Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  'She had enough to preserve some, so I guess she knows how to grow them rather well.'

  'And she makes pies. I suppose I shall have to send her a bergamot then, I'm going to have mine uprooted to improve on my conservatory, but it would be a waste to have those trees burned or sold to some craftsman for the price of the wood.'

  'Not those beautiful trees, Your Highness! Your conservatory was so lovely, why destroy the trees?' Elizabeth exclaimed inadvertently, that conservatory was the only truly sympathetic part of Carlton House that she had seen while visiting.

  Fortunately Fitzwilliam was not there to see Prince George all attentiveness and charm, as he fixed Elizabeth with his eyes and shrugged helplessly, 'My friends and advisors all say my conservatory is hopelessly out of date, they tell me Gothic style is the fashion these days, and if I want to be anyone I need to embrace it. But I do feel sorry for those trees, especially my bergamots, they're so rare and give such a lovely fragrant blossom and such tasty fruit. You know, Mrs Darcy, I will reconsider my plans to just uproot them. Maybe I can save them after all. But if Mrs Brewer wants one she shall have it, and so shall both of you. Do you have a conservatory on your husband's estate, Mrs Manners?'

  'You know, Your Highness, I have no idea. I have never yet seen Frederick's estate. We met in London, you see, and travelled straight to Pemberley from there.'

  'You married a man without seeing his estate? You must have liked his town house very much!'

  Anne didn't even twitch, she did not marry Frederick for his possessions, she had grown up in abundance and had never had to face a lack of worldly benefits, in fact she was heir to a magnificent estate herself.

  'I have to confess I never saw that either, Your Highness. Do you think I married in haste?'

  That last was said with humour even a total stranger should recognise.

  But instead of the laugh it should have, it brought a pensive, almost wistful reply.

  'I hope not, Mrs Manners. I've seen Mrs Darcy here eye her handsome husband with infatuation each time their paths cross, and she really has to

  restrain herself not to touch him whenever he is near. Of course the depth of his love speaks from his eyes and everything he says and does. Mr and Mrs Fielding seem two pairs of hands run by a single mind. But I would have sworn you'd married Mr Manners for convenience, you like him, and he likes you, a lot, and there is a lot of humour and affection between you, but dare I say you do not seem to be head over heels in love? Or am I offending you, suggesting that you might have investigated his assets more thoroughly before committing to someone you aren't actually in love with?'

  He was deadly serious, but Anne wasn't shocked at all, or she didn't show it.

  As Frederick had started to show more and more of his feelings, so Anne had learned to control hers perfectly.

  'Your worry does you credit, Your Highness, and I am not offended by it. But I assure you I have not made a rash decision becoming Mrs Manners. I am very fond of Frederick and he has great affection for me, and we have a perfect agreement between us. In black and white, if you were still worrying.

  Indeed his estate and house in town play no role in that agreement, as you may know I am heiress myself to an estate the size and value of Pemberley's, though I admit neither house nor park can boast a similar beauty.

  Money and status were of no moment in my decision to accept Mr Manners'

  offer, and I do not fear to tell you what was: freedom. I was a captive in my mother's house for a decade, ten years of inability to do anything but watch the days crawl by, Your Highness. Once I recovered I could have waited to fall in love, but I knew I'd become stuck inside a similar life, in a similar house, bearing heirs and idling away time, imprisoned within the walls of my new house and by the constraints of propriety. Frederick will show me the world, he will introduce me to the beau monde and we will go to parties and the theatre, listen to music, travel, and yes, he enjoys watching me ride astride and learn to shoot and fish for trout and ramble for hours with Elizabeth. He even lets me drink brandy and play billiards, if I so wish. But I think I prefer sewing.'

