The Diary: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read online

  The Diary

  A Pride and Prejudice Variation

  by

  Kate Speck

  Contents

  The Diary

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  All Kate Speck books available on Kindle eBook:

  Resolution and Determination: An Erotic Adventure Fiction (Rated M)

  Lessons in Gratitude (Rated T)

  Services of a Friend (Rated K)

  The Proud and The Beast (Rated T)

  Clues to a Mystery: A Pride and Prejudice Sequel; short-story (Rated T)

  First Impressions of a Second Nature (Rated T)

  Growing Pains (Rated T)

  Growing Pains Too: A Pride and Prejudice & Persuasion Crossover (Rated T)

  Teachings of His Father (Rated K)

  November Twenty-Seventh (Rated M)

  Murders in London (Rated T)

  The Next Mrs. Darcy (Rated T)

  The Adventures of Lizzy Bennet Books 1 – 3 (Rated K)

  Rank and Circumstance (Rated T)

  Love in the Afternoon (Rated T)

  50 First Impressions (Rated T)

  The Diary (Rated T)

  “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”

  ~ Epictetus

  Chapter 1

  Elizabeth Bennet breathed in deeply while she surveyed the beautiful coastal scenery of the little seaside town. Ramsgate was serene yet bustling with activity this morning, with fishermen already returning from their early boat trips and neighbours waving to each other to open up the modest shops along the small streets.

  Elizabeth was a twenty-old daughter of a respectable gentleman in Hertfordshire, the second of five daughters with a lackadaisical father and a nervous mother with their family estate entailed to a distant cousin, and Mrs. Bennet frequently fussed that she would be tossed into the hedgerows after her husband’s passing. The only redemption in sight for the family was for Jane, the eldest daughter, to marry well so that she would take care of the rest of the girls with some comfort in the future. Being a tall, beautiful lady of two and twenty who took after her mother, Mrs. Bennet was certain that Jane would be scooped up by a rich gentleman, even with only a £1,000 dowry to her name, and eagerly promoted her to any wealthy man with at least £2,000 a year, who were few and far in between, unfortunately, due to the limited society in their small village. Seeing her mother’s desperation to quickly marry off all of her daughters, especially after pressing too hard at Jane’s latest suitor, a man of nearly forty years in age who gave up his pursuit after a fortnight of calling on the dispassionate lady, Elizabeth was determined to marry only for love and made a pact with Jane that even if spinsters in a tiny cottage together, that they would not settle for a marriage of convenience but care for each other. Elizabeth personally taught her younger sisters of the philosophy and although Mary, Kitty, and Lydia were all out in society at the same time, the girls waited for their hearts to be touched rather than to be impressed by a gentleman by only his income or countenance.

  Jane and Elizabeth had been invited to Ramsgate to holiday with their mother’s brother and his wife and were thrilled to be here for the next month, not only to escape their mother’s ravings and nervous fits, but they truly loved Mrs. Gardiner, who was generous and patient and had been a wonderful advisor during the most difficult stages of their youth. The heat of summer was intolerable in London this year where the Gardiners resided and Jane and Elizabeth were always happy to spend time with their favourite relatives and to see new places and make new friends outside of Hertfordshire. Mrs. Bennet hoped Jane would return home with a rich suitor and Elizabeth only prayed that she would find some adventures before returning home to her humdrum life in Longbourn.

  She had little to complain, being a daughter of a gentleman and needing very little to be kept comfortable, but she had found her life too placid, with insufficient intellectual conversations to be had in the quiet hamlet, having to make sport of her neighbours with her father for amusement and realising that she had begun to look at others with prejudiced eyes. She wanted greater exposure to society so that she could study people’s characters and discover her own purpose in the world, especially seeing the disparity of responsibilities between men and women and how sheltered she had been all of her life.

  “I do not want to live on calm waters all my life...” Elizabeth spoke to herself while she looked at the boats in the bay.

  “What was that, Lizzy?” Jane enquired next to her after turning away from their aunt. “Are you well?”

  Elizabeth replied with a smile, “I am well, Jane. I am thoroughly enjoying being by the seaside and only wish for some excitement. You know how I am.” She took a deep breath, “Aunt Madeline, Jane, I am going to go to that bookstore to purchase a journal. I neglected to pack my own and I would like to write of all the activities while we are in Ramsgate. It is so beautiful here and I am most eager to find peace every morning during my walks by the water.”

  Aunt Madeline nodded, “Certainly, Lizzy.” She rubbed the younger woman’s back. “I know that you have been restless and have little care for shopping for laces and ribbons, but I know you will find some amusement here. Your uncle brought your favourite books and being in Ramsgate will give you respite to be apart from your mother for the month, dear niece. I know you are eager for life to challenge you and I fear you were born in the wrong era to only be a dutiful gentlewoman, but you will find your purpose and contentment soon enough and I will do all I can to help you.” She smiled tenderly at Elizabeth who could never stay still for long. “Go and find a journal to fill with adventures, even if only in your imaginations. Jane and I will be walking down the street and might stop at the sweetshop before we return to the inn. I promised the children that they would be rewarded for doing so well in the carriage yesterday.” She giggled, “Eddie and Julia are old enough to sit for hours but I worried for little Beth. She is not yet one and cannot sit in one place for more than a few seconds!”

