At breakfast, Stokes handed Darcy a letter that caused his heart to shoot up right into his throat. He instantly recognised the quality of the paper and the handwriting: it was aunt Catherine's. The last time he'd received a letter from her hand it contained a load of offensive language about the love of his life, and whilst he'd already loved Elizabeth more than life itself at that time, by now he actually knew whom he had married and he loved her even more. Because yes, that was possible. If his aunt's reply to his letter seeking information was of a similar nature that would mean the end of any possibility of contact, he would not suffer his beloved to be insulted.

Of course the others instantly understood what the letter was all about, but there was no way in which Darcy could read it before them with Prince George present. Fortunately, Fielding proved his sensibility by catching the prince's attention.

'Would you care spend half an hour on a few Bach pieces I have adapted from harpsichord to piano? I'll play it on harpsichord afterwards, we have one upstairs, in our private apartment.'

Of course Prince George knew he was being kept from something, but there wasn't much he could do about it. And besides, he really did love music.

'I'd love to, you're the only pianist I know who deigns to still play the harpsichord. It's almost a forgotten art, and yet it is so beautiful. Can we start with the harpsichord?'

'Certainly, we can do that right after breakfast, I have my Bach upstairs anyway.'

And that was it, they finished breakfast and retreated to the confidence room, where Darcy decided to read the letter himself, if there was anything rude against Elizabeth in there she would not have to see that, let alone read it out loud.

When they were all seated, Manners cleared his throat and spoke first.

'I'm sorry to interrupt what I guess is a bit nerve-racking for you, Darcy, but I have something you all need to know and this is too perfect an opportunity to pass by with Prince George safely in Eric's hands. Do I have your permission to proceed?'

It sounded ominous, and Darcy nodded.

'Of course, Manners, I hope it's nothing really bad?'

'I'll let you judge for yourself. You know by now that the prince has gotten a maid to talk about our arrangements on the second floor, and he has also kindly but incessantly drawn Simon out when he is doing his assumed duties. Yesterday evening, Simon returned really upset, the prince had dryly informed him he knew about Anne and Nick seeing each other. He professed being very concerned about Anne's fate if their affair were to come out, and Simon did not dare say anything, mostly because the prince is indeed devilishly clever and would undoubtedly distil even more knowledge from whatever he said, but of course also because the man is going to be our king.

So, Simon merely hinted that Anne was a woman grown and didn't need a man to patronize her, but nothing more. Prince George let him know he'd pursue his inquiries to be certain Anne would be safe, but to keep his findings to himself and tell only Simon of his progress. Poor Simon is in a state, he fears he will be blamed when he has no way to avoid being alone with a man he says can get a rock to spill its life's story. I just want you to know what is going on and to be on your guard around him. Always. He may even be more clever than you, Anne.'

'I am certain he is, Frederick. He will not stop until he knows the truth, and I'm afraid he will stay until he knows. Do I have to intervene, tell him to leave our private lives alone?'

'He will only use it to gain more information, and he'll know Simon talked to us, proving he is more to us than just a servant. Try to tell him nothing, though it will be difficult. All the private information he gains about us will enable him to force us to stay in England instead of going abroad.

Well, that was about it. Poor Simon, he had to go back this morning, and then again this afternoon, and tonight, I feel bad for him and guilty I suggested it. Now, I've said what I had to say, please carry on.'

Poor Simon indeed, Darcy had never known him as anything than close-mouthed, and now it would seem to him as if this had all started with him, when in fact Prince George had been systematically questioning them all.

'Will you please tell Simon no-one reproaches him with anything?' Darcy said, knowing all too well he didn't have anything to lose, Anne and Frederick and their lovers were in danger. But Simon would appreciate his assurance, he had always respected Darcy.

'Thank you, Darcy, that will mean a lot to him,' Manners proved him right.

Then he could no longer postpone the inevitable, and he neatly opened the envelope and read the following, out loud for Georgiana, Elizabeth, Anne and Manners to hear.

My dear Nephew,

I cannot deny to have read your letter with mixed feelings. It has hurt me a great deal to have had the apple of my eye, my dear sister's son, whom I invested so much time in to help succeed in life despite the disadvantages of his worthless father, turn against me, and so violently. For six months I have wondered what I did wrong in your upbringing to cause you to make such an unfortunate decision, but since you still seem to support it I suppose the less said about it the better.

