Page 25 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“I do beg your pardon, Kitty, did you say you are going to a party?”

“Not a party.” Kitty leaned forward, her eyes bright. “The Meryton Assembly, on Wednesday next! The very assembly where Mr Darcy met Lizzy, and Bingley met Jane!”

“That sounds rather exciting,” I said, and blew my nose for the thousandth time. “I am sure you will have a delightful time.”

“As will you, you goose!” Kitty laughed. “We are all going. Miss Bingley and the Hursts mean to stay here. When I suggested the assembly, Miss Bingley muttered something Mr Bingley did not care to hear. He told her she might remain at Netherfield if she felt so strongly about it.” Kitty grinned. “I shall enjoy myself more without her.”

“But surely, I will have to remain behind too,” I said unhappily.

“Whatever do you mean? Doctor Jones said only this morning that you are well on the mend and will no doubt be fine by Monday at the latest.”

I could not understand her confidence. A cold had always kept me in bed for weeks, too weak on some days even to lift my head. When I told Kitty, she stared at me.

“I have never been ill more than a week with anything. You look better already, though your throat is still sore. Here, drink some of the elderflower cordial Hill sent over.” She pressed the cup into my hand. I tried it cautiously, remembering the remedies Dr Thornely used to make me swallow.

The cordial was pleasantly sweet, silky smooth and soothing to my sore throat. Kitty nodded with approval as I drank it down.

“Hill makes wonderful cordials. I put two bottles in the stillroom; just ask your maid for some, and I will ask to have more brought from Longbourn too.”

“You are very kind.” I wanted to believe her about Wednesday. Even if I were well enough to go, however, I supposed Darcy and Bingley would ask me for one dance apiece and I should watch the rest.

At least I know the steps. Kitty and Georgiana first taught Mary and me at Pemberley. When Elizabeth learned that Lady Catherine had never allowed me lessons, she engaged a dancing master, telling Darcy that Georgiana needed practice before coming out. I joined her for an hour each day after he came. I think I could manage the assembly without disgracing myself, though Georgiana moves more easily than I do.

Richard is the one man I should most like to dance with. I doubt he will attend, and his leg would not allow it if he did.

“I think perhaps we will have something special to celebrate by then, too,” Kitty interrupted my musings, and I looked at her curiously.

“What would that be?”

“Doctor Spears called at Longbourn as I was leaving this morning,” Kitty said, with a grin she could not conceal. “He asked Hill if he might speak to Papa.”

“He means to ask for Mary’s hand!” It was the only possible conclusion one could draw from such evidence.

“I believe so. I thought of staying, but Mama would only have sent me out of the room when Mary received him. I expect them here tomorrow; Mama will want to tell everyone in the neighbourhood.”

5 June

I am much better today, apart from a few lingering sniffles. Doctor Spears came back to Netherfield last evening and told us that Mary had accepted his proposal. I was well enough to join the company for an hour after dinner, and glad to offer him my congratulations myself.

Then I remembered Richard owes me a shilling: I predicted that the engagement would come in the first week of June. He laughed and promised to pay when he found his purse. I mean to hold him to it. I have never won a wager before, and I understand such debts are a matter of honour.

Kitty had been right about her mother. The Bennet carriage arrived a little after noon with Mrs Bennet, Mary and Kitty inside. They had already called at Lucas Lodge and at the Phillipses’ in Meryton after church. Mary looked tired. Mrs Bennet was delighted with her future son-in-law: a doctor of good education and comfortable means, with connections to several important families. I was more pleased by the way he looked at Mary when he announced their engagement last night.

Mrs Bennet praised Doctor Spears to the room, only to interrupt herself repeatedly with remarks that she could not imagine why he had chosen Mary. Then she reproached Kitty for making no effort to attract an eligible gentleman. Mary’s smile faded; Kitty stared down at her hands.

All I could think was how relieved I was that Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst had spied Mrs Bennet’s arrival and made themselves scarce, so they were not there to witness my friends’ humiliation.

“I am sure Kitty might have had the doctor for herself, if she had only exerted herself a little,” Mrs Bennet concluded, and it was clear that Elizabeth had finally had enough.

Elizabeth spoke before her mother could continue. “How fortunate that Doctor Spears has the good sense to recognise what a jewel Mary is! And if Kitty were already married, she could not enjoy the winter in London with Anne and Georgiana. She will meet many people there who will value her company.”

“Oh.” Mrs Bennet’s lips pursed. “Well, about that... I am not sure at all Kitty will be able to go to London, if we must pay for Mary’s trousseau this year.”

Kitty’s face turned the colour of ash, and it was Mary’s turn to jump to her feet. “I don’t need new dresses,” she said sharply.

“Nonsense,” Mrs Bennet cried. “Send our daughter off to be married with nothing more than a few old gowns? I should be ashamed!”

“I should be ashamed, if I had new things at the expense of Kitty’s happiness!” Mary shouted back.