Chapter forty-one.


As they arrived at the Grosvenor Gate, Anne and Georgiana took the path directly ahead of them, which led westwards across Hyde Park towards Kensington Gardens. The party soon split into two groups. Dr. Hall and Anne walked ahead as he questioned her about some changes to her diet, while Elizabeth, Georgiana and her companion fell in behind them.

Looking for something which might distract her from her melancholy thoughts, Elizabeth asked Mrs Annesley how she had become so knowledgeable about the residents of the area.

"My father, for many years, held the curacy of St. George's Chapel on South Audley Street," Mrs Annesley explained. "As the youngest son of a gentleman, many of the fathers or sons of the households he came into contact with were already known to him; either as family acquaintances or from his years at Winchester or Oxford." She turned and swept her arm along Park Lane. "I grew up not far from here and witnessed some of these grand houses being built, while listening to my father's anecdotes of the people who were to live in them. Everything else was picked up here and there, for I enjoy a passion for the minutiae of life. For example, Miss Bennet, did you know we are indebted to His Majesty, Charles the First, for opening up Hyde Park to the general public?"

Elizabeth admitted she did not, explaining that she had not previously had the pleasure of visiting this part of London; a fact which gave Mrs Annesley all the encouragement she needed to continue.

"Yes, and the deer roamed free back then, rather than being restricted to their pens. Can you imagine eating a picnic lunch with deer wandering all over the park? Over there, the line of trees on the left surround an area known as the 'Ring', which was the most visited part of the park during the reign of Charles the Second. Mr. Pepys mentioned it often in his diaries."

Elizabeth smiled despite herself as she listened to the older woman explaining the various sights of the park. It seemed Mr. Darcy had made a perfect choice of companion. Mrs Annesley educated and enlightened almost without thought, but with energy and enthusiasm, needing only moderate incentive. Elizabeth easily imagined how the woman had coped with her shy and silent charge; talking to herself with no need for Georgiana to state her opinion, or answer a question, unless comfortable doing so.

Elizabeth found her discussion with Mrs Annesley sufficiently engrossing that she had not noticed their party had gained another member until Georgiana spoke.

"Fitzwilliam, what are you doing here?" she said, as astonished as anyone else in the party by his unexpected appearance.

Mr. Darcy stood in front of the group, looking rather pleased with himself. She had worried he might be affronted by the tone of his sister's question, until he smiled. He always had a smile for his sister, and Elizabeth recognised how much the expression suited him. Then the reality of his presence sank in and her dejection increased as she recalled how she had enjoyed his company on Sunday evening. Once he married they would never be able to talk together in quite the same way again.

"Do I need a reason to spend time with my sister?" he asked. "I thought I would join you on your walk today."

In her heart, Elizabeth would have happily spent all day in his company, but the realistic part of her accepted nothing could now come of their growing friendship, no matter how many times she might dream about him. "You are most welcome, Mr. Darcy, but are there not more important things for you to attend to?"

"Certainly not, my tasks for this day are complete, and Dr. Hall has, on many occasions, informed me how beneficial an exercise walking can be."

She forced her lips to curl into a polite smile. "I will not disagree with him. I am sorry for anyone who lacks the freedom to roam where they will. However, I do not think you will find our conversation particularly stimulating."

"Is conversation so necessary when walking?" he mused aloud. "I always understood you to enjoy solitary rambles just as much as those spent in company; as was your habit in Kent."

She remembered how many times she had come across him while walking alone in the grove, near the parsonage, but his presence then had pleased her far less than it did now. "No, you are correct. Sometimes I find speech to be a distraction from the sights and sounds Mother Nature provides for us."

Mr. Darcy’s arrival caused a rearrangement within their party. Georgiana now walked ahead of the group with Dr. Hall. Mr. Darcy frowned at the couple, before falling in between Elizabeth and Anne. Mrs Annesley appeared content to follow behind.

After the three of them had walked along the path in silence for at least three minutes, Mr. Darcy cleared his throat.

"Well, you chose a perfect day for your walk. It is neither too hot nor too cold; excellent walking weather. As you are the most experienced exponent of outdoor exercise among us, do you agree with my assessment of the conditions?"

Elizabeth caught Anne rolling her eyes at such a prosaic choice of conversation. "Ah ... yes, I suppose so. I do not often consider the weather when I walk. As long as it remains dry, I am happy."

The memory of her earlier conversation with Georgiana forced her to recall the predicament she now found herself in. Surely her presence must hamper conversation between two people who would soon be husband and wife? She now understood that Mr. Darcy decision to join the walkers stemmed from a desire to spend some time with Anne and she sensed his frustration at being part of a group, where private conversation might be difficult.

Although Anne and Mr. Darcy did not share the look of two people violently in love, Elizabeth knew how often marriages were formed for reasons other than mutual affection. Their friendship as cousins would be a much better foundation than many couples enjoyed, but that was small consolation. She would not wish either of them to be unhappy.

Feeling uncomfortable—being, in effect, their chaperone—Elizabeth began taking shorter steps in order to fall back into Mrs Annesley's company. Regardless of her own feelings, Anne remained her friend and deserved her chance at happiness.

Mr. Darcy noted her change of pace and adjusted his stride accordingly. Looking down at her, he frowned. "Are you well, Miss Bennet?"

She blushed at the sound of his soft, solicitous tone. "Yes ... yes, of course." Her attention dropped to the stony ground beneath her feet. Her agitation grew; not only due to his proximity to her, but because he had so easily recognised her ploy to remove herself from their company.

"Surely our pace is not too tiring for you."

"Not at all. I only wished to ask a question of Mrs Annesley."

"In that case Mrs Annesley must join us." When Elizabeth demurred, he said, "I realise a fourth may spoil the picturesque, but I think there is more than enough natural beauty in the park to compensate."

Elizabeth did not need to raise her head in order to imagine the tender looks he shared with Anne as he spoke those words.

As they came to a turn in the path the group changed yet again, as Mrs Annesley drew Georgiana's attention to a mistle thrush singing in one of the nearby trees and Dr. Hall moved to join Elizabeth. Anne, meanwhile, took Mr. Darcy's arm and Elizabeth observed them avidly as they fell behind the group, engrossed in a whispered conversation. To Elizabeth's mind, their behaviour only went to confirm Georgiana's words and she fervently wished she had never agreed to join her today.

Dr. Hall's voice interrupted her thoughts. "You are looking much improved compared to our last meeting, Miss Bennet."

"Thank you, sir. I am much better, although ..." Elizabeth paused, wondering whether to take the opportunity to mention her dreams to the doctor.

Before she had the chance to make the decision, Dr. Hall questioned her. "Is there still some problem? You seem out of spirits today. Are you suffering any headaches or dizziness?"

"Oh, no. Nothing so worrying. However, I have had a few strange dreams lately. They seem so real that they disturb my sleep."

Dr. Hall deliberated for a moment before answering. "If they appear real to you, they might not be dreams at all."

"Not dreams? But what else could they be?"

"This might be your body's way of returning the memories lost to you in Kent. It would not be an unknown phenomenon. Do you recognise any places in your dream? Do you see Rosings, or another familiar location?"

Elizabeth had to admit that there were no recognisable places in those dreams she remembered.

"And do you meet any people in these dreams?"

Nodding her head, Elizabeth blushed. She was reluctant to reveal Mr. Darcy as the subject of her nightly assignations, and determined to avoid mentioning any names if possible.

As though guessing her thoughts, Dr. Hall changed the direction of his questions and asked whether the dreams were ever accompanied by pain or if she suffered from nausea when she awoke. Although she endured no ill effects from the dreams themselves, the lack of sleep resulting from waking in the night caused a sometimes debilitating fatigue during the day. This, he said, could be remedied, and he would be happy to prescribe a tonic when they returned to the house, to be sent to Gracechurch Street later.

"One final question, Miss Bennet. Are the circumstances of the dream consistent with an event which might have happened in real life? Is it at all possible the events in your dream occurred in Kent, just before your accident?"

Elizabeth thought back to the image of Mr. Darcy standing in the rain, and his declaration of love which had provoked such surprise as to wake her that morning. She glanced back at Anne and Mr. Darcy, their heads bent close as they shared their thoughts. No matter how much she might wish it otherwise, the event in her dream was not something she would ever have expected to happen in real life; certainly not during her time in Kent, when she and Mr. Darcy were not the best of friends. She shook her head sadly.

Dr. Hall seemed disappointed by her admission. "In that case, I would venture to guess you experienced nothing more than a normal dream. However, if you do begin to suffer any unexplained symptoms, please send a note to my home. Mrs Gardiner has my direction.

Thanking the doctor for his time, Elizabeth found her friends waiting for them to catch up. As the group reunited she noticed that Anne was still in deep conversation with her cousin. After a few final words they parted; Mr. Darcy wandering towards his young sister, taking her by the arm and steering her gently away down the next path.

Was he finally going to speak to Georgiana about his engagement? Elizabeth wished with all her heart that she could be happy for Anne; but all she felt was an odd sense of emptiness.

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Anne de Bourgh was annoyed. After the time she had spent listening as he admitted his feelings for Elizabeth Bennet, how could an intelligent man like Fitzwilliam Darcy fail to come up with anything better to talk about than the weather?

While Anne had been overjoyed to see Elizabeth again, part of her pleasure had come from the knowledge that she might soon be able to call her 'cousin'. However, she was forced to watch, frustrated, as Fitzwilliam had painfully and awkwardly attempted to make conversation with her friend. Elizabeth's manner seemed more serious and reserved than during her time at Rosings. Even in her illness the young woman from Hertfordshire had been cheerful and optimistic; her sunny disposition drawing Anne in like a moth to a flame. Anne wondered what might have happened to Elizabeth to cause such a change in behaviour.

Taking the earliest opportunity to separate her cousin from the group, Anne had asked Fitzwilliam about Elizabeth, but he seemed equally baffled by her manner. They had both noticed when she had tried to slip away from their company earlier, but he was unable to account for it. As far as her cousin knew, he had separated from Elizabeth on Sunday evening as friends; her behaviour having left him with a hope of something more in the future. He told Anne, in hushed tones, how much he believed he had achieved over dinner. Securing Mr. Bennet's permission to take Elizabeth to Pemberley—not to mention his tacit approval for a more permanent arrangement—had given Darcy a great deal of satisfaction. Elizabeth's reluctance to spend time in his presence today, when he had come particularly to see her, and her alone, had worried him more than he cared to admit.

