Chapter 127

As the carriage drives away from the parsonage, towards the inn where Bob will stable the horses, Elizabeth is more pleased than she expected to be, seeing Charlotte waiting to embrace and kiss her, bundle in her arms. Charlotte looks just fine, slim, healthy, her hair groomed and put up in a very becoming style. She is still wearing one of the dresses Elizabeth gifted her with, but since it is adjustable in size it's only a little fuller in the skirts than one would expect. Charlotte will undoubtedly appreciate the three ready-made dresses Elizabeth brought her from London, she can see they'll need some adjustments since Charlotte has already lost more weight than Elizabeth and Anne expected, but that shouldn't be a problem. Elizabeth can fit dresses very well and Charlotte is an expert seamstress, as eldest daughter of a large family with a modest income she always did her share of adjusting clothes from one child to the next.

'Dear Eliza, I'm so glad you could make it!'

Charlotte greets her friend first, but of course Mr Collins is very conscious of rank, and though Elizabeth's has risen significantly with her marriage Anne still outranks her. And while Elizabeth admires little William Lucas, not very difficult to do since he is an adorable baby with cute chubby cheeks, a droll little tuft of blond hair right on top of his head and beautiful blue eyes, Mr Collins grovels for Anne. Elizabeth does not hear what he says, she keeps her eyes and ears on her friend and the baby, Anne is used to this behaviour from Mr Collins, she can handle him.

Then, just like that, Charlotte hands her the infant, he is much heavier than he looks!

'Here, you hold him for a moment, just support his little head and all will be fine, remember? I'll check Will before Miss de Bourgh's guard does.'

How does she know Nick is there to guard Anne? Feeling both flattered that Charlotte trusts her with her newborn and slightly overwhelmed by the responsibility of handling such a vulnerable, and heavy!, living creature, Elizabeth struggles to find her balance with the precious burden in her arms. Fortunately the little thing does not move much, suppose she dropped him! What does Charlotte mean, remember? Then she understands, Charlotte has much younger siblings and she is seven years older than Elizabeth, she must have held her little brothers and sisters a lot. But Elizabeth and Lydia are just four years apart, if she has ever held her sister as a baby she certainly cannot remember anything of it. Babies never interested her much, Jane often helped her aunt with the children, she would know how to hold a baby, but Elizabeth doesn't. Still, it's not that hard, and he is looking at her with a very serious little face. It's not as red nor as wrinkly as she expected, and even though she realises very well that this is Mr Collins' son, she cannot but like the little thing.

'Miss de Bourgh! So good to see you!'

Charlotte interrupts her husband fearlessly, she never used to do that, she has indeed grown a lot. They shake hands, and Charlotte cannot help commenting on Anne's announced engagement.

'And my sincerest congratulations on your engagement to Mr Manners. Didn't I tell you he had an interest in you from the very first?'

Though not in the way Charlotte means, Elizabeth guesses that is true, maybe Frederick did plan this marriage from the moment Colonel Fitzwilliam mentioned Anne during his drunken raves. Though Frederick would not have taken to Anne if she hadn't turned out kind and smart. Anne smiles sweetly and replies, 'So you did, Mrs Collins, so you did. And you were right, as you were in Darcy's case. I suppose you have a special talent for finding out these things. May I introduce you to Fowler? My fiancée would only let me come this close to Rosings if I agreed to take a professional guard. And since I feel much safer with him around I immediately agreed.'

Charlotte and Mr Collins are perfectly civil to Nick, and then it's time for Elizabeth to greet her cousin, not something she looks forward to but it has to be done. Fortunately she still has his son in her arms so there is no way he can greet her familiarly. Elizabeth does not give him the chance to speak first, she outranks him and he needs to have that rubbed in regularly. She looks at his cute boy to put herself in a good mood, then faces her cousin with a smile and a friendly nod. No handshake or curtsey for Will, he has not earned any sign of condescension from her.

'Congratulations, Mr Collins, on your adorable little boy!'

