Page 1 of Some Natural Importance (Pride, Prejudice and Romance #3)

“I cannot decide whether it is better to hide my sister from Darcy or push her towards him.” The young man sighed and lifted his hand to signal the serving girl to bring another pitcher of ale to the table.

His companion guffawed. “I did hear he was in town, Bertie. It should make for an interesting Season if we are all to stand watch over our sisters and cousins.”

Bertie winced. “My father believes him to be a good match for Josephine.”

“Do you fear the rumours are true?”

“Of whom are we speaking, gentlemen? Fitzwilliam Darcy? His mourning period is finally at an end?”

The pair glanced over at the next table. A pleasant-looking man, sitting alone with a pint of ale, stared at them with raised eyebrows.

Harry nodded. “Yes, Darcy, he of Pemberley and Rosings, and a few minor estates here and there. Seems he is richer than a duke—or at least than his uncle, the earl—now that he is a widower.”

The stranger barked a bitter laugh. “So it seems. Appearances are everything, are they not?”

The two friends exchanged a glance. “Er, he is known to have a splendid fortune.”

“Such a chance he took, too.” The man shook his head and leaned closer.

“Wedding his frail cousin, hoping it would result in those continued fine ‘appearances’ you mention. Not to overlook his aunt’s propensity for hysterics, megrims, and apoplexy.

Only a desperate man would have tolerated the pair of them.

Imagine how devastating it must have been to learn their financial woes were as troubling as their physical ones! ”

Bertie spoke first. “But his father and mine were of close acquaintance. Surely he could not have already destroyed the work of generations.”

“You know him well, then, sir? You speak of him with some familiarity,” added Harry.

“Ah! His father was an excellent man, and my dear god-father. I was raised with his son, almost as his son, and he had hopes that I would always be a beneficial influence and a close friend to Fitzwilliam. Sadly, it is many, many years since I first began to think of him in a very different manner. The vicious propensities—the want of principle, which he was careful to guard from the knowledge of his father, could not escape the observation of a young man of nearly the same age, and who had opportunities of seeing him in unguarded moments. His poor luck at cards was legendary at Cambridge.” He paused as the two younger men paled.

“Your sisters have large dowries?” he asked, smiling as each nodded in the affirmative.

“Gentlemen, he would be very interested to know you both, indeed.”

“It seems incredible,” Harry said in a low voice before turning his gaze onto their new acquaintance. “Pray let us hear what you have to accuse him of. I should like to know how he behaves among family.” He gestured for the man to join them. “Harold Seaton, and my friend Albert Stopford.”

“A pleasure to meet you, gentlemen.” The man picked up his hat and glass and moved to a seat at their table. “George Wickham. Now, prepare yourself for something very dreadful. Very dreadful, indeed.”