Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange (bts books to read .txt) 📗

means to buy it,

I think it might be suitable. But I will wait to see if he

settles. He is just as likely to decide he wants to buy an

estate in Kent, or Cheshire, or Suffolk next week.

He soon suggested we turn back.

‘I thought I might pay the Bennets a visit,’ he said

nonchalantly, as we trotted back to the house.

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‘Eager to see the Misses Bennet?’ I asked him.

He took it in good part.

‘I know you think I fall in and out of love every few

weeks, but it is simply that I feel it would be polite to

return Mr Bennet’s call.’

We parted company, he to ride to Longbourn, and I

to return to Netherfield. He was not gone long.

‘Well, did you see the five beautiful daughters you

have heard so much about?’ I asked when he returned.

‘No,’ he said gloomily.‘I sat in Mr Bennet’s library for

about ten minutes but never had a glimpse of the girls.’

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October

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Tuesday 1st October

Bingley’s spirits were restored by an invitation from Mrs

Bennet, asking him to join the family for dinner.

‘But I cannot go!’ he said, crestfallen.‘They ask me for

tomorrow, and I have to be in town.’

‘My dear Bingley, both they and you will survive.

Besides, you will see them at the Meryton assembly.’

He brightened at this. ‘Yes, I will.’

Wednesday 2nd October

Bingley went to town today. It is as I thought. He will

never settle in the country.Already he is growing restless.

I will not be surprised if he quits Netherfield before

Christmas.

Saturday 12th October

We have been to the Meryton assembly, and it was even

worse than I had expected. We had not been there five

minutes before I heard one woman – I hesitate to call her

a lady – whispering to another that I had ten thousand a

year. It is of all things the one I hate the most, to be

courted for my wealth.The whisper ran round the room,

and I found myself being looked at as though I was a pot

of gold. It did nothing to improve my enjoyment of the

evening. Luckily, I did not need to mix with the local

people.Though we were a small party, Caroline, Mr and

Mrs Hurst and I endeavoured to entertain each other.

Bingley threw himself into the affair as he always

does. He, of course, was well liked. He always is. He has

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an ease of manner which recommends him everywhere

he goes. I heard a number of comments on his fine person and his handsome face. I, too, was described as a

handsome man, until I snubbed Mrs Carlisle. She made a

presumptuous remark and I was irritated into giving her

a set-down: not two minutes before, she had been whispering to her neighbour that she meant to get my ten

thousand a year for her daughter, and then, when she

introduced her daughter, she had the audacity to say to

my face that she thought wealth was immaterial in marriage, and that what mattered was mutual affection.

Bingley danced every dance, much to Caroline’s

amusement.

‘He will be in love again before the evening is out,’

she said.

I agreed. I have never known a man fall in and out of

love so easily. Let him see a pretty face and pretty manners, and he looks no further.

I danced once with Mrs Hurst, but the musicians were

so poor that once was enough. I declined to be introduced to any other young ladies and contented myself

with walking around the room until Bingley should have

danced himself to a standstill. Not that it was easy to

avoid partners. There were several young ladies sitting

around the sides of the room. One of them was a sister

of the lady who had taken Bingley’s fancy, and Bingley

decided he wanted to see me dance with her.

‘Come, Darcy,’ said he, ‘I must have you dance. I hate

to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid

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manner.You had much better dance.’

‘I certainly shall not. Your sisters are engaged, and

there is not another woman in the room, whom it would

not be a punishment to me to stand up with,’ I said, not

in a mood to be pleased with anything.

‘I would not be as fastidious as you are for a kingdom!

Upon my honour, I never met with so many pretty girls

in my life.’

‘You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the

room,’ I reminded him, looking at the eldest Miss

Bennet.

‘Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld!

But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind

you, who is very pretty, and I dare say, very agreeable. Do

let me ask my partner to introduce you.’

‘Which do you mean?’ I asked him, looking round. I

noticed Miss Elizabeth Bennet, then, catching her eye, I

was forced to look away.‘She is tolerable,’ I admitted,‘but

not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no

humour at present to give consequence to young ladies

who are slighted by other men.’

Caroline understood my feelings very well.

‘These people!’ she said to me. ‘They have no style

and no fashion, and yet they are all so pleased with

themselves! Do you know I was forced to smile politely

whilst Mary Bennet was described to me as the most

accomplished girl in the neighbourhood? If she was

half, nay one tenth, as accomplished as Georgiana I

should be very surprised.’

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‘But then that would be difficult,’ I said. ‘Georgiana is

unusually gifted.’

‘Indeed she is. I dote on her,’ said Caroline. ‘I declare,

she is quite like a sister to me.’

Perhaps in time she will really be a sister to Caroline.

Not that I said anything of this to her, but Bingley is a

good-natured man with an adequate fortune, and will

make a good