you to have it as quickly as possible.'
'My sister gave it to me not ten minutes ago. Thank you very much, I'm looking forward to reading it.'
'Mrs Darcy, I did what Miss de Bourgh's guard, now Mrs Manners' guard, told me to do: I made friends with Lady Catherine's staff. It has changed my life, and Charlotte's.'
This was when Fitzwilliam returned, sat down and gestured Mr Collins to sit down as well, Elizabeth choosing a seat beside her beloved. Fitzwilliam then gestured Mr Collins to speak.
'Your sister, Mrs Fielding, allowed me to come into the house, Mr Darcy. I cannot deny I was glad not to have to walk five miles to the nearest inn after confessing to Lady Catherine. I should have refused to come and told her why, I suppose I'm a coward for I didn't dare to.'
'Now, now, Mr Collins, no need to be so hard on yourself. Elizabeth has told me some of what happened to you at Rosings, I can imagine you didn't feel like provoking my aunt. I don't blame you for giving in to her, you know.
And Simon has asked me to be lenient, it seems you have won yourself an advocate in my household in less than half an hour. Apparently you have become good friends with my aunt's staff, and I am very glad to hear that.
Simon suggested to have you stay in the servants' quarters, where your friends and Mrs Reynolds can keep an eye on you, but I won't have that.'
Mr Collins bowed his head to accept what was coming, but Elizabeth didn't think it was that bad.
'You're family, and a gentleman by birth, you will have a room among us and prove yourself worthy of it. Am I right?'
Mr Collins had the good grace to look overcome with relief and actual gladness, and when he stammered his reply he did not show any displeasing humility, in fact he looked Fitzwilliam straight in the eye, though it obviously cost him an effort to do so.
'Thank you very much, Mr Darcy. For letting me stay and allowing me back into the family. I promise I will prove myself deserving of that honour.'
He sat straighter than ever before, and though he did not get any handsomer, his whole appearance was more becoming to her father's heir.
'Now, Mr Collins,' Fitzwilliam continued, 'we have a very important guest staying with us, a very influential gentleman who can mean a lot to Mr Fielding and my sister since he has considerable patronage in the arts of every kind. He has already met my aunt, and I will introduce you to him
shortly. Like Mr Manners, he is very genial and outgoing, but I implore you to never let yourself become in any way familiar towards him, even though his kindness will invite you to. Please remind yourself constantly of the rules of conduct when in his presence. You will find both Mrs Darcy and Mrs Manners, and sometimes even Mrs Fielding, much more informal with him, but that is not an example to be followed by us gentlemen.'
Mr Collins seemed to shrink hearing that, and Elizabeth wondered whether it was a sensible thing to do, warning her cousin to be on his best behaviour.
Wouldn't that send him right back to his usual obsequiousness? Still, his reply was promising, for he lost none of his recently acquired dignity and replied,
'You will find me the perfect guest, Mr Darcy. I will do my utmost to never again cause you displeasure.'
Wasn't that all any man could do, Elizabeth thought with humour. Besides, they would find out soon enough, for now her beloved rose from his seat and said, 'I'm hungry, that was quite a strenuous ride this morning, let's see if we can find something to eat.'
And so it had been, she was very ready for some refreshment herself, and she hoped there would be some of Mrs Brewer's creations left for coffee.
Chapter 23
After Simon had taken Mr Collins to meet Mr and Mrs Darcy, and Mrs Reynolds had somehow spirited away Hughes, allegedly to look at some peculiar kind of fowl in the kitchen garden which Lady de Bourgh's guard had shown a great interest in, Nick was left all by himself in the large common-room. He did not rue this enforced solicitude for he had some things to contemplate before he faced anyone else.
First of all, how much he liked country life, the fox hunt this morning had been the crown on his hard work to act like a gentleman. The riding lessons had been the most physically straining of all his lessons, the speed and the excitement of the chase were such as he had never expected to experience, but without those gruelling hours in the riding paddock, learning to direct a spirited horse and building new muscle, that one nightmarish obstacle this morning would certainly have landed him in the little stream at the bottom of the deep ditch, with one or more broken bones.
