He looked doubtful.

‘I would rather be married for myself,’ he conceded.

‘And so you will be, one day.’

He sat down again.

‘She was too good for me,’ he said morosely.

‘Hardly that, but if her affections are not engaged, what is the point of marriage? You will meet another girl, as sweet as Miss Bennet, but one who can return your feelings in full measure. London is full of young ladies.’

‘But I have no interest in other young ladies.’

‘In time, you will have.’

Bingley said nothing, but I was easy in my mind. He will have forgotten her before the winter is over.

I am pleased he has expressed a desire to see Georgiana again. He has known her very much longer than he has known Miss Bennet, and a new acquaintance cannot be expected to hold the same place in his affections as an old, particularly when he sees how much Georgiana has grown. The match would be welcome on both sides, and I flatter myself that it would be a happy one.

December

Thursday 5th December

Bingley came to dine with me today. He has been busy this last week, but he arrived punctually this evening and was very much taken with Georgiana.

‘She is turning into a beauty,’ he said to me. ‘And she is so accomplished,’ he added, when she played for us after dinner.

She is. I had almost forgotten what it is to listen to excellent playing, and I could not help an inward shudder when I thought of Mary Bennet’s playing and compared it to Georgiana’s. Elizabeth’s playing was sweet, it is true, though it was not so accomplished as my sister’s, but there was still a quality about it that made me want to listen.


Friday 6th December

Caroline called to see Georgiana this morning, and I entertained her until my sister’s music lesson was over.

‘Charles was very taken with Georgiana last night,’ she remarked. ‘He said that Georgiana was one of the most beautiful and accomplished young women of his acquaintance.’

I was well pleased. Caroline seemed pleased, too. I think she would not be averse to a marriage between them.

‘Are you going to visit your aunt in Kent before Christmas?’ she asked.

‘No, I think not, though I will probably visit her at Easter.’

‘Dear Lady Catherine,’ said Caroline, removing her gloves. ‘How I long to meet her. Rosings is a fine house, by all accounts.’

‘Yes, it is, very fine indeed.’

‘Such a pleasant part of the country.’

‘It is.’

‘I suggested to Charles that he should look for a house there. I would be happy to live in Kent. But he felt Hertfordshire was better placed. A pity. He would have avoided certain entanglements if he had settled elsewhere.’

‘He is free of them now, however.’

‘Yes, thanks to your intervention. He is lucky to have such a friend. I would find it a great comfort to know that such a friend was looking after me,’ she said, looking up at me.

‘You have your brother.’

She smiled. ‘Of course, but Charles is still a boy. One does so need a man at times, someone of depth and maturity, who is used to the ways of the world and knows how to live in it.’

‘Have you no plans to marry?’

‘I would, if I met the right gentleman.’

‘Now that you are in London you will have more chance of meeting people. Bingley means to arrange some balls, I know. I have encouraged it. The more pretty faces he sees over the next few weeks the better. And for you, it will extend your social circle.’

‘It is not so very constrained. We dine with more than four-and-twenty families, you know,’ she remarked satirically.

I was reminded of the Bennets, as she intended I should be, but if she knew the exact form of my thoughts I doubt she would have been so pleased. No matter what I do, every conversation seems to remind me of them in some fashion. It is fortunate that I have stopped thinking about Elizabeth, otherwise the Bennets would never be out of my mind.


Saturday 7th December

Bingley occupies himself with business and is in good spirits, though now and then I catch a wistful look in his eye.

‘You are sure she felt nothing for me?’ he asked this evening, when the ladies had withdrawn after dinner.

I did not need to ask whom he meant.

‘I am sure of it. She enjoyed your company, but nothing more.’

He nodded.

‘I thought she could not…such an angel…still, I hoped…but it is as you say. She will marry someone from Meryton, I expect. Someone she has known all her life.’

‘Very probably.’

‘Not someone she has only just met.’

‘No.’

‘She will not miss me, now I am gone.’

‘No.’

He was silent.

