Business

Business

15 July 1812 Lambton, Derbyshire

Dearest Mary and Jane,

I imagine you need to become accustomed to a letter from me telling you I am astonished with the events of the day, as things are quite mad here in Derbyshire.

Uncle’s business negotiations move apace, and we have been out in the carriage meeting other tradesmen nearly all day for the past three. I diligently recorded all the decisions and questions for post back to town, and I also did some calculations for the gentlemen, which were much appreciated. My work in the ledgers has been paying off, and I must say that all the associates are surprisingly delighted with me.

Now I must leave off my shameless boasting before you begin to feel I am spending entirely too much time in male company, or I am in danger of taking up trousers. Fear not, I am still a lady and still look reasonably fetching despite the ink stains I can never quite remove from my fingers. I have also clearly gone quite insane, boasting about my appearance, but such it is.

Today, I also believe I managed to embarrass myself again, as I was once again wearing the same day dress I wore at Matlock, which as quite unaccountably become a bit of a favourite. Unfortunately, I did not plan on encountering Mr Darcy, but when we returned, there he was sitting in the common room of the inn .

I was at first simply shocked to see him there, and when he got up to make his greeting, I am certain I turned beet red when I ascertained that he would probably recognise the dress from Matlock. In fact, I am fairly certain he did, for he looked the dress up and down, then gave what could only be described as a smirk; making it quite possibly the first non-frown and non-haughty expression I believe I have ever noticed on his countenance.

Ever the gentleman, he refrained from embarrassing me further by mentioning it, but I am certain he ascertained my folly.

Even more astounding, I just reread the previous paragraph, and I have no idea why I wrote ‘ever the gentleman,’ when such a thought would have been inconceivable a fortnight ago. I must reluctantly own that he has been nothing but a gentleman every time I encountered him in Derbyshire (well, apart from chasing me out of Matlock, but I believe that must be treated as an aberration or if I go completely mad and see it in a prudential light, he may have been trying to apologise for frightening me).

He specifically asked me to perform introductions to Aunt and Uncle, which I did, eager to show him that I have relations besides you two that I am not embarrassed by. Without batting an eye, he joined us for tea and chatted with both parties for a good half-hour. Who would have thought?

He does not know Aunt personally, but they have a few common acquaintances, and unlike Miss Bingley, he thinks nothing of associating with people in trade, and in fact discussed our new venture with what appeared to be significant interest.

He very politely asked of our plans for the remainder of our stay, and then bid us adieu. Uncle and Aunt were as astounded by the performance as I, but we regained our equanimity soon enough.

We have no business tomorrow, so I have time for a walk in the morning, which is much needed as I have been cooped up in carriages and doing my clerical duties these three very long days.

Lambton is a small market town, nearly indistinguishable from Meryton, except the country is wilder, the hills higher, and the trails likely more difficult.

Being in the country, Uncle has agreed to allow me to wander unaccompanied as I once did in Hertfordshire, but I will wear my tradeswoman’s garb to reduce staring. Nobody pays the slightest attention to a governess or a maid, and I can pass as such with the greatest of ease.

I must confess, I feel more comfortable attired in that fashion these days. It affords a level of freedom from scrutiny we would have been quite unaccustomed to in Hertfordshire. I quite enjoy the anonymity.

Your anonymous sister, Elizabeth