Chapter 111

Eric has to admit to himself that he does feel quite apprehensive to seek out Mr Zumpe, and he knows he should just own up to Georgiana. She'll find out anyway, he can feel the tension in his whole body, it's not as if she's not going to notice. It's a good thing, though, to go there with Mr Clementi and choose a piano, no matter how uncomfortable it will be for him. And hopefully for Mr Zumpe! His main competitor, buying one of his instruments, and not the least one. It sounds as if Mr Clementi is planning to choose the best on offer. He is certainly taking his passion seriously, despite loving his own style and having taught many students how to excel in it, Mr Clementi wants to be able to play every style he comes across, to be able to teach it but also to broaden his own abilities. Eric cannot but admire such a goal, even if it's wildly different from his own single-minded pursuit of his ambitious dreams. Though meeting and falling in love with Georgiana has changed him more than a little, he has broadened his interests to composing and teaching as well, whereas he used to aim solely for a career on stage and worldwide fame.

'I'm certain Mr Zumpe will be very pleased to sell Mr Clementi a piano, Eric. You always told me he taught you to be nice to everybody because they were all potential customers. He will be especially nice to you, since you will be there to help him sell his most famous customer ever a very expensive instrument. Without you, Mr Clementi cannot choose. And who knows, maybe he isn't even in and you'll just meet his salesman. Who may be married to Miss Zumpe by now.'

Of course he didn't fool her, she knew all the time.

'Too bad he's already married. Mr Wilbur, the salesman. For he would be an excellent match for Louise. I'm anxious, but I'm kind of elated at the same time. It's a kind of redemption, to have Mr Clementi ask me along to demonstrate a piano for him because he wants to learn the music Mr Zumpe abhorred. If I were petty minded, I'd relish the moment of triumph. Maybe I'm just afraid to find myself petty minded enough to relish it after all.'

She hugs him and kisses him, careful not to excite him too much.

'You could never be petty, Eric. Just be as brave as ever and I'm sure things will work out for the best. I just hope Mr Zumpe has a really good instrument in stock, I suppose building one will take months.'

They are planning to take a cab rather than trust to Hugo's sense of direction, but Simon drops in and offers to guide the Pemberley stablemaster to the right address. 'I know London even better than Bob, and you don't want to offend Mr Hugo if you are going to learn how to ride this summer at Pemberley. And if you don't do it for yourselves, do it for me. I'm just a lowly valet, he can make life very easy for me if he likes me.'

It's a good idea even without Simon's outrageous acting, why keep horses if you don't use them? And Hugo needs to learn to navigate London anyway, who knows when he will be expected to drive there in the future.

Meeting up with Mr Clementi in a cafe right next to the showroom, Eric surprises himself by not feeling any regrets or remorse. How can he? He has everything he ever dreamed of and more, a comfortable home where he is free to play and compose the music he likes, the girl of his dreams, who is also his perfect companion to share everything he loves with, and now, the long-hoped-for teacher to help him reach the next level in playing and composing. What more can a man want from life? Still he feels some tension, but remembering how he was dismissed from Mr Zumpe's service and what happened afterwards he cannot fault himself for being a little on his guard when dealing with his former patron. The coffee doesn't taste as good as it should, and he doesn't even try to eat a slice of pie, it would taste like sawdust. Mr Clementi nods as he explains and observes, 'Let's get the difficult part over then, Mr Fielding, and do the chatting afterwards.'

And he gestures the waiter for the bill while they finish their coffee. As soon as Mr Clementi has paid they walk the few yards to the Zumpe showroom and enter. Their appearance has all the effect they might want, for when Mr Wilbur recognises who are walking into his showroom on a cold and wet February afternoon his eyes widen and his mouth falls open, until he realises he knows at least one of his guests intimately.

'Fielding! Is it really you? I can't believe my eyes!'

And he takes Eric's hand firmly, then reconsiders and pulls his former colleague into a bear hug.

'We've missed you, man, things haven't been the same since you left. Though we were all very glad to hear you are doing so well!'

'How have things been, Wilbur? Are the rest still here?'

