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"Yes, really. Just a quick word, I believe. Hurry along, darling, and do not keep him waiting. I believe he has an engagement at eleven."

Kate unfolded herself from the armchair and shook out her skirts.

"Perhaps he wishes to discuss Mr Briar," Bella suggested innocently.

Kate gave her sister a dark look, which only caused her to grin more broadly, and followed her mother out of the room.

***

Kate knocked on the door of her father's study and pushed it open at his booming "Come!"

"There you are, Kate," he said, smiling up at her from his desk.

Mr Nathaniel Briar already occupied one of the seats opposite and stood to make a very proper bow. "Good morning, Miss Darcy," he said. His face looked a little more strained than usual, and there was none of the teasing brightness in his expression that she had come to expect.

"Good morning, Mr Briar."

"Come in, come in, and sit down," said her father hurriedly.

She took the empty chair beside Mr Briar as her father settled himself behind his desk. He wore a rather solemn countenance as well. Good Lord, what could this be about? Had something dreadful happened? She twisted her hands in the fabric of her skirt and looked between the two gentlemen.

"I wanted to talk to you both regarding the excavation," her father said, and suddenly her kindly, affectionate papa was gone and the master of Pemberley sat in his place. That was never a good sign.

"Mr Briar, I understand you have men who will arrive tomorrow to help with some of the earthworks?"

"Yes, sir," said Mr Briar, and again he lacked his usual brightness and ease of manner. "I have engaged four experienced labourers from the village, along with two men who have worked with me on previous excavations. Most should arrive in the morning, and I hope we shall be able to make a good start."

"Excellent. Now, Kate, I know you are very interested in contributing to the works, and I must admit that I am also most intrigued to see what you will find. Your mother and I have discussed the matter, as I promised we would, and we are agreed that you should have the opportunity to assist Mr Briar in his investigations."

Kate smiled, feeling a little surge of excitement at the thought of finally beginning the work. She had spent much of the previous evening reading everything she could lay her hands on concerning ancient British burial practices, and had already made several pages of notes which she intended to share with Mr Briar at the first opportunity.

"However," her father continued, and her smile immediately faltered, "we have also discussed the arrangements for your participation, and your mother agrees with me that some provision must be made for chaperonage. I mentioned the matter when we first discovered the mound, if you recall, and I think it only sensible that we settle upon a suitable arrangement before the work begins."

Kate blinked and looked from her father to Mr Briar, who was regarding the carpet with great concentration. Was that a flush on his neck?

"A chaperone, Papa? But we shall be working in a field, with any number of labourers present. I cannot imagine what possible need there might be for further supervision."

"I am perfectly aware of the circumstances, sweetheart," said Darcy patiently. "And I have no wish to interfere with your studies, as I hope you know. But you are a young unmarried lady, and Mr Briar is a gentleman with whom you have only a passing acquaintance. Your mother and I feel it would be sensible for another member of the household to be present when you are working together."

Kate frowned. Her father had never been particularly concerned about her scientific interests before. Only last autumn, a retired schoolmaster from Lambton had spent several afternoons accompanying her around the estate, examining the unusual rock deposits along the eastern ridge, and Papa had positively encouraged the acquaintance. She could not imagine why digging up a field at Pemberley should suddenly be considered such a dangerous occupation.

"But Papa, what exactly do you imagine might happen? We shall be examining the earth, not attending a ball. I hardly think anyone will be concerned with the finer points of propriety while covered in mud and attempting to extract fragments of ancient pottery."

"As I have already assured your father, Miss Darcy," said Mr Briar, turning towards her, "I have no objection whatsoever to the proposed arrangements. I would never behave in any manner that might compromise your reputation, and I am quite happy to work within whatever conditions your parents consider appropriate."

"I am very glad to hear it," her father said, pinning the younger man with a stare that caused the flush at his neck to deepen further. She had never seen Mr Briar look so ill at ease, and she wondered what on earth her papa could have said to him before she arrived.

"Papa," she said patiently, "I still do not understand why this is necessary. You have always encouraged me to pursue my interests, and you know perfectly well that I have no more intention of behaving improperly with Mr Briar than I have of flying to the moon."

"I am very pleased to hear it, Catherine," said her father, looking uncomfortable himself. "But your mother and I have discussed the matter and come to an agreement, and I really do not wish to reopen the whole business. I have assured her that I will make suitable arrangements, and that is precisely what I intend to do."

He had called her Catherine. This was becoming very serious indeed. Kate considered the matter for a moment, wondering whether it was worth arguing further. Her father was not generally an unreasonable man, but once he had settled upon a course of action, particularly one that had received her mother's approval, he could be difficult to dissuade.

"Would you like Mama to sit beside the excavation and watch us? Or perhaps great-aunt Catherine has not yet left for Rosings? She would make a fine overseer."

Her father's expression suggested that he did not find the suggestion as amusing as she did. "That is not my meaning, as I suspect you know perfectly well. There is no need for your mother to sit about watching you turn over the earth all day, but I do think it reasonable that you should have some company beyond Mr Briar and his workmen."

Mr Briar lowered his head, but not before Kate caught sight of the smile tugging at his lips. "Miss Darcy," he said, recovering himself, "I believe your father merely wishes to ensure that we conduct ourselves with appropriate decorum. I can hardly object to that, and I assure you that I shall be very glad of your assistance, whatever arrangements are made."