Revelations sequel

by LopendVuur

So many novels end with the promise of marriage, and so few describe what happens after. I've often wondered about this particular wedding night, but frankly, Mr Darcy has changed so much by giving him some human feelings, I cannot imagine him, or Elizabeth, fumbling secretly in the dark anymore. Their first efforts must be heart-warming, their married life as well. Purists beware!

161. Chapter 161

Chapter 171

Elizabeth expected Bingley to claim Fitzwilliam and was prepared to share Jane with her father and Lydia, but the carriage turned out to contain another guest, the last person she had ever expected to see again, let alone at Pemberley. As Lydia practically flew at Jane, Elizabeth found herself addressed familiarly and heartily by a thickset man whom she had formerly hardly even considered an acquaintance, let alone a friend. What had gotten into Bingley to bring Mr Hurst to an intimate meeting of friends and relatives?

'Mrs Darcy, it is so good to see you, it has been such a long time! May I greet you properly, as a gentleman should a beautiful lady?'

What else could she do but offer him her hand to kiss, he seemed truly pleased to see her, and he was perfectly polite. Fitzwilliam would have to learn to control his feelings of jealousy, Mr Hurst was no competition no matter how charming he managed to be, and her beloved should know that.

'Thank you, Mr Hurst. You look a bit tired yourself, have you been well?'

Even as this rather blunt statement escaped her lips, Elizabeth worried a little, he did look the worse for wear, he was not in consumption, was he? Or liverish? People who overindulged sometimes fell prey to some wasting illness because of their bad habits, and to Elizabeth the indolent Mr Hurst was a prime candidate for such an affliction, especially since he seemed to have gained even more weight compared to the last time they met.

The formerly-so-bored-looking man smiled sweetly and calmly contradicted her.

'I am perfectly fine, Mrs Darcy, no fear. I've had a bit of a rough time to be sure, but nothing a few weeks of rest and moderation won't cure. Bingley used to threaten me with sports, but now I think some shooting and fishing or maybe even a bit of riding would not be such a bad thing. Fresh air and some exercise will do me a world of good. Or rambling, I seem to remember you doing a lot of that, maybe I can join you sometimes. I've been at Pemberley several times but I have never seen much of the grounds, maybe it is time to correct that omission.'

Mr Hurst looking for exercise and fresh air? Talking of moderation? What had happened in London to make him look so fagged and unhealthy?

'I can see you're incredulous about exercise and moderation in relation to my ample person, but apparently there is something as too much indulgence. I wouldn't have believed it myself if I hadn't lived it. I will tell you all about it, Mrs Darcy, maybe over a cup of plain tea or a healthy dinner, you will be tickled and yet undoubtedly too polite to show me your amusement. The self-indulgent Mr Hurst getting his due, I suppose I had it coming. Again, Mrs Darcy, I'm so pleased to meet you and in such bloom, and I cannot wait to tell you my sad, sad story.'

He did not look sad at all but rather pleased. Well, he had piqued Elizabeth's curiosity, but now she was going to find Jane and greet her as she deserved.

And such a glad meeting followed that Elizabeth couldn't remember ever having had a more moving reunion with her favourite sister, her best friend for as far back as she could remember. Fortunately they had both fallen in love almost simultaneously, or the sister left behind would have been as lost as Lady Catherine had been when her sister had decided to marry.

'Lizzy, do we have something to discuss in private?' Jane said, beaming. 'Everyone always said I was the beautiful one, but I am very certain that right now your bloom surpasses mine by far. Or is it just the clean country air, or being able to finally show your sister how wealthy your husband really is? Bingley tried to tell me but I never imagined Pemberley to be as grand as this!'

Dear Jane, she had such good humour these days, and to know instantly that something had changed about her sister.

'Everyone likes to brag, Jane, and we have had a very exciting week, but you are right, I cannot wait to have you to myself to give you some very welcome news.'

'Oh Lizzy, that is my dearest wish come true! Have you heard already that we are searching for our own estate in this county or the next? Bingley says his agent has found a very promising property not thirty miles from here, we're going to view it this coming week.'

'I've heard you were looking, but not that you have a prospect already. That would be just perfect Jane, to live so close to each other. I want to hear everything, and you won't believe the things I have to tell you besides that special one, we had a few remarkable visitors this week.'

By now, Fitzwilliam and Bingley had joined them again, they had walked along with the carriage until it disappeared around the corner but had turned back and were now talking to Mr Hurst. Elizabeth took Jane's arm to take her into the house.

'Do you want to change before tea? You must be hungry and tired.'

'I am both, but I do want to spend some time with you in private before I rest. I just have to know everything, Lizzy! But I don't want to hurt Lydia by shutting her out, maybe we can spend an hour with her, first?'

'Why don't I show you your room, tell you a few things while you clean up and change, and then we'll have tea with everyone there?'

