Page 93 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

I laughed so much that Luna opened her eyes and looked at me reproachfully. Richard continued reading with perfect gravity, which made matters worse.

“You are doing that on purpose,” I accused him, having to take out my handkerchief to wipe away tears of laughter.

“Reading? Certainly. I thought you wished to hear it.”

“You know very well what I mean.”

He smiled at me over the book before continuing.

It was very pleasant. I did not have to think of anything agreeable to say, or wonder whether I was neglecting somebody else by attending to him. When he grew tired of reading, we watched the rain for a little while.

He asked whether I felt easier now that I had spoken to Darcy.

“I do,” I said. “Though I shall feel easier still when he has agreed.”

Richard smiled. “Give him a little time, Anne. We have begun making enquiries.”

I wished to ask a great many questions, but he explained that they did not yet have the answers. He did assure me that Darcy was considering the matter seriously, but Rosings was not to be sold to just anybody, if it was to be sold at all.

I was content with that for today.

Richard then mentioned that he had received a letter from the Earl this morning. James is coming to London upon business and is expected early next week. Their father is remaining at Matlock.

I said that it would be pleasant to see James again.

Richard did not immediately answer. Then he said that he hoped his brother would find his business easily concluded, and reached for the book.

I had almost forgotten how little pleasure he appeared to take in James’s company.

For a little while longer we read, until Elizabeth joined us and asked whether we intended to allow anybody else a share of the fire. Richard moved his chair at once.

I should have been very happy to spend the rest of the day just so, but it is never a hardship to spend time with Elizabeth. I persuaded Richard to reprise some of his performance of Malvolio for her, making her laugh until she clutched her stomach and begged him to cease, lest the newest Darcy make too early an appearance!

12 November

Georgiana played this evening at the Bingleys’, and played very well.

Jane had invited a small company of only twenty to dinner, which pleased me far better than the prospect of another crowded ball. Elizabeth felt equal to coming, and Charles established her in a comfortable chair before anybody else could claim it.

Georgiana had brought two pieces of music. One she has played so often that I believe she could perform it in her sleep; the other was a movement from a sonata by Mozart which she has lately been practising with great enjoyment.

She began to put the Mozart aside.

“Why not that one?” I asked.

“I am not quite certain of the passage here.” She showed me the place, though I could not have judged its difficulty merely by looking at it.

“You played it beautifully yesterday.”

“At home,” she said.

I understood. It is much easier to do something when one does not feel that everybody is waiting to discover whether one can. Nevertheless, after a little consideration, she took the Mozart to the instrument.

I do not know whether the passage troubled her when she reached it. I could hear nothing amiss. By then she appeared to have forgotten to be nervous, and I was sorry when she finished, as I think the whole company were.

Mr Byerly congratulated her very pleasantly. He had been sitting near me, and had listened with an attention which I appreciated.

Afterwards, Miss Bingley spoke of a gentleman they had both heard sing at another gathering. Apparently he had been persuaded to offer one song and had required very little persuasion to supply several more.