Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  Elizabeth had taken a bite of her own piece and indeed it was just as the prince said, the cake was perfect, the filling was perfect, but it was the aroma that made it special, what was it? She could swear she had tasted it before, in

  summer, it reminded her of walking through her parents' garden at Netherfield. But they never ate anything in the garden, mama didn't approve of eating outside.

  'I've made the flavouring myself, Mr Chester, with linden flowers. I love to use herbs and flowers to make teas, and I loved tea made of linden flowers so much I thought I'd use it to flavour a cake filling. So you like it?'

  'Oh yes, very much! It's so subtle! You know, Mrs Brewer, chocolate and vanilla are very tasty but there is nothing subtle about them, wherever they appear, they rule. Your linden flavour brings out the texture of the sponge and the lovely sweet taste of the cream itself. It's a masterpiece!'

  That was incredible praise from a man who employed two confectioners! Of course Mrs Brewer didn't know that, but even to her it was obvious Mr Chester knew about pies and cakes, and his praise made her very happy.

  Prince George was indeed in heaven, he ate the modest piece in small bites, relishing the special aroma. Last of all he picked up the flower and smelled it like the gentlemen would take in the aroma of a precious wine.

  'It's not marzipan, is it? It smells of spirits and a flower I should know, but not linden. It's beautifully made, but of course I'd expect that from an artist.'

  He bit off a small piece of the flower and tasted it as carefully as he'd smelled it.

  'I'd say it's mainly sugar, but there is some cream involved and something else, again a flower, but not one I recognise.'

  'I added a liquor I make myself, to help cure colds. It's made with elderflower and rosehips, it works really well but I also just like the taste as flavouring.'

  'Elder-blossom, of course! I should have recognised it instantly. I'm afraid I've been spoiled with exotic flavours. Your flavours are a miracle, Mrs Brewer, and this flower is truly delicious as well as beautiful.'

  This had obviously been a great move from Anne, to visit Mrs Brewer with someone who really knew his sweets. They all tasted every single pie and cake and Mrs Brewer and Prince George discussed every bite extensively, two pairs of eyes shining. Nick ate his full share of everything and Elizabeth didn't refuse either, but Anne didn't have a very sweet tooth so she asked for smaller pieces and got them, after which Georgiana dared the same.

  'I do not want to turn into a battleship before I have grandchildren,' she said, laughing. 'I think I have the same physique as aunt Catherine, so I'd better learn to moderate my intake from the first.'

  Not particularly diplomatic maybe with Anne present, but then Georgiana

  had been in a girlish mood all day. Prince George added a little insult upon injury by asking Anne, 'I suppose that being Mrs Fielding's aunt this comparison concerns your mother?'

  Anne laughed openly to prove she didn't mind her cousin making fun of her mother.

  'Yes, Mr Chester, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is my mother. She does resemble nothing so much as a battleship, not just in size, but also in character. Nothing can stop her, once she is on a certain course she will follow it and everything in her path either removes itself or is crushed. She just knows she is the most sensible person in England and she will bully anyone into believing her.'

  'I wish I could meet her, she must be quite a character. I'd like to see her bully me. Or maybe I'd instinctively understand the value of her advice.'

  They all laughed, except Mrs Brewer, who didn't know Lady Catherine. She did look at Prince George in a certain way and Elizabeth thought she understood: why would a battleship of a woman, a lady at that, hesitate to bully affable Mr Chester?

  'I would love to see that, Mr Chester, but on the other hand I hope to be far from her company for at least the coming ten years. But I assure you, she will probably disappoint you if you were to see her at your home, people like her realise when they are outmatched.'

  'True,' said the prince, and Elizabeth agreed, Lady Catherine would be much more impressed by his status and riches than Elizabeth herself had been.

  Soon after this conversation they took leave of Mrs Brewer, with profuse thanks for her work, and a promise from Mr Chester to send someone over to arrange an exhibition in a very public location in London.

