Will you look at this - a second (or is it third?) chapter this week, for your reading pleasure. I think, perhaps, all your incredible support has helped me start off this year right - we are finally nearing the end!

In this chapter, a certain scummy knight gets his comeuppance...

Chapter Thirty

"And you are certain of this?"

Darcy nodded his head at Bingley's incredulous exultation. "I am sorry, Charles," said he, "but aside from what I overheard, given his words and his behavior last night, how could anyone assume otherwise?"

"Sir Frederick may have as many affairs as he pleases, that is not our concern," said his cousin Lord Rowarth. "But he cannot be allowed to continue his schemes of blackmail against the women he seduces."

"Especially Elizabeth," put in Lord Scarborough. "She is family, and Adelaide would have my hide were she to discover that I had an idea of his intentions and did nothing to prevent him hurting her stepmother."

"And our mother would have ours, eh Philip? You know how she adores our young aunt," said Fitzwilliam, his words earning a nod of agreement from his brother.

"You think you'd have it bad?" cried Stephen. "I'm married to her sister! Catie would have my head on our best silver platter if she were to discover I had this information and did not act upon it."

Unable to help himself, Darcy laughed. "Given what I know of the former Miss Catherine Bennet, I can imagine her doing that."

Bingley sighed, then groaned as he ran his hands over his face and through his hair. "Jane wouldn't stand for it, either. Lord, what are we to do, then?"

"Lady Stashwick had an idea about that, one inadvertently inspired by Sir Frederick himself," said Darcy, before he leaned forward over his desk and explained Elizabeth's plan.

When he had finished, Rowarth's expression was one of admiration. "And Elizabeth came up with this plan on her own?"

"She did," Darcy confirmed.

"And we are all to be there with her?" asked Scarborough.

Darcy nodded again. "Eliz—Lady Stashwick—thought it would be a greater show of force, so to speak, to have all the principal men of the family to support her."

"But not my father?" said Fitzwilliam.

"She would have welcomed him, I believe, but thought his business with the House of Lords light prevent him participating," Darcy said. "She feared the same of Scarborough, but as you see, he is come."

"And you, Darcy? Are you to be there also?" Bingley asked. "After all, you're technically not family. No offence, old friend."

"None taken, Charles," said Darcy. "But yes, I shall also be there, at the lady's request."

Fitzwilliam snorted. "He's not family yet," said he. "'Tis only a matter of time, Bingley."

Bingley looked at Darcy with a smile. "Oh, yes, very true, Theo! Darcy only needs to exercise some patience, and Lizzy is sure to come around. And really, it will be such a joy to be able to call you brother, Will."

A smile graced Darcy's lips as he said, "You are very kind, Charles. But let us not get ahead of ourselves."

"Aye, first we must bring to heel a certain libertine—no offence, Bingley, seeing as he is your brother," said Scarborough.

Bingley waved off his words. "None taken, my lord. You're only telling the truth."

"Shall we breakfast here then, as to be at Stashwick House before Dornan is?" asked Fitzwilliam.

Darcy nodded. "Aye, I have already alerted the kitchen that I will be having guests. Clara will be having breakfast in the schoolroom with Mrs. Annesley."

Breakfast was soon served, and while the gentlemen took their time to enjoy the plentiful offerings, they also consumed their meal with some little bit of haste, wanting to arrive at Stashwick House well ahead of their quarry. Before departing, Darcy made sure to stop in and assure Clara that he would be home again as soon as he could.

"And we will go see the lady and my friends soon?" she asked hopefully.

He smiled at her. "That is one thing I am working on today, dearest."

Clara clapped her hands gleefully and cheered. "I'm so glad, Papa!"

After bending to place a kiss atop her head, Darcy said his farewell and departed with the others. On arriving at the Stashwick residence some minutes later, they were informed that "Her Ladyship and family are still at table," by the butler, who then showed them all to the drawing room. Mere moments after the African man's departure, Elizabeth appeared.

"Gentlemen, thank you so much for taking time out of your no doubt busy schedules to lend me your assistance," said she. "Most of you know my nature—I would much rather have dealt with this matter on my own. But however much I am independent, I am equally as intelligent enough to know when help is required."

Lord Rowarth stepped forward and took her hands in his. "My dear young aunt," said he with a smile, "it is a strong person who can admit they need help. And I am sure I speak for my fellow gentlemen in saying that I am more than happy to be of service to you."

"Madam, are you certain you wish us to all hide out in the other room when Dornan arrives?" asked Scarborough. "Should we not be here waiting with you?"

