'It's my pleasure as well as my job, you do yours and we'll meet for dinner.'
True, mealtimes were very pleasurable in the back of the house at Pemberley,
much more informal than in the front and the food was nearly as good. They even got a daily share of ale, and with his London upbringing Simon secretly preferred ale to wine.
They thanked him again and left quickly, taking a back route to the house.
Simon went upstairs immediately to find Frederick, who was indeed waiting for him and who took his slender lover in a firm embrace.
'I suppose you need to see to Prince George first? Can you give him a hint that Georgiana and Eric will be in the drawing-room all day, playing? That way we can take a little time for each other when you return. How are you coping, my love, being forced back into the servants' quarters?'
Simon kissed him, it was so good to be in his arms, Frederick getting married hadn't changed anything, if possible they had come even closer to each other but that was mainly because Mr Darcy had allowed them the entire second floor as their explorers' domain.
'I'm fine, Frederick, as long as we can be together part of the day I'm happy.
Listen, I need your permission to tell Prince George about our plans to go to the continent, he is too clever and too observant, he will find out about all of us if he doesn't get a better explanation for Nick being here as Anne's guard.
I'm certain he is not buying her mother wanting to take her back, or Anne being afraid of her without reason, Anne is way too smart and too brave for that. So then he'll try to find out what Nick is actually doing here and he will succeed, he can distil information from everything anyone tells him and piece it together. He is too smart for me, Frederick, and I cannot refuse to talk to him. Please let me give him something to talk about.'
'Hush, Simon, don't panic. Calm down, please, you're all upset.'
Oh, how Frederick kissed him then and held him against his broad chest, Simon felt his heart skip a beat with sheer love. They had to protect their love, one devilishly smart man who didn't even care about them should not be able to come between them.
'I'm sorry I got you into this, Anne was right, I did underestimate the prince. I thought I was so clever but it's like he cannot help himself, he sees a mystery and he needs to solve it. It's not your responsibility altogether, Simon, I know you have the most contact with him and I know you are not in a situation where you can be the one to decide what to talk about, like Anne. Better give him something to think about then, tell him about the continent. He will hate it, I'm sure he is planning to have Eric over all winter. Now I mean it, my love, don't panic, if you stay calm you will find yourself in control again, you can do this, no-one has ever been able to squeeze you for information and neither will Prince George. If needed, you can just tell him you're not allowed to say anything, he doesn't want you spilling the beans on him either. A close mouth is a good trait in a personal attendant. Now one more kiss and then it's time for you to go, and when you return I'll be waiting for you and I'll spoil you for a change.'
That promise did make up for the ordeal Simon was expecting, when Frederick really let himself go he could be so incredibly sweet, so tender, that the very memory of the last time was enough to give Simon a little thrill of anticipation. It was hard for Frederick to show so much of himself but when
he did there was no woman more caring or gentle than his immensely strong, rather blusterous-acting lover.
The last kiss was a promise of what was to come, and Simon really had to compose himself before he made his way to Prince George's guest room.
'See you in half an hour, my love!'
Frederick blew him a kiss, and Simon returned it with a whole new courage.
No-one had ever managed to get information from Simon that he hadn't wanted to spill, and even Prince George would not manage to do so. But first he returned to his own room and changed from his riding clothes to the neutral garb he usually wore these days, since Frederick loathed seeing him in a livery. Simon kind of liked liveries, they were very practical and he knew he looked stunning in them. But he understood why Frederick preferred he wore something less servile, and had designed a kind of alternative for both himself and Nick, similar in cut and practicality to a livery but much more neutral to make them blend in with the background. It wouldn't do to look like a gentleman when they weren't, but neither did Simon want to look like a stablehand or a gardener in loose, functional trousers and tunic. Somehow Nick managed to look menacing in his black pantaloons with a dark grey shirt and a livery-like jacket but in a neutral grey colour, and of course Simon broke hearts left and right in his similar garb, though several sizes smaller.
