“Yes, Sir.” The man made Darcy a slight bow. “May I say, Sir, you will be missed. It was an honor and a pleasure serving you, Sir.”

“I appreciate your tolerance, Conrad. If I may be of service to you somehow, please feel free to contact my estate. According to Miss Donnelly, my name is Darcy, and I am from Derbyshire. If you tire of Darling Hall, I am sure I can find you employment elsewhere.” Darcy felt an obligation to the man who nursed him back to health.

“Maybe I will consider your offer someday, Mr. Darcy, but, at the moment, my family is here, and I must remain.” Conrad was apologetic, but thankful. He picked up the trunk and headed toward the inn.

Darcy looked around the street again, hoping something might look familiar. Yet, a profound sense of loneliness crept into his veins. Since waking from his attack, the one face he felt he could trust belonged to a middle-aged man lugging his trunk toward the inn. Once Conrad returned to Darling Hall, Darcy would be entirely alone until he found someone he knew or who knew him.

He stepped off the wooden walkway to cross the cobble-stone street to the inn when he came face to face with Charles Bingley. The look of astonishment on the man’s face took Darcy by surprise.

“I beg your pardon, Sir,” Darcy quipped and started past Bingley.

Charles recovered and then faltered,“Darcy?”

Hearing his name called, Darcy spun back toward the man. “You know my name, Sir?”

“Of course, I know you.You are Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

“I have never been more pleased to hear someone call my name.” Darcy smiled and grabbed Bingley’s hand to shake it. “May I inquire as to your name, Sir?”

Although elated to find Darcy in health, Bingley looked puzzled. “Come on, Darcy, you know me; we have been intimate friends for several years. Plus, we are brothers as we share family.”

Darcy stepped back to look closely at Bingley, hoping a better examination would stimulate his memory, but nothing about the man seemed familiar, although the stranger was amiable enough. “I am sorry to say, Sir,” Darcy stammered, “I cannot recall our acquaintance.”

“My name is Charles Bingley, but why am I detaining you here on the street?Your sister and cousin are waiting for me at the inn; we came to bring you home.”

“Home?” Darcy seemed confused with the word, but he allowed Bingley to lead him toward the inn and the uncertainty. Bingley ushered Darcy through the main doorway, where a few people were seated in the dining area.The dimly lit room offered little ambiance, but it was clean and warm. A well-dressed military officer and a young lady rose as Bingley approached.A look of mirth overspread both their faces.

“Look who I found,” Bingley called in a cheerful voice.

The girl gasped and then rushed forward to encircle Darcy’s waist with her arms and bury her tear-stained face into his chest. Instinctively, he clasped her to him. “Fitzwilliam,” she sobbed,“we were so worried about you.”

“It is fine—I am fine,” Darcy whispered softly to her.Then the name Georgiana resurfaced. He used the word to make it stick and make it his own.“I am fine, Georgiana.”

Hearing him call her name caused Georgiana to collapse against him. By now, Edward, too, wanted to embrace Darcy. He hugged him and slapped Darcy’s back in a typical male form of bonding. “Darcy, the family has looked high and low for you. We thought you met with foul play.” Edward stepped back to examine Darcy’s face, trying to assess whether his cousin was hurt in some way.

Conrad took a position close by; he made Darcy a quick bow. Darcy’s attention came to rest on the man.“Thank you, Conrad.”

“I left the trunk in the care of the innkeeper, Sir. I will bid you farewell, Mr. Donnelly. Pardon me, Sir—I mean, Mr. Darcy. It is good to see you found someone waiting for you. Goodbye, Sir.” Conrad offered up a near-toothless smile and then bowed out of the scene.

“Mr. Donnelly?” Edward questioned while directing Darcy to a chair. Bingley held out one for Georgiana, and they all settled in at the table in the back room to decipher what happened.

Just as Georgiana’s name came to Darcy when he saw her, so did Edward’s. At least, glimmers of memory returned—just as the doctor predicted. “Edward,” Darcy stuttered, “I remember very little until today.” His eyes darted from face to face. Finally, Darcy’s eyes settled on his sister, and he reached out to caress her face with his palm. Georgiana turned her head slightly, kissing his hand. “I remember your face, my Dear, although in my memory you are much younger. How have you grown without my knowledge?”