  Elizabeth wondered whether this was a wise admission to make to a clever man like the prince, but she could hear Anne's heart was in it, and it did make a profound impression. Prince George's face softened totally, and he bowed his head to Anne and offered, 'My apologies, Mrs Manners. I know you weren't offended, but that was over the brashness of my question. Now I beg you to forgive me for thinking too little of your husband, I've been prejudiced because of his reputation of sometimes enjoying himself too much. With

  myself suffering under a similar prejudice from the good people of England I should know better. Of course I don't want to see you bound by convention, I want to see you live life to the full. And if you have chosen Mr Manners as your partner to enjoy yourself with, I think you couldn't have chosen any better, he is certainly kind and very generous, and he knows more about society and entertainment than anyone else.'

  But he would keep speculating whether Frederick was truly a philanderer, and whether that meant Anne was available for a few nights of loving. Prince George would be watching Frederick as well as Anne, which meant they had to be very, very careful indeed.

  Nick and Simon were spending some time in the servants' quarters, playing cards in Hugo's rooms with the stable master and the only stable boy who was not at home with his wife, not that Bruce wasn't far too young to get settled. He probably was a bit young to be doing what the four men were doing right now, drinking their share of ale whilst playing a game most young boys in the country hopefully didn't even know. Of course Bruce wasn't a real country boy, he had been sent to Pemberley by way of punishment, he was actually from London and had served in Mr Darcy's town house stables, where he had tormented Bob.

  Hugo's stiff discipline had taught Bruce a lot, and since the stable master's return from London he had rewarded the boy's steady improvement and perfect behaviour towards the former victim of his cruelty by including him in his pastimes with his two new London partners in crime. For Hugo was still convinced that both Nick and Simon liked to break hearts left and right when opportunity presented itself. Hugo had a lot of respect for the two Londoners, even though they were personal servants. Nick by now had found out that country stable staff considered personal servants as slightly less than manly, whereas in town they generally commanded a pretty high status among the house servants.

  Well, it didn't matter to Nick, his physical appearance and role as bodyguard assured that no-one would even think of doubting his masculinity, not aloud anyway. And Simon's reputation as philanderer was unshakeable, most of the maids were in love with him and he kept them that way by ignoring their attentions to their face but discussing them with Hugo and Bruce during these get-togethers. Gossip took care of the rest.

  'It's your turn, Bruce,' Hugo said, then turned towards Nick, 'the maids say

  your mistress caught the Prince of Wales' eye well and good.'

  Nick had expected comments much earlier, he kind of worried no-one had talked, somehow that gave what was happening extra meaning. Hugo must have read his mind, or his expression, for he explained.

  'Can you imagine they didn't dare talk about it in your presence? Those girls can be so fanciful sometimes, said you're very protective of your lady and might do something foolish. Fat chance. Weren't hired to protect your lady's virtue after all, and nobody's ever accused our crown prince of being anything but charming to the ladies.'

  They all laughed, and Nick was kind of touched those maids were concerned for him. Of course he really wasn't that upset by Prince George's infatuation with Anne, the prince was old and fat and had a notorious appetite for pretty ladies, Anne would be a total fool to fall for him, which she wasn't.

  'I heard, but I'm not worried. My mistress is in no danger of getting hurt or abducted, and also sensible enough to prefer a rich and respected husband to a powerful lover. You've seen him, Simon, what do you think?'

&nb
sp; 'I only know he indeed likes sweets. And he does seem to admire Mrs Manners. My master has asked me to attend to the prince's care from tonight on, so I guess I'll know more pretty soon.'

  They played a few more rounds, house staff against stable staff, despite Bruce's rough looks he was a better player than Nick had expected, so far there was no real winner this evening.

  Then the bell rang, the pattern Frederick and Mr Darcy had agreed upon to summon Mr Manners' personal staff to whichever room their master rang from. Of course that was to give the impression that they were really just staff, Frederick had been very clear about it all being for show. The summons came from the billiards room, which they hadn't expected tonight since there was company. They often joined Frederick and Mr Darcy in a game of billiards, but those two couldn't let the Prince of Wales know they played billiards with men who were supposed to be just servants.

  Both Nick and Simon jumped up, curious, but also keeping up appearances, making sure to sound regretful as they took their leave from their companions.

