Chapter 40

Even at a walk they arrive at Netherfield before the snow starts to fall, where Bob takes their horses, his plain face showing he is glad to be part of a team of stable-hands once more.

'Thank you so much, ma'am, for inquiring after me. The other guys are just stunned that Fanny accepted me, she gets so much respect being your maid, ma'am, they just cannot believe a girl like that'd marry a mere driver. I suppose I look like one of them peacocks for being so proud!

It's amazing how his staff have taken to Elizabeth, and Darcy cannot help feeling a certain relief at Mrs Annesley's superb choice of promoting Fanny to Elizabeth's maid. Fanny must be pressed by all the other servants to reveal details of Mrs Darcy's private habits, and some of those servants are very shrewd.

When all the staff start to avoid Darcy's eye, then gloat in passing, he will know they've cracked her.

But she has Simon to help her, and if Darcy's not mistaken, a very strong will of her own. And besides, what else is there to gossip about than a lot of loving going on between Mr and Mrs Darcy? They can all see that for themselves!

Of course they retreat to their own room to clean up a little and dress, and waiting by the door, Simon merely asks, 'Will you ring when you are ready to dress?'

Darcy nods, and Simon leaves.

This time, Darcy has cleaned up before they ring for their attendants, and Simon does not complain. Fanny makes another combination of country chic and a lovely new necklace for Elizabeth, how many of those did they find? This one is very intricate, it looks like real gold, feels like it, too, it's really heavy and very ornate.

Figurines of what seem to be Greek dancers demonstrate poses of more than common agility. Elizabeth studies it in the mirror, and says, 'I'm young and not exactly stiff, but I couldn't perform half of those, even if they weren't rather unsuitable for company.'

Before they can go downstairs, there is a knock on their door, and Georgiana comes in. Darcy can hardly believe that this is his baby sister, she is wearing another one of the new dresses and turban-style hats, and she is all woman.

Then she falls on the bed without the slightest regard for her ensemble, and addresses Fanny, apparently expecting some kind of great joke.

'Now tell my brother and sister about the gossip in the other part of the house, Fanny, it'll crack them up.'

Fanny looks really embarrassed, apparently gossiping to the master and mistress is a different thing than to the young miss. But with another encouraging look from Georgiana, Fanny wrings her hands and starts to speak.

'According to Mrs Hurst, you must have put a spell on the master, for her own husband fell for it, too, last night.

Her maid tried to get information from me, where you got the necklace, whether you always took so long changing after a ride, whether it was true you had the first maid of Mr Darcy's town-house dismissed because she looked at you in the wrong way. How could she know you dismissed Janine, ma'am?'

Not waiting for an answer, she probably realises they don't know either, she continues.

'And then she asked even more intimate things, which made me blush to hear, and which I will not repeat to you since that would be unbearably rude. I merely pretended to be shocked beyond speech, which in fact I was. Why would I tell such things to her? And how would I even know them? I'd have to spy on you to find out some of them, do other maids watch their mistresses all the time?'

'But that is not the good bit,' Georgiana says, 'it's merely a reason to check the doors carefully before you do anything intimate, and maybe cover a few knotholes here and there.

Miss Bingley's maid was the true goldmine of information.'

Poor Fanny has given up all resistance, and tells them what she has heard.

'Miss Georgiana told me Miss Bingley was very polite to you, Mrs Darcy, but according to her maid she was just playing nice. I feel very low for gossiping to you, but please do not be fooled by Miss Bingley, she is very angry at you for having married the master, and she expects to get her due when a certain Mr Wickham shows up tomorrow. She expects to be able to catch you at being partial to him, to injure you in the master's eyes. Why ma'am? How would that serve her? You're married, aren't you, for better or for worse?'

Elizabeth smiles at her poor maid, she may be a city-girl, but she must have been raised very sheltered to be even more naïve than Elizabeth herself was.

'I suppose she'd rather see us married for worse than for the better, Fanny. But please don't worry, not about telling us this, I don't see it as gossiping, for you clearly don't enjoy it.

