Chapter 160

Simon was now counting the days to Wednesday, since apparently that was when Prince George would leave. He could no longer enjoy his time with the devilishly clever prince, he was so afraid to slip and tell him something he shouldn't. Though there was something Simon would be able to use to keep a conversation going without actually talking of anything relevant, and that was Miss Bergman's ill-advised visit to the second floor, during which the prince had caught her.

'Mrs Reynolds, our housekeeper, wishes to thank you for your actions this afternoon, Your Highness. She has confronted Miss Bergman with her behaviour and admonished her not to intrude on the explorers' floor again. I know Miss Bergman rather well, and I'm reasonably certain she will obey.'

It seemed to work, for the prince picked up the subject and replied, 'It was my pleasure to help all of you. You know, before I decided to follow the rest upstairs I felt a little superfluous, you're such a close-knit group, then when I had decided I dared try to be part of that for the remaining days of my visit they were all gone and I had to make my own way upstairs. So I did, and found myself alone on your second floor, making my way to headquarters. At that moment I felt like an intruder myself, as if I was spying on the people I have come to like very much, and in a way I had come there to spy, to see Mrs Manners with her guard, to see whether I had any chance to compete with him.

But when I saw this unknown woman flitting from door to door I recognised a real spy, with bad intentions. I stared at her until she fled, I suppose I have my moments of authority and this was one, I didn't think she would be back even without a formal reprimand. I hope she didn't see anything relevant, she was still on Mr and Mrs Fielding's side of the stairs, not where your rooms are. Your sleeping arrangements are somewhat untraditional, she should not find that out. Better warn your housekeeper to keep that maid serving my room away from the second floor, she is as talkative as Manners' driver and possibly less gullible. For I do think Manners was pleased to hear the gossip his man had told me. He is deep, I like him immensely, most people are so easily seen through but he has layer upon layer to his character.'

Prince George might call Pauline talkative but he sure had plenty to say himself. And he was not done, yet.

'Well, of course I hadn't a chance with Mrs Manners, she was in her guard's arms, he was kissing her with intense love, such a strong man and totally at her feet, it was so romantic. Manners was looking on with satisfaction, but he saw me as soon as I came in. He invited me in, I suppose you've heard all of that by now. Mrs Manners excused herself beautifully but in fact it was I who had to excuse myself, I was the intruder. But I had to see that, now I know she is happy and her husband doesn't object at all. And for a moment I managed to feel myself included in their midsts, only you were lacking. Then we all went downstairs for coffee, but only after I'd told them about the intruder. I cannot stand the thought of Mrs Manners and her brave man being found out, I had to do something. Nor Manners himself. His mother-in-law's maid must not discover his secret, I want you all to visit me at Carlton House as my most respectable friends.'

Hints, allusions, innuendo, this was not going to change, was it? Simon bowed down before the prince's irrefutable curiosity, Prince George would not be stopped.

'I'm certain my master is very glad Miss Bergman did not get away with her snooping, Your Highness.'

There came a moment for every servant when only humble formality was left as a form of passive protest, and with Prince George it worked better than anyone else Simon had been forced to use it on, excepting Frederick, of course, but he had fallen in love with Simon almost instantly so that didn't count. This time was no exception.

'Dammit, Simon, you're a true master at making a man feel terribly guilty! And I didn't even expect you to tell me anything, I was just ranting because I'd my sights set on your mistress and she is obviously not meant for me! Please forgive me, don't leave me here unwashed and scarcely dressed, you know the power is entirely yours, I'm helpless before you, without your kind attentions I am doomed to look dishevelled and smell worse. I do respect all of you so much, not just your master and mistress, you, too, and your dangerous friend.'

But then, Prince George himself was a master of pathos, like a tragic hero from an ancient Greek tale. Simon couldn't help himself, he did like the man a lot, and at this moment he looked positively repentant in a comical way.