Darcy offered Elizabeth an encouraging smile when she flicked her eyes in his direction, then she replied to the query with, "Darcy said much the same last night, but as I told him, I really do think it best that I get Sir Frederick to not only proposition me, but threaten me with blackmail, as we suspect he will do when thwarted. If you all hear it, he cannot deny he said it."

"And the better to instill fear in the knave's heart when we all pop in to confront him," said Fitzwilliam.

Elizabeth nodded, then looked to Bingley. "I am sorry, brother Charles, to burden you thus, but—"

Bingley held up a hand. "There is no need for you to apologize, Elizabeth," said he. "I learned of Frederick's true nature not long after Caro married him, when it was too late to prevent the misfortune of her being stuck with a rake for a husband. After little Frederick was born, she gave herself over to the same sinful ways, but at least my sister has never been fool enough to attempt seducing a member of the family. I still find it astonishing that Frederick is trying to strike so close to home, as the saying goes."

"He has set his cap rather high, hasn't he?" observed Stephen. "I mean, really, to think he has the ability to charm his way into the bed of a marchioness? How absurd."

"Well, Lady Stornaway did take up with a flower delivery boy last year, don't forget," Scarborough said. "Dornan is a working man and goodness only knows how he got that knighthood of his—some persons of rank get a kind of thrill from dallying with the help."

A soft groan drew the attention of everyone; Darcy noted that Lady Winstead had entered the room.

"Absolutely the wrong time to have entered a room without knocking," she murmured, then turned her attention to Elizabeth. "Do you still wish Anne and I to be in the music room when your more unpleasant guest arrives?"

"Yes, thank you Mary," Elizabeth replied. "I suspect the music will lull him into a false sense of security in which he will assume a greater degree of privacy."

Lady Winstead nodded. "Very well, Lizzy."

She turned to the men and inclined her head toward them as well. "I thank you all for your kindness in assisting my sister in this clandestine endeavour. I feel much better about her own participation knowing that so many are looking out for her."

When the lady's eyes fell on Darcy as she spoke the last, he offered her a nod of acknowledgement. She then curtsied and made her way into the music room, closing the doors behind her. A few moments later, the pianoforte could be heard.

It was not many more before the knocker sounded on the front door. Elizabeth ushered the men into what Darcy suspected was the late Lord Stashwick's study—he absently mused that she must have her own somewhere else in the house, for the room did not appear to have been used in quite some time.

The door between the study and the drawing room was left ajar, enough that two of them could stand by it without being seen. Darcy, naturally, placed himself beside the door while Fitzwilliam stood behind it, his head cocked to listen as Elizabeth welcomed Sir Frederick to her home.

"Shall I ring for some tea, Sir Frederick?" she asked.

"No, thank you, my lady," Sir Frederick replied. "I am quite full from breaking my fast."

"Shall we be seated, then?"

Audible footsteps suggested that Sir Frederick was crossing the room. Darcy wished he could see where they were—probably on the settee, or in the chairs before the fireplace—but he dared not move to look.

"So, Sir Frederick," Elizabeth began. "You said last night that Lady Dornan was hopeful of your being able to curry favor with me. Has that anything to do with the proposition you mentioned?"

"In a sense," Sir Frederick replied. "However, I have something rather more pleasurable to myself in mind, which I believe will be pleasurable to you also."

"I seem to recall that you said something about this proposition being of benefit to us both, sir," said Elizabeth.

"Oh yes," said Sir Frederick in a tone that made bile rise in Darcy's throat. Though he knew Elizabeth had to tread carefully, he could not help wishing this charade was soon to come to an end.

"I meant what I said when I spoke of your beauty, my lady," the knight was saying. "I do not think I have seen anyone so blessed with good looks."

"Not even your wife, sir?"

Sir Frederick chuckled. "Caroline is lovely enough, certainly, but her beauty is lessened by her unfortunate character. I was deceived in that regard, you know—I had no idea she was so mean and vicious and determined to climb as high upon the social ladder as could be done until after I married her."

"Bollocks," Bingley whispered from Darcy's left. "I made quite clear what he was getting himself into when he offered for Caro."

"Just after her fortune then, I suspect," whispered Rowarth.

"I am sorry, Sir Frederick," said Elizabeth, "that you are unhappy. But what has that to do with me?"

"Unlike the rest of the ton, I understand that not every young widow is eager to seek another husband when her year of morning is done," Sir Frederick said. "I also understand that a lady does not bury her needs and desires with her husband."