Gossiping is very enjoyable, I indulge in it myself sometimes, though I always feel guilty afterwards. And don't worry about Miss Bingley sowing dissent between the master and me, it won't work.'

Darcy cannot believe Miss Bingley is planning something, maids can make up things as well, maybe Miss Bingley's maid hopes to get Fanny in trouble, marriages are forever, but maids can be dismissed. Maybe Violet Ragwort is seeking to better herself, maybe working for Mrs Darcy's wife is to be preferred over working for Miss Bingley.

It is not his place to instruct a personal maid, though, so he'll see what happens and warn Elizabeth if she hasn't caught on, yet.

But Simon has much the same thought, and Elizabeth did ask him to take care of Fanny, so it actually is his job to warn her.

'My dear Fanny, I think Violet may be the one playing a nasty game here. I suspect she wants to set you down as a gossip and a story-teller, to get you in trouble and maybe even dismissed. Violet would very much like to have your job.

You've done really well so far, telling her nothing, do keep that up, and if they make things hard for you, warn me, I'll take care of it. Violet likes me a lot.

And since I do see the use of gossiping as an exquisite form of entertainment, I'll smudge my reputation by telling you why Miss Bingley is not planning to harass Mrs Darcy, as I have heard it from the same Violet, who is rather fond of me by now.

I think I'll have to include Mrs Hurst's maid in the pleasantries next time, can't have Violet falling hopelessly in love and breaking her heart over me, after all.'

He looks around the room, enjoying himself hugely, maid and ladies hanging on his lips, all right, Darcy has to confess he is quite curious himself.

'Miss Bingley is planning to catch herself a husband the coming days. She likes Mr Manners, he has the right estate, the right connections, but of course he doesn't compare to you, master, her ideal of a husband.

No, as far as Miss Bingley is concerned, Miss Georgiana may have Mr Manners, he is not handsome enough for her.

And, he is too bookish, Miss Bingley actually prefers the sportsman type for herself, having to discuss books and poetry all the time, and visit difficult plays, is not something she anticipates doing.

But, Violet assures me, when Bingley's college friends arrive this afternoon, she will undoubtedly meet the man of her dreams, they all have fortunes, property, and education. And should none do, there is still Mr Manners, for somehow she cannot imagine the man able to resist her many charms.

Now we can all anticipate which one her eye will fall on first, and what arts she will use to catch his attention and steal his heart.'

Of course this is much more realistic than what Violet has tried to make Fanny believe. And the way Simon tells it is hilarious, even though it is gossip, and rather respectless towards a lady Darcy has known for years. Georgie seems to find it very funny, of course she has disliked Miss Bingley's superior attitude from the first of their acquaintance.

'Mr Manners clearly worships the ground she walks on, he only spent the entire morning with me because...' Georgiana pretends to be thinking hard.

'...because he's shy! That's it, he's too shy to approach the woman he really wants, so instead he makes himself very agreeable to me, talking about books, and poetry, and plays, and music.

He does not have a very athletic build, I agree on that point, but he told me he fenced at college, and wrestled, and if you look well, you can see he is rather broad in the chest and arms. Maybe Miss Bingley should have taken the trouble to talk with him before she judged his appearance.

Oh well, he's good company, but if he is supposed to be Miss Bingley's security against becoming an old maid, I'd better keep him at a distance. Can't have another Darcy break her heart all over again.'

Is Georgia considering Mr Manners' qualities? Seriously?

Darcy has to admit that so far he likes strikingly handsome Mr Fielding better in both person and address, his talent not even taken into account, but still, Mr Manners is a gentleman with a respectable estate and income, and they've only just met.

But Georgie is too young for a man, she said so herself, she must be making fun of all of them. He does decide to keep a close eye on his sister and Mr Manners, see if they are at all serious.

'Let's get going, I've challenged Mr Bennet for a game of billiards, I guess he will arrive any moment now, and Bingley doesn't even know to expect him. My father-in-law said there is heavy snow coming, and the sky seems to prove him right. I hope Mr and Mrs Gardiner won't get into trouble, and Bingley's friends.'

