Chapter 117

Darcy cannot believe how different Mr Zumpe is from the last time he visited. Chatting easily with Johnson it is obvious this is his true self, Fielding always did say that to his former patron everyone is a potential customer and to be treated with respect. Even a butler apparently. Johnson certainly shows no sign of resentment, either he is a true professional or he doesn't recognise the man without his busby. Which of course is ludicrous, remembering names and faces is his job as a butler, and despite all of them still harbouring a shade of distrust towards Johnson, he certainly does his job very well.

Once well inside the room, Johnson announces, 'Mr and Mrs Zumpe, sir, and Miss Zumpe.'

And indeed, Louise has come as well. She looks much better today, of course there are few ladies who look beautiful while crying their eyes out, and Miss Zumpe is not one of them. But she looks kind of pretty now, and she greets Fielding like a long-lost brother. A lot of hugs and German endearments are exchanged, and then Fielding introduces his surrogate mother to everyone in the room, starting with Elizabeth. Of course. If the love between Georgie and her pianist wasn't tangible, Darcy would be jealous of Fielding's adulation for Elizabeth, but as it is, he understands. Even men who love another with all their hearts must feel her powers. Even Manners does.

Elizabeth greets their guests heartily, she thoroughly approves of this visit.

'Eric will need all the support he can get if he is to keep up his fame and even make it outside London,' she said, and that is certainly true.

'Mr Darcy, I hope you can forgive me for my incredible rudeness last time we met. I assure you that Mrs Zumpe gave me a thorough combing-down about that and I've been heartily ashamed of my misbehaviour.'

Well, he is certainly not a gentleman, addressing Darcy before spoken to, but of course they all knew that. At least his attitude is a grand improvement and his apology quite handsome.

'Thank you, Mr Zumpe, though I remember giving you a hard enough time myself.'

Darcy does not excuse his actions, they were deserved.

'You are indeed quite fearsome when enraged, but I understand now that you were protecting our Eric, who had come to find sanctuary with you. I'm still amazed you have agreed to his engagement to your sister, though I can see they are indeed meant for each other. You have made Eric a very happy man, sir.'

Darcy nods his acceptance, he can think of nothing to say to this man, but he doesn't need to. Mr Zumpe has a wife and a daughter with him, and they certainly deserve a greeting since they are very much impressed by their host. Mrs Zumpe is not an elegant woman, but she looks very kind, and she is certainly very fond of Eric. Darcy can see traces of tears in her eyes, greeting her lost son must have affected her more than a little. He bows slightly and addresses her as kindly as he can.

'Mrs Zumpe, I'm very pleased to meet you. And Louise, you look well. You are very welcome in my house.'

They both manage a smile and a 'Thank you, Mr Darcy,' but that is it. Better leave them to Elizabeth or Georgie.

And especially Georgie exceeds every hope Darcy ever dared have of his sister being host to relative strangers. She says exactly the right things and asks the right questions, Mrs and Miss Zumpe seem to totally forget their fear and chat lively, telling her about Louise's fiancée and when and how they are planning her wedding. Of course they have read the article in the newspaper, and Georgiana merely laughs at their awed descriptions.

'Let me tell you what our wedding will actually be like, only Mr Goodfellow really knows what is going on in this family, the rest of the reporters all make up a bunch of lies.'

And she describes the location and her dress, of course keeping the maker of her dress a secret.

After having coffee together Fielding plays his latest study piece, exactly the kind of work Mr Zumpe likes best, and indeed the man seems almost staggered to hear his former protégé playing something that difficult. And though Darcy is used to hearing him play like this, he is very surprised to hear that Fielding has improved under Mr Clementi's tutelage. Not about the improvement itself, that is why he was so eager for lessons from a master after all. No, Darcy is amazed he can actually hear the difference, it must be significant for him to notice. By his side, Elizabeth pokes him and observes, 'So even you can hear it? They're worth every penny then, those lessons.'

Darcy cannot help whispering back, 'I'm saving a lot on Georgie's lessons by keeping her teacher in my own house. And since he eats hardly anything and drinks no brandy, I may even make a net profit.'