Darcy was ready to let his anger get the better of him at this offensive suggestion, as if aunt Catherine had raised him instead of his very own father, but four smiling faces instantly took the sting out of his aunt's offensive opening. What else had he expected?

'At least we know your aunt wrote this herself, my love. My father would give his right arm to have a connection like this, diversion ascertained. No offence, Anne.'

'None taken, Elizabeth. I like your father a great deal better than I like my mother. I wish they could meet, that would be one of the more rewarding moments of my life. Now please continue, Darcy.'

In a way this may have been the better course of events, since I gather you are planning to sully the Darcy name even further than by two unworthy marriages. Spencer tells me your spouses are the absolute cream of London society, but he was always weak where love was concerned, since he doted on his flighty little wife beyond what was proper. My late husband Sir Lewis de Bourgh never saw fit to adapt any of these capricious professions of undying love, he was a sensible man and a good, stable husband. And a loving father to Anne, though in hindsight I tend to regret letting him spoil her so.

Now it was Anne's turn to look angry.

'As if we never had that terrible row at the parsonage! As if she didn't totally ignore me for ten years! Poor papa, that woman was all he knew. Mr Bennet is much better at that, too, papa never managed to find a life of his own, she managed to control his every minute except those he spent on me. I bet she hated me for it.'

Manners now proved Simon right and Prince Charles wrong by taking Anne in his arms and comforting her very gently.

'Ten years are a long time, my dear Anne, but you will adapt Mr Bennet's philosophy yet and find your mother's folly merely entertaining. Now you may be angry if you want to, what your mother did to you was not nothing.'

And he was right, Anne was doing magnificently.

Anyway, at least my dear Anne is spared the association with your father's coming infamy by making a sensible commitment to a gentleman of impeccable descent. Mr Manners has written me a very kind letter which proves he is as sensible and as respectable as Sir Lewis ever was.

I do not hesitate to admit that I have been very lonely last winter, without my dear daughter and Mrs Jenkinson. It is impossible to find a sensible companion, Mrs Collins used to be suitably obliging but having a boychild has changed her, I suppose the certainty of improving herself in the future has made her put on airs. She keeps Mr Collins at home with her most of the time with some excuse about the baby, though the thing is as healthy as a child has a right to be. Of course her family is as prolific as most country people, for your sake I hope your situation won't prove the exception, since the papers have been maintaining a stubborn silence on this subject.

And Mr Collins professes to have little time to spend with me but I see him often, crossing the lane, I suppose to enter the back of the house. He has time to lecture my staff but not to play whist with me. But nobody wants to hear an old woman complain, especially not those who profited most from her wisdom, which is why I shall come to the point: I have the letters you asked for in my possession. I advise you to keep them to yourself, nothing can be gained by exposing your family through the follies of one of its members. But they are yours by right, so I will take care they will come into your possession safely.

Which is why I will wait on you at Pemberley as soon as possible, leaving tomorrow. I cannot deny wishing to see my dear daughter again, and finally meet her husband, though I had to read of her wedding in the papers. Of course I must also profess an interest in seeing how your lady manages a household the size of Pemberley's instead of enjoying her mother's efforts at making ends meet. Besides my personal maid I expect to bring four other members of my staff.

Looking forward to seeing you again,

'I love my mother-in-law already!' Manners exclaimed, laughing. 'We'll have the best times together.'

'Well, she certainly changed her mind radically, though not her tone,' Elizabeth observed.

'What will you do, Darcy, will you let her in?' Anne seemed the only one to understand his quandary, he didn't want his aunt in his house, especially not with so many relatives coming over. Hopefully Prince George would have left by then.

'I suppose I will have to, dear Anne. She is still my aunt and I did ask for those letters. But as explorers you can of course spend much of your time in your headquarters, you need not sit with her.'

'She must have made a few more mistakes in your upbringing that you would even consider not receiving her with open arms. I'm sorry, Anne, Darcy, to make fun of something that must be pretty serious to you. But I will support you as I did with Mr Collins, I can draw your aunt's attention and keep her entertained and out of your hair.'

