Letters from a Regency Heart #1

I was recently in my homeschool drama group's spring production, directed by the EXTREMELY talented Mrs. Elizabeth Potry. Each year, she asks us to write a  "diary" in the mindset of the character that we are to be performing as in the spring play. A character diary is basically just a creative writing exercise that she gives us to help us get into the mindset of our character, where we have to write some of the events of the play as if it were three diary entries. This year we had the immense privilege to perform Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I was Elizabeth Bennet, and decided to write two of my entries as letters to friends/family of Lizzy, and the other one as a regular diary entry. I really enjoyed pouring out my creativity into these, and decided that I would share them with you. Please, if you like them, let me know what you think of them. If you don't like them...well, I'd still like to hear your thoughts. =) 

Background information: This is letter #1. Elizabeth is writing to her dearest friend, Charlotte Lucas. Lizzy and Jane have recently returned from an extended stay at Netherfield Hall... and Mr. Collins is due to arrive the next day. ;)

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Longbourn, Nov. 17, 1811

Dear Charlotte,
I have decided that with this dreadful rain that has fallen upon us, I shall write to you so that we may be Entertained. I shall let the postman get wet, and spare my mother the opportunity of imposing upon the young men left in Hertfordshire as she has done to poor Jane. (Though, I daresay Mr. Bingley is certainly amiable enough to do such a thing to.) Our preparations for the Netherfield Ball are underway. Gowns are being remade, and bonnets (which are to be worn the day of the ball, and aren't even to be seen at the event which causes me to wonder at their usefulness) are being decorated with ribbons and lace, according to mother's wishes. All of Meryton is now aware that we are to attend the Netherfield Ball. Mother is quite aflutter with said preparations and Lydia and Kitty are quick to follow suit. Just between you and I, they seem to me to be like the fowl in our sideyard-- clucking and carrying on in a flurry of motion. It seems we have been to town more times in the past week that we even journey in a month-- rain and all. Every time mother sees Mr. Bingley's carriage pass by the lane, she makes certain he knows of her excitement for the ball and her willingness to help with the preparations. It is all we can do to keep her from chasing the carriage down the street, with her rambling away about this and that. Caroline has thankfully told her that her services are 'appreciated', but not needed, and I shock myself that we are in agreement over Something. If Jane is to one day marry Mr. Bingley, I do hope mother's lodgings will remain here at Longbourn, for if not, Caroline will finally have reason to fully extend her claws. Mother talks incessantly about the silliest things and Caroline has no scruples about making her sentiments known.
Mary has been practising a new piano piece, and I fear she desires to play it at Netherfield. This would not be a grevious thing, but you know that none of us are great proficients at the instrument, though Mary certainly tries. Yet mother says that Mr. Bingley is pleased with her efforts to provide entertainment. Mother seems to think he is an Angel with no faults whatsoever. I jest to Jane that I would be inclined to like him more if he read more often, but he enjoys the out-of-doors, so I can forgive him that. As for his friend, since you care to know what I think of him, I shall tell you. I do not hate the man, but neither can I stand him. He is vain, and his pride...it prevents him from seeing what is good in this world. No doubt his pride comes from owning £10,000 a year and the miserable half of Derbyshire. But I shall speak no more on the subject, and beg you to do the same. I am scarcely touched by his refusal to dance at Meryton, or his confusing attentions at Netherfield. If I do talk more of him, let it be to laugh at his follies and his character, in which I chuse to find humour.

Hill is again calling me down for breakfast, so I shall post this letter and meet you at Netherfield in a se'enight, if not before.

Until then my dear friend, I remain,
Yours &c.,
 Lizzy

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So, that's it for this entry. We were only allowed to write two full pages for each one...so it couldn't be as lengthy as I would have liked. ;) But I tried to keep in the style of how they would have written in the Regency Era. The words that are misspelled are deliberate...and the random capital letters are too. haha! =)

In case you were wondering: "Hill" is the Bennet's housekeeper

                                                 A "se'enight" is just another word for a week.

I will be posting the second diary entry in a few days, so stay tuned if you enjoyed this one!

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I'd love to hear from you, and know what you thought! Comment box is down below the post <3
Yours &c.,

Kayla Marie