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ULTIMATUM

D arcy suddenly let go of Elizabeth and retreated to the shadows. At first, the two Bennet sisters were confused. However, their confusion turned to embarrassment when Fitzwilliam spun on his heel and came almost to attention.

“Mr Darcy!” Mr Bennet snapped. “I am in no mood to play games. My daughters are not playthings for a rich young man to play with. I am going to give you three months, and not a second longer, to decide which of my girls you like. Lizzy tried to hide it, but your behaviour with Kitty hurt her.” Mr Bennet leant against the door frame. “I am an old man now, but I was young once and I am not so old that I do not remember the thrill of making the acquaintance of young women. I will speak to my wife so that she gives you time to court the young lady of your choice." Mr Bennet straightened up and stepped closer to Fitzwilliam, before snarling into Fitzwilliam’s face. “I warn you now! None of my girls are like the flighty young women of the Ton. They do not give their hearts as easily and I have not yet seen any of them truly in love. If, as I suspect, Elizabeth has given her heart to you, then treat her well and treat her respectfully. If you decide you like her sister Kitty better – be open and honest with Elizabeth. She is not silly and ignorant, but for the right man she would cry — they all would.”

Fitzwilliam straightened his shoulders and dropped into his military posture. Modulating only his voice, Fitzwilliam became every inch the commanding officer that he was as he responded to Mr Bennet’s threat. “I have known you, sir, for a week. You claim to know my character in that time. Yet I have not had the pleasure of one full conversation with you! Elizabeth and Kitty have spent time talking with and allowing me to get to know them. Might I suggest that you talk to them and ask them what they think and feel?”

“Your arrogance is not aiding your case,” Mr Bennet snapped.

Fitzwilliam crossed his arms over his chest and nodded toward of Mrs Bennet and Lydia. “Might I suggest that you rein in your wife and youngest daughter a little more? Both of the daughters that you have mentioned have repeatedly informed me that they are aware of the poor impression that your wife makes on potential suitors. Your youngest’s behaviour would make any young man think twice about an alliance with your family on her own. She will not attract anyone better than that reprobate that she is talking to at present.”

While Fitzwilliam stated that, Elizabeth and Catherine had retreated into the shadows as well. They wanted to see how their father would react without giving their presence away. The fact that Darcy was standing only a few inches away from her gave Elizabeth confidence that she would not have had otherwise and she leant back into him, though if they had been seen it would not have bode well for them.

“I would appreciate it, sir, if you would keep your opinions about my wife to yourself. Whatever they may be, you ought to remember that she is still my wife and the mother of both those girls you have been dallying with. As such she deserves respect,” Mr Bennet argued.

Fitzwilliam snorted. “Respect is earned not given. Even in the army we have to obey our superior officers, but we don’t have to like or even respect them.”

Mr Bennet raised an eyebrow. “What would you know about the army? You have not served a day in your life.”

“My cousin, who I am very close to and who looks identical to me, was a colonel in the army until last month,” Fitzwilliam swiftly answered. He had blundered, but he had not told a lie.

“Three months, Mr Darcy !” Mr Bennet savagely reiterated.

“I ought to inform you, that I have already made my choice and requested a courtship from Elizabeth,” Fitzwilliam announced.

Elizabeth sucked in her breath. She was not entirely sure what Darcy’s cousin was up to. However, it was too late now.

Mr Bennet raised an eyebrow. “Given the fact that you kissed her at the Michaelmas Fair Dance that would be the least you could do. However, I believe that your behaviour is questionable at best. Be careful that you do not hurt Kitty by raising expectations in that direction while courting Elizabeth.”

“As I said, sir, both Elizabeth and Kitty have taken time to get to know me and to understand what is in my mind,” Fitzwilliam firmly told Mr Bennet. “I can promise you that I have never acted untoward to either of them.”

