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Following his early return from Kent, Darcy spent several days dealing with letters from stewards in Derbyshire, Derby, and his personal holdings in Kent.

The man who managed Darcy’s farms in that county had heard of the man’s sudden departure and sought confirmation that nothing was amiss with the management of the Darcy holdings.

At meals, Fitzwilliam spoke freely with his sister, and during the hours for work, he focused on letters and inventories with his secretary.

Together with his trusted secretary, Darcy visited the three banks where his family deposited gold and kept some valuables in strong boxes in various vaults.

Finally, a vital appointment was arranged with the attorneys who handled the legal affairs for Rosings Park.

For this meeting, Fitzwilliam Darcy dressed smartly in a dark suit of clothes when he and his secretary climbed into his carriage pulled by a pair of dapple greys; seated comfortably out of the rain, Darcy waited while the coachman navigated the team through the busy streets of London, avoiding other horses, carriages, carts and the occasional pedestrian attempting to cross the street.

Stopping momentarily at the firm that represented the Darcy businesses and concerns, a trusted attorney entered the carriage, and the three men rode further into London to another legal firm.

This second group of lawyers managed the affairs for Rosings Park; five years earlier when he became executor of Sir Louis de Bourgh’s estate, Mr Darcy had considered consolidating the estate’s matters for Rosings Park with his own, but after a single season dealing with his aunt’s demands, he refused to give the notion any additional consideration.

Today Fitzwilliam Darcy spoke with Mr Gilbert Hastings, the lead attorney for his late uncle’s estate.

In the conversation, Hastings learned that Mr Darcy relinquished all responsibilities and authority over his cousin’s estate and banking concerns.

He also denied any future responsibilities for the taxes due on the estate, or tithes to the church.

After the two groups of attorneys agreed on the appropriate wording, Fitzwilliam Darcy signed several papers and concluded, “My cousin Anne de Bourgh turns five-and-twenty shortly. She can deal with her mother after today.”

Mr Hastings did not attempt to hide his growing concern when he asked, “Can Miss de Bourgh manage Lady Catherine?”

Refusing to answer the question directly, Darcy replied, “If my cousin marries, her husband will address Lady Catherine’s demands.”

~~~

As a passenger in a crowded stagecoach, George Wickham returned to London after his venture into Kent.

Upon his return to the Sleeping Dog, he revised his plans to sell stocks to Miss Bingley and Lady Catherine.

The older noblewoman would be in London in three days, and he would complete the trap to obtain the funds from Miss de Bourgh’s estate.

With the funds from Rosings in hand, he would press Miss Bingley to hand over the majority of her dowry.

In the afternoon of the same day that he arrived in the city, Edith Young appeared at the Sleeping Dog and made certain that George understood that Miss Bingley had grown anxious without any word from Lord Campbell in four weeks.

She pressed forward her argument, “The woman has no patience, George. For you to be gone for ten days on business while Mr Bounty is absent for a month complete, she imagines Lord Campbell lying dead in a ditch along some Irish road.”

Grimacing in frustration, George admitted, “I have several worn parchments I can use to compose a letter and bring around tomorrow. When did Phillip say he would return from Bath?”

Edith frowned, “Bath? You told me that Mr Bounty went to York on some errand for you. He never mentioned the reason or duration of this absence to me. The tale Miss Bingley heard was the Lord Campbell was to survey the Earl of Argyl’s properties in Ireland in April.

The month of May is upon us without Phillip’s return. ”

~~~

There was a revealing conversation in the Mayfair home of the Darcy siblings one afternoon.

Georgiana was summoned to her brother’s office near the front door for a discussion with Fitzwilliam without his secretary, her lady’s companion, or the servants listening.

Walking into the office and hearing the footman close the door behind her, the young girl was nervous; from this room her brother commanded men across Britain to complete tasks that increased the wealth of the Darcy family.

However today Georgiana relaxed when she found herself joining him on a comfortable sofa.

While seated together, Fitzwilliam Darcy explained to his younger sister that he hoped to propose and marry a young woman he had met before the summer ended.

He confessed that he had been unpleasant with the young woman when they first met, but she had forgiven his past behaviour, and he planned to court her.

Concentrating for a moment, Georgiana revised her conversations and correspondence with her brother from the last twelve months and asked, “Is this young woman the Miss Elizabeth Bennet of whom you write?”

Revealing his surprise at his sister’s perceptive question, Darcy admitted that he did plan to pursue Miss Elizabeth and make her is bride.

“She is the singular young woman you have mentioned in your letters since you travelled to Hertfordshire with Mr Bingley last autumn,” Georgiana explained. “How has she remained in your memory for all these many months?”

Darcy blushed and admitted, “We happened upon each other in Hunsford last month. She was visiting a friend who married at Christmas, and I was there to salvage the situation at Rosings.”

Frowning and insisting on an answer, Georgiana asked, “Did Miss Bennet come seeking you at Rosings? Young ladies pursue you relentlessly brother.”

“No!” replied Darcy. “Georgie, why would you ask such a question?”

“Brother, for the last two years, Miss Caroline Bingley has lurked in the shops hopeful of seeing us out shopping. During the season, she attended every review and ball hopeful of catching your attention. I am certain she plotted to trip over someone’s gown or feet to land in your arms to force an engagement. ”

Grimacing, Darcy admitted that only explicit statements of his disinterest appeared to have registered with the woman that he would never make her an offer of marriage. He stated, “I believe her attentions have turned elsewhere this spring.”

Georgiana managed not to grin when she admitted, “I dreaded attending another birthday supper for Miss Bingley where she turned three-and-twenty again.

“Let us speak no more of Miss Bingley,” Darcy instructed his sister. “Allow me to share with you the many qualities of Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

After a pleasant conversation where Georgiana decided her brother was indeed serious in his plans to pursue of this young woman, the sister asked, “And when may I meet this remarkable woman?”

“As soon as ever I receive an invitation from my friend Charles Bingley for us to visit his estate just three hours from town.”

“Is not his estate in Hertfordshire? What was the name?”

“Yes, Netherfield is in Hertfordshire. He married Miss Jane Bennet at midwinter, and their home is the estate next to the Bennet estate. Miss Elizabeth is the second of five sisters.”

Surprised by the number, Georgiana declared, “Five sisters? Why would Miss Elizabeth welcome yet another sister?”

“She is kind and intelligent, Georgie. I am certain she understands that the heart grows larger when you have more people to love.”

“Like with each baby, you have more love to share,” Georgie said with a nod. She sighed as only a teenage girl could do and asked, “May I take my music with me?”

“Of course,” Darcy replied. “There is an instrument at Netherfield that appeared in tune when Miss Bingley played. And I know Miss Elizabeth and her next sister play every day in their home.”

“Will I be forced to perform?”

“Of course not,” the man assured his shy sister. “But I imagine that Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary will both hope to perform duets with you.”

~~~