When they get back to the drawing-room, Mary is practising a new piece Fielding has advised her to start on, she's not even close to Georgie's accomplishments, but somehow it sounds better already than her playing used to. If Fielding's career as composer and performing pianist never takes off, he can always teach for a living, for he is obviously very good at it.

Georgie is no longer in the drawing-room, and neither is Fielding, they must have retreated to his apartment for their own practise. They can really spend hour upon hour together on the piano, and they'll most probably add a few hours each day to explore the harpsichord.

As Elizabeth joins her sister and Bingley for a game of cards, Darcy decides to spend some time on his mother-in-law, his hospitality has done wonders for their bond, but a bit of attention now and then is needed to perfect the whole. She appreciates him better alreadykind of likes him now, but he wants to her to love him as much as she loves Bingley or Wickham. And there is Lascelles, too, so many new brothers for Darcy!

'Mrs Bennet, what would you say to my taking a box at the theatre tonight for all of us? Georgie and I have recently visited a very entertaining piece, in a very quaint theatre right in the middle of town, a place like nothing you've ever seen.'

She looks at him with a tiny bit of doubt, that is singular, who doesn't like the theatre? Wait, maybe she's afraid it will be dreadfully boring.

'It's a very diverting comedy, Mrs Bennet, with beautiful scenery and a lot of romance, there wasn't a dull moment.'

He was right, she was probably afraid of sitting through an hour of complicated dialogue, for now she smiles very nicely, Darcy can almost see a hint of the young lady Mr Bennet was foolish enough to marry on a whim.

'That would be very agreeable, Mr Darcy, we have had a great time here, with the ball last night and all, and a visit to the theatre will be the very thing to tell my dear sister Philips, and Mrs Lucas about.

I'll be glad to be back at Longbourn though, my brother and sister's children are very restless, my nerves cannot handle such noises and capers any more, one would say it would be possible in a city like London to find a decent nursery-maid. This one likes her own looks just a tad too much.'

That is so Mrs Bennet, that poor maid has kept four children under ten remarkably quiet, except when one of the gentlemen thought it a good idea to rile them up and rough-house with them, and even then she'd have them back to calm in an instant.

And she can't help it that she's pretty as well as competent, and that Mrs Gardiner chooses very becoming uniforms for her staff.

'And I'm just aching to have Hill back, I suppose a house this size put other demands on its staff, Mr Darcy, but your housekeeper behaves like she's the mistress here instead of a dependant, sitting in the library during working hours, enjoying herself like a lady, with a piece of embroidery rich enough for Queen Charlotte's hall.

And your valet doesn't know his proper place at all, he treats the girls as if he's their big brother, you know he's given Mary all kinds of advice on her dresses and caps, and now she wants to go shopping tomorrow and take him along! And Mr Bennet lets her! He lets her!

I bet that Mrs Annesley talked my dear husband into it, and no-one does anything, Lizzy just lets that woman walk all over her and Mr Bennet sits in the library and talks and laughs with her all day long. I assure you, Mr Darcy, dear Jane has much more control over her staff.'

Poor Darcy is hard-put to keep from smiling at Mrs Bennet's monologue, she must be feeling quite insignificant here, he knows her own housekeeper practically rules the household at Mr Bennet's orders, but Mrs Hill is such a mistress of subtlety that Mrs Bennet will never know.

So he makes an effort to placate his mother-in-law, by smoothing things over a little.

'I'm glad you like the embroidery my housekeeper is making, Mrs Bennet, for it is a commission of Elizabeth and myself to grace our dining-room here. Mrs Annesley sits in the library because the light is best there in winter, she gets to spend so much time on her work because we are eager to have the entire piece finished before we move back to Pemberley.

It's a portrait of my grandmother, when you visit us at Pemberley you will get to see the original painting, your daughter took a great liking to it. I guess you'll like my housekeeper at Pemberley much better, Mrs Reynolds is all business, and she knows her place perfectly.

Having a house in town creates a need for self-reliant staff, Mrs Bennet, they are left to themselves at least half of the year and need to be able to deal with emergencies instantly and decidedly. In the country I have my steward to make important decisions, but in this house Simon and Mrs Annesley share the responsibility.

And you know Mr Bennet has few other amusements in town but haunting the library, there is nothing to hunt in town that you would want your husband involved with, believe me. Better have him safely entertained in the house with books and a very well-mannered married former lady-in-waiting, don't you think? Mrs Annesley used to be my sister's lady-companion, which I suppose accounts for her behaving like a lady, it used to be her job to give a perfect example to young girls destined to become ladies themselves.'

His efforts seem to have effect, Mrs Bennet is thinking things over, and she asks, almost in shock, 'You mean, Mr Bennet might be robbed if he went out into town?'

Darcy shrugs, and replies calmly, 'As long as he takes his daily ride with Elizabeth and me he is not in any danger, but if he were to go outside by himself, he might run into footpads, or get himself lost, you know your husband is perfectly adapted to the challenges of the country, but life in the city is dangerous in a totally different way.'

