Chapter 58

They arrive in the drawing-room together, and this time Mrs Darcy does comment straight away.

'Oh, Mr Fielding, I can see it was bad. I'm so sorry for you, to have things end this way. Though I must admit I'm very glad you came back with Mr Darcy, I was half-afraid he'd convince you to go back with him and marry Louise.'

She is so sweet, and not condescending at all.

'Mr Darcy would not have let that happen, ma'am. He was ready to defend me.'

This only proves Mr Zumpe has no idea what he is talking about, saying Eric will not be accepted in this family.

Though his derisive comments on Eric's compositions sting. But frankly, if he wants to make his music public, he'll get plenty of comments like that, even scathing reviews in the papers. Better get used to them, there will be no escaping harsh criticism.

Georgiana invites him back to the piano, and neither her brother, nor Mrs Darcy object. As soon as he is sitting next to her, she whispers, 'I'm glad you didn't go back, though it must be difficult to leave behind everything you ever knew. We'll make you feel at home, yet, don't worry!'

Of course Eric knows she means to support him in a difficult moment, but still his heart skips a beat, to have her look at him like that. He knows it can never be, but since his love for her is going to hurt him anyway, he can at least enjoy their time together while it lasts.

To sit so close to her, to feel her hand brushing his as he plays an accompaniment, to have her correct his exercises, they do help, incredible to have a girl help him get rid of that nuisance, even if she is his most promising pupil ever.

Speaking to Mr Zumpe himself turns out to have been a turning point for Eric. He finds he can let go of his guilt and his sense of loss, his mood improves manifold and he is eager to learn new skills.

Mrs Annesley is the best teacher, taking an hour each day to brush up his French and mathematics, classes Georgiana joins, 'To stir up old knowledge for when Mr Lascelles visits,' and because they are useful for the rest of their studies: practical housekeeping.

Of course Mrs Annesley used to be a governess, and she must have been a very good one, her classes are never boring, though she in her turn observes that they are the best students she ever had, being sensible adults and not easily-distracted children like her usual charges.

But Simon is no mean instructor either, he lacks the usual deference servants of this house seem to have, and with his pleasant, easy manners shows them the practical side of a household this size.

First he gives them a tour of the servants' side of the house, the kitchen, the common-room, now very busy with hired staff, but also the boiler-room, the larder, the stock-room, the stables. It's almost the half the size of the house again!

When they have seen the goods in stock, and the amount of food and other supplies they use each day, he takes them to a little study, where they keep the books and the petty-cash. As he adds some charges to the petty account, he explains what he is doing, and with a broad smile he adds, 'This afternoon I'm doing the last of the Christmas shopping, it's always a glorious time for me, I get to buy so many presents in the master's name, I love it.

The funds for that will not come from the petty-cash, that is just for the household, I usually shop on Mr Darcy's account, or if I go to smaller shops, he gives me cold hard cash to pay with, which makes him one of the more popular gentlemen in town, most take an account even with the smaller businesses, then forget to settle it regularly. Some businesses have been know to go bust because of that.

Getting customers to pay will not concern you at first, Mr Fielding, I suppose you will start playing venues that hire you, at little risk to yourself, but if you become really well-known, you can hire a hall yourself and charge admission. That way the risk is yours, but also the profit.'

During their pleasant times together, Georgiana tells him what people to expect to attend their Christmas party.

'They're all rather nice, you've met Elizabeth's father, Mr Bennet. His wife is a bit noisy and rather foolish, but not mean or unkind. Elizabeth has four sisters, the eldest was married to his best friend, just last week, the middle two are single, Kitty is fun to be with and interested in Mr Lascelles, Mary is a year older and a great bore. She'll be in the library most of the time.

She will adore you, for she wants to be a really good pianist, but somehow she doesn't get ahead much. Maybe you can give her a few tips, I cannot seem to discover why she practises for hours each day and doesn't manage to improve.

Then there's Lydia, she's very much like her mother, but she will not be present, she's married to Fitzwilliam's worst enemy, so they have not been invited. I'll tell you the story some day soon, it involves me, too, and Elizabeth.

Elizabeth's mother's brother, Mr Gardiner, will be here with his wife and children. They are very nice, you'll like them.

Then there is Mr Bingley, of course, Fitzwilliam's best friend and now brother-in-law.

And two of Mr Bingley's college friends, Mr Lascelles, who has been invited since he seems to have a distinct interest in Kitty and would be an excellent match for her. His father was a refugee from France, so we'll be able to practise our French with him.

And Mr Manners, the nicest gentleman I've ever met, he kind of invited himself and because we all like him very much Fitzwilliam agreed.

He loves music, and books, though he is an avid sportsman as well. I guess you'll like him, for he is so very friendly, not stuck-up at all, unlike Mr Bingley's sisters, they are fortunately not likely to visit much anymore, they used to follow my brother around everywhere, and despised everyone else, including Elizabeth when Fitzwilliam first fell in love with her. They weren't very nice to her, so they're not invited anymore, a relief for they were always great bores anyway.'

