Page 94 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

Mr Byerly said that he had thought the gentleman must eventually exhaust his music.

“Unfortunately, somebody was kind enough to fetch another book,” Caroline replied.

He laughed, and admitted that he had begun to be afraid to applaud in case it was mistaken for encouragement.

I found myself smiling too.

Mr Byerly turned to include me, but I knew neither the gentleman nor the occasion. Caroline did, and their conversation continued very easily.

I did not mind. Georgiana had come to sit beside me, looking pleased and rather relieved.

“Was it truly all right?” she asked quietly.

I told her that it was, and that I hoped she would play it for us again.

Later, Elizabeth said she was ready to go home. I was quite ready too, though I had enjoyed the evening. Mr Byerly seemed sorry that we were leaving.

Caroline remained beside him as we took our leave, and though the smile she directed at me had more of triumph in it than genuine friendship, I hoped they might resume their conversation. I am beginning to think Caroline might suit Mr Byerly far better than I ever would, if only he would look at her long enough to see it.

14 November

James has arrived in London and opened the Matlock townhouse. He called this afternoon, and at first I was very pleased to see him. He enquired after my health, told me how well I looked, and asked whether I was enjoying London.

I said that there was a great deal to enjoy, though I sometimes found it rather tiring.

“You will soon become accustomed to it,” he assured me.

This remark irritated me at once. I seem to be expected to become accustomed to a great many things.

He spoke of his journey, and of the business which had brought him to town. Darcy asked several questions, and for a little while the conversation was quite agreeable.

Then James turned to Richard.

“You had better have Sanderson pack up your things and bring them over tomorrow. The house is quite ready.”

Richard looked up from his tea.

“Thank you, but I am very comfortable here. I intend to remain.”

James appeared surprised. “There is no sense in our being in separate houses. I shall want you when my man of business comes, and there are people you must meet with me. It will be a great inconvenience to send here whenever I require you.”

“If you wish for my assistance with a particular matter, you may ask me,” Richard said. “But you must not make arrangements for my time without consulting me.”

He spoke perfectly civilly. I could not discover anything in his manner to which James ought to have taken exception.

Nevertheless, James’s expression altered.

“I had understood that you had very little to occupy you.”

“I have sufficient,” Richard answered. “And I am not moving.”

Darcy put down his cup with considerable care. I recognised the look upon his face and expected him to speak, but Elizabeth was before him.

“We are very glad to keep Richard,” she said, smiling at James. “You must not persuade all our guests away merely because you have opened another house. I hope you found everything comfortable when you arrived?”

James looked at her. His mouth relaxed a little, though he still seemed more inclined to continue demanding Richard acquiesce to his demands than to answer her question.

At that moment Mr Byerly was announced.