Here, Georgiana observes, 'Sorry, I forgot to tell you. Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived while you were, ah, cleaning up and dressing, after your ride. They were cold and very tired, so they decided to retire for a bit of rest. Miss Bennet was very disappointed they didn't bring the children, but her aunt said it was just too cold to take four young children out in a carriage. Even inside they were freezing.

And they were very afraid to get stuck in the snow.'

Elizabeth is clearly relieved her aunt and uncle are well, and of course at the fact that they are here, Jane would miss them if they weren't at her wedding.

That only leaves Bingley's friends out there in the snow, but they're all experienced outdoors-men, they know when to ride on and when to find shelter. There are plenty of inns between London and Meryton, and all of them are glad to have a group of unexpected visitors when the season is cold like this.

Once back in company, Mr Manners does seem to fancy his sister, while she is not exactly encouraging towards him, but merely polite and extremely appropriate. She plays the piano, but not for him, she seems to be practising, allowing him to sit close and compliment her in the natural pauses between two pieces.

When Elizabeth joins their little party it becomes clear Georgie really is practising, for Elizabeth cuts off her play at certain points, then talks to her, and Georgie proceeds to play that same bit over, Elizabeth nodding, or shaking her head. It's just incredible how Elizabeth can help her sister without being as skilled at playing herself. Apparently Mr Fielding has instructed her very carefully.

Serious practising seems to bore Mr Manners, and since Darcy has seen his interest in Georgie he feels it is his duty to get acquainted with the gentleman. Mr Manners is again dressed in muted colours, and there is no way of putting it but that he is indeed rather homely. Darcy checks Georgiana's observation, and he does seem muscular, though his build is not athletic.

Well, he was rather good at billiards last night, but Darcy still has some trouble connecting to new people, and sadly he outranks most of the people he meets, making it his responsibility to initiate an acquaintance. Often causing people to dislike him for being arrogant if he fails to do so. Oh well, it's just this once, next time Mr Manners is sure to take the initiative.

In fact, Mr Manners is already on his way towards him, Darcy meets him half way, and starts with, 'Will your friends be able to find their way if it starts to snow, Mr Manners? What time do you expect them?'

'Bingley said they would arrive around lunch, which means any time now. Do you really think it will snow heavily? I've never been able to predict the weather, it has brought me in some dangerous situations, riding through a moor in a thunderstorm, getting caught in a blizzard, a true blizzard, in Scotland, I really need to be more careful.'

'It sounds as if you are quite the traveller, Mr Manners, that is very interesting indeed!'

'I like travelling, yes, but I also like to curl up by a roaring fire and just read, let my mind roam whilst my mortal shell is very warm and comfortable. Miss Darcy tells me you are an avid reader?'

'Very much so, it's kind of a family tradition, but one that is no hardship for me to keep alive.'

This is indeed a very interesting, very well-spoken man, somehow his appearance doesn't matter anymore after a few minutes, his presence is what sticks, and it's, simply put, very pleasant.

When they are called to lunch, Darcy is not done talking to Mr Manners by far, and Mr Bennet has arrived in a flurry of snow, what a luxury, so many interesting, intelligent people to talk to besides his own loved ones. Elizabeth must be having the same problem, how can she find time to spend alone with her sister, when there are also her father and her aunt and uncle to catch up with, and Mr Manners to get to know better.

And after lunch it gets worse, for Bingley's party of friends arrives, covered in snow, visibility reduced to zero outside. Of course they are all cold and hungry, but after they have had their lunch the whole party gathers in the drawing room and gets acquainted.

After the first formal introductions, Darcy finds himself in the midst of the new group with Mr Manners, as natural as rain. This man is really good!

