Chapter 184

Left more or less by themselves, Hugo said, 'Well, I think our work here is done for the day. Do you want me to show you the back of the house as well? I'm planning to go by the stables before we walk back, I promised Fowler to check on his horse, and I'd like to talk to Peter about the accident, I still feel a little responsible since they're my stables.'

'I think I like your Mr Darcy, Jean, he seems a truly excellent man. And they want me to take Mrs Darcy as a patient, that is just incredible. Oh, and I'm fine with both visiting the back and the stables, my love, but first I want to see my patient for a few moments, even if he is asleep, just to check the blood flow to his fingers.'

Hugo could understand why she'd want to do that, but he wasn't happy about it. Imagine what he might see if Fowler and Mrs Manners thought themselves out of sight.

'You can go check the horse and talk to your stable boy now, and I'll find you there? But I really need to do this if we're not going to return until tomorrow. I can see the very thought bothers you, but I can do this myself by now, you were right, these are good people.'

But her demeanour showed she wasn't ready, not yet. Which meant he had to tell her why he was so uncomfortable, but since he was planning to forget even having seen those things, he had to be careful.

'No, I'm coming with you. I'm just afraid to see some things I'd rather not see, as a member of the staff. Things I shouldn't know about.'

He couldn't come closer to what he meant without calling things by their name, but he didn't need to, Caitlin understood.

'I see. I thought you were merely uncomfortable to be in the front of the house, I did wonder since you were raised in a manor house with staff and all. I thought you'd be comfortable enough with people like this.'

'The English are different, though, and you are right, I'm not entirely comfortable here, but I could bear with that rather easily, I have plenty of self-confidence, I don't feel less than them or overcome by their status. I was used to dealing with the higher ranks in the army. No, I just saw some things I'd rather hadn't, and I'm afraid to see more. But I won't leave you to face them all by yourself, you will get familiar with everyone involved soon enough, but until then I will be there for you as I promised. And remember, I have a week off work to help you get settled.'

'I like to see people helping each other, Jean, loving each other. It makes life so much easier to have someone to love. And Mr Manners doesn't seem to mind at all, he spoke with such affection of Mr Fowler, and he treated him with such care just now. I've rarely met a man who can show his better feelings so easily, I'm really a bit impressed, I feared him at first because he has such a dominant air but nothing is further from the truth, there is no way I could ever fear him now.'

Before Hugo could become even vaguely jealous of his beloved's high praise for a man he only knew as rather dominant, though kind and familiar, the door opened and the man himself entered.

'Oh, thank God you're still here! There's something wrong with Nick, not his arm but his mind, he's raving and flailing, we don't know what to do! Please follow me and help him!'

Yes, Caitlin was right, there was something in Mr Manners' voice Hugo had never heard before, as if he carefully hid this side of him from the world at large, and only true need could bring it out in front of strangers. Maybe that was also a reason to choose a really discrete bone setter, maybe Mr Manners didn't like the world to know his true nature.

Without saying good bye to the couple at the piano, as Mr Darcy had told them to do, they rushed from that marvellous room, Caitlin in front. She went straight to Fowler's room, but when she was going to open the door Mr Manners showed his first sign of embarrassment and said, 'Not that room, he is in Anne's room, through the next door.'

Hugo tried very hard not to process what he was seeing or judge any of it, he'd made free with other men's wives for years and had made love with plenty of unmarried women besides, women who might get into trouble because of his sweet talk and charming ways. Who was he to have an opinion on this gentleman's private life?

But it only got worse inside, this room was clearly a woman's bedroom, decorated lavishly in the same style as the other room but if possible a little more lively. Exotic fabrics, elegant wooden furniture with velvet cushions, and a stunning dressing table with a gigantic mirror as the focal point of the room. Well, besides the large bed, which held Fowler, indeed very restless, and Mrs Manners, holding not just his hand but as much of him as a smallish woman could a very broad man. No-one should see this, it was just not fair to expose him to what should never become publicly known. Mrs Manners was beyond care, she called out to Caitlin, 'What is happening to him, Miss Brennan, I can't get him to lie still, it's like he has gone mad!'

Caitlin didn't seem all that upset, of course she didn't want her good work to come to nothing with Fowler's thrashing about, but she was obviously not afraid he'd drop dead then and there, which to Hugo seemed perfectly possible, it looked much like a seizure. But his beloved merely sat down on the bed beside the restless man and felt his forehead, then slapped him smartly across the cheek.

