TWO CHAPTERS UPLOADED! REWIND FOR FULL EXPERIENCE!

Hello PnP fandom!

Guest Colleen S, ArnettinCA, ChrisM0519, Ercilia, and Levenez. Thanks. To anonymous readers too. To those guests who helped me check my wayward love for commas. Plus some other crimes against Lady Grammar. Thank you!

Hugs and kisses!

"Memory is fragile and the space of a single life is brief."

~oOo~

"...We cannot gauge the consequences of our acts

and believe in the fiction of past, present, and future..."

—Isabel Allende—

FIVE

THE OAK TREE

It was the end of August when the Darcys finally returned home to Pemberley from Ramsgate. Traveling back there had taken them almost a sennight. With the season's temperatures, the horses could not be pushed to excess, so progress had been slow. Silence had weighed heavily on the two of them with all the long hours to fill.

'What if... If I had not...?'

'Mrs. Young's suggestions... Why did I listen to her? I knew better!'

A hundred regrets filled Georgiana's heart and mind.

Fitzwilliam had decided to surprise his sister and arrived without anyone expecting him to do so. He could not have known then, how such a decision would affect so many people. That it would ripple far into his future and so many others.'

~oOo~

Nothing but open and heartfelt communication could help heal Fitzwilliam and Georgiana's relationship. Trust was part of that healing, and they knew it in their hearts. Still, despite the love they shared, neither of them could truly understand recent events and talk them through. They both felt hindered by regret and guilt.

"I cannot tell you enough, I am so sorry brother... For all the pain I have caused you."

"Oh, Georgiana!" The young man's voice –usually strong and firm— came out in almost a whisper, "It is I who should ask for your forgiveness, and for your understanding. I have not been a good brother to you. My dearest sister, it is I who has failed you most severely."

"Please do not say that Fitz! You are the best of brothers! Who believed George Wickham to begin with? Who yielded to his lies? You? No! You did not!"

With every passing second, her voice rose a little higher, finally an anger filled cry escaped her trembling lips, and tears rolled down her cheeks. She knew her brother. And because she knew him, she decided to keep silent about some things that had happened. She dared not think what might happen if he found out.

"No brother, it was me! I was mistaken, it was wrong of me. Deep in my heart I knew it, but I ignored my conscience. I should be chastised! You should be angry with me!" Her voice trembled. There was more implied in those words than what they seemed to convey. She could only hope her secret remained as such.

"Gigi, I am your older brother, I should have taken better care of you. Mayhap keeping you in the dark about his behavior was not the best way to go about it. I thought... It does not matter what I thought... I shall strive to do better by you. You have my word."

After such heartfelt words Fitzwilliam's eyes shone with tears. He was fighting hard to restrain them. Fight as he might, it was a losing battle. He did not want his sister to see him cry, it was not seemly for a man to cry. So he went back to the window he had been standing by, and turned his face in the direction of the garden.

He tried to hide the tears, wishing he were stronger. But the shaking of his shoulders betrayed him even when he kept his face hidden from her.

Georgiana walked to him with slow steps, then tentatively, she took his hand in hers and led him to a settee —he let her do as she wished.

She did not wish to leave her brother there –feeling wretched as he did— so she stretched her arms around his wide back and embraced his bowing frame. Locking her forearms around him, she crossed her arms over his chest, leaning her cheek over his head. Some of her tears may have fallen on his hair.

Their conversation had left them feeling emotionally exhausted. They were both distraught, and it took a while for them to recover some degree of normalcy to speak again. Matters were not solved by any means, it would take time for both of them to heal.

"Go on, Gigi. Go rest. We will talk later."

They did not.

~oOo~

Only silence reigned through the halls of Pemberley. Matters would stay as they were unless someone took decisive action.

Since Fitzwilliam had returned with Georgiana from the seaside, hope for any happiness was but a fanciful thought. Emotions ran high for both of them. Her brother hardly spoke to her on their way back, and his attitude toward her felt distant. She did not know how to feel. This sort of behavior was not what she was used to expecting from him. Georgiana was sure that she was the one to blame for it.

Conversely, Fitzwilliam Darcy blamed the whole situation on himself.

"What a pair, these two!"

Exclaimed Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam to no one in particular.

As she descended from the carriage she had traveled in from her home in Yorkshire, her son had begun telling her about the unfortunate events regarding her niece and nephew.

"Would that I could have warned you about this news, Mother."

"Pray, do not concern yourself about this Richard. You cannot say it was safe to write of such a thing in a letter, This information was too delicate in nature to do so. You did well to wait and tell me about it personally. " She patted his hand affectionately while he held hers.

The express she had received only said to come quickly to Pemberley. Her learning of the news seemed not to upset her as her son thought it would. Then again, the woman was used to controlling her emotions just as her nephew did. Though not to such great extents.

He himself had arrived but two days prior. He had ridden to Pemberley from London as soon as he received his cousin's express. When he was told the reason he was being summoned, it was sheer luck he had been accompanied by Fitzwilliam only, as nobody should be forced to witness the harsh words that left his lips at that moment.

Some of the parties involved in the debacle were incredibly lucky that the Colonel had been absent from Ramsgate. Otherwise there might have been lives lost.

"If I ever see him, cousin... If that cur ever crosses my path, he is dead!"

