‘He did indeed, many times over. He would not be silent. He spoke of nothing but you: your loveliness, your intelligence, your tenderness and your charm. He told me how happy he was to be engaged to you.’
Eleanor smiled benignly, and Anne blushed, for it became obvious that Eleanor knew about it, too.
‘I can keep a confidence, but no man can keep such a thing from his wife,’ said Edward. ‘Eleanor soon guessed there had been something between you, and I told her the whole. I give you my word I have never mentioned it to anyone else, and I only hope you will forgive me for my one small lapse.’
We granted him our pardon, and indeed, it made it easier that Eleanor knew, for conversation was then much freer. We spoke of the past, and recalled the summer of the year six with much affection. As everything had turned out so well, I was able to think of those times without pain, indeed, with the greatest of pleasure.
Monday 13 March
Mr Elliot has left Bath! I am surprised. It is true that, now Anne and I are engaged, he has no excuse to visit Camden Place, and therefore he cannot watch over Mrs Clay, but I would not have expected him to give up so easily. He has left the way clear for Mrs Clay to marry Sir Walter, if she can catch him. I think it not unlikely, for Sir Walter speaks very well of her. It is not a match I would like to see, but it cannot be helped, and at least I will be taking Anne away, so that she will not have to see Mrs Clay in her mother’s place.
Wednesday 15 March
Camden Place was in a state of shock this morning when I called, for Mrs Clay had left!
‘Where has she gone?’ I asked Anne.
‘No one knows,’ she said. ‘I am as much in the dark as you. She left a letter for my sister saying she had been called home, without giving further particulars.’
Elizabeth entered the room at that moment, with Lady Russell.
‘Base ingratitude,’ she said angrily. ‘I took Mrs Clay up, made her my confidante, and this is how she repays me.’
I saw Lady Russell open her mouth and then close it again, obviously wanting to say that she had warned Elizabeth, but thinking it would be better not to say anything.
‘To leave without giving me a moment’s notice, without even telling me to my face that she intended to go,’ Elizabeth went on. ‘I hope it is something serious that has called her away, and not anything trifling.’
Anne and I decided on a walk, as the atmosphere in the house was very uncomfortable. Once out of doors, I asked Anne what she made of Mrs Clay’s abrupt departure.
‘Do you think she has realized that Sir Walter will never marry her, and therefore she has decided not to waste any more of her time, or do you think Mr Elliot could have had something to do with it?’
‘The latter, I suspect,’ said Anne.
‘Perhaps he has bribed her to stay away from Sir Walter. He is determined to be the next baronet, and, as the money is nothing to him, it would be a small price for him to pay in order to ensure his succession.’
I wondered what Mr Elliot could have offered her to tempt her to forgo the chance of such a prosperous future, but I did not wonder for long. Mrs Clay was of very little interest to me. My interest lay in Anne.
Friday 17 March
I had a letter regarding Mrs Smith’s property in the West Indies this morning, and the news seemed so promising that I went to tell her. To my astonishment, she told me that Mrs Clay had joined Mr Elliot in London, and was living there under his protection.
‘As his mistress?’ I exclaimed in astonishment.
She nodded.
‘But Mrs Clay is a clever woman. I think she will not be content to remain his mistress for very long.’
‘You mean she has her sights set on marriage?’
‘I think she has set her sights on a baronet, and the future one will do as well as the present.’
‘I cannot believe he will marry her.’
‘No? If he refuses, she can go straight back to Sir Walter. She would only have to make a few protestations of innocence, and voice her outrage about the lies that have been spread about her, then proceed to flatter him, and the thing would be done.’
I began to smile.
‘I like the idea. I think Mrs Clay and Mr Elliot will suit each other very well. They are two greedy, self-seeking people who have not a decent standard or value between them.’
‘And two people who are better away from the Elliots. Anne’s father and sister were always proud, and I would not care what became of them, but I would not wish to see Anne distressed in any way.’
On this we agreed, and I went on to Camden Place, where I found Anne ready to go on our arranged drive. As we went out into the country, we discussed everything Mrs Smith had said. She expressed her surprise, but before long she had come to think, as Mrs Smith did, that Mrs Clay might persuade Mr Elliot to marry her after all.
‘Would you mind?’ I asked her.
‘I would not like to see her as the next Lady Elliot, but then, I doubt if I will have to, for we will have moved out of the neighbourhood by then.’
‘As to that, I have heard of a promising property. Would you like to see it?’
She expressed her delight at the idea, and after I had left her at Camden Place I made the arrangements.
Monday 20 March
We have found our estate. It is exactly as we imagined it, a Queen Anne house set amidst verdant countryside with a long stretch of coastline, and three sandy bays. We were both delighted with it and I closed with the agent at once.
We returned to dinner with the Musgroves, where we found that our news met with a mixed reception. The Harvilles were delighted; Henrietta and Louisa asked if this meant we would be married before them; and Mary looked ill-used.
‘You are wondering why Mary is so put out,’ said Henrietta to me after dinner. ‘It is not really surprising. She liked you well enough to begin with because you were rich enough to do her credit, but not wealthy enough so that Anne would eclipse her. She had Uppercross Hall before her, a substantial property that Charles would inherit in due course, whereas Anne had no such property to look forward to, therefore Mary could consider herself superior. You have now taken that source of gratification away from her by your purchase of an estate. However, as long as you are not made a baronet, I think she will rally.’
Sure enough, Mary soon regained her spirits.
‘You can set a date for the wedding, now,’ said Benjamin.
‘Make it an early wedding. We will be marrying in May,’ said Henrietta.
‘And so will we,’ said Louisa. ‘Why do we not all three marry in May?’
‘I have a fancy to marry in June,’ said Anne.
I was pleased, for although I liked the Musgrove girls, I did not want to share my wedding day with them.
‘That is a good plan,’ I said. ‘I have a suggestion to make. I think we should marry on the ninth.’
Anne flushed, for that was the date when we first met.
‘It seems to suit the lady,’ said Benjamin with a smile.
‘Then it is settled?’ I asked, looking at Anne.
‘It is,’ she agreed.
JUNE
Friday 9 June
Today, Anne and I were married. As I saw her walking down the aisle on her father’s arm, I no longer thought of the years we had wasted, but the years we had to come. She was attended by her sisters, and the church was full of the Elliot tenants, who had come to see her married. Lady Russell was there, and Mrs Smith, too. Edward and Eleanor were sitting beside Sophia and Benjamin. Harville was there, and the Musgroves, all come to wish us well.