  'Can't leave the master waiting. See you tomorrow at breakfast.'

  The other two nodded, their work was done for the day, unless some visitor arrived late or an emergency happened.

  Taking the fastest route to the billiards room they found Frederick and Mr

  Darcy there, Frederick excusing himself profusely, as he always did to his lover after having summoned him. Simon touched his arm very shortly to settle him, Nick understood perfectly, Simon didn't feel insulted to be summoned like that, he had been a servant all his life, like Nick, he was used to it. Besides, they had all agreed to play roles like this, no need for apologies. That was merely rather embarrassing to Mr Darcy, though he didn't bat an eye.

  'Never mind, Frederick, we're all just keeping up appearances. What can we do for you?'

  Such a cheeky fellow Simon was, teasing Frederick where it hurt. Of course that poor man gave up, who could withstand Simon when he really tried to get his way?

  Well, maybe Mr Darcy. He took up his share of the acting now and practically begged, 'Will you play a few games with us to keep our minds off our ladies being beset by the Prince of Wales? Manners forced me to leave the room, but I have a mind to run right back.'

  And he would do it, too, though if rumour were true he had less reason to be worried than Nick: Prince George apparently adored Anne even more than he admired Mrs Darcy. She was of a more suitable age as well, the prince was reputed to like his women seasoned, which neither was, but Anne at least was comfortably over half the prince's age and Mrs Darcy hardly at all. Nick didn't hesitate to say something soothing to the man he had feared so much when they'd first come into contact.

  'I've seen those two ladies stand up to your aunt, Mr Darcy, I guess they do not need protection from elderly people of rank with an attitude.'

  That was rude, of course, and largely undeserved by Prince George, but somehow rudeness and unfairness made an impact on a fastidious man like Mr Darcy. It might snap him out of his state of self-pity. Anne was right, this was hard on Mrs Darcy, and dangerous to their marriage, and the servants'

  quarters were buzzing with a rumour that Mrs Darcy was with child. She didn't need an unstable, jealous husband whether that was true or not, but especially if it was true.

  And it did work, if Mr Darcy felt shocked he hid it well, for he laughed heartily and said, 'See, I knew I could count on you, Fowler. If you're not worried, I'll not be worried, we're in the same boat after all.'

  'Indeed, sir, and according to rumour, my side is deeper in the water than yours. But I'm not worried the seams won't hold, and neither should you be.'

  'I've heard that same rumour, it's as if my staff has suddenly taken to gossiping. Maybe I should have a chat with Mr Eliot, request him to share some thoughts on respecting others in his sermon coming Sunday. Do you think Prince George will mind, if he's still with us by that time?'

  Despite undoubtedly being a sinner, Prince George would probably appreciate it if people minded their own business a little more, in town as well as in a tiny parish.

  'I am very certain he will totally concur, Mr Darcy. As do I, I've heard some rumours that were entirely inappropriate, even supposing they were true.'

  And he hoped Mr Darcy knew that Nick was as close-mouthed as Simon was, unless the latter had drunk spirits.

  Chapter 15

  If Simon had any expectation of the prince's reception of an unknown valet it would have been relief coloured with a certain suspicion. Relief to be helped attain the level of comfort he was used to, to be clean again, to have his hair combed out without losing too many strands, to have stiff muscles from his long and wet ride massaged back into pliancy. All in a slightly uncomfortable silence, which even Simon would not dare to break.

  But nothing was less true. When he knocked on the prince's door a voice sounded from inside, 'Please enter, my saviour!'

  The voice was coloured with fatigue but still there was humour in it. Simon entered, walked straight towards the dark shape sitting on the side of the opulent bed, and bowed.

  'Simon, so glad to see you, no need to bow, I'm the supplicant here. Please help me, I struggled into dry clothes this afternoon but I didn't do it right and as a result I've been feeling grubby and badly dressed ever since. My cheeks itch, my thighs and back hurt, I want to join the ride tomorrow but I'm afraid to have to forgo because I cannot stand straight. And yet I've had the best day in months.'

