Page 16

SECRETS REVEALED

T he family was tired and fighting between themselves as the carriage turned into the driveway of Rosings. Elizabeth watched with a perverse amusement as the gentlemen showed their fear. Looking out at the darkened landscape, she wondered what she was going to experience at the grand house. Over the past twenty-four hours, she had heard many stories about the aunt they were going to visit. She was honest enough with herself to know that she was nervous. She would be the interloper. The one who had supplanted the grand lady’s daughter in Darcy’s affections. However, Elizabeth was Darcy’s wife and as such she would hold her head high.

“The countryside is beautiful around here, Liz,” Darcy murmured in her ear. “I promise that I will give you a tour tomorrow.”

Elizabeth sighed. She needed to stretch her legs. A full day of travelling was uncomfortable for her. “I will look forward to it.”

The occupants of the carriage straightened up as the carriage pulled up to the door of Rosings and rolled to a stop. Groaning, Darcy opened the door and to Elizabeth’s surprise, a young lady around her age flew out of the house and came to a stop as Fitzwilliam and Darcy tiredly descended from the carriage.

“What are you doing here, Fitz? I thought you avoided mama!” The young lady declared.

“It is good to be here, Anne,” Darcy politely answered. “I have news. I also need to ask your mother for help.”

Anne’s face fell. “Whatever could you be needing mama’s help with? Unless you’ve come to finally propose and make our engagement official.”

A mask of indifference dropped over Darcy’s face. “How many times have I told you that will never happen? Listen now and listen well! I cannot marry you!”

Anne laughed. “You always say that, yet, you remain unmarried. Mama will wear you down eventually.”

Darcy took a deep breath. He leant over and whispered into Elizabeth’s ear, “I am sorry, I want to tell my aunt about our marriage before I tell Anne. You will understand when you meet my aunt.”

Elizabeth nodded. “I trust you, Fitz,” she whispered back.

“Thank you, Liz,” Darcy said. He turned back to Anne. “All will become clear, Anne. I need to talk with your mother.”

“Very well. You know that my mother talks so that I do not get to spend any time with you.” Anne petulantly whined. “Promise me that this visit will be different?”

Fitzwilliam laughed. “Anne, this visit is going to be very different, but Fitz is right. You should give up on any idea that Fitz will ever make you an offer. You need to find your own match. I know that Fitz will be very happy for you when you do.”

Anne snorted. “You and I know that I am not sick enough to stay away from society, but mama uses my illness to keep me away from Town. I have about as much chance of finding my own match as I do flying!”

“What are you doing outside, Anne? Come along inside! You will catch your death if you stay outside in the cold winter’s air without a pelisse!” A middle-aged woman called as she strolled out of the door. “Christopher, Fitz! It is good to see you! Come inside and relax. Leave them alone, Anne.” The woman turned Anne around before they led the way into the house.

The small group followed the middle-aged woman into the house. Almost instantly Elizabeth felt a small frisson run down her back. The gaudy decoration was most unpleasant. She hoped that her new home, Pemberley, was not decorated in such a manner. Elizabeth felt Darcy place his hand on the small of her back. They drew strength from each other.

They entered the drawing-room, where the middle-aged lady and Anne had been sitting and hesitated. Greetings were exchanged between the family. It was now that the middle-aged woman noticed Elizabeth. Looking down her nose at the light cotton dress that Elizabeth was wearing, the woman asked, “Will you not introduce us to this young woman, Christopher? I assume, miss, that you are a friend of Georgiana’s.”

“She’s no friend of mine !” Georgiana rudely interrupted.

“Georgiana!” Fitzwilliam chided his ward. “Remember your manners. Aunt, I will leave Fitz to introduce your extra guest.”

“Why would you defer to your cousin?” The lady asked, confused.

Darcy smiled proudly and drew Elizabeth to his side. “Elizabeth, please allow me to present my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter, Anne. Aunt, Elizabeth is my wife. We married just yesterday.”

“You... married... yesterday... why are you here? No. Wait. You are aware of the preexisting engagement with your cousin. Why would you dishonour your cousin in this way?” Lady Catherine said slowly, as though she was trying to make sense of the situation. Turning to Elizabeth she continued, “How dare you show your face here?! I assume you know that my nephew has jilted his cousin?”

