Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  This turned the conversation to the difference between riding and driving, giving Nick the chance to check up on the young lovers, now having their own meal and chatting without any further discomfort. Time for him to find something useful to do, he'd probably not see Anne before they turned in tonight, and time always passed quicker when working. Maybe the steward could use some help ciphering, he usually let Nick add up the simpler columns with charges of the local producers, vegetables, meat and dairy mainly. He was a patient teacher and Nick could use the practise if he was to become more proficient in keeping accounts.

  Having left Elizabeth in the confidence room to read Charlotte's letter, her cousin and himself on their way to the drawing-room to make the audacious introduction to the Lord Chester, Darcy was quickly starting to regret his lenience towards Collins, since being forgiven had made the chubby clergyman extraordinarily talkative. And if only he'd talked as sensibly as

  they now knew he could, but no, he was back to his usual obsequious manner but somehow coupled with a smug familiarity that was particularly offensive to Darcy. He would not be able to stand him and aunt Catherine for days whilst the explorers withdrew to their headquarters, they had to take their share of the burden or watch him driven to insanity.

  'I pride myself on having seen quite a few great houses, Mr Darcy, but yours must be the largest and most beautiful so far. Your grounds are so extensive and so well-designed, and the villages! Your aunt told me the church in Clifton had once cost your esteemed father a thousand pounds to re shingle, or was it to refurbish as well? I've heard you do not have a private chapel? I suppose your ancestors believed in the power of community, a noble objective worthy of support.'

  Darcy could hardly repress a smile, he guessed his grandfather and father hadn't been very eager to have a private chapel for fear of someone expecting them to actually use it. Having to go to a nearby village was an excellent reason to spend time on devotions only once a week on Sundays. Fortunately Mr Collins didn't expect an answer, he merely chattered on and Darcy's special talent was starting to work its magic again, filtering the incessant noise to a bearable level. Hopefully Manners would be done talking to his mother-in-law by now, he always sacrificed himself to spend some time on Mr Collins. Introducing Elizabeth's cousin to the prince would distract both, and Darcy suspected Prince George would find the clergyman as diverting as Mr Bennet seemed to find his cousin, but wasn't it too much of a risk?

  Wouldn't they all come to regret Mr Collins making a spectacle of himself and his family? Of course Darcy's father-in-law would be sorry to miss his nephew, nevertheless Darcy would do his utmost to get rid of both him and aunt Catherine before the rest of their relatives arrived.

  But when he returned to the drawing-room he heard that aunt Catherine had withdrawn to her own room to get some rest before dressing for dinner. She hadn't even waited for coffee! Maybe an elderly woman didn't need as much food as a man in his prime like himself, and she was probably mostly tired from her long journey. Well, it would be time for dinner soon enough.

  It did mean that Manners was free to distract Mr Collins for half an hour, but before he had the opportunity to offer Georgie said kindly, 'Mr Collins, welcome. Would you like to sit with us and enjoy some music? We've just finished our practice and are ready to provide some entertainment.'

  What was Georgie up to? They usually practised for at least an hour and now

  they were done in half the time? Why indeed had they practised first, with Aunt Catherine still present? She lived all by herself, she wasn't used to so much noise. Had Georgie really chased her out of the drawing-room on purpose?

  While Mr Collins looked at Darcy for permission to join the two pianists, Georgie addressed Manners.

  'Would you mind helping us after that, Frederick? We've agreed to take the Zumpe upstairs to our headquarters to be able to practise without bothering anyone. I suppose Eric will find Nick himself, he still refuses to ring for anyone.'

  Darcy said to Mr Collins, 'Please do what you like, Mr Collins, we're your relatives, not your employers, remember?'

  The latter bowed and almost ran off, he was still as skittish as a lap-dog and small wonder after all he'd been through with aunt Catherine. As long as he didn't have to be in constant contact with the fellow Darcy could even pity him, though he really hoped Collins would behave this time.

  'Of course, Georgiana, I'm ready when you are,' Manners' calm voice replied to Georgie's question. He did not comment on ringing for someone, he did easily enough, for any other servant than Simon and Fowler.

