Revelations

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  'Ladies, gentlemen, what would you say to a nice little competition in billiards?'

  That was actually quite a good idea, though Elizabeth might find it rather tiring to hang about in the billiards room.

  'May I request your company, Miss Bingley?'

  That was rather singular, Mr Manners asking Miss Bingley's company when he had been talking away cosily with Georgie just now. But where was Georgie? Kitty was still in the room, though she had moved to the piano.

  Ah. The piano. It almost seemed as if Mr Manners was part of a scheme to get everyone out of the drawing-room so Georgie could tune the piano. As her new friend, Kitty of course could stay, and Elizabeth would be glad to be spared standing and watching the men playing a game, but Miss Bingley was flattered and followed Mr Manners quite readily, her sister waking her husband to come along. Jane and Bingley were inseparable, so all Darcy had left to do was say goodbye to his lovely lady for an hour or so, and prepare to battle it out on the baize.

  Taking his beloved's hand, he was just about to propose she stay behind to help Georgie with the tuning when she observed, 'I think your sister couldn't help herself, love, and recruited Mr Manners to empty the room for her. I suppose that means I'm staying here. Imagine her daring to ask.'

  'So you saw through her as well. I'd better be going, I'll see you in an hour or so. Love you,' and he kissed her very indecently, there was no-one left in the room but Kitty, who was playing the piano herself, baby-steps, but something she would never have done with Lydia ruling her.

  When Georgiana returned to the room she could see Mr Manners had kept his promise, the room was empty but for Kitty and Elizabeth.

  'Are you very tired, Elizabeth?' she asked, worried about her sister-in-law.

  'Not too much, no,' was her reply, 'now the first awkward moments are over I'm actually fine. But I supposed you'd want me here, to help you tune that piano.'

  'How did you know?'

  'I have come to know you a little, Georgiana, you haven't practised today, but you cannot on an out-of-tune piano. Playing dances all night counts as practice since quite a few of them are part of your homework. But I'm amazed you dared to employ Mr Manners after only meeting him just now.'

  Georgiana could hear this was meant as praise, not censure, but she still told Elizabeth the truth.

  'Actually, he was the one who suggested it when I told him I wasn't going to play before the piano was tuned. Do you think we'll have to ask Bingley's permission?'

  'He will never know, Georgiana, he hasn't got the hearing. Just don't break

  any strings.'

  Of course Georgiana didn't. She was very curious to see the insides of yet another piano, and she was impressed.

  'Look, Elizabeth, this lever here is even more advanced than my Buntebart, it's so cleverly made. Imagine Bingley having such a fine instrument. I can't wait to look inside the Clementi at Pemberley now, it is the latest in piano-design. I wish we could hear Eric play it.'

  Elizabeth didn't say anything, she'd probably love to hear Eric play Georgiana's best instrument, too. After that, they set to work, and they found several of the lower keys out of tune, besides the inharmonics they expected.

  It took half an hour to correct the problems, and then Georgiana checked their work with a few scales. It was fine.

  'Can I do the more difficult stuff first, to get my practice in before the crowd returns? Then we can try the dances together. But first, will you show me what you remember of the variegated scales I taught you yesterday?'

  Elizabeth readily played for her sister-in-law, and with just a few corrections she was filling the room with Eric's impressive scales. The tuning had been successful, any sour keys would have revealed themselves in those scales.

  Then Georgiana took possession of the stool and played her homework again and again, and Elizabeth picked out a few errors, letting her know about them immediately. By the time the rest of the party returned, Elizabeth said she could no longer hear any flaws in it, and Georgiana felt ready to entertain the others with Eric's dances.

  Of course Kitty wanted to dance, she was actually quite a nice girl, as Fanny helped Georgiana dress Kitty had sat on the bed and chatted about Hertfordshire, and her wishes and hopes for the future, and of course Mr Manners, who had apparently made quite an impression on Elizabeth's younger sister. Mr Manners was pleased to oblige Miss Catherine with a dance and Fitzwilliam kept his promise to do his share of the dancing, starting of course with his lovely wife. Bingley immediately joined in with Jane, and even Mr Hurst exerted himself for once, Georgiana had never seen him dance before. But then, Fitzwilliam never used to dance unless forced to, maybe it was Mr Manners' influence, he seemed to create a kind of loose atmosphere in the entire party.

