Chapter 119

Georgiana is very busy with her visitors, which is only natural since it is her birthday. It is great fun to see cousin Spencer again, Georgiana always thought him merely rather old, but now she has grown up a little herself she can appreciate his kindness and his compliments over her blossoming beauty and her fabulous playing. He is just as respectful towards Eric as uncle Spencer, which surprised her hugely when she first noticed it. Who would have thought her dignified uncle would be able to step over Eric's lack of breeding so totally? But Georgiana still prefers to observe people over being the centre of attention, and as soon as she sees cousin Fitzwilliam moving towards Elizabeth and her brother, she unobtrusively joins their little group. This is a first meeting she has to witness.

Cousin Fitzwilliam looks happy, though just the tiniest bit apprehensive as he addresses Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam, 'Mrs Darcy, Darcy, I know you have met Miss Sophie Blackwood before, but still I want to introduce her to you again today, because from this happy day on she will be part of our family. Sophie, Darcy and I grew up together, we have been great friends from the time we were still little boys. And I am more pleased than ever that he managed to win the heart of this beautiful lady, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy.'

Her brother shakes hands with both his cousin and Miss Sophie, and congratulates them heartily. Elizabeth is very much affected by the whole scene, and she embraces cousin Fitzwilliam with familiarity.

'Congratulations, Colonel Fitzwilliam!'

Then she shakes hands with Sophie, and Georgiana can see her sister-in-law is very pleased to welcome the girl into their midst. 'And congratulations to you, too, Miss Sophie! Welcome to the family. I have the highest opinion of Colonel Fitzwilliam, I'm certain he will be the best husband you could ever imagine.'

Poor Sophie is glad with such a reception, but of all the people in the room she seems most in awe of these two. Unimaginable to Georgiana since she is so comfortable and familiar with both, but seen from the girl's point of view maybe understandable, Elizabeth has been all over the papers, and Fitzwilliam still has that certain aloofness to those he doesn't know intimately.

'Thank you so much, Mr and Mrs Darcy. I'm looking forward to getting to know you. It's so good to meet the people who are closest to the colonel, like his father and brother and you. Of course I already knew Miss de Bourgh.'

Well, she is polite at least, and perceptive, for she sees Georgiana standing close-by and merely looks at her fiancée, who introduces the two of them as well, though indeed they have met before on that coffee visit with Anne, countless concerts, and the dinner-party that seems to have finally brought the two of them together.

'Welcome to the family, Miss Sophie,' Georgiana observes, 'I have heard you have a magnificent voice and play the piano very well. I'd love to hear you perform some of those Italian songs.'

She is a bit shy, but she will get over it, Georgiana did easily enough. It's just the number of unfamiliar people, and all dressed to perfection and very self-assured.

'Thank you, Miss Darcy, maybe I will. But it will be very hard to play in front of you and Mr Fielding, I am sure you can understand why.'

'I can, Miss Sophie. I had to get used to playing with Eric as well, since he is so much better than I am, and he always will be. But at home he is just one of the family, and he loves to hear other people play. You know Mrs Darcy plays, too.'

And now Elizabeth takes her chance to be nice to Sophie by adding, 'And believe me, Sophie, when I married Mr Darcy I played very ill indeed, though he didn't seem to mind, nor did the colonel. But I've heard you play a lot better than I used to do. I cannot wait to hear you perform.'

'Thank you, Mrs Darcy, I'm certain I will dare to try, for the colonel always likes me to play and sing for him, so it cannot be really bad.'

Well, Miss Sophie Blackwood may not be the kind of girl to set the world on fire, she is certainly very polite and unassuming. Georgiana had expected a wholly different kind of girl from what Anne told them about how things worked in their family, the parents leaving the girls to their retainer most of the time. A man chaperoning two girls, aunt Catherine would have a fit if she heard about it. But still this girl has better manners at least than Mrs Grenfell, who went to a very expensive school and no doubt had a lady companion or governess like Georgiana used to have. Speaking of Mrs Grenfell, where is she? Though they are all settling around the table to play a game, Georgiana still keeps an eye on everyone and Mrs Grenfell is missing, as well as Anne. Anne often takes a nap in the afternoon, or maybe she just retreats to her room for a bit of peace and quiet, of course there is so much going on in this house compared to Rosings. But somehow Georgiana finds that hard to believe, Anne seems to thrive on society, seems to actively seek it. Taking an afternoon nap just doesn't fit in with her character as Georgiana has come to know it. But that is Anne's own business.

