Chapter 29

'That was about me, wasn't it?'

Elizabeth takes Georgiana's hand and observes: 'It was, my dear, did you mind very much?'

'In a way I did, I feel pushed towards something I'm not ready for. How can I ignore his feelings for me when he is such a good man? He'd be certain to respect me, and to love me, I feel as if I should accept his love to secure a future for myself. I don't trust men in general, but I trust Eric. Still, I'm not ready for love, and I don't want to disappoint Fitzwilliam again, ever.

And what if spurn Eric to marry a gentleman in a few years time, and he turns out to be a worthless mercenary? I'll regret Eric forever. What should I do?'

Georgiana doesn't seem to take this very seriously, she overacts with large dramatic gestures. Then she is back to normal, and her words prove she is serious.

'I have to admit I felt special as well, he is such a great composer, and to let us be the very first people to hear this masterpiece is such a compliment. So, I suppose I'm just going to attend my lessons and see what happens. See how Eric's affection evolves, and his compositions, concentrate on my own playing, see whether I develop a need for love other than from Fitzwilliam and you. I'm so glad to have you supporting me, Elizabeth, I feel like I can tell you anything, even things I dare not tell Fitzwilliam, not until they are serious anyway.'

'Don't you worry one bit, Georgiana, I'm with you. We're not going to fight Fitzwilliam over this, but we're not going to blindly obey him either. Taking your time is the only right option, I agree with you entirely.'

Of course such sympathy gains Elizabeth a hug, and Georgiana once again is so happy that her brother married such a loving, sensible woman. Then they have arrived, and weirdly, Fitzwilliam is not waiting to receive them.

Of course the new butler opens the door before they can knock, he came very well-recommended and has shown himself very professional so far, and taking their coats he states: 'You have a guest, Mrs Darcy. He has been in the sitting-room with the master for about half an hour. Shall I have some fresh tea taken there for you?'

'Please, Johnson, thank you for your kind reception.'

Elizabeth clearly is not used to such formality, but Georgiana knows that butlers are supposed to act that way, and he's still very new. He'll loosen up to fit their household eventually. Since Mrs Annesley and Simon share the responsibilities of a housekeeper, this butler will not have the kind of power their former butler Theo had, Fitzwilliam may even have hired him temporarily only, just until spring, when they'll all move to Pemberley once more.

Georgiana doesn't want to think of their move too often, that will be the end of her lessons, for one does not drive all the way from Derbyshire to London for a piano-lesson. But maybe Elizabeth will think of a solution to that problem, too, Georgiana knows her sister will be pleased to be back in the country, and frankly Georgiana doesn't want to stay in London all by herself. Better enjoy her time here, enjoy her lessons, and let things sort themselves out.

'I'm going to check the old piano first, see how the temperature and dampness of the room are, and check how badly detuned it really is. I'll join you for tea in ten minutes.'

And off she goes, up the stairs to the room where they will hopefully try out their newly found skills for a few hours this morning or afternoon, if Elizabeth's visitor doesn't take too much time.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is very curious who her mysterious guest may be, for in all honesty, how many people does she really know? Maybe it's Mr Gardiner, but he wouldn't just drop by, they have been over for a visit since Elizabeth's move to London but always with due notice.

But since the sitting-room is rather close, her patience is not put to the test for too long. As she enters the room, Fitzwilliam immediately gets up from his favourite chair, where he was chatting comfortably with the occupant of the adjoining chair...her father? What would her father be doing in London, days before Jane's wedding?

Fitzwilliam must have seen her expression, for he takes her in his arms as usual, and even before he kisses her he says, 'Don't worry, love, this is merely a social call from your father, nothing to fear.' Then he kisses her, slightly less than chastely, as usual.

'You're cold, better have some tea.' And as he walks to the table to pour her a cup of tea, a maid comes in with a fresh pot. Seeing the master ready to pour, she merely offers him the fresh pot and takes away the old, letting the master do the honours.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth goes to her father to greet him. He is smiling fondly, apparently he doesn't fault Fitzwilliam for kissing her like that at all, and he gets up as well to embrace her and kiss her on both cheeks.