'He's lost in some drug-induced vision, Mrs Manners, I hope this wakes him up from it. The opium is hitting him hard, the effect should be abating by now but it seems more active instead. Don't worry, his arm is still straight and the splints are still in place. Let me check his fingers.'

And she did, her touch on his hand the ultimate key to waking her patient from his terror. Fowler opened his eyes, his pupils as wide and black as humanly possible, but he seemed able to see from them. And those eyes fell right on Hugo.

'Hugo! I'm so sorry I lied to you about the skirt chasing. I was lost even before we met, you remember that day when we guarded the church doors on Miss Darcy's wedding? When Anne got engaged to Frederick? It was a very bad moment for me because I loved her so, but I knew I had to endure it to be with her. She couldn't marry me after all, with my being a common London servant and with a bad reputation besides.

Will you take care of my Liquor anyway? He never meant to hurt me, he fell, I never thought I'd ever own a horse and he's so beautiful, and it's been such fun to ride out with Anne and the others. We had to keep up the facade, you know, that I was her guard.'

This was exactly what Hugo didn't want to hear, all the details he would have to keep a secret and that might alter his view of everyone involved. But Fowler couldn't help it, it was the opium, and imagine a town doctor knowing this of London society's favourite Mr Manners and his wife.

'It's no problem, Fowler, and none of my business besides. You just get well quickly, and if you want me to I'll care for your horse myself and even continue to teach him. You know those cavalry tricks I told you about? I'll teach them to Liquor and when you're better to you.'

'Oh, that is so kind of you, my friend! But isn't that too much of a burden? Isn't that too much to ask?'

'Naw, I've been lazy for too long, I've had an easy time, letting the boys do all the work, it's time I went back to work anyway. Just keep calm and let your arm heal and you'll be back in the saddle before you know it.'

Hugo's promise seemed to calm Fowler down physically, but still he wasn't completely reassured.

'Will you be safe, Anne, I can't guard you like this, what if your mother sends that thug again? I don't want you to leave and that man was bad news, I should have thrashed him when I could. Put the fear of God in the bugger.'

Now Mrs Manners was all upset, but Mr Manners laughed and got up to stroke Fowler's hair and cheek.

'Don't worry, Nick, it's all been taken care of, remember? You did frighten the blazes out of that uncouth fellow, and then I tracked him down and had someone do it all over again. Your lady is safe with us, and your Liquor is safe with Mr Hugo.'

And indeed Fowler lay still for a few moments, but he was still in the throes of some vision, that was obvious.

'Mr Manners, you are as strong as he is, can you sit beside him and make sure he doesn't dislocate the splints?'

But what if being held down by a strong man made him act out in his drugged state? Hugo was about to point this out when Fowler reacted to the voice by his side and said, 'Ah, Miss Brennan, I feel funny. I suppose that's the opium?'

'I think it is, Mr Fowler, it does that to some people. You're so big I thought you'd handle it well, but it seems I was wrong. I'm sorry, it was the only safe way to relieve your pain.'

'He had it before, Miss Brennan, when he had been assaulted, and it made him a little too familiar and kind of clingy, but nothing like this.'

Mrs Manners seemed a lot calmer with Caitlin having taken charge.

'It may have been a little less strong, Mrs Manners, these pills can even differ among one batch. Do you use them often? He is so much bigger than you I thought he would be fine, but a person's body adapts to opium really quickly.'

'I only use them for two or three days each month, and only when the pain gets unbearable.'

'Well, then it cannot be that you're used to them. You're so slight, I'd expect him to be able to bear up under a pill you can take without ill effect.'

Something seemed to dawn on Mrs Manners, and she suddenly showed great relief.

'But I use only half a pill! I had a whole one once and I dreamed of flying away through the window to my mother's house and her surgeon and his lancets. It was the worst nightmare I ever had! You say poor Nick is having one of those now?'

'I'd say he dreamed of that thug taking you and his precious Liquor both, dear Anne, his worst fears come true. We'll just give him half next time as well, for I suppose he will wake up in pain tonight?'

This inquiry was aimed at Caitlin, who nodded.

'Yes, Mr Manners, he likely will. And one of you will have to check his fingers, if they're cold and feeling dead to him his arm has swollen around the break, it can happen. Then you need to loosen the splint a tiny bit and send for me immediately. Even in the dead of night.'