'That is a marvellous idea, Lizzy, I want to be polite and not insult anyone but I want to know desperately what you have to tell me. Let me greet your husband and then we can go.'

Elizabeth was glad to find their best guestroom perfectly clean and well-aired, though she hadn't expected anything else from Mrs Reynolds' staff. Of course Jane's maid and Bingley's valet were still busy unpacking the trunks, and the usually-so-calm Jane practically pulled Elizabeth towards the seating area close to the hearth.

'Better let them do their work in peace, they'll be finished just when you have told me what I have waited to hear for months: dear, dear Lizzy, are you with child?'

'I think I am, yes, and so did papa. Like you, he saw it before either Fitzwilliam or I had spoken a word, I suppose you and papa know me very well to spot that so quickly.'

Jane took her hand and squeezed it gently.

'Lizzy, it's as if you are lit up from the inside, you're practically glowing. I've never seen you look like that, not even when you told me you were going to be married. If you had, I would not have doubted you for a second. You know, you didn't even look like that at the altar.'

'I suppose I was happy then, but I didn't feel altogether comfortable with the situation, all Fitzwilliam's grand connections waiting for me to make a misstep.'

'They were not as bad as that, Lizzy. I do think they were very happy to see him finally married, after so many years. But I can imagine why you would feel that way, I sometimes still do, mostly when we are with Caroline and her husband, everything in their house is perfect, as if she wants to rub in that she made a better match than I. Which I don't care about at all, it's just the way nothing seems real around her.'

'It isn't even true, not even if you look at it from a purely financial standpoint: Caroline Bingley had twenty thousand of her own, you had nothing. You made a much better match, even without considering the difference in character between your husbands.'

'You should have seen Bingley that night at Netherfield, dear Lizzy. He was so much in charge, and both Darcy and Manners listened to him, very attentively. But that was not what we were talking about, we'll hear plenty about Mr and Mrs Grenfell from Mr Hurst, I imagine. Bingley says Mr Hurst begged to take him away from their company even if it meant leaving Mrs Hurst for a few weeks.

What I want to know is how long you've known, and whether you have seen anyone yet.'

Seen anyone yet? What did Jane mean? She did not need to tell her sister she didn't understand for Jane had seen it in her expression.

'A midwife, my dear Lizzy. My maid said it was best to see a midwife from the start and she was right, I was really anxious sometimes and now I just tell the midwife and she assures me my complaints are all a normal part of bearing a child. Bingley would have preferred a doctor but Petra said not to trust them because they are men, what would they know? She is quite a character, like your Fanny I picked her up in London and you can hear it in the way she speaks, but I like her and she even knew a woman who had delivered countless babies. Mrs Jones is a character, too, but I thought I'd choose someone for their competence, not their sophistication. Caroline made fun of me for following a commoner's advice and refusing to drink wine as long as I am with child but I don't care, I want my baby to be healthy and I trust Petra and Mrs Jones. Petra says her sisters are much older and already have children, and Mrs Jones delivered them all. I'll miss Mrs Jones when we move, or maybe I'll go back to London to have the baby.'

A midwife! Of course! Elizabeth berated herself that she didn't think of that before, after the whole episode with Charlotte and Fanny in London. Well, she could easily ask Sarah for the name of hers. But what if she was wrong, what if she was not with child at all? Though with papa and now Jane seeing a difference in her it almost had to be true.

'I am not even sure I am indeed with child, Jane. I was hoping to ask you how you knew. I've missed several bleedings, I've gained some weight and sometimes I cry for no reason at all and a minute later I cannot remember what made me so upset.'

Jane nodded and asked, 'How many did you miss?'

'I think about three. Last time was at the end of January, when I passed over a concert because I didn't feel like going. But I don't feel that much different, no strange cravings or morning sickness.'

'I asked mother about when she had us and she said she never had a thing wrong with her. Maybe that means we won't either.'

'True. And I do have this feeling something has changed, and now papa and you say you can see it. I'll ask Sarah about a midwife next time I see her. I haven't told anyone, you know, not even Lydia. Just Fitzwilliam.

Your maid is ready for you, and I'd better return to my other guests, see how Fitzwilliam is handling Mr Hurst. See you in the drawing-room when you are ready!'

Let Jane wonder what that was about, if Jane asked, Elizabeth would tell her about her his jealousy, they were sisters, they used to share everything and why shouldn't they anymore? Jane would never tell anyone. To think Jane also had a London maid these days, maybe Fanny could teach this Petra about fashion during her stay at Pemberley, with Jane's beauty a perfect dress would make even more of an impression. It might make Jane feel more secure towards Caroline Grenfell, such a shame Jane had to deal with that couple on a regular basis.

And thinking of Fanny, it was high time Elizabeth told her own maid of her pregnancy, she should not hear it from someone else's maid or valet if Elizabeth made it public. In fact, Fanny had so much experience being around pregnant women, babies and children, she probably already knew or at least suspected.

