benefit from Georgiana's elegance and poise. The two of them will complement each other very well.

But now I must go, for if there is anything I like more than writing to you, dear Jane, it is spending time with my husband and being the mistress of Pemberley. For all its grandeur, it is home-as anywhere would be home that held my dear Mr Darcy.

Fondest wishes from your loving sister, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR.

Amanda Grange was born in Yorkshire, England, and spent her teenage years reading Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer whilst also finding time to study music at Nottingham University. She has had more than twenty novels published, including six Jane Austen retellings that look at events from the heroes' points of view. Woman magazine said of Mr. Darcy's Diary, "Lots of fun, this is the tale behind the alpha male," whilst The Washington Post called Mr. Knightley's Diary "affectionate." The Historical Novels Review made Captain Wentworth's Diary an Editors' Choice, remarking, "Amanda Grange has taken on the challenge of reworking a much-loved romance and succeeds brilliantly." AustenBlog declared that Colonel Brandon's Diary was "the best book yet in her series of heroes' diaries," whilst Austenprose declared Henry Tilney's Diary to be a Top 10 Austen read of 2011. Her paranormal sequel to Pride and Prejudice-Mr. Darcy, Vampyre-was nominated for the Jane Austen Awards. Amanda Grange now lives in Cheshire, England. You can find out more at her website, www.amandagrange.com.

Berkley t.i.tles by Amanda Grange.

MR. KNIGHTLEY'S DIARY CAPTAIN WENTWORTH'S DIARY EDMUND BERTRAM'S DIARY COLONEL BRANDON'S DIARY HENRY TILNEY'S DIARY DEAR MR. DARCY.

LORD DEVERILL'S SECRET.

HARSTAIRS HOUSE.