Chapter 156

Elizabeth had been very excited all morning, for after breakfast she would accompany Fitzwilliam and Frederick on a real fox hunt. Of course the hunt master would be there with the pack, but of the others only Nick had dared accept the invitation to join them, and only at Frederick's insistence that he would not be in their way. Frederick had asked Fitzwilliam whether it was acceptable to take Nick along, and her beloved had merely replied dryly, 'If you think Anne won't come to harm without her guard, it's fine by me. I'm not going to risk Elizabeth's neck too much in her first real hunt, so I suppose Nick can handle the speed and the jumps.'

Anne, Simon and Prince George would not be joining them, Prince George professed he preferred to listen to Eric as often as possible while he still could, but Elizabeth also guessed he probably couldn't handle going cross country and jumping, he was not in good shape and his horse would be sorely pressed to keep up with a bunch of hunters. Anne and Simon were still too inexperienced to partake safely, though Anne could probably have managed she'd said, 'I'm not going to run the risk of being a burden to you because my horse is not fast enough, and I wouldn't dare ride a borrowed hunter for the first time in a serious hunt. I'll stay at home and entertain our guest. Please take care of Nick, I worry he may be too self-assured and hurt himself and your hunter, Frederick.'

By then, the prince had already left the breakfast parlour with Georgiana and Eric, of all those assembled here they were most at ease with their guest, probably because they shared a love of music, giving them something relatively innocuous to talk about without fail. If they had time for talk, because music was a demanding mistress to Georgiana and Eric.

So now they were once again gathered by the stables, horses saddled and ready, Nick visibly eager to try Frederick's calmest hunter. Well, he was used to Liquor, this tall bay couldn't be much more difficult to handle than Nick's own black. Elizabeth doubted that the bay would perform better than Liquor, what he might lack in stamina and speed he made up for in determination, but of course a fox hunt wasn't just about performance, there was a certain atmosphere to it as well. The hounds were out and baying nervously, and even Barley was fidgeting, he wasn't used to being surrounded by deep-voiced predators, even if their attention was not on him but on Mr Oliver, the Pemberley hunt master.

'We will be riding three miles east towards the Lower Burton area, then let the hounds seek the trail of this fox we're supposed to do away with. It's a canny old creature and the villagers have begged me to do something about it, it's killing hens at the rate of one coop every other night, for more than two weeks now. The good people of Burton will soon have to do without eggs if this pillaging continues.

Mrs Darcy, Fowler, welcome in our midst, please remember, let the hounds do their job, and if they bring the fox to bay please do not get in the way of the gentlemen's guns. This creature really needs to die or we'll have a bunch of unhappy villagers on our hands.'

Nick and Elizabeth were not allowed a gun this first hunt, they were supposed to concentrate on staying in the saddle and keeping up. Carrying a loaded rifle was considered too dangerous on a man's first half dozen hunts, and with the noise and Barley's rising skittishness Elizabeth understood very well.

Nick nodded and said, 'I understand,' after which Elizabeth realised the hunt master wanted a spoken confirmation from her, too. Apparently he was like a captain on a ship, the ultimate authority whilst guiding them through a safe hunt. He knew every ditch and bush on his master's territory, and possibly all the foxes' lairs and badgers' dens in the area as well.

'I will keep a respectable distance, Mr Oliver,' Elizabeth promised.

Then they all mounted and with a signal to the hounds they were off. Fitzwilliam had a pack of seven hounds, which Elizabeth supposed was a small one, but still they took a lot of the hunt master and stable staff's time to take care of. They needed a lot of exercise, and they made a real mess of their kennels which someone had to clean up every day. Elizabeth wondered whether Fitzwilliam kept them for his pleasure or to do his duty to his tenants, she supposed they were the only effective means to keep the population of foxes and other pests under regulation.

