A quarter of the hour later, our small party of three arrived at the inn at Lambton. We were shown in by a girl in whom I could discern a definite resemblance to that young gardening whatsit, though not a particular similarity to Jeeves – but then again, none of his professed family do possess one. No one seems to look quite as Jeeves does – perhaps they do not include enough fish in the diet.

It took some doing to stop Bingley in the hall before the rooms. He wished to spare no time in asking after her family – I could have told him that Miss Elizabeth Bennet's "family" was as pretty and unengaged as when he had left her, but decided against it. Using my prior commitment to introduce Georgiana, I finally reined in the stamping young charger and proceeded into the fray with the sister solely as faithful friend-at-arms.

After the short required "May-I-be-allowed-to-presents," I retreated a safe distance and observed the two hobnob about the usual things girls do. I had no interest in it, but I was pleased to conclude that they were getting on famously. Georgiana must have spoken twice as much as she usually did when among strangers – I believe I heard her pronounce six words together once – and she even laughed twice. Miss Bennet herself underwent a pleasing transformation; with Georgiana, she exhibited a maternal side which I had never witnessed her use even when in company with her younger sisters. It was altogether heartwarming. I could have remained content watching the pair converse across the room for an hour, had I not begun to notice small sly glances thrown my way by the elder, which engendered ill-suppressed nervous giggles from the younger. I soon decided that I did not like this. Quite coincidentally, it was about this time that I became moved by the long-suffering forbearance of the pacing Bingley just outside the door, and happened to release the catch.

It worked like a charm. Bingley came bounding in like a war horse fresh from the stables, and barely observing the necessary preliminaries, inquired with great solicitude after her family. Miss Bennet swiftly assured him that all crucial members of her family who should be single still persisted in that happy but transient state. Bingley's racing pulse slowed visibly. Mine, however, was not so fortunate when that sharp young woman artlessly asked if the blighter had not seen her eldest sister at London some weeks ago. This would not do. I had come to impress Miss Bennet, not to have her reminded of parts of my past behaviour that displeased her. Obviously, if the musket would not serve, it was time to switch to the pistol. I turned to Georgiana, who had rejoined me at Bingley's intrusion.

"How do you like Miss Bennet, Georgie?" I asked with honest feeling.

Any doubts I had fluttered away like butterflies from a breeze at the look of adoration on the girl's face. "I like her very much! She is just as you always describe her!"

Always? "I have described Miss Bennet to you before, then?" I queried.

She tilted her face sideways in confusion, still staring up at me. "Why, yes, brother. Quite often."

Funny, I couldn't recollect that – much less doing it often. No matter – I had a mission in mind for the young sister, and since she seemed so agreeable to its spirit, I was determined to see it through. "In that case, Georgie, why don't you invite her to Pemberley?"

She opened her mouth in a little "O." "Should I really, brother?" she questioned, awestruck.

"Certainly, if you wish to see more of her. It is entirely within your rights, and very proper. I'm sure that Miss Bennet would enjoy to receive your invitation and wait on you some morning. However, you should only do so if you want to, Georgie," I hastened to add.

"Oh, yes!" she exclaimed rapturously. She stood there, hands clasped beneath her beaming face, bouncing a little on her heels.

I waited.

She continued beaming and bouncing.

I coughed softly. "Perhaps you should run along and actually ask her then," I suggested gently.

This precipitated a dampening of the beaming and bouncing. "Right now, brother?" Georgie clarified.

I considered the matter while listening to Bingley recall the exact date and location of his last meeting with those bewitching Bennet sisters. I could only imagine what Miss Bennet was thinking of me while hearing him pour out his blatantly lovesick heart, which apparently I had cruelly and wantonly separated from his true soulmate. I could not stand another minute of it. "Well, yes, Georgie, I think now would be a good time," I admitted.

All was smooth sailing from thereon out. Future meetings were assured, leaves were taken, and besotted Bingleys were escorted out of the inn and back to Pemberley. I mulled over the afternoon's work in the privacy of my own room after the day came to a close.

"Jeeves," I said, "I think things may be looking up."

Jeeves paused in his labor of turning down the sheets to answer me. "I am very glad to hear it, sir."