Darcy stood at the window watching Bingley's carriage pull away. "Who ever loved that loved not at first sight," he quoted shaking his head. I swear that man falls in love as often as I change shirts. I almost envy him."

"What's to envy? One day it will take and he'll marry and settle down, just like you will."

"You make it sound so simple, but Bingley answers to no one but himself...except perhaps his sister."

"Sometimes your stupidity astonishes me, Darcy. You are one of the richest men in the county, live on an estate that has no equal in beauty and you're not bad looking if being tall, dark and handsome is your cup of tea. You make decisions with no reference to another living soul. You can marry where you want, be it a lady of the Ton or a lively country girl. I would not stand in the shoes of the man or woman who chose to stand in your way once you make your choice.

Darcy turned, "and you, Richard? Isn't it time to stop playing soldier?"

"Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast."

"Shakespeare? You surprise me. But take care that you don't wake up one morning to a cold bed mourning the loss of your dancing days."

"What woman in her right mind would want me? I'm the youngest son and sleep in a tent most of the time."

"I can name one woman who might have you."

Richard grinned, "you speak of Caroline Bingley, I suppose. Ah what a woman! Can you imagine the two of us on our wedding night?"

"Mercifully, no."

The cousins continued to talk in a desultory manner but their hearts weren't in it. Each wished to talk about what had transpired that night; each loathe to open the subject. Finally Richard began to peel away the false beard he'd been wearing as a disguise. "Nasty things, these," he muttered, "but Wickham didn't recognize me though he pretended to. He actually asked me for a tenner."

"Where is he?"

"Perhaps it might be best if we never speak of Wickham again."

"Not good enough, Cousin. Where is he?"

"Where I left him. Face down in a half foot of mud."

"He's dead?" Darcy stared at Richard, "You killed him?"

Richard regarded Darcy with a sardonic smile. "It wasn't planned...I'm not sure what I planned to do with him. Force him to marry Miss Bennet or break several of his bones. A third option arose when he offered to share the slut with me. Those are his words, not mine." Richard stood and tossed the fake beard into the fire and refilled his glass. "I knew at that moment that he had no intention of marrying the girl...had no affection for her. Yet he had ruined her and brought misery to her family. Why? I have no idea. Probably just for the fun of it. He'd done it before and had gotten away with it. And he would do it again. There are no laws in this country that will protect young women from predators like Wickham. Are you disappointed in me Wills?"

Darcy regarded Richard with sadness, "I could never be disappointed in whatever you do, Richard. I suppose I'm just surprised and feeling a little stupid. If I'd been thinking more clearly I might have known it could come to this. Trouble is, I feared for your life, not his."

"Oh ye of little faith."

"I have complete faith in you. It was Wickham I couldn't trust. You should have allowed me to come with you. I could have watched your back."

"I had two very able men watching my back. You forget what I do for a living."

Darcy wasn't sure just what Richard did in the army and preferred not to know. "And what of Lydia Bennet"

"She is safe with her aunt and uncle in Gracechurch street. Now it's up to them to create a cover story as to why she suddenly appeared on their doorstep. If they're clever, they'll keep her long enough to make sure she isn't with child. If she isn't, then they can send her home."

The thought that the Bennet girl might be pregnant with Wickham's child made Darcy's blood run cold. "Did she go willingly?"

"She did not. She was half naked and rouged up like any other lady of the streets. Wickham was an exellent teacher or Miss Bennet was an avid student. Whatever, I had to terrorize her first. Of all the things I've done for my country and king, it was the worst thing I've ever done. She really is just an empty-headed child. And I said terrible things to her. And...and I hit her. I've never laid a hand on a woman in anger in my life. But she had no idea of the danger she was in. He'd left her there for two days while he went out drinking and gambling. With that beard, I must have looked like the devil incarnate. I have more than blood on my hands this night, cousin."

Darcy listened in silence as Richard vented. When it seemed that he could speak no more, Darcy spoke softly, "Go to bed Richard, you're exhausted. You need a good night's rest. We both do."

"Yes. Yes. But you should have seen the place he left her. It was next to a brothel and above a bar with the most disreputable customers I've ever seen. Her room was alive with roaches and it stank. When I think it could have been Georgie...I was glad that I'd killed him. He was pure evil and the world is better off without the Wickhams of this world."

Richard drained his glass. "There is only one good thing that came out of this night's work. George Wickham will never harm another child. I will sleep well. Good night, cousin."