And just like that, the crisis was over. Fowler drifted off into a quiet sleep, and Mrs Manners kissed him tenderly, then thanked Caitlin profusely.

'Someone tried to kill him once, you know. He broke his ribs and was covered in bruises and in pain for weeks, but he refused to take those opium pills to relieve the pain. It was because someone might find out about us, we'd only just met. But now I'll just make him take them and keep him with me, then he can cling to me and reminisce to his heart's content. Poor Nick, it seems it's always him doing the suffering.'

Of course that couldn't be true if Mrs Manners had opium pills for her monthly affliction, but nobody thought of their own sufferings when taking care of a loved one. By now, Hugo had gotten used to the idea of things not being what they seemed in the Manners household. He'd have no trouble keeping his quiet, he just had to refrain from taking opium pills himself, but booze or opium had never been his vice, seeking love with a different woman every night had been, and by now he knew Caitlin had cured him of that for good.

Mr Manners offered to walk them to the stables, though of course Jean knew perfectly well where they were since he was their master. But they both knew Mr Manners offered because he wanted to talk, and even Jean kept his cool. Knowing what his problem was, he would likely not appreciate what Mr Manners was going to say, but he'd bear with it.

And indeed the gentleman started by offering them his carriage back to Witham, and to fetch both of them again the next morning, but then he said in a calm, gentle voice, 'I'm very sorry, too, Mr Hugo, that you had to find out about your friend and Mrs Manners and in such a way. I could see realisation dawning on your face, and also that you didn't like it at all, but I'm afraid it couldn't be helped, Nick needed that pill. Maybe it will help you to know I proposed to Miss De Bourgh knowing her heart was engaged? We're very happy as we are.'

Jean really hated this, but he managed to reply as calmly, 'I have not led a perfect life, Mr Manners, and it's not my place to judge others. I will forget what I saw today, and I will take care of Fowler's horse as I promised. You may rest assured that by the time he is well enough to ride again I will have that animal as solid on his four feet as any horse can be.'

'That is much more than I'd dare ask of you, Mr Hugo. You owe me no allegiance, are you certain it won't be a burden to you?'

'I'm doing it because Fowler is one of the best men I know and I'm proud he called me his friend, even though he was drugged over his ears. And even when he was still in tremendous pain he thought of his horse before himself. I'll teach Liquor to be as dependable as a cavalry horse, with a few hidden surprises if there is time.'

'Will you have him on loan then until Nick is well again? To take home with you every night as if he is yours? It will save you a lot of time and you can find out whether you want your own horse or prefer to use Darcy's.'

'I think I'd like that, though Liquor will be of little use to Caitlin when she is called out. A gig would be much smarter.'

'But a lot less fun, and if he is in your way you can always return him. Miss Brennan can still use my carriage as long as Nick needs her, but you will be independent.'

'I see that, and with your permission, Caitlin, I would like to try.'

Well, that depended mostly on this Liquor, if he was to be trusted around a ten year old and wouldn't tear down the barn if he had to live alone, she saw no problem in letting Jean have a horse, which she told him.

'You can meet him in a few minutes, I wouldn't advice you or Ben to try to ride him, not until I'm done with him, but he'll let either of you lead him. You are right about him being all alone, though, not all horses take to that at all well. We'll see, though I suppose I'd like to try this week when I still have time to supervise.'

By now they had walked right through the house, down the stairs and across a large hall to the front door, opening on a beautiful lawn reaching right to the banks of the decent-sized river in front of the house. A patch of rose bushes, budding furiously but not yet in bloom, seemed a bit out of place in the landscaped garden, and when they got closer Caitlin could see an intricate work of art made of iron and glass in the middle of the rather French looking rose garden.

'Why is there a formal rose garden in the middle of a landscaped park?' she asked.

Mr Manners smiled and observed, 'I saw you talking to Mrs Darcy when we left to take Nick to bed, and I have a guess why. Why don't you ask her during your first consultation with her? It's a very romantic story and I wouldn't want to spoil it for you. I can tell you this much: those roses were Mr Darcy's grandmother's, and they had to make way for a beautiful conservatory Mr Darcy is building for his wife, right there.'

And he pointed at the far end of the house, closest to what Caitlin guessed were the stables since they were going straight towards them and they looked like stables from this distance.

'It is very likely they will get orange trees and bergamots from Prince George himself when it is finished. Our crown prince admired Mrs Darcy very much when they met at Carlton House last year, which is also something she may tell you about in the future. Now, will it suit you to have my carriage ready for your return in an hour? I'll instruct Bates. Is he behaving, Mr Hugo? If he makes a nuisance of himself tell me, I'll talk to him.'

