Chapter 174

'Fowler! Do you have a few hours to spare today?'

Nick looked up from his breakfast, frankly he was not looking forward to the day since Mr and Mrs Darcy's relatives were to arrive and of course Anne and Frederick were obliged to receive them. There would be no opportunity to spend time with their loved ones for Simon and himself until tonight, possibly quite late even. They could pass that time together at headquarters, Simon was excellent company and they had no actual duties, but the weather was so pleasant that Nick would have preferred to go outside, riding or rambling or fishing.

What could Hugo want from him? Maybe the stable staff needed the extra help unloading carriages with so many guests due to arrive at much the same time. Nick didn't consider himself above menial work at all, but to work for Hugo? The stable master generally treated Nick with more respect than he did any of the other staff and Nick liked it that way, placing himself under Hugo's command for a few hours might change his standing in the stable master's eyes, and not for the better. Well, anything better than boredom, and he liked the stable staff, including Hugo. Anne and Frederick would undoubtedly manage to overcome the awful sight of Nick doing a servant's work, Simon did it all the time. Nick, too, but generally not where the genteel folk could see it.

'I am at liberty today, Hugo. What would you have me do?'

'Well, the boys will be busy most of the day unloading carriages and helping to quarter the guests' horses so it is time for me to put in some honest work myself. And I prefer exercising horses to carrying trunks and bonnet boxes and currying horses I've never met before, so I've relieved Bob of the arduous task of going out with the thoroughbreds today. Though driving a team and four can be rather challenging, it's always a good idea to keep those skills keen and ready to use. I thought maybe you'd like to join me.

And after that I have Mr Darcy's hunters to exercise, and not just let them stretch their legs, we are supposed to keep up their hunting skills and some need to be taught new ones. That means taking jumps and crossing streams and facing possible scares like dogs and a noisy sawmill and such. I thought I'd take the master's younger hunter and you could take your master's calm one that you rode before. Bates will thank you for relieving his duties. And then I'll take the master's wiser hunter and you take your Liquor and we start practising some jumps with him. It's easier with a calm horse along, and more enjoyable.'

With quite a bit of effort Nick managed to suppress the heartfelt 'Yes, please!' he wanted shout at the stable master. That wouldn't do at all, Hugo would respect him all the more if he showed as little feeling as a gentleman would.

A cool, 'I suppose I can find the time to accompany you,' was much better. And indeed Hugo appeared very pleased to have a companion for the day, probably because he knew Nick wouldn't object to the stable master talking incessantly about his conquests in London, as he had on Mrs Fielding's wedding day. Poor man, there was little enough love to be had in the countryside for a man unwilling to commit himself to one partner.

And what about Simon? Wouldn't he be pleased to join them on this excursion? He wasn't as keen a rider as Nick was, nor as eager to test his bravery by riding anything more temperamental than the mare Frederick had gotten him, but he might enjoy a trip in the carriage.

'Can we take Simon along on the ride with the thoroughbreds? I know he won't want to ride a hunter.'

'Generally I'd say the more the merrier, Fowler, and the box seat does fit three if snugly, but I'm planning to let the thoroughbreds have a little run. I'm certain you will enjoy that, even sitting on the box, but I'm afraid our friend may find it a little too much excitement. He could move to the inside of the carriage, though. Why don't you ask him? And if he wants to join what I'm planning with you and Liquor he can, though your black has more potential than his mare you need to start small, you cannot expect a horse to take a ditch untrained, so we'll not be going too fast or jump anything really dangerous. If Simon dares to come along he can learn the basics of taking obstacles on his own horse. Meet you at the stables in half an hour?'

Another 'Yes, please!' Nick had to suppress. Going at full speed and from the box, one of his dearest wishes come true. He had no doubt he'd enjoy it, he didn't frighten easily and if Bob and Bruce could do it, so could he. Well, and who knew what Simon wanted better than Simon himself?'

'I'll ask him and I'll be there in half an hour.'