Wickham had fled soon after his confrontation with Georgiana's brother. He had tried to extort money out of his former friend in exchange for his silence after failing to secure the girl's dowry. Instead, he was left with a black eye, a bleeding nose, and a broken lip. Likely with one or two ribs in a similar state.

Apparently –as words were heatedly exchanged— it was revealed that Mrs. Young had been involved. It was unclear however, if she had been a tool in the scheme or its instigator. The woman had fled, fearful of retribution.

~oOo~

His stoicism was such, it closely resembled the strength shown by an Oak tree. So many in the family and outside of it had seen this aspect of his character, so much so, that the myth had taken over. Be that as it may, the man underneath needed to come to the surface, otherwise he might suffocate. Or break. Even an Oak can bend if the wind is strong enough, or the weight on it is heavy enough. It eventually just breaks. Just like any living being, any tree can only stand so much in the end.

"Fitzwilliam, this cannot go on for much longer! Georgie is not recovering at all!" Richard's reproof hurt. He had so many under his charge, yet he was unable to protect the one person who mattered the most to him.

"I am perfectly aware of it Richard! Trust me, I know! I cannot think about anything else!" The answer came out much louder than he had intended. Richard's eyes widened in astonishment. Never before had he heard his cousin raise his voice in such a manner.

After calming somewhat, Fitzwilliam took a long breath and added,

"In fact, she seems to have withdrawn even more into herself! Not even her music brings her solace... She plays, but her heart is absent..." Fitzwilliam added in sorrow.

'How is that possible! My Gigi... My sister...' He was not able to reconcile himself with these sad events. He did not accept them.

'Not even your music cheers you anymore cousin. You hardly play, let alone compose...' Richard thought, worried over the state of both Darcys. When was the last time you did so? Your University days? Ever since uncle George left us...'

All the stress under which they found themselves made him forget he had heard both his cousins play not two months ago. They had adapted a Sonata they both liked to be played as a duet on the pianoforte and violoncello.

For a minute the Colonel appeared to have withdrawn from their conversation.

He did not get distracted easily, as a soldier such habits could prove fatal. It was not something he did often, and yet he had been doing so right then. He too felt overwhelmed by the events in Ramsgate. Being a man of action he felt useless, he knew himself capable of facing battles with much more ease than knowing his little cousin had been through such distress.

Recovering, he eagerly looked at all those gathered, perhaps waiting for a suggestion that could actually help Georgiana.

"...But I am at my wits end aunt... She used to talk to me, now she will not even look at me!" Richard heard the end of whatever his cousin had been saying. He saw the man sit on a chair in such a way as to show how hopeless he felt.

"No matter, we shall find a way to help her." The military man said with some energy, seeming to have recovered from his musings.

"Why not try to give her some breathing space? She could come with your uncle, myself, and Isabella to Yorkshire for a month or two, perhaps more than that. You can join us a few days before Christmas in London. What do you say? It might do her, and you, some good." Suggested his aunt.

Lady Charlotte's voice, so calm, soothing but firm, had the desired effect. Fitzwilliam recovered some of his rational self then. At least for the moment.

"That might just work, thank you Aunt Charlotte."

She patted his hands in encouragement. They had been locked in tight fists, showing his distress. She took them in hers in a soothing gesture. And it seemed to work a little. He felt as if he were a thousand years old. He definitely did not feel like a young man of almost six and twenty.

Showing his feelings —especially ones that left him vulnerable in the eyes of others— was something he let but only a few people see. Weakness was not something one usually saw in him. In truth, he had the ability to hide such things with amazing ease. Sadly, this happened to his own detriment half the time. Hardly ever had anyone seen him show any weakness. His aunt was one of the few who could, even then, it was not always so.

His cousin, in an attempt to lighten the mood said,

"All will be well Fitz. You will see."

The mere mention of that endearment, uttered by any other than the one person allowed to use it, warranted a fierce frown from the recipient. The Colonel just lifted his hands high, palms facing forward, in show of surrender.