Elizabeth blushed and hung her head. The vitriol in the woman’s voice almost made her cry. “Ma’am, your nephew made his own choice.”

Georgiana snorted. “He compromised you into marriage, you mean.”

Elizabeth and Darcy blushed.

“Aunt, as you can see Georgiana’s behaviour is out of hand,” Fitzwilliam half apologised half explained.

“Georgiana! Remember what I told you at Netherfield last night about interfering in our marriage,” Elizabeth warned the young girl.

Georgiana rolled her eyes and went to sit next to her cousin. The two young girls began whispering together.

Lady Catherine looked Elizabeth up and down. “Will you be requiring separate rooms?”

Elizabeth and Darcy’s embarrassment deepened the redness of their faces. “We have not discussed that, ma’am,” Darcy answered for them both. “However, if Elizabeth has no objections, then I would say one room is sufficient for us.”

“I. I have no objections,” Elizabeth answered in a low voice

Lady Catherine nodded. “Very well. Go and freshen up. We will discuss the reasons for your visit once you come down. The trunks have gone to your usual rooms, I will have the servants take Mrs Darcy’s trunks to your room.” The grand lady dismissed the group, who gratefully left the drawing room.

* * *

“W ell that could have gone worse,” Darcy joked when they reached their room.

Elizabeth sighed. “She is not happy with us and Georgiana is doing her utmost to embarrass us at every turn,” Elizabeth pointed out. “If I managed to make any kind of impression, it would have been a bad one.”

The door closed and Elizabeth’s trunks were not yet in their room. Darcy drew his distraught wife into his arms. He leant down and kissed her. “I do not want to think about the family right now,” he gently growled. “I would much rather have a pleasant interlude with my wife alone before I have to share her company with the rest of the family. I vote that we leave the family problems outside of our door for the moment.”

Elizabeth giggled and blushed. “And what, pray does my husband have in mind? We are expected back in the drawing room, presently.”

“Mmm, I am not sure,” Darcy murmured kissing her again. “How about this?” He kissed her again. “Or this?” He said caressing her sides with his hands. He continued to tease her with gentle caresses and kisses until her trunks arrived. Side by side they washed and freshened up, falling into a light and easy rhythm. They were slightly shy, but the night that Darcy had passed at Longbourn had helped to ease their wariness of each other. However, after washing up, Darcy stopped Elizabeth from dressing straight away. Picking her up as she stood in her chemise, he carried her over to the bed.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy!” She shrieked in surprise. “What are you doing? We do not have time....”

Darcy leant over and kissed her deeply. Drawing back he muttered, “Then we will make time. It is time I made you my wife in every way.”

Elizabeth’s face flushed as she gently teased him. “We could wait until we retire for bed.”

Darcy growled in frustration. “Elizabeth, are you telling me that you are not ready? Am I rushing you?” He rolled away from her.

Elizabeth shook her head. “That is not what I was saying!” She rolled over and kissed him. Taking a deep breath she considered how to explain that which she felt. “Fitz, I am more than ready. I am considering Georgiana’s behaviour. She has already alluded to our wedding night being postponed in front of Mr Bingley. She has also said what she should not in front of your aunt. If we take the time to consummate our marriage right now, then I fear that we will simply be giving her more to tease us about and to speculate about in public.”

“I do not care what my little sister says,” Darcy growled, rolling back and turning Elizabeth onto her back again. He kissed Elizabeth deeply and began caressing her. “We are newly married and should we take longer to join the company downstairs then they should understand our desire to be on our own for longer.”

Elizabeth blushed, but put forward no further objections, as together they explored each other’s bodies and proceeded to consummate their marriage.

Afterwards, they lay naked in each other’s arms. “You know that they are going to know what we are doing?” Elizabeth murmured embarrassed.

Darcy shrugged. “We have done nothing wrong, Elizabeth,” he fiercely told her. “I don’t care what they think or want to say. You sacrificed our wedding night to bring Georgiana here. You deserve to spend time with me alone. I think it was almost a day and a half since we had any privacy to speak of.” He gently caressed her skin. “I would happily worship your body again before we get dressed and go back downstairs and I have to share your company.”

Elizabeth slowly ran her hand over his chest. The matting of hair that covered his chest felt like an odd combination of soft and rough. “Mmm, how soon do you think they would come looking for us?”

