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Fitzwilliam shook his head and focused sober eyes on his friend. “Why are you doing this for me, Charles? I don’t deserve your friendship, much less your help.”

Bingley was about to shrug off the question with a quip and a laugh, but saw that his friend was serious.

He sighed. “Will, you are my friend, and I hope that I am yours. Friendship does not mean that one is always taking and the other always giving, you know? I have relied on you for years; you helped me fit in at school when I was the unpolished son of a Scarborough carriage-maker, reeking of new money. And when my parents and brother died, I can’t imagine what I would have done without your guidance.

I’d never expected to have to take over Father’s business; we all knew that Arthur was being groomed for his place since birth.

When they both died, I have no idea what I would have done if you hadn’t been there to guide me through all the legal details and business meetings. ”

Charles paused, momentarily overwhelmed by the emotional memories.

Finally he turned to Darcy who had remained silent for many minutes.

“Now, you must allow me to be of some help to you. Please.” He grinned.

“If for no other reason than for my ego; helping you with your problems makes me feel like a man instead of a little brother always scampering along behind you!”

If anything, Will’s face became more solemn. “Charles, I never meant to make you feel that you were the lesser partner in our friendship. ”

He was about to speak again when Bingley waved him off.

“Darce, as I said, I’ve spent a great deal of time thinking, lately.

You’ve always had a great deal of responsibility placed upon you.

Certainly more so since your father’s death, but really you were raised to know your duties from the moment you took your first steps.

I could have been anything—clergyman, soldier, barrister, doctor, politician, tradesman.

Father gave me a good education and would have given me a financial start in whatever profession I chose.

“I never got around to making that decision because he and my brother died, thrusting me into a position I’d never expected. I’ve been drifting—making the decisions that were thrust upon me but more often allowing others to do so for me.

“That is why it is so easy for me to forgive you your interference in my relationship with Jane. It came easily to me to depend on you to make decisions for me; you are good at it.”

Seeing that Darcy was about to argue, Charles spoke over him, attempting to explain.

“Will, you are one of the most intelligent, honest, and above all, responsible men that I know. You take your duties very seriously and you kindly made my well-being one of those responsibilities. However, it is high time for me to take control of my own life.”

Bingley looked his friend straight in the eye, desiring him to understand.

“I appreciate your aid and advice and always will, but the best help you can give me from now on is to be a friend. Tell me if I am being too easily swayed—by my sister, for example—give me advice, but step back and make me take responsibility, even if it makes me miserable by forcing me into conflict.”

Fitzwilliam spent several minutes pondering Bingley’s words before realizing that his friend was watching him intently, awaiting a response.

Will shook himself and spoke carefully. “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but you are correct.

I’ve gotten into the habit of believing that it is my responsibility to solve everyone’s problems.”

At Bingley’s raised eyebrows, he shrugged. “I’ve been talking to Georgiana as well. It’s not easy for her to grow up into a young lady when I still treat her as my baby sister and try to shield her from everything bad or uncomfortable in the world.”

The gentlemen were quiet for some time before Charles finally laughed out loud.

When Will looked at him questioningly, he shrugged.

“I was just thinking that we should submit your name for the next election; surely a stint as prime minister would provide you with enough problems to solve… I can’t even imagine what you will be like when the suitors begin to flock after Miss Darcy’s debut! ”

Fitzwilliam slumping back in his chair and groaned theatrically. “I don’t want to think about it! Do you know of any convents in Yorkshire where I might lock her up? She would make a lovely nun, don’t you think?”

The two men laughed and spent some minutes jesting over their sisters’ differing personalities and prospects for matrimony. For the first time in many years, Fitzwilliam Darcy felt the relief of a friendship based on camaraderie rather than responsibility.

Georgiana found them some time later, still in the library and with such a sense of fellowship between them that she could not help but smile. “Shall you and Mr. Bingley be joining me for luncheon, Wills?”

The two friends agreed and the trio enjoyed an amiable meal.

By the end, they had agreed to call on the Gardiners and Miss Bennet that very afternoon and invite the family on a day trip to the Kew Gardens.

