Chapter 46

Before she can locate Fitzwilliam, she finds herself addressed by the infamous Mr Grenfell himself, and since she cannot refuse him, and is rather curious about him as well, she moves back to the floor to dance with him.

He is as tall as Fitzwilliam, and as handsome, maybe even more so, though not as carefully dressed. Simon will certainly score points tonight with his master's apparel. Especially the hairdo and the slight enhancement of his eyes will make an impact, and Mr Grenfell's valet needs a another few years experience tying and pleating cravats.

Mr Grenfell's voice gives her the shivers, and she isn't even certain what kind.

'You're the queen of the ball, Mrs Darcy. The bride is your sister, isn't she? She's absolutely stunning, but personally I prefer a little fire to a woman. Too bad you're already married, I've heard you always give as good as you get.'

From Miss Bingley no doubt, and not a good way to enter a conversation with the sister-in-law of your intended.

But that soon becomes clear.

'I've had a nice, friendly chat with your husband just now, and he very politely, amicably even, warned me off his sister. I like her, I'm sure she liked me, I cannot understand why I am not good enough for your husband, my reputation is flawless, my estate and fortune without equal in this little group of friends, and you checked out my looks rather carefully just now. Tell me, do you find me lacking in personal beauty?'

Well, she needn't rile him up, and she cannot imagine Fitzwilliam let him down hard, he must be very sensitive, so she replies, 'I most certainly do not, Mr Grenfell, I see few men here who can compete with you in good looks.'

'Thank you, Mrs Darcy, and let me return the compliment. Your dress is as magnificent as yourself, and the accessories were chosen by a master. Once I do find my Mrs Grenfell, I will advise her to use your tailor.

I have heard you are an excellent horse-woman and an even more active walker?'

Miss Bingley again, undoubtedly relating how Mr Darcy accepts his wife rambling for hours all by herself.

'I certainly like to walk, but in fact I haven't had the pleasure of really being able to ride well for more than four months. But I find great pleasure in it, mostly because my husband happened to have the most adorable little mare in his stables that I took to immediately, and who takes great care of me in return. She's an absolute treasure.'

Talking about riding positively softens him, and Elizabeth trusts that by the time the dance ends, he will feel much less ruffled by Fitzwilliam's refusal to have him over this summer.

'Too bad there is so much snow at the moment, or we could all ride out. I've heard so much about the beauty of the country around here, I had hoped to explore.'

'Do you have a riding-horse with you then, Mr Grenfell, I gathered you had all arrived by carriage?'

'We're not even a day's ride from town, had the weather been clement, I would have had my hunter brought here. But as it is, we'll have to amuse ourselves with indoor sports. I may even catch me something tonight, figuratively speaking of course.'

Whatever can he mean? Elizabeth gathers she'd rather not know, and since by now the dance is almost over, and she is getting rather tired with all the talk and all the dancing, she takes leave very politely, and joins Jane and Bingley at a table to take a little rest.

Between lively talks with both of them, her father and the Gardiners, and of course Fitzwilliam who joins her pretty soon after, she can see Kitty dancing with Mr Lascelles, the handsome and very smart guy she likes a lot, and they seem to have a really good time.

Elizabeth dare not even consider Kitty attaching a man of that class, she is pretty, but Elizabeth has never taken her seriously, with her whining spells and her thoughtless imitation of Lydia's manners. But she has improved a lot, and at least she has had a very nice evening with plenty of partners.

The Gardiners are planning to return to their children as soon as the weather allows it, and though that is a bit disappointing, they will all meet at Christmas, which is less than two weeks away.

From where she is sitting, Elizabeth can see Mr Grenfell spending all his time and charms on Miss Bingley, who receives them with pleasure and encouragement. It is a little worrying to be sure, for if they marry, Mr Grenfell will also have to be included in their intimate circle, but most of all, Elizabeth fears Miss Bingley would greatly rue that marriage, and not just because Grenfell is sure to smell of horse again once the weather turns.

'Did you know Mr Hurst can actually talk, Fitzwilliam?'

'You mean in sentences? And about other things than food and cards?'

'Yes, I had the most surprising conversation with him just now. He asked me to dance, again, and after he had flattered me outrageously he told me he worried about his sister-in-law marrying unwisely.

Actually, he challenged me to deny Mr Grenfell being a self-congratulatory, acquisitive pig. His actual words, not mine. I couldn't, of course.'

'You couldn't say that of someone?'

'No, I couldn't deny his words. Do you worry for her?'

Fitzwilliam looks grave, and admits in a serious voice, 'I do. Grenfell asked me outright to be invited to Pemberley and to be allowed to court my sister, and I told him we'd already asked Mr Manners over this summer, and that Georgie was still too young to consider a marriage. He did not take it well, and made it very clear that by this time next year he would have made an advantageous match and our chance would have passed. He is serious all right.'