“You always wanted Georgiana to remain a young girl.”

“How is our father?” Darcy’s expression showed concern. His memory came in bursts of energy, much like a candle flame fighting to stay alive against a light breeze.

“Our father? Our father, Fitzwilliam?” Georgiana’s voice quivered. “Our father died six years ago.” The tears welled in her eyes again; her brother’s words scared Georgiana.

“Our father is dead?” Darcy’s own voice shook as he looked to Edward and Bingley for confirmation. “It cannot be. I remember his weakness; my memory told me of such several days ago, but I know nothing of his passing.” Darcy’s hands shook as well, and he let his head fall onto Georgiana’s shoulder.

“Perhaps,” the colonel spoke softly, “we should start at the beginning. Obviously, there are things amiss of which we must speak.” He ordered drinks for all of them. “Darcy, why do you not tell us what you know, and we will try to fill in the blanks.”

Darcy did not know where to start; the details bounced about chaotically in his brain. Looking at Edward and Georgiana helped him make connections, but the need to complete the picture consumed him. “I woke up several weeks ago at Darling Hall, an estate owned by a Miss Elizabeth Donnelly. Miss Donnelly is a bizarre creature of which I shall speak more at a later time. Let us just say the lady tried to convince me I was her cousin Frederick, and we were to marry.”

“Well, that explains Mr. Collins,” Edward mumbled.

“Mr. Collins? The cleric?” Darcy wheeled around to question his cousin.

“Then you truly do not remember Mr. Collins?” Edward’s voice held all his seriousness.

“I know of what Miss Donnelly told me.” Darcy returned Edward’s serious gaze.

Edward asked warily,“And that would be?”

“I am married to the man’s cousin.” Darcy found this idea amusing, but he saw the others did not share his mirth. Finally, he said, “Then, this is true? I am married?”

“Of course,” Georgiana gasped. “Elizabeth carries your child, or she would be with us.”

“My child?” Darcy still looked confused.

“Let us return to the infamous Miss Donnelly.” Edward refocused Darcy’s attention in an area less disturbing for him.

Darcy shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “Miss Donnelly claimed she found me on the road after an attack. I was wounded and in bad shape, but I remember nothing of such an attack.”

“That confirms what Mr. Howard reported,” Edward joined the conversation again. “Your coach was found on the road to Hull; you were on your way there to meet Hannah More.”

Darcy shook his head again as if this information made sense.“Hannah More? She was an acquaintance of father’s.”

Edward let this pass for now. “Your coachman and postilion were dead. We brought their bodies home to Pemberley for burial. First the thieves and then the locals ransacked the coach.”

“At least, Miss Donnelly told the truth there.” Darcy’s words held irony. “Much of what Miss Donnelly told me did not make sense; she invented a family—a father whose approval I lost and an older brother who earned the family estate by birth order. She wished to marry by her eight and twenty birthday for, I discovered, she is to inherit a substantial sum if she does.”

Innocently, Georgiana reasoned, “Then she is a hideous creature?”

“Miss Donnelly is attractive enough,” Darcy continued, “but she has fits of anger, and she is obsessed with cleanliness. In fact, the lady refuses to remove her gloves for fear she might encounter dirt on any surface, be it furniture, fixtures, or human skin.” Darcy shared a look of bewilderment with his loved ones. “As I said earlier, her stories began to crumble a little over a week ago. In her desperation, the lady initiated a tryst, which I refused.” He heard Georgiana’s quick intake of air. “I apologize, my Dear, I should choose my words more wisely. I am trying to reason out loud.” Darcy reached out to take his sister’s hand.

“I am well, Fitzwilliam,” she offered. “I just did not expect such devious actions from a lady.”

Darcy took up the story again. “I discovered only yesterday Miss Donnelly knew my identity all along—a fact for which I will never be able to forgive her.”

Again, Georgiana’s eyes grew large in surprise, and a mumbled imprecation escaped Edward’s lips. Darcy continued, “It seems I met Miss Donnelly briefly in London last year at the home of the Hursts, whoever they are.”

