'Thank you Mrs Younge,' Darcy concluded the interview with the third applicant vying for the position of companion to his sister. 'Mr Hobbs will show you out.'

All three women came highly recommended. After a six weeks searching, his attorney came up with several suitable candidates and arranged for Mr Darcy to meet them this morning. Miss Aldridge, engaged to an Officer in Her Majesties Navy, awaited his return to marry. She didn't seem a likely prospect. Georgiana would just become attached to the young lady and she would leave to wed. Beside her lack of age worked against her in Darcy's opinion.

Frowning he thought, no, most defiantly not. If it were a young lady I'm after, he stopped the thought immediately. It was a path his mind couldn't afford to travel.

The second woman, an elderly widow came with many commendations and a list of ailment just a long. Mrs Higgenbottom didn't like long carriage rides and scowled when Darcy mentioned a three day journey to Pemberley. Her displeasure increased when he mentioned several trips to his country seat each year. Before the interview concluded the older woman indicated an unwillingness to take the position even if it should be offered.

As to the final woman, a Mrs Younge, Fitzwilliam Darcy did not like her on first sight. Something in the ladies eyes made Darcy uneasy. Her dark hair and eyes reminded him of Wickham. Darcy did not want a daily reminiscence of that rouge in his house. Besides, her manners were everything a young lady of her social standing should be, but there lurked an almost belligerent tone in Mrs Younge's air and way of taking. Mr Darcy decided he did not like the lady at all.

If I am honest, he sighed internally, I am comparing them to an elegant, witty and slightly impertinent young lady. This last month I have seen my sister happy, happier than I can remember. I know it is all due to a close friendship with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Is it possible to request her company for Georgiana, to aid my sister into society over the next year or two without compromising her marital chances? Her prospects are not very great with her family connections and the estate entailed away but to be seen as a companion would surely decrease her chances further. Yet there is an inherent goodness in the woman that defies her position in society. Requesting Miss Elizabeth Bennet become Georgiana's companion in everything but name is my only option at this point in time. Yet how can I take an action that would materially decrease her prospects further.

Darcy ignored the rapid beating of his own heart and a stirring in his loins at his thoughts of this particular young lady. He admired Miss Elizabeth Bennet that he openly displayed at every meeting. He esteemed her, demonstrating his feeling by singling her out on several occasions as a dance partner. Yet he did not like these emotions she generated in him. They confused him knowing nothing could come of it. To have the young woman living at Pemberley, under his feet day in and day out, he did not know if he could keep the exact level of his admiration silent.

Just as this dilemma invaded every space in Darcy's mind the doorbell chimed. Allowing a scow to cover his face he waited impatiently hoping it would not be a caller. Hobbs, the Butler, had been informed the Master was not at home to anyone but the ladies Mr Giles had chosen as candidates for Miss Darcy's companion. Now he'd seen the three ladies, Fitzwilliam Darcy wanted to be away as soon as may be.

'Mrs Annesley, Sir,' Hobbs announced the final and unexpected candidate.

'Mr Darcy,' Mrs Annesley curtseyed easily, handing over several letters of recommendation to the male servant. 'I have come directly from Mr Giles home at Sutton House. Lady Merriweather encouraged the application with your attorney upon hearing of the position with you sister only yesterday. I'm afraid it has all been a bit of a rush.'

'I see,' Darcy looked torn between hope and displeasure.

'Lady and Miss Merriweather are currently shopping for her trousseau. She is to be married shortly. I find there are enough women in the family that I would only in the way at such a special time,' Mrs Annesley smiled slightly, trying to gauge the reaction from this very imposing man.

'Please,' Darcy indicated the seat opposite his ornate desk, taking the paper sheathes he laid them aside for later inspection.

Two facts became suddenly obvious as he allowed his eyes to sweep over the woman sitting primly before him. Mrs Ansley was not intimidated by his wealth or position in society. A glance at her current employer's signature and Darcy understood why. Lord and Lady Merriweather attended social circles even more exalted than Darcy. They had connection to the Palace. Secondly, the woman had to be in her early forties. Old enough to be a mother figure and young enough to understand his sister's needs whist preparing for her coming out. Indeed he remembered Miss Merriweather's entry into society several years ago. It had gone very smoothly.

