Richard reached Netherfield so early the next morning that Darcy knew he must have been on the road well before sunrise. They were just finishing breakfast when a footman announced his arrival. Bingley told the man to show the Colonel in right away.

"Ah! Breakfast," Richard said as he entered the room. "I am starving. Good day to you, Bingley...Mrs. Hurst...Miss Bingley," he added with bows in the relevant directions and a complete disregard for precedence. "Good to see you, Darcy."

"Select some food from the sideboard and come join us," Bingley said, as the Colonel headed in that direction. Darcy could tell Bingley was enjoying the disgusted look on Miss Bingley's face at the abrupt arrival of a dusty and, she thought, ill-mannered man in her breakfast room.

"Welcome, Colonel," she said coldly, standing up with a look of disdain on her face. "I fear Louisa and I have business to tend to elsewhere. I will leave you to the company of my brother and your cousin."

She stalked from the room, leaving her sister to scramble out of her seat and follow. Mrs. Hurst had the courtesy to offer her own, more polite welcome before she left the room.

"Your sister seems more frosty that usual," Richard noted as he added a slice of ham to the plate he was rapidly filling at the sideboard. "What happened? The country air not agree with her?"

Bingley laughed. "Definitely that, although I doubt it helped that Darcy made it crystal clear he would never offer for her and I am betrothed to someone Caroline considers a country nobody."

"A gentlewoman, though?" Richard asked absentmindedly as he considered whether to take another piece of ham. Then Bingley's words sunk in and he stopped with the second slice of ham hanging from the fork just over his plate. "Wait! You are betrothed and Darcy did what?"

Darcy joined Bingley's laughter. It was always amusing when they could catch Richard out like that.

"Yes, I am betrothed. Yes, she is a gentlewoman. Before you ask, yes, there was a compromise, but it was engineered by her mother and she had no foreknowledge of it. It was, in fact, partly my own fault. And, finally, yes, Darcy told Caroline unambiguously exactly what he thought of her in terms that made it clear no proposal was likely to be forthcoming. She has not been the same since. I like the change." Bingley smirked as Richard let the ham fall to his plate and guffawed.

Richard carried his plate to the table and took a seat near the other two before asking, "So, would this compromising gentlewoman have anything to do with Darcy's news that Anthony Jamison is likely to show his face in this neighborhood sometime soon?"

Bingley answered, "Oddly enough, he is her brother – although I beg you to withhold your judgment. Mary is nothing like him."

Darcy added his opinion. "Bingley is correct. The young woman is everything demure and proper. She has three sisters who are also proper gentlewomen and one who is practically a female version of Jamison but apparently without any of his intelligence or cunning. I understand she has only fifteen years of age, though, so there is hope her behavior might one day improve if she receives proper guidance."

Richard looked from one of them to the other as if suspecting they were pulling some kind of joke on him. Darcy looked back at him steadily. "You can eat your breakfast, Richard. There is no punch line lurking under the table to get you."

Without a word, Richard nodded and then attacked the ham on his plate as if he feared it might escape. Darcy sipped at the remains of his coffee as he watched his cousin ravenously polish off the food. Finally, the last bite was gone. Richard leaned back in his chair and looked expectantly at Darcy.

"So, Jamison has five sisters. Well, man, report! I want details."

Bingley just laughed. It fell to Darcy to respond.

"The older two are his stepsisters. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet. I would guess Miss Bennet is twenty-one or twenty-two. Miss Elizabeth is twenty or twenty-one. From what I have gathered, their mother died in childbirth trying to produce a male heir to satisfy the entail on the Bennet estate. No heir was forthcoming. Enter their stepmother, formerly Mrs. Jamison, a widow with child and nearing her confinement, who already had produced the son we know and loathe. Mr. Bennet marries her knowing the child would be legally his heir if male. She was not. That daughter, Miss Mary Bennet, will soon be Mrs. Bingley. She was quickly followed by Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia. There are no other living children."

"So, Jamison is the oldest son, but not the heir." Richard said. "No way for him to inherit by adoption?"

"Apparently not. I understand the accepted heir is a man named Collins. Reputed to be an unpleasant sort. Jamison receives an allowance from the estate at Mr. Bennet's pleasure. A visit with Wickham a few years ago nearly put paid to that and he was threatened with being cast off if he ever brought Wickham here again. However..." Darcy let the word hang tantalizingly in the air.

Richard took the bait. "However?" he asked with an expectant look.

"Mr. Bennet is near death from a cancer like the one that took my father. I do not think he has sent for Jamison, but our quarry is expected any time now all the same. Jamison probably intends to steal what he can from the estate between the time Mr. Bennet dies and the heir shows up. That is what his uncle and Mr. Bennet appear to believe anyway."