'All right, I'll forgive you. But you do make me very nervous with your innuendo, Your Highness, I am only a lowly servant with no-one to protect me if I anger you.'

'Simon, I would never be angry with you for refusing to talk about people who are more your friends than anything else. And even if that were to anger me, I know you're not a mere servant, and I'm certain Manners will protect you from anyone. No, don't look at me like that, you don't have to say anything, you may ignore anything I say. I know I talk too much, people keep telling me to let another get a word in edgewise. Actually, Maria does, no-one else has ever dared to. Mother would have, but she didn't get the chance, I was a quiet child. Please be kind to me, Simon, and ignore me if I say something you don't want to hear.'

Yes, he was very likeable, and as cute as a forty-year-old man could be. By now the prince was wearing his nightshirt, his hair had been combed and his skin was glossy with a thorough cleaning. Simon suppressed an inclination to ruffle his hair as too familiar, and rather flattened the collar of the nightshirt with a gentle stroke. That would have to do as reconciliation.

Prince George looked up and smiled sweetly.

'So I am really forgiven, that makes me happy. I'll not test your patience much longer, I'm leaving on Wednesday, I'd have liked to stay a lot longer but I have obligations in town. I'm hoping that Mr and Mrs Fielding will get very bored out here and come to London for summer, they hinted as much. Mr Fielding can be the forerunner for the lot of you, with your long pantaloons and newfangled hairstyles. Then when they're used to seeing those, you can come over and introduce the black cravat.'

Yes, Simon really wanted to do that, but he could not imagine it ever happening, not the black cravats, not because of him, a simple valet could not have such an influence on style. But the prince's kindness meant that Simon left his room much happier than he had been just minutes ago. And in five minutes he would be with Frederick, who would indeed protect him from anything. Except Prince George's talking!

Fitzwilliam had convinced Elizabeth to continue her riding lessons despite his aunt's presence, dressed in the same split skirts as always, joining Frederick, Nick and Anne in the paddock for a lesson in carousel formation riding. It was great fun to ride figures together, this moment turning corners together in two pairs, the next splitting the group of horses and riders to left and right, then joining again on the other side of the paddock. Riding at the same speed and getting their horses to turn away from the others was still a challenge, and keeping the inside horses from walking or trotting too fast as well, so they rode only the simplest figures, large circles or at most a few eights, cutting across the riding paddock one by one a small taste of what was to come once they gained proficiency.

After an hour they were all tired but very pleased, it was as if the horses were starting understand what their riders expected from them, they were matching their pace and had stopped protesting the separations, as if they knew they'd come back together a few moments later.

Anne and Nick were reluctant to stop riding, of course they wanted to stay together, and Anne didn't want to sit with her mother. Elizabeth didn't mind walking Barley dry herself to give them a few more moments together, if she and Frederick went back to the house it would make a wrong impression on the stable staff. Better take half an hour extra and return as a group.

That meant poor Fitzwilliam would be stuck with his aunt in the drawing-room that much longer without her, fortunately he wasn't all by himself, Georgiana and Eric were there, and Prince George. And Mr Collins, of course. As far as Elizabeth knew her cousin had kept his promise to not snoop around, apparently Lady Catherine had given that task to her personal maid, who had been caught exploring the second-floor bedrooms by no-one less than Prince George, who had used his natural authority to chase her off.

Georgiana had described the scene at headquarters, and she didn't seem to think much of the prince's knowledge of Anne's involvement with Nick.

'He doesn't really care, you know,' she'd said, 'he just wants to have a good time with Eric's music and people he likes. He loves intrigue, but just to figure it out, not to do anything with his findings. I like him, a lot, though I know he doesn't treat the women in his life well.'