'I've missed you so much, my dearest Lizzy, you have no idea. And with Jane moving out, I won't hear a sensible word until Christmas when we all visit.'

He hasn't changed a bit, of course, but he looks well enough, and indeed very happy to see her.

'You look better than ever, Lizzy, life in the big city must agree with you, strangely enough. I'm glad to see you both so well, and even closer than before. It's always a bit of a chance, you know, getting married, but since you're both rather sensible people I suppose I should have known you made the right choice.

Darcy has already told me how wonderful you are, and how happy you both are together, but I suppose you'll want to rave about him as well, later. Then when we've gotten that over with, I'll tell you why I came over for a visit just before we'd all meet for the wedding anyway. I suppose that must seem strange to you, and I assure you I wasn't planning to do so at all.'

'Mr Bennet, you will want to speak to your daughter by yourself for half an hour,' Fitzwilliam offers, 'and I have a sister to attend to and some letters to write. Will you excuse me?'

'Of course, Darcy, it was a pleasure catching up with you. See you later today. And don't worry about entertaining me, just leave me in your library and I'll be fine.'

As Fitzwilliam and herself both laugh at this droll, but undoubtedly true, remark, Elizabeth mentions to her beloved, 'Georgiana is in the room with the old piano, we're planning to tune it ourselves later today.' He nods, blows her a kiss and is gone.

'Now my child, tell me how you have been. Is married life what you expected? Don't be shy telling me the truth, you know I can handle it. Your lover seems to be pretty smitten still, he's told me nothing but good about you, how you spent the most fabulous two weeks in Derbyshire, fishing, shooting, riding. Riding, my dear Lizzy? You must love him a lot.

I suppose you did your share of rambling as well, and some exploring, and not just his beautiful grounds, but the bedroom as well. Though that kiss just now suggests you're both doing just fine.

Then he told me how fond his sister is of you, and how you helped him sort out a domestic dispute in this very house. Good for you my love! Now let me hear your account, please. I see you totally look the part of a fashionable city-lady, your mother and sisters won't know you again in dresses like that one.'

And Elizabeth tells him about their time at Pemberley, how she picked up riding again, and how being outdoors and active was something they both enjoyed very much.

'Well, at least you won't get fat, either of you, like Mr and Mrs Collins. Though your mother can find true satisfaction in their progressing portliness, since she has no fears anymore of being left destitute in case of my untimely demise.

I suppose she'll spend most of her time with you if that happens, of course she likes Lydia and Wickham much better, but living in a dingy apartment never was much to her liking. She'll prefer to accompany Mr and Mrs Darcy everywhere, probably with Mary in tow.'

Now he laughs heartily at his daughter, of course she must have shown some abhorrence at the very idea, though Fitzwilliam would undoubtedly buy her a nice little house near her sister in Meryton, or near her brother in London, if the very sight of Charlotte as mistress of Longbourn were too much to bear.

'Never mind, Elizabeth, just tell Jane to put her up, she won't dare refuse. Please don't mind my teasing, I've missed you, let me hear more, how's he really, your brand-new husband, he seems to love you more than anything, is that feeling mutual at all?'

And for some reason, Elizabeth finds herself telling her father all about her feelings for Fitzwilliam, her sudden reservations about entering the marriage penniless, and how her beloved took those away with his constant devotion to herself, how they talk about everything that concerns them, how they discovered passion together, how she really feels like being half of just one person.

'We're so close I haven't even missed you or Jane very much, papa. I never believed in my wildest dreams that marriage would be like this, he loves me so much, and shows it, too, tells me how much he admires me, how broken-hearted he was when he thought me lost to him. And he's so easy to love himself, so loving and sweet, and handsome too, of course. I'm very happy, papa, with Georgiana as sister as well.'

Her father, truly affected now, takes her hands and says, 'That makes me glad to hear, I was worried about you, even though I really liked your fiancé. But some people turn out completely different than they seemed, and the thought of you living with a dominant, influential man like that gave me a few sleepless nights, hoping he wouldn't grow to regret marrying below his class and above his intelligence.'

