Chapter 150

Dinner wasn't uncomfortable at all, Fitzwilliam seemed to have settled a lot, Elizabeth had suffered Fanny to dress her but not all out, it wouldn't do to tempt Prince George, though somehow she didn't think he would be that impressed by Elizabeth's best attempt at fashion, he was surrounded by riches and had been all his life. And those dresses the ladies wore at court, to Elizabeth's eyes they were ludicrously old-fashioned, but Prince George was from a different era and might look upon them as the standard for ladies' accoutrement.

But when they sat down in the drawing room for drinks the Prince of Wales seemed nothing so much as distracted, he greeted all of them heartily enough, and his eyes did light up at the sight of Elizabeth and especially Anne, but he did not start a lively conversation as he could so expertly. His mind was obviously elsewhere. He offered them a wistful little smile and the best and most logical excuse, that made him even more sympathetic to Elizabeth and no doubt everyone present in the drawing-room.

'I'm sorry I'm not up to being entertaining, I'm still coming to terms with a lot of feelings that were stirred up by Mr Fielding's music. I didn't expect it to hit me this hard, I've had a lot of practice controlling my feelings, everyone is always ready to judge my reason, my personality, my taste. I've grown used to keeping a certain distance. I went into your drawing-room eager to be entertained, and was caught totally unaware.'

That was almost sad, though it did resemble Fitzwilliam's and Frederick's way of dealing with life, as unfair as how ladies were expected to always behave properly and never even feel the need to do something active or vaguely interesting. Of course gentlemen, too, had to bow to convention. They could be active, were in fact expected to, but they were absolutely forbidden to show their feelings in public.

'We've all felt the power of Mr Fielding's music, Your Highness, we'll just let you recover in your own time. I suppose you will be feeling your wet and cold ride as well. Please do not put yourself out, we'll entertain each other and you may join in if you feel like it.'

Should Anne be so kind, could it bring anything but trouble, with Prince George already partial to her? But maybe they shouldn't hold his reputation against him so much, he was a reasonable man, why judge him by what the paper said about him? Though Elizabeth did remember a certain proposal.

Nothing special happened during dinner, except that they had it in the incredibly ornate formal dining room that Elizabeth had saved from Fitzwilliam's urge to modernise his houses, and maybe his fear of being judged for the extravagance of his forebears. Appreciation for style was an excellent trait in a man of means but one that would have been taken too far if it had caused this lovely, authentic-looking room to be destroyed. Despite the opulence, dinner was much the same as usual, the conversation lively but slightly more general than other evenings. They decided to go out for a ride the next day if the weather permitted, and for few moments the prince came back to life and begged to be included in their party. Of course they hadn't even considered not taking him along, and Fitzwilliam even meant his heartfelt invitation.

The food was their usual as well, which was really good, though not up to royal standards. But Prince George didn't seem to notice at all, he ate heartily, and when Simon brought the cook's efforts at confectionery his eyes lighted up once more. There was no chocolate, nor any exotic fruits, but it was a creditable walnut-and-honey concoction with marzipan, and they all enjoyed it very much, the prince no less despite his employing two French pastry chefs himself.

It was a sign how much Simon belonged to their household that Elizabeth didn't think anything of his helping with the serving, in a Pemberley livery, until he winked at her when he took away her plate. She could barely hold back a cry of surprise, he wasn't even part of their staff anymore, and Frederick hated it when he had to stay in the back of the house, let alone help with the serving! He had probably begged Mrs Reynolds to be allowed to serve something, anything, to get a glimpse of the company gathered at the table. And waiting to clear up after them afforded him an opportunity to watch them that much longer. Nobody really saw servants, though Prince George might be the exception, he apparently distrusted them, and rightfully so, since most loved to gossip.

