Chapter 35

The next day passes quietly, with their usual activities. But in the quiet hour just after lunch, Elizabeth asks Georgiana to put on the dress that needs a better fit, so they can adjust it before they leave for Hertfordshire.

Mrs Annesley is very interested to see the process of fitting a garment that has already been finished, she has her own dresses made by a seamstress and they work differently, fitting before they even put scissors to the fabric.

Pinning two new seams deftly, Elizabeth is satisfied with the result and hands the dress to Mrs Annesley, who not only seams very beautifully, but also very quickly.

Work done, Georgiana puts on the dress, and Mrs Annesley admits, 'You were right, Mrs Darcy, that was very easy to do, and it looks ever so much better. Will you wear it tonight, Miss Darcy?'

Tonight they are going out. Elizabeth is forcing her loved ones to accompany her to a play. It's a comedy, not too difficult, they have to start small, before it's too late and spring has arrived.

Once they have arrived in the old theatre, Darcy is reminded of the dingy circus he visited with Mrs Younge, and he observes, 'There is a place where I want to take all of you, though I suppose time is a bit short before we are off to Netherfield. But please remind me when we have returned, we should take Mr Fielding, too, he will probably appreciate it, and it's not inappropriate to take him if we go in a larger group. Bingley and your sister will want to see it, too.'

Elizabeth is merely glad she didn't wear the city-dress, she would have felt very out of place here and overdressed. Fanny's advice, to wear the beautiful copper necklace and a cap with a feather with one of her country chic dresses works really well, she feels fine, blending in with the rest of the visitors, as does Georgiana, despite her taller figure and her new dress.

Fitzwilliam does stand out, his tall figure and proud stance make him seem very imposing, despite him wearing his shoes instead of boots, and they have no problem at all to get to their box through a crowd moving towards the main hall, somehow people seem to make way for him.

When they return that night, after a pleasant evening out, they have just one more day left before they set off for Netherfield. Most of their belongings have already been packed, the little carriage will be heavily loaded with more than a week of fancy clothing, and of course Georgiana's sheet music and tuning gear.

The next day, Elizabeth accompanies Georgiana to her lesson, but with clear instructions from Fitzwilliam that if anything seems amiss, Mr Fielding can come to the house to speak to him whenever he needs to. Also during their stay at Netherfield, for Mrs Annesley has her instructions, and she will be at the house every day during Simon's absence.

Georgiana is eager for her lesson, but Elizabeth is afraid to find Mr Fielding in a depressed state, fallen out of grace with his patron.

As they enter the room with the piano, a Zumpe according to the lettering on the front, that must be the name of his patron then, Elizabeth can see no difference in Mr Fielding's demeanour. He's the same friendly teacher he has ever been, and he gladly teaches Georgiana his variegated scales, a trick she picks up in five minutes. As she is trying her new skill happily, Mr Fielding joins Elizabeth on the sofa for a moment, and talks to her in a low voice.

'I have not talked to my patron, yet, he's on a business trip outside London. I'm not sorry about that, I'd prefer him not to connect my insubordination to my visit to your house, it will make things easier. But facing Louisa is getting harder and harder.'

'Mr Darcy sends word, Mr Fielding, that if anything should happen, leaving you in need of a roof over your head or anything else, you can come to our house even while we're away. Talk to Mrs Annesley, and she will make arrangements. Don't hesitate to use his offer if in need, Mr Fielding, my husband likes you and does not make empty promises. You are welcome.'

'Thank you very much, Mrs Darcy, both of you.'

Then he continues their lesson as if nothing has happened, delivering on his promise to give Georgiana a load of material to practise in the country, some of it even light music, suitable to dancing.

Elizabeth receives instructions, too, to be vigilant for certain minor mistakes Georgiana tends to make, and to point them out, even if they seem inconsequential to herself. They are important to Georgiana.

'You will like playing these dances, Mrs Darcy, please let Georgiana put you to work at least once a day. Let her teach you those scales, they'll stun your acquaintance and make practising much less boring. You have a talent yourself, even if you lack the inclination to develop it.'

His instructions make it sound as if they may never meet again.

'Miss Georgiana will be here for a lesson in a day or six, Mr Fielding, and I will most likely join her, we're not moving to India. Everything will turn out for the best, you'll see.'

