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D arcy heard the carriage, which he knew carried his cousin and sister, clattering up the drive and drawing to a stop in front of Netherfield, as he sat in the drawing room with a book in his lap and his eyes closed.

What a day it had been! His nerves were positively frayed. What with, first, Wickham appearing, and then, Mr. Collins spouting his foolishness.

Miss Bennet had not been wrong in her assessment of her father’s reaction to hearing how Mr. Collins had talked about his daughters.

In truth, it had only been the knowledge that he might cause trouble for the Bennet ladies which had kept Mr. Bennet from demanding that the man depart from Longbourn immediately.

As it was, Mr. Collins had been told in very clear language that he was not a welcome guest, but a guest none-the-less, which gave him time, Mr. Bennet had said, to repair the damage he had done.

It had also been made abundantly clear that Collins was not to even consider making an offer for any of Mr. Bennet’s daughters.

Darcy chuckled softly to himself as he wondered how glad Miss Mary would be to hear that. She had not yet returned home before the decree had been made, but he imagined that her relief would be great once she did return, and the news was relayed to her.

Just down the corridor, the front door opened, interrupting his thoughts.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy to see Mr. Darcy,” he heard his cousin say.

There was some shuffling in the room, but it was not enough to make Darcy lift his head from where it rested against the wing of the chair in which he sat. No, he would continue to perpetrate his ruse of sleep until he heard his cousin and sister being announced.

To be clear, he did not continue to pretend because of a lack of eagerness to see Georgiana or Richard. His reason was that he had just had enough of trying individuals for the day, and therefore, he did not wish to be addressed in any fashion by either of Bingley’s sisters.

“My, your brother must be growing very old, Georgie, for he has fallen asleep just like Great Aunt Mathilda does in the late afternoon once her tea has been had.”

Darcy shook his head and opened his eyes. “I am not sleeping. I am –”

“Resting my eyes,” Richard finished the protest in a high, feeble voice just as their great aunt would do.

Darcy lay his book to the side and rose from his chair. “Truly, I was not sleeping.” He sighed as he saw a grinning Bingley standing behind Richard. “But I suppose you were told that I was?”

Bingley’s head bobbed up and down as his smile grew.

Richard laughed. “Indeed, we were.”

“We were also told that you were not truly sleeping. Mr. Bingley is, after all, an honest sort of gentleman.” Georgiana crossed the room and walked straight into Darcy’s open arms. “I am very glad to see you.”

“Not half as glad as I am to see you.”

“Why was Mr. Darcy pretending to be asleep?” Louisa Hurst asked.

“Likely for the same reason I do,” Mr. Hurst answered. “His ears were tired of listening to you and your sister.”

“You pretend to be asleep when you no longer wish to listen to me?” Louisa cried in affronted surprise.

“My father does the same to my mother and sister,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “It is much easier to feign sleep than to fabricate an excuse to quit the room – especially when he does not wish to leave his dearest’s side.”

“Oh, well, I suppose that is rather lovely, then, is it not, Caroline?” Louisa asked.

“I am not sure it is.”

Miss Bingley had been far less agreeable ever since it had been made known to her that Darcy was enamoured with Elizabeth and her hopes were well and truly gone. Not even the promise of a willing suitor in possession of a title could completely draw her out of her moroseness.

“I think it is sweet,” Georgiana said. “However, I also think it would be better to just say that one’s ears are tired.”

If Darcy had thought that either Louisa or Caroline would have ceased talking to him if he had said something so direct, he might have said it. However, he knew how Bingley’s sisters could be. They often ignored what was said to them if they did not wish to hear it.

“I suppose that is the best,” Darcy agreed. “But sometimes, it is not the most effective.” He squeezed her tightly in a second embrace. “Was your trip good?”

“It was delightful. Richard can be very entertaining, you know.”

Darcy did know that. “And how did our cousin amuse you during the drive?”

“He snored quite loudly for thirty minutes with only two pauses to snort and shift positions.”

“I did not!”

“I assure you that you did,” Georgiana replied. “And then, he read to me as he often does.”

Her bright smile was something that Darcy had missed. It had been chased away by Wickham at Ramsgate, so it was comforting to see that her good humour was returning. Hopefully, it would remain on the mend when she heard that the miscreant was only a few miles away.

“May I see both of you to your rooms?” he asked. “I have much to tell you.”