Frankly, Elizabeth couldn't imagine Prince George planning to bring Frederick down even if he was clearly trying to find out why the latter accepted Anne loving her guard, he probably even knew Frederick had married Anne knowing she loved another. Frederick had to be hiding something, and if Elizabeth had missed that piece of information she would have tried to fill it in, too, maybe not as persistently as the prince did according to the others, mostly poor Simon, but she'd also see it as a challenge. Who wouldn't? And what could they do? They couldn't throw him out, he was heir to the throne! But she hoped her comments yesterday would help especially Simon a little, the poor fellow was worn to a thread with fear of betraying himself and Frederick. Everything else, the prince had already found out.

With the horses walked dry and Anne and Nick resigned to parting once they were back at the house, all four of them handed over the reins of their own horse to a stable-boy. Elizabeth would have offered to watch them turned out in their paddocks together to see them roll in the sand to get rid of the pressure of saddle and rider on their backs, another half hour for Anne and Nick, but she really needed to return, she still had to clean up and change, and Fitzwilliam would be eager for her company.

Once out of earshot of the staff, Frederick echoed Elizabeth's thoughts.

'Why don't you just retreat to headquarters together? You don't have to be in your mother's presence, Anne dear, she is not your visitor. I suppose Georgiana and Eric are planning to escape as soon as possible, and I bet they'll take Lord Chester along. Oh, but they promised Mr Collins he might join them, in that case you'd better take this morning together or you'll never get a moment's privacy.'

Nick looked hopeful, but Anne seemed still in doubt. No wonder, for it would be a bit of a slight to avoid her mother.

'Just go, you two, I'll make up a beautiful excuse, she only remembers you dead tired, you could easily be resting. And Nick, you and Simon can come to headquarters, too, just be careful with infatuated looks and kisses. I know I'm the worst offender, I'll be very alert. Will you tell Simon? I suppose I'm going to spend some time on my mother-in-law now.'

Which Elizabeth had to as well, actually she would have preferred to meet her real mother-in-law instead of her sister, from what she'd heard Fitzwilliam's mother had been really kind, but she now had to make do with Lady Catherine.

Taking the turn towards the front of the house where she'd met Fitzwilliam on that fateful day of her visit to view the house with aunt and uncle Gardiner, which had ultimately led to their reconciliation and eventual marriage, Elizabeth was just in time to see a carriage driving towards them, to the stables, avoiding the front of the house. She was still wondering who would visit without sending word when she recognised the team and the carriage itself: it was their own London carriage with the slow-footed mares pulling it! Why? Mrs Annesley could send an express if anything was amiss in London, couldn't she? That would be ever so much faster!

Now she recognised the new stable boy driving, and Frederick had spotted the familiarity of the carriage as well.

'Elizabeth, that looks like your London carriage. Are you expecting someone? Bingley and Lascelles have their own rigs, and your aunt and uncle wouldn't even fit with their children and staff.'

'I'm as surprised as you are, and I won't hesitate to admit that I'm starting to feel a little apprehensive. Who can that be?'

Well, it wouldn't take long to find out since the carriage was approaching rapidly, the driver bowing respectfully before his mistress and her companions. Elizabeth signalled him to stop, which he did, miraculously just where she could see whom he had driven on a three-or-four-day trip with a team and conveyance meant to be used in town only. The horses didn't look the worse for wear as far as Elizabeth could tell, but they weren't very fast unless driven at the top of their endurance.

And then her worst nightmare came to life right in front of her as she first discerned Mrs Annesley, looking rather apprehensive but also, well, alive, and beautiful, and then beside her... oh my, that was papa!

Her very own father, who she thought was a respectable gentleman, come to Pemberley without his wife and child but with his daughter's married housekeeper! In Fitzwilliam's carriage, unasked!

Of course her father only waved, then knocked on the carriage window to have the driver continue, he didn't care a jot what Elizabeth or her husband thought. He lived life as pleased him, he'd make a great companion for Prince G...oh my God!

Turning towards Frederick and Anne, Elizabeth blurted out, 'That was my father, with Mrs Annesley instead of my mother, and we have Prince George here!'