The party consists of six men between twenty and thirty, all of them well-dressed and surprisingly well-groomed after a long drive through foul weather. From Bingley's introductions, Darcy understands that not a single one of these men is married or even engaged, and most are either in possession of an estate, or heir to one. One is a second son, and one unfortunate is even third son, but Miss Bingley may congratulate herself on having no fewer than four bachelors to get acquainted with, and Darcy is certain that Elizabeth and himself can look forward to some entertainment, trying to pick the one she will attempt to attach.

Encouraged by Mr Manners' informal introduction, Darcy talks to two of the new arrivals, Mr Vane, a tall, thin, ascetic looking man, with a mop of black curls, glossy with some kind of ointment to make them droop in perfect ringlets over the collar of his intricately embroidered dark green coat. He's wearing breeches and stockings, and shoes with large shiny buckles, his valet must have spent ages on his looks, but frankly Darcy finds them rather obsolete.

He cannot be an ascete if he attaches so much value to his appearance, and he is obviously not a sportsman, his physique lacks musculature, and his colour is very unhealthy. His manners make up for his appearance, though, he is very well-spoken and he sounds like interesting company. Still, Darcy doesn't think he's competition for Mr Manners where Miss Bingley's affections are concerned, especially not since the poor chap is the third son in the party.

Mr Ponsonby is not as tall as Mr Vane, but almost twice as broad. That is mainly because Mr Vane is so thin, for his friend is actually rather good looking. His colouring is opposite to Mr Vane's, healthy skin, his fair hair dressed in the height of fashion, 'shaking dog' style, spikes sticking out as if he has just come out of bed. It is a masterpiece.

Simon will undoubtedly try to find out how it was achieved, and practise it on his own master.

Dressed in bright colours, blue coat and ochre yellow trousers with fashionable plain shoes, Mr Ponsonby clearly is an athlete, for though his face is rather full and highly coloured, his shoulders are significantly wider than his waist, and his coat size barely accommodates his strong arms. He is one of the lucky ones, already in the possession of a good fortune and a noble estate close to Bath. Darcy guesses Miss Bingley will like this man, though she may object to his homely face.

After a very pleasant conversation they all move to the billiard's room, where Mr Bennet proves himself a very capable player, and very sociable in a group of people with actual intelligence and powers of conversation.

Dinner and the evening are spent as pleasantly, with a lot of conversation and some music, Elizabeth warning Darcy that she is retreating to a separate sitting room with her sister for a heart-to-heart talk to catch up on the last few months.

Georgie is attended by Mr Manners once again, and Darcy amuses himself with getting to know Bingley's other friends and predicting which of the new gentlemen will be Miss Bingley's favourite.

While he himself favours Ponsonby as having a valuable estate and the best combination of intelligence and physical assets, he guesses his lack of a beautiful face will put Miss Bingley off. Darcy knows he is very good-looking himself, and of course Miss Bingley fell in love with him in the first place, he will serve as a kind of ideal for her.

Which means Mr Grenfell must be the bachelor of her choice, he is very tall and very handsome, not as well-dressed as Mr Ponsonby but well enough, and not as superbly athletic as the other gentleman but with a Grecian profile and beautiful steel blue eyes. He may even be more handsome than Darcy himself, it is hard to decide what a lady would like, for of course as a man, Darcy looks differently at other men than a woman would.

Despite Elizabeth's absence of more than two hours, Darcy does not feel lonely, he watches Georgie talk to Mr Manners in a very lively manner, and he has a lot of catching up to do with Bingley after a few months apart.

Then there is Mr Bennet, who seems a totally different man in the company of intelligent people, even though they are very much his junior. He seems to be storing sensible conversation for the time ahead, when he will be left at Longbourn without his two best friends, his eldest daughters.

Just when Darcy is contemplating leaving the party to seek his bed, thinking Elizabeth and Jane will probably talk through the night as they used to, he finds her walking towards him, and he really has to control himself to the utmost not to run to her and gather her to his chest to kiss her all over.

But she obviously knows he wants to, and shows her own affection clearly, which is good enough for now. They embrace chastely, and he whispers in her ear, 'Please use my first name, for if you call me Mr Darcy now, I'm going to fall at your feet in worship. People will think you married a madman.'