  'If you would please decide as soon as possible which works you want to show the people, and whether you are prepared to sell them and for what price? Someone may turn up pretty soon.'

  'Thank you so much, Mr Chester, I will. And I really enjoyed talking pie and cakes with you, most people I know do not have such a developed palate. I had a really pleasurable time making those sweets, and an even better time eating them. I'm glad some is left for my husband and our boys when they come home. My husband always said my pies were good enough for royalty.'

  'And so they are, he didn't lie. Thank you again, and maybe we will meet again in the future.'

  On their way back Prince George just couldn't seem to believe what had

  happened.

  'You know what I pay those Frenchmen of mine? And what they spend on exotic ingredients? I suppose Mrs Brewer won't even consider moving to London and starting a career as confectioner?'

  Looking at Elizabeth he shook his head ruefully.

  'I didn't think so, and frankly it would be a waste of her talent to make pies all day, she'd better develop new flavours and sell the recipes. I'm serious about the exhibition, by the way, and I want that one piece she had upstairs, the one just like a huge tropical plant only with iron leaves. I'm going to put it in my bedroom and keep it to myself until I have my Gothic conservatory and then I'll have it placed in there, to watch everyone surreptitiously touching the leaves to see if they are real. Do you think she'll mind dealing with an agent?

  I didn't feel like disturbing her with business today, you will tell her who I am afterwards, won't you?'

  'I suppose we could do that, yes,' Elizabeth replied, 'but if you'd told her you were interested she could get used to the idea of parting with it. Apparently that is very hard for an artist. But I suppose that if she sends some of her work to London she may never see that again either because it got sold. And how will she get her pay?'

  'You may warn her that I want that plant-like object. And of course her husband is your husband's steward, I suppose he will not just hand over those works to my agent, he will ask for some assurance. I profoundly prefer dealing with people who know about finances. I will miss those pies only slightly less than Mr Fielding's music. I was so sorry to hear that you are all going to leave for the continent, I was planning to invite Mr Fielding over every week. I'm certain I can get him an orchestra to play with in London, I know people.'

  He knew? Who had told him? They had decided to not tell him not to take the chance of him ordering them to stay in London. Frederick thought he could.

  Georgiana apparently knew and she replied, 'It is by no means certain that we will be able to go, Your Highness, apparently the Lower Countries are in turmoil, we didn't know that. How many other conflicts have we missed? I'd chance them but Eric fears for my safety. I suppose he never used to think much about the dangers of travelling when he went to Prague, he was younger and not yet in love.'

  'I'm sorry you had to hear that from me, Mrs Fielding, but of course my position means I have to know a lot more about the situation in the world. If

  you want to know what I am allowed to divulge I can spend an hour or two with all of you and a map of the continent.'

  So not only did Prince George know they were planning to go to Vienna, he had told them passing through the Lower Countries would be dangerous because there was some kind of war going on?

  'That would be very kind of you, Your Highness,' Georgiana said, and the prince replied, 'It's the least I can do after spoiling your plans. Maybe I can help you plan a new route, I have relatives in Hanover who would undoubtedly receive you and your hus
band and your companions with open arms. Then you can travel on from there.'

  Oh well, she'd find out really soon, Fitzwilliam probably already knew what had happened. Maybe they could join the explorers when they talked to the prince, this sounded mighty interesting.

  As they returned to the house the prince addressed Elizabeth, 'Do you have a conservatory, Mrs Darcy? I really think Mrs Brewer should have one of my bergamots but I'm afraid they cannot survive our climate out in the open. It's even colder this far north, isn't it?'

  'It is, Your Highness. When we moved to London after spending our honeymoon here we left Pemberley covered in snow whereas in London it merely rained a lot. We do not have a conservatory yet, but we are planning to have one built. Frankly, it never occurred to me to have one until I saw yours at Carlton House, it was so magnificent I immediately wanted one.

  Fitzwilliam is investigating the possibilities already, you know, the best site, which style to build in. I suppose it may take a few years before we really have one built.'

