Revelations

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  If you then appreciate her services, we can have Mrs Reynolds school her further during spring and summer, and you'll have the perfect lady's maid

  next winter in London. What do you say, Mr Darcy, Mrs Darcy?'

  Was that all? They should bring a maid to Netherfield to make a good impression? Well, if Elizabeth agreed he was fine with it, and Bob would be thrilled.

  'Hair? Accessories?' Elizabeth seemed quite put out, 'Mrs Annesley, Fitzwilliam, I totally forgot to plan what I will be wearing! I've three really good dresses, but they're country chic, not wedding-approved. I'm going to have to plan a hunt myself, Fitzwilliam, and get me something to wear to my sister's wedding. Where shall I start? There is so little time left!'

  'I take it you agree to bring a maid then, Mrs Darcy?'

  Mrs Annesley was not losing her calm, that was good, for Elizabeth looked ready to faint. 'Don't worry, Mrs Darcy, there are plenty of people in this household with a taste in fashion, you cannot take them shopping but we can set them hunting for accessories within this house. With your permission, Simon and I will accompany you on your 'hunt', and maybe Miss Darcy as well if she's ready to embrace fashion. What you call country chic is actually rather fine, and very well-suited for the normal days at your friend's house, but I agree with you that you need something a little more city-like for the wedding. Remembering a certain afternoon at Pemberley with Mr Bingley's sisters I'd like to suggest you rub it in very carefully that you won.

  In fact, I wish I could see you do it, it would be my great pleasure.'

  Darcy couldn't help being surprised by Mrs Annesley expressing herself so

  ...bluntly? She had never commented even once on Miss Bingley's behaviour, but apparently she had found fault with it.

  'You look surprised, Mr Darcy, I suppose you may think because I never commented on Miss Bingley's behaviour I approved of it, but in fact you hired me to mind your sister, who showed remarkable responsibility that morning, and in general. It was not my job to meliorate your lady visitors'

  conduct. Miss Bingley was generally rude to me, and very disrespectful to both Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Darcy, then Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I was glad to see her get her comeuppance from you that afternoon, and I'll be glad to help Mrs Darcy get some of her due by making sure she is better dressed and better attended to than any of the other ladies. Better loved she already was, even then, and I would dare advise the both of you to regularly exchange some tokens of affection in public, despite them being slightly improper and possibly very painful for some guests to behold.'

  Who would have thought Mrs Annesley would be so vindictive! Of course she was no longer in his service to teach his sister manners but to run their household smoothly, which was exactly what she was doing now. And she was entitled to some feelings of her own, no-one liked to be ignored or slighted.

  'Please spend some effort on Georgie, too, but not so much that she feels conspicuous and overdressed. I'm glad you reminded Mrs Darcy of her oversight, Mrs Annesley, there is still enough time, I hope, to gild her as much as she can bear? Kissing her now and then is no hardship, I've grown so used to being intimate I would have to exert myself to refrain from exchanging the occasional caress or kiss. How will we proceed, will you have Fanny assigned to the ladies already, to get used to the situation? I suppose she knows how to help someone dress and do her hair and all?'

  'I know how to dress and do my hair, Fitzwilliam, same as you. At home we used to have one maid who helped us all, we always told her exactly what to do, she was not as smart as Fanny is. We'll manage. I don't want her in constant attendance, though, nor Simon following your every move, we'd lose every chance of being together. We can help each other out with a few buttons or a collar, this is mostly for show, right?'

  She was so independent, his lovely lady, so unwilling to bow to conventions.

  'If you let her in each morning when you're both decent, and Simon for his master, you can suit yourself whether you're already dressed by that time or not. You'll be riding out so Fanny will take care your riding dress is washed and dried, and your house dress ready for use. Then before dinner you can let her help you change, and before the wedding she can gild you a little extra. She actually knows how to do that, I asked and had her demonstrate to me. Most couples use separate bedrooms, but of course there are limits to how far one is willing to follow conventions. Love must have room to flourish, and yours will demand the space it needs, it cannot be bound by any tradition.'