Edward and Georgiana turned automatically to Charles Bingley, and Darcy’s eyes followed suit.“The Hursts—my sister Louisa is married to Mr. Hurst,” Bingley began. “Miss Donnelly?” he questioned. “I remember her vaguely. It was shortly after we left Netherfield, and the Festive Season began in London. You seemed to notice her at first, but you abandoned the lady after introductions. Caroline was not too pleased to see your attentions go elsewhere.”

“Caroline?” Darcy looked confused. “I thought you said Elizabeth, Sir.”

“Accept my apologies, Darcy,” Mr. Bingley stumbled through the words. “My sister Caroline and I once hoped she would be the object of your attentions, but we still ended as brothers. My dear Jane is your Elizabeth’s sister.”

“May I ask where Netherfield is?” Darcy tried to take in all they told him.

“Netherfield is my estate in Hertfordshire,” Bingley explained. “Our wives are from there, Sir.” Bingley felt awkward, as Darcy had not recognized him as he did Georgiana and Edward.

“Hertfordshire? That explains why references to that area played true in my memory. Miss Donnelly claimed Hertfordshire to be my home; little did she know I hold memories from there.” Darcy looked pleased in making the connection. “Our wives come from an estate in that area?”

Darcy directed the question to Bingley; however, Edward made the response. “Longbourn is a simple estate but is nothing in comparison to Netherfield or Rosings or Pemberley. The Bennet family has five daughters, and Mr. Bennet has limited resources.”

“What did my wife bring to the marriage?” Darcy seemed businesslike.

“You love Elizabeth,” Georgiana tried to assure her brother.

“Then it was a prudent match for her.” Darcy’s words held a coldness no one expected.

“No,” Georgiana demanded. “Elizabeth is not like that. Fitzwilliam, you must remember her; Elizabeth is your other half.You risked censure of our family because you fell in love with her. You were miserable until my sister finally accepted your proposal.” Her words trailed off as she looked in her brother’s face. Georgiana dropped her eyes, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

Darcy looked for affirmation from the two men. Having received it, he softened his tone for his sister’s sake. “The doctor, Mr.Addison, suspects my memory to return. I did often dream of someone, but I never knew our connection. Mr. Addison says dreams and memories are related.”

“It must be Elizabeth,” Georgiana grasped at Darcy’s hand. “Elizabeth is so strong; she has been running Pemberley in your absence.”

“A woman running Pemberley?” Darcy laughed out loud.

“Elizabeth and I managed without a man to protect us.” His sister’s words cut short Darcy’s amusement.

“I just witnessed a woman’s ability to run an estate,” he quipped.

“Elizabeth is not Miss Donnelly, and neither am I.” Georgiana’s anger grew quickly. “You taught us how to run the estate; it was your idea, Fitzwilliam. You said the times were changing, and we needed to help you save Pemberley.”

“I suggest you guard your words, Georgiana.” Darcy offered her a reprimand. “I realize this situation is unusual, and our relationship has changed, but I am still your guardian.” His words held a veiled threat.

Georgiana forced her eyes closed to fight back the emotions coursing through her. “You are wrong, Brother,” she whispered.

“If I am, I shall offer you my apologies.” Darcy’s words held inroads of his once-reserved nature.

“Yes, Fitzwilliam,” she said automatically, once again assuming her position as Darcy’s subordinate.“If you have no objections, I will retire to my room.” She stood to take her leave.“I love you, Fitzwilliam,” she said, uncharacteristically raising her eyes to challenge him when he, too, stood. “I am happy you are safe.”

Darcy kissed her cheek.“I will see you at dinner.”

Both his cousin and Mr. Bingley spoke highly of Elizabeth Darcy, and, evidently, his sister had an admirable relationship with the woman.Yet, could she be the woman in his dreams? “What else should I know about my wife?” he asked his cousin.

“Elizabeth Bennet is a true match for you, Fitzwilliam.You met in Hertfordshire when you accompanied Mr. Bingley to his estate. By your own words, you insulted her at an assembly, and then spent the next nine months regretting your offhanded remark because Mrs. Darcy overheard you, and your words set her against you.When she refused your first proposal, you went into a tailspin of depression.”

“What do you mean—refused my first proposal?” Darcy interrupted.

The colonel chuckled. “I found you in a drunken stupor. Mrs. Darcy would not accept your advances; that should say something of her character. Even for all your fortune and all her low connections, Elizabeth Bennet refused the offer of your hand.When she finally accepted you, Fitzwilliam, it was because you won her heart, not because she accepted your wealth.”

