Chapter 132

Inside Frederick's subtly luxurious carriage, Elizabeth was in fact very pleased to have been invited along with her sister and brother. Not because of the honour, but because she wanted to keep an eye on both of them. They were both so young, Georgiana for real, and Eric in the ways of the world. If the Prince of Wales liked their music and wanted to keep them in town, they would not be able to refuse, and they needed some time together to consolidate their bond without people interfering. And she meant to have them out of Carlton House again in at most three hours, in time for the show tonight. Of course she realised she would also have to be polite to such an important man, but somehow men of power liked her, wanted to please her. She did not expect the Prince to be different from Earl Spencer and his friends, he would appreciate her sense of humour without being attracted to her. Imagine Fitzwilliam being afraid of that, and here she'd thought he was over his jealousy.

As Fanny brushed her hair and put it up in a more elaborate style, then applied some powder to her face and fastened one of the Newcastle colliers, the amber-coloured one, around her neck, Elizabeth entertained Eric and Georgiana with tales of Mr and Mrs Collins, not forgetting Lady Catherine's action.

'You are making this up to keep us from being nervous!' Georgiana said, 'Mrs Collins did not say that about her husband in the bedroom, did she?'

She was laughing in an embarrassed way, as was Fanny.

'Take care, ma'am,' the latter blurted out, 'you're making me laugh, and I'm afraid to make a mess of your powder. And your cousin a minister,' she dared add. Of course her mother had raised Fanny to be an epitome of propriety, and it would take more than her mistress spilling embarrassing tales to spoil that righteous woman's hard work. Or would it?

'I'm glad I married Bob and not a man like that. Bob has a stronger will than one might think, but he is always gentle. I suppose that is why he is so good with the master's horses.'

As he was with dear Fanny, that was obvious. For her to join in a conversation without having been asked a direct question was a miracle, she had been gaining confidence since becoming a married woman.

Elizabeth decided to pour a little oil on the flames of their conversation, though Eric was starting to show some signs of embarrassment being the only male present. He had to be worried that his sister-in-law's exuberant manner would cause trouble later, during their audience. Of course Elizabeth planned to keep a firm hold of her sense of humour then, all the more reason to let it out now.

'She most certainly did tell me those things, in so much detail I almost begged her to stop. But I'm her only friend, you see, and it was clear she very much wanted to tell someone how her Will had changed. So I listened and tried not to picture my cousin at it, either then or now.'

'Elizabeth,' Eric now said, laughing as she had rarely seen him laugh before, 'suddenly I realise you're barely of age. I cannot wait to spend the summer with you, without all of us having to act properly. We'll all behave like children and no-one will find out.'

'I'm afraid you haven't met Mrs Reynold yet, Eric,' Georgiana interjected, 'our housekeeper at Pemberley. We can misbehave, but if she catches us at it she will look in a certain way and make us feel very much ashamed. Still, I guess she cannot be everywhere at once.'

By now, Elizabeth guessed Fanny must be nearly done, which was for the best since on both sides of the carriage the city had made way for green. It must be St James' Park, Elizabeth had heard it was very close to Carlton House, and she hoped they would get to see it from a little closer than through the carriage window. It was a beautiful park, though rather narrow, but of course this was the very centre of town.

Soon, the park was just on the one side and the sight on the other side pulled her attention away from the trees, it was a grand street with capital buildings. The palace where the King held court, St James', was supposed to be very close. Then they rounded the corner and there it was, at the end of this street, a beautiful though old-fashioned red brick building, the palace where King George received his public audiences. But that was not where they were going, the carriage passed the noble building and approached another more modern and even more grand one. It was unmistakably Carlton House, their newspaper had often placed sketches of it and reported on the debaucheries supposedly going on there, and the amount of money being spent on entertainment and lavish decorations. The facade was huge, with an enormous pillared front. Of course Bates did not halt the carriage there but took a turn to the right to reach the back of the building. How did drivers know these things? Like where the right entrance was for their master's level of society?

Now Elizabeth could see a liveried servant giving directions, they were expected of course, and the piano strapped to the back of the carriage was a giveaway to who they were. Bates very neatly guided Frederick's team into a narrow walkway leading towards the back of the house, apparently he was being led there by someone for it was not an obvious path for a carriage to take. Elizabeth hoped he would manage to get it back to the road after the piano had been unloaded.