'People will think I drove you crazy, love. I suppose you used to have a reputation for being very stable and sensible. Any change in your behaviour will be blamed on me. But I'll be careful with what I call you by, I'll save that special one for more suitable occasions.

Do you want to turn in? Spend some time comparing notes on our new acquaintance, maybe snuggle a little?'

Yes, that is what he wants, very much so. He wants to be away from all these people, it has been a very nice day, but a very long one as well, being confronted with George Wickham for the first time since he had to force him to marry the sister of the woman he loved, or lose every chance at winning the object of his affection, and the chance to marry her if he managed to win her despite the odds.

Also, he has been more outgoing to total strangers than he can remember having ever been in his entire life. Suddenly he feels very tired, and in need of some intimacy from the love of his life.

She's watching him with sympathy, undoubtedly she can read his thoughts and feelings just by looking at him, his beloved has such insight in his innermost being. And when he has finished his thought in total silence, she doesn't ask him to reveal the conclusion to his contemplations, no, she merely takes him in an embrace and ruffles his hair, undoubtedly making his fashionable hairdo even more fashionable.

He leans into her touch, and now she does speak.

'You have had a rough day, love, meeting Wickham, seeing so many new faces, having to show an interest in every single one of them. Let's get some time together, love.'

As soon as they have said their goodbyes and she has led him out of the drawing-room, she pushes him against the wall and kisses him passionately.

Of course that is just what he needs, and he feels his body respond and his mind calm down significantly. Their kiss lasts for minutes, and has the effect Elizabeth must have had in mind, for when they are done he feels much lighter and ready to talk about everything that happened today.

Still leading him by his hand, Elizabeth moves up the stairs, where Simon is waiting for them, as usual. He must have some kind of instinct to know when they will retreat, and apparently he also has an instinct when he is superfluous, for he takes one good look at his master and observes humbly, 'I suppose you will not be needing our services tonight?'

'I think not, Simon,' Elizabeth replies, 'I think tonight your master and I will help each other to undress and put away our clothes. Thank you so much for your understanding.'

She has been really nice to Simon since his outburst, as if she understands what he is trying to cope with.

'But Simon, it seems as if you have a need for us tonight, you seem a bit out of sorts, has someone been after you?'

Does he? Darcy takes a good look at his valet, and Elizabeth is right, he does look a little disconcerted, though he cannot imagine that any rumours from London could have made it to the country this quickly.

Even more humbly, and showing a little more liveliness, Simon quickly speaks up, 'Oh no, Mrs Darcy, everyone here has been very nice to me.'

He is in doubt for a few moments, then confesses, 'I had hoped to get the master's advice on some private matter, but this is clearly not the right moment, I'm sorry to have imposed on you. It will be fine, I think I've made my decision already. Thank you ma'am, for your concern, we all really value it.

I dare wish you a very good night, I'll tell Fanny she won't be needed until tomorrow morning. Will you ring when you're ready for us?'

He looks so servile, but strangely enough, not unhappy, as he bows deeply before them. At their confirmation of his assumption, he bows again in acknowledgement, though a lot less deeply, and turns towards the servants' quarters without looking back or seeming distraught.

'That was strange,' Elizabeth observes, but then she distracts both of them from what happened by kissing him once more, then leading him to their bedroom quickly, almost heatedly.

From the moment the door closes behind them they are all over each other, kissing, fondling, removing the occasional item of clothing.

But Elizabeth is not so far gone in desire as to forget her promise to Simon, and she hangs out Darcy's coat and folds his cravat over the back of a chair. Of course Darcy follows her example, putting away her dress and her hat neatly, leaving the gorgeous gold chain on the dressing table.

But when everything that can damage or wrinkle has been removed, they go all out on the rest, and soon underwear is flying, and they hit the bed kissing and groping.