Caitlin could see Jean didn't like said Bates, but Mr Manners' remark suggested few people did. At least Jean's reply was very diplomatic.

'I think Pemberley does him good, sir, I rule the stables, Mrs Reynolds the back, there is little room for mischief. Pauline was making eyes at him but I think he knows not to trust her. I think we're good here, our staff takes care of each other, and also of visiting staff. And sir...'

Mr Manners was truly interested to hear what Jean had to say.

'He is an excellent man for the horses. Very knowledgeable, kind without spoiling them, and a safe driver. Maybe he knows better how to deal with horses than with people.'

She could see her beloved was spot on with his last observation, and she felt a little sorry for the man they were talking about, she had seen him make a very rude gesture about her to Jean, which he had ignored, but maybe he should have a nice talk with the man instead, giving him some advice on how to interact with women. Except Pauline, apparently. Somehow, the kind-hearted gossip reminded her of the good times at her former master's house, and she could even look forward to visiting more often to check Mrs Darcy's pregnancy, to get to know all the people Jean worked with and had lived with for a decade.

The stables were huge, and everyone had so much respect for Jean, even more than for Mr Manners in a way. Peter was a young man with a very sweet, mischievous appearance, though at the moment he was rather serious. After the introductions, in which Peter seemed to feel slightly superior to Jean for having discovered the merits of marriage much sooner in life, he and Jean started by leading a large, black horse from a paddock and examining him minutely. This was much like what Caitlin herself did with people, and she was again impressed by her beloved's competence, realising he, too, had a much more sensitive nature than he showed the rest of the world. Hadn't Mrs Wright told them he was reputed to be a taskmaster in Witham? Dear Ben had been so angry, too bad he couldn't enjoy his first night with his coveted step father by sitting at the dinner table together. Instead he'd have to make do with the Wrights, though they appeared to be excellent people and very good neighbours.

When every inch of the horse had been felt and prodded, which it bore very patiently, Peter led the horse up and down the cobbled yard at a walk whilst Jean watched carefully. Then he trotted by several times with the big black, and Jean seemed very pleased with the results.

'I cannot find anything wrong with him either, Peter, I hope you don't mind my checking your work, Fowler insisted and since he was in tremendous pain I promised to do as he asked.'

Peter obviously remembered the whole incident with horror, and Caitlin was very happy with the way Jean managed to get his stable hand to talk about his experience without seeming to judge him. She could imagine what seeing someone fall under a horse would do with a man's mind, it might make him hesitant to ride for a few weeks or even months.

'It was terrible, sir, I saw it happen right in front of me. He jumped that one ditch just after passing the mill, the narrow one. He did everything right, I swear, his seat was as great as ever, he gave enough rein and drove him at it just right. Then Liquor slipped with his right hind leg and fell, and fell, it took ages and yet it all went so fast. Nick didn't know to jump off so he fell with the horse and it landed on him. It could have been much worse, but believe me, it was bad enough. He cried out once when his arm broke, the sound was just sickening, it snapped like a twig. Liquor got up quickly and neatly, and Nick was just lying there. I didn't dare let go of the sorrel hunter, you know he might run off on a whim, fortunately Liquor stayed really close, he didn't wander off, didn't seek out grass or anything, he just waited for Nick to do something.

I think Nick was hanging onto consciousness with every grain of will power he had, and I checked him out with the horse following me but I didn't dare handle him for fear to make things worse. He was still conscious and said it was mostly his arm, he could move his head and his feet and his toes, but his arm looked so bad I nearly fainted myself. I decided to send Liquor home, thinking someone would come since they knew where we'd gone, but the damned beast refused to leave Nick, he just stuck to him as if he would get back on any moment. I knew the sorrel wouldn't go home, but even after a few minutes of rest Nick knew he couldn't walk back, not with the kind of pain he was in and that awful kink in his arm. So we decided I'd ride home quickly and get help. Leaving him there was the hardest thing I ever did, and the strange thing was, Liquor didn't even try to follow us, he just stayed right there with his master. Isn't that amazing? If I'd thought he would trample Nick lying on the ground I'd have taken him with me but he was so careful and his presence seemed to hearten Nick. As soon as I got in I raised the alarm, and Mr Darcy and Mr Manners decided the little carriage would be the best to tackle the Black Forest, and Mr Manners would fetch a doctor. Mr Darcy suggested Miss Brennan, and before I knew it we were all on our way, Mr Manners first of all on horseback. Mr Darcy took Bruce along to help lift Nick, and a bottle of brandy to take the edge of the pain.