In fact, Fielding and Mr Clementi exchange lessons, though it's clear the old master has more to teach Fielding than the other way around. So a moderate fee is going to the Italian virtuoso, but much less than one might expect. And Georgie is also profiting from the connection. Fielding has offered to pay for his own lessons from the proceeds of his concerts, but Darcy prefers they invest that to settle on, should they want a house of their own some day.

Since this is not a real concert, but a way for Fielding to make his surrogate mother happy, he does not play a balanced repertory, but chooses to play the next pieces with Georgie, their quatre mains, their love songs, even a few folk songs and dances. But of course he has to finish with his own work, and he brings his latest composition, with an addition Darcy has not heard before. When he is done, even Mr Zumpe applauds sincerely.

Then they talk some more, and Mr Zumpe observes, 'This is not your piano, Eric, I hope you still have it?'

'Indeed, this is Miss Darcy's, a fine instrument, my own piano is in my private quarters. I would never sell it, Mr Zumpe, I am very much attached to it, it has a special quality that no other brand can give my music.'

'Which is why Mr Clementi wanted one for himself. I understand now. I accompanied my men when they delivered the instrument he chose, and he received me very beautifully. Played some of his own pianos for me, they are magnificent instruments, I am so proud he wanted one of mine anyway. It looked very pretty among his collection, I'm certain it will be used well. Of course he couldn't demonstrate mine, it needed to rest and a thorough tuning.

Which reminds me, Miss Darcy, how quickly and neatly you tuned that little black instrument in my showroom. It is still perfectly in tune, I'm so thankful to you. Were you very disappointed that Mr Clementi chose a different instrument?'

Georgie replies graciously, 'Indeed not, Mr Zumpe, the piano Mr Clementi chose fits much better among his other instruments. Placing a small, plain square piano among those jewels would have made a bad impression for your business, Mr Clementi chose well. Though I still love it, Mr Zumpe, that brave little piano, holding up among the large ornate ones.'

'So you will be sorry to hear it is no longer for sale?'

Poor Georgie, she had set her sights on that little thing, but she bears up magnificently.

'Indeed I am, I was hoping to save up to buy it. But as long as it has a good home, where it will be played regularly and kept in good tune, I guess that will have to do.'

'I'm sorry to hear that, Miss Darcy, if I had known I would have saved it for you. But someone fell in love with it and it was clear from the start that little instrument was made for them.'

'I guess we have plenty of instruments, Mr Zumpe, and I know Eric really wants a Clementi. But I really thought this little piano would travel well, enabling Eric to take the special mournful sound with him.'

Mr Zumpe nods in understanding, then changes the subject slightly by asking, 'May I take a really good look at your harpsichord, Miss Darcy? It seems like a rather old and valuable specimen. You know I started out as maker of harpsichords, don't you?'

'Of course you may, with pleasure. We found it in the attic, it was probably acquired by one of my ancestors.'

The chubby man has a similar ritual as Fielding, stroking the wood, examining the interior, testing the keys, though of course he doesn't conclude by playing it, but instead moves straight to the place where the maker's mark should be.

'You ancestors had great taste, Miss Darcy, though it must have been your grandfather who bought this, or at most his father. It's not very old, but it's a very good instrument, made by the eldest of the Dulcken family, from Flanders. Do you still play harpsichord, Eric?'

'We both do, Mr Zumpe. I've written a duet for piano and harpsichord in the Renaissance style. I'll play some Bach for you, and will you play our duet with me, Georgiana?'

That makes their guest very happy, he started out building harpsichords and it is clear he still loves their unique sound. Fielding's virtue on the little instrument is incredible, though Darcy cannot imagine Mr Clementi's lessons extending to this outdated instrument. Maybe his style helps with playing a harpsichord. Or maybe Fielding was this good already and Darcy never noticed, maybe it's his hearing that is starting to pick things up more and more. When Fielding finishes, Mr Zumpe is in tears.