And despite being affected by her father's kind concern, of course Elizabeth cannot have her father say that of her beloved, and she defends him almost vehemently, 'Fitzwilliam is as smart as you or I, papa, don't insult his intelligence. He's a bit shy with strangers, but he can hold his own against me easily. You'll find out if you stay here.'

'All right, no need to be angry at your poor father, I'm sorry to have underestimated your dearest husband. I dare say he's the smartest of my three sons-in-law. That brings me to the purpose of my visit.

You know I have borne my own mistake in choosing my life's partner reasonably well, I suppose that proves your husband must be smarter than I, for his choice of the best possible partner, even if it meant waiting for nearly a decade and marrying a lot below him, proves him to be a very intelligent man indeed.

Things have been different, Lizzy, with you gone and Jane at Netherfield most of the time, but I managed quite well with my books and my solitary hunts.

With the marriage coming up, Lydia and Wickham arrived yesterday, and though I should have suspected it, friend Bingley may be easy-going, but not so much as to allow George Wickham to stay in his house when his best friend Mr Darcy is expected to reside there, I didn't, and your mother didn't see fit to inform me beforehand either.

So there they were, the happy couple, noisy and foolish as ever, Wickham flattering your mother and thanking her profusely for allowing them to stay at Longbourn for the duration of the marriage. Then she graciously offered him the use of my library for his privacy, and my company to spend some time shooting my birds.

Dear Lizzy, I was not going to quarrel with your mother with your sisters and Mr Wickham present, I must have lost my edge, and I accepted defeat. I had my bags packed and my horse saddled, and used that time to put away a few treasured possessions where my esteemed son-in-law wouldn't find them and instruct Hill on the finances of the household until my return. Then I put on my coat and alighted my horse. Now your mother made the scene, demanding where I was going, but I merely told her I was going to visit you in London, and buy a new pair of shoes since my current pair is not fit to wear to a wedding, then set off.

Hill will keep them out of trouble, you know I hired her because she could handle your mother from the very first day they met, and she has never disappointed me yet.

I hope your husband will not mind my hiding out with the both of you until the wedding-day, I promise I will not bother you at all, I'm pretty sure your library will keep me entertained for days, and I really need a pair of shoes for the wedding. I supposed you'd let me return to Hertfordshire with you, I can keep up with your carriage if I do my very best, I've been riding a lot recently.'

Elizabeth cannot help melting at her father's plight, Wickham in his library and on his solitary rides, and to have to admit defeat to mother, no matter how painful the realisation that he sees his marriage as a continuing war in which he has lost a battle.

'Poor papa, to have to flee your own house from George Wickham!'

Actually, Elizabeth is glad to hear that Bingley will not let him stay at Netherfield, her father can bear with Wickham more easily than Fitzwilliam and Georgiana can.

'Did you speak to Fitzwilliam about this? Does he know you mean to stay, and have you told him why you left?' Her beloved cannot possibly have expected her father to go back to Longbourn the same day.

'I did about the first, but not the second. Considering what you told me about the dealings those two had I didn't want to mention my favourite son-in-law without you present. Your husband had my things taken to a room, and offered me the use of his library without my asking. Then he raved about you until you came in. I feel almost relaxed already, can you imagine how much I've missed you, and Jane, though she still comes home at night. Kitty has some sense as long as she's not with Lydia, but not like the two of you.'

Kitty!

'Papa, have you left Kitty alone with Lydia?'

'I most certainly have not, Lizzy, I have learned from my mistakes. Kitty is staying with Jane at Netherfield, she was there for the day with Maria Lukas, they are bridesmaids you see, and I rode by and asked Bingley to put Jane and Kitty up together for a few nights. Kitty needs to stay away from Lydia and Jane prefers to stay at Netherfield. They can chaperone each other.'

They are discussing the latest news from Hertfordshire when Georgiana and Fitzwilliam enter once more. Those letters are probably still waiting, but Elizabeth supposes they were an excuse from her beloved anyway, to give her some time alone with her father.

