The Colonel’s Post
This is a story that I posted to a forum a little over a year ago, but I would like to share it here as well where everyone can read it. Please respect my copyright and do not plagiarize or post this story anywhere else without my explicit permission.
From Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
You may think your life is more exciting than mine, serving king and country, but I must assure you that, at least according to my mother, the most significant event in all of England is taking place right here in Hertfordshire. Can you guess? Yes, Netherfield Park is let at last! Not only let, but let to a bachelor and his fashionable friends from London. There, now you are astounded at our good fortune, and I am sure you will throw yourself on a horse and return from Spain at once to witness Jane’s marriage to the unknown but clearly very rich man who is coming to take Netherfield.
Of course, if a young man of sense and humor and a reasonably fair face were to take Netherfield, I would not complain. If Jane would not have him and he was willing to settle for second best, I would gladly take him. My father’s refusal to take us to London has left us in dire straits, as there are precious few young men in the vicinity of Meryton. You of all people understand the need to marry for money, but the desire to find love with one’s spouse as well.
In all seriousness, Richard, please take care of yourself. I love you dearly,
Lizzy
From Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
Bingley’s latest harebrained idea has us traipsing off to some country estate he has let for the year in Hertfordshire. I can hope the hunting is good, for I cannot imagine any other reason to leave the comforts of Pemberley or Darcy House for a house that has been shut up for years and is likely to have all new servants. Bingley’s sisters are to accompany us, along with Hurst.
It gives me pain to think of leaving Georgiana after the events of the summer. I intended to refuse, at first, but your mother assures me that she will recover and that it is better I keep to my usual affairs. I had thought to go with Marsden to Sussex, as he is gathering a house party there, but Bingley would have me visit him in Hertfordshire instead, so there I go. I can only imagine what the country society will think of our London party.
Your faithful cousin,
William
From Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam Darcy
Dear William,
Compared to my tent in Spain, Bingley’s estate in Hertfordshire sounds ghastly. New servants may not be fully trained, after all. At least my batman has considerable talent in hanging out my uniform, swabbing out wounds, carving wooden legs for those who have lost theirs in battle, and the like. To stay in a house that has been shut up for years? What agonies you must be suffering. I, on the other hand, have a tent with flaps at the side that can be raised for when the godforsaken heat becomes too much, so I can get a little wind flowing through my tent. There is no shut-in feeling here. There is considerable dust build-up, a condition you may also be suffering at Netherfield, but as it is difficult to do anything about it here with all of the wind, I do my best to ignore it. You would be best recommended to do the same at Netherfield, or better yet, ask for a dust cloth yourself should you notice any oversight of the new staff. You can imagine that you are in the next tent over.
As for country society, I am sure they are complete savages. It is a good thing there is nothing you like better than a country dance, though, for did you not once tell me that every savage can dance? You will not lack for partners, especially once they have heard of your ten thousand a year.
In all seriousness, man, Georgiana will recover, and she has learned a great deal from this summer. We, too, have learned a great deal, and I think it wise that we will rely more upon my mother so that she has a woman to guide her. We erred, I think, in keeping her at Pemberley too long with only a hired companion. Her health will continue to improve with a female relative to take her out into society a bit. Perhaps you might consider looking for a wife among the country savages. A lively wife could be good encouragement to Georgiana as it comes time for her debut, and if the girl is from the country, she might not object to spending more time at Pemberley.
Living a life of ease and comfort,
Richard
Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet
Dear Lizzy,
Your mother is quite right, and the new lessee of Netherfield Park is almost certain to be handsome—and of course intelligent and good-humored, as we know all handsome men are, myself included. Let us hope that he is a rich man able to choose his own bride! You could, perhaps, take a vow of silence for a few weeks in the hopes that you might appear demure enough to win his heart. Then after the wedding, he would be in for quite a shock. I should like to see that. Not many men have the good taste to prefer women who know their own minds, even if I would not have you any other way.
You mentioned that he is said to be bringing some friends from town. Are they gentlemen or ladies? Perhaps they are ladies who will dress all in silks to a country assembly and walk about with feathers and noses in the air. Or gentlemen who will dress finely but stand aloof from everyone and look through their quizzing glasses at the country specimens. I wish that I could be there to observe the spectacle, but my general tells me that there is some purpose to the endless battles here, and so I will stay. I am likely to have some leave in the spring, and will try to see you then.