Darcy laughed. “Elizabeth Darcy! I swear that we would not be leaving our rooms for a week, were we at home!”

Elizabeth gave her husband a saucy look. “I think it probably better that we dress and go downstairs and continue this discussion tonight.”

Darcy grumbled, but saw the wisdom in Elizabeth’s advice. Absently they dressed. Darcy spent more time wanting to watch his wife and compliment her appearance than dressing himself.

Eventually, the couple left their room and descended the stairs to explain the reasons for their trip to their hostess.

* * *

F itzwilliam was the first to return to the drawing room. He gave a low chuckle when he observed that fact. He took a seat next to the high-banked fire, grateful to warm up after the long carriage ride.

“You must marry, Christopher!” Lady Catherine began without preamble. “A gentleman’s daughter is the minimum, but I am quite sure you could attract the daughter of a duke or even a princess.”

“I have not found anyone to marry,” Fitzwilliam dissembled. His jealousy of Darcy reached new heights. “How did you know it was me?”

“The same way I knew when you were children! You are almost identical in looks it is true, but not in habits. You have two habits that tell you apart from Fitz. The first is seating — you aim for the fire, Fitz for the corner away from everyone. You both have confidence, but express that confidence differently. For those of us who know you both well, there are many ways to tell you apart. Besides, Fitz and his wife won’t be in a hurry to leave their room. So, while they and Georgiana are refreshing themselves and getting ready to rejoin us I believe you should begin telling me why you are all here. I know it was not to announce Fitz’s wedding! That could have been done by letter,” Lady Catherine explained.

Fitzwilliam sucked in his breath and looked deep into the fire. “We have failed Georgiana. We hired a companion for her last year when we agreed to take her out of school and plan her entrance into society. My mother desired to sponsor her presentation to the Queen in January, but we felt a holiday in Ramsgate before her presentation would be advantageous. So around Easter when Fitz and I came here to visit, she and her companion visited Ramsgate. What the companion said or did we do not know, but what we do know is that Georgiana began flirting overtly with every gentleman in sight. Fitz and I received a letter from Wickham who had been on holiday there himself. Things since that time have gotten worse. One of the things we did almost immediately was to return to London and keep a stricter eye on her. Her behaviour this evening was mild in relation to what it has been. I believe that is because Elizabeth has managed to find a way to threaten her into some kind of submission, but what that threat is I do not know.” He looked at his hands and mumbled, “We were hoping that you could take her and help her to see the error of her ways.”

Lady Catherine sat in stunned silence. The only evidence of emotion was a single tear running down her cheek, which she did not bother to check. “I do not know that I am the best person to ask for advice. That you have brought her here and are asking for help, is evidence that you are not failing her.” Lady Catherine took a shaky breath. “Before we go any further, I want to know is there any truth to what she said about her brother. Did Fitz compromise Elizabeth?”

Fitzwilliam almost spat out the tea that he had been sipping. When Anne had placed it in his hands and when he had started drinking it, he was not sure. “I do not know. I do not believe so. His behaviour with her has been more open than I have seen him with any other woman. I understand that the first day he met her he kissed her. However, within the week he asked her for a formal courtship and then marriage. Yes, they have engaged in a gentle flirtation which despite Georgiana’s accusations was always dignified and reserved just to each other.”

“I see. Why would she make that accusation?” Lady Catherine asked.