Starting out at a walk, Elizabeth was impressed how well Mr Oliver controlled those fierce hounds, they stuck together in a close pack and though they obviously detected all kinds of interesting scents in the air about them they never strayed. Once across the river, Mr Oliver increased their speed to a quick trot, and the hounds fell into an efficient lope that they could keep up for days, according to Fitzwilliam, who had of course explained the most important facts about hunting foxes.

Chatting was virtually impossible at the pace they were keeping, giving Elizabeth ample time to relish the whole experience. Barley wasn't less eager, this was what he had been bred for, and he could keep up this pace as long as the dogs would, and long after the other horses needed to be rested.

Fitzwilliam and Frederick were happy to be back on a hunter, that was easy to see, and Nick showed not a single sign of fear or having trouble handling his horse. It seemed Elizabeth was right, this hunter was actually easier to guide than Liquor, and he wasn't the least bit skittish of the dogs. Nick's expression was one of ecstasy, he had really taken to country living above her expectation, she would have expected him to be bored without a real job to do and without the bustling city a door away, but nothing was less true.

After about ten minutes the village came into view, and Mr Oliver blew the horn. The hounds spread out, obviously looking for a trail or a scent. They slowed to a walk but didn't halt the horses, they'd get stiff and cold if they couldn't move about just a little. Elizabeth did not relax, any moment now a hound could find a trail or even the fox itself and then the real hunt would start, straight across the land, over hedges and ditches, across the stream and any other obstacle in their way. Mr Oliver would lead the horses where he knew they would not come to harm, a huge responsibility but one he could handle very well.

And indeed, after five minutes of frantic sniffing by the hounds, one bayed and started on a trail, the others following. Mr Oliver blew another note of command, to his human hunters this time, and they followed him single file, Frederick in front, Elizabeth and Nick following, Fitzwilliam in the rear.

The hounds were still merely following a scent, and for five minutes a walk was fast enough to keep up with them while they worked out the different trails undoubtedly criss-crossing the field before them, only discernible to their sensitive noses, picking out the one their master wanted them to follow. Then a flash of red ahead of them and they were off, Elizabeth ready to follow but trying to keep a sensible distance between herself and Frederick to make the inevitable jumps a little safer. She preferred Barley seeing what was in front of them as well as the ground underneath his feet, though he seemed very smart in somehow feeling his way across even the worst terrain, apparently sure-footedness was an important trait of Arabian horses.

Soon Elizabeth saw their first jump approaching, a low wall with a higher hedge on both sides, and she adjusted her seat and posture, Barley needing no encouragement to take the jump. She no longer looked for the hounds, she just kept her eye on Frederick, understanding ever better why the hunt master was in charge: this was hard work, keeping up with the hounds through this rough terrain!

In quick succession they took five more obstacles, including a very frightening one, a scramble up a bank of some kind and then a jump across a broad ditch hidden behind it with a little stream running at the bottom. Elizabeth swallowed hard but Barley never hesitated and jumped clean across the ditch before she could even think of pushing him. They were speeding up again already, she didn't even have time to wonder whether Nick and Fitzwilliam behind her were doing well. On and on and on, she lost a few pins and felt a large strand of hair coming loose from the solid whole, but she ignored the feeling and checked the ground beneath Barley's feet and the hedge coming on fast. Up and over, and on towards the next, not faster, but not a whit slower either.

Then, as suddenly as it had begun, it was over. Barley came to a halt next to Frederick's horse, breathing fast. Elizabeth looked up and saw the hounds milling about a little wilderness next to a larger stream.

'They've lost the scent,' Frederick said, 'that fox is a wily one, some know a lot of tricks to get rid of a pack on their tail.'

The hounds ranged further now, some crossed the stream to search the opposite bank, but nothing could be found. Nick and Fitzwilliam had joined their group but there was no chance to speak, if a hound picked up the scent they needed to be ready to follow.

But after another ten minutes, still nothing was found, and Mr Oliver turned towards Fitzwilliam.