'Yes, yes, we're doing fine, sales are fine, it's just that the heart went out of old Zumpe, I know he asked you to leave, but then he did all the suffering. And poor Louise, through no fault of yours, Fielding, we all know that. Sometimes these things just happen. I don't have to ask you how you are doing, we all read the newspaper. Though I can see they are a tiny bit behind on the news?'

He means Mr Clementi, no doubt. The papers have been writing about Georgiana since before New Year's Eve.

'May I introduce you to my fiancée, Miss Darcy, and Mr Clementi, who is teaching me, striving to take me to the next level of competence?'

Wilbur shakes hands, compliments Georgiana and then observes, 'Mr Clementi, it's such an honour to meet you. I guess this is not a social visit, Fielding? Apparently Mr Zumpe did not leave you much choice to stay on friendly terms with him. May I ask what brings the three of you here?'

Now Mr Clementi takes over, he has the famous Italian charm, even in the lion's den, though he has never seen Mr Zumpe as competition so much as Mr Zumpe did him.

'Mr Wilbur, I've invited Mr Fielding over to help me with an important decision. After hearing him play his magnificent compositions on his own instrument, I have decided it's time for me to master this new form of music, romantic music, for it stirs the heart like no other. But to do this I need a different instrument, you may have heard one of mine, they are better suited to a different style of playing and composing. To explore romantic music I want to buy the perfect tool, a piano-forte with the same capacity to relay feelings as Mr Fielding's Zumpe. So all in all, we are here as customers. With a very serious intent, one might say a determination, to buy. If you have an instrument that pleases all three of us, if not, I'll order one made exactly as I like.'

Poor Wilbur is overcome.

'You, Mr Clementi, the famous piano-builder, composer, pianist, want to buy a Zumpe piano-forte?'

'Yes, I do,' the man laughs.

Wilbur now looks at Eric and says seriously, 'Will you allow me to send for Mr Zumpe himself, Fielding? I can't keep him out of it, you have to understand.'

'I understand perfectly, Wilbur, I didn't expect anything less, and Mr Clementi has the right to meet the master-builder of an instrument he has such high expectations of. While we wait, may we try some of the instruments here?'

'Certainly, do you want me to show you the best ones we have here? There are some cheaper pianos too, you see.'

'Thank you, Wilbur, but I think we'll just check out all of them. Mr Clementi knows exactly what he wants.'

In fact the master-builder is already busy examining instruments in a way that would never have occurred to Eric since he is a pianist, not a maker of the best quality piano-fortes himself. Mr Clementi is apparently judging the quality of the workmanship and the wood, and Georgiana is watching his progress, listening to his explanations with interest. As Wilbur moves off to send for Mr Zumpe, Eric joins the others, and soon learns more about the fabrication of pianos than he ever imagined.

'This is the latest model, I think,' Mr Clementi observes, 'but if you look at the joints and the wood, it's been made to save on costs, it will be one of the cheaper instruments and thus not suitable for my use: it will be hard to tune perfectly, and I suppose it won't last for more than twenty years. I understand why Mr Zumpe has these made, and a lot of families cannot afford a piano otherwise, but I love my instruments in a very personal way, I want them to last forever, or as close to it as I can get. Which makes them much more expensive, but that cannot be helped, a Clementi is for the well-to-do.'

With a laugh he adds, 'Of course I'll make an exception for young talents, Mr Fielding, should you want to buy a Clementi I'll let you have one at a very decent price.'

Well, Eric certainly wants to own a Clementi some day, and he says so to his new friend and teacher. By now they have examined four pianos and found them wanting, but the fifth is more to Mr Clementi's liking.

'Will you demonstrate this one for me, Mr Fielding? It's of a different quality than those others, I guess that's the cheap corner, I expect the quality instruments from this point onwards.'

Eric sits down and plays a few scales first, then launches into one of his own works. After a few bars he stops, this is not the right instrument, though it's perfectly in tune and plays firmly, it lacks that mournful quality they are looking for.

'Plenty more to go,' Mr Clementi observes and moves to another model, again an excellent piano. By now, Wilbur is back, and he says, 'This is one I would recommend, one of the best pieces we've made in the last few years. It's been waiting for a buyer with the ability to separate the magnificent from the merely good.'