Any attempts at humor aside, Fitzwilliam desperately wanted to believe this would help his sister. He hoped this time apart would help Georgiana.

~~~o~~~oOo~~~o~~~

The events taking place during August had no bearing yet.

During Spring and early Summer both siblings wore easy smiles. Georgiana loved spending time with her brother. His duties as Master of Pemberley, Hornby Castle and other properties –not to mention his duties in Parliament— kept him away from their family enough. So she learned to make good use of the time she was able to see him.

Through the last sennight of June in 1810, Fitzwilliam and Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley were expecting all of their extended family to arrive.

The purpose of such gathering was celebrating Lady Georgiana's 15th anniversary. Everyone was expected to arrive before July began. Such special occasion deserved to be memorable, a happy event, for Fitzwilliam's sister deserved no less. Her turning five and ten years was certainly a happy occasion to spend amongst family and friends.

Around special days as this one, they both felt the absence of their parents most keenly. Georgiana specially wished she had known her mother a little better. But truly, her brother was the most important person in her world. So more for his sake rather than hers, she accepted being the center of all this attention.

Fitzwilliam had sent letters asking everyone come and celebrate with them. Most agreed.

Even Charles Bingley wrote a half legible letter to tell them he would attend. Thankfully without his sister, as Miss Bingley was staying with their older sister, Mrs. Hurst. Caroline for her part, was not as thankful, she would have preferred to accompany her younger brother, alas circumstances had prevented her from doing so.

~oOo~

Many in their extended family had come to Pemberley for such an occasion.

Their cousins, Viscount and Viscountess Alcott, Amelia and her husband Theodore, and their three children Bess, Maggie and baby Teddy were present. They came from Parnassus, their home in Staffordshire.

With them was aunt Margaret,

"Has Josephine not come with you, aunt?" Fitzwilliam's surprise was clear on his face and voice. There were only a few months of difference between Jo's age and his, he was looking forward to seeing her. Aside from Richard, it was her he trusted the most.

"Did our letter not arrive in time?" Asked aunt Margaret in surprise.

"Apparently not, it seems." Their host commented, taken aback.

"Josephine has married..."

"She did what?"

Everyone asked at the same time, clearly surprised.

"It was sudden, only the Bride and Groom, witnesses, and, well... me." Margaret' answered somewhat sheepishly

"Indeed. What of his family? What is his name?" Fitzwilliam asked, surprised.

"He has no family." Aunt Margaret provided. "His name is Friedrich Bhaer."

"Is he a good man?"

"What do you know about him?"

"This is sudden indeed!"

Questions regarding this man abounded as everyone spoke at the same time.

"Believe me when I tell you, she and I discussed it extensively. But you all know Josephine... You know how stubborn she can be. Just like her father..." Aunt Margaret said with feeling.

It was clearly still hard for aunt Margaret to talk about uncle John after all these years. It was a bittersweet joy however, and she would not change her life for anything.

"Does she know him at all?" Exclaimed uncle William.

"She spent some time in London recently, visiting some friends. They met then. They are quite like–minded. From what I have seen, he steadies her, grounds her more audacious tendencies. It is my hope he will be good to her. All indicates he will."

After aunt Margaret told her audience a little more about the newly married couple. Josephine was easily forgiven for her absence –if not for marrying without her family by her side. She was at that very moment, traveling through Scotland with her new husband.

Even after some years, and several offers of marriage she had not accepted, she remained staunchly unconcerned about being considered 'on the shelf.' Unlike her mother, who had been increasingly so as time passed. In Josephine's eyes, her dowry's investments were more than enough to secure her future, were she not to marry.

"I do not need to marry mama. I will not shackle myself to any man simply because that is what Society demands of women. I will admit, that I do want to find someone worthy, but I will not settle for material security. I already have that, so there is no real need —many women are not as fortunate as I. I will not settle for approval from people wholly unconnected to me."

Nonetheless, the girl —well, not a girl anymore— had found the love she longed for. The man was Prussian, and a Professor at Oxford University. He was his family's only surviving member. They had fallen victim to the Corsican fiend's ambition. He had emigrated, bound for England around the time of the Treaty of Tilsit, after Napoleon's victory over the Prussians at the Battles of Jena-Auerstadt.

~oOo~

Lord Fitzwilliam's family arrived almost at the same time as the party from Staffordshire.

The Darcys aunt and uncle, and their whole family travelled from Wentworth Woodhouse, in South Yorkshire. Including their cousin, Viscount Milton, who spent more time with his wife's family since his marriage.

They had come in smaller groups. Their uncle Lord Fitzwilliam, and their aunt Lady Charlotte came in the first carriage. Followed by their cousins, Lady Isabella and Richard, in a smaller one. The third —larger— carriage brought the Viscount, his wife and their three little girls, Charlotte, Margaret, and Mary, who was barely two months old.

Two other carriages followed them, bringing ladies maids, valets, other staff and luggage.

Lady Isabella was the happiest among them to be there.

Her come out in Society last Spring had been far too stressful for her taste. Not quite the joyous occasion she had anticipated nor had previously imagined. The entire business proved to be nothing but senseless pettiness for her to abide, even when she must do so for the sake of her prospects.

Isabella's stories about this had made her cousin increasingly reticent.

They had convinced Georgiana to wait longer for her coming out. She felt she needed at least two or three more years until then. She did not feel prepared for such a challenge. Though the Ton eagerly awaited Lady Georgiana Darcy's debut, they had a long wait ahead of them for that to happen.

~oOo~

Richard for his part, had recently been promoted to Colonel. His obtaining a new commission in His Majesty's Hussars, had surprised them. Not because of any lacking on his part, but because of the change in his appearance. It had indeed astonished everyone to see him wearing a mustache. It was traditionally worn by all Hussars. He tried to keep his as small and inconspicuous as he possibly could.

"You look quite foreign, brother. If I were a Scot, I should call you a Sassenach, but that would mean you are as English as they come! Imagine that!" Their older brother joked.

Viscount Milton, a good natured man, made all present aware of the fact. Richard did not always enjoy his brother's humor, but this time he found it was in fact a funny coincidence. Oh well...

