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Georgiana threw her arms around Darcy as soon as he was shown into the drawing room. “Will! What are you doing in town? I thought you were in Hertfordshire. Did Mr. Bingley give the house up and return to London?”

Darcy returned her embrace and gave her a kiss on the forehead before he stepped further into the room to greet the rest of his relations.

He bowed cordially to his aunt and her two stepdaughters before shaking hands with Richard.

His cousin was obliged to use his left hand, as his right arm was in a sling. “What is this?”

Richard shook his head and laughed ruefully. “‘Tis but a scratch.”

Darcy took a seat beside Richard, frowning at the injury.

His cousin had already had too many close calls, and they never ceased to unsettle Darcy.

Even the countess looked troubled at the mention of it.

Lady Renata and Lady Regina merely simpered and smiled as Darcy answered his sister’s questions.

“Mr. Bingley is unlikely to quit Netherfield entirely - not any time soon, I do not think. He and I accompanied his sister and two of her friends to London. The ladies wish to do some shopping, and Miss Bingley wishes to meet the Miss Bennets’ relations here in town.

” To his aunt, Darcy said, “I did send word….”

“I did not receive your note until last evening; I thought Georgiana would enjoy the surprise,” she said with an indulgent smile for her niece.

“I can easily stay with Bingley if it would be inconvenient for you to house me,” Darcy said.

He glanced warily at his preening cousins.

They were the reason he had not decisively told his Aunt Catherine that he would never marry Anne; the earl and countess respected the so-called engagement, but the moment that illusion of his aunt’s was put to rest, he would have twice the headache with this branch of the family.

“Indeed, I shall likely stay there tonight, for I have agreed to dine with him.”

The countess gave a coquettish wave of her hand. “Nonsense; my staff have already prepared the room you prefer when you come to us.”

“I wonder you do not open Darcy House,” Regina mused, fidgeting with the ribbons around her rather low décolletage. “It is just as fine as Matlock House; what parties you might throw.”

“Yes, Darcy, why do you never throw parties?” Richard leaned back in his seat and gave Darcy a wicked look.

“I am sure I shall when Georgie is older. Until then, I see little point in opening Darcy House. I mean to be in town for a week at the most.”

“Shall we see much of Mr. Bingley and his sister?” Georgiana smiled hopefully at him.

Darcy nodded. “Miss Bingley is always eager to see you, and I believe you will like her new friends. They are Bingley’s nearest neighbors at an estate called Longbourn.

The eldest is very similar to you in disposition, while the second sister is gregarious like Bingley, nearly as impudent as a certain soldier we know, and very fond of reading. ”

Georgiana did not appear as pleased by this revelation as he had hoped, and the other ladies looked even less so.

“We only tolerate Richard’s impudence because we must,” Renata huffed. “Such a quality must be very unattractive in a lady - I wonder you would let such a country chit near your sister.”

“What curious friends Mr. Bingley has acquired, though at least he continues to mingle amongst the landed gentry,” Regina drawled.

“What an odd little party you must be. Dour Darcy, that silly puppy Bingley, his social climbing sister, and two country nobodies with no manners to speak of. We must be a refuge for you.”

The countess swatted at her charges. “The daughters of gentlemen must be an advantageous connection for Mr. Bingley, and if they have relations in town, they cannot be without some quality.”

Darcy and Richard shared a weary look while the countess called for tea, and then the latter cleared his throat and announced, “Darcy must wish to refresh himself from his journey. Come upstairs, Cousin. We can order you a bath, but there is a matter I would speak to you about first.”

Darcy was happy to make his escape, and followed Richard upstairs, where they retreated to the billiard room. Richard closed the door behind them and gave a heavy sigh, causing Darcy to tense. “What is the matter?”

“I wonder if Matlock House is the best place for Georgie. She is too easily influenced, and you know my sisters.”

“I was surprised to see the countess allow them to speak as they did; I know she shares their views, but is generally more discreet, even among family.”

“My stepmother has grown altered since Father’s illness took a turn.

It is… complicated. Suffice it to say that the countess has grown desperate enough to pin her hopes on her stepdaughters.

She has allowed Rosamund to accept a new knighted tradesman with a fortune, and in planning the wedding she has become fixated on marrying off Renata and Regina, even to men she would have sneered at a year ago.