When we arrived he was still in tremendous pain, but he had us check his horse, then managed to get up and into the carriage by himself, with our help. He did drink the brandy and said it helped. Bruce was the real hero for he got on Liquor to ride him home, though I guess the horse would have followed us since he didn't want to leave Nick, but Nick didn't want to risk him running off. I drove and Mr Darcy stayed with Nick, and Bruce followed on Liquor. When we returned Nick managed to get into the house with Simon's help, and he insisted on going upstairs though he nearly fainted with pain. When I returned to the stables Mr Manners was back already, just incredible how he did all that in such a short time, though maybe we took longer than I thought, we used the cobs and they are slow. It was a sight, those big horses in front of the small carriage, but we could hardly have taken the thoroughbreds or the cart to make a more fitting combination when we needed strong horses and good springs. Well, that was it. Is Nick still in such pain, ma'am?'

Caitlin was impressed with the way gentlemen and stable staff had worked together to help a wounded staff member, and she found herself looking forward to getting to know these people, without wishing to become part of the household herself.

'The setting hurt a lot, it always does, but afterwards the pain recedes quickly. I think Mr Fowler is fast asleep by now, his arm splinted, in a clean bed, with plenty of people to keep an eye on him. He even ate something. If he can keep himself from using the arm he will be fine. You will all have to look out for him, especially among you stable hands he will be tempted to prove himself hardy but he must not. Also in the back of the house, please tell the staff members you trust to keep an eye on him where his master cannot.'

'We will, ma'am, we certainly will. We all admire Nick for his courage and some of us do like to challenge each other, but I will make certain that doesn't happen with Nick until you have declared his arm healed.

Now, Mr Hugo, before you go home to enjoy your time off, will you check on Mr Bingley's horse? I think he is worse, and I think this is a perfect time to send for Darren since they won't do what you think is needed.'

And they fetched another horse from a closed stall, a beautiful creature but with a swollen leg even Caitlin could spot instantly. She didn't see the horse favouring the leg but she wasn't a horse healer, she dealt with humans who could tell her what hurt. And some who couldn't, yet.

The whole process repeated itself, and at a trot even Caitlin could see the horse was not in good order.

'You are right, he is favouring it now. Let's send for Darren tomorrow. I want to be there, not because I don't trust him but because I want to see him work, and I want to have a word with him on a different matter. Those ponies, remember? Has Mr Darcy told you what he is planning?'

'He hasn't. I think he is waiting for you, but unwilling to spoil your time off.'

'That is just like him, but it's no problem. I'll ask him tomorrow. Let's hope Darren knows how to help this poor horse, or manages to convince Mr Jones to let us try our method. If not, I think I'll have a word with Mr Darcy. Thank you Peter, and see you tomorrow!'

'Thank you, Mr Hugo, for listening to me. I was in quite a shock I dare admit. We should introduce our ladies one of these days, you know, I think they'll take to each other.'

He said this with a wink at Caitlin, and she hoped they would, this man was a joy to be around and his wife was a lucky lady.

Bates was already harnessing Mr Manners' team, and whilst Caitlin watched from a slight distance, Jean offered to help out and started a real conversation with him. When they were done, Jean brought Bates with him and said, 'Caitlin, there wasn't any time for a proper introduction this afternoon, so I thought we might do it now.'

Face to face, Bates was polite enough, though Caitlin supposed he might still be rude about her behind her back. But that wasn't her problem, she wouldn't have to hear any of it, and she knew from now on Jean would actively try to lead the driver onto a better path, mostly for the man himself. Had Mr Manners planned it that way? It would mean he was incredibly subtle, and not above manipulating people, but having witnessed him with Mr Fowler and his wife, she could not blame him too much. He was a good man, and until proven differently she would believe he acted in other people's interest, not just his own.

When they arrived in Witham, Caitlin was a little ashamed to be pleased that Bates did not enter the narrow lane towards their cottage but stopped on the main road through the village.

'He asked me if we could walk the last bit because it was such a bother to turn the carriage,' Jean said, smiling broadly.