This was turning out to be a fabulous day, Prince George back to London, Mr Collins back to Kent, and thus headquarters their own once more. Nick was glad to have more time with Anne than just the nights and an hour or two riding in the mornings, she had needed him with her mother in the house but there was no way to be together safely with her mother's maid sneaking around. Sitting at the large table with the others, Anne on his lap openly, Nick felt very much included in this closely-knit group, not like a servant at all but just one of six friends.

'So, what are the chances of us really going to Vienna?' Simon wanted to know.

Simon had been the main advocate for a trip overseas for some time now, at least in Nick's view. Eric and Georgiana of course wanted to go but Eric feared trouble on the way, and since Eric was the only one of them who had actually travelled beyond the British Isles, Nick tended to take his objections very seriously. What if it really was that dangerous? He couldn't bear the thought of Anne being threatened by robbers, hungry peasants or angry townspeople speaking a totally different language and living totally different lives. Let alone running into a division of the French army.

With their new connection to Prince George the temptation to stay safely in England was growing. Since the prince had found out about Frederick and Simon already, there was little reason to avoid town this winter, and Prince George had promised to include Simon and Nick in his entertainments. If anyone asked, and they would since he was an equal member of this strange assembly, Nick would have to vote for staying. Simon wanted the freedom of the mainland, where he could pass as a gentleman on his grand tour, to be with Frederick all the time. But Nick feared that Simon underestimated the fatigues and dangers of travelling so many miles, across such unknown territory. Maybe that was because Simon had a strong partner who could take care of himself, a natural leader and a strong shooter and fighter.

Or maybe Nick and Eric underestimated the hardiness of their own partners, a little voice in his mind observed, maybe they needed to see their ladies as equals instead of as slightly inferior and needing protection. Anne had often enough insisted on difference in gender being as much of a coincidence as difference in rank.

'I wrote to Mr Clementi right after Prince George explained the seriousness of the situation, to ask whether his connections considered their territory secure for travellers. And I wrote to Mr Zumpe, he has relatives in Germany so I thought he might know more about the situation there. But of course that is only a few days ago, it will take weeks to get a reply. If they say all is safe I'd have no objections to going abroad. But for myself, I have plenty to learn and teach in London, travelling is exhausting and I'm not looking forward to that or the possible dangers. And I like Prince George a great deal, I'd like to get to know him better and see how far his influence will bring us.'

'Georgiana?' Simon asked, not a hint of his usual modesty in his voice. And Georgiana replied as frankly.

'I'd love to see Vienna, but Eric is the only one among us who knows how far it actually is, and what travelling such a distance is like. I am inclined to take him seriously. But the two of us will be going back to London anyway in a few weeks, we will know a lot more about the situation with Prince George before we all have to make our final decision. Let us at least wait what Mr Clementi and Mr Zumpe have to say.'

So Georgiana wanted to see whether Prince George delivered on his promise to become Eric's patron before making their plans for Vienna more concrete. Very sensible, but then she always was.

Simon nodded, but it was obvious he was losing a little heart. As if to prove his commitment to his lover by helping him find out what chance their excursion still had, Frederick now looked at Nick.

'And you, Nick?'

'I will follow the three of you wherever you go, and I'd love to be your cousin, Frederick, wearing beautiful clothes and riding a spirited horse. But I do fear trouble, I cannot talk my way out of a scrape in German or French, and whilst I can fight and shoot, one cannot just shoot one's way through a foreign country. I'd need to know it was safe before feeling comfortable going. If not, I would prefer to stay in London or, and as a city boy I cannot believe I'm saying this, in the country. Where I can ride and hunt and play billiards with you.'

Nodding in acknowledgement, Frederick turned to Anne.

'I'm with Nick. I want him to be with me openly but not at too high a cost. But Simon, you said yourself Prince George promised you a role in his entourage, you will not be relegated to the back all the time, not even in town. And if Mr Clementi says it's safe, I'll gladly go to Vienna together.'

Poor Simon, he was not all happy hearing their frank assessments, but he did not just lie back and accept it as a servant would, he accepted their opinions because they made sense.

'I really don't want to go abroad either if it's unsafe. I just don't trust Prince George, he uses people as if they are tools or worse, toys. He professed to like me a lot, but how do I know he won't betray us, even accidentally? He doesn't seem to care at all about other people. Maybe Eric and Georgiana can find out how dependable he is, it would be kind of exciting to mingle with the cream of London society, especially if we have people in the back as well. Though that would be Nick and myself.'

Now Frederick took his partner in his arms and kissed him.

'It is not at all certain we cannot go to Vienna, Simon. Prince George wants to keep Eric in London, he may have exaggerated the danger. Let us just enjoy summer in the country, and Eric and Georgiana can take the prince's measure on how dependable he is. Remember, if he tells on you and me we may have to quietly disappear from this country, or at least London.'