'Hearing a harpsichord always reminds me of my youth, my mother used to play ours every evening, I used to love those little instrument so, but the piano-forte is so popular these days I'm afraid they will soon become obsolete. Like myself. Louise's fiancée is always proposing new materials and techniques, and I feel left behind.'

Georgie puts a hand on Mr Zumpe's shoulder and says frankly, 'But it's not his instrument that the famous Mr Clementi bought, is it? It's yours. Romantic music will make your pianos popular, Mr Zumpe, and of course your son-in-law will modernise, that is what young people do, but the sound will remain the same, for that is what makes your pianos unique.'

She is really making herself popular with the strange little man, and as if to emphasise her empathy she takes place at the keyboard of the harpsichord while Fielding sits at the piano. They pick out the right music sheets, and start to play their powerful Renaissance duet, the impossible combination of piano and harpsichord. It has been a while since they played that, and Darcy finds himself really glad to hear it again. And when they end that piece, it's time to say goodbye to their guests, and Fielding drops the question.

'Mrs Zumpe, Mr Zumpe, Louise, will you please consider attending our wedding come Wednesday? I know it's a bit late to ask, but we will both be very glad if you can come.'

All three are stunned, and Mrs Zumpe finds her voice first.

'Yes, my dear son, there is nothing I would like to do more. To see you married to this lovely lady will be the best thing that can happen until Louise stands before the altar. But won't we feel a bit out of place among Miss Darcy's noble connections?'

'I have only a very few noble connections, Mrs Zumpe,' Georgie replies with humour, 'and half of those refuse to attend my wedding to a cowherd's son. I think you will like Eric's new friends, and they all love music, so they will be perfect companions for you and especially Mr Zumpe.'

'Miss Darcy is teasing you, Mrs Zumpe,' Eric says, laughing. 'In fact, we do not expect that many guests. Mrs Darcy's father and two of her sisters and their husbands, Miss Darcy's brother, of course, and her uncle and cousins, Miss de Bourgh and Mr Manners, and the friends Miss Darcy just mentioned. Maybe some more relatives I've never even met. Only her uncle is an eminent noble, but he is very kind. Please come. And bring your fiancée, Louise, there will be dancing.'

Though Mrs Zumpe still looks a bit doubtful, and Miss Zumpe seems ready to faint, Mr Zumpe clearly likes rubbing shoulders with the gentry, and he accepts happily.

'We will be there, Eric. I wish we could polish our manners a little, but I suppose being polite will have to do.'

'It will, Mr Zumpe,' Georgie says with determination, 'and if you have any doubts, just ask our housekeeper Simon, he is the handsome young fellow in the stunning livery. He knows everything about good manners. He will be around.'

'I think I remember him. The one with the cookies? He didn't strike me as particularly well-mannered.'

'That's our Simon. Just because he knows everything there is to know about etiquette doesn't mean he always sticks to it himself. Everything will be just fine, Mr Zumpe, Eric and I will be very happy to have you show up and enjoy yourselves.'

And she even means it, Darcy can hear it in her voice. Dear Georgie, she will make such an excellent partner for Fielding, wherever his talent and ambitions may lead them.

The next day, Eric has no concert planned for it's Georgiana's seventeenth birthday and they are expecting some guests. Only seventeen! Whenever he thinks about their difference in age, Eric is still a bit troubled. But Darcy is as much older than Elizabeth, and it doesn't really show. They are both so lucky to have found women, girls actually, who have as much or more sense before coming of age than most people will ever gain. And Kitty is already married, she's not that much older than Georgiana. Frankly, Eric would have preferred to wait until Georgiana was eighteen, but with all the adulation directed at him it was so much wiser to be irrevocable married. And now it is getting ever more likely that they will indeed go to Vienna for a year, to study with a famous master and try to bring his compositions to the attention of the good people there. They will need to be married to be together without chaperone.

