Mr. Darcy's Diary

‘So she has. Anne de Bourgh. Forgotten that,’ said her mother. ‘Better keep looking, Margaret.’

It seemed superfluous after that to ask Margaret to dance. I partnered several other young ladies who were amusing enough, but like Bingley, I did not ask anyone twice.

Thursday 15th May

Bingley dined with Georgiana and me this evening. I have abandoned all thoughts of encouraging a match between them. She grows more lovely every day, but I am persuaded their temperaments would not suit. There are other impediments to the match, too. Bingley was distracted for most of the evening. Can it be that he still has not forgotten Miss Bennet?

What did I say to Elizabeth, regarding her sister? I cannot remember. I struggle to recall the words. Was I arrogant? Rude? Ungentleman-like? No, surely not that. And yet to claim that her sister was not a fit wife for Bingley…I am beginning to think I was wrong.

There is nothing against her. She has a goodness of character and sweetness of disposition that match his own. But her relatives…no, it would not have done. Yet I was prepared to overlook them in my own case. I had admitted as much to Elizabeth. Yes, and she had roundly abused me for it.

I roused myself from my thoughts.

‘Georgiana and I are holding a picnic next month, Bingley,’ I said.

‘That sounds very pleasant.’

‘Will you still be in town?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then you must come.’

‘Yes, Mr Bingley, that would be very pleasant,’ said my sister shyly.

‘I would be delighted. Caroline and Louisa will be in town then, too, and Mr Hurst.’

I tried to hide my lack of enthusiasm, and said: ‘You must bring them with you.’

June

Saturday 7th June

We had good weather for our picnic. We went into the country, and ate beneath the spreading branches of an ancient oak.

Georgiana was very shy to begin with, but she welcomed her guests with civility and with growing ease.

After lunch, I was pleased to see Caroline go over and talk to Georgiana, my sister being at that moment alone.

I went over to them and congratulated Georgiana on her success.

‘I am glad I have pleased you,’ she said.

‘I was telling Georgiana how well she looks,’ said Caroline. ‘You, too, look well, Mr Darcy. The warmer weather agrees with you.’

For some reason her compliments irk me. I said only:

‘It agrees with us all.’

‘Georgiana has been telling me that you visited Rosings at Easter. Miss Eliza Bennet was one of the party, I hear.’

‘Yes, she was.’

‘And how were her fine eyes?’ asked Caroline.

‘They were as bright as always.’

She smiled, but the reply did not seem to please her.

‘I understood there was some little unpleasantness towards the end of her stay.’

She can have heard nothing from Georgiana, but I wondered if Colonel Fitzwilliam had said anything indiscreet. I did not satisfy her curiosity.

‘No. None at all.’

After a moment she began again.

‘I passed through Longbourn recently.’

I said nothing, but my interest was caught.

‘That is why I thought there had been some little unpleasantness,’ she said.

Ah. So it was not my cousin. I thought it would not have been.

‘I partook of lunch at the inn, and the servants were gossiping, as servants will. Mr Collins had written to Mr and Mrs Bennet. He had told them of his surprise at seeing you at Rosings, and his letter said something about Miss Eliza Bennet being taken ill.’

‘He cannot have been surprised at my visit. I often visit Rosings. As for Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s illness, I can recall nothing more than a headache,’ I said. ‘Was the doctor called?’

Her smile dropped a little.

‘No, I think not.’

‘It cannot have been of any great matter then,’ I observed.

She tried again.

‘I hear that George Wickham is engaged…’

I felt myself grow pale at the sound of the name, and paler still at the knowledge that he was engaged. He could not be engaged to Elizabeth. Surely, after all I had told her, she would not accept his hand in marriage? Not after she had refused mine. Unless she had not believed me.

‘…to an heiress,’ went on Caroline.

I felt my colour begin to return. If he was engaged to an heiress, then my fear that he was engaged to Elizabeth was unfounded. I felt relief flow through me. But my relief was short-lived.

‘But her family removed her from his vicinity,’ said Caroline. ‘I wonder why?’

She waited for me to speak. She knows only that Wickham behaved badly towards me, and was waiting for me to tell her more, but I did not do so. I felt sorry for my sister, who was stirring uncomfortably at my side. To be reminded of Wickham was most unfortunate.

‘Miss Howard has no one to talk to,’ I said to Georgiana. ‘I believe you should go and ask her how she does.’

Georgiana retreated gratefully.

‘Such a beautiful girl,’ said Caroline, watching her go.

‘And so elegant. She is the same age as Miss Lydia Bennet, and yet how different the two girls are. Lydia is to go to Brighton, I hear,’ Caroline added drolly. ‘She is determined to chase the officers, and if they are sent to France she will probably take the first ship.’