With all my best wishes,
Richard
Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
Jane and I are finally returned home from Netherfield. Yes, Netherfield. You may wonder that we had so quickly become the dear friends of Miss B. and her sister Mrs. H. as to be invited to join their house party. Alas, this is not at all the case. Mama’s scheming—I will not bore you with the details, but you can trust that it was ridiculous and that Jane was embarrassed—led to Jane being stranded with a cold at Netherfield for several days, and I went to take care of her.
Jane is half in love with Mr. B already, which suits Mama uncommonly well, but at least he seems a good sort of man. His taste in friends, though! Mr. D. is obnoxious and disliked by all of Hertfordshire, and I’m sure that extends to Derbyshire where he apparently hails from. He insulted me in front of everyone at the assembly. I laughed about it, but it is hard, Richard, to be constantly compared to Jane and coming up wanting. Mr. D. continued his pattern of arrogance during my time at Netherfield. You would laugh to hear some of the things he says. “Pride will be always under good regulation,” indeed!
We returned home just in time to meet my father’s cousin, the Mr. C. who will inherit my father’s estate. He is excessively diverting—for about fifteen minutes. After that, he is just ridiculous. I have never taken quite so many walks. Unfortunately, Mama helpfully invited Mr. C. to accompany us on a walk into Meryton. I believe she may have some ideas in my direction that may need to be stamped out.
I did meet a Mr. W. in Meryton, and see him again at my aunt’s soiree. He is new to the militia, handsome and intelligent. If he had some money of his own, I believe I might be smitten with his charms. As it is, I cannot permit myself the indulgence, but I do so enjoy his company.
Only a little bit charmed,
Lizzy
From Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
You thought you were jesting when you spoke of the savages I would meet in Meryton, but sadly, you were completely correct. Sir W is a tradesman who had the dubious honor of being raised above his station by a knighthood. He wishes to be friends with all the world, with the consequence that he is loud and jovial and went so far as to clap me on the back upon our second meeting.
The B family is the most ridiculous, with the most vulgar matchmaker for a mother and two loud and flirtatious daughters too young to be out in London. The older daughters, at least, seem to be genteel and intelligent young ladies. But such a family they have. Bingley is, of course, in love with the oldest and most lovely of them. She is a sweet and gentle creature, but her younger sister is a far more interesting character, lively and witty with bright and intelligent eyes.
Bingley speaks of having a ball for all of the gentry in the area. I think it unlikely that I shall be able to convince him to leave the area before the ball, but immediately afterwards, I believe we must get him to London. There I can convince him of the foolishness of acting on impulse and making an offer for the pretty but unremarkable daughter of a poor and vulgar family.
Your disgusted cousin,
William
From Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet
Dear Lizzy,
Your mother’s scheming, however repugnant to you, seems to have gone well for Jane in the end. Several days at Netherfield! I am surprised she did not return engaged. I would imagine your mother is as well!
For a sleepy village, Meryton certainly seems to be teeming with eligible young men this fall! First there is the handsome Mr. B, now claimed by Jane, and the arrogant Mr. D, who insults you. I am sorry, my dear Elizabeth, for whatever his insult was. I think you quite the most interesting girl of my acquaintance, Jane included, for you have a certain liveliness that she does not. I find myself wishing to meet Mr. C, although briefly, as I trust from your description a little goes a long way. As for Mr. W . . . we soldiers make poor husbands, for all we may perform heroically in battle. If I ever find the right heiress to marry, I shall retire, as I do not think I am the sort of man who can be a good husband and a good soldier at the same time.
I believe I know who your Mr. D is, as he is said to be in Hertfordshire now. I can affirm that he does spend most of the balls and assemblies he attends standing against the wall. He is not fond of dancing with those he does not know well. He is said to be quite handsome, though, and quite the catch for whatever young lady manages to capture his eye. I personally cannot imagine why a young lady would ever prefer a tall, dark, and handsome man—in an elegant way—over a rough fair-haired soldier, but so they always do.
The eternal bachelor,
Richard
From Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam Darcy
Dear William,
You realize, of course, that Cupid’s arrow has finally pierced you—although I’m not convinced that it has hit your heart, but perhaps your ass instead. Have you listened to yourself? The pertinent parts of your previous letter: “. . . her younger sister is a far more interesting character, lively and witty with bright and intelligent eyes.” I would enclose the actual letter if it were not that I fear you would destroy it to remove all evidence. Darcy in love! I had never thought to see the day. Now do something about it—woo the girl, you clodpole. As it is, I am certain she has no knowledge of your interest and probably thinks you dislike her, as most people think you do. You do dislike most people, though, so perhaps that is not such a false impression.
