Page 101 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“I should not wish him to misunderstand,” I said quickly. “What I told him on Tuesday has not changed.”

“Then we shall make the distinction clear,” Darcy assured me.

Richard asked whether I was certain that I wished Hugh to have it, if suitable terms could be agreed.

I thought about that before answering. I could find no reason to object. He wishes to manage an estate well, and he has taken pains to learn how. I should be glad to know that Rosings belonged to somebody who valued it. I think Charlotte will like him as well, and he will provide a sensible example to Mr Collins.

“It is difficult for me to imagine that anyone could be happy at Rosings,” I admitted. “But I think if anyone could, it would be Mr Byerly, and if he marries Miss Bingley, she will be so delighted with its consequence…”

“Miss Bingley!” Darcy said, quite startled. “Why do you say that you think Byerly might marry her?”

Clearly, Elizabeth had not told him of our conversation, and Darcy had not observed Miss Bingley’s efforts to attract Mr Byerly’s interest before this. But then, Darcy had apparently never noticed Miss Bingley’s efforts to attract his attention, so he might just be particularly unobservant in that regard.

I did not say this. I only said that having observed them interacting on several occasions now, I thought they were like-minded in many respects.

“Miss Bingley wants to marry money, and Byerly has a great deal of it,” Richard observed dryly.

I reproached him that there was more to it than that; they share similar interests, and both enjoy company and socialising on a grander scale than I ever will. Both Darcy and Richard were looking at me thoughtfully by the time I finished.

“That is very observant, Anne,” Darcy said finally.

“Perhaps you might have a career as a matchmaker ahead of you,” Richard joked.

27 November

Mr Byerly came to the Bingleys’ this evening.

Jane had arranged a dinner and invited him before I spoke to him on Tuesday. She confessed, soon after we arrived, that she had wondered whether he might send an excuse.

“He is coming,” Caroline said. “I particularly urged him to do so.” She spoke with a satisfaction which I found quite reassuring.

Elizabeth had remained at home. She no longer wishes to undertake evenings out, and I had promised to tell her how this one went. Kitty and Georgiana were with me, and Jane soon found people for everybody to talk to.

I was nevertheless rather nervous when Mr Byerly arrived.

He greeted me civilly, enquired after Elizabeth, and then turned to answer a question from Charles. There was no appearance of resentment in his manner. I was grateful, though I did not immediately become comfortable.

Darcy had told me earlier that he had spoken to him about Rosings. Mr Byerly was interested, but would wish for further particulars before making any proposal for its purchase. I had wondered whether he would mention it this evening, but he did not, which I thought considerate.

Caroline took care that he should not lack company. She was attentive without appearing quite so anxious as she had on other occasions, and he seemed very willing to remain beside her.

After dinner, he asked whether I thought Elizabeth would object to his calling to enquire after her.

“I am afraid she is no longer receiving guests who are not family,” I said apologetically. “Though I will certainly tell her that you are asking after her; she enjoys our accounts of our outings and who we have seen.”

“Then I hope you will be able to give a favourable account of this one.”

“I shall certainly tell her that everybody has been very kind.”

Caroline joined us then. Mr Byerly asked her about some friends whom she had expected to see, and she began describing a change in their plans.

A few weeks ago I might have remained beside them out of politeness, wondering when I ought to speak. Tonight I excused myself to join Georgiana.

Neither appeared to find the interruption distressing.

Later, Caroline caught my eye across the room and smiled. I recognised the triumphant expression from the evening of Georgiana’s music, though there was rather more confidence in it now.

I smiled back, with all the warmth I could manage to put into my expression. I do not think she knew quite what to make of that, because she looked most puzzled before turning away.