Now uncle Spencer wants to know whether she and Eric are really planning to move to Vienna for a whole year, to study and have Eric perform his own compositions.

'I can hardly wait, uncle Spencer,' Georgiana says, truthfully, 'though German is much more difficult than one would think. But imagine seeing real mountains, and those picturesque villages Eric described, and Vienna is supposed to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world, even its name has an almost magical sound, doesn't it?'

Eric will think she is a simpleton, but she is a mere seventeen, she still has a right to fantasies and imagination. Soon enough she will have to grow up.

'But isn't it very dangerous to travel in the mountains? Aren't there bandits about, and snowstorms and avalanches?'

Uncle Spencer has never been off the island, that much is clear. But Eric has been, he has been to Prague, across even more mountains and those much wilder ones. He does look a bit worried, poor Eric. He has been to one of those shops Anne told them of, very embarrassing, he hardly dared tell Georgiana but he did. It is very sweet of him to worry about her so much, but not necessary at all, she is young but very strong, not like her poor mother at all.

'That is what I've been trying to tell Manners, and Georgiana, all this time, sir. It's not really bad or I wouldn't even consider going, but it's not at all like travelling here, one needs to be prepared to meet some adversity. I've been thinking, Georgiana, if that fellow with the shiners, what's his name again?'

'Nick Fowler,' Georgiana adds. Though he doesn't have those shiners anymore they were a sight she will never forget.

'Exactly, Nick Fowler. If he is dismissed because his charges are getting married, maybe Manners can hire him to give us all a measure of protection without getting the feeling of being watched all the time.'

That is actually a great idea, but maybe she should run it by Anne before actually talking to Frederick or to the man himself: Georgiana has a feeling Anne knows this Nick rather well, and will know whether he can be trusted with some sensitive facts, like Frederick and Simon being together. They want to go overseas to be together more openly, it won't do to take someone along who will be outraged by their involvement. But neither will it do to discuss that in front of her uncle, who still considers Frederick an excellent match for his niece Anne, despite knowing they aren't head over heels in love. And since Georgiana thinks that Anne should decide for herself which man she will or will not marry, and for what reasons, it is important that her uncle doesn't find out how very unlikely Frederick is to fall in love with Anne after all.

It's bad enough Fitzwilliam keeps wanting to stick his nose in Anne's business. It seems Frederick is serious in his intentions towards Anne, and if Anne doesn't mind finding her love somewhere else...like, not too far away? Somewhere in the servants' quarters? No, she is not even going to contemplate that. It's Anne's business, until Fitzwilliam starts to get involved, then Georgiana will call him to order. Like Elizabeth did for Georgiana, but without the making up. Preferably without the fight, too, but if that cannot be avoided, so be it. She speaks airily, but throws Eric a meaningful look.

'Well, I suppose we'll see him around sometimes, Miss Sophie is not married, yet. And apparently he is friends with Simon, so we can always send a message via him.'

Hopefully Eric will understand that they need to discuss this in private.

'Well, I'm glad you have experience travelling the continent, my dear boy,' uncle Spencer says. 'Have you ever seen an avalanche?'

And since Eric has, several times actually, he can entertain his future uncle with spectacular stories of a torrent of snow racing down steep slopes with primeval force, taking everything in its path along with it, trees, huge boulders, houses, roads and if unlucky, people.

'So you say the locals set them off early on purpose? In places where they know the snow builds up to form dangerous ledges, to prevent them from becoming so large they threaten their villages? That sounds rather reckless, and sensible at the same time.'