And when Nick met up with Hugo half an hour later by himself, Simon having admitted to being loathe to miss the bustle of so many people arriving, he wasn't even put out that apparently they had to harness the slim brown horses themselves before being able to go out. In hindsight he should have expected it, if one was part of the stable staff one did the work of the stable staff.

It was both very instructive and very enjoyable for Nick to learn how to harness four highly bred carriage horses. He had never realised how much work was involved before one could even start a trip, and he marvelled at the stable master's patience both with the rather fidgety horses and a helper who didn't know a thing about carriages and very little about horses. Of course Nick couldn't help bringing up Hugo's reputation of being a taskmaster, at which the born Frenchman laughed villainously.

'It's not just that I'm a bit afraid of you, Fowler, though I won't deny I have been told that you are a mean fighter. Not to mention your master being rather protective of you and Simon both. One does not cross Mr Manners, though he seems the politest and most condescending of gentlemen. No, the reason I am not shouting at you or insulting your intelligence is that I don't need to. You soak up knowledge like a sponge, and it is as if you can do anything you set your mind to. You cannot imagine how long it has taken me to force some basic knowledge into my current stable boys' thick skulls, they were all dumb plough boys when they came to work here. Not a word against them now, they are nice fellows and hard workers, and few can ride a horse like Peter or drive a team like Bob, but they have a strong will and it took some time for me to convince them I am generally right. And that, yes, they had to do their share of the hard and dirty work as well.

You, however, don't argue, you just do as I ask and don't mind my checking your work afterwards. Though I suppose that is just because you are not mine to command. I bet you'd give me plenty of trouble if you were my staff.'

Remembering his treatment at Wellesley's hands, Nick doubted that, but of course he was not going to undermine his current reputation as fearsome fighter by admitting to any weakness.

'I'm mostly meek out of fear to have an accident because I failed to secure some strap the right way, Hugo. But I also do want to know more about horses, I like them though I've always been a tiny bit afraid of their size and strength!'

'And they will test your mettle if you let them, but you've already found that out with Liquor. Well, I cannot find any fault with your work so far, these buckles are all secured well and you didn't forget a single one. I guess we'll be as safe as we can be at that speed.'

Nick was not going to let Hugo frighten him, Mr Darcy let Mrs Darcy ride behind those horses and had even taken the Prince of Wales on a tour, he wouldn't have done that if it were dangerous.

'Excellent! I'm glad you're going to be the one holding the reins, though.'

Just wait until Anne heard he had been on the box seat, she'd be thrilled!

Hugo showed him exactly how he handled four sets of reins, which proved to be even more difficult than Nick had already thought. As impressed as he was by one man controlling four spirited horses under even the most difficult circumstances, he knew instantly he had no desire to learn to drive a team of four, not even of placid horses. He could probably learn how to do it but would be pleased to leave the time and responsibility involved to another, like Bob, who seemed to want nothing more of life than to drive his master's envied team wherever Mr Darcy wanted to go. Nick did gain a whole new respect for Bob and Hugo, this was quite a feat!

They moved as fast as they had before, on Mrs Darcy's trip to Kent, but somehow it felt different sitting on the box, less comfortable of course and more exposed which seemed to make it more exciting. Hugo had Nick test his seating for when they were to go much faster, find out where to put his hands and feet for the most stability. Still Nick was only a little excited, not afraid.

And when they had finally reached the top of a long hill and they could see the road ahead for miles because there was nothing before them but a flat terrain covered in short heath, Hugo grinned and confessed, 'I've never done this before either, Nick, frankly I didn't care to take the risk of fainting with fright before either of my staff. I thought I'd managed to fool the boys but I hadn't, they knew and they finally dared to call me out. I asked you to come to have a witness who is not under my authority. If I weep in fear I'll only look weak to you which I don't mind, you're much braver than any of us anyway. Hughes told me how you stood up to Lady de Bourgh, and Oliver described that bank with a ditch you jumped as if it was nothing, on your first hunt ever, you have no need to tease a man over his fears to make yourself feel more courageous.'