Anne frowned as she listened to her cousin's thoughts. "Did Georgiana collect Elizabeth from her home?"

"Yes, with Mrs Annesley."

"Then perhaps you should ask Georgiana if she has any idea what is bothering Elizabeth. Perhaps she mentioned something during her journey."

The relief showed on her cousin’s face. "An excellent idea, Anne, and if I am walking with Georgie, then she will not be spending time with Spencer," he added, glancing towards the pair walking ahead of them.

Anne shook her head; frustrated by her cousin's adherence to the idea of Georgiana's perceived interest in Dr. Hall. "You cannot surely believe there is still a problem with your sister. Do you not trust my judgement?"

"Yes. You know I do."

"Then, you should listen to me when I tell you Georgiana has no feelings for the doctor, except, perhaps, the respect owed of a young girl to an old family friend." The two cousins were now moving closer to the rest of the group, who had paused on the path, so Anne lowered her voice to a whisper. "If you do not believe me you should ask Georgiana yourself!"

Fitzwilliam moved towards his sister, steering her some distance away. She doubted he would ask her thoughts on Dr. Hall outright; it would be more typical of Fitzwilliam to avoid the awkward topic altogether.

Only then had Anne sought out Elizabeth's company, with the intention of finding out and reversing whatever damage her heedless cousin might, in his ignorance, have done.

After taking Elizabeth's arm, they followed the others down the path, talking of inconsequential things. After a few minutes, Anne checked over her shoulder to ensure they would not be overheard. Seeing none of their party close by, she took a deep breath and turned to study Elizabeth. "Fitzwilliam surprised me today. He has never been on one of our walks before, although we have visited the park almost every week since my arrival in town."

"I did not expect to meet him either. Georgiana has told me how much time Mr. Darcy spends on business matters."

Anne had been watching her friend's expression, but her face gave nothing away. Elizabeth's hands, however, were not so placid, and their agitation convinced Anne that her friend was troubled by something. "I have often thought my cousin takes his responsibilities far too seriously." Anne went on. "He has been the same for many years and it would take a strong woman to change him now. I know not whether the change should even be attempted, or if we should just accept him as he is."

Anne hoped her comment might provoke a response from her friend, but Elizabeth pursed her lips; almost as though she wanted to say something but hesitated to speak. The two women resumed walking in silence.

Anne wondered what Elizabeth would say if she were to be a little more critical of her tall, handsome cousin. "I am aware Fitzwilliam can appear somewhat distracted at times, but I forget he has many concerns. Sometimes, though, he can be terribly thoughtless." As Anne had hoped, Elizabeth wasted no time jumping to his defence.

"Oh, Anne! I would never call Mr. Darcy thoughtless. How can you think such a thing? He is a loving brother to Georgiana, an excellent cousin to you ... " She paused a moment in some confusion before adding hastily, "And, of course, he was always a good friend to my brother, Mr. Bingley."

Anne studied the young woman walking next to her. Her cheeks were flushed pink and a frown creased her brow. "Yes, he is a good brother and I no one would wish for a more loyal friend. I am pleased those qualities are so obvious to you, but ... I wondered ... Elizabeth? What are your feelings about Mr. Darcy?"

Elizabeth bit her lower lip, as she appeared to consider her reply. Anne had no experience of the sort of confidential conversations young women who were close friends shared together. Having such friends had been a hopeless dream before. Now she wished she knew what to say to encourage Elizabeth to open her heart.

Being more practised at talking with her male cousins, Anne would have preferred to treat Elizabeth as one of them; grabbing her shoulders and assuring her of Fitzwilliam’s love, before asking outright whether she felt the same. Anne knew it was not polite to be so blunt—although she appreciated why her mother often favoured that method of communication—and she had to find an alternative, more subtle method of framing her enquiries.

After a period of silence, Elizabeth spoke. "He is truly a good man. I ... I cannot think of any better."

It was everything Anne hoped for. "Oh, Elizabeth! That is wonderful. I am so pleased you think of him in that way."

Her friend sighed before favouring her with a sad smile. "Yes," she replied, looking down at the path, her expression pained. "I am sure the two of you will be very happy together."

At first Anne refused to believe what she had heard and she stared, uncomprehending, for a full minute before responding. "Us? You think Fitzwilliam and I have an understanding?" Anne instantly appreciated the problem her friend had been struggling with, and she had to laugh as she laid her hand lightly over Elizabeth's own. "Whatever gave you that idea?"

"Then ... you are ... are not to marry Mr. Darcy?" With the revelation came a change in Elizabeth's features; as though the sun had come out from behind a dark cloud. For most of the afternoon she had had a troubled expression—almost doleful—but hearing Anne's words had filled her with such expectation and a hope that nothing could disguise.

Attempting to cover her embarrassment, Elizabeth responded to Anne's disclosure with a rambling explanation of her reasons for believing her friend to be soon married. The words almost tumbled out of her mouth. "Georgiana told me she had seen you talking together. She said she was looking forward to having you as more than just a cousin; actually, as a sister! She is expecting you to announce your engagement at any time."

Now it was Anne's turn to blush and she shook her head. "Surely you should know better than anyone that Fitzwilliam and I have spent a number of years avoiding matrimony. Why would we choose to marry now? Did you pay no attention to my letters?"

"Well, yes but Georgiana thought because your illness had been cured, and you were feeling so much better—"

Anne interrupted. "She should not have suggested it."

"It was wrong of me to repeat it."

"You were not at fault, Elizabeth. I just cannot understand why Georgiana would think such a thing!"

"She also mentioned that when you and Mr. Darcy were together on Saturday, you were ... well, were talking in an intimate fashion."

"Oh dear!" Anne raised her hand to her mouth as she understood the error was as much her fault as anybody's; her behaviour had caused her young cousin's misconceptions. "I am afraid secrecy is a consequence of my life at Rosings, when Fitzwilliam and I avoided speaking openly should mother suffer any further delusions, and were reduced to clandestine conversations." Anne made sure Georgiana had not wandered too close, before speaking again. "Whatever my cousin thought she saw, she misinterpreted our actions. Fitzwilliam has been rather worried about Georgiana of late, and we were discussing his concerns, but I did not want her to overhear."

Elizabeth put her hands to her face, trying to conceal the glow spreading over her cheeks, although without success. "Oh, Anne! I have been so ..." She paused, as she tried to school her features into a calmer mien. "Georgiana convinced me you would be getting married, and as she is Mr. Darcy's sister I ... I assumed she would know the truth of the matter better than anyone. She even spoke of how happy Lady Matlock would be when she heard the news."

Anne sighed and shook her head. "Yes, that news would please my aunt, but it does not mean she would be unhappy if Fitzwilliam chose someone else." She emphasised the latter, hoping Elizabeth would understand her intent. "I do agree with her in one respect. Fitzwilliam does need a wife. The care of his sister is a heavy responsibility, one he feels very keenly, and he would benefit from some feminine assistance. However, if he was of a mind to marry it would be someone of his own choosing."

"Poor Georgiana. She seemed so happy when she thought you would be marrying her brother. I know she is worried that a future Mrs Darcy might not appreciate a young sister. The idea of you as Mr. Darcy’s choice was a comfort to her."

"What a silly goose Georgie is. She is quite wrong, you know. Fitzwilliam would never marry without securing Georgiana's approbation for his choice. His own happiness comes a poor second to his sister's."

"Then he is indeed a thoughtful brother."

Anne heard a softening tone in her companion's voice she had not heard before, and realised Elizabeth’s eyes were focussed on Fitzwilliam—walking some way ahead with the rest of their party—with a wistful expression that, to Anne, expressed her feelings better than words. Elizabeth was on her way towards being in love with her cousin—if she was not already—and Anne could not have been happier about it.

She reached out, touching the sleeve of Elizabeth's spencer, causing them to stop on the path. "Elizabeth, might you ever come to care for Georgiana like a sister?"

Elizabeth stared at the path beneath her feet, before turning her head away and wiping something from her eye. "I already do," she whispered.

Anne smiled. The leap from friend to sister was a small one, and Elizabeth was most of the way there already. "Elizabeth, about Fitzwilliam—"

Georgiana called to them. "Anne, Elizabeth. You must return to the carriage!" The young girl pointed towards the darkening sky. "Dr. Hall says he expects it to rain soon."

"Thank you, Georgiana. We will make haste," Anne called back, as she took her friend by the hand and pulled her along the path back to the Grosvenor Gate, where the carriage stood waiting for them. They were only a few yards from the gate when the heavens opened and the first drops of rain pattered onto the crown of Anne’s bonnet. Mrs Annesley sat in the far corner of the large landau, and Georgiana took the seat opposite. Anne ushered Elizabeth—who had not said a word since they had been interrupted—to sit next to Georgiana, while she sat next to Mrs Annesley. It only took one pointed glance towards Elizabeth for Fitzwilliam to sit in the empty space next to her, while the doctor squeezed into the space opposite.

As the carriage set off towards Curzon Street, Anne observed the two people sitting across from her. Fitzwilliam was looking hopefully towards Elizabeth, willing her to turn in his direction, while her attention was fixed on the opposite window.

Anne wondered how long it would take Elizabeth to overcome her embarrassment of today's events and talk to Fitzwilliam; allowing him the opportunity he needed to win her heart.

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Chapter forty-two.

Returning from the park, Darcy found himself in an uncomfortable position; in more ways than one.

Rather than sitting upright, with his back straight—a posture drummed into him since childhood—his body was twisted awkwardly as he held himself as close to the side of the carriage as possible. Any relaxation on his part brought his hip and thigh into unacceptably close contact with the young woman sitting next to him, which did not fail to affect him. As it was, the swaying movement as the coach rocked over the uneven street meant their shoulders were in almost constant contact and he could feel the heat of her body, even through the wool of his coat. He found the whole experience more than a little distracting, at a time when he needed a clear head.

He turned his eyes to Elizabeth, but her attention was resolutely on the small window next to Georgiana while she clasped her gloved hands tightly in her lap. Covertly examining them, he marvelled at how small they were compared to his own. He could easily have taken both of them in his own right hand, which lay carelessly on his leg; so close to her that he would barely have to move a few inches. His skin tingled as he imagined how it would feel to hold her hand, with no kidskin separating them.