The older and wiser (than you),
Richard
From Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
I was right about Mr. D. I only wish it had not come at the expense of Jane’s happiness. He has dragged his friend Mr. B. away to London and the latest crop of rich debutantes, no doubt, and left Jane brokenhearted.
I wish you had not described what “drawn and quartered” means, as I would like to imagine some great revenge upon Mr. D., but do not think I could wish that torture upon anyone. Perhaps tarring and feathering would be appropriate. How dare he destroy all my dear Jane’s hopes for happiness! As for your comments about his looks—you may be right as to his being handsome, but all I can say is, “Handsome is as handsome does,” and by that account he most certainly is not!
We are all in uproar, but lest you believe it is entirely over Mr. B.’s departure . . . well, I cannot say that there would be less uproar if it were, but it is not. Mr. C. has proposed to me, and I have of course declined. I thought it better to decline now than to put arsenic in his soup some day in the future in the hopes that he might, at last, stop talking. Papa agrees, but Mama would probably accept the arsenic if only I bore a son first. She and I, you know, do not often agree on the nature of marriage.
The strangest thing happened, though, after I rejected Mr. C.’s advances. He went to Charlotte Lucas, and she accepted! I cannot understand how she can accept such a man, knowing him as she does. But she appears to be in her right mind and has accepted him. Think you that I should prepare her a vial of arsenic just in case?
Yours,
Lizzy
From Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
In love, what nonsense. I can appreciate a pretty and clever woman without falling in love with her. And I certainly have no intention of wooing the dowry-less daughter of an insignificant country squire.
I have succeeded at last in prying Bingley away from Netherfield, and I believe it was just in time. He was beginning to hint about proposing to Miss Bennet, and of course that would not do. His family is on the cusp of leaving trade behind, and to marry a girl with an uncle in trade would not help in the slightest. If they were in love, it might be worth the missed opportunity, but I am certain that his love for her is fleeting, just as all his previous romantic entanglements were, and she does not seem to care for him beyond her mother’s desire for his wealth and consequence.
Now I need only distract him with social events and new acquaintances until Miss Bennet is forgotten. Once he has fallen in love another time or two, it should be safe to return to Netherfield, as I have never known him to fall in love with the same girl twice.
Your brother says that you may have leave in the spring. Shall you come to Rosings with me, then? I know it is your greatest longing in life to visit Aunt Catherine and woo Anne. Just think, if you married her, you could have an estate of your own. An estate, but not a mind of your own, as Lady Catherine would never permit that.
Your generous friend,
William
From Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam Darcy
Dear William,
I am delighted, you know, to discover that you have elevated yourself to the position of matchmaker. It is not a position I would have considered for you, but as I am sure a career for you in the army would end with Georgiana inheriting Pemberley, matchmaking seems considerably safer. I do wonder, though, if Bingley is aware of his social ambitions and the sacrifice that he is making for them? Or have you taken it upon yourself, perhaps with the help of his demanding sisters, to make such decisions?
He is, after all, quite young and easily led. It is much better that, instead of a gentle and sweet country girl, he marry an ambitious social climber from society so that he can reach the absolute pinnacle of ton—or at least, as high as a tradesman’s son can reach. It has always seemed to me that Bingley is exactly the sort of man who cares more about his position in society than his friends.
I do also wonder at your ability to recognize love. But of course, you are an expert on all things, so are more likely than Bingley to recognize whether his young lady is in love with him. Even if you cannot recognize that you, too, have fallen in love with one of the young ladies from Hertfordshire.
You need not worry that I will attempt to steal your bride from you. Anne, my dear cousin, is all yours. Aunt Catherine would have it no other way, you know. She would much rather reign like a queen over Rosings while her daughter and son-in-law were happily settled at Pemberley. I shall have to find my own heiress and leave you to yours.
At your disposal at Rosings,
Richard
From Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet
Dear Lizzy,
I am very sorry for Jane, and even sorrier for your mother! My mother would be happy to introduce Jane in society if ever your father would allow it, but perhaps that would not be enough to mend a broken heart. But are you certain, then, that she truly loves him? She does not simply think she does because her mother wishes it and you do as well? Yes, you, dearest, do rather assume a great deal, and we know that Jane keeps her emotions and opinions close to her heart. Has she told you that she is in love with Mr. B, or is it merely your opinion? I realize that you do not recollect ever being wrong about a person, but that does not mean that you never have, only that you have a terrible memory.
