by Linda Phelps
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (London)
I do not understand Brother’s insistence that we remain in town now that it becomes so warm. The sisters had stated that they detested London in the summer. I thought they meant that they would soon vacate the Hursts’ house in town for somewhere with a happier climate. Mr. Bingley leased a house in Hertfordshire a year ago, and I had hoped we would all be in residence there. I would find the sisters easier to tolerate in a spacious house with gardens. Now it seems Bingley wishes to give up the house and search for another.
I cannot get proper exercise here, since I am forbidden to walk in the parks, even with the sisters. Their idea of walking is to go from shop to shop hoping to find some pretty item they cannot live without. But it is not only I who is suffering. Since his return from Rosings, Brother stays very quiet, very stern, and he does not look as if he is in health. If he should fall ill I do not think I could bear it.
If we cannot go to Netherfield, where we could be in a few hours, why can we not go to Pemberly? It is a distance, but the journey is relatively pleasant now that we have the landau. No, says Brother. He has too many items of business to deal with here in town.
So may I go myself? I rather long to see old Mrs. Reynolds. She can care for me as well as she cares for the house. But no, Brother will not have me so far from his oversight. (Does he think I will meet Wickham there? Does he think I would be so stupid again?)
Then may I return to Mrs. Cassidy? Maidenstone is a small place and it is delightfully near the sea. The air is always sweet.
No again, for we might leave suddenly for Pemberly and I would need to be fetched.
It seems Brother wants me near enough for him to keep an eye on me. Will I ever have his trust again?
Miss Bingley’s Journal (London)
Darcy continues to watch me when he thinks I will not notice. I spoke of this to Louisa who feels it is very likely he will offer me his hand before many weeks have passed. Louisa said much the same about George Longstreet; thus her credit as a prophet is in some disarray.
What can be bothering dear Darcy? He has been back for more than two months and still makes no move to leave town for the freshness of the country. I had hoped that by now I would be comfortably established at Pemberly for the summer. If nothing else, he should consider returning the hospitality we gave him last autumn.
I congratulated him again on the success of his plan to save Charles from Jane Bennet, but he merely nodded, as if the topic is no longer of interest to him. One’s triumphs in life are not always this complete. He should savour his accomplishment as Louisa and I do.
He is subject to moods. I must study ways to relieve him of distress, a skill I will surely need once we are married.
Why will he not go north? I long to see Pemberly. Will it soon be my home?
Darcy’s Journal (London)
A call from young Longstreet this morning. I pray I did not exhibit any of the emotions I felt when he engaged in his usual prattle. I can only be grateful that Bingley was off on an errand.
Longstreet announces that he encountered Elizabeth at her aunt’s house in London. She had stopped there to break her journey from Rosings to Longbourn. It would seem he was much taken with her, for he praises her appearance and manner at some length. His opinion of her is very like my own, although not so ardent. “Did you not find her delightful when you saw her at Rosings?” he asked. I nodded, as if I found the subject of no interest, but in truth I could scarcely bear to hear her name on his lips.
“In fact I seldom saw her, for she stayed at the rectory throughout.”
He asked then when we expected to return to Netherfield. He hopes to be a guest so he can continue to improve his acquaintance with “the charming Bennet sisters.” I assured him that no such plan existed, that Bingley intended to give up the house. Then I fear I hinted that he should take his leave. Elizabeth would have called me uncivil, had she been here, but I had need of his departure. It would not have done for Bingley to return at that moment and hear his words, nor did I want to hear him speak Elizabeth’s name again.
Georgiana, who was in the room, seemed ready to ask him about these sisters, in whom, for some reason, she has an interest. Once he was gone, she questioned me about them, and about Netherfield, which she had hoped to see. After a moment I had to be a bit harsh with her, for she was speaking of things that I did not wish to discuss. Soon she went to the piano and began to play, more loudly than is her usual manner.
CHAPTER THREE
Darcy’s Journal (London)
I have come to a decision. Since Elizabeth is lost to me, I must choose another to be my wife and then I must enter upon the customary rituals of courtship. After considering all the unmarried ladies in our circle, I have concluded that Caroline Bingley is the proper candidate. She is handsome, well-bred, and well educated for a woman. From our association of the past months I am completely at ease in her presence. Further, I am not in doubt of her response should I make her the offer of my hand. I am confident I have not misunderstood her amiability as I did Elizabeth’s civility.
Accordingly, I make more frequent calls at the Hursts’ house, during which I direct my conversation to Caroline. I display a cordial manner, suggesting that she and I have similar interests. Such sociability does not come easily for me, but as Elizabeth once suggested, practice will be rewarded with success. My path is eased by Mrs. Hurst, who happens to remember responsibilities in another part of the house shortly after I arrive. Hence Caroline and I are accorded much privacy. She is a fount of conversation, so there is seldom a moment of silence when we are together.
To preserve the proprieties, I sometimes bring Georgiana with me, but the reliable Mrs. Hurst will soon discover that my sister is needed to give an opinion on a new fabric or bit of jewelry. I cannot doubt that Caroline’s sister and mine know well what is occurring.
