Chapter 157

Lady Catherine's equipage was just coming to a slow halt when Georgiana and her entourage stepped out the front door. The liveried grooms on the back of the carriage immediately sprang into action, starting to unload the baggage, whilst the outrider and a man sitting on the box next to the driver took charge of the lead horses. Georgiana wondered why no-one opened the door for their mistress, and Simon was on the verge of moving to assist when the far door of the carriage opened from the inside and a substantial shadow wrestled itself out, to walk around the carriage entirely and open the door on the near side. Apparently, Lady Catherine had a male companion who would hold her door for her.

As soon as he came into view, Georgiana realised she knew him, and her heart sank for her sister and brother, for the tall and chubby figure rushing to his mistress' aid was none other than Mr Collins. Mr Collins at Pemberley, after the incident in London, when Fitzwilliam had forbidden him access to his house! Houses, undoubtedly, Fitzwilliam really wanted those letters but Georgiana didn't doubt he'd remove Mr Collins from his property instantly, which the unfortunate clergyman understood all too well, judging from his air of abject misery. He hadn't told aunt Catherine of his humiliation and now he was going to pay the price for his dishonesty. How was she going to solve this? She couldn't send aunt Catherine's attendant away without having to explain! Fitzwilliam was going to have to explain that himself. But first, aunt Catherine.

She had alighted from the carriage by now and was approaching on Mr Collins' arm, and Georgiana approached to give her a warm welcome. With a bit of a shock, Georgiana realised her aunt no longer resembled a battle ship, since the last time they met she had aged significantly, while she was as ample as ever her posture seemed a little more stooped and it was as if she actually leaned on Mr Collins. Instead of the expected disapproval and reproach over the absence of her favourite nephew, the old lady uttered a cry of feeling and fell on Georgiana's neck.

'Georgiana, my dear child, how you have come to resemble your dear, dear mother in her best years!'

With a gesture reminding her niece of the time when she had been a child meeting an impressive relative, aunt Catherine held Georgiana at arms' length as if to study her.

'You are as tall, and your face is almost like a copy of my dear sister Anne's, but you are obviously much stronger and you carry yourself with such becoming pride! My brother did tell me you had changed, had bloomed into a beautiful woman, but he never told me you looked so much like our dear, dear sister.'

She looked around, ignoring Eric along with Simon and Mrs Reynolds, looking for Fitzwilliam no doubt.

'Where is your brother, Georgiana? Since he wrote to me I expected him to be here to welcome me. It's been such a long time since I've seen him.'

'We were expecting you in two days, aunt Catherine. Your letter arrived on Saturday, we've never managed to make the trip from the south in less than three days.'

At least aunt Catherine understood.

'I sent it by regular mail, it must have taken a little longer than usual to arrive.'

That was it, Fitzwilliam generally used an express and they managed the distance in a mere day. It had never occurred to any of them that Lady Catherine de Bourgh would demean herself to using the regular mail.

'Ah, I suppose that explains it. He is out hunting, we expect him to return in a few hours.'

'I cannot say I am surprised that his wife didn't bother to welcome me in his place. It is much more fitting that you should do the honours.'

With great satisfaction Georgiana sprang to Elizabeth's defence, but nonchalantly.

'Oh, I don't doubt she would have been here to receive you, she is a very gracious hostess, but she is with my brother. She has her own hunter, you see, aunt Catherine. They will make their excuses when they return, I'm certain.'

And without waiting for her aunt's comment she changed the subject to something equally unpleasant, for her aunt.

'Aunt Catherine, I'd like you to meet my husband, Mr Eric Fielding. You may have heard of him since he is a very famous pianist by now.'

Her aunt looked at Georgiana very intently, again, as if she was trying to look straight through her niece to discover what had ailed her to marry a cow herd's son.

'I just cannot believe how much you look like my dear sister, Georgiana. But you are in the bloom of youth, poor Anne never had any colour or figure to speak of. You're as beautiful as I used to be.