The back of the grand house was also grand, the garden was huge to London standards and a typical example of a landscape garden. She would have expected a man like the Prince of Wales to have either the latest fashion, which would be oriental design, or a traditional French garden. But maybe the garden hadn't been redone yet, though it was obviously kept up well it might not be the Prince's priority. The interior of Carlton House was reputed to be very rich and in the latest fashion, Elizabeth hoped they would get to see some of it though she guessed they were not important enough for a tour, not even from a servant, since those were reputed to be mostly men of rank themselves. Well, they would soon find out for the carriage had halted, men's voices were sounding behind her, where the little black piano had been secured for transport.

As the door of the carriage opened, Elizabeth could see the servant holding it for them. He was wearing a priceless livery and white sateen gloves, and she really started to believe that this handsome young man might be a gentleman of excellent breeding. Better watch her manners.

Darcy could not believe he was letting Frederick kidnap him to some harebrained form of entertainment, but secretly he was quite pleased to be included with the young crowd this once. And he could certainly use the distraction, imagine his beloved in the lion's den, a notable philanderer's wicked household, and on special invitation! She'd seemed rather eager to go, should he be worried?

A knock on the door caused Darcy to wonder who might be looking for him, and he called out to enter. It was Simon, and he was not as comfortable as he used to be in Darcy's room.

'Mr Darcy, Frederick asked me to help you to dress down a little. Do you mind?'

'I don't, Simon. I have no idea where we are going so I have no clue what is appropriate. I'll gladly have your help, I've gotten used to having you assisting me again. I'll miss you, though I suppose there will be little reason to dress up once we're at Pemberley.'

Simon smiled slightly sadly.

'I'll miss you, too, sir, but I agree there wouldn't be much to do for me at Pemberley. You can always hire a new man if you decide to spend winter in town next year.'

'Since you're no longer in my service, do you think you could do without the sir and just call me Darcy? I don't think I could get used to another man but I suppose there will be times when I have to. Though I'm glad you're finally happy, Simon, please don't get me wrong.'

Simon, meanwhile, had been rummaging through Darcy's wardrobe and came up with a rather formal coat in muted brown. It was not the type of coat he'd still wear, ever since he'd married an icon of fashion he tried to be worthy of accompanying her, and it should have been thrown out, but it had hardly been worn, it would be wasteful to discard it. Maybe he could use it to hunt, though it was probably a little too tight for sports.

'This is perfect, ...' Simon could not yet get himself to be informal with his former master, but didn't want to go against his wish either. He'd get used to it. 'It looks expensive but it's totally different from what you usually wear. May I use a black cravat this once? I think it'll look ravishing on you, you're such a handsome man. Isn't it strange how I used to admire you and now I'm in love with a much plainer man and I don't mind one bit.'

'I suppose you like your men powerful and dominant, Simon. Strong, not necessarily beautiful. And I don't think Manners is that plain looking since you've taken over his personal care. It was those dull colours that didn't do him any service, he looks much better in the clothes you've chosen for him. And yes, I'd love to try one of those black cravats, I'm afraid I am a rather vain man after all. But I have to, to keep up with my beautiful wife.'

'You were vain long before you met her, sir.'

Simon was already removing Darcy's white cravat and coat, smiling over his own cheek. But he was right, and they would miss him very much, such a fine servant and an excellent man. Ten minutes later Darcy felt like a different character, his own clothes combined to make him seem a successful businessman rather than a landed gentleman.

'Are you coming, too?' he asked Simon. The latter's face showed clearly it had never even occurred to his former valet to expect being invited, but why not? They were obviously going somewhere unsuitable for a gentleman anyway.

'Nick Fowler is coming, isn't he?'

Now Simon showed himself shy and stubborn at the same time, by protesting rather strongly, in obvious embarrassment.

'But he's Miss Anne's guard, he is supposed to go where she goes!'

'That's nonsense and you know it, Simon! Manners told him to keep on his fitted coat, not to wear his livery. His being her guard is just an excuse to keep him close. One extra man in a large group will excite no-one's attention. Better get used to it now.'

Poor Simon, still a servant at heart. He dropped his eyes and admitted, 'I'd really like to come, if you think it's no problem.'