Elizabeth's head turned suddenly, causing Darcy a moment of guilty panic—as though his thoughts alone had disturbed her—but her attention was not drawn to him, but to his cousin.

"Anne, where are we going now?"

"To Curzon Street. You will stay and have some tea with us, will you not?"

Elizabeth appeared doubtful. "Perhaps I should return to my aunt's house. They will be expecting me."

Georgiana, hearing her friend's comment, insisted that she should stay for tea, as they had previously agreed. In fact, she was quite decided on the matter, and Elizabeth had little choice but to acquiesce; although Darcy felt that there was still some reluctance on her part.

Not knowing what had caused Elizabeth's unusual behaviour in the park, Darcy could only speculate. Was it his presence that had made her uncomfortable, or could she be concerned by the reception she might receive from Lady Matlock?

He doubted that his aunt would make any reference to the comments of the Dowager Lady Rempstone in Elizabeth's presence. His aunt was many things, but she would not sully her own drawing room with poor manners in front of a guest, regardless of her opinion of that guest. He had no doubt that the Countess would happily share her thoughts on that subject with him at some later time.

As the carriage came to a halt, Darcy was the first to step down onto the pavement, grateful to be able to discreetly stretch his cramped legs and straighten his crooked spine. Meanwhile, Spencer Hall had descended from the carriage and held out his hand to support Anne. Darcy returned swiftly to the Doctor's side so he could assist Elizabeth before making himself available to his sister and her companion. Even after this short delay, by the time the group entered the reception hall, he was once again next to Elizabeth and he offered his arm to escort her up the stairs to his aunt's favourite room.

Apart from giving thanks for his assistance, she had not said a word since leaving the carriage, and it left him wondering what Elizabeth and Anne had been talking about before the rain had disrupted their outing. Darcy had watched them surreptitiously in the park and had seen Elizabeth's expression transform from misery to happiness. Whatever Anne had said to her had obviously done the trick. However, he still had no idea what had caused Elizabeth's strange behaviour, or why she remained so quiet now.

Arranging matters in such a way that they were the last to enter the drawing room, Darcy paused just outside the doorway, lowering his voice for Elizabeth's ears only.

"Are you well, Miss Bennet?"

At his question she looked up into his eyes and smiled warmly. "Yes, I believe I am feeling much better now, thank you."

He released a breath he had not even realised he was holding. It was a beginning, and hopefully something he could build on. Nodding once, he said, "When you are ready to go home, you only need ask. I can arrange your return to the Gardiners at your convenience."

There was little opportunity to say more, as his aunt's voice could be heard welcoming her guests. Lady Matlock smiled as she saw Spencer Hall in the group, and she gave him a friendly greeting; an understandable reaction considering that the Doctor had become such a regular visitor over the past weeks.

The welcome shown to Elizabeth by the Countess was everything that was proper, but Darcy noted the slight constraint in his aunt's voice as she recalled her previous meeting with Elizabeth at Rempstone house with every impression of pleasure and instructed her to take the seat immediately on her right.

For once, Darcy did not retreat to his more familiar position in front of the window. Lady Matlock might say that she was pleased to meet Elizabeth, but her words after Lady Augusta's visit were still fresh in his mind. Knowing the sort of girls that she had tried to interest him with in the past, he was curious to see what his aunt would make of someone like Elizabeth, and whether she still might think that he deserved better once she had taken the opportunity to get to know her.

Not daring to take his eyes from the scene in front of him, he chose to stand where he could watch both women carefully. While not completely unexpected, his Aunt's particular attention towards Elizabeth had quickly put him on his guard. He felt that Lady Matlock was somewhat wary of her guest, as though she was some kind of wild animal that was currently behaving well, but could be expected to run riot at any time.

Meanwhile, Anne was explaining to her aunt how they had almost been caught in the rain, and how only the sharp weather senses of Dr. Hall had saved them all from getting very wet indeed.

"That was very thoughtful, Dr. Hall. Had your companions been soaked by the rain and taken a chill, you would have had a ready supply of patients, so it would have been in your financial interest to remain silent. That must show a great pride in your profession, if you care more for your patient's health than their money."

Darcy was unsure whether his friend would take offence at his aunt's comment, but Spencer Hall laughed; obviously familiar with the dry wit of his host, and seemingly not at all offended that her remark drew attention to his status within the group.

"I certainly should have taken that point into consideration, my Lady, but my first instinct was to ensure that my companions returned home relatively dry. I have been taken to task before on this matter…"—he smiled—"and have no wish to repeat the experience."

Lady Matlock then turned to study her nephew. "Darcy? Why do you hover about so? Come and sit here, next to me," she demanded; pointing to her left, and the chair immediately opposite Elizabeth.

He did not wait to be asked twice.

While they were waiting for the tea to be served, Lady Matlock spoke in a general way of those friends who had already left town for the country or the bracing sea air. Darcy had always been impressed by the way his aunt could command and direct a conversation, and she included Georgiana, Anne and Dr. Hall with simple questions. Occasionally, the Countess tried to involve Elizabeth in the discussion by enquiring whether she was familiar with any of the families; but the answer was invariably negative. Elizabeth knew almost none of the families they associated with. At those times, Darcy tried to pick up the conversation, turning it once again to more neutral topics, which Elizabeth was more comfortable with and able to participate in.

On more than one occasion, his overt assistance caused his aunt to pause and stare at him, as though he had run mad. He knew that he was not hiding his interest as he should, but after everything he had gone through recently he stubbornly refused to temper his actions and, instead, did everything he could to further conversation between the two women.

Darcy could not help but wonder whether his aunt was genuinely trying to establish mutual acquaintances, or whether she saw Elizabeth's perceived ignorance as further proof of Lady Augusta's assertions. Whatever the reason, Darcy could see that Elizabeth was being made uncomfortable by the incessant questioning, and made an effort to steer the conversation in a more welcome direction by reminding Georgiana of the shopping trip which had been forwarded during dinner at the Gardiners.

"Oh, yes!" Georgiana cried. "We will have so much fun together, Elizabeth. There are some things I must take to Pemberley."

Elizabeth's brow creased. "I will have to speak with my father. I know there are items at Longbourn I would have wished to have with me in the country, but I doubt that I will get the time to collect them."

"I am sure that someone could collect your things on the way to Pemberley," Georgiana confirmed. "Fitzwilliam will send someone, will you not, Brother?"

"Certainly. As Miss Bennet already knows, I am happy to make whatever arrangements are required. A wagon travels regularly between Pemberley and London, sending down food for the kitchens, fodder for the stables and papers from my steward. Longbourn is barely ten miles out of their usual path."

"I do not wish to put anyone to an inconvenience." Elizabeth spoke quietly, as though embarrassed by his offer.

Sitting opposite Elizabeth, with his aunt watching every expression and listening for each nuance in his tone, Darcy felt restrained. He would have wished to speak with more feeling—to explain to Elizabeth that he was hers to command; that her every desire could be realised if she would but ask him—but he limited himself to a polite response. "Truly, it is no trouble, Miss Bennet."

Lady Matlock turned her relenting attention towards Elizabeth once more. "I understand from Anne that you are quite an accomplished and confident young woman."

Darcy was watching Elizabeth and saw that she had been surprised by the abrupt change in the conversation.

"I fear your niece has grossly misrepresented my talents, my Lady. Any accomplishments I may have are nothing out of the ordinary."

"Nonsense, Elizabeth!" Anne cried in her defence. "You should not be so modest."

"Do you paint, or draw?" Lady Matlock asked.

"Not at all. I am quite envious of Miss Darcy's talent."

"Georgiana had access to the best masters town could offer," Darcy suggested quietly.

After a stern glance towards him, his aunt changed the subject, asking, "And what of music? Can you play an instrument?"

"Yes, I play the piano, but I fear my skill is indifferent at best."

"I beg to differ," Darcy interrupted. "I have had the pleasure of hearing Miss Bennet play twice, and I would certainly not describe it as indifferent."

Elizabeth looked up at him and smiled. "You are too kind, sir, but I am well aware that I want for practice."

"If you would like to, you will be welcome to practice with me at Pemberley if you wish," Georgiana reminded her.

"Thank you. That is very kind."

"Oh, not at all," Georgiana smiled happily. "It will be fun."

"Your governess should have instilled in you the habit of regular practice," Lady Matlock suggested.

Elizabeth looked squarely at his aunt, her chin raised defiantly. "At home we had no governess, although we had access to masters as was necessary. Those of us who wished to learn did not want for the means to do so."

"Really? Then it is no wonder..." Lady Matlock's voice trailed off, as though she were unwilling to lower herself to the slander she had been about to utter.

Surprisingly, Elizabeth smiled at her reply. "Yes, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was of the same opinion."

There was a moment of silence. Darcy knew that Elizabeth was ignorant of the enmity that existed between his two aunts. The suggestion that the Countess might share any opinions with her sister-in-law would not go down well with Lady Matlock. He glanced briefly towards Anne, who was unsuccessfully hiding her own smile behind her hand.

"Was she now?" The Countess finally replied in a stony voice. "Well, I must admit that there is something to be said for not having a governess. If your mother had the time and the patience to educate you, then I suppose there is little need for one. After all, it is only another mouth to feed," she replied grudgingly, before turning to Darcy and changing the subject.

Darcy was not the least bit interested in the topic under discussion, and his eyes soon wandered towards Elizabeth. She gave every appearance of being interested in Lady Matlock's conversation, and occasionally nodded her head, which caused a loose curl just behind her ear to sway and dance in a way he found rather distracting.

On those occasions when Elizabeth was not conscious of his scrutiny, he saw the laughing smile that he recognised of old and the twinkle in her eye which showed that, having become more familiar with Lady Matlock's forthright manner, she now felt more comfortable and appreciated the humour in the situation. Once or twice when she noticed his frank appraisal of her, Elizabeth would stumble over her words, or lose her train of thought, and her face would suffuse with a becoming blush; an observation which gave Darcy a great deal of hope, after his earlier bleak thoughts.

It was not long before the Countess noticed Darcy's inattention, and cleared her throat pointedly to gain his notice before addressing her next comment to Elizabeth. "Lady Augusta introduced me to her grandson, Mr. Nathaniel Bennet. He is your father's heir, I understand."

"That is correct, my Lady."

"Longbourn is entailed in default of male heirs," Darcy explained helpfully.

Lady Matlock rounded on Darcy. "Really? You seem to know an extraordinary amount about it."

