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“I do practice a lot,” Darcy admitted modestly.

“Andrew and Richard informed us that you are a regular at Angelo’s.” James wondered if this was still true and Darcy nodded to allow that it was so. “When do you go next, William?”

“I plan to go tomorrow while my mother and Georgie are spending Pemberley’s hard-earned funds.” His three new cousins enjoyed discovering that Darcy had a dry wit as all three had decided that this was a man worth knowing.

“Would you object if James and I join you…” Tom started.

His cousin Wes interjected. “I too would like to be there, if that is agreeable to all of you.”

“I would be happy for all of you to join me, I will be there at eleven. Or if you like, you are welcome to come to Darcy House by half after ten and we can go together.” All three agreed that they would meet Darcy at his home at the suggested time.

“New opponents are always welcome,” Darcy agreed with a sly smile.

His three challengers smiled too, though sure that someone with the skill that their cousin had would make quick work of any of them with a foil.

In the study the four older men were just finishing their snifters when Lord Thomas turned to his friend, Lord Matlock.

“I am very impressed by your nephew, our new cousin, Matlock,” Bennet said with admiration, “I cannot think of another that would have attended to Lizzy’s reproofs the way that William did. Most impressive.”

“I agree Matlock,” the Duke of Bedford added while his brother-in-law Jersey nodded in agreement.

“When I first heard the story, my first reaction was revulsion at Darcy’s behaviour.

But the way that he has reacted shows a depth of character that few possess.

I agree with my brother; he is a most estimable young man. ”

“If I could, I would kiss Lizzy for shocking his prior bad behaviour out of him. We are all very proud of him and seeing the unbridled joy in my sister Anne watching her true son emerge once again. It is nought but a gift from God Himself!” Lord Matlock said with much approbation for his nephew.

“He performed a miracle of sorts,” Bennet agreed with a wide smile.

“To what do you refer, Thomas?” the Earl of Jersey inquired with a bemused look on his countenance.

“Lizzy forgave him, and she too has changed and learnt from the experience,” Bennet informed his family with fatherly pride. “Her anger at the time was righteous, but she has learned not to sketch a character on far too little evidence, to control her temper, and not make snap judgements.

“Matlock, your nephew saved Sarah and me having to have that talk with Lizzy. For too long she used what happened to me when I was entrapped as justification. I am very pleased with this unintended benefit.” The Duke thought for a moment, “To be fair, I believe your sister Anne’s influence had a big part in Lizzy’s changes. ”

“My sister has that effect sometimes,” Reginald stated.

As much as he missed his friend and brother-in-law George Darcy, every time that he prayed, he thanked God for returning his baby sister to them.

He knew how close Anne had come to passing, and if one were to talk of miracles, his sister being alive was a daily reminder to Reggie Fitzwilliam of God’s grace.

Even though there were a good number of peers present, seating for lunch was informal.

Lady Elizabeth ended up seated next to her cousin William.

The agreement to drop the appellation of ‘cousin’ during address as adopted by the four young men, was quickly taken up by all.

Darcy could not believe that he now had permission to call the lady by her familiar name.

Yes, things were definitely improving between them.

During the meal the conversation was as convivial as one would expect when family shared a meal.

Darcy was not willing to call her Lizzy…

yet; he hoped that they would arrive at a point that they would both feel comfortable with him using the shortened version of her name.

They canvassed some books that they had enjoyed, and both were very pleased to discover that the other had similar tastes in books.

They had found common ground; both were bibliophiles.

Elizabeth discussed her father’s libraries at both Bennet House and Longbourn and the collection of rare first editions that the Duke owned.

She was equally amazed when Darcy described the library at Pemberley.

There was no boasting or improper pride, just a description of what was.

Lady Anne pointed out that if anything, her son had understated the scope of the library.

He explained to the lady that his ancestor, Pierre D’Arcy, who had come to England’s shores with William the Conqueror, had brought a considerable collection of books with him and that after he had anglified his name to Darcy, he started collecting tomes in the English language as well.

The library was the work of many generations.

‘ The thought of this man showing me his library is not abhorrent, ’ Lady Elizabeth admitted to herself.

Things were changing, she could see herself becoming her cousin’s friend.

If one had asked her if that possibility existed in November of last year, the middle Bennet daughter would have recommended the person be consigned to Bedlam.

“A thank you is owed to you, Elizabeth,” Darcy said, when he saw her questioning look, he clarified, “Well, to you and your sisters. Georgie is back as she was before the blackguard tried to seduce her. In fact, she is far better than she used to be. Your vivacity is rubbing off on her, Cousin, and I for one could not be happier.”

Lady Elizabeth inclined her head and accepted the praise on behalf of her sisters and cousins who had all worked to draw Miss Darcy out, but the thought of the source of their Georgie’s pain gave her an opportunity to ask a question few others could answer.

“Richard warned us that the seducer will more than likely try some ill-advised scheme to avenge himself on me. Should I be concerned about him?”

“You never go anywhere without guards, do you?” he asked with no little concern.

“No, William, I do not. When we go out, if I am on my own, then my companion Miss Jones is with me and four footmen guards. If I ride Mercury without others, I then add a groom to that number. I am negotiating with Papa for as few as possible with me on my morning rambles. Two days a week I like to take a walk in Hyde Park. I am begging Papa’s indulgence to have only Biggs and Johns walk with me, at least then I would have the illusion of solitude. ”

“His Grace finds some mountain sized men. I assume Biggs is not a small man.” Both smiled as he was correct.

“Yes, he is aptly named as he is one of, if not the biggest, footmen that we employ as guards.” Elizabeth agreed with a playful smile.

The two were joined by Lady Anne, Georgiana, and Anne.

As soon as talk turned to the shopping expedition on the morrow, Darcy made a tactical retreat.

They had been so absorbed in their conversation that they had not noticed they were being observed by all at the table with them, the concern growing into amusement the longer their family watched, though all missed the look that passed between Lady Sarah and Lady Anne, both of them aware of Darcy’s attraction to their Lizzy, and they had seen the spark that had ignited in her eyes as she had talked to him.