  After one of Eric's dances the gentlemen changed partners, Elizabeth joined Georgiana at the piano, she was supposed to learn them too, after all. One just didn't deny a master his due, Georgiana counted on her sister practising

  them as seriously as she did herself.

  Fitzwilliam danced with Kitty next, and Mr Manners invited Miss Bingley to join the party. Mrs Hurst and Jane exchanged partners, apparently Jane's attractions could tempt Mr Hurst to tire himself a little longer. Dinner would taste all the better for it.

  The next dance was surprising, for indolent Mr Hurst fetched Elizabeth from behind the piano with a smile and a polite bow.

  'Mrs Darcy, will you do me honour of dancing with me?'

  Her sister was very surprised, but accepted with witty charm.

  'Why Mr Hurst, I didn't know you were such an avid dancer, and I've seen you perform really well just now. Of course I'll accept.'

  Georgiana could just catch his next sentence.

  'I would have danced with you before, had it not been certain to cause a domestic dispute. I'm an indolent man, Mrs Darcy, I generally don't like the exertion of dancing. But I like the exertion of quarrelling with my wife even less.'

  And he smiled positively charmingly. Elizabeth clearly could not help showing her surprise, but she quickly covered it with a smile of her own. Mr Hurst being charming, who would've thought it.

  Mr Manners invited Jane for the next dance, and Bingley stood up with Kitty, which left Miss Bingley to sit out a dance as Fitzwilliam engaged Mrs Hurst. Georgiana could not see how she took it, she didn't know these dances by heart yet and needed to read the sheet music before her, but Georgiana did find a tiny bit of empathy for Caroline Bingley. After that dance it was Georgiana's turn to be begged by Mr Manners to stand up with him, and as Miss Bingley took her place at the keyboard she had a very enjoyable dance with a true gentleman. Fitzwilliam was dancing with Elizabeth once more, and Georgiana was happy he had managed to escape dancing with Miss Bingley this time.

  Chapter 38

  After dinner, Elizabeth was really tired, but she supposed Jane would want to have a nice, long chat.

  'You look very tired, dear Lizzy, I suppose you'll want to turn in early?

  Don't feel obliged to stay up for me, we'll have plenty of time to catch up tomorrow, when you return from your visit to Longbourn. Will you be going on horseback?'

  Visit to Longbourn? Whatever for? Papa did say 'See you tomorrow' when he rode off towards home, but surely he was planning to visit Netherfield the next day, to play billiards with the men and escape from Wickham?

  'Lizzy, don't tell me you weren't planning to visit mama! She'll feel very much neglected if you don't visit, you know. It's bad enough that Mr Darcy won't want to come, but you have to wait on her, you're an adult now, you know, you should mind your manners.'

  She was right of course, her father had been alluding to the two of them coming to visit. Fitzwilliam not coming would be a terrible offence to his mother-in-law, but Elizabeth had to go, despite her having not the faintest inclination to see either her mother, or Lydia or Wickham.

  'Thank you for reminding me of my duties, once again, dear Jane. I'll never have your natural sensibility for these mat
ters, I'll admit it never occurred to me mama would be expecting a visit from us. Fitzwilliam will not be pleased, and I cannot expect him to come, but I'll have to go of course. How will I ever measure up to my status as a lady, Jane, if I cannot think of these things myself?'

  'Oh, dear Lizzy, now don't be so hard on yourself, you'll learn. I'll help you along as long as you're here, and after that? Well, your husband is very rich, so I guess he can hire you a governess.'

  Dear Jane! Telling her it wasn't all her fault for never having had a proper education. But Elizabeth could not forgive herself so easily, and they did already employ someone in their town house who was as good as a

  governess, or better. Some of Elizabeth's time would have to be spent with Mrs Annesley, to learn the finer points of proper behaviour, something Jane had always instinctively understood, but Elizabeth apparently needed to be taught.

