"Charles tells me you've been fancying that George Wickham, the lowly soldier," Caroline Bingley sniffed as she took a dignified sip of tea.

"He's not lowly," replied Georgiana with a roll of the eyes, "why, he's anything but lowly…he just needs to get from within the others' shadow." Caroline broke out into a smile. While she could ruin just about anyone's social happiness, she couldn't bear to foreshadow the grief of little Georgiana and the horrid that would splash on her face when she discovered Caroline had brought it upon her. She shifted a little. Besides, it was cute she was so lovesick, and that she had strayed from the piano for more than a moment.

"Well, he is most agreeable," she laughed, then added in a gossipy tone, "but he's got not a penny to his name!"

"I have enough for the both of us," Georgiana replied primly as she bit delicately into the crumpet. "I do feel quite cross with Fitzwilliam at the moment, he accused Mr. Wickham of being a money-hunting purloiner!" Caroline leaned on the table, resting her head on her forearm. It wasn't proper but Georgiana was the only one there, and she hadn't even tightened her corset yet.

"Well, he does have quite the reputation. I'd just be a little cautious if I were you," noted Caroline. She stood up suddenly. "Make sure you know what he wants from you before you give him everything." She curtsied her suddenly confused, young friend and stepped quickly out of the room. Georgiana sat by herself for a moment, not thinking of anything in particular.

"This dress won't do," she muttered randomly to herself as she shed her garments and loosened her corset, about to slip out of that as well. Suddenly there was a knock on the window. Georgiana gasped and whipped her head around, her bun falling out of her hair. Wickham half waved, staring at her. She rushed to the window, tightening her corset and running her hands down her petticoat skirts anxiously. "What are you doing?" she hissed. He smiled at her.

"Well, I wanted to talk to you, but I was so enraptured by the beauty of you through the window…" her face colored, but she smiled slightly.

"Quit your mindless babble, you weren't intended to see me undress."

"And when will I?" he mused. Georgiana's eyes got wide.

"You're not implying…" she started as she rushed to put her dress back on.

"No, no, no! Not at all. It was a joke, I ensure you." Georgiana's breathing eased slightly, but not by much. "Now, will you accompany me in a stroll across town?" Georgiana blinked delicately.

"Of course."