Chapter 123

On the last day of their engagement, Eric will have to do without his beloved for two hours because Georgiana is attending Fanny and Bob's wedding ceremony. They have decided together he will not join his beloved and her brother and Elizabeth since he has very little to do with either Fanny or Bob, and he is a bit tired of being polite to total strangers. But just before she leaves, Georgiana hands him the book Elizabeth and Darcy gave her for her birthday.

'I don't think we should read this together before we are married, my love, I couldn't put it away at all, it was so interesting but at the same time so exciting! But I do think you should read at least part of it, it is very enlightening. Keep the piano handy, though, to settle afterwards.'

And indeed she has not said too much, Pierre's exploits are incredibly tantalizing and shamefully explicit, but they do need to know these things. Elizabeth's timing has been perfect, Eric can't wait to try some of this himself, and tomorrow evening he will be allowed to. Practise can wait this once, he wants to read more and more, and before he knows it two hours have flown by and the carriage can be heard outside. This will not do, he cannot face Georgiana like this, if she kisses him a shade too intimately or touches him in the wrong place, his control may snap and he has already planned out what he wants to do first, it is not suitable at all for even an engaged couple. Better put away the book until tonight and play a few scales. His practice piece would be better but that'll take too long, since he will be expected downstairs.

They meet in the drawing-room in front of everyone, including Mr Bennet, Frederick and Anne, which is for the best. Georgiana never does anything more tantalizing than kiss him when they are not all by themselves, and she will be eager to tell him about the wedding. Or to get her hands on a piano. Either will please Eric.

After the expected embrace and kiss, Eric can sit back with his beloved on his lap and listen to a complete report on the church, Fanny's dress, Bob's happy face but most importantly, Mrs Baker, Fanny's adored mother.

'She was exactly as I expected her,' Elizabeth observes, 'still beautiful, prim, and happy to see her eldest marry a kind man who'll provide well.'

'You thought her prim?' Darcy wonders. 'I had expected her to be much more severe looking. She was smiling all the time and her dress was almost gay.'

'I suppose that is because you compare her to our aunt as your measure of prudishness, Fitzwilliam,' Georgiana offers, 'her dress had plenty of colour but the cut was stiff and a bit old-fashioned. But I suppose a widow with so many children cannot afford to buy herself a new dress just to wear to a wedding. I'm glad you decided to gift them a feast afterwards or I'm afraid they couldn't have had one. Not if it would cost them a month's food for Mrs Baker's brood.'

Dear Georgiana, she has turned out to have such an insight in these practical issues, how much a maid makes and what it costs to throw a party. Their finances will always be in the best of hands with her. Maybe he shouldn't be surprised since her brother also has a head for figures, but he was raised to run an estate, Georgiana's talent has surfaced these last few months.

'Talking of food always makes me hungry,' Darcy remarks happily, 'let's have lunch and talk while we eat.'

'You're always hungry, my love,' Elizabeth observes, laughing, 'and yet you never seem to grow fat.'

'It's running after Georgie and Eric that keeps me slim. When they are married I'll stay at home and grow as tubby as Will, or Mr Hurst. Just you wait.'

Their bantering continues all through lunch, and when Georgiana and Eric retreat to his room for some serious practice, Anne seems almost glad to take a very well-humoured Darcy and Elizabeth to the little pink sitting-room. Is this the next wedding in their family being announced? Georgiana predicted it yesterday, after Anne's shocking experience at the concert.

'She is going to do it, my love, mark my words. Love has never had a magical sound to my cousin anyway, but this madness will be a turning point. I guess she will be wed to Frederick before the start of next season, their engagement announced... I suppose tomorrow, on our wedding. Mr Goodfellow will be there anyway.'

Incredible, how she can predict these things.

Anne is not nervous as she asks Darcy and Elizabeth for half an hour of their time in the pink sitting-room. After waking up with Nick almost deliriously happy she has no doubt that she is doing the right thing. And Nick seems to take the marriage almost in stride. When she commented on it he admitted, 'Strangely enough it was Mr Manners, I mean Frederick, telling me about him and Simon that did it. Can you imagine that sharing a hardship with someone makes it easier to bear? I will not be left by myself when you and Frederick go out together, Simon will be there in exactly the same predicament. And both of you will share the need to sneak around all the time. I have more or less accepted both, Simon and him, and not marrying you.'

