FEBRUARY.

Mr Parker to Mr Wickham York, February 5 Good G.o.d, George, I could not believe it when I received your letter. I thought you were dead! Well, well, well, so that is where you have been: debtors' prison. I should have guessed. It is very good to know you are still alive and well, however, and looking for the love of your life. George Wickham married! What a sight that will be. I wish I knew any heiresses, but if I did, I would be making a play for them myself. My pockets are empty, as always.

Let me know the name of your widow. If you are leaving, then there will be a warm berth there for me, and it will suit me to leave York just at this moment. You might be able to pa.s.s for a respectable man here, but alas! I cannot. I must leave the city, at least for a while, and London would be as good a place as any for me to pa.s.s the time.

Have you seen anything of Belle lately?

Parker Mr Wickham to Mr Parker London, February 13 The widow is Mrs Dawson. Meet me at The Black Bull and I will take you home and introduce you, and then I will be off in pursuit of a wife. A pity there are none in York, but never mind, I will try my luck with Anne de Bourgh. If I can catch her away from her dragon of a mother, then something might be done.

You ask about Belle but sadly I have not seen her for years. We had some times together, Belle and I! But neither of us had any money and although we managed to sc.r.a.pe along together for a while, in the end the creditors were pressing and so we had to part. The last I heard of her, she was thinking of turning respectable.

Wickham Mr Parker to Mr Wickham Leeds, February 16 Belle! Respectable? Good Lord! That is the best joke I have heard in a long time.

The de Bourgh girl sounds promising. Does she have any money? If so, you'll have to fight the mother for her. Not the first time a George has fought a dragon!

Parker George Wickham to Matthew Parker London, February 18 Of course she has money; why else would I want to marry her? Miss Anne de Bourgh is the heiress of Rosings. She not only has a fortune, but the property will pa.s.s to her on her marriage as well. I have only to marry her and I will be George Wickham of Rosings Park. It has a fine sound, do you not think?

Wickham Mr Parker to Mr Wickham Leeds, February 22 Better than George Wickham of Debtors' Prison at any rate. Hurry up and marry the girl. I am in low funds and need somewhere to stay. Let me know when you have tied the knot and I will join you at Rosings as soon as the deed is done. Summer in Kent would suit me well.

Parker Mr Wickham to Mr Parker Kent, February 27 It is going to be easier than I thought. I travelled down to Kent, where I took a room at the local inn and made discreet enquiries as to Anne's movements, hoping that once I knew them I could arrange to b.u.mp into her 'accidentally' whilst she was out taking the air. But the de Bourghs are no longer in Kent; they are in Bath as Anne is sickly and she has gone there to take the waters. It will be far easier for me to renew our acquaintance there, where there are a thousand and one ways of meeting her. I am on my way to Bath now and I will write to you when I get there.

Wish me luck!

Wickham

MARCH.

Mr Parker to Mr Wickham London, March 1 Bath, eh? You're in luck. You can b.u.mp into her easily in the Pump Rooms and it won't look suspicious. Tell her you've got a touch of gout!

It should be easier for you to get her alone there, too. Her mother will have a lot of acquaintances and be gossiping half the time, I don't doubt; either that or playing the grand lady and entertaining herself by patronising everyone else.

Parker Mr Wickham to Mr Parker Bath, March 2 Well, I have made a start. I found Anne at the Pump Room this morning and she was alone, apart from her companion. I took a gla.s.s of the waters and then sidled over to her, b.u.mping into her and apologising, and then being concerned in case I had spilt the water on her dress. I affected surprise on recognising her and she blushed very prettily. She was flattered by my attentions, because of course I told her how well she looked-I am sure everyone else must tell her how sickly she looks-whilst the companion glowered at me and tried to hurry Anne away. So then I started talking about old Mr Darcy and mentioned that I was his G.o.dson and reminded Anne of all the happy times we had spent together at Pemberley. The companion was mollified and she was soon all smiles, for I bowed and kissed her hand, of course, and looked at her as though she were a beauty when in fact I am sure she must turn milk sour.