  'Thank you once again for reminding me, Jane, and for excusing me tonight, I am tired and would prefer to get a good night's sleep, especially if I have to face Lydia and Wickham tomorrow. I suppose you'll take good care of Fitzwilliam and Georgiana when I'm away?'

  'Of your sister I will, but your husband can take care of himself very well, dear Lizzy. You know that as well as I do.'

  A penetrating look from Jane.

  'You don't? That's ludicrous, Lizzy, he was a respectable gentleman when you still played with dolls, he'll be perfectly fine. If you insist, I'll keep an eye on him as well, but I'm certain you are mistaken.'

  'I suppose you're right, I just feel very protective of him around Miss Bingley. She has been imposing on him for years.'

  Jane was very understanding, as usual, and proved she could observe people, too.

  'I think your Mr Darcy is not going to allow that to happen anymore, dear Lizzy, he has already set a few very clear boundaries and he will stick to them. He seems to love you even more than Bingley loves me.'

  That last was said almost in a whisper.

  'Bingley always knew you returned his affection, dear Jane, though some tried to convince him otherwise I think his subconscious was stubborn and kept faith in you. But there was a time when I truly hated Fitzwilliam, and I think that realisation made him love me more than anything.'

  By now, Fitzwilliam was approaching and he was obviously ready for some sleep.

  'You look as tired as I feel, my love, shall we turn in? I'll need my wits about me if we're to ride to your parents tomorrow, though in fact I prefer to meet Wickham at Longbourn for the first time. The fewer people present the better. I wouldn't want to spoil your wedding after all, Jane, by publicly strangling my brother-in-law.'

  Did everybody understand these conventions better than Elizabeth? She had always been so proud of her quick mind and intelligence, but apparently they were of no use at all when it came to good manners.

  'You plan to go along?'

  Jane could not hide her surprise, and Fitzwilliam delighted in having caused her to betray an emotion, he smiled at her with distinct charm.

  'What else can I do? Mrs Bennet is due a visit from her daughter and son-in-law. Besides, she has ever disliked me, and if I slight her even more not even my riches will be able to make up for that. I mean to win her, to get her to like me, and though I am at a disadvantage for earning her dislike at the start of our acquaintance, and marrying her least favourite daughter, I have one huge advantage, and I intend to exploit it to its utmost. I've had my valet choose her an impressive gift, and I'll be wearing my very best coat but one.

  I'm saving the best one for your wedding, of course.'

  'I told you so, Lizzy. Darcy can take care of himself.'

  Jane rubbing it in? This had to be the effect of fatigue, it could not be happening.

  'Thank you for your confidence, Jane,' Fitzwilliam replied, 'but I'm very relieved to have your sister along all the same. I'm not looking forward to being nice to George Wickham, not at all. I still want to smack him in the face for what he did to Georgie, and for the lies he told about me. But there used to be a time when we were good friends and he depended on me. I'm going to remember those in order to restrain myself and even treat him nicely to his face. You will be proud of me, Elizabeth. And you, too, Jane.'

  With a laugh they parted, leaving Georgiana in the care of Jane and Kitty, she was not ready to go to bed yet. But they would not find sleep, yet, for when they went upstairs, Fanny and Simon were waiting to help them get ready for the night. Resigned by now, Elizabeth allowed Fanny to help her out of her dress and into her dressing gown, while Darcy of course had Simon to attend to his fashionable outfit. Elizabeth asked Fanny how she had been received by the Netherfield staff, and the girl replied readily.

  'Mrs Nicholls is very nice, ma'am, as are the other regular staff. I'm not a girl to idle, I've not been your maid for very long and I find it hard to just sit and chat while others work, so I offered to help out wherever help was wanted, and I made myself useful polishing some silver and removing some nasty stains from the tablecloths and mending a few frayed seams.