Once in the little confidence room they all sit down and Anne does not elaborate but merely states, 'Darcy, Elizabeth, on the very day that you left for Newcastle, Frederick proposed a marriage of convenience to me. Yesterday evening I have told him I accept his proposal. We're not planning a huge wedding, for obvious reasons.'

She is not even afraid to let a silence descend on the three of them, and both her companions notice.

'Congratulations, Anne,' says Elizabeth with feeling. 'I think I understand why you would wish to marry Frederick. He respects you like he seems to respect no-one else.'

That is of course not true, Frederick respects Elizabeth more than anyone else, but it's nice of her to say it, and she probably even believes it.

Darcy is obviously torn.

'I understand why you are doing this, Anne, and I so wish you to finally be free and happy, but at the same time I fear for you. Simon and Frederick have made me realise it is possible to find true love outside the holy bond of matrimony. But will it make you happy, Anne? You will never be able to acknowledge the man you fall in love with, even if he accepts being yours only in secret. What if you fall in love with an eligible gentleman, dear cousin, and find yourself already bound to a man who can never love you?'

Anne is touched, who wouldn't have been? She expected Darcy to work on her sense of propriety, to try to shame her into a regular marriage. And here he is, genuinely concerned for her, and her future.

'Thank you so much for your concern, dear cousin! There is but one kind of love Frederick and Simon cannot give me, Darcy, and yet there are so many others that they can. And receiving that kind of love every day of my life is something I have never known, I have no siblings, have had no truly loving parent since papa passed away. To always be certain of two loving friends by my side is worth a lot to me, and to have my freedom and security against boredom. I'm not worried about romantic love, my mother certainly didn't feel bound by her unmarried state, and neither did your father by being married. I understand your concerns, I have taken time to carefully review all my options, and I have made my decision.'

'And I don't think you will regret it, Anne,' Elizabeth states warmly.

'Thank you, Elizabeth, I'm glad you understand. I will send a note to my uncle and Fitzwilliam, and if Georgiana and Eric agree I would like us to tell Mr Goodfellow tomorrow towards the end of the festivities. Unless you think it would take the attention away from the happy couple.'

Now Darcy surprises Anne immensely by observing, 'Why don't you visit uncle Spencer together, Anne, and tell him in person? I think he will be delighted. And I'm certain that seeing you so happy with your decision will make him feel very good about the match you're making, though he knows you're not head over heels in love and he used to love aunt Alice so much.'

Astounded, Anne blurts out, 'You're not going to make things hard on Frederick and me?'

That makes him laugh but he is a little hurt at the same time, and Anne reaches for his hand to make up for her impertinence. Of course he lets her take it and then they do have to embrace.

'I'm not who I used to be, Anne, my life no longer revolves around what others think of me and mine. I still feel so guilty about letting you down for years, I just want you to be happy. And I can see you are, the bond between you and Frederick and Simon is so much closer than that between a lot of married couples I know. Who am I to try to stop you? Who can guarantee you would be happier with a doting husband? Mrs Grenfell seems happy enough, Charlotte apparently has found a way to live with Mr Collins, but I'm sure I prefer Manners to either of them and a lot of the others. And Anne, I want him to be happy, too, and I do think this is a scheme gone right. Just be as discreet as they are and all will be well. If you find someone, do we get to meet him?'

And here Anne proves she still has a lot to learn before she joins Frederick in the society game for Elizabeth exclaims, 'You already have!' And then, 'I'm sorry, Anne, no matter how hard I try, sometimes I'm still the impetuous girl I used to be before Fitzwilliam tamed me.'

The way Darcy looks at her is enough to give any woman a tiny thrill, Anne is so much in love herself, to see her handsome cousin practically melting at his beloved's words is irresistible, even when what she says isn't true at all, she has tamed him, and if she has been tamed herself in any measure it has been London society that did it.

'I so love it when you profess opinions which aren't in fact your own, Mrs Darcy.'

'I know, Mr Darcy, it's why I still do it. You've never even tried to tame me, you don't want me tamed. And now I hope Miss de Bourgh will accept my heartfelt apologies for sticking my nose in her business.'

But Anne doesn't want to keep secrets from Elizabeth, she wants to be her friend.

'You already know him, it's Nick Fowler. He has lived a far from unblemished life so far, I could never marry him.'

