The Trials of George Wickham the Younger

By Marsha Altman

Twenty-five years have passed since the death of the notorious scoundrel George Wickham, but his legacy carries on. His young son George must now make his way through a society where his father’s name is not unknown, and his family history not as much of a secret as he would like it to be. Old squabbles must be settled, old wrongs must be righted.

In Altman’s ninth installment of The Darcys and the Bingleys, we find the young generation trying to find success in life and love as the past casts a long shadow on their present.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Marsha Altman
• Release date: Jul 15, 2014

Book preview

Introduction

Once again, if you’ve bought this book without knowing that this is the ninth book in a series, you now have fair warning to return it. Or give it a shot, as you’re in for a lot of fun.

Welcome returning readers! You’ll all be happy to learn that our story is safely back in England. I have nothing else to say except that I sincerely hope you enjoy this book.

In our previous books:

In The Darcys and the Bingleys (Book 1), Elizabeth Bennet married Mr. Darcy (of being Mr. Darcy fame), and her older sister Jane Bennet married Mr. Bingley (of being Darcy’s friend fame). Seriously, did you not read Pride and Prejudice? This was the book that made you regret not freshening up. At least take the movie out or something. Anyway, they proceeded to have a whole mess of kids. Fortunately, not all at the same time. The Darcys’ oldest child is Geoffrey Darcy, and the Bingleys’ oldest child is Georgiana Bingley.

Caroline Bingley, Charles’s unwed sister, became involved with a Scottish earl, who then turned out to be a rake, and by that I mean a 19th-century scoundrel and not a gardening tool. This was all exposed in time for her to also reveal she was actually in love with the impoverished Dr. Daniel Maddox. Dr. Maddox lost his social standing when his older brother Brian gambled away their family fortune. After some sword fighting and the bad guy getting clobbered with a candlestick, Dr. Maddox and Caroline Bingley were married, not leaving enough time in the book for them to have a mess of kids, but presumably that was coming.

In The Plight of the Darcy Brothers (Book 2), Mary Bennet, Jane and Elizabeth’s unmarried sister, returned from studying in France with child, the father being an Italian seminary student. Darcy and Elizabeth traveled through Europe to find him, on the way discovering that Darcy had an illegitimate half-brother holed up in a French monastery named Grégoire Bellamont-Darcy. Mary’s would-be suitor was found and he offered her a settlement. Mary had a son, Joseph, and is currently unmarried and living with her parents. Darcy also discovered that George Wickham (the villain in Pride and Prejudice, who seduced and married Lydia Bennet, the youngest Bennet sister) was also his half-brother. Their family reunion went the worst possible way, with fratricide and a complete lack of potato salad. Lydia got over her husband’s death rather quickly but was left with two children, George and Isabella Wickham. Brother Grégoire, still a monk, went to live in Austria. Dr. Maddox and Caroline Bingley had a daughter, but also adopted a son, the bastard child of the Prince Regent and a prostitute, named Frederick (the son, not the prostitute).

In Mr. Darcy’s Great Escape (Book 3), Napoleon invaded Russia, and in the tumult of war, Darcy lost track of his brother Grégoire, and Dr. Maddox lost track of his brother Brian, who was supposed to have married a Transylvanian princess but then disappeared. The two of them traveled to Austria to find them, but ended up in a Transylvanian dungeon as hostages, and their wives ended up rescuing them after locating Grégoire. Brian Maddox and his wife, Princess Nadezhda, reappeared after being missing for two years, having taken the long way home through Russia, Japan, and then a boat ride to England. So it turns out they were fine all along. No one was thrilled to hear that. They brought with them a mixed-race Japanese convict named Mugin, who I only mention because he pops up from time to time.

Lydia Bennet remarried and had a whole mess of kids with her new husband, Mr. Bradley. Kitty Bennet, the last remaining Bennet sister to be mentioned, got married to a Mr. Townsend over a whole page, because she isn’t a very interesting character so I didn’t spend a lot of time with her.

After the war, Grégoire Bellamont-Darcy moved to Spain, his previous monastery having been dissolved by Napoleon.

There is also a Bavarian saint named Sebald buried in Darcy’s graveyard instead of his traditional home in Nuremburg, but there’s a long story behind it, so just take it for what it is.