'Of course not, you should be there. I wonder why Manners didn't think of it himself. You must feel excluded rather often.'

And Simon could not help showing it, it was true.

'I do. I know it's my own choice to be with someone above me, but everyone, even Nick, is invited to these occasions except me. Sometimes I wonder whether I should have stuck to my own layer of society.'

And before Darcy could comment on that Simon's voice changed to cheerful as he observed, 'Well, you look just about perfect for the place where you are going. I'd like to have you wear spectacles, but we don't have any in the house so this will have to do.'

'Thank you, Simon. I'll talk to Manners if you want me to.'

'My pleasure, sir, and I guess I'll bring it up myself. He does love me, you know, a lot. Worships me, almost, though I guess that is my beauty most of all.'

'Of course not, Simon. It's just like myself and Elizabeth: I love to admire her beauty, but it's her mind I truly worship. Though a beautiful wrapping certainly makes her even more desirable.'

'You are right of course. He always tells me I can work miracles. Anyway, sir, I suppose they may be waiting for you already. Thank you for caring, you've always been the best master a man could have. Handsome, rich, away from home a lot...'

And with that droll remark he left Darcy by himself, he might be unable to be familiar with his former master, he no longer waited to be dismissed either. He was his own man, though he did feel left out apparently.

But when they gathered in the hall a few minutes later, Simon was waiting with the rest, wearing a regular coat with his usual pantaloons. He was very handsome indeed, and he would undoubtedly drop a large hint to Manners any moment now that the latter should make an effort to hide his feelings a lot better. For that gentleman, now also looking like a wealthy trader, could not help gazing at his beloved in stunned admiration. And indeed, if someone were to address the party gathered here, Manners, Anne, Fowler, Simon and himself, they'd probably think Simon was their leader. Apparently his best coat was excellent indeed.

But it was not Simon who acted, surprisingly it was Fowler, Darcy could see him approaching his new employer almost diffidently, but he did touch Manners' sleeve and said something, after which Manners instantly wiped his bemused expression off his face. It changed to his usual open look, but without the authority that so seemed to characterise Manners. This man was milder, though that might be Darcy's knowing Manners' real nature: most people would call him kind and mild, it was knowing him better that had revealed his iron will to his friends. Even to his college friends, in fact they had felt it more often than his current company. But somehow not Fowler, he seemed to bring out his new master's mildest side.

'Thank you, Nick. Although we're on a pleasure trip today will you please keep an eye on me? I cannot afford to be found out. None of us can, but you're used to being in public with Anne, whereas I've rarely seen Simon like this.'

His voice was so soft as to be almost inaudible. Darcy could clearly see that Fowler was at work no matter what Manners might say. He would not reveal his affection for Anne, that was a certainty.

Once in the carriage, Nick decided to seek out Simon's company. He was way too much in awe of Mr Darcy to sit next to that gentleman or talk to him, let Anne do that, he was her cousin. And Mr Manners should not sit with Simon until he had mastered his feelings, it was difficult to see a whole new side to one's beloved in public. Nick had never seen either of them show any sign of affection towards the other, Simon's sudden presence in their group and dressed so much smarter than usual must have surprised Mr Manners into revealing his feelings so obviously. Kind of cute to see this side of him, enough so to make Nick dare point it out to him.

So now Nick sat next to Simon on an outing for the very first time, but hopefully not the last by far.

'Thanks for interfering, Nick. I didn't notice, I'm not as comfortable in this company as you seem to be. And anyway, if I'd addressed Frederick he'd only been tempted to kiss me, you wouldn't want to witness two men kissing. Though you've accepted the two of us much better than I dared hope.'

'You'll get used to being together in public. And he did look rather endearing, lost in adulation like that. I don't think I'd mind seeing you two kiss, Simon, I'm starting to get used to the idea I suppose. But it would be a bad habit to form, and very dangerous. Anne and I were almost caught yesterday evening, by Mrs Collins.'

And he told Simon what happened. Before long, the others were listening in and Anne added her side of the story.

'So you were needed after all, Fowler, I'm glad Manners and I gave you our full support to use force if necessary. Though I'm sure Elizabeth can handle my aunt all by herself.'