  Fielding and Georgie played for twenty minutes, on the Clementi, whereas they had been practising on the Zumpe. Even after days of listening to piano music, and whilst sitting next to Anne still deep in conversation, Prince George immediately looked up and let himself be totally taken in by the quatre-mains they were performing ever better. It was just incredible, how could so two separate people move their fingers so quickly and yet in total harmony?

  When they were done, everyone applauded, Mr Collins and Prince George loudest of all. The prince seemed to have quite an interest in Elizabeth's homely cousin, he was obviously a man of the cloth, and to all apparent signs as fond of music as the prince was himself.

  Fielding got up, smiled and bowed as if they were a real audience, then left the room, presumably to find Fowler, to help carry the piano upstairs. Darcy found himself glad that Anne had such a stable man to keep her from falling for the Prince of Wales, even though her relationship with a servant was totally improper. There were clearly degrees in indecency, and Darcy preferred his cousin to be in a lasting secret affair with someone totally anonymous, rather than have a temporary, and undoubtedly public, liaison

  with the heir to the British throne. These thoughts weren't even formed in his mind before he was thoroughly ashamed of his own arrogance, one would think Elizabeth had cured him of looking down on those less fortunate than himself. Fowler was truly an admirable fellow once one got to know him, he'd quickly learned to improve himself when given the chance, and Darcy could not but wonder whether he would have been able to adapt so quickly and so thoroughly himself when taken out of his regular environment. Fowler didn't seem jealous at all over the prince's attentions towards Anne, and Mrs Reynolds said he was always pleased to help out anywhere, quickly and efficiently.

  Whilst this was all going on in his mind, Georgie had changed from the Clementi to the Zumpe, and to Darcy's immense surprise she started to play the beginning of Fielding's first work! Georgie herself, Elizabeth and Fielding could undoubtedly hear the difference between her playing and Fielding's, but Darcy really didn't, it was as if he was hearing his brother-in-law play. Of course Darcy quickly checked the other connoisseur in their midst, and even Prince George was totally stunned. For ten minutes she played, and then Fielding returned with Fowler.

  'Mrs Fielding, you are amazing!' the prince exclaimed. 'That was as good as your husband plays it! May I please come over to your headquarters sometimes as long as I'm still under the same roof? I'm afraid I have received a message from my advisor to remind me I cannot stay in hiding forever, but I'm hoping to put him off until Wednesday. Will you allow me to spend as much time with you as I did before you moved the piano?'

  'Of course, Lord Chester,' Georgie replied calmly. 'We're merely going to practise upstairs to spare my aunt the constant jangling, you are welcome to join us there whenever you like. And you, too, Mr Collins.'

  Now Anne got up and it soon became clear why, since she walked towards the piano with Prince George following her.

  'Mr Collins, please let me introduce you to Lord Chester, who is actually Mr and Mrs Fielding's guest since he came over to hear them play, but who likes a friendly chat as well when the time is right.'

  Mr Collins, remembering Darcy's admonishments no doubt, proved himself suitably flattered to have this important lord ask for an introduction and as such behaved perfectly, merely bowing as deeply as Prince George was actually due
and showing himself a good deal more charming than usual by waiting for the prince to speak.

  'Mr Collins, I'm pleased to meet another man who enjoys Mr and Mrs Fielding's music as profoundly as I do. Mrs Manners told me you are Mrs Darcy's cousin, and a clergyman?'

  Obviously impressed, but still trying his hardest not to grovel or chatter, Mr Collins' reply was almost dignified.

  'I am very pleased to meet you, Lord Chester, you bear your noble title with great dignity. I am indeed of the cloth, and I have always considered superior music like Mr Fielding's to be of as exalted a nature as the expressions of my calling.'

  Prince George actually laughed at Mr Collins' wit, if the latter had meant that to be funny. Darcy had never known him to have any sense of humour.