She can see their minds at work, Darcy undoubtedly on his way to indignation, and yes, Elizabeth as well, most likely. She has a thing for Eric, but he is a gentleman in all but descent, educated, handsome and genteel. Nick may be smart and kind, he is decidedly rough at the edges and his speech and manners leave no doubt that he is a lowborn Londoner.

Before long the silence is getting painful and Anne is starting to regret telling them, though she really does not want to keep secrets from the relatives she likes a lot. She knows Darcy cannot stop her from marrying Frederick, but she wants him to approve.

'After ten years of living death, Anne, I can understand the attraction of a man like Fowler. Just imagine how safe you'll be with one man guarding you physically, one guiding you through society, and one making sure you'll always be ahead of everyone else in fashion and deportment. You're beautiful and kind and everyone will love you. I suppose no-one will find out you're committing sins in the privacy of your own home. I do feel bad about that, but not nearly as much as I should. Mostly, I'm relieved no-one will ever be able to take advantage of you.'

But now it's Elizabeth's turn to be hesitant.

'I have always had a thing for Nick Fowler, Anne, especially his dedication to improving himself by observing Simon in his work, though I realise now that was a ploy to have him near you when you were ill and needed him. Because we have known for some time that Simon will accompany all of us to Pemberley and after that leave us to live with Frederick, I thought it wouldn't hurt to put in a little effort to find a successor for him, and since Nick had shown an interest in keeping house and Simon was prepared to teach him I thought he might do well. So I admit I adapted some of Frederick's tactics and entreated Fanny to ask around, to find out more about him, whether he is good with people, and trustworthy. She told me nothing but good, I suppose he has gotten over the most trying age, except that he has quite the reputation of being a ladies' man. 'Worse than Simon,' she said, 'for Fowler apparently targets ladies instead of maids, and he..' at this point she blushed, '..he goes further, ma'am. All the way, if you catch my drift.'

Ladies, Anne, not just one. According to gossip he has had dozens, some even at the same time.'

Anne feels herself nodding calmly, she needs to address this or Darcy will revise his surprisingly mild opinion.

'I know, Elizabeth, he told me himself before we even kissed. In fact he warned me he couldn't be claimed. Which is why I moved back here when I fell for him after he got hurt, I meant to forget him.'

Better not tell them Frederick practically threw them at each other after that, they don't like his meddling, and meddle he did. Though always openly, at least to Anne, and Nick.

'But I couldn't, so I started to avoid him. And when Fitzwilliam asked to see Miss Blackwood again, she confided in me and told me Nick was pining away, had not seen any ladies anymore. He had fallen as hard as I had, Elizabeth, but he also understands I cannot marry him because of his past. I would consider living outside society because I choose to marry below me. But I cannot imagine placing my fortune and my life in the hands of a man who used to please married ladies at the rate of three or four each week.'

'But, wasn't he afraid to get them, well, you know, with child?'

Elizabeth is truly astute, Anne knew it. Although apparently she hadn't found out about Anne and Nick, yet, she certainly had noticed him all right.

'There are ways of preventing that, Elizabeth, and they work rather well.'

Is Anne mistaken or do Elizabeth and Darcy show a definite reaction to that statement? They didn't know, that is clear, but it seems they want to learn as much as Eric did. But they don't elaborate, and Anne continues what she was telling them.

'Nick once told me he didn't want a wife and children, he was afraid they'd be stuck at home while he'd be stuck at his job, both his parents were away a lot. He prefers to live among the rich and noble, he likes society as much as I do, he likes Simon, he is a bit in awe of Frederick, yet, though.'

'He knows? About them?'

'Each told him about himself, a day apart. They say he mostly felt stupid not having noticed before.'

'That is exactly what I felt when Fitzwilliam told me about Simon. Stupid and countrified. It must have stung Nick even more, since he is obviously a man of the city.'

Now Anne swallows some anxiety and begs her relatives, especially Darcy, 'Will you be kind to him? Please don't take any annoyance you feel about this situation out on him. He is deadly afraid of you, Darcy, looks up to you as a figure of absolute authority, and not a kind one I'm afraid. If you want to complain to someone, complain to me. I used Nick to prove to myself and Frederick I could marry Frederick without falling in love with him. To prove to us both I could find love outside wedlock. Love followed, and as unwillingly on my side as on Nick's. He will suffer enough, seeing Frederick and myself in public and having to stay behind the scenes. Simon and Frederick have no choice, whereas I could marry Nick but choose not to.'