Eric plays and recognises its quality instantly, this is a fine instrument, and very well-suited to what Mr Clementi wants. Wilbur is speechless, he must have never heard Eric play his own work before, it's funny to see him look at someone he knows very well with entirely new eyes.

'I like this one, Mr Fielding,' Mr Clementi says, 'lets try the others and then get back to it. Please lead us to the two other instruments you say are superior, Mr Wilbur.'

It does save on time, but it's obvious Georgiana doesn't agree with Wilbur's judgement. She has been drifting through the showroom on her own since Eric started to play, and her eye has settled on a very plain instrument somewhere at the back. She's back with them to listen to Wilbur's favourites, but Eric knows she will have them try that rather squat piano as well.

They try the two Wilbur recommends, finding them very pleasing of tone, and then Mr Zumpe comes bursting into the showroom, not wearing his busby, cheeks overspread with a blush of exertion, he must have run over without taking time to dress for the cold. As Eric and Georgiana watch from behind the piano they see him greet Mr Clementi with the respect the piano-builder, pianist and composer deserves. They talk, mostly about pianos, until Mr Clementi points out his companions sitting at the keyboard of one of his prime products. Mr Zumpe is stunned.

'Eric? Is that really you?'

To see a man who used to be like a father to him for most of his life so affected can't but affect Eric in his turn. He gets up from the piano stool and embraces his former patron with all the love he used to feel for him. He'll most likely say something really offensive again soon, but Eric can't help it, being back here reminds him of the feeling of wealth he used to have tuning the instruments here. So many pianos, and he could play any one of them he liked. He has learned to live without Mr Zumpe, but in a way the man is still his father.

Mr Zumpe is much smaller than Eric, and has to look up at him.

'Eric, I never thought I'd see you again. You look well. Despite what you might think I'm happy you found what you always wanted.'

He looks sad, and Eric feels a bit guilty, though he knows he was not to blame for what happened. But this is not the Mr Zumpe he remembers, this man is older, tired, things have indeed changed.

'Is Louise all right? And Mrs Zumpe?'

His former patron manages a smile.

'Louise is engaged to one of my best craftsmen, you never met him, he came after you left. She is happy, I think. Hannelore misses you, she visited a few concerts but she never got the chance to talk to you. But she is in good health and very proud of you. She was very hard on me for how I treated you, Eric, she was always on your side.'

'She was like a mother to me, Mr Zumpe, do you think she would like to attend a concert as guest of honour? Or maybe visit me at home and hear Miss Darcy and me play together?'

'She said she always knew you were not for Louise, I think she'd love to hear you play with Miss Darcy, she was so glad to see you self-confident and happy. I'm sorry for what happened, Eric, you were always like a son to us. It's hard to lose a son, especially for a mother.'

Dear Mrs Zumpe, she was always very good to him. She wasn't to blame for anything, she never could manage her husband.

'I'll send an invitation, soon, for we'll be going to Pemberley in March. I've been feeling bad about leaving, you know, I've missed my sister and my mother. But I've always had this drive, I can't settle, I need to learn more and try for the top. I guess some people are like that. Louise would have suffered for it, while Miss Darcy relishes our time at the piano. I'm glad Louise found someone she can love. Now I think Miss Darcy wants to try that piano back there, will you indulge her, Mr Clementi?'

Mr Clementi, knowing how matters used to be between Eric and his former patron, has waited very patiently while they sort out some things of the past, he must have expected it, he seems happy they didn't quarrel. Though Mr Zumpe is too much a business-man to quarrel before a potential customer.

'It's not a matter of indulgence, Mr Fielding, if Miss Darcy feels that piano has potential I insist on hearing it. I am not a man to ignore a knowledgeable woman's advice. It seems very plain, and small, but I did say I needed a certain sound.'

As they move towards the plain piano in the back, Mr Zumpe says, a little uncomfortably, 'I'm afraid that piano may be off-tune. I have to pay a tuner these days, gentlemen, and since most buyers ignore that piano-forte totally I've tried to save on my expenses by just leaving it as it is. It's a fine instrument, compact but still with a terrific sound. You used to like it a great deal, Eric, don't you remember?'