Still, it wouldn't do to tell Simon right here that she was onto him, it could only give their friends' involvement away, so she merely smiled at him and thanked him for his service. Soon after, the ladies retreated to the drawing-room, where they played the piano for half an hour, Anne proving she had not neglected to practise despite all the distractions of the last few weeks. When the gentlemen returned Eric and Georgiana would probably provide the music, and Elizabeth and Anne would take up their work and continue to perfect the little dresses they were working on.

Half an hour turned into three quarters of an hour, and then the mood among the gentlemen seemed the total reverse of what it had been before: Prince George was almost exuberant, though still the perfect gentleman, and he was talking with energy with Frederick, of all people. Elizabeth had truly expected the prince to remain slightly aloof towards a man who was supposed to be intimate with his father, but apparently Frederick's easy manners had won over even the Prince of Wales.

'You say he is not going to spoil me for court garb? I can get away with wearing pantaloons, but a black cravat, that is absolutely impossible. My advisors would slap my wrist instantly, maybe even literally.

I must say, Manners, I appreciate your offer, I've been feeling slightly grubby for the last three days, it was such a brave idea to go haring off with just a few armsmen and two of my youngest courtiers, but I have missed Enrique more than a little. You know he speaks little English, but I don't mind, it forces me to keep my Spanish up to date.'

Elizabeth wondered whether Spanish was difficult to learn, but she could understand the prince employing a foreign valet, since such a man would not have many friends to gossip to, nor the right connections to spill harmful knowledge about his master and his household to the newspapers.

'Simon is as English as breakfast tea, a born Londoner actually, but he is clean, attentive and very close-mouthed. You'll feel better straight away. I'll have him step by your room tonight, he can help you bathe and set your wardrobe to rights so you can ride out with us tomorrow without worrying about having things cleaned or starched. Of course he'll be over in the morning to help you dress.'

'Won't that inconvenience you, Manners? I don't want to impose on you.'

'No problem, there will be plenty of time left for Simon to spend on me.'

Hadn't Anne warned Frederick against being smart with Prince George? Did he want the man to find out how much time Frederick spent with his valet? And what did Simon think of serving the crown prince? Well, they probably discussed that before Frederick offered, and it wasn't any of Elizabeth's business anyway.

'Mrs Darcy, may I join you and Mrs Manners in your cosy corner here? I promise I will not distract you too much from your work.'

The charmer was back, hopefully Fitzwilliam would manage to control himself.

'You certainly may, Your Highness, we can work and chat at the same time.'

Anne looked like a painting of the Madonna, dressed in white muslin, a lamp set out to help her see her work illuminating her blonde drooping curls from behind, stitching a seam in what was obviously a baby's garment. Prince George watched her with a mixture of adulation and vague terror. He couldn't think she was with child within three weeks of her wedding, could he? Anne didn't seem to notice his attention, she merely set a few tiny, precise stitches, then looked up as if unaware of the prince watching her. Finally seeing him she said, 'Oh, I'm sorry Your Highness, I didn't notice you coming in, I'm not as good as I'd like to be at this, not yet. I need to pay attention or I'll have to pull out stitches and that never gives a good result. Do you like it so far?'

With only Frederick sitting there she'd never had any trouble at all, stitching and chatting at the same time, Anne was certainly clever enough for the Prince of Wales, keeping an eye on him with him none the wiser.

'Oh, ah, um...' she really had him now, he sounded acutely uncomfortable, but this was not a shy boy, this was a man raised to rule a country. He recuperated quickly and replied with humour, 'I guess it must be beautiful, but I really cannot tell the quality of the fabric and of your work from here. Might I sit a little closer and do it justice?'

Clever fox, she could just hand it to him to look at closer. Although that wasn't always a good idea, the little dress was made of a pristine white satin and would show every blemish a torn callus or broken nail might inflict on it. But Anne didn't mind playing with the prince, and she looked at the seat right next to her to invite him over. Of course he changed seats in a bare second, sat as close to Anne as was still proper, and intently studied the beautiful satin dress, embroidered with simple geometrical shapes, no flowers on this dress for it was destined for Alexander Spencer, Anne's little nephew. Prince George even dared pose the question, though very discreetly.

