“Precisely.”
Darcy’s jaw clenched. “Lady Anne will not be surprised,” he said at last. “She knows her brother too well.”
Richard looked sharply at him. “You intend to tell her?”
“Yes.”
“And Georgiana?”
Darcy met his gaze steadily. “Yes.”
Richard stared. “Good Lord, man, why?”
“They must be able to protect themselves. If they are unaware of the possibility of danger, then they cannot be cautious.”
Richard shook his head slowly. “Meeting Miss Elizabeth has certainly altered things. I scarcely recognize you.”
Darcy allowed himself a faint smile. “Elizabeth has changed many things.”
“Clearly.”
“Georgiana has grown more confident. Lady Anne as well.” Darcy paused. “Ramsgate unsettled them deeply. But Elizabeth’s influence has… strengthened them.”
Richard studied him for a moment, then nodded. “You are fortunate, then.”
“I know.”
There was a few moments of silence, then Richard leaned forward, slapped his hand on his knee, and rose to his feet. “Come, it must be dinner time, and I am greatly looking forward to eating something that is not the swill in the barracks.”
They rose together and moved toward the stairs. As they descended toward the dining room, Darcy casually said, “Speaking of estranged relations, George Wickham is also in the area.”
Richard raised an eyebrow. “That is certainly the coincidence. How is the wastrel?”
Darcy considered. “He seems… steadier than in former years. Still something of a rascal—but he takes life more seriously than he once did.”
Richard nodded thoughtfully as they entered the hall. Everyone else in the household was already present and clearly waiting for them, as the butler announced that dinner was served before Darcy had even taken two steps into the room.
Bingley laughed as he extended his arm to Lady Anne to escort her. “Perfect timing, Richard. Another moment later and Hurst might have begun eating the cushions on his chair.”
Following behind Bingley and Lady Anne, Mr. Hurst grunted something that might have been agreement. He did not even wait for his wife to finish sitting before finding his own chair and unfolding his napkin with great seriousness.
The mood of the table was warm and lively. Conversation sprang up almost at once, carried easily between the guests. Richard proved as entertaining as ever. He recounted several mild absurdities from his regiment that had Georgianalaughing behind her hand and Bingley nearly choking on his wine.
Even Mrs. Hurst smiled, which Darcy noticed with quiet approval.
She had been subdued since the dramatic departure of her younger sister from Netherfield. For several days afterward she had spoken very little, her manner restrained and distant.
Yet over the past week he had observed her sitting often beside Lady Anne in the mornings, asking questions in a low voice while the elder woman answered with patient kindness. Mrs. Hurst had listened attentively, sometimes even thoughtfully, and gradually her reserve had softened.
More importantly, she had made a visible effort to treat the Bennets with kindness whenever they visited.
It had done much to restore the easy harmony of the household.
The courses progressed amid frequent laughter and comfortable conversation. The evening carried none of the stiffness that might have accompanied such a gathering weeks earlier.
When the final plates were cleared, Bingley looked down the table at his sister. “I say, Louisa… would you ladies be very put out if we go with you now instead of separating? We men will play billiards and smoke cigars later, but I imagine Richard here is eager to spend time with the ladies of his family.”
Richard beamed. “I say, that is very good of you, Bingley!”