He doesn't. It's a completely unremarkable instrument, and there were so many in this room, always changing. But Georgiana is already seated, eager to get her hands on it. She plays a scale, and soon finds out it is indeed out of tune, though not horribly so. Mr Clementi sounds interested.

'It seems to have that quality I am looking for, but it is indeed very small and very plain. I've a reputation to maintain, you know.'

'Let me tune it anyway, Eric,' Georgiana insists, 'it'll do Mr Zumpe a good turn, it's not a waste of time. Then you can examine the other ones together, inside, and play some more romantic work on them. And then when I'm done you can play this one. For me. I think it's special, it's half the size of yours and these others and still it sounds as mellow.'

It's very gratifying to see Mr Zumpe impressed by Georgiana's offer to tune the piano herself, he probably didn't expect such a genteel girl to be able to tune. Or he's stunned by her self-assurance, his daughter would never assert herself that way. Maybe now he'll understand why Louise was not for Eric.

Before they move to another piano Mr Clementi examines the wood of the plain instrument, exclaiming, 'No wonder you didn't adorn it, you made this out of pure mahogany!'

Mr Zumpe beams to have another expert recognise the quality of an instrument no-one else seems to value, standing in a corner unheeded.

'I think the inside is actually made of maple, to improve its resonance, but the shell is mahogany, you spotted that quickly, Mr Clementi. It was an experiment, you know I usually make affordable instruments, replacing much of the quality wood with a cheaper kind, but on this one we went all out. And were punished for it, no-one wants to even look at it, or try its tone. Except Miss Darcy here. Rowan, will you give Miss Darcy what she needs to fine-tune my little beauty? It's kept its tone surprisingly well but I warn you, Miss, it needs a little force to tune well, Eric often complained it was difficult to tune with all the hardwood inside.'

Wilbur seems a bit disappointed to have to leave the group containing Mr Clementi, he is very famous after all, but he'll soon be back, Georgiana doesn't need the man's help tuning a piano, though he should learn. Maybe he doesn't have the ear, a salesman doesn't have to be a good pianist himself to sell a lot of pianos, and as far as Eric remembers Wilbur plays reasonably, not really well.

Now the two piano-builders go all out on the three best instruments present, opening the lids and checking the insides, judging wood, comparing notes on felt, strings, everything Eric always registers when playing a new piano, but just sees as a given. These men actually experiment with them, causing a totally different sound to emerge from their products. Then Eric plays for them, and soon he has a favourite, but he keeps it to himself, Mr Clementi is buying, he has to decide. That worthy is reserving his final judgement as well, and first checks with Georgiana. She is done, and plays a scale to prove the piano is no longer sour. Then she varies it in Eric's style, and launches into one of her favourite Bach adaptations, stunning Mr Zumpe and Wilbur to open-mouthed admiration. Mr Clementi looks on, grinning, he knows Georgiana's potential and he has always shown her the respect she has earned with her hard work and her talent. When she is done after a few minutes, they all applaud and Mr Clementi gives his fellow piano-builder the chance to speak up first.

'Now I understand why you were meant for Eric, Miss Darcy. You will be very happy together. I'm glad you recognised the qualities of this piano.'

'You were right, Miss Darcy,' Mr Clementi now observes, 'this instrument does deserve to be taken seriously despite its size and plainness. Will you allow Mr Fielding to play his latest piece on it, so we can compare it to the others? Bach is beautiful, especially the way you two have adapted it to the piano-forte, but it's romantic music that brings out the best in these Zumpe's.'

And Eric cannot deny the truth in that, Bach actually sounds as good or better on a Clementi, but this sturdy little instrument reminds him of his own beautiful large piano. He lets himself get totally involved in what he is playing, what he plays is not even written down yet and as such is still very fluid, the memories of this place adding to the experience. When he looks up, Mr Zumpe is in tears and Mr Clementi is in severe doubt. Ignoring Mr Zumpe's moment of weakness as men are inclined to do to help the other save face, Mr Clementi observes, 'I'm tempted, but I would not be doing Mr Zumpe a favour by buying his least beautiful instrument. I want my connections to see an imposing, beautifully decorated piano, not a simple black box, I have plenty of space and I can afford the best. So, Mr Zumpe, let's discuss the price of this beauty.'

