Chapter 6

6 th April, 1812

Cheapside

Dear Lizzy,

It grieves me to hear of Mr. Wickham’s true nature. He never paid as much attention to me as to you, but I remember observing him and thinking that his manners were pleasing and his speech entirely charming. He certainly gave a good account of himself in company, and had these accusations been leveled even a few months ago, I fear I would not have believed them. I would, most likely, have insisted that they were all some sort of terrible mistake or misunderstanding.

I am a wiser creature now, Lizzy. Caroline Bingley’s behavior has shown me how very selfish people can be, and Mr. Bingley displayed the greatest weakness. People are not as inherently good and honest as I have always thought, and I find myself ready to believe Colonel Fitzwilliam and his accusations. Lest you think I have fallen too far into cynicism, my dear Lizzy, I will add that I have been thinking about Mr. Wickham and his charming manners in company. His conversation was good, and he certainly looked the part of a gentleman always. But he rarely spoke about himself, save to describe the injuries inflicted on him by a cruel and unfair world; one would like to ascribe this to modesty, that he did not speak of any heroic or kind deeds, but modesty never appeared to be one of his greatest virtues. Indeed, he spoke of others in a belittling, defamatory manner, and rarely had anything edifying or kind to say of anyone not present. It is not enough for a man to be handsome and amiable. He must also possess a good character.

And on that note, I am delighted to convey that Mr. Russell’s character is, thus far, unimpeachable. The more we converse together, the better I like him. Oh Lizzy! Yesterday evening he asked our aunt Gardiner if he might speak with me. I confess to you, sister, that my heart indeed skipped a beat with excitement – and perhaps a trace of nervousness, too. Though I like him quite well, I do not think we know each other well enough yet to be sure that we suit, and I was not certain what I would say.

He is wise; he confessed that he feels attracted to me and that he would like to become more intimately acquainted. He too feels it is too early to be sure of marriage, but we have agreed that we wish to enter a formal courtship. It is so very different from my … I hesitate to call it a flirtation, for it was never that on my part – we shall say, my relationship with Mr. Bingley. That was all balls and parties and assemblies and dinners in company, with the glitter and the enjoyment inherent therein. But with Mr. Russell, we speak quietly in the evening, or over dinner, with my aunt or one of her maids sewing in the room with us. It is, I think, infinitely preferable, for it allows us each to truly get to know the other.

It is possible that we will decide that we will not suit. There will, I know, be no hard feelings between us if that is the conclusion we reach. I shall guard my heart and give it away only if I am certain that he is the one God intends for me. We will not rush our decision; the future stretches out before us ripe with opportunity like a field of wheat for harvest. We are both still young, Sister. There is time enough for us to learn both the evil that lurks in human hearts and the good that lightens it.

I am glad you have found examples of that good in your friends. Miss de Bourgh sounds like a most interesting lady, and Colonel Fitzwilliam an amiable companion. I hope you are enjoying yourself immensely in Kent, dearest Lizzy.

For my own part, I have promised our little cousins that I will go outside with them and play ball, and they are growing impatient. I shall therefore conclude this letter quickly and go out into the sunshine with the children.

With much hope for the future,

Jane

/

Longbourn

12 th April, 1812

Lizzy!

Oh, what a dreadful thing has happened here; Mr. Wickham has been arrested! It is absolutely horrible and cruel, and oh, you simply must do something!

I know you have saved up some money because you always do. Please send me a letter by express and tell me where you have hidden it. Apparently, his arrest has something to do with debt? Mary has money as well, as she is far too plain to bother purchasing ribbons and bonnets and the like, but she categorically refuses to assist our dear Wickham!

You like Mr. Wickham, Lizzy. I know you do. So please reveal to me where your money is hidden, and I will give it to Colonel Forster to arrange for Wickham’s release. Indeed, we are all very sad, and the ladies are crying, including Mary King, though she has such loathsome freckles that I do not know why she would think Wickham cares, even if she has ten thousand pounds. In any case, it is quite dreadful and the most unjust thing in the world that Wickham is locked up like a common thief!

Pleadingly,

Lydia

/

Matlock House

London

14 th April, 1812

Darcy,

Mission successful! I approached Colonel Forster, the man in charge of the militia regiment in Meryton, and showed him all the debt receipts plus the document wherein Wickham signed away all rights to the Kympton living.

He was unfailingly polite, of course, for not only am I a fellow colonel but also the son of an earl. Nonetheless, he was initially reluctant to give credence to my story; it seems Wickham was putting his charm to good use amongst the other officers and his superiors.