Fitzwilliam again swallowed. “Circumstances conspired against them. The night that he asked for her hand in marriage, Elizabeth’s father threw him out of the study, demanding to see Fitz and myself together. The neighbourhood had at that point never seen us together, because of many circumstances conspiring against us. Not least of which was the need for one of us to watch Georgiana at all times. It was easier for the one watching her to stay in the shadows so that she did not see them. Unfortunately, I allowed Wickham to get under my skin one night while I was the one socialising and I ended up in a fight with him. That ended up in my being summoned to Horse Guards to answer for my behaviour. I was away for around a month. During that month, Fitz was on his own looking after his sister and trying to court Elizabeth. He enlisted the help of both Elizabeth and her younger sister, Kitty, to try and bring Georgiana under control, which resulted in some nasty rumours about the three of them.” He blushed. “Truth is that I had been the one to show undue interest in Kitty when it was I socialising.” He shook his head he was rambling and avoiding the issue. “Anyway when Mr Bennet threw Fitz from his study, I had just arrived. We had agreed to end the ruse the following day. Wickham had been due to marry Elizabeth’s youngest sister, Lydia. I do not know where he went, but Fitz had been shaken by Mr Bennett’s treatment of him and retreated to somewhere on the Longbourn grounds. Bingley ended the visit early for a reason I cannot remember and we left in his carriage. As you know, Bingley has always been careless and rarely pays enough attention to know if it is Fitz or me that he is talking to. So he did not notice that we had left Fitz behind. It seems that somehow Fitz made his way to Elizabeth’s room and they passed the night together. He swears nothing happened. However, the following day when Wickham jilted Lydia, an agreement was made that there would be a switch of bride and groom. Fitz willingly and happily married Elizabeth. Georgiana’s behaviour at the wedding breakfast was appalling. Elizabeth made the declaration that she wanted Georgiana kept under our watchful gaze from then on until we arrived here. She decided that we left the wedding breakfast coming straight here pausing only for trunks to be packed.”

“So they sacrificed their wedding night for the welfare of Georgiana….” Lady Catherine said in wonder.

“I believe they’ve sacrificed a lot of their courtship in attempting to reach and correct Georgiana,” Fitzwilliam answered. “I am not sure Fitz would have behaved as he did if he were not feeling desperate to secure Elizabeth as his wife. However, I believe that in seeing Fitz find his happiness and engage in the gentle flirtation that comes with courtship Georgiana found ways to justify her behaviour. I also believe that Fitz and Elizabeth desire to go on a short wedding trip and wish to know that Georgiana is cared for while they do. While we trust Mrs Annesley, whose character appears to be the superior of Mrs Younge, we do not at this time believe that we can leave Georgiana’s education and guidance to just a companion.”

“I want to see just how bad Georgiana is. I have a few ideas. However, I have a small tea party planned for two days. You will all stay until that time. It will give Fitz a chance to show off his wife, you can relax and I will be able to see how bad Georgiana’s behaviour really is,” Lady Catherine told Fitzwilliam.

“She will embarrass the whole family,” Fitzwilliam warned his aunt.

At that moment, Georgiana flounced into the drawing room and sat down heavily on the sofa. “What a relief that Fitz and her haven’t come down yet!”

“Let them have their privacy, Georgiana!” Fitzwilliam snapped. “They’ve not had much time alone.

Georgiana snorted. “They spent the whole night alone two nights ago!”

“And have been constantly in company ever since,” Fitzwilliam reminded her. “Leave them alone.”

Lady Catherine sat silently watching the interaction between Fitzwilliam and Georgiana.

Georgiana shrugged. “We all know what they are doing in their room anyway. So why it’s not to be spoken about, I do not know.”

“Georgiana!” Anne gasped. “What they do behind closed doors is their business! It is not for general or polite conversation.”

“Who cares?! I’m fed up with his hypocrisy anyway,” Georgiana declared.

“What hypocrisy?” Anne asked. “From what I heard, he has married the only girl he has ever shown any interest in.”

“You weren’t there. You didn’t see how they treated me while engaging in the same thing,” Georgiana grumbled.

Lady Catherine could hardly keep from laughing. “My dear niece, you seem to misunderstand the world. Your brother and his wife were engaging in a serious courtship which has resulted in a marriage. You were engaging in a quite different kind of dance. One that has serious implications on morality and even your safety. There is a world of difference between indiscriminate flirting with the room and discrete flirting with one’s declared love interest.”

“I have to find a husband somehow,” Georgiana argued.

Anne snorted. “Indiscriminate flirting is not the way to find a husband. It’s the way to have a child in your belly without the protection of a husband! Or worse it’s a way to find yourself used, abused, and discarded. Perhaps even dead in a ditch.”

Georgiana shuffled in her seat. “You’re wrong. Mrs Younge told me that I needed to be open and flirtatious to attract the best men.”

“Mrs Younge…” Lady Catherine searched her mind. “Lewis used to mention a man called Gregory Younge. Nasty character. Had a string of businesses in both the East and West End of London. I wonder if she is any relation.”

Fitzwilliam gulped. “I believe that was her late husband’s name.”

