Free Wickham's Diary by Amanda Grange Page A

thought we were undone. Has she said anything to you about me?’
    ‘Yes. She said that she was not sure her brother would like you joining us for dinner because the two of you had argued. I said that she should not trouble herself about it, that men were always arguing about politics or business or world affairs and that it meant nothing. She relented at that and said that the girls at her seminary were often arguing as well, but that the arguments were soon forgotten. Then I sealed the matter by asking her if her father had approved of you and she said that yes, you were a great favourite of his. So I told her that, in that case, she was right to offer you hospitality and extend to you every courtesy. You have only to flatter her a little and look at her appreciatively and the thing will soon be done.’
    ‘Good. The sooner the better. We do not want Darcy ruining our plans. He has no intention of coming here, I hope?’
    ‘He intends to call at the end of the month but not before, so you need not worry about it. By then your work will be done and you will be in Scotland.’
    ‘Ah! Scotland. It is a long time since I was there. I think I might stay there for a few weeks and give the fuss a chance to die down. Georgiana can write to Darcy once we are married, and then a tour of the highlands will give us a chance to lose ourselves until Darcy has had time to accustom himself to the idea and to accept it. And what do you intend to do, once Georgiana has gone?’
    ‘I intend to be found searching for her, saying that I am beside myself with worry for she went to her room as usual the night before but when her maid went to draw back the curtains in the morning she had gone. I intend to hand him a note saying that she had eloped with the man of her dreams and then I intend to say that I have guarded her carefully and that she has not spoken to any young men, except his friend Mr Wickham.’
    I laughed.
    ‘I wish I could be there to see his face when he hears my name.’
    ‘If you are there to see his face he will see yours and then you are ruined,’ she said. ‘You must be well away before that happens, safely in Scotland, indeed safely married. Where will you go after your tour? You cannot stay in the highlands forever.’
    ‘To London, perhaps, or to the country, to buy a home of our own. A large house in ample grounds, a gentleman’s residence, with a river running through it. We can entertain there. We can invite Darcy to dinner!’
    ‘I wouldn’t mind a little home in the country myself,’ said Belle. ‘Nothing so grand as what you have in mind, but a comfortable little place with a maid to wait on me. I might buy something in your neighbourhood.’
    ‘Do, Belle, and we can carry on our friendship at close quarters. We will celebrate our luck together!’ I envisioned a happy future, with Belle to entertain me and Georgiana to be my beautiful, and very wealthy, wife. ‘But for now you had better go back or she will be missing you. I will see you at six o’clock.’
    She hurried off and I returned to my lodgings, where a willing little chambermaid awaited me. I passed the afternoon pleasantly enough and then dressed with care, presenting myself punctually at Georgiana’s house. It was a respectable dwelling, nothing too large, but ideally suited to being a young lady’s summer residence. I was shown in, and there was Georgiana looking very beautiful, her Darcy profile classically handsome, her figure graceful and elegant. Her dress was very costly and her shoes, dyed to match, were as expensive as her dress. She rose to meet me and I caught the scent of lavender and roses.
    Belle stood respectfully behind her, looking demure and respectable.
    Georgiana was suddenly overcome with shyness, for she was not used to the role of hostess, and so Belle prompted her, saying, ‘Miss Darcy.’
    Georgiana looked flustered but she welcomed me all the same, saying, ‘Mr Wickham, welcome,’ with all the consciousness