'And my mother, Elizabeth,' Anne observed dryly, 'I don't envy you and Darcy, but for myself I'm looking forward very much to the coming days. All the potential for mischief in our combined families come together with our royal visitor. I'm going to try to enjoy it.'

'You're forgetting Mr Collins, Anne,' Frederick added, with a laugh that nonetheless expressed his sympathy to Elizabeth. 'Do you want us to warn Darcy whilst you give your father a warm welcome? At least he didn't drive up to the house.'

For once, Elizabeth was totally overcome, her father with Mrs Annesley? Were they...intimate? They had always liked each other, she knew that, but she thought they had been proper, keeping a distance. Mrs Annesley's husband was seriously ill!

'Mrs Darcy?'

Nick had a hand on her shoulder, and he obviously understood her train of thought, it was as if he had known all along. She looked up at him to find his expression understanding, and his mind obviously worked quicker than her own.

'With your permission I can come with you and help Mrs Annesley along to the servants' quarters while you accompany your father? Take her luggage so the stable staff won't have to?'

Yes, that was it, separate them immediately, he shouldn't be encouraged to play games with her mother's affections. Even as she thought that she knew it was ridiculous. She liked Prince George, who routinely cheated on both his legal wife and his illegal one with married women. If her father made his life a little more enjoyable, and did it discreetly, was she to condemn him just because he was her father?

She shook her head to clear it of the implications of her father's behaviour and tried to frame a reply for Nick.

'Please, Nick, I'd appreciate that very much. I'm rather upset. You knew, didn't you?'

Now Anne and Frederick looked their question, they saw the slight impropriety of a gentleman travelling with a servant, but Mrs Annesley was as genteel as most ladies.

'I saw your father in the back of the house once, ma'am, though I didn't know who he was until he went to a concert with Anne. Simon was shocked and asked me to keep it quiet, so I did.'

Yes, some things were bad enough to shock even Simon. Now Anne and Frederick started to understand and looked at her with compassion, not disgust or even disapproval.

'Thank you, Nick, I suppose that is the only thing we can do. Frederick, Anne, would you please tell Fitzwilliam the facts? I'll take care of the rest myself, later. Now, tell me frankly, do you think we should put my father on the first floor and Mrs Annesley in the back of the house, or do we give them both a room on the second floor with you lot?'

'It will save on the nightly traffic, ma'am,' Nick replied drolly, and of course he was right. The chances of her father staying put in his room were negligible, and any sneaking on the first floor bore a significant risk of discovery by either Lady Catherine or her maid, who was in and out of her mistress' room at the strangest hours.

And besides, Elizabeth had a sneaking suspicion her father knew about Anne and Nick at the very least, he'd said some things in the carriage just after Georgiana's wedding that suggested he'd found out somehow. There had also been a hint of what was going on between himself and Mrs Annesley, but Elizabeth hadn't wanted to pick it up, she realised now.

'I suppose Nick is right, though it makes our situation a bit forced,' Frederick observed. 'But I suppose we'll just have to live with that the coming fortnight or so, with all our friends and your family arriving. We will manage, though I suppose Eric and Georgiana's side of the floor would be best.'

Nick nodded, he'd make sure those rooms were made ready and that Mrs Annesley found a suitable welcome, which was a great relief to Elizabeth for she really did have to talk to papa before setting him loose on Prince George and Lady Catherine.

They split in two pairs right there, Anne and Frederick on their way to Fitzwilliam to warn him Mr Bennet had arrived with Mrs Annesley instead of his spouse, Elizabeth and Nick to the stables to receive their latest arrivals.

'I'm sorry you had to find out this way, ma'am,' Nick observed, 'but there was no way I could have told you. I lived in near-constant fear of you and Mr Darcy at that time.'