Elizabeth wanted to laugh. The two Fitzwilliams knew how to pull off being the other. Fitzwilliam was playing this to perfection. She and Darcy were in the clear to court each other, while Catherine and Fitzwilliam were also in the clear.

“Your display this evening has me wondering if that is true,” Mr Bennet stated.

Fitzwilliam laughed. “Sir, I told you my cousin and I look identical. We are also joined in the guardianship of my little sister, Georgiana. My cousin and I brought my sister with us to stay with Mr Bingley and he is here tonight. I can assure you that the man you saw with Kitty is my cousin and not myself.”

Elizabeth thought Fitzwilliam was taking it too far.

“Was he now? How would you prove that?” Mr Bennet asked.

“Short of my being side by side with him, I could not. I believe that he would rather skulk in the shadows and watch so that my sister does not get into trouble than he would be meeting new people, whose behaviour has, I understand, already offended him. We believe that there may well be an argument that my sister would find friends who would encourage her misbehaviour, rather than aid her to understand why she should improve.”

“Have you quite done insulting my friends and family?” Mr Bennet demanded.

“No, I have not. I have not yet mentioned your middle daughter. As for your eldest, are you aware that she is quite the gamester? She has bets laid down on myself and Elizabeth as well as with Kitty and Fitzwilliam. I am quite sure she has other bets going on too,” Fitzwilliam observed. “I have only ever seen a more full betting book at Whites.”

Mr Bennet said nothing further. He spun on his heel and walked away.

“Do you truly think so little of the society I am a part of?” Catherine asked.

Fitzwilliam grinned. “I do not now. I misunderstood them earlier.”

“We all did,” Darcy admitted.

Elizabeth sighed. “Well, our courtship is out in the open.”

Fitzwilliam’s grin widened. “Do you wish to reconsider your rules, Elizabeth? It might become necessary….”

Elizabeth’s hands flew to her hips. “Absolutely not, Colonel!” She snapped. “It is one thing for you to pretend to be your cousin. We will have to pretend to be closer than we are at times, but there is no need for you to take the pretence further than necessary. I do not see a need for you to become physical with me at all. Fitz and I are merely courting at present. Should the time come that we become engaged or married, then I expect this ruse to end! I will not be kissing you. Do you understand?”

Darcy chuckled. “Believe me, Elizabeth. All will be well. He will abide by your rules – we both will.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Well, we had better get back into the ballroom. We have been missed already. There is no need to add to the vile speculations that will be made about Kitty and I remaining on the balcony with both of you.”

Darcy looked at his cousin and raised an eyebrow in silent question.

“I wish to continue to get to know Kitty, but Elizabeth is right. They need to go back to the ballroom, but only one of us may do so. The other ought to be keeping an eye on our ward,” Fitzwilliam reminded Darcy.

Darcy nodded. “I cannot help wondering what my sister is up to with the absence of both of us from the dance floor.”

* * *

“G eorgiana Darcy, you apologise this minute!” Mrs Annesley’s annoyed voice carried onto the darkened balcony.

Darcy and Fitzwilliam shared a concerned look and rushed to the table they were seated at, Elizabeth and Catherine following hot on their heels.

“I will not !” Georgiana hissed. “It is bad enough that my brother and my cousin seem to have been taken in by these country nothings, but they actually think that they are better than me when they are not. How can they be? Who does that untitled country nothing think she is scolding the granddaughter of an earl as though I was a common street urchin? If my brother had not intervened, I would have been married by now.”

“The way that young man is acting right now, you would have been living a miserable existence. Look at him, he’s definitely enjoying her company. If you truly love him, as you say, you’d leave him be and be happy that he’s found someone else who gives him joy,” Mrs Annesley instructed Georgiana.

“But I know he loves me!” Georgiana whined. “And I love him. My brother and cousin are just being cruel and keeping us apart.”

“Don’t look to me like your young man made any argument to be with you. Mr Wickham is encouraging that young lady’s flirting,” Mrs Annesley pointed out.