“I should say you do!” Richard draped an arm across Darcy’s shoulder. “Your letter was… interesting. Mother was certain I might need Aunt Matty’s salts from my response to reading it. Therefore, I feel it is incumbent on you to tell me forthwith about this lady who has captured your heart.”

“Oh, yes, please do!” Georgiana cried.

“What do you know about a lady who has captured my heart?” Darcy knew the answer to that, but he simply could not pass up the opportunity to tease his sister. He had not felt as if he could be so playful with her since before the dreadful events of the past summer.

“I let her read the missive,” Richard answered. “It seemed only right for her to know that she might have a sister awaiting her here.”

Louisa huffed. “Charles can make sure you get to the correct rooms.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Caroline needs to finish adding this lace to her dress for the ball. Mr. Warren is attending, you know.”

“No, I did not know, but I am happy to hear it. Has he made an offer?” Richard inquired as Darcy and Georgiana moved toward the corridor.

“Not yet, but we are hopeful,” Caroline replied.

“Then, allow me to offer my sincerest congratulations and wish you Godspeed in your quest.” He bowed.

“However, my dressmaking skills are dreadfully wanting, so if you will excuse me, I will go rid myself of my travelling clothes in favour of something more suitable for dining. We will be dining soon, will we not?”

Bingley snorted in laughter. Richard was known for his love of food.

“It is yet an hour before we must get ready for dinner." There was a note of only just contained laughter in Bingley's tone. “I will see that some refreshment is brought above stairs for you to enjoy as you and your cousins discuss news.”

“You are joining us as well, are you not?” Darcy asked.

“I would not miss it for any inducement.”

“Unless, of course, the inducement is the arrival of your angel – Darcy told me that he is not alone in having fallen for the charms of a Bennet lady.” Richard walked beside Bingley as they followed Darcy and Georgiana to the grand staircase.

“Ah, but she will not be arriving. I have already seen her today, so there is no need for her to call on me. Not that I would not welcome a visit, of course, but she knows you were supposed to arrive and would not wish to detract from all the attention you deserve to receive.”

Richard’s laughter echoed off the walls. “Am I due a great deal of attention?”

“Miss Bennet would likely say that you are,” Bingley answered. “She has a heart of gold, and I am sure her kindness would extend to even you.”

Richard clapped him on the back. “I have missed having you and Darcy around to make sport of me and to whom I can return the favour in kind.”

Darcy had to agree that having Richard here with him and Bingley did feel like a set had been completed. It always felt thus when the three of them were in company. He truly had no better friends than these.

“There is a sitting area in both rooms,” Bingley said as they approached the two rooms next to Darcy’s, which would be Georgiana’s and Richard’s during their stay.

“Since I do not have a maid or man seeing to my things,” Darcy inserted, “we will gather in my room. I am just the next door down from you,” he added to Georgiana.

“I am to be surrounded by guards, am I?”

Darcy chuckled. “Yes, for you are most precious.” This earned him a hug before his sister disappeared into her room.

“Do not be long in joining us,” he said to Richard. “Not all the news is pleasant.”

Richard’s head tipped. “Is that so?”

“Sadly, yes,” Bingley replied. “Wickham is in Meryton.”

A rumbling, growling sound emanated from Richard.

“He has joined the militia, though he had not yet gotten his uniform when we saw him this morning,” Bingley continued as he and Darcy followed Richard into his room.

“He has joined the militia? Him? The fellow who seems to think there are no rules that apply to him? That could be a fun bit of entertainment to watch.” He waved his man away.

“You can see to my things later. I only need to change out of these travelling clothes so that they can be brushed out.” He sat down and began working on removing his boots.

“Do you need assistance with your cravat?” his man asked.

“I will not be wearing it until it is time to dine, so just return then. I am sure you have your things to put away. For just this time, you may tend to your things before mine.”

“The blue breeches and coat, sir?”

“Yes, yes, those would be perfect, but again, I will not need the coat for an hour.”

“Yes, sir. I will return in one hour.” The man took the suit from the open trunk and placed it, with the coat, cravat, stockings, and shirt on the bed near Richard before ducking out of the room.

“He forgot my slippers,” Richard grumbled as he began removing his clothes.

“I will get them for you,” Darcy offered. “You should know that Wickham mentioned Georgie when we saw him.”

“He what?”