Taking his time, Darcy glanced at the sheets before him feeling the need of more time to consider his first impressions. A frown covered his face. It appeared Mrs Annesley had been in the employ of Lord and Lady Merriweather for five years. The woman took her duties seriously. Darcy looked for loyalty in an employee. So far the woman seemed perfect. Lady Merriweather's personal recommendation only cemented that view.

'Am I to understand,' Darcy commented slowly, deliberately annunciating each word, 'you are currently employed by Lady Merriweather until her daughter's marriage.'

'Miss Merriweather will no longer need a companion once she becomes Lady Grey,' Mrs Ansley offered with a slight smile. She could see the confusion mixed with hope on the young man's face. 'The marriage is to take place on the 15th of October. I had hoped to take several months leave to visit with my niece who has just commenced her confinement before taking up a new position.'

'When,' Darcy's eyes narrowed on the woman, 'do you expect to be available?'

'That would depend on the requirements of my new employer,' Mrs Annesley offered, 'however I would hope no earlier than February or March.'

'I see,' his mind engaged, Darcy considered how this could work. 'Currently my sister is staying in Hertfordshire. We will remain in that county until Christmas. I hope to spend the winter at home at Pemberley before returning to London in March. I have an annual engagement in Kent for the entire month of April and my sister does not wish to accompany me.'

'I understood from Mr Giles that you sister had not a companion at present,' Mrs Annesley questioned in a roundabout fashion.

'No,' Darcy stood abruptly and began to pace. 'There is a young lady, a friend who is aiding Georgiana presently.'

'I see,' Mrs Annesley commented with a knowing look. She took in much more than Darcy expected. 'Do you find this young lady unsuitable as a companion?'

'Indeed not,' Darcy didn't need to feign his displeasure. 'She is a gentleman's daughter.'

'I see,' Mrs Annesley truly did. If the woman came from Hertfordshire, the family would not move in the same circles as Mr Darcy and there in laid the rub. It would be somewhat scandalous to remove her from her family's protection without engaging her in one way or another. 'Mr Darcy, it would seem appropriate for me to meet Miss Darcy before deciding if the position of companion is suitable to all of us. Due to my current terms of employment, this friendship between your sister and a young gentle lady is respectable and I dare say appropriate under the circumstance. Perhaps I could meet with both of them in the near future and aid you in assessing a possible date of commencement, should we all get along together.'

Darcy turned to the window. He needed a few moments to think. Truly, he liked this older woman and her ideas. Keeping Miss Elizabeth Bennet as Georgiana's almost companion until Mrs Ansley could take up the position would be entirely appropriate from a society stand point. More his sister would relish the idea of being able to host Miss Bennet at Pemberley for a few weeks in January. Besides, Darcy knew Georgiana would become enamoured to Mrs Ansley.

'Miss Merriweather's wedding is in less than three weeks,' Darcy commented, turning to face the lady patiently awaiting his decision. 'I will suggest my sister invite Miss Bennet to come to town with her for the second half of October. Perhaps you can delay your journey to your niece until after that date.'

'I am at your service, Mr Darcy,' Mrs Ansley stated. 'Should this trial prove satisfactory to all, I will return to you employ when you return to London if that is your wish.'

'I shall write to Lord Merriweather and inform my housekeeper, Mrs Hall to expect you after the 15th of October,' Darcy commented. 'We will speak more of the future next month.'

'Thank you, Mr Darcy,' Anne Annesley stood and curtseyed. 'I'll see myself out. Good day, Sir.'

On the way to the door, Mrs Ansley smiled brightly. She would bide her time and wait but intuition told her she would not really be needed in this house. Every time Mr Darcy spoke of Miss Bennet his cheeks flushed slightly and his brown eyes softened. Old enough to know a man in love, she'd use the week in company of the Darcy's to properly assess the situation.