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“If you have not come to speak to Edward, why are you here?”

“I hope to convince Georgiana to return to Darcy House today.”

“Are you certain you wish to deal with her problems with all you have on your plate?”

William quickly explained that he needed Georgiana to return so that she could provide the excuse he needed for having Elizabeth under his roof.

“Since she is opposed to meeting anyone you might be persuaded to marry, you may have your hands full,” Lady Matlock quipped with a wry smile. “I am correct in thinking this young lady is the one you desire to marry, am I not?”

“How did you know?” Before she could reply, William thought better of the question, declaring, “I should have known not to trust Richard with my private affairs.”

“He only has your best interests at heart,” Lady Matlock said as she crossed the room to grasp a bell-pull. A maid appeared almost instantly. “Go tell Georgiana that her brother wishes to speak to her in the front parlour straightaway.”

As the maid bobbed a curtsey and hurried to do as asked, William said, “Since you apparently know all my secrets, you are welcome to join us.”

“I think your request may fare better if it is just the two of you.”

William was sitting in the parlour when his sister suddenly appeared in the doorway. He could not help but smile as he said, “Georgiana!” Then he stood and hurried towards her.

“Brother,” she replied, rushing into his arms like she had before Anne de Bourgh’s atrocious actions affected their companionship.

Surprised at being greeted so warmly, William kissed her forehead before she continued, “Once Richard said that you had gone to Lambton to rescue Miss Bennet and her sister, I worried constantly that you might be hurt or even killed.”

“I do not know why Richard would share that with you. It was a needless burden for you to contend with.”

Georgiana pulled back to frown at William. “Do not blame Richard, for he did not tell me. I was nearing the dining room one morning and heard him discussing it with my aunt and uncle. From that day on, I tried to be close by whenever they broke their fasts, for that is when Richard was most often here to share the news about you.”

“Which is exactly why you should not eavesdrop. I imagine you heard just enough to make you worry.”

Georgiana lifted her chin in defiance. “Well, if everyone did not treat me as a child, incapable of hearing anything, eavesdropping would not be necessary.”

William had to smile at her logic. “I shall try to remember that you are not a child anymore. Now, shall we discuss why I am here today? It involves Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

Georgiana could not hold back a wry smile. “Since you first wrote to me about her from Netherfield Park, I believed you were in love with her.”

Knowing he could no longer deny his feelings for Elizabeth to his sister, he replied, “I was ... I mean I am.”

“Then, tell me what has happened that necessitates my involvement.”

William explained how he had rescued Miss Elizabeth and Lydia and brought them and Mrs. Annesley back to London to be available to testify in the trial of Lord Addison if needs be. He did not mention that George Wickham had lost his life in the melee that occurred in Lambton, preferring not to bring that blackguard into the conversation lest it upset her.

“Mrs. Annesley is at Darcy House?” Georgiana exclaimed brightly. “How wonderful!”

“When I asked her to act as a companion for the women on the trip into Town, I had in mind to bring you two together ... for a reunion of sorts. That is, if you wish for it.”

“I have often felt the loss of her companionship. Mrs. Annesley was very dear to me before Anne ... oh, I shall not go into that. Suffice it to say that I would love to see her again.”

“Georgiana, there is one other thing. You know how I abhor deceit of any kind.”

“I do.”

“Well, when I stopped to leave Miss Elizabeth and her sister at Lady Morgan’s townhouse, we found Mrs. Bennet in residence there. She still blames Miss Bennet for all her family’s troubles after she refused to marry the future heir of Longbourn, and Eliz ... Miss Bennet was adamant that she would not stay under the same roof as her mother.”

“Considering how I began to feel about being in Anne’s company, I can certainly understand her reasoning.”

“In any case, I asked Miss Bennet to stay at Darcy House with Mrs. Annesley acting as her chaperone.”

“What has that to do with deceit?”