Her cousin does not show the slightest sign of the bitterness that characterized his attitude in the last hour he spent at their town house, instead he looks flattered and pleased. At her, the cousin who refused him and was subsequently married far above him. And now, the first time she has ever given him a real reason to dislike her, he seems as happy as a child with a handful of sweets. Well, didn't she tell Nick she considered Mr Collins the least predictable person she knew? A quick look at her companions shows her Nick already has his host's measure, he is the perfect guard, and his hovering over Anne can easily be seen as performing his duty, though it is in fact real affection, no doubt there. This man is no longer a philanderer, Elizabeth is ready to believe Anne right in her assessment. Anne catches Elizabeth's eye and winks, she has apparently decided to take the gentlemen's approach to Mr Collins, see him as a diversion. Charlotte shrugs, she cannot help her husband's peculiarities any more than she can stop the sun from rising each day, but since replacing Lady Catherine as Will's first priority in life and the arrival of little William she probably doesn't care that much anymore. She has two chubby males adoring her, and that is more than she ever expected from life. Dear Charlotte. She takes the baby back from Elizabeth's arms, a relief despite his cuteness, and leads them all into the house with a heartfelt, 'Lunch is ready, you must all be hungry after such a drive.'

As they move inside, Elizabeth notices Nick hesitating to follow. Anne is chatting with Charlotte and doesn't notice, but Elizabeth manages to catch his eye and gestures him to come along. With a look towards Charlotte's staff he walks towards her, and now Elizabeth also discerns a young maid and a lady in her thirties, possibly the housekeeper, struggling with their visitor's luggage.

'I can't go in and stuff myself and leave those two to break their backs, ma'am,' he excuses himself, 'would it be very bad manners if I helped them?'

Deciding in a split second, Elizabeth tells him, 'I can imagine you'd rather make a good impression on them, Nick. Who knows what can be learned. Go ahead, I'll tell Anne, I suppose she will be safe enough for half an hour. Will you join us when you're done? I guess if you help them, they'll feel obliged to feed you but I think it's best if you establish your place at the main table straight away.'

'Thank you, Mrs Darcy, I'll be back with Miss de Bourgh as quickly as I can.'

And he smiles at her, his face transforming from rather plain to positively appealing. So that's what Anne sees in him. Oh, and he is incredibly strong, he lifts one of their travelling chests easily all by himself. The women nearly swoon, and Elizabeth needs to join her friend and the others instead of watching a servant showing off.

Soon she is sitting in her usual spot at Charlotte's table, the new mother keeping her baby close in a basket whilst chatting with Anne in a very familiar though respectful way. Anne is obviously enjoying herself, though she does look at the empty spot at the table where Nick should be.

'Fowler will be a bit later, Miss de Bourgh, he is helping the staff to put away our belongings, I suppose he will join us in ten minutes.'

Charlotte looks a bit embarrassed, 'I'm sorry, I forgot to warn our own man he would be needed to help. I hope your guard won't be put out to have to do such a menial task?'

Elizabeth doesn't hesitate to reply, 'He will not be, Charlotte, since he offered to help. They were glad to accept.'

'Fowler doesn't mind helping out once in a while, Mrs Collins, he is very strong and proud of it. I feel so safe with him along, you know he rescued me from some lowlife my mother sent after me. Mr Manners trusts him to guard me with his life, which is why he is expected to be by my side at all times.'

Mr Collins is just nodding in understanding, his spirit seems truly broken, he should be outraged to find Miss de Bourgh in the constant company of a man who is not her husband. Suddenly Elizabeth feels rather sorry for him, but at the same time she still trusts him as far as she can throw him. As long as he is with them, Anne is safe, but once her cousin has had the chance to inform his patroness of Anne's presence at his house, Elizabeth is sure Nick should not let Anne out of his sight, not even for a minute. But wait, how can he do that if he is to break into Rosings? They didn't think of that! Well, she'll just have to lock herself into her room until Nick comes back.

'I'm sorry my mother treated you so badly, Mr Collins,' Anne says kindly, 'you couldn't help any of it. I don't even reproach you for telling her I was spending time with Darcy and his family, I know what she is like and you are at her mercy. I won't even hold it against you if you tell her I'm here now, that's what my guard is for.'

And now Mr Collins really looks like Will!