Changing didn't take longer than five minutes, and he found himself whistling as he took the large stairs to the first floor, where Prince George would be waiting to be dressed a little more fancily than he had managed by himself yesterday, just after his arrival.
'Please come in, Simon,' the prince's kind voice could be heard through the door.
He was still in his hunting garb, sitting by the window, staring out absent-mindedly.
'Have you ever wondered what it would be like to hear original music in one's mind, Simon?'
The words sounded positively wistful.
'Frankly, Your Highness, no. I've never been in the fortunate circumstances to hear much music, and as such it has never gotten a real hold on me.'
That had the other man thinking.
'I suppose I never thought of that, I've always had music around me, even in my earliest youth. But not everyone can afford an instrument, and music sheets, and lessons. And even in this household filled with music it is only for
the genteel folk. That doesn't seem right, somehow.'
'Mr Fielding has never been for much formality, and in the very beginning he felt more comfortable with me than with the family. He used to live with a middle-class family and really had to get used to becoming a member of the Darcy household. We became friends, and Mr Darcy has always allowed me to visit Mr Fielding in his own rooms to listen to music. But I've never felt a strong wish to be able to play or compose. I suppose I'd rather sit a horse like Fowler, or draw like Mr and Mrs Gardiner's nursery maid, if I were granted a special talent.'
'You have your own special talent, Simon, you make people feel right at home. And you are beautiful, even if you're a man and should be called handsome. Yet somehow, handsome just doesn't do justice to your beauty. I would have liked to be merely handsome, but more than that I would have loved to be a proficient musician. Music moves me more than anything, sadly I didn't have the talent to become more than a mediocre performer, so I decided to just enjoy the efforts of others. You're still close to Mr Fielding, aren't you? I've noticed you and Fowler do not stay in the servants' quarters, nor do Mr and Mrs Fielding and Mr and Mrs Manners stay with the family on the first floor. Instead you all reside together on the second floor, and even dine there together sometimes. As if Fowler really is Manners' cousin.'
Some maid had talked, no doubt one of the temporary ones who did the rounds and kept the hearths clean and the fires stoked. Better ask Mrs Reynolds which one was in charge of the prince's chamber and have her sent back home. There was no talking in Mr Darcy's household.
'Simon, you almost frighten me looking like that. Where did the affable valet go?'
'I've acted as Mr Darcy's housekeeper in London, Your Highness. There is no place for a talkative maid in Mr Darcy's household. You know all about finding your most intimate habits discussed in a certain section of the newspapers, how would you like it if she talked about you in the village, or to some aunt in a nearby town?'
'I'm sorry, my good man, I admit it was a maid who told me those things. But in her defence I have to also admit I did have to press her, she did not want to tell me but I am the heir to the throne, she couldn't very well refuse me. And it isn't as if it's sensitive information.'
'I concede she couldn't refuse you, but she might
have told the housekeeper you forced her to divulge private information, no-one would reproach her for
bending to your will. She'd merely get assigned to another task. I fear she was trying to make the most of this. Was it the ample one? Young, fresh-faced?'
'Yes, yes, that was her. Pauline, she said her name was. Kind of flirty, but I'm not as bad as that. I thought I'd see what she knew but I had a surprisingly hard time getting the information out of her. Of course in the end she told me what she knew, which wasn't all that much. I hoped you'd tell me more, but I suppose that's out of the question now. Again, I'm sorry, please don't be too hard on her, I'm good with girls, it's something to do with my face, they trust me somehow.'
'And they fear getting in trouble refusing you, you're going to be their king!
Although you do have a way about you, I admit I've also told you more than I should, which has never happened to me before. But I have my master's permission to tell you about the second floor, I can even show you around when there is a moment to spare. I will have to tell Mrs Reynolds about the maid, but she knows me and likes me, I can get her to let the girl off with a warning.'