He walks towards Eric's favourite, good, it's always a pleasant to agree on something. Mr Zumpe approaches Eric first, squeezes his shoulder with more than a little feeling, then joins Mr Clementi. He is touched by the music he used to hate, he needed more time to learn to appreciate what Elizabeth got the first time she heard it. Or maybe he still hates it but dares not admit to that in front of an acknowledged master of playing, building and teaching on a piano. Georgiana sits on Eric's lap and gives him a sweet kiss, acknowledging the moment.

'I'm glad we came here today, Eric, I hope you agree.'

'I suppose I do. I hope you're not too disappointed that your favourite will stay here?'

'No, I've tuned it and it will stay in tune for quite some time I think. If anyone wants to buy it, it'll be ready to demonstrate.'

'I suppose that being made of mahogany it'll be a lot dearer than you'd expect, or I'd be tempted to buy it myself. I'm convinced it would travel really well, and if Austria and Italy are rife with instruments like Mr Clementi's, I'd miss my Zumpe.'

Georgiana tweaks his whiskers, pulling him in for another kiss.

'You'll first have to convince Mr Clementi to give you some references to find a master over there, Eric. Or you'll be spending your whole life in London or Derbyshire, playing piano for a brood of children.'

She says it playfully, but Eric still worries about that. They can't travel the continent or live abroad with Georgiana carrying a child or with a baby, it would be dangerous. But for now, they're not even married, yet, and Eric feels a certain relief having talked to Mr Zumpe again. It will not be a burden to ask Mrs Zumpe over for an afternoon concert in the privacy of the Darcy home, it'll be a pleasure. He cannot help growing up and leaving, but he can show her his gratitude for having been a mother to him for all those years.

Despite Frederick's assurances that no-one will suspect Miss de Bourgh of having committed indecencies with the victim of today's inquiries at the courthouse, Anne is still a bit nervous going there. She will not see Nick, but she will probably face Wellesley there, and Felicity and Sophie and Angelina. Sophie knows there was something going on between Nick and Anne, hopefully not how much, but she saw them kiss and dance intimately. And besides, Dora is nervous, too, and her fidgeting is infectious.

'Let it go, Anne,' Frederick's deep voice admonishes her, 'and you, too, Dora. It's not a big deal, Mr Blackwood's barrister asks you questions, Mr Wellesley's barrister asks you questions, you answer them, then you may go. That's it. I'll be in the audience, if you worry just look at me, and I'll send you a calming look. You, too, Dora.'

Anne can see Dora think, 'He may be old and not very handsome, but he's very kind.'

To Anne herself Frederick's appearance no longer matters, he has been such a steady friend and supporter she cannot but love him for that. Let Dora think of that what she will, if she confuses Anne's feelings for Frederick with infatuation all the better.

The courthouse is a lovely modern building, with all the modern comforts and a rich interior. They are met by some employee of the courthouse, who leads Dora away immediately. Frederick follows them with a short, 'I promised I'd be in the audience, Anne, see you later!'

Well, Anne is less anxious than Dora seems to be, of course Dora used to feel threatened by Wellesley, whereas Anne never did. Anne sits down in a windowsill, knowing the same man will fetch her when she is needed. Part of her is actually quite curious, she has never been in a courtroom and she is starting to believe Frederick that no-one will be interested in her intimacy with Nick. It started after he got hurt, it's very possible it happened because he was hurt, though Anne doubts she could have resisted him even if he had been bossy towards her.

Somehow, her wait turns into a long reminiscence of her time with Nick, and this time it's mostly sweet, not painful. She still misses him but she knows that is her own foolishness, he never promised her more than what he gave her. In her mind, it's her own fault and none of his that she fell in love with him, and she wants to remember the love he gave her as something beautiful, not sad or tragic. As a gift, and not a loss.

When the same employee brings back Dora after fifteen minutes, Mr Blackwood is there to meet her. As Anne walks along with the liveried young man, she can hear Mr Blackwood thank Dora for her clear testimony. So she did well, good. Soon it will be Anne's turn.