All was going well, very well, until Lady Catherine arrived. Anne shrank at once, and the companion looked nervous. I greeted Lady Catherine respectfully and told her that I had seen Darcy lately and that he was well. She raised her eyebrows but I saw that she remembered me and I thought everything was going to be all right, until she looked down her nose and said, 'Ah, yes, the steward's son,' and with that she turned her back on me.

I hid my disappointment, bowed and smirked, and accepted my dismissal gracefully. But I have not given up. If I can only find Anne alone, I am certain I can win her. Let me have but half an hour with her and I will persuade her to leave her drab and dreary life behind and elope with me.

Wickham Mr Parker to Mr Wickham London, March 4 Use all your charm. I am sick of the Widow. I want my freedom, and the freedom of Rosings Park.

Parker Mr Wickham to Mr Parker Bath, March 5 I renewed my a.s.sault this morning, meeting Anne in the library. Her eyes lit up when she saw me and I bowed and kissed her hand. We were soon talking about her favourite books and all was going well until the companion hurried over from the other side of the room, saying that Lady Catherine had instructed them not to be more than ten minutes. I tried to talk to Anne again but it was no good. At the mention of her mother, Anne became anxious, and as the companion was evidently not going to leave her side, I had to withdraw with a good grace.

There is no use in my remaining: Anne and her mother are due to return to Rosings in a few days. But I have not given up. In a few years' time, Lady Catherine might have pa.s.sed away and then I can try again.

In the meantime, I am returning to London. Meet me in The Black Bull on Sat.u.r.day at midday and we will drown our sorrows together.

Wickham Lady Catherine de Bourgh to Mr Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, March 17 Dear nephew, I called in at Darcy House on my way back from Bath and I spent the day with Georgiana. Her school has done well with her but it can do nothing more for her. She is old enough now to have an establishment of her own and you should form one for her in London. It is what your mother would have wished.

You will be pleased to hear that Anne's health is much improved by drinking the waters. I knew it must be so. Mr Feather was quite wrong when he said that Anne's condition was not the kind to benefit from a visit to Bath, and he has of course been forced to admit that I was right. I have been responsible for many cures by giving out good advice.

Your father's steward's son was in Bath. He did not seem to have any employment and I told him that he must apply himself if he wanted to get on in the world. It is amazing to me how many young men these days seem to squander their time and their energies. I told him that the Lymingtons were looking for a steward and I promised to mention his name. He told me he was very grateful for the attention.

Your friend Bingley was at Darcy House with his sisters when I arrived. They were visiting Georgiana and they had taken her riding in the park prior to my arrival. They were all impressed with Georgiana's equestrienne skills.

Mr Bingley's eldest sister is newly married to a Mr Hurst. He is a man who evidently suffers from fatigue and I told him that he would find the waters beneficial. Miss Bingley was much struck by the idea and a.s.sured me they would go to Bath forthwith.

'Let it be soon,' I said, 'for he will never recover without drinking the waters,' and she was forced to agree.

Mr Bingley is looking for an estate of his own. I advised him that he should look no further than Surrey. He said that he did not know if he would like the place but I told him he would like it very well: people in trade are always fond of Surrey.

Lady Catherine Mr Darcy to Lady Adelaide Fitzwilliam Pemberley, Derbyshire, March 20 I have had a letter from Lady Catherine and she raises a subject close to my thoughts at the moment, saying that she thinks I should set up a separate establishment for Georgiana in London. I have thought of it often recently but I have done nothing about it as I like to have my sister here at Pemberley when she is not at school. It is her home and she is very fond of it. I must also confess that I do not like to think of the place without her. But she is old enough now to leave school, and although it is one thing for her to spend the holidays at Pemberley, it is quite another for her to live here alone, for I cannot always be in Derbyshire.

If she had an establishment in London, she would have plenty of company all year round. There are always aunts, uncles and cousins in town on business or pleasure, and she would also have the parks, the picture galleries and the museums of London to educate and entertain her. I am more often in town than in Derbyshire and she would have my company then, as she would have it every summer when she would join me at Pemberley.

Let me have your thoughts on the matter; you know how much I value your opinion. I do my best for her, but it is at times like these that I realise how little I know about raising a child-or a young lady, I should say, for Georgiana is a child no longer-and I need advice.