"Oh, do be quiet Charlie. I happen to think I look quite dashing." Said Richard, trying to deflect everyone's attention away from the dratted thing. He did feel somewhat awkward. Nay, uncomfortable, that was precisely how he felt. But he had made up his mind, he was decided to like it.

Being called Charlie however was something his brother found absolutely abhorrent, though he would never confess to it. Only a few people could get away with calling him so. Those were his wife Mary, and his mother. So he felt justified to strike back. He enjoyed goading his brother at every opportunity he found.

"If you do, then tell me why dear brother, you seem so ill at ease? Trying to deflect from it? Quite unconvincingly, I might add..." The comment silenced the Colonel for a whole minute.

After, the competition to outmatch each other in any possible way lasted throughout their stay.

~oOo~

The eldest Darcy sister and her family had arrived a sennight after the Lawrences and the Dowager Countess Holderness from Parnassus. She had come accompanied by her husband and her three children. Her two boys, and a girl no older than five years of age, who was named after Eleanor's mother.

She quietly watched her brother and sister as she often did. Differently from them, her character was open and engaging. She possessed the talent to make people talk. Her ability to draw them into a sense of affinity was unparalleled. There were very few who could withstand this. Two of them happened to be her brother and sister.

Her younger brother had a similar ability, though his was much subtler. This ability served him well with how he related to Pemberley's tenants. And sometimes with his duties in Parliament.

Sadly, it had been hindered to some degree. He had become increasingly withdrawn.

Eleanor had been witness to this gradual change. She had seen Fitzwilliam being chased after by the Ton's match–making Mammas and their simpering daughters. She could not understand these so called 'Ladies.' How could they gamble with their futures in their attempts to compromise her brother?

He had confided in her, told her how frightening these attempts had been. Her brother had escaped being shackled in a marriage not of his choosing a time or two.

'How infuriating! And how sad to see him so altered... The wold has changed my brother, made him so guarded and... Lonely...'

Her mind drifted to a conversation they had some time ago.

"This is not the first time sister. It has happened before. You know how difficult it can be for me. Now the Season has become more of a challenge. Almack's is pure torture. I wish I could just... But..." He sighed, "It is expected of me."

"Mayhap it could be more bearable if you were with friends? Someone who can deflect attention away from you? Someone who enjoys what you do not?" Eleanor suggested.

"Richard might have enjoyed this sort of arrangement..." He replied thoughtfully.

"But his duties as Major do not allow him the time..." She huffed, then seemed lost in thought for a little while, "Have you thought about asking your friend from Scarborough?"

"Charlie?"

"Yes! The very same! You trust him, do you not?"

"I do. It is just..."

"His sisters?"

Both brother and sister looked at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.

Despite everything, the memory made her smile. She looked in the direction of said young man and heaved a sigh of relief. The ladies in question were not present.

With her not belonging to higher echelons in Society, what help she was able to give was limited –despite being a Darcy by birth— her efforts were insufficient. She chafed at this.

She had married a first son, true, but her Edward was country Gentry. Apparently London Society was much fiercer and dangerous than she had given it credit to be. Despite her not being prone to the sort of reservedness Fitzwilliam displayed, she could do nothing to help him. Propriety and rank had her hands tied.

~oOo~

Aunt Catherine did not come, thank heavens for small mercies. She rarely left Rosings Park in recent years, especially since uncle Lewis had apparently gone to his eternal reward.

The woman behaved so strangely, who could ever understand her?

The man simply disappeared one day. The carriage in which he travelled had been attacked by highwaymen. It had been seven years since the incident.

It took years, and no little effort on Lady Catherine's part to have Sir Lewis declared dead. As his widow, she expected Rosings would be under her control. Imagine her surprise when she found out it would pass to Anne –her daughter— at the time of her marriage.

In his will, Sir Lewis had left George Darcy in charge. On the latter's passing the responsibility became Fitzwilliam's.

~oOo~

Two of their mother and aunt Catherine's older sisters, Lady Charlotte Dundas, who was also Viscount Milton's mother–in–law, and Lady Frances were visiting. Such dear Ladies... They usually came to visit earlier in the year, coincidentally after Fitzwilliam's yearly visit at Rosings during Easter.

"We could not miss Georgiana's 15th year celebration, you see."

"To honor our dear sister..."

"She surely would have wanted us to be here for her darling girl."

Anyone else might have felt irritated being talked about as if she were not there. Georgiana chose not to. As it was, she found it incredibly funny. She simply indulged her aunts.

~oOo~

Both Fitzwilliam and Georgiana were fortunate in that they had a loving family. Usually it was both their uncles' wives who represented the two main parties. Aunt Margaret on their father's side. And Aunt Charlotte on their mother's. Both women announced by letter that they were to arrive earlier on, as to be able to help them welcome everyone else arriving later.

Both aunts had promised their help as hostesses for this gathering. Georgiana was still too young to take responsibility over such tasks. She had begun practicing hostess' duties with smaller groups of visitors under a companion's supervision.

A woman recommended by the Vicar in Lambton, named Mrs. Young, had taken the position not too long ago. She was not there presently, as family matters had called her away.

~oOo~

Their uncle Thomas –after a long time absence— was in England again.

The Right Honorable Thomas Darcy, though not in his prime, was still young. Still a handsome man of four and fourty years, he was Lady Mary's youngest son. She had given birth to him at the age of five and fourty!

He, like his nephew and like his brother George in his day —God rest his soul— attracted the attention of many a woman. Not only in the first circles, as any woman who had the rightful use of her senses was likely to find these Darcy men highly enticing. With their hight, dark hair, and dark blue eyes it was not difficult.

Uncle Thomas was a similar to cousin Richard to some extent. The similarities with the latter were not in appearance, as the two men were not related by blood. But their similarities lay in that both were cheerful sort of men, both were gregarious and lively. Many wondered why Fitzwilliam and Georgiana did not have that ease around most people.

All of this begged the question. How he had managed to stay single this long, was anyone's guess.

Georgiana was ecstatic to see him finally. He reminded her of her papa a little, for his character was lively, as her father's had been once. That lessened after Anne's passing, or so she was told.

~oOo~

"Pray, tell us. What wonders were you able to see these past two years?

