Chapter 24

The next three days are still very busy, reviewing references, interviewing applicants for the positions of one maid in residence, and two temporary maids. They have decided to hire a butler after all, but only when the family is in London, when they are at Pemberley, Simon will receive callers, of course they will be mostly have business with him or with Mrs Annesley anyway, when the family is not present.

To Elizabeth it is weird to be so close to a servant, somehow Simon is so ingratiating it is hard to keep a distance, and on top of that he is teaching both ladies of the house a lot about life in London, something Elizabeth especially feels a need for. And reading up on fashionable manners just doesn't do, somehow Simon knows exactly how to explain or even show them what response is fitting to which situation.

Fitzwilliam doesn't seem to mind at all to see them laughing and joking with his employee, of course Simon is more like a tutor now than a servant, and he is always respectful to all of them, including Mrs Annesley, who does in fact not outrank him, but who is of course old enough to be his mother, and earns all their respect with her quick thinking and organised mind. She seems very happy to go home to her family every night, and even Georgiana enjoys her company now it is no longer forced on her.

The first time Elizabeth rides through the streets of the big city she is less afraid than she expected to be, sitting on Daisy's back has become so familiar, and Elizabeth can feel no tension at all in the mare, not even with carriages overtaking them, carts rattling across the cobbles, and people shouting and making all kinds of other noises. Fitzwilliam is right next to her as he promised, but faithful, solid Daisy has no problem at all even in the thick of London traffic, and the next day Fitzwilliam can accompany her on horseback instead of on foot.

They start exploring in ever larger circles around the house, staying out until they get too cold, for on the second morning after their arrival they do wake up to a white world. As Elizabeth feared, the snow indeed gets trampled to freezing mud after a few hours, but in the parks they explore on horseback the snow is still pristine, and Elizabeth is reminded of Hertfordshire in winter, causing her to feel a short stab of homesickness for the first time in weeks. But another week will see her back in Hertfordshire for her sister's wedding, a guest at Netherfield instead of at Longbourn, but Fitzwilliam will probably not mind her walking over to her parents' house pretty often.

Elizabeth is actually glad that Simon will be coming with them, he has already taught her a lot of the city manners she can use to keep Miss Bingley in her place, and Fitzwilliam's idea of having Simon seduce the maids to head off any gossip seems an excellent one, and potentially a lot of fun, though of course Mrs Darcy should not condone such goings on among the staff.

As Daisy carries her through the snow-covered parks in London, Elizabeth is starting to think that riding is actually not such a bad thing, they can cover a lot more ground this way. If they were able to ride in Hertfordshire they wouldn't have to spend half as much time with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, those two don't ride, but Jane and Mr Bingley do.

Struck by an idea, she calls out: 'Fitzwilliam!'

He is riding in front of her, on his sensitive black horse, ever since Peter's lessons it has become Fitzwilliam's favourite, because it reacts to even the slightest movement in his posture, forcing him to ride very precisely and subtly, a challenge riding hasn't had for him for a long time. He turns the black in a large circle and ends up riding next to her. 'Did you call for me, love?'

'I did,' is her answer, 'I don't exactly remember how far Hertfordshire was from here. Would it be possible to ride there? On horseback? Instead of taking the carriage?'

'Why would you want to ride through this cold weather, my love?'

She smiles, for she is not cold at all, thanks to Mrs Reynolds' excellent advice to have this lovely short coat made. Well, and some countrified woollen underwear under her riding dress, and a pair of very sturdy lambskin lined riding boots she bought at a store Fitzwilliam's family apparently has frequented for at least half a century. Elizabeth still finds it strange to buy hunting gear in the middle of the capital, but she cannot deny these boots are the best she has ever owned, and having tried them on a ramble she knows they are not only suited to riding, but to walking as well. They're not exactly the height of fashion, but perfect for their visit to the country.

That arrogant thought makes her smile, and Fitzwilliam softens completely at the sight of her happiness. He exclaims: 'You like riding! You want to ride over just for the fun of it!'

'And to have a horse there, love. I've never been all over Hertfordshire except on foot. Jane and Bingley ride, too.'

'And Miss Bingley doesn't,' he nods, 'don't worry about her, love, you've won. She will not treat you without respect again.'

'I'm not worried,' Elizabeth replies, 'your Simon has taught me some very effective city manners in three days, and I'm sure he can teach me many more in another week. Miss Bingley won't recognise either me or Georgiana. We've both become fashionable.'