Which meant there was no answer to Simon's question, not yet, but he did now know that a lot was riding on Mr Clementi's news, and on Prince George's general behaviour. Nick did not think the man would betray Mr Manners' secret accidentally, he was too smart and too used to keeping secrets himself. But he might lose interest in Mr and Mrs Manners, they were not gifted artists after all but merely nice people. Whatever was to happen, Nick had learned a lot, he thought he could pass as a gentlemen by now, and for a boy from the back streets of London that was an accomplishment in itself. Now he just had to survive a few more weeks of Mr and Mrs Darcy entertaining friends and relatives at Pemberley, forcing Nick and Simon to spend most of their days in the back of the house, but all in all his situation was enviable, especially compared to his position when he met Anne, as lowly servant working under Wellesley.

Though he missed Simon and worried about his beloved feeling neglected the coming weeks, Frederick couldn't help enjoying dinner with only good friends present. Of course Mr Hurst was a relative stranger and certainly hadn't seemed a kindred spirit before, but he was an indolent man and not very observant, he would not curtail their freedom like Prince George had done. He seemed to be mostly occupied trying to please Elizabeth, who took great care to always be in the company of Jane and their younger sister Lydia to prevent embarrassing situations. At least there was no doubt she could handle him if she were to meet him in some deserted hall by accident, knowing what her brother-in-law Lieutenant Wickham had tried and failed to accomplish Frederick only worried about his friend Darcy's reaction. Having felt a certain jealousy himself when Prince George showed his admiration for Anne a bit too openly, Frederick could imagine what it had to be like for Darcy, all those men admiring the woman he loved to distraction. Maybe it would help him to talk about it later in the evening, when Mr Hurst would undoubtedly fall asleep on one of the sofas.

Darcy had talked to Mr Hurst easily enough after the ladies had retreated to the drawing-room, enjoying a glass of his excellent brandy while Mr Hurst denied himself that small indulgence. Bingley's brother-in-law kindly but resolutely refusing a brandy? Had he abstained from wine at dinner, too? Frederick did not remember, but he would keep an eye on this fellow, people who broke their habits in one way might have changed in others, meaning that in this case, Mr Hurst might be a danger to their privacy after all.

But first there was coffee, and for once, Frederick didn't move towards his wife before joining the group at the piano. Instead, Mr Hurst drew Frederick's attention, again against his habits as Frederick had observed them during his time at Netherfield, by walking up to Elizabeth and announcing, 'I promised to tell you how excess almost brought me down, Mrs Darcy, and with your permission I will tell this scandalous tale right now, to you and your husband, though it may bring your censure down upon me. That is a chance I will have to take, a fitting punishment for my own weakness. I suppose Bingley and your sister will want to hear it all as well, since it mostly concerns someone we all know, Mr Grenfell.'

Grenfell? Of course, he was Mr Hurst's brother-in-law, they would have spent a lot of time together! Mrs Hurst had this habit of staying with her brother to live on a higher standing than she and her husband could afford on their combined income, and her sister's marriage to a wealthy gentleman would have offered her a welcome change of scenery without losing the material comforts they had grown used to. On the contrary, as the new mistress of a fine estate Mrs Grenfell would make sure her table was laden with whatever newfangled nonsense her new cook would come up with, and her wine cellar would be filled with the best vintages money could offer.

Without a single moment of hesitation, Frederick joined Elizabeth and Mr Hurst to ask, 'May I be present as well? Grenfell used to be a great friend of mine and I would like to know how he is doing.'

'I have no objections, Mr Manners, you have the reputation of being a sensible man and I could use your opinion and good advice.'

They all took a cup of coffee, then retreated to the confidence room, Bingley and Jane as well as Elizabeth and Darcy, where they all took a comfortable seat near the hearth though the fire was just a tiny thing at this time of the year. Mr Hurst sipped from his own cup of black coffee and started his tale of woe, not focussing on Elizabeth but spreading his attention among those present.

'As you all know, I used to be an indolent man. Despite knowing it was a sin I lived for pleasures of the flesh, food, drink and games. I did not read, I did not exercise, I did not like to attend church. I got up late and went to bed late, taking long naps on any comfortable sofa I could find. I have a house in town, but Mrs Hurst and I spent most of our time with her brother, partly because that saved me the trouble of amusing my wife, but also because Bingley entertained on a higher standard than we could afford by ourselves. I never thought anything of this, never felt guilty for living off the people closest to me, never felt the slightest need to improve myself.

Then my sister-in-law engaged herself to Grenfell, and Mrs Hurst started to look forward to the wedding, undoubtedly already planning an extended stay on their newly decorated estate. She contrived to be invited to help with the improvements, and frankly, I was looking forward to sampling the abundance of Grenfell's income combined with my sister-in-law's need to assert her position as his wife, she was bound to outdo anything Bingley and Jane had ever offered, their hospitality generous but sensible rather than to the extreme.

