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Excerpt from Sweet Caresses – a letter written by Darcy to
his sister Georgiana while he was staying at Netherfield Park.
* ~ * ~ *
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
October --, 1811
Dearest Georgie,
My greetings this time come not only from me, but also from
the other residents of Netherfield. Bingley wishes to extend an invitation for
you to visit as well. I have informed him that you insisted on returning to
Pemberley and have given your excuses, but he still wishes me to make it known
that you may certainly join us if it is your desire to do so.
I must also pass along regards from Miss Bingley. She has
said twice since I began this letter how much she wishes me to inform you. It
is now my intention to write of anything which shall distract me from the eyes
that are constantly upon me while here at Netherfield. You know how I dislike
the attention.
As you might have guessed, we have made many a call to the
local neighborhood in the few weeks since my arrival. You already know of the
assembly we attended, as I wrote of my dancing four times in my last letter.
Bingley and I were able to attend a dinner with the neighborhood gentlemen as
well as the militia that are quartered here for the winter, and we returned to
find that Miss Bingley’s guest for supper was ill. A room was prepared and she
has remained here these last few days to recover. Bingley is all excitement as
it is the angel of which I wrote about before that has caught his attention.
What a shock it was the following morning when, despite the
puddles left by the rain the previous evening, Miss Bennet’s younger sister,
Miss Elizabeth, arrived on foot. Miss Bingley is still talking of the six
inches of mud on Miss Elizabeth’s petticoats.
You should have seen Miss Bingley’s face when I said Miss Elizabeth’s
features were only brightened by the exercise. I need not mention in too much
detail how much like a codfish she may have looked.
Speaking of Miss Bingley, I have been asked to include how
quite in raptures she is with your beautiful design for a table and that she
thinks it infinitely superior to Miss Grantley’s table. I take it you have sent
Miss Bingley a drawing of your project? Perhaps you could lend your artistic
touch to the old table in the blue sitting room. It is full of scuffs and Mrs
Reynolds has asked if I wish it to be sent out for repair. If you wish, you may
inform her of my decision to let you paint it instead.
I apologize for my distraction in completing this letter. I
place the blame on Miss Elizabeth as she has turned her teasing manner against
Miss Bingley and it has been a pleasure to attend to the conversation the last
few minutes. Now, however, it is time I retire, so I will continue my letter
another time.
***
Once again we have had a pleasurable evening in the sitting
room after supper. I thought reading the
book you sent to me would be distraction enough from Miss Bingley’s attentions,
but instead it only made me the focus of her inept attempts at discussing what
I read.
Now I must find more on which to write, otherwise I fear I
may be expected to attend to every whim of my hostess. She has decided to take
a turn about the room. This may be enough of a distraction for my hand to rest
for a few moments without Miss Bingley’s constant insistence on mending my
quill.
Miss Elizabeth is severe in her teasing. So much so that she
reminds me, though maybe just a little, of our cousin. You know the colonel
could never pass up an opportunity to raise my ire, but the manner in which he
does so leaves me with less of a desirable outcome than Miss Elizabeth. I know
you will wish to hear an example of her teasing, so here it is.
I said, “The wisest and the best of men, nay, the wisest and
best of their actions, may be rendered ridiculous by a person whose first
object in life is a joke.” Miss Elizabeth’s reply was, “Certainly, there are
such people, but I hope I am not one of them. I hope I
never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and
inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at
them whenever I can. -- But these, I suppose, are precisely what you are
without.”
It has given me quite the chuckle as I am certain she only
teases to prove herself superior to Miss Bingley. It does not take much. As you
can see from just this simple exchange, Miss Elizabeth has captured my
attention with her teasing manner. Perhaps this is not something I should be
speaking of to my little sister, but I cannot help but think of how changed our
lives could be if, perhaps, we had someone like her in our family.
Nevertheless, it is time I retire for the evening. My
objective in writing you this letter has been fulfilled in that it has kept
Miss Bingley from constantly being at my side or wishing to speak of books she
has not read. If only it could keep Bingley from his plans to have a ball. He
is quite settled on sending around his cards as soon as the white soup has been
prepared.
I await your return letter, knowing you will tell me of your
own pleasures at Pemberley during this autumn season. Perhaps we should speak
soon of our intentions for Christmas. Do you wish to remain there, or would you
rather visit London?
Ever your brother,
Fitzwilliam
~~~~~~~~~~
What a fun and revealing letter from Darcy! I can only imagine what was going through Georgiana's mind as she read this letter. Wouldn't it have been diverting to have witnessed her reading of it?
Thank you for sharing the excerpt/letter with us Sarah. I am ready to continue with the rest of the story now!
~~~~~~~~~~
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The giveaway is for one eBook of Sweet Caresses and it is international. Leave a comment, along with your contact info, to be included. We would love to hear your 'share in the conversation'. What do you think of this letter? Giveaway ends at 11:59 PM 6 August, 2015. Winner should be aware that eBook will not be sent until after the 10th of August. Thank you and Good luck to all!
I want it! Please enter me! tgruy at netscape dot net
ReplyDeleteYou are entered. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteIt is obvious that Darcy and Georgianna feel the same way about Miss Bingley. I wonder if Darcy realizes how much of his own feelings he gives away when he writes about Elizabeth. The letter is so revealing! Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI thought the same, Eva. He does give away much. Whether he realizes or not, I bet Georgiana does.
DeletePoor Darcy to so misunderstand Elizabeth, at least the siblings think the same and are not wrong about Caroline
ReplyDeletemeikleblog at gmail dot com
Yes, it is a bit sad to think he so misunderstands Elizabeth and her actions. I think him naive in love. They do know Miss Bingley though!
DeleteWhat an interesting letter. I find it amusing how Georgiana and Darcy are of the same mind about Caroline and that that particular lady thinks she has a chance getting Darcy. She is so delusional. The Darcys have her pegged. Now if oly Darcy understood Elizabeth. Looking forward to seeing how Darcy and Elizabeth reach their HEA.
ReplyDeleteForgot to add my email....skampe25 (at) gmail (dot) com
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