"Many places indeed! You must choose what you wish to hear first: The planes and snowy mountains in Tibet, The Grecian ruins in Athens, or the exciting bustle of Viena?

The eagerness of his audience lasted for hours. After a while however, he was able to see how everyone hoped his stay would be longer this time. It was unfortunate the ever growing worry about French occupation, and war itself forced him to go back to England.

It was a broken heart, however which had been the real reason of his return. The man had chosen not to share this with anyone. Fitzwilliam suspected why that was, and he wisely chose not to mention his suspicions. Thomas was grateful for his nephew's discretion. After all, if word spread, his very life may be in danger.

The fact that he was back and safe was more than enough for his family, as he was the only surviving one out of the four siblings in his generation.

Thomas had recently had an epiphany and decided to stay in England. He did not feel the overwhelming need to wander the world anymore. Of course he still wished to see new places, but he understood where his place was.

Everyone felt immense relief when he made it known. Georgiana was especially happy at this. Her dear uncle was back with them.

~oOo~

The day he arrived was a surprise for everyone. Thr letter announcing his coming back to English shores arrived three days later, to no one's surprise.

"Come here poppet! Come and give your old uncle a hug!"

Exclaimed uncle Thomas as soon as he first saw his little Georgie. He quickly went to her, and embraced her himself instead.

"You have grown so much! Such a pretty young lady! You will grow to be as beautiful as Anne!"

"Indeed Uncle," answered Fitzwilliam. "It is so good to have you with us again."

"It is good to be back."

Georgiana's face had grown rosy at their compliments, but forgot about it after hearing her mother mentioned. Lady Anne had lived until Georgiana was only four, so she did not remember much about her. She greatly enjoyed stories about her mama –no matter who told them to her— as they were her favorite kind.

She felt awkward in the face of compliments, but she tried her best to ignore the feeling in this occasion. She did –despite her embarrassment— go and hug him as he bid her do.

~oOo~

Relations from their aunt Amelia's side, their cousins from her first marriage, had also accepted an invitation to visit and celebrate with them. Even if the Darcy siblings had never had the opportunity to meet their aunt, they did have a close relationship with their Osborne cousins.

"My, my. Look at him, Francis! The lanky young lad has filled out well!"

The cousin who was nine years his senior exclaimed, as he energetically patted Fitzwilliam Darcy on the back.

"Would you not say so, brother?"

"Indeed."

Both brothers smiled at the memory of how thin the young man in front of them used to be. Well, no longer. Indeed Fitzwilliam Darcy held himself in an almost regal manner, with his taller than average hight, and muscled though lean frame, he looked very much the picture of a Grecian sculpture.

Anyone else on the receiving end of such a greeting would have fallen on his face, given the strength with which it was delivered, but Fitzwilliam held his own with ease.

The younger Osborne brother simply nodded acceptance to the question, and also greeted the young Earl with a pat on the back, albeit with much more emotion and much less forcefully than his brother had done.

"It is good to see you Leeds, and you, Godolphin." Answered Darcy, calling them by their title names, as was the usual way. It was a curious habit in Society, if one thought about it, to call someone not by their surname or even their christian name, but their title instead, and keep the familiarity of friendship.

"Do not call me so, I beg you. If you please, call me anything but that!"

Francis asked right then, feeling slightly red cheeked. His tone was an odd mix of embarrassment and comical resignation.

Fitzwilliam could only laugh. "If that is your wish, Francis."

Then, addressing the older of the two he added, "It is good to see you George. Though I have to say, you have gained..." He seemed to be appraising the older man in all seriousness. Ignoring the glare, he continued.

"What? Two stone? Three... possibly?"

Such was Fitzwilliam's revenge on the eldest for the comment about his physique.

He did not consider himself a Corinthian, but Fitzwilliam knew he cut an impressive figure, and was quite pleased by that. Proud, even. He took great care to stay fit. Aside from riding, he practiced fencing, court tennis, and boxing. He was not ashamed of it. After all, where there is real superiority of mind, pride will always be under good regulation.

"I believe he has. The old boy is not in his prime anymore!"

Answered Francis, laughing at his brother.

His Grace, George Osborne, 6th Duke of Leeds, and Lord Francis Osborne, Baron Godolphin both, had been close to Fitzwilliam since his majority.

They had helped the young man navigate the ever increasing attacks of huntresses in Society –an apt name for the mothers and daughters of the Ton. It was their presence that had once saved a very young and somewhat naive Baron Darcy and Conyers from having to marry a girl whose family had planned a compromise. It was a lucky chance they had been close by. Since then they had their cousin's ever thankful friendship.

They had also warned him about skeeming fathers and brothers. Matchmaking mothers were not the only dangerous creatures of the Ton.

Lady Mary Pelham, the Osbornes' sister, had come escorted by her brothers, as her husband Lord Thomas Pelham was not able to accompany her. She waited patiently as all three men conversed, but soon realized that greeting Fitzwilliam might have to wait considerably longer. She left her brothers to their own devices.

Seeing the futility of such endeavor, to insert herself in their conversation, she went to greet Georgiana instead. Merely nodding in his cousin's direction. To which he nodded back, rolled his eyes and smiled.

'Yes, I know, your brothers are as they are.'

Georgiana was at that moment enjoying a lively talk about music with their uncle Thomas.

~oOo~

Uncle Thomas and Georgiana had been talking about a music piece that held Georgiana's most rapt attention. Before the pair saw Mary approaching them, the subject changed to discuss Joseph Haydn's Symphony Number 45, soon adding Antonio Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons.' When asked about their previous topic they both spoke at the same time.

"I cannot remember the name of the piece—"

"A piece I began learning—"

Both colored slightly when asked about it, which seemed a little strange to the newcomer. However, not deeming it important she dismissed the thought.

Soon, they moved on to talk about other pieces.

"Georgie, I heard you practicing the Adagio from one of Beethoven's Sonatas! I have always liked that piece. I heard you from the Library the night after my arrival, and niece... You were exceptional! Pray, would you play it for all of us?"

"Oh yes, please! Will you play for us Georgiana?

"Uncle, cousin Mary, you do know how hard it is for me to play in public, do you not?"

Thomas Darcy sighed.

"I have been told as much. Yet I know you Georgiana, and I am certain you can play it for others to hear. We are your family, we love you poppet, and you would not find us anything but pleased if you endulged us."