In The Ballad of Grégoire Darcy (Book 4), Grégoire Bellamont-Darcy was forced to leave his monastery for what seemed like largely political reasons, and moved to Ireland, where he met a peasant named Caitlin MacKenna and this being a historical romance series, eventually married her but not before some dramatic things happened to pad out the book a little. They have a son named Patrick and Grégoire is a schoolteacher.

Charles Bingley and Brian Maddox went into business together, and traveled to India and the Far East, bringing back a monkey and Mugin. Unfortunately for Darcy the monkey remained, but Mugin was kicked out of England after Brian discovered he was teaching Georgiana Bingley how to fight. I’m probably bothering to mention this minor subplot for a reason.

Mary Bennet, the single mother of Joseph Bennet, married Dr. Andrew Bertrand, a doctor of French origin, and still lives in Longbourn. Mrs. Bennet died of a stroke, and after her passing, Mr. Bennet left Longbourn and took up residence in the library at Pemberley. So far, Darcy hasn’t complained about any old people smells, probably because everyone smelled in Georgian England.

In The Knights of Derbyshire (Book 5), the Darcys held a party for their son Geoffrey Darcy, heir to Pemberley and Derbyshire, who turned eighteen and was about to leave for Cambridge. On the day after the party he ran afoul of an English Radical and was seriously wounded, kidnapped, and held for ransom by a man named Hatcher. When traditional negotiations for release were unsuccessful, he was rescued by a person dressed as a white wolf, later revealed to be Georgiana Bingley, the newly-out (in society, not the way you’re thinking) eldest daughter of Charles and Jane. She was ultimately shot by Hatcher, but rescued by her father and Geoffrey Darcy. To save her reputation the affair was covered up. While recovering from a head injury that ultimately resulted in partial deafness, Geoffrey awkwardly confessed his feelings for Georgiana before rejecting her, leaving both would-be lovers in a bit of a spat, otherwise known as a cliffhanger. Geoffrey joined his older cousin George Wickham (son of George Wickham and Lydia Bennet) in Cambridge while Georgiana went to a seminary in France.

In Georgiana and the Wolf (Book 6), Georgiana Bingley spends a brief year of her stint in an English boarding school in rural France protecting her friend Lady Heather Littlefield from a malicious aristocratic suitor while aiding a French inspector named Robert Audley solve a series of murders she may have sort of caused.

In Young Mr. Darcy in Love (Book 7), … well, the title is pretty explanatory, isn’t it? Geoffrey Darcy and Georgiana Bingley finally get their biologically-feasible cousin love act together as Geoffrey finishes his third and final year at Cambridge. They have a daughter, Alison, right out of the gate. Frederick Maddox faces his biological father (now King George IV) when his adoptive father (Dr. Maddox) is falsely accused of treason. Also there are some fight scenes. Look, it’s late and I’ve got to get this in to the copy-editor. You probably know all you need to know about this one.

In The Chrysanthemum and the Rose (Book 8), Charles Bingley the Younger and Frederick Maddox do a tour of the Continent, where Frederick runs into Georgiana’s old schoolmate, Lady Littlefield, and he eventually marries her. Isabella Wickham marries Saul Franklin, the only American in the books so far and also the name of my Great-Grandfather, if anyone’s playing Author Family Trivia. But he spelled it Sol. After a traumatic miscarriage, Geoffrey and Georgiana Darcy decide to travel to Japan so Georgie can finish her training with Mugin. They are joined by Danny Maddox (the younger son of Dr. Daniel Maddox), who decides to stay there after the end of the book. Lots of cool stuff happens in Japan, so you should just go read that book, but eventually Georgiana finishes her training, recovers from post-partum depression, and gets pregnant again, not necessarily in that order. On their way home they decide to visit their cousin/brother Charles, who is living in Italy and refuses to return to England.

Chapter 1 - Prologue

Fitzwilliam Darcy, a gentleman of some seven and fifty years, trusted his well-honed instincts and paid an unusually early-morning call to the Bingley house in London. As he predicted, the house was already awake, and Charles Bingley II received him in the study. They had an excellent view of the morning street, as the rich stumbled home and the poor rose to attend to them.

Darcy.

Bingley.

Bingley’s mood was considerably somber even for an average day, much less an eventful one. What brings you around?

Bingley, I’ve known you most of my life, and I see my astute powers of prediction have not failed me. I came to cheer you up. So how much money is your brother in debt for?

