Pemberley

by Kirsten Bij't Vuur

  I like it here, riding, hunting, being with Anne by day at headquarters. I don't think I'd like to go back to town that soon.'

  'Are you turning into a gentleman, Nick? Riding and hunting, reading newspapers and playing billiards with the other men whilst your lady watches in admiration?

  It was obvious Simon was teasing him, but still Nick felt the remark as a reproach: he did feel like a gentleman at times and he loved it! He did not want to be relegated to the back of the house, especially not without a useful task to do, especially not in London, where there were no outdoor activities he would be allowed to join.

  'Nick! That was a joke! Look at you, back to Fowler the doormat in the blink of an eye. You're not a servant anymore, that is just a role we play! I thought you were over this, or I would not have teased you with something that is obviously deadly serious to you.'

  'I'm sorry, Simon. And Frederick did try so hard to help me get over my humility. I'm afraid being relegated to the servants' quarters has set me back. I know there is no alternative right now, but it does make me feel rather useless.'

  'Don't I know, Nick, I'm not altogether happy with the situation either, you know. But it's better than London, isn't it? We've had some precious times here, and we will again as soon as Prince George leaves. I don't want to go back to London either, Nick.'

  That was difficult to imagine, Simon was born to live in London.

  'But I thought you'd be bored here, you relish being in town!'

  'That may be true, but I want to be with Frederick above all else. You know what going to London means, don't you?'

  Actually, Nick didn't. He supposed Frederick had a house in town where they might come to similar arrangements as here at Pemberley. Better ones, since Frederick could actually pick and choose his own staff.

  'If we go to London, Anne will get constant invitations from Carlton House.

  Frederick will join her, and the two of us will be stuck at Frederick's place or in the back of Carlton House. And there is no way in which Prince George is not going to try to get his hands on Anne, or find out the truth about who holds Frederick's heart. I'm convinced he will not succeed with Anne, but believe me, he is going to find out about Frederick and me, and then all will be lost.

  Therefore I am going to enjoy Derbyshire as much as you do. I will improve my riding, though I don't think I'll ever dare ride a hunter. And I'll shoot and fish, and play billiards, just to be with the man I love, and to avoid having to return to London and face Prince George. And I'll do everything I can to ensure we will go to the continent, though frankly I am deadly afraid of dirt, discomfort, angry peasants, petty kinglets and, God forbid, the French. But to stay in London is to lose everything, and Nick, Frederick will listen to me.

  Really. Because he loves me and respects me. To him I am not a servant, nor are you, nor does Anne think we are hers to command. We made a commitment to each other and we will decide together where life will lead us next. Sitting here in the back of the house, pretending to be at our master and mistress' beck and call, is a cover and nothing more. Now feel free to act out your cover for someone is coming. But first tell me you believe me.'

  Nick felt more respect and, yes, affection, for Simon than ever, and he took his friend's hand and assured him, 'I believe you, Simon, and I will do anything to keep you and Frederick safe. Anne hasn't said anything about going to London and I suppose she doesn't want to leave, she loves riding and playing billiards and everything happening outdoors as much as I do. I, too, will face foreigners and danger before letting Prince George expose the people I love. Why, that looks like Mrs Brewer, I suppose she is bringing more pie for our royal guest. I could really get used to living like a gentleman, Simon, no doubt about it.'

  'And live like one you shall. Mrs Brewer, how have you been?'

  Mrs Brewer had indeed arrived with several boxes undoubtedly containing sweets for the prince. She seemed much calmer than at the time when Nick had accompanied the ladies of the household and Prince George on their visit to the artist's home. Of course there was little danger here of running into some lord or lady, but Nick thought the change might go deeper than that. He suspected Mrs Brewer had been rather lonely and out of touch with people in general, clinging to her husband and children as her only companions. But these last days, the senior members of the Pemberley staff had been in and out of her kitchen to help her make enough confectionery for the Darcy household, and Mrs Brewer had flourished under their kind attentions. Even the cook had taken her turn in the tiny but spotless kitchen, shelling nuts and carefully composing the sweet mixtures of sugar, cream and flavours Mrs Brewer had a talent for developing. Cakes and pies were an important part of a cook's repertory, and if the occasion presented itself even the most highly admired cook should improve their accomplishments. Well, every professional should improve himself, Nick could subdue almost any assailant without seriously damaging him, the hunt master knew how to offer his master and his friends an exciting chase without destroying fields or risking disastrous accidents befalling the hunters. Each had his own talents, and each learned wherever he could. And Mrs Brewer relished teaching others how to improve their sweets.