Left alone Darcy continued to gaze into the fire, his mind going back through the years he had known George Wickham. There had been a time when they had been like brothers, studying and playing together, getting in mischief together. But there came a time when the mischief Wickham got into became more serious, more destructive and Darcy could find no way to stop it. His father had laughed it off as high spirits. If Darcy had indulged in half the pranks Wickham did he would have been severely reprimanded. By the time Wickham had reached his majority, mischief and pranks turned mean. He thought himself above the servants of Pemberley and the tradesmen in Lampton, a tiny village five miles from the estate. By the time he started at Cambridge he had become dissolute and Darcy could no longer abide his company. And now he was dead. And he had died badly, smothered in filth which was perhaps some kind of poetic justice.

As for Richard, he came across as a light-hearted soul who found humor in every situation, even in the serious business of war, but Darcy knew better. There was another side of Richard that few people ever saw. When in his cups and in Darcy's company Richard could be deadly serious. He had hardly turned a hair when describing the demise of George Wickham, however his feelings about Lydia Bennet were acute and searing. He blamed the rules of society. A woman had no chance of justice in England. A man could run roughshod over a woman and never suffer any punishment. She could never bring charges against him fearing the disgrace which would come down on her family. There was no jury of her peers and any suit she might bring would inevitably lose or what was more likely never brought to court. Women were no less than chattels of men, always at their mercy, subjected to unspeakable crimes and they had no recourse. Yet poor women continued to seek out husbands for protection and security. If not successful in their search for a suitable mate the educated could always play nursemaid to the children of their betters. If uneducated, they could come upon the town and eventually die of disease or at the hand of one of her customers.

Darcy felt exhaustion overwhelm him. As he mounted the stairs another long forgotten quote came to him. "There is no witness so terrible, no accuser so powerful as conscience which dwells within us." But he would not regret Wickham's death. He went to bed determined to think no more of George Wickham.

The morning brought a change in the weather. It had stopped raining at last. He had slept soundly and he rose to a bright golden day. When he greeted Richard in the breakfast room, his cousin was shaved and fully dressed and was wolfing down a substantial meal and seemed to be in an excellent humor. It was as if the previous night had not happened. It brought a sense of relief knowing that Richard would be able to place Wickham in the past where he belonged. Richard's good humor lasted until a servant delivered a letter from his father. Richard read it and frowned. "I've been summoned to our townhouse for an emergency meeting."

"What kind of emergency?"

Richard shrugged, "father doesn't say. " He held the letter up to the light. "But I can see two holes in the paper. "I'd say he is annoyed and frustrated bordering on fury. He wants me to talk some sense into my brother, which is generally a hopeless task. I fear the worst."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. Stay here and catch up on business. I'll see you at the club. Don't hold lunch for me. I'll make it when I can."

Bingley was anxiously awaiting Darcy's arrival at the club. He had so much to impart to his friend he found it hard to sit still. When he finally spotted Darcy's entrance he stood up and almost ran to him. "You're late," he accused, "and where is that bearded cousin of yours?"

"Happy to see you too," Darcy drawled. "Richard will be along soon. He had some family business to take care of. And he is no longer a bearded studmuffin. He had it shaved off this morning." Once they were seated at Darcy's favorite table he ordered a bottle of wine then sat back and eyed his old friend. "So, tell me about Hertfordshire before you explode."

Bingley grinned broadly, "it's perfect," he pronounced, "and the populous very friendly."

"Never mind the populous. Tell me about the estate."

"Netherfield is the perfect starter estate and I was lucky to be able to lease it. There are several surrounding estates that are quite prosperous and I found the owners quite delightful."

"I'm sure. And what is your expected income?"

"Of what?"

Darcy sighed, "of the estate you've leased."

"Oh, a couple of hundred, I think."

Darcy hid his exasperation behind a large swallow of wine. Bingley was in love so would make little sense for the foreseeable future. "So if you can remember, what's the name of the closest village?"

"Meryton. Absolutely charming."

"I have no doubt. So, what kind of estates surround Netherfield?"

"Netherfield?"

"Charles!"

Bingley grinned, "alright, I'll stop teasing. Last year the estate brought in thirty five hundred and that, with little management...the owners have spent the last year in the Americas. I feel sure that with your help I can squeeze out another thousand. "The closest estates are Lucas Lodge and Longbourn. Longbourn is the home of Miss Jane Bennet the most beautiful creature I've ever seen."