I was mostly thinking of the new Mrs Grenfell providing the abundance, not of the man himself, when we took up our abode in a large double room that Mrs Hurst immediately started to imagine made over in the latest fashion. It did need a little modernising, even though my bed was very comfortable and Mrs Hurst had no complaints about hers.'

Of course Mr and Mrs Hurst didn't share a bed, Frederick hadn't expected anything different from such a couple. But he did wonder whether it wasn't a bit too much information, and apparently, Mr Hurst agreed.

'But I digress, we arrived two days before the grand event and everything was as I hoped, Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley pleased to go all over the house and leaving me with Mr Grenfell and his friends, to get acquainted while doing nothing more fatiguing than playing cards or billiards. At first I was thrilled to find the gentlemen drinking an excellent brandy in broad daylight, it had always seemed to me the height of enjoying life but no-one I knew before seemed to agree with me on that. Now I met people who did, and the brandy did help to forget the rumours I'd heard about Grenfell. Dinner was lovely, instead of brandy my new host served whisky after dinner, and with the coffee as well. The ladies were plied with excellent wine during dinner and afterwards, a bit much for Mrs Hurst but she was willing to try fitting in, as was her sister. It did have a remarkable effect on them, for soon after coffee they became really tired and retreated to their own rooms, after which things changed altogether.'

This was nothing Bingley and Lascelles hadn't told him about the days leading up to the wedding, Lascelles had probably arranged the whole thing, hopefully for the last time. Frederick didn't think he had helped his friends after that party the night before Grenfell's wedding, but of course one never knew, a clique could have a very strong influence on a man.

'We moved to another room, where a ham-fisted pianist started abusing a lovely piano, much like the one you have here, actually, except it seemed slightly out of tune. Then at least ten half-naked girls filed in, and I was plied with what closely resembled affection as well as more whisky. I am ashamed to admit I did indulge in what these beautiful ladies had to offer, though not to the extent the other gentlemen did. I even understood Grenfell wanting to enjoy his last day as a bachelor, though he did take the celebration a bit too seriously if you catch my meaning, but I couldn't have told Miss Bingley since by now I had thoroughly shamed myself as well. I wasn't meaning to, but even an indolent man like myself has certain drives that are hard to ignore when intoxicated. Especially when not sharing a bedroom with one's wife, so to speak. So I kept my peace, until now.'

Poor Mr Hurst, and this was just the first evening in Grenfell's company. Worse excesses would undoubtedly follow, Grenfell unfettered was not a thing Frederick would have wanted to see, would never have had to see since his very presence had always been the only thing holding back his college friend.

'Of course one evening of forbidden pleasures will not break a man, but after the wedding nothing changed. We stayed with the new couple until Mrs Grenfell became eager to go to London. She wanted to flee the estate because a crew of rough men had started to tear down old Mrs Grenfell's garden, making a mess she couldn't bear to live with. This was after a few days. During that entire time, my wife and her sister were encouraged to drink quite a lot of wine during dinner, assuring their early retreat. Each night brought a different amusement, but two things never changed, the presence of cheap girls and an abundance of liquor. Still I thought this was all due to the newness of the situation, an effort to keep the festivities going after the wedding.

We all moved to London, where we took up our abode with Grenfell since Mrs Hurst wanted to participate in the improvements there as well. The other gentlemen's entertainments by day were greatly restricted without their sports, which I quite liked since I prefer a game of cards anyway, and now I had plenty of company. The food was still lavish and I indulged all day long, and the brandy also kept coming. Mrs Hurst had lost some of her taste for wine by now, but since she didn't care for Grenfell's friends she still went to bed early.

But by evening the entertainments changed, and I was introduced to a part of London that I'd never known, had never dreamed existed. That dream soon turned into a nightmare, but at that moment I was totally overcome, my wildest fantasies come true. For Grenfell and his friends didn't summon the amusements to the house at night, instead we went out to find them, and there were a lot. Shows where girls danced without a stitch on them, shows where they started out fully dressed but eventually ended up as naked, shows with people, men or women I still don't know, dressed up as in a fairy tale, some hideous and some beyond beautiful, performing dances that looked more like elaborately staged fights. Cock fights, fights between two men, two women, two dogs, dogs and wild creatures, a dog and a ram, two dogs and a bull, even a dog and a man. I've always loved a good barn hunt or watching a contest of terriers killing as many rats as they could, but this was sickening, the blood, the pain, and of course, the liquor. Have you ever had absinthe? I have, until the world started spinning and the creatures from the theatre started fighting the bulldogs from the pits before my mind's eye. Thank heaven I passed out before I could find out whether that was real or a figment of my fevered brain, and then they did get me home safely, but I made sure I never lost control again afterwards.