And there had also been those painstaking hours Frederick, Simon and Anne, and even Mr and Mrs Darcy, had spent on him, helping him to lose the London accent and the coarse expressions, teaching him how to dine properly, how to make innocuous conversation, how to stand, walk and dress like a gentleman. Without those, he would have felt utterly out of place here, but as it was he had come to love this life, the constant entertainment, the total absence of duties either pleasant or unpleasant, the freedom. The richness of the food, the gentility and intelligence of his companions. Did he ever want to return to London? Probably, but not until he'd spent his whole summer here. Travelling abroad would most likely be very interesting, but much more dangerous, and tiring. Why go through all that trouble to look upon yet another large city? Did they really think it would be that different from London, did they think the outskirts of some foreign town wouldn't be as badly maintained and poverty-stricken as the outer reaches of London?
They probably didn't even know how common people lived.
Well, Nick was glad he now knew how genteel folk lived, and to be allowed to participate in a lot of their activities. Which meant he was done contemplating his own life and was now free to occupy himself thinking of another subject altogether: Dora. Frank seemed to think that Nick was his main advocate towards the girl of his dreams, whereas Nick mostly thought they would have to find an agreement by themselves. But maybe he could give Frank a few hints, the boy was so shy and inexperienced and Dora was, too, so much so that she wouldn't even notice how irresistible such shyness caused her admirer to be.
For a few moments Frank had embarrassed Nick, by addressing him whilst in the company of the master and lady of the house, though they hadn't seemed to mind. Frankly, they had both seemed distracted by the arrival of someone they obviously didn't like very much. In Hunsford, Nick had seen enough of Lady de Bourgh and Mrs Darcy together to know there was no love lost between the two women.
Frank had greeted Nick like an old friend, which was rather amusing since at that time of their visit he'd been convinced that Nick was his competitor for Dora's affection, which Nick might have been if he'd wanted to. But as it was, Nick was rather happy to see Frank so determined to win Dora, however this turned out it would do Dora a world of good to have an admirer. It gave a woman such a boost to her confidence, and Dora would need to be very self-assured if she wanted to make it in the city as a lady's maid. It was by no
means certain that she would be allowed to come to the continent, and if not, she'd have to find herself a different position. Then again, they might stay in London all winter, and if so, Nick didn't doubt that Frederick and Anne would be regular visitors at Carlton House, which meant Dora and Nick would sometimes reside in the servants' quarters there. Nick would have Simon to help him fit in and besides, few people dared cross Nick these days, with his confidence as a guard well-established. But Dora would have to fight for her position, women were so much less forgiving to one another, one mistake and she might find herself ostracised. She might be treated miserably by the prince's servants just for her mistress being of a lesser rank, or because she was from the country.
But that was of a later concern, maybe Dora would decide to return to Kent with Frank after all. For now, Nick had to decide whether he was going to prepare Dora for Frank's imminent arrival in the common-room, as Frank had pleaded him to do, or to just let her be surprised. He had not promised Frank any interference, had said he needed to think about whether it would i
mprove his situation. Hughes thought it would and had almost pushed Nick to do just that, but Nick really didn't know whether his involvement would help Frank.
As it turned out, Nick's involvement was inexorable and entirely spontaneous. He hadn't at all decided what to do, yet, when Dora came storming in, obviously looking for someone. When she saw him she merely smiled sweetly, as she always did since she'd conquered her infatuation for him, as if she remembered something precious lost years ago. It was flattering to be remembered with such kind feelings, but it was rather embarrassing as well since there had been nothing between them and it wasn't all that long ago either. How many years did Dora count anyway, not even eighteen. Maybe at that age a half-year's infatuation counted as eternal love.
Well, Frank would undoubtedly understand better since he was of a much more suitable age for Dora, and in love with her, whilst Nick had never been in love before falling for Anne.