Darcy took in the words in silence, not knowing what to think.“What is your estimation of the woman, Edward?”

“Mrs. Darcy is incomparable, Cousin. Georgiana is correct; she is the perfect fit for you. Elizabeth can tease you out of your reticence. Mrs. Darcy possesses the strength of character to do the right thing. She is witty and intelligent.”

“Of course, I would agree,” Bingley added. “Mrs. Darcy created a change in you I often saw in private moments. Although she and my Jane are as close as sisters may be, they differ in temperament. Mrs. Darcy speaks her mind, but she is not caustic or acrimonious. I witnessed her verbally battling with you on more than one occasion.You once told me those moments were when you realized you loved Mrs. Darcy. We married sisters on the same day in Meryton. We came to Hertfordshire as close friends and became brothers in bonds of marriage.”

“Then you both approve of my choice?” Darcy asked, still a bit unconvinced at the possibilities.

“We approve, as do my parents and the Penningtons,” Edward added.“Only Lady Catherine disapproves.”

“Lady Catherine,” Darcy mused. Images of his mother’s sister returned to his catalogue of recollections. “Her Ladyship always wanted me to marry my cousin Anne.”

Edward told him with a smile.“That will be my pleasure.”

“You and Anne?” Darcy asked.“When did that happen?”

“Just recently—after your marriage to Mrs. Darcy, our aunt consented, although she has displayed her discontent more than once. In fact, Lady Catherine knew of your whereabouts here, but she concealed it in hopes of running Mrs. Darcy from Pemberley.” Edward’s contempt showed.

This news was more than Darcy could handle.“Gentlemen,” he stood, “I need time to think this through. I believe I will emulate my sister and retire for a few hours; this is exhausting.”

“Of course, Darcy,” Edward told him. “We will continue when you are ready.”

Darcy bowed and made his exit. At the door, he turned back toward them. “I am sorry to have been such a worry to you.” He spoke the words solemnly.Then he added, “What do I do if my memory of all this never returns?”With that said, he slipped through the open door.

Bingley and the colonel sank back into their seats in exasperation. “What will he do?” Bingley questioned.

“What will Elizabeth do is more the question,” the colonel corrected.

“Mr. Howard serves the family well,” Georgiana added softly. “He was most helpful to Elizabeth and me in your absence, Fitzwilliam.”

“What of George?” Darcy inquired as an afterthought.

Everyone else at the table froze, eating utensils suspended in midair, never completing their journey to the diner’s mouth. Edward finally put down his fork and turned calmly to Darcy. “We assume you mean George Wickham.”

“Of course, George Wickham—whom did you think I meant, Edward?” Darcy answered innocently, not taking in their looks of disbelief.

“Actually, the blackguard is back in Newcastle, I suppose,” Edward began slowly. “In the past six years, George Wickham tried to blackmail you and to compromise your family name on several occasions,” Edward confided.

“George Wickham was always impetuous,” Darcy added, “but he was one of father’s favorites.”

“To the extent that your father often ignored you,” Edward reminded him.

Darcy defended his father’s actions. “George Wickham simply played to father’s vanity.”

“Then let me summarize the highlights for you, my cousin. Mr. Wickham turned down the living at Kympton for three thousand pounds.” Edward nodded to Georgiana, and she silently agreed to his sharing her problems with George Wickham in front of Mr. Bingley. “When you refused him further funds, Mr. Wickham tried to convince our dearest charge he loved her in order to obtain control of her thirty thousand pounds.” Darcy looked shocked and dismayed. “His lies were one of the reasons Mrs. Darcy initially refused your hand; most recently he seduced your wife’s youngest sister in order to escape his debts. It cost you several thousand pounds to make an honest woman of Lydia Bennet and to save the reputations of Mrs. Darcy, Mrs. Bingley, and the other two sisters. That pretty much sums up the infamous George Wickham.”

“Not quite,” Georgiana looked directly at her brother.

“There is more?” He took her hand in his.

Georgiana swallowed hard before beginning.“Most recently, Mr.Wickham showed up at Pemberley with Mrs.Wickham.”

“He did what?” the colonel fumed.“Why did you not tell me?”

