Georgiana ran to him and hugged him hard. Darcy wrapped his arms around her, resting his chin on her head.
"You were very brave," she mumbled into his coat. "You told her 'no'."
"I did."
"And you told her about Miss Elizabeth."
"I did."
Georgiana pulled back, looking up at him with shining eyes. "So... there are no more obstacles? No more engagements? No more secrets?"
"None," Darcy promised. "The path is clear. Lady Catherine is the Earl's problem now."
"Good." Georgiana smoothed his lapels. "Because you have a promise to keep, Brother. You told Lady Catherine she should expect happy news shortly."
"I did say that."
"So," Georgiana grinned, a mischievous expression that looked suspiciously like Robert's. "Now let us go and make her marry us, Fitzwilliam. I want a sister."
Darcy smiled. He looked out the window at the grey London sky, which suddenly seemed bright with possibility.
"You want a sister," he agreed. "And I... I want her."
"Then stop standing there!" Georgiana pushed him towards the door. "Go! Go to Cheapside! Before LadyCatherine escapes from Matlock House and returns with reinforcements!"
Darcy took a step, then stopped. He turned back to his sister, a thoughtful frown creasing his brow.
"No," he said slowly.
Georgiana blinked. "No? William, did the shouting damage you? You just said you wanted her."
"I do. More than anything. But I cannot just rush in." He began to pace again, but this time it wasn't the frantic pacing of anxiety. It was the measured stride of a general planning a campaign.
"I rushed in Hertfordshire," he murmured. "I made judgments. I made mistakes. I do not want to stumble into this proposal breathless and flustered because my aunt yelled at me."
He turned to Georgiana. "Elizabeth deserves better. She deserves... an occasion. A proper beginning."
"A strategy?" Georgiana asked, her eyes lighting up.
"A strategy," Darcy confirmed. He checked the calendar on his desk. "Today is the twenty-seventh. In four days, it will be New Year's Eve."
"The Matlock Ball," Georgiana breathed. "Aunt Matlock mentioned she invited the Gardiners."
"New Year's Eve," Darcy repeated. "The end of a terrible year, and the beginning of a new one. That is when I shall ask her. When the clock strikes twelve. A fresh start for 1812."
"It is very romantic," Georgiana sighed. "Robert will approve. He loves theatrical timing. I wager he will do the same."
"Then it is decided." Darcy smoothed his waistcoat. "We have four days to prepare. We need toensure the Bennets attend. We need to ensure Robert doesn't accidentally propose to Miss Bennet first and steal my thunder. And we need to ensure Lady Catherine remains contained at Matlock House."
"I shall write to Richard," Georgiana volunteered. "He is excellent at containment strategies. It is his job."
Darcy smiled, a genuine, confident smile that reached his eyes.
"Excellent. We have our orders, Georgiana." He looked out of the window, towards Cheapside. "We have a battle to finish, and a question to ask. But we shall do it with style."
"With style," Georgiana agreed. "And with lemon biscuits?"
"Definitely with lemon biscuits. Those cherry tarts are an abomination."
