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Dearest Jane,
I write this letter to you with the utmost haste, but please do not fret over its urgency.
I feel it my duty to inform you that we received an urgent missive from our dear Aunt and Uncle Gardiner a few hours ago. Frightfully, they told us of their recent excursion to the Lakes. You recall my mentioning that Mary was to join them? I am not completely sure on the details, only that they recently climbed up one of those famous peaks, and on their way down were caught up in a storm. Our dear Mary was bed-bound for days with a case of pneumonia!
But please, do not fret. The Gardiners’ have assured that she is on the road to recovery, though they were very forthcoming about the severity of her illness and the uncertainty which surrounded it. They did not think it prudent to send word until they had news, one way or another, on account of Mama’s nerves.
Some may not but I appreciate their candour. Nevertheless, all that matters is that Mary will make a full recovery.
The Gardiners advised they are due to return to London in the next few days, and Mama is determined she will make the trip as well, though to what ends I’m unsure. I think she is still determined to see our sister matched, even after the whole business with Mr Ryder these few months past.
While the specifics are not completely clear at the present time, I believe your sisters-in-law, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, as well as the aforementioned Mr Ryder were part of the party too. I am not sure if they sustained any injury or ailment; but please pass along our best regards nonetheless.
(…)
All my love,
Elizabeth Darcy
My dear Lizzie,
Your letter puts my mind most at ease. How fortunate the timing, as Mr Bingley has just received similar from Miss Bingley. Before your message arrived, I did not know what to think, especially as Miss Bingley does mention our most beloved Mary in her correspondence. In fact, she explains that while descending the mountain in the middle of a storm (Mary, on the peak of a mountain, and in a storm? Who’d have thought it!?), her foot was stuck on a rock, and it was only with Mary’s help that she managed to dislodge it, and find her way down the mountain safely.
Well, with the help of Mary and a Mr Tom Hayward, who I am sorry to say I have no recollection of.
I felt a chill when Miss Bingley described our Mary’s bed-bound state, and did not deign to give any further explanation. I had asked Mr Bingley to write to her at once, when your own message arrived. How I still feel like shivering now, imagining if the worst had come to pass. But you are right, as always dear Lizzie, it is not worth thinking on. Only the future matters, and how glad I am to hear she shall make a full recovery!
(…)
Yours,
Jane Bingley
Dear Jane,
Mama has returned from her visit to London, more subdued than usual, but still as downcast at Mary’s prospects. She says Mary has refused Mr Ryder, again – only this time his proposal was proper and as a proposal should be. I’m sure you have heard but he is to be named as Lady Catherine’s heir, as well. No doubt this only compounds Mama’s misery at Mary’s rejection.
It would not be unlike Mary to choose the rational option - the one offered by Mr Ryder - but I am glad she has learned to listen to her heart as well. While I do think her fond of the man, there must be some other impediment which stayed her hand on this occasion.
Mama says she wishes to become a governess. That must be it. Truthfully, I am proud that she has stood up to Mama, and is forging her own path. London has been the making of her, I believe.
I only hope this brings her true happiness. I have written to Aunt and Uncle Gardiner in hopes that they will shed more light on the situation and put my fears for our sister to rest.
(…)
Yours, in hope,
Elizabeth Darcy
Lizzie,
It is quite unusual, isn’t it? Mary rejecting Mr Ryder’s proposal. Of course, I support her in her endeavours, but suppose he had proposed in the proper manner at Pemberley? Why, they may have already been wed.
Still, with all my heart, I wish only for our dear sister’s happiness, so long as she is healthy.
Speaking of marriage and attachments and the like, pray read this most particular turn of events. You remember in our previous correspondence we discussed Mr Hayward, who helped Mary carry Miss Bingley down the mountain? Mr Bingley has received a rather odd request from his sister, in that she is asking his help to ‘track him down’. Do you suppose she has developed an attachment to this man? I did believe, from her correspondence, that Miss Bingley was quite fond of Mr Ryder herself, but perhaps that affection has transferred after the events on the peak of Scafell that day?