“I am sorry, Edward.Things happened so quickly with the knowledge we might find Fitzwilliam that the thoughts of Mr. Wickham were far from my mind at the time.”

“What happened?” he demanded.

“Lydia Wickham showed up unexpectedly and presented herself to Kitty. Kitty knew Elizabeth would be upset so she went to find her sister; Kitty did not know Mr.Wickham came with Lydia. I found him in Fitzwilliam’s study; I attempted to face down my fears by confronting the man and demanding he leave Pemberley at once. He refused, and my resolve began to crumble, but Elizabeth appeared. She helped me to the side, and then she, too, asked Mr.Wickham to leave. She would not let Mr. Wickham insinuate himself back into the running of Pemberley. Mr. Wickham tried to laugh off Elizabeth’s objections so she took out the gun Fitzwilliam bought her; it rested in the top drawer of the desk.”

“I bought Elizabeth a gun?” Darcy seemed surprised, but also a bit amused.

Georgiana laughed. “One of her wedding presents—anyway, Mr.Wickham in desperation grabbed my arm. I foolishly screamed, and Elizabeth fired, grazing Mr.Wickham’s shoulder. The bullet is still embedded in the wall beside the bookcase,” she teased. “Then Mr. Harrison entered the room and physically removed Mr.Wickham from the estate.”

“Thank God Harrison was there.” Bingley sounded amazed.

“Actually, Elizabeth took control. Besides protecting me from Mr. Wickham, she made sure Mr. and Mrs. Wickham were sent back to Newcastle. Then, Mr. Harrison and I rode out to inspect the lands along with Mr. Howard, letting the tenants know even in Fitzwilliam’s absence, the Darcy family would still take care of Pemberley. Elizabeth reasoned even though she and I tended to Fitzwilliam’s duties, seeing a male, other than Mr. Howard—another landed gentleman—with us in completing our duties to the estate would paint the picture of stability to the tenants,” Georgiana explained.

Darcy took in all this information with interest. Evidently, the woman he chose to be his wife possessed some tenacious-ness. If what Edward said about George Wickham were true, then Elizabeth’s protection of his sister’s innocence spoke well of her. Plus, her intuition about the tenant’s conventional need to have a male in charge proved an insightful maneuver.Yet, her low connections meant a loss of standing in the ton, and Darcy knew name and reputation meant more than common sense in a woman.

Another thought crossed his mind. “Who is this Mr. Harrison, and who is Kitty?”

“Kitty is one of our wives’ sisters.” Bingley was quiet to this point. “She stays at Pemberley to help with Mrs. Darcy’s confinement.”

“Mr. Harrison is a young man, very much like you once were,” Edward pointed out, “who recently took over his father’s estate of Hines Park in Dove Dale, close to my parents; he was a guest at Pemberley during the Festive Season.” Edward thankfully omitted his knowledge of Harrison’s interest in Georgiana Darcy. He also omitted Harrison’s connection to the emancipation issues, Darcy’s reason for going to Hull in the first place.

“My biggest concern,” Darcy added,“is what do I do about my marriage?”

“I do not understand,” Colonel Fitzwilliam commented.

“My father once told me to marry well—to remember my family’s name,” Darcy reasoned. “Obviously, I failed him in that respect.”

“Darcy, you cannot assume your marriage is not a sound one.You may have additional memory recovery once you are home at Pemberley with Elizabeth. I realize Mrs. Darcy was not part of society as you know it, but you never seemed so content as you did these last six months. Fitz, your parents wanted you to be happy; Mrs. Darcy brought out a different side of you.” The colonel did not know what to say to his cousin. For Darcy to return to Pemberley to a woman he could not remember offered him a bizarre life, and Edward knew not how to counsel him.

“What if I cannot learn to love her again?” Darcy’s words brought the situation home to both of them.

“Many men do not love their wives,” Edward stated simply, “but they live comfortable lives.You learned to love Elizabeth once; why could you not do so again?”

“Of course, that is a possibility,” Darcy reasoned. “I am only being overcautious.” Darcy tried to convince himself of his future.

“I cannot imagine the shock this will bring to Mrs. Darcy,” Bingley added. “I have no way of explaining it all to myself as well as my dear Jane and her sister. How can Darcy and I no longer have a friendship? He is my closest friend.”