Imagine aunt Catherine with Mrs Bennet, the possibilities for ruining their time together with the people Darcy actually liked were endless. Mrs Bennet was easy to ignore, but aunt Catherine...

'But Fitzwilliam, doesn't aunt Catherine's letter more or less prove that George is our half-brother? She talks about bringing the family down, I suppose she means papa having a bastard son by mentioning that.'

'It could be, Georgiana,' Elizabeth replied, 'but if it were to become public knowledge that your father was an adulterer that would be shameful enough. Of course there is no real reason to let anyone know your father had a mistress unless a child had ensued, the only reason to tell Wickham that his mother had an affair with your father would be if he was his son, he has the right to know that his dear friend was actually his father and knew it. But still, Lady Catherine's remark doesn't prove anything, we'll need to see those letters to be certain. If only Prince George has left by then, nothing good can come of those two meeting. Though I dread the very thought of my mother and Lady Catherine in the same space.'

'The latter is a lot more likely than Prince George not having left in four days, my love. Maybe we can adapt your father's view on people: enjoy the diversion they have to offer us. And I am certain that your mother and aunt Catherine in the same room will offer a world of diversion.'

'For those strong enough to be able to enjoy the follies of others, Darcy,' Anne said, 'I intend to be one of them. No offence, Elizabeth.'

'None taken, Anne, it's a real comfort to me that I am not the only person present with a very annoying mother. Aren't you proud, Georgiana, that you rated your own insult from Lady Catherine?'

Georgiana laughed and replied, 'Certainly. So far she always managed to ignore me. I almost hád to marry a cow herd's son, to gain her attention, you know.'

'Do you suppose that is why I fell in love with a commoner? To be noticed by my own mother? If I'd married Darcy she would still have had eyes only for him.'

'I can get you noticed by your mother, too, my dear wife,' Manners interjected with a smile, and Darcy was sure he could, 'but do you want to? I know her advice is priceless, but so far you seem to have managed quite well without. I suppose you are not going to adapt to her? Riding, shooting, you name it, we'll still be doing that together?'

'Of course we are,' Darcy exclaimed, 'this is my house, I'll not have my aunt tell me what to do here. We may want to move the Zumpe back to your headquarters, though, so you can escape from her constant notice. As soon as Prince George leaves, I'd suggest.'

They decided to do just that, and then they were done. Darcy was planning to take Prince George on a ride with his thoroughbreds that morning, but it seemed unwise to go all by himself, and there was someone in their midst who had asked to experience them flying.

'Manners, do you want to join Prince George and myself for an exciting ride behind my thoroughbreds?'

Their friend's eyes lighted up and he said eagerly, 'Yes, please! I really want to see his reaction, but I also want to experience the speed myself. I'll skip the riding lesson this once, though I must say I never thought I'd improve my riding this much. Still, summer is yet to come, plenty of time to perfect my seat.'

At Bob's request, Bruce was going to join him on the box, he knew what he was signing up for, and Darcy hardly recognised the young bully he'd sent to Pemberley to learn about loyalty and hard work. Bruce had learned a lot about horses as well, and soon he'd learn about himself: was he as fearless as all young fellows considered themselves?

They were going to use Elizabeth's carriage, it was not the fastest Darcy owned but one could not have a team of four in front of a curricle. Using thoroughbreds would be close to suicide. And anyway, he was not going to drive those horses himself, he was a reasonable driver but handling even two thoroughbreds was too much of a good thing. A four-in-hand was totally out of the question, that took years to learn. If Elizabeth ever got too large with child to ride safely he'd exchange the curricle for a phaeton and have Bob teach them both to drive well, but they'd stick to a single horse or a pair of very gentle ponies.

'So, Mr Darcy, I've heard you have a special treat for me!'

Prince George really was trying to make friends, maybe Darcy should make a little extra effort and be a little more forthcoming.

'Indeed, Your Highness, I think it is time you experienced true speed. Manners here hasn't tried it yet, either, though he did join us riding side-saddle. You see my stable staff all had a go on a lady's saddle and they practically challenged me to do the same. Have you ever tried?'

'I cannot say I have, though I have often wondered how ladies keep their balance, and with those full skirts hanging to one side to make it even more impossible. But true speed? You mean with your team of thoroughbreds?'