Your affectionate nephew, Fitzwilliam Miss Anne de Bourgh to Miss Georgiana Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, March 23 Dearest Georgiana, How good it was to see you last week. How Ullswater made me laugh! And you are grown so talented. Your watercolour of the Thames was the prettiest thing you have done, and I am not surprised your brother wants to hang it in the drawing room. I wish I could learn to paint but Mama says that I am not well enough and that the lessons would fatigue me. I am sure they would not. However, I take my sketchbook out of doors whenever I can and I think the fresh air does me good, though Mama says it is injurious to my health.

We were sorry to miss your brother but your friends the Bingleys seem pleasant people. Mr Bingley is very handsome, is he not? And so good-humoured. What a change it was to hear someone who was pleased with everyone and everything, saying that London was the finest place in creation, full of the most interesting gentlemen and the prettiest ladies. I liked his sisters less, but you know them better than I do and I must confess they were very elegant-even Mama said they were well dressed for people whose family are in trade.

Have you heard anything of Henry recently? We have not heard anything since Christmas, but as he is your guardian I thought you might have some more recent news.

Affectionately yours, Anne Miss Georgiana Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh Darcy House, London, March 29 Dearest Anne, Ullswater is very funny, is she not? She makes me laugh all the time, although sometimes I should not laugh, I know. She knocked my paint box flying yesterday and I had to scrub the carpet before my governess returned so that Ullswater would not be in trouble. My governess does not like dogs and looks for any excuse to criticise her. I am not allowed to take her with me when I go riding but she begs to come with me every time. I tell her she may not go, but I always relent. It is true she chases rabbits, but the sight of her lolloping along beside me makes up for any inconvenience.

My brother was sorry to miss you, too, and he was sorry not to be able to visit you for Easter, but he says we will see you in the summer. He is back in London now and he is staying with me at Darcy House. He had a letter from Colonel Fitzwilliam yesterday and everything is well, or at least it was when the letter was posted, but it is difficult for letters to get through, you know. There was a lot in the letter about the war and the price of everything, also about military manoeuvres and some of the commanders, and there was a note in it for me. My guardian told me that the weather is good, much warmer than it is here, and the food bearable, and that he has some leave coming to him in the summer so that he will join us at Pemberley. The Bingleys will be coming, too. They are very agreeable people, are they not? Miss Bingley plays duets with me and she and her sister sing with me. They remained in Yorkshire over the winter on account of a sad bereavement but they returned to London recently and they are often here. I am glad of it. Mr Bingley dances with me after dinner sometimes whilst his sister plays the piano. I am preparing myself for the future, you see. I must know how to go on when I come out.

Miss Bingley is at present trying to persuade her brother to buy an estate. He is willing, but my brother does not think he will find it easy to settle because he enjoys travelling too much and meeting new people. He is at that time of life when friendships are growing and the circle of acquaintances is always expanding.

My brother says that Mr Bingley is so easily persuadable that if one of his friends only says to him, 'Bingley, I think you had better not buy an estate, you know,' Mr Bingley will probably not do it.

All the same, his sisters seem determined for him to have somewhere and I think they will prevail in the end.

Your affectionate cousin, Georgiana

APRIL.

Mr Bingley to Mr Darcy London, April 3 Upon my honour, Darcy, it is good of you to invite us to dine with you. I am looking forward to seeing you again and to asking you for some advice about buying an estate. Caroline and Louisa can only see that it would give me somewhere to invite my friends, but there is a lot of work involved in running such a place and I do not know if I would be up to the task. Your aunt thought it a good idea and recommended Surrey, but Caroline did not take to the idea. Perhaps you would be so good as to give me your opinion when we meet next week.

Your friend, Bingley Lady Catherine de Bourgh to Mr Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, April 8 Dear nephew, I hear from Georgiana that your friend Bingley did not like Surrey and that he intends to buy an estate elsewhere. It is astonishing to me that gentlemen these days are so ignorant of what is to their own advantage. Your friend Bingley is not the only one to suffer from this complaint. The rector of Hunsford, Mr Green, is similarly afflicted, and saw fit to die last week, when it was clearly in his best interests to remain alive.

Like all inconsiderate people, he died at a most inconvenient time. If he had waited until next month, I would have had more leisure to replace him. I cannot think it would have mattered to him: having lived for ninety years it would surely not have troubled him greatly to have lived for another six weeks. However, it would have made a great difference to me as my guests would, by then, have departed. But that is the problem with people today: they have no thought for others. It is a universal complaint.