'I understand that, Nick, especially since Simon rightfully asked you to keep quiet about it. What would have changed if I'd known? There is nothing I can do to stop my father except expose him, and that wouldn't help in any way. I suppose it was right in front of me all this time, they liked each other so much, and frankly, they're an excellent match. If only my father had taken the trouble to look for a woman of that calibre before he married in the first place. But he had to decide in favour of the first pretty face he met in the nearest village. I'm glad Fitzwilliam took more trouble than that or my sisters and I would all have been in a difficult situation by now, instead of being happily settled.'

Only then did what he'd also said register.

'You're not afraid of us anymore, are you?'

'No, ma'am, you've been more than kind. Mr Darcy, too, though I'm still not entirely comfortable around him.'

'Not even after wiping the floor with him wrestling?'

That gained her a tiny smile, and she understood all over again why a relatively plain-looking man like Nick had never lacked lovers.

'Especially after fighting him, I'm stronger and have more experience fighting dirty, but there is a fire in him that I've rarely seen in a gentleman. People say you've tamed him and in a certain way I believe them. He'd never attack someone physically, but there is something about your husband that makes me wary to raise his ire.'

'His good opinion once lost is lost forever, that is what he once said about himself when we'd just met. But it's not true at all, Mrs Reynolds' description was closer to his true nature than his own. She said that people called him proud because he didn't rattle away like other men. That is my beloved, he merely seems severe because he doesn't try to make himself agreeable. You know he has come to like you a lot, don't you?'

'I did hope he didn't disapprove of me anymore, ma'am.'

'If you keep a close eye on him next time you meet you'll notice it's more than that. We're here, Nick, I need to see my father alone before he meets our visitors. Will you arrange their rooms with the butler or Mrs Reynolds? I'd be very much obliged.'

'Of course, Mrs Darcy, your wish is my command.'

The tone at which he delivered the statement confirmed Elizabeth's guess, he liked her and wanted to do her a favour, he was not part of their staff after all. And frankly, she preferred his and Simon's company to aunt Catherine's, and maybe even her father's, but duty obliged her to stay with the old relatives instead of the young crowd. She just hoped Lady Catherine would produce those letters to reward Elizabeth for her patience.

'Thank you very much, Nick, you're saving if not our lives, hopefully at least our credibility as respectable people. My own father!'

Nick dared to speak up, and surprisingly mildly.

'I suppose your father needs a little love, too, Mrs Darcy. Please don't be too hard on him, Mrs Annesley is a very superior woman and she has had a very hard time, for years according to Simon. I suppose she needed a little comfort and one thing led to another.'

He was right, of course Elizabeth knew all that, living with Mary and their mother couldn't be altogether bearable either, even though both were in perfect health. Feeling less and less certain of her own indignation she prepared to greet Mrs Annesley as kindly as ever.

'I suppose you're right, Nick. I'll try, he has always been a good father to me. Thank you.'

He bowed in acknowledgement and fell into place behind her, waiting patiently for the moment his services were required. Elizabeth had always taken servants for granted, but lately it was getting harder to hold onto the natural order of her world, where her own people were supposed to be morally superior and more talented than those who served them. When in fact some of those were clearly much more capable and deserving of respect, and in all honesty, much better suited as friends since they had something interesting to say. So how to fittingly reproach papa for choosing to befriend someone talented with excellent manners and conversation?

Had Mrs Darcy changed significantly since Nick first met her? She seemed so much less formal than she had been, and somehow less above him. Of course Nick was a few years older than her and a man of the city, whereas Mrs Darcy had grown up rather protected in the country, as far away as possible from what Nick was inclined to see as the real world. With no male siblings, a supremely foolish mother if Simon was to be believed, and a smart but indolent father, one would expect her to be rather naïve, and yet she wasn't. Somehow, she seemed more worldly-wise than her much better educated husband, and she was much more outgoing to people in general.

