Chapter 143

For Frederick, their first week at Pemberley passed by quickly, with Elizabeth and Darcy out on their own most of the time, and the six of them making themselves comfortable on the second floor. Sharing a room with Simon was an unimaginable luxury, and spending whole days together was everything they had hoped for. The constant frustration of being separated between servants' hall and front of the house was nearly forgotten, especially since they often dined together on the second floor, Elizabeth and Darcy visiting in their own house. Nick and Simon would assist the Pemberley staff fetching and carrying everything up two flights of stairs, and when the regular staff had been dismissed they sat down at the table and joined the revelry.

Dining together had made them grow even closer, and Simon and even Nick were now totally at ease using three sets of cutlery and two kinds of crystal glasses. They had learned to taste wine and to cut joints, and eat shellfish without making a mess. Whenever one of the others, generally Darcy, himself or Anne, thought of something a gentleman or lady should be able to eat or drink or talk about or do otherwise, they taught it to whoever didn't know. While Elizabeth sometimes admitted she'd never heard of some dish or obscure ritual, and Eric's education had a few holes in it, Georgiana usually remembered things from her early youth but had been too young to actually sit in on truly formal dinners when their parents had both still been alive. Nick had the most to learn but he did so very quickly, and he knew things the others could profit by, especially the art of self defence.

Of course it was more like dirty fighting in Nick's case, but they all had to admit it was more effective than the boxing or wrestling Darcy and Frederick had competed in at school. Eric was really too slight and sweet-tempered to put his heart in it, but Simon had been a London street kid at one time, and he knew how to fend off an attacker. Soon, he knew enough to escape a bad brawl or an outright attack and safely make a run for it. Eric would slowly try to learn the same, and so would Georgiana and Anne. They refused to stand by helplessly, and though Frederick thought they would be perfectly safe with him and Nick about, Eric and Simon would be, too, and yet they were learning. So the ladies were shown how to hit the right vulnerabilities, and eventually Darcy asked to be included in the lessons.

He did very well, and whilst Frederick and Nick were way ahead because of their superior natural strength, Darcy did have the right mindset. In a few months he would give Frederick stiff competition, and Nick confessed himself impressed.

'You fight like a demon, Mr Darcy, I hope I will do as well leaning to ride and shoot as you do fighting dirty.'

Having him as a teacher gave Darcy respect for Nick, and the latter's superior technique and insight into his opponent's way of thinking made it virtually impossible to beat him in a match. Yet Darcy kept trying, and it was clear he might one day succeed in subduing Nick. Once or twice, maybe.

Of course Frederick still had an estate to run, even from a distance, and his business with Mr Blackwood was blooming. Which enabled him to show Simon how to run a business, and if the others were as interested he was not surprised: Anne and Georgiana had their own fortunes, and Frederick would certainly see to it that Nick would have a small independence, too.

And Frederick had other arrangements to make: those which would enable him to marry Miss de Bourgh. The licence was in their possession, Mr Eliot was eager to perform the ceremony, and Anne and Simon would decide on the bride and groom's clothes.

'Do you want me to mention your wedding to Mr Goodfellow, Frederick?' Eric had asked, and Anne had replied for him, as was fitting since they were going to be husband and wife soon.

'If you would after the ceremony? I'm a bit afraid some reporters might turn up after all. I do want them all to know we're married, but after the fact. Maybe we can send him a little snippet to publish? As if he had been here in person?'

Another one of Anne's magnificent ideas!

'Do you want a special dress, Anne?' Georgiana asked.

Anne, more beautiful than ever with a slight blush, admitted, 'I'd like to get married in one of those riding skirts.'

No averse reaction followed.

'Is that what you were talking about with the seamstress? I did wonder.'

'Yes, Elizabeth, I asked her to think of making a sort of merge between fashion and riding skirt. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with, she had some really good ideas. Do you think Mr Eliot would mind? My not wearing a dress, I mean?'

'It's our wedding, Anne, and you will wear what pleases you,' Frederick stated. What a strange idea, to get married in riding gear. But why not? It would look great on her, especially if she wore one of those intricate blouses with it and some jewellery. Simon would love it.