Darcy clenched his jaw and balled his hands into fists to stop himself from throwing away the whole effort of gathering the others and marching into the drawing room to confront the snake.

A soft rustle of fabric told him that Elizabeth had stood. "Funny you should say that, sir," said she. "My sister Mary said nearly the same thing."

"You see? Even a clergyman's wife knows something of carnal desires, my lady," said Sir Frederick. "I… I am not happy in my marriage. Lady Dornan does not allow me into her bed anymore—she would rather seek her pleasure with other men. Do you not think it my right, then, to do the same?"

"I understand that some seek such arrangements, so long as discretion is exercised," said Elizabeth.

Sir Frederick's heavy foot sounded for three steps, and then, "Then do you not see, my lady, how we can be of benefit to one another? I believe most fervently that you are just the woman to satisfy my every desire, and I am sure beyond doubt that I could bring you the greatest pleasure. Does it not appeal to you, the idea of satisfying your needs without the pressure of marriage behind it?"

And there he goes, thought Darcy angrily. The blackguard.

"It would appeal to me, Sir Frederick, if it were not so grievous a sin," said Elizabeth firmly. "I am greatly disappointed in you, sir, and I absolutely cannot agree to such an arrangement."

Sir Frederick scoffed. "You cannot? Really, my lady, why did you think I wished to meet with you? Why did you invite me to your home if you had no inclination as to what mutual benefit I had in mind?"

"I thought you sought to mediate some form of reconciliation between myself and Lady Dornan, as you know that a publicly acknowledged acquaintance between us would raise her further in society," Elizabeth fired back. "I thought you were a gentleman who sought to make his wife happy, not break his marriage vows to her."

Her visitor laughed scornfully. "Why should I be faithful to her? Caroline isn't faithful to me, I've already told you that."

"Even if that is true, her folly does not excuse yours," said Elizabeth then, and Darcy could imagine her now crossing her arms.

"I am disappointed in you, Lady Stashwick," said Sir Frederick then. "I really thought that you would be amenable to a private liaison of mutual satisfaction to us both."

"Well, you were wrong, sir. I think it is time you left."

"Very well, my lady, but before I go, I should warn you that my dear wife is aware that I was to come here today. All I have to do is say the right thing to her, and she'll have it all over London within a day that I have been in your bed."

"You wouldn't dare!" Elizabeth cried.

"I'm afraid I must, madam—I am not a man accustomed to not having my way," said Sir Frederick. "So, you have two options, now, Lady Stashwick: You either acquiesce and we engage in the affair I very much desire, or you offer me a large sum of money to ensure my silence—say, ten thousand pounds?"

Darcy had heard enough. With a glance at his cousin, he threw open the study door and marched toward Sir Frederick with a murderous glare.

"How dare you speak to a lady thus!" he growled.

"What the hell is the meaning of this?!" cried Sir Frederick as the men in Elizabeth's family surrounded him.

"This, Freddy, is your day of reckoning," said Bingley as he moved to stand next to Darcy with an angry scowl. "I cannot believe you had the audacity to not only seek to engage in an affair with a marchioness, but my very own sister!"

"Widows usually make the best lovers, Charles," said Sir Frederick with an insouciant lift of his shoulder. "Clearly I was wrong about this one."

Darcy took a step closer to him on seeing the glare he threw in Elizabeth's direction. "Watch yourself, Dornan," he said. "Do not deign to speak ill of Lady Stashwick."

"Especially not in front of nearly every man in the country to whom she is related," said Scarborough. "You reached too high this time, Dornan."

"It's Sir Frederick," the knight snapped.

"I think a marquess can address you however he pleases," said Rowarth. "Now, here's what's going to happen, if you value your continued good health…"

Sir Frederick snorted. "Are you threatening me, Lord Rowarth?"

"Oh, do not pretend you have friends high enough to make any of our lives miserable, you fool," growled Fitzwilliam.

Elizabeth stepped up to stand between Darcy and Bingley. "Here is what is going to happen," said she firmly. "You are going to leave this house and never return to it. You will not engage me in public ever again—should you see me, you will ignore me or you will turn about and go in the opposite direction. You can either tell your wife all about your utter failure at seducing me, or you can keep it to yourself—I really do not care which. But I am not going to pay you a single shilling to keep silent, and you are not going to allow Caroline to spread her poison around London, calling me all sorts of vile names because I refused your disgusting offer."

