Well, some mixed reviews for Mr Darcy. Let us continue and see what you make of this instalment.

Scene III

Georgiana sat at the breakfast table, a thoughtful expression on her face. She distinctly remembered the incident which formed the friendship between herself and Elizabeth, before recalling Miss Mary Bennet was said to be the companion chosen to accompany Lady Bainbridge north. Slowly, the light dawned. A delighted smile covered Miss Darcy's lips as she looked to her sibling and finally noticed the effect Miss Bennet had on her reticent brother.

For his part, Mr. Darcy seemed somewhat ill at ease with the current conversation, for it would place him in Miss Bennet's company over the winter months. Yet his eyes continually turned to Elizabeth and her reaction. Georgiana knew she would need to carefully monitor this situation. Indeed, she wondered how to further the attachment, for she could live with such a sister, nay, would go to great lengths to procure Elizabeth's regard toward her brother.

In Georgiana's mind, there would be much to do, to ready Miss Bennet to become Mrs. Darcy. Capturing Lady Bainbridge's eye, she knew they were of a like mind. Georgiana began to consider the amusements Fitzwilliam would arrange for the party while in London, and the gowns Elizabeth would require to look suitable on her brother's arm. Something would have to be done to keep Fitzwilliam from joining Mr Bingley until he reached an understanding with Elizabeth. Perhaps they could return to London earlier than Michaelmas. That, in Georgiana's mind would solve many problems.

Of course she could not accompany her brother and Elizabeth to plays and assemblies, not being out. Georgiana meant to live vicariously through her friend, which meant Miss Darcy needed to advise Elizabeth, very surreptitiously, on more fashionable attire and the London social scene, or at least what little she knew of it. In this, Lady Marianne would prove a most excellent ally. As serendipitously would the events of the afternoon, when Mr Holmes made a belated and unforeseen call.

"Pray, excuse the interruption, Lady Marianne," Darcy appeared at the drawing room door rather unexpectedly. Usually he did not bother the ladies when they accepted morning callers. Choosing not to participate in Ramsgate society, few, apart from his business contacts, knew of Darcy's tenure in the seaside town. However, Jeeves interrupted his correspondence on the most flimsy excuse and directed his attention to the current gentleman taking tea with his sister. The butler's countenance displayed his dislike of the visitor which, in turn, alarmed Darcy. Wickham's treachery still fresh in his mind, Fitzwilliam also feared for Miss Bennet's welfare as she had been so solicitous of his sister's reputation. With this thought in his head, Darcy made a fatal error. "Georgiana, Elizabeth, your companion, Mrs. Annesley has requested your presence above stairs on a matter of some import," he stated, with every expectation of being obeyed immediately.

Acquainted with Mr Holmes only by reputation, Darcy took all of three seconds to sum up his character and intentions. At only eight and twenty, he had survived two wives. Rumours of his mistreatment abounded at Darcy's London club, and he would not allow either is sister or Miss Bennet to become involved in Holmes's plans for the future Mistress of his estate. Fitzwilliam's glare never left the so-called gentleman while the two young ladies curtseyed and hurriedly left the room. Elizabeth seemed to give a sigh of relief as she passed but he could not spare the time to catch her eye. Lady Marianne, looking rather small and frail, Darcy suspected to play along with his current facade of rage, subtly indicated he should speak to the man who refused to take notice of her rebuffs.

"Mr Darcy," Holmes stood and offered a bow, "Gerald Holmes at your service, Sir."

The courtesy returned, in a markedly abbreviated form, expressed Darcy's displeasure and Holmes swallowed, hard. He knew any intentions in the direction of Miss Darcy or Miss Bennet to be futile. It seemed Darcy's reputation for protecting his friends and family preceded him. Understanding only too well the situation and Darcy's influence, Gerald looked for an escape.

"Jeeves," Darcy called to the butler, "Lady Marianne has taken ill, please arrange for her maid and a footman to escort her to her chambers."

"Sir," Jeeves signalled to the nearest servant. Before long, Lady Marianne, leaning heavily upon her cane also left the room without the polite effusions that usually accompanied the end of a call. She winked, leaving Darcy to do with the interloper as he pleased.

"Holmes," Darcy indicated he sit and finish his tea as the drawing room doors closed ominously. "Tell me, how long are you to stay in Ramsgate?"

Nervous, the man took his cup and gulped the remainder of his drink before answering, "I have taken a house for the summer."

"I see," Darcy crossed his arms over his chest.

"I believe Lady Marianne attends every summer," Holmes attempted polite conversation.

"Yes," Darcy answered succinctly. Letting the silence elongate and the man become most uncomfortable, he finally came to the point. "I wish you would not inopportune Lady Marianne further, or distract her companions, whilst you take in the salt air. Such is said to be beneficial to those with ailments." Pausing to ensure the man took his meaning, Darcy asked, "is that why you have come, to recover from your most recent bereavement? You have my condolences on the loss of your last wife."

Message understood, Holmes glanced at the clock. Thinking himself clever, he'd waited until Mrs Charlesworth left Bainbridge House toward the end of acceptable visiting hours. He knew the family would be taking tea and wished to join them for an extended call. Both young ladies held possibilities, perhaps Miss Bennet more so than Miss Darcy. However by the time he's had his fill of 'Elizabeth' he might be in need of a new wife. Miss Darcy would then be out and a desirable candidate for the position.