And one last effort for Mary's benefit, 'Mrs Bennet, strange though it might seem, it is really a very good idea to let my valet accompany Miss Mary if she goes shopping, he knows the best places and he has the best taste in fashion and accessories. Suppose Mary and Kitty would go by themselves, the shopkeepers here would convince them to buy the most outrageously expensive and glaringly gaudy dresses and hats, beyond your imagination, though you may have seen some of them at the ball yesterday.'

Mrs Bennet nods in abhorrence.

'Yes, some of those girls were not decently clad at all! You mean they'd just sell that to anyone?'

'They certainly would try, and Kitty and Mary are not street-wise, whereas Simon certainly is. He knows how to haggle, shopkeepers know him and like him because he does most of my gift-shopping, and he'll help Mary choose dresses that will make her look sophisticated, not cheap.

He chose my sister's dresses, and Elizabeth's accessories.'

That impresses her, and she looks a little more resigned. No-one really minds Mrs Bennet much, but she must not get jealous of Mrs Annesley, that would bring great mischief. Better she thinks it's accidental that Mr Bennet and the housekeeper sit there together so often, the one looking for diversion in books, the other working diligently on a task for her mistress, needing the light in that particular place.

'Would you feel more at ease if a gentleman accompanied your daughter on her shopping-tour, as well as a servant, Mrs Bennet?'

'It certainly would, Mr Darcy, it would make a totally different impression. Are you volunteering?'

'I am not, I have a much more suitable companion in mind, Mr Manners is always ready to render his services wherever they are needed, shall I ask him to consider going along on this excursion?'

'Mr Manners? He's unmarried, isn't he?'

'He is, but I guarantee he will behave himself excellently towards your daughter. And since they are a party, there is no indecency in him going along.'

But Mrs Bennet has always let her daughters leave the house in the company of a single man without trouble, and there is no problem this time.

'Oh, no, I don't foresee trouble, Mr Manners is the most respectable man I ever had the fortune to be acquainted with, such a true gentleman. He is very welcome to accompany my dear Mary. If you would be so kind as to ask him for his company, I would be much obliged.'

Is she hoping he'll fall for Mary over a few gowns and some sashes? Probably, but that will never happen, though obviously, Manners has plenty of connections and he doesn't need to marry well financially. He merely needs someone to look well together in company, bear him some children, not bore Simon and him to death, and keep their big, big secret from everyone and anyone, even her own family.

Mary can probably keep her silence, but she can also bore virtually anyone, Darcy gives her little chance to attach any man.

'Frankly, Mr Darcy, I'm glad to hear your housekeeper is working that beautiful embroidery for you, I admit to feeling rather jealous, she is using thread I cannot afford to buy for my own work. And while I spend most of my time at some kind of needlework I will never match her skill. That makes me feel useless.

But tomorrow afternoon we'll be on our way back, I always thought I'd like to live in town a few months each year, but now I guess I realise life's much simpler at Longbourn. It will be mighty quiet though, with all but one of my daughters gone away.'

'Mrs Bennet, I recognise the feeling of inadequacy, I usually have it when I hear my sister or Fielding play the piano, or when I see my stable-hand Peter ride a horse. Some people just surpass normal skills, and it can be quite difficult to accept they will always be better at that one thing they do best.

Somehow Elizabeth accepts that much more easily, she still enjoys her needlework sitting next to Mrs Annesley's masterpiece as it takes shape, and she plays reels on the piano to entertain herself, and me.'

That surprises Mrs Bennet highly, and she observes, 'You really like Lizzy, don't you, Mr Darcy? That is very curious, I always thought she'd end up an old maid, with her sassy remarks. But then, it takes all kinds of people... '

All right, let Bingley and Wickham stay her favourites, Darcy gives up. Mrs Bennet will always have fault to find with her least loved daughter and anything connected to her.

Elizabeth is still at cards, and Mrs Bennet is moving to join the players, when Darcy remembers he will have to reserve the box for tonight. He excuses himself to his beloved and gets a kiss in return, then makes way to his study. As he leaves, he can see Manners is no longer in the drawing-room, too bad, asking him to accompany Simon on his shopping-expedition with Miss Mary would get that done straight away. Oh well, it will keep.

Meanwhile, in Eric's apartment, Georgiana and Eric are practising together. Well, they're mostly practising, for admittedly they have exchanged a few loving words and some kisses as well.

But much fewer than one would expect from a newly engaged couple with so much privacy it's only their own conscience keeping them from engaging in shameful acts of intimacy.

Of course Darcy doesn't trust his sister merely on her, admittedly beautiful, blue eyes, allowing them this freedom, he knows she'd never do anything like that, and he probably suspects Eric wouldn't defile his beloved for all the money in the world.

And frankly, they haven't the time to work one another in a forbidden frenzy of lust, they have work to do. With all these celebrations and people around all the time, their studies have suffered, and there is no time like now to catch up on missed practice.

