Page 55 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

“She is not very discreet. She calls for assistance when she wishes to come down.”

Richard laughed.

I had missed that sound more than I could possibly have told him.

He moved carefully, and I could see that he was glad when there was occasion to stand still, but he did not appear to be in pain. Once he caught me looking anxiously at him.

“I shall tell you if I must stop, Annie. I give you my word.”

I accepted his promise, and began to tell him about my music lessons with Georgiana, and he promptly asked whether I would play for him.

“Certainly not!” I almost shrieked it in horror at the mere thought.

“Then I must content myself with hearing you practise from a safe distance.”

“You must content yourself with hearing nothing at all until I can be sure of finding the notes.”

“I shall wait.”

I hoped he meant to remain at Pemberley long enough to make some attempt at it.

When the set ended, he conducted me to Elizabeth and then went to sit down. Sanderson was at his shoulder at once, a glass in hand, and I was glad to see Mr Matthew Thurston sit down with him to keep him company and talk.

Mr Byerly soon came to ask me to dance.

I accepted, of course. He was very attentive, and complimented my gown. I told him that Kitty deserved much of the credit, which led him to ask whether she had heard anything further from the gentleman at Ackermann’s about her drawings.

I was glad that he remembered, but I regretted that I had no news of it to share.

We danced very comfortably together. He does not oblige one to make all the conversation, and he had several amusing little anecdotes to relate about his sister’s preparations for the evening.

I laughed, and enjoyed myself.

But when the dance brought me to the end of the room where Richard was sitting, I looked towards him before I could prevent myself.

He was speaking to Mrs Thurston and did not see me.

Later, while I was resting, Georgiana came to sit beside me. Her cheeks were warm from dancing, and she looked so happy that I could not help taking her hand.

“Are you enjoying yourself?”

“Oh, Anne. Very much. What a wonderful evening this is!”

There had been a time when I should not have believed either of us could feel so entirely at ease in a room full of people. I was glad to have lived long enough to discover my mistake.

Richard did not dance again. He remained in company, however, and seemed to enjoy himself. I saw him laughing with Darcy, and later with Elizabeth. Sanderson took good care of him, bringing him a plate before he could attempt to fetch anything for himself.

I had meant to ask him how long he would stay at Pemberley this time, but there was no quiet opportunity.

By the time the last carriage had departed, Georgiana could hardly keep her eyes open, although she declared that she was not in the least tired.

Darcy kissed her forehead. “Then you will have no difficulty telling us all about it tomorrow.”

She embraced him with thanks, and allowed Elizabeth to take her upstairs.

Richard was waiting while Sanderson brought his candle. As I passed, he held out his hand, and I gave him mine.

“Thank you for my dance, Annie.”