"My friend Bingley enlightened me about the situation when he married Miss Bennet's sister, but I also discussed the same topic with Mr. Bennet and his nephew, during dinner on Sunday. Although the holdings are not extensive, Longbourn lies in a river valley, which renders the fields very fertile."

"It can be nothing to the extent of Pemberley, I suppose?" the Countess sniffed.

"Certainly not, but I suspect that one of the reasons the estate surrounding Pemberley covers so much area is simply because few others wanted it. While the crags and rock strewn valleys show us the wilds of Derbyshire at their best, the terrain is so rugged that it is fit for little purpose other than grazing the hardiest of sheep."

"Do not slight the limestone of Derbyshire, Nephew, for I know that the stone quarried on your land forms an important part of your income, and your tenants make their living from those very same animals."

"You are quite right," Darcy conceded, unwilling to disagree with his aunt on such an insignificant point.

Satisfied, Lady Matlock dropped the subject, asking an unrelated question of Georgiana instead.

Meanwhile across the room, Spencer Hall signalled to Darcy that he needed to talk to him. Murmuring apologies to the Countess and Elizabeth, he went to speak with his friend.

"Darcy, I cannot stay. I have another appointment on the hour. Will you be remaining in town for much longer?"

"No, we travel to Pemberley in ten days; on the first of the month."

"Miss Darcy mentioned that her friend will also be joining you in Derbyshire. Your sister seems rather please by the prospect of Miss Bennet spending time with her at Pemberley."

"Georgiana has a great fondness for Miss Bennet."

Spencer smiled mischievously at him. "Is that right? Well, I am sure that you will all have an enjoyable time of it. I hope to be in Derbyshire myself sometime during August."

"You are visiting your father?"

"Yes, I may only be able to manage a short visit, but long overdue, I think."

Now that Anne had finally reassured him as to Georgiana's friendship with Dr. Hall, Darcy no longer felt restrained in offering his hospitality. "I hope you know that you are welcome at Pemberley."

"Yes, thank you. Now, I must be away." Dr. Hall bade farewell to the room, and slipped quietly out of the door.

Meanwhile, one of the servants had brought in a platter, piled with summer fruit, and the ladies had gathered around the table. As Darcy walked towards them, Elizabeth turned, looking around the room expectantly. When she met his eyes, her relieved smile made his chest tighten.

"I thought you might have left us, Mr. Darcy." She spoke quietly, to avoid being overheard by her hostess.

He moved a little closer to her, and answered her in kind. "I promised to make sure you got home safely. On my honour, I would not leave until that task is complete."

She toyed absently with the peach she held in her fingers. "In that case, I think I should be returning home now, if it is not too much trouble."

"I do hope you are not wishing to leave early solely for my convenience. I am here to do your bidding. If you wish to stay longer, I have no objection."

"Not at all, sir. It is past time for me to return home. My mother will be expecting me."

"Certainly, Miss Bennet. In that case I will order the coach to be readied."

Excusing himself, Darcy left to pass a message through one of the servants. As he returned to the room, Anne met him by the door, taking him to one side. "I took the liberty of suggesting that Georgiana should wait here with Mrs Annesley, while you made sure that Miss Bennet reached home safely. I think Georgie has made quite enough trouble for today."

"Why? What trouble has she caused?"

"Oh, nothing really," Anne replied with a look that plainly told that she was teasing. "She only told Elizabeth that we would soon be announcing our engagement."

"She did?" he whispered, dismayed. "Then that is why Elizabeth was behaving so strangely. It appears I owe you a favour." He looked at his cousin suspiciously for a moment. "You did tell her that it was not true, I hope."

Anne smiled. "Of course I did! I should have told her much more that that if the rain had not come."

Under the circumstances, Darcy had never been so grateful for the bad weather. He shied away from contemplating what Anne might have said if she had the chance. "Will you join us?"

"I thought you might appreciate the time alone." The horrified expression on his face made Anne laugh. "Of course I will. Do you really think I would let you travel on your own with Elizabeth? I shudder to imagine what you might discuss. Fishing? Corn prices? Whatever you do speak of, I hope you will leave her with a better impression than earlier. Perhaps you can find something to say that does not involve the weather?"

"I promise I will try," Darcy said, smiling for his cousin.

"See that you do."

When the trio were ready, Darcy led the two women outside, where the coachman waited patiently beside Darcy's greys. This time he took the seat opposite Elizabeth, where he was free to observe her. Darcy remained silent throughout the short journey; content to listen as Elizabeth and Anne talked about the sights they were passing. More than once he caught Elizabeth's eye as she looked in his direction, and on the last occasion a brief smile was his reward.

When the carriage finally pulled into the Gardiner's yard, Anne bade farewell to her friend; deciding to remain seated and leaving her cousin to escort Elizabeth to the door. Darcy took Elizabeth's hand to assist her to the ground, but this time he did not relinquish it.

Drawing her a few steps away from the carriage, he said, "Thank you for your company today, Miss Bennet. I do not know when I have enjoyed a walk in the park more."

Elizabeth looked down at his firm, yet gentle grip. She tested his resolve with a brief tug, but smiled shyly when he would not release her fingers. "Today has been most ... interesting, Mr. Darcy. I have learned a lot. The park was delightful, and I hope to have the chance to go there again sometime. It is not Oakham Mount, of course, but a pleasant walk all the same."

"Yes, there are many pleasant views in Hyde Park which have to be closely observed if they are to be appreciated." He paused, hoping that she understood his meaning. "There are also some fine paths you may walk at Pemberley. Would you allow me to show you some of them while you are staying with us?"

"You will not be too busy? I must admit that I cannot imagine anything better than seeing an estate through the eyes of its master. You will no doubt be able to give a unique viewpoint."

Darcy could not help but smile at her comment, but he knew it was not enough. Too many misunderstandings had arisen from him saying too little. It was past time that he said too much. Stopping in the middle of the yard, and taking a deep breath, he looked into Elizabeth's eyes. "I hope that I do not have to wait until our journey to Pemberley to see you again, Miss Bennet."

Elizabeth dropped her eyes to the ground, but Darcy could see the twitch of a smile teasing the corners of her mouth.

He turned her captive hand in his, opening her gloved fingers as though they were the delicate petals of a flower, and marvelling at the fact that she still had not yet pulled away from him. Reluctantly he let go, allowing Elizabeth to reclaim her hand; although it took a few seconds before he felt her warmth slip away, as though she too was unwilling to separate herself from him. He then clasped his own hands behind his back so as to resist the impulse to recapture her fingers immediately.

"It is good to see that you are feeling more your usual self, Miss Bennet. When I joined you in the park you appeared unhappy. I am exceedingly sorry if my sister said anything which, in a mistaken light, might have given you uneasiness."

"There is no need for you to apologise, Mr. Darcy. It was a misunderstanding. Once I spoke to Anne, the matter was quickly cleared up."

"Ah, yes ... Anne." Darcy looked back to where he presumed his cousin was watching him from the dark interior of the carriage. He softened his voice for Elizabeth's ears only. "Anne is more like her mother than she cares to admit. She can be very forthright when the mood takes her. Anne gave me instructions that I must leave you with a better impression of me."

She smiled. "So your apology was merely to appease your cousin?"

"No, not at all, but I hate to think that I might have said something to upset you again."

She frowned. "Again?"

Darcy immediately castigated himself for using that word. His thoughts had unconsciously strayed to that day at Rosings, when she had been so very angry with him, but now was not the time for confessions. Not when they were coming so close to reaching some kind of understanding. He would have to find a better time to explain their previous encounter.

He opened his mouth to reply just as the front door of the house burst open, and Darcy found himself almost bowled over by a large, red-faced gentleman, whose unpleasant yellow teeth were all too visible.

"Miss Bennet! I did not expect to see you here!"

"No, Mr. Briscoe, nor I you."

"I ... I was told that you were out," he replied, turning curious eyes towards Darcy.

"That was correct, but now I have returned, as you see," Elizabeth replied, drawing his attention back to her.

By his continuing stares, Darcy had the impression that this Mr. Briscoe was expecting Elizabeth to provide an introduction, but she was either unconscious of his desire to know her companion, or unwilling to comply; a circumstance for which he was truly grateful.

The man belatedly removed his hat, holding it in both hands. "I regret that your father and I were unable to come to any sort of arrangement regarding our betrothal. Unfortunately, I have to return to Tunstall first thing in the morning, but I will be back in town in a fortnight. May I call and see you again?"

"I am sorry, Mr. Briscoe. I am afraid that I will no longer be in town at that time." Elizabeth glanced at Darcy with a small smile, before she continued. "I will be in the country."

He frowned. "Then this is farewell?"

"Yes, I am afraid it is."

"That is most unfortunate."

"Yes," Elizabeth smiled sweetly at him. "But we shall have to bear the misfortune as best we can."

The man called Briscoe frowned. "I must say, Miss Bennet, you are taking this very well."

"We must learn to endure," she replied calmly.

"Ah yes! Obedient passions and a will resigned, as Mr. Johnson once said. I understand completely. I wish you a good evening, Miss Bennet!"

Darcy was a little perplexed by their conversation. Betrothal? Had this churl really had the presumption to believe she would marry him? He watched as the visitor made an ostentatious bow before striding out of the yard. He turned onto Gracechurch Street, before being lost in the crowd.

"I apologise, Mr. Darcy. I did not expect to find any visitors here so late."

"I would imagine not." He grinned. "Perhaps he was waiting for you to return."

"Yes, no doubt you are correct." Elizabeth smiled ruefully as a small sigh escaped her lips.

Darcy could not help but think back to his own situation, many months ago. He had thought he was being so obvious in his interest, and in return he had received her smiles, some pleasant conversation, and even the occasional teasing comment from her while at Rosings. Only during his ill-fated proposal had she made known just how ignorant she had been of his growing attraction towards her, and how completely different her feelings were for him than anything he had imagined. It seemed that the gentleman who had just left had been under a similar delusion. He felt a small amount of sympathy for the man, whoever he was.

"So, Miss Bennet. Would you be free to join my sister and me on Thursday for some shopping? I have business to attend to in the morning, but I can be at your disposal all afternoon. I sincerely promise not to provide any opinion regarding patterns or material without your prior consent. You mentioned how you find your aunt to be helpful in these matters. Perhaps Mrs Gardiner could accompany you, if she is able? You know that Georgiana would enjoy spending time with her."