That causes Fitzwilliam to exclaim: 'What about Georgiana? If we ride out, she will have to stay behind with Miss Bingley.'

He is right, of course, their sister will not like that.

'Do they have a piano that can measure up to her standards?' Elizabeth asks.

'Bingley has a fine instrument, yes, you're right, she'll put in at least two hours of practise a day, and very likely more. We can ride during that time.'

That reminds Elizabeth of another possible problem: 'She'll miss her piano lessons when we're at Netherfield, Fitzwilliam.'

'I suppose that cannot be helped, unless we take her to London once or twice. It's not that far and the roads are excellent. Too bad Hugo has taken the thoroughbreds to Pemberley, with the slow team it will take a few hours longer.'

But he doesn't look sorry at all, he seems rather pleased with the idea of riding to Netherfield, which he soon confirms: 'Anyway, to answer your question, yes, I'd love to go on horseback! It's the only disadvantage of being married that I could think of, having to travel by carriage. I much prefer to ride. Do you suppose everyone will slight, censure and despise us if we let Georgiana travel with Simon as chaperone?'

'They will once he starts seducing all the maids at Netherfield,' Elizabeth observes, smiling at his use of his aunt's threat.

Looking shocked at his own blunder, Fitzwilliam exclaims: 'I forgot all about that. He really needs to do that to prevent any gossip of Janine's from sticking. Do you suppose Mrs Annesley will agree to accompany her once more?'

'Why don't we ride along with the carriage, love, and keep an eye on your sister ourselves. You and Bob always call the city team lead-footed, I suppose even Daisy and I can keep up with those. By the way, I'm glad you kept my carriage for our own use and sent the heavy carriage back, it's so opulent, I'm not used to being a rich man's wife yet.'

'I actually prefer yours as well, it's so much more refined with the different woods and the superb craftsmanship instead of gilded ornaments. It just never occurred to me I could buy an elegant carriage, or I would have done it much sooner.'

By now they have reached a nice smooth field, covered in snow but that need not be a problem, their horses are not shod, and Fitzwilliam proposes a canter. The fresh horses soon change the canter to a gallop, and they race across the field, not at top-speed because of the snow, but exhilarating nonetheless. As they slow their horses and ride on side by side, Fitzwilliam looks at Elizabeth in that certain way again.

Reminding herself to breathe, she looks back at him sincerely, certain he will tell her what the look is for. And he does: 'You look ravishing, Elizabeth, in that riding dress with your new coat over it. I'd prefer to have you ride astride all the time, but you're so beautiful sitting there, your hair dark against the snow, and so brave to go so fast on a sidesaddle. I don't think I'd dare ride one, and you propose riding to Netherfield on it. You make me so incredibly happy.'

She reaches for his hand, had she been sitting astride she would have kissed him, but this is as far as she dares to go with just the saddle to keep her balanced. He takes her hand in his much large one with tenderness and kisses it deferentially, why does he do that, her strong and respected husband? Why does he have these moods in which he is almost humble towards her? As his wife, she is completely in his power, does he show her such respect to prove he doesn't see her as his property?

Something has moved Fitzwilliam greatly, for he releases her hand and dismounts, and with his arm through the black's rein he approaches Elizabeth and embraces her legs, then holds out his arms to her. Surprised and affected she releases her right leg and slides down the saddle into his arms. He catches her perfectly, of course, and buries his face in the furry collar of her coat, nuzzling her bare throat underneath that, causing her to shiver with feeling, but also with a tiny draft of freezing air his movement allows to enter her coat.

Holding him tightly she strokes his hair, it feels cold, and her breath makes little white puffs in the frigid air, but Elizabeth feels very warm inside, the cold of the draft now replaced with Fitzwilliam's warm breath in her neck, his nuzzling changing to passionate kissing, higher and higher up her throat, until he reaches her face and then her lips. As his lips touch hers, there is no way he can control himself, and neither can Elizabeth, and they kiss very indecently right there, standing in the snow-covered grassland on the edge of town.

As they stand in the snow, Darcy is really overcome by his feelings. Of course kissing his beloved causes his heat to flare up, but it's not very insistent, they have made love just this morning, and as things have quieted down considerably since the staff is complete once more, Pierre's continuing travels have gotten their due attention again in the afternoons.

