After a difficult parting, for Georgiana at least, Fitzwilliam probably can't wait to leave London and be en route back to Hertfordshire, they make good time on a road mostly cleared of snow by now. At least in the city, the heavy traffic reduces it to a soggy, filthy mud, which is shovelled to the side by men hired to keep the roads safe.

Outside town the traffic thins, and the snow is still as pristine as when it first fell.

Bob must be eager to return as well, for he really keeps the solid mares working, of course slowing down over bridges and through drifts, but eating the miles nonetheless.

'You're even more quiet than usual, Georgie. I hope you don't mind Mr Fielding coming to live with us, there wasn't much else we could do you know.'

Georgiana immediately retorts, afraid to be found out or to spill her heart's contents to him.

'You haven't been much livelier, Fitzwilliam. My head is stuffed full of music, I was working some things out, sometimes that's good to do without instrument.

And to answer your question, no, I don't mind Mr Fielding moving in. The very thought of that nice, sensitive man on the streets makes me sick even now the danger has been averted.'

Her brother nods, he doesn't understand either. But Georgiana is not done talking, yet.

'His situation does make me quiet, how he must feel right now, at another rich man's mercy. Such genius, reduced to a pawn of people who haven't a clue of its worth.

No offence intended, Fitzwilliam, you did the right thing after all.

And yes, there is a certain challenge involved in finding one's teacher whom one admired, to be a human being with feelings, and those sadly stirred. I won't hesitate to admit I had real trouble keeping myself from comforting him as I did you when you were suffering so badly.'

He offers to hold her, her dear sweet brother! It's so good to have a big, solid brother to sit against when so many feelings strive to be felt inside her. Resting her head against his broad chest, his voice is lower and it kind of rumbles.

'I can imagine you did, Georgie. He did nothing to deserve that, it's always difficult to see someone suffer from circumstances beyond his control.

But I assure you he will feel much better soon. I intend to really do well by him, I thought to help him develop his musical skills further, but seeing him in such dire straits I am inclined to think maybe we'd better help him gain independence. If he can make his own way in life, he need never be at a rich man's mercy again.'

He looks her straight in the eye now, rather intently.

'What do you think? Try to gain him fame at the cost of staying dependent on me, or to help him take charge of his own life? Possibly at the cost of world-wide fame?'

Georgiana of course no longer operates on a single agenda where Eric is concerned. She doesn't want him to go to Europe, she wants him with her. But she also truly, unselfishly wants him to develop as a composer, more so than as a performer.

Looking right back at her brother, she says, 'I'm not the right person to ask, Fitzwilliam, of course I want my teacher close, especially since I found out he's a very nice person as well as a great teacher. I have learned so much in those hours we spent together, my head is still spinning.

And I'm so incredibly impressed by his composing, I really cannot imagine why he would be blinded by a wish of being a performer of other people's music when he makes such fabulous compositions himself.'

Her brother smiles ingratiatingly, he's made up his mind already, and Georgie has contributed though she said she didn't want to.

'Then it's independence. To become known as a composer he can stay in London or come with us to Pemberley as easily as travel all over the world. Of course he can find himself a master somewhere in Europe to improve his performance whenever he needs it to progress, but that could be done in months, it's building a career as performer that takes the real effort, staying abroad for years on end, travelling from venue to venue, promoting himself by competing against others, that is what his patron couldn't afford.

You'll have your teacher with you for some time yet, Georgie, don't worry.'

She will not worry. Even though having him around is worrying, too.

Snuggled against Fitzwilliam, his arms around her, it's easier to face the idea of being in love for the first time.

And with a cow-herd's son.

Who has the most incredible gift Georgiana has ever seen, but nonetheless he is a man of very low birth. Not that anyone would see, if anyone ever could ever see past his personal beauty and his talent, they would still see an elegantly built, sensitive man with the gentle manners of her own class.

This is the perfect way to go mad in a very short time. She will enjoy her brother's embrace, chat about nothing meaningful at all, then try to be herself a little more and consider whether she'll take Elizabeth into her confidence.