Nick did feel flattered because an admirable fellow like Hugo had such a high opinion of him. And of course he would not even think of telling the stable staff on him if he showed any weakness. But wasn't it dangerous for the driver to be afraid of his own horses? Thinking of his own mental state during the jump that seemed to have made his reputation with Hugo and the stable staff, he decided it didn't matter, the horses would mind their own legs and the harness would hold, whatever Hugo was doing.

'You know bravery is not being fearless, Hugo. It's conquering fear, being afraid and going on despite being afraid. I have been wanting to do this from the moment Miss Anne de Bourgh returned from a visit to her uncle in Mr Darcy's carriage with her eyes sparkling and a story to tell her friends, and I am going to enjoy it hugely. I'm certain my excitement is catching. Are you ready?'

'As ready as I'll ever be, Fowler.'

'Let's do it then.'

And they did.

It was everything the others had described and probably a little more, since Nick didn't only see the landscape flash by, he also felt the wind in his hair and he could see the thoroughbreds' lithe bodies gathering themselves then stretching until it seemed they would snap in the middle. They really seemed to be egging each other on to ever greater speed, an eye or at least an ear on their neighbour at all times. Fortunately, Nick found it much easier to keep his seat than he'd expected, his feet found easy purchase on the front of the box seat and he wasn't afraid at all to fall off.

Beside him Hugo still had dry eyes, though the wind beating their faces might have explained any signs of weeping. He was rather quiet and intent on his charges, for which Nick was thankful since he felt safer after all with an alert driver. Although, was that a smile on the stable master's face? Yes, it certainly was, Hugo was starting to enjoy this.

All too soon he calmly drew the reins, slowing the team down to a trot and then a walk.

'That was incredible!' Hugo said, still barely able to believe his own bravery. 'I wasn't afraid at all. Just alert that they didn't do something foolish. You know I cannot for the life of me imagine why I didn't do it long before now, it wasn't that bad at all.'

Whilst they talked about their experience, Hugo walked the horses to the nearest crossroads, where he turned their heads back towards Pemberley and allowed them to pick up speed until they were at a brisk trot, eating up the miles. Apparently, Bob drove this far every other day to keep the team fit and free of excess energy and nerves. All the more reason for Nick to stick to his current employment, he'd soon get bored driving horses, no matter how fast or enviable. He much preferred riding, the physical challenge and the close contact with the horse seemed so much more rewarding to him.

Unharnessing the team went decidedly more quickly, though it did take them another twenty minutes. But Hugo no longer checked on Nick's work, which Nick didn't really approve of: if he undid straps and buckles he shouldn't, Bob would have so much extra work the day after tomorrow. But he was eager to ride and didn't want to antagonize the stable master of Pemberley, so he merely did his best and hoped not to make a possibly dangerous mistake.

Hugo assured Nick that he had arranged borrowing Mr Manners' hunter with Bates, no need to bother his master to ask for permission. Of course Nick knew he'd never get in trouble with Frederick over a horse, but a moment's show of hesitation to impose on his master would make a good impression on the stable master, Hugo should not know how close Nick actually was to the respected Mr Manners. After another assurance that Bates knew his master's wishes on this, Nick gave in and followed Hugo to the riding horses' paddocks.

He knew how to saddle a horse but he asked the stable master to look over his work anyway to be safe, this was likely going to be his most challenging ride so far and he didn't want a saddle to slip or a bridle to fall apart on him. Still it was done much more quickly than harnessing the team, and soon they were riding in the complete opposite direction from where Mr Darcy usually went, around the tall hill behind the house and away from the river and the park.

When they had passed beyond the immediate vicinity of the house it became clear why Mr Darcy didn't lead his relatives and friends this way, the horses were struggling over a rather muddy path through a disheartening expanse of scruffy looking pine trees set in straight rows, one row after the other as far as Nick could see, which was admittedly not very since the forest was dense. The trees were planted so close to one another that despite their scruffiness, very little light was filtering through their branches to the needle-littered forest floor. The entire atmosphere within this murky collection of evergreens made him wonder whether there were any wolves out here, or maybe even supernatural creatures like banshees or gytrash.

'You look a bit dreary, Fowler, is the black forest getting to you?'