"Maybe we should tell her," said Bingley. "After all, Caro's been rather jealous of you and your good fortune, dear Lizzy. I can just imagine how miserable Freddy here would be should my sister learn he wanted to bed you. He'd be just one more thing you took from her in her eyes."

"I'll do one better," said Stephen then. "This little meeting between you and my sister never happened, Dornan. If you really did mention it to your wife, you will tell her it was canceled and you've no intention of trying again. Look around you—there are six of us here who will not hesitate to make your life nigh unbearable should there be even a hint of it spoken of in any gaming room, club, tea house, salon, or drawing room in the city."

Sir Frederick did look around and sneered at them all, his gaze falling last on Elizabeth. "Don't know why I bothered with this frigid—"

Giving the reprobate no time to finish his sentence, Darcy drew back his arm and threw a hard right cross, catching Sir Frederick just below the eye with enough force to throw him off his feet. Fitzwilliam and Rowarth picked him up roughly and dragged him back into a standing position.

"Gentlemen," said Elizabeth. "If you would please be so kind, do get this person out of my house."

"With pleasure, my lady," replied Fitzwilliam, and with his brother's assistance dragged Sir Frederick from the room.

Elizabeth then turned to Darcy and asked, "Are you all right, Mr. Darcy?"

Darcy was then shaking his hand and flexing his fingers; at her expression of concern, he smiled and said, "I would beg your forgiveness, my lady, but hitting the wretch actually felt very good."

She crossed her arms and arched an eyebrow. "That is not an answer. How is your hand? Does it hurt?"

"It aches, yes, but I'll be fine," Darcy assured her. "Any discomfort I feel is worth it to relieve you of the burden of having to deal with that licentious prig."

"Amen to that, Darcy!" said Stephen. "Are you all right, Elizabeth? One of us should have asked that already."

"Oh, I am quite all right, Stephen," Elizabeth replied with a wave of her hand. "Though I confess I have half an inclination to take a bath."

"Do you really think Dornan will keep his mouth shut about what happened here today?" ventured Scarborough.

"If he knows what's good for him, he will," said Fitzwilliam as he and Lord Rowarth returned.

"You should put some ice on that hand, Darcy," advised Rowarth. "You know that bare-knuckled pugilism can make your joints swell."

"I will ring for a servant to fetch some ice at once," said Elizabeth as she turned and started away.

Darcy reached out and caught her hand, and he did not release it when she looked back at him. "Do not trouble yourself, my lady. I will take care of it at home."

As the hand he had punched Dornan with was the hand that held hers, Elizabeth turned it over in her own to examine it. The back of it was a little red, and his knuckles were indeed beginning to swell.

"Do you give me your word that you'll apply some ice to this?" she asked.

"Yes, Elizabeth, I promise," Darcy replied.

"Well, um, I think I had better get home," said Bingley then, perhaps a little too brightly. "Chances are Frederick will say something to Caroline, and I'd best be there when she comes to me screaming like a banshee about it."

The two carriages which had brought them hither were then called for. Darcy remained at Elizabeth's side until the last moment, and as he was donning his greatcoat in the entry hall, he said,

"By and by, Lady Stashwick, a certain young lady of our mutual acquaintance has asked me when she might be able to play with her new friends again."

Elizabeth smiled. "I am to have the Parkers over for breakfast and playtime for our children after on Saturday. You and Miss Darcy are welcome to join us if it will please her."

"I am sure it will, and her father as well," Darcy replied with a grin and a wink that elicited a light blush on her cheeks.

As the door was opened at last for their departure, Elizabeth said, "I want to thank you all again for what you did for me today. It was very kind of you."

"Not at all, Lady Stashwick," said Rowarth. "You are family to each of us in one way or another, and Faulkners and Fitzwilliams always take care of family."

"Here, here," said Fitzwilliam and Stephen in unison.

"As do Hornes," said Scarborough.

"And at least one Bingley, I swear it," said Bingley.

Darcy reached for Elizabeth's hand again, and he raised it to press his lips ever so briefly to the back. "As does a Darcy."

Elizabeth smiled, blushed a little, then looked around her and said, "God has truly blessed me and mine to have such as you to care for us. Thank you."

With smiles and bows, the men all left one by one, with Darcy bringing up the rear. As he reached his carriage, which he was to share with his cousins, Rowarth said, "Well done, Darcy. I think you are even closer to breaching the wall around her heart than you realize."

"Perhaps, Philip," Darcy said. "But I shan't count on it just yet."

Emphasis on yet, he added silently.