Darcy, whom this concerns most, concedes, though not altogether pleased.

'I'll be nice to him. If you insist. Do you want me to write to your mother? About your engagement?'

'She can read it in the papers. You should have seen the fellow she sent after me, he was gross! I'm sure he would have tried to assault me on our way to Kent had Nick not interfered. I do feel very safe with Nick, though he is still too much in awe of powerful men. But that'll fade when Frederick hires him and he feels supported. If you'll excuse me I'll go tell Frederick about your suggestion to visit uncle Spencer and inform him of our engagement in person. I think it is a magnificent idea.'

And Anne flees, hoping that Darcy will not make trouble for them after all.

'You know your aunt will blame you for this, Fitzwilliam, since you started this whole chain of downward marriages.'

'You cannot in any way compare yourself to Nick Fowler, Elizabeth. He is a lower-class Londoner, a born servant! He looks common, he talks common, I just hope he doesn't think common. But the important thing is, my aunt will never know. She will rejoice in Anne's marriage and congratulate herself for having her daughter catch a man as rich and respectable as Mr Frederick Manners. She may even try to rub it in towards me. If she ever manages to restore contact with Anne, she'll try to get the better of her son-in-law in her drawing-room, while Simon and Fowler chat up the staff. And then they'll get together in the evenings, share what they have heard and laugh until their sides hurt.'

He doesn't seem too put out with Anne's news, of course he has had a few weeks to get used to the idea and there is nothing he can do about it anyway, he has no say over Anne and there is no way to warn their uncle. But Fitzwilliam must know Elizabeth and Georgiana will do everything in their power to stop him from even thinking of such a heinous act.

'I like Nick Fowler. He seems kind but also strong, and I suppose your cousin must have a strong will, my love. You have, and your aunt and uncle have, even Georgina has it though it seemed otherwise. Like my father told me, Anne could never be happy in an unequal marriage, let her be one of the boys again and try to outwit three smart men. And if Nick Fowler cheats on her she can just let him go and find herself a more deserving one. Suppose Charlotte had been able to do that, or my father could have chosen a different wife. I'm looking forward to getting to know both of them better, Anne and her lover.'

Since neither of them dares to ask the other's opinion on methods to prevent pregnancy, they do not yet discuss that very sensitive subject, though each definitely has his own thoughts.

And then, finally, the day of Georgiana's wedding has dawned. After dressing up they will drive to a large church in their own quarter of town, where the ceremony will be held. Georgiana does not want a large party so soon after her birthday and after having been in company daily since the start of the new year. A small gathering will suffice to greet relatives and friends, and make two important announcements to Mr Goodfellow. And after that, a lunch and some dancing in a rather small venue with just a few friends will be just the thing. Fitzwilliam offered them a night in an inn to be all by themselves, but of course an inn has strangers living in it and they prefer to be among people they know. So they have settled for spending their wedding night in total privacy in Eric's very own apartment, a large double bed they both fell in love with when browsing through the attic having been dismantled and brought down that flight of stairs to now grace their new quarters. Georgiana's nerves are finally starting to flutter and she wonders how Eric is feeling.

'There now, miss, there is nothing to fear, you know it's just the minister preaching and then you both repeat what he says and it's done.'

Fanny, who married her Bob just yesterday, is already back to work and putting on quite some married-woman's airs towards her young mistress. Most likely without even being aware of it. Georgiana doesn't mind a bit, her nerves are back to steadfastness and she is suddenly intensely curious.

'How was it, Fanny, you know, your first night together?'

As always, Fanny talks and works at the same time, there is a lot of work to be done today for Fanny is determined to get Mrs Darcy in the papers as well as the young bride. It's a kind of challenge Fitzwilliam apparently set her, Georgiana doesn't know the particulars but it also seems to include Anne, who will be one of the most beautiful bridemaids ever seen, though she is nearly ten years Georgiana's senior.

'I'm so glad to have this opportunity to be a bridesmaid once, Georgiana,' she said, 'for with your permission Frederick and I would like to announce our own engagement officially after your ceremony. We've visited uncle Spencer and he wholeheartedly approves, he will write to my mother and I've already sent a note to Fitzwilliam and Mr Blackwood. Of course Frederick has written some relatives as well, but he doesn't care if they read it in the papers first.'