"Uncle, if you can persuade Fitz to play it with me, I would be most obliged to do so, I have heard him practice that piece on his own. He plays the Violoncello with such feeling..." She may be shy about her own abilities, but had no qualms 'throwing her brother to the gallows,' she knew he was quite private about his musical skills, still, she knew if she asked him, he would not deny her.

"It might help, were I not the only one performing..." She finished, with an impish grin.

She received a complicit, mischievous smile from her uncle. 'I know what you are doing, poppet!'

"If you can, I will do my best to overcome my shyness and play for the family. You have my word."

~oOo~

The piece they had been discussing before cousin Mary joined them –and later, Georgiana's sister Eleanor— was another, yet unknown work from Master Ludwig van Beethoven. Uncle Thomas had gifted a hand copied music sheet to Georgiana when he arrived. It was named 'Bagatelle Number 25 In A minor.'

"I was told the original score had a dedication, 'Für Elise,' though to the best of my knowledge, the lady in question did not have it in her possession, but someone else. Which is in a way strange because the piece is clearly a love declaration"

Her niece looked at him in curiosity.

"Well, at least I think it was. It has not been published yet, mayhap it will not ever be, who knows... It seems to have been some sort of gift."

"How did you obtain the copy you gave me, uncle? I absolutely adore it! It may take me a while to practice and play it well... But I must say, it is simply wonderful! I shall practice without pause!"

"I will only admit to knowing some people in Viena who frequent the same circles Master Beethoven does. I obtained the copy quite by chance, through someone who knows one of his friends relatively well." He leaned closer to Georgiana, then added, "The piece was completed this last Spring. As for further details... There was a promise I made, which stops me from telling you anything else. I will have to keep that vow until I depart this world for my eternal reward."

Very unlike herself, Georgiana huffed ...Loudly.

"You need not know more about it. Just cherish it, my heart." At this she looked up in surprise, remembering it was the same endearment her mother used with her.

"Keep it secret, at least until it is published, if it ever is..."

She nodded her acceptance and kept the secret. Mostly... For a long time, she did share it with only two people, and she played only in front of just a few, never mentioning its origin or the title. One of those people who would end up knowing, she had not met yet, and would not meet for some months still.

She had to wait to openly share the story of how such a piece came to her for seven and fifty more years. At two and seventy, she would tell it to her grandchildren. While the two people who also knew this from her, were three and eighty, and six and seventy. And told it to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A few minutes after their conversation on that subject ended, uncle and niece were joined by Georgiana's cousin Mary, and the girl's older sister, Eleanor. The former drew their attention toward their respective brothers.

"Look at them!" The trio had been joined by their cousin Richard and Charles Bingley. " One would think they are babes in leading strings, by the way they behave..." Mary said to them, laughing at their antics.

"Come now, dear Mary, they cannot be as bad as that! At least they stand on their feet, and of their own volition..." replied uncle Thomas, winking at her.

His three nieces could do naught but laugh.

~oOo~

Hugh Peters had come to Pemberley when he was a lad in his twenties. A man really, though young enough to still deserve the appellation.

Five years passed while he was at the service of the Honorable George Darcy. Then in the Winter of 1795, everything changed. He began his job serving an Earl instead. For his employer had been thrown into the role his elder brother had held shortly before, and his Master had been forced into it by a tragic turn of fate.

Pemberley would never be the same again. Around ten years later, young Master Fitzwilliam took the title at one and twenty. Peters could not fathom how such responsibilities could fall on so young a person. But he grew to admire his new Master's tenacity.

He was Under–butler now. In his twenty years of service, he had known the Master since he was a little boy. He had known young Lady Georgiana since her birth. He had seniority enough within the staff, and was due a promotion. As such, he was training with Mr. Reynolds to take the role of Butler, since health issues sped up Mr. Reynolds' retirement.

~oOo~

A day before Georgiana's birthday, all present were spread throughout the drawing room, waiting for dinner, talking to other guests, family and friends. Suddenly, a pair of unexpected visitors were announced by Peters.

"Lord George Byron, Baron Byron," All were surprised, to say the least. The man was by then, a well known figure in literary circles. Though not admired by the more conservative of their number. He bowed to all present.

"Mrs. Augusta Leigh." The lady curtsied at the same time.

All the while, it could not be helped that some quiet whispers were noticed by both newcomers. Probably because this happened to them with some frequency?

It was an absolute surprise for Fitzwilliam and Georgiana to see their cousin Augusta Maria, as it was for the Osborne siblings to see their half sister. She did not often spend time in their company. Their father had initially forbidden them to do so.

Divorces were not something Society bore easily. It had been a burden the former Marquess Carmarthen, and Duke of Leeds had found most troublesome. He did not deal with gossip easily, much less if said gossip had been about his own divorce and being spoken of as a cuckold. As a result, the Osborne children had not been close with their mother since then.

Be that as it may, both Darcys went to her and greeted her politely, affectionately even. Georgiana, because even when her reserved nature made doing so somewhat difficult, she could also be described as caring —she had been told some, if not the whole story, to protect her maidenly sensibilities— and she felt sorry for the older woman's situation. Fitzwilliam did so, because he knew what her life was like, knew about her hardships.

There were other matters to be considered, but their origin was based on rumor. Whatever the situation was, in this particular case, Fitzwilliam's duties as Master of Pemberley made the demand for politeness paramount.

"Lady Georgiana, felicitations in this wonderful occasion." Augusta curtsied again.

"I thank you. Please, will you address me by my given name? We are family after all," Georgiana plead after her own curtsy to the woman.

"I thank you. I will... Georgiana. Will you grant the same?"

"It will be my pleasure, Augusta."

Mrs. Leigh was rewarded then by an honest and heartfelt smile from the girl. Which helped her feel much more at ease.

God knew how much she needed the Darcys' welcome. If what she had heard about the young Earl was true, she would be most appreciative of any help he could offer, given the state in which her husband had left her and her children. Lieutenant Colonel Leigh was a consumate gambler, his other qualities were even less amiable. He was hardly ever home, he might as well leave them altogether.