'Nick! I was helping Fanny inventory the store room when one of the maids told us Lady Catherine the Bourgh had arrived with as many as four retainers, and Fanny told me to go check whether there was anyone I knew who could tell me about Frank. Or maybe he'd sent a letter, or a little present. He used to give me presents, and I merely accepted them and never saw what they meant. Can you believe how foolish I was?'
'You were merely very young, Dora. I suppose you just weren't ready for love
not to recognise it in another. So you'd like to hear from him again so soon?
His latest letter arrived only last week.'
Her expression became so dreamy that Nick's hopes for Frank were rising quickly.
'Oh, yes, I'd love to hear about him, maybe Hughes came, they're good friends, you see. Did you see anyone? Fanny said you were going on a real fox hunt on one of Mr Manners' hunters. Is that true?'
'It is, Dora, and it was the most exciting thing I ever did. We didn't get the fox but I wasn't sorry for that, though I know they're a real pest for the farmers and villagers.'
Dora did not let him finish but interjected, all admiration.
'So you really did go on a hunt. You're like a gentleman yourself, Nick, all concerned about villagers and farmers. You never thought about people like that in London.'
True. He'd eaten potatoes and carrots without ever spending a thought on the people who grew them. He'd enjoyed those Old Rookery pies without considering how many eggs and how much cream and white sugar were used to make them. Their visit to Mrs Brewer had enlightened him on that. He would never have any responsibility over anyone, so why think of people's plight? Now, he was learning how to do just that, in the future Anne and Frederick would have two estates to manage and Simon and Nick would help them do it.
'Somehow they were much further away there, Dora. Or maybe it's listening to gentlemen talk that has made me aware of country people. Anyway, that is not the point. The maid was right, Lady Catherine did arrive, and she did bring Hughes, I saw him myself when we returned from the hunt.'
Dora's face lighted up, and Nick couldn't help it, he had to tell her.
'Dora, he brought Frank. For you. Well, and for Frank, of course. He'll be over any time now, he was a little shy, wanted me to tell you first. Are you pleased?'
Pleased was not the right word to describe Dora when hearing the news, she was in total shock and her eyes filled up with tears. She stammered, 'Frank?
He's here? Now?'
Nick had to control himself not to take her in his arms, that would only confuse the poor girl.
'Dora, you're not sorry he came, are you? He really wants to see you.'
'No, no, I'm glad he came, I just didn't expect him.'
Then she confessed.
'I'm afraid he'll be disappointed, he has written such beautiful things, he is so smart, and I can barely write a letter without your help. We didn't see much of each other in Kent, I'm afraid he has some ideal picture of me and that I'll disappoint him.'
That was almost too ludicrous to address, but Nick made the effort nonetheless.
'Dora, you're young, pretty, and smart. Everybody has praised your mistress'
looks, and you know you made her look so good, even when she had never gone out before and hadn't cared about dresses and hair for years and years.
You taught yourself to be a proper lady's maid, dear Dora. Maybe you never learned to write as a little girl, but you've learned since, haven't you? To write to Frank? And you are almost friends with Mrs Fielding, curling her hair until she really did look like a sheep and said so herself and laughed herself in stitches? Now Frank adores you, there is not a single bone in his body that is ever going to see a fault in you. I bet he is very nervous to meet you, afraid you'll find him countrified and boyish. In fact, he told me he was afraid of that. Please don't worry, Dora, either of you. You'll either like him when you get to know him or you don't. Same for him. And if you don't, life goes on, really.
Now, you dry your eyes and straighten your dress and put up your hair afresh, he can come in any moment with the other stable staff.'
Of course Dora did what he said, she was so much in awe of him, he was much older than she and rather bossy towards her. Did he consider himself above the other staff because he received preferential treatment? If so, he'd better restrain himself, it was not his intention to behave like an arrogant gentleman himself. To prevent coming across as pompous, Nick made sure to be very kind to Dora until Frank indeed accompanied the other stable hands on their afternoon break.