It is proving difficult for me to find a replacement. As the rectory is so near to Rosings Park, it is necessary for me to have a man of sound good worth and sobriety, with a respectful manner and a becoming grat.i.tude for the favour bestowed. He must be a man of exceptional character as well as a man of great ability; a man who understands the difference of rank but who is at the same time a gentleman. In addition to this, he must have a proper humility. I will not have him subjecting Anne to the impertinent attentions her beauty is certain to inspire, for in point of true beauty, Anne is far above the rest of her s.e.x. I cannot prevent him from worshipping her from afar, as, indeed, what man could resist? For such a refined and elegant young woman cannot help inspiring the tenderest feelings in the male breast. But her future lies elsewhere, as well you know.

I have so far seen four candidates but they have been impossible. Mr Frampton did not play cards so he would not do, for I must have some entertainment in the evenings; Mr Redding did not show the proper deference and I cannot abide a clergyman who is above himself; Mr Waring was so overcome by Anne's beauty that he could not remember her name and kept calling her Miss...Miss...and Mr Ingers referred to me as Mrs de Bourgh. Another gentleman, a Mr Collins, has been recommended to me. I have no great hopes of him but I will see him nonetheless.

In my day, clergymen were all of them suitable. It is a sad sign of the times that not one of them today will take the trouble to be what I wish them to be.

Your aunt, Lady Catherine

JUNE.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mrs Gardiner Longbourn, Hertfordshire, June 7 The Sothertons have left us at last and Netherfield Park is empty. We have all been cast down by their departure; all except Mary, who said that we must cherish in our bosoms the knowledge that vice, if allowed to flourish, will fell even the mightiest oak, and that we must take heed of the lesson so unwillingly taught to us by our unlucky neighbours. Papa asked her if vice would fell the mightiest elm, or if it was only the oak it could topple, which was very wrong of him, but Mary would try the patience of a saint.

We went over to my aunt Philips's house this evening, where Mary told Mr Shackleton that vice could fell any tree taller than a sapling, no matter what its species, and the rest of us spent most of our time bemoaning the loss of our friends. Charlotte felt it as much as Jane and I. She lifted our spirits, however, by saying that Mr Sotherton would have far fewer temptations in Bath and that the family could live there more cheaply, so that they would have a better chance of restoring their fortunes and then being able to return to Meryton.

My aunt Philips said that two people have already requested a viewing, for she saw Mr Morris, the Sothertons' man of business, in town this morning, and told us all about it. Mama made particular enquiries as to the nature of the prospective tenants but she was put out to discover that the first of them is a young man with a wife and two children and the second is a retired sea captain. She is hoping that neither of them take it, for she would like a family with five sons to come to the Park so that she can marry us all off at one fell swoop. The first son is to be the heir and he is to marry Jane. The second is to be a military man and he is to marry Lydia. The third is to be a clergyman with a handsome living and he is to marry Mary. The fourth is to be a sailor, the captain of a frigate, and he is to marry Kitty. And the youngest son is to marry me. I think my marriage was an afterthought, as I believe that Mama had forgotten about me!

Papa occasionally reminds her that no such family has taken the estate, but she is so happy in the imagining of it that for the most part he leaves her be.

She had some hopes that Jane might be about to marry last month. There was a gentleman from London who was staying with the Robinsons, but it all came to nothing. I am glad of it. Jane liked him, but when did Jane not like anyone? However, she was not downhearted when he went away, so it was nothing but a pa.s.sing fancy. Mama was very upset, however, saying that Jane will soon be an old maid. Jane is one and twenty! Lydia of course believes everything Mama says, and declares that she will never be an old maid and that she will be married by the time she is sixteen. Since this puts Mama into a good humour, Papa says nothing to discourage it; indeed he remarks that if she can find a man who is silly enough to marry her he will consider himself lucky and hand her over with his blessing. This leads Mary to reflect on the seriousness of matrimony, whilst Kitty fidgets and asks for a new bonnet. So you see we all go on as usual!

I will write again when I have any news.