Lady Catherine slapped her fan across her hand in a vicious gesture. “Georgiana, you have had a lucky escape! If that woman is Gregory Younge’s wife, then you need to ignore anything she told you. Anne, ring the bell, please. Georgiana needs to meet Rosie and Daisy.”

Anne did as she was told.

“I do not feel very lucky,” Georgiana grumbled. “All I want is to find a husband.”

The two maids soon appeared in the parlour and curtsied.

“Rosie, Daisy, please sit down. You will be here for a while,” Lady Catherine told them.

They looked at each other and then sat on the edge of their seats.

“I know it is difficult, but would you mind telling my niece your stories?” Lady Catherine asked.

“I don’t know that our stories are for mixed company nor for the ears of innocent young ladies such as your daughter and niece,” the older girl stated.

“Never mind their perceived sensibilities, I want you to tell your stories,” Lady Catherine ordered.

Rosie nodded and then grabbing Daisy’s hand she launched into her story.

* * *

D arcy and Elizabeth stopped in the doorway of the drawing room and listened to the two maids’ stories. That such evil existed in the world they had both known, but neither of them could comprehend that it had come so close to their door. They felt sick as they listened.

As the maids’ stories came to an end, the couple made their way into the drawing room and quietly took their seats. There was a quiet stillness that pervaded the air. Georgiana looked shocked, sickened, and completely baffled by the two maids’ stories.

“How did you get those scars on your face, Rosie?” She eventually asked.

“I struggled when they first took me and one of the men took a knife and ruined my appearance,” the maid told her. “They would take anything that you valued and turn it against you and destroy it.”

“Oh….” Georgiana was lost for words.

“The woman, Mrs Younge, she was as bad as any of the men. If not worse!” Daisy told them. “She knew just how to get inside your head to get you to do what she wanted!”

Georgiana asked many questions while the rest of the family stayed quiet. If these kids could reach her where her family could not then it would be to her advantage.

Eventually, the maids were dismissed back to their work. Not wishing to disturb her niece any further, Lady Catherine decided that now was the time to inquire about how Darcy and Elizabeth met.

It was with great spirit that Darcy and Elizabeth told the story of their first meeting and how Darcy had decided to surprise Elizabeth that night. Their light-hearted rendition and gentle teasing of each other throughout made the others in the room laugh at their antics.

“Fitz, your mother would have been proud of the man you have become,” Lady Catherine announced, suddenly.

Darcy blushed slightly. “I have not acted as I ought, ma’am.”

Lady Catherine waved her fan in the air. “I know that you have made mistakes. I also know that you have done right by Elizabeth here. I can see your happiness overflowing and that is all that your mother ever wanted for you. I know that she would have approved of this young lady.” Lady Catherine stood up and crossed the room. Leaning down, she gave both Darcy and his wife a hug. “Congratulations, my dears. I hope you will be very happy together.” She straightened up and returned to her seat. “Mrs Darcy, I am not a woman given to strong emotion, so do not expect to get that kind of affection from me regularly. Fitz, I believe that your mother would have said that it was about time that you chose a wife and married! Anne, ring the bell. I think it is time we had some champagne to celebrate.”

“Not tonight, aunt. Thank you,” Darcy argued. “The night is far advanced and I believe that a small celebratory drink would be in order another time. Georgie needs to consider her behaviour, too. I would not like to exclude Georgie from the celebration, but her behaviour recently has been such that I do not believe allowing her to partake in celebrating at this time would do anything other than tell her that her behaviour has been acceptable. As it was my wife had to keep a very strict and close eye on Georgiana throughout our wedding breakfast, as my sister was behaving questionably.”

“I understand your caution and I am in no way condoning Georgiana’s behaviour,” Lady Catherine assured him. “However, it sounds as though you and your bride have sacrificed almost everything for your sister’s reclamation. I will not brook opposition on this one. We are celebrating your marriage! What are you waiting for, Anne, ring that bell!”

Georgiana gave a smug look to her brother. “I still do not see how his behaviour differs from mine! Was it not worse that he stayed the night at Longbourn before they were married?”

Lady Catherine took a deep breath. “Your brother and his wife are correct, you do belong in the nursery still. There is a reason I am insistent on celebrating their marriage and it is nothing to do with you. I am happy to take my sister’s daughter in hand and attempt to reclaim her. What that woman, Younge, has done to innocent young women is beyond the pale! Yet, I know that the work my husband and I began so many moons ago is only a drop in the bucket to the number who are still out there, who every day fall from grace. As of tomorrow morning, Georgiana, I believe that your education will begin anew. You will join Anne and me on our morning calls. Anne, I believe that it is time I was honest as to why I have kept you from London Society.”

