Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (books for students to read .txt) 📕

She enjoyed your company, but nothing more.’

He nodded.

‘I thought she could not…such an angel…still, I

hoped…but it is as you say. She will marry someone from

Meryton, I expect. Someone she has known all her life.’

‘Very probably.’

‘Not someone she has only just met.’

‘No.’

‘She will not miss me, now I am gone.’

‘No.’

He was silent.

‘There is a great deal to be said for marrying someone

one has known all one’s life, or at least for a long time,’ I

said.

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‘Yes, I suppose there is,’ he said, but without any real

enthusiasm.

‘Their defects are already known, and there can be no

unpleasant surprises,’ I continued.

‘It is as you say.’

‘And it is as well to know, and like, their family. Georgiana will marry someone she knows, I hope,’ I said.

‘Yes, it would be a good thing,’ said Bingley, but without real interest.

A pity. I thought his affections were turning in that

direction. However, I have made the point, and in the

future he may remember it.

Tuesday 10th December

I have had my mother’s pearls restrung for Georgiana,

and mean to give them to her as a present. She is old

enough for them now, and I think she will look well in

them.Whilst I was at Howard Gibbs, I enquired about

having the rest of my mother’s jewellery remodelled. It is

of good quality, and much of it has been in the family for

generations. I have arranged for the pearl brooch and

earrings to be reset at once, and I will give them to

Georgiana for her next birthday. I have arranged to take

in the other pieces of jewellery so that they can be examined and sketches for new settings made. The sketches

can be altered to accommodate any changing fashions

and the pieces can be reset as Georgiana becomes old

enough to wear them.

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Thursday 12th December

I dined with Bingley and his sisters. During the course of

the evening we talked of the Christmas festivities.There

will be some large parties for us to attend, but in the days

immediately proceeding Christmas I would like to

arrange a few small private parties with no one but the

Bingleys, so that Georgiana can attend.

‘I thought I would have a small dance on the twentythird,’ I said, ‘and then charades on Christmas Eve.’

‘An excellent idea,’ said Caroline.

‘I have invited Colonel Fitzwilliam, which will make

us four gentlemen and three ladies. Do you think I

should invite any more ladies?’ I asked Caroline.

‘No,’ she said emphatically. ‘Mr Hurst never dances,

which leaves us with three couples.’

My thoughts went back to Bingley’s ball at Netherfield, where I danced with Elizabeth.

‘Have you decided when Georgiana will make her

come out?’ asked Caroline, as if reading my mind.

‘Not until she is eighteen, perhaps later.’

‘Eighteen is a good age. She will have left the schoolroom behind her and overcome her shyness, but will

have the fresh bloom of youth. She will break a great

many hearts.’

‘I hope she will not break any. I want her to be happy,

and if she should happen to find a good man in her first

season, I will be glad to see her settled.’

Caroline glanced at Bingley.

‘In two years, then, we must hope she finds someone

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worthy of her. Someone with an easy temper, who is

generous and kind.’

‘That would be the very thing.’

‘In the meantime, it will be good for her to have the

company of a personable young man, so that she is used

to male company and does not become tongue-tied

when in gentlemen’s presence. She is never tongue-tied

with Charles, but seems to enjoy his company,’ said

Caroline.

‘What is that you are saying?’ asked Bingley, who had

been talking to Louisa, but who looked up when he

heard his name.

‘I was saying that Georgiana is always easy with you.

Darcy wants her to enjoy some adult entertainments this

Christmas, and I am sure he can rely on you to dance

with her.’

‘Nothing would give me greater pleasure. She is

becoming a beauty, Darcy.’

I was gratified.

Monday 16th December

The house is looking festive. Georgiana has been helping

Mrs Annesley to decorate it with holly, tucking pieces of

the greenery behind the pictures and around the candlesticks. She has always liked doing this, ever since she was

a young child.When I arrived, I found her adorning the

window in the drawing-room with more greenery.

‘I thought we would have a dance in a few days’ time,’

I said.

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

She flushed.

‘Just a small one, with our intimate friends,’ I reassured

her.

‘Perhaps you would like some new ribbon to trim

your muslin,’ said Mrs Annesley to Georgiana.

‘Oh, yes,’ she said, looking at me hopefully.

‘You must buy whatever you need,’ I replied.

I was about to say she should buy herself a new fan

when I thought better of it. I will buy one for her myself,

and surprise her with it.

Wednesday 18th December

Today we had snow. Georgiana was as excited as a child,

and I took her into the park.We walked along the white

paths and returned to the house with flushed faces and

hearty appetites.

I could not help remembering how flushed Elizabeth

had looked after her walk to Netherfield. Her eyes had

been sparkling, and her complexion had been brightened

by the exercise.

Where is she now? Is she walking along the country

lanes around her home in the snow? Is she at home,

arranging holly, even as Georgiana is arranging it here? Is

she looking forward to Christmas? If I had not kept Bingley from Netherfield, we could all be there

now…which would have been a very grave mistake. It is

better for all of us that we are in London.

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Monday 23rd December

We had our dance this evening, and I was gratified to see

Georgiana enjoying herself. She danced twice with Bingley, once with Colonel Fitzwilliam and