With Prince George as the laughing third, not to mention Mr Bennet himself.
Those two would have a field day, but his beloved would be mortified with everything her mother said and did. How to solve this? Prince George would leave tomorrow, but if aunt Catherine found out they were having a family gathering she'd want to stay to meet her brother.
'Thank you for your kindness, aunt Catherine. I will not sacrifice my family's name to oblige Lieutenant Wickham, you may rest assured of that.'
The door opened and Manners entered, with Anne, the latter still in riding skirts and with a bit of a colour. They were coming straight towards him, Anne not even shying from her mother's obvious presence, this had to be bad indeed. Manners' expression seemed to indicate the same thing, and he gestured to Darcy they wanted to join him and his aunt. Well, in Darcy's opinion he and his aunt had exhausted the subject of George Wickham by now, and his cousin and his friend were welcome to interrupt, so he nodded.
Manners was as polite as ever and bowed slightly to his mother-in-law, then immediately spoke up. Like Lord Chester, he had enough self-confidence for two, he was not going to talk pleasantries with aunt Catherine whilst there was an important announcement to make. He didn't even adapt his language.
'Darcy, Mr Bennet just arrived and your beloved is seeing him in. She asked Nick to see to his travelling companion, who has some burning questions about a certain work of art destined to grace your dining room.'
It took him just an instant to deduce who this companion was and why Manners was taking the trouble of hiding her identity and even gender. Mrs Annesley with Mr Bennet? On a four-day trip? The implications were obvious, but did his heart really jump for joy as first reaction upon hearing his father-in-law exposed as an adulterer?
'Mrs Bennet and Miss Mary Bennet?'
That was all he managed to say in his superhuman effort to keep from
laughing hysterically with relief over his mother-in-law's likely absence as well as raging with anger at Mr Bennet's brazenness.
Anne drew all their attention to herself by observing, 'They weren't there, just the artist looking for guidance. Better prepare to take a moment this afternoon for a meeting, there was a certain urgency to the question.'
The relief won, even if Mrs Bennet arrived next week as planned Mrs Gardiner would be there to keep her out of the worst trouble and Prince George wouldn't get to meet her at all. Aunt Catherine didn't seem at all suspicious who this artist was, in fact she seemed totally unaware of everything that had been said so far. Instead she was staring at her daughter as if the latter had sprouted horns and a tail, and Anne had noticed and was facing her with defiance. She'd come in without changing on purpose, to annoy her mother by wearing a riding skirt to the drawing-room!
'Thank you for telling me straight away, Manners, Anne. I would have worried if you had taken the time to change.'
But aunt Catherine wasn't thankful at all, she was working herself into an outright frenzy of righteousness, undoubtedly over her daughter wearing the same split skirts as Darcy's country-bred wife. Surprisingly, Anne seemed to remain perfectly calm, though obviously planning to confront her mother fearlessly. As she'd done before in Hunsford.
'Anne, you go change this instant, what will Lord Chester say when he sees you wearing those....' Aunt Catherine could not find the right words to describe the loathed garment.
'We call them riding skirts, mother, they're very practical. Lord Chester has seen me wear them countless times already, whenever we ride out in fact.'
Anne's calm was admirable, ignoring her mother's authoritative tone completely, thus angering her even more. But Anne wasn't done at all, instead she poured a little oil on the flames of her mother's anger.
'I often wear them at home as well, a different pair of course, it wouldn't do to smell of horse. You read about the wedding, didn't you? I got married in a silk pair, they were just beautiful. You know what, I'll wear them this afternoon, they're not too fine for the occasion since Lord Chester is here.'
Aunt Catherine couldn't keep up with the succession of abominations and was still working out the first one.
'If you need to ride so badly instead of using a little phaeton like you used to have why can't you just ride in a dress like a proper lady? What does Mr Manners think of that? I'm sure he'd be thrilled to get you a nice little carriage
of your own, and he certainly can afford it.'