I was the belle of my generation, Mr Fielding. It may be hard to believe now but I had a beau on every finger, and doubles on some. You're very good looking yourself, you make as handsome a couple as the papers say, it's good to know they can print something else than lies. I'm pleased to finally meet you, and I hope you're as talented as the papers want us to believe. I have a very keen enjoyment of music and a great natural taste, and I assure you I will hear instantly whether you are any good.'

Eric, of course, bowed politely and paid his overbearing relative all the deference she was due without being humble or obsequious.

'I'm pleased to meet you, too, my Lady, and I will gladly offer you the opportunity to judge for yourself whether the papers have been truthful in describing my music.'

'At least you are polite, which cannot be said for some new members of this family. I suppose you know Mr Collins, since he visited some of your concerts and couldn't find words to describe the experience? I thought I'd make an effort to please your sister-in-law, Mr Collins suggested she'd rather see her friend Mrs Collins, but I was not going to be bothered with a fussy baby on a four-day journey, and she refused to leave the mite with his father. Though I suppose a wet nurse would be an improper luxury to a mere minister's wife, even if her husband is heir to a postage-stamp-sized estate.'

Mr Collins was trying very hard to be invisible, but that was very hard for such a tall, substantial man. His face was like a full moon, fuller than Prince George's, and red cheeked, either with shame or because of a choleric constitution. Or maybe it was from working in the garden, but since the rest of his face was rather white and it was only early spring Georgiana doubted the latter. Georgiana received a deep bow from the clergyman, and when he spoke it was hardly audible. With aunt Catherine very busy directing the servants carrying her luggage inside, Georgiana guessed he would get away with his effort to say something confidential.

'Mrs Fielding, please forgive me my intrusion. I tried to dissuade my mistress from bringing me but she insisted. I know I'm not welcome here but I just couldn't face her temper, I hoped I might make my way to an inn somewhere to avoid your brother. It was a foolish thing to do, it's merely postponing my exposure. And just when everything was looking up at Hunsford.'

He rummaged in his coat pocket and offered Georgiana a thick envelope.

'This is from Mrs Collins to Mrs Darcy. Would you be so kind as to give that to her? I'll try to lag behind and make my own way to a public place. Can you tell me which way the nearest inn is?'

Poor man! That was at least five miles, he'd never make it on foot with his luggage. And aunt Catherine would certainly find out.

'It's too far to walk, Mr Collins. If you'll please calm down I'll talk to my brother, at the very least we can have you taken to Mr Eliot's church, I'm sure he'll put you up for a few nights. Now I need to accompany my aunt, but I'm pretty sure Mr Close here will find you a place to wait until my brother returns.'

'Thank you, Mrs Fielding. Mr Fielding..'

He bowed to Eric in greeting, and Eric offered to shake his hand. Stunned, Mr Collins took it, then bowed again. He then looked at Simon, recognised the London housekeeper and bowed to him as well, though significantly less deeply.

'Mr Close, I'm entirely at your mercy.'

'If it's not too much of an imposition, Simon?' Georgiana begged of him.

'It's fine, Mrs Fielding, I'll take Mr Collins with me and make him comfortable until Mr Darcy arrives. I suppose they'll want him in the confidence room? If they ring from there I'll bring Mr Collins instantly.'

'That would be perfect, thank you. And I'll make up an excuse to my aunt for your absence, Mr Collins. If necessary I'll lie to her, I've always wanted to do that, I'll tell her you fell ill with something infectious. Bye now!'

Aunt Catherine was waiting, and Georgiana offered, 'Do you want to freshen up first, aunt Catherine? Mrs Reynolds will show you your room, and I suppose your maid is already arranging it to your satisfaction. Then we can have our coffee in the drawing-room, we have a few other visitors, Lord Chester, and Mr and Mrs Manners.'

It might be a bit mean, but it sure was fun to see understanding dawn on her aunt's haughty face. Mr Manners, didn't that name sound familiar? But, that was Anne's husband! Which meant Mrs Manners was...