But not to her staff, not at first at least. Simon had described his earlier bond with Mr Darcy as very close, apparently they had been like brothers. That had ended with Mrs Darcy pointing out to her adoring husband that he was favouring his valet over the other staff, resulting in jealousy and bullying. But if Nick were to form an opinion now, he'd say Mr Darcy was the strict one and Mrs Darcy almost familiar with her staff, at least with Simon, Nick, Fanny and Mrs Norman. And yet, of those only Fanny was actually staff, Mrs Norman was very independent and Mrs Darcy's teacher, and Simon and Nick were Frederick's servants and not even that. Simon didn't even get wages, he had his own fortune to provide any extras he needed.

Just before Mrs Darcy greeted her father and his mistress, Nick would never say it out loud but it was very obvious to him at least that something was going on between those two, he decided the difference was that Nick's involvement with Anne had come out: before that, Mrs Darcy had been kind, but not as familiar as she was now. So familiar he dared advise her to be mild and understanding to her father. Nick did not judge Mr Bennet to be someone to take kindly to his daughter interfering in his private affairs, or affair in this case, and Mrs Darcy really loved her father, a falling-out would hurt her far more than a little scandal in the family would. They'd all take care it didn't go very far, the Pemberley servants were close-knit and close-mouthed, and Bates didn't even know who Mr Bennet was. And if he did get wind of it, Nick could easily cow him into silence, they worked for the same master now and Bates was not a brave man.

'Papa, you're a few days early, we didn't expect you until next week! And where are mother and Mary? Not indisposed I hope?'

Oh, yes, Mr Bennet was fond of this daughter and much, much less confident about this mad scheme of his than Nick had thought. Guilt practically oozed off him, and poor Mrs Annesley didn't know where to look. Then the elderly gentleman composed himself and did what he had to be aching to do: he took his favourite daughter in a firm embrace. When they had also kissed heartily, he was back to his usual confident self.

Nick was glad of his status as servant for it meant he did not have to do anything until addressed, he might have greeted Mrs Annesley but he'd much rather watch the interaction between father and daughter. Maybe Mrs Annesley did, too, to know where she stood during her stay here.

'My dear Lizzy, you grow more beautiful every day, you look positively radiant! I've missed you so much, and I was dying for a sensible conversation, so I decided to come a little early to have you to myself for a few days. Though I cannot remember Darcy having a fancy for outrageously sized carriages, which suggests you have other visitors. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you in any way.'

He said that, but Nick could hear he didn't mind a bit, he knew his daughter loved him and would receive him with open arms. Except for that one tiny matter...

'Oh, and your mother and sister are both better than ever, it's just that I didn't expect them to really enjoy the company here at Pemberley, so I proposed their finally going to Brighton for a fresh sea breeze and a glimpse of some red coats, since your husband saw fit to rob Mr Wickham of his shoot-me-now uniform.'

Which meant he had dumped his silly wife to enjoy the superior company all the more. Not a bad decision considering their present visitors, Lady de Bourgh and Mrs Bennet would not make an elegant ensemble. And Mrs Darcy would very much prefer Prince George not to set eyes on her mother, that was a certain thing. Mr Bennet now continued, almost apologetically.

'So I rode to London on horseback, since your mother had the carriage, and stopped at your house there because the weather was atrocious and to see how Mrs Annesley was doing. We've been writing, you see. I decided I'd spare myself the wet ride and convinced Mrs Annesley to lend me the carriage. And when I found out she had some things she needed to discuss with you and Darcy I talked her into coming along for a few days. I can get a ride back from one of your sisters, I'd prefer to ride with sensible people but your aunt and uncle will have their carriage filled up with children, maids and toys.'

Of course Mrs Darcy was by now totally won over by her father's usual biting humour, though his allusion to Mrs Annesley's situation was a bit worrying. With her husband fading there was so much scope for tragedy in her situation.

Mrs Darcy seemed to think the same thing, for she nodded to acknowledge her father taking responsibility for bringing the carriage, then turned towards the Darcy's London housekeeper and offered to shake hands like gentlemen did among each other.