'I'm afraid they've lost him altogether, Mr Darcy. Do you want to have a look at his lair? He is probably back there by now, I'm afraid this will come to digging after all.'

'If he has gone to ground the hounds will never find him, Oliver. I think our novices have had enough excitement for one day, it's time to turn back. Or do you want to see the fox's den, Elizabeth?'

Actually, she wanted to, if it wasn't too far.

And so they went for another short ride, explored a stretch of wood where the old fox had its lair, the hounds indeed picking up its trail but straight into the mound where the wily old creature was undoubtedly laughing at their puny efforts to catch him.

They returned a little more slowly, and over the road instead of across the fields, Frederick and Fitzwilliam discussing how that lair would need to be dug out entirely to prevent a fox from ever making a home of it again.

'I'm afraid I cannot be sorry it got away, Mrs Darcy,' Nick observed calmly from beside her.

'I loved the chase and the jumps, this horse is a magnificent creature and an honour to be allowed to ride, but I'm kind of glad I didn't get to see those hounds ripping that poor fox to pieces. It's only trying to make a living after all. I know they kill a lot of fowl and probably rabbits and other small things, but I respect it for fooling seven hounds and a very capable hunt master.'

And he turned around and pretended to salute the forested mound behind them, looking at her in a sort of challenge to rebuke him for siding with vermin. He wouldn't get what he expected, though.

'I suppose I have to agree with you, Nick. And when they dig it out I hope they will shoot it and have it over with quickly. But it sure was fun, I've never worked so hard in my life. That jump across the ditch, I thought my heart would stop.'

'My heart did stop for a moment or two, but the horse never hesitated and jumped as far as he could. I'm glad it wasn't Liquor, he would probably have refused and I couldn't have faulted him for that. That was dangerous. But incredible fun! I'm glad I could come, you're all so good to me, I can't believe I'm really living this, it's like a bizarre dream suddenly come true.'

And he meant it, but frankly, if she thought about it it was as unreal to her.

'I can imagine, Nick. I used to live a rather boring life, too, and look at me now. I married a man who actually lets me do these things.'

That reminded Elizabeth of her conviction that she was indeed with child, which meant she'd better enjoy these dangerous activities quickly, for the time would come all too soon that she couldn't risk them anymore. But undoubtedly there would be other challenges to take up, like learning to drive. At Pemberley, she need never be bored. If only Jane lived closer, enabling them to share the experience, everything would be perfect.

After a pleasant ride back, spent in conversation with all the others, they rode back into the stable area. Elizabeth was just thinking that she was actually quite glad to be back after such a strenuous ride, when she saw something that gave her a strong sense of deja vu, and not a pleasant one.

'Fitzwilliam!' she hissed between her teeth, 'look at that carriage, and the livery of the fellows pushing it into the large barn!'

He had already seen it, but instead of showing his consternation he imitated Frederick's college attitude by calling out to his friend.

'Manners! Do you see that? Better be on your best behaviour for your mother-in-law has arrived.'

'I'll be damned!' Frederick betrayed his surprise. 'I thought she was coming over next week! Anne is not going to like this, I take her protector once, just this once, and promptly her mother arrives.'

Anne? Whatever would Anne care whether Nick was there or not? This was Pemberley. She could just go upstairs to headquarters and her mother would never find her.

'Frederick, you're not usually thick,' Elizabeth blurted out, 'remember who is in our drawing-room as we speak? Anne is the least of our problems!'

By now they had been spotted by their staff, and the newcomers, and whereas Bob and Peter merely took their horses away to be relieved of their saddles and fed, Elizabeth and Nick found themselves approached by two men they knew from their visit to Hunsford and the scene with Lady Catherine at the parsonage.

'Fowler!' the younger one exclaimed, 'I was hoping to see you, you need to help me with Dora, I don't know what to say to her.'