That sounds like Mrs Darcy's family mostly, and since they aren't as rich and noble as Mr Darcy is, they will probably treat him nicely, at least to his face.

Those gentlemen may be something else entirely, and Georgiana seems rather taken by Mr Manners, which does cause Eric a little stab of envy. Mr Darcy would probably be delighted if his sister got an offer of marriage from a guy like Mr Manners, Eric wouldn't stand a chance.

She has been very nice to him, but something is different about her, she's so familiar with him, the shyness her confessed budding love for him caused her seems to have disappeared, she no longer shows any signs of feeling the slightest love for him. They have gotten so close, but their closeness mostly resembles that of siblings, it's way too comfortable for a forbidden love like theirs, it's as if Georgiana sees Eric as some kind of brother, closer to her age than her own brother, and more suitable to spend a lot of time with, most of it indulging in their mutual love for the piano.

But they've been back together for less than two days, it's really too early to draw conclusions.

Of course Eric still practises by himself, on his own piano in his own room, and surprisingly he finds new motivation in his changed situation. He dares spend a lot of time on his own pieces, learning them by heart but playing slight variations each time. And of course he thinks of the future a lot, will he still try to pursue a career as a performer? He can write letters to his former master in Prague, to ask whom he would recommend to study under. Eric is certain that Mr Darcy will be willing to fund a stay abroad if Eric can prove his skills will benefit greatly.

But Eric finds the thought of leaving Georgiana behind unbearable, half a year without her? He'd die of loneliness, especially since he still has some hope of her returning his affection.

Another option would be to settle in London and to perform as much as possible. He'll not find a master to teach him here, Mr Zumpe tried but no-one was willing to teach a competitor to become an ever better player. There is a very lively music-scene, though, and according to that shocking article in the newspaper, he has a promising reputation already.

And there are his own works, having them performed with an orchestra is impossible without renown as composer, but performing them himself for an audience is not.

In the meantime, he'll learn about money and houses and staff, a very important step towards a life of his own. Does he really need such a luxurious life? Food is fuel, he likes to eat but dainties have no special attraction to him.

Servants are useful to do the work he cannot do himself, or doesn't want to spend the time doing, but he could do with very few, no need to keep horses, or curl his hair, just cleaning, washing and cooking. He can open his own door and keep his own accounts.

Why not choose independence for now, stay with Georgiana until he knows whether he has any chance of ever winning her? If he breaks his heart over her, he can still go abroad, he'll have something to look forward to.

The next day, on Christmas Eve, their guests arrive.

Elizabeth is pretty satisfied with their family as it is now, she always had a thing for Mr Fielding, and having him around all day has only confirmed that superficial liking. He is not only very easy on the eye, but he is such a gentle soul, even more sensitive and likeable than he was as Georgiana´s teacher.

But at Christmas, a party of four is a bit meagre, and it is much better to have a lot of people over than to have to stay in someone else´s house herself, that has become very clear to her in the last two weeks.

The Gardiners will return to their own house each evening, but the Bingley's, imagine Jane being a Bingley now, though they have their own house in town, will be staying over, they have no children yet to sleep better in their own beds, and it´s more fun to all be together. Elizabeth supposes the bachelors will also stay with them, though Mr Manners undoubtedly has a town house of his own.

Just after lunch, the butler announces the Gardiners and their children, fresh faced and spirited with just a really short trip through town.

Georgiana cannot imagine they will have a nice quiet family gathering with four young children present, but Mr and Mrs Gardiner clearly have experience with this situation, for they have brought a maid especially for the children, who soon settles them with some of their own toys in a corner of the large drawing-room. Elizabeth greets the children heartily, of course they are her cousins and she knows them well, but to Georgiana they are a kind of weird life-form, noisy and unpredictable, and she submits to a greeting with her usual reticence.

They are polite enough, and dressed like little gentlemen and little ladies, but she has no experience with children whatsoever, and no desire at all to gain it. She flees to her piano as quickly as good manners allow, only to be received by Eric with a malicious smile.

'You looked so funny, Georgiana,' he remarks quietly, 'shaking hands with those perfectly behaved little children as if they were going to bite you any moment.'

And he laughs merrily to rub it in.

Georgiana cannot be angry with him, it's such a treat to hear him laugh with true delight, even if it's at her own expense. But of course she cannot let him get away with it, oh no, that would be so wrong.

'All right, Eric, you show me how it's done, if you're so handy with those little noisy unpredictable things.'

And he takes her challenge! Without blinking twice, she may add.

He's such a handsome man, she thinks for the thousandth time, as he walks towards the little group without hesitation. And well dressed, always, even on the most ordinary occasions, without spending undue attention on his looks.

Though Simon must have gotten to him somehow, she suddenly realises, for he is even more immaculate than usual today. She's never seen him with a cravat tied this well, or with his hair actually styled, though very subtly. No, her brother's valet has offered his services to help him make a stunning first impression on their guests.