'Is that a little child's dress?'

Anne beamed and replied, 'Isn't it beautiful? Can you imagine a baby not looking like a little angel in it?'

Perfect, but that wasn't what Prince George wanted to know. Had Mrs Manners been with child even before she got married? Had she married a plain and slightly older, but wealthy and entertaining, gentleman to cover up a dangerous liaison that had left her with child? Would she consider a few nights spent in another exciting affair? The harm had been done anyway. No, Elizabeth berated herself, that was taking her fantasies a bit far, Anne looked more like an angel than an adulteress, not even the worldly-wise prince could suspect the truth.

'It's absolutely beautiful, Mrs Manners. Those aren't flowers, are they?'

'No, they aren't. It's for a boy, you see.'

Elizabeth imagined she could see him think, how did she know it was a boy? But Anne wasn't cruel and relieved the pain of his curiosity.

'It's for my cousin's boy, Your Highness.'

'Mr Darcy is your cousin, isn't he?'

Now Prince George looked at Elizabeth in wonder, as if to see signs that she was carrying a baby boy. Anne smiled cheekily and observed, 'I have two other cousins, Your Highness. Alexander Spencer Compton is a month old by now, and according to his father the most beautiful child in all of England.'

'So you're sewing for your cousin's baby?'

'Yes, it feels so good to do something useful and beautiful. I was very sick for ten years, you see, I never could do anything at all. And now I feel much better and I want to make up for lost time, but somehow I'm so much older and wiser that embroidering centre pieces at my level of skill seems a waste of time and materials. And beading purses and covering screens is for young girls, I prefer to spend my time and resources to a purpose.'

Prince George's face had fallen, as if he'd imagined beautiful Anne ailing.

'No, Mrs Manners, please tell me you didn't suffer for ten years!'

'I wasn't in pain so I wouldn't call it suffering, Your Highness, I was merely listless and lacking energy. Which is why I'm very glad to be at Pemberley now, learning to ride and shoot, and working on a tiny dress.'

'But... you look so healthy now. Did you find a miracle cure?'

'I didn't need a miracle cure, Your Highness, my mother had her quack doctor bleed me twice a week, nearly costing me my life and certainly my youth. Getting away from him meant a quick recovery.'

Now the prince was truly stunned, shocked, really.

'You said you were ill for ten years. Do you mean to say that was all due to bloodletting?'

'It was, Your Highness. A London doctor estimated how much blood my mother's favourite had taken, then said I might have felt weak but I must be very strong for a lot of people would have died of the loss of so much of their life's blood. No doctor or surgeon is ever going to come near me again with a lancet.'

'Mrs Manners, what you say disturbs me greatly. I do not see my father very often but I know he is often a little indisposed, and I also know he has regular bloodlettings. You mean to say that is harmful? I have in fact been bled sometimes myself, I cannot say I felt much better afterwards, but I didn't feel about to die. Are you certain you weren't unknowingly afflicted with some dangerous illness?'

He meant consumption, Elizabeth could just see it in him, but no-one ever recovered from consumption.

'What illness could have drained my life and spirit for ten years, then disappear in a matter of four weeks without leaving a trace, Your Highness? I was bled twice a week for a decade, I lost enough blood to fill this whole room. But please let us not talk any longer about that terrible waste of years, I'm perfectly healthy now and eager to make up for lost time: I am going to ride and fish and ramble all summer, and then I'm going to dance and go to parties and the theatre all winter.'

'I believe you, Mrs Manners, and I will heed your request, you have indeed suffered enough. Just one thing, if you please: should I warn my father about the bloodletting? I'm rather worried that something similar is happening to him. They can be so hard to refuse, those physicians with their wise words, but when one is not feeling well what is to be done but trust to their one treatment? I'm very healthy but I remember being ill sometimes, one's will becomes as weak as one's body.'

Anne now became very serious.