Bingley, who was sipping some morning ale, chuckled. "You were sent to cheer me up?"

"I was not sent. Darcy folded his arms and scoffed. It was my idea."

What did Mrs. Darcy think?

She may have had similar thoughts as your own as to the absurdity of such a notion. He saw Bingley smile. Nonetheless, it seems to have worked. So where is our dashing young groom?

He has his own men to attend to him. I need not worry.

Darcy wanted to say something, but nothing came. Bingley’s melancholia was understandable: he was about to lose another child. It was not quite on par with giving away a daughter, but Edmund Bingley was a second son, and unlike the eldest son, he would leave the house to build his own. His youth would make any father nervous, but Edmund had always been quick to take on the responsibilities of life. At twenty he had completed University and earned a degree to practice the law, used his allowance to invest in colonial concerns in China and turn them into a small fortune that would likely only grow larger, and, in a burst of emotion, found himself a wife. Bingley granted his consent mostly because of Edmund’s enthusiasm. If a squire’s daughter could bring out a visible happiness that they had not seen in years, his request could hardly be refused.

Their courtship was short, and the engagement only slightly longer – two months, mainly to prove that they were not marrying in haste for the sake of anything. By then Edmund was bursting at the seams, and the date was set despite the absence of two of his three siblings. Charles the Younger was still in Italy, and sent his congratulations but did not race home, and Georgiana was on her way home from Japan. This all compounded Bingley’s mood. The wedding would leave him with only one child in the house, and Eliza Bingley would eventually accept someone’s offer of matrimony. Darcy still held on to three, and would have four at home when Geoffrey returned.

I do wish Charles had come, Bingley said.

Yes, that was what Darcy was here for. Charles is apparently very intent on showing you he is his own man. Both of your sons are. Many fathers would be grateful.

"They need not be their own men at the same time. Bingley sighed. But I suppose, as always, you are correct. Edmund has found someone to make him happy and has the means to bring about her happiness. I could not have asked for a second son with a greater ability at independence. He looked up from his ale. Do you know we thought he would take orders? When he was very young, of course, because he was so serious. The clergy or the military; we thought they were his only options, but the world has changed."

He made his own options. He’s a very clever boy. Darcy corrected himself. Man.

Yes.

The door opened and the servant bowed. Mr. Maddox to see you, sir.

Send him in. Bingley did his best to put a smile on as Brian Maddox entered. Brian.

Charles. Darcy. Brian bowed. I knew you would find somewhere to hole yourself up and be miserable. And on your son’s wedding day!

Darcy came to cheer me up.

"Darcy? Well, obviously he’s done a wonderful job so far."

Darcy looked out the window and said, Still hiding from your brother?

No, Brian said, and poured himself some ale. I’m hiding from his wife, thank you very much.

The arrival of Brian and Nadezhda Maddox had been an unexpected surprise. They arrived from their journey faster than their letters, and the family was in shock with the mixed bag of news. Geoffrey, Georgiana, and Alison Darcy were all fine, but were stopping in Italy to see/collect Charles, having no way of knowing that Edmund was marrying at all, much less the date. That could be excused, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief that they were safely back in Europe, but the other Maddoxes were still recovering from the shock that there was a missing person in their group. Daniel Maddox Junior had decided to stay in Japan, and though Brian insisted (several times over several days) that he had argued against the decision until he was blue in the face, nothing short of force of arms would have put him on the boat and Brian didn’t have it in him to do it. Danny Maddox sent a long letter of apology home with Brian and Nadezhda for his parents and siblings, but could not put into words why he would linger in the Orient for another year. They had no choice but to respect their son’s decision, but they had every incentive to make sure Brian knew how upset they were over their wayward son.

Unfortunately, Brian and Nadezhda arrived but two days before the wedding day, and it was too late to cancel the ceremony at St. George’s and put it off until the arrival of the Darcys. Edmund did not have a burning desire to wait for his brother Charles – the two of them had always been distant, and there was no guarantee Charles would come home at the news. No, Edmund had done his time as an engaged bachelor, and now he would enter holy matrimony with or without his far-traveling siblings.

We have all of our lives to entertain them, and them to entertain us, Edmund said, gazing into the eyes of his future wife, Miss Lucy Hartford. The family decided it was an acceptable answer, mainly because they were enthusiastic about the smile on Edmund’s face.