"That would be lovely. Thank you. I will ask my Aunt."

After making arrangements to collect Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner, Darcy reluctantly bid her a polite farewell and returned to the carriage. As it pulled away from the house, Darcy looked back towards the open doorway, where Elizabeth watched them leave with a smile on her face.

~~*~~

Now that Elizabeth was safely returned to her family, he and Anne made their way back to Curzon Street, where he intended to collect Georgiana and Mrs Annesley for the short ride home.

If he had hoped to avoid a conversation with his aunt he was to be disappointed, as Mr. Parnell had his instructions to send Darcy to the Countess immediately upon his return. When he walked into the parlour he was surprised to find Lady Matlock alone.

"Where is Georgiana?"

"As far as I am aware, she is with Anne in the library." The Countess indicated that he should take the seat next to her.

Darcy would have preferred to stand, but under the circumstances he did as he was told. However, if Lady Matlock thought that he would sit patiently while she complained about Elizabeth, then she erred. He would not listen as she slandered the woman he loved. She was not his mother, and as much as she might have wanted to help him find a wife, he neither wanted nor needed her assistance.

"I trust you are now satisfied, Nephew."

"With what?" he asked innocently.

"Miss Bennet is ..." her sentence floundered as the Countess struggled to find the right words to express herself.

It was a very rare occurrence when his aunt was lost for words in that way, and Darcy smiled inwardly as he watched her struggles.

"She was not quite what I had expected."

"Yes," Darcy agreed. "I understood as much."

"However, neither was she someone I would have chosen to introduce to you. Your standing within Society demands a certain level of ..."—again she cast around for the right word—"...polish; connection; good breeding—"

Darcy quickly stood. "If you think that I will—"

"Sit down!" Lady Matlock scolded angrily. "I know you were brought up with better manners than that." She stared at him coldly until he had resumed his seat. Once satisfied that no further outburst was expected, the Countess continued.

"As I was about to explain, Miss Bennet was not someone who would have stood out to me as a likely candidate to ally with the Darcy family. I will not say that Lady Augusta's comments are completely incorrect, for I have yet to meet the rest of the family, but the portrait I had of Miss Bennet does not appear to be quite faithful to the original."

Lady Matlock's choice of words caused Darcy's mind to wander, as he imagined having a miniature showing Elizabeth's image in his pocket; something he could draw out and gaze upon whenever the fancy took him. He wondered whether he should order an artist to Pemberley to paint another picture of Georgiana while they were in Derbyshire. Surely if his sister was to sit for a portrait, he might get Elizabeth to oblige him at the same time?

"Darcy? Are you listening to me?"

"My apologies, Aunt. You said something?"

"I was just saying that you have already made your preference for her abundantly clear. I never expected to see such want of circumspection from you, of all people! And in my own drawing room too! I only wonder now what you are going to do about it."

"You would support Miss Bennet as my wife?" He could not keep the note of scepticism from his voice.

The Countess sighed. "It does not appear that I have a great deal of choice in the matter. There will be talk, of course. You can imagine the suggestions that will be made when your betrothal is announced."

"I have not ..." Darcy paused. He could not say that he had not yet asked her to marry him, for that would not be the complete truth.

"Well, what are you waiting for?"

"I wanted to wait until after we have travelled to Pemberley," he replied quietly.

"Is your status so insignificant that you feel the need to parade your possessions in front of her before asking for her hand? Surely her father would not refuse such a man as you."

"Certainly not. Mr. Bennet has as good as given me his consent already."

"Then it appears that at least somebody in the family has some sense."

"I can assure you, Aunt, it was not given lightly. Miss Bennet is his favourite daughter. Had he been hostile to my suit, then no amount of money would have made a difference to his decision."

"Well, do as you see fit; you always do anyway. If you do decide to marry her, you must bring her to the Hall and I will hold an engagement ball. Everyone must see that she is accepted into the family. I will not be able to stop all the gossip surrounding your choice of wife, but by presenting an undivided front we may be able to limit the damage. It will all blow over eventually."

"So ... you do not dislike her?" Darcy prodded his aunt. Although he would marry Elizabeth regardless of her opinion, he preferred to have her support if possible.

"Well, she has the full measure of Catherine. That alone attests to her sensibility. If you are fortunate enough to gain her hand I am sure we will do quite well together."

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Chapter forty-three.

Elizabeth stood on the steps, watching the Darcys coach until it left the yard and disappeared from view. Although it felt strange to admit it, she missed Mr. Darcy's company already.

Turning back to the door she smiled at her Aunt Gardiner. Her aunt had held a brief conversation with Mr. Darcy before he had left and had agreed to accompany them on a proposed shopping trip in two days time. Elizabeth wished it could have been tomorrow. In fact, she had not wanted him to leave at all.

"Did you enjoy the walk with your friends, Lizzy?"

"Yes, Aunt. Very much so." Elizabeth smiled. She could not help herself.

As they stepped into the hall, she could hear her mother wailing in the parlour, and calling in anguished tones for somebody to fetch her salts.

Mrs Gardiner sighed as she helped her niece to remove her outer garments, waving away the assistance of one of the servants. Lowering her voice, she said, "It is good that you are back, my dear, although I would not have been sorry had you delayed your return by half an hour."

"Whatever for? What has upset Mama so?"

Mrs Gardiner breathed deeply, as though preparing herself to impart some grievous news. "Mr. Briscoe has just left, after calling on your father."

Elizabeth felt relieved. From her aunt's behaviour she had expected something much worse. "Yes. I know. I met him in the yard when I returned."

Mrs Gardiner's disappointment was palpable. "Oh dear! I had hoped you might have missed him." She looked around her to ensure none of the servants were close enough to overhear. "Well, you were quite right. On closer acquaintance he does not appear to be a very sensible gentleman at all. It seems that, even after your less than encouraging reply yesterday, he arrived here with hopes of a favourable response to his offer. I think he expected that my brother Bennet would change your mind. Alas, your father was engaged at the time of his arrival, and your mother insisted on entertaining Mr. Briscoe while he waited."

Elizabeth's heart sank at the thought of Mr. Briscoe and her mother, conversing together unchecked. "What did he tell her?"

"He said nothing directly, you understand, but the comments he did make were not at all discreet and not even your mother could fail to see where his thoughts were leading. That, and the fact that he was waiting to speak to your father made his intentions all too clear."

"Oh no! How long did they spend together?"

"No more than ten minutes passed before your father sent for him, but it was more than enough time to raise your mother's expectations."

Elizabeth sighed. "No doubt she had planned her rapturous outpourings of happiness all ready for my return home."

"Well, yes she had, but only until her hopes were dashed when my brother showed Mr. Briscoe to the door with a very determined countenance. She first thought your father had refused him permission to offer his suit, but the full circumstances are now understood, and she is less than pleased, as you can imagine."

Elizabeth had no difficulty in understanding just what her mother might think of her at this moment.

"Oh, Mr. Bennet!" she heard her mother cry as she entered the parlour. "God must be punishing me for a considerable wrong if I am daily tortured by such an ungrateful daughter, who does not know her duty to her family."

Looking around the room, Elizabeth sighed. Mrs Bennet was lying—almost prostrate—on the settee; one hand waving a lace handkerchief vapidly towards her face. Mary held her other hand while Kitty knelt at her shoulder, offering the small bottle of smelling salts. Her mother sniffed at the contents gingerly and shuddered.

Lydia was sitting nearby, her embroidery lying unattended on her knee, preferring instead to watch the scene playing out in front of her. Elizabeth saw the satisfaction in her eyes as Lydia enjoyed the sight of her eldest sister out of favour with her mother.

Mr. Gardiner smiled sympathetically towards Elizabeth, while her father, who was standing by the fire, watched his wife's reaction with a sardonic grin. "Not at all, my dear. Had I forced Lizzy to wed that man, I believe that would have been the greater wrong, and I would have deserved whatever punishment I received."

"Of course! She can do no wrong in your eyes!"

"Besides," Mr. Bennet continued, ignoring his wife's comment. "I feel sure that my little Lizzy will yet find herself with an embarrassment of suitors, will you not, my dear?"

Mrs Bennet, made aware of Elizabeth's presence in the room, pushed herself up and turned angrily on her daughter. "I know not how you dare show your face."

Elizabeth raised her chin defiantly. "I have done nothing I must be ashamed of."

"You ... you wilful girl! A perfectly good offer of marriage and you scorn it! You have now received two marriage proposals. Could you not find it in you to accept just one of them? It was bad enough when you rejected Mr. Collins!"

"Ah ... my dear? You must admit that, in hindsight, that decision appears to have done no harm at all, for Mr. Collins is no longer my heir, and Mrs Collins will never be Mistress of Longbourn."

"I do not regret my actions regarding Mr. Collins any more than I regret refusing Mr. Briscoe. I am convinced that neither gentleman would have made me happy."

"Happy? How could you not have been happy with Mr. Briscoe? Six thousand a year ... six thousand! ... and such a beautiful house in the country! Anyone else would have been more than satisfied with that, but oh no ... not you, Miss Lizzy."

Elizabeth had no wish to listen to her mother complaining about her rejection of Mr. Briscoe for the next ten days and realised that she must at least try to make Mrs Bennet understand some of her feelings. "But his house is in Lancashire, Mama. Two hundred miles away from Longbourn. It is one thing to be unhappy, but something completely different to be unhappy so far away from home."

Of course, Elizabeth thought, the distance between Longbourn and Pemberley had to be over one hundred miles from her home, but that circumstance did not distress her in quite the same way. Perhaps it was because she could not imagine ever being unhappy at Pemberley, especially if Mr. Darcy continued to hold her hand in such a distracting manner. The memory of a conversation she had had with Mr. Darcy at Hunsford came unbidden to her mind, and she wondered for a moment whether he had been thinking of her, rather than Jane, when he had spoken of wives being settled far from their families.

Meanwhile, Mrs Gardiner was trying her best to help. "Sister, I think in this instance Lizzy has made the right decision."

"The right decision for her, perhaps. She cares nothing for her Mother's opinions, or the situation of her family. She will die an old maid." Mrs Bennet shook a threatening finger at her daughter. "When your father is gone, do not expect Nathan to feed and clothe you. You will have to hope that Jane might take you in. She, at least, knows her duty. Jane did not deny Mr. Bingley, even after he went away and left her for all those months!"