All the talk about travelling, Frederick plans to go overseas as well, but he has no clue how uncomfortable and dangerous that can be. There will be some very rough areas to cross, and though Frederick can undoubtedly stand up for himself in any civilised society, some of the places Eric has been would not be called civilised by a gentleman. Better they all take the time to learn to ride well and shoot a rifle accurately, and with all the talk about that Blackwood retainer being on the lookout for a new job, maybe Frederick or Simon should ask him to demonstrate his skills in a hand-to-hand fight. With Georgiana along, they can use a sturdy guard. Too bad that little black piano has been sold, it would have been perfect to take along with them. Not that it would make it at all easier to guard their party, but it would give Eric the certainty his compositions would always have the strongest impact. Georgiana was very disappointed, she couldn't believe someone had wanted to buy the dull-looking instrument.

'At least someone must really love it, to bleed for it,' she said, and then they had moved on to discussing which of Mr Clementi's prize pianos would look best in the London house, and whether to move the Buntebart out to make way for it.

'Maybe we should ask Fitzwilliam for a music room after all,' she offered, 'or do you want to look for a house of our own?'

'I know Mr Clementi offered a special price, Georgiana, but I'm afraid even so there will be little enough left of our savings after we've paid for the piano. We'll not be able to afford a house.'

'You do realise that once we're married, my fortune is yours, Eric?'

She sounds mild, even trusting. But Eric is horrified.

'I'm not going to spend any of your money, Georgiana! I thought you were going to invest that soundly? Do you want a house of your own? Do you think your brother wants us to move out? Frankly, I like living here. We still have so much to learn, and I'd miss everyone so much. Darcy, Elizabeth, but Simon and Frederick, too, and Anne. Even Mrs Annesley. And Mr and Mrs Bingley, and the Gardiners, I suppose they won't have to accompany us anymore once we're married, but I liked having them along, I'll miss them, too.'

Georgiana sounds almost like a mother as she says soothingly, 'Of course Fitzwilliam wants us to stay. And I prefer to stay, I'd be very much afraid to live without his guidance, yet, you are right, we do have a lot to learn. But we have to work towards being independent, Eric, we cannot always rely on Fitzwilliam or Frederick. I suppose we'd better start being smart right away and not buy a new piano then, for I don't want you to spend all the money you earned on an instrument.'

She is right. They should not start their life together by making a purchase they don't really need and cannot really afford. Eric can feel the corners of his mouth pull into a grin, and he embraces Georgiana and says, 'Our first sensible decision together, Georgiana, and we're not even married, yet. There is still hope for us!'

After lunch they receive some guests, Earl Compton has brought his eldest son Spencer, a pleasant plain-faced man in his early thirties. Eric can see the resemblance to the colonel, but it is clear neither son has the forcefulness that so characterizes the Earl himself and Darcy as well. Apparently Lady Catherine, the Earl's sister and Darcy and Georgiana's aunt, has it in an even greater measure. But the army must have given the colonel a certain air of self-assurance, for at first glance Lord Spencer seems even more sensitive and totally under his father's wings. No wonder the Earl used to dote on his late wife, she must have been very mild tempered to have two sons that are so different from their father. Though the colonel has the responsibility over a thousand soldiers, and Lord Spencer will inherit his father's estate and title. There must be a very firm core to both men.

Even before the introductions, congratulations and greetings are done with, the colonel himself arrives, in the company of Miss Sophie Blackwood! Eric revises his opinion of the colonel even more towards the army man being rather brave, to take her to a birthday celebration before having introduced her to his own family, as far as Eric knows their engagement has not been made public yet, but maybe the colonel wrote to his father already. This will be a very interesting afternoon indeed!

From that moment on, things get very busy. Mr Bennet arrives, the sole inhabitant of Longbourn to have been invited to Georgiana's birthday and to her wedding, for some reason Georgiana has a thing for the sarcastic old man and she insisted on inviting him. Not that Eric disagrees, he is nice enough. Johnson announces Mr and Mrs Gardiner, without their children this time. Apparently the little ones find these social gatherings boring, and of course there are no other children to play with.

Then Simon brings Mr and Mrs Bingley to the drawing-room, in the company of an immaculately if rather revealingly dressed tall woman with dark hair and a lofty expression. Eric has no idea who this may be, but one thing is very clear: Georgiana does not like her at all. She is hiding her dismay wonderfully, but Eric knows her better than anyone, this is an unpleasant surprise for his beloved, and on her birthday!