I believe that Caroline has a real affection for me. I expect she will make a perfect hostess when called upon for that role. Then, as she is Bingley’s sister, I can expect that he and Georgiana will see each other often. In time that proximity might develop into another match. The entire W. episode has been successfully buried, so I need have no concern on that account.
My previous attempt to win a wife was ill-planned and performed in unseemly haste. These are not the reasons I was denied the hand of Elizabeth Bennet. She charged me with pride and incivility. Caroline sees no sign of these faults. And should it somehow happen that I meet Elizabeth again, I hope she will recognize that I am no longer the arrogant man whose offer she refused.
Georgiana seems to be suffering from the rigours of a summer in London. I am now prepared to take her and the entire Bingley family to Pemberly. The improvement in the air will put us all in better health and spirits.. More importantly, I can watch Caroline as she sees the house for the first time. Once I have an image of her in the gardens and rooms of the estate, I shall be sure she is the one who must become its mistress. Visions of Elizabeth will cease to haunt me.
Miss Georgiana Darcy’s Journal (London)
At last we are preparing to go to Pemberly! I had begun to fear that Brother would remain in town until the summer days were finished. We leave tomorrow. I shall be so happy to see the dear house and gardens again. I shall follow the path entirely around the lake and perhaps catch a fish or two. I shall read the newest books in the library. I shall study the portraits of my dear mother whom I never knew and charge Brother with telling me the old stories again. I shall visit the kitchens and watch the staff prepare our meals. I shall visit the orchards and eat peaches from the trees. I shall kiss Mrs. Reynolds and tell her how happy I am to be with her again.
Nothing but pleasure to anticipate! How different from last summer when the W. events were foremost in our thoughts! I loved and trusted him. Those were my faults.
I try not to remember W. but sometimes I wonder if he has found a wife. His attractions, handsome appearance and charming conversation, m
ake it very likely that he has made another conquest
There. I vow to myself that I will never think of him again.
Miss Bingley’s Journal (London)
At last Darcy has made the invitation we were all awaiting. Our presence is requested at Pemberly! When dear Darcy told us his wish, he watched me in particular to see if I responded favourably to the idea. After a moment I dropped my gaze as if embarrassed by the implications of his invitation. Then I gave him my most amiable smile. “How kind of you to offer us the use of your home,” said.
Louisa can talk of nothing but how splendid my life will be once I am Mrs. Darcy. Charles, as is typical of him, seems unaware that dear Darcy might have motives beyond those of general hospitality. He will be delighted when our engagement is announced, I am sure, for he and Darcy are great friends.
Dearest Georgiana quite dotes on me; thus it will be well that we reside in the same house again. I will be a sister to her in every sense of the word, helping her dress and selecting the most current music for her to play. When I find it necessary to refurnish some of the rooms of the great house, I will be sure to seek her opinion while teaching her the elements of good taste.
We leave tomorrow, with a stop for the night at Stratmore and a second stop at Mount Burney. The long ride will give me ample chance to plan my words of delight at my first minutes in Pemberly. Then I will praise all else that I see when dear Darcy escorts me though my future house, so that will he understand that my love for the place will soon be equal to his.
Miss Darcy’s Journal (London)
Brother informs me that the Bingleys are to be our guests as long as we stay at Pemberly. He has asked me to be especially considerate of Miss Bingley. I comprehend what that means. She is going to be my sister, perhaps soon. If she was not previously inclined to marry Brother (a complete impossibility) she soon will be. I shall watch her as we enter the long drive to the house. She will be overwhelmed delighted, enchanted, and astonished in turn. For once, she will be speaking truthfully of what she feels.
The sight of Pemberly will quickly bring her to a favourable answer to the most important question in a woman’s life.
Brother insists we take three days to travel north. He goes on ahead to make sure all is in readiness. Three days in a carriage with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley! They will demand I attend to their conversation when I wish only to watch the countryside change as we progress.
I shall have Caroline Bingley with me almost constantly from the moment we enter the carriage until we depart from it back in town in the winter. For Brother’s sake, I will smile amiably at her throughout.
I wonder if she will accompany me when I invite her to the lake in order to catch fish!
“So,” said William Longstreet to Caroline, “at last you travel to Pemberly. I pray you have a pleasant and uneventful journey.”
“Thank you for that, Mr. Longstreet,” said Caroline. “And I pray you find some equally pleasant refuge from this impossible heat.”
“Oh, no,” said he. “I shall remain in town. As I suffer from your absence I intend to do so in the most complete fashion. Let everything in my life be uncomfortably disarrayed.”
“Yes,” said Caroline. “The day you suffer from anything will be one I hope to see. You search constantly for pleasure and find it quite easily.”
William watched her face for a moment. “Pleasure, yes, but happiness? That is something else altogether.”
“And how does your brother get along? Do you consider him happy, now that he is a year married?” Caroline was pleased to realize that she felt no pain in asking this question. She had the normal curiosity of a friend for a friend.
“Extremely happy,” said William. “You have heard, perhaps, that there will soon be another Longstreet in the world.”
“Mr. Longstreet,” cried Caroline. “Are you planning to marry?”
