Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  Gentlemen, I pride myself on being a good lover, but that night I merely did my duty, and after some months thanked the Lord I didn't have to repeat the effort.

  Caroline is not dumb, but uninformed with no drive to improve her mind in any way, or do anything else with her time. She says what comes into her mind, she does not hesitate to tease and plague those beneath her, and I suspect her of being promiscuous. She was kept out of society all her life, never allowed to dance, never encouraged to socialize with people her own

  class and age, and yet my impression of her was not one of naivete, but rather of having chosen to reject refinement, as choosing to be coarse and uneducated, and ignorant of every art except maybe music.

  When in private, her manners struck me as seasoned rather than slightly fearful, as I've heard virgin girls are supposed to be. I've always preferred experienced women, but they were interested in me, which she certainly wasn't. Despite her sheltered upbringing I would have guessed she was not a virgin and hadn't been for some time. I cannot guess what kind of men she could have met in her situation, certainly no gentlemen. Her language in the bedchamber was curious enough to suspect her having been involved with German country folk, but I cannot think how she could have escaped her parents' vigilance to give herself to commoners. Be that as it may, I clearly bored her, and she disgusted me. We were both glad to part company after our little daughter was born.'

  Well, that was more than both Darcy and Frederick himself had bargained for. This was a desperately sad story, and whoever was in the wrong, most likely both, Frederick was certain Princess Caroline was suffering as much or more than her faithless husband. Frederick had never had any woman, let alone a virgin, but he had been a virgin once and he knew he had been fearful of what was to come. An experienced ladies' man like Prince George would know if his wife had been active in that area, and though he could be lying to make a better impression he sounded sincere. Besides, why would he lie?

  They weren't people he would have a lot to do with, this was an almost involuntary confession, brought on by one of those pieces Eric had played for him and Darcy's romantic story, no doubt.

  Darcy rose to the occasion by somehow letting go of his usual reticence and saying with feeling, 'We've all heard things about your marriage, of course, but I must admit I have often felt a strong aversion to some women, even ladies. It must be awful to be married to someone you cannot love. To someone you cannot even like.'

  Fortunately, they were saved from further revelations by a knock on the little window towards the box: they had reached the place where Darcy's driver dared give the team their heads.

  'Are you ready to make some speed?' he asked both his passengers, and they both nodded, Prince George bracing his feet against the opposite seat, which Frederick thought was a great idea.

  'At you convenience, Bob,' Darcy called out, apparently his driver could hear

  that with the window slightly open, then closed the window quickly and sat down himself.

  Chapter 19

  There was a bit of a lurch when the horses took off with a sudden burst of speed, and Frederick found himself trying his utmost to trust the solidity of Darcy's carriage and its tack and the sure-footedness of his horses, in order to enjoy the thrill of the experience. The scenery, a rather flat plain covered with heath on both sides of the road, flashed by and still they were gaining speed.

  As Anne had described, at first it was as if the carriage rattled across every little stone on the road, but when suddenly that stopped the silence was almost eerie, for they were going really fast now, there should be a sound!

  Prince George was almost ecstatic, was he one of those men who needed to do dangerous things every so often, only barred from actually doing them because he was heir to the throne? He didn't look especially reckless, he was not athletic at all. Nick was a more likely candidate for that, though he seemed rather aware of risks. They did have their need for romantic adventures in common, at least they used to have. Well, Frederick didn't wonder whether Nick would like doing this, he would. Probably from the box.

  And then it was over, the rattling sound returned then slowed down, until they were back to a calm trot and then a walk.

  'Thank you so much for taking me along, Mr Darcy,' Prince George exclaimed, he was indeed thrilled. 'That was great fun!' he added, almost to himself.

  'I didn't know horses could run that fast, Darcy,' Frederick commented.

  'They cannot keep it up for long,' his friend admitted, 'not this all-out run. In a trot they last longer than an ordinary team and they are quite a bit faster.'

  With the spectacular bit of the trip over they soon turned back towards home, though through different villages to make the trip more interesting, as Darcy said. Frederick had to admit he hadn't seen a single view or village on the trip over, their conversation had been that intense. But he did not regret talking of music and horses and other less shocking things on the way back, the prince's frankness had rattled him more than he liked to admit, and he felt rather sorry

  for the man, but also for his poor wife, who had been at the mercy of her parents all her youth, then married off to her cousin without having a say in it, and now she was undoubtedly a prisoner in a rich house while her husband lived with his one mistress, had several others at his beck and call, and still felt free to make eyes at other men's wives. Like Frederick's own, although by now Frederick knew the prince was not the kind to force women into his bed.

  Apparently there were plenty who'd have him of their own free will. Maybe Princess Caroline would have done better to not have protested her fate by refusing to wash and showing herself off as an ignorant peasant girl. Maybe she would have liked her husband better if he had made an effort to please her, though he would always keep his roving eye.

  'Are you happy?' Georgiana asked Eric. They were pausing their practice for half an hour and Georgiana felt it was time to ask him that question, she thought he might miss having an audience. If Eric didn't enjoy the rather monotonous life of a gentleman they could return to London after the family visit and pick up their more exciting habits of performances and lessons.