'If you get married in riding gear, can I do the same? Though I suppose Simon would kill me, if he could.'

'Let's ask him, and Nick. They'll be sitting in the first row, they have to agree.'

'As long as there are no reporters present to blame me for botching your toilette, I don't care if you walk into that church naked.'

Simon's opinion on Frederick wearing hunting gear to his wedding was very clear.

'Actually, I'd prefer that last, you know I love to see you without a stitch.'

That was sweet.

'But seriously, I appreciate your efforts to make less of the wedding. I'm not looking forward to it, you know.'

'I do know, Simon, and I feel horrible about it.'

'I really want to wear a riding skirt, not to make less of the wedding, but because I think they're beautiful.'

Anne was deadly serious, and Simon hugged her.

'I know, Anne, and you will look lovely in it. You look lovely in everything. It's Frederick I'm worried for, I dislike hunting gear, it's so shapeless.'

'You'll find out its use when you start riding yourself, Simon. Never mind, my love, I need every advantage I can get standing beside the most beautiful woman in England, even in a tiny little church in front of the people I love best. You may choose whatever you want me to wear, my body is all yours anyway.'

Now why did that make Simon look all soft again?

As Darcy had arranged for Elizabeth to have a beautiful new hunter waiting, so Frederick had used his time in London well, writing his own stable master to find him three fine horses. His search was easier since he didn't look for the impossible, a tractable hunter, he merely wanted solid, dependable riding horses, preferably waiting for their new owners at Pemberley when they arrived.

That hadn't worked out, but while they were all busy perfecting the decoration of their rooms, Frederick's presents had arrived, and one beautiful morning, five of the six would-be-explorers were waiting for their first riding lesson, ladies with Mrs Norman, gentlemen with her husband Peter.

'It's decidedly more comfortable for Peter to not have to explain certain basics to ladies,' Elizabeth had said, 'he felt very embarrassed to touch me to show me the right way to sit a horse, and to mention certain body parts I had to use to direct the horse. It will be much easier on him if he can concentrate on the men, and Mrs Norman on the ladies. Let me assure you, she doesn't hesitate to mention those parts, not at all.'

Which seemed reasonable, though Peter didn't know Simon's aberration. Still, Peter touching his thigh or his lower back wouldn't do anything to Simon but help him to learn to ride, and what Peter didn't know couldn't harm him. Or Simon. Thanks to Frederick's stable master, everyone had his own horse, Georgiana having inherited Elizabeth's faithful Daisy, Eric using one of Darcy's more placid road horses, and Anne, Nick and Simon on the mounts Frederick had provided.

Elizabeth and Darcy had joined the ladies in one of the new paddocks, Frederick couldn't help himself, he had to see how Simon was going to experience his first time on a horse. But when he had helped him check his saddle while Peter showed first Eric, then Nick, how to do exactly that, Simon proved once again to be the more sensible one in their relationship.

Frederick had shown how the bridle should fit, and bending down to point out which cinches to always check before mounting he was stunned to find himself the recipient of a passionate kiss, safely hidden behind the large chestnut mare.

'That was because I love you more than anything. Now leave, Frederick, go watch your fiancée, send Darcy over to help here if you feel Peter needs assistance. I love it when you show your feelings for me, but not here, it's dangerous.'

Wiping the bemused expression of his face, again, Simon was so right!, Frederick straightened himself and admitted, 'You are right Simon, Anne may need my support more than you and Nick do. I'll come and look in on you later.'

But before he turned towards the other paddock he waited to see Simon mount his very own horse, and ride the first of many circles under the expert guidance of Peter the stable boy.

When he arrived at the other paddock, Anne was already mounted and riding her own circles in a steady walk. Mrs Norman indeed walked beside her, correcting her seat and the position of her hands, where necessary by touching Anne in places that would have been very awkward for a man, let alone a lowly servant, to even think of. Anne did what the expert horsewoman advised, and Frederick could see the improvement in Anne, but also in the way the horse held itself. Maybe he should have that lady look at his own riding as well, Elizabeth and Darcy were outstanding riders and they had learned from her and her husband.