'Dear Miss de Bourgh, when Charlotte told me you had been waylaid by an uncouth individual at your mother's bidding, to force you to return to Rosings when you were doing so well in town, enjoying yourself with those charming girls and a man as admirable as Mr Manners, I did feel guilty, for I knew I had told her what made her angry. Under severe pressure, I admit, but I felt cowardly and despicable nonetheless. And realising what I had become made me angry, and determined to stick to what was right next time, if I ever got another chance to prove myself. I will not betray you again, Miss de Bourgh, and if you don't believe I'll do it out of loyalty, please believe I'm much more afraid of Mr Manners than of Lady Catherine. Somehow she cannot touch me anymore, her anger cannot harm me, her praise no longer makes me feel appreciated. She has shown me her real face and it is inhuman. I'm sorry to talk of your mother this way, but had she beaten me to within an inch of my life she could not have hurt me worse than she did. I do my work as a preacher, I visit the sick and help the poor, I even pay her my respects whenever I can spare the time from my dear Charlotte and little William, but Charlotte and I have agreed that if a modest situation can be found in exchange of this much better one, we will take it and do with less. You are the first people to hear this from either of us, in fact you are the only people we dare tell this, for if my intent were to become publicly known we would most certainly become destitute. Which proves my point: if I betray you, you now have the power to betray me.'

He can say all he likes, Elizabeth feels even more sorry for him but she still doesn't trust him at all. He is weaker than ever, Lady Catherine can make him do whatever she wants, nothing has changed. But they are not here to judge him or his patroness, they are here for Charlotte, and she will want to hear the news. Anne seems to feel the same, she accepts Mr Collins' assurances gracefully, but then changes the subject of the conversation to innocuous things like Charlotte's family, the village gossip, and how spring is starting to finally show itself.

Nick has arrived in the room by now and has seated himself where a place is set, he is still a bit shy to sit at the main table, even in a modest a household such as this. He doesn't say much but he relishes the food, and when Charlotte makes an excuse for forgetting to send help to carry the luggage he replies easily enough.

'Thank you, Mrs Collins, but it was no trouble, really. Your maid and your housekeeper appreciated my help so much, it was a true pleasure to be of assistance to them.'

Even Elizabeth now thinks he surely means to seduce one or both of them. They don't even want to see him in the servants' quarters anymore. Just incredible how charming this man can be, despite his London accent his manners are a lot less coarse than Fitzwilliam seemed to expect them, he eats neatly and without greediness, and he speaks exactly enough at exactly the right time. Anne is diverted by his act, they will have such fun together, all of them, Simon and Frederick, too. Too bad they're going to leave England eventually.

After lunch Mr Collins excuses himself to work in his garden and Charlotte smiles at him.

'Of course you have to go, Will, I suppose there are weeds springing up everywhere now spring has arrived. How are your seeds coming on?'

Her chubby cousin actually beams and replies, 'I planted them in the conservatory, it's tiny but it helps to get an early harvest. Nothing has sprouted, yet, but I expect to see the first shoots any day now. I love watching things grow. My garden is coming back to life.'

Charlotte looks at Elizabeth significantly and addresses her next, 'I bet you can't wait to explore, dear Eliza, you were always rambling when you visited us last year.'

'True, though I'd be tempted to go into the park where I know I won't be welcome.'

Now her cousin, already in the doorway, turns around and observes, 'In that case, my dear Charlotte, maybe you can show my cousin the way to the dell. It is surpassingly beautiful at this time of the year, with bluebells everywhere. And it's not Lady Catherine's. If you want me to mind little William while you take a long walk just make sure he is fed well. I'll take care of anything else he may need. Call me when you leave, you'll all be safe with Fowler along, this is not London after all.'

Is this the new Will? Offering to mind the baby while Charlotte entertains her guests? Elizabeth can hardly believe it, and Charlotte merely smiles triumphantly. She did write things had changed.