Cheer up, Brian said. You’ve a son more accomplished than any of us were at his age, unless you mean me, and then only in the realm of drinking and gambling. And soon enough, you’ll have all of them together again, married or not. I authorized Geoffrey to use whatever force necessary to bring Charles home.

And you intend for Georgiana to just stand by and watch? Bingley asked.

No. She didn’t need my authorization. He raised his glass. To marriage and your family’s happiness, even if you choose not to partake in it with this gloomy fellow over here.

At least I can do as I want without fear of another denouncement from my sister-in-law, Darcy replied.

Brian rolled his eyes. Yes, you should be so lucky.

~~~

Elsewhere, the Bingley house was in an uproar. Edmund was dressed and attended to on his own, with the same calmness to which he approached every day, but that did not stop his relatives from doing otherwise.

My son is getting married! Jane said, and Elizabeth Darcy had to resist the urge to roll her eyes, if only because it was neither the first nor even the third time Jane must have said it that very morning. I always thought Charles would be first.

Maybe he will surprise us with an Italian bride.

Oh no! Well, I don’t suppose it would be so terrible as long as he came home and stayed, but certainly we would prefer to meet her first. And not all at once! I think Charles might not survive.

Now Elizabeth did roll her eyes as she was handed a fresh cup of tea. Yes, poor Charles.

He will be happier when Georgiana and Charles are home. To have them all in a room together! How long has it been?

Two years. Two very long years. How would she ever part with her daughters? Or Jane with Eliza, even though Eliza was certainly of age. It will be something astonishing. I’m told it will be even more astonishing if we can speak to our granddaughter.

"Nadezhda said Alison speaks a little English. Perhaps more than she spoke when she left. Jane waved off her maid, who was putting the final touches on her hair. Children learn so quickly."

And by implication, we learn very slowly. I think I may have the right to feel insulted.

Lizzy! Not now. My son is getting married! I know we will miss him but it is so good to see him happy at last.

On this, Elizabeth could only happily agree.

~~~

One person was admitted to Edmund’s chambers besides his manservant – or more accurately, two. The big day, Frederick Maddox said, setting his son Stewart down on the carpet.

If you leave him there, I’m afraid I might step on him.

I just wanted to remind you what you’re in for.

Edmund rolled his eyes as his manservant tightened his cravat. You don’t seem that upset.

Maybe not, Frederick said. He picked up his son before he could crawl away and held him up so they faced each other. Though they have a tendency to smell, cry, and bite. And he ruined my favorite waistcoat by spitting up all over it.

You love him anyway.

I have my moments. Besides, I have the exclusive right to escape to a club, leaving Heather and the nursing staff to care for him when he gets moody. Don’t I? He looked down at his son, who giggled at him and stuffed his tiny hand in his mouth.

Not anymore, you don’t. With his outfit ready, Edmund stepped down from the stand. You still haven’t told me how you managed to get kicked out of White’s.

"I didn’t manage it. It’s not all that hard. It is a very exclusive club, you know. And if they suddenly decide to exclude you... well."

I mean the reason behind it.

They said I was cheating, but that’s because they don’t understand mathematics. Anyway, I did try to tell you, but you’ve been in that lovesick daze for a month now, so I figured it wasn’t worth it. When your moody brother and sister get home, I’ll liven up the evening with a boring explanation of how to win at cards.

I heard you took the Viscount Brougham for all he’s worth.

A minor exaggeration. And do you have a wedding to go to or not?