Fitzwilliam grabbed Catherine’s hand and the two of them made their way over to where Wickham was overtly flirting with Lydia.

Darcy motioned to Mrs Annesley, who discretely pulled Georgiana over to the shadows where Darcy could talk to his sister without revealing his presence. “What is going on, Mrs Annesley?”

“Miss Darcy was introduced to Miss Lydia Bennet and it was suggested that being of almost the same age they might get along well. It seems that Miss Darcy believes that her connections allow her to slight others who would be her friends,” Mrs Annesley answered.

Georgiana huffed. “That is not quite what happened. That little hussy has been flirting outrageously with Wickham. I merely said that I do not wish to be friends with an outrageous flirt.”

“My sister is a flirt, but not so outrageous,” Elizabeth snapped.

Georgiana snorted and looked Elizabeth dead in the eye. “Have you watched your sister? You’re not much better hiding in the shadows with my brother. Who knows what scandalous things you two are doing? After all, you allowed my brother to kiss you after only a few hours of knowing each other.”

“Would you impugn the character of your brother so completely?” Elizabeth demanded. “If so, sounds to me like you need to return to the nursery. Where you may bemoan your fate, losing the man you love and keep your filthy surmises in your head. Your brother is an honourable man. Not all men are ruled by their baser instincts. It would behove you to remember that it is your brother who has control over every aspect of your life.”

“And who are you to say such things? You are nothing to me! ” Georgiana sneered.

“I may be nothing to you, but to Lydia, I am an older sister and to your brother– the woman he’s courting. Therefore, I am one of the few women in England whose opinion of your behaviour has the potential to impact your life very directly,” Elizabeth informed her.

Intending to attack Elizabeth, Georgiana swung her fist wildly and caught her brother square in the jaw. Instantly, Darcy had her wrist in an almost vicelike grip.

“That is enough, Georgiana!” He told her. “You will not be dancing at all tonight, nor will you leave our table to socialise with anyone. Elizabeth is correct. You are not mature enough for society. How dare you call Miss Lydia Bennet a flirt when you have been behaving like a bitch in heat since the beginning of the year? If Wickham has lost interest in you, then I say that is his good fortune. He may be encouraging Miss Lydia right now, but neither of them has behaved so poorly as to embarrass their relations. Certainly, neither of them has attempted to attack anyone.”

“So I am supposed to treat your whore and her family with respect rather than the contempt they deserve. The whole family is disgusting,” Georgiana contemptuously responded.

“You are supposed to treat everyone with respect regardless of situation and rank.” Had he been in a brighter area of the ballroom, the scowl and contempt on his face would have frightened her. “As for your comment about Elizabeth, you have overstepped. You will apologise for calling her such a foul name, or….”

“Or what? I’ll be sent back to school? I’ll be locked in my room with bread and lemonade? You’ve done that before!” Georgiana reminded him. “It’s always the same thing, which never makes any difference.”

Elizabeth glared at the young girl and crossed her arms.

“Which is obviously not working at the moment. I guess that we will have to find another way to get it through to you that your behaviour is not acceptable,” Darcy remonstrated. “We will leave it right now that you are not going to dance or socialise for the rest of the night. You’re going to stay right at this table where Mrs Annesley, Fitzwilliam, and I will know exactly what is going on!”

“Tell me how my behaviour is so wrong, while you do the same thing and get away with it?” Georgiana snapped.

Darcy almost threw his head back and laughed raucously. However, Elizabeth gave him a sharp dig in the ribs, bringing him back to the present with a snap. “You think I got away with my behaviour, do you? Elizabeth and I are now officially courting. Her father believes that I have given overt attention to both Elizabeth and Kitty because he cannot tell the difference between Christopher and myself. Aside from the fact that Elizabeth and I have just entered into a courtship, Mr Bennet believes that I am playing around and not serious about Elizabeth. He has given me three months to decide between the two girls. When quite frankly, there is no choice to be made because I have no interest in Kitty and Christopher no interest in Elizabeth. My situation, little sister, is very different from yours. You, do not have an irate father chasing you to decide about a young man! I assure you I have not gotten away with anything. Tell me, have you seen me flirting and raising expectations with any woman other than Elizabeth?”