'That is exactly what I mean, Your Highness. You, me and Manners going as fast as they can. Well, and my driver, of course, to keep it safe.'

Now Prince George looked almost hungry, wasn't he allowed to do dangerous things? Riding behind those thoroughbreds wasn't more dangerous than riding a horse at a gallop. It was probably safer, especially with Bob driving.

'Yes! That sounds like great fun, even in my circle I have heard of your team of thoroughbreds, the envy of every gentleman. You say it isn't dangerous? But it's very exciting, isn't it?'

'I suppose it is. A colonel of my acquaintance thought it rather too exciting, and he has seen action abroad five times.'

'I cannot wait. I have too little excitement in my life, I should slip my leash more often.'

Frederick knew why Darcy was taking him along, an extra man would mean an uncomfortable ride for Darcy facing backwards at full speed but he did not want to be alone with Prince George. And rightfully so, the man was so astute no-one should be alone with him, as poor Simon was forced to three times a day. They could only hope he would soon leave, but even that was a vain hope: Frederick was convinced he would not return to London until he had found out whatever Frederick and Anne were hiding. Truly, the danger of Darcy betraying anything was a lot less acute than the danger from Frederick himself, he knew he wanted to protect Simon from further harassment, if needed by asserting Anne was safe in his hands. But Frederick shouldn't even know that Prince George doubted that, Simon should not be as intimate with his master as to share such knowledge.

Frederick let the prince enter the little carriage first, then followed him in, the two men taking the front-facing seat together, while Darcy was still outside talking to his driver, or rather the tall lad accompanying him on the box seat.

'Mr Darcy seems very connected to his people somehow, don't you think, Manners? I noticed the first time while we were riding through those villages, they were so well kept and yet so personal somehow. As if he knows all people need some art and some beauty in their lives.'

'I'm certain he does, or he would not have taken in Fielding when he was in dire straits. And his housekeeper in London makes the most incredible pieces of mere canvas and thread, arguably the best silk thread available and even gold and silver thread, but still. It's true art. And the boy he is talking to now got sent to Pemberley from London as a punishment because he had bullied several of the staff, and now his main victim is teaching him how to handle a team of four. Darcy takes his duties as landowner very seriously indeed.'

'And yet he barely speaks to me. Though I suppose I understand that, I do have this reputation. But I think I have found a way to win him, thanks to your lady wife.'

Frederick had no time to comment, for Darcy was done and entered the carriage, seating himself backwards.

'I'm sorry it took so long, but I wanted to make sure the stable hands hadn't dared Bruce to come along. It can be very frightening to go this fast, and on the box I think it is actually dangerous, one could fall right off. I wanted him to know what he was getting himself into.

Now, gentlemen, are you comfortable? It's going to be a bit of a ride to find a safe place to let the horses go, we don't want to turn any corners or surprise some farmer or forester coming from a lane to the left or right. But Bob knows exactly the right place where to give them their heads, I suspect he does it all the time when exercising them. It keeps them mellow, you see.'

'This Bob of yours is not a particularly large or strong fellow, is he?' Prince George asked.

'He certainly isn't. But apparently it's the will that makes the driver, not the size.'

'I believe that. Your lady is rather small and yet she sits that hunter like she was born in the saddle. Considering that thoroughbreds originated from Arab horses in a way hers is a thoroughbred, too.'

'That is certainly true, though of course I didn't just buy her any hunter, this one is fast but relatively mild.'

'Mr Darcy, my first impression was that you and Mrs Darcy had fallen in love instantly, but your cousin said that wasn't the case at all. She said it was a very romantic story and that I should ask Mrs Darcy about it. But I'd like to hear it from you. Would you please tell me how you met?'

Well, the prince did say Anne had told him something that he'd use to try to break the ice with Darcy, and if anything could do that, this was it.

Darcy looked surprised, but not displeased.

'I suppose I can tell you, yes, though I still don't see what is so romantic about it since I was almost left all alone with my heart broken forever.

