Kympton

Kympton

26 November 1812 Kympton, Derbyshire

Dearest Jane,

Mary and I arrived safely, and her beau is wonderful. It is quite fortunate that she already has his affections secured, as he would be in some danger of falling into my sights if she had not.

Her wedding is scheduled for Wednesday next, and I can hardly wait. Mrs Ellery and I were quite dismayed to find that everything anybody could wish in a wedding has already been done by the ladies of the parish, but we will endeavour to get over it with moderately good grace.

I have been cursed by an unaccustomed bout of timidity and a general disinclination to cause the slightest disruption in Mary’s wedding, so I have not taken the opportunity to learn anything of the Darcys except for what is generally known around the village. I know brother and sister are both at home now, but not very much more. Mr Darcy has apparently been in and out several times in the last months, according to the local rumours, which is no surprise given what we know of his activities. I did not have the courage to ask Mary’s beau about them.

Now, for the most surprising news. By coincidence, there is an assembly here in Kympton in two days’ time, and I mean to attend. It is curious that today is exactly one year to the day after the ball at Netherfield, and I have decided to mark the occasion by purchasing a ticket to the assembly. It is a public assembly, much like the one where we first encountered the gentlemen so many months ago, and I am hoping to dance a little bit. I have not danced a single time since Netherfield, so I hope I remember how.

I know full well I am unlikely to encounter either of the Darcys at the assembly, given Miss Darcy’s shyness and the fact that she is not out; and his general disinclination toward dancing; but I am hoping that I will happen upon one of them before I leave Kympton. Of course, then I remember how Mr Darcy left Lydia’s wedding as if it were a locust infestation (not that far from the truth), I become nervous and believe they will avoid me as any sensible man would.

For the moment, all I can say is I will attend an assembly, and I will dance if asked. Beyond that, nobody can know, and I dare not hope.

I am here with Mr Ellery on business, after all, so we have a long series of engagements for the next two days until the assembly, and I will just barely be back in time to dress, which is probably for the best.

In honour of the occasion, I have brought along my old dress from the Netherfield ball and am hoping the dance will end better than the previous one.

Of course, I thought I would have to bully Mary into attending, but when it came down to it, she is more enamoured with the idea of the dance than I am. Perhaps it has something to do with a certain handsome and kind clergyman who will also be attending.

Your dancing sister, Lizzy