  'Simon, Nick, I'm glad to find someone in to help me try this new pastry I've developed. I've often wondered how I might make pastry a little less heavy and I think I've managed. I won't bother you with the details, just try one of these little bite-sized pieces. They may look savoury, but they are sweet.'

  The good woman handed both of them a small pastry, somehow it looked sweet, maybe it was the subtle glaze on top, glaze was apparently something one associated with sweetness.

  'Thank you very much, Mrs Brewer,' Simon said as he accepted a piece of confectionery. 'Mr Darcy allows his staff their share of the bounty, but this makes me feel special.'

  Nick thanked her, too, and as he bit in the delicious, flaky crust to encounter a filling that was more fluffy than creamy, he really could not but agree to what Simon had just said. Maybe it wasn't so bad to live on both sides of a great house, maybe they actually had the best of both worlds. Sometimes he did think it might be a rather boring existence to be so privileged as to never have to work. To him the pastimes of the gentry were new and he enjoyed

  them, but might they not eventually lose their attractions? Wouldn't the satisfaction of having accomplished a task well become as valuable in due time? Shouldn't he celebrate the opportunity to make himself useful every once in awhile?

  They both took their time savouring the treat, Nick did wonder whether it was at all lighter than Mrs Brewer's usual work, but frankly, with his large body and the regular exercise he got here at Pemberley, he ate so much that he wasn't going to notice the difference between heavy and light filling unless he ate a whole plate of the treats. Anne would be better-qualified to judge, she often refrained from eating food that was heavily spiced or too greasy or creamy.

  'This is just fabulous, Mrs Brewer, the flaky pastry fits well with the sweet filling, and it does taste a lot less heavy, but that may also be because you have substituted the cream in the filling with something much lighter.'

  Simon didn't hesitate to confirm Mrs Brewer's hopes, but now Nick thought of it, he'd gotten acquainted with his friend's eating habits lately and Simon wasn't slender for nothing: he was as picky an eater as one could expect anyone raised in a working-class family to be. Deciding to be frank since it didn't insult Mrs Brewer's work but rather his own qualities as gourmand, Nick offered his own comments.

  'I love it, Mrs Brewer, it looks sweet and it tastes even better. First flaky, then fluffy. I wouldn't dare say anything about lightness, though, food is never too heavy for me, I'd have to eat a plateful to know whether it was at all filling. It doesn't seem to be, but I've heard that some fluffy foods can be quite deceiving that way. My mistress would be the ideal person to try, she generally dislikes sweets and heavy food.'

  'I wouldn't dare presume to offer her my sweets if she doesn't have a liking for them, Nick.
I'm very glad you both like it, and I suppose Mrs Darcy will tell me what the family and her visitors think of it, she is always kind enough to ask and let me know so I can improve on my recipes.'

  'Your pies are the best, Mrs Brewer,' Simon now observed, 'if you ever feel the inclination to move to London I'm certain you could find a position with Prince George straight away, and start experimenting with chocolate.'

  'Can you imagine Lord Chester actually being the Prince of Wales? Mrs Reynolds told me, said I'd find out sooner or later. You really think he likes my sweets? He seemed to when he visited, but when he told me he knew someone who employed two French confectioners, I now suppose he meant

  himself.'

  'I've come to know him quite well acting as his valet, Mrs Brewer, and he does not flatter when he doesn't mean it. He loves your sweets, and if you had ambitions to move to town you could ask for a place in his household. Or start your own business in town, I can't think of anyone who wouldn't like this.'

