Page 108 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“I hope the roses are still there,” he said.

“So do I. It sounds everything charming.”

The house itself is not large, with just six principal bedrooms. Richard described a drawing-room overlooking the garden, a smaller room which had been the ladies’ parlour, and another room at the back of the house which he thought might make a nice library, if it was to be fitted with suitable shelves. There is a window-seat there which he remembers finding very comfortable, though he admitted that he had not attempted to fit himself into it for some years.

“I cannot wait to show it to you, Anne.”

“I should like that very much.”

I meant it. Everything he told me made the place sound more delightful, though I could not help envying the fortunate woman who would one day arrange flowers in those rooms and hear him coming home.

I tried not to think of her while he was speaking.

Before he put the map away, Richard returned to the subject of the Scottish property. Provision has been made for Lady Catherine’s care, and the people attending her are to receive their instructions through him.

“James will have no authority there when my father dies,” he said. “He cannot alter the arrangements merely because he wishes to do so.”

“Then she need not be moved?”

“Not merely to hide her from him. I shall ensure that she remains there, properly cared for, for the rest of her life, and that nobody shall remove her without my explicit, personal instruction. I have sent further instructions that should James ever come to the property, he is not to be permitted to see Lady Catherine, and to be referred to my solicitor in Edinburgh if he should attempt to gainsay that.”

I thanked him. It seemed a very small thing to say for something which mattered so much.

Richard understood, I think. He did not require me to explain myself, but looked down at the house plan and asked whether I would help him decide how the shelves might be best arranged in his library.

We spent some time considering that. I was glad that he wished to know my opinion.

13 December

Jane accompanied us to a musical gathering this evening. I had nearly asked to remain with Elizabeth, but she said that she would much rather have an account of the evening tomorrow than my company while she slept through most of it.

Georgiana was asked to play, and had taken some music with her. Before she began, our hostess introduced Lord Henry Wilmont, who was to sing.

He asked whether Georgiana knew the accompaniment to the song he had chosen. She did, though she wished to look through it first.

He sat beside her while she examined the pages, and they were soon discussing a passage which I could not have understood even had I been able to see the music.

I was pleased to hear Georgiana disagree with him.

He considered her objection, then sang a few bars very softly while she played. Apparently this settled the matter, for he thanked her and moved to stand beside the instrument.

They performed beautifully together. Lord Henry has a very agreeable voice, and did not appear to suppose that possessing it entitled him to drown out the pianoforte.

Afterwards he thanked Georgiana quite as warmly as anybody congratulated him, and seemed inclined to remain in conversation with her, though several other young ladies appeared eager to attract his attention.

Jane whispered to me that he is the Duke of Westmere’s youngest son. Georgiana appeared far more interested in discovering what else he liked to sing. When I next went near them, he was writing down the name of a piece he thought she would enjoy.

Richard had come with us. He found me a chair from which I could hear very well, and remained beside me for much of the music. Once, when I turned to say something to him, I discovered that he was already looking at me.

I forgot what I had intended to say.

Georgiana was unusually talkative in the carriage coming home. Kitty wished to know whether Lord Henry would be at the ball on Friday.

“I did not ask,” Georgiana said.

Kitty looked surprised by this omission.

I thought Georgiana might have progressed to other topics beyond music by then, but apparently they had not reached the subject of his engagements. In all these weeks in London, I have not observed Georgiana to converse with any gentleman for more than ten minutes at a time, but she must have spent at least half an hour talking with Lord Henry.