By now, Mrs Grenfell has returned and she is not happy. Anne is still absent, but if she is asleep she will stay away for at least an hour. But what if she is not asleep? What if she is with... Georgiana dare hardly think about it, let alone name him...Nick? Bedding a servant? It would explain how she knew about ways to prevent pregnancy, no genteel lady would know such a thing. No genteel maid would know either, Fanny certainly doesn't. It would explain so much more. His presence in the house when Anne was not feeling well. His mood at the concerts when she left the Blackwood mansion suddenly and stopped attending the concerts, her mood improving as suddenly after having Sophie and cousin Fitzwilliam over for dinner. This will need some thorough contemplation, but not on her own birthday party. Tonight, in bed. Right now, she is losing so many cards due to her inattentiveness that she is soon out of the game, enabling her to keep a closer eye on her guests. She sees Fitzwilliam get up and hears him excuse himself to Elizabeth.

'I'm going to see whether Anne is in her room, my love, the next game used to be her favourite, she will not want to miss it.'

That is not going to happen, not if Georgiana can help it. The last thing poor Anne needs is her cousin dogging her steps. She quickly intercedes, keeping her advice general.

'If you want Anne found please send Simon, Fitzwilliam. She might feel very uncomfortable if you go looking for her. I know I would.'

Elizabeth agrees immediately, and Fitzwilliam rings for Simon, then sits back down. When Simon arrives promptly, her brother says, 'I was going to look for Miss Anne in her room, we're going to play a favourite game of hers next. But Miss Darcy insists I let you do the honours. Would you find her and bring her back here? Unless she is unwell, of course.'

Simon bows formally, he always does these days, at least when they have company.

'Certainly, master. I'll bring her back.' And he is off.

It takes a while before he returns, but then things do get interesting. Anne is with him, looking perfectly groomed, too perfect for what Georgiana was thinking she was doing, but also for just having had a nap. And Simon is as good a lady's maid as he is a valet, he would not let her enter the drawing-room looking in any way dishevelled.

Anne thanks Fitzwilliam heartily for thinking of her and sits down to join the game, but Simon also heads for his master and mistress and speaks to them in a low voice, a conversation which Georgiana can barely make out. Apparently, Mrs Grenfell went to the servants' quarters to try to convince Fanny to switch employers. Elizabeth gets up and takes Simon out of the room, undoubtedly to talk to Fanny. And Fitzwilliam hands out the cards and starts the game, Anne playing with energy and even a true will to win. After a few games they break up the party and Anne joins Georgiana at the table.

'Thank you, Georgiana, for having your brother send Simon for me. I would have been embarrassed if he had come himself.'

Georgiana cannot help it, she must know!

'You weren't in your room, were you?'

'I wasn't. I was in Simon's room, with Nick. I see you remember him. We have been seeing each other since I stayed with the family. I did think you suspected and were covering for me. Do you blame me?'

'Of course not, Anne, I fell in love with a cowherd's son!'

'I wasn't even in love with him at first, Georgiana, I just used him to conquer shame because Frederick said if I wanted to marry him I'd need to find love elsewhere. But when Nick got hurt he was so sweet and so needy, I just fell for him. So I moved out, because he had warned me not to fall in love with him. And weeks later Sophie told me he had stopped seeing others. She knows he is in love with me but doesn't suspect me of returning his feelings. Not yet. So now we see each other in secret, until I've decided whether I can live with one partner in public and the other in private, as Frederick proposes.'

'Does Nick know about Simon?' Georgiana asks, uncertain whether to be shocked or pleased for her cousin.

'He doesn't. He still thinks Frederick is in love with a terribly low woman. We won't tell him until I decide on Frederick's proposal. I'm ever more inclined to accept, Georgiana, I like both Frederick and Simon so much, and I just cannot deliver myself and my fortune to a man like Nick, who used to chase ladies like trophies. Or any other man.'

'But aren't you afraid Frederick will try to rule you? He can be very dominant, he even had my brother doing his bidding.'

Georgiana says this but she doesn't actually believe it. Frederick does tend to take the lead, but he doesn't really enjoy having power over others. His relationship with Simon is now absolutely equal, and he never patronizes Georgiana though she is so much younger than him he'd even have the right sometimes.

'I know, but I'm certain he wants me to be his equal. And though this will sound calculating, Georgiana, marriage may make him my lawful owner, I actually already own him: I know his secret, he can never force me to do anything I don't want to.'

That is calculating! Planning to marry Frederick because she knows something that can destroy him, thus securing her freedom. It's almost frightening, Georgiana loves Frederick and she doesn't want to see him hurt. Nor Simon.