Augusta, looking first to her hosts, and then Lord Byron, ventured in a soft voice.

"Please cousins, may you allow me to introduce you to my companion?"

"By all means Madam." Answered Fitzwilliam, who did not mention he already knew him.

"Lord Fitzilliam Darcy, 7th Earl Holderness, and Lady Georgiana Darcy, my cousins." There was a pause. "Lord George Byron, my brother." Following this there were the customary bows and curtsies on both sides.

The Darcy siblings accepted the introduction, and tried their best to make conversation.

However, with three out of four people so little inclined for such social niceties it was somewhat of an awkward situation. One of them young and shy with strangers, the other uneasy and prone to present a haughty mask in company of too new an acquaintance. And another still unsure of her welcome, thus it fell on Lord Byron to make the conversation a jovial one. He succeeded easily enough.

Fitzwilliam knew about the fame the man in front of them had garnered in Society. And despite how amiable he seemed, how good a conversationalist he proved to be, he was not sure about the man. Not completely.

'Am I being overly judgemental? Can I trust him around my sister? She is an innocent. Too innocent to be near a man of the world such as him..." He wondered, 'Is it true? What is being said... That he and my cousin are involved in a liaison? It cannot be. It would be incestuous... I do hope I am proven incorrect.'

'Fitz looks upset... Why is he upset?'

'My most important task is to protect Georgiana. The less she knows about the world, the safer she ought to be. That is correct, is it not? Young ladies should be kept ignorant of some matters...'

He tried, as inconspicuously as it was possible for him to do, to shield his sister from the man. Though younger than himself, he seemed to be much more knowledgeable than himself about the sins of the world, infinitely more. As his ethic and character made it so, he did not indulge in behaviors many men saw as their due within the Ton.

He did not like that, but Byron was in his home, and he was half brother to cousin Augusta. It was thus, for politeness' sake, that he welcomed them both to Pemberley.

'I will have Georgiana's Lady's maid stay with her while they are here. No she is young still, might not be a good idea. Bisset... I mean Mrs. Peters cannot– I digress. Better have a footman posted at her door, it is more convenient this way.'

Georgiana,for her part, could notice something was amiss, but limited in her knowledge of their two newest guests, she was not able to figure out what the issue apparently was.

~oOo~

From a distance, another set of eyes observed them.

'Oh, little brother... Might you need some help? You seem distressed...'

What she saw worried her. It was clear to her that Fitzwilliam was indeed a protective brother. Fitzwilliam realized his older sister was watching him. At the first opportunity, he walked to her. When appraised of the issue, Eleanor was only too happy to be of help. Her rooms were close to Georgiana's and the nursery was close enough. For the duration of these guests' visit, the sisters would share a room.

~oOo~

After the newest guests arrived, Mary, Eleanor, and their uncle Thomas, remained where they sat. A few moments Mary joined her brothers.

Taking advantage of their relative privacy, the remaining two turned to more particular family matters. They had begun discussing them the night prior, but Eleanor's children needed her, so they left their conversation for later. Once they were alone, they waited for a while and resumed their discussion.

It was a delicate issue, but having three children, Eleanor was hard-pressed to find the time. They decided then was as good a time as any. When someone seemed to approach, the conversation veered toward more innocent topics as a disguise.

"Uncle, I very much doubt a pair of boys of ten and eight yearscancause as much mischief as you seem to imply they are able to do. And my little Hellen is only four. So there is hardly a reason to worry, is there?"

"I am not so sure. It may have beensomeyears ago, but I do remember the mischief I got myself into at their age."

"Mayhap you have the right of it after all... But uncle, do you think it was wise for father to have left his youngest daughter in the care of two young men such as my brother and Richard? Why not aunt Charlotte and you? I know aunt Margaret cannot, legally."

"I do not know my dear. I suppose he did not expect to leave us so soon. Maybe his faith in his son was much stronger than we give it credit."

"Mayhap he did. But father did not show much wisdom in trusting George Wickham, did he? My brother repeatedly tried to open our father's eyes to Wickham's behavior and never achieved anything. I fear we have not seen the last of him."

"Your brother has handled the situation as best as he was able. Wickham received two thousand• pounds in a bequeath from your father. And Fitzwilliam gave him four thousand• in exchange for the living. Wickham knows he cannot manipulate him as he did with his godfather."

"Still, the times I met him as a grown man, he appeared to be full of resentment, I do not know why, but I fear he may try to hurt my brother in some way."

"True. We should probably warn Fitzwilliam."

"I will leave it in your hands, uncle. The truth is, I cannot be easy about it. Father should have known better."

"Darling, you cannot know his heart for certain. I want to believe my brother's sense of justice prevailed. He may have known about Wickham all along. He was not blind, and whispers do have a way of being far-reaching. And besides, the living was conditional on his taking orders. Wickham never did so. He never had any intention of becoming a vicar, we know it, and mayhap he did as well. And George never left an advowson to him in his will. And that tells the tale. Have faith dear."

"Alright. I will do as you ask."

~oOo~

Fitzwilliam and Eleanor had kept regular correspondence since their father had passed away. They had written to each other before, though not as often. In recent years the constant exchange of letters between them had grown noticeably. It had begun with the passing of Lady Anne, which affected them strongly. Despite Lady Anne not being Eleanor's mother, they had been close. Fitzwilliam was still so young back then. The affection he received from his older sister had helped him in some measure.

Their age difference had stopped having any impact on their relationship as siblings. The relationship that did find some difficulties was the one between Georgiana and her sister —such an age gap was not a trifle by any means— when compared to the one between Fitzwilliam and Eleanor, the one between the Darcy sisters was greater. Georgiana's introverted nature was not an easy hurdle to overcome.

Eleanor tried, and so did Georgiana. Eventually, the sisters found some common ground. The way Eleanor felt about her sister was much closer to motherly love. And what Georgiana truly needed was a friend. Someone closer in age but wise enough to counsel her too. Isabella could not be such, as their ages were too similar.

There might come a time when such a friend finally appeared in her life.

Who knew when. One could only hope.

