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Darcy entered the breakfast room with barely a thought going through his numb mind. He was still stunned by the news he had received the previous night and his hangover did not help.

“I thought you had forgotten about us, old boy”, Bingley exclaimed cheerfully.

Darcy tossed the missive he had received from Whitehall onto the table before his friend. Perplexed by his friend’s silence, he picked up the letter as Darcy sat in a chair. It was then that he noticed Darcy’s haunted expression. Bingley unfolded the letter to read. He looked back up at his friend in shock.

“Darcy, I am so sorry. I don’t know how but what can I do to help?”

“Nothing right now, Bingley.”

“What is it, Charles,” Caroline asked, looking from Darcy to her brother, both with forlorn expressions.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam was killed in battle,” Bingley replied sadly, without thinking if Darcy wanted the news revealed.

“So you are now the earl?” she exclaimed.

“Caroline!” Bingley yelled, appalled that his sister could be so course.

“Forgive me, Mr Darcy, or should I…”

“Caroline,” Bingley growled. You will hold your tongue or retire to your chambers immediately,” he said, slamming his fist on the table and rattling the dishes.

“But Charles,” she cried out in faux innocence.

“Enough. If I hear one more word from your lips, you will remove yourself from the room. If you do not leave voluntarily, I will have you removed. Carried out by a footman if needed.”

She was about to reply angrily when she saw the dark look on her brother’s face and wisely held her tongue. She had only seen that look once before, and it had not gone well.

During their argument, Darcy pretended to ignore his friend’s uncommon outburst and stared at the picture of a foxhound on the wall. Bingley motioned for a footman to pour him some coffee.

“Darcy, I know it cannot be much, but tell me what I can do. There must be something.”

“There is not much to do. I will remain here until the new week. After that, I would like to leave the girls with you as I will have to go into town to discuss the situation with my attorney and others.”

“Done and done,” Bingley replied. “They are more than welcome here for as long as needed. You will be coming back?”

“We would be more than happy to keep Georgiana and Lady Anne here while you are away”, Miss Bingley cooed pleasantly.

“Thank you,” Darcy replied wearily.

“Think nothing of it, Darcy,” Bingley added, giving his sister another look to remind her to watch what she said.

Miss Bingley cleared her throat and looked at her brother, aghast at him that he would now use his friend’s name so casually. Bingley returned to his meal as he pondered the news, occasionally glancing at his old friend. For the first time since knowing him, he actually looked worn out. Even at school, burning the candle at both ends, Darcy always appeared refreshed while he and their other mates looked haggard.

Both men stood as Elizabeth entered the parlour and wished her a good morning. She did everything possible to avoid looking at Darcy as they greeted her. Taking a plate to the side table and dawdled through the well-appointed selection at the side table. She turned down Bingley’s offer to bring fresh toast to her, thinking that was why she lingered over the selection of food.

Unable to put off sitting any longer, she went to a chair furthest away from him. Bingley poured her a cup of tea. Miss Bingley looked at the woman, wondering why she had sat next to her brother and not Mr Darcy, as she had thought she would when she entered.

The room was quiet except for the sound of cups on saucers, the scrape of her knife across her plate, and the rustling of Bingley’s paper. Elizabeth noted that Miss Bingley kept looking at Mr Darcy, who stared out the window and occasionally sipping his drink. Elizabeth chewed slowly, afraid that in the deathly quiet, she would be heard.

The look on Mr Darcy’s face pulled at her heart. Memories of last night and the morning flashed through her mind, making her blush slightly. Breakfast at Longbourn was always a noisy meal, and she could no longer stand the silence.

“Are you not going to eat, Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth asked after sipping her tea to wash down her buttered toast. He continued to gaze towards the window. Unsure if he had heard her as he must be lost in thought, she was about to ask again when she noticed that Mr Bingley and his sister were also watching. Waiting for a reaction from him as well.

“Mr Darcy?”

“I apologize, Miss Elizabeth. I was wool-gathering,” he admitted morosely. “What was your question?”

“I wondered if you were going to eat. I could make up a plate if you like.”

Miss Bingley eyed Elizabeth and wondered what game she was playing. She had sat as far away from the man as possible and then offered to serve him like a common maid.

“No, thank you. I am in no mood to eat right now.”

Elizabeth looked at him and nodded. Then she turned back to the contents of her plate, cutting the bacon into tiny pieces.

“If you would like to eat, Mr Darcy. I can have the footman make you a plate fit for a…”

“Caroline,” Bingley said, looking over his paper.

“No, thank you. Coffee will suffice. I will see how I feel at dinner.”

“Are you unwell?” Elizabeth asked, feigning ignorance of her knowledge of his cousin’s death. The two siblings turned their attention to Darcy. Miss Bingley was fidgeting in her chair, wanting to give the country chit the news that Mr Darcy was now an earl but dared not with her brother in his foul mood.

“Not physically. I received bad news about my cousin from Whitehall last night,” Darcy replied, looking at her directly. His countenance pained from having to speak what he had been constantly thinking about since he awoke.

“I’m sorry to hear. Do the girls know yet?” Elizabeth asked, genuinely concerned for his wards.

He shook his head, dreading telling them the news, especially Anne. She was still trying to cope with the death of her parents and other brother. While she had started coming out of her shell, he was unsure what this would do. He did not think Georgiana would take it any better. Richard had not only been her co-guardian but had been closer to her than any of their other relatives.

“Maybe it is not my place, but if you need someone to be there with you. I will make myself available,” Elizabeth offered.

Darcy took a moment to consider her offer and nodded with a quiet thank you.

“What would you know about the loss of a parent?” Miss Bingley asked, aghast that the girl would be so bold in offering help. “I would be honored to help you Mr Darcy should you need any assistance?”

“It’s true. I’m blessed to still have both of my parents. In that regard, I can only offer platitudes that ring hollow. However, having three younger sisters. I have dealt with them when they were distraught, as my mother does not have the patience to console them. As good and gentle as she is, Jane soon finds her senses overwhelmed by her empathy.”

“I shall consider both offers,” Darcy answered diplomatically.

Elizabeth focused on the food that remained on her plate. The table was quiet except for the sounds of silverware on plates, cups on saucers, and the rustle of Bingley’s newssheet. She occasionally glanced up to see Mr Darcy still gazing out the window.

Miss Bingley watched the object of her desire. He seemed lost in thought, but his eyes occasionally flicked down the table to the interloper. How dare she offer her assistance, she thought angrily. The only thing that stayed her sharp tongue was the knowledge that he wanted her as a companion to his wards.

Elizabeth said nothing more and finished her meal before excusing herself to check on her sister. She did her best to avoid looking at the man who had occupied her mind for all the wrong reasons.