'This way, please, Lady de Bourgh,' Mrs Reynolds led the latest arrival to the second-best guest room.

'See you in twenty minutes, aunt Catherine!' Georgiana called out heartily, as her aunt followed Mrs Reynolds up the large stairs.

'Will you wait for me in the drawing-room, my love?' she asked Eric, 'I suppose I'd better check what Simon has done with Mr Collins, he's our problem after all, Simon doesn't even work for us anymore.'

'I'm sure he is pleased to do you a favour, as a friend, Georgiana, not a servant. But by all means, you're the lady of the house with all the others away, I'm certain Mr Collins will be more than pleased, overwhelmed, with any attention from you.'

'You think it's too much?'

'Simon has no actual duties, my love. He spends time on Prince George and on Frederick because he chooses to do so. It's no imposition on him to take Mr Collins under his wing for an hour or so, in fact, I suspect he will enjoy it as Mr Bennet would enjoy it. But you did let Mr Collins into the house when both you and he knew your brother would disapprove, so if you feel responsible I can understand if you want to make sure of him.'

'No, you are right, Simon can handle an entire household, I don't want him to think I don't trust him. I'll take responsibility towards Fitzwilliam and that's it. Let's go back to Anne, she'll be glad to see her time alone with Prince George kept as short as possible.'

But strangely enough, Anne wasn't uncomfortable at all. It was true that as soon as the door closed behind Georgiana and Eric, Prince George sat down in a comfortable chair beside her, but he did not pull it closer or enter her personal space in any other way. He did become personal in his conversation.

'Are you reluctant to meet your mother, Mrs Manners?'

Anne took her time finding the answer to that question, for she didn't actually know her own feelings that well. She had known to expect her mother at Pemberley in a few days, but that had somehow seemed really far away.

'Not more so than Darcy or Elizabeth, I guess. Somehow she has never felt like a mother to me, but more like someone in charge of my life. I'm glad to be rid of her, and last time we met I confronted her with my feelings and we had quite a row, which was a great relief to me. Frankly, a triumph. I suppose I've distanced myself from her, she's like a mere unpleasant connection now. I do feel safer with Nick around, I'm a bit disconcerted she should arrive while he is away, though I cannot have him watching over me all the time anyway, not when I'm in the drawing-room, that would be an insult to Darcy.'

'I think your cousin understands, Mrs Manners, for even I do and I've known you for days instead of years. You suffered physical hurt in your mother's care, but she never hurt you physically herself. The harm your mother did to you was mainly in the mind, she neglected to care for you, she forced you to be someone she wanted you to be when you couldn't resist. You feel safer with your guard because he is utterly devoted to you, he will not just guard your body with his life but he will also confront anyone who would hurt your mind. And I don't mean someone insulting you, you are strong enough to address that yourself. But your mother tried to deny your humanity, your right to be an individual, your right to actually live. That is something you will have to come to terms with, and until you do it is not shameful to depend on someone with a very strong will to protect your feelings.'

She knew he was right, he understood how her mother had taken everything that made someone an individual. And she also thought he was right about Nick, she knew her mother couldn't touch her anymore and still she wanted Nick to be there with her, he had been such a support. But it was more than obvious that Prince George had found out they were lovers, and she really thought they had both been very sensible, hiding their involvement perfectly. Therefore she would have to face her mother alone, or risk her finding out as well.

'How did you know? I'm quite certain we've been absolutely correct to each other in your presence.'

'You have been, admirably so. It was mostly deduction, you were too happy in a marriage of convenience, there had to be someone, and he had to be single and smart. Then the maid said he was a philanderer whilst he said himself he was desperately in love with a woman who didn't want to marry him. That should have made him unhappy which he obviously wasn't. And why lie to the other staff? And he's so damned competent, men like that are irresistible to women, and yet your husband actually hired him to guard the most beautiful woman I know. He knows, doesn't he? And he approves. You nearly had me fooled, you know, but once I suspected I caught each of you just for a second, him when we talked about the pigtails on our way to the genius Mrs Brewer, and you when we had returned to the house and he left our cosy little group quietly. But don't worry, Mrs Manners, your secret is safe with me.'

