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O utside Netherfield, torches and lanterns lit the driveway and entrance.

Inside, hearths were laid with logs and candles and lamps of all sorts gave a bright and welcoming glow to the rooms that would be visited by Bingley’s neighbours tonight.

All was ready and spectacularly so. Carriages would soon start to arrive, and the festivities of the night would begin in earnest.

Darcy stood at the window in the well-lit drawing room, watching the far end of the driveway.

It had been four days since he had seen Elizabeth, and he was finding that to be four days too many.

How long did a fellow have to wait to secure the lady who had captured his heart.

Surely, he could propose now and marry her before Christmas, could he not?

Beside him, Richard chuckled softly. “Are you actually eager for a soiree to begin?” The question was posed softly so that none, but Darcy, would hear him.

“Strangely, yes.” Would he be as impatient if it had not been for those four days of rain? Most likely. How had he ever thought that he could live a lifetime without Elizabeth when mere hours and days of separation left him feeling fidgety and as if something was missing?

“Mother would be shocked.”

“I am sure she would be, since I astonish myself.” He turned toward the door to the room as it opened and felt a catch in his chest. Georgiana was looking more and more like their mother each day, and there was no denying that she was just about ready to make her grand entrance to society.

For dressed as she was, she was the very image of a debutante of high standing. “She is beautiful, is she not?”

“Exceptionally, so,” Richard answered. “Mother often comments on how she looks like your mother.”

“I was just thinking that very thing.” He sighed. “Must we truly present her to society soon?”

Richard shook his head as if he agreed with not presenting Georgiana just yet, but, in contradiction to his actions, said, “Yes, we must. She is nearly ready for the challenge – likely more ready than most debs due to her most recent unplanned and disagreeable lesson from a certain blackguard.”

“Speaking of which…” Darcy let the rest of his thoughts hang suspended in the space between them and expressed them only in the arch of one eyebrow.

“I will not draw blood at a ball,” Richard answered. “Bingley made me swear it on the Bible in his study just minutes ago.”

“That does not mean you will not cause trouble, for blackening an eye or rendering a man insensible is not the same as drawing blood.” Darcy’s one arched eyebrow remained lifted, but his cousin pointedly ignored it as he smirked and straightened his coat – which did not need straightening.

It was a sure sign that Richard had already considered trouncing Wickham without a drop of blood being shed.

“Shall I procure Bingley’s Bible so that we can guarantee ourselves an evening without violence? ”

“Who is going to be violent?” Georgiana asked as she joined them near the window. “Surely, it is not my best loved cousin in all the world?” She fluttered her lashes at Richard.

“Is Cousin Anne attending?” Richard’s comment earned him a huff.

“My reputation,” Georgiana scolded, “may depend upon you claiming the title of my best loved cousin in all the world, especially since the title is rightfully yours.”

Richard drew a deep breath and then extended a hand to Georgiana, who took it.

After which, with a bow, he said, “I am at your service and shall not, as much as it is in my power to do, allow any harm to befall you or your reputation. But please know that it shall take a great deal of effort on my part to not damage the fellow who so justly deserves it after the way he treated you.”

When Richard had released her hand, she cupped his cheek with it. “You shall ever be my champion.”

“Not ever. Just until you have found a suitor to take my place,” Richard replied.

“Will I ever be allowed to look for one?” She peeked at her brother.

“Eventually, but not tonight.” He kissed his sister’s cheek. “You, my dear, look lovely and very grown up. I am afraid you will have to disappoint many gentlemen tonight when refusing their request for a dance.”

“That is very sweet of you to say.” She glanced at the window as a carriage could be heard on the driveway. “Do you really think Mr. Wickham will be here tonight?”

“Is there a chance to make your brother squirm?” Richard’s tone was dark.

“So … then … he will be?”

“I would be surprised if he were not in attendance,” Darcy agreed. “Stay close to me or Richard, or the Bennets or even Miss Bingley.” He knew that none of the people whom he listed would let Wickham get too close to Georgiana.

He had worried about Miss Lydia, but Elizabeth had assured him – four days ago – that while her youngest sister found Wickham handsome, she had refused to flirt with him at her aunt’s party.

Apparently, a soldier was a fine catch, unless he was a known gambler.

Miss Lydia liked the finer things in life and had no desire to end up tied to a penniless man, no matter how attractive he was.