  'I'm the happiest man in the world, my love. Doesn't it show?'

  Well, it did, but that was not the point.

  'I'm sorry, my love, I was just teasing you. I know what you mean, I love you, I'm incredibly happy to be married to you and to be with you, and to have time and most importantly peace and quiet to compose instead of having to dodge admirers and reporters. I've enjoyed my time in the country so far, learning to ride and shoot, exploring a beautiful landscape and interesting villages. But I'm afraid living like this a whole summer will be rather boring for both of us. Seeing the prince all taken in by my music I do miss my audiences, our friends, our lessons. Don't you?'

  Georgiana couldn't help feeling the same way. She had never minded being at Pemberley before, she had always been content with her piano and her brother's company, even if that was usually paid for by Miss Bingley being present as well.

  'I do, my love. I never used to mind spending summer here, but now, the memory of London with all its pleasures makes me long to be back there.

  And our new connection to Prince George could make life in London even more exciting. Somehow I'd feel cheated if we spent a boring summer at Pemberley then went straight to the continent, never making use of our new contact until our return after a year or maybe even two: by then he'll most

  likely have a new favourite and our chance will have passed. Better spend the summer in the prince's company a few times every week while we still can, then go to the continent from there.'

  Eric nodded, he clearly felt the same way.

  'I knew you were used to spending summer here, I was afraid to spoil your pleasure, but it seems we're of the same opinion. And dear Georgiana, I am very worried about Prince George's remarks on war in the Lower Countries. I really do hope we can convince him to tell us as much as he is allowed to, I'm not that set on g
oing to Vienna anymore, not if it endangers all of us, Mr Clementi can help me for some time yet and you heard the prince assure us he'd be able to get an orchestra to accompany my work. I think I'd rather stay put and make some money to add to yours to invest in our future. Maybe have a few children, in a few years? And visit my parents, if you don't mind.'

  'You want to visit your parents? You never talked about them before. But of course we'll visit if you want to. Do you know where they live? I mean, do you have an address? You were quite young when you left, weren't you?'

  'I think Mr Zumpe knows, and he'll tell me. And if he refuses or doesn't remember himself, I'm pretty certain Frederick will know what to do.'

  That was certainly true. And since only one of them still had parents to visit they surely should. Georgiana remembered her mother with the most grief, although she had been only seven when she passed away. But they had been very close, whereas her father had usually been away from home or busy with Fitzwilliam. And besides, Fitzwilliam had spent as much time with his little sister as he could, in some way he had always been more like a father to her than a brother. As George Wickham had been her brother, somehow his attempt to elope with her had become less important over time, and his kindness to her in those difficult years after her mother passed away more so, she hardly reproached him his selfishness anymore, and she would not be very disappointed if he did turn out to be her half brother. She had loved him her entire youth, and never hated him, though of course what he had done to her and to Lydia was despicable.

  'You'd better write to Mr Zumpe then, for to return to London first and then drive back north would be a waste of time. We could easily visit from here, I suppose it must be closer to your parents and we can borrow Bob and the thoroughbreds.'

  'True. I'll write him then. I suppose I shouldn't mention the prince visiting to hear my music?'

  'I guess not, though it's a bit of a shame, he'd be so proud of you.'

  'If I tell him I have learned to ride and shoot he will be very pleased already.

  And that we have brought his wedding gift along. And remember, he has sold a very expensive instrument to the prince as well, through Mr Clementi but on our recommendation.'

  'I forgot, but he won't,' Georgiana observed, laughing. That would make Mr Zumpe happier than any honour befalling his adopted son, he was a tradesman first of all and he had a family and dependants to keep after all.

  'You really don't mind going back to London?' he asked, and Georgiana could wholeheartedly reply, 'Not in the least. I think we should try to visit your parents first and it may take a few weeks to find out where they live. Do you know the name of a village? Some are so small you may be able to find their house once you're there.'

  'If they still live in the same place. I suppose I'll write Mr Zumpe and ask, I was still so small when I left and with my mind stuffed full of music.

  Already. Shall we talk to your brother and Elizabeth tonight? I'm sure they'll understand.'

  'I think Frederick will be more disappointed, though I suppose he will also understand. Now Fitzwilliam said we'd better bring the Zumpe back upstairs, since aunt Catherine is on her way and we don't want to be practising in her presence. Shall we ask Nick and Frederick to lift it for us? We'll spend a lot more time together in our headquarters once she arrives, I'm looking forward to being amongst ourselves once more, where our friends don't have to play a role all the time.'

  Eric nodded, and they went off to find Nick and Anne to spend some time together.

