Posted on Tuesday, 5 September 2000

— October 1812
Netherfield Hall
Near Meryton, Hertfordshire

My Dear Georgiana,

You may have already noticed that this letter is different from our usual correspondence. In the past I have used the now-customary "Dearest Georgiana" to open my letters to you, but you see here the lesser "Dear". Please do not be alarmed by my change in address and do not think that you have dropped even the slightest degree in my estimation. You are now, as ever, my beloved sister, and my pride in your accomplishments, grace, and your warm heart are the same today as in all previous days. Be assured, rather, that the change in my address lies not in your having fallen, but in another's rise. Please do not be jealous of her, for I believe it is the natural order of things that the claims of sisters must give way to the claims of wives in the hearts of men; just as one day your brother shall make way for a husband to claim his place as first in your heart. Yes, Georgiana, your frequent wish to have a sister will soon come true. As your every wish has long been my command, your brother has seen to it; though, I am well aware that I have been a tad tardy in my duties. I believe I first heard you ask for a sister a dozen years ago, when you were but five years old, and I am only now providing her to you. I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me the delay.

It has been some time now that I have known my happiness depended on a particular lady. Despite this knowledge, various obstacles—which I am sure a young lady such as yourself would believe to be very romantic, but which I shall not expand upon—fell into my path and prevented any early understanding between myself and the lady. Those obstacles have now all been overcome or removed, our love has been mutually declared, an understanding has been established, the lady's father has been asked for his consent, and the date of the happy event has also been named.

By now, if you were here, I know you would be impatiently asking, "Who is the lady?" I shall not keep you in suspense. She is a lady whom I had the honor of introducing to you during the summer, and you met her again the following day when she visited you at Pemberley. On the day you joined me in Derbyshire, do you remember my asking you to get back in the carriage and ride off again? I knew you had just finished several hours on the roads and likely wanted to do nothing more than rest and reacquaint yourself with our home, but still I asked you to change from your travel clothes and turn right around and leave again. You must have suspected then that I had some motive for this callousness beyond merely making an introduction! My motive was clear in my heart, I wished to introduce the two people who meant the most to me in this world to one another, to see you side-by-side, hopefully chatting away like old friends and like future sisters. If her name escapes you after your too-brief acquaintance, I shall remind you: she is Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. She was in Lambton that day with her Aunt and Uncle Gardiner.

There, now you know the name of the lady who shall soon be called Mrs. Darcy. As I mentioned above, the date of our wedding has already been set. It shall take place on the — of December. Mr. Bingley, as you already know, is also soon to be married. If the name of his bride sounds familiar now in light of my news, it should. Bingley's Jane is the elder sister of my Elizabeth. Our two weddings are to be combined into one, and Mr. Bennet will have the joy of giving away two of his daughters in one day.

Bingley has asked me to extend to you an invitation to come to Netherfield as soon as you may wish. Elizabeth and I will be very happy to have you here with us, and I would like you to have the opportunity to know her better. Let me know whether you wish to come down, and if so, when, and I shall make the arrangements for your journey.

Lastly, I pray, sister, that you approve of my choice, and that you and Elizabeth will soon come to love one another as I love you both.

I am, always and forever, your dearest brother,

Fitzwilliam.