Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (books for students to read .txt) π
Read free book Β«Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (books for students to read .txt) πΒ» - read online or download for free at americanlibrarybooks.com
- Author: Amanda Grange
Read book online Β«Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (books for students to read .txt) πΒ». Author - Amanda Grange
myself.
βGeorgiana moves with extraordinary grace,β said Caroline.
It was a subject that could not fail to please me.
βYou think so?β
βI 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.β
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.
βDo you know, Darcy, I thought we would be spending Christmas at Netherfield this year,β said Bingley with
a sigh. βThat had been my plan when I took the house. I
wonder what they are all doing now.β
I thought it wiser to turn his thoughts away from this
direction.
βMuch the same as we are doing here.Take some more
of the venison.β
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 β 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
βI wonder you do not think of marrying Miss Bingley,β I
said to Colonel Fitzwilliam as we rode out together this
morning.
βMiss Bingley?β
βShe is a wealthy young woman, and you are in need
of an heiress.β
He shook his head.
βI do not wish to marry Miss Bingley.β
βShe is charming and elegant, gracious and well bred.β
βShe 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.β
βI never knew you wanted that from a wife,β I said in
surprise.
βAs a younger son, I have had to look up to others all
my life. I would like to experience the situation from
another side!β
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.
βHow long will you be in town?β 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
βNot 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?β
βYes, I will visit her as usual.When will you be returning to town?β
βSoon, I hope. Before Easter, certainly.β
βThen you must dine with me when you do.β
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.
βShe writes that she is coming to London,β cried Caroline. βShe will be staying with her aunt and uncle in
Gracechurch Street. From the date of her letter, I believe
she must already be here.β
βIt is not something I would have wished to happen,β
I said.βBingley seems to have forgotten her. If he sees her
again, his admiration might be rekindled.β
βHe does not need to know of her visit,β Caroline said.
I agreed to this. βI doubt they will ever come across
each other,β I said.
βI 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.β
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 β 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
Comments (0)