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Darcy slouched in his seat, looking into the dimly lit room as men smoked pipes and played card games, sipping various drinks. His club was not particularly diverting that evening, but Fitzwilliam had insisted they go and see some of their friends.

“Do not look so gloomy, cousin.” Fitzwilliam said, holding up his glass of Scotch as if to toast him. “I assume you are pining over Miss Bennet?”

Darcy glanced at his cousin, who wore a wicked smile. He pushed down his jealousy and straightened in his chair. “I am not pining.”

“Come now, old chap. Do not be angry at me because I am in the lead with our little wager. Can I help it that she knows a superior man when she sees one?” Fitzwilliam puffed out his chest and chuckled. “I am sorry, Darcy. You know I only jest.”

“This is no time for jesting, Fitzwilliam. I do not think she has any intention of choosing either of us — not with Mr Wickham sniffing at her heels. This is a dire situation!” He let out a frustrated sigh, wishing there was something he could do.

“You do not really think she would consider the man, not after everything you told her of his true nature?” Fitzwilliam sat up and finally had the decency to look concerned. He put his drink down and leaned forward.

“I tried to warn her, but she did not believe me. Don’t you see, Fitzwilliam?

That foolish wager doesn’t matter. All that matters is saving Miss Bennet from that blackguard.

” He sat back again, slack against the chair.

“I’ve ruined our best chance of saving her, though.

There were so many misunderstandings between us, and I only learned of them when it was already too late. ”

“Surely you can try again? There has to be a way to convince her that Wickham is a snake.” Fitzwilliam made to stand, but Darcy grabbed his arm and pulled him back down, lowering his voice.

“I cannot. I doubt she will ever want to see me again,” he said, his voice rough with despair. “But you — you might have a chance, cousin.”

“I do not think she will believe me, either. Why should she? She will only think that you sent me.”

Darcy let go of his arm and huffed again. It all felt so hopeless, and yet he was desperate to see her again — to make sure she was safe from Wickham’s wiles.

Fitzwilliam thrummed his fingers on the table. It was doubtless torture for him, a man of action, to feel that he could do nothing. “I cannot sit idly by while Wickham closes in and tries to win her heart. Perhaps one of us should call him out?”

Darcy raised an eyebrow. It was a drastic suggestion.

“A duel? Have you lost your senses?” he asked.

“Killing Wickham will only make things worse. First, duelling is illegal. Second, it will no doubt open an inquest if Wickham dies. I do not want to see Georgiana go through such an ordeal, nor Miss Bennet. And if either of us were to die, it would also be devastating for the ladies.”

Fitzwilliam thought for a moment, then harshly expelled a breath. “Very well, I suppose you are right. But I have no other ideas. How can we protect someone who does not want to be protected?”

Darcy only nodded, thinking intently. Considered carefully, Elizabeth’s actions were not unreasonable.

His warnings had failed largely because she was already primed to consider him untrustworthy, even contemptible.

Therefore, they needed a different messenger, someone whose testimony would carry the full weight of Wickham’s crimes, yet whom Elizabeth would not mistrust.

The choice was obvious — but the cost was heavy indeed.

“We need to get her in a room with Georgiana. I am not in Miss Bennet’s good graces, but you are. Here is what I propose: invite Miss Bennet and her aunt to your mother’s house for tea. Your mother is a leader in London society, and an invitation from her is highly coveted.”

“Yes, it is,” Fitzwilliam agreed.

“We will ensure that Georgiana is there as well. You can introduce the young ladies, and Georgiana can warn her about Wickham herself.”

“You would allow Georgiana to put her reputation to such a risk?” Fitzwilliam asked. “I would think you would want to keep the whole matter as quiet as possible.”

“It was her idea that I go to Miss Bennet and tell her all. However, I did not have enough time to explain before things unravelled such that I was no longer welcome in the house.” Darcy shook his head, wishing he had handled things differently when he had gone to speak with Elizabeth.

Failure was costly indeed. At best, a task that was his by right would fall to Georgiana — and at worst, it might cost Elizabeth’s future happiness.

“I am surprised, that is all. I think it noble that she would be willing to speak of it.”

“She wanted to protect other women from Wickham.” Darcy smiled proudly.

“Georgiana has shown herself to be strong and courageous. A year ago, I was afraid the incident would break her. And while she was sunk for a time, I think she has come out with even more strength in the end. She will not be easily duped again.”