But she takes Eric's hand resolutely and steps forward to greet her brother's friend, Elizabeth's sister and the unwelcome guest. And with an artfully friendly voice that Eric has never heard before, fortunately, dear Georgiana says, 'Caroline, such a surprise to see you! It's been such a long time, and so much has happened!'

Georgiana really dislikes this woman, and the woman clearly doesn't take her seriously at all, she talks to Georgiana as if she is some kind of child. But her affection for Georgiana seems real.

'Dear Georgiana, we have indeed been very busy, Cuthbert and I, we're so happy together. He was very sorry he couldn't join me, but well...'

Cuthbert, the name does ring a bell. Hadn't Georgiana and Elizabeth been laughing heartily over Will and Cuthbert a day or so ago? Cuthbert, Bertie, that's it! Mrs Grenfell! This is Mr Bingley's sister, who chased Darcy for years and ended up marrying Frederick's handsome but uncivilised friend.

'I'm glad you are happy,' Georgiana quickly intercedes, 'let me introduce you to my fiancée, Mr Eric Fielding. Eric, Mrs Grenfell is Bingley's younger sister, she used to spend months on end at Pemberley with both our brothers. Mrs Grenfell, Mr Fielding and I cannot wait to be married ourselves.'

Now if Georgiana is to be believed, Mrs Grenfell is about the meanest person in the world, so he'd better brace himself for a scathing remark on his person.

'Mr Fielding, so good to finally see you, you're as handsome as I imagined! You see my maid visited one of your concerts a few days ago and she told me you were the most handsome man she had ever seen. Of course she used have a crush on Mr Darcy's valet. It seems you and your music are very popular out there.'

And she makes a negligent gesture with her head, sweeping Eric's acclaimed talent and the looks that dozens of girls from all classes have sleepless nights about right out of the closest window. She ís mean! But Georgiana is not the child Mrs Grenfell knew and adored.

'And so they are, Mrs Grenfell,' she says in that sweet but oh so dangerous tone of voice, 'girls everywhere fall at his feet in adulation. But he couldn't care less. He loves only me.'

Suddenly, Eric understands why a man might be nervous at his wedding. Who would have thought Georgiana has such poison in her tongue? But she is generally very sweet. Eric cannot help spending a few thoughts on poor Grenfell, suspecting his wife's tongue is always this sharp. Still, Mrs Grenfell admits defeat and merely repeats, 'Very pleased to meet you, Mr Fielding,' then rushes back to Mrs Bingley's side.

'Routed for now, but she will be back for a rematch,' Georgiana tells him, 'how dare Bingley bring her along, it's my birthday!'

'I suppose he doesn't know you dislike his sister intensely, my love. Did you ever tell him?'

'Of course not, she's his sister, he loves her.'

'Well there you are, he doesn't know. And Mrs Bingley isn't going to tell him, she loves him. She probably has a lot more to bear from Mrs Grenfell. And honestly, my love, she did seem to like you. Though in a condescending way.'

'But she insulted you! If she likes me, why would she do that?'

'I'm sorry to say she probably doesn't even notice how offensive her observations are. Or she thinks lowborn people have no feelings. Who knows what people think?'

'You don't mind?'

'Of course I mind people being offensive, but you warned me Mrs Grenfell was the meanest person you knew, I was prepared. And you took instant revenge. But it is your birthday and you shouldn't have to bear with meanness today. Here, let me kiss you to make up for it.'

On the other side of the drawing-room, Anne has greeted her uncle and cousin Spencer with great pleasure. Spencer looks at her as if she has sprouted horns and a tail, which is quite annoying because they used to be very close. He knows what his cousin looks like, doesn't he?

'Anne, is that really you?' he asks softly, not to be charming, but in real, affected, amazement.

'You've changed so much, last time I saw you... you're so beautiful, Anne! And look at your dress!'

Of course, he remembers her tired and worn and frightfully thin. He takes both her hands and seems ready to kiss them in adulation, but Anne won't have it. She takes him in a bear hug instead, they used to be so close, Spencer, Fitzwilliam, Darcy and herself. She was always one of the boys to them.