“Not I,” said William. “I was referring to the expectation that Anne and George will be parents early in the new year.”
“How wonderful!” said Caroline, “but will it be that soon? I have heard no talk of such a thing.”
“As always, my dear Miss Bingley, “I bring you the news before anyone else hears of it. You have leave to tell the story wherever you wish.”
“I fear I shall have to leave the telling to you, Mr. Longstreet, for we leave in the morning for the north and Pemberly.”
“Then I will tell what I have heard about some people you must know from your stay in Hertfordshire. Feel free to take it north with you. Did you meet a young lady named Mary King?”
“I did. A pleasant enough girl but rather plain. She attended the ball, but it is likely you did not take note of her.”
“She has become much less plain in these last few months,” said William.
“How is that possible? Her features suffer from a lack of regularity.”
“It seems that her father died and she came into possession of a handsome income.”
“Ah,” said Caroline, “and the men are flocking to her before she has had a chance to grow tired of her black clothing.”
“Exactly that, and the favourite at one time was a man by the name of Wickham. Do you know him?”
“I do not,” said Caroline, “but it happens I know about him. Mr. Darcy has known him from childhood and claims that he is a quite a scoundrel.”
“So it seems,” said William. “There was a story that she and this Wickham were on the verge of eloping, but somehow an uncle got wind of it and demanded she come stay with him in Liverpool.”
“Any woman with a bit of money must beware of fortune hunters who court her.”
William’s face became serious. “Do you think I call on you because of your money? Do you think I speak of your beauty to soften you into acceptance of an offer of my hand?”
“I think you call on me to plague me with your nonsense,” said Caroline. “I think you speak of my beauty to in order to make me laugh at the idea of love.”
“And do you? Do you laugh at the idea of love?”
“Be sure I do not. The dream of my life is to meet and marry a man I can respect and love. Do you not wish the same for yourself.”
“Yes, but I think we are alike in a particular way. We have both found the person with whom we would like to spend our lives, but they do not share our eagerness for matrimony.”
“Why, Mr. Longstreet, have you brought me a special piece of gossip for me to tell about? Have you found the woman to whom you wish to offer your hand?”
“Oh, yes,” said William, “some time ago in fact.”
“And pray, who is she?”
“That I will not tell you,” said William.
“Then I will not tell you if I should find the man I want to marry.”
“I thought you had done,” said William. “Mr. Darcy is it not? That is the talk of your London friends.”
Caroline was pleased. “How will they take the news that I go to Pemberly in the morning?”
“They will have you mistress of the place by Christmas. Is not that what you want?” He rose as if to take his leave and then sat again. “Caroline, a are you certain that is what you want?”
“But of course. Every woman wants what I hope to receive. Why should I not?”
“Answer me this. Do you love him?”
“To be sure. He is handsome and well bred and immensely rich. How could I not love him?”
“Caroline,” said he, shaking his head.
“I believe you have not called me by my Christian name since we were children. I rather like it coming from you. When did we become ‘Miss Bingley’ and ‘Mr. Longstreet’ to each other?”
“I believe it may have been when we learned the proper expressions by which to disguise what we wished to say.”
Caroline, puzzled, turned from him for a moment. “I shall miss you, William. I shall miss your tales of sin and silliness.”
“I thought you were fatigued by them,” said William.
�
�Oh, no. How could I be? You tell them in such an amusing manner. I shall feel the want of them in Pemberly.”
“Perhaps we could exchange letters,” said William.
“Yes, that would make a perfect scandal, would it not? A man and woman who are not engaged exchanging letters! Polite society frowns.”
“Polite society believes you are engaged to Mr. Darcy.” William waited. “The entire town talks of the likelihood that you and Mr. Darcy are promised to one another.”
“Oh, no, not so,” said Caroline, smiling.
“Or soon will be engaged,” persisted William. “One wonders when, but not whether.”
“Deny it all!” cried Caroline. “Say you know nothing.”
“If that is what you wish, that is what I will do,” said William. He was still for a moment, and then he told her the story of Lady Johnson’s parrot and the wet wash. He brought every voice into the narration, even the parrot’s, and his rendition of the washerwomen’s curses had her laughing until her ribs began to ache.
“Oh, stop!” she cried.
“Now you have a story to tell at Pemberly, should entertainment be somewhat thin.”
“Thank you, but It will be a family party,” said Caroline. “We shall have nothing of which to speak but of each other.”
William rose and walked about the room. “Perhaps there will be one item of great interest,” said he.
“You speak of the rumoured engagement. If it were not so unseemly,” said Caroline, “I would write you such news, if it occurred, so that you could tell it about first.”
“If you were engaged, the writing of a letter to a male friend would not be such a crime. I hereby insist you do exactly that. I shall haunt the post every day awaiting the announcement.”
“Ha!” said Caroline. “Yes, you will do that, unless you have something else—anything else, anyone one else—to catch your attention.”
“And I shall keep the letter forever,” said William, “close to my heart, or perhaps under my pillow. I shall never part with it, for it will be all I shall have of you, the woman I love, lost to me forever.”