  People just kept amazing you if you let them, and Mrs Annesley was certainly showing a side of herself Darcy had never seen before. She seemed to truly value the love between himself and Elizabeth, and care less about form and manner than he expected. They agreed to let Fanny attend to Elizabeth and Georgiana for a few days to see whether it worked out, and

  Mrs Annesley offered to have Simon scour the house for hidden treasures, accessories from times long past that might fit the current style of clothing really well. Of course they could go out and buy some, or Darcy could send for the diamonds once more, but Elizabeth actually seemed to prefer jewellery with some history of its own.

  The rest of the day passed quickly with a nice long ride in the cold, the washing and changing afterwards preceded by some inevitable loving, a quick test of the piano upstairs with Georgie, still in tune, and long, satisfying talks with his beloved and his father-in-law. After dinner, Elizabeth showed Georgiana her favourite stitches, and how to use them to liven up a scarf or a handkerchief.

  'It's not Mrs Annesley's level of skill, but it's entertaining and keeps the mind focussed on the conversation.'

  Then Georgie played for Mr Bennet, and Darcy decided he dared to read the first adventures of Tom and Rose even with his father-in-law present.

  Waking up from exhaustion to find the girl of your dreams at your side, both of you bound helplessly until you promise to join their crew had to divert even Elizabeth's easily-bored father, and indeed he laughed as much as any of them did.

  'You are a great reader, Darcy!' he commented, 'I believed every single bit of it, even that there were actual women among the pirate crew who took that girl under their wings. Imagine those lady pirates being totally equal to the men, wearing trousers and guns and swords, I suppose had Lizzy known that she wouldn't have married you but run away to join them, too.'

  'Would you prefer to live in an equal society, Elizabeth?' Darcy asked his beloved seriously.

  'I suppose I would, love,' she replied with a smile, 'but I can't swim, so I'd better stay away from the sea.'

  'I could offer to teach you how to swim, at Pemberley this summer, it's a lot more appropriate than wearing trousers, carrying a gun and robbing ships for a living, but I'm afraid you might run away to join the pirates after all once you've mastered the art.'

  'Don't worry, Fitzwilliam, I'm quite happy with you. Fighting and killing sounds like quite a lot of hard work, as well as counting treasure. And you know, I'm sure Lady Catherine would not approve of it.'

  'Hmm, now you mention it. We might join you, Georgiana and I. Do you

  still know how to swim, Georgie?'

  'I suppose I do, Fitzwilliam, though I haven't practised for years. I'd like to learn to shoot and fence, though, and I suppose I'd get used to the hardships.

  But since there are no pianos on board a pirate vessel and I'm sure Mr Fielding would not agree to teach me there even if there were, I have to regretfully decline. Though I quite like rowdy songs. Too bad, really.'

  'Good,' Mr Bennet now commented, 'I'm glad you've decided to stay put, for I'm not done with your library by far. I find it very convenient to have a place to go when my wife invites my son-in-law into my own library. Your chairs are very comfortable and very nicely covered, Darcy. If you'll all excuse me, I think I'll bury myself in some books once more.'

  'I'll come with you, papa, I have something I'd like to talk to you about. A father-daughter thing, you might say.'

  'Fine, Lizzy, as long as it doesn't ta
ke all night, you know I'm a busy man.'

  Mr Bennet was a droll man, and he must have missed his favourite daughter very much. It was so very clear where she had gotten her intelligence and her sense of humour.

  If anyone could advise her on the matter of Wickham's true parentage it had to be her father, Elizabeth had decided. He was smart and very well-read, had no fancy illusions about people or the world, and he would keep quiet.

  When they reached the library, her father invited her to sit down in one of the chairs and took the one closest to hers.

  'What was it you wanted to talk about, Lizzy?'

  'If one had a suspicion of someone not having been faithful to their spouse, papa, how would one set to prove that without making a fuss?'

  It was very funny to see him startled, then soothing.

  'Your Fitzwilliam would never cheat on you, dear Lizzy, he practically worships you. Why would you even think so?'