Georgiana readily greets Mr Bennet, not very shy at all, and he asks, 'How are the piano-lessons going, Miss Georgiana?'

Both Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam are surprised, but Georgiana boldly answers, 'Very well, Mr Bennet, thank you for asking. I've mastered two very difficult techniques since you and I last talked, that's not even two months ago, and my teacher says that is very quick. He asked your daughter and me for advice on a very important composition today, we were the first people to ever hear it. Isn't that incredible?'

'I'm looking forward to hearing you play, my dear, with your brother's permission I'd like to stay a few days, until the wedding actually, one might say I've been driven from my own library by one of the wedding-guests.'

As if to redeem Elizabeth for standing up for her husband's intelligence, Fitzwilliam now blurts out, 'You mean to say that Bingley refused Mr Wickham entrance to his house and he is now staying in yours?'

To his credit, her father does acknowledge Elizabeth's victory, answering, 'You were right, Elizabeth, he's smarter than me for seeing through your mother's plot instantly. For indeed, Darcy, my wife invited my esteemed son-in-law into our own home when she heard from Mrs Wickham that they would not be invited to stay at Netherfield while you were residing there.'

'Fancy Bingley standing up for me.' Fitzwilliam is truly amazed by this, and quickly adds, 'Of course you are more than welcome to stay here, especially since it's my presence barring George Wickham from Netherfield. Will you ride along with us to the wedding then, Mr Bennet?'

'If you think I can keep up. I've seen your team, I don't know whether you'd want to wait for an old man on a middle-aged horse.'

Fitzwilliam laughs at Elizabeth's father's description of himself, he's not even fifty after all, then observes proudly: 'You mean my thoroughbreds? They're incredibly fast, but I've sent them back to Pemberley. Keeping four thoroughbreds in a city stables for an entire winter may be dangerous, I've never dared to try. I've a special team for use in the city, we call them the lead-foots, you'll keep up with them pretty easily. And Elizabeth and I are going on horseback ourselves, we've been riding every day, and she really wants to explore Hertfordshire with her faithful Daisy to ride.'

'In that case, I'll stop worrying. Except about Mr Wickham in my library.'

'A library is a man's sanctum, Mr Bennet, you are right to worry about it. But I'm sure it will be all right, I knew Mr Wickham very well at one time of my life, and he never spent much time in a library. He prefers company to solitude, and conversation to books.'

'Thank you for trying to ease my worries, Darcy. I can spare a few birds, but none of my books. Then I'll just need to find a new pair of shoes, and I can lie back and let myself be spoiled by your staff the rest of the time.'

'Do I guess correctly that your flight is preventing you from hunting birds with your son-in-law?'

'It is indeed, my dear man, Mrs Bennet wanted me to take him out shooting, like you and me did last fall.'

Now Fitzwilliam bows politely and observes, 'Maybe you will be so kind as to accompany me on a hunt then, this very week?'

'In the middle of the city?'

'Oh, yes, we have good hunting here. We city-folk call it hunting, and take it very seriously. Other people call it shopping. I know several good places in town, we're certain to find a nice pair of shoes for you there, and maybe a coffee or a pint, whichever you prefer. We'll return triumphant, and show our spoils to the ladies.

We'll take my man Bob as our driver.'

Fitzwilliam is certainly holding his own, Elizabeth did not say too much in his defence, he feels comfortable here and manages to entertain his father-in-law quite adequately.

'Now let me show you the library, and your room, and I'll introduce you to the house-staff, and we'll let our ladies attend to an old piano they are bent on tuning today. We'll meet again for lunch.

Oh, and Elizabeth?'

'Yes, my love?'

'Mrs Annesley wanted to talk to us for a few moments. On a matter of etiquette, she said. Is she planning to scold us for kissing in public? Anyway, I told her we'd receive her right after lunch, is that agreeable to you?'

'It is. Can we kiss in public just once more, if it is to be forbidden from now on?'

He doesn't answer, but takes her in his arms and kisses her with ardour. It will have to suffice until tonight, with her father in the house it is not very likely they will be able to slip away to their bedroom for an hour or so in the afternoon.