Elizabeth was walking along with Georgiana, who had the magnificent posture in the saddle that one would expect from a pianist, but who clearly had trouble adjusting to being at the mercy of the horse. That was just her feeling, for Daisy was truly goodness itself, she would never do anything rash or dangerous. But with Elizabeth's help, Georgiana slowly relaxed, and as Anne rode circles and eights with visibly improving confidence and skill, Mrs Norman did the same for Georgiana as she had done for Anne.

'Aren't you watching the others, Frederick?' Elizabeth asked with innuendo.

'I was asked to leave, not by the instructor but by one of the pupils. He was afraid I'd wear him out by staring at him. He was right, I should be with my fiancée anyway. She is doing really well, maybe one of you can go to the other paddock to help out there? I feel like joining one of these groups, I think there is a lot for me to learn here.'

'I'll go, I think I can help Peter, I've had so many lessons. You stay here and support Georgiana, Elizabeth. I think she is used to being in control, she seems a little nervous sitting on such a large beast, like you were before you discovered riding astride. Though you got over your fears soon enough.'

'And so will she. Look, she's sitting much more relaxed already now Sarah has explained some things. You go and help out, three novices is a bit much for one man to handle. And Frederick, I suppose you can join my lessons, I agree there is always something more one can learn, but you're not a novice.'

Darcy left for the other paddock, and Elizabeth supported whichever of the ladies was not attended to by Mrs Norman. Frederick sat on the fence and watched at his leisure, surprised how quickly he got used to seeing all ladies in his immediate circle wearing riding skirts. They did look nice, the seamstress had made some changes to Mrs Norman's basic model to make them more flowing, though less sturdy, which didn't matter for Anne and Georgiana since they could afford to buy new ones whenever these wore out. The good lady had looked slightly scandalized when Anne had asked her for another pair to be wed in, but she had delivered the most beautiful pair so far, of silvered green silk, unsuitable to ride in but almost as elegant and as flowing as Miss Filliger's dresses, to be worn with a blouse that would have turned every London rich girl green with envy, made of the lightest, clingiest muslin, totally unsuitable to do anything useful in, of course, but perfect for a wedding. Dora's eyes had sparkled when Anne tried it on, she was doing reasonably well coping with her disappointment over Nick, but Frederick suspected she was secretly relishing his presence whenever Nick was helping her to improve her reading and writing. They had written a letter to someone called Frank, a servant at Rosings who according to Nick admired Dora, and Dora was anxiously awaiting his reply. Frederick hoped it would be positive, there was no better cure for love sickness than a new love.

And tomorrow, Dora would have at least two hours with her beloved mistress, to dress her and make up her hair and face for the wedding that afternoon. It would be a very intimate affair, and way too quiet for Frederick's reputation, but that meant Simon and Nick could be in the front row instead of somewhere else entirely.

Mrs Norman was now helping both ladies to set their horses into a trot, and even Georgiana managed admirably. It seemed as if she had conquered her fear, or maybe she had discovered Daisy actually minded her, and she followed Anne and her grey mare at about a horse length, trotting circles and changing directions at Mrs Norman's instructions.

Now Frederick could no longer help himself, he had to see how the men were doing, and he excused himself to Elizabeth, who decided to join him instead. So they walked off together towards the other paddock, where the men, of course, were already cantering. They all seemed equally adept, if anyone had had the same troubles as Georgiana it didn't show now. To avoid betraying his admiration for Simon, Frederick decided to just not look at him too often, he just couldn't help it, his beloved was so handsome and so good at everything he did, who could have remained untouched by the sight of someone so perfect?

Soon enough, Peter let the three men slow their horses to walk them dry, after which they all got together to talk about the experience, while Peter, Bob, Bruce and Hugo unsaddled the horses and took them to their paddocks.