At any rate, I would have had great difficulty without the receipts you so obligingly provided, Cousin. Despite his obvious liking for the scoundrel, Forster was most attentive as he went over the debts and the contract over the living. It did not take much convincing after that. He agreed that amiability was no replacement for good character and informed me that he requires his men to act with honor.

He had Wickham summoned at once, and I do think it gave our mutual enemy a nasty start to see me there! Forster questioned him, but he did not answer satisfactorily – how could he, after all? He tried to weasel, of course, but his colonel was curt and to the point and had him hauled away in short order, well-guarded by two burly privates. He is now cooling his heels in a cell deep in the house, and Georgiana’s name never graced his lips even once.

I know what your anxiety will be, so allow me to put it to rest; he was strongly guarded, and by men who were not likely to listen to his words. It seems that, though he was well liked by the townsfolk and the other officers, he made no attempt to make himself agreeable to the privates. No doubt he disdained them as beneath him. You know how he is.

I personally escorted him to Marshalsea yesterday and there gave him into the keeping of the warden. Not a man I would care to have as my jailer, but he will do nicely to contain Wickham.

I return now to Rosings to do my diligence regarding our aunt and cousin, and I dearly hope that Miss Bennet is still in residence – a most delightful woman. But whether she is there or not, duty calls.

Sincerely,

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam

/

15 th April, 1812

Dear Lizzy,

I am most thankful that your time in Kent is coming to an end. I know you are enjoying yourself thoroughly, but I miss you and Jane very much. The conversation at the table is usually foolish and tiresome, as Mary quotes dull sermons, and Kitty and Lydia babble endlessly of officers.

I will say the last few days have been, while noisier, also more interesting. It appears that one Lieutenant George Wickham has been arrested for indebtedness and hauled off to Marshalsea. I would feel more badly about sending such news to you except that Lydia told us two days ago that she had already written to you, begging for money to free the man from debtors’ prison. If the rumors are to be believed, Wickham has been imprisoned based on literally hundreds of pounds in debt, so you will be quite unable to save him with your own savings.

For all that, I have a cynical view of the matter. I hope you are not too distressed, my dear. Wickham is a handsome fellow, without a doubt, but I never observed anything beyond general charm and a silver tongue. He is not even a reader. I know that you never seriously considered marrying the man, but if you had, I might have dredged up sufficient energy to refuse my blessing. I know I have not done well in saving for your future, but a man who has not yet reached thirty years of age but has racked up that much debt is not a good match.

In any case, he is gone, and Kitty and Lydia wept and wailed for two days. Then your mother invited the other officers over for a party, and Lydia took all of ten minutes before she decided that three officers in the hand were far better than one officer in Marshalsea. Kitty looked forlorn for half an hour and then followed her foolish sister’s lead.

I look forward to seeing you soon, my dear.

With much love,

Your father, Thomas Bennet

/

21 st April, 1812

Pemberley

Richard,

My apologies for the late reply. Thank you, most heartily, for dealing with Wickham in such a permanent manner.

Georgiana took another brief turn for the worse, which alarmed me thoroughly, but she is improved now. My poor sister! I have contemplated taking her to Bath to drink the waters, but that is a long trip, and in any case, I think Pemberley is healthy enough. Obviously it is far better than the City.

I will not, of course, be going to London for the Season. I have plenty of work to do here and must look after my dear sister.

Sincerely,

Fitzwilliam Darcy

/

22 nd April, 1812

Cheapside

Dear Anne,

Yes, Maria Lucas and I made it safely to London, and are spending a full ten days here with my aunt, uncle, cousins, and my sister Jane. I know I told you a great deal about Jane – about her kindness, gentleness, and intelligence. No one could have a better sister!

The original plan was that we would all return to Hertfordshire together in early June, but Jane is being courted assiduously by a young man named Mr. Russell, and thus she will remain in Cheapside for at least another month. She is absolutely marvelous with my young cousins, and I know the Gardiners are pleased to have her.

My aunt has arranged for a dinner party this evening for some of Mr. Gardiner’s younger friends, and I must dress for it now. I am guessing that Mrs. Gardiner is hopeful that I too will find a worthy suitor, though I have no such confidence. I like myself well enough, but I am not an angel like my sister.

Thank you for asking me to write to you. I truly never imagined that I would find a friend in the great mansion of Rosings. Life is full of surprises, some of them disagreeable, and some of them marvelous. You are, of course, one of the marvelous ones.

God’s blessings on you,

Elizabeth Bennet