Pemberley
Saturday, 16th October, 1813

My dear Jane,

Your most agreeable letter brought such great joy that I hasten to reply immediately. Shall you really be here by Christmas? How speedily the business has been concluded! You ask my advice on how to break this news to our Mother and I have taken the liberty of conferring with Mr. Darcy who has lately had to exercise all his powers of diplomacy concerning some feuding tenants, and therefore might have something to contribute to another, equally delicate matter.

Mr. Darcy’s idea is to invite all my dear family to Pemberley for the Christmas festivities—the Gardiners, too, if they are able to come. In this manner you would all be leaving together. My Mother has yet to come to Pemberley and we dare to flatter ourselves that the anticipation of having her whole family together again, and seeing Pemberley and the Great House will soften the blow of you quitting Netherfield entirely. It may be impertinent of me to make the suggestion (in which case, forgive me and say no more about it) but I feel certain that were you to ask Mamma to remain with you at the Great House until your lying-in, stressing that her presence would be the greatest comfort to you, then the blow would hardly be felt at all until her eventual return to Longbourn, at which time she will be so busy regaling the neighbourhood with stories of her stay in Derbyshire and endless, minute details of her daughters’ situations that she will not have a moment to regret your loss. If you and Mr. Bingley agree with this scheme, we will issue an invitation for Christmas forthwith.

Jane, much as I long to see you, forgive me if I question the wisdom of you making this journey at all not three months before your confinement? I know you are in good health and you say the physician sees no reason why you should not travel in a comfortable carriage on good roads. I suppose that should be enough to satisfy me, and reassure myself that Mr. Bingley would not allow it if he felt there was even the remotest chance of endangering your welfare. I understand your longing to see your new surroundings and your desire to have your child born at the Great House; I would want nothing less for myself, I know. You are too level-headed and sensible to put yourself in danger, and your generous, sweet nature would not wish to bring unhappiness to your loved ones, so I must trust your judgement that your decision is the right one and shall worry no more.

Colonel Fitzwilliam is expected momentarily. We all look forward to the prospect of his genial company. No doubt he will bring us news of Rosings Park, none of which will contain a single flattering word about your devoted Sister,

Elizabeth