Mr Darcy looked proud as a peacock over his pert little wife's courage, and Nick was glad to have been told the tale of their love, it was so incredibly romantic. This proud, handsome man reduced to physical illness by a spurned love. It was the complete opposite from how Nick used to experience love, but Mr Darcy was so earnest, it didn't surprise Nick one bit he'd be as intense in his love. It would take a remarkable woman to be able to receive such love, and remarkable Mrs Darcy certainly was.

'Thank you, Mr Darcy. I dare admit I felt very powerful being backed by both you and Mr Manners. Of course Lady de Bourgh thought me insolent.'

Soon both Nick and Simon were a lot more comfortable, but before they could settle they had reached the Blackwood mansion, where Mr Blackwood begged to be allowed to sit with the adults and Anne offered to relinquish her seat to him.

'You should go, too, Nick, it's your last outing with the girls,' Mr Blackwood observed, 'just look at you, you look so handsome in your new coat.'

Then he seemed to realise Nick was no longer in his service.

'Oh, I'm sorry, Mr Manners, here I am ordering poor Nick about while he isn't even mine to command.'

Nick didn't mind, the world was supposed to believe he was just Miss de Bourgh's guard, but Mr Manners seemed to feel rather embarrassed. He smiled at the older gentleman and said mildly, 'Never mind, Mr Blackwood, I'm certain Nick knows you meant well.'

That was all well and good, but what was he supposed to do? Mr Manners knew Nick preferred a set of clear orders over having to make his own decisions, at least in a situation like this. He was doing it on purpose, proving that to him Nick really was his own man and allowed, even expected, to make his own choice. Of course he wanted to go with Anne and sit with the young people, but what about Simon?

'Will you come with me, Nick?'

There was no way he could refuse Anne anything, let alone when she asked so gently, so kindly. She knew this was hard for him and she wanted to help. But what about Simon? He looked at his friend earnestly.

'I'll be fine, Nick, we'll see each other daily. Go sit with your mistresses.'

Simon seemed to have found some acceptance of the situation, of course Mr Manners had made space for Mr Blackwood and was now sitting right next to him, where he must want him the most. But Mr Blackwood would feel a little guilty for separating him from his good friend Nick, just perfect. Nick followed Anne out of the carriage, certain they'd have a perfect last time with Angelina and Sophie and their fiancées. The colonel was a bit intimidating, but Anne would be there and she was his beloved relative.

But both Anne and Nick were in for an uncomfortable ride, for instead of Colonel Compton they found Lieutenant Talbot sitting inside! Nick's shock at seeing the man he used to consider his competition for Anne's affection could only be dwarfed by hers, and he very nearly took her hand to support her. But it could not be, she would have to weather this all by herself, and frankly, so would the lieutenant, who had an even worse time. Though he must have known Anne would be there, why did he come?

'The colonel couldn't make it, Anne, so he sent Lieutenant Talbot.'

Was it because the colonel wasn't there that Sophie greeted him like a long-lost lover instead of a former servant, and a rather strict one at that?

'Nick, I can't wait to see what you have arranged for us. Papa said it was Mr Manners' outing, but I'm certain it's yours, isn't it?'

In fact, Nick would never have dared take the girls where they were going, though it had crossed his mind and he had suggested it to Mr Manners. But even if he'd dared, he didn't have the connections to gain admission. No, it was truly Mr Manners who had arranged everything.

'I'm sorry to disappoint you, Miss Sophie, but this is indeed Mr Manners' arrangement. You'll soon see why.'

He now greeted the others respectfully, but neither of the men acknowledged his deference, they returned his greeting as if he was their equal, and the lieutenant invited Nick to sit with him. This would be interesting. Anne joined both sisters, hopefully relieved to not have to talk with the lieutenant. Now Anne was his, Nick felt sorry for the man, he was kind after all, and soon he felt even more for the poor fellow.

As the carriage set off and Angelina and Sophie chattered to Anne, Lieutenant Talbot started to talk to Nick in a soft voice.