'But do you think she'll regret it?'

'I don't know, Elizabeth, I always thought her rather petty and shallow, so maybe she doesn't care. But I suppose Hurst knows them better.

Do you want to dance with me again?'

'Always, my love.'

After another hour of merriment, the orchestra falls silent, and Bingley addresses his guests.

'Ladies and gentlemen, we've had every opportunity to dance, and we will again. For now, it has come to the orchestra's attention that we have a truly superior pianist in our midst, and they have requested to be allowed to accompany her in several classical pieces.

So I beg you to please sit down and enjoy the superior music of Miss Georgiana Darcy on the piano, accompanied by the Meryton Merry Ten!'

All the guests applaud, and gather around the musicians on whatever seats they can find.

Before Elizabeth and Darcy can feel apprehension over Georgiana's willingness to perform for so many people and without practising, she has already started a virtuous piece, and one by one the other musicians join in.

The effect is amazing, Georgie looks like a picture of a concert pianist, beautiful and elegant, and superbly concentrated. The entire room is hushed instantly, no-one even moves on their chair, for the sound would disturb the entertainment.

If Darcy hadn't heard Mr Fielding play, he'd think his sister was ready for the stage, and he just knows most people will think exactly that. The violins, the flutes, the trumpets, they all match her perfectly, and everyone sits in trance for as long as the show lasts.

Everyone except Grenfell, for Darcy checks the crowd to see how he reacts to Georgie's skill, and he isn't there.

Mr Manners has been listening with great enjoyment, and when Georgiana is finished and the crowd has applauded and is back to the dance-floor, he looks her up and talks to her for a few moments. Then he takes his leave, is he going to bed this early? Well, actually, it's rather late already, and Darcy starts to feel some excitement, another half hour and he will be on his way to their own room with his beloved. A little undressing and taking off the gilding to be done, and then they will be all by themselves.

Bingley and Jane look ready for their first night together as well, they have waited so long, and now they want to be alone. Well, Darcy's not going to fault them for it.

But for now, everyone is still dancing, and having a lot of fun, and he decides to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Georgie says good night and leaves with Kitty and Maria, they've offered to share a room to enable all the guests rooms. Netherfield is very large, but with so many guests staying in the heart of winter, there was a little shuffling to find all the guests a suitable chamber that can be heated properly and has a usable bed.

He actually wonders how many guests he would be able to put up himself in any comfort at Pemberley, so many rooms have not really been used for years, they cannot be made habitable on such short notice.

Elizabeth is now catching his eye to suggest the two of them turning in, and he relishes the very thought. Georgie is safe with her friends, nothing to keep them here any longer, hopefully the snow will let up a little the next day so they can ride out to explore the neighbourhood. And if not, they can always ramble, in the garden if the rest of the park is covered in snow too deeply.

Wishing Bingley and Jane the best night of their lives so far, they retreat, up the stairs, where Simon is usually waiting for them to inquire whether they want help to undress. Of course today they need it, at least Elizabeth does, for her hair is done so intricately and braided and pinned so firmly, he wouldn't trust himself to get it down without hurting her.

But of course Simon knows that, so they are probably already waiting in the bedroom, fire poked up, washing basins ready. Having his valet back does have its advantages.

But when they enter their room, it is dark, and cold, and abandoned.

'That is not right, Fitzwilliam,' Elizabeth says, worried, 'Simon is always ready for us. Something must have happened.'

'You are right, and I mean to find out immediately. Do you know how to light a lamp and poke up a fire?'

'I sure do, I even know how to cook, did you know that? I've never had an independent income, you know, it seemed sensible to be able to take care of myself. You go look for Simon and Fanny, I'll make things cosy up here.'

As soon as he is gone, Elizabeth opens the hearth and pokes up the fire, feeding it a little until it comes back to life. Then with the ember tongs she picks up a little coal to light the lamps, after which she closes the drapes to keep the light and the heat in.

Then she waits.

It doesn't take long for footsteps to come towards the chamber, and to her surprise someone knocks. So it's not Fitzwilliam.

'Enter!' she calls out, and Mr Manners of all people comes in.

'Excuse me, Mrs Darcy, something happened to your maid, she is not hurt but very upset. Mr Wickham took her to your valet's room, and Simon wants you to know she'll be right over to help you undress, but to please keep in mind that she is very upset and it may influence her work.'

'That is very disturbing news, Mr Manners, did you see Fitzwilliam? He went out to look for them, we knew something had happened. Poor Fanny! How did you find out, Mr Manners?'

'I happened to pass by, Mrs Darcy, and offered to assist by acting as messenger. I suppose Mr Darcy is already there, I'll be in my own room when he wants to see me.'

And he is off.