  “She follows her namesake, Aunt!” Elizabeth laughed in return. “Perhaps you should have named her after Jane instead and she might have been a calm baby.”

  Jane smiled, “She is perfect as she is and her name would not have made a difference. I adore Beth and she will be exactly like you, Lizzy!” She hugged her sister, “Go and make your purchase and we will see you soon.”

  Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement and walked into the small shop which was filled with wall-to-wall books to look for a new diary. She saw several volumes inside the quaint store and fingered ones that were made with sturdy covers in multiple colours. Then her eyes caught an unusual book that was placed off to the side that appeared worn, with what seemed to be scratches and mended tears, made of top-quality l
eather and very soft to touch. It was definitely aged on the outside but the inside had a binding of pristine new papers and there appeared to be a faint trace on the front cover that looked like an embossment of a coat of arms, with what might have been a crown on top that would have been fit for royalty, but it was faded and she could not make out the emblem.

  “Does it call to you?” An elderly woman approached her with a smile. “The diary chooses the owner and not the other way around, as many believe. This volume might need you as much as you need it.” She opened the leather book to the first page, “Once you see your name inside, perhaps your wishes for adventures might come true.”

  Elizabeth ran her fingers on the pages and felt a sense of peace in her heart. She smiled softly and nodded, only to look up and find the woman gone. She took the volume to the desk to make the purchase and asked the shopkeeper, “What is the price, sir? There was a woman who was helping me with this purchase. It is a beautiful journal.”

  The man at the desk looked up with furrowed brows, “Woman? I did not see anyone else and you are my first customer here today.” He looked at the volume and softly gasped, “So, you are the one who will take this book. This is the third time I am selling it, did you know? It finds its way back here after months or years and you will be the fortunate lady to own this for a while.” He smiled broadly at the young lady, “It is a reused, old-leather cover but in good shape and will bring you luck. A bob, Miss? If you are able, promise me to bring it back here when you are done with it. You will know what I mean later.” He winked at Elizabeth with an all-knowing smirk.

  Elizabeth was confused by his statement but was pleased with the price and agreed. After the shopkeeper wrapped up her purchase, she held it closely in her arms and found her aunt and sister a few doors down, and they continued their outing with broad smiles on their faces. It would be an adventure during the next month and Elizabeth was eager to fill her new diary with wondrous experiences and observations to come.

  ~*~

  Elizabeth sat at the desk that evening to begin her journaling, as the day had been a good one, with her uncle purchasing tickets for the family to board a large ship for a short ride on the water, and Elizabeth was keen on writing down everything she had witnessed during her time on the water.

  She reached for the quill and opened the book to write her name inside but saw that there was writing within it already that had not been there before. Elizabeth scratched her head when she saw the beautiful handwriting:

  For Elizabeth.

  She wondered how her name could be in it already and did not recognise the handwriting, but it was a gorgeous script and thought perhaps her sister or aunt had done it specially for her, and Elizabeth looked behind to see her sister already sleeping and snoring lightly. She shrugged her shoulders and began to write in her journal.

  June 20, 18--

  This is the true story of Elizabeth Bennet and her adventures in Ramsgate. It has been a day of enjoyment and mystery already, as I only now recalled meeting a woman this morning to help me purchase this journal but the proprietor had not seen anyone in his shop. He was an odd man but agreeable and said that this book will bring me luck.

  Elizabeth paused for her next thoughts but her mouth dropped open as the ink from her writing seemed to soak into the book and everything disappeared as if a cloth absorbing liquid onto itself. She placed the quill into the inkpot and shook the book, as if it might return the words that she had written earlier, and rubbed her eyes with both hands after placing her journal on the desk and still saw a completely blank page. She rapidly closed the book and opened it again to see it entirely void of any scripts but turning to the inside cover, she saw her name still present in the unfamiliar handwriting.

  Picking up the quill again, she nervously began to write once more.

  June 20

  What is happening? Am I dreaming? I believe I have gone mad.

  She paused to look at the words on the page and gasped loudly and dropped her quill, as the black ink soaked into the pages again and disappeared. She hastily closed the book and kept staring at it for several minutes, wondering if she was losing her mind or if she might be dreaming. She pinched herself in the arm and rubbed it after feeling pain there and took a deep breath. She did not know what magic this was but with shaking hands, she opened the journal once more and picked up the quill. She scribbled inside:

  Ahoy there!