Mr. Bennet huffed. "I have no wish to hear any more about my death, thank you! I do not need to be reminded daily of my own mortality."

Lydia surprised Elizabeth by showing her uncharacteristic support. "Oh, Lord, Mama! Surely even you would not have stuck Lizzy with that horrible fat man! Ugh! He was far worse than Mr. Collins, even if he did have all that money!"

"Fat? Not at all, Lydia. Mr. Briscoe was a fine specimen of a man," her mother complained. "And if he has a bit of meat on his bones all the better."

Kitty pulled a face. "I did not like him either. He did nothing but brag about what fine things he had and how big his house was. I, for one, am glad that Papa refused his consent. I wouldn't have wanted to sit next to him in the dining room for anything."

"What I cannot understand is why it was so wrong of me to deny Mr. Briscoe the opportunity of my daughter's hand. Is she not destined for greater things? I thought that you had intended Lizzy to be a Viscountess by the end of the year?"

Mrs Bennet turned an exasperated frown towards her husband. "As much as I would love to believe Lord Cresswell will make Lizzy an offer, I do not think that she is in the position of being able to turn down any gentleman. Had she accepted Mr. Briscoe I could perhaps have turned the Viscount in Kitty's direction," she explained patiently, as though talking to a small child.

Mr. Gardiner, who had heard his sister's response, laughed heartily. Looking at his brother, he said, "Or perhaps you should have turned Mr. Briscoe towards one of the other girls if Lizzy would not have him?"

Mr. Bennet's lips twitched. "Well, I did ask—merely for form’s sake, you understand—but it appears that nothing would appease him than to have Elizabeth's hand. He kept mumbling something about a gentleman called Bayliss. He was determined that no other lady would do."

Elizabeth could not help but laugh at her father's description. "I am sure he was just being kind."

"You think that if it gives you comfort, my dear."

Mrs Bennet wrapped her shawl tightly around her shoulders. "You care nothing for my comfort," she complained bitterly. "If Lady Lucas were to hear of your refusing a second perfectly good proposal, she would think it highly amusing and no doubt I would become the laughing stock of the parish."

Mr. Bennet was once again serious. "It does not bother me in the slightest what Lady Lucas thinks. Besides, I doubt very much that she will gain much satisfaction from maligning my daughter around Meryton when Lizzy will not be there."

"Not be there? But of course she will. When we return home we will have to take part in the usual round of summer parties and dinners. What other plans could she have? Unless, of course, Lord Cresswell has proposed to her by then." Mrs Bennet's eyes turned hopeful. "Do you perhaps know something I do not, Mr. Bennet? Has his lordship been to visit you?"

Mr. Bennet frowned. "His lordship? No ... no, of course not. I am speaking of the Darcys. Surely you remember that Elizabeth has been invited to spend a few weeks with Miss Darcy at her home in Derbyshire."

Elizabeth noticed that her father had laid particular stress on Miss Darcy's name.

His wife huffed loudly. "And when was I to be told of this? Her own mother!"

"Did I not tell you?" Mr. Bennet scratched his head. "I was almost sure I had mentioned it. Ah well, I am getting old." He shrugged and turned towards Elizabeth, who had to stifle a smile when she saw her father's wink.

"And what benefit might Lizzy gain from that arrangement? She will hardly find a husband in the middle of Derbyshire, unless ... unless they are expecting company." A shrewd look appeared on Mrs Bennet's face. "Perhaps the Darcys are holding a house party, with many rich gentlemen in attendance?"

"No, dear, I do not think so."

"And you have agreed to this? Has Lord Cresswell been invited too?"

"I doubt it very much, my dear, but Mr. Darcy will be there."

Her mother shook her head impatiently. "I know he has become a good friend so you are bound to think well of him, and I must not forget that he was kind enough to put us in the way of information about Wickham, which saved my daughters from who knows what fate at the hands of that miscreant." She leaned towards her husband, her voice low. "But you must know that Mr. Darcy has never once shown any interest in Lizzy, nor any of our daughters for that matter. Why, on their first meeting he would barely accept that Lizzy was tolerable," Mrs Bennet whispered, with no small amount of embarrassment.

"You must allow young men to make mistakes occasionally."

"Even if that was the case, he would have surely made an offer for her by now; especially as he is particular friends with Bingley."

"I esteem my son-in-law greatly, but I fail to see what Bingley has to do with anything."

"If Mr. Darcy had truly been interested in Lizzy he would have taken every opportunity of coming down to see his friend while they were at Netherfield, but he did not. In fact, Mr. Darcy only arrived the evening before the ceremony, and took his sister home immediately after the wedding breakfast! Does that sound like the behaviour of a man who is enamoured by any of my daughters?"

"Perhaps he had business in town? I understand that he is a very busy man."

"No man is so busy that he cannot put off his tasks to call upon a young woman, if he truly is interested in her. I have long resigned myself to accepting that Mr. Darcy will not do for one of my girls. He is far too serious."

Elizabeth, who had been listening to the whole exchange, thought her father might press the subject, but Mrs Bennet did not give him the opportunity as she ushered her three youngest daughters upstairs to change for dinner. Within a few minutes, Elizabeth found herself with only her father and aunt for company.

"Well, that went a little better than I expected," Mrs Gardiner admitted.

"Yes, at least your return home was timed perfectly to miss Mr. Briscoe's visit."

"I did not avoid him as much as I would have liked to, Papa. He almost knocked over Mr. Darcy out in the yard."

Her father could not hide the expression of surprise on hearing that piece of news. "Mr. Darcy brought you home? This day just gets better and better, but I thought it was his sister you were out walking with?"

"I was, but Mr. Darcy joined us unexpectedly."

"Unexpectedly, eh? He must have developed a sudden fondness for the exercise. I hope he does not choose tomorrow morning for another constitutional, for I have an appointment to see him."

"A meeting with Mr. Darcy? Why?"

"He has kindly offered to look over the details of Nathan's inheritance, and give me some advice regarding investments. I will be collecting Nathan from Rempstone House so that he can accompany me. I believe that my nephew would benefit from a better example than Captain Ardern and, in the absence of your brother Bingley, he could do much worse than emulate Mr. Darcy."

Elizabeth was gratified to find that her father's opinions of that gentleman perfectly mirrored her own.

After dinner—memorable only for the continued animosity shown to her by her mother—Elizabeth pleaded a headache and escaped upstairs to her room, where she chose to sit on her bed looking out of the window. She needed some time alone to contemplate the hours she had spent with Georgiana, Anne and Mr. Darcy.

The afternoon had been filled with such a torrent of conflicting emotions and Elizabeth felt like a sailor, riding the restless waves of an invisible sea; going from despair to delight in a matter of hours. She pressed her hands to her cheeks to calm the heat in her face, remembering how upset she had felt when Georgiana had told her about her brother's forthcoming betrothal.

That news had been a bitter and unexpected blow, and the intensity of her feelings upon hearing it had surprised her. Elizabeth had taken little time to wonder how much Mr. Darcy's friendship had come to mean to her during these past few days, but she now had to admit that the thought of losing it had been distressing. But there was something more; in Mr. Darcy, she had finally discovered a gentleman who she could easily imagine falling in love with.

Elizabeth found herself forever grateful for the chance conversation with Anne, which had uncovered the truth of Georgiana's erroneous assumptions. The feeling of unalloyed relief, when Anne had explained her true relationship with Mr. Darcy, had been like a tremendous weight lifted from her shoulders. Not only was Anne not going to marry her cousin, but Elizabeth had felt that Anne might have been about to impart something of Mr. Darcy's feelings for her before the weather had interrupted their conversation. It was one thing for Elizabeth to suspect that he might see her as more than a friend, but something else for one of his own family to confirm it. That thought alone had been enough to stun her into silence throughout the short coach journey to Curzon Street.

Those few silent minutes in the coach had almost been her undoing. She would have managed tolerably well, she imagined, had she been seated in the opposite corner of the carriage from him, but for Mr. Darcy to be sitting right next to her had almost overwhelmed her senses.

She could never remember being allowed to sit quite so close to any man that was not of her family, and now she could understand why. Elizabeth had felt the strength of his arm through the velvet of her spencer as the carriage jolted along the cobbles, and the heat generated where their shoulders touched seemed to snake along her collar bone and straight down into her heart. She even found that his scent was now familiar to her; a very masculine smell she could put no name to, although she thought it surprisingly pleasant and comforting. In fact, she only managed to remain calm by staring resolutely out of the opposite window as she held herself firm, when all she truly wanted to do was lean her head against his chest and feel the warmth of his arm around her. What was the matter with her? Surely she was no better than Lydia to be thinking about acting in such a manner!

Her spirits sank slightly when she recalled their arrival at Curzon Street and her uncomfortable conversation with Lady Matlock. Mr. Darcy had appeared to sense her unease, and he certainly made things easier for her, for which she was profoundly grateful. Surely no one in the room could have been blind to the particular attention she showed her; least of all the Countess who, to Elizabeth's eyes, had not seemed at all happy with the revelation.

Mr. Darcy's behaviour as they had arrived back at her Aunt's house had raised such hopes within her that she could barely contain them. Elizabeth's heart had almost leapt out of her chest when she descended from the carriage only to realise that he intended keeping her fingers in his gentle but firm grip. She had seen his smile—that wonderful, gentle smile that Elizabeth had always thought was the sole preserve of his sister—and something inside her had danced with happiness. If she had had any doubts about his feelings, surely his actions today had put those doubts to rest.

If she were to be honest, Elizabeth had to admit that she would not have objected if he had held her hand for a little while longer, but instead he had opened his fingers allowing Elizabeth her freedom. Under the circumstances, with Mr. Briscoe thundering out of the door only moments later, it had probably been for the best.

But before that embarrassing encounter had put an end to their conversation, Mr. Darcy's meaning could not have been clearer. He wanted to spend more time with her, even if it meant doing something so wholly feminine as shopping. The smile that grew on her face as she remembered his final words of farewell was irrepressible. She could not have restrained her happiness at that moment, no matter how hard she might try.

Could there be a better man in the whole of England? Elizabeth sincerely doubted it.

~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~

Mrs Gardiner hurried up the stairs to Elizabeth's room. She had suspected that the headache Elizabeth had complained of after dinner had been no more than a convenient excuse to remove herself from Mrs Bennet's presence. Her sister-in-law had unfortunately continued to mention what she saw as her daughter's disobedience at regular intervals throughout the meal, which had caused the men to retreat into the study after dinner to share a bottle of port.