And she'll practise that sonata, until she can play it as well as he can, and he'll add that second melody. Anyone hearing that will just die.

After lunch, Fitzwilliam is starting to get agitated, he's so eager to be reunited with his beloved he can hardly bear the waiting anymore. Will they run off to their room immediately, and will Elizabeth call him Mr Darcy again in that bossy tone?

Will Georgiana ever call anyone by his family name in that bossy tone? Probably not, this has something to do with the past, with Fitzwilliam looking down on Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Elizabeth hating him for it. As if he's proving over and over again he actually adores her.

No, that cannot be it. And it's still so very embarrassing to remember the tone of his voice as he replied, how he pleaded her. Though Georgiana is convinced Elizabeth is merely indulging him, she's not really that bossy.

'We're nearly there,' he says, 'do you think she's missed me?'

What kind of question is that?

'Of course she's missed you. We've had all kinds of exciting things happen, she's been stuck here with people she has seen all week and will see half the next week. She'll be dying to get her hands on you.

And call you Mr Darcy.'

Ooh, why did she have to stick that on? Now they'll both be embarrassed all over again.

And her brother certainly seems to colour slightly.

'I'm sorry you had to witness that, Georgie. I can imagine it must have been very embarrassing to you, even more so than it was to me. Afterwards, at that moment I didn't feel it, yet.

I still don't know why I didn't just control myself, I'd said it before I truly realised what it would do to you.'

'I think I'm starting to get the idea behind it, slowly. It must be I'm finally growing up. It is nonetheless a very embarrassing memory.

But Fitzwilliam, I'm so very glad you found someone you could be truly happy with, you were alone so very long, and I wanted you to find someone so badly. And I like Elizabeth so much. You know I knew straight away when I first saw her that I wanted her to become my sister.'

'It's been one of my greatest joys, Georgie, seeing the two of you get along, being friends, even.

Elizabeth will be stunned to hear that Mr Fielding is in our house at this very moment. She admires his talent as much as you do. That reminds me, I did see some admiration for you in him, finally. I knew he admired you, for you both told me he did so it must be true, but I didn't see anything of it.

Then this morning when you touched his hand to show him the exercise to strengthen his little finger, he gave himself away for a fleeting moment. He must feel very bad about that, it cannot be easy to be in love with someone so much above you, and a girl with a much older brother at that.'

Georgiana really has to control herself to not betray her feelings at hearing Fitzwilliam speak so casually about Eric loving his sister, but she thinks she manages really well. Her brother seems pensive rather than annoyed.

'It is strange, though, that it should be such a bad thing for a man to fall in love above him, when it is regarded as common sense in a woman. It never mattered to Elizabeth, well, for a mere few days just after we were married, she started to realise I owned everything, the fortune, the house, the other house, well, you get the picture.

If Kitty marries Mr Lascelles no-one will think twice about it.'

Perfect moment to do some digging.

'But Kitty's father is a gentleman with property, Fitzwilliam, doesn't that make a difference?'

'In theory it does, but she has no fortune, and Mr Bennet is only a very minor land-owner, I certainly regarded marrying Elizabeth as a big step down. It was her extraordinary mind, her gift of intelligence that finally made our marriage inevitable. To me, that is. I still had to convince her, well, you know all about that.'

Is there some hope she will be allowed to marry Eric? If she does return his affection, if she still wants to be with him and touch him when he is no longer to be pitied for being treated unfairly?

When he is independent?

Thinking of him, remembering the feeling that stirred inside her, the resulting urge to kiss him, she no longer feels shame, just a strong wish to do it again. So far, she guesses she is indeed falling in love.

Her thoughtfulness does something with Fitzwilliam.

'I can imagine you find it unfair that I can marry far below me and only aunt Catherine flies in a rage. And you will be expected to make a good match with a man like Mr Manners, or, God forbid, like Mr Grenfell.