'I'm very sorry to bother Miss de Bourgh with my presence, do you mind if I stay close to you? To spare her anxiety? Colonel Compton did send me, you know, said I had to apologise to his cousin but mostly to talk to you. He wants me to convince you to consider life in the army, he seems to think you're wasted on a job as a guard. Says you could make good money in His Majesty's service. And he is right, he is offering you a unique chance, very few men are given the chance to rise in the ranks, he must really think highly of you. Officers' positions are coveted you know, fathers pay good money for their sons to get a commission. And he is offering it to you just like that, because I said you handled a gun well and I suppose because you protected Miss Anne from that kidnapper.'

He looked in agony, the poor man, talking of Anne. She was forever out of his reach, being engaged to a rich and powerful landed gentleman. Did the lieutenant know Anne didn't love her fiancée? He certainly didn't know it was Nick she was sleeping with, though Nick was afraid he had shown his feelings for her too openly that fateful night at the concert. Nick could not help it, he had to ask.

'How have you been, Lieutenant?'

Lieutenant Talbot seemed almost eager to talk, still in a very low voice.

'It's been bad, Fowler, and worse because I dishonoured myself exposing her to public censure. She could hardly control herself, she felt so bad for me. And I'm afraid I pushed her into this marriage to Mr Manners, I just hope she won't regret it. She told me she wanted to be free, then why marry a man like him? I don't know how you can stand it, being around her all the time, knowing your love is as hopeless as mine. Better join us, Fowler, life as an officer is good, there'll be hardly any time to think of our loss.

Don't look at me like that, Fowler, I saw you watching her, a mirror image of myself in my helpless adulation. Don't torture yourself!'

Oh my God, this had the potential to become an unimaginable drama, he would have to lie, and lie convincingly. And hope what he said didn't reach the wrong ears. Pulling himself together he swallowed his apprehension and stated boldly, 'You are mistaken, Lieutenant Talbot, I'm not hopelessly in love with Miss de Bourgh.'

Not hopeless as the lieutenant meant it anyway.

'I'm incredibly flattered you all see a future for me in His Majesty's service, but I'm actually very pleased to have landed a nice easy job attending to Mr Manners' fiancée. I like being among the higher classes, I used to be very popular among Mrs Blackwood's lady friends, and I'm hoping to scale up a little, so to speak. Imagine the ladies in Mr Manners' circle!'

And he put all the innuendo he could manage into his voice and posture, almost ashamed of himself, and hoping Anne wouldn't hear him, though she'd understand.

And it worked, he could see that the lieutenant believed him, his mind undoubtedly already imagining specific ladies of Mr Manners' acquaintance who might fancy a sturdy low-born lover. As long as he was distracted from remembering Nick's look of despair and loss that one fateful time at the concert.

Lieutenant Talbot slowly nodded in understanding, but when he spoke it was with surprise.

'I didn't know ladies did that. You know, cuckold their husbands. I know men do, of course, staying true to one woman must be very hard, but I thought women were different. It must be a certain kind of lady, Miss de Bourgh would never give in to lust, she is as beautiful as an angel and as pure. And yet she will marry such a man, the things my valet says are going on in Mr Manners' house, and he heard it from the man's own driver. Poor Miss Anne.'

Then his eyes narrowed and he looked straight at Nick.

'Is that what he hired you for? To lure ladies to do his bidding?'

Time for Nick to earn his wages, the first time but probably not the last.

'Certainly not. I assure you, Mr Manners is the respectable man he seems to be. He would never tempt a lady to forget her vows. He hired me to protect his future wife from any kind of danger, which is what I will do. Anything else I will do in my spare time, and for my own entertainment only.'

Like making love to Anne until she lost all resemblance to a pure angel in wanton abandonment, rubbing herself against him, urging him to do it to her as hard as he could, paying special attention to his most sensitive parts until he saw spots in front of his eyes. An angel indeed, if Nick had learned anything in all his years of philandering it was that women were people, too, not a higher form of life incapable of sin. That was a very romantic view, but harmful as well, and Nick was glad all over again that his beloved was safe from this fanciful admirer and all those like him. He would not have made Anne happy, Nick did.

By now, they had reached their destination, an old church attached to a hospital. No-one would ever expect what was going on in the garret of the stately church, though rumours abounded throughout the city of the practice, and there was a public version of what they were about to see. But Mr Manners, paragon of respectability for the good people of London, could not be seen chasing after a cheap thrill. Though it was supposed to be very educational as well.