After an exhilarating first ride, Anne just knew this would be her favourite form of exercise. It had been such an incredible surprise from Frederick to have her own horse from the start! Of course she had been planning to buy herself her own horse if she liked riding as much as she remembered from her holidays with her cousins, but she had expected to share Daisy with Georgiana until she knew whether she really liked riding, and if she did until a suitable horse could be found. Now, she and Georgiana could have their lessons together, and in a few days they could all go out onto Darcy's grounds in a large group of riders, everyone on their own horse.

As the stable staff took over the reins of her horse, Anne made certain to find Frederick first and thank him for his magnificent gift. She embraced him with true feeling and said, 'Thank you so much, Frederick! She is a wonderful animal, so beautiful and so gentle! I want to call her Peppermint, I think it's a fabulous idea to call a horse for sweets. We'll call her Pepper for short.'

Frederick hugged her back with obvious pleasure, and humour.

'Aren't you afraid she'll live up to her short name, then?'

'I think I can handle a little spice in a mount, what do you think? You were watching me ride for the first time in years.'

'I think you have a natural talent, Anne. Weren't you afraid at all?'

'I loved it. Maybe my days as a tomboy are coming back to me, I cannot wait to go faster.'

'And I cannot wait to go out together. I'm glad you are pleased with Pepper. Can I see you for a moment in private Anne? After we've talked of horses a little more?'

'Sure. Thank you again, my dear.'

Whatever could Frederick want to talk about, so shortly before their wedding? Was he having doubts? Had Simon objected after all?

'You weren't afraid at all, were you, Anne?'

Darcy's calm voice broke her thoughts, and since they weren't very useful anyway his distraction was very welcome.

'No, I wasn't. Can you believe that? I wanted to go faster, but I do want to learn correctly. I remembered riding your pony bareback, it was such a thrill. Maybe I'll try that on Peppermint, too. But not yet.'

'You named your new horse Peppermint? That's cute, more candy in our stables. It suits her, very much so. I'm starting to get used to this practice of naming horses, I never did that but it does make it more personal. I used to see riding as a way to get from A to B, at least I thought I did, but in fact I never felt it that way. It was always more, I just didn't acknowledge that to myself. I'm looking forward to riding together, Anne, visiting all the places of our youth. And I want you to know that I will witness your wedding tomorrow with pride and pleasure. I have no doubts left, not about Frederick and not about Nick. You are happier now than I've ever seen you, and those men will take such good care of you. Simon, too. He and Nick will both be fine riders as well, despite having been raised in the city.'

'They did well? I'm glad to hear that, though I knew Nick couldn't be anything else than a natural, he is so athletic and fearless.'

'He certainly is. And he would give his life for you, gladly. And he isn't at all servile, really, is he?'

'Oh, he was, towards you. And other men of power. That was how he was supposed to act or lose his position, and it must have stuck to him somehow. But you are right, deep inside Nick is actually rather bossy, much like Frederick. And you. But like you two he is reasonable as well, I treat him like an equal because birth is just a matter of chance, he treats me like an equal because being a man or a woman is also accidental.'

'Oh, Anne, I'm so happy for you. Sometimes I still remember the old you, and then to see you like this, riding a strong animal you've never met before without showing even a twinge of fear. I admire you, I truly do.'

'And I am supremely happy to be here, Darcy. I've never in my life experienced such friendship and so much love.'

Darcy now turned to Nick, who was coming towards Anne but sadly not to embrace her or kiss her.

'Fowler, you sat that horse like a gentleman born,' Darcy observed, Anne didn't know how truthful that was but Darcy generally spoke his heart. At least Nick was relieved to be spoken to, it meant he could talk to Anne in the presence of the possibly alert Pemberley stable hands.

'Thank you very much, sir, I wasn't afraid at all. I can imagine what all the fuss is about, it gives a great buzz to sit on a creature that strong and have him do what you ask. And the speed! I loved it. I just cannot believe Mr Manners got me a horse, too. And such a handsome one, he said it was truly my very own, not on loan or just to use, it's mine.'

'He reminds me of my black, your horse, they look very much alike. Which means that you may have to name yours, Fowler, or we'll all get confused.'

'Name a horse? Who, me? I've never named anything, sir.'