  'Your service must be one I'd like to attend, Mr Collins! If religious observation were to contain superior music as a matter of principle instead of by sheer accident, I'd be a most devoted attendant in church. Maybe I should talk to my father about it, he has always wished me to be more faithful in my devotions.'

  But indeed, Mr Collins did not start to explain how he'd meant that figuratively, so he probably had intended to make a joke, and a successful one.

  'I'm afraid I haven't managed to find a parish filled with such talent, yet, Lord Chester, but if I do I will certainly let you know. I suppose your father has considerable patronage in the church, and of course he'd want his successor to be as knowledgeable in matters of religion as he must be himself.'

  'Why Mr Collins,' the prince observed, tickled, 'you are so right, my father is indeed a very righteous man who faithfully observes his religious duties to give a prime example to those who look to him for guidance. If you'd manage to lure me to church with music of Mr Fielding's level of competence he'd be indebted to you forever. How would you go about it? I suppose you could not sing a sermon.'

  'Absolutely out of the question, My Lord,' Mr Collins said strictly, he was losing track of the joke, sadly. But Elizabeth would explain her cousin's character to Prince George, and he'd most likely be pleased to laugh about the situation.

  'I could not sing a clear note to save my life. It is indeed one of the great disappointments of my life. If I were to sing a single paragraph even my most faithful parishioners would flee instantly, putting their souls at great risk through no-one's fault but my own.'

  He did know how to make fun! Of himself, no less!

  'I am sorry to hear that, though I am not a great singer myself, either. Where would you incorporate the music then, my good man?'

  'Well, I suppose a well-trained choir of boys would be really nice. Could that possibly tempt you to attend church regularly?'

  'Most certainly, yes, maybe they could bring some Bach, with a little quartet of strings as accompaniment. I'd be the first in my seat.'

  'And I suppose we have to allow people to sing, but what if we'd sort them by voice? Those who are tone-deaf but insist on singing can sit together, and those who cannot sing but are content to listen can be seated by those who can?'

  'Oh, yes, please!' Georgie exclaimed. 'Can we ask Mr Eliot to do that in our church? It's all I ask, I will happily forgo on the boys' choir if I never have to hear that family right in front of us again. There's a dozen of them with the loudest voices imaginable, and not a single one of them can keep a tune.'

  'I seriously think it would be easier to get a choir, dear Georgie. The Wilmarth family will never agree to sit between the common folk. Gramps Wilmarth made a fortune in trade and he has gotten so proud I think he has his eye on our pew.'

  What? Why was everyone looking at him all of a sudden? He could contribute to a conversation, couldn't he, even if he didn't mind going to church that much?

  'Well, maybe we should let him have it then, Fitzwilliam,' Georgie said, laughing, 'and build a new one for ourselves in the eastern wing, you know the Coopers always sit there, and they are as large a family with a reputation of having magnificent voices. All of them, even the spouses and the children.'

  Now everyone laughed heartily, by now most of them knew the east wing was the poor side of the church, but fortunately talent was not restricted to the wealthy.

  While they were talking, Manners and Fowler had quietly taken their places on each side of the little black Zumpe, and at Fielding's sign lifted its sturdy legs clean off the floor boards. They slowly and steadily moved towards the doors, Fielding opening the second door to enlarge the space to allow the instrument to pass through it unharmed. Georgie carried the stool and a small stack of music sheets, those pieces would not sound good on a Clementi and were therefore kept with this specific instrument.

  Since pianos did not concern Darcy very much, he settled at the drawing-

  room table with his newspaper, handing Mr Collins half to keep him quiet.

  Elizabeth was standing near Prince George, they'd most likely discuss the hunt or something, he was not going to watch them chat, it was only going to irritate him. All the explorers would have gone with the piano, after an entire morning with aunt Catherine they would be eager to be together and do whatever pleased them. Hopefully they would be back in time for coffee but if not, all the more pie for him!

