Author's note: This is my first story, and it is available only in English. It was edited by Elaine/Bookmommy from AHA.

June 1811

In an elegant townhouse close to Hyde Park, two men were having a very serious conversation, one a Colonel of His Majesty's Army and the other a gentleman wearing a very expensive outfit. Both were tall and well-built, but one was blond while the second man was quite handsome with thick black hair and deep blue eyes.

"Darcy, are you sure about this? I know you have been courting Lady Victoria for weeks and you need an heir, but you don't have anything in common. She doesn't like country life and she is a darling of the Ton. You will probably be miserable for the rest of your life. It is not too late for you to end the courtship."

"Richard, Lady Victoria is the daughter of an Earl and has a dowry of 30.000 pounds. She is a beautiful woman and she is expecting my address. I know you don't think very highly of her due to the incident with your friend, but as you know, I am not a romantic, and our marriage will be a typical Ton marriage. Your father is right, I am twenty-seven years old and I am not getting any younger. Georgiana needs a woman to help her navigate her coming out."

"But Darcy, there are other women more suited to be your wife. Think about it! I am on your side always and I think you will regret it. What is Georgiana's opinion about Lady Victoria?"

"They only met twice. I think they will get along very well. Lady Victoria has plenty of experience dealing with younger sisters as she has two sisters close to Georgiana's age. Lady Victoria can help my sister during her coming out. My decision is final. I am going to visit Lady Victoria and ask for her hand in marriage; in two days, I am going to Ramsgate to visit Georgiana, and we will return to London."

"It is your decision and I will respect it. How is Georgiana?"

"She is fine. She writes a letter every week; she is studying with some painting masters and thanks to God she is not coughing anymore. Mrs. Younge writes a letter every week about her health and how she is progressing in her studies. It is time she gets to know Lady Victoria better before we get married."

Richard didn't answer he had known Lady Victoria since she was a little girl because her mother was a very good friend of his mother. She was a very beautiful woman, perhaps one the most beautiful women of the Ton with blond hair, blue eyes, and an angelic face. Unfortunately, she was also shallow and selfish.

Darcy had first met her at a party years ago. At first, he was not interested but they met again during a party some months ago. They frequented the same places and several weeks later - due to some advice from his family about his need for an heir - he asked her for a courtship and she accepted. Unfortunately, during the courtship period, he realized they had very few things in common, and most of their conversation was about trivial things or nothing at all. Despite this, Darcy felt duty-bound to marry her. Everybody was expecting an engagement.

A few hours later, Darcy arrived at Lady Victoria's house. She was in the parlor with two of her friends discussing gossip from the newspaper.

When the ladies saw him, they asked some very strange questions about Georgiana. They asked about Georgiana's whereabouts and her relationship with him, before departing a few minutes later.

It was a very unusual experience for Darcy. Before he could start his planned proposal, Lady Victoria handed him the newspaper and pointed to the gossip column. It was about a very young Miss GD in Ramsgate entertaining a gentleman at night and whose brother was not present to supervise.

Darcy was astonished, and he frankly believed it was only gossip, a horrible falsehood.

Lady Victoria told him that her dear friend Lady Helen had a house in Ramsgate near the Darcys' house and she had recently spent some weeks there. She had seen Georgiana several times strolling along the beach with a very handsome gentleman, and there were plenty of rumors about her entertaining this gentleman at night. In addition, her other dear friend Lady Jane saw Georgiana with two gentlemen at a party in Ramsgate.

It was atrocious, everybody in London was talking about his sister!

She told him that her close friends had come to her house today to give their support because she would have to end their courtship. His sister was a fallen woman and she, Lady Victoria, needed to think about her family's reputation.

At last, Darcy answered, "I perfectly understand your feelings and wish you all the best. Good-bye, madam."

Furious, he returned to his house to prepare for his journey to Ramsgate.