Sitting in the cab back home, Georgiana asks, 'What was Eric's martyr attitude all about? Did I miss something yesterday?'

Deciding to just tell most of the truth, Elizabeth makes a quick revision.

'He's having trouble with his patron, who is trying to keep Mr Fielding stuck where he is now, playing concerts on the piano's he wants to sell, teaching. Contrary to Mr Fielding's expectations, his patron doesn't want him to reach the top, but rather marry him off to his daughter, apparently a nice but uneducated girl. He even mentioned you as the example what a woman should be. Ambitious, mostly.

Worst of all, Georgiana, his patron doesn't like Mr Fielding's compositions, at all. Wants him to stop writing his own music and just play complicated music made by other composers. Mr Fielding asked our advice, actually mostly Fitzwilliam's I guess. You would have been proud of your brother, he advised Mr Fielding to be honest to his patron, and if that got him sent off, to come to us.

He didn't promise him a career, just a place to stay and a way to keep himself fed, and the possibility of a new patron. But he admonished Mr Fielding to stay put until his patron sent him away, and stay polite, to protect Fitzwilliam's reputation. You can imagine your teacher is a bit nervous, having to refuse his patron's daughter, whom he loves as a sister, and tell him he's going to keep composing, and start playing his music to audiences.

But if he gets kicked out, Mrs Annesley knows to take him in, and he knows he's welcome. I just told him. Don't tell him you know, he'd be mortified. And better keep Fitzwilliam in the dark, too. He knows we share confidences, and he doesn't mind, though he doesn't exactly like it, I suppose. He wants us both to confide in him, of course, as we used to do.'

'I wouldn't have confided the things I told you to Fitzwilliam before I had you. Until just after you and I first met, we'd never really talked, my brother and I. He was like a strict father, not exactly inviting confidences. I had to keep those things to myself, and that was very painful, making me very happy to have someone to share them with.

If Fitzwilliam didn't hold power over my future I'd confide in him totally, as long as he does, there will be certain things I cannot tell him.'

'He understands, and I think it pains him more that I keep things from him. I promised to tell him everything that concerned me, but not you. That is yours to decide.

But now you know why Mr Fielding was nervous at the last moment, and why we talked while you practised.'

'He will be famous you know, whatever happens. One cannot stop a talent like that, it comes out despite all attempts to hinder it. Somehow, I'm glad he's not getting married. Strange, but true. Thank you for telling me, I'll keep quiet.'

That subject done with, Elizabeth moves on to the coming trip.

'Are you ready for tomorrow, Georgiana?'

'I am, but I'm glad your father will be there. He has been very good to me, another soldier in my army against Wickham. As are those lovely gowns, I felt worth millions dressed up like that.'

'Good girl, you'll turn into a city-girl yet. Do you think Mr Fielding seriously wants me to practise those scales and those dances with you?'

'Eric never jokes about anything connected to music, I'm sure he means it, and I will not be surprised if he lets you play them for him next time I have a lesson. He won't scold you if you fail, but he'll look at you in a certain way that will make you feel very small.'

Then looking at her sister.

'On the other hand, maybe he will not. You are a true lady these days, he may not dare to look at you that way. But he will make you play them for him, he did yesterday, with people watching, he can do it.'

'In that case, you'd better show me how to play those scales, I like the effect. And dances are always fun to play.'

Darcy visits his lawyer that very morning, to ask his advice about becoming a patron.

'Can you please find out the legal implications of a patronage? There is a musician I would like to support, but I have no idea what would be expected of me in such a situation.'

'I will do some research, Mr Darcy, and you will hear my results by the time you return to London. I suppose there are no set rules for a patronage, though, you might have us make up a contract, or a document to clarify the mutual expectations, but I don't think that is customary. Usually there is merely a gentlemen's agreement between the two parties involved. However, I will find out.'

Well, that is a bit of an anticlimax, apparently one can just call oneself patron and hand out alms to one's protégé. That is not how Darcy would imagine it, he'd take it seriously and set a goal for both parties to strive for. He'll amuse himself writing a few of those down, the coming days, and if Mr Rivers cannot find any definition of patronage, they can use those goals as guidelines. And who knows, maybe Mr Fielding will be able to repair his broken connection to his current patron.