'My dearest Anne can have anything she likes, Lady de Bourgh, and since she wanted to learn how to ride I bought her a beautiful horse. And though Peppermint bore that lady's saddle beautifully the one time we all wanted to try it, I suppose I didn't buy her as a lady's horse.'
Still she didn't get it, but Anne soon remedied that.
'I cannot ride a horse in a dress, mother, it would hardly be safe. And of what use would being driven around the country be? I ride for exercise, sitting on a carriage bench wouldn't do at all!'
'You mean to say you sit your horse like a man? Astride? Where Lord Chester can see you? Have you all gone insane? This is all the fault of your country-bumpkin wife, Darcy! First she turned your head until you lost all sense of propriety and dignity and let her do all those ludicrous things. And now she has ruined my daughter as well! You used to be such a sweet, tractable girl, my dear Anne, and look at you now, you're more like a gypsy!
How can you allow your wife to make such a spectacle of herself, Mr Manners, I thought you had some good sense but it seems I was wrong altogether! I insist that you make her behave properly!'
And still Anne didn't lose her temper, at which Darcy determined not to be outdone by his cousin and ignore his aunt's slights towards Elizabeth. She was just jealous of the attention Elizabeth received from those aunt Catherine considered above a country-raised girl, she had no clue what fashionable people actually liked.
Manners merely laughed heartily, he was enjoying this hugely, he had never cared what people thought of his actions. Of course he wanted people to like him, but strangely, aunt Catherine did like him, even though he treated her much like Lord Chester did, with a kind of mild superiority that would enrage Darcy, had in fact put him out when Prince George had treated him that way, except it had been some time since the prince had done that. Somehow, aunt Catherine didn't even seem to notice, or more likely she was like Collins, bowing to those they considered superior and without the slightest real pride, the wish, nay need, to be treated respectfully by everyone. But then, Darcy also respected everyone else's wish to be treated with respect, even if they were significantly below him. Of course it had taken a harsh lesson to teach him that, or maybe not? Mrs Reynolds, Simon, and most of the other staff had always liked him and respected him.
'Lady Catherine de Bourgh!' sounded an imperative voice from somewhere in
the neighbourhood of the piano. The music had stopped a few moments ago, when aunt Catherine had first raised her voice. It was obviously Prince George speaking, but this wasn't the affable prince they knew. This was George Augustus Frederick of Hanover, the Prince of Wales, facing down an unruly subject. He had probably been following the entire conversation and was now acting to shut up aunt Catherine to spare her daughter the agony of having to confront her mother, again.
The silence was deafening, still Manners was not impressed but merely amused, and Darcy found himself agreeing.
'Manners will not make your daughter behave properly because she doesn't want to. Mrs Anne Manners wants to enjoy life, she wants to ride her horse astride, and she wants to jump fences and hunt foxes and fowl. She wants to ramble for hours, catch trout and play billiards and drink brandy with the gentlemen. And when she is tired of her exertions she will sit in that chair over there and embroider flowers on a baby's dress, chatting with Mrs Darcy or listening to beautiful music. Until this fall. For then she will move to London with Mr Manners and she will brighten up my parties with her beauty and her intelligent conversation. She will be the centre of attention at Carlton House, and all
the ladies will envy her the admiration of the lords and earls and margraves, and the gentlemen will envy Mr Manners for having won such a ravishing beauty. I will envy him, too, but I know she is happier with him because he offers her the life she wants, without reporters dogging her steps and especially without people telling her what to do or don't. And the person whose interference she would enjoy doing without most is you, Lady de Bourgh, so I'd appreciate it if you were to sit down right now and hold your peace or by God, I'll ignore my advisor's plea to keep a low profile and teach you a royal lesson you'll never forget.'
That was quite an eye-opener for the rest of them, the affable prince showing a totally different side of himself. In Anne's defence, but still...
Aunt Catherine was stunned by his sudden interference, but it did not seem as if she had gotten the most important point of his message.
'A baby's dress? Didn't I see you working on one when I first came in? Does that mean you are already with child, Anne? Am I going to be a grandmother so soon?'
'No mother, I've been married for less than a month. It's for Spencer's boy.
