Wickham's diary : being an account of his childhood, his friendship with Fitzwilliam Darcy, and his attempted elopement with Miss Georgina Darcy

This prequel to Pride and Prejudice begins with George Wickham at age 12, handsome and charming but also acutely aware that his friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, is rich, whilst he is poor. His mother encourages him to exercise his charm on the young Georgiana Darcy and Anne de Bourgh in the hopes of establishing a stable of wealthy social connections.At university, Darcy and Wickham grow apart. Wickham is always drinking and wenching, whilst Darcy, who apparently has everything, is looking for something he cannot find. Wickham runs through the money Darcy gives him and then takes up with the scandalous Belle, a woman after Wickham's own greedy, black heart. 11 July 1784 Why should I be beneath Fitzwilliam? I am just as handsome as he is; I am just as intelligent, even though he works harder at his books; and I am just as amusing; in fact I dare say I am a great deal more amusing, for Fitzwilliam is so proud he will not take the trouble to entertain other people. Yet although he is no better than me, when he grows up he will inherit Pemberley, and I will inherit nothing... Jane Austen's ultimate bad boy finally gets his say. Face with an uncertain future{u2014}while his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is set for life{u2014}dastardly George Wickham plots and cavorts in this rollicking prequel to Pride and Prejudice. Bestselling author Amanda Grange daringly explores the inner turmoil and secret motivations of the character every Austen fan loves to hate... Praise for Mr. Darcy's Diary: "Grange tells Darcy's story in her own style, with charm and a gentle wit. While her characters are true to Austen's creations, a couple of surprises lurk, only adding to the reader's pleasure."{u2014}Susan Higginbotham, author of The Traitor's Wife 11 July 1784 Why should I be beneath Fitzwilliam? I am just as handsome as he is; I am just as intelligent, even though he works harder at his books; and I am just as amusing; in fact I dare say I am a great deal more amusing, for Fitzwilliam is so proud he will not take the trouble to entertain other people. Yet although he is no better than me, when he grows up he will inherit Pemberley, and I will inherit nothing... He wasn't always this cold-hearted... George Wickham had everything going for him. He's handsome, charming and sincere. Old Mr. Darcy loves him like a son. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the companion of his youth, is powerful and moral. What are the forces then that would turn this young man's destiny from one of promise to one of treachery and villainy? And could it happen again? Praise for Mr. Darcy's Diary: "Absolutely fascinating. Amanda Grange seems to have really got under Darcy's skin and retells the story, in diary form, with great feeling and sensitivity." -Historical Novel Society (20110404) "Jane Austen's ultimate bad boy finally gets his say. Faced with an uncertain future - while his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is set for life - dastardly George Wickham plots and cavorts in this rollicking prequel to Pride and Prejudice. Bestselling author Amanda Grange daringly explores the inner turmoil and secret motivations of the character every Austen fan loves to hate..."-- Publishers' description. Front Cover; Title Page; Copyright; 1784; 1788; 1790; 1791; 1794; 1795; 1796; 1798; 1799; About the Author; Back Cover.;Faced with an uncertain future while his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is set for life, bad boy George Wickham reveals his inner turmoil and secret motivations in this prequel to Pride and prejudice. "'Jane Austen's ultimate bad boy finally gets his say. Faced with an uncertain future - while his friend Fitzwilliam Darcy is set for life - dastardly George Wickham plots and cavorts in this rollicking prequel to 'Pride and Prejudice'"--Page 4 of cover