'You don't sound like a servant at all, Simon,' the prince now observed, but not in anger.
'I know, I lack proper respect. I've heard that a lot, but no-one can tie a cravat like me, or shape a shaking dog, so I guess I'm safe.'
'I think it's refreshing, I meet with servility all the time, even from your master's peers. And when they think I'm not looking they get even. I prefer honesty. I could pretend to be honourable and refuse your offer but I just cannot, I'm dying of curiosity. Please tell me as much as you can without breaking confidences, and I promise I won't bother the new maid assigned to my room for information or try to get the gardener or stable boy to talk.'
Simon bowed but to hide a smile. The prince was like a boy in his enthusiasm, though he certainly looked like a middle-aged man. Of course Simon did not just talk, he had taken the prince's coat and cravat already, and was now unbuttoning his shirt. Boots and breeches followed, no pantaloons for Prince George, sadly. Though the breeches didn't show with boots, and he was a bit too portly to make the best figure in pantaloons. Simon could have talked him into a pair, but there were none available in his size. And he shouldn't spoil Enrique's master for the Spanish valet, he probably had a rather lonely life in London.
'The thing we didn't plan to tell you because you will not like to hear it is, that my master is planning to take Mr and Mrs Fielding to Vienna at the end of
summer. Mrs Manners will come, too, hence the body guard, we'll need him travelling across the continent with two ladies. Mr Manners can take care of himself but the rest, including myself, are more or less defenceless. We're all staying on the second floor because we are planning our trip and getting to know each other, we will depend on each other a lot. We are also learning how to ride a horse to be as mobile as possible. Shooting, too, some of the places we will visit are not as safe as good old England.'
Indeed Prince George was not pleased, he was not angry but merely shocked.
'Mr Fielding is not going to be in London this winter? I was counting on his company at least once a week! How will I get through a long, cold winter without his music? Is it a certain thing?'
'The intent is certain, Mr Clementi has some excellent connections for Mr Fielding to contact to improve his playing as well as his composing, and he expects Mr Fielding to be able to play his compositions with an entire orchestra there, apparently the people in Vienna are all keen on music and musicians are very respected. But of course things are not looking promising with the situation in France, it looks as if it may be spreading. We're planning, but if war breaks out we'll be in London after all, I guess.'
The prince nearly panicked.
'I can get him his orchestra in London, you know I can. How long do they plan to stay? A year, two years?'
'At least a year. Mr and Mrs Fielding are very ambitious.'
'And Manners has his own plans, no doubt. You are looking forward to your trip as well, I can see it. Why? Won't it be very inconvenient to travel across what, three, four countries? And dangerous? Why would you want to do that?'
Well, that was something Simon couldn't tell him, he didn't care for travelling at all but he wanted to be with Frederick as an equal instead of his servant, just to have had that experience.
'It seems a very exciting thing to do, and Vienna is supposed to be the most beautiful city in the world.'
'Well I'm sure it will be exciting! Damned dangerous I'd say. I wish I could be there, the Hofburg crammed full of Habsburgers, and Mr Fielding making them cry under accompaniment of an entire orchestra. I suppose I must be glad your master saw fit to destroy my dream of a magical winter in Carlton House before summer has even started. Better get used to the idea slowly than asking Mr Fielding to visit after six months of anticipation and finding
him gone off in secret.'
Which was exactly what they had been planning. Poor Prince George, he was truly disappointed. But he collected himself quickly and observed ruefully,
'I'll just have to make the most of the time remaining. Fortunately your friend and his lady wife play all day long, I'll just sneak in and listen to their practice as well as their concerts.'
By now he was dressed to perfection, and Simon used this perfect moment to suggest, 'They will not mind, Your Highness, I think they understand. I suppose they will be in the drawing-room right now, and Mr and Mrs Darcy and Mr and Mrs Manners generally take their time dressing, if you take my meaning. I will dress my master in about half an hour, and I'll be with you tonight at ten.'