Though Elizabeth felt herself growing all weak inside with this proof of young love, Nick was very embarrassed and quickly drew the young man away from the genteel folk, and stood talking to him with animation at a respectable distance. But the other man was on his way to greet her, of course very respectfully.

'Mrs Darcy, such a pleasure to meet you again, and on your beautiful estate. Please forgive Frank his outburst, ever since I contrived to take him here he has been all over the place with excitement.'

'Never mind, Hughes, he couldn't have known we'd taken Nick out on a hunt, and Nick solved it readily. We didn't expect you for at least two more days, I suppose we need to hurry inside to pay our respects to your mistress.'

'Not just the mistress, Mrs Darcy, I've come to warn you, she actually thought to do you a favour by bringing your relative, Mr Collins. Just so you know he's here, too.'

No! No, that couldn't be! Mr Collins? With the Prince of Wales staying here? And Fitzwilliam having forbidden him his house? What could they do?

'When did you arrive, Hughes?'

Please let it be moments ago, but that couldn't be, not with the carriage being put away, that had to have taken at least an hour since it had obviously been cleaned.

'About three quarters of an hour, my lady. But the mistress was very handsomely received by a gracious woman who I suppose is your housekeeper, an immaculate young man that looked suspiciously like Mr Darcy's valet Simon but dressed very smartly, and most importantly, a young lady I cannot remember I have ever seen. Tall, blonde, blue dress, not more than twenty years of age and very beautiful. There was a gentleman, too, very handsome but the young lady did the talking.'

'Georgiana and Eric? And Simon? I suppose everything must be well in hand then. Thank you, Hughes, I'm looking forward to meeting you again during your visit, I'm very curious how my cousin is faring, and maybe you know something about my friend, Mrs Collins. But now I'm afraid we have to rush, I suppose I have to change as well.'

The tall man looked at her split skirts without being disrespectful or judgemental, just a passing glance at some curious garment.

'I can see why you might want to, Mrs Darcy, considering my mistress being rather old-fashioned. And I do know about your friend, I'll tell you about her whenever we have time. She and Mr Collins have become good friends with some of the staff. Good day!'

And he bowed respectfully, then sought out his colleagues. Elizabeth turned to the two men waiting for her.

'Frederick, Fitzwilliam, I really need to change before meeting Lady Catherine. I will see you in the drawing-room later.'

'I'll join you straight away, my love,' was Fitzwilliam's reply. 'I suppose half an hour's delay won't matter anymore.'

'Hughes told me your sister received her aunt very handsomely. We have time to change.'

'I'll be along later,' Frederick offered, 'I want to talk to Nick about Anne's safety and comfort with her mother in the house.'

He couldn't possibly suspect Anne of being in any danger at Pemberley, could he?

'Come, my love, let's get us some decent clothes. And maybe do something indecent before that, if we dare make my aunt wait.'

If he still felt like being intimate after hearing that her cousin was in the house.

Anne watched the hunting party leave, she probably worried for her beloved, riding one of those tall hunters for the first time. It was just incredible how Fitzwilliam accepted a lowborn servant as one of their own, or maybe he just bore with it admirably. But somehow Georgiana didn't think so, she thought her brother really had come to like the burly guard. He at the very least appreciated Nick's proficiency at everything remotely physical, not just unarmed fighting, riding and shooting but also billiards and most curiously, penmanship. Of all the explorers, Nick had turned out the neatest writer and something of a scholar. Frederick had suggested keeping a journal of their exploits, and Nick wrote most of the entries, including maps. They had meticulously recorded everything Prince George had told them about the situation on the continent, good for several pages of rather unwelcome information, since it spoiled most of their plans and made quite a number of their contacts totally useless. Mr Clementi had contacts all over the Lower Countries and of course in Italy, but apparently those would be in a war zone and too dangerous to use. Georgiana did wonder why those contacts hadn't mentioned the danger in their letters of welcome, which was one of their reasons to want to return to London, to talk to Mr Clementi and ask him how acute the danger was in his opinion. Prince George had his reasons to want to keep them in London, maybe his opinion shouldn't be taken all that seriously.