  During dinner they talked and laughed like intimate friends, Prince George seemingly no longer a stranger among them. But Anne knew that was just on the surface, Frederick at least would never be less than wary with the snoopy prince trying to get to the bottom of his love-life. Prince George suspected Frederick of having a roving eye, like the prince himself, though it should be obvious he had not the slightest interest in Elizabeth or Georgiana, he'd have to prefer a totally different kind of women, maybe common women, servants or even cheap women. Anne knew Frederick had often hired the latter to entertain his clique of college friends, and he had used them as a sort of cover towards his own staff. His driver would swear to his master preferring them

  and compared to Darcy's staff Bates was rather talkative, if Prince George had thought to ask him he'd have plenty of reason to worry about Anne. Well, better that than the truth, there was nothing he could do about it anyhow, Anne and Frederick were lawfully married and not even a prince could change that. If he had that power, and rumour was to be believed, he'd annul his own marriage first.

  Still, Darcy seemed to have let go of his reticence towards Prince George, apparently bragging with one's enviable team made a man more forthcoming towards the suitably impressed other party. For it was more than obvious the prince had indeed been impressed by his ride behind four thoroughbreds going at full speed. She'd just not thought Darcy was that easily won.

  After dinner they all gathered in the explorer's headquarters on the second floor for Prince George to show them exactly where the French were making things difficult for innocent travellers, most importantly those from Britain.

  'And of good birth. Our class isn't particularly popular in the Republic, and everyone would know your status immediately. Even if merely being abroad didn't give it away with travel to the continent being rather expensive, your refined manners would. I know of at least one English gentleman having had to flee France, leaving behind his French wife and child.'

  They were all crowded around the large table, Prince George and an array of maps the centre of attention, Elizabeth and even Darcy also present, hanging on his lips. The soft and spoiled ladies' man had made way for the heir to the throne for an hour or so, and inspired quite a lot of respect in Anne at least.

  Still, she'd not let herself be taken in, she was convinced this was not the real Prince George, he was making the most of an interesting situation, he was acting the wise ruler to impress them. Maybe just to impress her, though her vanity didn't really suffice to actually believe that herself.

  Pointing out the Lower Countries, the prince observed, 'We fought a heated battle here just last year, in alliance with the Russians. It did not end well for our side, we had to retreat after suffering significant losses. I would not recommend sailing to any port there while the Batavian Republic is still under French vassalship. Too bad, since there are some really lovely galleries there. I have some superb works from their best painters, magnificent talents.'

  So the Lower Countries were out, as was France itself. Too bad, Anne would have loved to see Paris.

  The prince now tried to lay out three maps in such a way that they matched up to form one large map of the German empire, and though the scales didn't

  quite match his efforts gave a reasonable overview of the states involved.

  There was Hanover, a small country in the northern part which was part of the British Empire. And Mecklenburg, which was where Queen Charlotte was originally from.

  'I'd advise you to take ship to Bremen, it is a strong and safe independent city with a beautiful harbour, and close to Hanover, where my connections will be pleased to receive you. Then travel south, avoiding the smaller states as much as possible since their dukes and kinglets are generally not very trustworthy.

  And I'd take the Eastern route to Vienna, since Switzerland was overrun by the French last year. But mostly I would advise you to desist. The situation in France is much more serious than people here realise, they have taken a large part of Germany, the Holy Roman Empire is weak and the German states are too small and divided to defend themselves against the masses of the Revolution. The French army is modern and their officers are not men of blood but men of talent, the best rise in the ranks. Which means they have more officers than we do and generally better ones. Do you know anything about our army?'

  Darcy observed, 'Our cousin is a colonel and our brother-in-law, Elizabeth's younger sister's husband, has been selected for the Rifle Corps. They have bot
h told us some, but not enough to know what we are up against.'

  'The Rifle Corps? That is a signal honour, though very dangerous. It's a desperate attempt to stop the slaughter of our troops whenever we meet the French skirmishers, they do not keep a formation but attack wherever it hurts the most, in small groups of highly trained soldiers. Like the French skirmishers, the Rifle Corps accepts only those who shoot well and can think for themselves in the heat of battle. Your relative will be in grave danger and sooner than you think, but he will save hundreds of our troops each time he sees action. Is your brother an officer, Mrs Darcy?'

  'A lieutenant, Your Highness.'

  'That's a little safer but not much. Still, they do select only the best for the Rifles, I've heard their rifles are as good or better than what we use ourselves.

  And so they should be, since deer and grouse generally don't return fire.'

  Frederick laughed and retorted, 'I do prefer to hit my mark on the first aim when hunting boar.'

  Anne was a little shocked by their callousness towards the men who were risking their lives far away from home to defend their King and country, though frankly she didn't care that much about George Wickham either. She

  only remembered him as a boy, when he had been kind to her the few times they'd met. She thought she might like to see him one more time, to see how he'd grown up and what all the fuss was about, especially since Elizabeth had apparently quite liked him at one time.

  In general, though, what the prince told them was not very heartening. If they wanted to avoid all risk of coming near a scene of strive they needed to travel a lot more to the east than they had been planning, Switzerland and Italy were out of bounds altogether, and even the Danube was no longer entirely safe with the French having access to its higher reaches: they could easily send troops down into Austria, and whilst Vienna would be relatively safe, the country being involved in a war would make the populace less inclined to think of music.