Author's Note: Hello! Thank you all for the support and encouraging reviews for "Nemesis" which is a mystery/romance. I am endeavouring to follow the "rules" of both genres, but it is a mystery first, all may not be as it seems and clues are planted early and paid off later, maybe much later. Characters may lie and deceive. I am aware that not everyone likes mysteries and not everyone will like this story. That is perfectly fine with me. Regarding Darce, if you are concerned now, be warned - it gets worse :) May I be so bold as to ask you to trust me, after all we all know who Elizabeth must end up with, don't we? Once again, thank you all! - P.

Bingley's carriage, London

As the carriage picked up speed Richard Fitzwilliam asked, "What were you doing there, Darce?"

"The Earl expected me to give consent to Georgie's marriage. He called for me early. Didn't say why until I was in the carriage."

"Would you have given consent, Darce?" asked Richard.

"I don't want her to marry John."

"You'd have stood up to the Earl?" asked Bingley.

"Depends what you mean by 'stood up to'. The Earl doesn't take kindly to a direct 'no'. Bad tempered man. I'd have pointed out that he needed permission from both Richard and I."

"Not true, but he wouldn't know that" said Richard.

"I was also going to ask Georgiana her opinion on the matter for the benefit of the Vicar. That's when I noticed she wasn't there, so it was all moot. Hilarious idiots. Fancy kidnapping the wrong women! Then you all burst in, like avenging angels, and it was even mooter, if there is such a word."

Bingley's House, London

"To the study!" said Bingley leading them through the doorway of his house.

Darce said "Good to see you, Richard! I will see you all at dinner."

"You're leaving?" asked Richard "I wanted to discuss what's going on with the Earl and how we can further protect Georgie and Anne."

"Surely a fine soldier like yourself can do that without me. I need sleep." He headed up the stairs.

Bingley asked a footman to organise refreshments as they entered the study.

"I think we need a drink" said Bingley and poured three brandies.

He handed them out and raised his glass "To your safe return" he said

"Just in time" said Avery.

"Thank you" said Richard, "but I am surprised you wish to associate with anyone named Fitzwilliam."

"There are Fitzwilliams…and Fitzwilliams" smiled Bingley.

Richard said "I think I need to change my name! Of all the stupid ridiculous relatives to have, mine are the worst." He paused to throw down the rest of his brandy and held out his glass. "Forgive me, Bingley but I need another."

Bingley happily obliged.

Richard said "My so-called father, too, what was he thinking? A plot to kidnap and force unwanted marriage on my cousins, his own nieces, one of whom is a mere sixteen years of age and my ward, what for? To waste their inheritances!"

He was interrupted by the arrival of coffee and food. After the servant departed, he said

"To send my idiot brothers to do the job! What do they do? Kidnap three gentlewomen as they have no idea what their cousins look like! They were bound to fail one way or another. Scandal, waiting to happen. I don't like to think about my father or his actions, but I don't understand today's farce. Sure, it is about money but one thing my father hates more than he loves money is scandal. Surely the risk was too great?"

Bingley said "Desperation changes risk tolerance. You have been away for more than two years. You won't be aware of the extent of the Earl's financial problems."

"He is always short of money. Has it got worse?"

"Much worse. The Earl has mortgaged everything that can be mortgaged and sold everything that can be sold…"

"I see" said Richard "gambling and poor decision making?"

"Yes"

"And my brothers are just as bad and have compounded the problems in recent years?"

"Exactly."

"You may know I don't get on well with my father or brothers" said Richard.

"We noticed that."

"Would you say the Earl is on the brink of bankruptcy?"

"Yes" said Avery "That was one of the reasons we wished to discuss the security of your cousins. We believe the Earl will default on the mortgage payments for his last two properties within a week."

"How do you know that?"

"Bingley and I and our other partner hold those mortgages as well as many other debts of the Earl. His only hope for refinancing is the dowries of Miss de Bourgh and Miss Darcy, hence his desperate moves today."

"I see. Is it not in your interest for the payments to continue?"

"No" said Matthew Avery "I want the Earl to default. I don't want any harm to come to Miss de Bourgh or Miss Darcy, but I want his complete financial and social destruction."

"It's personal, then?"

"Yes."

Richard shook his head "It just gets worse."