I met Miss Elizabeth Bennet when I was staying with a friend in Hertfordshire. He is fond of society, so we started to attend meetings in the nearby village, and my friend fell head over heels in love with a local girl, Elizabeth's sister. She is a true beauty and very calm and mild of character. I hated Hertfordshire, the people were unsophisticated, full of themselves, loud and obnoxious. I didn't see then that they were also welcoming and kind, and with my friend's sisters I enjoyed finding fault in all of them. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, too, and she overheard me calling her of a barely tolerable appearance, not handsome enough for me to dance with.'

Prince George was totally taken up with this story and he exclaimed, 'You didn't! Oh my, she cannot have taken that well, I'm very sure your lady has a bit of a temper!'

Darcy nodded ruefully, and continued, 'She took an instant dislike to me, though I didn't know and at that point didn't yet care, and I cannot say my behaviour to her improved any. Not even when I started to notice her unique character, her intelligence, her wit, the totally different way in which her mind worked. You know she once remarked how poetry was a very effective way to cure a preference for someone? Then when I said I'd always considered it the food of love, she laughed and observed how everything fed a healthy, strong love, but that she was convinced a single well-written sonnet could starve away a thin inclination instantly.

I'm afraid I was long past that cure myself at that point, but still I treated her miserably, I was arrogant, condescending, mostly afraid she'd find out about my preference and claim me. When all this time she seriously disliked me, and clearly showed her dislike with remarks that always bordered on insolence. I thought she was being piquant, trying to catch my attention, trying to get me to show my preference. Which I didn't want to, I wanted her but she was so much beneath me, I seriously thought I could not burden my family with hers. We then left the neighbourhood to separate my friend from her sister, his sisters thought her beneath their brother as well, and I agreed. I didn't see her for months. But I thought of her all the more, and I never saw another woman that could begin to compare to her.'

Darcy seemed to be reliving that time, and he was so much more human all of a sudden. Prince George also noticed and asked, 'So did you seek her out eventually, if you loved her so much?'

'I didn't. I still thought her beneath me and I wanted to forget her, but I just couldn't. I could ignore my love, I've always had iron control over my feelings and I managed to just live on without her.

But then I met her again at my aunt's house, and she really formed a bond with another of my cousins, an army colonel and a very pleasing, outgoing man. They had such a good time together and I could only look on and sometimes try to talk to her, make a connection without encouraging her. For I really believed she knew I was in love with her and was flirting with me when in fact she hated me by now. Someone had told her a bunch of lies about me, and I had separated her sister from my friend, which had cost her sister quite a lot of grief.

She was never kind to me, but I wasn't to her, either, and I admired her clever remarks so much I never realised they were intended to hurt me. It just never occurred to me that she might hate me, I was handsome, rich, sought after by other women, I thought she was merely trying to catch my attention.'

'So you loved your lady for her impertinence, which is a rather singular foundation for a marriage.'

'It is, it is! As I found out when I decided to throw duty and family into the wind and proposed. I expected her to accept gladly, and instead got a polite but resolute refusal. In my shock I let myself say some things I shouldn't have, which she returned a hundredfold with a brutal reflection on my behaviour towards her and also to her sister and the person who had lied to her. I was crushed and left quickly, devastated. But I couldn't let her hate me, so I wrote her a letter to explain about her sister and set those lies straight.

Then I was literally sick with love for a few months, but I also did some serious soul searching. She had been right about my feeling superior in so many ways. I realised I had treated her abominably, and not just her, most people around me, even my friend and my sister. I tried to change, and found support in a lot of places where I hadn't expected it.

That summer I was on my way to my steward when I turned around to look at some city people come to view the house, and saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet among them. You can imagine my feelings on beholding her so unexpectedly, on my own grounds. I managed to greet her politely, then fled to hide my feelings for I knew she despised me. But my housekeeper caught me in my distress and advised me to look her up in my park and be very nice. I did, and Miss Elizabeth had obviously read my letter and believed some or all of it. I was still very much in love and I tried to convince her I'd improved myself, not with talk but by showing her. Some complications cropped up but I managed to solve them, and first I enabled my friend to come to an agreement with her sister, whom he still loved. I now met Miss Elizabeth regularly but I couldn't read her at all, I'd been wrong once to my detriment, I couldn't risk getting rejected again, it would have killed me.