  Though Mrs Brewer liked compliments as well as anyone, it could easily be seen that she wasn't altogether comfortable with the attention of a prince.

  Which Simon also noticed, changing the conversation smoothly towards something he knew she'd like to hear.

  'Mrs Brewer, did you know Mrs Annesley is here for a short visit?'

  That was indeed welcome news to the good woman.

  'Mrs Annesley is here? I can't wait to see her, tell her how much good her kindness did me. Is there a chance I might visit?'

  Simon responded easily enough, he knew this household well.

  'Why don't I ask her to call on you, wouldn't you love to show her your home and be all by yourselves for a few hours?'

  'Oh, yes, I'd love that, she showed me her most beautiful works, I'd like her to see mine. And she'll love meeting our boys. Would tonight after tea suit her, do you think?'

  Well, since Mr Bennet would be expected to join the family in the evening, Mrs Annesley would have plenty of time to spend with her friends. And if Mrs Reynolds didn't want to miss a moment of her friend's visit, she could join her at the Brewer's house.

  'I will ask her, and send word if she cannot make it. Will that suit you?'

  'Oh, yes, very well. I'd better fly home to make some preparations then, I'll just give this to the cook and make some of my best sweets, Mrs Annesley likes them. Good day, gentlemen!'

  'Good bye, and thank you for the treat, Mrs Brewer!' Nick said.

  'See you later, Mrs Brewer. I won't forget to ask Mrs Annesley.'

  Chapter 31

  Darcy was not happy to find the drawing-room empty, and he soon heard from the butler that his aunt had retreated to her own room for a nap. Should

  he leave her be, had the events of the day really tired her out? Or was she avoiding being all by herself in a public space, when everyone else, even Mr Collins, chose to be in some dubitable room on the second floor with that miscreant prince and her son-in-law Mr Manners? In a split second Darcy made a decision: he would disturb his aunt during her nap because he thought she would relish the chance to talk of her sister, to pinpoint the actual resemblances between mother and daughter in her niece, and judge the accuracy of any paintings or sketches Pemberley had to offer of its former mistress.

  And when he knocked he was not disappointed, Miss Bergman opened the door and let him in immediately, proving his aunt was not even asleep. It seemed aunt Catherine had taken her nephew's advice and had used the excuse of a nap to enable her to spend some time with her personal maid of low birth. They had clearly been sitting together since there was a piece of needlework on the table right in front of the now-empty second chair of the little seating area before the hearth, and aunt Catherine's eyes were no longer good enough to enable her to embroider anything worth looking at. She'd told him that herself in those exact words, about a year ago.

  Now, she looked up at her nephew and said mildly, 'Darcy, it's always a pleasure to see you. I told Miss Bergman to let you catch me taking your advice, the drawing-room was deserted and I felt like some company. Now, what can I do for you, don't you have some letters to read?'

  'The letters can wait, aunt Catherine, we have more pleasant business which I thought you might want to get involved in. I know you remember Mrs Annesley, Georgie's former lady, since you mentioned her as a suitable companion for yourself. Besides her being indispensable as a housekeeper, I consider her needlework good enough to grace a palace. She is currently working on a centrepiece for our formal dining room here at Pemberley, a portrait of my mother in her youth. But she has come up against several discrepancies in the paintings she used to catch the likeness, and therefore has asked to view the portraits at Pemberley, and also to ask my advice and Georgie's. Since you actually knew mother at the age of the portrait I thought you might like to help the good lady decide which of the paintings represent your sister best.'

  Again, the wilful old lady was obviously affected.

  'A portrait of my dear sister Anne? In your beautiful dining room? You say it is needlework, can that be done? I have to see it, and yes, I would love to be

  of use making the likeness as good as is possible without having a live model.

  But wait, your sister is a spitting image of my sister at that age, there is a live model!'

  'Georgie mentioned you telling her about the resemblance before, but I don't see it.'