Nick was really stunned for a moment, but he was always polite to Darcy.

'Yes, Fowler, it's your horse, and you will be spending a lot of time with him, and trusting your life to him. You should give him a name. But it need not be straight away, you can think about it. Although Anne named her grey quickly enough.'

'May I inquire what you named your beautiful horse, Miss de Bourgh? Did you like her? Were you afraid? I bet you weren't!'

'I liked my horse very much, and I wasn't even a bit afraid, just exhilarated. I named her Peppermint. Mrs Darcy named her new hunter Barley, for barley sweets, and I liked the idea very much.'

'Good, I didn't think you would be afraid, I know you are a very brave lady, investigating noises in the night at the Blackwood house, and standing up to your mother. What is a mere horse in comparison?'

He smiled his devastating smile, and Anne suppressed the sudden urge to hold him and kiss him.

'Well, I suppose I'd better call my horse Liquorice then, since I used to love pontefract cakes and always bought them when I had a few pennies to spend. They were as black as him, and I always thought the castle that marked them something out of a fairy tale. And now I live in an even larger and more beautiful house, and ride a black horse that is my very own.'

'It is a perfect name, I think, Nick. Liquorice has such an exotic sound. And you can shorten it to liquor, you like brandy, too.'

'I love all liquor, I'm afraid. Fortunately I can steer clear of it very easily, I saw plenty of good people ruined by overindulging. But, as a name it won't hurt. I do feel my legs, I suppose that is normal after riding, Mr Darcy?'

Darcy laughed and observed, 'If you feel them now you will be in agony tomorrow. It takes about two weeks to build the necessary muscles. Taking a hot bath will help, and you can give each other a nice firm massage. You'll need it, too, Anne. Once you get used to riding you won't suffer much stiffness anymore, unless you fall off. That hurts even more. But those techniques you showed us to fall the right way may save you from a break some day, Fowler. I bet you have them ingrained and don't have to think about them anymore.'

'I do think that is true, Mr Darcy, but still I'd rather not fall off at all...'

Darcy laughed, and said cheerily, 'Oh, you'll take a fall or two, Fowler, you'll gain confidence daily until one day you try to impress Miss de Bourgh and overreach yourself. We've all taken falls, it's not that bad.'

Nick seemed resigned until he spoke up, 'I suspect the falling isn't the worst, though, Mr Darcy.'

'Indeed, Fowler, it's not the fall that hurts. It's the landing, and you have an advantage because you already know how do that safely. Still, maybe I'm wrong and you are more sensible than we were as boys. We thought we were invulnerable and nothing could really harm us, and you have already found out that life can be a delicate thing.'

And still Anne couldn't embrace Nick and kiss him, when she wanted to so very much.

'Maybe you'd better get that bath, if you want to be able to ride again tomorrow.'

If that wasn't the best excuse to spend some time on each other, Anne didn't know what was. They quickly left to make their way back to the house with Georgiana and Eric, still elated by their first time on the back of a horse. Frederick was talking to the stable hand who had given them their riding lesson, but he'd find her to have that little talk he mentioned.

After their visit to the Brewers, Darcy had made arrangements to send them to London. They had been glad to accept, and had left a few days after the visit to search the attic. It would mean some extra work for Darcy, spring was the time when his tenants were sowing and there was always someone needing help or advice. But that was a small price to pay for his steward's future, Nathan had always given his all for Darcy, and Darcy felt he needed to repay that in kind.

When the letters from the Brewers' attic hadn't offered any conclusive proof, Elizabeth and himself had searched for evidence at Pemberley, looking for hidden drawers in Darcy's father's desk, and checking under the carpets whether there were any signs of loose boards. But of course there weren't, his father had not been the type to warn his mistress to burn his letters if he was going to save hers. Everything she ever wrote had certainly been safely disposed of.

Whereas his father's room was exactly as it had been before he died nearly six years ago, Georgie had taken over her mother's bedroom and the furniture in it when she turned twelve. Their mother's possessions had been stored in a different room, and they had searched them thoroughly, though without expecting to find any proof of a relationship that had not been hers at all. Still, uncle Spencer had apparently suggested she'd known of the affair, and those letters had disappeared, there was a chance they'd find something, it was worth checking.