Of course Hugo would feel free to tease Nick with any admission of fear or superstition.

'No, just enjoying the smell of pines, that is all. But why call it the black forest? And why choose to take a muddy path like this?'

'It does smell good. You can imagine how the boys like to frighten each other and certainly any new man or boy with tales about this part of Mr Darcy's woods. At night it can be a terror to find yourself in due to some stupid bet or challenge, on foot in the pitch dark and in this mud as well, and with the resident owls flying out to hunt with no more noise than a rustle of wings and an occasional eerie hoot. Calling it the black forest is part of the charm.'

Well, it wasn't difficult to image being scared out of one's wits in here, in the dark, if Nick already imagined haunted creatures in the daylight. Hugo had more to tell about the rather ugly, tall, straight trees.

'Besides offering larger game a safe place to hide and have their young, it's actually quite an important source of materials for the local farmers, of course Mr Darcy himself uses oak and beech or rarer woods, chestnut or walnut or cherry, but his tenants also need wood to build or repair their houses and fences. Pine is much easier to use which means the farmers can do the work themselves, saving them the cost of a craftsman's efforts.

They can apply for a share and Oliver and Mr Brewer decide how much they need. The muddy path is left this way to discourage anyone from trying to take dead branches or small game. It's only easily accessible during the felling season, which is in the dead of winter when everything is frozen solid. And it serves us well to train the horses, struggling through mud makes them very strong and sure-footed, and they also feel the trees pressing in on them, they don't like to be closed in and this way we get them used to that feeling.'

Well, Nick didn't like this place either, though he supposed he was used to being hemmed in with houses and people in the city. It was probably the absence of people that made him feel a bit unwelcome, there was plenty of life in the trees, birds were whistling and flying about and he thought he could see a squirrel's red-plumed tail in one of the tall pines.

But his struggle and the horses' did come to an end as they left the forest to enter another lush green valley from the top of yet another hill.

'This valley is on the edge of Mr Darcy's lands, and since he rarely uses it to hunt we can train the horses here. One cannot ride over a farmer's lands indiscriminately, even if he has no crops there it is bad for the soil and it can disturb the livestock. So we pretend to hunt where our master doesn't go. Even so we'll mostly avoid any cultivated grounds, there are plenty of paths which we can use that will bother no-one. Still, we may cross a few meadows and jump a few hedges. Are you ready to make a bit more speed?'

And then Nick had the ride of his life so far, Hugo led him through narrow lanes and across patches of scrub, through a shallow stream and up a very steep bank. Then he jumped several obstacles in a row with the stable master looking on and calling out helpful instructions whilst keeping his master's young hunter stock still despite another horse running around. And just before the young horse was fed up they went on, back across the stream but in a different spot, and towards a rather large building standing next to a sizeable pond.

'It's the sawmill, horses dislike the noise. I always ride by it when I have the chance.´

And indeed, as they got closer Nick could hear the noise, of the wooden mill wheel creaking, the white water crashing down below it, and of course the sounds of the saw inside the large building beside the millpond. The miller's large dog also ran out to inspect the intruders, barking furiously but not coming too close to either horse.

Frederick's hunter didn't like the ruckus but he trusted his rider and didn't seem inclined to do anything rash. But Mr Darcy's young gelding balked and nearly threw Hugo, who kept his seat with some surprisingly agile moves and gestured to Nick to lead the way.

'Straight ahead and through the village. I'll take back the lead as soon as I can.'

On they went, past the noise and the dog, Frederick's horse still unfazed by the strange sounds and smells of a different area than his master's grounds. Hugo followed rather easily, and indeed he soon took back the lead. When they made a rather sharp turn halfway through the village, Nick could see his horse pricking its ears, and its stride lengthened just slightly.

'That was the turning point, we taking a different way back, let them run off some of the tension we built up with this challenging route. Also, there are a few more jumps we can practise.'

And so they did, crossing a large meadow at breakneck speed, only slowing down slightly to take a few challenging obstacles. The last ten minutes of the ride they cooled the horses down by letting them go no faster than a stride, and when they rode back into the stable yard their breathing was back to normal. In just an hour and a half, Nick had learned as much about training a young hunter and taking jumps as he generally did of plain riding in one of Peter's lessons.

