Page 100 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

I told them of the ease with which Caroline and Mr Byerly conversed, and how interested she had been in his account of Rosings.

“He could scarcely wish for anybody more willing to hear about it, or to discuss plans for its improvement,” I said. “I am sure she would like living there far better than I ever did.”

“If Caroline were somehow to become mistress of Rosings, she would be quite unbearable,” Elizabeth observed. “We would never be permitted to forget a single advantage of the place, and I heard quite enough of them from Mr Collins before I ever laid eyes on it.”

I laughed, though Jane looked thoughtful.

“I do not think it is Rosings, or whatever great estate Mr Byerly eventually purchases, that she chiefly wants,” she said.

“Jane, you cannot suppose she would object to being mistress of such a place!”

“No, Lizzy. But I have watched her with him. She liked him before we knew the size of his fortune. You remember the flat shoes? She wore them by their third meeting, and she remembers what he says even when nobody else is listening.”

Elizabeth’s expression altered.

Jane had seen Caroline seek out his company from the beginning and enjoy their conversations even when nobody watched. She believed Caroline had been hurt when Hugh turned his attention to me in London. Jane was careful to say that he had offered Caroline no particular encouragement.

I thought of the musical evening. Caroline had been amusing without finding it necessary to be unpleasant about anybody in the room. She had seemed quite natural.

“I think you may be right,” I said.

“Then I shall wish them every happiness,” Elizabeth replied. “Though I reserve the right to dread my first invitation.”

That made Jane laugh too.

It was then that I ventured another thought. If Darcy and Richard agreed to sell Rosings, Mr Byerly might purchase it. He had been looking for an estate long before becoming acquainted with me, and Richard had said that his fortune was sufficient to buy an estate of ten times its grandeur.

Elizabeth regarded me with considerable interest.

“I believe that is a suggestion worth making to Darcy.”

Nothing has been settled, of course. There may be a great many reasons why it cannot be done.

Nevertheless, I cannot help thinking how convenient it would be if Mr Byerly might have the house he wants, without anybody requiring me to marry him. If Caroline may make both of them happy as well, I believe we can all tolerate her crowing about being mistress of Rosings as much as she pleases.

25 November

Darcy and Richard have agreed that we may proceed towards selling Rosings.

There are conditions, and a great deal still to be done. Darcy was careful to explain that agreeing to seek a purchaser is not the same thing as accepting whatever anybody chooses to offer.

I assured him that I understood.

They had received answers to several of their enquiries, and there were papers upon the desk which Darcy went through with me. I tried to attend closely. It is much easier to do so when I know that the discussion may lead to something I actually wish for.

The money would remain held in a trust for my benefit. We must make proper arrangements for its income, and consider what would be required for a smaller home, should I wish to purchase one.

Darcy also spoke of the estate’s present obligations and the importance of finding a suitable purchaser. “You were right to ask us to consider more than the value of the property, Anne. Retaining Rosings would preserve your inheritance, but it would also mean you cannot fully put the troubling memories it holds behind you. If we can secure your fortune satisfactorily in another form, I agree that is in your best interests.”

I thanked him, though the words seemed rather insufficient.

“You see? He does listen,” Richard said, with a smirk at Darcy.

Darcy gave him a look, but I was too pleased to concern myself with it.

I then asked whether Mr Byerly might be considered as a purchaser.

Neither gentleman appeared astonished by the suggestion. Darcy said that Hugh had certainly expressed sufficient admiration, and that his intention to buy an estate was serious.