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

and more surprised as I unfolded the

details. He refused to let me undertake any of the financial arrangements, but as I argued it with him back and

forth, a thoughtful expression began to cover his face. He

suspected the nature of my feelings for Elizabeth, I am

sure of it, but said nothing. How could he? He said at last

that we had talked long enough, and invited me to call

on him again tomorrow. I think he wishes to consult his

wife as to how far I should be allowed to help.

I left him and retired to my club. Everything will soon

be settled, I am confident of it.As soon as Elizabeth hears

of it she will be relieved of care, and it is that thought that

sustains me. She will be able to laugh again, and tease me,

and she will forget all about her sister.

Sunday 17th August

I called upon Mr Gardiner again, and this time Mrs Gardiner was with him. They welcomed me warmly, and

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after exchanging pleasantries, I said again that I expected

to settle Wickham’s debts. That they agreed to, but they

would not agree to me settling anything else. There are

some arrangements still to be made, however, and I mean

to work on Mr Gardiner again tomorrow, until he agrees

to let me settle the whole.

Monday 18th August

All has finally been settled. I have at last managed to have

my own way. Mr Gardiner had an express sent off to

Longbourn, and it gave me great satisfaction to know

that it will relieve Elizabeth from distress. Mr and Mrs

Gardiner are to offer Lydia their protection until the

marriage can be arranged. I do not envy them. She has

shown no remorse for what she has done, and seems to

think it a great joke. She is one of the most worthless

girls of my acquaintance.

Tuesday 19th August

I returned to Pemberley, and I was pleased to find that

my guests had noticed nothing strange about my

absence. If they knew that I had been arranging a marriage, instead of attending to business, how astonished

they would be!

Saturday 30th August

I travelled to London, and tomorrow I have the

unpleasant task of making sure Wickham attends his

own wedding.

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September

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Monday 1st September

Today Lydia was married, and her reputation saved.

The morning started badly. I called on Wickham in

his lodgings at half past ten as arranged and found him

only half-dressed.

‘What is this?’ I asked. ‘You have to be at the church

in half an hour.’

He poured himself a drink and threw it off.

‘It will only take us ten minutes to get to the church.

There is plenty of time.’

‘If you are beyond the hour you will not be able to

marry today,’ I said.

‘Do you know, Darcy, if you had given me the living

I wanted when I applied for it, all this unpleasantness

could have been avoided.’

I made no reply.

‘It would have suited me better to marry other people rather than being married myself. I am beginning to

think I do not want to be married at all,’ he said.

‘Then you must face your debtors.’

‘Ah. I would like that even less.’

He put his glass down and picked up his coat. He

shrugged himself into it and tied his cravat, then we went

out to the waiting carriage.

‘This is like our boyhoods,’ he said to me, as we

climbed in.‘The two of us together. I always thought you

would stand up with me at my wedding. Lately I began

to doubt it, but here we are you see, friends again.’

‘You are no friend of mine,’ I said.

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He smiled tauntingly. ‘Unless I miss my guess we will

soon be closer than friends. We will be brothers.’ He

lolled back on the squabs. ‘How happy it would have

made our fathers, to know we will be so close to each

other. We were almost brothers last year…’ He paused,

and I required all my self-control not to respond. ‘But

alas, fate had other ideas. Or, at least, you did. How is

Georgiana?’

‘Better for being away from you.’

‘A pity. I did not think she would forget me so soon.

I rather thought she was in love with me. I am looking

forward to seeing her again, when Lydia and I visit Pemberley.’

‘That is something you will never do,’ I said with

finality.

The journey to St Clement’s was a short one. The

church had been chosen because it was in the same parish

as Wickham’s lodgings, and the rector was willing to perform the ceremony. He knew nothing of what had taken

place in order to bring the marriage about, only that a

young couple wished to wed. He greeted us with smiles as

we entered the church and we waited for Lydia to arrive.

‘Perhaps she has changed her mind,’ said Wickham.

‘You could not hold that against me.You would still have

to pay my debts.’

‘She will be here. Her aunt and uncle will see to it.’

At that moment Lydia entered the church. She

glanced towards the altar then broke out in effusive

spirits when she saw that Wickham had already arrived.

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Her aunt and uncle bade her remember where she was,

and walked with her to the front of the church.

‘I will be glad when this is all over,’ said Mr Gardiner

to me in an undertone.

‘I agree,’ said his wife. ‘I tried to make her understand

the worry she has caused her parents, the disgrace she has

brought on her family and the gratitude she owes to

those who have rescued her from ruin, but to no avail.

She paid no attention to me and instead talked constantly

of Wickham, with every now and then a complaint that

we never set foot outside the house.’

The ceremony began, and the marriage which had

taken so long to bring about was quickly accomplished.

‘I hope you will thank Mr Darcy for all he has done,’

said Mrs