Anne looked at her hands. “You do not need to explain, mama! You always said that it was because not only was I sickly and cross, but also because Fitz was destined to marry me. YOU promised me that I had a betrothed already.” A defiant look came over Anne’s face. “Now he sits there flaunting his new wife in front of me and you have accepted her! It is most humiliating.”

Lady Catherine took a deep breath. “Do you remember your season when you were fifteen?”

“Not much. I remember the ballrooms and there being lots of people. It was all quite overwhelming,” Anne admitted.

Lady Catherine raised an eyebrow at her daughter. “You do not remember flirting with almost every gentleman who asked you to dance? Or unnecessarily putting yourself in the way of gentlemen who took your fancy?”

Anne blushed. “I had forgotten.”

Lady Catherine took a deep breath. “I made a show of removing you from London Society because of your health for a good reason. Your behaviour needed to calm down, but there was a more important reason even than that and, like Georgiana, you would not have listened or cared at the time. It was around that time that Lewis made the acquaintance of Gregory Younge. The man was pleasant and personable. Everything outwardly that a young gentleman should be and his wife a credit to him. However, Lewis made enquiries and found out that Gregory’s businesses were people – more precisely young men and women. The more we found out, the more we knew that you were in danger. We had no way of knowing which young girls and gentlemen in a ballroom were planted by the Younges to find new blood for their awful businesses. Lewis played the game and we found out that you had been targeted as their next victim. We heard the rumours and that was enough. A certain young man would get you to agree to elope and once he had grown tired of you, you would be dumped into one of their brothels to work for them. We ostensibly removed you from Town because of your health, but kept you away both to calm you down and to protect you. Once we knew what was happening Lewis and I began to pull together a network of our own to rescue some of the young men and women before it was too late. Some we have managed to restore to their families, but most either don’t have family or the estrangement is too severe. Those we find employment for. Rosie and Daisy were among the last that we personally rescued. Lewis was killed three years ago when the Younges found out that it was us who had been working against them. I do not doubt that it was a revenge plot for Mrs Younge to target Georgiana. Many of the women in Hunsford and its surroundings have been rescued from that hell.”

Georgiana suddenly found her voice. “I am nothing like those girls! I am not likely to end up like them! Fitz wouldn’t allow it.”

Lady Catherine shook her head. “Almost every girl that we have rescued had that same confidence. They could flirt and be open because they were different, they were special.”

Elizabeth silently shook her head. Georgiana had turned the conversation to herself and her behaviour once more. Without saying anything, Elizabeth laid her head on her husband’s shoulder. The joy of their wedding yesterday felt faded and sullied.

Darcy wrapped an arm around Elizabeth’s shoulder. He had taken desperate measures to secure his bride, but he felt guilty that his sister had constantly taken the attention on herself rather than allowing him and Elizabeth to be the centre of attention for even one day.

“Georgiana!” Lady Catherine almost exploded. “You have been indulged too much by your brother. It is his time to celebrate and to be happy. Look at their faces. Really look. They are a new couple who have sacrificed their happiness for you. I do not blame them for their behaviour. Should they have been more decorous in their behaviour, yes, but your brother stepped up and did the honourable thing, asking for courtship and then for marriage. The love that they feel for each other must be strong to survive this situation. When they arrived, I missed their affection because of the tension you had created. While they are more relaxed now, I still see tension and sadness in their bearing that should not be in a newly married couple.”

The champagne arrived and soon glasses were filled and Lady Catherine attempted to give the drinks a celebratory air, but the revelations about Mrs Younge and Georgiana’s stubborn behaviour gave the celebration more of a sombre mournful feeling rather than one of joy. This was not helped when at two in the morning the door to the drawing room flew open and several of the footmen silently lined the walls in grim silence. Rosie strode up to Lady Catherine in tears.

“I just received word that my youngest sister has eloped with a man who is a notorious rake and libertine,” Rosie cried through tears. “They have already gone to ground, staying in one of the front boarding houses.”

Lady Catherine said nothing initially, merely nodding to the footmen.