  'You remember your mother sick and worn out by life, my dear boy, but when we were young she was as beautiful and almost as full of bloom as your sister is. You want me to come with you straight away? I cannot wait to see Mrs Annesley again, she made such an impression on me being so obliging and at the same time almost dignified, and now you tell me she is also a gifted artist?'

  'I believe she is, yes, and you may judge for yourself after seeing what she has done so far. I think she has caught the eyes perfectly. I did also invite the Prince of Wales, aunt Catherine, when I said 'fit to grace a palace' I meant it, I want Mrs Annesley to get the acclaim she deserves.'

  The prospect of having to spend more time with Prince George didn't altogether please his aunt, but it was not enough to dampen her enthusiasm.

  'Then you may have to find yourself another housekeeper after all. But I suppose that is not a matter you will worry about now. Please lead me to this marvel, Darcy, I cannot wait to see my dear sister take up her rightful place in the house where she was so little regarded.'

  'Georgie and I loved our mother dearly, aunt Catherine, and though our father may have broken his marital vows, he did write of her with affection in his letters to the late Mrs Wickham. Excepting one or two instances when she needed my father and he wasn't there, I am not convinced mother was so very unhappy living here, I remember her as generally being rather content. You have been happy without experiencing the fever of love yourself, haven't you?'

  Darcy had contradicted his aunt's opinion before, but still it surprised her that anyone so dear to her should do so. She was quite the character.

  'I have never sought to be loved by a man. But your mother was different, she truly loved Richard Darcy and he betrayed that trust.'

  'I suppose we'll never know the truth, but I am satisfied to think that she was happy with the life she chose, accepted her husband's need for excitement and enjoyed her own quieter life. The only time I saw mother truly unhappy was when Victoria Wickham was in town with my father just before Georgie's birth. With no-one she trusted around to keep her comfortable, she was

  bullied by her attendant, some local nurse father hired temporarily to replace Mrs Wickham. I didn't know what to do, I was still very young and hadn't been at home more than a few weeks each season for years. It is my only regret, that I didn't dare send for father then. It would have saved her weeks of misery in a time when a woman is at her most vulnerable.'

  'You are still my measure for manliness, Darcy, and though I still think you made a mistake marrying as you did, I am certain your little wife will never be neglected, not even for an
hour. Not even when she is in that certain state, although I cannot imagine that girl, for a girl she still is to me, ever admitting to any weakness under any circumstance. Like her father, she seems without better feelings altogether.'

  'You know me better than that, aunt Catherine. I have looked for my other half for ten years and never saw even a hint of her in any woman I met. I have to admit it took me awhile to recognise the love of my life in Elizabeth, and it cost me plenty of grief before she could see anything of value in me, but it was well worth the wait and the heartbreak. You don't know Elizabeth as I do and therefore cannot value her as I do. But I assure you, my dear aunt, that I have not regretted my marriage even one single instant, and that I will defend my beloved from anything or anyone seeking to harm her or even trying to fetter her free spirit. I love her just as she is, and she knows every shade in my character and embraces my imperfections as much as my better traits.'

  He was not ready to tell his aunt that Elizabeth was probably with child already, but he did want to address her compliment, she had always had such faith in him, even when he hadn't deserved it yet.

  'And you are right, even if she were to turn out more vulnerable than expected while with child, I will be right beside her every step of the way. As will Mr Bennet, for though he has little use for most people, he is very attached to his favourite daughter and I dare say, has come to appreciate me as well.'

  'You have ten times his consequence, Darcy, how can you speak in such a way?'

  'Mr Bennet was not exactly pleased when I asked for his daughter's hand and he was right to, I had not made a good impression on him and the rest of the good people in Hertfordshire. I will tell you the story some other time, it is too long to do justice on our walk to the dining-room. You played a much more important part in it than you'd ever imagine. But not now, now we will

  help Mrs Annesley achieve perfection yet again.'

  When Elizabeth entered the dining-room with Georgiana and Prince George, Fitzwilliam was already there with Lady Catherine. The old lady was talking to Mrs Annesley and obviously impressed with her work, showing the former lady companion much more respect than she usually did those beneath her.