"Ah, and you think he might bring Wickham?"

"Probably not, but I do think he knows where Wickham is. We know from this summer that they are still very much in each other's pockets."

"Yes, I am actually glad Jamison was around to accidentally lead us to Wickham's plot against Georgiana. We might have been too late to keep her from harm if he was not, although I know his intent was bad and still want to smash his face in after what he did at Rosings Park."

"Well, with any good fortune you will get your chance, and I can do something similar to Wickham. We are heading over to Longbourn, the Bennet family home, in about an hour. If you clean up a bit, you could come with us. With any luck, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth will be around. You have my leave, and Bingley's, to find Miss Bennet everything lovely."

"And Miss Elizabeth?"

Bingley quickly spoke up, "Darcy already has his eye on her. That is, if she will ever let him close enough to talk to her again."

"Have you already insulted her?" Richard asked incredulously.

Darcy colored slightly, although he was not sure why he was embarrassed. "I do not think so. I think she has just been trying to avoid coming into conflict with her stepmother, who dislikes the other two and does not want any potential suitor to pay her attention. Be wary of Mrs. Bennet, by the way. She would happily match you up with Miss Catherine or the hoyden if she could engineer it," Darcy said. Bingley nodded vigorously.

"I bow to Bingley's experience in the matter. But, of course, I laugh in the face of danger – and then, I turn and run. However, if you can direct me to wherever your servants put my saddlebags, I will go wash off the dust and change clothes so I can at least meet this Bennet bevy."

Chuckling over Richard's comments, Bingley got up and rang the bell. He asked the servant who answered to show the Colonel to his room. Still smiling at his own joke, Richard followed the man out.

~o~

Mrs. Hill led the three men straight to the study when they arrived. Mr. Phillips and Mr. Bennet were waiting. As they entered, Darcy noticed Mr. Bennet was reading. With reluctance, he put the book down to greet the gentlemen.

"Just saying a last goodbye," he explained.

"Of course," Darcy said. "I understand it must be difficult to let go." He proceeded to introduce Richard.

"Ah, yes. Phillips told me you are hoping to have words or possibly even blows with Tony and hope he might lead you to that vile friend of his."

Richard bowed. "I do not wish to cause you any distress over the matter, sir, but your stepson has been instrumental in hurting more than one person who is dear to me. I would not set out to kill him, but blows are likely and might lead to more."

"I have an idea of what he is, Colonel. I cannot deny him the house while his mother is here, but I also cannot claim to be easy with his presence. Do what you must, so long as you avoid bringing harm to my daughters."

"I will be cautious, sir," Richard said gravely, He bowed. "I should like to meet your daughters if it would be no imposition."

"I believe Jane, Kitty and Mary are in the sitting room. Perhaps we could take care of my business with your cousin first and then he can introduce you while Mr. Bingley, Phillips and I go over the final settlement before we sign it. We will send for you both when we are ready for the signatures so you can act as witnesses, if you will."

Darcy and Richard both agreed that would work. Mr. Phillips opened one of the two folders in front of him.

"I have the bill of sale here, if you would just check over the details. It includes your promise to pay by having the amounts indicated placed in the trust funds once I have them set up at the bank. I will administer the fund for my sister-in-law and any of the girls for whom I am guardian. The funds for the others will be administered by their guardian."

"What are you buying, Darcy?" Richard asked as Mr. Phillips finished, looking at the other men in confusion.

Darcy waved at the room around him. "The contents of this study," he replied airily.

As he had hoped, he was rewarded with the sight of Richard's jaw dropping in surprise. He chuckled as he sat and turned to the document to give it a final reading. Not long after, he and Mr. Bennet had signed to complete the sale, with Bingley and Richard as witnesses.

"A carter will be along a little later today to move Miss Mary's dowry to a secure location in Netherfield," Darcy said. "I have hired the same carter to come on Monday to transport the books to my estate in Derbyshire. He will be sending over two men with a collection of boxes to pack it all up tomorrow, if that works for you."

"It does, Mr. Darcy. And it will give me just time to finish re-reading this old friend." Bennet gestured to the book he had laid on the desk.

"Very good. If that is our business complete, I will take my cousin and introduce him to whichever of your daughters is willing to accept his acquaintance."

"Try not to frighten them, Colonel. I can tell you are a dangerous man," Mr. Bennet teased. His brief, raspy laugh turned to a dry, hacking cough.