"So you've said. What is she like?"

"Blond, with a soft, gentle voice. An absolute angel."

Darcy found it hard to believe that Jane Bennet could be the sister of Elizabeth who could not be described as an angel. More of the devil in her. Perhaps a distant cousin.

"And her family?"

Bingley hesitated choosing his words. Darcy had impressed upon him the need to marry well. If by remote chance he and Jane Bennet were meant to be, the marriage could never be considered a good match. He knew his sister Caroline would go berserk. "The estate is entailed to a distant cousin who is married to one of Miss Bennet's sisters. There is no money, if that's what you're asking. And I don't care about that, Darcy," he add defensively, "I have enough to support us in a very good style. She would not want for anything."

"I was asking no such thing. You're a full grown man able to make your own choices without interference by well-meaning friends. I'm more interested about the family. The parents and siblings, if any."

"Oh. Sorry. But do you really mean that? You're not teasing me?"

"I do mean it. Lately I've begun to examine my own life rules and I find that they are not as important as I was led to believe all my life. I just want you to be happy, Charles. All I ask is you take it slowly. Now about her family."

"Well, there are two sisters at home, a sister who is married to a cleric and another sister who was visiting her married sister."

Now there was no doubt that Bingley's angel was the sister of Elizabeth Bennet as well as the sister of the disgraced Miss Lydia Bennet. Bingley would have to be told and he didn't look forward to it. He knew Bingley would take it in stride, but Caroline was another thing entirely.

Darcy looked beyond Bingley and saw Richard enter the dining room.

It took Richard a full five minutes to make his way across the dining room as he stopped at several tables to chat with friends. Darcy watched him trying to ascertain his mood and was relieved to see that Richard appeared to be in his usual light-hearted mood though that could be misleading. His cousin never showed his true feelings in public. When he finally reached the table he dropped into a chair with his usual careless manner. "I've had a rough morning, so be kind to me." He filled a glass with the excellent wine Darcy had ordered. "Scandal is rearing it's ugly head and Matlock house is in an uproar. Woe is me!"

Bingley chuckled, but stood up immediately, "Perhaps I should leave."

Richard waved him down, "I rely on your usual discretion, Bingley. Besides, if my sister-in-law carries out her threat, all of England will soon know of it."

"Trouble with the newly-weds?" Darcy asked.

Richard nodded, "Juliet swears she will go to court and sue for a bill of divorcement."

"Good grief! On what grounds?"

"Edmund, my sanctimonious prig of a brother has apparently taken a mistress, and his sourpuss of a bride objects, though why, I can't imagine. There has never been any discernible love between them"

"Edmund has taken a mistress? I don't believe it."

"Neither did I, but Edmund says it is so."

"He actually told you that he has taken a mistress?"

Richard rolled his eyes, "yes, cousin, he actually told me! And father is threatening to disinherit him, disown him, and even went so far as to warn him that a vital part of his anatomy would be removed if he didn't come to his senses."

"And Aunt Reggie? How is she taking it?"

"There's never been a divorce in our family; it's unthinkable. The Fitzwilliams don't air their problems in public." He glanced at Bingley, "there are easier ways of disposing of an unwanted spouse. Burrs under a blanket...drives a horse wild. If the burr is placed properly it can send a rider halfway to hell. Then of course, there's the errant arrow..."

Darcy suppressed a smile seeing the look of horror on Bingley's face. "Rumors. Only rumors. Of course, there was the case of the toadstool porridge one of our ancestors fed her abusive husband but they never could prove that it was anything but an accident. And as far as the death of her second husband, it was just bad luck when the pike fell off the wall and decapitated the poor soul"

"Enough, you two!" Bingley cried. "I don't believe a word of this nonsense."

Darcy and Richard shared a good-natured laugh with Bingley before Richard grew serious. "I spoke with my brother who was quite drunk and had locked himself away in his quarters. He refused to allow father into his rooms which was why I was summoned. Edmund is in a bad way and very unhappy. I refrained from reminding him how I had warned him of the dire consequences inherent in entering a loveless marriage, feeling he had already learned that bitter lesson. I tried to get him to open up and between the tears and slurred speech, finally succeeded. She had never wanted to marry him. Her father had forced it on her. She didn't want to have a child fearing she would suffer the same fate as her eldest sister who had died giving birth. They'd never had marital relations."

"Is that possible?" Bingley asked.