Edmund Bingley smiled. I suppose I do.

~~~

In the sight of God, their friends, and what could be gathered of their family, Mr. Edmund Bingley and Miss Lucy Hartford were married in the very fashionable St. George’s Cathedral. There was not a soul present who did not look pleasurably upon the proceedings and wish them all the blessings in the world.

The wedding breakfast was grand, giving everyone a chance to take part in the festivities, even the very smallest of Lydia’s six children. The only one not present (besides the wayward relatives) was Edmund’s namesake, Mr. Bennet. The journey was too long and hard for someone approaching their eighty-fourth birthday. Edmund Bingley made a special journey back to Derbyshire right before the wedding to see his grandfather. Mr. Bennet gave him all of his blessings and then some; the old man was normally of full wit, but had his moments where he would confuse people who looked alike (though this could be attributed to his poor sight), and Edmund did look much like his father. Despite his frailty, Mr. Bennet was as jovial and witty as ever, and wished his grandson well and that he should have a daughter, because Mr. Bennet said he always seemed to prefer daughters.

With no deaths, no tragedies, and the prospect of the return of the long-gone children of Pemberley and Chatton House, the extended Darcy, Bingley, and Maddox family, along with the other Bennet sisters and their husbands, looked to the future with promise.

Chapter 2 – The Barefoot European

Geoffrey Darcy – gentleman, husband, father, and world-traveler – returned from his extended voyage to the Orient only to make a shocking discovery that would have sent any dandy into convulsions: his boots no longer fit. After two years of wearing sandals, his feet had spread, and attempting to slip into leather boots was a painful experience. Even in Capetown, as their ship rounded the coast, they were unable to find anything that fit. He would have to have new boots made upon their return to England.

Not that his wife had any objections; Georgiana Darcy (nee Bingley) found the whole thing amusing, and having a fashionable husband was the least of her concerns. That did not mean she was particularly pleased with him at this time. She always found the first few months of her condition to be the hardest, and the rocking ship was not helping.

Aside from Brian and Nadezhda, the only one unperturbed by the lengthy journey was Alison Darcy. At four years of age, she was easy to amuse, and her smile could melt the heart of even the hardiest of sailors, especially when they spoke to her in Dutch and she answered in Japanese. The deck of the ship was not a large play area, but she had plenty of toys in her room and her father to care for her when her mother was resting or ill (which she always seemed to be, in Alison’s opinion). They insisted on speaking to her in another language, but it did not interest her in the least.

She’s not in an English environment, Brian said to Geoffrey. Almost all of the ship’s crew was from Holland. She’ll pick it up as easily as she picked up Japanese.

Geoffrey had no doubt of it. They parted ways with the Maddoxes on the Spanish coast, taking only their essentials – some clothing and money – and boarding a ship to take them to Italy. This ship was much smaller, and the rocking was more difficult for both parents, but fortunately Alison was easily entertained by the passing ships of the Mediterranean and the often-visible coast. The crew was Italian, which, thanks to her year in seminary, Georgie spoke enough of to manage steady communications.

They’d written to her brother Charles of their intentions from Japan and again from South Africa, but they had no way of knowing if the letters reached him in time. He had previously invited them to the villa he inhabited on the Italian coast, so they assumed the invitation, something he did not readily give to other family members, was still open.

I hope he’s happy to see us.

I hope one of us remembers to bring Alison when we both race off this boat.

Geoffrey laughed and kissed his wife.

Clad in the new, ill-fitting suit purchased in Capetown, Geoffrey was the first with his feet on land, but only because he carried his daughter across the plank (which she deemed frightening).

Is this Uncle Charles’s house?

He looked at the dock warehouse and said, Say it in English.

Papa!

Say it.

She put her hand in her mouth. That – Uncle Charles home?

"Is this Uncle Charles’s house?" he said in English.

Is this Uncle Charl is house? she mimicked.

He leaned over and kissed the top of her head. It isn’t, but well done.

Georgiana, who was wearing one of the new dresses over her kimono, returned to them after speaking to a local. The address is half a day’s ride from here.

In a carriage or a palanquin?

I insisted on the palanquin.

I’ll walk, Geoffrey said with a roll of his eyes; Georgiana instructed the dock-workers to load their one trunk onto the carriage. The bumpy roads were nothing to the incessant rocking of the ship, and there was something comforting about the smell of the inside of a closed carriage, padded with cushions and local fabrics. It was still foreign, but so much more like home to them than anything they had felt in years, even in the British colonies in India and South Africa.

Is this Uncle Charles’s house? Alison repeated, correctly this time, pressing her finger against the glass at the appearance of every farmhouse, and shake.