He gestured with his thumb and forefinger.

'I'm this close to figuring out your husband as well, and when I do, his secret is also safe with me. Besides, who would believe me? You're the perfect couple, and I do want to come to the Ball this year.'

Anne had already suspected he knew, but to hear him actually say it was another thing. Was he at all jealous of Nick, and would he try to use his information to get from her what he obviously wanted?

'Please don't look at me like that, Mrs Manners, I beg you to let me have this little triumph, I know when I'm beaten and I will give in beautifully and merely enjoy your beauty and your conversation. I kind of like what your husband is up to with his servants, using them as his eyes and ears in the back of the house wherever he goes, gathering information. I could use someone like him to help me work on my reputation. If you do come to London this winter we should meet.'

Could she believe him? She thought she could trust him but wasn't that how he always managed to get his way?

'Now, your mother will be here any moment, and I do promise you that as Lord Chester I will stand in for your guard this once. I will be right behind you and make sure she will not hurt you again. The next time you meet her you will have Mr Manners by your side, or maybe even your man.'

And somehow, Anne didn't doubt one moment he'd manage to silence her mother if he felt she was doing wrong.

Thanks to Prince George, or rather Lord Chester, Anne did not have time to worry about seeing her mother again after their scene at Charlotte's house. He asked her what she thought of his playing, and after she had been able to wholeheartedly compliment him on it, he'd been better than Anne to start with and picked up Eric's advice really well, they spent another twenty minutes talking of music and of the enchanting bond between Mr and Mrs Fielding. Prince George had seen many famous pianists, either at Carlton House or in various venues in town.

'Some may have been more talented or more proficient than Mr Fielding, but none have touched my heart as profoundly. I suppose his will be the music of the future and it's a future I look forward to. Mr Clementi promised me to have some romantic compositions by the end of summer, I really wonder whether he will be able to move me as much, his usual style is so different.'

'I suppose he does have a lot of life's experience,' Anne observed, 'don't you think that will make his romantic work worthwhile?'

Georgiana and Eric had returned rather quickly but didn't interfere in their head-to-head talk, and before Anne knew it the butler opened the door and announced Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Anne did not want to get up to greet her mother, but courtesy demanded she did. Eric and Georgiana stopped playing, and Georgiana approached as if to introduce her aunt to Lord Chester.

But the prince did not wait for an introduction, he took charge straight away by offering mother a slight bow and a really friendly, 'Lady de Bourgh, I am so glad to have the chance to meet such an illustrious personage! I have heard so much about you! My name is Lord Chester, I am staying for a few days to enjoy Mr Fielding's enchanting compositions.'

Mother was not looking well, she had lost some weight and a lot of her colour, and her hair seemed totally grey beneath her surprisingly fashionable hat. It was an older one, Anne recognised it, and not one she had chosen to wear often while Anne still lived at Rosings. She could not have trouble affording a new one she liked better, mother's finances were rock solid, so Anne guessed she just didn't care that much. Or maybe she'd taken fashion advice from the newspapers, the hat was in fact of a rather youthful style, probably one her seamstress had convinced her to buy. Or maybe mother's maid had done that, it was almost as if she was getting more influence over her mistress, for mother's dress was also more fitting to her size and posture. Still, there seemed to be a lot less of her mother, and though Anne couldn't worry for her, she did wonder what had caused it.

Well or not, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was to be treated with deference, and Anne could see that she was not amused with this Lord Chester's attitude. Her face practically exuded disapproval, unfortunately failing to impress the strange lord. Her mother's mind would be working frantically, lord of Chester, was Chester a place of any importance in the world? Still, this man called her illustrious and was eager to meet her, and yet he treated her with condescension, he had to be someone important! It was funny to see her mother experiencing different emotions, then deciding to play it safe. Never had her mother been wiser!