I do, however, commend your discretion with the arsenic. It would be incredibly humiliating were you to be hanged for murder. I might even lose a promotion by association, even if I had heartily recommended against arsenic—aconite is far less detectable.
Your plans to tar and feather Mr. D simple reassure me about the conclusion I reached a little while ago—you are in love with Mr. D. No, no, do not deny it. Only a woman in love could harbor such vitriol, even if I applaud your recognition that drawing and quartering him would be a step too far. Ah, the pangs of unrequited love.
Yours as always,
Richard
From Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
I have agreed under moderate duress to visit Charlotte and Mr. C. at Hunsford this spring. I do look forward to seeing my dear friend Charlotte again, but as for Mr. C. . . . well, I look forward to seeing Charlotte again.
Mr. C. is the parson for a certain Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She is your aunt whom you spoke of visiting this spring, is she not? Will you be at Rosings at the same time? I will be there for Easter and would pleased to see you. I must berate you in person, after all, for the tea I spilled when I read your latest letter with your ridiculous notions about Mr. D. Unrequited love indeed! If vitriol meant love, then I believe you would have some explaining to do about your former general—the one who sent men into battle with insufficient training. Of course, you had good reason for your dislike of him, as I do of Mr. D.
My poor Jane is in London now. She visited the superior sisters, but they cut her acquaintance. She has, at last, come to agree that they are not her friends. Her eyes have been opened to the unkindness of people, but I wish it did not have to be in such a way. Mr. B. does not deserve her. Are you certain you must marry for money? Jane would make you a sweet wife. She would not mind being a little poor, I think. Your good humor would make her forget Mr. B. eventually.
Yours faithfully,
Lizzy
From Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
If I were in love with Miss Bennet, which I am not, I would still never be able to marry her. So there is no point to any of your foolishness about it. Romantic, I am not. I still will not marry Anne, though.
Speaking of Anne, I am glad that you are prepared to accompany me to Rosings now that you are home from Spain. I do not feel confident in escaping Lady Catherine’s pronouncements. If I went to Rosings alone, I fear that I would return a married man. I have no intention of making any proposal at Rosings. Please save this letter in case it becomes necessary as proof in an annulment suit later. Perhaps you can remove the first paragraph first.
I feel confident declaring that Bingley was not in love with the eldest Miss Bennet. He was readily convinced that she does not love him, and has permitted his sisters to determine his schedule of events in town. He has attended quite a few balls and soirees, and if he dances and chatters a bit less than he used to, I am sure that another month or two will be all that remains to finish off the last remnants of his romantic entanglement. There was a bit of a complication when Miss Bennet appeared at the Bingley’s townhouse for a visit, but it was not difficult in the end to conceal her visit from Bingley, for whom it would be a setback. Before you say it, one visit does not mean that she is in love, merely that she is polite. She was no doubt in London for other reasons; I believe the Bennets have relations in London.
Sincerely yours,
William
P.S. You will need to remove the last paragraph as well, if needed for an annulment suit. Perhaps I should rewrite the relevant portion on a separate page with my signature, just in case.
Note slipped from Elizabeth Bennet to Richard Fitzwilliam
You could have told me he was your cousin!
Note slipped from Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
You could have told me she was your cousin!
Note slipped from Richard Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet
I will explain all, dear cousin. Meet me at the grove at the edge of the park tomorrow morning at 10.
Note slipped from Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam Darcy
I will explain all, cousin. Meet me at the grove at the edge of the park tomorrow morning at 10.
Note slipped from Elizabeth Bennet to Richard Fitzwilliam
That, cousin, was cruel. You saddled me with Mr. D. for an entire hour. Did you know he can walk in silence for half an hour? And when he did talk, it was to ask me odd unconnected questions, like whether I was enjoying Hunsford, about my solitary walks, and whether I thought the Collinses were happy together. I cannot imagine why he did not simply make some excuse to return to the house, but he insisted on walking back with me to the parsonage. I will take my revenge on you when you least expect it.
Note slipped from Fitzwilliam Darcy to Richard Fitzwilliam
I should take you to task for your interference, but I am too thankful. It was a delight to spend an entire morning with her. You may have been right about my feelings, but it does not change my obligations. Nevertheless, I will enjoy her company while I can.