Something bad happened to Fanny, and she is not hurt but upset? Did she fall? But that would hurt. And if someone was mean to her, Simon would have sent for them immediately, he knows they will not accept bullying among any servants.

Elizabeth does not have to wonder for long, within five minutes Fitzwilliam arrives, livid, followed by Simon supporting Fanny, who is indeed so very upset she will not be able to do any work.

After pointing out a comfortable chair to Simon to help Fanny into, Elizabeth automatically lays a hand on her husband's shoulder to calm him down. It works, but now he is cold as ice, exactly as Wickham described him at his most fearsome.

Fanny is such a sad sight, Simon looks positively anxious, and Fitzwilliam is not much help trying to control a murderous rage. So it's up to Elizabeth, and rightly so since she is the lady of the household.

Kneeling before Fanny, she takes the girl's hands, and asks gently, 'Do you want me to fetch Bob, Fanny? I don't know what happened, but he may be able to calm you down a little.'

That doesn't help, for it truly upsets the poor girl, and she starts to cry.

'No ma'am, please don't. He'll get even angrier than the master, and he will not be able to control himself, and lose everything he has worked for. I will feel better soon, I hope.

Everyone is so nice, Mr Wickham, Mr Manners, Simon, the master and now you.'

'Will you tell Mrs Darcy what happened, Fanny? She needs to know, and the master has only heard what Mr Wickham told me, not everything.'

Simon's voice sounds very soft and pleading, and Fanny accedes.

'I will, though it will make me upset all over again. But I guess talking about it helps, and I need to be calm before I see Bob again, I'm so afraid for him. Better sit down ma'am, and take the master's hand. I suppose he will be angry all over again when he hears this. Will you hold my hand Simon? I feel very safe with you, and the master and mistress are here to witness you're just supporting me.'

Asking her to tell what happened was a good move on Simon's part, it has pulled Fanny out of some spiral of shock and grief, and now her voice sounds clear as she starts her tale.

'I was on my way here to light the lamps and poke up the fire, I knew you'd need me to take down your hair, and I didn't mind waiting for an hour or more, I had a book with me to pass the time.

When I entered the main house, you know, coming from the servants' part, the halls were dark, but I know the way and I wasn't scared.

I hadn't come far, when strong hands gripped me and pushed me against the wall, keeping me from crying out by covering my mouth and nose.

By now my eyes were used to the dark, and I saw a tall shape looming over me, and I felt it, too, pushing me against the wall with his, you know, his...lower body. It was horrible. I've heard of things like that happening in big houses, but I always felt safe working for you, Mr Darcy.'

That is why Fitzwilliam is livid, he promised his servants they would be safe from others, and now something happened after all.

'I'm so sorry, Fanny, I failed you. But he will not escape punishment, I will call him out and he will pay for what he did.'

Call him out? One doesn't call out a servant, this must have been a gentleman then! No wonder Fanny fears for Bob!

'No, sir, you cannot, begging your pardon sir, but please hear me out?'

Fitzwilliam nods, his hand squeezing Elizabeth's rather tightly.

'He tried to fondle my breasts, and get under my skirts, but I resisted as much as I could, and while I couldn't escape, he couldn't have his way with me either, not without releasing my mouth. So he threatened me.

'You're a feisty little thing, good, I like that. I'd rather have your little mistress, or your missus for that matter, but you'll do for now. I'll have all the time in the world to sample your wares, we'll meet often, my little girl, once I marry into the family.

Now be a good girl and come to my room, and I'll not have to harm you or have you dismissed. It'll be just a few minutes each day, nothing to worry about.'

I protested I was engaged, but he merely laughed and said, 'Good, then no-one will wonder if you get with child. Just give him some of that, too, if you haven't already.'

That made me angry, and I fought, but he was so strong, and he hit me. Not hard, but it hurt and made me afraid, he clearly didn't stop at anything. I knew you'd protect me once I told you, Mr Darcy, but not that time, and Bob would certainly go for him and get fired or worse.

Then, someone came, whistling, but somehow I knew he knew, for the whistle was meant for me, to hearten me.

He stopped right beside us, and my attacker released me just a little, he was going to try to bluff his way out.

'Mr Grenfell!' a friendly voice hailed him, 'fancy seeing you so far from Miss Darcy and Miss Bingley, and all the fun. Couldn't wait any longer?'

And he asked me, 'Are you in need of assistance, young lady?'

He didn't seem at all above me, and he knew something was up, for he had a certain stance that showed he was ready for violence, though I guess Mr Grenfell didn't realise that. My cousin is a soldier, and he sometimes looks like my rescuer did.

'Mr Wickham,' my attacker now greeted him, trying to be friendly, but not succeeding. 'This girl and I are having a bit of fun, and I would advise you to keep out of it or I may make things very difficult for you.

My great-uncle is in the army, and he has little patience with petty officers taking the fun out of their betters' lives.'