Her cousin's hug is as intimate as ever his brother's were, and he whispers in her ear, 'Papa told me what happened, but I didn't expect this. I'm so glad you're better, and I'm so sorry I never tried to reach out to you. All those years, Anne, lost forever.'

Anne swallows hard, but she cannot blame anyone for what happened, besides her mother. Which is why she merely says frankly, 'You cannot help any of it, Spencer. I'm happy now, I'm making up for lost time by living life to the fullest. How is Penny?'

'I'm glad you're happy now, Anne, it shows. Penny is fine, but she didn't dare travel anymore, it's so cold and it can be so tiring. She sleeps a lot, the midwife says it cannot be long now, a few weeks at the most. She sends her love.'

'And you will kiss her for me, won't you? Imagine Spencer becoming a father, I still see you as a boy skipping stones in uncle Richard's lake.'

'I know, I can hardly believe it myself, though when I look in the mirror I realise it's high time I had an heir, I'm not getting any younger. You did, though. Say, what's with little brother's girl, is she any good, do you know her well? He wrote they met through your introduction?'

'True, I introduced them, and Mr Manners introduced me to her and her sister. She's one of twins, you see. You know about...?'

'His being in love with a certain lady who is now part of the family? Yes, he told me. I met her once, at their wedding. This girl seems a little less... how would you call it? Sophisticated?'

'Sophie is certainly less pretty and less smart. But Spencer, Darcy waited for the love of his life for ten years! I'm pretty sure Fitzwilliam didn't wait at all.'

Her cousin is shocked to hear such innuendo from his little cousin's lips, but Anne doesn't feel the slightest shame to tell him all of her thoughts. One of the boys, that is who she used to be.

'Sophie Blackwood is very sweet, a lot smarter than she looks, and she has ten thousand to her name. I'm very certain she will make your little brother very happy. Mrs Darcy needs someone to challenge her mind, and Darcy can give her as good as he gets. You will not recognise him either, Spencer, he has changed immensely.'

Her cousin nods in understanding, he knows Darcy needs a woman who can handle his dominant character.

'And you, my dear cousin, I guess you need your mind challenged as well? Has the notorious bachelor Mr Manners really offered to keep you on your toes?'

'He has indeed, but I have not decided, yet. We like each other a whole lot, but we're not exactly madly in love. He has given me time to consider marrying a man who will respect me and offer me a chance to join him in society, instead of waiting for the right one to fall deeply and madly in love with. It's not for everyone, you know, and I'm not getting any younger. Nor do I want to risk handing over my money to some smirking fellow, then becoming a captive in my own house again, with nothing more than children and needlework to occupy my time. I want to celebrate life, and he certainly offers me the chance to do that.'

'Good for you, Anne, I'm certain you will make the right choice. You say he doesn't love you, but are you absolutely certain? He does keep an eye on you all the time. Some men just don't show their love clearly, you know.'

'Well, maybe he does. And I certainly have a certain affection for him, if we do get married that may yet deepen. We'll see, his offer stands, he is like Darcy, he has been waiting for a long time.'

Fitzwilliam and Sophie now approach them, and Anne's young friend makes a very good impression when she is introduced to her soon-to-be brother. First Anne receives a look of pleased surprise from Spencer, and then a conspiratorial one from Sophie, who uses the moment in which her companion inquires after his brother's wife and coming child to whisper to Anne, 'Papa insisted I take Nick along, since the colonel and I are merely engaged. I promised to tell you he's here, though papa seems to think he is eager to meet up with Dora. I didn't tell him Nick is actually in love with you, he'd be shocked, even angry at Nick's presumption. Will you go see him, Anne? Just a few moments? He'd be so happy. He still hasn't had any ladies over, you know, though very few have given up on him.'

Does Sophie think Nick is some kind of dog, happy with a few kind words and a pat over the head? She seems to have no clue about what is really happening between Anne and Nick. Fortunately.

