The Letter by Emma Crawley

Author:Emma Crawley [Crawley, Emma]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-05-27T06:00:00+00:00

17

The next morning, a note arrived from Darcy House. I tensed as my uncle read it. Surely Mr Darcy would not cancel the invitation to dinner? Perhaps he had thought more on it once he had returned home and decided he could not encourage the friendship of tradespeople. If he did that, I thought, I would return at once to all the enjoyment of my former dislike.

“Mr Darcy enquires after you, Lizzy,” said Uncle Gardiner. “He most particularly wishes to know you caught no illness from the water.”

“I can safely say I have not, though it is still early,” I replied. “Does he mention anything about his own health?”

“No, indeed.”

“And does he still intend to dine with us tonight?”

“He does. He thanks me for the invitation.”

“Oh.”

I turned back to my eggs, feeling my cheeks grow warm. So I would see Mr Darcy again tonight. I did not know how I felt about it.

“I can never be grateful enough to Mr Darcy,” said Jane. “I cannot bear thinking of what might have happened if he had not been there. And to think everyone in Meryton disliked him so much. They do not know the man he is.”

No, they do not, I thought. But neither did Jane. She still did not know Mr Darcy caused her heartache. And I could not bring myself to tell her. Knowing Jane, she would still sing his praises even if she knew.

“I will return the note,” said Aunt Gardiner. “And let them know what time to arrive. Girls, will you come with me to help with a menu? Lizzy, you must have some idea of Mr Darcy’s likes?”

“Why should I…” I began indignantly. But I recalled how many times I had dined with him in many places and relented begrudgingly.

We were in my aunt’s sitting room, looking over a proposed menu when we heard someone at the door. I hardly paid any attention to it. Uncle had many visitors come at different times, usually on matters of business. I showed Jane a recipe I had found in a cookbook, and as we discussed it, my aunt went to the door to look outside.

“Just someone for your uncle, I imagine,” she said as we heard uncle’s study door close.

I had almost forgotten about the visitor as we returned to planning the meal. I already knew Mr Darcy had a fondness for chicken. I was less confident of Miss Darcy, but my aunt decided on a variety of dishes so she could not fail to find something she liked. As we discussed it and laughed and joked about the day ahead, the door opened. Uncle Gardiner put his head in.

“You find us being useful, Uncle,” I called. “Look, we have almost finished the menu already. What do you think of the…”

My voice trailed away as I noticed his expression. His face was pale, and his mouth was tightened to a grim line.

“What is the matter?” I cried. “You have not had bad news?”

My uncle hesitated. Aunt Gardiner and Jane also looked at him in dismay.

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