Fortunately they had plenty of men to support the ladies in case they were overcome by the sights before them, though if Nick was bluntly honest, he expected Mr Blackwood to be the only one likely to be overwhelmed. Angelina and Sophie had witnessed a public hanging, never a pretty sight, mixed in with a crowd of unwashed commoners. They could handle some sights and smells. Anne had proven herself in Nick's own ordeal, taking care of him when he was severely injured, a sheltered maiden not shying away from even his most intimate parts, covered in blood and bruises.

The two officers must have seen action already, they should be fine. That left Simon and Mr Darcy, both strong-minded men, but one could never tell. Even Mr Manners might be overcome, though those rumours had enough of a base of truth to make it likely he had seen his share of debauchery.

The carriage had stopped, they were about to find out. It would be a worthy last outing, that much was certain!

Well, whatever the rank of the prince's staff, they were certainly efficient. Before Georgiana had left the carriage, four men in common clothes had freed the little piano and were smoothly carrying it towards the back of the house. The palace, she was tempted to say, for though she had seen her share of grand houses she expected this to be the most lavishly decorated yet.

Eric wasn't worried over the instrument, he was talking politely to their liveried attendant. Judging from his bearing and accent he was indeed someone of rank, but he hadn't introduced himself so they could not be certain. Just being polite to him had to suffice to make a good impression, it was all they could do even towards the Prince of Wales himself after all.

Once they rounded the side of the building and passed through an opening in a tall brick wall, people stopped being of importance for a moment as they found themselves in a huge landscaped garden. They were standing on a sandstone terrace with an elegantly carved balustrade of the same sandstone separating them from the lawn beyond. That lawn was the size of the largest theatre they'd seen so far, and it was a vivid green even this early in spring, after a rather cold winter. Beyond the lawn, a meadow scattered with magnificent solitary trees reached as far as the eye could see, which was pretty far for a London garden. In the distance, a wall separated the gardens from the public park. This wall supposedly went all around the plot, but in most places it was obscured by a line of trees, and in one place by the obligatory classic temple, probably without a real life hermit living in it since the Prince of Wales was reputed to be supremely intelligent. He could think up the answers to life's questions all by himself or together with his equally gifted friends. The beautiful wrought-iron seats covered in climbing roses that could be seen closer to the house would be a perfect place to discuss philosophy or art.

The magnificent solitary trees scattered across the meadows and the lawn were undoubtedly of some curious foreign species, not that Georgiana would know. She'd drawn and painted many of them at Pemberley, but never wondered what kind they were. Though it was disconcerting to have someone trying to imitate the feel of an English manor on a plot this size, Georgiana could not but admit it was admirably done, and she could almost forget the presence of a city of millions all around her.

The men carrying the piano entered the house after having a set of beautiful French doors opened for them, and their own party followed, though slowly, since Elizabeth did not move at her usual brisk pace, she was distracted by the sight of the garden and was clearly aching to explore it. Hopefully in the right company, not the Prince of Wales, unless he was accompanied by a suitable entourage. Well, there was nothing Georgiana could do to influence such a man, all she could do was prepare for her second public appearance and try to keep her nerves controlled. But Elizabeth was an adult and a very smart one, she would do just fine even among courtiers.

By now they were entering a large room, about three times the size of their drawing-room in London, through the large ornamental French doors opening to the garden. The room was bright, with windows on three sides, draped in scarlet silk. The scarlet of the drapes returned in the covering of the exquisitely carved chairs standing against the opposite wall and the magnificent patterned carpet covering the floor from wall to wall. The huge space was broken by a series of marble columns, and Georgiana wondered why one would place such obstacles right in the middle of a room. They were beautiful, and must have cost a fortune, but they did break up the room rather abruptly. Still, some people found a reason to place a few priceless columns anywhere.

The walls and ceiling were an ivory colour, ornamented with gold, and the flat centre of the ceiling was low for the size of the room and the fortune of its owner, and it was painted with scenes from Greek antiquity, many of them involving music, of course, and none of them censored. Gods and goddesses, fauns and satyrs, nymphs and sylphs all displayed their natural assets quite openly. Their inhuman ones too, for that matter.