  She wrote what she had heard the sailors call to each other that day and waited to see what would happen. She felt faint when the ink disappeared once again but this time, a black stain rose up from the ivory pages to form the words to respond to her.

  How do you do, Elizabeth? It is very pleasant to meet you.

  Elizabeth was shocked that the book was actually replying back to her. She was tempted to wake up her sister immediately to be witness to what was happening but the words soon faded away and the page was blank again. Wondering if the book would respond again, she wrote within it once more.

  How do you know me? Who are you?

  It took only a moment for the writing to disappear and reappear in the same script.

  I chose you and know much about you already. My name is Anne.

  Elizabeth wrote:

  How is this possible? Are you alive?

  I am alive in spirit but gone for many years in body. We are destined to assist each other for the sake of our loved ones, Elizabeth. Heed my words and be of use or else despair awaits your future.

  Elizabeth took a deep breath and asked the book:

  Who are you, Anne? What am I to do?

  The writing soon reappeared,

  More will be revealed later. Write daily and I will give you instructions when the time is right. Good night.

  The words soon disappeared and there was nothing on the pages. Elizabeth closed the book and after blowing out her candle, ran into bed to lay next to her sister with her entire body shaking. Jane turned and asked sleepily, “What is the matter, Lizzy? Are you cold?”

  “No, Jane,” Elizabeth replied. “Go back to sleep. I believe I have lost my mind but we will speak of it in the morning.” She turned to her side, contemplating what the book was about and who ‘Anne’ could be. She could not understand how she was chosen to be the book’s owner but it concerned her that she was not scared that the book communicating with her, but rather that she was thrilled about what had happened. She did not know if it was witchcraft or an evil spirit that could be communicating through the journal but she could not wait for the next day to try again.

  Chapter 2

  “There is nothing in here, Lizzy.” Jane announced. “You must write something to actually use it as a journal.”

  Elizabeth reached for her book again and turned it upside down and shook it. “I swear I wrote inside it and it wrote back to me. Look at my name here. I did not write it and you certainly did not, so where did it come from? Wait; I will prove it to you.” She took a quill and wrote Jane’s name on the blank page and waited.

  “Nothing is happening, Lizzy. My name is there and so is yours, but it is staying there and nothing else is being written on its own. I have no idea who wrote your name but perhaps Aunt Madeline did it for you and we can ask her downstairs. You had a long day yesterday and must have been dreaming, sister.” Jane soothed. “We will be late for our outing and must prepare for the day. Uncle Edward is to take all of us to the cliffs where you can see miles and miles out towards the ocean. I thought you were looking forward to going, Lizzy.”

  Elizabeth huffed, seeing Jane’s name unmoved in her journal and snapped the book shut. “Hmph! I am not making it up, Jane. I will try again later and prove it to you.” She arose to dress and prepare for the day.

  ~*~

  After another long day out, Elizabeth sat at her small table with Jane next to her and began to write in her journal. Jane’s name that she had written that morning had remained and Elizabeth slowly wrote below it to chronicle her day, and after writing an enti
re page and waiting, Jane yawned broadly and covered her mouth.

  “I believe that you believe what you saw but nothing is happening, Lizzy,” Jane stated, “I am exhausted and you must also be tired. Come, sister. Time for bed.”

  Elizabeth frowned, “I will go to sleep in a few minutes, Jane. Go to bed and I will blow out the candle in five minutes. Just five more minutes, please.”

  Jane smiled and rubbed her sister’s arm. “Good night. Do not dwell on it too much, Lizzy. It is likely because you were so excited last night.” And she turned in and fell asleep quickly in bed.

  Elizabeth scratched her head, wondering if she had imagined the whole episode last night, and resumed her journaling of the day, when suddenly, the ink began to absorb into the page again and the last several words that she had written disappeared. Words began to form once again and she read what the book was trying to say to her.

  My words are only for you, Elizabeth, and I will not reveal myself to anyone else. Do not disappoint me or else I will search for another.

  Elizabeth immediately replied:

  Why me? Why did you choose me? What am I to do for you? I will not perform any evil acts or do anything immoral for you.

  The book wrote back:

  I choose those who can be my instrument to right the wrongs in the world as I continue to seek peace for my soul. I wish to do good that I could not do during my lifetime; five hundred years of penitence for my sins.

  Elizabeth took a deep breath and wrote:

  What do you wish for me to do, Anne? How can I, all alone, make any changes in the world?

  It replied:

  You are more capable than you believe. A simple action can result in great changes in the future and you will be a bright light for generations to come. Tomorrow, you will meet a young lady in a blue pelisse with whom you shall build a friendship. You must save her from a lifetime of misery; from being fooled by an old acquaintance or else she will die in childbirth if you fail.

  The words disappeared and revealed no more to her.

  Elizabeth did not know if she had been bewitched or were going insane, but she knew with certainty that she had to save this young woman, whoever she was. There was not much to go on but she was determined to make a new friend tomorrow in order to help a person in need.