"I shall do my best, sir," Richard replied with a respectful bow. Darcy stood and bowed as well. Together, he and Richard left the room.

"You are right. He does not have very long," Richard whispered. "But what are you about, buying that collection of books?"

"I am making a significant contribution to the library at Pemberley. I have been looking for some of those volumes for years. In fact, my father was looking for some of those volumes for years. It is a superb collection." Darcy whispered back.

"Well, it is your money."

"Not anymore."

They arrived at the sitting room to find the three young women Mr. Bennet had named sitting and each doing needlework of some kind. Darcy stopped in the doorway and cleared his throat. All three looked up in surprise. He bowed.

"Miss Bennet...Miss Mary...Miss Catherine, my cousin has come for a stay at Netherfield and I wished to introduce him to you while Bingley completes his business with your father. Would you be willing to accept the introduction and allow us to talk with you for a time?"

"Of course, Mr. Darcy," Miss Bennet said, setting aside the gown she and Miss Mary were working on together so she could stand. Miss Catherine also put her work down and stood. Miss Mary appeared to be working up energy to do the same, but Darcy motioned for her to stay as she was.

"I know you are injured, Miss Mary. Please do not think you must stand on ceremony, or stand at all, for that matter," he said lightly.

"Thank you, sir," she said. "I will take you at your word." She remained seated,but still moved the sewing project aside to offer them her full attention.

Darcy entered the room, followed by Richard. "May I present my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam of the ~~~ Cavalry unit, recently returned from service on the Continent. Richard, these lovely ladies are Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Mary Bennet and Miss Catherine Bennet." He suddenly realized they had not told Richard anything about the manner of the compromise that had resulted in Bingley's betrothal, so he added, "Miss Mary was injured in a bad fall Wednesday night and I am actually a little surprised that she is up and around."

Miss Bennet and Miss Catherine curtsied while Richard offered each woman a polite bow. They all made the appropriate comments to accompany the introduction. Miss Bennet offered to ring for tea but Darcy and Richard declined. She then gestured for the gentlemen to choose their seats as she and Miss Catherine resumed their own.

As he took his place, Darcy said, "I know you are working on an important project. Please do not let our presence keep you from your work."

All three thanked him and picked up their work again. Darcy turned to Richard with another explanation.

"Miss Mary's sisters decided to make a fine gown for her to wear at her wedding. The gown that was previously her best suffered a great deal of damage."

The two older sisters both reddened slightly and Richard raised an eyebrow at Darcy. It seemed he was putting two and two and one together and getting five, or at least he had a pretty good idea of how the compromise happened.

In an effort to break the silence, Miss Mary said, "To respond to your observation, Mr. Darcy, I am up and around, as you put it, because I was terribly bored simply resting in my room. I am used to having my days fully occupied. I do still hurt a great deal but by joining my sisters here I can do something useful. Do you know how soon this gown will be needed?"

"Bingley told me that the common license will be delivered from St. Albans later today. While you are free to marry any day after that, I know Bingley wants to wait until you have completed that gown to your full satisfaction and made any other necessary preparations. I am sure he will come talk to you about it when his business with your father is done. If you can give him an idea of when you will be ready, then he can arrange for the church and the services of the vicar."

She thanked him and returned to her work. Miss Bennet was cognizant of current affairs as reported in the newspapers, it seemed, as she began to ask Richard some very specific questions about the most recent campaigns in which he might have served. Miss Catherine asked a few questions that demonstrated her views were unformed and naive, but Richard answered with courtesy nonetheless, giving her simple explanations to help her understand better. Darcy was content to let the three of them carry the conversation. He sat and listened, much as Miss Mary did.

He found himself fascinated by the sewing work in progress, especially the gown on which both Miss Mary and Miss Bennet were working at the same time, with one doing work on the bodice while the other sewed a beautifully embroidered strip of fabric to the bottom of the gown. He was used to seeing women doing needlework, of course. Georgiana worked on small projects like embroidered handkerchiefs and bits of mending. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst often did embroidery on handkerchiefs and other small items as well.

It was seeing the amount of work involved to produce something large like a gown that was of interest. He had never really thought about the construction of a garment before. It was something that simply happened. He selected a color, fabric or style and a piece of clothing was delivered to him. He paid for a gown for his sister at the modiste and something lovely was delivered to her. It was cause and effect with no middle ground. Now, though,the middle ground was right in front of him. He was looking forward to seeing what the finished product of this particular group effort would be.

The topic of military maneuvers and incompetent generals was still going strong when a maid looked in and told them the two gentlemen were requested to return to the study. Darcy and Richard excused themselves with a promise to return when their task was done so Richard could continue the conversation.