They took the same route with Liquor and of course that meant it was Nick's turn to face the challenges, though they passed by most of the obstacles as too difficult for a green horse. Liquor did not like the mud, nor the gloom, nor the stream, nor the mill the first time he came across them. But Nick wasn't afraid and Hugo was a good teacher, and feeling tired, sore and very pleased with himself and his horse, they crossed the last fields at a walk before entering the park from the other side than they had entered. Now Hugo looked very serious, and Nick wondered what his mistake had been, since so far he thought he'd done rather well.

When the stable master urged his horse to ride next to Liquor, Nick prepared for an earful.

'You are indeed a natural with horses, Fowler, you know how to push yourself and the horse but not beyond its courage. That is a very valuable trait in a horseman, push your horse too far and it will take weeks to regain his trust. But they do say that a man who is good with the ladies, is good with a horse.'

Well, that was a subject Nick hadn't expected to come up anymore that day. They'd not talked about conquests at all so far, which had led Nick to guess it might be a sore subject for the stable master, who was most likely suffering from an acute lack of female attention. He did not reply but merely nodded to let his companion know he was willing to hear what the other had to say.

'Mrs Reynolds tells me you are still adhering to your principle of not being intimate within your own household, just like Simon and myself. I can imagine you're not used to having a dry spell since you've always lived in town and I want to warn you, should you feel tempted to stray from your conviction, please don't fall for Pauline's lush charms. I know her type, she means to improve herself at any cost and she would love to get her hands on you.'

Nick thanked Hugo for his kind concern and assured him he had already withstood the lush maid's offers.

'I'm not unduly bothered by lack of female attention, you know. You are right to suppose I've always had plenty of intimacy in town, but I rarely went out of my way to get it. It has always been offered to me, often by ladies I didn't dare to refuse though I certainly enjoyed their gifts. But I find it quite refreshing not to have to please a different woman every day, I'm enjoying the quiet.'

He enjoyed the love, mostly, but Hugo didn't need to know that.

'Well, I'm glad you're not experiencing any discomfort. Should you start to regret your current situation, come to me. I know someone... a woman... who may be willing to help remedy it, without the risks involved in accepting proposals from local girls. To those girls you're quite a catch, you know, well-dressed, sophisticated, in your master's favour. They have no idea what your life is like, on the road most of the time, waiting on your mistress for hours. You'd never have time to spend on them, but they don't realise that.'

'It's why I promised myself to enjoy love where it was offered but never to marry: my parents were always at work and returned too tired to spend time with us. We practically raised ourselves. I'm not going to do that to a wife and children.'

Now the stable master nodded in assent, and yet his face turned thoughtful.

'I used to think the same, Fowler. But now I'm getting older, and though I still enjoy chasing the ladies in town I do feel lonely more often. Peter is so happy with his missus, and even Bob found someone, and seeing the master smitten, it makes a fellow think there may be some advantage to choosing to commit to a single superior woman. I'm nearing forty, I suppose I'll grow old alone, it's too late for me to find my other half. But you are still young, Fowler, you have time. Just look at Bob and Peter with their wives, or Mr Darcy and Mr Manners if you like, and ask yourself whether you don't deserve to be happy like them. Please think about it, maybe you can get used to being with the same woman instead of chasing a new one every time.'

That was so kind of a man with Hugo's reputation! Nick almost felt guilty to fool him like he did, but if he wanted to be happy with Anne he would have to keep their secret from people he liked even better. Still he let his own tough mask slip for a moment to say, 'Well, if I ever find a more settled job I may consider it. My siblings and I all turned out pretty well and we take really good care of our parents. But why should it be too late for you, Hugo? You get plenty of appreciation from women of all ages, why not choose one to settle with? No need to be lonely.'

'I know, Fowler, but I think I'm just not suited to marriage. I have quite a temper, you know, I can't imagine anyone putting up with me.'

