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“That might have some merit. As you say, the gossip will be that she has overstepped the mark when talking about one of the three of us. She already is known for over-emphasising the relationship between herself and me. People would see her as Icarus.”

Both men calmed down.

“A public denunciation would also ensure that anyone else who has heard of this scurrilous news will keep their head down.”

Richard snorted and laughed at himself.

“What about this afternoon is so funny?”

“I was just thinking I might win the fencing tournament in 10 days’ time. All I have to do is imagine each of my opponents as Caroline Bingley.”

Both men needed to release tension and the laughter was long and hearty.

“What are your odds at the club?”

“There are so many participants, even just to get into the final 64, that they are all over the place. There are two or three men renowned as good with a blade. But it is the men that are unknown who worry those setting the odds. There is rumoured to be an officer in one of the Scottish regiments who wiped the floor with his competition. But no one knows for sure, and there are 10 rumours for every fact. My recommendation is to stay away, although things may have calmed down by the time we get to London.”

They sipped their brandy in contemplative silence. Richard had a thought.

“Darcy, how did the matter of Bingley and Georgiana come to be mentioned. It is hardly something that should be talked about.”

Darcy thought back to his meeting with Jane Bennet. She did not know his sister. But she did know…

“That is an astute observation.”

“I do not know whether to preen or punch you on the nose. I am capable of them occasionally.”

“No, I did not mean it like that. Bingley paid Miss Bennet, Miss Jane Bennet that is, particular attention when he was in Hertfordshire. She was not asking about Georgiana, she was asking about Bingley, and for herself.”

“For herself?”

“The day after the ball in November, Bingley left to deal with matters in London, planning to return within three days, four at the most. His sister closed the house behind his back and presented him with a fait accompli when she and the Hursts turned up in London. You have read the letters, there is precious little in them that is true. But it is the only communication Miss Jane can have. It is not like Bingley can write to her himself. Caroline Bingley was stupid, incredibly stupid in dragging Georgiana’s name into her schemes. What she dared to write about was nothing more than wishful thinking on her part, regarding Georgie and her brother. But the immediate purpose was to sever the relationship between Miss Bennet and Bingley.”

Darcy turned pensive.

“I will think on this further.”

--

Two further things of note happened during the second week of the visit. Given Lady Catherine’s constant refrain that Darcy was engaged to her daughter Anne, both of them were very careful when in Lady Catherine’s company. They acted distant and formal, giving Lady Catherine no chance to claim a compromise.

However, the two cousins did meet secretly. Not for some sordid assignation but rather to converse without constant interruptions from Lady Catherine. It took careful planning and required the assistance of both the Colonel but also Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne’s companion.

“You have handled mother better than on any of your previous visits.”

Although a statement Darcy understood the underlying question.

“As I mentioned to Richard a couple of days ago, I am ever more conscious of the need to produce an heir for Pemberley, so as to continue the Darcy name. My mother was a Fitzwilliam but she married my father. The whole idea of who is family, how they treat you, and you treat them in turn, each generation adding to the family, all of that has been swirling within my head. I have never found the social aspect of society easy, for too long I have felt like a prize at the county fair.”

Darcy realised he was talking but not actually making any sense.

“Lady Matlock has made it clear that all three of us, myself as well as Andrew and Richard, that we have to become more serious in our efforts to find a bride. As a result, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this mythical creature. I am clear in at least one part of the process, it will be my choice, this will not be an arrangement for political or social reasons.”

Anne nodded.

“You are doing an excellent job of explaining this. But you still have not addressed the change in the manner of dealing with my mother.”

“I was being a coward. I can search for more palatable terms but that is the core of it. I allowed your mother to bully me, to treat me as if I was 20 years younger and still in short trousers. I challenged Richard to take Lady Catherine to an exclusive private ball and to stay at her side for the whole of the event.”