Bingley said "Recently we got Darce to talk to Miss de Bourgh about security. He suggested she employ two security guards as footmen to be wherever the ladies are - at Kent or in town."

"You got Darce to do that?"

"We just had to coach him as to what to say. He is not really stupid, just disinterested. Made it seem like his idea. I was there with him. Miss de Bourgh liked the idea, so Simpson and Hastie are now part of the household."

Richard said "I'd like to put some men to watching Darcy House. Matlock House too. I can get my batman to organise some ex-soldiers. I'll try to have a word to your man Simpson tonight."

Bingley said "Good idea. We need to protect Darce too."

"Darce? Why?"

"If something happened to Darce, what is Miss Darcy's dowry worth then? Far more than thirty thousand. I don't believe Pemberley is entailed. It can be sold. Liquidated. Miss de Bourgh is in a similar situation."

Richard nodded slowly.

"You are right." he said "I know that Georgie would not inherit control at sixteen. I can't remember exactly when. Still, mortgages could be raised by a husband on future expectations. Or a husband might gain control no matter her age. I am not sure of these things. But it is all awful!"

After a few moments he said, "Darce really should have stayed for this discussion!"

"If he knew his life was in danger, he would be even more unbearable than usual." said Avery "In recent years he has become an uncontrollable spendthrift. His trustees have him on a tight allowance and he is always short. I don't know what he spends it on."

"Does he lose it gambling?"

"It's possible. He doesn't play where I do, so I don't know."

Bingley said "It's more like he's paying off a huge debt. He's always short, even just after quarter day. Like he receives his money then immediately pays someone else."

Richard said, "Could it be blackmail?"

"Possibly." said Avery.

"Darce's most recent scheme to acquire money is to sell books from Darcy House." said Bingley.

Richard shook his head. "My family! Next, you'll be telling me that Georgie has caused a scandal!" he laughed, attempting to lighten his mood.

Bingley laughed "No, don't you worry about Miss Darcy or Miss de Bourgh for that matter. They are perfect ladies and live a quiet life. Until recently, of course!"

"Yes" said Richard "Anne would have just reached her majority! She inherits unconditionally at twenty-one. That was the trigger for my father."

"So was your imminent return" said Avery.

"Yes" allowed Richard. "I don't think those Bennet ladies are in any further danger from the Earl. Georgie has offered them hospitality. I only hope they don't take advantage."

Avery said "I heard Miss Darcy ask them to stay. Who are they, I wonder? They were awaiting the post…"

"I am not sure why they were going to London. I will ask Anne tonight."

Avery said "Bingley, you didn't take long to make the acquaintance of one of the Miss Bennets. Is she to be your latest angel?"

For once, Bingley was slow to answer, leaning back in his chair with a smile on his face and a faraway look in his eyes.

Avery said "It has been very strange, Fitzwilliam. There always used to be an angel in Bingley's life but there have been none for at least a year! I was very surprised to see the old Bingley today."

"No angels? Why ever not?" asked Richard.

Bingley shrugged, smiling happily.

Avery eyed him curiously, then sat up. "Bingley, it's her, isn't it? The girl from…"

"The post stop, yes" smiled Bingley "I never thought I would see her again. Miss Jane Bennet. Almost as perfect a name as …Mrs Charles Bingley."

Avery explained to Richard the story of the post stop.

"You fell in love with a girl in a carriage?" Richard asked Bingley incredulously.

"I did. In seconds my world changed."

"You want to marry her? You know nothing about her."

"I want to get to know her of course" smiled Bingley. "If all goes well and she feels the same, I will marry her."

"She would hardly refuse you, in her situation." said Avery

"I don't know about that. When I first saw Miss Bennet more than a year ago, she was stepping into a private carriage. An older gentleman and another young lady, probably Miss Elizabeth, were with her. I'd say she's a gentleman's daughter and therefore outranks a tradesman like me. We will see."

"We will, indeed."

Bingley changed the subject. "Fitzwilliam, are you now on leave from the army?"

"Yes, for at least four months."

"Have you arranged lodgings yet?"

"No, I am staying at the Barracks until something comes up."

"I'd like to invite you to join our bachelor establishment, here."

"That's good of you Bingley. I'd love to accept. I just have one servant, my batman."

"Done!" said Bingley "Welcome home!"