  'I beg to differ, Mrs Darcy. Your husband strikes me as someone who makes a decision then follows through with it. I bet you'll have your conservatory next winter or the one after that at the latest. Have it built in the Gothic style, it will be quite the thing, I'm told. I will give Mr Darcy the name of a man who can design the perfect Gothic-style conservatory for you. I'm waiting to have mine done but on the scale of Carlton House and to do it well I will have to wait a few years to scrape up the funds. When yours is done, please send word and I will have some of my trees uprooted for you. And one for Mrs Brewer as well, you'll have to give her some of the fruit for her confectionery, for what she makes is more than just cakes and pies, she deserves the title of confectioner.'

  While he was still very kind and attentive, Elizabeth had a strong impression

  that Fitzwilliam need not be jealous of the prince's attentions to Elizabeth anymore, he seemed to have accepted their bond as immovable. Good, that meant she could really enjoy the time they still had in Prince George's presence.

  'The very word gives me a thrill, Your Highness, Gothic. It's not at all like us, we're both rather practical, but one of my first deeds here at Pemberley was to save the dining room we have been using, we have a much less ornate one that Fitzwilliam prefers and he wanted to have the old one refurbished because it is so lavish. But I liked the fact that it was authentic, his ancestors dined there, and every single one of them added something of value. It would have been a shame to waste their efforts. So he agreed to keep it, and we will even add something of value ourselves, a beautiful centre piece made by our London housekeeper, she embroiders as beautifully as Mrs Brewer's pies are delicious. We have commissioned a large piece which will adorn some empty space on the dining-room wall, we've recently sent her our choice of the design and she is probably working on it as we speak.

  I'd like to add something of value to the structure of the house as well, and I'd like it to be something that stands out. A Gothic conservatory would be just the thing. Thank you for your offer of the trees, I think we may very well accept it, though of course Fitzwilliam has the final say, it's his ancestral home and he is the one who has to keep up the family's honour.'

  Prince George smiled in a certain way, he still liked her a lot but he was merely enjoying their conversation.

  'I'm convinced his ancestors are thanking you for saving their dining room, Mrs Darcy. It would have been a crying shame to destroy such a magnificent proof of his family's wealth and good taste. I love having my house decorated but there should be some respect for things of the past. Did you get to see my old armoury?'

  'I did, yes, it was extraordinary, a real privilege to have been allowed to see it.'

  'Thank you, Mrs Darcy. Your praise is worth a lot, since you are obviously not impressed by a mere display of riches. Maria told me you were not at all awe-struck when viewing Carlton House, and most people are. Even your aunt Catherine, I'd bet. Maria was very much impressed with you, and you can imagine she is usually a bit reticent towards other women of a certain style and intelligence, I've not been the most faithful of husbands.'

  He was even married to another woman, though Elizabeth believed that if

  he'd had to choose just one, Mrs Fitzherbert would have been his ultimate favourite.

  They entered the house together and made their way towards the drawing-room, where they separated to each do his own thing: Georgiana joined Eric at the instrument, Prince George was invited to join Frederick and Fitzwilliam for a game of billiards, and Anne and Elizabeth took up their little dresses. Nick had disappeared in the hall, with just a nod to Anne that she acknowledged with a similar nod and a tiny smile. It was there and gone in a flash, but it signified more than a lot of embraces and flowery farewells Elizabeth had witnessed.

  When Simon entered Prince George's room to help him undress and make ready for the night, he did not expect much trouble with the prince's curiosity.

  According to Nick their visit to Mrs Brewer had been very satisfying for all parties involved, except maybe himself and Anne, since they were forced to act like mistress and servant. There had been no awkward questions or even frank ones, merely Georgiana acting both her age and a very genteel hostess, Mrs Brewer's obvious genius, and Anne and Mrs Darcy being very lady-like in general, except that Mrs Darcy did not hesitate to eat as much of the sweets as any of the men.