'I will try, Sophie, but you know it's not exactly proper for me to be seen in the servants' quarters. I'll have to sneak and hope no-one catches me.'

'I forgot things are different here. Cook would never tell on me, nor would Felicity or the new butler. He's a right treasure, Felicity says she may be in love.'

'I'll try, Sophie, if you think it makes Nick happy.'

'Oh, yes, he has been much happier the last week, even though he has to accompany Angelina everywhere with Ensign Stockford. Papa trusts the colonel and lets us go everywhere without Nick. Just not to this house, because he thinks Nick is hopelessly in love with Dora. Imagine tagging along with Angelina and her dashing young officer.'

Anne can imagine it, and also that Mr Blackwood is more inclined to trust Sophie than Angelina, not just the gentlemen involved.

'You are making my cousin very happy, Sophie, I think I have never seen him as carefree as this, except when we were still children.'

By now the brothers are done discussing Spencer's upcoming fatherhood, and Fitzwilliam turns towards Anne with sparkling eyes. 'You were so right Anne, thank you so much for introducing me to Miss Sophie. I can't wait to introduce her to Darcy and Mrs Darcy. You look very happy yourself, is it true what the papers say, that you are engaged to Mr Manners?'

Anne cannot believe the impact of an article in such a paper! One would think Fitzwilliam at least would read a more dependable one.

'Do you mind? Mr Blackwood told me about it, I didn't read it. I can see you do mind, so I suppose it's not true?'

'Mr Manners asked me to consider a union, Fitzwilliam, and I am contemplating his offer. But it is not a decided thing, and neither of us talked to a reporter. They did make up a bunch of lies. Wait until you see Georgiana's dress, you'll know it is all cheap fantasies. Darcy and Mr Manners release whatever they want the papers to know through a Mr Goodfellow, he is the only one who knows the truth. As far as they want it known. If he writes about my engagement you'll know it's true, but I will certainly try to send word to you and uncle Spencer before we tell a reporter.'

'But Anne, if you don't love Mr Manners you shouldn't marry him! I'm certain Lieutenant Talbot is very much in love with you. So much so I regret asking him to accompany you, I only meant for the two of you to have a good time together. I suspected Mr Manners of having an interest in you and I like him very much. But you know there must be a man you can truly love.'

Yes there is. But that one she cannot marry.

'I like Lieutenant Talbot, Fitzwilliam, but I do not love him. And he has certain ideas of how a married woman should behave, sit at home and have children, you know. I don't want that. I've lost the best years of my life to my mother's foolishness, I do not want to give the rest to some man, no matter how much he adores my beauty. Mr Manners offers me the life I want, in the thick of society. I'm tempted, very much so. And if we do get married, we may have that dream wedding from the newspaper. And a honeymoon in Vienna.'

Before Anne can tell Fitzwilliam too much her uncle closes in, obviously eager to talk to her. Fitzwilliam smiles and squeezes her hand, then takes Sophie to Darcy and Elizabeth, who are talking to someone Anne doesn't know, and whom neither her cousin nor Elizabeth seem to like, though they hide it reasonably well. A tall, fashionably dressed woman with a haughty expression, whoever can that be?

'You look lovely, Anne, I'm so glad Fitzwilliam proposed getting you away from Rosings. Spencer almost didn't recognise you, did he? Despite what happened, my dear, may I tell you about my sister? She was devastated by what the London doctor said caused your indisposition. She really wants to see you and try to make up for the hurt she cost you.'

'But not until you took her to task for it, uncle. We have a double spy in her household and I know she nearly killed him when he reported something she didn't like to hear. Threatened me, too, and sent that bully, just before you told her doctor Parker's verdict. She may be your sister, but she is no longer my mother.'

'So you heard from Mr Collins.'

Anne is disappointed with her uncle trying to put as good as possible a face on her mother's betrayal, but she does not want to antagonize him and decides to loosen up the conversation with a little humour.

'We know him as Will these days.'

'Will? Mr Collins is known as Will these days? Hahaha, that sounds like a ruggedly handsome highwayman, not a submissive preacher. He was a sad sight, though, I gave your mother a piece of my mind about her treatment of him as well, and forced her to be nice to the only person who truly likes her.'