'Your Highness,' Eric said right next to her, and Georgiana could hear he was half in jest, half serious, 'you have told us you lacked the talent to become a pianist yourself. As a teacher, and I think a rather good one, will you do me the honour of letting me judge that for myself? With all those beautiful instruments in Carlton House you could have no problem spending half an hour each day amusing yourself with improving your skills.'

He was really starting to get familiar with his future ruler! But a look at Prince George merely showed him amused at Eric's apparent confidence.

'And I suppose you want to do that straight away, Mr Fielding? Where Mrs Manners can hear my bungling?'

'Mrs Manners couldn't play a single note when she first came to live with us, and I'm sure she won't mind letting you hear what she can play now, only a few months later.'

And indeed, Anne left the window and seated herself at the piano. She started with Eric's variegated scales, always good for a few gasps of admiration and not at all difficult to learn.

'I do feel obliged to warn you that Eric is a reputed taskmaster, Your Highness, and when he teaches he is the master and expects to be obeyed, rank doesn't mean a thing.'

Eric laughed at this description of himself, knowing it was true. But it did get results, and Georgiana agreed with him that learning to play himself would heighten the prince's already acute enjoyment of music. Handing Anne a sheet of music, Eric did not defend himself from the accusation but rather admitted to it.

'Anne is right, I do tend to take my music seriously, even when teaching. I've almost had words with Elizabeth over that, at a time when I still felt very impressed by her, not in the least because I was totally dependent on her husband for everything. She was a very negligent student, preferring to hear us play over practising.'

'I've heard Mrs Darcy play in my main music room, and she seemed in no way negligent, Mr Fielding.'

'I suppose that is why I dare call myself a good teacher. I prevailed. Without discord, merely kind insistence.'

'Mr Fielding, you are a treasure, and I will do as you propose. I want to learn those scales of yours at the very least.'

Anne now played the music Eric had given her, and it did sound very creditable, not yet Elizabeth's level, but Elizabeth had already known how to play before Eric started helping her to improve. Georgiana realised she was also curious what Prince George's level of proficiency was, and whether he really lacked talent or merely disliked applying himself. No teacher could have forced him to put in the hours of practice, except, of course, Eric. He didn't care a jot about his students' status, his own was so low that everyone outranked him, and yet all respected him because of his talent and his drive. Especially Prince George.

When Anne was finished, she made room at the keyboard with a flourish. Prince George applauded her and said charmingly, 'You've convinced me altogether, Mrs Manners. I'll take the chance of hearing I really am hopeless.'

No-one was hopeless where Eric was concerned. He had even managed to get Miss Mary Bennet back on the path to improvement, and she was as stubborn a student as one could get them, convinced of her own right without a single reason to be so.

Prince George did seat himself at the piano, and Eric joined him on the broad stool, as he always did with his students.

'I suppose you want me to play something?'

'If you please, Your Highness.'

The prince thought for a short time, then played a simple tune with an accompaniment, not at all bad actually since he did it by heart. Eric didn't have to ask him whether he read music sheets for they had shown him some before and he'd read them quickly enough, commenting on the violin part of Eric's concerto without having heard it played. He could not only read music, apparently he heard it as he read it, like Georgiana and Eric did. Which meant Eric would probably give him a sheet of music and ask him to play that, then correct his posture and his fingering, and do it again. It would take half an hour or an hour, and then he'd have to practise regularly.

An hour later, Anne was working on her little dress, and Prince George was still at the piano, pretty tired but rather pleased with himself.

'That's all I can do for you today, Your Highness,' Eric concluded the lesson. 'If I were your London master I'd expect you to practise at least an hour every day, then visit for your next lesson in five days or at most a week. You'd progress rapidly, really, I see no lack of talent in you. On the contrary, the way you picked up those variegated scales was encouraging.'