'I would indeed try to warn your father. But most people believe their doctors and would not listen. What if you were to send for the doctor who helped me find the right food to regain my strength quickly? His name is Dr Parker, my husband can help you find him. He makes a strong case against bloodletting and is an outstanding physician, he knows the human body like no other. Looks the part, too, which is not unimportant when trying to convince a powerful man that something he has believed in all his life is actually harming him. For do not be mistaken, Your Highness, though you are a hale man in your prime, even to you a bloodletting does more harm than good. Your father may very well be suffering more, and as his complaints increase so will his doctors increase the amount of blood they steal from him. They prey on the sick.'

'You have convinced me. No bloodletting for me, no matter how ill I were to get, and I will contact this doctor and try to think of a way to let my father know his danger. Maybe my mother will listen to reason. Thank you very much, and now we will close this subject, I would not inconvenience you for the world, or you might refuse to visit Carlton House this winter when you are in town.'

Anne was learning to play the game quickly, she showed no sign of pleasure or dismay at this prospect. Instead, she nodded pleasurably and changed the subject altogether, never stopping setting neat stitches in the hem of the tiny satin dress.

'Is it true that you love sweets, Your Highness?'

'According to some reporters it's my least offensive vice, Mrs Manners. So yes, I admit I am very fond of sweets. I just loved that strange-looking concoction we had tonight, I think I may have had too many rare ingredients lately, I'd forgotten how tasteful honey and nuts can be. Though I wish you could taste some of my confectioners' works, Mrs Manners, like Mrs Darcy here. You liked their creations, didn't you?'

Elizabeth had certainly loved chocolate in any shape, and though Anne hadn't liked sweets at all when they had first gotten to really know her, she had appreciated Mr Blackwood's special pies, and Mrs Brewer's pie when they'd visited her about a week after her return from London. Mrs Brewer! Why hadn't they thought of her? Prince George would love her pastries, pies and sweets, although she'd die on the spot if he visited and she knew he was the Prince of Wales. Who was waiting for an answer, watching Elizabeth with humour.

'I'm sorry, your question reminded me of a delicious pie I ate recently. I loved your cakes and hot chocolate and sweets, and not just their taste. They were so incredibly beautiful!'

'Dare we ask Mrs Brewer to be allowed to visit? I think His Highness would love her work, art as well as pie.'

So Anne started this topic thinking of visiting Juliette Brewer. Who hadn't been as shy as Elizabeth expected when she had taken Georgiana and Anne to see her. Two weeks in town, and seeing a specialist, had done the steward's wife a world of good.

'I'm not as strange as I thought, Mrs Darcy,' she'd told Elizabeth, visibly relieved, 'Mrs Annesley told me a lot of people in London dress like I do, and she is such a great artist herself, she understands so perfectly how I feel living among women who care only for keeping a pristine house or sewing useful things. We had dinner with her and her husband and children, and she showed me her most precious works, at her home. They were all beautiful, and yet her house was as clean as any I've seen.'

As if Juliette's house hadn't been spotless, and without even the help of a maid! Where did they find the time to do so many things? Elizabeth had felt a little bit lacking compared to Mrs Annesley and Mrs Brewer. As well as a bit envious of the trust Mrs Brewer had gained from Mrs Annesley to have been invited to meet her husband, still failing but hanging on to see his children grow up. But of course Mrs Brewer had no other connections in London, and she was of Mrs Annesley's level of society and an artist like her. And maybe Mrs Annesley had had a second objective, showing the younger couple the tragedy in her life to inspire them to cope with their own.

'And Mrs Annesley advised me to not just see Dr Parker, but also a lady who had seen to your friend Mrs Collins when she had some trouble when staying over. So we visited her as well, in a totally different neighbourhood, but she was so kind, and so knowledgeable, we talked as much as an hour, and she asked as many questions as the doctor did, and many of the same. She advised me some herbal remedies and assured me most women in her practice were able to have a child eventually. I was so relieved, Mrs Darcy, after that I was able to have the time of my life at the theatre, and shopping at Miss Filliger's like you said, I'll wear those dresses to church and my own at home.

