Mr. Darcy's Diary, Amanda Grange [elon musk reading list TXT] 📗

once with

myself.

‘Georgiana moves with extraordinary grace,’ said Caroline.

It was a subject that could not fail to please me.

‘You think so?’

‘I do. It was an excellent idea to hold a private dance.

It is good for her to practise at these sorts of occasions.

You dance very well, Mr Darcy.You and I together can

set her an example. Charles and I are at your disposal if

you should wish to hold another such evening. It can do

Georgiana nothing but good to see others dancing, and

it will help her achieve confidence and poise.’

I was reminded of another time when she had praised

me, saying how well I wrote my letters. I recalled the

scene exactly. It had been at Netherfield, and Elizabeth

had been with us. I felt a stirring of something inside me

as I thought of her. Anger, perhaps, that she had so

bewitched me?

Our dance broke up. Our guests left, and I had the satisfaction of seeing Georgiana retiring to bed, tired but

happy.

She has completely forgotten George Wickham, I am

sure of it.As long as nothing reminds her of him, I do not

believe she will think of him again.

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 118

1 1 8

A M A N D A G R A N G E

Tuesday 24th December

We had our game of charades after dinner this evening. I

was pleased when Caroline thought of suggesting that

Georgiana and Bingley work on their charade together.

They retreated into a corner of the room, their heads

close enough to be almost touching. It was a most pleasing sight.

The charades were very enjoyable, and after we had all

performed, we went in to supper.

‘Do you know, Darcy, I thought we would be spending Christmas at Netherfield this year,’ said Bingley with

a sigh. ‘That had been my plan when I took the house. I

wonder what they are all doing now.’

I thought it wiser to turn his thoughts away from this

direction.

‘Much the same as we are doing here.Take some more

of the venison.’

He did as I suggested, and said no more about

Netherfield.

Wednesday 25th December

I have never enjoyed a Christmas day more. We went to

church this morning and this evening we played at bullet

pudding and snapdragon.As we did so I noticed a change

in Georgiana. Last year she played as a child, enjoying the

novelty of putting her hands into the flames to snatch a

burning raisin, and blowing on her fingers when she was

not quick enough to emerge unscathed. This year, she

played to please me. I could see it in her eyes.

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 119

M r . D a r c y ’ s D i a r y 1 1 9

I wonder if Elizabeth plays at bullet pudding and

snapdragon. I wonder if she burnt her fingers as she

snatched the raisins out of the flames.

Saturday 28th December

‘I wonder you do not think of marrying Miss Bingley,’ I

said to Colonel Fitzwilliam as we rode out together this

morning.

‘Miss Bingley?’

‘She is a wealthy young woman, and you are in need

of an heiress.’

He shook his head.

‘I do not wish to marry Miss Bingley.’

‘She is charming and elegant, gracious and well bred.’

‘She is all those things, but I could not marry her. She

is a cold woman.When I marry, I would like a wife with

more warmth. I would also like someone who will look

up to me, rather than someone who will look up to my

family name.’

‘I never knew you wanted that from a wife,’ I said in

surprise.

‘As a younger son, I have had to look up to others all

my life. I would like to experience the situation from

another side!’

He spoke lightly, but I think there was some truth in

what he said.

We rode on in silence for some way, enjoying the

snow-covered scenery.

‘How long will you be in town?’ I asked him.

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 120

1 2 0

A M A N D A G R A N G E

‘Not long. I have business which requires my attention

in Kent. I mean to pay my respects to Lady Catherine

whilst I am there. Shall I tell her you will be visiting her

at Easter?’

‘Yes, I will visit her as usual.When will you be returning to town?’

‘Soon, I hope. Before Easter, certainly.’

‘Then you must dine with me when you do.’

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 121

January

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 122

1 2 2

A M A N D A G R A N G E

Friday 3rd January

There has been a most unwelcome incident. Caroline has

had a letter from Miss Bennet.

‘She writes that she is coming to London,’ cried Caroline. ‘She will be staying with her aunt and uncle in

Gracechurch Street. From the date of her letter, I believe

she must already be here.’

‘It is not something I would have wished to happen,’

I said.‘Bingley seems to have forgotten her. If he sees her

again, his admiration might be rekindled.’

‘He does not need to know of her visit,’ Caroline said.

I agreed to this. ‘I doubt they will ever come across

each other,’ I said.

‘I think I shall not reply to her letter. She will not be

in town long, and she will think only that the letter was

lost. Better that, than that she thinks she is not welcome

here. She is a sweet girl, and I have no wish to wound her

feelings, but my love for my brother runs deeper, and I

must do what I can to save him from an unsuitable

match.’

I applaud her sentiments, but I find I am not easy in

my mind. Anything devious or underhand is abhorrent

to me. But Caroline is right.We cannot allow Bingley to

sacrifice his life on the altar of a vulgar family, and it is

but a small deception after all.

Monday 6th January

Georgiana is developing just as I could wish. Her accomplishments, her deportment, her manners are all those I

mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 123

M r . D a r c y ’ s D i a r y 1 2 3

like to see. I did not know how to proceed when she was

left in my care, but I flatter myself she is turning into the

young woman my mother would wish her to be.

Tuesday 7th January

I had a shock when visiting Caroline and her sister today,

in order to give them