'Mrs Annesley, that sounds rather worrying, I hope your husband hasn't taken a turn for the worse?'

The housekeeper took her mistress' hand and shook it, then replied, 'Sadly, yes, it cannot be much longer now. Not days, but weeks at the most. Mr Bennet assured himself of Mr Annesley and our children being taken care of properly, and then he convinced me to come here with him. I am in need of some advice on how to proceed with the centre piece, and I thought I needed to show you what I have done so far to be able to progress, it just cannot wait until winter. But I'll be glad to return to London as soon as this matter is resolved.'

Mrs Darcy's father had visited Mr Annesley?

'I'm sorry to hear that, Mrs Annesley. Of course I will be at your disposal to look at your work so you can proceed. We have two separate but rather important guests that I have to spend some time with, but I suppose you will want to take some rest first after such a long journey. If you would please follow Nick, he will have a room prepared for you on our second floor, with those we call the explorers, Mr and Mrs Fielding, Mr and Mrs Manners and Nick and Simon. They're planning to go to the continent and spend a lot of time together.'

Mrs Annesley was happy enough to leave with Nick, giving Elizabeth the time to talk to her father. Imagine watching someone you loved die, the very thought of losing Fitzwilliam was enough to make Elizabeth feel like crying.

'Lizzy, my dear, whatever is the matter? I hoped you'd see the humour in the situation, was I wrong?'

He was so very sweet, she could not stay angry with papa, but good father or not he had his duty to his wife. The feeling of intense sadness was gone as quickly as it had come up, leaving her surprised to be so over-sensitive.

'I have no idea why that happened, papa. Thinking of Mr Annesley I suddenly imagined Fitzwilliam dying and that really upset me.

Papa, we have not just Lady Catherine over but also someone truly important: the Prince of Wales is here. We call him Lord Chester because he wants to meet the real Lady Catherine and she would not show herself to the heir to the throne. He adores Eric's music and came over to hear him play.'

'Getting emotional, my dear Lizzy, you must be with child! Congratulations, you'll be able to spoil your own child instead having to ruin Jane's.'

Elizabeth did not see any reason to deny her father's remark, he was right, this might be the first real sign to confirm it.

'I suppose that may be true, papa, though it's a bit early to tell.'

'Are you still afraid?'

'No, not really, and with Jane expecting I'll be able to share the experience. I just wish she lived closer.'

'That may happen sooner than you think, my dear, they've hired someone to help them find an estate of their own. But what's up with your royal visitor? The Prince of Wales, no less, I bet Darcy wasn't pleased to see him turn up, I've noticed he has a jealous streak and our crown prince has this reputation with smart women.'

See, it was better that she'd decided in an instant to tell him the truth, he would have found out anyway.

'You are not wrong, but papa, Prince George prefers his women a bit more sophisticated than me. He sees and hears everything, please be careful around him, especially as long as Mrs Annesley is here. And do take care you don't get caught on your way to her room.'

Silence. Then: 'You know?'

'Papa! How could I not? All right, I didn't know. Not until I saw you in that carriage together. Nick knew, he saw you in the back of the house one day, in town. Simon asked him to keep that to himself and he did.'

'Do I disappoint you, my dear Lizzy?'

'Well, yes, of course. I used to admire you so much, but since you let Lydia go to Brighton I've come to realise more and more that you're not perfect. You made some pretty bad mistakes in your life and in raising us, and now this? Adultery, papa?'

He bowed his head in shame, but Elizabeth could see he didn't feel it that much, he was not that sorry at all.

'I'm truly sorry, my dear, that you had to find out I'm not perfect. It's called growing up, and you've been doing it at an alarming rate. Can we talk about it sometime soon? I want to know what you think went wrong, though of course I have a pretty good idea myself. But Lizzy, it does make me very proud of you. You chose the right partner, you conquered your own pride to see his qualities, and now you are the perfect lady but you also respect your staff.