Then my aunt visited to tell me she'd seen Miss Elizabeth because there were some rumours she would soon get married to me. Gossip in the village had caused that because her sister was engaged to my friend. My aunt described exactly how Miss Elizabeth had refused to promise to not ever marry me, hoping to get such a promise from me. But it had the exact opposite effect, I rode to Hertfordshire as soon as possible and proposed a second time, and this time she accepted. She had come to realise I was a better man than she'd thought, and I suppose my steady affection for her had somehow made her kindly inclined towards me.'

Now Frederick felt obliged to say something.

'Nonsense, Darcy, she didn't marry you out of pity. She had come to love you because you are worthy of being loved: you are very handsome, and smart and educated, and she'd found out that under that proud exterior you have a very kind and noble soul. Just look at how your staff love you, you care about even the lowest stable boy.'

'I'm with Manners here, Mr Darcy, your little wife obviously admires you, she did not marry you out of pity or to be worshipped. She needs a strong man who can handle her independent spirit and she knows it, she'd never have married a weak or dependent man.'

'That is exactly what her father said when I had to ask him for his permission to wed. Also that he'd never dare refuse me anything I condescended to ask. He did not approve of his daughter accepting me.'

'So you know where she got her strong mind. And does he still object to his daughter improving herself a hundredfold?'

'No, but only because he'd misjudged me. If I was still the man who fell in in love with his daughter he would be very sorry, it is the obvious love and respect between her and me that has given him faith in his daughter's choice. Mere riches do not impress him.'

'As they don't impress her. And this aunt who tried to bully your lady away from you, is that Mrs Manners' mother?'

'She is. Lady Catherine de Bourgh.'

'And does she know how important a role she played in finally bringing the two of you together? I suppose it would have happened eventually with your best friend married to her sister, but still...'

'I don't think she does, no. That is actually a bit of a shame, isn't it? I'm very thankful to her for giving me enough hope and courage to try again.'

'Well, maybe you should tell her then. Though I seem to have heard she isn't very popular among you all right now.'

'That has to do with the language she used towards me about Elizabeth, it was very offensive and I do tend to get a little protective over my beloved. Elizabeth couldn't care less, she measures foolish people by their entertainment value and aunt Catherine rates very low on that scale, she's merely offensive and loud. And also because of what she did to Anne.'

'She told me, I couldn't believe it at first but now I actually worry about my own father. He has regular bloodlettings, and I fear they may be harmful to him. Well, I cannot lecture you on respecting one's parents, I'm not too popular in that quarter myself. But I do think your story was very romantic, Mr Darcy. I thought you had fallen in love at first sight, you're so close and so obviously in love. It's enough to make a fellow jealous, isn't it, Manners?'

Frederick thought of a pair of lean shanks and the most beautiful face in the world gazing at him with love and had no trouble asserting the prince, 'Not particularly, no. I think I've done rather well where love is concerned.'

And there was nothing Prince George could say about that, for Frederick had done very well, even if Anne had been his true partner. Even though the prince knew Anne loved her guard, he could not know Frederick didn't love her with all his heart.

'That makes me even more jealous of both of you. I know I have myself to thank for most of it, but I have not been particularly fortunate in my choice of a wife. Of course it wasn't my choice at all, my father decided whom I should marry, but I really thought I was reasonably accomplished in dealing with the ladies, you know, making myself agreeable to any of the fair sex. I have always considered women superior companions, they are generally morally stronger, have finer manners and more natural appreciation for the arts than men. I know they can be quite ruthless to each other, I have never been blind to their little intrigues, but again, their mutual likes and dislikes are generally uttered in a subtle way, which sometimes provides an entertainment all of its own. I'm sure your lady is an expert in this, Mr Darcy, if she has ever been forced to take a dislike to someone.'

'I just told you I fell hopelessly in love with her over such subtleties, Your Highness, whilst not understanding their true meaning at all.'

Darcy sounded wistful rather than offended.

'True, that is what caused me to think she might be a master of the truly subtle insult. Has she ever taken a dislike to another lady?'

'She almost had to, my best friend's sisters did their very best to make Miss Elizabeth Bennet's life miserable whenever she was anywhere close to me. One of them had set her sights on me, you see.'

'I'm sure she rose to the occasion beautifully,' the prince said gleefully.