It was not a lie, he would help Frederick dress, of course after some frolicking, but nevertheless he spoke the absolute truth.
The light in Prince George's eyes proved he would indeed seek out Eric and Georgiana, which meant one warning was necessary: 'Your Highness, I only obtained leave to tell you about Vienna just before I came here, Mr and Mrs Fielding don't know you have been informed. If you want to address them on the subject, please take this into account.'
'You don't want to look like a gossip. I understand. I also understand why you asked permission to tell me, I was indeed amusing myself by posing questions and planning to push you to answer them for me. That was no way to thank you for your commitment to my comforts. I'm sorry, Simon, I will improve my behaviour towards you.'
'Thank you, Your Highness, you are very generous.'
'Indeed I wasn't. You were. Thank you very much. See you tonight!'
And with that the prince left the room eagerly, leaving Simon to clear up the washing water and a few garments, after which he rushed upstairs to his beloved.
When they were finally by themselves in their bedroom, Elizabeth closed the door with her boot and took her beloved in a solid embrace. His hold on her was possibly even tighter, but when she looked up at him he showed no sign of that neediness that usually preceded one of those episodes.
'Are you holding up, my love?' she asked him.
He bent down and kissed her but with passion, not need, he was his handsome, proud self.
'Surprisingly well, actually. I suppose it helped that you chose to ride with me most of the way, and that you spent the rest of the time with Fowler and at breakneck speed. I feel not the least inclination to throw myself at your feet.'
'I'm glad to hear that. So you're not jealous of Nick?'
'Oh, I'm jealous of his talent doing anything physical. Riding, shooting, billiards, fighting, I bet he even excels at..'
'I'm sure he does,' Elizabeth interrupted him, on purpose. 'Anne doesn't have that smug look for nothing.'
'Elizabeth! I meant fishing! That's hardly a physical activity but you'll see he catches the most fish.'
He was truly shocked, good, he shouldn't think she'd turned into a sedate matron. A man like hers needed to be teased sometimes.
'Fortunately you are much handsomer and you have those thoroughbreds.'
Though I suppose Fowler is the only man who need not envy me for winning you, since Anne is as smart and almost as lively as you are.'
'She is much more beautiful than I am.'
'I beg to differ, to me you are the most beautiful woman in the world. And you have the fastest horse, does that count for a lady as well?'
'I'm not the one bragging here, you tell me.'
'I was a bit afraid at first, my love, to see you speed off like that. It seemed as if Barley was on the run, like Liquor at first. And then you went straight for the hedge and there was the stream behind it.'
'But you know we have taken fences almost half again as high, and even ditches. Oh all right, I do understand. I worry about you, too. I suppose it's normal to worry about someone you love. Come, let's get out of these clothes, I want you.'
They undressed each other, exchanging kisses every few buttons, until they were both totally naked. Then they took their time admiring their loved one, and not just with their eyes. They stroked and kissed to their hearts' content, until Fitzwilliam lifted her bodily and gently laid her on the bed, kneeling beside it.
'It's still difficult for me to see any other man admiring you, but I never doubt you.'
He stroked her leg upward, and then the other one, squeezing her solid muscles gently.
'I've always admired your physical fitness as well as your intelligence. Even
with your petticoats several inches thick in mud. Though I did find it improper at first. I'm glad I'm not that stuck-up prig anymore, I suppose I cared more for my standing than for my happiness.'
The hand moved up slowly, over her trim hips to her stomach, now distinctly rounded. There it rested for a while, stroking her gently as she couldn't do with him because he was still ticklish. Elizabeth no longer believed she was merely getting fat, she was losing fat and gaining muscle everywhere else with the very specific exercises Sarah put her and Barley through every second morning. Well, and Fitzwilliam and Frederick. The things they were learning reminded her of those army horses, the stallions that had been taught classical battle moves. The stable boy's father, Mr Smith, was good a rider as Sarah.
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