There is a new regiment stationed once again at Meryton and Mr Bingley was kind enough to throw them a ball at Netherfield as a welcome! Kitty caught the attention of a few straight away, spent the whole night dancing! Anyway I had the foresight to invite the soldiers to visit us at Longbourn at any time and well, Mrs Gardiner, Kitty has found her husband today, I am sure of it! Mr Bennett of course had to put a dampener on the whole thing! But I saw Mr Finch walk her up the drive. Arm in arm they were, and talking most animatedly! I was reminded at once of my younger courting days! And he has promised to visit again!
Kitty is very impressed with him, and talks of nothing else. Mrs Finch is a farmer and a gentleman. I know Mrs Gardiner what you are thinking now as you read, that a farmer is not much of a marriage prospect. But apparently Mr Finch’s family own the estate. It appears that his father made him farm, under the silly notion that seems to be more and more common these days, that a gentleman should know how his money is produced and not just leave it to the estate manager. I ask you what, is an estate manager for, except to manage your affairs for you, so you need not be involved! Thankfully Mr Finch’s mother saw fit to make sure his education and to make sure that his manners did not become too common.
Mr Finch is very pleasing to the eye, tall, with dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and of a strong build. The only thing Kitty finds disagreeable about him is his age. He is almost 27 and Kitty as you know is only just 17. I don’t think Mr Finch shows his age in his appearance though, and he doesn’t seem the type to make a mission to trifle with a young girl. Lord knows I have had my fair share of that after Mr Wickham’s treatment of my poor Lydia!
Mr Bennet advises caution. He says that like Lydia Kitty is very easily influenced, and that we would be fools to let what happened between Lydia and Wickham, happen to Kitty. Mr Bennett is right of course, we should be cautious, but not overly so! Not every man is as conniving as Wickham!
Even so I will not repeat the mistake I did with Lydia. Kitty will not go too far out of my sight and I will make sure Mr Finch talks to Mr Bennet.
Could you imagine the embarrassment of two daughters rushed into imprudent marriage! The family would never live that down and the effect on my poor nerves, I dare not imagine!
So far though we cannot apart from the age difference find fault with him. And he is the only son of his family, and his sisters are all married. So, I doubt we will find much fault at all!
Love
Mrs Bennet
Dear Mama,
My darling Wickham and I have been following the regiment around for over a year now and I never tire of it. We meet so many friendly faces in each town, it is wonderful, and with each new town they throw ball for the regiment! We have no end of amusement at the balls, although I see little of Wickham at them, he is always so very absorbed in playing cards, as if our lives depended on it almost! How silly is that Mama?
I have made a great friend in the wife of another member of the regiment, her name is Beryl Owen. She is four years older than me and gives me great advice. Beryl has one child by Mr Owen already who is just three years old. Beryl and Mr Owen are only married three and a half years. I’m sure you can guess the reason they got married Mama! Beryl says she doesn’t care because she loves Mr Owen. I’d care! I wouldn’t want people to gossip about me! I don’t have to worry though because I married my darling Wickham out of love and not out of necessity. If Beryl was honest with herself she would say it was necessity too, but she will not admit it.
Wickham spends a lot of time with the other soldiers even when he’s not on duty. I find myself pinning for him and am extremely glad of Beryl as company at these times. I suppose you cannot expect a man to endure a woman’s company all the time.
I hope that you are all well and send Kitty my love.
Your dearest,
Lydia
I do worry so about my Lydia. This Beryl, she has befriended, does not seem the type of acquaintance that is ever a good influence. I know Lydia’s marriage was rushed, but at least it was not rushed to stop a child being born of out of wedlock!
However, Lydia does sound very found of her and she needs some stability. The milita are constantly on the move and Lydia needs a female companion. I would go mad if I did not have another woman to chat to, occasionally and swap news with.
Lydia’s marriage seems to be going well enough. I am apprehensive about Wickham spending so much time away from her though. I shouldn’t concern myself over it too much. Mr Bennett does after all spend half his days hauled up in the library, head forever in his books! I do believe all men need their space!
Dear Mama,
Darcy and I have the most wonderful news! I am pregnant! We are overjoyed and cannot contain our excitement. Georgiana is over the moon too, at the prospect of becoming an Aunt. We have all decided, we must visit you all at Longbourn before I become too fatigued with pregnancy to travel. Darcy has suggested that we stay at Netherfield with Jane and Mr Bingley, as they have plenty of room for guests and it would mean less work for you Mama. Georgiana is very much looking forward, to seeing you all again, as are Darcy and I.
We shall see you in two weeks. Tell Kitty and Mary, I miss dearly. And tell Papa that I look forward to having a talk with him, so he must not hide away in his library during my visit!
Love Lizzie
Mrs Gardiner,
You will not be surprised when you hear, for I know Lizzie will have already written to tell you! She is with child! I cannot believe how happy I am for her, but surely I am too young to be a grandmother. Mr Bennet was very quiet when I told him, but he soon cheered up when I told him Lizzie was coming to stay at Netherfield.
That is why I am writing to you. It is ages since we have all been together as a family. And I do so long to see you again. Elizabeth wild be delighted if you would come and stay in Meryton while she visits. Sometimes I think Lizzie is closer to you than to me. I never could understand her headstrong temper, but Mrs Gardiner you seemed to always understand her so well! Please come, it will be a pleasure to see you and my brother again!
Remember if you cannot afford to stay at the inn in Meryton, Mr Bingley would gladly have you to stay. He is so kind-hearted and generous, just like Jane! They truly were made for one another! Mr Bingley certainly has enough room for you at Netherfield, endless bedrooms! You know Mrs Gardiner when I think of it, I suppose Jane and Mr Bingley will soon begin to fill all those rooms with children, too!