She practically froze when he came in, as did he. The others studiously ignored the endearing scene before them, though the Pemberley stable hands generally liked to tease each other, and often included the house staff in their bantering. And it wasn't as if they were holding back because of the Rosings'
people among their number, they were as noisy as ever and pestering Bruce that he'd returned a little white-faced after sitting on the box with Bob during their master's mad ride the day before.
Nick noticed that Bob didn't participate in the banter, he was the only man in
the little party to surreptitiously look at what was going on between Dora and Frank, the look on his face even softer than usual. And yet Bob had quite a will, even Hugo acknowledged he was the best driver he knew, no chance of Bob looking white when those damned thoroughbreds of Mr Darcy's went all out. Nick so wanted to try that as well, but he didn't dare mention it, not even to Frederick. He had enough privileges as it was and didn't want to risk Frederick finding him presumptuous, which in his heart he knew it would be to ask for such a boon.
In doubt whether to help Dora settle, Nick decided to stay out of it. Instead he joined the other group at the largest table, the cook's helpers arriving to bring coffee and a solid meal, enough to tide the hard-working men over until dinner. Since Nick had had coffee but nothing to eat, yet, he didn't hesitate to join them, though he did not lose sight of the young people, who had by now settled at a smaller table as far as possible from the rest. He drank another cup of coffee and ate a few pastries, then sat back to follow the stable talk, until Hugo turned towards him and commented, 'Oliver said he couldn't believe you've only been riding for a month, Fowler. One of those jumps you took this morning was apparently a bit more than he'd bargained for, he'd forgotten the tenant had asked permission to significantly deepen a ditch and Mr Darcy had approved. Then when he took the jump he realised his mistake but it was too late, one just cannot turn a hunt around. Were you at all afraid?'
No-one in the stable staff had ever tried to tease Nick, and he wasn't going to lie to them now to seem more brave than he was.
'When I saw that ditch I did swallow hard, but you know it all went so fast, before I knew it my horse had taken it and I had made a safe landing. I will admit I was glad to be riding my master's hunter, my own Liquor would probably have refused outright and broken my neck in the process.'
'I doubt that, Fowler, your horse seems to be rather competitive, I think he would have at least tried to follow Mrs Darcy's horse. B
ut it's always more sensible to train them well before taking such difficult obstacles, it's not just courage but also a technique they need to learn, and muscle they have to build. One has to start small. If your duties allow I'm willing to help you teach him, you're a natural horseman, and I think Liquor will surprise us all.'
Nick was stunned, Hugo the stablemaster willing to teach someone of the house staff? It was a dubitable honour considering the reputation the stablemaster had as teacher, but if Anne could stand Eric's methods to learn to play the piano, Nick would learn from Hugo what he could about hunting.
'I'll ask my master for permission, I really appreciate the offer.'
'I think Mr Manners' stablemaster made a mistake buying Liquor for a beginner, but as it turned out he is perfectly suited to you. Any other novice would have given up weeping. Well, except maybe Mrs Darcy. Did you see her take that jump? Oliver only knew she'd managed without mishap.'
'I rode right behind her, so yes. She took it perfectly, without a moment's hesitation. Her horse may be small but he has the courage of a lion.'
As did she, Nick thought with admiration, but it wouldn't do to say that out loud among her staff, and certainly not with his reputation, they might call him out. If anyone dared.
'So he does, so he does,' the stablemaster said proudly, he'd chosen the creature after all, he could take credit for finding Mrs Darcy the perfect horse.
'I don't think I've ever made a better deal for the master, they had raised that horse as perfectly as possible, then when he didn't grow to the size their master wanted he had them sell it for a pittance. When I heard the price I really distrusted that horse's soundness but I took Mrs Norman to try it anyway and neither of us could find anything wrong. The stablemaster there told us how he'd raised that gelding from a foal and that it was sold too cheaply for its quality. So we decided to take a slight risk.'
'Well, you won. They're a perfect match.'
'As you are with Liquor, but I think that is to your own credit. Yes, and your missus', Peter, I know she is the best at what she does.'
Pemberley Page 43