Georgiana shrugged. “Doesn’t Aunt Catherine believe that you are engaged to Anne?”

“You have seen me around Anne. Do you see me flirting with her and raising any further expectations? Do you see either of us behaving as if we have even an inkling of interest in each other? Tell me, how am I a hypocrite?” Darcy grouchily demanded.

At that point, Elizabeth drew their attention to two gentlemen who were talking across the room. “Look at those gentlemen, Miss Darcy.” Elizabeth pointed to two men in the corner. “One of them is a known flirt who has ruined several reputations. The other is one of our most respectable gentlemen in the area. Watch both of them during the night. The one closest to the window is Mr Jones and the other is Mr Matthews. I want you to tell me after the last dance which is which. I also want you to observe the reactions of those around them. I want you to also observe my sister, Lydia, and the response of those around her. Also, my mother. Now my mother is inappropriate in her behaviour, but she is respectable. Yet, ask your brother and cousin what their honest opinion of my mother is. I am sure that it is far less flattering than anything that they would say to me.”

“Elizabeth, that is not fair!” Darcy exclaimed. “I think that Fitzwilliam covered it neatly when speaking to your father.”

Elizabeth giggled. “Poor papa thought that it was you talking to him.”

“That is not the point. What Fitzwilliam said was correct.” Darcy winced as he was about to continue. However, what he was going to say was lost by what happened next. A fight had broken out at the other end of the room and the dancing had become interrupted. “I wonder what Wickham said....”

* * *

F itzwilliam already felt angry that Mr Bennet had unwittingly questioned the honour of Darcy and himself – that, he had to admit, was deserved. He and Darcy were switching places and allowing the neighbourhood to believe that they were the same person. He could understand why Mr Bennet would believe that he was his cousin. He had, however, managed to pull off mollifying Mr Bennet. He hoped that he had, anyway. He had admitted that there were two men who looked exactly the same. For Fitzwilliam, it seemed to be somewhat amazing that Mr Bennet had not believed him. That had left Fitzwilliam on edge, but Wickham’s behaviour was confusing. Fitzwilliam wanted to know what it was that was going on in Wickham’s mind.

Fitzwilliam waited on the side of the dance floor talking quietly with Catherine. He watched Wickham for an opportunity to talk. Catherine showed herself to be a lot more intelligent than she had at first appeared to be. Also, her behaviour appeared to change at some point during their first dance. Fitzwilliam was not entirely sure as to what was going on, but he was entirely sure that Catherine was hiding who and what she was. He enjoyed the fact that she was as much of a mystery to discover as much as the new neighbourhood was. Fitzwilliam felt a little consternation at having found a young lady who was intelligent and who stirred interest in him. He listened intently and wondered. However, he had a secret that he had not yet told his cousin. Darcy assumed that Fitzwilliam had sold his commission. However, Fitzwilliam had proven himself far too valuable to his regiment and having no estate of his own to care for, Fitzwilliam had been persuaded that he would have a period of absence – perhaps spanning years to deal with the upbringing of Georgiana. Should the army require him to lead his regiment into battle, Fitzwilliam would be recalled. Darcy had thought that Fitzwilliam had retired. It was true that Fitzwilliam had intended to take retirement. Upon tendering his resignation at Horse Guards, his superiors had made many valid arguments – not the least being that the war with Napoleon on the continent was dragging on for a long time. Never mind that America continued to be troublesome. Fitzwilliam had felt as though he could not fully retire. That had only been a couple of months ago and he was already bored. Civilian life did not suit him. At least he had thought that it did not. However, if there were intelligent women around then perhaps, he could survive this new life. There was a chance that he could create a new life for himself. Or maybe he was simply deceiving himself that he could settle down. He did not know.