'Never mind, Georgiana, you know I really love Frederick and Simon, not even as brothers but something more. I'd never hurt them, just as they would never hurt me. I just don't think true love is for everyone, and I don't want to risk spending the rest of my life indentured to a man because I did something foolish under the influence of love.'

'You know, Anne, before I fell in love with Eric I was tempted to marry Frederick myself, even though I was just sixteen and had never been in love. I think he is a great man, loving, trustworthy. You could do a lot worse than Simon and him, if you can live a double life and find your own love elsewhere.'

Anne was obviously surprised and pleased to hear this.

'Thank you for telling me this, Georgiana. I would think you'd have hated the attention of the beau monde, though you have that with Eric as well. I actually like going to parties and balls and dressing up and living life. But I do fear Darcy will find out, or uncle Spencer. Frederick is very afraid of your brother and Elizabeth, since he knows they will disapprove of his tempting me to live in sin, and he is afraid to lose them. But it's my life and I want it to be exciting, I don't want to sit at home and cover screens and take care of children the rest of my life. I want to be with Nick, and if he reverts to his old behaviour I'll find someone else to love. My parents never loved each other and they were miserable together.'

'I so agree with you, though I'm truly in love with Eric and believe in real love existing. But I thought our parents loved each other and yet Fitzwilliam says our father turns out to have been a philanderer. Mr Bennet despises Elizabeth's mother because they have nothing in common. I don't have a sensible thing to say to you, Anne, but I will do whatever I can to help you keep your secret, and if it comes out I'll stand up for you like Elizabeth stood up for me. You have the right to live your own life, neither your mother, nor my brother, nor our uncle get to do that for you.

Now will you tell me what happened with Mrs Grenfell, I suppose Simon told you?'

And Anne tells Georgiana everything, how she discovered the lady in the servants' quarters, and how Nick followed her and warned Simon.

'Amazing, so Caroline still doesn't know that it was Fanny whom her husband assaulted. He must be keeping things from her, for I'm certain he knew whose maid she was, Fanny told me he planned to marry me then use her and if possible Elizabeth as well. Can you imagine marrying someone like that? I'd take Frederick and Simon any day!'

By now, Mrs Grenfell is back in the room, looking both gravely insulted and rather upset, and Georgiana and Anne watch her trying to seek refuge with her brother and not finding it, because Mr and Mrs Bingley are occupied with Mrs Darcy and uncle Spencer. She just stands there, a sad sight, until Mrs Gardiner proves her superior breeding by engaging her in easy conversation. After Caroline treated her abominably that time at Pemberley, and not much better afterwards. When Mr Bennet joins the two of them as well, Georgiana cannot help herself any longer and says to Anne, 'Will you excuse me, Anne? I'm dying to hear what Mrs Grenfell and Mr Bennet have to say to each other, I want to go out there and eavesdrop.'

Anne smiles and observes shrewdly, 'I suppose Frederick did lose a perfect co-conspirator when you fell in love with Eric, my dear cousin. I'll join Fitzwilliam and Sophie for a while, if you promise me to tell me everything you've learned. And I'll be watching you to gain some proficiency in eavesdropping myself. Frederick will be proud of you.'

When it is time for dinner the Gardiners and the Bingleys have left, the latter couple taking Mrs Grenfell with them. Anne is sitting with Elizabeth and Georgiana, expecting to enjoy a nice chat with the other girls. The only other woman left is Sophie, and she is not going to leave Fitzwilliam's side. Frederick is sitting with Mr Bennet, Darcy and Eric, and uncle Spencer and cousin Spencer are showing a lot of interest in Fitzwilliam and his sweet Sophie, which makes Anne very happy since it's clear they approve of her. Elizabeth also comments on the latest addition to the family.

'Is it my imagination, Anne, or has Miss Sophie Blackwood matured immensely in the few weeks we've been in the north?'

As Georgiana nods to confirm her sister's observations, funny since she is two years Sophie's junior, Anne cannot but agree with them.

'She has, yes. Ever since our trip to the army camp, I think, or maybe a bit earlier.'

Since transferring her affections from a childhood crush on Nick to a deserving adult gentleman, Anne guesses.