Your affectionate niece, Lizzy Mr Charles Bingley to Mrs Bingley Pemberley, Derbyshire, June 15 Dearest Ma, I have been to see three estates these last few weeks and Caroline has disliked them all. She is such a fine lady that upon my honour I hardly dare speak to her anymore. She finds fault with everything, saying the drawing room is not as large as the Pemberley drawing room or the view from the dining room is not as splendid as the one at Pemberley. She will never find a house like Pemberley, and so I keep telling her, but she only smiles and says there are other ways to live in a house than buying it. If she thinks Darcy will marry her, she is mistaken. He will marry Miss de Bourgh if he marries to please his family, and he will certainly not marry Caroline if he marries to please himself, upon my honour he will not.

I am trying to persuade her to return to Yorkshire but she says I will need a hostess and she cannot leave me in my hour of need. I thought she might leave me last week, for there was some talk of Darcy sending Georgiana to the coast for a few weeks and Caroline said that she had a mind to visit the coast herself. But when she learnt that Darcy did not intend to go with his sister she changed her mind.

Are you sure you do not need her for a few weeks, Ma? I am certain the little ones would like to see her. We will be returning to London in a few days' time so send your reply to the London address.

Your loving son, Charles Mr Darcy to Lady Catherine de Bourgh Darcy House, London, June 18 I sympathise with you over your difficulties in finding a new rector for Hunsford, aunt. I have had similar difficulties of my own. I had to dismiss my steward when I found he had been taking money from the estate and now I am looking about me for another one. I have had two since old Mr Wickham pa.s.sed away but neither of them have been satisfactory. It has been a difficult position to fill, particularly as Mr Wickham's stewardship was exemplary. I am running the estate myself for the time being but the sooner I find a new steward the better. The grove at the far end of the lake needs coppicing and the home farm is in need of repair, to name but two pressing matters. Do you know of anyone who might suit?

I am also looking about me for a companion for Georgiana. Her governess has left her to marry and I think that a companion would be more suitable as Georgiana is now fifteen. She will still continue with her masters so you need not fear that her studies will be neglected, but she needs a woman who can show her, by example, how to behave in company. She is too young to come out but she is starting to attend small parties I hold at Pemberley, where she can learn adult manners amongst friends.

And speaking of friends, Henry writes to me that he will be home in a few weeks on leave and he will be coming to Pemberley, where I know he will be pleased to see the improvement in Georgiana. He has promised to bring her a collection of pressed flowers from Spain, species which flourish there but are not to be met with here, and she is planning to use them to decorate a screen. She has already made the design and although I have a brother's partiality, I think it very well done.

Henry has written to you, too, I know, but the mail being uncertain from the Continent he has asked me to say that he will call on you at Rosings in July. It is very hot in London and I am thinking of sending Georgiana to the coast following his visit, as I am persuaded it would do her good. Perhaps Anne would like to go with her? The two of them are good friends and they would be company for one another.

Your affectionate nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy Lady Catherine de Bourgh to Mr Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, June 20 You need not trouble yourself over the matter of Georgiana's companion. I have found you one, a very respectable woman by the name of Younge. She just happened to be mentioned to me the other day by Mrs Campbell, a very genteel woman whose husband is in the diplomatic corps. Mrs Younge is lately widowed and as her husband did not leave her very well provided for she is in need of a position. Mrs Campbell gave her friend the highest references and of course Mrs Younge will be only too delighted to find herself as companion to Miss Georgiana Darcy.

Your idea of sending Georgiana to the coast is a good one and with Mrs Younge to guide her she will be able to make the most of the opportunity to sketch and paint the coast. Anne, alas, will be unable to go with her. Mr Feather is quite wrong when he says the sea air would be beneficial to her health; it would certainly be ruinous to her.

You must send two menservants with Georgiana, as it would be highly improper for her to travel otherwise: Miss Darcy, the daughter of Mr Darcy, of Pemberley, cannot appear with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things and you must be attentive to them as well.

I have arranged for Mrs Younge to call upon you on the twenty-second of June at ten o'clock, when you will confirm her appointment.