Now you are probably asking yourself why I didn't just refuse to come? Well, I had shamed myself again and again before Grenfell and his clique, those fairy girls were so pretty, even if I wasn't entirely sure some of them weren't boys. This band of friends had so much to tell Mrs Hurst, and if Mrs Grenfell found out she'd be raving mad at her husband and then what would happen to her? So I followed them around most evenings, to indecent shows in rundown theatres, grotesque displays of murder scenes made of wax in a damp cellar and a similar exhibit of real people with horrible deformities in a circus outside town. I even smoked opium in a filthy den in one of the less reputable harbours.'

The confidence room was deadly silent as they all tried to digest this shocking story, some of them possibly wondering whether Mr Hurst was making this up to entertain his rather naive relatives and their friends. But Frederick knew better, he knew Grenfell, knew those things Mr Hurst described actually existed. He also realised that by withdrawing from the clique he had removed any boundary his former friends had left. This was way worse than what they had done under his and Lascelles' guidance. And he, Mr Frederick Manners, the darling of London society, had condemned Miss Bingley to live with these monsters.

Mr Hurst took a sip of his coffee and continued.

'Of course we did not rise before noon, and all around us the house was being improved, but on a smaller scale not to upset Mrs Grenfell with noise and rough men. I breakfasted with goose liver and lobster and scallops, then drank brandy and played cards until dinner. That consisted of more goose liver, truffles, game birds and wild boar with cream-and-whisky sauce and a single jar of pickles for the ladies. And when the ladies retreated we were off again, to this brothel or that pub, Grenfell loved picking up lower-class girls for a few moments of release. I have to say he did not force any of them, he is so handsome and was so free with his money they were eager to accommodate him. His staff was as fresh-faced and free-spirited as any I've seen. He really took it outside.

But you can imagine what a few weeks of debauchery were doing to my body and mind. I was either drunk or hungover, my belly was bloated from the richness of the food, and most of all, I was feeling so guilty towards my wife and her sister for keeping them in the dark and letting them be kept in the dark by their maids and everyone else. Whenever I wasn't passed out from excessive drinking, I was having nightmares of the things I'd witnessed and done myself. I had trouble breathing sometimes, and my stomach hurt constantly. I really think I was close to drinking and eating myself into an early grave, I had never suffered from food before.

When Mrs Hurst convinced me to visit to Jane and Bingley together, I saw London by day through the carriage window and had a revelation: if I was to save my life, I was going to have to flee and do some serious thinking, sobering up and eating healthily for a few weeks to find myself again. Then I would decide what to do, take Mrs Hurst to our own house and live a simpler life, move out myself and leave Mrs Hurst with her sister, or move back in with Bingley and Mrs Bingley. When I heard they were going to Pemberley for a few weeks I started by getting him away from the ladies and begging him to take me, just me, to save my life. I know you thought I was exaggerating, Bingley, maybe to get close to your sister-in-law once again, but do you believe me now? Do you believe I needed to get out to save my life? And your sisters? They are not in as much danger but they both deserve more respect.'

Frederick didn't even wait for Bingley's reply, this was not his fault but he was certain Bingley would need him to check his sister's husband without causing a falling out.

'I believe you, Mr Hurst. Take your time here to recuperate, and I will help you sort this out. I still feel responsible, and we still have leverage over Grenfell. Are you in, Bingley?'

'I am. He will answer to us, and without exposing Hurst if I can help it. That is between you and my sister, Hurst, I expect you to tell her what she needs to know and make it up to her. I felt sorry for the state you were in but now you tell me you brought it on yourself, my sister the true victim of your weakness. Louise is not perfect but she deserves better than to be stupefied with wine whilst you denigrate yourself.'

'I will tell her and beg her for forgiveness. If only you can check that man and save your sisters. And me.'

Frederick didn't doubt that. If the maids at Grenfell's house were unharmed it was proof he had stuck to the letter of their agreement. They just had to broaden that agreement to include nightly binges, cheap women and blood sport. If they wanted to, Grenfell had proven himself without conscience once again. It was up to Bingley and himself to decide whether to denounce Grenfell or give him another last chance. Both were objectionable, and Frederick expected a big 'I told you so' from Darcy and Elizabeth, they had warned him but he had chosen not to listen.

'I'm not saying anything, Manners, the situation is too bad for anything but pure shock. You know we had similar trouble with George Wickham, and I am convinced the only reason he desisted from a life of sin is that he has constant occupation and challenge now. The threat of punishment obviously doesn't concern your friend much, he has stuck to your agreement to the letter but not to the intent.

I fear for your sister, Bingley, and I hope you will manage to resolve this. This will not force you to hurry back to town, I hope?'

'Your sisters are safe for the time of your visit, Bingley, please do not force me to return right now. Not without a solution, please.'

Bingley was his best self again, though kinder to his brother-in-law than Frederick would have been in his shoes.

'My sister probably knows, she is not the type to let herself be taken advantage of unwittingly. I will talk to her and ask her what her wishes are. But I'm warning you, Manners, if she wants him prosecuted I will do it, with or without your approbation.'