Strangely enough, Eric doesn't experience a strong need to touch Georgiana to feel close to her, when they are together like this the connection between them seems even stronger than when they are actually holding each other. Well, as strong. For holding the girl he has ached for for months is an exquisite pleasure.

But it is one that will become habit soon, well, maybe not soon, but it will become habit, whereas playing together will always be fresh and new.

Georgiana has mastered the sonata she was practising well enough to start perfecting it, and that is very hard work. Fortunately she does not let Eric's presence right beside her distract her, for he doesn't think he can be severe towards her anymore, he really wonders how he ever managed to drive her as much as he used to do.

Look at her sweet face, with the little blushes, and her long eye-lashes framing her perfectly shaped eyes. They are the colour of forget-me-nots, so intensely blue, and so concentrated on what she is playing.

Or are they?

'Eric, you are not paying attention! I just made a huge mistake and you didn't even notice!'

'I'm sorry, my love, I got distracted for a moment, trying to decide what colour your eyes are. They're not just blue, they're so much more than that.'

She looks at him with an expression of exasperation, then relents and gives him a sweet little kiss straight on his lips. She smells heavenly, and his lust gives him a little encouragement to kiss her back.

'Will you write even better music now you're no longer in despair? Or will your mind drown all the brilliant stuff in romantic drivel like that?'

Ouch, that smarts! And here he was, musing about his beloved, and how he couldn't scold her anymore! Apparently their roles are to be reversed, and his beloved is going to be the taskmaster from now on.

He sits up straight and salutes smartly.

'I don't know about the music, but I'm going to pay attention from now on, I promise. I'll save the drivel for later. Go ahead, continue, I'm back to earth.'

And she does continue, and Eric corrects mistakes and her posture, then meticulously refines her play in every aspect he can think of, for at least an hour, until they are both exhausted.

'Enough, Georgiana, you've done your share, now it's my turn. Will you stay next to me while I play, and correct my mistakes? And maybe admire my dark eyes a little?'

They trade places, and Eric exercises his hands and fingers, he has benefited so much from those five minutes of preparation each time he plays.

All his fatigue disappears as he loses himself in his practice, he always plays his current piece as far as he has mastered it, then he works out another page or two of the sheet music, superficially at first, refining it further and further the next times he practises.

Frankly, there is not much Georgiana can do for Eric in these practice sessions, he is still so far beyond her, but she learns from watching him, and she enjoys just being with him as he plays, she still admires him so much, it seems so easy for him, but this process proves it's still hard work.

Shamelessly relishing the feel of him as she listens to the music, trying to hear any mistakes or possibilities for different interpretations, she almost jumps when a knock sounds on the door.

What to do? This is not her room, but if she doesn't open the door and it's Fitzwilliam, he may think they are doing things they shouldn't.

While playing a piece of piano-music that maybe eight people in the entire world dare even try? No way! But now she's getting curious, so she slips off Eric's broad piano stool and walks to the door. Eric plays on as if he doesn't even notice her leaving, which is very probable.

Standing in front of it, listening to the incredible music, is Mr Manners. He speaks in a low voice, to not disturb Eric.

'Miss Darcy, I was hoping to find you here. Congratulations on your engagement! May I hug you, please? I feel so close after being with the two of you at the concert last night, and you and me watching him play together.'

He looks different than usual, younger, and a lot less in control. Vulnerable actually, and as if he really needs that hug.

'Do come in, Mr Manners, and of course you may hug me, I'm an engaged woman now, I can take certainly liberties with single men.'

She means that as a joke, but also to see his reaction. There is no pain in it, mostly true amusement, and..guilt?

The instant she has closed the door she is gathered up in a strong embrace, no wonder he could carry that harpsichord all by himself, he's immensely strong! And still she feels very safe in his arms, just as she feels with Fitzwilliam.

She hugs him back as if this is her brother, needing some support for whatever reason.

'I owe you an apology, Miss Darcy,' he says, as soon as she is back on her own two feet.

That is what the guilt was for, but somehow the formality is wrong in this situation.

'Will you call me Georgiana as long as we're in private, Mr Manners? You feel like my brother, not like a mere acquaintance.'

'Yes, please, Georgiana. Will you return the favour then? My first name's Frederick. I don't feel like Mr Manners at all when I'm with the two of you.

But I still think there is something between you and me that needs clearing up. I didn't even realise it until your brother and sister pointed it out, shame on me.'

And he truly feels it, that is clear.

'Do you need to get it off your chest right away, Frederick, or can it wait until Eric has finished his practise? I promised to listen in.'

His face softens even more almost instantly.

'Georgiana, you two will be so happy together! Of course it can wait, it's such a privilege to hear a master play, even in practise. Especially in practise. Where can I sit?'

They both drag a chair to the piano and sit next to each other. Since he is soon totally absorbed by the music, Georgiana feels free to study her friend.

Frederick. His name fits him well, as does his new disposition, it seems as if he's finally showing her his true self, and it may even be more likeable than the man she already knew.

Whatever can he have done that needs apologising? Does she need to worry? Will she be in the papers again first thing tomorrow?