“No, indeed, she will not.” Fitzwilliam gave a decisive nod. “Very well, we shall do it. I’ll have my mother send the invitation this afternoon.”

“Thank you, Fitzwilliam. I appreciate your willingness to help me protect her.”

Fitzwilliam smiled crookedly. “Does this mean our competition is at an end? You realise that what you are proposing will probably push Miss Bennet away from you — and into my arms.” All humour left his tone and his glance. “Can you really accept that, cousin?”

Darcy’s heart constricted. It was unbearable to picture Elizabeth with any man but himself.

But no — it was bearable. As long as Elizabeth was safe and happy, he could go on.

As long as she was not trapped in an unequal marriage with that blackguard Wickham, he would learn to live.

“Nothing matters now but saving Miss Bennet. You are a noble and honourable man, Fitzwilliam. Much as I would regret losing her…the choice is hers. And if she were to choose you, I would not think she had chosen badly.”

Fitzwilliam nodded. “Very well. If you are sure.” He stood, and they prepared to leave. “For what it is worth, I wish it had not come down to this.”

“It means more than you can know,” Darcy said with an effort at good cheer. Inevitable loss dragged at his chest, making it difficult to get out the words.

When he arrived home and entered the drawing room, Georgiana looked astonished at his appearance.

“My goodness! You look about as animated as a corpse. If going to the club puts you in this frame of mind, I suggest you forego it altogether.” She joined him in the seating area and lifted herself on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. “What has happened?”

Her face fell when she saw how serious he was. He sat down and she came to sit beside him on the settee. She took his hand, and the small gesture helped bolster his spirits a little. “You are so sweet, Georgiana. I do not think you know how much you mean to me.”

She smiled, cocking her head to the side. “What is this? Do not tell me that my strong, austere brother is going soft on me,” she teased.

He chuckled. “Only a little,” he replied.

If only he could change, for his austere and serious nature was a large part of the gulf between Elizabeth and himself.

A different Darcy, one with greater ability to say what he felt, might have been spared much.

“I have been at the club with Fitzwilliam. We have come up with a plan to save Miss Bennet from Wickham. As you well know, she will not listen to me anymore. Not after the incident I told you of.”

Georgiana nodded sadly. “I am sorry it came to that.”

“Yes, as am I. We have had so many misunderstandings between us. Perhaps we were doomed to fail from the start. But none of that matters now. All that matters is to see her safely away from Wickham. There cannot be a doubt that he means to use her as he tried to use you, and Miss Bennet does not have an older brother to intervene. Nor would her father step in, for I am afraid Mr Bennet is an indolent man. The picture of Miss Bennet married to such a man is highly unpleasant. I would fear greatly for her.”

“As would I. I do not think any honest woman could be happy, or even keep her self-respect, as Mr Wickham’s wife.” Georgiana’s jaw flexed at the mention of Wickham, doubtless holding back much more she might have said about the man. “You said you and Cousin Fitz came up with a way to warn her?”

Darcy nodded and explained the plan. Georgiana did not hesitate to grant her agreement and her approval.

He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“I know it will be difficult to tell her — to relive what he did to you. But I am grateful that you are willing to tell your story for the sake of another. You are very brave, dear sister.”

Georgiana looked down at their clasped hands. “It will be difficult. But in another way, I think it could be healing to ensure that no one else falls prey to his schemes. I do not want to see anyone else go through what I had to endure.”

Darcy leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

Georgiana smiled. “You will give me a little peace to practise, then?”

“I shall — and you must call me if you wish for an audience.” Darcy stood and walked out of the room, leaving Georgiana to exorcise her feelings on the pianoforte.

He retired to his study and called for a small pot of tea to be brought.

He had much to think over, and one always thought more clearly with a good cup of tea. Or so his mother had always said.

When the tea came, he took it over to the window and looked out over the garden. The weather would change soon, but such a change would be nothing in comparison to the change that would soon come to their lives, for better or for worse.

Was he a fool to imagine there could still be hope? That, against all odds, Elizabeth might still come to love him?

Darcy was very much afraid he was. And that left him in the hideous position of hoping that she might wed Fitzwilliam, for even seeing the woman he loved in the arms of his cousin would be better than seeing her tricked and cruelly used, her fortune stolen and wasted.

Anything, anything would be better than seeing Elizabeth degraded as Mrs Wickham.