  'She did it daintily, though, and she is as physically active as any of us. Small chance of her getting as big as our guest.'

  As observant as Nick was, he clearly hadn't spotted Mrs Darcy gaining weight yet. To Simon it was obvious, and he'd bet a substantial amount on her indeed being with child, she had that glow as well. Gossip did confirm his suspicions, though no-one would dare mention such a juicy bit of information to him in person, he was part of the upper layer in the servants' hall by now and he would not accept anyone talking about Pemberley's mistress. Servants knew everything, they knew when their mistress had her moon-time and therefore also when it didn't occur. Mrs Reynolds had not been amused with Pauline talking to the prince, and if Simon hadn't urged her to be lenient this once since Prince George was really good at getting people to talk, Pauline's employment at Pemberley would have ended there and then. As it was, she knew nothing special and whatever she knew she had already told the prince, therefore her duties would remain the same, with a strict lecture on telling Mrs Reynolds when one of the genteel folks pressured on her for anything, be it a little gossip or more intimate favours.

  According to Frederick the evening had been much the same, the gentlemen had played a game of billiards while the ladies stitched, and after that they had all listened to Eric playing one of his recent works. And now Frederick was waiting in their fancy exotic bed until Simon had helped his second charge.

  'Simon, do come in, you're a very welcome sight!'

  Well, nothing could be said against Prince George's reception, it was always hearty, and well-meant heartiness. He seemed to lack the false affection so many of his class professed, most notably Mr and Mrs Grenfell, though the latter hadn't been particularly affectionate to Simon last time he'd met her. Of course she'd never be kind to any servant if she could help it.

  'Good evening, Your Highness, it's always a pleasure to be appreciated.'

  He helped the prince out of his clothes and into a dressing gown, then carefully folded and put away the clothes, hanging out the coat and shirt, and leaving his hat and boots where they were supposed to be. Then it was time for a quick wash, shaving could wait until morning.

  While Simon was using a soft cloth and plenty of soap to make the prince feel nice and clean, the conversation took a disturbing turn.

  'I think I've solved half the mystery of Mrs Manners' marriage, and it worries me a great deal. I've seen some things that suggest how Mrs Manners can bear a loveless marriage, and now I'm afraid your master will find out and break her heart.'

  Simon did not dare contradict a prince, or he would
have rightfully objected that there was plenty of love between Frederick and Anne, that it was even very obvious whenever they were together. They might not have the inclination to kiss or make love, but they would do everything in their power to make the other happy.

  'Come, Simon, you can tell me why you disagree, you of all people should know I'm just a man like you, though there is considerably more of me than of you and your features are arranged a lot better than mine, as if the good lord had Mrs Brewer's talent when he made you but was in a rush when I was put together. You have seen every inch of me and touched me, do I look or feel any different from any other man you've taken care of?'

  Simon decided to answer with humour, though he felt more like begging him to let it go.

  'Generally speaking, no, Your Highness. You have the same, as you put it yourself, features.'

  'So there you have it. Now out with it, what did I say that you disagree with?'

  'There is plenty of love between Mr and Mrs Manners, Your Highness. Their marriage is not loveless.'

  'But they are not in love. I concede that they like each other very much, maybe even love each other like brother and sister. But I know whom Mrs Manners really loves, and I'm afraid it will bring her and her lover a world of trouble.'

  Of course there was nothing Simon could say. Apparently they hadn't been careful enough for a man like Prince George.

  'You are silent like the grave, but you know what I am talking about. So it's all over the servants' hall already. Is he a bragger?'

  He had to try to pretend he knew nothing, hadn't he? His loyalty lay with his friends, not this devilishly clever man.

  'There is no talk of any kind about Mrs Manners in the servants' hall, Your Highness. As far as even her own maid is concerned she is very happy in her marriage.'

  The prince really wás concerned, for he showed relief instead of chagrin to have been wrong in his surmise. But despite believing Simon he did not let go.