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Elizabeth. His attention thus divided, it did not occur to him to dissemble. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

    Surprise flashed through Miss Bingley's eyes, and Darcy realized too late the trap he had set for himself. "Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am all astonishment." She flipped her fan open with a snap. "How long has she been such a favorite--and pray, when am I to wish you joy?"

    The trap tightened, and Darcy winced. "That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy."

    He hoped to put her off by pointing out the ridiculous nature of her charge, but Miss Bingley showed her teeth in a feline smile. "Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter as absolutely settled. You will have a charming mother-in-law, indeed, and of course she will be always at Pemberley with you."

    This was too absurd to deserve an answer, and Darcy allowed her to continue to tease him on his future felicity. As long as she was thus employed, he remained at his leisure to watch Miss Elizabeth.

Chapter Six

    "Darcy, you are wearing a path in what used to be a very fine rug."

    Darcy continued pacing between the two leather chairs, heedless of Bingley's mild chastisement. "Why has she not written?" His fingers tapped a nervous rhythm against his leg as he considered all the dire occurrences which could have kept Georgiana from sending a letter.

    "What has you so on edge?"

    Darcy glanced back at Bingley. "I have yet to hear from Georgiana."

    Bingley leaned back into his chair and assessed his friend. "I begin to think there is more to her removal from Ramsgate than you originally told me. Did something happen there?"

    The lie sprung to his lips, but Darcy would not give it in the face of such a direct question. Still, I cannot tell him the whole truth... Bingley raised his cigar to his lips while he waited for an answer, and Darcy finally said, "I fear Georgiana received attentions from an unworthy suitor."

    Bingley let out his breath on a long hiss. "That certainly explains your reluctance to leave London."

    "Precisely. However, Richard is with her and he assured me... I just do not understand--"

    "Why there has been no letter," Bingley finished.

    Darcy did not have time to respond before a footman entered the room with a letter on a tray. "For you, Mr. Darcy."

    Darcy snatched it up and gave a sigh of relief when he recognized Georgiana's elegant hand and his cousin's seal. He sat down in a chair by the window and began to read:

    My dear brother,

    I hope this letter finds you well and enjoying your stay with Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Please pass my regards on to them all.

    I believe I am finally settling into life in town. Cousin Richard has been ever so kind since you left. He has even taken me to the Museum. I am sure I am a great trial, but he never complains.

    Tell me a little of Hertfordshire, Fitzwilliam. Is the countryside as beautiful as Derbyshire? I confess; I cannot believe anyplace could compare, but then I am biased.

    I will be glad to return home to Pemberley. I cannot believe eight months have passed since I left. Oh Brother--how I long to see the sunrise over the Derwent again. Fitzwilliam, do let us be home this spring in time to see the crocuses bloom. As fond as I have become of London, I do not think anything in the world as lovely as those sweet blossoms peeking above the frosty ground in February.

    I hope you are enjoying yourself as much in Hertfordshire as I am in London. Keep yourself well, and write to me when you can.

    Your devoted sister,

    Georgiana

    Darcy reached the end of the letter and returned to the first page immediately. A second reading revealed no hidden sorrow, none of the reserve which had characterized the last few weeks he had spent with his sister. He breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed against the back of the chair.

    Bingley, who