Anne feels no qualms to just go outside and stroll through the neighbourhood of her mother's estate. She doesn't fear to be recognised, she never went out much anyway, only to church and driving her little phaeton around the park, the local people hardly know her. Besides having changed so much that even Mrs Jenkinson might not know her again, Anne has learned much about human nature: people don't expect Miss de Bourgh to be walking about the village with Mrs Collins, and they won't see what they don't expect. Frederick was right, it is difficult to keep from judging people on their past actions and behaviour, which is why she will not trust Mr Collins when he says he won't tell mother about Anne's presence under his roof. Her mother will notice something is up, and she will wring the truth out of him. Again. They really need to do something about that, now she has discovered that Mr Collins is in fact a living, breathing human with feeling Anne feels sorry for him, to be trodden upon by a selfish overbearing woman like her mother. Hasn't she suffered enough herself from her mother's lack of compassion?

'I can handle anything your mother might throw at us, Anne, please don't worry,' Nick whispers, patting a bulge under his waistcoat to draw her attention to what has to be his slapjack, ready for use. He is not wearing a livery this time, it would only make their little group stand out in a sleepy village, but quite a handsome coat, very gentleman-like, expertly fitted if Anne is a judge of these things, and Nick looks incredibly handsome in it.

'I'm glad you still love me, Anne. But I don't think anyone else should find out. So you like my coat? Mr Blackwood made me choose one when we were shopping for dresses with the girls. He said, 'You're moving up in the world, Nick, and I'm glad you are, though we'll miss you. I want you to look fine even among all Mr Manners' and Mr Darcy's spoiled servants. Please accept it as a gift from me.'

Wasn't that sweet of him? I'll miss him, too.'

And he sounds like he means it, well, small wonder, the man treats him like a son.

'You look very fine in it, Nick, I'll try to hide my admiration better, thank you for the warning. And Nick, I'm not afraid. I know Mr Collins will tell my mother, he can't not tell her, there is no will left in him, pun intended. But I feel perfectly safe with you and Elizabeth by my side, and engaged to Frederick. I just felt sorry for Mr Collins, I never thought of his feelings until I discovered he actually had some. He must be terribly unhappy, I wish I could help.'

'Can't you find him a place in one of your husband's parishes, once you're married?'

'Maybe I can, but do I want to? I have no idea how these things work, and won't Frederick's tenants be angry if we saddle them with Mr Collins' preaching? He's pretty humourless, you know, I've been forced to hear him prattle on and on about sin and repentance often enough.'

Oh my, how can Anne keep from showing her infatuation if Nick looks her her like that, so cheeky and so naughty.

'But you didn't know a thing about sin, then, Anne. Maybe having something to repent will make his sermons more interesting, I will bet you all his parishioners have some colourful habits that Mr Collins would disapprove of, as much as his esteemed patroness. Too bad we'll be off again tomorrow or you could test his sermons again, and look at the gathering person by person and wonder what their sins are. You could do it, you know, not even your mother would recognise you, you have changed so much, have grown so beautiful and healthy.'

He really is invaluable, Anne cannot help herself, she has to laugh out loud at his irreverent remarks, and this is just the beginning, once Frederick has cured him of his diffidence Nick will be a match for Elizabeth, or maybe even for Mr Bennet.

'You are a delight, Nick, how can I refrain from watching you with adulation?'

Now he shows his own love clearly for a second, then blanks his expression to his 'I am at work' face and dryly observes, 'It's a trick, we'll practise it together, starting tonight.'

They have reached the dell Mr Collins was talking about and promptly fall silent, stunned by its beauty. The road on which they are rambling is sloping down gently and if Anne is not mistaken that is a gurgling brook she hears from the lowest point of the dell. The trees are a mixture of ancient oak and beech further from the path, and slim birches alongside it, new leaves still in the process of unfolding. On both sides, the space between the scattered trees is covered in grass with a blue sheen of all the bluebells blooming. A lot of light still falls through the trees above, Anne guesses it will be much darker here in summer, when the leaves catch most of the sunlight. It is a place of incredible beauty, and Charlotte turns around to see their reaction.

'Isn't it beautiful, Miss de Bourgh? Have you been here before? Have you, Elizabeth?'

Anne cannot remember ever having seen this beautiful little dell, and Elizabeth is quite certain, 'I never went this way, had I known it was so beautiful I would have gladly crossed the village on a daily basis.'