The room was as bare of furniture as Eric's room at Mr Zumpe's house, there were the scarlet chairs against all the walls, but no tables or a buffet. A large hearth, several chandeliers, a few decently sized paintings. And a very large piano and a smaller harpsichord at the end of the space, and the little black piano added to the group already. Georgiana's attention for the décor vanished instantly and she joined Eric at the grand piano. Their own black piano was barely larger than the harpsichord, but its sound was almost as unique. They'd done well to bring it, for the grand piano was indeed of Italian make and it sounded light and gay.

Forgetting all about where they were and whom they were about to meet, they performed Eric's ritual to explore a new piano together for the first time. They managed to look up when someone entered the room, and Georgiana barely registered Elizabeth talking to a beautifully dressed woman in her forties. Introducing herself or even addressing the newcomer did not occur to her at all, nor did the woman initiate an introduction.

'Georgiana, Eric? Mrs Fitzherbert has offered me a tour of the garden, we will be back in half an hour. You'll be just fine, won't you?'

'Certainly, Elizabeth, we'll have to hurry to be ready within half an hour, but we'll manage. Enjoy that beautiful garden!'

Good, Eric had already answered. It was so convenient to finally be married.

What were they doing here? It was a church, of all places, what kind of unconventional entertainment was to be found in a church? Darcy knew the Miss Blackwood's idea of amusing was at best shady, and Manners would try to outdo anything Fowler had ever arranged for those girls. It had to be spectacular.

They gathered by an inconspicuous door at the side of the church, and they were expected for it opened quickly and a flamboyantly dressed man, obviously not a clergyman, urged them to come in quickly, in a Scottish accent. This man was someone of rank and reputation, and Darcy was sure that whatever he was doing here was not entirely legal or they would have spent some time on formal introductions, not be hushed inside. Just incredible what Manners could get done, for Darcy was also quite certain his friend's connections had enabled them to get in here. Nor was he altogether certain he wanted to be here, but it did keep his mind off Elizabeth at Carlton House.

The Scotsman led them up a dusty stairs that went on and on, until they had to be as high as the tower. But that proved not to be the case, when they finally stopped climbing and passed through a rough pine door barely high enough for a tall man like Darcy, they entered a large space lighted by lamps. It was a garret, and it didn't smell musty as it should, but rather of a mixture of herbs. One his eyes were used to the low light he could see the beams supporting the roof of the church high above them, and there were wooden storage racks all around, row upon row of them like a library but with drawers and open spaces filling the shelves instead of books.

Darcy heard his boot crushing something dry and brittle, and he bent down and picked it up. It was the dried and empty head of a poppy plant, now crushed, and judging from the sounds around him there were more lying about. They walked on until they reached what he estimated was the centre of the garret, lighted very well with large lamps hung from the beams overhead. Chairs were set up in a semi-circle as if it was a theatre, though no more than about ten. There was no stage, just a marble-topped table slightly higher than usual, and much longer than it was wide. Next to the table was a much smaller table with drawers, covered with a rough cloth. It most likely held attributes for whatever performance would take place on the marble slab.

An uncomfortable feeling took hold of Darcy as several dots connected in his mind, the hospital adjacent to the church, the opium and other herbs stored in this garret, the excellent lighting, much too bright for a magic show, the table with utensils, their Scottish host.

Right at that moment, said character turned around and motioned them to take place on the chairs. Darcy decided in a split second to sit next to Simon, who had taken the outermost chair on the left side. His former valet might need some support if Darcy was correct in his surmise of what they were going to see, and he could not seek it where he was most likely to do so. Manners left nothing to chance and placed Anne between himself and Fowler, which meant Fowler was sitting next to Darcy with Anne on his other side. On Manners' other side Mr Blackwood had his mildest daughter with Lieutenant Talbot, and then Miss Angelina, the original instigator of these outrageous outings. Her fiancée, Ensign Stockford, sat most to the right. He seemed unlikely to suffer from faintness or hysteria, he really was a fitting partner for Miss Angelina, they'd undoubtedly continue these practices together once they were married.

'Ladies and gentlemen, I bid you welcome to the herb garret of St Thomas', where the apothecary stores the hospital's medicinal herbs. I gather some of you have already discovered the remains of a potent herb, the empty heads of poppy plants that were dried up here for the seeds to be used for the fabrication of painkillers.

