Page 52 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

I must also answer Richard’s letter. There is no difficulty in knowing what I wish to tell him, but I cannot write Please come back at the end of every paragraph.

8 August

Pemberley is becoming very busy.

I had thought the preparations for Georgiana’s birthday quite well advanced, but apparently there is a considerable difference between deciding what ought to be done and having everything ready. Elizabeth has found employment for all of us.

This morning Mary and I went through the rooms prepared for our visitors. I remembered the servants this time, though Mrs Reynolds had anticipated that improvement in my understanding and had everything ready for them too.

Christopher is expected on Wednesday. Mary examined the room intended for him with a degree of attention which she had not bestowed upon the others.

“The chair would be better nearer the window,” she decided.

I helped her move it.

Afterwards she wondered whether he would prefer it upon the other side, where the light would fall differently.

“Perhaps we ought to leave him something to decide for himself?” I suggested.

She laughed, and allowed the chair to remain, though she did send a maid to place a cushion in it when she found one she thought would match the upholstery, in one of the other rooms.

Kitty and Georgiana have been arranging flowers in the smaller vases which will stand about the rooms. Kitty wished to put one upon the pianoforte, but Georgiana objected that she should be afraid of knocking it over. As it was Georgiana’s birthday, and Georgiana’s music which would suffer, Kitty yielded.

I think a month ago Georgiana might have permitted it to remain and worried about it in silence. She is certainly growing in confidence, and I think it is due to the influence of Elizabeth. Elizabeth is so kind and encouraging, and rarely ever disputes or refuses any idea anyone might present. At most, she may kindly suggest an improvement or enhancement. It is easy to feel one can tell her anything and not be made to feel foolish about it.

Jane has written from Netherfield, with affectionate wishes for Georgiana and a promise that she shall have her present when they next meet. She wishes that they might all be together, but there is no suggestion of their coming north at the moment; Mr Bingley is very busy with the preparations for his first harvest season as owner of Netherfield.

Elizabeth read out a description of something Mr Bingley had done which Jane plainly considered very amusing, although she attempted to defend him while relating it.

I like hearing Jane’s letters. Jane’s kindness shines through in every word. Elizabeth smiles as she reads them, her face full of love for her sister.

There has been no further letter from Richard.

Darcy has heard from my uncle, but they had no word from the man my uncle sent to Scotland yet. Perhaps news may have reached Matlock by now. I have found that one can occupy a great deal of time thinking of events that may be occurring elsewhere, without becoming any wiser.

Richard’s room is ready.

Mrs Reynolds mentioned it while we were upstairs, and I said that I was glad, in what I hope was an ordinary voice.

Mr Byerly and his sister called in the afternoon. He asked Georgiana whether there was anything he might do to be useful, and she said that he must come prepared to dance.

“I shall consider it a duty,” he replied.

“Not too solemn a one, I hope,” Elizabeth said.

He assured her that he expected to enjoy it very much, and that he hoped all the young ladies of Pemberley would honour him with dances.

I was examining a length of ribbon with Kitty, but became conscious that he was looking towards me. I bent my head rather closely over the ribbon.

I do like dancing. I ought to be looking forward to the evening without qualification.

Kitty has decided that my gown requires no further alteration, which is a considerable relief. When she says that something is very nearly right, I have learned that this does not necessarily mean she has finished with it.

We tried everything together upstairs this evening, and she stood back to consider me.

“Yes,” she said at last. “That will do very well.”

I think so too.