"Some men," Darcy replied with distaste, "would not stand for it and would take what they want but Edmund is a gentler soul and isn't cut from that same cloth."

"Surely he can get an annulment"

"I'll answer that," Richard said. "Of course he can get an annulment but the disgrace of admitting in open court that his wife refused him would be too much for Edmund's pride. So he opted to take a mistress. Now, to his horror, Juliet turns around and wants to sue him for a divorce citing his adultery. Her father is threatening to send her to a nunnery and cut off her inheritance. The whole mess is worthy of of one of Shakespeare's comedies."

"It sounds like they're both acting like spoiled brats," Darcy allowed. "Nothing good can come of this if they don't sit down and talk to each other."

"Precisely what I told him. Hopefully if he ever sobers up, he'll reach the same conclusion."

Once they had exhausted the subject of marital woes Richard turned his attention to Bingley, "so tell me about your latest conquest, poor girl."

Bingley's countenance brightened immediately. "Jane Bennet is an angel."

"And are there any more angels at home?"

"Just two, but both are silly geese and too young for a studmuffin like yourself."

Darcy spoke up, "apparently there are two more angels...one married to a cleric and another visiting her."

Richard sighed heavily, "I see." He drained half a glass of wine. "Perfect!"

"But you'll meet them all when you visit me at Netherfield."

"I just can't wait."

Darcy decided to put an end to Richard's sarcasm before Bingley awoke to it and took offense. "So, Bingley, what did Caroline have to say when you sprung this on her?"

"She offered to be my hostess. I agreed."

"Is that all? I thought she'd have a few chosen words to call you."

"I think that was her immediate thought, but after a moment's consideration, she thought it a splendid idea."

Richard eyed Bingley, "it took all of a moment?" Richard glanced at Darcy. "Now what do you suppose went through her mind in a moment? Did you perhaps tell her that Darcy would be enjoying a long stay with you?"

Bingley blushed to his roots, "I may have mentioned that."

"It sounds," Richard allowed, "that this should make for a lively visit. I wouldn't miss it for the world. As a matter of fact, I have a brilliant idea. Our Aunt Catherine and her daughter Anne will be arriving from Kent in about a week's time. They'll be staying at Matlock house but with the trouble with my brother brewing, they will probably enjoy a trip to Hertfordshire. And I'm sure Georgiana would love to see your new home. What say you, Bingley? Do you think you can manage a houseful of guests?"

Bingley grew excited, "of course. It will be wonderful to play host in my first estate."

Richard cocked a brow in Darcy's direction. "What say you, cousin? Are you up to it."

Darcy shook his head at Richard's audacity but couldn't suppress a smile, "having Lady Catherine and Caroline Bingley living in one house will certainly make the time spent in Hertfordshire a memorable occasion if any of us survive."

After a quick lunch Richard returned to Matlock house leaving Darcy and Bingley to finish their meal at a slower pace. When they finally pushed their plates away and ordered brandies, Darcy sat in silence softly drumming his fingers on the table glancing around at the almost empty clubroom. Before Bingley returned to Hertfordshire it was imperative that he be informed about the Bennet family and what had befallen them since Bingley's visit. It would be an unkind friend not to warn him that there was trouble brewing especially when Caroline got wind of it. She was desperate to connect the Bingley family with a moneyed or titled family. She had made her wishes known as long as he had known her. It would be bad enough if Charles attached himself to a country nobody but if there was a scandal connected to the family... but where to begin?

While Darcy mulled over what he wanted to say to Bingley, Bingley watched Darcy with interest and ordered two more brandies. He'd known Darcy for more than seven years and was sure he knew his every mood. A slight upset called for the twisting of his pinky ring, exasperation brought destruction to his perfect coiffure as he ran outraged fingers through his hair and a dark glare at Richard meant "you've delighted us long enough, now behave.". He'd never seen his friend angry and hoped he never would for his use of irony to show his displeasure was awesome enough. The rest of his moods were hidden by staring out a window or examining a nondescript knick-knack as though it were surely an undiscovered masterpiece. Finger drumming was new and to Bingley's mind indicated indecision which if it were so, would be a novelty for Darcy took great pride in knowing what he wanted and how to get it. He waited patiently until Darcy stopped that infernal drumming and focused his attention on Bingley.

"Bingley...Charles, It would save me a lot of trouble if you told me just what your feeling towards Miss Bennet are. I don't mean to be invasive but it's rather important that I know just what your feeling are towards this young lady."