All the fatigue and tension of the day evaporate as they make love with fervour, Elizabeth no less active than Darcy himself. He feels no need to subject himself to his beloved, that seems to be a weird mood that comes over him every so often, now he merely wants to stroke and kiss and lick every inch of her, until she shudders with passion, and it is very obvious she feels exactly the same.

Such intensity cannot last long, and within half an hour they are both sated and physically exhausted, lying limbs entangled under their warm blanket.

And then they talk. About Wickham, how Darcy failed to see that the companion of his youth had in fact been led astray by his own father, that Wickham had not hidden his true nature from his patron, but had in fact been encouraged in his excesses by the very man who had inspired in Darcy a son's admiration for his father's unshakeable morality, and a wish to be as fair and as reputable when his own time came to take over the management of the family estate.

'And you succeeded, Fitzwilliam, everybody respects you, your dependants even love you. The only one who suffered was you, really.'

That may be true, but somehow Darcy feels cheated by his father, and rightfully so, Elizabeth admits.

'I do understand your disappointment in your father, to find out he led a double life, led a boy you once loved as a brother into depravity and licentiousness. Of course Wickham made choices, too, he had your example and his own father's, of how a man should behave.'

And they talk about Mr Manners and his intentions towards Georgie.

'She seems to like him, but she does not encourage him at all,' Elizabeth observes rightfully.

'He would be such a good match for her, such a pleasing character, everything a gentleman should be. It's enough to make me suspicious,' Darcy cannot help confessing.

This causes his beloved to laugh out loud, but she does admit to feeling protective of Georgie.

'She is still so young to be thinking of marriage, but his attentions force her to consider him as a potential partner. He's not handsome, but everything else seems admirable.

You're right, it's almost too good to be true. Better keep a close eye on him without intimidating him.

Though I can't help feeling for Mr Fielding, love, he is such a superior, sensitive man, and so talented.'

'Well, it's not as if it is our choice to make, Georgiana will have to decide herself whether she is ready for love and marriage, or whether she'll pursue her studies a few years extra. In which case, either of the gentlemen will have to try his luck elsewhere, or stick to it.'

'But it is your choice to make, Fitzwilliam,' Elizabeth now remarks very seriously.

'Your sister is convinced that you want her to marry a gentleman with prospects, not a penniless young artist, no matter how talented.

That will influence her choice very much, I'm sure, even beyond her own wishes. Especially since as yet she has no higher feelings for either man involved. You must become aware of that, for if she marries Mr Manners before she knows what love is, to please you and behave appropriately, she may regret that decision later.'

'I see your point my love, how could you ever wish to have a sense for decorum and propriety if you have something much more valuable?

I wanted Georgie to not have to think of men and marriage for a long time yet, I thought we could just ignore men paying attention to her as long as she isn't interested in them.

But if you think Mr Manners' attentions, if they turn out to be serious, may force her into marriage because it's such an advantageous match, maybe it's not a good thing to ignore possible suitors after all.

Maybe we should give Georgie the chance to really get to know Mr Manners, like Fanny and Bob did before they decided they wanted to get married, so she can make up her own mind.'

Elizabeth is glad to hear that, and Darcy adds a promise, 'I will do my utmost to let her know I'm not going to encourage her into a marriage before she is ready to love someone, a marriage that may leave her unhappy or even miserable. Talking to your father, and hearing what Wickham told you about being married, I'm starting to think I wasn't just lucky to find you, but also rather sensible. I want my sister to be as happy in her marriage as she is now, preferably happier.

Thank you so much love, for your warning. She's just sixteen, I thought we could postpone these matters until she was eighteen at least, or in love, but apparently having a fortune and connections comes with certain responsibilities and disadvantages as well. Let's talk to her about what she wants before she gets all kinds of strange ideas.'

Of course the coming wedding will have precedence over serious talks, but Darcy realises he has barely talked to Georgie the last few days, he observed her, saw her happy enough with either Kitty or Mr Manners, or the bride or groom, and went ahead with what he was doing.

That will change tomorrow, he will be by her side much more often, if only to protect her from George Wickham or Lydia's foolishness.