And by the by, it may be prudent to stay with Bingley, or install several dozen locks on your door. ”

Darcy took this information in, puffing out his cheeks for a moment as he considered the new snares he would likely have to avoid. “I am sorry about your father. I did not realize it was as bad as all that.”

“He is seventy,” Richard said with a shrug.

“The countess could likely marry again, though she stands little chance of wedding another title, unless another lord twice her age would take her. She was never kind to me, as she was to my sisters, and she fears that I will inherit and punish her financially.”

“But surely Roland….”

“Roland is missing, Darcy.”

Darcy leaned against the billiard table, his jaw agape. His eldest cousin had entered the navy in a phase of youthful rebellion, and due to his father’s longevity had remained in the service long enough to serve directly under the admiral.

“Missing? For how long?”

“A fortnight. His ship went down off the coast of Portugal. The admiral and about half the crew made it to a British encampment near Porto. A few others have turned up, but….”

“God, I am so sorry.”

Richard looked away and shook his head. “Keep it to yourself, if you would, for as long as may be possible. I… I find I am not ready to be looked upon as the heir, in the eyes of all the world. He may yet make his way to safety. But I digress - I meant to speak to you of Georgiana.”

Richard crossed the room to pour himself a drink, and Darcy followed him. “Do you mean to suggest that your stepmother and sisters may not be a positive influence?”

“Not with matters as unsettled as they are. The talk of weddings and finding Regina and Renata husbands has gone to Georgie’s head. She has been talking oftener of her coming out. She even asked if she may come out early, and my stepmother promised to put the question to you.”

“Good Lord,” Darcy sighed, taking a sip of the brandy Richard offered him.

“I would not have her be afraid of coming out, as she was when last I spoke to her about it. But certainly eighteen is the youngest I should consider for her to be out in society. After Wickham! I had hoped your family’s influence might teach her better discernment. ”

“It has not,” Richard said bluntly. “Quite the reverse. Rosamund is betrothed to a wealthy baronet who, half a year ago, was a tradesman beneath Lady Matlock’s notice.

Darcy, it has given Georgie certain ideas of another gentleman of our acquaintance, with ties to trade, being an acceptable match for her. ”

Darcy furrowed his brows. “You cannot mean Bingley!”

“I have no doubt Miss Bingley has long since planted that seed in Georgie’s mind. But apparently Georgie saw him just before you all went up to Hertfordshire, and she began to compare his goodness to Wickham’s villainy.”

“Bingley’s lack of interest, compared to Wickham’s improper interest in her,” Darcy scoffed.

“I am pleased that she has learned to think in such a way, but Bingley sees her as a sister. We spoke of it a few days after we arrived at Netherfield. Indeed, he is already attached to one of his sister’s friends. ”

Richard rolled his eyes and made a droll face. “I suppose Miss Bingley has maneuvered a way to take the measure of her friend’s connections in town, before she decides whether she will support her brother’s choice or scare away another pretty blonde with a mediocre family?”

“The journey was Miss Bingley’s notion, yes. Her excuse was a wish to do some shopping, and patronize the fine warehouses of the Miss Bennets’ uncle.”

“Bingley’s lady has relations in trade?” Richard threw his head back and hooted with laughter. “It is a trap - I know it must be! Damn and blast, she means to parade Georgie in front of her brother and show him what a superior creature she is, compared to the country girl.”

Darcy groaned. The scenario his cousin described was entirely plausible. He had been sure Miss Bingley was up to something, though she had been astonishingly warm to the two eldest Bennet sisters.

Richard took his silence as tacit agreement. “What are we going to do about it?”

“I do not disapprove of Bingley’s choice.

Miss Bingley is on intimate terms with both sisters, and I had supposed she meant to demonstrate to me some improvement in her behavior.

I intend to observe her behavior to their relations, the Gardiners, who are dining with us tonight.

But if she is about any mischief, it must be for Bingley to decide what is to be done. ”

Richard stared incredulously at him. “I meant, what is to be done about Georgiana, your sister. You heard how eager she was to ask about Bingley.”

“She is too young to think of marriage at all, and Bingley would never suit her. Miss Bingley would rule their lives.”

“She will be wounded to learn that Bingley is courting one of his sister’s friends. Ha! Caroline Bingley, friends? What must they be like?”