'You have my full cooperation, Bingley. He will grow up and learn to restrain himself or suffer the consequences. I should have minded you, Darcy and Elizabeth, and prosecuted him straight away, now Bingley's sister is in a predicament because of me.'

And he meant that, they had warned him repeatedly but Frederick just didn't want to see.

'Did Mrs Grenfell seem very unhappy, Mr Hurst?' Elizabeth asked calmly.

'Now you mention it, no. Maybe Bingley is right, maybe she does know but is afraid to do anything.'

'I have never seen Caroline afraid of anything, Hurst, well, maybe of losing Darcy. But she should have known he was not for her in the first place, he never encouraged her in any way.'

'What if I put it to you that Grenfell is in fact sticking to your agreement? Your whole clique is involved, do you really think they would risk his freedom? They need his fortune and his leadership since they have lost Manners and Lascelles. I agree with Bingley, Caroline is too smart to let herself be fooled in this way. Remember, this is a marriage of convenience, not of love. What if she condones Grenfell's behaviour? Turning a blind eye as long as he leaves her household in peace? Caroline Grenfell knew exactly what she was getting into, and she certainly is getting what she wanted out of the arrangement. Maybe she trusts Grenfell and his friends to eventually get fed up with their debaucheries. It certainly worked on Mr Hurst.'

Darcy was enjoying this, Frederick had expected him to be disgusted, he was too righteous to show or even feel triumph at the cost of someone who used to be as good a friend of his as Miss Bingley had been, but there wasn't even disgust. He had used all the information to come to a sensible conclusion. For Frederick couldn't imagine Caroline Grenfell falling for her husband's stupid ruses either, she was smart, and she had known the habits of the man she married. What if she really didn't care?

'We need to talk to Caroline first, but I'm not going to rush. I have been looking forward to being with you and I'm going to enjoy myself. And Jane and I are going to view an estate right across the county border in Yorkshire next week, our agent found something that sounds very promising. If we buy it we'll be like neighbours, Darcy, visiting all the time!'

'I'd like that very much, Bingley. I'd love to accompany you, but only if you and Jane don't mind the company.'

Somehow, the idea of Bingley and Darcy settled close together gave Frederick a sense of calm, if Prince George's discovery did become public and his public persona was denounced in London, there would be a place for the four of them to go where there would be some company. Still, Simon might not be wrong to want to leave the country for a year or so, not just to be together all the time but also to give the prince the chance to forget all about them.

Jane and Bingley describing the estate they were going to view and making plans to include those who wanted to come in their plans concluded the shocking part of their meeting, now they were just friends catching up after a long separation. At least Mr Hurst would not be a problem the coming weeks, he had enough problems of his own not to get inquisitive about others. All in all it had been very surprising to find Darcy and Elizabeth the ones trying to moderate their reactions instead of rubbing in their former objections to Grenfell. For there was no doubt in Frederick's mind that they had been right, Grenfell was not suitable as a husband, he would never be the kind of man Bingley or Darcy were, not even the husband Frederick himself would be in public. But then he realised that Caroline Bingley had never been especially suited for marriage either, and he decided to let Bingley take the lead and help him where needed. As Caroline's brother he had the most rights and if he was not going worry unduly, neither would Frederick.

When they settled in their comfortable bed that night, Darcy knew he would not be able to sleep right away, too much had happened that day, and the week before. He had to share his thoughts with his beloved or let them run circles around his mind all night.

A small hand stroked his bare skin, lovingly but not too gently, she loved touching him but knew he was very ticklish, a feathery touch would be a punishment rather than a pleasure for him. The hand expertly avoided his particularly ticklish places altogether, Elizabeth knew him so well, and not just his body.

'Do you mind very much to have Mr Hurst here?,' she asked quietly. 'I can imagine you might want to spend some time alone with Bingley, and now there is going to be a constant third party.'

Of course that was not his main objection against Hurst, but he knew she knew that and was offering him a chance to express his discontent without actually admitting to those feelings he loathed in himself. But he needed to face those and he would.

'If I want to be with Bingley I'll propose a long, fast ride, my dearest. Hurst may plan to pick up exercising, in the state he is in even Georgie will easily outdo him on the back of a horse, and she obviously doesn't care for the sport. My objection to his presence is much more personal, I really dislike the way he looks at you in admiration. It makes me feel jealous, and I do not like being jealous, it is demeaning to myself and respect less to you. But my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth, every man worth knowing seems to admire you.'

And several not worth knowing that they couldn't seem to get rid of, like Wickham and Prince George.

'Fitzwilliam, do you really mean to say my cousin Will is not worth knowing? I thought it must be a great comfort to you that he certainly doesn't admire me.'

'I love you so much, you know I cannot resist you when you say things like that. You know I do trust your love for me, and I don't feel as jealous as I used to, I suppose I have gained confidence that I'm good enough for you. Really, I'm not that put out with Hurst for coming, he certainly brought some information Bingley needed about his sisters.'