Of all the subjects Darcy might approach, Miss Jane Bennet was the furthest from his mind. But his use of Bingley first name made it seem important though he could not imagine why. But he trusted his friend completely. "I liked her very much, Darcy, but I've only had the pleasure of four dances with her and her mother managed to place us together at two dinners at Longbourn. Other than that, I spoke with her on numerous occasions at the various parties I was invited to. She's beautiful to be sure, but it's her gentle spirit that I find so attractive. She only had good to say about her neighbors though I admit some of them are a boring lot though very friendly and welcoming to me. I don't know what more I can tell you, Darce. It's probably just an infatuation right now but it could very well turn into something more. I confess she is ever on my mind and I can't wait to see her again. I've leased Netherfield for six months. That should give us plenty of time to decide if we can be happy together. If she's the one I've been waiting for, then I'll marry her if she'll have me. Does that answer your question?"

"What of Caroline? There will be serious consequences if she is unhappy with your choice."

"Caroline can't live my life for me. I've heard enough about Edmund's misery to know that my life's partner must be my choice, and mine alone. Now it's your turn. What's this all about?"

Darcy sighed, "It's rather a long story but I'll make it as brief as I can. Once upon a time two men and a young lady rode down to Kent to spend what they considered to be cruel and unusual punishment...a visit to our Aunt Catherine. There we met a young lady so singular that all who came into her light were instantly entranced, especially my sister Georgiana and my cousin Anne. Are you bored yet?"

"Not at all. You say you met a woman who entranced you? The great Mr. Darcy? I'm working on the image."

"A slip of the tongue. Everyone but me was entranced. May I go on?"

"She wasn't a blond goddess, was she?"

"She was not. And by no stretch of the imagination could she be described as gentle in spirit. But that's not the point. My aunt has a cleric by the name of Mr. Collins who is the stupidest man in the world. Recently he married a young cousin whose family estate is entailed to her new husband...the only reason I can imagine marrying this buffoon of a clergyman. This estate is in Hertfordshire." Darcy stopped for a sip of brandy and noticed that Bingley was no longer smiling.

"Miss Elizabeth...the entrancing lady under discussion...also has an elder sister by the name of Jane, and two younger sisters."

"The misses Kitty and Lydia."

"Yes, Bingley. The misses Kitty and Lydia."

"What have they done?"

"It's Miss Lydia. She's eloped with George Wickham."

Bingley rocked back in his chair. "Oh my G-d! This is all my fault! I saw him there at some parties. I should have said something...warned them of what kind of man they were inviting into their homes."

"Settle down, Charles. You could not possibly have guessed such a thing could happen."

Have they found her? Are they married?"

"I know no more than I've told you, Bingley," Darcy lied. The morning before Richard and I returned to town the cleric scurried over and with great gusto related what I have just told you. He hopes that the family will throw away their youngest daughter and I suspect that he would be overjoyed if the entire family were shunned. I've told you this story so you're not blind-sided when you return to Hertfordshire. The entire Bennet family must be suffering the worst kind of misery and your Jane in the deepest grief. You can't keep gossip like this from spreading. I dare say your sister will hear of it within moments of her arrival at Netherfield. It will curtail your courtship severely."

"Someone should have killed that snake years ago." Darcy's eyes widened hearing such a statement from Bingley but chose not to reply. "Darcy, I don't believe that the sins of a sister should be visited upon the entire family. Do you?"

"If you had asked me that question a month ago I probably would have given you a lecture on the principles that govern our lives. But today I am inclined to put the blame on poor parentship. The remaining sisters are blameless, but that won't stop Caroline from refusing to invite them into your home or grace her presence in theirs. I'm not concerned with the rest of the inhabitants. As we go, they are sure to follow lest they incur our displeasure. I have found that the wealthier a man is, the more intelligence and discernment the common man attributes to him. Pure nonsense of course. I number among my acquaintances several who bray when spoken to."

"Then you'll still come to Netherfield with me? I mean...it will be difficult for your sister to meet one of the Bennet family under the circumstances. I would not have your family embarrassed, Darcy. If you want to change your mind about coming, I will understand."

Darcy was appalled. He stood up and stared down at his friend. "Bingley, It's been too long since we sat down with our brandies and talked the night away. What say we spend the evening together. Stay the night if you wish. And just so we're clear, if I forbade Georgiana from going to Hertfordshire I dare say she and my cousin Anne would disown me and go alone."