But my rescuer didn't heed him at all, he waited until I managed to say, 'Please help me sir, I'm very much afraid and my face hurts.'

'In that case, Mr Grenfell, you'd better release the girl and promise her to respect her dignity from now on, or I will make you suffer the consequences.'

Now he was a lot bigger than Mr Wickham, and he laughed like the bully he is.

'You and who else, lieutenant? There is no sergeant here to help you, soft boy, I'm half again your size and an experienced boxer.'

As I said, my cousin is in the army, and he says they learn to fight dirty there, a matter of life or death as he calls it. Mr Wickham didn't speak, he merely hit my attacker in the face squarely, then kicked him in the nuts, excuse me my language, and finished him off with a blow to the stomach. It felt great to see him go down, I may have cheered.

Then I realised he had meant to ravage me, not just once, but every night, every time he was in the same house, on family meetings, hunting parties, courting either Miss Darcy or Miss Bingley at the same time, whispering sweet words in her ears.

That broke me, and I started crying.

Mr Wickham took me in his arms, and he said, 'Whose maid are you, young lady?'

I said, 'Mrs Darcy's, sir.'

'Good,' he said, 'Darcy has contacts everywhere, he'll save my skin from that big brute's connections.

Who is your superior among the servants?'

'That would be Simon, sir, Mr Darcy's valet.'

'Take me to him, girl, and we'll tell him. He can tell Mr Darcy later, he'll take care you will not be bothered again. First you need someone to comfort you, and it needs to be a little secretive. You cannot call out a gentleman over the chastity of a maid, sadly enough, it's mostly a matter of standing and connections, which is why I'm glad you belong to the highest ranked gentleman in this house. Let's go.'

And he took me back to the servant's quarters, where we met another gentleman, that Mr Wickham clearly didn't like. He asked Mr Manners to see to Mr Grenfell, and to warn you, Mr Darcy, which he promised to do. Then my rescuer knocked on Simon's door, told him what happened, and left me with him.

When Simon held me I let my fear and shock take over, and when Mr Darcy knocked and came in he found me like that.

Please Mr Darcy, don't let Mr Grenfell get Mr Wickham in trouble, and please tell Bob to leave him alone, he'll be killed or thrown into prison!'

This is a right mess and no mistake. Fitzwilliam in a rage, Fanny upset, Wickham's career in danger, Elizabeth has no idea how serious those threats are.

Fortunately, Fitzwilliam has calmed down by now.

'Fanny, I'm very glad you were saved just in time, and I promise you, I will do whatever I can to help Wickham. Personally, I think Grenfell is bluffing, but I'm still considering calling him out. You're part of my household. And I will talk to Bob as well, he will listen to reason and keep his cool and let me handle things. But that can wait until morning.

First, I will look for Mr Manners and see how Grenfell is doing, I hope Wickham didn't damage him too badly. I am loath to disturb Bingley on his wedding-night, but I may have to. You stay here, maybe take apart Mrs Darcy's coiffure for I cannot handle that, then let yourself be attended to by the mistress for a change.'

As he kisses Elizabeth goodbye, she admonishes him, 'Fitzwilliam, you take Mr Manners with you if you go to see Mr Grenfell. I don't trust you to keep your cool, I want someone stable along. Will you promise me to do that?'

'I will, my love. No-one shall be hurt worse than he is already.'

When he has left, Simon asks Fanny whether she can stay by herself for a moment, and he starts to take out the flowers and the pins from Elizabeth's hair. Fanny gets up and joins him, the quiet job calming both of them down quite a lot.

Soon, her hair hangs loose, and Fanny wants to brush it smooth, apparently that is as calming to the person brushing as it is to the one being brushed.

'I'm so sorry you were assaulted under our protection, Fanny, we knew that man was not suitable to marry Miss Darcy, but we didn't know he'd stoop to this.'

'Neither of you can help it, ma'am, I'm just glad Mr Wickham happened by to save me. It's mostly the shock of it all, nothing really happened. I would not like to meet him again, ma'am, and I still fear for Bob. But I cannot lie to him, I cannot pretend nothing happened, he'd know and suspect worse things of me.'

They talk for another hour, by which time Fanny is very tired and ready to go to bed.

'I will take her to her room and guard her door until she has locked it, Mrs Darcy, don't worry. And should you waken in the night, Fanny, you can knock on my door and we can talk. Don't lie awake in fear.'

Simon is so sweet, and Fanny is stronger than she looks, so Elizabeth has good hopes the girl will be all right.

'You can wake us as early as is needed, I suppose the master will be up early anyway to talk to Bob. Don't hesitate, you always help us, now it's our turn to make ourselves useful. Thank you very much, Simon, and please knock if you need us, even in the night. We're not at home, there is no housekeeper or cook to support you in this, so it will have to be us.'