'We're all human, aren't we? Plenty of other people have a temper and they are not alone. Why not open up to the idea and see where it leads you?'

'You really think I'm not too old to settle? I wouldn't want to marry a much younger woman, she would surely expect to have a house full of children and I really do prefer horses to children. They're not as noisy, you see. But a woman my age with children of a more suitable age will be long married to someone else.'

'Unless she was a widow, Hugo, like Mrs Eliot but younger. A widow would likely welcome a man like yourself, to help take care of any children she had. You would truly not mind raising another man's sons and daughters?'

'If they were at an age to mind their manners and learn some useful skills, certainly not. I've always liked teaching young people. And some widows might indeed feel inclined to get married a second time around. Fowler, you've given me food for thought when I was planning to give you some, since I know this is your first time in the country and things are different here. I'm not all against settling anymore, I've become a bit milder over the years and women are not at all like stable boys, maybe a wife wouldn't try my temper.'

'But her sons might,' Nick observed cheekily.

'Oh I know how to handle boys. It's a woman's tears I fear.'

Nick could barely repress a laugh, but again he felt flattered, for he was very certain that Hugo was much more frank towards him than to anyone else. To tell Nick so much about his innermost feelings was really special for the bossy stable master.

By now they had rounded the corner towards the Pemberley stables, and Hugo instantly changed the subject to the one still closest to his heart and decidedly less intimate: horses.

'I think you can teach your Liquor to keep up with a hunt within a few weeks, Fowler. He will never be able to compete with the best hunters but he won't hold a hunt back either, once you both learn how to take increasingly difficult obstacles. And we can even teach him some useful tricks in case your travels take you to some less savoury places where Mrs Manners really needs your protection. Mostly to stand still on command and to let you guide him without having to use the reins, maybe even to follow you without a lead when you're not mounted. That would free your hands for a weapon and your attention for what is happening about you.'

Could Liquor learn all that? And how did Hugo know how to teach a horse to behave more like a dog than a horse?

'I see I've surprised you, Fowler, you thought I was an upstart stable boy. I'm not, you know. I haven't told a lot of people since it might become a problem soon, with citizen Napoleon consolidating power in France. You have of course heard that I am originally from France, and the threat of war makes me glad I adopted an English-sounding surname. Most people assume I was a stable master over there, since I obviously know my horses, and if they want to fancy more they imagine that the Revolution forced my master and mistress and their entire household to flee our beloved country. I do not set them to rights about my former life, because I think it is safer that way.'

This made Nick more curious than ever, but they were now in the middle of the cobbled stable yard and Peter and Bob were approaching to take their horses. He really wanted to know what Hugo had been about to tell him, but he didn't expect the stable master to talk in front of his staff.

'Peter, Bob, have all the carriages arrived?'

Both men affirmed, and Hugo magnanimously offered, 'Why don't you see whether the kitchen has some coffee and a pastry for you? You have half an hour until feeding time, Fowler will want to see to his own horse, and I can do my share today.'

So Nick was to hear this after all, Hugo did not dismiss his stable boys to please them.

As they haltered their horses and removed saddle and bridle, Hugo continued his story.

'I was a minor officer in the French cavalry, Fowler, an army man. My father was a second son to a family of the lower gentry, which helped me obtain my place in the French army. I learned a lot about horses and had a natural talent with them, but I never managed to reach a significant rank, mostly because of my lack of connections but also because I lacked something you have in plenty: raw courage. I never failed my men or my own honour, not even in pitched battles, but I was not put upon this earth to distinguish myself fighting. The most important value I had to my regiment were my never-failing ability to pick the soundest horses from a herd, and my skill to keep most of our horses going through ceaseless travel, meagre fodder and atrocious weather. You can imagine my superiors being loathe to promote me away from direct contact with the horses they, too, depended on for their survival. Sadly, I couldn't save the horses from dying in battle.