Now tonight we are going to perform a dissection to further solve the mysteries of how children grow in the womb and how they are born. Our work may seem gruesome, but I beg you to keep in mind that it saves lives on a daily basis. One day, it may save yours, or your wife's or sister's. So please, watch in silence and learn from what we will show you and tell you. Our subject is a young woman who died of advanced consumption the day before yesterday, her unborn baby too young to try to save. She had no living relations, and I assure you that we will provide her with a Christian burial as a compensation for her contribution to the advancement of our profession, as agreed upon when she lay dying. I need not remind you this procedure is not something to discuss with just anyone, or we would not be performing it secret in an inconvenient attic.'

As if cued, two men stepped into the lighted area with a cloth-covered bier between them, a small man past middle age and a surprisingly young fellow, lank, red-haired, a boy almost. They carefully and respectfully set their load on the table, then skilfully removed the bier from under the, still covered, body. The young fellow set aside the bier and joined their guide, who was obviously in charge of the whole operation. The smaller man also joined the leader. He was introduced first, but not by name.

'This gentleman will be our Lector, he is a respected London practitioner and a very experienced teacher, and he will describe to you what we are doing and, if necessary, explain.'

Then it was the young man's turn to be introduced.

'Our Sector today will be my countryman and student Noel. His tender age belies his already formidable experience, his father sent him straight to me rather than to Oxford, knowing he'd learn more from a pioneer than from hidebound college doctors, though we're working on starting our own education system, too. Last of all, the office of Ostensor will be mine. I have studied the human body in all its perfection, but also in its failings, for twenty years. Since medicine is my profession, not a form of entertainment, I will do my usual research, including sketching, but I will also point out to you anything of special interest that is revealed today. Thank you for your attention, please ask questions as they arise, and now, let us proceed.'

A dissection indeed! Of all the places Manners could have taken them he had arranged a private session with one of Britain's most notable scientists, for though their guide hadn't introduced either himself or his helpers by their full name, his age, appearance and accent gave him away. Darcy had read about the important discoveries made by Matthew Baillie, the famous Scottish pathologist and surgeon, and if they managed to bear the sight of a human corpse being dissected they might become witness to another such revelation. For it was unlikely that this man would risk his career and possibly severe punishment if he didn't expect to find the deceased woman an interesting case.

Torn between outrage and curiosity, Darcy decided to make the best of the moment, at the very least what was going to happen here would keep him from thinking of Elizabeth too much.

A movement to his left pulled his attention towards Simon, hopefully he was not fainting already, he seemed such a sensitive man. But no, he must have known where they were going so he must have wanted to see this, expecting to enjoy it even. And indeed, there was no sign of distress in Simon's face, just anticipation.

'Are you all right, sir?' he whispered, 'I'm afraid Nick and Frederick may have outdone themselves.'

'I'm fine so far but that may change, we haven't seen any blood yet. But it's not what I expected, Simon, I must admit I am shocked. Still, I'm interested, too.'

And then they fell silent, for the young assistant removed the cloth covering the body. A heartbreakingly emaciated nude body was revealed, indeed a woman way too young to die, the cause of her death even to a layman's eye a wasting disease like consumption. The bulging abdomen was almost offensive, a woman in this state could never have carried a child to term, let alone care for it, why would someone fatally ill fall pregnant?

'Female, lower class, admitted to St Thomas' thirty days ago with last stage consumption, estimated six months pregnant. Foetal development under severe malnourishment, impact of consumption on the lungs.'

Those were likely their points of interest. And indeed, the little man explained, 'Our Ostensor is doing a pre-emptive check of the subject to inventory potential discoveries. That way he will be sure not to miss anything of importance.'

But then the moment had finally arrived in which young Noel, the only practitioner with a name, be it only a Christian one, picked up a scalpel and made the first cut. Blood welled up, but less than one might expect. Darcy didn't feel nausea or faintness, and looked to his left and right to check his neighbours. Neither Simon nor Fowler showed any signs of distress, nor did Anne as far as Darcy could see from behind Fowler's burly shape. The rest of the party was out of his line of sight, but they were not his acquaintance or relatives but Manners', who was there with them. Besides, two of them were officers, supposed to be able to take excellent care of themselves. And the twins had their father with them as well as the officers and Manners. They'd be fine.