'I must say I agree with Mrs Manners, you are indeed a bit of a taskmaster, for I have not been put to work like this since I...well, never, actually. No-one ever dared push me, except my father, and he never managed to find a subject that interested me. But I really want to learn to play, if only in private. I will practise, Mr Fielding, and I truly hope I will be in the happy circumstance to receive another lesson from you. Do you suppose Mr Clementi will be a reasonable substitute?'

'He is one of the best, Your Highness. But Georgiana and I may be in town this summer after all, we're not exactly born to ride or hunt, and we miss our friends and yes, our audiences. We may decide to move back to town by May.'

That caught Anne's attention as well as the prince's, and she was the one to speak up.

'You are? Well, I suppose I do understand, you had everything in perfect order in London.'

'We did need this time together, Anne, we're not sorry we came to Pemberley or anything. But I'm not learning much and I could be, with Mr Clementi. And my fans may forget me even before we cross the North Sea.'

'Well you know you will be welcome to play for one fan at least once a week. And I'll ply you with chocolate and the best coffee as well as pay you handsomely. And if it pleases you to teach me I promise I'll practise every day.'

And he'd do it, he looked so hungry, Eric had convinced him he could indeed learn to play better than average, if he applied himself, like they all had to.

'Well, first we have several family visits ahead of us, and remember, we've not discussed this with Darcy or Elizabeth, yet, please keep it quiet until we have.'

Both Anne and the prince agreed, and then Eric obliged the latter by playing his romantic work again, starting with the oldest and working steadily towards the newer parts. Until someone knocked on the door and Simon entered. Simon? He never came to the drawing-room here at Pemberley, that was the butler's domain.

'Ladies, gentlemen, we have a bit of a situation, and Mrs Reynolds was glad to have me solve one end whilst she does the other. There is an equipage approaching from the south, and according to Mrs Reynolds' information it is Lady Catherine de Bourgh's. Since Mr Darcy is out hunting with Mrs Darcy and unlikely to return any time soon, she begged me to tell you that she will take care of any practical preparations but that it would fall to Mrs Fielding to receive her, if that is at all possible.'

'So soon already?'

Georgiana was a bit put out to have to actually notice her aunt, who had rarely spent even the tiniest amount of attention on her, who had actually resented Georgiana's taking so much attention from her mother, she was convinced, even more so after that old letter uncle Spencer had sent them.

'I suspect you have less than half an hour, ma'am,' Simon replied formally.

'I will do my duties as daughter of the house. Was there anything else Mrs Reynolds needed?'

For Simon clearly had other things to discuss with her.

'Three things, Mrs Fielding. Mrs Reynolds wants to know which bedroom to use, since your aunt usually had the one the Prince of Wales is using now. And whether the prince would like to be introduced as himself or under a pseudonym, in which case the staff need to know what to tell her staff. And this is my own question: do you want the little black piano moved upstairs immediately? I know you planned to install it at headquarters before her arrival, to not disturb her with your constant practice.'

That was the real Simon, and since Prince George apparently knew him as well why not just be himself here?

'Please tell Mrs Reynolds to give my aunt the next best room at her own discretion. We will not displace..' and she looked at Prince George to fill in a name.

'Mr Chester, no, make that Lord Chester for I am in fact its lord and I suppose I do need to command a certain respect to retain the rights to my room. I would like to meet the Lady Catherine I've heard you all talk of and I'm certain the Prince of Wales never will. So I'll pose as Lord Chester and see if she finds out. I'll be Mr Darcy's mystery guest, it'll be a stunning surprise. Thank you for thinking of me, Simon, and Mrs Reynolds of course.'

Simon bowed, but not as deeply as he could have. Then he looked at Eric and herself, and Eric was in doubt.