I know what Mrs Annesley and I are doing is very bad, but we've decided to do it anyway. Her husband knows and approves, your mother must never know, of course, my life with her is bad enough as it is. Marrying her was the worst mistake I ever made, and though it has gained me you and Jane, I find that it is still possible to rue that foolish decision more every single day of my life. Must I really pay for one mistake by never being able to love again? When Mrs Annesley is as lonely as I am and such perfect company?'

Elizabeth conceded, how could she not in the face of such a heartfelt plea, knowing what she did now, that far fewer people than she'd ever thought took their marital vows seriously.

'Nick did ask me to be mild, said we all needed love and Mrs Annesley was having a hard time, for years already.'

'Nick is the fellow just now who took Mrs Annesley to the house, isn't he? Didn't he work for some London gentleman as a servant? You never used to talk to servants. Let me rephrase that, your mother talks to servants, you apparently converse with them since you also listen to them, but you never used to. What advice does he have to give that your husband cannot? They seem much of an age and Darcy is certainly very sensible.'

Now Elizabeth couldn't help but laugh, her father worried she liked a servant too much? Wasn't that the pot calling the kettle black?

'It is the fellow just now, yes. And the thing he has that Fitzwilliam lacks, despite his age, is experience with love. I'm intensely glad Fitzwilliam waited for ten years to find the perfect woman, and even more glad I turned out to be the love of his life, and that he persisted in trying to win me. But all those ten years, Nick was out there, loving countless ladies, gaining experience. And if he respectfully asks me to forgive you for needing a little love I am inclined to listen to him. You were right, papa, I have grown up a lot, and I have found that I like some of our own walk of life a lot less than the people I live with. So I tend to talk to and listen to whom I like now.

Do you want Mrs Annesley in the drawing-room with us? I can try to convince Fitzwilliam to let her be company here, she is a lady in every respect.'

'Thank you, dear Lizzy, but it would focus attention on our travelling together, which was of course rather improper, and that would be dangerous, we cannot afford to be found out. We will meet in the library and, yes, at night. Maybe we can pester your friends in their headquarters now and then? Your sister-in-law and her husband are after all the only ones among them with a traditional marriage, I suppose they will be less inclined to judge.'

The less said about that the better, though she was dying to know how much he'd found out. Now Elizabeth needed to change and sit with Lady Catherine, she'd see her father later, as well as Mrs Annesley.

'I'm sorry, papa, but I have to run. There is something we need from Lady Catherine and I'm afraid that means I have to be polite to her as much as Fitzwilliam. And juggling the conversation between her and Lord Chester, with Mr Collins undoubtedly making a nuisance of himself, will be quite a challenge to him. He sacrificed his own morning ride to allow me mine, said she is his aunt, not mine. Though I suppose he wants her to see me in riding skirts, and to prove my independence to his aunt, he is still very proud of my impertinence.'

'I'm glad of that, dear Lizzy, for I do not think you'll ever learn better. If you want something important from Lady de Bourgh I suppose it is wise of your husband not to leave you two by yourselves. But those skirts look great on you, and I cannot wait to see you ride astride.

Well, I won't keep you any longer. I'll just check on my room and my companion, and then I'll join you wherever you are and try to behave. Lady Catherine, Mr Collins and Prince George, my dear Lizzy, however inconvenient my sudden arrival must be to you, I'm glad to impose on you, I foresee great entertainment! But tell me, Lizzy, didn't Darcy forbid my nephew entrance to his houses?'

'He did, yes, after finding him snooping and stealing in London. But since Lady Catherine practically forced Mr Collins to come my beloved found it in his heart to have mercy on him.'

'Well, well, that is quite magnanimous of him. I'm glad you didn't take my advice and married him anyway, my dear. Imagine, Mr Collins at Pemberley after all, dear Will can liven up the most boring family party just by being himself.'