Letter from Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
I do not know what to say, but that I am completely ashamed of myself. He wrote to me about Mr. Wickham. I wanted to be angry that you did not tell me first, but then I realized that I never told you about seeing Mr. Wickham in Meryton, at least not by name, and I did not tell you that Mr. Wickham had been telling me stories about Mr. Darcy. Oh, but for my habit of abbreviating names, I might have known all from the start.
But that is not an excuse. I was hurt dreadfully by Mr. Darcy’s insult at the assembly (you see, I am making an effort not to abbreviate names). After so many years of hearing my mother say that I am “not as pretty as Jane” or “nothing to Jane,” I suppose it hurt a great deal to hear a handsome gentleman confirm it. And yes, I will admit that he is handsome, as I have from the first. I was so determined to think that his good opinion was not worth having that I leapt upon every comment or look he made to see evidence of arrogance, conceit, and even cruelty. My judgment has been sorely lacking.
I still cannot say that I like Mr. Darcy, but I wish that I had taken the opportunity to know him better. Perhaps things would have gone differently then. His manners have always been lacking, but then he has the excellent taste to have fallen in love with me. Perhaps I could have helped him to become a little livelier.
You were still wrong. I am not in love with Mr. Darcy. And now I will never have the chance to find out if I could have been.
Yours regretfully,
Lizzy
Letter from Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
Forgive me for not confiding to you in the carriage the other morning. I was unable at the time to put my agony into words. I was angry and despairing, and now that the anger has faded and reason has returned, I will tell you all.
You hinted that I should court your cousin, that she had no hint of my regard, and I scoffed at the idea. Well, time has proven that you were right. I was certain that any young lady would accept me, so I did not court her. After the situation with Georgiana this summer, I was not at my best in Hertfordshire, and that is all she knows of me. A lesser woman would have accepted me for my wealth and position. It is rather ironic that her rejection has proven her exactly the woman I want to marry.
I botched my proposal, and proceeded to insult and demean the woman I love when I spoke to her. I spent more time telling her of her nearest relations’ ridiculous behavior and all the reasons I had wanted to avoid marrying her than I did in telling her that I love her. I love her wit, her humor, her smiles, her laughter. I love the way that she is not afraid to give her opinion, that she does not curry favor with those she does not like. I love that she loves nature as much as I do. The curl of her hair, the spark in her eyes, the smooth cream of her shoulder—I suppose I have had a bit too much brandy if I am telling you all this. Suffice it to say that I may never be able to choose another.
You may have been right about Bingley. Elizabeth thinks so, at least. Forgive me for using her first name, as I have thought of her that way for so long. She declares that I have ruined the happiness of a most beloved sister. If I understand her, then the eldest Miss Bennet was indeed in love with Bingley. If so, I have made a grave mistake. She may not be a practical choice for a wife, but it should have been up to him to make that choice, I see that now. What can I do? Do I tell Bingley what I have learned? Must another person know of my heartache? For you know that Bingley will not let it be.
You were right—matchmaker has not been the best career for me. It will end with Georgiana inheriting Pemberley all the same.
Your heartbroken cousin,
William
Letter from Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam Darcy
Dear William,
I thought you might appreciate reading this.
Your helpful cousin,
Richard
P.S. You could have told me Wickham was in Meryton. I could have enlightened her to his character and saved you a great deal of trouble. I would not kill him if I knew where he was, you know. Maybe just maim him a little.
(Enclosed)
Dear Richard,
I do not know what to say, but that I am completely ashamed of myself. He wrote to me about Mr. Wickham. I wanted to be angry that you did not tell me first, but then I realized that I never told you about seeing Mr. Wickham in Meryton, at least not by name, and I did not tell you that Mr. Wickham had been telling me stories about Mr. Darcy. Oh, but for my habit of abbreviating names, I might have known all from the start.
But that is not an excuse. I was hurt dreadfully by Mr. Darcy’s insult at the assembly (you see, I am making an effort not to abbreviate names). After so many years of hearing my mother say that I am “not as pretty as Jane” or “nothing to Jane,” I suppose it hurt a great deal to hear a handsome gentleman confirm it. And yes, I will admit that he is handsome, as I have from the first. I was so determined to think that his good opinion was not worth having that I leapt upon every comment or look he made to see evidence of arrogance, conceit, and even cruelty. My judgment has been sorely lacking.