To think she didn't notice before now, he must have been disappointed. But it's not his looks that make her breathe a little faster whenever she is close to him, it's his kindness, and his talent. And he is so smart, he picks up everything Mrs Annesley or Simon explain, almost instantly.

Of course he has to greet Mr and Mrs Gardiner first, and Fitzwilliam introduces him to Elizabeth's aunt and uncle. Georgiana cannot make out what they say exactly, but she is sure no-one would ever know from his person that Eric was not born a gentleman, he is so charming and such a feast for the eye.

'Aren't you afraid you'll wear him to a thread by looking at him so often?'

A soft, only slightly ironic voice sounds right by Georgiana's ear.

'Nothing escapes you, does it, Elizabeth? How can I keep from looking at him? He's so handsome, and so likeable.'

'I was just kidding you, Georgiana, you've behaved admirably, both of you. Have you come to an agreement yet?'

'It's been two days, Elizabeth, and besides, I wouldn't know what to say. He cannot speak to me, and I dare not say anything to him but normal, friendly things. I'm very proud of myself that I manage to act normal around him, and only simper and daydream about him when I'm certain not to be caught at it.'

'You're right, love, wait a minute, what's he doing now?'

Apparently Elizabeth expects him to be of Georgiana's conviction, that children are a dangerous unknown species, to be avoided at all cost.

But Eric marches towards them all by himself, of course they're all distracted by their toys, but still, as soon as he speaks to them they'll all look at him.

And he does not just that, he actually kneels between the whole pack of them and says something that makes them all laugh, even the youngest, and the nanny, a very pretty girl with a finely chiselled face and lovely chestnut curly hair.

'I dared him to go out there and greet them. He made fun of me being a tad uncertain among children.

But there were four of them, you know, and just me. Though the nanny seems to have them well in hand.'

'Well, Georgiana, seems you have an excellent taste in men, look at him!'

The eldest two girls have shaken hands with Eric very politely, and are now back to their drawings, but the two boys are more interested in wrestling their new friend, who is not afraid of the sturdy little chaps at all and gives as good as he gets for a few minutes.

When neither party is ready to quit roughhousing yet, the nanny nonetheless calls the boys to order with a few kind words. Eric gets up, straightens his coat, then bows to the nanny and introduces himself to her as well, undoubtedly excusing himself for exciting her charges a bit too much.

She's flustered by his attention, of course she thinks he is a gentleman, she cannot know Eric doesn't yet make the difference between staff and visitors, if he'll ever accept it. Somehow Georgiana guesses he'll always treat everyone with respect.

Fortunately Eric doesn't show any reaction to her blush and stammer, or Georgiana would be jealous, she's so petite and so pretty.

'Jealous, Georgiana? I'd be, too, if I was in love with such a handsome man.'

To prove her sister she does not mind her teasing, she observes, 'You are, Elizabeth. Only he was single for ten years before that, so you knew he was rather picky.

Do you think Simon helped Eric dress today? He looks even more ravishing than usual, look at his cravat, and isn't that a shaking dog hairstyle? Though Eric's hair is a bit long to do it justice.'

'I do think you're right! So nice of Simon to help him for his first meeting with a large party of guests here.

But Georgiana, I'm sure that a man who is good with children must be a good man. Hold on to this one!'

That is easy for her to say! Georgiana may have acknowledged her feelings for Eric, but meanwhile he seems to have changed into her brother! A kind, entertaining brother, but not the hankering admirer he used to be. What if he finds her childish? Or spoiled? They've come to know each other so much better, he may have been sorely disappointed by her true character, he may have been in love with some ideal he conjured up, projecting it on a girl beyond his reach.

He may be a hopeless romantic, only wanting to yearn for a girl he cannot have. Of course he doesn't know Fitzwilliam has as good as given his consent, to him she must still seem beyond his reach. Well, that ruins that ridiculous theory at least.

Elizabeth must have seen her expression, for she strokes Georgiana's hair gently.

'I'm sorry, Georgiana, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure everything will work out in the end. I've felt unsure with love for a few months, and it was not a very nice feeling. I'll be more understanding.

Oh, he's coming back over, and he looks positively triumphant. He's going to rub it in mercilessly. I'll leave you by yourself, not to spoil his fun.'

And indeed, she is off.

But before Eric can do more than nonchalantly observe, 'Those were very well-mannered children,' the butler enters to announce a new party of visitors.

Apparently Jane and Bingley are arriving together with Mr Lascelles and Mr Manners, this is an important moment for both herself and Eric, and suddenly she feels rather nervous about the two of them meeting.

Almost as if she has been playing the one against the other, or has been untrue to either of them, which is ridiculous, for in fact each of them knows where he stands with her. Why the nerves, then?

Is she afraid Mr Manners will show disdain towards Eric? It would hurt Eric to be treated arrogantly, but not very much, she thinks. And Mr Manners is way too nice to do such a thing. Oh well, she'll soon find out.