Darcy's use to the young ladies' Christian name told Holmes how the land lay. It seemed Miss Bennet had never been a possibility and it explained the reason for Darcy's secret visit to Ramsgate. A man with money could marry where he chose, although usually poor, unconnected women were selected as a second wife or mistress.

"Thank you," Holmes finally answered. "Please give Lady Marianne my best wishes for her health and happiness."

Nodding, Darcy stood and escorted the visitor to the door. He did not care if Holmes considered him rude or above his company. Only the safety of the ladies in this house mattered. This gentleman would not be bothering them again.

"You," Marianne, awaiting Darcy in the library, couldn't help letting out a pleased chuckle, "have placed the cat among the pigeons, Sir. What possessed you to call my niece by her given name?"

"Should it become widely known, pray write to me and I will do what is expected," Darcy sighed. He wanted to place his head in his hands at his moment of madness, while his heart refused to be silenced. On this matter, it rather hoped Mr Holmes would condescend to circulate his treatment while at Bainbridge House. "I do not think Holmes will disseminate his visit, or my presence here. His reputation and hunger for connections is too well known among those of my acquaintance. He is the worst kind of social leech. Any tale will be readily dismissed."

Lady Marianne merely allowed her eyebrow to rise. This mistake played into her hands. It would not be long before Elizabeth would be only too happy to accept Mr. Darcy's suit. Still, she would not interfere, the cats in Ramsgate's tearooms would do that for her.

"Time," Lady Marianne offered sagely, "will tell, Mr Darcy."

Time in some ways, it seemed, moved rather rapidly if not in others. The next fortnight passed quickly and happily for the most part. Darcy continued to refuse invitations outside Bainbridge house, preferring to spend the quiet evenings with his sister exclusively when the ladies were away from home, or the entire party when not partaking of Ramsgate society. Lady Marianne unobtrusively listened to any and all rumours while in company but, to her disappointment, heard not a word linking Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. Miss Bennet continued to engage that gentleman in spirited conversation, determined not to show her increasing regard. Then, finally, his business complete, it was time for Mr. Darcy to depart Ramsgate.

"Miss Bennet," Mr. Darcy bowed, reluctant to drop the lady's gaze as he took his leave.

Remaining at Bainbridge House longer than expected, the business with the Wickham's proved the easiest to dispose of. The evidence overwhelming, both siblings had been dealt with for their misdemeanours. They would never be free of Marshalsea Prison. However, the lease on the Ramsgate house became rather a major headache. Now, three weeks after arriving at the seaside town, the contract settling of the property for the remainder of the summer had finally been signed. From tomorrow, Mr. Smithson and his family would take residence.

"Why such a severe countenance, Sir," Lizzy asked, smiling up at the austere man. A frown marred his features, making Mr. Darcy appear much as he had the night they'd been introduced. "Are you not pleased to return to London?"

"I do not look forward to the journey," Darcy answered, considering where he should rest his horses on the return. After his parting with Lady Catherine, he had little intention of stopping at Rosings anytime soon.

"It is eighty miles of good road, Sir," Lizzy teased, well remembering one of their earliest conversations, "and your carriage has the finest springs I have ever encountered. It is early enough in the day to arrive to dine at Leighwood this evening, is that not so? "

"I am glad to have brought you such pleasure, Miss Bennet," a smirk finally appeared upon Darcy's face. In his mind's eye, he recalled the image of his sister and Elizabeth seated in his carriage as the open top displayed them at the fashionable hour just yesterday.

Georgiana had demanded the entire party take a picnic and explore the ruins she enjoyed with her brother early in his visit as his parting gesture. Unable to deny this request, Lady Marianne cried off and Mrs. Annesley elected to remain with the older lady for company. Darcy soon found Miss Bennet had indeed read much about the local vicinity. He did not wish to interrupt the lady as she waxed eloquently, telling the history of the old monastery and how it came to be in ruins. Her voice made his heart beat just a little faster, his mouth slightly dry and his mind imagined a life he could not have.

In that moment, Darcy knew himself in very grave danger of making a most inappropriate offer, should their acquaintance continue. Yet he could not give up this last day in Miss Bennet's company. Thus the party, delaying their return from the seaside picnic for as long as possible, made such a sight in Darcy's carriage as the general population of Ramsgate witnessed their return. Should Mr Holmes hear of this incident, and decide to spread word of his treatment at Bainbridge House at the hands of Mr. Darcy, Fitzwilliam knew his fate would be sealed. Mr. Darcy found he did not wish to commence a marriage under such circumstances. Yet he could not be unhappy at the outcome, should it occur.

"Lady Marianne," Darcy finally turned his attention to his hostess.

"We shall see you in London, Sir," she indicated Elizabeth should take her arm and escort her back into the drawing room. They would leave Georgiana to say a private adieu to her brother. "Please be reassured, Miss Darcy will be well cared for in your absence."

Bowing deeply, Darcy offered his arm to his sister. Together they withdrew to the entry hall in silence. Inexplicably, Darcy found himself tongue-tied as images of the close call with Wickham crowded his mind. In that instant, he knew just how much he owed Lady Marianne for her timely intervention. And just how much he continued to owe Miss Bennet, for Georgiana would be as safe in her company as she would be in his.

Well, Monday will be the last scene for Act III. Thursday might bring some surprises. Until next week.