Did you hear at all what Lord Chester said just now? He is not someone to trifle with, you know.'
'Oh I understood quite well, Anne, apparently the whole world has gone mad.
Ladies riding astride and chasing foxes. I suppose this Carlton House in London is some venue where young people gad about in defiance of our Lord's commandments. But do not mistake me, Anne, you're no longer young by anyone's standards, and neither is Mr Manners. And Lord Chester looks like he should be long settled, not making eyes at another man's wife as if he's the....oh.'
Now aunt Catherine took a good look at Lord Chester, and she sank down into the closest chair.
'Carlton House, I recognise the name now. And you do look familiar, though decidedly less hefty than some of the less proper drawings in the papers want to make one believe. More dignified than I'd expected, to be honest. And yet you say my daughter and Mrs Darcy should be allowed to do as they please.
Well, I disagree, but I know when I have lost and will bow before my betters.'
And indeed she did keep from talking at all the rest of that morning, and surprisingly without giving the appearance of sulking. Instead she listened to the music and watched how Anne worked on her little dress whilst talking quietly with Manners. Those two really did look like a happy newly-wed couple, at least aunt Catherine would leave Pemberley in the solid conviction that her daughter had not made a rash decision there, even though she'd failed to ask her mother's invaluable advice before committing herself.
Prince George totally ignored aunt Catherine, which she did not seem to resent at all, proving to Darcy that their expectations had been correct, she was like Mr Collins and would not be her usual abrasive self before the heir to the throne but rather bow before him quite naturally. It made him even more proud of Elizabeth, she would be herself under any circumstance, had been herself even when dining with Prince George and Mrs Fitzherbert at Carlton House. Hopefully she would have at least a chance to enjoy the company despite her cousin and her father being here as well as aunt Catherine. Maybe he should bring out the cards for a few games, that would keep the conversation from taking a wrong turn.
Chapter 26
Well at least that was over with. Such a stroke of good luck to meet Lizzy
first, and by herself. Oh, all right, with Manners and Miss De Bourgh, who was now Manners' missus, but they had their own affairs to worry about, they wouldn't make trouble. And the guard? Mr Bennet believed his daughter when she said the fellow was just someone she liked and respected, with experience on subjects she and her disgustingly admirable husband were just starting to explore. It was a good thing to know one's own limits, wasn't it?
But to turn to a servant for advice... Though he did seem rather astute, and a lot happier than that one time at the concert when that idiot lieutenant proposed to Miss De Bourgh in public.
Imagine Lizzy knowing instantly that her father had allowed himself to stoop to adultery, it almost had to be exposure to folks like that Fowler, and Manners of course, which had given her the knowledge of the world to direct her keen natural intelligence. Well, nothing could put that cat back into the bag, there wasn't anything to be done but hope Darcy'd be reasonable about it. And then the entertainment could begin, Lady Catherine and the Prince of Wales in one room, together with Mr Collins and not in the last place, Lizzy.
The possibilities for a display of fireworks were endless, better change quickly, spend a few moments to reason away Mrs Annesley's feelings of shame and guilt, then join the fun as long as it lasted.
Poor Mrs Annesley, they'd had a good trip so far but she was such a righteous soul, dire need had driven her into their affair and now she was most likely very sorry she'd let her feelings overcome her good sense this once. But Mr Bennet wouldn't stand for it, they were good for each other, he'd convinced her to come with him to Pemberley and he would take full responsibility for every possible consequence. If Darcy was angry, let him be angry at his father-in-law, let him think Mr Bennet had seduced his housekeeper. As for himself, he didn't feel all that guilty. He'd lived more than half his life with a woman barely worthy of the status of being an adult, and though he knew that was mostly his own fault for letting his youthful urges convince him that his lust for a pretty girl was love, he no longer blamed himself for falling for a featherhead. Besides his two eldest daughters and his sister-in-law he hadn't met a sensible woman until just recently, and a smart, narrow-minded woman or a dumb indolent woman would have left his marriage as unfulfilled as his own unlucky choice. Maybe more so. A few days each month spent in Mrs Annesley's company gave them both the heart to bear with their fate, and since most men in town had a mistress and were a lot less discrete about it, he'd forgive himself and instead use his energy to make life a little easier for
Mrs Annesley.