It did not take long before he spotted his chance to speak to Wickham. He excused himself and made his way over to where Wickham stood. “Have you forgotten Georgie that quickly?” Fitzwilliam demanded.

“How could I forget her?” Wickham asked. “However, you and your cousin made it perfectly clear that I was to make it appear as though I had no more interest in her. Miss Lydia is nothing like the women I have any interest in. Her flirtations are childish at best. She has no idea of what it means for a woman to flirt with a man. I am not entirely sure what I am doing. I have done nothing that would raise any kind of expectations. I am simply passing my time until I can claim my bride.”

Fitzwilliam studied Wickham closely. “You do know that Georgiana has seen your encouragement of Miss Bennet?”

For a moment, Wickham’s face brightened. “She is here?” He enquired before a practised mask of belligerence dropped over his face.

“Yes, Georgie is here. Darcy returned to Town earlier in the week full of his conversation with Miss Elizabeth and anxious to return. We discussed how to return at length. I have to advise you that Georgiana’s behaviour has gotten worse, not better. The only solution was for him to bring her with him on his return.”

Wickham frowned. “I know that I was wild in the old days and that I am not doing a very good job of proving that I have changed now. If I could perhaps court her, I might be able to encourage her to behave with more decorum.”

Fitzwilliam chuckled. “And what if she does not change? Could you live with having made a wife of a girl who could disgrace you at every turn? Flirting with all, leading to the disgrace of your name?”

“I have disgraced my name more than she ever could,” Wickham admitted.

Fitzwilliam shook his head. “Georgiana is not a plaything. I wonder if she will come right. I do not believe, however, that you will be able to change her. Goodness knows we have no way of getting through to her.”

“You and Fitz are having to act like parents to her. She is confused as to how to respond. It is harder for you to reach her. She might respond better to myself or someone her own age or to someone she wishes to impress. Let me try,” Wickham begged.

Fitzwilliam shook his head. “You are still proving yourself and bettering your lot. Georgiana is too young. She doesn’t yet understand the ways of the world. We’re asking for a year to try and reach her. Surely that is not unreasonable.”

Wickham sighed. “I’d be happier if you would allow me to court her properly over the year.”

“So you can fill her head with sweet nothings and not change. I think not! I have yet to be convinced that you are truly wishing to change. Your choice of company certainly doesn’t fill me with any kind of assurance on that score. Perhaps we made a mistake allowing you to even prove that you have changed!” Fitzwilliam goaded Wickham.

Wickham ignored Fitzwilliam’s jibes. “What about you?” He asked with a sneer.

“Me? I’m neither the one doing the courting nor interested in my cousin. In fact, I would be happy to be a bachelor going back to the front. That is hardly likely when my cousin needs greater oversight from her brother and me.” Fitzwilliam began to lounge against the wall. “I merely need to find a way to pass my time until I can go back to my regiment.”

“And does Miss Catherine Bennet know that you are using her to pass the time ? Or perhaps you are hoping that she will simply fall in with your wishes. Tell me does she know that you are planning on giving her a bastard or two before you leave her? I understand there was certainly one or two in Spain before you left....” Wickham wheedled Fitzwilliam.

“You and I both know that I have more respect for a gentleman’s daughter than that!” Fitzwilliam bit back.

“Do you?” Wickham asked. “If I remember rightly, my first forays into wildness and excess were encouraged by you.”

A small grin appeared on Fitzwilliam’s face with the memory. “And an apt pupil you were too. All the second sons seemed to admire your willingness to follow us into excess. It was the most fun. However, none of us expected you to become the wastrel and libertine that you did! You took things too far.”

Wickham leant back on one of the columns that stood silent and cold around the room. “And you encouraged that as well. All of that I could forgive, except that you kept quiet when I was despised for my actions. Yet, how was I any worse than you or your other friends? In school, we all gambled and flirted and generally had a good time. Even Fitz took part for a while before his father put a stop to it.”