After taking her to a seat between a single dressed-up man who has to be the judge, and a group of normal people who are most likely the jury, the attendant leaves her, and a man of middle age with a powdered wig offers her his hand and introduces himself as Mr Proust, Mr Blackwood's barrister.

'I'm going to ask you several questions, Miss de Bourgh, though they may seem irrelevant to you, they are important to me. If you would answer them truthfully I'd be thankful. Usually, the defendant's barrister would ask questions, too, but he doesn't have one, so you'll be done rather quickly.'

Following his eyes when he mentions the defendant, Anne discerns Wellesley sitting between two attendants, probably guards. She knows he nearly killed Nick, but he looks so depressed and hopeless she cannot help feeling sad for him. She also knows Nick doesn't want to see him punished harshly, he has forgiven his tormentor more easily than Mr Blackwood seems to have done. Now someone calls for order, and Mr Proust starts with his first question.

'Miss de Bourgh, you were staying over at Mr Blackwood's house for some days?'

'I was, sir. I was introduced to Miss Sophie Blackwood and Miss Angelina Blackwood by Mr Manners, and we took a liking to each other, so they asked me to come and stay with them for a few days.'

'And you knew Nick Fowler was being harassed by the defendant, Mr Wellesley?'

'I found out when my maid told me about it, she had seen Mr Wellesley hit Mr Fowler, and once Miss Sophie urged him to tell her father. She had heard from her maid.'

'And did he, Miss de Bourgh?'

'He told us he did not plan to, he was afraid he wouldn't be believed because the butler was of a higher rank in the household.'

'Yet Mr Fowler told us he did not defend himself against the attempt on his life because he wanted evidence to present to his master to stop the abuse. Not for himself, but because the other members of the household were suffering.'

Anne bows her head, she is still not proud of pressuring Nick by telling him the whole household suffered for the butler's misuse of power.

'I have to admit I did tell him my maid was very afraid of Mr Wellesley, and I more or less told Mr Fowler he was not the only one suffering, and that he should tell his master about the abuse to help all of them. I'm afraid he nearly died because of my advice.'

'Is that why you took him under your wing when you found him in the hall, badly wounded?'

'Of course not, that suggests I would have let him suffer if I hadn't felt guilty. Or if it had been anyone else. I had never seen a wounded person before, and I'm glad to have discovered myself bolder and more compassionate than I ever held possible. I felt compelled to help him, as I would have helped anyone.'

'And it didn't occur to you to get help?'

'Strangely enough, no. I even searched the kitchen with a candle to find painkillers and potable water, when I had never been there before.'

The man nods, then changes direction altogether in his questions.

'Miss de Bourgh, Mr Fowler accompanied you on morning walks, didn't he?'

'I need a lot of exercise for my health, I've been sickly for years and are finally improving in health. Since I didn't trust my maid to keep me safe outside I asked Mr Fowler to accompany me. We only went out once, for that very night he was attacked and no longer able to walk more than a few yards.'

'Why Mr Fowler, Miss de Bourgh, why didn't you ask your host to appoint someone to accompany you?'

'Well, Mr Fowler did accompany us to every outing, so I thought he would have been Mr Blackwood's choice anyway. And frankly, sir, I didn't want my host to know about my condition. I have been cosseted and patronised all my life and I was fed up with it. I knew I was going to get better every day and I didn't want to betray my weakness to the world at large.'

'But after the walk you were totally exhausted. Maybe you should have chosen another attendant, who would have judged your condition more accurately?'

'That was exactly what I wanted to avoid. I did not want someone else deciding what I could and couldn't do. Mr Fowler took me on an hour's walk, and when that proved too much he helped me correct my own mistake, just as I wanted it. I misjudged my own strength, which is how I want to lead my life from now on, making my own decisions and yes, my own mistakes sometimes. Which is why I didn't want the family to know I had been sick for a very long time.'

'Wasn't that dangerous, Miss de Bourgh?'

'It wasn't, overexertion couldn't harm me since I was just weak and not actually sick. I can tell you what ailed me, but not in public for it is no longer relevant. I'm altogether well now. I went out to walk to the limits of my strength, and I took someone along who could protect me and help me get back if my strength gave out. There was no danger.'

