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

consent,

and to say that Anne would make the most elegant bride

of the year. I was able to please her ladyship by saying

that Miss de Bourgh would grace any church in which

she should choose to wed.’

‘But her ladyship changed her mind when Anne made

it clear she intended to live at Rosings, and that she

intended her mother to move to the dower house,’ put in

Charlotte.

‘Lady Catherine most amiably declared it to be

impossible. She honoured me with the most obliging

confidence, saying that she would not move out of her

home to suit the convenience of a thoughtless chit, and

she went on to graciously inform me that Anne was a

headstrong girl who had no proper gratitude.’

‘Anne pointed out that, if she were a man, her mother

would have had to leave the house on her marriage, to

which her ladyship replied that Anne was not a man, and

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M r . D a r c y ’ s D i a r y 3 2 9

that therefore she would remain. I expected Anne to give

way,’ said Charlotte, ‘but she did nothing of the kind.

Love has made her strong.’

‘The atmosphere has unfortunately not been of the

most harmonious. Of all things, I dislike an air of dissension. It offends a man of my calling in a way I can

scarcely describe. I tried to offer an olive branch, saying

that the dower house was a very fine building, with elegant apartments and sumptuous gardens, but Lady

Catherine turned on me such a look of disapprobation

that my courage faltered, and I was compelled to add:

“But not as fine as Rosings.” I think that pleased her

ladyship.’

‘But not her daughter,’ I said.

Mr Collins’s face fell.

‘No. I fear it is impossible to remain on good terms

with both of them, and so we felt it better to come away.’

‘And there was another reason for our visit. I wanted

you to see Elinor,’ said Charlotte.

The nurse brought Elinor forward. I have never seen

any attraction in babies, but Elizabeth was delighted with

the little girl, and took her from the nurse.As she cradled

the infant in her arms, she looked at me in a way that

made my heart stand still, and suddenly babies became

the most interesting thing in the world to me.

I thought last year was the happiest of my life, but I

think this one is going to be even better.

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mr darcy_internals 1/30/07 4:06 PM Page 331

About the Author

Amanda Grange is a bestselling author of historical fiction in the U.K. She specializes in creative interpretations

of classic novels and historic events, including Jane

Austen’s novels and the Titanic shipwreck. Her novels

include Lord Deverill’s Secret, Mr. Knightley’s Diary and

Titanic Affair. She lives in England.

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Document Outline

• Front Cover

• Title page

• Copyright

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

• January

• February

• March

• April

• May

• June

• July

• August

• September

• October

• November

• December

• March

• About the Author

• Back Cover