Some eight years ago my superiors fled France to become part of an émigré army, fighting against the Revolution. After a few months of heated battles I discovered in myself a reluctance to fight my own countrymen for the benefit of our former enemies like the Austrians. I also feared to bring down the wrath of the revolutionaries on my brother and my uncle, the latter of whom was still in possession of our family's modest chateau. I decided to resign and disappear from sight, hoping to be forgotten. Having decided to go England I planned to find employment in a stables of some sort and start a new life, a life of peace. Being hired by Mr Darcy was a success beyond my best hopes, but still I never dared form a real attachment to this country. And only now I realise you are right, maybe I should put out some roots. My brother has a family and lives in a quiet town. My uncle was not important enough to have him removed from his estate, he still has hopes to survive this mess with his life and his possessions. He has married a local woman and has formed extensive contacts with the middle-class, hoping to win their support. Both my brother and my uncle are convinced the old times have passed for good, which means I can never return to France. England is my home now.'

Nick was stunned. Mr Hugo the stable master a former French cavalry officer! Small wonder he preferred to keep that a secret, the situation in France was deteriorating rapidly and not everyone would manage to make a difference between a French officer in active service and a retired one. If war broke out once again he would encounter enough distrust and hatred just for being French. Frankly, becoming part of a community by marrying an English spinster or widow could only help him, as well as make him a lot less lonely.

'How long were you an officer, if I may ask?'

'I took service as an ensign when I was eighteen, and I resigned as a lieutenant when I was twenty-nine, so eleven years. I suppose it's where I learned not to get attached to my lady companions.'

Eleven years! His professed lack of courage was probably highly exaggerated, one did not survive eleven in the army without being extremely brave. He could undoubtedly fight like a demon! And ride a horse for a full day and night sitting backwards! And yet he let Peter and his missus be the experts on riding, and praised Nick for his fighting skills. This was an entirely different side to the stable master, whom Nick had considered rather self-satisfied and even slightly dense, that one time they had spent a few hours in each other's company when guarding the church where Georgiana and Eric were getting married. Imagine him thinking of those two as friends now, when at that time he had been very impressed by his adored Anne's grand connections.

'Eleven years! It's an entirely different life here, you must have felt so humiliated at first to bow to people you could break in two!' he blurted out before he could stop himself.

The stable master didn't seem offended but amused.

'I have been incredibly lucky to find a place with a gentleman who values horses as I think they should be. Which means he has always treated me with all the respect I could wish for. And don't underestimate the arrogance of higher-ranked officers in the army, Fowler. I've had my share of humiliation as an ensign and even after my promotion. I much prefer being master of my own little domain, even one as modest as the Pemberley stables. I answer to Mr Darcy directly, though I'm supposed to consult Mr Brewer in matters of money and show respect to Mrs Reynolds. Neither is difficult since they are both admirable people. I have an excellent life, except for that one thing, which I am going to spend some thought on.

So there, Fowler, now you are the only man on this island to know my past, I didn't even tell Mr Darcy since he didn't ask. We're done for the day, but any time you want to spend a hour or so on your Liquor or on your master's hunter, just let me know and I'll see whether I can be spared.'

'Thank you for a magnificent day, Hugo. And of course I'll keep quiet about your past. If you still have contact with your relatives I would appreciate to know about the situation in France, we're still contemplating going abroad and I feel responsible for our safety.'

Nick could hit himself for his careless phrasing. It wouldn't do at all for Hugo to know how familiar he was with his master and mistress. They'd cancel the whole trip if Nick didn't feel up to protecting their party, but the stable master should think of him as a mere servant following orders.

A raised eyebrow might signify he'd betrayed himself, or maybe Hugo just thought it was a foolish idea in the first place to go abroad with a war imminent.

'You know you don't want to be around where there is a battle, but the countryside, even in France, is still relatively safe. If you were to present yourselves without too much pomp and steered clear of major towns I think you could even safely cross most of France. We could share some ale of an evening and I'll tell you what my brother and uncle have written over the last few months.'

'I'd like that, Hugo. Thank you again, and see you later!'

If Hugo had interesting news from France, Nick could always convince the man to tell Mr Darcy of his past in the army and his connections still living there. But first, he was going to find something to eat and then he'd change, in the hopes of finding Anne in her room to dress for dinner with the guests.