Georgiana and Bingley sat side by side in the coach. They watched as both Darcy and the colonel snoozed with the rhythm of the journey. “Elizabeth will be devastated; she prayed for Fitzwilliam’s return. What of their marriage? Of their baby?” Tears began to slip down her cheeks, and Georgiana turned away to hide her distress.

Bingley sheepishly handed her his handkerchief, and Georgiana offered him a smile of gratitude.“To whom do I turn for help with Netherfield? Do I stay at Pemberley when your brother knows me not? I do not know what my family and I should do. How may I leave—how may I get Mrs. Bingley to leave her sister at Pemberley with no resolution?” Bingley shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

Georgiana touched his arm lightly for reassurance. “How will Fitzwilliam greet Elizabeth? Truthfully, Mr. Bingley, I cannot predict my brother at this time. When I think about how he was when our father died—when all of the responsibility became his, I fear for the Pemberley I have enjoyed the last year.” She looked around nervously and lowered her voice before finishing her thoughts. “Although Fitzwilliam always found time for me in those days, I do not want to return to that time. My brother took life too seriously then; I would miss what Elizabeth gives me.”They rode in silence after that, lost in their thoughts of how Fitzwilliam Darcy would change life at Pemberley. Dread rode with them, as did empathy.

After a few brief but tense moments, she opened the door to him. Dropping her eyes in submission, she said, “Good evening, Fitzwilliam.”

“I hoped we would have the opportunity to speak privately.” His voice held a confidence he did not truly feel.

“Of course,” she stammered. Stepping away from the door, she led her brother to a chair in the chamber.

Comfortably settled, Darcy turned his attention to his sister. “Everything has changed so quickly,” he began. “I feared you were distressed about what happened.”

“I am as well as can be expected under the circumstances.” Georgiana’s voice remained soft and noncommittal.

Darcy leaned forward to speak more informally. “Georgiana, you must know our relationship has not changed; you will always be my Dearest One.” He called her his pet name.“I admit it is somewhat awkward—in my mind’s eyes, you are but a child, barely two and ten, when, in reality, you are a young lady who should be anticipating her coming-out parties and the new Season in London.”

Her tears began to flow as she spoke. “Fitzwilliam, once again I ruined everything,” she nearly wailed.

Darcy moved quickly, kneeling in front of Georgiana and taking her hand. “Georgiana, you ruined nothing,” he tried to assure her.“Everything will be as it was before.”

“Oh, Fitzwilliam!” Her sobs rocked her body with grief.

“Please, Dearest One,” he implored her. “Help me to understand your anxiousness.”

“If it was not for me, you would never have gone to Hull, and you would be home at Pemberley with Elizabeth anticipating the birth of your first child.” Georgiana’s words came in bursts of emotions.

“Who says I shall not be anticipating the birth of my child?” Darcy tried to sound casual.

Georgiana’s eyes searched his countenance. “Then you remember Elizabeth after all?”

Darcy guarded his words, not wishing to give his sister false hope. “I admit to experiencing difficulty in determining what I actually remember and what I have been told about my wife; I can only say I will do my best to make things pleasant and agreeable for all of us.”

“Pleasant and agreeable?” she challenged.“It may be the last time I get the opportunity to say this, Brother, but I do not want to see you only pleasant and agreeable with Elizabeth.You were pleasant and agreeable from the time of our mother’s death, through the passing of our father, and up until you met Elizabeth Bennet.Yet, you did not live; you never showed the passion you have for our ancestral home, for me, and for life. Please, Fitzwilliam, do not just pretend to be pleasant and agreeable.”

Not accustomed to her asserting herself, Darcy leaned back away from Georgiana. “It appears my wife has a profound influence on you,” he cautioned. “I am not sure whether I approve. Men do not prefer their women so spirited.”

“Then you will find no preference for my sister,” Georgiana asserted. “You were exposed to fine society, Fitzwilliam, your entire life. Why then did you wait until you were eight and twenty to take a wife? I saw women give deference to your every thought, but you never seriously considered any of them as marriageable material.You may need to ask yourself what it is Elizabeth has which the others did not.You fell in love with her once; allow yourself to do so again.”

“As I said before, I will try, Georgiana.” Darcy placated her disquietude with a condescending tone.“I will do what is best for you and for the estate.”