Caitlin was so proud of her man, he'd turn that carriage on a penny if he had to, especially with another driver as witness. But Bates seemed less proud than Jean, or maybe he just had lower expectations of himself, which was why he would probably never reach the position of stable master. She couldn't help but kiss Jean then and there, and when he held open the door to the luxurious carriage and handed her out, for a moment she felt like a real lady. He was so handsome and charming, and he now was all hers.

As they walked down the little lane hand in hand, Caitlin really thought the world had nothing better to offer her.

'You know we forgot to arrange our dinner tonight,' Jean said, 'we could have had it in the back or I should at least have asked Mrs Reynolds for some bread and cheese, she likes Fowler, she would have treated his saviour like royalty. I didn't even tell her I got engaged, now she will probably hear it from someone else.'

'Never mind, my love, she will forgive you and we will scrape by. There is goat's milk and the chickens never stopped laying despite the move, and I think I have some flour left, that is enough for a feast. We'll go out for some new produce tomorrow when we return from the big house. I'd like to spend the rest of the day exploring the woods, I'm planning some herbs for Mrs Wright, I think she suffers from her airways more than she lets on, she was out of breath so quickly and her colour is a bit off. And I've seen several other village people who I think can be helped feel much better with a tonic or a decoction of some local herb. Ben proposed making a still room out of the third bedroom, do you agree?'

'A still room, that sounds very impressive, I certainly think you should have one if you think it will help you make people better. Did you ever go hungry, Caitlin, when you lived by the river?'

He sounded so sweet, he must have been through his share of hardships during battles, but he really disliked the idea of her having suffered.

'I rarely did, my love, in winter when the goats were dry and the chickens stopped laying it was sometimes hard to get by, but I always knew where to find nourishing roots or edible leaves. Our bellies were filled, we weren't hungry, but for a child it wasn't always the right kind of food, so when a patient paid me with eggs or butter or even a piece of meat I preferred to give most of it to Ben. I'm afraid he may still be a little small for his age.'

He did not get a chance to react, for a small shape proved he had been on the lookout and was quick on his feet by totally surprising both of them. Ben launched himself at Jean, who showed lightning reflexes by catching him in mid jump, and cried out in surprise and joy at being caught and swung high in the air, despite being ten years old already and rather calm by nature. He'd never had the chance to really be a child, and Jean proved on his first opportunity in the role that he was the perfect father.

'You're both invited to dinner at the Wrights!' he screamed between giggles, 'I know everything about farming except it's just in my head, I'll have to practise a lot, and Mr Wright was mighty impressed when Mrs Wright told him you'd been called away to the big house on your first day here.'

Then he sobered up a lot, and Jean set him back on his feet but held onto one hand.

'How was that nice man? He was so kind to me when I was looking for Jean, he told me about his brothers and sisters. Was he very bad? Could you help him?'

'He was pretty bad,' Caitlin said truthfully, as she always had been with Ben, 'he was in a lot of pain, but it was a clean break and nothing I couldn't set. Jean helped set it, Mr Fowler is big and strong with muscles like ropes, I couldn't have done it without help. It hurt very much, fortunately they had some pills to help with that. I think he will be fine, when we left he had eaten again, and there were plenty of people willing to take care of him and keep an eye on him. So all in all, he came off well.'

'He certainly did,' Jean added, 'his horse fell on him, it could have been much worse. If he gets bored, maybe you can visit him, he'd like that, I think. I'm going to train his horse to not fall as quickly, and if Liquor, that's his name, can stand living alone we'll keep him here.'

'Then you can teach me to ride!' Ben concluded, but when Jean cautioned, 'I don't think Liquor is that kind of horse, but we'll see,' he didn't seem very disappointed.

Dinner was plentiful and excellent, and the Wrights really were good people.

'Why don't you let me arrange your foodstuffs for you the first weeks, Caitlin,' Mary offered, 'you will be busy getting to know your patients and the forest as well, Ben says, for your still room? Where you make your own medicine? You'll have no time to bake and churn and scour the village for produce, especially not with the big house calling on you as well!'

'I'll take care of the goats and the chickens and the vegetable garden!' Ben declared.

'And I have the rest of the week off from work, so I'd like to make a start on learning how to plough and sow our one field, and what kind of care cows need. I'd like to try farming, but I'll not have much time once I have to get back to work.'

Of course Mr Wright was delighted to show Jean the ropes as well, he even offered to do part of the work on their field in exchange for Jean's help with really heavy work on his.