No, it's not the passion that makes this moment so special, racing across that snowy field, seeing Elizabeth following him looking so incredibly beautiful and animated. It's how he realised once more that he was so right to fall in love with her and do everything he could to win her affection. Hasn't their marriage so far exceeded his wildest expectation of happiness? They have shared everything, their love for books, his sports, her long rambles, their worries and his domestic problem. She was there for him when he needed her, and now she is willing, even eager, to make another great sacrifice, exchange the comfort of her beautiful little carriage for the exertion of a very long ride.

His fondest wishes, all come true. Every heartbreak he suffered over her, every waking night of soul-searching, was worth this incredible reward, the smartest, most beautiful woman in the world loving him, admiring him, challenging him. He wants to throw himself at her feet, beg her to love him forever, but he can feel something nudging him in the back, and kneeling in the snow is never a good idea. Better see what the black horse wants, he can worship his magnificent beloved any time he wants.

When he looks up from their embrace, Elizabeth smiles at him and gives him one more kiss on his cheek. Of course Darcy cannot but smile back, he won her, she is his forever, and he is entirely hers. But the black horse is getting bored, he is nudging Darcy in the back, and he is tall and very strong.

'I forgot all about Daisy, Fitzwilliam!' Elizabeth suddenly exclaims, and she quickly turns around to look for her own mare. Of course Daisy has not strayed far, she is trying to find some grass under the snow, and succeeding rather well. That is why the black was nudging him, he wants to graze, too. Dare he release him for a few moments? Better hold on to him, the black is not as placid as Daisy, and a spooked horse on the loose in a city can cause a lot of damage.

'Next time we ride out we should bring a rope to allow the horses some room to graze while we kiss.' Elizabeth has retrieved Daisy by now, and she suggests: 'Let's go home, I want to touch you without all these clothes on you. Will you give me a boost up?'

Which he does, and which they do, riding back and leaving the horses to Bob to retreat to their bedroom for an hour of intimacy just before lunch.

When the next morning at breakfast Darcy asks his sister: 'May I accompany you to your lesson today, Georgiana?' he can see her blanch just the tiniest bit. She is really afraid to have him discover Mr Fielding's crush and forbid further lessons. And to be honest, part of him wants to protect her from the life she might have if she married a commoner, but another part of him objects that she is just sixteen and not interested in the man at all, except professionally. So he adds: 'Things have quieted down considerably, and I finally have some inner peace to show an interest in your greatest passion. I'm sorry I didn't earlier, I was so restless I would certainly have distracted you with my fidgeting, making a very bad impression on Mr Fielding.'

Of course Georgiana cannot resist him when he talks like that, she loves him like no-one else and when he shows himself fallible she just melts. 'Never mind, Fitzwilliam,' she replies, 'I understand. You're very busy, and two hours of repeating several bars of music just isn't something everyone takes in stride. I wouldn't hold it against you if you didn't accompany me at all, but I'll be happy to have you along.

But won't you miss your beloved Elizabeth when you're away from her for two hours, maybe even three?'

She has even started to tease him recently, a miracle which he is sure he has Elizabeth to thank for. At first Georgiana seemed a bit shocked to hear her sister making fun of her brother openly, but of course she could see he truly appreciated it. And with her newly-found self-confidence she has started to emulate her sister, showing a ready wit not only at the expense of him, but everyone else present, including herself.

'I will, and I hope she will miss me as much, but then Elizabeth wants me to ask Mr Fielding to come over one evening and play the concerto she heard the fragment from. So I guess she'll bear with my absence, she'll probably lose herself in our library anyway. Or take a long ramble through the city with Simon, to practise being fashionable for the coming wedding. Poor Simon's soles are wearing thin because Elizabeth wants him to show her examples of everything he tells her, though I suppose they visit coffee-houses, too, to spy on the fashionable crowd.

Do you suppose that'll give rise to gossip once Simon starts seducing maids left and right at Netherfield?'

Georgiana helps herself to another piece of excellent toast, and as she liberally spreads it with butter and marmalade she observes: 'Yes, Fitzwilliam, what was that all about? Why would Simon seduce maids? He doesn't even seem to like girls, though I cannot imagine why not for they certainly like him. At least two of the hired maids are making doe eyes at him and without even realising it themselves, while he does recognise their looks but consistently ignores them. I suppose he doesn't find it seemly, but why plan to do it at Netherfield then? And why did you suggest it to him? He didn't seem to want to.'

So there is something Georgiana doesn't know yet, she's actually sixteen in some respect. Good. But will Darcy tell her?

