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She pulled back to giggle and exclaimed, “I remember that he was always prone to get into trouble and then call for you to rescue him.” She shook her head. “One would hope that he had matured by now.”

“I do think he has matured. He is married and has a son—but we are talking about Charles Bingley.”

“I am glad to hear it. He was always a pleasant man, though so often needy.”

William sobered. “He lost his father when he was quite young, and he has no uncles, so I am like an older brother to him. I only regret that I thought I had to stay away from him in order to avoid...” His voice trailed off as he realised that Georgiana had discerned the significance of his words. He had said too much.

“To avoid?” she whispered with bated breath. She had never gotten this close to understanding why her brother had felt it necessary to leave England.

“To avoid a person related to him.”

William’s eyes shifted away from her, and Georgiana knew he was close to retreating again. She did not want to impede the confession that had bubbled to the surface, but a part of her worried that he would return to the place of his torment.

“And you think you will be safe even if you cannot avoid this person now?” She heard, as well as observed, his deep intake of breath.

“I came back because I know I have overcome,” he paused, “what I could not before. As for seeing her,” he quickly corrected, “them again, I must face my demons to prove I have conquered them. Then I will be more than willing to consider marriage and a family.”

Georgiana heard his correction. Deep down, she had known all along that only a woman could have broken his spirit. Taking solace in the fact that he had confessed to thinking of marriage, which was not something he would ever tell her unless he was seriously considering it, she squared her shoulders. Standing, she pulled him to stand with her.

“If you feel you must go, then go! Be done with it, and come back to me. I will be waiting right here for you when you return.”

William leaned down to kiss her forehead. “And you will be the first person I see when I return. I love you, Gigi.”

Pulling him into a tight hug, she responded, “I love you, Fitzy.”

Holding him close, Georgiana could not keep her thoughts from drifting to the woman William must have encountered in Meryton.

And I will hate you forever if you hurt him again, no matter who you are!

~~~*~~~

Chapter 3

London

Darcy House

“Colonel Fitzwilliam, so good to see you, sir,” Mr. Barnes declared, bowing imperceptibly as he reached to take the coat being discarded as Richard Fitzwilliam walked past.

“Thank you, Barnes. I understand my elusive cousin is in.”

Not expecting a reply, Richard continued in the direction of the library. He opened the doors and seeing no one inside, closed them and proceeded towards the study with Mr. Barnes on his heels.

“The Master is in his—” The butler’s words were cut short.

“Study!” Richard announced boisterously as he opened the door and spied William behind stacks of papers at his huge desk. Before William could react, Richard charged into the room.

“Darce! It has been an age! Why did you not tell me you would be in Town? Or mother? She will be furious!”

Though he had hoped for a day to catch up on business before anyone, even family, knew he was in Town, William had to grin at his cousin. Richard could always brighten his spirits. Standing, he walked around the desk to greet him with a warm hug and pat on the back.

“I only just arrived yesterday. How did you know I was here?”

“I have my spies!” Richard wagged his eyebrows. “You cannot reside at Darcy House without my knowledge.”

William looked surprised, and seeing his cousin’s enquiring look, Richard chuckled. He would never let on that Mrs. Barnes’ rush to order from the butcher whenever Darcy was in residence, alerted the neighbourhood gossips to his presence. One particular servant at Matlock House made sure to inform him whenever his sources confirmed that William was in London. This type of diligence always garnered him great favour with the colonel.

“I shall not give away my secrets. Where would an officer be without the element of surprise?”