  Anne had been very relieved when her mother fled the drawing-room to escape Georgiana's practising, Frederick had kept her occupied and Prince George had pulled rank on her to be able to keep her away from Anne, but still the very sight of her disconcerted Anne. What she really needed was a nice, warm embrace from Nick. Hopefully they'd find a moment later, once the piano was in its new place, just before coffee. It was still amazing to see the physical strength in her husband and her lover, they kept that piano perfectly still even going up two flights of stairs. Small wonder Eric preferred to have them lift it, it would save on the tuning and of course there was less risk of it getting damaged.

  They did not take more than ten minutes to lift that hardwood piano to headquarters, and as soon as Nick had set his side down where Eric indicated, he walked right up to Anne and took her in his arms.

  'I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me, my love.'

  But he was here now, and she looked up at him with all the love and admiration she felt for him. She did not need words to tell him there was nothing to forgive, he could see it in her eyes. There had been no way for him to know that her mother was coming today, and if he had, he could not have come into the drawing-room just like that, not in Darcy's house. If they ever moved to Frederick's manor or who knew, Rosings, that would change, for Simon as well.

  Protected by Nick's strong arms, her face and throat covered in those little tender kisses she'd loved so much from the very start of their involvement, Anne felt free to spill a few tears, it had been a difficult morning and she was so glad to see Nick.

  'Was it that bad, my love? I thought you got your satisfaction last time you met? Did she say something horrible?'

  He looked at her with such love and he was so strong and protective of her, it was impossible to stay sad or overwrought. Her voice sounded rather dry

  when she replied.

  'She didn't. And I did get my due in the parsonage, I'm just not ready to see her, yet. Actually, it was quite entertaining to see her put in her place by a Lord Chester whom she'd never heard of. I just missed you so much.'

  And she kissed him, with passion this time.

  'Oh, I'm so sorry! Right place, wrong timing!'

  That was Prince George's voice! What was he doing here?

  'Don't be squeamish, Lord Chester, you've seen two people kiss before I'm sure. You can keep me company until the bell rings for coffee. Unless...you didn't bring Mr Collins, did you?'

  'Of course not, I suspect he can be reasonably entertaining but only in very small doses, and I had a feeling he would not be welcome here. Because, yes, I admit I had a vague suspicion how things would be, I'm not insensible to the feelings of others, you know, I can imagine that must have been very upsetting to your lady. I'm sorry to disturb you, Mrs Manners, Nick
, I should have stayed with our host and his charming wife.'

  He indeed looked very sorry, but not so much for disturbing them in what was an improper display of intimacy. It was the proof of Anne's commitment to another man, a mere servant, that caused Prince George pain, and at the same time he had come looking for it. He needed to know how serious Anne's feelings for her guard were, and now he knew.

  Nick didn't say anything, of course, he still had a vague fear of powerful men and they didn't get more powerful than this one. He merely held Anne close.

  'Do come in, Lord Chester,' Anne now said, 'please don't mind us, it was hard for me to meet my mother so suddenly, and you did tell me you knew about Nick and myself. I suppose you expected to see this.'

  'I did, Mrs Manners, though I did not want to I needed to see it with my own eyes. And you know what? I don't even mind that much, I'm going to take your husband up on his offer and keep him company until coffee, and then I'm going to enjoy Mrs Brewer's pie for I may not get any more of it for years. You know, I should be miserable to see you devoted to another but I'm not, I'm supremely happy because you are happy. You have all made me feel so welcome here, no exceptions, even Mr Darcy has thawed immensely, thanks to your advice, Mrs Manners. When I'm back in London, surrounded by sycophants and toadies I'll remember your true friendship. Will you please come and visit, even if you do decide to risk your lives abroad?'

  By now he was sitting next to Frederick, and it seemed the question was

  mostly for him, of course Frederick was a natural leader and by law he had the right to rule Anne as well as his servants, even more so. But not in fact.

  'Thank you for your kind invitation, Lord Chester, but are you sure you want us around? Georgiana and Eric are perfectly civilised, but Anne's beauty will set all your courtiers against each other, vying for her attention. And Simon and Nick will wreak havoc in your servants' quarters, Simon turning the maidens' heads, Nick inadvertently distracting your lady's attendants.'