'It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Chester. You have a very familiar look about you, but I cannot for the life of me remember where I have seen you before. Are you or is someone of your family in Parliament?'

'I suppose that must be it, my Lady, my father is sometimes involved in politics, and they say I resemble him a great deal.'

The prince did not volunteer his father's name or properties, to be a lord himself with his father still alive was a sign of his being of the highest affluence and respectability, and he skilfully changed the subject of the conversation altogether.

'I am very much taken with your daughter's beauty and person, Lady de Bourgh, and was sadly disappointed to hear she was already married to a popular and respectable gentleman.'

That caused mother to really look at Anne, though she'd often stolen a few glances in Anne's direction. It was really obvious that her mother did love her, but still Anne found it hard to accept after all she had been through while her mother amused herself with the sad excuse for a doctor Rosings and its immediate vicinity boasted.

'Anne,' she said, walking towards where Anne was waiting, arms spread to embrace her daughter and the longing now audible in her voice. There was no haughtiness in her face whatsoever, which caused Anne to receive her somewhat kinder than she really wanted, she wanted no part of her mother, she should have avoided seeing her. Too late now. But way too early to let herself be embraced by the person she held responsible for ten years of living death. Instead of allowing the embrace she took one of her mother's hands, effectively disabling the effort, but she did force herself to actually talk to her.

'Mother. How have you been?'

'As well as could be without you, my child. Is it true that you are married to Mr Manners? I read it in the papers but they print so many fanciful lies these days.'

She did not mention not having been invited, nor Anne's failing to write, about the wedding or at all. And Anne wasn't going to, so she merely replied.

'Yes it is. Frederick is out hunting, he will be back in a few hours. He is looking forward to meeting you.'

'I can't say I like that new fad to call one's husband by his first name, Anne, but I suppose times change. So you're not coming back. Are you happy?'

'Very much so. Frederick is the heart and soul of the beau monde, and the kindest man you can imagine. We're very happy.'

Apparently Prince George thought that was enough discomfort for Anne, and he brought himself back to mother's attention. He was playing with her, giving her hints of who he was, he wanted to be found out eventually, it was all a scheme to save Anne the scrutiny and comments by taking them on himself. He was a kind man, despite his reputation.

'Mrs Manners will be the envy of London this winter, Lady de Bourgh, her husband is so loved by everyone there, invited to every occasion that is of any importance. I know Lady Harrington dotes on him, and he is reputed to be on an intimate footing with King George himself. Imagine Mr and Mrs Manners on a royal audience. Do you know a lot of people at court yourself?'

Of course mother didn't, people in Kent might know of her but no-one outside did. When papa had died she had buried herself at Rosings, giving up their house in town and refusing to appear in public. She had been the beauty of her generation but that was ages ago, she was totally forgotten now, or maybe that hadn't even been in court circle, Anne actually didn't know whether her mother had been presented at St James'. Mother was impressed with Lord Chester now, he was such a clever fox to pick out her weak points and work on them.

'I think my late husband, Sir Lewis de Bourgh, was familiar with everyone of any importance in his time, but he preferred his wife and daughter to lead a retired life.'

Anne dared doubt that, she rather thought mother had preferred to be in the country even then, especially once she was no longer the beauty she used to be. And if mother thought Anne was going to keep from enjoying society because she didn't approve of it, she'd better think again.

'Anne never used to like society much, I hope Mr Manners will let her retreat from public life once she is with child or her health may suffer.'

Prince George actually shrugged at Anne, he'd tried, it was time for firmer measures.

'Do you like the arts, Lady de Bourgh?'

'Oh, yes, very much so, I have a great natural taste, though I've never learned to draw or paint myself. I've assembled quite a collection of precious works, all carefully selected on subject, colour and composition. Besides the usual family portraits, of course, though I pride myself on having chosen the best talents when Sir Lewis and I added our own to the Rosings gallery.'

