Mr. Darcy's Diary

She is the sweetest, most adorable angel! I cannot believe I have been lucky enough to win her. Her mother is in raptures. Her father is pleased. Elizabeth is delighted. I have time for no more. Caroline bids me send you her greetings. She is already planning her dress as the maid of honour, and looks forward to seeing you at the wedding.

Charles Bingley

PS I forgot to ask. You will stand up with me?

C. B.

I wrote to him, sending him my heartiest congratulations and telling him that of course I will stand up with him. I was tempted to return to Netherfield and give him my best wishes personally, but Georgiana is unwell and I intend to remain in town until she is better.

As I sit with her, I cannot help thinking of Elizabeth.

The two of them would be friends if Elizabeth consents to be my wife. It is in every way such a longed-for conclusion of everything that has happened, and yet I am apprehensive. I have seen no sign in Elizabeth’s words or manner to make me think my feelings are returned. And yet I saw nothing to make me think she is irrevocably set against me. I am almost afraid to return to Longbourn.

Whilst I am with Georgiana I still have hope, but once I return to Longbourn it may be dashed for ever.

October

Thursday 2nd October

Colonel Fitzwilliam called to see how Georgiana was getting on. She is much recovered, and I will be able to return to Netherfield in a few days’ time.

‘You have been to Netherfield, I understand?’ he said.

We were eating in the dining-room. Georgiana, still listless from her illness, took dinner in her room.

‘Yes. ’ I told him of Bingley’s engagement.

‘And do you mind?’

‘No. I am very happy for him. I am happy for them both.’

‘Did Miss Elizabeth Bennet speak to you about your letter? Has she accepted that you did not ruin Wickham?’ he asked hesitantly.

‘She has said nothing, but I think she has accepted it.’

‘And has it softened her feelings towards you?’

I did not know how to reply.

‘These affairs are painful whilst they last, but they should not be allowed to last for ever,’ he said. ‘It is time you looked to the future again, Darcy. You should marry.

It would be good for Georgiana to have a woman in the house. ’ He took a mouthful of turbot, then said: ‘Anne has been expecting your proposal for several years.’

‘Anne?’ I asked in surprise.

‘Come now, Darcy, you know Lady Catherine has regarded your marriage as a settled thing since you were in your cradles. I was surprised you offered your hand to Elizabeth, but as it was none of my business I held my peace. Now that she has rejected you, however, I think you should formalize your engagement to Anne.’

‘I have no intention of marrying Anne,’ I said.

‘But Lady Catherine expects it. She and your mother betrothed you and Anne in your cradles.’

‘She is not serious in that? I have heard her say it many times, but I took it for an idle fancy, such as:

“When you were a baby, my sister and I decided you would go into the army”, or “When you were a child, I decided you would go into politics”.’

‘I do assure you, she means it.’

‘And Anne?’ I asked.

‘Yes, she too expects it. It is why she has never married.’

‘I had thought it was because she was so young…’

‘She is eight and twenty, as you are. Have you forgotten that you were in your cradles together, and that all three of us played together when we were children?’

I had forgotten. She used to trail after my cousin and me. No, not trail after us. She could run almost as fast as I could. My cousin, being five years older, could outstrip us both.

‘Do you remember how she beat us to the top of the oak tree?’ he asked. ‘She was not meant to climb it. She tore her frock, and was confined to the nursery on bread and milk for a week.’

‘I remember. I also remember how you took her a cold beef sandwich and slice of pie, wrapped up in a handkerchief. I thought you would surely fall as you climbed across the roof to her window. Did you ever get caught for stealing from the kitchen?’

‘No. Mrs Heaney blamed it on the dog.’

‘Poor Caesar! I had forgotten about Anne’s exploits.

She was much more lively as a child, when her health was good,’ I remarked.

‘And when she had Sir Lewis to defend her. He found out about Lady Catherine’s orders that she be confined to the nursery, and he went there himself to give her half a sovereign.’

‘Did he indeed?’ I said with a smile.

I could imagine it. Sir Lewis had always been very fond of Anne, and she in turn had been very fond of her father. It had been a sad blow to her when he had died.

‘I have often wondered…’ began my cousin.

‘Yes?’