Page 71 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

Mary discovered this before I did.

I had been carefully counting what was there, without first making certain that it was what we required.

Mrs Reynolds explained the alteration, and we began again. By the time we had finished, I understood why Elizabeth so often asks whether an account is the most recent one before she considers anything written upon it.

The provisions went ahead of us. Later, Elizabeth asked whether I would drive her to the farm in the phaeton.

I was very glad to do so. I have had fewer opportunities to drive lately, and it was pleasant to be occupied with something I already knew how to do.

We found Darcy with his steward and Mr Byerly, who was making notes in a little book. He came to assist me down, but returned to their discussion as soon as I assured him that we had not come to interrupt it.

I liked that. He had gone there to learn, and plainly wished to hear what the steward was telling him.

Elizabeth spoke to one of the women who had helped distribute the food, and I remained beside her while they settled what would be wanted tomorrow. Beyond them, a loaded wagon was making its slow way towards the farm buildings. The people working nearby continued without pausing to look at us.

I have seen a harvest before, of course. There are fields about Rosings, and one cannot fail to notice when they are being cut. But I had never considered how many separate arrangements must be made, or how much could depend upon having the right people and horses in the right place at the right time.

When Darcy rejoined us, Elizabeth asked whether he expected to be home for dinner.

“I intend to be.”

“You intended to be earlier yesterday,” she reminded him.

“There was a difficulty which required attention.”

“I know. I only wish to discover whether I am to expect my husband or another message from him.”

Darcy smiled and promised to come himself.

Mr Byerly walked with us to the phaeton. I asked what he had been writing in his book.

“Questions, chiefly,” he admitted. “Though I have begun putting down the answers as well. I should be ashamed to ask Mr Darcy the same thing twice.”

“I do not suppose he would object.”

“He has been very patient. I should prefer not to discover the limit of it.”

Darcy, who had heard him, said that there was no objection to a question asked in earnest.

Mr Byerly looked pleased by this, and I could understand why. Darcy’s praise is generally worth having, because he does not bestow it merely to fill a silence.

We left them together and drove home. Elizabeth seemed content to sit quietly for part of the way, and I did not trouble her with conversation.

After a while she said that she thought Mr Byerly would make a conscientious landowner.

“He is certainly taking a great deal of trouble,” I agreed.

“And he listens to people who know more than he does. That is an excellent beginning.”

I thought of him returning to the steward rather than remaining beside me, and agreed with her again.

Darcy did come home for dinner. He looked tired, but very well satisfied with what had been accomplished. Elizabeth looked pleased to have him there, and afterwards told him he need not come to keep us ladies company in the parlour because his time would be better spent resting. He protested that there was never time better spent than with her.

I at once said that Elizabeth also need not be in the parlour with us; we are quite capable of spending an evening without her company! Kitty laughingly promised that she would not break any of the china, if she were trusted to pour the tea, and Elizabeth chuckled.

“Why should I allow you to pour the tea, Kitty? It is Mary who will soon have her own household, and must stand in my stead as hostess this evening.”

Mary looked rather delighted at this, if a touch apprehensive. She acquitted herself admirably, however, preparing all our tea perfectly, and I said to her that she would be an absolute credit to Captain Spears as his wife.