  'I don't papa, it's not him. I think his father may have sired a son out of wedlock, and I'd like to know the truth of it. But all the people involved are deceased, would it be at all possible to find proof? Without anyone noticing?'

  That did intrigue him, but he fortunately did not try to get more details about the identities of the suspects, he merely observed, 'You might find letters or entries in a diary, and most likely from the lady, men tend to destroy evidence, but a lady would hang on to a love letter or diary for sentimental

  reasons, risking exposure. So, dear Lizzy, find the personal effects of the lovebirds, and find your clues. But be very discrete about it, my dear, you're part of a powerful family now, and your husband deserves your trust and your respect. I'm so glad he persevered, Lizzy, you could not have met a better man. Nor he a better woman for that matter, but I'm very certain he appreciates that. I just hope you do, too.'

  'I do, papa, and for his person, not for the way of life. It's generally very easy, but I'm rather afraid to fail at living up to people's expectations at Jane's wedding. Being Fitzwilliam's beloved is something I'm really good at, but being Mrs Darcy in public...'

  'Don't worry my dear, I have reason to believe that Mr Bingley's connections are not nearly as dignified as your new family. I wouldn't be at all surprised if your husband is the most influential man among them.

  Though Mr Bingley has been entertaining a very respectable gentleman recently, a Mr Manners, not at all bad looking and very likeable, well to do and single into the bargain. Kitty was rather struck with him, I believe, but of course she has few charms to attract a rich man of some sense, he must be looking for someone a little more, more, let's say developed. But Lizzy, Mr Manners told me a few things about the time when he and Bingley met, and I think he has a distinct sense of humour. I wouldn't worry too much. You look quite the lady and your husband is of course very striking. You'll do just fine.'

  'Thank you, papa, and thank you for the advice. I will certainly make use of it, and if something spectacular shows up I'll share it with you. We'll have entertainment tomorrow, of the loftiest kind, Georgiana's teacher is coming to play his original concerto for us. He's very talented, I'm looking forward to hearing it very much, and I'm sure you'll appreciate it, too. Good night papa!'

  'Good night, my dear. See you at breakfast.'

  Chapter 31

  After this conversation, Georgiana and Elizabeth checked the piano one more time and then they all went to bed, to make sure they were well-rested and ready for the hunt the next day. Elizabeth had other plans to ready Fitzwilliam for a long morning of separation. Thinking of Simon's pranks to wake up his master she decided to wake her beloved with a huge surprise, but not a cold or a noisy one, she was not a young lad after all, she had other means at her disposal.

  Waking up early, she very quietly and carefully stroked him until he turned towards her, and held him quietly until he fell into a deeper sleep once more.

  Then she straddled him very gently, to make sure he didn't wake up, and taking care not to tickle him she stroked his manhood until it rose, hoping it was independent enough of its owner to answer to her caresses without notifying him of those slight touches. And it worked, within seconds actually. Sitting up a little, and then sitting down firmly, she had all the satisfaction of a surprise well-executed, looking at his face she could see his expression change from deep sleep to bliss, consciousness returning to him very slowly until he was fully awake, and very excited.

  'Oh my love,' he moaned, 'you're so full of surprises.'

  They kissed with all the passion they felt and took their love play to its usual heights, until they both lay back on the bed, panting and laughing.

  'That was incredible,' Fitzwilliam observed, still breathing hard, 'how did you do that without waking me? And what gave you the idea?'

  'It was a matter of great subtlety, love, your manhood has a mind of its own, and when I asked it nicely to stand up for me it did, without warning you.

  And it was your banter with Simon that gave me the idea, waking you with a wet towel seemed a bit crude for a wife, I thought that could be improved.'

  'Improvement is an understatement for how much better that was than being slapped with a wet towel, believe me. And I'm just as awake. Let's get up early, we'll have some time together before we go out hunting with our

  respective parties.'

  As they both dressed, Fitzwilliam said, 'Shall we ring for Simon and Fanny to help us, since we promised Mrs Annesley?'