'I was shocked to hear his confessions, but even more so that you didn't blame Frederick.'

'I really do believe she chose to marry Grenfell with her eyes open, he is a handsome man and certainly very rich. Considering that she doesn't actually love him he cannot break her heart, the largest risk she runs is contracting the French gout.'

'Fitzwilliam, are you serious! The French gout, who told you about that?'

'Either Simon or Nick, or both. We play a lot of billiards together, you know, and when men are among themselves they talk of different things. Widely different things. So who told you?'

'Simon again. It was a long time ago, when I'd just arrived in London as newly-wed country girl. We rambled the streets of London and he told me all kinds of things. Who else would entrust a young lady's feeble mind with such debauchery?'

'True. Nobody ever told me either, though my father must have known about it. It does make one look at people in a different way.'

'A lot of the things Simon told me did that, and not always in a good way, but nonetheless I feel a lot less naive because of him. Do you think our friends are in danger, with Prince George having found out about Simon and Frederick?'

'I can imagine it robbing them of a few nights' sleep, but personally I don't think it is in the prince's interest to let that knowledge slip. I really think he is a decent man at heart.'

'As long as it doesn't cost him any pleasure, yes. Remember, he is cuckolding at least three husbands at any given time, and with poor Mrs Fitzherbert waiting for him at Carlton House. But I suppose there is nothing he might want from either Simon or Frederick, and Anne is not available for different reasons. There was nothing more we could have done, was there?'

'No Elizabeth, there wasn't. You have spent plenty of time on him, and so did Anne. We can only hope he is as careful of Manners' privacy as he is of his own. He must want Georgie and Fielding on his side, and they are not going to entertain him if he has discredited their friends.'

'True. Do you mind very much that Georgiana wants to go back to London?'

'Certainly not. She never used to enjoy the countryside, I'm glad she learned to ride because it may be of use to her if they go to the continent, but the piano and Fielding are her life, and I want her to have the best of both. And both her husband and her skills will thrive best in London, with Mr Clementi and an important patron. In a way I hope that Prince George will keep them in England, I don't want them to brave the Channel and the French. Fame in Austria doesn't sound nearly as impressive as fame in London. In the last case we can even attend the concerts if we want to.'

Imagine, Fielding playing with an orchestra, Elizabeth would be delighted to be able to witness that.

'I may want to have the baby in London, my love. Jane mentioned a midwife, and I think we may be able to find a better one in town than here. I'll ask Sarah, of course, and Fanny.'

'So you talked to Jane already, I'm so glad you will be able to share this.'

'She saw immediately, my love, can you believe it?'

'I can, you have always been the most beautiful woman alive, but these days it's more than that, it may be that you're still so young and developing from a girl to a woman but I think not. Your hair is even glossier, your face is even sweeter, your figure was already perfect but somehow it looks and feels even nicer now. I love you more than ever, Elizabeth.'

'And I you, my love. Having friends about is a pleasure, but I would be more than happy to just be with you. Though I would love to have Jane living closer.'

'I have a feeling you will, my dearest, I think this is it, Bingley will finally buy the estate his father already wanted to acquire. Thirty miles, that is less than half a day's travel, we can visit on a whim. But first, we'll have the best summer of our lives, hunting and fishing, rambling and riding. And when you get too large to ride we'll find other things to do, either here or in London. But I promise you, we will do those things together.'

And he knew she believed that now, for words were not always needed between two people who loved each other as they did. Instead Elizabeth lay on top of him, kissing and nuzzling him with obvious heat, his body reacting with instant arousal. Apparently they had talked enough, the time had come to express their intense love wordlessly but no less intensely. Life had been good since he had managed to win the woman of his life, and it would keep getting better.

The end

Author's note

So this is it, my dear readers, Revelations has come to an end. I remember making the first draft during a music festival, in a tent, with a pencil on sheets of paper since there was no power to use either a laptop or a mobile phone. That was nearly three years ago. What started out as Mr Darcy's reaction to Miss Elizabeth Bennet's rejection of his proposal, turned into a sequel and then into a soap opera. I have had a lot of fun writing this and I have learned a lot, and I am certainly not going to stop writing. But a whole chapter each week is a lot, and I was starting to feel the pressure.

I want to thank all of you for reading my work and leaving your comments. Hopefully you have enjoyed the story and will sometimes re-read your favourite chapters, and maybe you will remember some of the characters I made up. I have come to like them a great deal, most were very real to me.

The first three parts of this story are available as e-book, the last part, starting with the return to Pemberley, will be thoroughly revised (it contains a few glaring mistakes I had no time to correct as of yet) and then published as an e-book as well.

Thank you again for all the time you gave to me! As I mentioned earlier, I may start on a spin-off somewhere in the future, but not for some time yet. First there is a third part of Mirror Bound to complete, and I'm aiming for a romance set in modern day Amsterdam.

Enjoy your writing and reading!

With affection, Kirsten bij't Vuur