  He did look very worn out, and a bit lonely, and Simon decided to be his usual self, competent but lacking proper deference.

  'What would you like first? A shave, to get to know me a little? Then a bath?

  We can have one set up in the room right through that door. I can have you as

  clean as a baby in half an hour, and spend some time working the knots out of your muscles.'

  As Simon described his plans, the face of the man before him lighted up.

  Deciding there and then to stop thinking of him as the crown prince, Simon felt himself soften towards the chubby fellow, he was rather endearing, actually. Instead of asking Prince George to move to the chair in front of the mirror beside the washstand, Simon held out his hand and once it had been taken, helped its owner towards it. Then he took a towel and a bar of lavender soap from the wardrobe, and after wetting the prince's cheeks and his own hands he worked the fragrant soap into a thick foam and massaged that gently over the days-old stubble. With satisfaction Simon noticed the prince giving himself up to what came next, the razor drawing away foam and stubble alike, Prince George showing not the slightest reluctance to let this strange valet at his throat with a sharp implement.

  Ten minutes saw the shaving completed, Simon deciding to rub some soothing ointment into the prince's skin, the bath would not be ready yet. By now, Prince George was almost asleep on the chair, he really enjoyed the care he was given, making it very rewarding for Simon to spoil him. He was not a very manly-looking fellow compared to the gentlemen of Simon's acquaintance, but thinking of Grenfell Simon realised that a pleasant character was most important of all.

  Guessing the bath would be ready by now, Simon helped his charge undress, actually Prince George was much better behaved than either Mr Darcy or Frederick, or even Eric: he allowed Simon to do as pleased him, not trying to do certain things himself or trying to assist. The prince's valet had him well schooled!

  The hunting gear the prince was wearing was still clean enough, and Simon put it away neatly, together with his boots and hat. The wet travelling clothes had been taken from the room to be laundered and dried, and a dressing gown had been left by the maid on duty. Before slipping it on him Simon took a good look at his charge's naked shape, and while it was obvious that the papers had been exaggerating Prince George's weight, it also proved he liked sweets and spirits a little bit too much. He wasn't nearly as muscled as Frederick or Nick, though of course they had a much more robust build in the first place. The prince might have felt grubby, he wasn't rea
lly, he was likely a fastidious man, which Simon appreciated since he guessed the man was used to being helped with everything and Simon would be expected to do that

  for him the coming days.

  Once in the room with the steaming bath Simon took the dressing gown and put it away for the moment, then he helped his charge into the bath. That wasn't altogether easy, since apparently the poor man was suffering quite a bit from sore muscles, which impressed Simon with the prince's hardiness for he hadn't noticed before. Apparently the Prince of Wales could bear some discomfort, or maybe it was the company.

  'You are very gentle, Simon, I appreciate that. Will you tell me a little about yourself?'

  And why not? Just refrain from mentioning that one thing.

  'I used to be Mr Darcy's valet for ten years, Your Highness. My new master begged him to let me go, and begged me to take service with him. Said he needed my skills more than Mr Darcy.'

  'And do you agree?'

  'Mr Darcy never cared much for public occasions, and now his sister is married to Mr Fielding I suppose he and Mrs Darcy will rarely go out anymore. Mr Manners is the heart of the beau monde, with the reporters watching I do agree he needs a valet more than Mr Darcy.'

  'You are a true diplomat, Simon. And how do you like your new master getting married?'

  'He could not have found a kinder and smarter lady anywhere, Your Highness.'

  'Do you think your master values those traits above Mrs Manners' beauty?'

  Such an old fox! Fishing for the level of affection between Frederick and Anne. Fortunately there was work to be done for Simon, his charge now being completely submerged in the hot water, only his head still dry. First he wet the thinning hair, then applied just the right amount of soap to totally clean hair without making it feel ropey or dry and worked it into the prince's hair. When the prince was almost asleep with the gentle massaging of his head, Simon rinsed his hair carefully, making sure the soapy water did not touch his charge's eyes or mouth.