Lizzy had given him directions from where they'd parted company on the first floor, he was to go up one flight higher then turn right and look for the housekeeper, or choose a room on the side facing the lawn in front of the house, if the good lady wasn't in sight.
'Mr Bennet?'
An elegant woman of middle years was waiting for him at the end of the hall.
He supposed this was Mrs Reynolds, but how had she already known he was coming? Quickly enough to be so far ahead of him? Too bad, if he met Mrs Annesley now they'd have to pretend to be strangers.
'Indeed, and I suppose you are Mrs Reynolds? Pray, how did you know I was here?'
The housekeeper was in an excellent humour and curtseyed respectfully.
'News travels fast, Mr Bennet. Someone mentioned a carriage arriving to our butler, as well as who were its occupants and Mrs Darcy's instructions on which rooms to provide you with. I'm sorry to have missed Mrs Annesley so far, I cannot wait to see her again, we're in the same profession now, you see.
As soon as I heard of your arrival I rushed upstairs to make the preparations needed to bring these rooms up to Mr Darcy's standards of hospitality. The house staff has already taken your belongings inside, they're in the rooms I deem most suitable for immediate occupation, but it if you like another room better we will move some furniture around until it is to your liking.'
'Thank you very much, Mrs Reynolds, I'm impressed with the efficiency of your staff. Any room will do, as long as it's airtight and has a little fireplace.
Oh, and I suppose my daughter will want me to wash every so often since I hear you have important visitors.'
Mrs Reynolds did indeed have a sense of humour for she laughed kindly and observed, 'Those are very modest wishes, Mr Bennet, and I am certain we can throw in a bed and some curtains for good measure. Will you please follow me? I do wonder where Mrs Annesley went, you don't suppose she got lost?'
'She left Mrs Darcy and myself in the company of a man named Fowler, whom Mrs Darcy seemed to trust entirely.'
'With Fowler, yes, that is what the but
ler told me.'
The lady seemed a bit surprised but not disconcerted or put out.
'Well, he has behaved admirably all his time here, and since it was Mrs Annesley who wrote to warn me of his reputation with the fair gender, I suppose we do not need to fear her being surprised by his charms. She will
turn up sooner or later. And she has been here before. First-time guests have been known to get lost, Mr Bennet, it is rather a large house.'
'So it is, so it is. My daughter did tell me there was one visiting maid in particular who had a tendency to roam halls where she had no business being.'
Now the good lady showed some irritation.
'Indeed there is, Lady de Bourgh's maid has a remarkably poor sense of direction. Lord Chester found her wandering on this floor yesterday and had to help her find her way back to her mistress' room.'
'Lord Chester, yes, I've heard of him, a very respectable gentleman I gather.
Mr Darcy may count himself very fortunate to have gained such an important connection.'
Mrs Reynolds looked surprised and more than a little confused, how could Mrs Darcy's father have heard of this gentleman when the name was an alias, not a real person? Proving she wasn't stupid or devoid of humour the lady now once again showed a sincere smile and replied conspiratorially, 'Ah, Mrs Darcy told you who he is. And you're making fun of me, I should have known, you have quite the reputation yourself, Mr Bennet, at least among Mr and Mrs Darcy's staff. Nothing really bad, sir, please don't worry. Just that you like to put people on the wrong foot.'
Well, that was a truth if ever someone had told him one, so he nodded politely. Mrs Reynolds would not be a problem even if she did find out what Mrs Darcy's father was up to in the small hours. She was inclined to like him, and she liked Mrs Annesley, she would not cause a woman in a similar situation to her own trouble.
'I wonder what is keeping Mrs Annesley, I hope it isn't Fowler,' Mrs Reynolds mused out loud, and Mr Bennet couldn't help himself, he just had to prove the gossip about him right.
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