'I'd prefer to have Frederick and Nick take it, they know exactly how to lift it without spoiling the tuning. But of course your aunt can't witness that, and they're both out. And your stable staff will be really busy, too. It's hardly practical to take it away now.'

Now Anne had her say, she was obviously not pleased to have her mother visit.

'I wouldn't worry, since she won't notice it at all. It's small, it's plain, she'll walk right past it without so much as a single glance. Just leave it and have Nick and Frederick take it upstairs when she retires to dress. Do you mind if I do not receive her at the door with you, Georgiana? She does not deserve my respect, I have not forgiven her.'

'Of course we don't mind, Anne. I'll have Eric accompany me to provide my aunt with a warm welcome. Simon, I suppose we'll do as Anne advised and leave the instrument here for now. Will you tell Mrs Reynolds to send for us in time to receive my aunt? I'd like you to be there, too, as you are now. You look formidable and almost a gentleman, it'll disconcert her. Lord Chester, will you keep Mrs Manners company until we can join you again, together with my aunt?'

Prince George loved Georgiana taking charge, and he clearly wasn't going to wait outside to respectfully receive a lady who was likely to try bullying him into something, though none of them knew what as of yet. Lord Chester wanted to meet the real Lady Catherine so he should have that chance.

'It will be my pleasure, Mrs Fielding. She will be as safe with me as she would be with her guard. Well, almost as safe, I'm not that much of a fighter, but I suppose I can handle an elderly lady.'

Anne laughed, and said cheekily, 'I can handle my mother myself, Lord Chester, but who will protect me from your charms?'

Simon left with a bow, whilst Prince George replied to Anne's joking in a slightly alarming fashion.

'I'm certain your heart is guarded as well as your beautiful mortal shell, my dear Mrs Manners, and in much the same fashion. The mere presence of a strong protector will prevent almost any theft, mere charm cannot prevail over true dedication.'

Anne did not move a muscle except to show her most ravishing smile and reply, 'True. Then I shall enjoy your considerable charms as they deserve, and trust you to use them to keep my mother at bay.'

'Your wish is my command, my dear lady.'

Georgiana turned towards her husband to hide her own consternation, it was as if Prince George knew that Anne loved another man than her lawful husband, and wanted her to know he did. That did remind her of the side of London she had not appreciated, the legions of women chasing Eric as their idol despite his being a married man. But since then she'd learned that so many married people didn't take their vows seriously, even her very own father, apparently plenty of people thought nothing of it.

'I suppose your aunt may not recognise you, Georgiana,' Anne said, 'you have grown so much and are no longer a girl by anyone's standard. How long has it been since you saw her?'

'At least a year. Maybe more. I dare say you are right, I have changed a lot since then. Oh well, she'll know who I am when I greet her. Am I decent?'

She felt perfectly proper, but sometimes a person missed some flaw in her apparel that another could detect more easily.

'I see nothing amiss,' Anne replied, 'your dress is just right, your hair is still where it is supposed to be, and your carry yourself as only a pianist can. I suppose that's Simon come to fetch you.'

And indeed after the knock on the door, Simon entered.

'If you accompany me now we'll be just in time to bid your aunt welcome. They're just driving past the gatehouse.'

'We're as ready as we'll ever be, Simon. Please lead us there.'

Fortunately Eric always looked perfectly groomed and stunningly handsome, and somehow Simon's presence gave Georgiana a whole new sense of self-assurance. In the hall, Mrs Reynolds joined them with the butler and a few maids.

'Thank you for your timely warning, Mrs Reynolds,' Georgiana offered the housekeeper, imagine being taken totally by surprise, that would have been a disaster and very rude towards their aunt.

'It was my pleasure, ma'am, and a fortunate accident that one of our staff happened to see the carriage and could describe the livery accurately. Lady de Bourgh is so particular, she would have been very much put out to be left standing.'

Very much so, and Fitzwilliam really wanted those letters. Frankly, Georgiana wanted them, too, if George Wickham was her brother she needed to know.