Thank you so much, Mrs Darcy, you and Mr Darcy, for pushing Nathan to go to London. I didn't want to but it was the best thing to do.'

Again, Anne and Prince George were watching her with a twinkle in their eyes.

'You're so much less tense, Mrs Darcy, I'm afraid Carlton House was not your natural habitat, you talked easily enough but I suppose you were constantly on your guard. I can imagine, for even I am often on my guard there though it's my home. I'm not insensitive to the Pemberley atmosphere. Or maybe it's just being among honest people who don't want anything from me. But please tell me about Mrs Brewer, I have a feeling I really want to meet her, and see her art and try her pie.'

So they told him about the organic shapes made of iron decorating her house and garden, and of the delicious pie she made with home-grown fruits.

'You say she grows peaches, here in the north? Can that be done?'

Frankly, they didn't know a thing about growing anything, the gardeners did that, and Fitzwilliam and Frederick might know but they seemed to have disappeared. Maybe they were playing billiards, to give their spouses the opportunity to chat with the Prince of Wales without provoking their own baser feelings.

'She had enough to preserve them, so I guess she knows how to grow rather well.'

'And she makes pies. I suppose I shall have to send her a bergamot then, I'm going to have mine uprooted to improve on my conservatory, but it would be a waste to have those trees burned or sold to some craftsman for the price of the wood.'

'Not those beautiful trees, Your Highness! Your conservatory was so lovely, why destroy the trees?' Elizabeth exclaimed inadvertently, that conservatory was the only truly sympathetic part of Carlton House that she had seen while visiting.

Fortunately Fitzwilliam was not there to see Prince George all attentiveness and charm, as he fixed Elizabeth with his eyes and shrugged helplessly, 'My friends and advisors all say my conservatory is hopelessly out of date, they tell me Gothic style is the fashion these days, and if I want to be anyone I need to embrace it. But I do feel sorry for those trees, especially my bergamots, they're so rare and give such a lovely fragrant blossom and such tasty fruit. You know, Mrs Darcy, I will reconsider my plans to just uproot them. Maybe I can save them after all. But if Mrs Brewer wants one she shall have it, and so shall both of you. Do you have a conservatory on your husband's estate, Mrs Manners?'

'You know, Your Highness, I have no idea. I have never yet seen Frederick's estate. We met in London, you see, and travelled straight to Pemberley from there.'

'You married a man without seeing his estate? You must have liked his town house very much!'

Anne didn't even twitch, she did not marry Frederick for his possessions, she had grown up in abundance and had never had to face a lack of worldly benefits, in fact she was heir to a magnificent estate herself.

'I have to confess I never saw that either, Your Highness. Do you think I married in haste?'

That last was said with humour even a total stranger should recognise.

But instead of the laugh it should have, it brought a pensive, almost wistful reply.

'I hope not, Mrs Manners. I've seen Mrs Darcy here eye her handsome husband with infatuation each time their paths cross, and she really has to restrain herself not to touch him whenever he is near. Of course the depth of his love speaks from his eyes and everything he says and does. Mr and Mrs Fielding seem two pairs of hands run by a single mind. But I would have sworn you'd married Mr Manners for convenience, you like him, and he likes you, a lot, and there is a lot of humour and affection between you, but dare I say you do not seem to be head over heels in love? Or am I offending you, suggesting that you might have investigated more thoroughly before committing to someone you aren't actually in love with?'

He was deadly serious, but Anne wasn't shocked at all, or she didn't show it. As Frederick had started to show more and more of his feelings, so Anne had learned to control hers perfectly.