“We all had a time of being reckless. Most of my wild years were spent in the army, where I didn’t dare be as careless as you were. Fitz gained responsibility too young. You were the only truly free spirit amongst us. My brother, Fitz, and I were expected to be credits to our noble family names. That kept us all in check. You need to prove those days are over!” Fitzwilliam ordered. “Neither Fitz nor I have been so wild since we were in school. Once in society, we had to grow up — fast! The mere hint of wildness, when I joined the army, had a soldier getting fifty lashes.” Fitzwilliam looked around him. “I still carry the scars from a particularly wild night when I was eighteen!”

“That bad?” Wickham asked swallowing.

“Worse!” Fitzwilliam laughed. “I was lucky as I started at ensign level. Officers don’t tend to get the lash as much as those below us. However, I still have those scars.”

Wickham blanched. “I’ve not had even the threat of the lash yet. I don’t have any chance if you managed to be whipped.”

“You have a better chance than I did. You’ve already seen the error of your ways,” Fitzwilliam assured him.

Wickham shook his head. “You give me more credit than I deserve. I am reforming, but it’s a difficult road ahead. How did you change?”

Fitzwilliam dropped his gaze to the floor. “My commanding officers changed me. I was given the worst jobs and forced to work hard within the ranks. I earned every promotion I got. Yes, I was able to buy my promotion, but my commanding officers saw the potential in me and forced me to work hard to get my promotion approved. They all worked me hard enough that it was not long until my father’s upbringing and my commanding officer’s training had me coming right.”

Wickham glanced over at Colonel Forster, who at that moment seemed to be flirting with the young ladies just as much as his officers were. “I’m not sure Colonel Forster sees anything in me. He trains all of us as he ought, but he’s as bad as his men. I often feel as though I am fighting a losing battle against my demons.”

“Keep fighting. Do you want to go into the regulars? I think there are a few ensign opportunities open. I still have friends at Horse Guards and we could aid you to get your start. I also know the best regiments to go into,” Fitzwilliam suggested.

Wickham sucked in his breath. “Why would you do that for me?”

Fitzwilliam shrugged. “Call it me wanting to make up for the past. I did you a disservice when we were young.”

“No, you did not. I would have been wild anyway. You are right, I took it too far. At one time, I had no idea what I was doing,” Wickham admitted. “My father was a younger son and tried to train me up to be a gentleman, gave me all the same training that Fitz had, too. My mother was a well-respected governess. She couldn’t believe my father would give up his legal business to be the Darcys’ steward. However, she was not a gentleman’s daughter. Her father was a rough tradesman. She was used to having as much money as she liked from her father and made my father poor. I took after her too much. She would punish my father in fits of petulance. She was not fit to be a mother. Nobody quite knew what it was that happened to her after she disappeared. My father pined for her, but I simply want to know the truth.”

“Do you think your mother is still alive?” Fitzwilliam asked.

Wickham shrugged. “For all I know she could be dead in a ditch somewhere. I have no idea.”

“Sounds like you don’t care,” Fitzwilliam flippantly spat. “Tell me do you care for anyone other than yourself?”

“Of course, I care! I may be a bastard who leaves women I’ve flirted with, but I’d never put a woman in danger. What kind of a beast do you think I am?” Wickham demanded.

“I don’t know! We parted ways many years ago. For all I know, you could be a murderer,” Fitzwilliam tossed out.

Wickham stiffened. He leant forward and hissed into the colonel’s ear, “That’s you, Fitzwilliam! I know about Mackenzie and Dawson.”

Fitzwilliam blanched slightly. “That was strictly in the line of duty.”

“Keep telling yourself that. Tell me, how do you sleep at night? We all went to school together. Doesn’t it bother you?” Wickham asked.

“Of course, it bothers me! However, they were traitors to their country and I was under orders,” Fitzwilliam defended himself.