'Well, at first she seemed to reserve her wit for me, mostly. I suppose she truly hated me and merely rather disliked Miss Bingley. And when she'd read my letter and we met again she wasn't as lively as she used to be, even though Miss Bingley was provoking her somewhat less than subtly. Georgie said it was because she was falling for me, but I tend to think it was because her aunt was there, a very sensible, righteous gentlewoman. Then once we were married she did rub it in a little, yes. But only a little.'

'It may have seemed just a little to you, Mr Darcy, but it probably tore her enemy's heart. That is what ladies are supposed to be like. But Caroline now, my wife, when we first met there was nothing subtle about her. She was as coarse as a boatman, she didn't like my looks and didn't hesitate to let me know. I'm sure I was a disappointment since painters always cheat when commissioned to paint a royal, but she wasn't all they said she would be either. From a distance she looked nice enough, though not my type, since I'm convinced people are generally attracted to their physical opposites and Caroline is my cousin so we look quite a bit alike. But from up close... I am a fastidious man, I like to be clean and well groomed, which is why I appreciate your valet's efforts on my behalf so much. From up close, Caroline did not just smell, she stank. Not just a little sweat of fear, surreptitiously hidden behind a sweet perfume. No, this was a thick blanket of sweat and more offensive bodily fluids mixed with the odour of rotting teeth, it was enough to set even a night soil man or a tanner gagging. She didn't wear a perfume, nor had she taken the trouble to put on clean underwear. Her dress was beautifully made of precious fabrics, but when the time came for me to do my duty to my father and my country, even a state of near intoxication couldn't keep me from noticing the state of her chemise and petticoats. Her attendant, Lady Jersey, had seen fit to tell me that my new wife had only bathed right after her arrival on British soil, and refused to have herself cleaned after following nature's call. Believe me, it showed. Gentlemen, I pride myself on being a good lover, but that night I merely did my duty, and after some time thanked the Lord I didn't have to repeat the effort.

Caroline is not dumb, but uninformed with no drive to improve her mind in any way, or do anything else with her time. She says what comes into her mind, she does not hesitate to tease and plague those beneath her, and I suspect her of being promiscuous. She was kept out of society all her life, never allowed to dance, to socialize with people her age, and yet she impressed me not with naivete, but struck me as having turned down refinement, as choosing to be coarse and uneducated, and ignorant of every art except maybe music. When in private, her manners struck me as seasoned rather than slightly fearful, as I've heard virgin girls are supposed to be. I've always preferred experienced women, but they were interested in me, which she certainly wasn't. Despite her sheltered upbringing I would have guessed she was not a virgin and hadn't been for some time. I cannot guess what kind of men she could have met in her situation, certainly no gentlemen. Her language in the bedchamber was curious enough to suspect her being involved with German country folk, but I cannot think how she could have escaped her parents' vigilance to give herself to commoners. Be that as it may, I clearly bored her, and she disgusted me. We were both glad to part company after our little daughter was born.'

Well, that was more than both Darcy and Frederick himself had bargained for. This was a desperately sad story, and whomever was in the wrong, most likely both, Frederick was certain Princess Caroline was suffering as much or more than her faithless husband. Frederick had never had any woman, let alone a virgin, but he had been a virgin once and he knew he had been fearful of what was to come. An experienced ladies' man like Prince George would know if his wife had been active in that area, and though he could be lying to make a better impression he sounded sincere. Besides, why would he lie? They weren't people he would have a lot to do with, this was an almost involuntary confession, brought on by one of those pieces Eric had played for him and Darcy's romantic story, no doubt.

Darcy rose to the occasion by somehow letting go of his usual reticence and saying with feeling, 'We've all heard things about your marriage, of course, but I must admit I have often felt a strong aversion to some women, even ladies. It must be awful to be married to someone you cannot love. To someone you cannot even like.'

Fortunately, they were saved from further revelations by a knock on the little window towards the box: they had reached the place where Darcy's driver dared give the team their heads.

'Are you ready to make some speed?' he asked both his passengers, and they both nodded, Prince George bracing his feet against the opposite seat, which Frederick thought was a great idea.

'At you convenience, Bob,' Darcy then called out, apparently his driver could hear that with the window slightly open, closed the window quickly and sat down himself.