Well, anything that takes the attention away from Eric and Georgiana is very welcome, so of course Anne may announce her engagement to Mr Goodfellow just before or during the reception. Right after Georgiana has revealed to him and any reporter haunting the church doors where Mrs Darcy and Miss Darcy buy their clothes. It'll be a huge joke!

Meanwhile, Fanny blushes a beautiful rosy red and says dreamingly, 'It was all we ever hoped for, miss, the master gave us Theo's former room, it's huge and he had it redecorated for us, it's so lovely. And Bob was so sweet, he told me he didn't have a clue, but my mother's friends and some of the maids had told me things and he did just fine. I feel different now, you know, grown up. And the master says we'll have a whole week to ourselves as soon as we arrive at Pemberley. A whole week with nothing to do but be together!

Now, miss, that's your dress all pinned and sewn up, is it comfortable? It kind of looks wrong, but Simon said it had to be tight, do you mind ringing for him to check out the fitting before I start on your hair? It's such an important day and everybody will be watching and I've never seen a dress like this. Simon chose it, he knows how it should be fitted.'

Of course nothing is wrong with the way the dress is arranged, but though Georgiana can tell her as much as she liked, Fanny will never believe anyone but Simon. He soon returns to his own charges, poor man, with Frederick's valet having already moved to his new home he has three gentlemen to help make ready, starting with his own master, of course. Or maybe he helped Frederick before the external staff arrived, Georgiana doesn't know. She does know that Dora will beg Fanny to check out her work, they have such a reputation, Simon and especially Fanny.

The hair is done relatively quickly, Georgiana has decided to go for a simple look to match the dress, it mostly relies on her still-perfect figure, except for some outlandish detail that even Georgiana isn't sure she wants to wear. But the decision is made, there will not be that many people anyway, and beautiful Anne will be standing next to her in a similarly daring dress, so she guesses she will be just fine. Half an hour later they move to Elizabeth's room together, where Simon has just arrived and is helping his master into a singularly attractive coat. Her brother is a stunningly handsome man, there is no other way to put it.

For the first time ever, Georgiana does not drop down on the bed but primly seats herself in a straight chair. The dress is pinned so tightly it might tear and besides, it won't do to mess up Fanny's best efforts today. It is always such a joy to watch Fanny work, and the dress Elizabeth has chosen for today certainly is worth it. She will be wearing her usual warm copper hues but today the accents are green, and her necklace is one from Newcastle, with the local glass beads resembling priceless emeralds this time. Since Georgiana and Anne are going for simple today, Elizabeth has decided to choose intricate, and her hair and hat seem to flow together in a jumble of curls, feathers and copper accents. If she doesn't make the papers today, Georgiana will eat that hat feathers and all, and it is certain not to agree with her stomach.

Elizabeth perfect, Fitzwilliam perfect and Georgiana perfect, they leave the room and instantly hear Eric playing away his nerves. While Georgiana and Elizabeth follow Fanny into Anne's room to witness the interaction between Fanny and Dora, Fitzwilliam and Simon walk on, most likely to put some heart in Eric. Anne is looking stunning, Frederick will be relieved to have his proposals finally accepted for it cannot be long now before she is discovered by the beau monde, and every bachelor in town will be as helpless at her feet as the unfortunate lieutenant was.

'Just perfect, Dora,' Fanny praises Anne's little maid. Fanny started out her career as personal maid a little more confidently than Dora, she is not that much older, but Anne's maid of course has lived at Rosings for years, she may need a little extra time to crawl out of her subservient shell. And indeed, they leave every aspect of Anne's toilette exactly as it is and move downstairs as one. In the hall, they meet the gentlemen, and each offers his own lady his arm.

Simon does not show any sign of disgruntlement at Frederick leading Anne down the stairs almost possessively, but of course they have had plenty of time together last night and in the morning. Legitimately, that last, since Simon has very obviously been busy changing Frederick's appearance ever so slightly: he is wearing a buff-coloured pair of pantaloons instead of his eternal black, with a matching buff shirt but a midnight-black cravat replacing the expected white one. Georgiana remembers they were her Christmas gift to Frederick, but apparently his own valet did not know what to do with them, this is the first time Georgiana has seen him wear one of them and it makes an incredible statement. No-one will doubt that this time he has succeeded in winning the affections of the beautiful lady he is obviously courting, even before they make the official announcement. He looks even more self-assured than usual, and Anne is obviously pleasantly surprised by Simon's efforts. She seeks him out just before he can disappear back into the house and talks to him softly, something Georgiana cannot make out in the general buzz of a large party leaving but which makes Simon smile before he retreats. And then Georgiana looks at her intended and realises this is the last time they will stand in this hall as engaged couple. When they return, they will finally be married, and with that thought her nerves make themselves felt once again.

