Page 33 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“I should like to see where you have been hiding all that Shakespeare,” he said.

Georgiana came with us, having left some music there which she wanted, though she found it remarkably quickly and then settled by the window to turn over the pages. Mr Byerly and I spent quite some time before the shelves. He asked my opinion of King Lear and, when I gave it, disagreed with me. Very politely, I must say, but I could not let his argument pass unanswered.

I was still explaining myself when Darcy came to find him.

“Have I interrupted something?” my cousin asked.

“Miss de Bourgh is attempting to improve my understanding,” Mr Byerly said. “I fear I have proved a disappointing pupil.”

“An obstinate one,” I corrected, before I could think better of it.

He laughed, and I was relieved to discover he had taken no offence. He really is very amiable.

When he bade us goodbye, he said he hoped we might continue our discussion on his next visit. I have since gone back to the passage in question, and am quite certain it supports my opinion.

I have put a ribbon between the pages. Next time, I shall be ready for him.

27 June

Mr Byerly called again this afternoon, and this time he had no business with Darcy.

I know this because Darcy was out, and when Elizabeth told Mr Byerly so, he did not appear in the slightest discomposed. Instead, he said that he hoped we ladies would permit him to intrude upon us for a little while. The footman who showed him in was carrying a tray upon which stood a small earthenware pot, containing a little rose bush.

“For you, Miss de Bourgh,” Mr Byerly said.

For a moment I merely stared at it.

“For me?”

“If you will accept it. Mrs Thurston’s gardener raised it from a cutting. I remembered your mentioning you enjoyed roses, and thought you might like this one.”

I had quite forgotten telling him that I wished to grow them.

The little plant had several branches covered in fresh green leaves, and one tightly furled bud, with just a little pink showing at its tip. I leaned forward to examine it, quite delighted.

“Will it flower soon?”

“I am assured it will, though I fear I cannot promise you a particular day.”

“Thank you. It is a very kind gift.”

I wanted to ask a great many questions about its care, but it occurred to me that Mr Byerly had not yet been invited to sit down, and I was keeping him standing while I admired his present. Lizzy remedied my omission at once.

“You must sit here, Mr Byerly. Anne has been preparing for your return.”

“Lizzy!”

“Well, you have. I have seen you with King Lear at least three times since Thursday.”

Mr Byerly looked delighted rather than alarmed, which I thought showed some courage.

“I had better hear the charges against me, then.”

There was nothing for it but to fetch my Shakespeare.

Our disagreement concerns Cordelia. Mr Byerly thinks she might have answered her father more kindly, and spared everybody a great deal of unhappiness.

“I do not suggest she should have made such extravagant declarations as her sisters,” he said, when I accused him of wishing her to tell lies. “But surely she might have found something affectionate to say to an old man who wished to hear that she loved him?”