  'If we must, love, by all means. But after the wedding we can have our room to ourselves again, can't we?'

  'It's just for a few days and the time we are at Netherfield, love. I was planning to ask Bingley to come over to Pemberley this spring, but of course you'll have a say in it as well. I forgot to ask, I always used to decide those things myself. Do you mind having him over?'

  'Of course I'd love to have Jane with me, but what about Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst? Frankly, I don't want them in my house for more than a week, they're my sister's new sisters so I should welcome them, but please not for weeks and weeks.'

  'I suppose your sister will be ready to do without them for a few weeks by then, I'll talk to Bingley about it, he will understand it might be a bit embarrassing for me to be in Miss Bingley's company for too long. But maybe having your sister at his side will make him less likely to entertain his sisters anyway. He'll be eager for some privacy I'd guess.'

  'Let's have them, then. Do you have other friends you want to invite? Does the colonel ever stay with you? And something very different, have you ever heard of a Mr Manners? Papa said he's staying with Bingley. A gentleman, bachelor, handsome and wealthy, and very well-respected.'

  Smiling at her he answered her questions one by one.

  'My cousin does stay with me, yes, at least twice a year to fish and shoot, but I haven't heard of him in quite a while, he must be busy, he bears quite a responsibility you know, heading a whole camp of soldiers. And I have other friends, but I'm not planning to invite them over this spring.'

  His face blanked out a little, and he commented, 'Thinking of Mr Manners now.'

  Then it cleared, and the smile was back as he said, 'No, can't think of anyone by that name, not even a rumour. But I've never been in society much, I dislike strangers. I don't think Bingley ever mentioned him, maybe Georgie knows him.'

  As Simon helped Fitzwilliam choose a pair of pantaloons fit to wear with low shoes, and Fitzwilliam kindly allowed his valet to choose a shirt and a coat, too, Elizabeth had a bit more trouble submitting to Fanny's

  ministrations. They were both very uncomfortable about this, Elizabeth felt forced by Mrs Annesley and propriety to submit to something she didn't want at all, and Fanny felt worse. She was clearly not welcome here, and that made her very unsure of what to do. Seeing the pretty, modest girl so uneasy, Elizabeth berated herself internally and forced herself to be nice.

  The maid couldn't help it after all.

  'I'm sorry, Fanny, I have never liked people helping me to dress, and at
home I could easily avoid it, so I mostly dressed myself all my life. But I don't mean to upset you, I'm just a bit upset myself. What did Mrs Annesley tell you to do?'

  'She told me to start by brushing your hair for you, ma'am, most people like having their hair brushed. Then when we're both a bit more comfortable she suggested we leave it at that today and take the next step tomorrow, when you know what your dress for the wedding will be like. We can think of a hairstyle and accessories, and maybe shoes.'

  'Let's get on with it then, Fanny, and I'm sure I'll get used to having my own help. How's Miss Darcy holding up?'

  'She's very good about it, ma'am. She let me brush her hair and help her with some of her clothes.'

  That did away with Elizabeth's resentment, the poor girl couldn't help it after all, Georgiana certainly had the best approach here.

  'I do like to have my hair brushed, so I'll be a good girl and sit still. I'll get used to it, never mind my attitude now. I'm so used to being independent, I don't like the idea of other people deciding what I have to do.'

  Of course there was nothing sensible a maid could say about that, she had to do what other people told her to do all day, and live with it. Once again Elizabeth realised what a privileged life she led, and she let Fanny brush her hair without feeling further resentment. When Fanny and Simon were ready to leave to do their other duties, Elizabeth felt a bit guilty for having been so stubborn, and she thanked Fanny heartily for her services. The girl seemed much happier, and Elizabeth resolved to behave much better tomorrow.

  'You really didn't like that, did you?' Fitzwilliam actually sounded a bit worried.

  'You know you are my beloved wife, and you can do whatever pleases you without having to listen to anyone. If you don't want a maid, you don't have to take one, I really don't care what people say. I just want you to be happy.'