Your aunt, Lady Catherine Miss Anne de Bourgh to Miss Georgiana Darcy Rosings Park, Kent, June 22 Dear Georgiana, Mama says you are going to the coast. You must promise to write to me, for I do so like to hear from you. I get out very little and although we have people to dine they are always the same. We will have some variety soon, however, for Mama has just appointed Mr Collins as the new rector of Hunsford. He was ordained at Easter and seems very grateful for the preferment, which pleases Mama. He is also very agreeable and does whatever she asks him to do, as though it is his greatest pleasure on earth. He is an educated man, having been to university, but is not puffed up with conceit like so many young men nowadays, or so Mama says. He has a suitable humility, and a becoming grat.i.tude towards her. She invited him to dinner yesterday, and he spoke at length on the duties of a clergyman and of the obligation he feels towards her for having given him such a splendid preferment so early in life.

Mama said, 'Mr Collins, I have chosen you for the living and I am a superb judge of character. I never judge wrong.' Mr Collins said that he had known as much from the moment he laid eyes on her, and Mama was impressed by his honesty and sense. He will be moving into the parsonage next month.

I hope you like Mrs Younge. Mama says she is a very agreeable woman and will make you an excellent companion. I believe your brother is seeing her today. I hope he likes her and that Colonel Fitzwilliam approves. Tell me, have you heard anything from Colonel Fitzwilliam recently? I must confess...but I had better not say any more.

Your loving coz, Anne Miss Georgiana Darcy to Miss Anne de Bourgh Darcy House, London, June 30 Dearest Anne, Mrs Younge has been appointed and I like her very much. Do you know, when Ullswater knocked over my screen this morning, instead of saying she was a horrible beast who ought not to be allowed in the house, Mrs Younge simply picked it up again, dusted off the footprints and said, 'No harm done.'

I am sorry you are not to come with me to the coast as it is now certain I am to go. It is so hot in London that I feel like a cut flower which someone has forgotten to put in water. I am to go to Margate or Ramsgate, just wherever Mr Hargreaves manages to find a suitable house. Poor Mr Hargreaves! He is having to do everything at the moment. My brother has not only instructed him to find me a suitable house by the sea, but also to supervise Pemberley until a new steward can be found. It is a pity that my brother has had a falling out with George Wickham, otherwise he could ask him to be the new steward. But when I ventured to mention it, Fitzwilliam became quite cold and said that it would be most unsuitable.

I hope to see Colonel Fitzwilliam when he comes home and I will tell you all about it. I am very fortunate to have him as my guardian. He always has some present for me, and I always make sure to give him something in return. I have painted a screen for him and I mean to present it to him when next we meet. I wish he did not have to go away to war, but someone must do it, I suppose, and all his life he wanted to be a soldier so I cannot complain.

Your affectionate cousin, Georgiana

JULY.

Mr Wickham to Mr Parker London, July 4 The biggest stroke of luck! I was walking in the park yesterday and who should I see but Belle. You remember Belle? Of course you do! We went to many parties with her and her friends when last we knew her, and you surely will not have forgotten them! If you remember, I told you that the last time I saw her she was thinking of turning respectable. Well, she has. I took her for an ice and she told me all about it.

It seems she happened to run across an old school friend who had seen nothing of her for years, and so of course she said nothing of the recent past. She drew a veil over her string of protectors and said only what she wanted her friend to hear: that she had married a good man, a Mr Younge, that he had tragically died and that she was left in difficult circ.u.mstances. This friend, a Mrs Campbell, gave her a glowing reference and helped her to a position as a companion to an heiress.

Ah! I thought that would make you sit up! But the best of it is, she is not just the companion to any heiress, she is the companion to Georgiana Darcy!

You can imagine how I felt when she told me. My heart leapt! An heiress, one I could approach and sc.r.a.pe an acquaintance with, and then reminisce about our happy childhoods with, for although I am some ten years older than her I was always kind to her when she was a little girl. Better yet, she is being sent to the coast by her brother for the summer, and what better place for me to approach her, where there will be no old servants watching, and no Darcy House to present a forbidding aspect? Only a promenade and many sheltered coves, with no friends or relatives nearby. A companion to guard her, of course-and that companion to be Belle!

I intend to run away with her to Scotland, where we can be married over the anvil, and then her thirty thousand pounds will be mine. Not only will I have a rich wife, but I will be revenged on Darcy for his contemptuous treatment of me.