Darcy was uncomfortable with the idea of facing Elizabeth so soon after his recent behavior but was reassured by Charles and Georgiana.

Even so, he took the first opportunity to change the subject.

“Charles, now that I think on it, you will enjoy meeting Mr. Gardiner; his life has many parallels with your own. His own father died just as he was finishing university, thrusting him into managing the family business at a young age.”

Bingley was intrigued (particularly as he wished to make a good impression on Jane’s favorite uncle and aunt) and asked for more details.

He and Darcy also discussed the best way for him to approach Miss Bennet and gain her forgiveness.

With suggestions from Georgiana, Charles decided that he would send notice immediately to his housekeeper to begin opening up Netherfield for a long visit.

While that was being accomplished, he would remain at Derwent House and visit with the Gardiners and Miss Elizabeth, hoping to gain a positive recommendation from them to the family at Longbourn.

As Georgiana prepared to find the housekeeper and inform her of their plans, Charles was thinking. “As distasteful the task, I must also deal with my own sisters before I depart for Hertfordshire.”

Both Darcys looked over at his solemn tone.

Fitzwilliam asked softly, “Shall you confront them?”

Charles sighed but then sat up straight and squared his shoulders.

“Yes,” he responded decisively, brows knit.

“But first I need to determine a few facts. To be quite honest, I’ve been in a bit of a fog for the last few months.

I need to know just how far Caroline has gone in her deception and, if I can, why.

” Charles nodded at Fitzwilliam. “Darce, you had good intentions. I am not so sure of Caroline. She is obsessed with clawing her way up the social ladder regardless of who it hurts; I need to see how she acts before I decide what to do about her.”

The three sat quietly for a few minutes until Charles spoke again in a slightly lighter tone.

“And Miss Darcy, I would be greatly obliged if you do not invite my sisters on our little walking tour of the gardens… I am fairly ce rtain that Caroline would do all she can to make it unpleasant for some others in our party even more than myself.” He grinned at Darcy who rolled his eyes good-naturedly.

In short order, the Darcy carriage was stopping in Gracechurch Street and the Gardiners’ butler announced the visitors. “Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mr. Bingley to see you, ma’am.”

The visit was short and Fitzwilliam could recall little of the conversation after Mrs. Gardiner accepted the invitation and it was arranged that the group would venture out to Kew in two days.

He ventured several glances toward Elizabeth; her countenance seemed more strained than usual but Mrs. Gardiner’s friendly conversation made up for any lack in her niece’s.

Fitzwilliam caught her studying him several times with a concerned look in her eye but there seemed to be no chance of any privacy for them to speak. This was reinforced when several ladies were shown into the parlor, obviously come to visit with Mrs. Gardiner and discuss some charity work.

Mr. Darcy and his party politely made their farewells. Just as Fitzwilliam was about to follow his friend and sister out the front door, he heard light footsteps tripping down the hall. He turned and found that Elizabeth had followed him.

Unconsciously, she stretched her hand out and touched his arm, looking up at him with worry clear in her eyes.

“Mr. Darcy, I wanted to see… to make sure that you were quite well, sir. Yesterday, your sister mentioned that you were unwell…” Elizabeth trailed off and colored slightly, dropping her eyes.

Darcy’s heart was ready to burst. She might not love him yet, but it was unmistakable that she cared. He covered her slender hand with his own and spoke gruffly. “I am perfectly well; the affliction was a result of my own stupidity and was quite cleared up this morning.”

She looked up at him, eyes serious. “I am glad.”

Feeling as though his heart might pound out of his chest, Fitzwilliam pressed her hand slightly. “I look forward to our outing the day after tomorrow. Have you visited the gardens before? They are exquisite at this time of year.”

Elizabeth colored slightly at the feeling of his hand upon her own but did not remove it. “I have been there but it was some years ago. I shall look forward to it a great deal.” She smiled and attempted a jest to lighten the mood. “For I do love to walk, as you know.”

She was left blinking at the sight of Fitzwilliam Darcy’s full, dimpled smile. “I do know. I…”