Saturday January 23, 1813 – Pemberley

Richard Fitzwilliam alighted from his carriage to greet Georgiana and Darcy who had come out, despite the cold, to greet him. They hurried him inside and, after the usual greetings, he retired to his room to refresh himself and change his clothes. An hour later he joined them in the music room where Georgiana was practicing.

"I am glad you decided to break your journey at Pemberley, Richard. Where are you bound?" Darcy asked.

"London. I have some business with headquarters there. I thought I would take the opportunity to visit with you and Georgiana for a day or two. I have to depart on Monday."

Darcy looked at his cousin carefully and wondered how much he was not saying. He knew that Fitzwilliam expected to be called back to duty. He would not press the matter now but later, yes. He raised an eyebrow at his cousin and replied, "We are pleased that you decided to do so."

"We have someone else that we expect to break his journey with us today." Georgiana mentioned. "Mr. Bingley is returning to York from London and we expect him later today."

Fitzwilliam glanced at Darcy, "How is he coming along? I remember you telling me that he had grown up quite a bit in the past year."

"He stopped here on his way to town about a fortnight ago. It is astonishing, the change in him. He has gone from boy to man almost overnight. He has become much more engaged in business activities with a consequent reduction in idleness and frivolity. I admit I am pleased to see it. I like the new Bingley very much." Darcy replied.

Georgiana tentatively offered, "I had not seen Mr. Bingley for quite a while. The change is marked and I very much like what he has become."

Fitzwilliam and Darcy exchanged glances and Fitzwilliam's raised eyebrow was noted by Darcy who gave a slight nod to his cousin. "Obviously another topic for discussion with Darcy" thought Fitzwilliam.

The three cousins spent a relaxed hour before dinner discussing estate issues, tenant problems, spring planting plans and planned renovations to Pemberley. None of the topics were of pressing urgency and both Darcy and his cousin were content to let the conversation embrace such non-contentious issues. The avoidance of mention of military matters was by a mutual, unstated agreement between both men.

Bingley's carriage rolled up to the front entrance of Pemberley just as they all sat down for dinner. Quickly rising from the table, Darcy and Georgiana hurried to greet Bingley as he was ushered into the front hall.

"Welcome Charles, I hope your journey was not too cold."

"Thank you Darcy, I am afraid it was bitterly cold for the last hour or so. Greetings Miss Darcy, it is a pleasure to see you again so soon,"

After Bingley divested himself of outerwear, Darcy began to lead him toward the dining room, and said, "we are just starting dinner. Would you like to refresh yourself before eating? We can easily wait another quarter hour."

Bingley immediately accepted and headed to his usual room. Before he had climbed too many stairs, Darcy mentioned that they had another guest his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam which delighted Bingley since he and the Colonel had always enjoyed each other's company.

A scant quarter hour later, a refreshed but tired Bingley joined the Darcys and Fitzwilliam for dinner. It was a simple meal, held in the small family dining room. The talk was deliberately light-hearted, with Fitzwilliam delighting Georgiana with tales of the antics of his nieces and nephews while visiting at his parents' home. He also passed on an announcement, "You will most likely get a letter from my sister, announcing that she is with child again. I think her confinement is in June."

"Marvellous news, Richard. Marvellous news! I suppose your mother is making more noises about getting you married so that you can provide more grandchildren," teased Darcy.

Fitzwilliam laughed, "I believe she mentioned the subject once or twice."

Once the meal was finished they decided to settle in the music room as Georgiana offered to play some pieces that she was developing. The men sat quietly sipping port and relaxing to the music flowing from Georgiana's fingers. After about an hour she stopped and excused herself, indicating a desire to retire to her rooms to read before sleep.

Darcy invited the others to the library where a fire was warming the room. He poured himself a brandy, sat in one of the chairs ringing the fireplace, and invited the other two men to help themselves. Fitzwilliam also took a brandy, but Darcy noted with interest that Bingley poured himself a whiskey.

"Whiskey, Bingley? That is new."

"I have acquired a taste for it over the last few months. I am getting some excellent whiskey from Scotland now."

"Dare I ask how your efforts in London went?" Noting Fitzwilliam's questioning look, Darcy explained a bit further: "Bingley has decided to move to York and sold his London house. He had to help relocate the Hursts and Caroline."