They share Frederick's carriage with him and Anne, Fitzwilliam taking Mr Bennet in their own. All the others will come directly from their own house, the relatives and friends they will meet again at Pemberley in April: the Bingleys, the Gardiners, uncle Spencer, cousin Fitzwilliam. Cousin Spencer has returned to his father's estate, he could not stay for the wedding with his Penny due to deliver any day now. There will be several relatives from their father's side of the family, mostly elderly uncles and aunts who will hopefully only attend the ceremony. Then of course Eric will have his friends present, Mr Goodfellow and the other members of their group of music connoisseurs, Mr Clementi, and standing in as his relatives are the Zumpes, Louise probably bringing her fiancée. Georgiana hopes Kitty will be able to make it with Lascelles, they don't like to go to town and do not have their own house in London but they were planning to attend, staying with the Bingleys. Mrs Grenfell has not been invited, of course she was never Georgiana's friend but much more Fitzwilliam's.

'You don't seem nervous at all, my love. I suppose there is no reason to be, but still I am and will be until we have exchanged rings.'

'I am quite anxious, Eric, but not as much as I'd expected. And it's mostly because of the dress, it's so...different.'

That is not the word she was looking for, but it will have to do.

'Your dress is beautiful, dear Georgiana, as are you. But I do understand why it should make you nervous, we've been scrutinised for months, some people may love the attention or at least get used to it, but I never will. It will always be a burden. But after today, my love, we'll have each other, for always.'

'Your dress may be unconventional, Georgiana,' Frederick now observes, 'but it is more than stunning. People will stare at you, no doubt, but only to admire. I hope Miss Filliger is prepared for the rush on her store tomorrow for every girl in town will want one.'

'But Georgiana, you have only invited Mr Goodfellow, haven't you? He is a trained observer so he will notice something about your dress, but he won't write about it, will he? He is not an expert on fashion after all?'

Anne is right, but apparently she is not used to their life yet.

'What you say is true, Anne, but reporters generally don't wait for an invitation to show up. Be assured that three fashion specialists will have formed an opinion on your dress before you've walked from the carriage to the entrance of the church. Which is why Fanny insisted on Simon checking her work before she let us leave the house, and Dora asked Fanny to critique your toilette.'

Frederick adds, laughing, 'And besides, Mr Goodfellow will have no music to write about, what if he decides to try his hand at fashion instead?'

They all join him in his laughter, imagine the scruffy little reporter having an opinion on clothes when he always looks as if he hasn't a decent garment in his wardrobe.

'I suppose Goodfellow will only write about your revelation, that your French couture was actually from Cheapside. He will attend as my friend, not as reporter.'

Eric must be really nervous to actually respond to their bantering in a serious way. Fortunately Anne has learned a lot these last weeks and she retorts gayly, 'But what about all his readers? They will be dying to know how Mr Fielding and Miss Darcy's wedding goes about. Don't they have the right to know whether one of you stuttered speaking your vows? And how intimate your kiss was?'

'And that the bridesmaid looked supremely happy with her soon-to-be-acknowledged fiancée watching her with adulation?'

Georgiana says this as a joke but they do look happy, as if they really are in love. They're both so subtle and such good actors.

'I ám very happy, Georgiana,' Anne observes, 'and I won't mind a bit if Mr Goodfellow wants to write about it in the papers.'

'Nor I,' Frederick observes. 'And if I do watch with adulation, Anne, I dare assure you it will be real, for I indeed admire you more than a little and I'm very proud to be allowed to walk next to you.'

'Thank you, all of you,' Eric smiles, 'my nerves are settling down more than a little, keeping busy must be the trick.'

'I suppose you can ask to use the organ, Eric, to play some scales to calm down,' Georgiana offers. 'Can you play an organ?'

'It's not easy, my love,' he replies, 'but I can play a little Bach I guess.'

And he'd do it, too.