'But tomorrow morning you have to be at the big house,' Caitlin reminded her man, that felt so good!, 'remember Mr Bingley's horse?'

'I do, and I need to speak to Mr Darcy as well, and gather my things. But I think we'll manage to be back around noon. Do you want to explore the forest tonight, or tomorrow? I'd like to be with you the first time, do you mind?'

'I'll be glad to have you around, I've been worried after what happened. Once I can find my way it'll be easier. Tonight is fine, as long as it's light.'

'Why don't your man and I talk of farming instead, tonight, and you can take the whole afternoon tomorrow to browse Mr Darcy's forest. It's huge, I tell you, you'd need a horse to cover all of it and even then it would be impossible in a single day.'

Mr Wright was very practical, and he was right. A few hours would not suffice to explore the expanse of forest people had pointed out to her that morning.

'If you don't mind, Mr Wright, after spending all this time with Ben already,' Jean said.

'Nonsense, the boy helped me do my work, he gained me time by helping me weed and kept me company, listening to an old man's ramblings. It's been very quiet here lately, Mr Hugo, it's hard to see one's whole village grow empty and silent.'

There was obviously some pain there, too many had died in Witham, or maybe left to go to town. Caitlin herself could never imagine living in town, with so many people and not a tree in sight. And if she could get Mrs Darcy as a patient, she wouldn't need to browse for edibles in the forest, she could just buy whatever they needed. Then she remembered Jean. He had a really good position, he probably earned quite a good salary, she would never have to go hungry again! Their current lack of food in the house was due to her move and the call from Pemberley, not lack of funds. He'd even mentioned having savings!

'You look like you've had a revelation, my love, is it something you can share with us?'

He was the sweetest man on earth, and tonight and every night after they would be together in her new cottage.

'I suddenly realised I'm no longer poor. If Mr and Mrs Darcy want my services I'll indeed be able to afford butter and freshly baked bread and maybe even meat, without having to churn or bake or butcher it myself.'

'You can go to church in silk and fur if you want to, my love, there will be plenty of things to worry about in the future but going hungry isn't one of them.'

And after that they had to explain to the Wrights that their engagement was a very recent event, and Caitlin didn't feel the slightest shame to have them know they were going to live together before they were married.

Their first night as a real couple was heavenly, and the next morning they sat at the breakfast table as a real family. Ben had all manner of plans with the seeds Mr Wright had given him for their kitchen garden, and Hugo wanted to talk to Mr Brewer as well as Mr Darcy, not just to ask his advice on whether to buy a couple of cows, but also on what crop to grow on their currently fallow field. The others were in use as meadow and they'd need the grass if they wanted cows or even a horse.

At the arranged time they were waiting for Bates, who was very punctual and dropped them off at the stables, where Hugo had Peter send someone for Darren Staples to look at Mr Bingley's horse in about an hour. Then they went straight to the front of the house, where they were awaited eagerly by Mr Manners. Hugo dared take a few moments to ask the butler to inform Mr Darcy of the livestock healer's imminent visit, then followed Caitlin and the other gentleman upstairs to the second floor.

'They're at headquarters,' he said, and at Hugo's baffled look he explained, 'that's what we call the room with the large table and the globe, it's where we plan our journey to the continent. Say, Mr Hugo, you're French and Nick blurted out you were in the cavalry, maybe you can help us understand the dangers of travelling in France and even the Alps?'

He certainly could have, ten years ago.

'I can in general, but I've lived here for ten years, my knowledge may be hopelessly outdated.'

'True, still we may learn a lot from you, like how armies work and over which distance they are dangerous.'

'You cannot go into France, sir, it's much too dangerous. It's not just the army, it's the people. You could never pass for a citizen, not even Simon could mimic a French farmer, and Fowler cannot stand against a whole village. The lower countries aren't dangerous in their entirety, but half is one big swamp and the rest has some really savage people living in it. The only real option would be the German empire, it's mostly safe and civilised.'

Then Hugo realised this entire group of people wanted to go there.

'You are not thinking of taking the ladies, are you? You could take them through France if there were peace, but these northern countries have no cultivation.'

It was clear Mr Manners didn't believe him, but hadn't he seen for himself how people outside the more civilised areas of the continent suffered from bandits and local families behaving like royalty? Granted, he had never been to the lower countries or the German empire, but some of his fellow officers had.

'We'd love to hear you talk about your experiences some day soon, Mr Hugo. I was actually rather surprised to find you were a former soldier, you have always struck me as a very calm and peaceful man.'