“Do what is best for you, Fitzwilliam, and the rest will come naturally.”

He patted her hand to calm his sister’s anxiety.“Would it be too much to ask why you blame yourself for my accident?”

“When we attended Edward and Anne’s engagement party, we met Captain Rutherford, who took an interest in Mr. Harrison.”

“Mr. Harrison again?” Darcy questioned. “Exactly what is his connection to our family?”

“Your horse Cerberus is from his father’s estate. Mr. Harrison sought your advice when he assumed the running of Hines Park.” Georgiana shifted her eyes away from Darcy’s, fearing he might recognize her regard for Chadwick Harrison in her countenance.

“Then why did the captain take an interest in Mr. Harrison? Harrison is not in debt to the man, is he?” Darcy’s voice became louder.

“Mr. Harrison,” Georgiana began, with some nervousness, “carries strong beliefs regarding the emancipation of the African slaves.The captain has an opposing viewpoint.”

“Then why would I go to see Hannah More? I have not taken up the flag of the abolitionist?” Darcy found the idea amusing.

Georgiana did not know how to explain her feelings about Mr. Harrison without upsetting Darcy further. “The captain noted our family held Mr. Harrison in some regard, and while we shared a dance set, the man questioned me extensively about Mr. Harrison. I foolishly told Mr. Harrison, and he approached you about the ‘supposed’ danger in which the captain placed our family. Miss More was to share some information regarding the captain with you.”

Darcy quickly realized Georgiana omitted some pertinent details. “May I ask what else you have not told me about Mr. Harrison?”

Again, Georgiana lowered her eyes. Darcy noted a blush overspread her face. “Mr. Harrison has indicated a desire to get to know me better.” She barely whispered the words.

“He did what?” Darcy demanded. Georgiana jumped at the sound of his anger.“I will not have it, Georgiana.You have not even been presented to society!”

Georgiana fought back the tears that formed in her eyes. “Elizabeth told Mr. Harrison you would not entertain such ideas until after my next birthday; she handled it as she thought you would want it to be done, Sir.”

“Elizabeth again!” he fumed. “She takes on a great deal speaking for me in my absence.”

“You asked her to do so, Fitzwilliam,” Georgiana pleaded for his reason. “Her decisions do not come lightly; you will find my sister is very astute.”

Darcy tried to calm his racing heart.“Before I will entertain any offers for your hand, Georgiana, you will be presented to Society as a proper lady—as is your due. I will not tolerate your being whisked off into a marriage to the first man who presents himself to you.”

By now, Georgiana’s own nerves frayed. Her fears of an arranged marriage to a man she could not affect resurfaced. “The first man who wished to whisk me off into a marriage was George Wickham.You thwarted that plan, Brother. Please do not assume Mr. Harrison is of the same material. He is amiable and shows great promise.Those were your own words come back to haunt you.As far as Society and the Season, how may I go to London? Elizabeth’s confinement will come about the same time.”

“That does not mean we should postpone your Coming Out,” Darcy protested.

“It most certainly does,” she countered.“You cannot desert your wife during her lying in!”

“Then we will consider a shortened season.You are my first responsibility, Georgiana. Our father charged me to take care of your future.”

Georgiana looked at him in disbelief. She knew from the past she was not likely to change her brother’s mind.Their relationship progressed so much this year. Darcy accepted her—valued her. How could she return to the submissive being she was in those years following her parents’ passing? “My future is secure as long as I am with you and Elizabeth at Pemberley. Please do not send me away, Fitzwilliam. I have no desire to return to London. Everything I need to be happy is tied to my life at Pemberley.” Georgiana’s voice came out small.

“I would not be sending you away, Dearest One, if we present you to Society,” Darcy reasoned. “We would both be doing our duty to our name—to our family.”

“Name and family do not guarantee the merit of a person’s life,” she mumbled under her breath. Georgiana knew her chance of finding happiness with Mr. Harrison suddenly decreased with her brother’s return to Pemberley. How shall I survive without the chance of one day being Mr. Harrison’s wife? What may I do to change Fitzwilliam’s mind? Georgiana offered her brother a faint smile of affirmation, but the chaos of her mind continued well after he departed. It robbed her of much of the sleep she needed to face the quagmire awaiting them at Pemberley.