'But then my cousin would still be pining for you, I'm afraid,' Anne says, smiling.

Elizabeth laughs and observes, 'Do you think he wouldn't have followed me here? He was quite persistent. I do want to sneak into your mother's park for an hour or so, to see all those places again where he dogged my steps. I thought I'd told him off, and he thought I was flirting.'

'You were not flirting, Elizabeth. I saw the two of you together, and you were polite but did not encourage him in any way.'

'Poor Fitzwilliam, how he must have suffered. I was really nasty to him, you know.'

'But only after he had insulted you. He told me all about it, Elizabeth, you won't fool me into believing you were both at fault. You taught him manners and were rewarded with undying love.'

Anne is quite pleased with her own eloquence and Nick is very curious. He hasn't heard the story of Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennet yet, he's in for a romantic treat. Maybe tonight, or maybe Elizabeth will tell him herself.

'All right, you win, Anne. I could not have known he was in love with me, and he was never very kind to me before or during that proposal. Or even right after. But my behaviour was also far from correct, I allowed myself to dislike him more than he deserved, and never gave him a chance to prove himself.'

Charlotte is nodding, she saw it before Elizabeth did, but even to her Darcy's love had not been altogether undisguised. And now she has seen something else.

'Miss de Bourgh, I don't think anyone out here will recognise you, you have changed so much, have grown so beautiful and healthy. But should anyone know that you are Miss de Bourgh, they will think that Fowler is actually Mr Manners, your fiancée. Yesterday in his livery he was obviously your servant, but today, in his beautiful coat, he could be a gentleman, he even looks like Mr Manners if one has only read his description in the newspapers.'

It's true, and Elizabeth confirms it.

'You are right, Charlotte, Fowler does look a little like Mr Manners. Did he give you a gentleman's coat, Fowler, so you'd look like him? To make Miss de Bourgh feel safe?'

Nick bows to Mrs Darcy, he is not that much in awe of her anymore, this is for Mrs Collins' benefit.

'No, ma'am, Mr Blackwood gave me the coat, he has an exaggerated view of rich gentlemen's servants. He thinks they are a mere step removed from gentlemen themselves and wanted me to be able to fit in. Personally, I haven't seen any difference between the staff of a great house and that of a minor house. Except maybe that yours talks less, but I guess that may be different at Rosings. Still, I must admit the thought crossed my mind that if I wore this coat here people might leave you ladies alone thinking you were accompanied by a gentleman.'

Well, that is easy enough to find out, on their way back Anne will keep an eye on the people they meet in the streets.

'Let's test Charlotte's theory and have tea in the inn at Hunsford,' Elizabeth exclaims, 'I feel like doing something foolish, I'll treat you all to pie. What do you say?'

They all agree, even Nick is not hesitant all at.

'No-one will recognise you, Miss de Bourgh,' he offers, 'and I love pie.'

Darcy is less upset than Frederick had expected him to be with his adored little wife away from home for two whole days. Of course they have had an enervating day so far, with the visit to the lawyer's idiot palace, a stop at Darcy's banker on their way back to put Simon's independence in a vault, and the young couple's invitation to play for the Prince of Wales. Imagine Eric daring to refuse such an honour, Frederick thought he'd die of fright for the still-naïve genius. One simply does not refuse an invitation from the heir to the throne, no matter how many ordinary mortals one must disappoint. Fortunately it ended well, but it does show how much Eric still has to learn. Oh well, it would have been a nuisance to re-schedule two hundred paying visitors, much more so than sweating it out for a few hours, for Darcy and himself, since Eric and Georgiana as yet don't understand the danger they were in, the power their sovereign wields. Well, his heir, but that doesn't make much difference, he'll be in power soon enough with the King's episodes worsening. Better explain tonight, after the show. To make sure they'll show proper respect while visiting. Maybe they should take lessons from Mr Collins.

