Catherine Bennet
Page 19
...I keep expecting Georgie to propose. I’m sure he’s come close to it on many occasions. He took leave to go to town yesterday morning. I suspect it is to buy me a ring... Oh do hush Kitty for I want no one to know, for I want it to be a complete surprise when the wedding invitation arrives...
....“My dear Lydia... I do wish I could take you away from all of this, a quiet peaceful place where we can be alone. It is too crowded here. I long to be able to gaze at you without the scrutiny of the other officers...” does that not sound like a proposal to you?
These are the letters I am receiving constantly! Oh hell Lydia, must you torment me so! And I am sure it isn’t considered respectable to talk of a gentleman or a lady in such a way unless they be married...
July
Dear Diary
As I suspected Wickham’s advances were far from marriage, I knew almost instantly when a letter from Colonel Forster arrived with news of the elopement. Elizabeth was called home and father went to town, where Mr Gardner joined him to try and track them down. For nearly ten days they searched until the letter finally arrived that said both Wickham and Lydia had been spotted. They of course were not married. My Uncle Gardner, however, has paid for the wedding and both Colonel Forester and papa have been left responsible to pay off Wickham’s debts in Brighton and in Meryton. Although I was glad to see Lydia again, the circumstances are not happy. I think her a fool. I at least know a little about how to behave.
I saw the toll the elopement had had on papa, mama and the entire family. Wickham is a cad and I curse the fact I ever found him appealing. Lydia did not stay long. Wickham is to join a regiment in Newcastle. It is not all doom and gloom little diary, news has arrived that has at least brought a little joy to the family. Mr Bingley is coming back to Netherfield and although she tries to hide it, I can see how thrilled Jane is. I’ve gotten quite good at picking up on the emotions others would try to conceal. Father says I’m growing more like Lizzy, this I am pleased with, papa has never loved me as much as Lizzy or Jane, so this meant a lot to me, he even smiled at me this morning…
August, a little after my 18th birthday.
Oh heavens, what a to-do. You’ll never guess what has happened! Oh you will be so happy for we all are. Mr Bingley has proposed to Jane! Oh at last.... I wondered how long it would take him. He arrived with Mr Darcy the other day, they stayed a while, Jane was uncomfortable at first, but I knew from the way he looked at her he had plans for her... though it took longer than expected. We were expecting it for a good few days, but he then came alone, Mr Darcy had gone to town for some reason or other, I know not what, by the end of the visit they were engaged. Mother is overjoyed, no doubt Mr Bingley’s fortune is what appeals to her most.... Oh! I almost forgot, we had another surprise guest. It was quite late last night... who do you think it was?... Lady Catherine De Bourgh! Yes of Rosings Park. We were all quite shocked. She came to see Lizzy and they went for a quiet word in the garden. I suspect she was in the area to call on another friend and thought it respectable to call in to see Lizzy, though she’s quite formidable and terrifying.
Maria Lucas often wrote of her in her letters and made her seem to be scary, but her tales were nothing compared to the dark and bustling woman who barged her way into the parlour and then stalked across the garden... I know not of what she spoke to Lizzy, but I suspect they had some sort of an argument from what I could see from the window. I suspect over Bingley’s engagement to Jane perhaps. She strikes me as a very proud, arrogant woman. She looked down on me, so dear diary I felt quite uncomfortable. But anyway she did not return to the house and she climbed into the carriage shortly after her conversation with Lizzy and Lizzy bid her good day and went up to her room with such a face on I hardly knew what to do...
Oh my goodness!
All questions have been answered. It was not long after I wrote the above. It was when both Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley returned. Bingley proposed a walk into town as the sun was shining nicely and so the two gentleman, Lizzy, Jane and I set off down the lane. Jane and Mr Bingley walked on ahead discussing wedding plans I suspect. I walked a little behind, amused by the surroundings. I noticed Mr Darcy and Lizzy and how they were interacting with one another, rather surprising I thought as I always thought they hated each other. Anyway I was feeling a little bit left out, so when we came near the lane going to Lucas Lodge, I excused myself to call on Maria. I have now learnt after returning home that evening, Mr Darcy had proposed to Lizzy and she has accepted him. Quite unbelievable but that’s what has happened and soon Jane is to become Mrs Bingley and Lizzy is to become Mrs Darcy! How strange all these events and what a year! I wonder what next year will bring?