The next morning they make an early start. The carriage is ready and the three riders are mounted and eager to go. Business in their London house is all arranged to Darcy's satisfaction, the preparations for their Christmas party will go ahead without their interference, Darcy has nothing left to do but survive his friend's wedding, and try to enjoy himself in the process.

Bob has not been bragging, the slow team is no longer lead-footed, the placid mares stride out with energy, breath misting in the early frost, and Darcy guides his black behind the carriage and next to Elizabeth's Daisy until they have left London. Heavy traffic is Bob's speciality, and he will lead them out of town without the slightest delay.

For the roads are already rather busy, London apparently awakes early, and traffic seems to get thicker each year. But twenty minutes see them out of town and into the country, the horses still eager, and Elizabeth still riding with pleasure, admiring the scenery around her.

Once outside the city limits, they let the horses trot for a while, Elizabeth preferring a slow canter on her impractical saddle, Daisy and Mr Bennet's horse keeping up with the carriage admirably.

They are no longer riding behind the carriage, there is plenty of space now to fan out a little, and the countryside is positively pretty, covered in snow. It is rather cold, and Darcy worries a little for his beloved in her skirts, until he remembers her snug boots and long woollen underwear. So many times he slowly stripped them off her after their afternoon rides, and not once did she complain she was cold, or did she feel cold to his eager touch.

This is a beautiful ride, and before he is fed up or tired they have reached the village where they will stop to have lunch and rest the horses. Elizabeth's eyes are more brilliant than ever before, she has had a good morning, too. Her cheeks are blushing and a few tendrils of her hair have escaped her riding hat, framing her face deliciously.

'I'm glad we practised every day, Fitzwilliam, I'm not even really tired, yet. Of course there is as much ground to cover after lunch as we did this morning.'

'I'm very proud of you, my Lizzy, to ride so far after just a few months' practise.'

Looking at Mr Bennet after just having admired his daughter, Darcy is surprised how much Elizabeth actually resembles her father in appearance. He knew they were very similar in character, though Mr Bennet is less gentle than Elizabeth, probably a result of his disappointment in the matter of his marriage, but Darcy never realised they had the same eyes, and similar facial features.

To think Darcy once thought his father-in-law to be a disadvantage of a possible marriage to Elizabeth, he had just never seen the real Mr Bennet, only the sarcastic caricature of a man sorely disappointed in life and especially love. Sitting at a table in an inn, travelling with Georgie, and his bride and her father, it is almost as if he has a father again himself.

'You will visit us at Pemberley, won't you, Mr Bennet? As soon as your spring duties at Longbourn are fulfilled? We'll invite Mr Gardiner as well, and go fishing and riding. Does Mr Gardiner ride?'

'I suppose he does, he must travel for his business, but frankly, I don't know. They always use the carriage for visits, because of the children, you know.'

'Well I hope he does, or my man Peter will have to teach him. He can use Daisy, I've my coachman looking for a new horse for Elizabeth.'

At Elizabeth's exclamation he soothingly says, 'You can try it out first, of course, love, I'm not going to force you to ride a horse you don't trust. But I thought you wanted to join me in the hunt, and you can't do that on Daisy, she'd die trying to keep up with the hunters. We'll hold on to her, of course, for trips to the city, but you'll need a hunter, and not the kind Peter's father-in-law breeds, that is a bit much still, or I'd have Peter's missus train one especially for you. I may still employ her to train your new horse.'

'I'd like to try Daisy, Elizabeth, if you approve.'

Was that Georgie saying she wants to try riding a horse?

'Don't look like I've sprouted wings, Fitzwilliam, can't a girl decide she wants to learn her brother's favourite pastime? If you all go riding I want to go, too. I don't want to grow stout like Aunt Catherine, and you know I have her build. Riding is good exercise, isn't it? And I will feel left out if you leave me behind all the time.'

'I think it's an excellent idea, Georgiana, and frankly, a real inducement to me to even consider riding a different horse than Daisy. We can't ride her together, after all. I'm glad you didn't decide to surprise me with another horse, Fitzwilliam, I'll need some time to get used to the idea. But I do want to try hunting, even if it's just once. I'm afraid my enjoyment of riding will be short-lived anyway, once I'm with child I'll be back to rambling anyway.

