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Darcy and Georgiana arrived in London after what had felt an endless journey.

All the way from Derbyshire, their carriage had been followed by a heavy, sullen rain.

The crowning touch on their misfortunes had been being stuck in the mud for two hours as their coachmen had tried to dig the wheels out.

Finally, Darcy had tired of waiting in the carriage and had got out to help the unfortunate men push the carriage free.

As a result, when they arrived in London, he was not only exhausted from the long journey, but caked in mud as well.

His housekeeper fluttered about him, almost wringing her hands in her dismay. “Oh, dear, sir, I see you have met with misfortune on the road. There is someone to see you, but I shall tell them you are not seeing visitors.”

Darcy let out a frustrated sigh. No one knew he was coming to London, save for family members. If his aunt had told their friends of his impending visit, he would be most annoyed. “Who is it?” he asked curtly.

She did not have time to answer, for a deep masculine voice interrupted her. “It is your favourite cousin!”

Fitzwilliam appeared at the end of the hall, near the parlour doors, and hurried toward him.

Darcy smiled in welcome. “Fitzwilliam! How glad I am to see you!” he greeted his cousin as he entered the foyer, giving him a hearty shake of the hand.

Fitzwilliam leaned over to give Georgiana a kiss on the cheek.

“It is always a pleasure to see you. Though I do not know about this new fashion for being covered in mud, Darcy. Despite your best efforts, I do not think it will catch on.” Fitzwilliam turned to Georgiana and took both her hands in his.

“And I do not believe I know this exquisite beauty. It cannot be my dear cousin Georgiana?” he teased.

“It is I, Richard. It has been too long,” Georgiana beamed. “Is it a surprise to see me here in London?”

“It is indeed. But you shall be the star of the Season,” Fitzwilliam praised. He took her hand and turned her, making her skirts twirl out around her legs. “You had best keep a watch on her night and day. The gentlemen will not be able to stay away.”

Georgiana laughed. “I am not here to come out quite yet. My brother has agreed that I may wait until I am eighteen, which I should very much prefer.” She turned and started up the stairs.

“I think I shall change and lie down for a spell. I suggest you change as well, brother. As our cousin pointed out, you are covered in mud from head to toe.”

Darcy chuckled as he looked down his front. “You do not mind waiting for a few minutes, do you? Unless you have come for something urgent?”

“Not at all. I shall wait in your study if you do not mind. I have some most exciting news that I think will interest you.”

“By all means,” Darcy replied. Fitzwilliam knew the house well enough to make his own way to the study. Darcy left him to do so. After removing his mud-stained things with relief and accepting his valet’s help to dress in comfortable trousers and a loose cotton shirt, he rejoined his cousin.

“Now, what is this exciting news?” Darcy asked, holding up a decanter of brandy in silent invitation.

“A small glass, thank you. I shall want something to toast with. It is a stroke of luck that you have come when you have. I have met a most tantalising prospect.” Fitzwilliam sat down and leaned comfortably back in his chair. “An heiress, no less.”

“Well, that is news I did not think would ever come.” Darcy could not help but think of Elizabeth and his failed attempt to forget her. At least his cousin would find some happiness. He forced himself to smile. “I am happy for you. I know it has been a long time coming.”

Fitzwilliam shrugged. “It has been my own doing. But now that I have distinguished myself in the army, I want to retire. Besides, my leg does not hold me up as well since the injury.”

“No one would notice in the slightest.” Darcy replied truthfully. His cousin was still among the strongest men of his acquaintance.

Fitzwilliam rubbed his thigh where an enemy sword had made a terrible gash.

“It pains me when it rains, like it is today.” He winced as he continued to massage the old injury.

He stood and stretched out his leg before settling back into his chair.

“It could be worse, of course. I suppose I ought to be grateful I do not have a limp.”

“As am I, for that, and for your safe return.”

“I’ll drink to thank,” Fitzwilliam agreed, and the men raised their glasses in a toast.

“And so you’ve decided to retire?” Darcy asked, relishing the smooth taste of the brandy.“It will be good to have you settled. I should like to see more of you, as would Georgiana.”

“Likewise. Well, cousin, I shall certainly do my best to settle down with a fine country estate. We can spend all our time visiting each other back and forth and showing off our gaggle of sons and daughters, when the time comes.” Fitzwilliam clapped him on the shoulder. “When are you planning to settle down?”