“Never accuse me of being a murderer. I am many things, but I can honestly say I’ve never taken a man’s life,” Wickham declared.

Fitzwilliam changed the subject swiftly hoping nobody had overheard their conversation. A slight fear rippled through him. Would Mr Bennet allow him or Darcy near either of his daughters if he had heard that? It didn’t truly matter. However, their change of subject was worse for the two men. Wickham was determined to goad Fitzwilliam and Fitzwilliam both rose to the bait and goaded Wickham back. It was not long until one of them threw the first punch, though later on neither of them would remember either why they were fighting or who had begun it.

* * *

E lizabeth sighed as Darcy, Georgiana, and she watched the fight ensuing at the other end of the room. “You and I will not be able to have our last dance.” She watched as the two military officers fought dirty. It was not long until both were covered in bruises and were sporting injuries.

“EVERY OFFICER OF THE MILITIA BACK TO CAMP — NOW!” Colonel Forster called over the noise of the ballroom.

Elizabeth watched, as instantly, Wickham straightened up and went to walk away from Fitzwilliam. However, Fitzwilliam said something to him that made him glare back at the man until Captain Denny finally dragged Wickham away. “I’m sorry, I must go into the ballroom,” she told Darcy.

Darcy wrapped his arms around her waist. “No, I want you here with me for a few moments longer. When you go in you are going to have to be concerned over Fitzwilliam’s injuries. Your father would expect nothing less than that from you as he thinks that Fitzwilliam is me.” He groaned. “Perhaps it is time to end the ruse. This is getting far too complicated.”

Elizabeth turned in his arms and grinned. “Not yet.” She reached up and cupped his face. “ YOU have not fought with anyone. I think we will keep it like this for now. If anyone asks why I wasn’t rushing to your side, I will tell them that it was not you who was fighting. I do not think that anyone will believe us, so you two can keep up your ruse. However, next time we are out in society, have Colonel Fitzwilliam go with Bingley and have Bingley introduce him as himself. Let people know that there are two of you that look almost the same. Keep Georgiana home next time.”

“You would take me out of society so that my brother and our cousin can keep up their ruse?” Georgiana demanded.

Elizabeth turned around again and glared at the impertinent girl. “While I was talking to your brother and not you, I will explain just this once. Remember that you are not out, therefore you do not automatically have the right to be in society. While your brother needs to get through to you that your behaviour is not acceptable, the reason you are to stay home is that your brother needs to stay home. Fitzwilliam has had a whole night of my conversation, let your cousin, Christopher, have a whole night of conversation with my sister — uninterrupted !”

Darcy looked stunned. “Elizabeth, I do not quite understand. What will my sister and I staying home during the next social event accomplish?”

Elizabeth pulled Darcy back onto the balcony, glaring at his sister. “I didn’t wish to discuss it further in front of Georgiana. She is pushing boundaries to see what she can get away with. I do not know why your cousin, Fitzwilliam, managed to get into a fight with Mr Wickham tonight. However, if we do not introduce your cousin to society properly, then we can wave goodbye to my father allowing our courtship to proceed. Also by introducing him to society at the next event, we hopefully clear your name of the fight. He has obvious bruising right now and until that heals any switch you make won’t have any effect as you do not have the same bruising. Even if he beat you up, he would not catch you in the same way that Wickham caught him. As much as I would love for you to court me properly and openly, we will have to make do with letters until he is healed. Also, from what I have seen so far your sister loves society and is pushing the boundaries that she can get away with. She needs to be deprived of it for a bit. It is not being unsociable. Your cousin will be abroad. Nobody will know if it is you or Fitzwilliam since you look identical and it is only first introductions where you are introduced.”

“I lose precious time with you,” Darcy complained.