  Of course the other ladies' maids and the valets didn't appreciate that, but I can chat and keep my hands busy at the same time. They didn't dare scorn me for it, somehow being your personal maid bestows a lot of standing, even Miss Bingley's maid let me be, despite her being my senior and quite

  accomplished at her work. They had all kinds of questions for me, personal questions, impertinent actually, but I managed to evade answering them quite easily. Mrs Annesley prepared me really well for this, I never used to talk so much, I never had the time, if she hadn't taught me how to talk entertainingly without saying anything pertinent I might have inadvertently given them something to gossip about.

  Simon was very popular, that may have helped, too, he introduced me as you asked, and made sure I was comfortable. He seems to be some kind of leader among the personal servants, he even looks like a prince in his livery, he wears it so proudly. He's been giving me some advice as well, but so far I haven't needed it, being a city girl and good-looking is apparently plenty of reason to gain respect. Well, besides being Mrs Darcy's maid of course, they all wanted to know where you got the necklace, and whether you had any more treasures like that. I didn't tell them we found them in a drawer, Simon told them they were priceless family-pieces, which I suppose is true enough.

  Shall I brush your hair before you go to sleep? It's nice and relaxing.'

  Mrs Annesley was right, if Elizabeth had to have a maid, Fanny was the best choice since she was unlikely to gossip. What if she had described yesterday's scene, with Simon scolding his master, and Fitzwilliam not even taking him to task about it?

  'And did you get to see Bob? Was he comfortable as well?'

  'Yes, ma'am, thank you so much for asking, he'll be pleased to hear you thought of him. He knows the stablehands here and he seems to be as respected as Simon among his own group, and even among the other servants, excepting the personal servants, they look down upon the rest for some reason. The ladies' maids and the valets both, maybe because they tend to be city bred. Well, I'm not going to be part of that, not even if I can stay a personal maid from now on.

  There now, ma'am, your hair is as soft and shiny as ever, your dress is airing out, and your riding dress is clean and will be dry tomorrow morning.'

  'Thank you, Fanny, I'd like to wear it first thing tomorrow morning, but the master or I will ring for you, no need to wait for us at the door.'

  Being helped to undress was not an unfamiliar occurrence to Darcy, and Simon and himself soon fell back into their old routine.

  'How are things for you at Netherfield, Simon? Are you being treated well?'

  'Certainly, master, the staff know me of course and have ever treated me

  with great respect. Miss Ragwort very much appreciated the extra attention I lavished on her, she didn't even snub Fanny, apparently being Mrs Darcy's maid is quite something. Bob was pretty comfortable, though a little less cosy with his Fanny than Cook allows in our common-
room at home. He's a smart fellow, and he gets more respect than one would expect from a homely country boy, I gather it's because you own the best team they know of and Bob gets to drive them.

  Tomorrow I'll give you a report on the gossip Mrs Darcy's first appearance generated. Violet, that's Miss Ragwort's first name, her mother must have loved flowers but I think it's a mean thing to do to one's daughter, Violet brags Miss Bingley tells her everything. So be prepared for tomorrow, master. Oh, and Fanny really knows how to keep her thoughts to herself, the other servants tried to milk her for information, you know, personal things, but she artfully distracted them from their quest for knowledge.

  And how was your day, master?'

  Just like the old times, it was not exactly as if Darcy had missed talking to Simon just before turning in, but there was no harm in indulging him for now, Fanny was still busy and Simon was so anxious not to overstep his new role.

  'It was fine. Miss Darcy settled well, Caroline Bingley behaved well to Mrs Darcy on their first encounter, and Miss Bennet truly is an excellent lady of the house, even before her marriage. I'm going on a morning visit with Mrs Darcy, and I want to look my very best. Can you take care of that tomorrow, Simon?'

  'Of course master, will you ring the bell?'

  When both servants had left, Elizabeth was eager to lie in his arms under their lovely warm blanket, just enjoying each other's presence, stroking and kissing a little, but very lazily.

  'Dear Jane,' Elizabeth said softly, 'she's just perfect for this, such a gracious lady of the house. You know I never thought of visiting my mother.'

  'Then it's lucky I did,' Darcy teased her.

  'Why didn't you tell me?'

  'Well, I didn't know you had forgotten, did I?'

  'No, you couldn't have known, my love, it's not your fault I didn't think of it.