I still cannot say that I like Mr. Darcy, but I wish that I had taken the opportunity to know him better. Perhaps things would have gone differently then. His manners have always been lacking, but then he has the excellent taste to have fallen in love with me. Perhaps I could have helped him to become a little livelier.
You were still wrong. I am not in love with Mr. Darcy. And now I will never have the chance to find out if I could have been.
Yours regretfully,
Lizzy
Letter from Col. Richard Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth Bennet
Dear Lizzy,
I thought that you might appreciate reading this.
Your cousin,
Richard Fitzwilliam
(Enclosed)
Dear Richard,
Forgive me for not confiding to you in the carriage the other morning. I was unable at the time to put my agony into words. I was angry and despairing, and now that the anger has faded and reason has returned, I will tell you all.
You hinted that I should court your cousin, that she had no hint of my regard, and I scoffed at the idea. Well, time has proven that you were right. I was certain that any young lady would accept me, so I did not court her. After the situation with Georgiana this summer, I was not at my best in Hertfordshire, and that is all she knows of me. A lesser woman would have accepted me for my wealth and position. It is rather ironic that her rejection has proven her exactly the woman I want to marry.
I botched my proposal, and proceeded to insult and demean the woman I love when I spoke to her. I spent more time telling her of her nearest relations’ ridiculous behavior and all the reasons I had wanted to avoid marrying her than I did in telling her that I love her. I love her wit, her humor, her smiles, her laughter. I love the way that she is not afraid to give her opinion, that she does not curry favor with those she does not like. I love that she loves nature as much as I do. The curl of her hair, the spark in her eyes, the smooth cream of her shoulder—I suppose I have had a bit too much brandy if I am telling you all this. Suffice it to say that I may never be able to choose another.
You may also have been right about Bingley. Elizabeth thinks so, at least. Forgive me for using her first name, as I have thought of her that way for so long. She declares that I have ruined the happiness of a most beloved sister. If I understand her, then the eldest Miss Bennet was indeed in love with Bingley. If so, I have made a grave mistake. She may not be a practical choice for a wife, but it should have been up to him to make that choice, I see that now. What can I do? Do I tell Bingley what I have learned? Must another person know of my heartache? For you know that Bingley will not let it be.
You were right—matchmaker has not been the best career for me. It will end with Georgiana inheriting Pemberley all the same.
Your heartbroken cousin,
William
Letter from Elizabeth Bennet to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
I do not know whether to thank you or kill you. Reading Mr. Darcy’s letter was heartbreaking. But it has also given me hope.
However, if you’ve sent me Mr. Darcy’s letter, then I am guessing you’ve sent him mine. Foul deed, Richard, foul deed. Now I cannot remember exactly what I said, but what I do remember is that I said it to you, not to Mr. Darcy!
Lizzy
Letter from Fitzwilliam Darcy to Col. Richard Fitzwilliam
Dear Richard,
If I were not so embarrassed to remember the things I said in my letter, which you presumably sent to Elizabeth, I would be thanking you for sending me hers. It seems that you have decided to resign your commission in the army and move on to matchmaking yourself.
And yet perhaps I should thank you, because you have given me hope. A small amount of hope, but hope it is. I will speak to Bingley and tell him all, yes, even the most embarrassing truths. Then I will go to Hertfordshire to see if Elizabeth will give me a second chance if I court her properly.
You may be invited to the wedding, if you can contain your sarcasm long enough to stand up with me.
Your grateful cousin,
William
Letter from Richard Fitzwilliam to Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy
Dear William and Lizzy,
Sophia and I send you our sincerest best wishes on your newest offspring. My dear wife is surprised, however, that there are any names left for your children. Have you begun reusing middle names as first yet?
I do congratulate you, though. When the Good Lord said to go forth and multiply, he clearly had the two of you in mind for Derbyshire. Fortunately, Sophia and I will have help with London, as I do not think we have the income to support quite so many children.
Your interference in my courtship with Sophia was not appreciated at the time, but now that we have had six months of happily wedded bliss, I believe I can thank both of you from the bottom of my heart. I understand that your final foray back into matchmaking was entirely Lizzy’s idea even as the execution was William’s. I will admit, finally, that it is a better career choice than the army would have been. I think we can safely say that Georgiana is not going to inherit Pemberley! Blackstone will suit her and Lord Trevelyan just fine.
Your favorite cousin,
Richard
