Posted on Tuesday, 11 July 2006

Dearest Georgiana,

My favorite hour is in consideration of you. I have a concern, pray it's minor, with your regard. You wrote of all your ramblings and walks pleasantly spent with Mrs. Wynne and her daughter; I sense restraint and can not make it out at all. Am I too much of an elder brother for a young ladies' confidence, or just too elder to know the heart of a young lady? Forgive me if you are not excluding me, I won't press or concern you, but sensed more than your words convey. It is my failure that I can't be closer to you in confidence. It's my fault, I'm sure. I too ramble here with Bingly and his sisters. so much talk and nothing to say. We are near settling him but he's insisted we join him in the pleasures of country life which he finds so charming. It is a nice estate and the gaming is fair.

Forgive my hand, I am distracted, and this may distract you as well I think. You'll not be surprised that Mr Bingly finds pleasure in everything and everyone, but there is a young lady who disarmed him at an Assembly ball. I believe one can live a very full and rich life without ever experiencing the charms of such an assembly ball. Nothing so vulgar as Eastside, but society here is limited in beauty and breeding. None of my prodding could dissuade him from attending, so I obliged him. He's set his eye on a Miss Jane Bennet who is no more than twenty one or two I think, with a countenance more modest and agreeable than his own, imagine. She has sense and Carriage. A lovely symmetric form which pleases, and he thinks he's met an angel. She has a sister, actually four, but only one worth regard, Miss Elisabeth Bennet, who as I write, refuses to acknowledge me other than base civility. She refused my proposal to dance just yesterday week. She sits behind me now, exchanging wit with Miss Caroline. I may have committed an offense, but I think her proud and determined not to be impressed with those who's situation is above her own. She's not one and twenty, about your height and though her figure cannot boast the dignity of her sister, nor your Carriage, her form is light and pleasant. Both ladies are fair, pretty and while Jane smiles much and has a quiet and modest countenance, her sister's face is expressive sometimes of softness the most bewitching, and at others of Vivacity the most striking. She appears to have infinite Wit; impertinence, her conversation during the short time she sets with us, is replete with humour unalterable though Caroline means to disarm. She's determined and proud considering her situation but her indifference amuses greatly. Pray you will avoid such charms.

Caroline requires to be the center of all conversation and hasn't the manners to mask her motive. She does not see how little regard Miss Bennet gives anyone other than Mr Bingly and her ailing sister. I suppose a man who cared more might take offence at her indifference but sport begs me on in matches of wit. That most bothers Caroline for she has neither the sense nor the wit to participate. Miss Elisabeth spends most of the day with her convalescing sister and joins only after her sister retires for the evening. Her forebearance of Caroline is admirable, her eyes mirror either amusement or disdain. I dare say I am amused sufficiently.

Forgive me, I forgot to say how this came to be. I mentioned they are dueling right behind me. Any attempt to see her clearly is I fear beyond me. Caroline invited Miss Jane Bennet to dinner while Bingly and I dined with the militia officers I mentioned last letter. The lady arrived on horseback in the pouring rain, and is now terribly ill and being attended to upstairs. Her sister arrived the next morning on foot to inquire after her, and found her not at all well. Not just on foot, my dear Georgiana, but it had to have been 3 miles of dirt roads and pastures that she traversed. Bingly welcomed the opportunity to accommodate both sisters and persuaded her to stay for the sake of her sister and sent his man for her clothes. Actually after the shock of her arrival I was impressed with the depth of her affection for her sister. Caroline and Lydia have not ceased to tease, ridicule and find fault in her. I don't wholly disagree with their observations, but you can't fault a girl for caring about her sister. Something I know you would welcome. I'm sorry that amongst our friends and relations we have so few women that you could call friend or sister. I'm grateful that you have Mrs. Wynne and her daughter, but I think you would find no fault in how these Bennet sisters care for one another.

I hope you are settled for the holidays, and not regretting your decision to wait another season. There's still time should you be inclined, but I confess my hope, most selfish is that you need never tolerate society as it is. Deceive me if you must, but humour me that you will miss me as painfully as I do you. I will be in town next holiday unless I convince Bingly to quit early. He promises to have a ball himself, and I offended him so at the Assembly ball, he's beyond my influence in this and much too obliging to be left alone. How did you like the new music I sent? I found it here in town. Miss Bennet had performed it at a dinner party a week past. She doesn't at all have your talent or style on the pianoforte, but she has the loveliest voice and there was a playfulness in her lack of regard for the audience. I've never heard anything so pleasant.

Goodnight for now, I'll write again soon.

your loving brother,
William

Letter from Netherfield - response

Posted on Thursday, 13 July 2006

Dearest William,
Do not trouble yourself over me. Forgive me brother; I have no favor to ask or secret to bare. I am ashamed to cause you uneasiness. I did suffer some melancholy of late, I confess, to be home in London again, but what is that, it is all on my side, and it is past, forgot. I have no plea for change. You know how I love to be at Pemberly through Christmas, but I would not dream of keeping you there to amuse me. Do not think of it. Brother, again you shame me to ask for my affection, I do so love and miss you. If you are you teasing--Please stop. I am fine, busy and gay. The music you sent is wonderful, I only wish to hear it as you heard Miss Bennet play so that I can practice the performance you describe. I can not imagine making light of my audience. I do so fear an audience. How can one just play? I practice and practice and still dread an audience. This is not the inspiration great music requires.