"Actually, the Hursts acquired their own house with little help from me. I did pay part of the cost since Caroline will be living with them. I cannot say how long that arrangement will last. Caroline is still not reconciled to my departure. They live in a respectable neighbourhood. Not of the first tier as Caroline would wish for, but respectable. The Hursts appear content, at least."

"Charles, I had thought I might visit you later this year. I have no fixed plans as yet but I would like to meet this remarkable uncle of yours. He seems to have done more for you in a couple of months than I did in years." Darcy said.

Bingley thought for a minute or two and replied, "I would be delighted to have you visit. May or June would be the opportune times although, truthfully, it does not matter a great deal." He thought a bit more and suggested, "There are a number of people that you might be interested in meeting. The investment opportunities in the north have much potential."

"That sounds quite intriguing; I will consider my plans. Right now I have to deal with the spring planting in April and visit my aunt in Kent."

Looking at Fitzwilliam, Darcy hesitated and then asked, "Richard, will you be accompanying me this year?"

Fitzwilliam grimaced and shook his head. "As I suspected, you have already guessed that I will be returning to active duty. I received word several days ago and told my family. I hardly need say that they want me to resign my commission and marry. The problem is simply that I have not found the woman, with the necessary dowry, that I would want to live with for the next forty years."

He took another sip of his brandy and sighed, "I have seen too many unhappy or unsatisfied marriages to want to take that risk or burden."

"When do you report?"

"Wellesley is in winter quarters in Portugal as we speak. My regiment will be sailing at the end of the month to join him. It will take me every minute there is between now and then to get the regiment ready."

"Georgiana and I had planned to travel to London on Wednesday next. I am sure we could accompany you on Monday instead."

Fitzwilliam thought and nodded his head. "That sounds like an excellent idea. I will return my father's carriage and travel with you."

"Richard, do you want to break the news to Georgiana or shall I? It is possible that she has guessed already."

""Let me do it. It won't be any better coming from you than me but she deserves to hear it from me."

"Fine, I suggest you tell her after church services tomorrow. I will let her know before breakfast of the change in travel plans."

Bingley had sat quietly throughout this discussion, finally rising to his feet and stretching. "I am tired enough from the travel and the whiskey will help me sleep. I will refresh my glass and head up to my room now before I fall asleep in this chair."

Darcy and Fitzwilliam bade him good-night and settled down in comfortable silence with their brandy. Darcy broke the silence, "Do you remember that comment Georgie made about Bingley during your arrival? Well it appears that they had an interesting conversation about a fortnight ago when Bingley stopped here on his way to London. The crux of the matter is that Bingley asked her to save him a dance set at her 'coming out' ball. Mrs. Annesley, who was present for the entire conversation, saw nothing improper between them but she also suspects that each became aware of the other as a possible suitor. She believes, and it is agreed, that there is nothing to alarm us since they will be in each other's company only rarely and that dance is over a year in the future. However, it seems I must consider Bingley's suitability as a suitor."

Fitzwilliam had sat up straight when Darcy mentioned 'suitor' but then a thoughtful expression crossed his face as he responded, "You know, he might be a very good suitor if he has grown as much as you believe. I don't give much credence to concerns about 'trade' if the man is a gentleman. I like Bingley quite a bit."

"I agree. I won't discourage his suit should he decide to press it but Georgie will have at least one season before she chooses to marry. That should let her consider the men available."

Fitzwilliam considered Darcy overtly and decided to probe an issue that they had not talked about for months. "Tell me Cousin, what are your plans or intentions with regard to Miss Elizabeth Bennet?"

Darcy looked over at Fitzwilliam with a surprised look on his face. "Are you taking up mind-reading, Richard?"

He smiled and continued, "This has been much on my mind recently. I have determined to visit Hertfordshire and call on her. I have several engagements and business in town that I must take care of first, but I am determined to call. I cannot go on in this state of uncertainty. I must know, once and for all, if there is a chance I can win her."

"I am glad to hear that, Cousin. I think she is too sensible a woman to still bear you a grudge, but I do think you must be completely honest with her. And for heaven's sake, think before you speak. If your first thoughts are for her well-being, I do not see how she can refuse you."

"Let's to bed, Cousin, I have a lot to do tomorrow, if we are to leave two days early."

[A1]Or: The change in him is astonishing.

[A2]He still has both parents, so apostrophe after "parents"

[A3]

[A4]Woman=singular, women=plural