“It was only a passing comment,” Darcy continued in a tone that he hoped would keep his cousin from dashing off to do Wickham harm before the whole of the tale could be explained. “And the meaning of it was hidden to all but Bingley and me.”

“And Darcy made sure to inform him that you were planning to visit,” Bingley added. “I do think all will be as well as can be when dealing with a fellow like Wickham, since he knows you are here. However, it is best to be prepared for trouble.”

And Wickham was trouble. They all knew it. He had been so all his life. He laughed at honour and scoffed at decorum.

That being said, he did not shun either completely. He retained just enough of each to construct a convincing facade of charm and elegance.

Had his ability to place a winning wager ever been as abundant as his ability to play a part, he would likely be the wealthiest man in England by now.

“Unfortunately, Wickham is not the only bit of unpleasantness,” Darcy said as he placed Richard’s shoes near his feet.

The man was not slow in dressing, for he was nearly finished in the time it took to fetch his footwear. Of course, he would need a minute or two to straighten the clothes he had discarded in a heap on the bed before they could move to Darcy’s room to meet with Georgiana.

“Our aunt has a new parson,” Darcy continued. “He happens to be a distant cousin to the Bennets and the daftest fool I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. Your assistance will be needed where he is concerned.”

“Indeed?” The question was filled with curiosity.

“He has been told not to even consider making an offer for one of Mr. Bennet’s daughters, but he is not astute.”

Richard held up a hand. “No. Absolutely not!”

“I have not even finished my request,” Darcy protested.

“Unless you were going to ask me to dispatch the fellow, the answer is no.”

“You would leave innocent ladies unprotected, would you?” Bingley inserted, earning him a glower.

“They have a father for that purpose, as well as you and Darcy.”

“But Miss Mary –” Darcy attempted again to make his request, only to be cut off.

“No,” Richard repeated. “I do not wish to play with fire.” He gave Darcy a pointed look. “You know what happened when my brother tried to avoid my mother’s attempts to match him. He ended up married to the lady who was helping him avoid Mother!”

“And happily so,” Darcy protested. “I do not think I have seen a better match.” He hurried behind his cousin, who was already at the door.

“No. I am not going to do it.”

“Would it help persuade you to consider the plan if I told you that she is not keen to be matched with you?” Bingley asked as they traversed the short distance from Richard’s room to Darcy’s.

Richard drew to a stop. “She is not interested in me?” He shook his head. “She has not even met me.”

“And you have not met her,” Bingley countered.

“He has a point,” Darcy agreed. “How can you refuse her without meeting her?”

“She has refused me without so much as a how do you do . I do not see why I need to give her any more attention than she has given me.”

“Who does Richard not want to meet?” Georgiana asked as she joined them.

“Miss Mary Bennet,” Bingley said. “She is a lovely girl in a plain and outspoken sort of fashion.”

“How can she be both lovely and plain?” Richard asked as they entered Darcy’s room.

“I think the only bit of lace she owns is the one she purchased today to spite her cousin.” Elizabeth had told Darcy about Mary’s extreme dislike for Mr. Collins.

“So then, the plain part is only in regard to her wardrobe?” For a fellow who was not interested in being matched, Richard sure was curious about the lady with whom he did not wish to be paired.

“No, not completely,” Bingley took a seat in Darcy’s sitting room. “She pales in comparison to Miss Bennet, but she is not wanting in handsomeness. She just does not have great heaps of it.”

“The beauty of a lady’s face is not as important as the beauty of her heart,” Georgiana said. “Now, if we could speak about Miss Mary’s heart, I think that would be better. I assume it is not plain?”

Darcy chuckled. “You are correct, of course. I think that Miss Mary’s heart hold some beauty, though I have not known her long enough to discover it.”

“We would not want to damage that beauty by playing with her affections.” Georgiana gave each of them a look that would make the sternest governess proud.

“We would never do that!” Bingley cried. “We were merely suggesting a mutual arrangement where Richard and Miss Mary spent time together so that she would not have to be put upon by Mr. Collins.”

“Does Miss Mary know about this, then?”

“No, not yet,” Bingley answered. “We thought it best to present the idea to Richard first.”

“But Richard is not amenable to the scheme,” Richard said. “So, we will mark this discussion as concluded, and you can begin the next by telling us about Miss Mary’s sister who is likely to become my cousin.”