Do you know anything of this Hayward? Mr Bingley and I cannot put a name to a face or a face to a name between us, though he is reaching out to his contacts around the county in an attempt to find the information that may be of use to his dear sister in her time of need.
I will let you know of anything that transpires in this case.
Please write when you receive a reply from the Gardiners? Is Mary truly happy?
(…)
Yours,
Jane Bingley
Dearest Jane,
I cannot say that anything springs to mind at the name Hayward, yet there’s something, a recollection of sorts that sits on the tip of my tongue. If I am able to give it name, I shall let you know. If he is of the London sect, perhaps he is an acquaintance of our dear Gardiners – suppose you and I have met him and never realised! If I’d have known, I would’ve mentioned it in my correspondence to the Gardiners. Alas, it had already been sealed and sent.
In matters such as this, as we know, time will tell, I suppose. I cannot imagine Miss Bingley so head over heels that she may pursue a man who, by all accounts, she cannot herself locate.
Most importantly of all, Aunt Gardiner reports an immense lifting of Mary’s spirits since Mama’s departure and her commitment to becoming a governess. She is keen, writes Aunt Gardiner, to pass on the things she has learned to other ladies of similar situations.
I do not think it is what Mary always imagined, but, as I’m sure I can attest, our lives rarely do work out exactly the way we have planned – and aren’t we all the better for it? I’m sure you would agree, my dear Jane.
(…)
With love,
Elizabeth Darcy
Dearest Lizzie,
Oh, how wrong I was! I am sure you have heard the happiest of news from Mary’s own quill, but if not I do not wish to give away the surprise.
I only hope Mama has taken the news well. Mary says she is still to continue in her chosen vocation too, which I’m sure will thrill our Mama to no end.
I suppose even if we didn’t know who Mr Hayward was then, we do now. And to think Miss Bingley was looking for him - all the time for our Mary, and not for herself.
I am most looking forward to meeting him – and seeing all of you, Mama, my dear sisters (and brothers!) – in London, in the weeks to come.
How wonderful!
With love,
Jane Bingley
P.S. Miss Bingley has since left the country, for Italy! She was scant with the details, but my dear husband believes she is following a certain Mr Ryder. While I wouldn’t advocate for this course myself, I cannot help but admire her determination nonetheless. Truly, people can change - even just a little - and all for the better.
Jane,
It appears the mystery behind Mary’s refusal of Mr Ryder - or at least part of it - is solved. Miss Bingley’s flight to Italy is quite the surprise, but I swear utmost discretion on my part.
As for Mama any words of disparagement were stolen from her lips by a separate – and I believe, rather stern - correspondence received from the Gardiners - particularly Uncle Gardiner. I did not catch the whole of the matter, but my dear husband stole a peek and he could not help a chuckle that escaped from his lips.
I believe Mama has been silenced on the subject – both on Mary’s betrothed and her chosen profession, as well as her continued engagement in said profession.
I admit, I was surprised by the news from our sister. She has not always seen herself in that light – that is of a marriageable woman – but I cannot deny the happiness and the sincerity with which she speaks of Mr Hayward. I too cannot wait to make his acquaintance.
You know, Jane, it is the funniest thing. As I sat here, ruminating on Mary’s letter, reading and re-reading her words, I remembered a conversation with her, during her stay in Pemberley. It was so minute, and overshadowed by the subsequent arrival of Mr Ryder. Still, it comes back to me now as I read her words and hear her voice.
Mary told me of her friend Miss Baxter, and an understanding she had with another of Mary’s dear friends – Mr Hayward! (Yes, the same one who will, soon, be our brother-in-law!)
(Mary has assured that this understanding ended before the excursion to the Lakes, and Mr Hayward’s subsequent proposal. No doubt, we will get the full story in due course).
It struck me then, if even for a moment, and as it does again – what Mary said of this Mr Hayward.
That he was the kindest man.
And there was a smile, one that, given his circumstances, I let pass without a second thought. I wager, even then, he was in her heart, though she may have never let herself think on it.
How wonderful, indeed, that things have turned out the way they have - as they ought to, I believe.
(…)
Your sister always,
Elizabeth Darcy