I know I joked I was too young to be a grandmother, but I do believe Mr Bennet and myself will quite enjoy being grandparents.
Darcy, Georgiana and Elizabeth come in two weeks to visit so write back post haste to tell me if you can make it in time for their visit.
Love
Mrs Bennet
Dearest Lizzie,
I am so happy for you! Mr Bingley and I hope to expect an addition of our own soon too! Do not tell Mama just yet because we want to keep it secret between ourselves for a little longer. It is truly the best feeling ever is it not Lizzie? Just imagine this time next April we will both be Mothers and Aunts!
Mr Bingley sends his love to you, Darcy and Georgiana. He is even more attentive than usual since I have told him about the baby. He showers me with affection and talks constantly of the child’s nursery, whether we should employ a nanny or a nurse, he even talks of the child’s education and it is not even born.
Oh Lizzie, I feel so loved. Last night before we went to sleep, he held my hand and said that I had given him the most precious gifts a man can be given, love and a child! I was so touched I started to cry, then he cried too, and then we both laughed and smiled again.
It is so special and it being a secret between us, has made it even more so. I am almost sad that we have to tell Mama!
I have told the housekeeper to air you and Darcy the largest guest bedroom, and to air the pretty little one for Georgiana. I cannot wait to see you all. Has mama told you that the gardeners will be staying with us too? Mama is very excited about us all being together. She is only saddened that Lydia cannot be there too. Wickham has spent all his leave and Lydia will not leave him to come home. Mama tries to hide it but she misses Lydia terribly. Mama and Lydia did get on so well. It is a shame that Wickham’s regiment cannot be permanently stationed nearer to Meryton. Lydia could visit Mama more often then.
Did Mama tell you that Kitty has a suitor? His name is Mr Charles Finch. He is somewhat older than Kitty, soon to be twenty-eight apparently. But Kitty is enamoured with him and talks of nothing else.
Papa asked Mr Bingley to find out what he could. Papa lives in constant fear of Kitty repeating Lydia’s mistakes. He has confided often to Mr Bingley that Kitty is very like Lydia in her personality and it causes him great concern. Mr Bingley wrote a few letters to friends and it seems that Mr Finch is indeed a good sort of gentleman. Papa was greatly relieved to hear this. I suppose you will get to meet Mr Finch yourself during your visit!
I really cannot wait to see you my darling sister,
Love Jane
Dear Lydia,
I have met the most marvellous man! A new regiment has been stationed in Meryton, and to welcome them Mr Bingley held a ball at Netherfield. It was a wonderful night and my card was completely full, I never had a moment to sit at peace! Almost every man from the regiment introduced himself and I was quite struck by three of them. The next day, on Mamas invitation they came to visit us at Longbourn. They asked Mary to join in on our walk too, but I know they were just being polite, for she is very plain!
Their names are Mr Charles Finch, Mr Henry Thomas and Mr Edmund Bronlow. I did try to be attentive to all three but from the moment we left the house I found myself fonder of Mr Finch, and almost completely lost interest in Thomas and Bronlow.
Thank goodness for Mary! She somehow kept them both entertained while Mr Finch and I enjoyed some private conversation ahead of them. Although I cannot see how they were entertained I find Mary so very boring.
Mr Finch is a farmer. I know Lydia I was alarmed by that myself. I could not imagine myself living in a farm cottage waiting for my husband to come home all dirty and tired from the fields! But it turns out that he is not just a farmer, he is a gentleman too. The family own the estate and Mr Finch’s father is of the opinion that his son should know his tenants and his land. That is why he always helped out on the farm. Mr Finch even says he loves it! I cannot see why! Can you imagine having to endure all that hard labour, when you have enough money that you need not do? It is crazy in my view. I do not tell Mr Finch that though. I tell him I deeply admire him for his efforts to get to know the people of his estate.
Mr Finch’s mother sounds like a sensible woman. She insisted that her son was given an education that befitted his social status. He is very intelligent and cultured. Mr Finch joined the regiment on a years commission at his mother’s suggestion, so he could see more of England and perhaps find himself a wife!
Mr Finch only has three more months of his commission left and the regiment will be staying in Meryton for them. Oh Lydia, I am so excited, perhaps I too may be married like you soon!
What is married like Lydia? Do you and Wickham always get on? It is a shame you do not have a house of your own yet. When I marry I cannot wait to be mistress of my own home. I shall take great delight in furnishing it! I also cannot wait to have my own housekeeper to do my biding! It will be such fun to set up a new home!
Mama says that I must not let Mr Finch slip through my fingers. The whole of Meryton knows he is a good marriage prospect and I must watch out that other pretty girls do not catch his eye.
Mama has particularly cautioned me about the Lucas girls. They are not as pretty as me, but their financial situation is dire and they all need to be married. Mama says to be wary as Charlotte Lucas stole Mr Collins from Lizzie, even though she was supposedly Lizzie’s best friend. I do not think Charlotte stole Mr Collins. None of us could stand him, let alone consent to marry him! I do however believe there is merit to Mamas concerns about the Lucas’. A good marriage prospect is hard to come by, and a young woman must fight for it. I have decided to be more vigilant concerning the Lucas girls. I do not think I have to worry too much though for Mr Finch has already promised to call on me again tomorrow! I do believe he is already quite enamoured with me!
I do so wish you could come and visit us Lydia. I am just dying to introduce you to Mr Finch, but I know Wickham has used all his leave and you would not leave him on his own.
Send Wickham my love and write soon. I long to hear of your adventures with the regiment.
Love Kitty
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