~~~o~~~oOo~~~o~~~

'Ever since our return from Ramsgate...'

'Heavens above... I am so thankful fate interveened and she did not marry the blackguard!'

'What a dark future would have befallen my dear sweet sister, had I... had I not...'

'If I had not been there in time...'

'How was that... that... that deuced sard, that maggot... that...'

'He grew up with her!"

"He was almost a brother! He knew her since she was a babe in arms!

'I should have known!'

'I should have done something! Before his lies... Those deuced lies!'

'My fault... iI is all my fault! I should have seen it coming!'

Such self recriminations... If only he knew the whole of the truth...

It was early in September, a week before his 26th birthday. But the sunny day outside the study he was hiding in did not shine for him. The young man in charge of Pemberley and all lives that depend upon it felt truly and utterly lost. In truth, at that moment, if it were up to him, anyone and mostly everyone could hang. He did not care.

He was not yet six and twenty, but his Lordship, Fitzwilliam Darcy, 7th Earl Holderness, had borne the responsibilities of his title since his first and twentieth year. Not to mention he had carried the responsibility over his sister and ward. And he had done so with great strength and aplomb until then.

"I cannot leave her. But aunt Charlotte insists that I leave her under her care..."

"Now Bingley is asking me to help him learn the managing of an estate... I gave him my word, So I ought to go. Yet, why do I feel so anxious?"

"After all... What could ever happen?"

Ok. Another cliffie. But after this we finally meet... *dancing eyebrows*

I'm aware I'm including a lot of minor characters. Many of them are RL. And though they appear briefly, they give context to the time all this happens. Just be patient plz? Many are there for a reason, and I've left small clues as to why.

Sonata Number 14 was named 'Moonlight Sonata' after Beethoven's death.

The scandal around Augusta and Byron, if it happened —cause it's still just rumor— in RL was a few years later. I made it happen sooner for shock value. As it happens, Byron was outside England at this point in time.

RL Thomas Darcy was born and died in 1750, and would have been 4 years older than his sister, Lady Amelia Osborne, Marchioness Carmarthen. In this story I made him be much younger than he'd been, had he lived. Got some plans for the guy. That's all I'm saying...

PS. I'm uploading a family tree on my Pinterest. Same name as FFN's. Folder: "WIP — LHD"