Revelations an adaption of Pride and Prejudice

Chapter 67

After a full hour, two of the lamps sputter and go out. Eric's stomach is complaining that it's high time for lunch, though they haven't heard a bell, yet.

The three hunters gather around the harpsichord and Georgiana states with enthusiasm, 'So we'll have the bed over there, and those four quaint chairs?'

'And the low table with iron fittings, it's so unique! And one large Persian and a few of those smaller ones?'

'Do you think your brother will allow you to turn a room into a gypsy-wagon, Miss Darcy?'

Simon seems to highly doubt this.

'I don't know, but I'm certainly going to ask. I've never cared much for style, or furnishings, but I just love these, and I'm going to have as many of them in a room as I can fit in. We've more rooms than we'll ever use in this house, so what if Kitty and I turn one into an Arabian harem, or a gypsy-wagon?'

Simon shrugs, and offers, 'Can you carry the lamps, while Mr Fielding and I take the harpsichord?

Are you certain, Mr Fielding, that you don't want me to ring for Bob to help me carry? You have to be careful with your hands after all.'

That will be the day, that Eric refuses to do his own carrying!

'I'm good, Simon, it's not a very large or heavy instrument, if it turns out to be too heavy after all, we can always ask someone to help out.'

Simon insists on taking the lower position, carrying most of the weight, but he is not a large man himself, and slender, and halfway down the steep stairs it becomes clear he has some trouble supporting the small but sturdy instrument.

'I'm afraid I'll need help myself, Mr Fielding, it's just too heavy for me. Please have a few moments' patience while I support it on a step and ring for some help.'

At that very moment, a calm voice speaks up.

'Here, let me give you a hand, Simon, that is too heavy for one man. I was hoping for a share of the fun, but I'll settle for a part of the hard labour instead.'

It's Manners, and now Eric knows his secret, he thinks he can hear the love contained in those few sentences. He wants to be with Simon as much as Eric wants to be with Georgiana, he must feel excluded from the things that Simon does as much as the other way around.

Why didn't they invite him to join their search? He's a bit older than the three of them, actually the four of them, with Simon included, but everyone likes a treasure hunt.

'That is a lot of weight for such a small cabinet, though it is lovely. Did you forget to clear it out, ladies?'

Does Manners pretend to be ignorant, or is he pulling their leg?

Eric is certainly not going to fall for it, but Georgiana is willing to please her friend.

'It's a harpsichord, Mr Manners, to play your Bach on.'

'I was thinking of having yourself and Fielding here translate those pieces to piano, Miss Darcy. But I suppose you have other plans, Fielding?'

'To make a correct translation, one needs to speak both languages, wouldn't you say, Manners? So to translate your beautiful gift, Miss Darcy needs to learn to play the harpsichord as well as the piano. I'm very sure you'll love to hear it, I assure you your efforts lifting this instrument will not be wasted.

I'm glad you turned up, Manners, I was afraid Simon would be crushed because of my eagerness to teach Miss Darcy a new skill.'

'I will never allow Simon to be crushed, body or soul.