However, one of the maids had brought her a package that had been delivered during dinner, which had put a different light on Elizabeth's swift disappearance from the dinner table. Mrs Gardiner knocked on Elizabeth's bedroom door before poking her head into the room. One look reassured her that her niece was well, as she sat on the edge of the bed with a smile on her face that seemed anything but pained. "How are you feeling, Lizzy?"

Elizabeth looked up guiltily. "Oh! I am sorry, Aunt. I did not really have a headache. I just needed to be alone for a while."

"I can well understand that. I think we all wished we could be alone by the end of dinner." Mrs Gardiner frowned. "But are you sure that is all? Is there anything you wish to talk about, Lizzy? You know that I will not tell your mother."

"Truly, I am well."

Mrs Gardiner sighed. She would have not thought twice about believing Elizabeth, had she not something in her possession that gave lie to her words. "If that is the case, can you explain to me why Dr. Hall should have sent a boy to deliver a bottle of tonic? Have you been concealing illness from us?"

"No ... no, not at all! It is nothing more than the sleeplessness that I told you of on Saturday. I happened to mention it to Dr. Hall when I saw him this afternoon, and he offered to send me something which might help me sleep."

"That is very kind of him. I am pleased that it is nothing more serious," Mrs Gardiner replied, feeling relief that it was easily explained. Recalling the circumstances of Elizabeth's return, she said, "It was very kind of Mr. Darcy to bring you home."

"Miss de Bourgh also joined us. We did not travel alone."

"Ah, well ... that is good." She patted Elizabeth's hand, remembering the scene she had witnessed from the parlour window earlier that day.

While Mrs Bennet had been chattering eagerly about her daughter's betrothal to Mr. Briscoe, and what that might mean for the rest of the family, Elizabeth had been standing outside talking to Mr. Darcy. Mrs Gardiner had watched the two of them closely since Jane's wedding and it had not taken her long to observe that the gentleman's affections had been captured by her niece, even though Elizabeth had at first seemed unaware of his feelings. However, at dinner on Sunday she had seen something in Elizabeth's expressions which suggested that her niece might now recognise and possibly even return his regard.

However, today something appeared different. Elizabeth was always a cheerful sort of girl, but when she was with Mr. Darcy her happiness seemed to shine out from somewhere within her. Even now, sitting on the bed, she could not stop smiling.

Mrs Gardiner would have loved to know what had happened today to show such a change in her niece, but she did not feel bold enough to enquire of it. It seemed that slyness was the fashion these days, and she had no intention of forcing Elizabeth's confidence.

But one circumstance was very clear. Any man who was prepared to escort three ladies on a shopping trip was certainly one worth keeping hold of.

~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*~~~~~~

Chapter forty-four.

"Sir?"

Darcy started at the sound of his valet's voice. Marriott stood in front of him with an air of expectancy and his hands swathed in white linen. "Yes?"

"If you could just lift your chin a little, sir?"

Doing as he was bidden, Darcy realised his attention had been many miles across town, in an area of the city he had never thought to have familiar acquaintance, let alone shelter the woman he loved. He had dwelt longingly on the memory of her fine eyes, her delightful smile and the enticing feeling of her warm fingers in his hand. Sensing a mild degree of impatience from the plain faced valet who was now busy winding the starched cloth around his neck, he wondered just how long Marriott had spent trying to attract his attention this time.

Once his valet had tied the knot to the satisfaction of both men and eased a finely embroidered cream waistcoat stitched with gold over his shoulders, Darcy held out his arms to accept his dark blue coat. He smiled inwardly as Marriott stood back and surveyed his master's ensemble with something approaching pride.

Dinner in the Darcy household was a quiet affair that evening, with neither brother nor sister adding much to the conversation. For his part, Darcy was far too busy contemplating the words and glances he had shared while in Elizabeth's company to concern himself too much about Georgiana's unusual silence.

Once the covers were taken away, Darcy wished his sister a pleasant evening and left her in the company of her companion before making his way across town towards St. James's Street. He had arranged to meet an old friend at Boodles to discuss an investment opportunity that might be of interest to Mr. Bennet.

On his arrival he spent a few minutes greeting friends and acquaintances as they hailed him, before securing his favourite chair in the corner and making himself comfortable. An hour later Darcy perused a book while a glass, which had recently contained a rather fine port, stood empty on the small table at his elbow. Withdrawing the watch from his pocket, he confirmed what he already knew. Hardell was late. While usually punctilious when it came to time keeping, he was philosophical enough to appreciate that not everyone had the same standards. His friend had never been on time for anything in all the years Darcy had known him. He raised his hand to signal a server, deciding to have one more drink while he waited. Hardell may have been a poor timekeeper, but was less negligent on the subject of business, and Darcy knew he was wise to keep a clear head in his presence.

He watched a server refill his glass, before returning his attention to the book in front of him. However, as his eye slid from one to the other he caught sight of a movement in the doorway, as Henry Ardern and Nathan Bennet passed through the hall, towards one of the rooms in the rear of the club. Neither man looked completely steady on their feet.

Intrigued, and more than a little concerned, Darcy pushed himself out of his chair and followed the pair down the hall and into the card room, which held a dozen or so baize covered tables of various shapes and sizes. The two men in question were just inside the door, whispering between themselves and debating which game to join.

"Henry? How do you do?"

The Captain wore a scowl as he turned around too quickly, grabbing Darcy's arm for support. "Not good, Fitz, and no mistake. I've had a grievous time of it at the tables this evening. My luck has gone and I'm cleaned out."

"I am sorry to hear that." Although neither his losses nor his condition came as a complete surprise.

"Ah, you pity me, I can see, but there is no need for your sympathy! Young Nathan here has everything in hand. He is going to win it all back for me."

Nathan Bennet’s telltale glassy-eyed stare made Darcy shake his head in frustration. The card tables were, as usual, full of serious men with impassive faces and a strange assortment of clothing. Although their manner of dress might have appeared odd to some, Darcy knew they represented only the most serious of those who frequented the club, and the curious caps, brightly coloured waistcoats, leather jerkins and incongruous trinkets of lace and fur were just a few of the talismans thought by their wearer to bring good luck.

The hour for friendly games and modest wagers had long passed. At this time of the evening pockets were deep and the stakes ran high, and men often needed all their wits just to break even. He doubted the naïve youth in front of him would last five minutes in present company when sober, let alone in his current condition. "You consider yourself a fair player, Mr. Bennet?"

The young man peered at Darcy, as though trying to make out his features. "Yes, of course," he replied at last. "I often used to play cards in the evening with my father and he taught me all the usual games. Uncle Henry believes I have a flair for it."

The young man's speech was clear, with only his mildly contentious tone suggesting he shared his uncle's less than sober condition. "You intend to stake your own money?"

"Yes. The allowance from my Uncle—"

"He cannot use mine now, can he, Fitz?" Henry Ardern's smile was blithely unconcerned as he patted Darcy on the back with enough force to bring a lesser man to his knees.

Although both were the worse for drink, Darcy knew Henry must have imbibed the greater share to be as foxed as he appeared. "If you would take my advice I suggest you should both go home. You know as well as I that a wise man never chases his losses."

Henry Ardern pursed his lips in a childlike pout. "But I promised my nephew an evening at the tables! I have a foolproof method of winning at Faro. I am going to pass on my knowledge to Nathan. I am his teacher, after all."

Darcy could not believe what he was hearing. Faro was pure chance, nothing more, and any foolproof method was purely for fools. "It would take a better man than you to teach that particular skill, Henry. There are no winners; only people who have not yet lost." He glanced at a group of men seated around the nearest table; all known to him by reputation. They, in turn, had been eyeing the drunken pair keenly—like hungry cats watching an innocent pair of sparrows—and Darcy did not care for the look of it. He lowered his voice. "Now is not the time for a lesson in gambling."

"Is it not?" The Captain frowned. "In that case I must bow to your superior judgement, Fitz," Henry replied, suiting action to words with an expansive sweep and finding himself overturned onto the floor. He laughed aloud before righting himself with the help of a nearby chair. "You have never steered me wrong before." A sly smile grew on his lips. "I have thought of something more pleasant to while away the hours. Perhaps it is time for an altogether different sort of lesson?" Moving closer to Nathan, he clapped him heavily on both shoulders, almost driving the poor youth to his knees.

Darcy watched helplessly as Henry Ardern weaved his way through to the bar at the end of the corridor, with the young Mr. Bennet following behind him like a lost lamb. He knew Henry was a poor example for the youth to follow, but Nathan Bennet looked up to him as a beau ideal and any attempt by him to separate nephew from uncle right now would be almost impossible. With a frustrated sigh, Darcy returned to his chair. His timing was fortuitous, for Hardell walked through the door almost as soon as he had sat down.

Their discussion lasted above an hour and Darcy heard enough to warrant looking into the matter in more detail, but when they sat back to talk of more pleasant things he found a nagging worry for Nathan Bennet's welfare remained. Darcy had decided to excuse himself to search for the luckless pair when he heard Henry Ardern's voice coming from the door.

"Fitzsh!" Henry slurred as he weaved across the room and leaned over the back of a nearby chair. "Fitzsssh, my good friend!"

Darcy ignored him as his attention turned back towards the doorway, where there was something far more worrying than a drunken Cavalry officer; a young man resting unsteadily against the wall, having had perhaps a little more to drink than he could comfortably hold.

"We are fish..finnn...ending our evening at a rather wonderful Coffee House I know. Come along with us! S'not far; just down a sweet little alley off Pall Mall."

Darcy pushed himself out of his chair. "I think not, Henry."

"After all," Captain Ardern continued, "there are some lessons the ladies are better equipped to provide, eh Fitzsh?" He leered, leaning slightly to one side as he tried to nudge Darcy in the ribs, missing by a long way.

Darcy had to grasp Henry's arm to keep him steady, but while he was busy with the uncle, young Bennet quietly slid down the wall and slumped on the floor. He had to give Nathan Bennet his due; he might be so drunk that he could not stand, but at least he was quiet. "Surely you are not suggesting that now, Henry," Darcy replied; out of patience with his old friend. "Look at your nephew! He can no longer remain on his feet!" With Hardell's assistance, Darcy lifted the youth up and moved him towards his own recently vacated chair. "It would be a poor thing if young Mr. Bennet opened his pocketbook to procure some warm and willing company, only for his memory of the experience to be erased in the cold light of morning. A hangover would be poor compensation."