But I'm no longer like that, Georgie. Getting to know Mr Fielding has made me realise being a gentleman is not always a question of birth. And Grenfell's deed has only confirmed that realisation, clearly, being born a gentleman doesn't automatically make a man one.

If you find a true gentleman you can love, a man like Manners, though he turned out to be different from what he seemed as well, I'll be very happy, but if you don't, I'm not going to force you to marry a Grenfell. Or even a Ponsonby, who is good-natured enough, but not nearly good enough for you.

I want you to be safe, and I want you to be happy.'

And in a flash his mood changes to something like embarrassment.

'Oh, Georgie, I'm afraid I will behave very indecently when I see Elizabeth again. I'm aching to touch her, and when I touch her I'll ache to kiss her. And that's it, I can control myself beyond that, but I'm afraid I just have to kiss her. Will you cover for me, if anyone else is waiting for us?'

'That is just so cute, Fitzwilliam! Of course I will distract anyone present, except the servants, but they're gossiping about the two of you anyway. You go kiss your adored wife, just don't fall at her feet in public. It would make a right scandal, do you have any idea how the servants would love to spread that juicy titbit of intimate knowledge?

Every washing-woman in London would hear of it within a week of Violet Ragwort's return.'

'Georgie, I love you. Since you met Elizabeth, nay, even before that, you've been so cheeky and funny, I'm so glad you are my baby-sister.

I promise you I will not fall at Elizabeth's feet before anyone, not even a servant, nor will I beg her to allow me to attend a party, and I'm sure she will not boss me around. She may call me Mr Darcy in public, but only if I deserve it. Or where I can't hear it.

We're here now, I'm glad we talked after all, I hope I didn't ruin the music in your head. If I did, you'll have every chance to put it back next week, I'll let you have your lessons in Mr Fielding's room, it will cause a scandal no doubt, but I trust him not to ravish you, and you'll need the peace and quiet with a house full of guests.'

Shaming her brother into letting her be with Eric unchaperoned, Georgiana should be ashamed of herself. But she isn't.

He is right, she has the right to marry beneath her as much as he had, and Eric would never touch her indecently, not even if she begged him to do it. Or ordered him.

Mr Darcy.

Darcy is very happy to find only Jane and Elizabeth waiting for them in the large Netherfield hall. As they have their coats taken by the butler, Georgie quickly kisses Elizabeth, leaving Darcy to greet Jane, which he doesn't quite get, but readily and heartily does.

But when Georgie winks at her sister-in-law, then moves towards Jane to kiss her as well, Darcy suddenly understands. By greeting Elizabeth first, forcing her brother to greet Jane first, she enables him some time alone with Elizabeth.

His beloved is indeed as happy to see him as he is to see her, he feels almost shy after just one night's separation, but she doesn't suffer from such insecurities, she falls on his neck with a little cry of feeling.

'I've missed you so much, my love, I'm so glad to have you in my arms again!'

She doesn't say much more than that, for by now he has lifted her and they are kissing ardently, and very indecently. But the butler has left, and Georgie has taken Jane to the drawing-room.

He wishes he could run straight up the stairs to their bedroom, but that wouldn't be right, would it?

'Jane expects us to retire to dress for dinner, love, and Simon and Fanny know better than to disturb us. Haven't seen much of Simon these two days, anyway, of course there was no real reason for him to turn up with you gone.

You're so quiet, everything was fine in London I hope?'

One would expect her to know by now that for him, strong feelings are savoured much better in silence. Never mind, he'll just kiss her again.

'May I carry you upstairs? I want to be alone with you. I'll tell you everything that happened in London, it was not really bad, but something did happen. We have a new house guest, a very talented one.'

It's no task at all to carry Elizabeth to the bedroom, though her mood is a bit different suddenly. Of course she wants to know more, but Darcy doesn't mind, he just wants to feel her against him, and kiss her and hold her, he can do that as they talk.

'You mean Mr Fielding got kicked out by his patron?'

