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

other guests had brought their

own. I was about to join them when a chance remark of

Mr Gardiner’s made me change my mind.

‘It was very civil of your sister to pay us a visit yesterday, Mr Darcy. My wife and niece were much struck by

the attention,’ he said. ‘They have resolved to return the

call this morning.’

‘That is very good of them,’ I said, when I could master

my surprise.

‘They did not want to be backward in any attention.’

‘I hope you enjoy your fishing,’ I said to the gentlemen.‘If you will excuse me, I have to return to the house.’

My house-guests murmured civilities, assuming I had

business to attend to, but I saw a look of comprehension

on Mr Gardiner’s face. So he knows. I am not surprised.

I took no care to guard my feelings when I visited his

niece. I am beyond feigning a lack of interest.

I returned to the house and went into the saloon. My

eyes went immediately to Elizabeth. I knew instantly that

she belonged there. As I watched her, I saw a future

stretching out in front of me, a future in which I saw

Elizabeth and myself living at Pemberley. I wanted it

more than I have ever wanted anything, and I can only

hope she wants the same.

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‘Miss Bennet, Mrs Gardiner, it is very good of you to

call on my sister so soon,’ I said.

‘Oh, yes, very good,’ said Georgiana, blushing. ‘I did

not expect it.’

‘We could not do otherwise, after your kindness in

welcoming us,’ said Mrs Gardiner to Georgiana.

Georgiana blushed again, but I had eyes only for Elizabeth. Her gaze met mine. She looked away, embarrassed,

and yet I thought I saw a welcome in her eyes before she

turned away.

Caroline and Louisa were sitting silently, making no

contribution to the conversation and leaving Georgiana

to perform her duties as a hostess alone.

Mrs Annesley helped her, saying to Elizabeth: ‘The

grounds at Pemberley are very fine. I believe you saw

them a few days ago?’

‘Yes, we enjoyed walking round them very much,’ said

Elizabeth.‘The trees are very handsome.’ She glanced out

of the window at some specimens.

‘They are Spanish chestnuts,’ Georgiana said softly,

pleased to be able to add something to the conversation.

‘Have they been here long?’ asked Elizabeth, turning

towards her encouragingly.

‘Oh, yes, they are very old.’

Georgiana looked at me for approval and I smiled at

her. She has not had much experience of welcoming

guests, and none at all of welcoming people whom she

does not know, but she acquitted herself very well.

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Caroline evidently felt she had been silent long

enough.

‘Pray, Miss Eliza, are not the militia removed from

Meryton? They must be a great loss to your family.’

I had never heard her speak with such venom. Her

satirical comments were usually uttered with some semblance of a smile, but there was nothing humorous about

them today, and I realized for the first time how truly

poisonous Caroline can be.

I saw Elizabeth’s distress. A thousand recollections

flooded my mind. My own ungenerous remarks concerning her younger sisters; her face as she flung an accusation of ruining Wickham at me; my angry retaliation;

and then my letter.

I felt for her, but she had no need of my assistance in

repelling the attack.After a moment’s distress she replied:

‘It is always sad to lose the company of intelligent and

good-natured people. There are those who enter a

neighbourhood with a view of mocking all they see, or

an intention of forming false friendships with which to

while away their time whilst giving no thought to the

feelings of those who must remain. But we were fortunate with the officers. They were polite and well-bred.

They gave us pleasure when they were with us, and left

nothing but pleasant memories behind when they went.’

I caught Elizabeth’s eye and smiled. Caroline was

silenced, and my sister was relieved from the acute

embarrassment she had experienced when Caroline’s

words had reminded her of George Wickham. I was

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relieved of a great burden. By her calm manner I believed

Elizabeth’s infatuation with Wickham to be over.

The visit came to an end, but I could not bear to let

Elizabeth go.

‘You must let me see you to the carriage,’ I said, as Mrs

Gardiner rose to take her leave.

‘Thank you,’ she said.

I walked with them, glad of the opportunity it

afforded me to be with Elizabeth. Her aunt walked a little ahead, so that I could talk to her alone.

‘I hope you have enjoyed your morning.’

‘Yes, thank you, I have.’

‘I hope I will see you here again.’

We had reached the carriage, I could say no more. But

my feelings were in my glance. She blushed, and looked

down, from confusion, I hope. There is still some little

awkwardness between us, but that will pass, and then I

will discover if her feelings towards me are still what they

were at Easter.

I handed Mrs Gardiner into the carriage. I handed

Elizabeth in after her, and the carriage pulled away.

Little had I known when I had returned to Pemberley that it would hold so much of interest for me. It

would soon have a new mistress, I hoped. I looked across

the sweeping lawns and pictured my sons going down to

the river to fish. I looked to the house and saw my

daughters returning from a walk, their petticoats covered

in mud. If I could be sure it would come to pass, I would

think myself lucky indeed.

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I was loath to return to the saloon, but knew it must

be done. I could not leave Georgiana alone with Caroline and Louisa.They had done nothing to help her during Elizabeth’s visit, and had indeed added to her distress.

If it was possible to invite Bingley to Pemberley without

his sisters I would willingly do so.

‘How very ill Miss Eliza Bennet looks this morning,’

said Caroline, as soon as I entered the