'I'm sorry uncle, but no more, she ruined that as well. His wife says your sister broke him, reduced him to total servility, reminding him of his father's abuse. He cannot like her anymore, his will is broken, pun not intended. He obeys her out of fear now, when he used to truly adore her. She forced him to betray his family, then took him to pieces when he returned to report. I feel sorry for him, he did some despicable things to please her. Can't you save him from her? His wife is Elizabeth's best friend.'

'I feel for him, Anne, but he is all your mother has left. I can't take him away from her, she will be all alone! I had hoped you would relent, or Darcy. I know she has treated all of you badly, but she is still my sister!'

'Well, you go visit her, uncle Spencer. Maybe you can convince her to take on a lady companion. I'm done with her and I've advised Darcy to wait until she contacts him.'

'He would speak to her if she did that?'

'I think so, yes. He was almost ready to write to her but I convinced him not to. Your sister needs a lesson, and a winter by herself may teach even her to improve her manners. She owes Darcy an apology, it is her task to initiate contact, not the other way around.'

'And Mrs Darcy? Is she still ruffled? Your mother did say she regretted using such strong words, when she is now such a respected member of society.'

'Elizabeth doesn't care about Lady Catherine. She won't care about her changing her mind either. If Darcy wants to make up she will go along, if not, it suits her just as well. She only cares about her friend, who had to pull her husband out of the depths of despair and see him more submissive than he may ever recover from.'

'I'll think about it, Anne, if a comparable living to what they have with Catherine becomes available on my estate I'll consider Will.'

Uncle Spencer is as close to laughter as he ever gets. 'But mind you, I don't guarantee anything, I want to try to work on Catherine first. We've picked up writing, I felt sorry for her, maybe I can influence her a little towards making up with Will and his wife. She was mighty pleased with the news that you are engaged to Mr Manners. I've replied that her paper must be making things up since I was sure to receive the first notice, which I hope is true?'

'Of course, uncle, if Frederick and I decide to make a match of it, you and Fitzwilliam will be the first to know outside this house. Have you met his little lady yet?'

'Of course, I saw her at her father's house, remember? She seems much improved, I thought her rather adolescent. She's just nineteen, isn't she?'

'I forgot you saw her at the Blackwoods'. She is indeed just nineteen, but uncle, Mrs Darcy is twenty, it's not always age that matters. Georgiana doesn't seem like seventeen at all, she has grown so calm and wise I can hardly remember the shy girl she used to be. And Miss Sophie is singularly sweet.'

'That she is. But did you just tell me Mr Manners indeed proposed marriage to you? The Mr Manners? The bachelor of bachelors?'

'He asked me to consider a union, yes. And I'm thinking of accepting, I like him and I like his offer. I don't want to wait for the perfect man to fall deeply and madly in love with, then find out he was only looking for a fortune. I'd rather have a man I can respect and who respects me, and who offers me an exciting life in the midst of society.'

'But Anne, you are surrounded with people who married for love, you know how unhappy your father was in his marriage, aren't you afraid you will lose something if you marry rationally?'

Dear uncle Spencer, he had loved his Alice so much. But his youngest sister, Anne's namesake, married Mr Richard Darcy for love, and her husband turned out a philanderer.

'Of course I might, but love doesn't always turn out right either. But it is the reason I'm still contemplating, and Mr Manners is willing to wait until I am ready to make a decision I am happy with.'

'Well, my dear, I wish you all the best luck with your decision, he seems a very decent man and he has an excellent reputation. I will not write about you to Catherine, she can write to you herself if she wishes to hear news from you. I'll talk to Darcy, and his lovely lady, see what they have to say. And Anne, I'm sorry I didn't tell the truth straight away. I felt so sorry for Catherine, but you are right, she does need to gain some compassion for others, and suffering loneliness may be the best way. See you later, my dear.'

And they part, Anne seeking out Frederick to ask who the strange lady is, and uncle Spencer to greet his cousin, the birthday-girl.