And now they are all on their way to yet another concert, one of the last this season though several venues have tried to book in spring and even in summer. But Eric is tired and the young couple needs their time together, they think the adulation will stop now that Eric is married, but Frederick supposes they will be disappointed. Those admirers don't really think they are going to win Eric, they just want a piece of him, and they are going to keep trying to get it. But first they will all retreat to Darcy's estate for a few months, and ride and shoot and in Eric's case, rest. And then they will see whether the situation in Europe is safe enough for their grand tour, with Vienna as final destination.

As Georgiana and Eric leave the carriage and walk to tonight's venue, a reporter tries to intercept them with several rather impertinent questions.

'Mr Fielding, I saw a royal page leave Mr Darcy's home just this afternoon, have you been invited to play for the Prince of Wales? And Mrs Fielding, you must be so very happy to be married to the man every girl your age wants desperately. So how was it? We know he is very good with his hands...'

The insolence! And they must have someone watching the house, but why? Shouldn't Eric be old news by now? He certainly thinks so but he knows his income depends on exposure to the press so he answers reluctantly, 'I have, yes. And of course Mrs Fielding and I will do our very best to make a good impression on His Highness.'

But Georgiana actually laughs at the reporter and states boldly, 'You may tell your readers that a pianist's sensitivity and determination are not restricted to his art.'

Of course the middle-aged reporter is tickled, but he is not done, it appears Frederick himself is no less an interesting subject to the man.

'Mr Manners, congratulations on your engagement! And your fiancée going off on a long journey straight away, and into danger! Is she going to retrieve the family jewels from her mother's safe?'

He says this with humour, but Frederick is quite put out that the man has managed to ferret this out from just watching the party leave. But of course it won't do at all to get angry or deny anything, Georgiana's attitude is the best.

'Thank you, my man! Mr Darcy and myself are not worried about our ladies making a little trip to see a friend.'

'But with a bodyguard, sir, it must be a dangerous trip. Rumour has it Lady Catherine de Bourgh tried to kidnap her daughter before.'

That is uncomfortably close to the truth, but Frederick is not going to let a reporter get the better of him, he let out the information about the kidnapping himself but never thought anyone would remember.

'Ladies like Mrs Darcy and the future Mrs Manners like to travel suitably attended, you know that.'

'Mr Manners, people say you are friends with the King, won't he take exception to Mr Fielding playing for his spendthrift son?'

This is a smart fellow, but he is not going to get a clear answer from Frederick. Of course he is welcome to try, but that is Frederick's favourite game, and one he is very good at.

'I don't think it's my place to judge the Prince of Wales, do you? Now we need to run or Mr Fielding will be late for his last public performance but one. Good bye!'

The others are already inside the carriage, and as soon as Frederick closes the door, Bates sets off.

Darcy shakes his handsome head and observes, 'I'm happy for you, Fielding, that you have met with so much success. But I admit I'll be glad to be back to anonimity the day after tomorrow. Do you really think the King will be put out with Fielding if he plays for the Prince George, Manners?'

Well, that is easy enough.

'I don't think the King knows who Mr Eric Fielding is, what he does for a living, and that he has been invited to play for his son and heir. So no, I don't think he will be angry about something he doesn't know about. I've always thought kings have more important things to do but I wouldn't know, I'm not friends with the King, it just suits me to never deny the rumours that I am.'

'I'll take your word for it. I just wish they didn't ask Georgie such questions. I don't blame you for answering like you did, Georgie, please do not mistake me. You're much better at this then I'd ever dared hope.'

Dear Georgiana moves from her husband's side to sit next to her brother and puts an arm around him.

'She'll be back tomorrow, Fitzwilliam. And on Monday you can leave all of this behind you, Eric and I are married, next season we'll have Frederick and Anne to protects us from the reporters, and Mr Fowler to protect us from the crowds, we'll be fine. I don't really mind anymore now we're married. The reporters don't bother me and the adulation will stop now Eric is irrevocably mine. And besides, maybe Eric will be back to anonymity next season, for everyone, not just the King. Or we may be on the continent.'

But when they reach the venue, Georgiana has to acknowledge that Frederick was right, Eric being married doesn't matter a bit to his fans, there is a crowd waiting for him when they arrive and they do not hesitate to try to address him or try to touch him. And these are ladies of some quality, not shameless women of low breeding.