‘There is a great deal to be said for marrying someone one has known all one’s life, or at least for a long time,’ I said.

‘Yes, I suppose there is,’ he said, but without any real enthusiasm.

‘Their defects are already known, and there can be no unpleasant surprises,’ I continued.

‘It is as you say.’

‘And it is as well to know, and like, their family. Georgiana will marry someone she knows, I hope,’ I said.

‘Yes, it would be a good thing,’ said Bingley, but without real interest.

A pity. I thought his affections were turning in that direction. However, I have made the point, and in the future he may remember it.


Tuesday 10th December

I have had my mother’s pearls restrung for Georgiana, and mean to give them to her as a present. She is old enough for them now, and I think she will look well in them. Whilst I was at Howard Gibbs, I enquired about having the rest of my mother’s jewellery remodelled. It is of good quality, and much of it has been in the family for generations. I have arranged for the pearl brooch and earrings to be reset at once, and I will give them to Georgiana for her next birthday. I have arranged to take in the other pieces of jewellery so that they can be examined and sketches for new settings made. The sketches can be altered to accommodate any changing fashions and the pieces can be reset as Georgiana becomes old enough to wear them.


Thursday 12th December

I dined with Bingley and his sisters. During the course of the evening we talked of the Christmas festivities. There will be some large parties for us to attend, but in the days immediately proceeding Christmas I would like to arrange a few small private parties with no one but the Bingleys, so that Georgiana can attend.

‘I thought I would have a small dance on the twenty third,’ I said, ‘and then charades on Christmas Eve.’

‘An excellent idea,’ said Caroline.

‘I have invited Colonel Fitzwilliam, which will make us four gentlemen and three ladies. Do you think I should invite any more ladies?’ I asked Caroline.

‘No,’ she said emphatically. ‘Mr Hurst never dances, which leaves us with three couples.’

My thoughts went back to Bingley’s ball at Netherfield, where I danced with Elizabeth.

‘Have you decided when Georgiana will make her come out?’ asked Caroline, as if reading my mind.

‘Not until she is eighteen, perhaps later.’

‘Eighteen is a good age. She will have left the schoolroom behind her and overcome her shyness, but will have the fresh bloom of youth. She will break a great many hearts.’

‘I hope she will not break any. I want her to be happy, and if she should happen to find a good man in her first season, I will be glad to see her settled.’

Caroline glanced at Bingley.

‘In two years, then, we must hope she finds someone worthy of her. Someone with an easy temper, who is generous and kind.’

‘That would be the very thing.’

‘In the meantime, it will be good for her to have the company of a personable young man, so that she is used to male company and does not become tongue-tied when in gentlemen’s presence. She is never tongue-tied with Charles, but seems to enjoy his company,’ said Caroline.

‘What is that you are saying?’ asked Bingley, who had been talking to Louisa, but who looked up when he heard his name.

‘I was saying that Georgiana is always easy with you.

Darcy wants her to enjoy some adult entertainments this Christmas, and I am sure he can rely on you to dance with her.’

‘Nothing would give me greater pleasure. She is becoming a beauty, Darcy.’

I was gratified.


Monday 16th December

The house is looking festive. Georgiana has been helping Mrs Annesley to decorate it with holly, tucking pieces of the greenery behind the pictures and around the candlesticks. She has always liked doing this, ever since she was a young child. When I arrived, I found her adorning the window in the drawing-room with more greenery.

‘I thought we would have a dance in a few days’ time,’

I said.

She flushed.

‘Just a small one, with our intimate friends,’ I reassured her.

‘Perhaps you would like some new ribbon to trim your muslin,’ said Mrs Annesley to Georgiana.

‘Oh, yes,’ she said, looking at me hopefully.

‘You must buy whatever you need,’ I replied.

I was about to say she should buy herself a new fan when I thought better of it. I will buy one for her myself, and surprise her with it.


Wednesday 18th December

Today we had snow. Georgiana was as excited as a child, and I took her into the park. We walked along the white paths and returned to the house with flushed faces and hearty appetites.