'Men who cannot control their temper don't last in a war, sir, especially not in the cavalry. Not in an English gentleman's stables either, for that matter.'

'True,' the gentleman nodded, he was smart and knew how to think, which was useful in a gentleman and also in an officer, but didn't necessarily help to keep an ordinary soldier alive.

Caitlin seemed very much at home already at Pemberley, and led the two men to 'headquarters' without hesitation. When they entered, gentle music proved Mr and Mrs Fielding were also present. Simon was reading a very large book that lay on the table, with Fowler sitting right next to him looking over his shoulder. That was right, he shouldn't even hold a book that size, it was better to let someone else handle it for him. He seemed wide awake and in little or no pain, his right arm resting in the sling Caitlin had made for him yesterday.

'Miss Brennan!' Fowler said when he saw Caitlin, 'my saviour! It was difficult to find a comfortable position to sleep in but then I woke up with birds whistling outside. Thank you so much!'

Then he caught Hugo's eye and looked his question, and Hugo was pleased to reply.

'He was fine, Fowler, didn't Peter tell you? He also told me you were very lucky to escape worse injuries, though I suppose you're black and blue today.'

'I was a bit stiff, yes, I admit, but I feel much better now. I did take half a pill a few hours ago, there was no way to avoid it. There was literally no-one to support me when I tried to refuse taking one so I had to.'

He was still a charmer, but then Hugo had to admit he might be called such himself when a certain mood struck him.

Caitlin certainly seemed to like her patient, she didn't hesitate one bit before taking his right hand to feel the temperature and flexibility. But maybe she never saw patients as threatening, even if they were very strong men.

'It feels much better, Mr Fowler, warm, and I think the swelling is gone altogether? She held out her hand for his other one and got it immediately. Comparing the two, she nodded, and said, 'They're exactly alike in temperature and shape. That is very promising, Mr Fowler, it suggests there is little swelling in the rest of your arm as well. Let me check the splints.'

And she carefully removed the entire arm from the sling and probed it, Fowler's face betraying that this did hurt and more than just a little.

'I'm sorry to hurt you, it's going to get better very quickly the coming days, if you give it the rest it needs!'

Fowler bowed his head like a scolded page boy, then said, 'Yes, ma'am!'

And Caitlin added, 'And when it feels a lot better in a few days, you are to still give it the rest it needs!'

'Don't worry, Miss Brennan, we're keeping a close eye on him,' Mrs Manners said from the other side of the table, where she was busy with some kind of needlework.

It was as if yesterday's events had been a figment of his imagination, which Hugo thought was for the best since it enabled him to forget all about what he had inadvertently witnessed.

Business taken care of, Hugo wanted to go by the back of the house to introduce Caitlin to Mrs Reynolds, but Mr Manners had something to discuss.

'Have you checked your barn, will you take Liquor with you today?'

They had decided he would try, there was enough space and the meadow had a sturdy enough fence, so he affirmed.

'I thought I would take him tomorrow, to see if he bears up under being all by himself. We have plans this afternoon that won't allow us to keep an eye on him and I do want to stay close to the house the first day.'

'Great, thank you! Now Miss Brennan, as Nick said, you've saved him from agony and misfortune, and since you've just moved house and lost all your former patients I can imagine you'd prefer to receive the bulk of your payment immediately. I know Nick is not back to health by a long way, but you cannot harvest from a new field, you need seeds and utensils and furnishings and food to tide you over until you have paying customers and a well-filled kitchen garden. So please accept this advance on your fee.'

And he handed her a little bag that seemed heavy, which Caitlin took graciously.

'Thank you, Mr Manners, I admit I have wondered how I'd get by until I get settled. I know Jean would provide for me but I'm not used to letting someone else take care of me, no-one ever did before. It's become a habit to be self-sufficient. I'll be back every day for the first week, and then maybe Mr Fowler can come to our place? In your carriage? He will bored stiff by then and in need of some fresh air and change of scenery. Ben, my son, liked him very much, he would be very pleased to meet him again.'

'I will suggest him to do that, your cottage is the sweetest little thing, everybody should see it. Thank you and see you tomorrow!'

With that, they took leave and once again walked straight through the front of the house, this time towards the back. It felt strange, but in a few weeks he'd rarely have to set foot in this part of the house again, though things would never go back to what they had been since he wouldn't even go to the back of the house that often, he'd return every night to Witham, to his beloved and their son.