The Colonel arrived this morning after breakfast. He has but three days in town; then rides north to join his regiment. He says he does not go to war, but I do not think he would tell me if he were. Did you know that he is not expected back until Easter? To cheer me, he bought tickets for the theatre. We leave within the hour. Forgive me, I did share some of your letter with the Colonel as he came upon me before I had finished reading. He is reading it still as I write. Against my will, He now begs me say; you are in grave danger. I do not see the humor, but he is laughing. I know he means to tease you, for he would write himself if he were inclined. Tell me Brother, what danger does he imply? Do you not always say a good woman is worth the find? Does it not follow then that she should be rare? If Miss Elizabeth Bennet gives you to distraction, and pleasure, then that is worth the find is it not? It would give me great pleasure to meet someone who can make you speak this way. Your description of her reads like a poem; or would you claim ignorance of that? You have described many of your regarded acquaintances to me, this is different I think. I have your letters as proof. So says the Colonel, so say I. The Colonel only laughs at my questions deferring to you to explain yourself. He says you will never take the trouble to seek or please a wife. Pray tell me, he is mistaken. I can not imagine a kinder more considerate brother. How is it that he thinks You would have trouble to please a wife? Why Brother, if you sport with her is she not inclined to dance with you? Are you teasing me or mistaken for I can not make it out. If she has the sense that you claim, how does she not see you? Or is this the way with women that I do not fully understand? Perhaps in sport you are causing her offense. I know many young ladies particularly if they have no brothers, who are not given to teasing at all. Please do make pardon to her, surely there is no harm in a dance? Please brother, do take the trouble for by your own words, what of value does not have a price?

I should have liked to have a sister as you describe. To spend the whole of a day in each others confidence would require love and patience would it not? I can not imagine even my friend Laura Wynne that she would wait on me for a whole day if she was not already here and her mother not in your employ. I am pleased that you take pleasure in her company. I am sure that if you have a high regard for her, I would love her as well. I think it says much about her, do you not? Will you present her to us in town? Does she have a home and relations here?

I will write again soon, the Colonel is anxious to leave. I have much to tell about my introductions to Lord David and Lord Thomas. Lord and Lady Matlock had made the arrangements and promised to join us again for Christmas dinner. I was not inclined to welcome their attention and nothing has changed in that regard, but I shall never again think of them without compassion. I can not wait to tell you everything. Let me take leave with this thought. From the bottom of my heart I thank you for your Guardianship. Between you, my dear brother and the Colonel I have wanted for nothing and been spoiled by your attention and love. I do not deserve it, and wish everyone in my situation could have such affection.

I adore you,
Georgiana

To Georgiana & Fitz - Letter 2

Posted on Saturday, 15 July 2006

Dearest Georgiana,

The overflow of gratitude must have a connection to your compassion toward the Lords David and Thomas. I may already know a little of what you are feeling. We can talk more intimately when I arrive. I had all but forgotten their visit. I am glad that you remind me, albeit postscript. I hope you make no delay in sharing with me. Pray what can a young gentleman do to earn your regard or encourage affection? I am most pleased that you will have friends your age at Christmas. I fear I have discovered the cause of your melancholy and the blame is mine. I was not at all thinking of Christmas when I agreed to help Mr. Bingley; and delivered you home to London early. Pemberly has always been your home at Christmas and it shames me that I could have been so thoughtless. You wish to attend the Servants Ball, is that it? I have no excuse, please forgive me. I will send word to Mrs. Reynolds and Mister Stone at once to beg forgiveness for our absence. Or I can implore Lord and Lady Matlock to join us at Pemberly. Which shall I do to make amends?

Regarding our ill mannered cousin, I am certain that his regiment has not been dispatched so I have no worries for his safety at present. He did mention again trouble in Canada but if he plans on touring Rosings Park with me, than he has no fear of dispatch before Easter. Thank you sister, for not falling prey to the humor of the good Colonel. We enjoy the intimacy of brothers, but he shares me too freely. You my dear are the rarest of creatures, I am spoilt. The Colonel and I have grown bitter I think: disappointed in society for too long. We do you a great disservice however by making light of such serious affairs. I do not think you too delicate to understand, and by proof of your sense more than age I am forced to answer you direct and without jest.