And before Darcy can nod or confirm otherwise, 'Oh no, that poor man, he must be devastated. He felt such obligation to his patron, he'll blame himself.'

'I suppose he did, but when we arrived Mrs Annesley had soothed him somewhat already, he had been in our house for two days. I got his piano delivered, and Georgiana spent a lot of time on him. They got on really well together, though she had to get used to having her teacher and idol about.

You were both right, he is in love with her, I caught him relishing her casual touch. But being so much in love myself I cannot really blame him, it just happens, you know, it's not exactly a decision one makes.'

By now they have reached their room, and Elizabeth is listening, but she is also steadily removing some items of clothing from his body, and not without effect, for his excitement is rising fast.

Soon, Mr Fielding's plight is forgotten in their heat, Elizabeth's dress is easily removed, the room is very warm, did she plan this and order it heated well?

Kissing, stroking, the rest of the world disappears, this is so good, the warmth, the scent, the love of another human being, Elizabeth straddles him with some force and rides him eagerly, lust washes over him, waiting for the right moment to take over. As heated as he is, that would mean this ends in seconds, leaving his beloved with all her urges still plaguing her, that would be a bad reunion.

He begs her to sit on his face instead, and indulges himself in her soft intimate parts, until she shudders in release, and then he does let go, picking up her lithe shape and placing her on the bed, pinning her underneath him until she's totally covered with his larger body. Of course she wants him badly, her heat is up, she is offering herself eagerly, and he takes the offer with all the force of his lust, which urges him to plunge into her as hard and as fast as he can.

This is so good, he'd never have thought something so base could be so fulfilling, just rutting like some animal makes him feel so close to his beloved, she's urging him on, her unique mind taken over by heat as much as his own.

Of course this doesn't last long either, but at least Elizabeth shows every sign of satisfaction afterwards. They lie in an intimate embrace, and talk about the last two days. Half an hour, then they have to dress for dinner.

They wash, and put on underwear and dressing-gowns, then ring for their attendants. Can't show up in company without suitable gilding after all.

The next four days pass quietly, Georgiana practises the sonata and tries to get a grip on her feelings, if she truly loved Eric, shouldn't she be pining over him? Instead she is rather relieved to have a few days to think things over.

She is truly enjoying herself with Mr Manners and Kitty as before, except Mr Lascelles is with them as well. They play billiards in pairs, and talk French, and Kitty and herself listen to the two friends telling stories from their time together in college.

Georgiana must confess she is rather shocked at hearing the pranks they've pulled, even Bingley!, but it does help her face Mr Manners' leading role in Mr Grenfell's tribunal. Though he explained their motives to protect their rapist friend from the law, it still did influence the way she saw him.

Now she understands the bond they share a little better, and that his leadership of the clique is not due to dominance on his side, but merely a role he has grown into slowly, by proving himself the most stable character of a group of rather misguided, spoiled high-born youths.

Eventually, a certain longing for Eric does overcome her whenever she is practising. She almost feels him by her side, remembers touching his hand to demonstrate those exercises, and yes, longs to smell his hair and feel the softness of his lips again.

Whereas Kitty and Mr Lascelles are clearly well on their way to falling in love, the other couple, as people might see them, is very comfortable together, and Georgiana knows Mr Manners enjoys himself as much as she does, but they are not in love. Her growing attachment to Eric cannot hurt Mr Manners, Georgiana is sure of that.

He might rue a possible marriage between Georgiana and Mr Fielding as the loss of a profitable business transaction, but it will not break his heart.

And still she doesn't fault him for paying attention to her, somehow he doesn't feel like a mercenary, but if he is not, why does he spend so much time on her? Does he love her after all?Well, even if she underestimates his feelings for her, he knows his affections are not returned, she is not leading him on, they can enjoy themselves together without a bad conscience.

But the situation does confuse Georgiana very much, and she does feel a strong need to talk to someone, before she meets Eric again, and this time in company of someone who is, to all bystanders, courting her.