Or maybe the phaeton with ponies my aunt Gardiner wants to use to go around the park.'

'Dear Lizzy,' her father now says feelingly, 'I can understand your apprehensions, but having children is not the end of your life. You mother never suffered much discomfort for being with child, or delivering them, and you can afford as much help as you need. You'll be back to your old self quickly, I'm sure, you're not one to sit around doing nothing.'

Frankly, that is a comfort to Fitzwilliam as well, for though he loves children and wants an heir, the very idea of Elizabeth going through the dangers of a delivery nearly sends him into a panic. His father-in-law's soothing words make him feel a little more secure about their future.

'I will be pleased to visit you at Pemberley this spring,' Mr Bennet now answers Darcy's original question. 'Thank you for the invitation. I can't wait to see your library, Darcy, I cannot imagine what it must be like to be surrounded by thousands of one's own books, of course I've been to the great libraries during my time at college, but never to a private collection.'

'It's a luxury I've come to appreciate, Mr Bennet, though of course there is a certain investment involved in time and funds.'

Their lunch finished, and the horses rested and saddled once more, they are ready for the last leg of their journey. The first hour is pleasurable, the landscape still very picturesque with snow covered lanes and cottages, the ancient trees in the middle of the villages or in distant fields sticking their bared limbs towards heaven, a few sheep and rough cattle looking for grass under the snow.

But once the sun starts to sink a bit lower, the cold gets more intense, and the trampled snow of the road becomes slippery for the horses. The carriage horses are shod with special irons, they have plenty of grip on the icy roads, but the riders keep their horses in the fields beside the road whenever that is possible, to avoid slipping and falling on the frozen snow on the roads.

Elizabeth starts to feel the physical strain of the long ride, and the unnatural position she is sitting in. Her right leg is constantly falling asleep, no matter how often she wriggles her toes to keep the blood flowing through it. Fortunately she is not cold yet, her feet are surprisingly warm in her lovely boots, and her skirts and woollen underwear keep her legs warm.

But when her father rides up to her and tells her they're less than twenty minutes from Meryton, she is very relieved, she's starting to feel very physically uncomfortable. Now other worries force themselves upon her, she will arrive very tired, and probably not fit to be seen. She knows Jane will be there, and though she doesn't actually care what either Miss Bingley or Mrs Hurst think of her, she'd rather not be seen in a state of exhaustion. But she's so tired, she just wishes she could go home to Longbourn instead of having to stay in a grand house full of strangers and unfamiliar servants.

Of course Darcy is expecting Elizabeth to feel reluctant being in company with Miss Bingley and her sister on their turf. And she is clearly very tired, he's feeling the strain of riding on frozen snow himself, and he is not sitting in an unnatural position, his one leg twisted over the horse's back, he can move both legs to keep the blood flowing.

Waving to the carriage, he rides along with Bob for a few moments, saying, 'You ride ahead Bob, you've been to Netherfield before, haven't you? We're cutting off through the fields, Mrs Darcy needs the circulation in her legs back before we arrive. We'll probably arrive before you do, we'll wait at the stables for Miss Darcy. Take care!'

Then he falls into line with Elizabeth, who is indeed wilting fast.

'We're cutting off through the fields, Elizabeth, it will be shorter and we'll be able to go faster, so you'll be warm and less stiff when we arrive. And we'll walk the last hundred yards or so, to get the circulation back in your right leg. You're my hero as well as my goddess, love, ten minutes will see us there, I know the way. Let me signal your dad and we're off.'

The next minute, they veer off the road, into the hills, the sun setting but the snow reflecting the light off the ground to clearly see where they are going. Mr Bennet says he can handle a canter, and the horses are fine, so they set off over the hills in a slow canter, eating up the miles. Elizabeth will enjoy the beauty of all this despite her fatigue, and she is still riding strongly, the increase in pace is clearly helping her keep warm and awake.

After a vigorous ride, Mr Bennet calls out, 'This is my turn-off to Longbourn, I see you two tomorrow! Good night and thank you for the ride!'