'Your worry does you credit, Your Highness, and I am not offended by it. But I assure you I have not made a rash decision becoming Mrs Manners. I am very fond of Frederick and he has great affection for me, and we have a perfect agreement between us. In black and white, if you were still worrying. Indeed his estate and house in town play no role in that agreement, as you may know I am heiress myself to an estate of Pemberley's size, though I admit the house and the park are not as beautiful as Darcy and Elizabeth's. Money and status were of no moment in my decision to accept Mr Manners' offer, and I do not fear to tell you what was: freedom. I was a captive in my mother's house for a decade, ten years of inability to do anything but watch the days crawl by, Your Highness. Once I recovered I could have waited to fall in love, but I knew I'd become stuck inside a similar life, in a similar house, bearing heirs and idling away time, imprisoned between the walls of my new house and those of propriety. Frederick will show me the world, he will introduce me to the beau monde and we will go to parties and the theatre, listen to music, travel, and yes, he enjoys watching me ride astride and learn to shoot and fish for trout and ramble for hours with Elizabeth. He even lets me drink brandy and play billiards, if I so wish. But I think I prefer sewing.'

Elizabeth wondered whether this was a wise admission to make to a clever man like the prince, but she could hear Anne's heart was in it, and it did make a profound impression. Prince George's face softened totally, and he bowed his head to Anne and offered, 'My apologies, Mrs Manners. I know you weren't offended, but that was over the brashness of my question. I beg you to forgive me for thinking too little of your husband, I've been prejudiced because of his reputation of sometimes enjoying himself too much. With myself suffering under a similar prejudice from the good people of England I should know better. Of course I don't want to see you bound by convention, I want to see you live life to the full. And if you have chosen Mr Manners as your partner to enjoy yourself with, I think you couldn't have chosen any better, he is certainly kind and very generous, and he knows more about society and entertainment than anyone else.'

But he would keep speculating whether Frederick was truly a philanderer, and whether that meant Anne was available for a few nights of loving. Prince George would be watching Frederick as well as Anne, which meant they had to be very, very careful indeed.

Nick and Simon were spending some time in the servants' quarters, playing cards in Hugo's rooms with the stable master and the only stable boy who was not at home with his wife, not that Bruce wasn't way too young to get settled. He probably was a bit young to be doing what the four men were doing right now, drinking their share of ale whilst playing a game most young boys in the country hopefully didn't even know. Not that Bruce was a real country boy, he had been sent to Pemberley by way of punishment, he was actually from London and had served in Mr Darcy's town house stables, where he had tormented Bob.

Hugo's stiff discipline had taught the boy a lot, and since the stable master's return from London he had rewarded the boy's steady improvement and perfect behaviour towards the former victim of his cruelty by including him in his pastimes with his two new London partners in crime. For Hugo was still convinced that both Nick and Simon liked to break hearts left and right when opportunity presented itself. Hugo had a lot of respect for the two Londoners, even though they were personal servants. Nick had found out that by country stable staff, personal servants were considered slightly less than manly, whereas in town they generally commanded a pretty high status among the house servants.

Well, it didn't matter to Nick, his physical appearance and role as bodyguard assured that no-one would even think of doubting his masculinity, not aloud anyway. And Simon's reputation as philanderer was unshakeable, most of the maids were in love with him and he kept them that way by ignoring their attentions to their face but discussing them with Hugo and Bruce during these get-togethers. Gossip took care of the rest.

'It's your turn, Bruce,' Hugo said, then turned towards Nick, 'the maids say your mistress caught the Prince of Wales' eye well and good.'

Nick had expected comments much earlier, he kind of worried no-one had talked, somehow that gave what was happening extra meaning.

'Can you imagine they didn't dare talk about it in your presence? Those girls can be so fanciful sometimes, said you're very protective of your lady and might do something foolish. Fat chance. Weren't hired to protect your lady's virtue after all, and nobody's ever accused our crown prince of being anything but charming to the ladies.'

They all laughed, and Nick was kind of touched those maids were concerned for him. Of course he really wasn't that upset by Prince George's infatuation with Anne, the prince was old and fat and had a notorious appetite for pretty ladies, Anne would be a total fool to fall for him, which she wasn't.