“If you feel a need to retreat to your room,” Richard said, “find me, and I will escort you, since I do believe this is one soiree your brother will not wish to be taken away from.” He chuckled. “Mother would be in her glory to see him so, do you not think?”

“I most certainly do. How long has she been attempting to match him with someone?”

“Since I was twenty,” Darcy replied.

“That is a dreadfully long time,” Georgiana teased.

Darcy laughed. “I suppose it is to one so young as you.” He spared only a quick look for her as he replied, since the carriage which was standing before Netherfield’s door was the one for which he had been waiting.

Elizabeth was here.

“Come,” Darcy said. “We must greet people.”

Richard’s chuckle was not so soft as it had been. “I cannot believe the change in you,” he said as he and Georgiana followed Darcy from the room. “Love must do strange things to a fellow.”

“Strange, but wonderful,” Darcy said with a glance over his shoulder. “You should try it.”

“Oh, then your mother’s joy would be complete,” Georgiana agreed. “I dare say she has been trying to match you for even longer than she has my brother, since you are older than he.”

“I am only a year older than him – no, not even a year. A mere nine months. I would not say that it is that much longer that I have had to endure Mother.”

“Will you dance with Miss Mary?” Georgiana kept her voice low as they joined Bingley in the receiving line.

“Yes, I will, but only for your brother’s sake. Not for any other reason.”

Darcy chuckled at the stern glare with which Richard favoured Georgiana.

“I left Mother at home for a reason,” Richard grumbled.

“And I am her favourite niece for a reason,” Georgiana replied.

“And that reason is that your mother is not Aunt Catherine,” Richard retorted. “I will allow no other explanation.”

“That is not the only explanation, whether you allow it or not. There is also the fact that we are both eager to see you happily settled. I shall write to her later about all the ladies you charmed. Indeed, I will take notes while I am watching all the dancing so that I do not forget a detail.”

“You will do nothing of the sort!” Richard cried.

“I most certainly will, because she expressly requested that I do.”

“When?”

“Before we departed town. About the same time that Fitzwilliam’s invitation arrived.”

Richard huffed. “I will have enough trouble keeping myself from bloodying a blackguard. Please, do not provoke me with matchmaking.”

“As long as you dance with Miss Mary, I will not.”

“I already said I would.”

“Good.”

“I think I must speak with Mrs. Annesley when we return to town,” Richard muttered. “You are becoming far too pert.”

“You will do nothing of the sort,” Darcy said. “I like that she is returning to how she was.”

“That is only because she is not pushing you toward any ladies.”

“Then find one to attach yourself to, as I have done.”

A small growling sound rumbled from Richard, causing Georgiana to giggle just as the Bennets were being presented.

Darcy drew a deep breath as a sense of rightness enveloped him.

“You look lovely tonight,” he said upon finally being able to greet Elizabeth. “How many dances am I allowed?”

“Just the two which have already been promised,” Elizabeth answered.

“That is quite the misfortune, for I would be content to dance every one of them with you.”

“And he is not fond of dancing,” Richard interjected.

Elizabeth laughed. “Of that, I am aware. I first met him at a ball, and he danced with no one but Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, even though there were several young ladies without a partner.”

Richard chuckled. “I am not surprised. He truly is not fond of making conversation with people he has just met.”

“Well, I, for one, am shocked that he was not more noble,” Georgiana said.

Elizabeth took Georgiana’s hand. “I think he would have been more at ease had he not had a very precious someone on his heart.”

“I am not so sure of that,” Richard said. “He has been known to be rude to avoid things that make him uneasy before.” He grinned broadly. “Usually when I have pushed him beyond his bounds.”

“Or when Bingley has,” Darcy added. “Now, must we continue to speak about this? I am resolved to be all that a gentleman should be at this ball and plan to dance every set, even if they cannot all be with Miss Elizabeth.”

“Every set?” Mrs. Bennet’s eyes were wide. “You will not dance every set with him, Elizabeth. It just is not done.” She turned her attention back to Mr. Darcy. “Two will suffice. Three may be acceptable if you desire to push the bounds of propriety.”

“Do not fear, madame. Your daughter has already scolded me for asking for more sets than I should.” That should let Mrs. Bennet know that Elizabeth was not to be worried about.

“Elizabeth!” Her mother did not seem pleased.