'I think she really wanted to measure up to what she expected Fitzwilliam to admire in a woman. Though she still possesses a certain innocence, I'd almost call it naiveté.'

Elizabeth laughs and confesses, 'I had that, too, when I got married, I only lost mine when we came to London.'

'I lived most of my life in London, and still I was terribly naïve until Simon and later Frederick cured me of it.'

Funny, for what Georgiana remarks is exactly what Anne was going to say happened to cure her of her innocence. Well, and Nick, of course.

'Without Simon, I, too, would still be a country girl,' Elizabeth beat her to it. 'And I think it was more of an effort to make me grow up than Frederick had to help you become the woman you are now, Anne, am I right?'

'It did happen rather quickly,' Anne dares to confess, 'but of course he had help, Sophie's sister Angelina and their retainer dragged me into the real world rather quickly. With my full approval, and with Mr Blackwood aware of what was going on I'm afraid to conclude in hindsight. It's a miracle Sophie has stayed so innocuous.'

'I'm glad she is, having been exposed to worldliness already and not been affected she will most likely stay as she is right now, and make Colonel Fitzwilliam a perfectly sweet wife.'

Elizabeth is most likely right, and she didn't so much as twitch when Anne mentioned Nick. She is not yet onto Anne, but of course how could she be? She has been away from home for the last three weeks.

'I'm glad I'm no longer naïve,' Georgiana observes, and they all agree, especially Anne, who knows what it is like to be helpless, her fate resting in the hands of another person.

'So Georgiana,' she starts another subject altogether, 'what did Mrs Grenfell talk about with Mr Bennet and Elizabeth's aunt?'

Elizabeth looks surprised at the mention of her father and Mrs Grenfell in one sentence, and exclaims, 'My father talked to Mrs Grenfell? And she didn't flee? I always thought they'd have a deep antipathy against each other, they're natural opposites.'

'Which is why I joined their little group when I saw them together,' Georgiana observes gleefully. 'Mrs Grenfell came back into the room after having been absent from it for some time. She looked crushed, and Bingley was talking to you so she couldn't seek shelter with him. Then Mrs Gardiner took pity on her and your father joined their conversation. And so did I.'

'So what did they talk about, Georgiana?' Elizabeth asks, 'I take it she didn't insult my father, she wouldn't dare.'

'By the time I got there, Mrs Gardiner had inquired after her marriage, and Caroline was telling her about Cuthbert's estate. How it was being ploughed and seeded that very week, how the box hedges had been removed and the pond would be connected to a natural stream. And then she told them about the hermit, the real, living, breathing philosopher they'd hire to live in a little Greek temple at the very back of the garden. Your father was enjoying himself immensely, and Mrs Gardiner was starting to look slightly anxious, I think of him saying something outrageous. I think she likes him for it, your aunt. As if she was hoping he'd do it at the same time as dreading it. And then he asked whether the temple would have a library. Mrs Grenfell looked at him as if he was crazy, of course, for why would a temple have a library?

Your father answered, 'Why, how else would a wise man find answers to all questions? He'd need to look them up, of course, and I suppose Mr Grenfell will not appreciate a hermit coming to his own library to browse through his collection.'

I'm sure Mrs Gardiner was imagining a ragged, none-to-clean hermit dragging his beard through the hall of Mrs Grenfell's house, like myself, for we both had trouble keeping a straight face. Your aunt has as much humour as your father and yourself have, Elizabeth, she could easily be your aunt by blood instead of by marriage. But Mrs Grenfell probably thought their hermit would know all the answers to every possible question instinctively.

'Cuthbert doesn't have a library,' she replied frankly, 'he prefers to spend his time riding and hunting. He has promised me my own phaeton this summer.'

Mr Bennet shook his head regretfully and said 'Then I suppose your hermit will be just fine without a library, too. Too bad, if your temple had a library I would have considered the position myself. Plenty of fresh air, lots of private space, the occasional respectful visitor bearing gifts. I could do without my horse and my wife, but I cannot do without my library.'