Darcy has the lead, people make way for him even faster than for Frederick himself, and the new couple follows on his heels, Frederick closing off their rear. He can see them gradually losing their endearing intimacy under the barrage of adulation towards Eric, that is not how they should remember their last concerts. This may indeed be how far Fielding's fame will reach, he has potential to grow further but the public decides. To merely suffer his fame for the last few days is not how it should be, Frederick feels Eric should relish it as long as he can and therefore he intercedes. Looking at the adulating women he can easily spy out several of Miss Filliger's creations, and he pulls some of the attention towards himself.

'Miss Eliot, Miss Paget, you are looking more than fine today! Such beautiful dresses all around me!'

Darcy walks on, Eric and Georgiana right behind him, as most of the women, young and not so young, shift their interest to society's favourite, now engaged but unattended by his beautiful fiancée.

'Thank you for your compliment, Mr Manners,' the bravest of the two replies, 'you don't look half bad yourself.'

'Thank you, Miss Paget, you're so kind to flatter a plain fellow, I have recently hired a new valet, do you think the difference shows?'

'Maybe you're just happy because of your engagement to Miss de Bourgh,' an older woman comments, 'you do look radiant.'

'Mr Manners, the paper said Mrs Darcy's dresses were just lucky coïncidence, but we all went to Miss Filliger's shop together and I didn't see even one dress I didn't like.'

That is one of the young girls in a typical Miss Filliger creation, Frederick doesn't know her, maybe it is time to introduce himself. But can he and not appear rude? She has bought a ready-made dress in Cheapside, but something in her bearing tells him she is not of the Misses Blackwood's caliber. Better be on the safe side and wait for her initiative.

'I'm glad you agree with our ladies instead of with some reporter, Miss, for let's be honest, what does a man know of fashion? Mme Beaution loves Miss Filliger's art.'

The young lady is pleased, and soon proves Frederick right by observing, 'You're every bit as charming as my little brother said, Mr Manners. We've recently moved to town because father wanted him to be a page to the Prince of Wales and he said you'd met at Mr Darcy's house. I can tell you I wasn't pleased, I'd wanted to become one of the Queen's girls myself but I guess there is little chance of that with my brother living at Carlton House, and of course my parents won't let me serve there.'

That is very understandable, the crown prince reputedly has his catholic mistress living there, no sensible parent would want their genteel daughter serving such a woman, no matter how kind and talented. For of course the Prince has an excellent taste in women, Darcy would do well to keep Elizabeth far away from him, despite her obvious youth and his preference for older women. Frederick merely nods to show the girl he understands, though he wonders why her parents would want their boy to serve with a man like the Prince. He could hardly be a good example for an impressionable child, and that page still had a lot to learn.

'I'm so pleased to meet you, Mr Manners, and to finally get to hear Mr Fielding play, we live in the north you see, and papa never wanted a London house. My name is Miss Helena Cavendish, you met my little brother Thomas just yesterday. He says Mr Fielding refused to cancel a show to play for the Prince, I admire him so much and all my friends do, too. I wish I could have met him when he was still free, though I suppose his marrying Miss Darcy was preordained since they both play so well.'

A Cavendish no less, no wonder the little boy was so cocksure. Better tread lightly. Frederick takes her offered hand and kisses it with all the flair he can muster, then says calmly, 'Miss Cavendish, I'm honoured to meet you. Your brother handled that situation very well, but it may be best if knowledge of it stays in a select group of people. Princes generally don't take well to commoners refusing such an honour. Mr Fielding is certainly worthy of admiration, and if you want to I'll introduce you to him after the show.'

'Oh, yes, please, I'd love that! Can my friends come, too? I haven't known them for very long, but they have included me in every outing, I'm very thankful to them for making me feel at home. Things are different up north, you know.'

He does know, and he is reminded of Anne and the Blackwood girls.

'Of course they can come, just find me after the show and I'll lead you to him. Enjoy the show!'

And with that he walks on, the crowd has scattered after Eric had passed, the others will be safe and sound behind the stage, Eric will have an hour to prepare himself and the instrument, while those girls wait in the public part of the hall, drinking tea and chatting about their favourite.