Henry looked thoughtful for a few seconds before his expression cleared. "Of coursh ... you're right. Let's get him some coffee first, sober him up a tad."

Nathan Bennet's voice was steadier, but only just. "I thought we were going to a coffee house?" he asked, before closing his eyes again.

"Yes, but it was not a drink I had in mind," Henry replied cryptically. However, when the coffee arrived he waved his cup away. "I've changed my mind," he explained, shaking his head. "I am not in the mood to be sober. Nathan has paid out good money for all this alcohol an' it seems a crying shame to waste it."

That suited Darcy's purpose perfectly. "Well, if that is how you feel, you had better get yourself off. I will see Bennet gets home tonight." Darcy gestured to the youth, who had fallen fast asleep in his chair.

"You sure?" Receiving reassurance that nothing would please Darcy more than to be of help, he said, "That's very good of you to offer, Fitzsh. You're a gentleman!" He swayed slightly. "Perhaps I will see you later. For now, I'm off to see if little Nancy is free to soothe my aching head." Bowing carefully, lest he pitch face-first onto the floor again, Henry Ardern staggered out of the room.

With Nathan Bennet still asleep in his chair, Darcy turned his attention to Hardell, who was laughing at his friend's predicament.

"I never had you pegged as a nursemaid, Darcy."

"No, nor me, but it appears I have inherited the role," he replied ruefully before bidding his friend a good night. He loved Elizabeth, and felt a responsibility towards her young cousin, but this was not how he had expected his evening to end; left with a somnolent youth to deal with. The club servants obliged him by assisting the young Mr. Bennet into a passing Hackney, which Darcy ordered to drive to Grosvenor Square.

Once the two men had exchanged the stuffy confines of the hack for the cool evening air, Nathan Bennet seemed to regain his senses sufficiently to realise Henry Ardern had departed and a very different companion had been left in his place.

He looked through unfocused eyes at Darcy. "Where's Uncle Henry?"

Darcy could not help but smile at the young man's innocence. "He prefers the charms of a lady called Nancy. I hope you do not mind but I took the liberty of bringing you home." Darcy swept his arm to indicate the familiar façade of Rempstone House only a few feet away.

Nathan Bennet, glancing at the property in front of him, studied his pocket watch. Its decoration indicated an older timepiece, and Darcy, looking over his shoulder, guessed that it had no doubt belonged to his father.

"Oh, Lord!" he groaned. "I dare not go in now. My grandmother rarely retires before one o'clock, and last time she could tell straight away, even though I was only a little foxed. You can't imagine the lecture she gave me. My uncle always advised waiting until she has gone to her room before even stepping through the door. He says it is better for his health."

Darcy shrugged. He could remember getting drunk during his university days and staggering back to his lodgings, but Grosvenor Square could hardly be considered the same situation. "In that case, perhaps a walk around the square might be in order?" Although it was late July, it was also close to midnight and the superfine cloth of his coat was an insufficient barrier to the chill pervading the air. "No ... I have a better idea. We will be warmer, and infinitely more comfortable, in my library; particularly if I order us some coffee. Can I tempt you, sir?"

Nathan Bennet appeared grateful for any suggestion that did not involve him getting caught by the Dowager, and the two men circumnavigated the square's communal gardens in silence.

The large circular garden was planted with trees and shrubs and surrounded by black metal railings in an attempt to keep the undesirable elements out. The area was still fairly busy, with carriages coming and going as their patrons returned from a night at the theatre or an evening at one of the pleasure gardens.

When they arrived at the front door of Darcy's house he let them into the hall before Mr. Jessop had time to realise his master was home. Darcy ordered coffee to be brought to the library as he showed the young man into the book lined room on the ground floor, and waved a hand towards one of the deep chairs before the fire.

Their conversation was understandably stilted to begin with. The position Darcy found himself in was strange. He was almost ten years older than the youth who sat in front of him, and it made him feel ancient. However, while he was certainly senior to Nathan Bennet, he also felt a compulsion to maintain a favourable impression in the eyes of Elizabeth's cousin. He could only imagine that Nathan's silence conveyed his own discomfort at the situation he found himself in.

After a second cup of coffee had been welcomed, Bennet began to look and sound more like the man Darcy remembered from dinner at Gracechurch Street, as he began to answer his hosts questions about the Caribbean sugar trade and the advantages of the slave reforms; displaying a great deal of sense and knowledge with his considered responses.

Being aware of some of Mr. Bennet's plans for his nephew's future, Darcy questioned him about his friendship with his uncle. "How often do you go out with Henry Ardern?"

The younger man looked sharply up at him. Although he betrayed no surprise at the question, there was a wariness in his answer. "Almost every night when he is not required in barracks."

Darcy shook his head. While he understood Henry Ardern was Bennet's blood relative, he still felt compelled to give the youth fair warning about the company he chose to keep. He relaxed back in his chair, affecting an air of disinterest. "Henry has changed considerably since we first met. Sometimes I hardly recognise him at all. When he went to Oxford, he collected a new set of acquaintances, and picked up some rather unsavoury habits. It is unfortunate, for I considered him a close friend once."

Darcy caught Nathan's eye and sat forward. "Your position is vastly different to Henry's. You will be the Master of Longbourn one day, and with that position goes a responsibility Henry Ardern will never experience."

Nathan squirmed in his chair.

"I am sorry." Darcy smiled. "I never intended to turn this into a lecture. But neither do I want to watch as you go the way of your uncle. You need to begin thinking for yourself, rather than relying on the judgement of others. When you go up to Cambridge, you will no doubt meet many young men in a similar situation to yourself. Some of them will be friends you keep for the rest of your life."

"You are correct, of course. But London is such a big place compared to my old home, and Uncle Henry was the only person who ever wanted to spend any time with me. Lord Rempstone was not interested in me tagging along when he went to his clubs, and while I get on well with my Uncle Bennet, he is content to sit at home. I wanted to see something of the city while I am here, and Uncle Henry was happy to oblige me. I do not know when I will get the chance again."

"That is quite understandable. I am only suggesting you choose your companions more carefully. I have a few acquaintances with sons around your age. I may be able to arrange some introductions. What of the Viscount Cresswell? He is closer to your age than Henry. Have you spent much time with him?"

Nathan's face dropped. "Well, yes, I did when I first arrived in town. In fact he was very kind to me. Recently, though, I have made a point of staying out of his way."

Darcy heard a hard edge to Nathan Bennet's voice. "Why? Do you have some problem with the Viscount?"

The younger man shook his head, and then groaned as he regretted the movement. After a moment to compose himself, he said, "I do not know, but Uncle Henry made a comment ... well, it made me think I should refrain from spending too much time with him."

Under every other circumstance, Darcy would eschew this kind of hearsay or gossip, but in this case he was eager to hear what had offended his guest. "Perhaps if you can tell me what troubles you, I would be better able to advise you."

"I am not sure I should."

"I will not force your confidence, but I may be able to help."

"It might be all balderdash, but he mentioned Cresswell hoped to pursue my cousin Elizabeth with the thought of taking her as his mistress." Nathan Bennet clenched his fist before striking the palm of his other hand. "Later he swore he only made a joke, but I felt so angry. If it is the truth, I swear I will ..."

Darcy leaned further forward in his chair. "You would not think to challenge him, surely?"

"What would you do if Lizzy was your cousin, Mr. Darcy?"

We would be wed by now, that is for certain. Aloud, he said, "Cresswell would not answer your challenge because I do not believe his interests to be those you describe. Although he might take a mistress, it would not be a well-bred young woman like your cousin. I have never known him behave in that way during all the years of our acquaintance." He took a deep breath before continuing. "However, were his actions ever to reach that point, I would still counsel you against challenging him. Apart from the fact it is illegal, and to my knowledge Cresswell has never fought a duel, like all gentlemen he keeps his pistols clean and his skills honed."

The young man dropped his head, defeated. "Should I mention this matter to my uncle? Perhaps he needs to be forewarned?"

Darcy found the idea of Mr. Bennet forbidding Cresswell from entering the house to have a certain appeal, but common sense soon prevailed. "I do not think that will be necessary. As you probably know, Miss Bennet joins my sister and me when we travel to Derbyshire in ten days. There is not a great deal of harm Cresswell can do in such a short time. Once at Pemberley you have my word she will be safe from any threats—either real or imagined."

Nathan Bennet sighed his relief, as though his concerns had been put at rest by Darcy's own conviction of Elizabeth's safety. His eyes, which had studied every inch of the carpet beneath his feet, suddenly lifted to meet his host's with a startling clarity which reminded Darcy of Mr. Bennet in such a way that left no doubt the two men were related.

He nodded his head thoughtfully. "Yes, I think she will be safer at your home. Thank you, Mr. Darcy."

"You are welcome." He looked up at the clock, which reported the hour to be later than he had thought. "Now, as it is well past one o'clock, perhaps you should go home and get a good night's sleep. Your uncle will be calling for you in the morning so that we can discuss the options available for investing your inheritance. Although it is not yet your responsibility, you may learn something of value by joining Mr. Bennet here tomorrow. Therefore, I expect to see you bright eyed, displaying no hint of this evening's adventures."

"I will not. You have been more generous than I deserve, Mr. Darcy, considering my behaviour."

Darcy smiled. "I do not think so. Having too much to drink is hardly extraordinary. I dare say we have all done the same at one time or another. Besides, you were forced to leave the only home you have ever known, and travel across the ocean to a country you had never seen, to be with a family who were strangers. That takes a great deal of courage at any age. In that respect, you are far braver than I. If you need any help or advice, you are welcome to call on me at any time."

Giving his thanks once again, Nathan Bennet bid Darcy farewell and crossed the square with a much steadier gait than he had done just over an hour earlier.

After observing his young friend through the window until he reached the safety of Rempstone House, Darcy climbed the stairs to his bedchamber; standing patiently as Marriott set about the process of undoing the knots he had so expertly tied earlier. However, this time, instead of thinking about Elizabeth, Darcy's mind wandered in an unexpected direction as he considered the well-being of a young man who appeared in desperate need of some guidance in his life.

By the time he was settled in his bed, staring up at the canopy above him, Darcy had come to a decision about the best way he could assist Nathan Bennet before he went up to University.

This left Darcy's thoughts free to roam towards a more appealing member of the Bennet family.

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