I'll tell you, Mrs Grenfell did not like the idea of having a man like Mr Bennet living in her backyard, maybe she's telling Bertie right now to cancel their search. Soon after that she left and Mrs Gardiner laughed out loud and said, 'Oh my brother, that was delightful. I was wondering why you'd come to talk to her, I addressed her because I felt sorry for her but I just couldn't believe that of you.'

'I did feel sorry for her,' Mr Bennet said, 'and why shouldn't I? I suppose I'm the only person in this room she has never insulted in some way or other. I feel a kinship between us. Well, I felt it, until I found out she married a guy who doesn't have a library. I'm glad Lizzy married the man with the largest private library ever, even though I tried to dissuade her. I can't wait to visit Pemberley, Georgiana. Maybe Darcy wants a hermit living in his library.'

'You could never be a hermit, Mr Bennet,' Mrs Gardiner teased him, 'you like your comforts too much. And I don't think either Mrs Grenfell or her husband will be bothered with many philosophical quandaries, so why bother to pay someone to solve them?'

Then it was time for dinner, and of course Mrs Gardiner went home to her children.'

'Your father has never insulted me, Elizabeth,' Anne says, hoping she doesn't sound as if she is insulted by his oversight.

'It's because you're smart,' Elizabeth replies, 'he likes smart people. But he is not perfect himself, and seeing Lydia again I've come to realise he just gave up on her and my mother, when maybe he should have tried harder to make them less foolish. He could have, he just didn't care.'

Anne can see it's hard for Elizabeth to criticize her adored father, they all have so much to learn about life.

'Are you truly considering coming with me if I decide to visit Charlotte?' she asks Anne.

'Certainly. I like Charlotte, and I think my mother has behaved shamefully towards them. I feel a little responsible. There are some things I'd like retrieved from my rooms at Rosings as well. And I'd like to send a note to Mrs Jenkinson, tell her I'm all right. I suppose uncle Spencer has her address. Yes, I think I should come with you, if you don't mind my bringing Dora along to see her family. And I have to admit I'd feel safer with a guard, I know Bob is a sturdy fellow but he will be busy with Darcy's team, and he could never withstand my mother. I'm pretty sure Nick could, and Georgiana is right, Mr Blackwood would let him come with us.'

'It would be a perfect opportunity to get to know him better, Anne,' Georgiana says, 'you know Eric suggested we take him along for our protection when we go to the continent, but I think we'd need a particular kind of person for that or Frederick and Simon would still be forced to keep their distance by day.'

'Am I missing something, girls?' Elizabeth now asks. 'Is Anne going along to Vienna? Does that mean it's a certainty you are going, Georgiana? And Anne, does that mean you are going to marry Frederick?'

Both girls nod, Anne as much so as Georgiana.

'It's getting ever more likely, Elizabeth, that we're going. Mr Clementi has already written several letters of inquiry to people he knows, and he is expecting their replies any day now. He expects Eric to be able to choose whom he wants to study with, he has recommended him highly.'

'And my marrying Frederick is also getting more likely, Elizabeth. I find myself totally unwilling to give up my freedom, and Frederick offers me constant entertainment as well as freedom.'

'But what about love, Anne?'

'I get plenty of love, Elizabeth. Simon and Frederick are very good husbands, and thinking of the last ten years I can easily ignore some of the finer points of good conduct. I'll get my love where my mother got it, where my late uncle Richard got it. At least I'll have a choice, Charlotte never had one. What would you have done if Darcy hadn't persisted?'

'I shudder to think of it, though it never frightened me then. I suppose Lydia would have shamed us all and we would all have suffered the consequences. You've made your point, Anne, love is a luxury we don't all have. And you are right, Frederick and Simon are excellent company and they will treat you right.

Shall I make the arrangements to go see Charlotte? I thought we might go coming Friday, and I agree it's probably best if we take Nick Fowler along for our protection and when it comes to sneaking about Rosings. Will you arrange for him to get consent to join us? You might want to tell Mr Blackwood about Vienna, he'll not want his favourite servant to miss out on such an opportunity.'

Anne nods, she can see all kinds of opportunities here, though telling Nick about Simon and Frederick is their business, not Anne's. Except for the timing, which does depend on her. But some part of her already knows she has decided to marry Frederick, she just has to find a way to tell Nick before she makes a formal call on her noble suitor.