'I heard, but I'm not worried. My mistress is in no danger of getting hurt or abducted, and sensible enough to prefer a rich and respected husband to a powerful lover. You've seen him, Simon, what do you think?'

'I only know he indeed likes sweets. And he does seem to admire Mrs Manners. My master has asked me to attend to the prince's care from tonight on, so I guess I'll know more pretty soon.'

They played a few more rounds, house staff against stable staff, despite Bruce's rough looks he was a better player than Nick had expected, so far there was no real winner this evening.

Then the bell rang, the pattern Frederick and Mr Darcy had agreed upon to summon Mr Manners' personal staff to whichever room their master rang from. Of course that was to give the impression that they were really just staff, Frederick had been very clear about it all being for show. The summons came from the billiards room, which they hadn't expected tonight since there was company. They often joined Frederick and Mr Darcy in a game of billiards, but those two couldn't let the Prince of Wales know they played billiards with men who were supposed to be just servants.

Both Nick and Simon jumped up, curious, but also keeping up appearances, making sure to sound regretful as they took their leave from their companions.

'Can't leave the master waiting. See you tomorrow at breakfast.'

The other two nodded, their work was done for the day, unless some visitor arrived late or an emergency happened.

Taking the fastest route to the billiards room they found Frederick and Mr Darcy there, Frederick excusing himself profusely, as he always did to his lover after having summoned him. Simon touched his arm very shortly to settle him, Nick understood perfectly, Simon didn't feel insulted to be summoned like that, he had been a servant all his life, like Nick, he was used to it. Besides, they had all agreed to play roles like this, no need for apologies. That was merely rather embarrassing to Mr Darcy, though he didn't bat an eye.

'Never mind, Frederick, we're all just keeping up appearances. What can we do for you?'

The cheeky fellow, teasing Frederick where it hurt. Of course the poor man gave up, who could withstand Simon if he really tried to get his way?

Well, maybe Mr Darcy. He did his share of the acting now and practically begged, 'Will you play a few games with us to keep our minds off our ladies being beset by the Prince of Wales? Manners forced me to leave the room, but I have a mind to run right back.'

He would be, though if rumour were true he had less reason to be worried than Nick: Prince George apparently adored Anne even more than he admired Mrs Darcy. She was of a more suitable age as well, the prince was reputed to like his women well-seasoned, which neither was, but Anne at least was comfortably over half the prince's age and Mrs Darcy hardly at all. Nick didn't hesitate to say something soothing to the man he had feared so much when they'd first come into contact.

'I've seen those two ladies stand up to your aunt, Mr Darcy, I guess they do not need protection from elderly people of rank with an attitude.'

That was rude, of course, and largely undeserved by Prince George, but somehow rudeness and unfairness made an impact on a fastidious man like Mr Darcy. It might snap him out of his state of self-pity. Anne was right, this was hard on Mrs Darcy, and dangerous to their marriage, and the servants' quarters were buzzing with a rumour that Mrs Darcy was with child. She didn't need an unstable, jealous husband whether that was true or not, but especially if it was true.

And it did work, if Mr Darcy felt shocked he hid it well, for he laughed heartily and said, 'See, I knew I could count on you, Fowler. If you're not worried, I'll not be worried, we're in the same boat after all.'

'Indeed, sir, and according to rumour, my side is deeper in the water than yours. But I'm not worried the seams won't hold, and neither should you be.'

'I've heard that same rumour, it's as if my staff has suddenly taken to gossiping. Maybe I should have a chat with Mr Eliot, request him to spend some thoughts on respecting others in his sermon coming Sunday. Do you think Prince George will mind, if he's still with us by that time?'

Despite undoubtedly being a sinner, Prince George would probably appreciate it if people minded their own business a little more, in town as well as in a tiny parish.

'I am very certain he will totally concur, Mr Darcy. I've heard some rumours that were entirely inappropriate, even if they were true.'

And he hoped Mr Darcy knew that Nick was as close-mouthed as Simon was, unless the latter had drunk spirits.