He disappears into a lane of mighty chestnuts, and they carry on together, still keeping a goodly pace.

'All right Elizabeth, you know the large field at the back of Netherfield?'

She calls back, 'I do.'

'That is where this field comes up to. I propose we give it all the horses have left, it's not even a half a mile, and it faces the drawing-room. If anyone should be looking, they'll see us arrive with pride. Are you with me? As soon as we're out of sight of the house we'll dismount and walk the rest.'

'I'm with you, love, let's do it.'

And as soon as they top the next hill and see Netherfield before them, nothing but a large open slope of fresh snow between them and a bath, Elizabeth urges Daisy into a gallop, the sturdy mare holding her footing just fine despite snow, slope, and her own fatigue.

Fitzwilliam closes the distance between them and rides side by side with her, in a flying gallop, up to the house, and when they are very close he veers to the right, Daisy following her stable-mate without Elizabeth guiding her. As soon as they reach a little lane that Elizabeth recognises from the time Jane was sick at Netherfield, Fitzwilliam slows his black horse until it stops.

'Don't stir, love, I'll help you down, you don't want to fall off for being stiff and cold.'

His arm through the rein of the black he leads it towards them, then holds out his arms to his beloved. Elizabeth unhooks her unwilling right leg, it's totally asleep by now. But to slide off the saddle into her beloved's arms is always a pleasure, and she knows Daisy will not stray too far, so she holds on to him until her leg can hold her weight once more.

Of course it is the perfect time to kiss, and Fitzwilliam answers her kiss with a relish. She does wriggle her leg a lot whilst kissing, and now it hurts with the blood returning to it, a good sign, but nonetheless very painful and distracting.

'Is something wrong, my love?' Fitzwilliam is worried, and she replies, 'My leg was asleep, it's waking now, but that is very painful. Let's kiss a little more until it is back to normal.'

Of course he indulges her, and when the pins and needles feeling has left, she takes his hand and retrieves Daisy's rein. The poor thing is tired, too, and hangs her head instead of trying to find grass under the snow. Fitzwilliam's black is not as tired, he must be used to longer rides, before Elizabeth used Daisy the mare just stood there in the stables of Pemberley, eating herself fat all day except when Peter took her out for exercise.

Together they lead the horses to the stables, where Fitzwilliam of course knows the stable-hands by name, urging them to walk both horses dry despite Daisy's unwillingness to go further.

'Just until she's breathing right, she's not used to long rides yet. The carriage will also be here any moment, Mrs Darcy and I will wait for it, walking some life back into our own frozen limbs.'

One man takes both the black and Daisy on a tour around the stables to cool down before they are fed and get their rest, while the other waits for the carriage to arrive, which cannot be long anymore.

Fitzwilliam leads Elizabeth as if she is one of those horses, entreating her to walk a little to keep supple and warm. The stable-hand waiting with them asks respectfully, apparently used to Fitzwilliam chatting with them, 'Did you ride all the way from London, Mrs Darcy, in this cold? I'm impressed, ma'am. With your permission I'll ring the bell to have a bath prepared for you, ma'am, to warm up.'

Elizabeth wants to kiss him, despite his homely face and the decided whiff of horse coming off his rough attire. Not caring how desperate she sounds, she replies as politely as he spoke.

'Yes, please, would you, Oliver? I'm not cold, but if I don't bathe I'll be stiff as a board tomorrow.'

She can use first names, too, if that helps getting a nice hot bath. Oliver is clearly pleased, and calmly walks into the building. Five minutes later, just as the sound of hooves can be heard in the dark, he returns, smiling.

'It's all arranged, Mrs Darcy, it will be ready in twenty minutes, in your own room, which Mrs Nicholls will show you as soon as you go in.'

'Thank you, Oliver, you've saved my life.'

By now it is time to walk to the front of the house towards the carriage, and as they arrive it is just turning up the lane. As soon as it stops, Bob is down from the box and with his horses. Oliver goes up to him and talks to him, as Fitzwilliam opens the door of the carriage, just before the butler opens the front door. He must have heard the sound of a carriage approaching, they were expected of course.

As Georgiana comes back towards the house with her brother, the staff is already busy unloading the little carriage, and Jane and Bingley come out to greet them.