'Did you tell Mr Fowler about your past sickness?'

'I did.'

'Why him? If you didn't even want your host to know?'

'I felt like telling him, he was nice and very respectful. It was good talking to someone who didn't know me.'

'Were you in love with him, Miss de Bourgh?'

Somehow, Anne knew it would end in this question, though she has no idea why. Since she had not been in love with Nick at that moment, she replies truthfully, knowing her faint blush will be considered outrage, or embarrassment.

'I was not, sir. Later someone told me that Mr Fowler is a reputed philanderer, but I never noticed. He seemed to me like a kind older brother, very easy to talk to. When I got tired, I felt no objection at all to take his arm because I would have expected support from an older brother, if I had ever had one.'

'I have no further questions, Miss de Bourgh.'

He looks at the other men, and one of them stands up and addresses her.

'Thank you Miss de Bourgh, and please excuse the impertinent questions. They were needed to give an impression of a possible motive for the crime committed. You may leave now.'

As Anne walks towards the exit she avoids looking at Frederick, for she is suddenly close to tears, realising how much she misses Nick and how unlikely it is that she will ever be with him again.

In the hall, Mr Blackwood embraces her and says, 'I'm sorry to put you through that, Miss de Bourgh, you're all upset. I didn't want Proust to ask those questions, but he said we needed to know whether Wellesley attacked Nick out of jealousy. Nick wanted to know. I'm certain he'll be proud you thought of him as an older brother, he is indeed very easy to confide in. Will you be coming over again soon? The girls miss you, and I think you have an excellent influence on them.'

He is a very nice man, but Anne can't visit, it's too painful still. But she can't tell him that, either, so she'll just be vague.

'I didn't mind that much, Mr Blackwood, though those questions were a bit impertinent. I hope you'll learn what you need to know, and I hope Mr Wellesley will not be punished worse than Nick wants. He did not like the idea of someone being killed in his name. I will try to come over, soon, but I'm working hard on my exercise, and then I'm usually rather tired at night.'

Fortunately, Frederick arrives, and also embraces Anne, though a lot more familiarly.

'You did well, Miss de Bourgh, he was more insistent than I expected, some of those questions were downright rude, you could have refused to reply, you know.'

'I'm certain that would have made everyone present think up a nice little answer of their own, Mr Manners. I prefer they've heard my version to compare their own fantasy to.'

'And it was ironclad, Miss, you totally disarmed everyone, your frankness was much better than a blunt refusal would have been. You were made for the game, Miss de Bourgh, I admire you.'

Mr Blackwood beams, it's as if he wants Anne to be with Frederick. Well, maybe he does, if one may believe the papers most of London does. They all want him to be happy, and apparently they think Anne is good enough for their favourite. And their eventual union is getting more and more likely, Anne really dislikes the implications that a servant would have been better in deciding what was good for her that she was herself. If anyone will let Anne make her own decisions, it's Frederick.

Dora is already waiting, and Mr Blackwood observes to all three of them, 'I'll send word on the verdict, and do come over again soon, Miss de Bourgh. I'm sure Nick would be delighted to accompany you on your exercise, this court case has really made an impression on him, he has been feeling a bit low, it might do him good to take a long walk in good company.'

The temptation is huge but it will not do. Nick probably gets plenty of exercise in his beautiful little piece of heaven in the attic. No need to trouble him with her presence, it would only make things worse for Anne. On their way back, Dora is almost lively with relief.

'It wasn't bad at all, Miss, that kind man asked me a lot of questions and I answered them. He wanted to know how often Wellesley beat up on Fowler, and when it happened. And why we didn't get a doctor for Fowler when he was so badly hurt. But he didn't seem to be, he talked the same as ever. And why the other staff didn't do anything to stop Wellesley before Fowler was almost killed. Of course I wasn't really part of the Blackwood staff, but I often felt I should have done something. I did feel bad for Wellesley, he looked so beat. Still he did nearly kill Fowler, how can anyone hurt him? He's so cute.'

Frederick sends Anne a significant look, but she knows Nick is cute, isn't she suffering for it? But when the excitement over the trial dies down she will be able to forget him, and enjoy the last few weeks of city life before they all move to Derbyshire.