In the study they found the other three men seated around the desk. Two copies of the settlement document, a quill and an ink bottle awaited them. It was the work of only a few minutes for all the appropriate signatures to be made on the documents. Bingley was now as good as married. Only the actual ceremony remained to complete the legalities.

As before, Mr. Bennet finished the meeting by pulling out his flask and taking a dose. Darcy offered to help him up to his room, but he said he wanted to stay there with the books until after the carter had come. Fortunately, Mr. Bennet did not specify that the carter was coming for the wine, so they did not have to explain to Richard.

He and Bingley headed off to the sitting room, but Darcy decided to stay with Mr. Bennet for a few minutes. He could see the man relaxing as the opium began to take effect.

"Should we remove the wines from their secret chamber?" Darcy asked. "It's presence will soon be known all over the village if we do not."

"It has served its purpose. I had never intended to tell Collins about it anyway. Now, he can use it or not as he pleases but it will not be a secret." Mr. Bennet looked amused at the thought.

"You have a wicked sense of humor, sir," Darcy said.

"I must take what pleasure I can get, young man. For instance, I am greatly enjoying Mrs. Bennet's discomfort. She knows what she did to Mary and Mr. Bingley was wrong and I expect she feels some guilt at injuring both of them. That is, of course, why she is out again today and, thankfully, she has taken Lydia with her. She does not wish to face any of you. At the same time, I also know she thinks she did what she had to in order to secure their futures, and that is on me. She will be very grateful for this..." he laid his hand on the book that still rested on his desk, "although I am not certain if she knows yet. I expect she will be even more grateful that you chose to include a portion for her in the required division of the spoils but do not expect her to ever say so. She had a jointure from her first marriage that gives her the interest of five thousand pounds, with the principle divided between her living children at her death." He looked solemn despite the slightly glassy eyes. His words were starting to slur a little bit. "I never really gave much thought to how hard it might be for even one person to live on that amount of interest, let alone four. The older two would not be included and would be off to their Gardiner relatives in London at once. I should have let them go there years ago."

"You cannot change what is past, sir," Darcy said. "Yes, you probably should have done more. However, when it counted, you made the decision you needed to for them." He tapped the book near Mr. Bennet's hand to emphasize and then added, "I am curious about Miss Elizabeth's location today. She was not sewing with her sisters."

"No, I understand she is doing a portion of the work that she wants to keep secret, or at least out of Mrs. Bennet's sight for some reason."

"Ah. I am hoping to have a chance to speak with her again at some point. I think she is avoiding me in order to avoid annoying Mrs. Bennet. I know there is little I can do or say to give you comfort at this point, but I will tell you I am very impressed by your second daughter. Well, not just her - Miss Bennet, Miss Mary and Miss Catherine are all fine young women, but I am impressed with Miss Elizabeth in a different way." Mr. Bennet looked at him slightly askance, but Darcy continued on. "I cannot predict the future, and I would never do anything to force myself on a woman. I just wanted you to know that if circumstances allow, I would like to get to know her better with an eye to quite possibly marrying her if she is willing to accept my suit."

"Are you asking my blessing?" Mr. Bennet raised an eyebrow and seemed amused again.

Darcy felt his face redden with embarrassment. None of that had come out the way he intended. The words had been said, however, so he continued. "In a provisional sort of way and assuming she and I come to an agreement."

Mr. Bennet uttered a short, low bark of laughter. "Mr. Darcy, you are a man to whom I can deny nothing. Should the two of you come to an agreement some time in the future, you have my consent and blessing for what it is worth. And, it would please me to know she is in the household of a man to whom all this..." he gestured to the shelves, "is just a small part of his wondrous library. Now, as we have established there is little you can do for me, you should join the others with the living and leave me here to the dead." He unsteadily picked up the book.

"As you wish, sir," Darcy said, standing.

He automatically adjusted the position of the lamp on the table, which had been set for dealing with the settlement, back to a spot where it would give Mr. Bennet more light without being in his way or likely to be knocked over. He had done something similar so many times in his father's last months that he did not even think about it. He bowed, asking, "Do you want me to ask the servants to send in any refreshments?"

"Not now, Mr. Darcy. I will ring if I need anything. Phillips will be staying to oversee the transfer of the wines. He will help me upstairs when the time comes. If I do not see you again, sir, please know that you have both my gratitude and my respect. I hope one day you and Lizzy do come to an agreement. You are a credit to the Darcy heritage. I expect she would be safe with you."

Darcy bowed again. He left the room in silent thought, nearly overcome by the memories of parting with his own father.