Elizabeth grinned. “I usually walk first thing in the morning. Usually between seven and eight, although I have been known to go out at six-thirty of a morning and not return until ten or eleven in the morning and thereby have skipped breakfast completely. Tomorrow I shall be a bit later likely between eight or nine because of the ball tonight. I suppose nobody could gainsay it if we were to meet in the lanes of a morning. Do not bring your sister ! On second thoughts, do bring her. The exercise will be beneficial and nobody could say that we were not chaperoned.”

“She will be an embarrassment, Elizabeth,” Darcy grumbled.

“She will, however, get what she needs more than anything — the attention of her brother. I wonder if that is what she is missing out on. Where are your parents?” Elizabeth asked.

Darcy took a deep breath. “Dead.”

“I’m sorry. I did not mean to hurt you,” she answered.

Darcy shrugged. “My mother died when I was sixteen and my father when I was twenty-two. I miss them every day, there’s so much I would like to have said or done. So many questions I have, but they are not here. I had no idea how to parent my little sister and now….” He blushed, though Elizabeth could not see his embarrassment. “Elizabeth, I have other concerns, questions that are arising, but I have no one to ask.” He caressed her cheek. “My dear, if you have questions ask them. I know your mother is brash and off-putting, but she does know things that you do not. Do not be afraid of her gossiping. We are courting and there will be questions that arise. I want you to feel as though you do not need to worry about it. Cherish your parents while they are here.”

Elizabeth sighed and surrendered to his caress. “You have no idea what a Pandora’s box asking any questions of my mother would open.” She swallowed and looked at the ground. “I do have certain questions. Ones I would rather ask you later.”

Darcy turned her face up to his. “You can ask me anything. Anything at all.”

“You will regret telling me that!” She retorted.

Darcy leant in and stole a kiss. Pulling back he asked, “If I do not regret that, how can I regret anything you might ask?”

Elizabeth wondered at him. “I really ought to….”

“Lizzy must be here somewhere. It’s not like her to disappear for so very long. If I had not witnessed the fight and then Kitty caring for Fitzwilliam, I should have thought that she was with Fitzwilliam. Oh, where can that girl have gotten to?” Mrs Bennet lamented.

Elizabeth placed her fingers on Darcy’s lips and broke free. Stepping into the light she lightly said, “I’m sorry, mama. I was making Miss Darcy’s acquaintance and needed some air. I will be back in a moment.”

“You were making Miss Darcy’s acquaintance, were you? Well, that is a good sign. No need to rush if Miss Darcy is with you. Your absence from the ballroom has been noted, so I advise you to return quickly before people talk. On second thought, if you are requested to join their party accept the invitation. Do everything you can to make yourself agreeable. Otherwise, you may find yourself losing out to Kitty, who is treating your young man’s wounds,” Mrs Bennet gushed.

“What wounds?” Elizabeth asked. “How bad is he?”

“Oh, it’s minor. Some bruising and a few cuts. I’m not sure which of those gentlemen came off worse,” Mrs Bennet declared.

Elizabeth groaned slightly. Her mother did not know that Elizabeth felt little concern because she knew it wasn’t Darcy who had been fighting. “I will try to put Miss Darcy’s mind at rest.”

Mrs Bennet sighed. “Aye, perhaps that is best. Make sure you are seen at their table. Stop skulking in the shadows. Your father and I are most worried.”

Mrs Bennet fluttered away.

Darcy sucked in his breath as Elizabeth turned. “I’m sorry. The wind has blown your hairstyle out.” He pulled her into the doorway, but stayed far enough away from their table so as not to be overheard. “You look rather like I have been kissing you.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “My hair always falls out when I’m dancing anyway.”

Darcy chuckled but would not elaborate further. They moved over and joined Georgiana who was sulking at the table alone. Mrs Annesley had accepted a dance while Fitzwilliam was being tended to by Catherine and berated by Bingley. The dancing had resumed, but it had lost some of its sparkle. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth danced again and the Netherfield party left the ball early. Elizabeth and Catherine begged their mother to leave early too, but Mrs Bennet would not hear of it. Mary had to have her chance to find someone too.