Not having found any useful correspondence in either his father's former room or among his mother's possessions, Darcy and Elizabeth had decided to write to his uncle to remind him he had been planning to search his sister's private apartment at his estate, and to beg him to let them know the results. And while they waited for his reply, they would ask Georgiana permission to check out her mother's former bedroom, and the furniture, which meant they had to tell her about her father's dishonourable behaviour and the resulting suspicions about Wickham's parentage.

'Should we have something like the confidence room out here as well, my love?' Elizabeth asked, and she was right, they should. An idea struck him.

'Remember the little room I had decorated for Georgie? I suppose they'll want the Clementi in the drawing-room, and we can use that room for exchanging confidences.'

'Excellent. Do you want to ask Georgiana to join us there, and tell her about Wickham?'

However Darcy disliked having to do that, it needed to be done, he'd already postponed it for too long.

'I really don't think she'll mind that much, my love. But why don't you let me tell her, and save you the trouble?'

He could and he would do it, but in a way it would be better if Elizabeth did it. It would bear less of a load coming from her, Darcy guessed.

'Yes, please. Do you think Fielding should be there?'

'I do. We share these things, they should be able to do that as well.'

'That is true. I'll ask them at breakfast then, and you can tell what we have found out.'

And thus they were sitting in the room with the Clementi, in comfortable chairs, his father's letters in a stack on the low table in front of them. Elizabeth did not dawdle but instead came to the point immediately.

'Georgiana, you know that your father was leading a kind of double life, don't you?'

She nodded and replied, 'Yes, didn't he visit bars in the seedier parts of town, together with George Wickham? I seem to remember that you suspected he led Wickham astray.'

Elizabeth affirmed, and continued, 'Your uncle Spencer and I both suspected it might be worse, we feared he'd had an affair with Mrs Victoria Wickham.'

'Wickham's mother? I can imagine that, she was so pretty and always dressed to perfection, and so full of life. Mother was beautiful, too, but in a transcendent way, you see. Mrs Wickham was earthy, more real, somehow. She was always very kind to me, and when mother had passed away she really knew what to say to make me feel better. I was devastated when she died so soon after mother. And you say she may have had an affair with father?'

'Uncle Spencer thought so, and I had my suspicions. I told Fitzwilliam and we went to the Brewers to look for evidence. We found these.'

Elizabeth handed Georgie the letters, and like them, she checked the heading and the adieu first.

'So it's true. Can I read them?'

She studied the letters for another moment then observed, 'These go way back, Elizabeth, that is Fitzwilliam's birth year!'

'You can read them, both of you.'

Elizabeth did not warn George about the content, and frankly, she didn't need to. Eight letters, spread over almost as many years, all starting with affection and ending with love. Enough to predict what was in them.

Fielding read each letter as Georgie finished, and she read all in one go, not pausing for remarks or questions. When she was done, she waited for Fielding to finish the last one, then she observed dryly, 'I suppose this means I have been very fortunate to escape marrying my own half-brother? I feel sorry for all of them, you know, not just mother and Mr Wickham. George, too, I suppose he never knew, or he wouldn't have tried to elope with me? Will you tell him?'

'It's not at all certain he is your father's son, Georgiana. She was married to Mr Wickham after all.'

'Father was too fond of George not to have known, and let's be honest, they were like peas in a pod, apparently. Victoria Wickham was a nurse, maybe she knew how to prevent getting with child, we all know now that it can be done. She never had another child, did she?'

'We will not tell George Wickham anything before we have hard evidence that he is your half-brother. A lot of letters were missing, we know your mother suspected for she told uncle Spencer. We're hoping to find the missing letters in her room, either here in your former bedroom or at your uncle's estate. Maybe there is conclusive proof in one of them. And even if we do find proof, it won't change anything for Wickham.'

'Not with two legitimate heirs for father's estate, no. And father never acknowledged him, which is what might have made a difference for George. Though I suppose the man he thinks is his father was the better man.'