Let me first say that your reflections are accurate and more than I intended to disclose. My dear, you have more sensibility than women twice your age and experience; not all sown from sorrow I pray. Miss Bennet had captivated my thoughts as I sat to write and had since become engaged in conversation that allowed me to sketch her for you with little notice. I have not yet made her out so I am hiding nothing from you that is not hidden to me. I have known her but a few short weeks so give me time to better understand my regard. Miss Bingley can be ungenerous to extreme when threatened, and like you, Georgiana, Miss Bennet does not employ the arts that some women condescend to. On occasion I thought to step up; but she was neither in want nor in need, and so we sparred, which I did enjoy, not for the sake of teasing or censure, but the conversation engaged me and her opinions intrigued; this too added to my regard. You know I have no lack of reserve and you have yourself reasoned no lack of interest or desire, save for one measure of import. but of particular import Georgina, and this is critical for you to understand. As I mentioned, Miss Bennet has the prudence to not entertain me with any purpose. Disarming to me, is that this too adds to my regard of her, for in this society they have no higher aspiration than an advantageous marriage. I have to say that Miss Bennet and her elder sister are rare indeed if you consider their connections; disadvantages and lack of relations. I've spared you the worst of Hertfordshire and truly you would find no comfort in her relations. Society here is savage at best. As much as I regard Miss Bennet; as much as I would wish to introduce you to her, it would not be prudent, it would not be appropriate to attend to her in such a manner as to give her hope of an alliance. She knows this I think and does nothing in particular to engage me; rather she is either too proud or too shy to spare me a glance. I could not do her the dishonor of encouraging such imprudence. It is natural to admire things of beauty, especially the more rare, but you would not have me abject ourselves; our beneficiaries to an unsuitable alliance that does not honor property, nobility, relations and patronage. There is no rationale or honor in it. Some say jokingly that second sons of gentlemen are not free to marry as they please, but I find that weight more true of first sons. To pursue an alliance for less than love would be grave, and I would see you Mistress of my affairs before I would surrender to that. But there must be a regard for those who depend on us to ensure a mutual advantage for the alliance to be agreeable to all concerned. I hope that I do not disappoint you. It is with you in mind that I hold my reserve in balance.
Mr. Bingley has announced plans for a ball and his sisters are artfully engaged in the planning of it. I promise I will attempt again to stand up to a dance with Miss Bennet. I know her well enough and it would give me great pleasure; there is no harm in that. I promise you I do not tease her for sport, but rather our talks become sport and I engage her only to understand.

Pray tell me that I've not disappointed you. I am at your mercy,

William

Dear Fitz,

What are you thinking to include Georgiana in the mockery of her much beloved brother? You malign me sir; and take great pleasure in doing so. I see your motive; jealousy does not become you. I am not surprised you defer to me all of the difficult tasks while you make merry and enjoy dinner and theatre in town. It is easy enough to play with her Fitz, but she is no longer a child, and we are charged with raising her, not entertaining her. I must answer her more direct. I can not put her off I think, but she has asked me to present Miss Bennet when next we come to town and I can not. You really are insufferable you know. Georgiana has had enough despair, she rejoices in poetic love. You are a cad to leave this to me.

More to the point, you are so perfectly right! I am in danger man! Come quick! I fear if Miss Bennet stayed another fortnight, I could argue her inferior relations, connections and situation away. Thank God her family is intolerable and is enough to keep me sober at every occasion. If Bingley was not so smitten with her sister, I should be resigned to never think on her again. She is all that I described, but it is more that tempts me. She is sharp witted; forthcoming, generous in spirit and deed; genteel and proud; her air and countenance: so natural and firm, makes more eligible women pale. I can not do her the dishonor of undue attentions when she has the prudence to show me no regard. She has bewitched me though, Truly I am bewitched. Her eyes Fitz, there is such vitality in her eyes. She fears nothing. I am glad that she leaves Netherfield today.

I should be in town for Christmas, Distance will be my cure. Since I was left to explain to our young ward about these delicate matters, and more honorable alliances, I believe you are in my debt. Georgiana tells me you shall be done with your current post in time to join me at Rosings. I look forward to it. It has been too long and we need to discuss her future. She grows more melancholy on each trip back to London and does not look forward to her first season out. She has decided to forgo this season as well. Not even an early settling in town has changed her mind. I have also learned that I am the cause of her melancholy. She didn't accuse me, but in my rush to help Bingley at Netherfield; my desire to settle her early in town, I have robbed her the one pleasure that assures her a Happy Christmas. I completely forgot about the servant's ball. She so enjoys watching the children enjoy Christmas. How could I have forgotten that? It was a tradition we rarely missed. I think on it now and can barely forgive myself. I am inclined to rush her back to Pemberly now but for the arrangements we've already made with your family. What a wretch I am. Your parents have begun making introductions. I do welcome the particular attentions of Lady Matlock, please thank her for me when next you write. Georgiana is still reluctant to confide in anyone I fear. What a pair we are. To be entrusted the care of the most delicate flower in all of Derbyshire and she's too shy to bloom. What is to be done? I dread her learning any of the delicate ways that mask cunning in the society we embrace. What can we do Fitz? I am ill prepared for the next few years. I am willing to postpone her entrance into society for as long as she likes. She is too young for any of our friends and acquaintances. We have to rely on the sons of gentry, what boors. Who Fitz, who is he to be?

I will not sleep well tonight, thank you...
William

The End