Anne could not recall any paintings at Rosings by a true master, but she knew the prince was a connoisseur of almost every form of art, and Anne and her mother certainly weren't. She did remember the painting of those family portraits really well, she'd had to stand for one with her parents when she was eight, and one of herself alone, which had been a tremendous bore at her tender age and with her spirits. But she'd liked the results, especially the one of her father and herself, with her beautiful mother standing behind the two of them.

Mother had also had a portrait made when Anne reached eighteen, but by then standing had become too much of a burden for her to enjoy the process. To have herself perpetuated lying down was beneath her, some of the portraits in the Rosings gallery were hundreds of years old, Anne was not going to be the only one languishing if hers were to be added to the collection. And painters always improved on their subjects, she wouldn't even have looked worn out and fagged but blush-cheeked and fresh. And therefore imagined as indolent to not be standing. Instead she'd suffered through the whole process in half-hour sessions, weeks on end, to ultimately find her portrait indeed flattered to a very pretty young woman in full bloom. More or less as she looked now, frankly.

'Oh yes, family portraits, don't I know of them,' Prince George sighed. He'd probably stood for one every year from a very early age. 'The endless waiting, and the arrogance of the painters, though Gainsborough and Reynolds are quite doable some of the less talented ones were insufferable. I try to limit the number of portraits I stand for these days. Gainsborough is as handy at painting landscapes, and they're much more comfortable to look at than my own visage. Though of course the Old Masters are the very best. Too bad, Mr Fielding, of the conflict with the Batavian Republic, with your connections you'd have gotten to see more than a few of them otherwise.'

Talking of paintings, Prince George totally dominating the conversation but really in a very interesting way, they passed the time easily until it was more or less time for the others to return. Anne did not have to say anything, nor was there any chance of her mother finding an opportunity to talk to Anne. The prince really delivered on his promise to protect Anne from mother's attentions, and she could not but be thankful to him.

Then, finally, the door opened and Darcy came in, followed by Elizabeth and Frederick. They had all changed from their riding gear but obviously rather quickly, Frederick wore a white cravat hastily tied on, Simon had not been involved in his dressing. He did move to Anne's side instantly, before greeting his mother-in-law, and while Darcy greeted his aunt without guilt or humility but very kindly, Frederick spoke to Anne softly and so very gently that she felt a twinge of sincere love for him, beyond friendship.

'I'm so sorry I wasn't here for you, dear Anne. And with Nick away as well, how deserted you must have felt. I'll be with you from now on. Have you seen Simon? He wasn't there when I dressed and I really don't like ringing for him.'

It was so endearing of him to think of Simon's dignity, but Simon didn't care in the least to play master and servant as long as he got his lover's respect in private. It was a sensibility that did make Frederick even more attractive as a person.

'Prince George took good care of me, diverted mother's attention by rubbing his status as Lord Chester in her face. I'll tell you all about it later. Mind you don't call him by his true title. And Simon is helping out in the back, Georgiana said mother brought Mr Collins, Simon is keeping an eye on him, mainly that he doesn't wet himself in fear of Darcy and Elizabeth.

I'd like a warm, comforting embrace now, I would have preferred not to see mother for a year or so, it's not easy.'

And in defiance of all etiquette and his mother-in-law, Frederick enclosed her in his broad, strong arms, as he had done so often when Anne had been suffering needlessly under her separation from Nick, after that fateful night of dancing and making love. His embrace still felt much like Nick's, his scent now more like Nick's since Frederick had changed quickly and hadn't applied fresh perfume after an undoubtedly strenuous hunt, making him less a gentleman and more a normal man, as he had joked that time when Anne had been delirious with too strong an opium pill. And Nick also wore perfume these days, though sparingly.

But for now, the embrace helped, Anne felt very safe and comfortable with Frederick, no less so than with Nick. She knew she could have come to love Frederick, if he had been attracted to women and she hadn't met Nick. But it was even better to have both, and Simon as an additional partner, they were a formidable group, each with their different qualities.