“Ah, well, I shall have to be patient now that you have arrived back in London. I do not stand a chance against your charm,” Darcy teased.

Fitzwilliam snorted. “Hardly, Darcy. Simply describe Pemberley to her, and you shall have any lady you wish.”

Darcy snorted a laugh at that. That was perhaps his favourite thing about his cousin — he made him laugh at himself.

“Well, what plans have you now that you are back in Town?” Fitzwilliam asked, swirling the brandy in his glass.

“I had no plans per se, past seeing our relatives and allowing Georgiana to experience the sights. She wants to become accustomed to London before her debut.”

“Very wise. Well, since she is not out yet, I wonder if the opera would be permissible? I do not think she has ever seen a performance.”

“No, indeed. I am sure she would be delighted.” Darcy thought for a moment. “Yes, I think an opera would be just the thing, although I believe Georgiana is well on her way to out-playing any of the pianists they might have.”

“Aunt Catherine tells me she is quite accomplished.”

Darcy cringed inwardly when he heard his aunt’s name. He loved her, of course, but her condescending ways were difficult to bear up under at times. Not to mention her expectations. “She is,” he replied briefly.

“Well, then, perhaps we might take her tomorrow. I am told the performance is expected to be particularly fine. If, of course, you will be rested enough by then.”

Darcy chuckled. “I am not so old as that,” he retorted.

“Good. I do believe the young lady I mentioned to you will be there tomorrow. She will be an Original of the Season. I have not the slightest doubt of it.”

“I thought Georgiana was destined for that role?”

“Well, seeing as she will not be presented this year, the young lady I have been speaking of will have to take her place.” Fitzwilliam gave a bewitched sigh. “I tell you true, Darcy, I have never beheld such a witty or charming creature. She is as intelligent as she is pretty.”

Darcy smiled, looking down at the delicate porcelain teacup. No one could be as charming or as witty as Elizabeth, but he kept the sentiment to himself. “Well, I am all the more eager to meet this paragon.”

Georgiana came in a moment later, looking as fresh as if they had not endured a long carriage ride through less than exemplary conditions. “What is this about the opera?” she asked.

“Were you listening at the door, Georgiana? You know you are always welcome to come in,” Darcy said. He ought to scold her, he knew. But he could never stay upset with her.

“I am sorry. I was not sure how you would react to me eavesdropping. Although, I had only been standing there for a moment,” she said with a smile, then poured herself a cup of tea. “Will it be well-attended, do you think?”

“I have no doubt. The music is expected to be superb, just the sort of thing you will enjoy, Georgiana. Perhaps it will give you some fresh inspiration.”

“I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to it,” Georgiana said.

“Oh, thank you for allowing me to come to Town with you, brother.” She joined Darcy at the window, where he had been trying to soak up the scraps of sunshine peeking through the rain clouds.

She linked her arm through his. “I did not think you would want to go out into society so soon.”

“Well, Fitzwilliam is correct. Now that you are here, I cannot very well lock myself inside the study all the day long, now can I?” He was only a little unnerved by the idea.

Not that he would never accept an invitation, as Fitzwilliam liked to tease him.

He merely grew weary of the constant round of society, of dodging matchmaking mothers and ambitious young ladies.

For Georgiana, however, he would brave them all.

The next day went quickly, with all the little tasks and minor headaches of arriving in a new place, and the prospect of leaving them all behind in the evening was a very pleasant one for both the siblings.

As Darcy had suspected, Georgiana was bubbling over with excitement at the prospect of attending the opera.

“Do you think this is appropriate, brother?” Georgiana asked as she came down the grand staircase to meet him in the foyer.

She smoothed down the exquisite pink silk gown, looking so grown-up that it sent a pang through Darcy’s heart.

She came to stand in front of him just as a knock came at the door, and Colonel Fitzwilliam entered.

Darcy looked at his cousin, and they both wore the same awestruck expression. “It will more than do,” Darcy replied.

He offered his sister his arm, and she took it, letting out a nervous sigh.

Thankfully, there would not be much expected of her that first evening.

He could at least help her ease into the whirlwind of the London Season.

As a young lady who was not yet out, at least she would not have a flock of gentlemen surrounding her.