'I advised Simon to seduce some maids at Netherfield to head off rumours Janine or Theo might spread about him, Georgiana. Rumours concerning his not liking girls. I'm surprised you didn't think of it yet.'

That is a challenge to Georgie, and she says: 'Don't tell me, I'm going to work it out myself. But not now, or Mr Fielding will be angry with me for being distracted. Now I'm going to eat this piece of toast and put on my coat. Better go take leave of your beloved, I suppose she's still with Mrs Annesley doing the rounds of the house trying to decide where the centrepiece you commissioned will catch the most attention. Don't hesitate to kiss in front of Mrs Annesley, she actually enjoys seeing people in love, it inspires her, she once told me. I kind of like her now she's no longer watching and critiquing my every move.'

Darcy does as his sister suggests, curious how Mr Fielding will react to his sudden appearance, but loath to leave his beloved nonetheless. He finds her in the dining-room, again one of the most opulent rooms in the house, why does he always leave redecorating the dining-rooms to the last?

Seeing Elizabeth he promptly forgets everything else, and he kisses her not quite chastely, but not exactly intimately either. 'I'm off with Georgiana, love,' he says. Elizabeth is a bit worried, that is very obvious, but she smiles sweetly and observes: 'Ask him to play for you, you'll know instantly why he's worth every penny you pay him. I'll miss you.'

'I'll miss you, too, but I'll be back before you know it.'

Georgiana doesn't wait for him to hail a cab but does the honours herself, and once inside she is rather quiet, is she reviewing her lessons in her mind? It must be a difficult subject then, for lately she has been quite chatty when they are together. Darcy expected her to question him about what he'd heard from Elizabeth, or to tell him about the coming lesson, but Georgie seems totally self-involved. Though more talkative lately than he has ever been, under the influence of his beloved, Darcy still doesn't mind keeping his silence, and the ten minute drive is spent without so much as ten sentences being exchanged between brother and sister. That doesn't mean that something is brewing, not at all, they are merely in their own world for a few moments, Georgie preparing for her lesson, Darcy watching London pass by from the windows of the cab.

Of course Georgiana does allow him to pay the driver, and soon they are on their way inside the elegant house, following the maid into the very bright, friendly room where Georgie played for Mr Fielding the day they were looking for a master for his sister.

Mr Fielding comes in and starts visibly at beholding his pupil's much older brother accompanying her, but he recovers admirably and says: 'Mr Darcy, such an honour to receive you in my benefactor's house once more.' He is as polite in his greeting of Georgiana, and there is not a single token of admiration in either of the young people before him. If Elizabeth hadn't told him he would not have had a clue this man was infatuated with his sister, and frankly, if Georgie hadn't confirmed it to Elizabeth, he would have thought Elizabeth had imagined Mr Fielding being in love.

He certainly is a very good-looking man, Mr Fielding, very artistic in his bearing and very well-dressed. Darcy decides to wear low shoes more often himself, he may even want to attend Bingley's wedding in them. With a beautiful woman on his arm he can hardly trample inside on boots, Elizabeth will want to dance a lot, and she'll expect him to stand up with her unmarried sisters as well, and a man looks better dancing with elegant shoes. Besides, with such a beautiful, slim lady on his arm he should at least try to be elegant enough to be her escort. Boots are for the country and for riding, not for charming rooms like these.

Both Georgie and Mr Fielding are very business-like and start the lesson straight away, Darcy retreating to the sofa and watching their interaction with interest. This must be a very difficult subject indeed, for neither of them has the slightest inclination to be distracted by his presence, they are clearly working really hard and to good effect, for what Georgie plays is surpassingly beautiful.

As she plays, Darcy can see Mr Fielding's expression soften, but to nothing but pride. Georgie is doing well, and her teacher is proud of her progress. When she is done he praises her, almost incredulously, and observes: 'Miss Darcy, you have exceeded my wildest hopes for today. That was really difficult matter, you really struggled with it last time, and now you play it perfectly. I can hardly believe my ears!'

His sister beams under his approval, but again, who can fault her, she has done well and gets praised for it, somehow Darcy suspects Mr Fielding is rather hard to please, and this is extraordinary praise from him.

'Please keep practising this, we'll review it for the coming lessons until it has become ingrained, and even then you will have to keep paying attention to these changes all the time, for they will get sloppy again. I have to remind myself still, it never becomes routine, though it does get easier.

But now, we can start on a different subject...'

Darcy is already getting bored, fortunately Elizabeth admonished him to bring a book, and he opens it quietly, not to disturb the lesson.