'Does reading this make you angry, or sad?'

Fielding had not said anything so far, but when he finally did of course it was exactly the right thing. Georgie took her time to think, and when she spoke she sounded fine.

'Not angry, and only sad for them, not for myself. Maybe for George, though I cannot think what might have been different if he'd known. He will be angry if we tell him, and rightfully so. I'm certain he often wished he'd been our father's son, and not just for an inheritance. Maybe he would have heeded father more if he'd been a parent instead of a friend. And maybe father would have expected more of George if he'd acknowledged him as his son. We'll never know. But of course you may search my old bedroom for hidden caches. Maybe you can find the old huntsmaster, he may yet live and know more. Apparently he was close to father.'

That was an excellent idea, Mrs Reynolds would remember him and know whether and where he lived.

'Do you know how George Wickham is doing, Fitzwilliam?' Georgie now asked him. She really seemed interested, and since he did know, he told her.

'Colonel Drummond told me he will be transferred to Kent pretty soon, to prepare for his first overseas mission with the Rifle Core.'

'That sounds very dangerous. Whatever he did, half-brother or not, he is now fighting for his country and deserves our respect. Sometimes I do remember him as he used to be, he was such fun to be with, and so kind to a lonely little girl. I suppose I'll never see him again, but maybe I should write to thank him for those years, and to wish him well.'

'I think he would appreciate it, Georgiana. He made a lot of mistakes, the life he leads now is what he made of it, but I don't think it is a bad life, he seemed to enjoy being an officer. Still, I think it would make him feel good to know you don't remember him all bad.'

Elizabeth was so forgiving, and Georgie, too. How did they do that? Was he really that resentful? Georgie didn't seem overly emotional, just a bit sentimental, as Darcy himself felt when thinking of his summers with Anne, Spencer and Fitzwilliam. Maybe what one did in those years, and the people one was close to, made an extra impact.

'I will think about it. Will you let us know if you find anything? I'd love to help with the search, but we need to practise, we've neglected our instruments shamelessly the last week.'

And indeed, Fielding was already eyeing the instrument, eager to get on with their morning's work. He looked fine, much calmer than in London, and less tired. Married life and privacy were doing him a lot of good. His riding was improving steadily, and though he liked shooting as little as he liked fighting, he practised with the same determination he applied to his own art, and results could not but follow.

Though there was one gentlemanly occupation that Fielding seemed unable to appreciate: billiards. Besides shooting and riding there was nothing a true gentleman enjoyed more than a bout of billiards, and both Darcy and Manners were true aces in the sport. Simon could already play a little, a remnant of rainy Sunday afternoons at aunt Catherine's, when Darcy was so bored and fed up with his aunt he had to flee the drawing room and invited Simon to play billiards with him. Fowler was of course almost brilliant, he had regularly played a more common version in public places with his rowdier friends and besides, he was good at all sports, he rode like a trooper on his black Liquor, and shot like one, too. The first time he had fired a rifle he'd commented, 'Compared to Lieutenant Talbot's musket this rifle is about ten times as easy to handle and as much more accurate. Why doesn't the King give his soldiers rifles? They risk their lives for him, don't they?'

Darcy didn't know, but Manners did.

'Talbot told me once, Nick. Rifles are incredibly expensive, and so is the ammunition. And most soldiers do not have to shoot accurately, they fire en masse on a large enemy formation, no need to aim, you're always going to hit something. Darcy's brother-in-law is with the Rifle Core, they're skirmishers who need to be sharp shooters to pick off officers or key figures in an attempt to destroy the enemy's formation, and for that they have rifles. And green coats, to not stand out. But nevertheless they will take huge losses in the field, it's an incredibly risky assignment.'

But Fowler's prowess in gentlemanly sports was not the reason that Fielding didn't seem to enjoy them. He practised riding and shooting readily enough. Darcy suspected that his brother-in-law considered billiards an incredible waste of time. Shooting and riding would help him across the continent more safely. But hitting a ball with a stick was probably a complete waste of time to someone who spent five hours a day at the piano.