No, Geoffrey said. Let your mother rest. Georgie wouldn’t ever dream of admitting it, but she was worn out not just from the journey but also from her condition. She was pale and drank ginger tea constantly, keeping it in a flask in her purse. A warm bed and rest would do her good. If they were at Pemberley, so much the better, but that would have to wait a few more weeks.

What if we miss it? Alison whispered in Japanese.

We won’t, he assured her, and pulled her over to his side of the carriage. I promise.

Alison was quiet long enough for even Geoffrey to doze. He woke to the halt of the carriage, and found Alison with her head in his lap. Still yawning himself, he waited for the groom to open the door. Signore.

Georgiana was already awake, but she did not look composed, so Geoffrey stepped out first and handed the note with the address to the driver to confirm that the yellow-washed stone house on a hill he was looking at was indeed the current home of Charles Bingley the Younger. He gestured for their trunk to be removed, picked up Alison and set her down, and then went about seeing Georgie out of the carriage. Are you all right?

Starving, she said. And – I suppose I could use some air.

There certainly is plenty of it, he said. The air smelled of the sea, and he helped her to sit down on the trunk. There was a footman at the beginning of the manicured path leading up to the villa, who approached and exchanged some words with the groom before turning to the Darcys.

I am Signore Darcy, Geoffrey said. He could manage that much in Italian. My wife is Signora Darcy, Signore Bingley’s sister.

I speak Italian, she announced, picking her head up. Her bonnet was not particularly efficient at blocking the sun. Please, sir.

They exchanged some words, and it must have gone well, because the carriage was given permission to depart. Geoffrey could only catch bits of it, but it seemed that Charles was neither expecting nor willing to see visitors. Georgiana redoubled her explanation of who she was (as the letters seemed not to have reached him in time) and how she would see her brother, and the footman relented and gave Geoffrey a nervous smile. He was either astoundingly well-dressed for a servant, or they had been in Japan for too long.

Another servant came down to offer assistance with the trunk. He spoke no English whatsoever, but that didn’t stop Alison’s barrage of Japanese questions, the first being whether he was her uncle or not.

Your uncle is blond, darling, Georgiana said. You might even recognize him.

The path, not paved but smoothed for curricles and horses, was beautiful in of itself, with periodic potted plants and columns in imitation of the old Roman style. Each one of them was differently colored and was even possibly of great age. Between the trees they could see the ocean, a beautiful blue seen through a clear sky. Why someone would want to live here was no mystery.

The villa itself was a square structure with a red roof, rather simple in construction but not in appearance. It was surrounded by gardens and patios and everything man could do to complement it, making a house smaller than theirs in Lancashire appear grander, if in a Continental way. Everything exuded elegance.

True to her father’s hopeful prediction, Alison did recognize her godfather. Uncle Charles! she screamed, running ahead of them to greet the man emerging from the house. Charles Bingley the Younger was exquisitely dressed in an Italian cut coat, his blond hair tussled, and his side-whiskers kept short. He retained the features of a man several years younger than he was, and he had an easy smile for his niece, kneeling to greet her. Goodness! Alison Darcy, look at you!

I know who you are. Where did you get your house? Does anyone else live here? Can I play in the garden? Did you bring presents? Did you miss me, Uncle Charles?

Unfortunately, her amusing tirade contained only two words ‘Uncle Charles’ understood – and those were the words. The rest had been in a steady stream of fast-spoken Japanese. Charles recovered quickly. I missed you, too. He hugged her, and stood to bow to Geoffrey. Welcome back, Geoffrey. Georgie, are you all right? I apologize – I wasn’t expecting you.

We did write, so you should get the letter in a few months, Geoffrey said as Georgie embraced her brother.

I’m fine, she said, and whispered something in Charles’s ear, which he responded to with a wide smile.

Really? Oh – He spoke quickly in Italian to the woman in black standing behind them, probably the housekeeper, and she curtseyed and left, returning with a chair for Georgiana. Please. What would you like?

Tea. Any kind will do, she said. It is so good to see you. She held his hands in hers for a moment before she let him go off with more orders for the servants. He was surprised that they only had one trunk, but Geoffrey shrugged.

Eventually they were settled on a patio overlooking the valley below, and Charles did manage up a surprise of a doll for his goddaughter, who managed to thank him in English. Georgiana’s color was returning, and she nibbled on a pastry then scarfed the rest of them down.

Oh God, Geoffrey said after taking a sip of the offered wine. This is the real thing. Do you know what I would have paid for this a year ago? He clinked his glass against Charles’s. Italian?

French.

Of course.

He’s going to be cup-shot in a few minutes, and asleep in an hour, Georgie said as she watched her husband happily down his glass. But he deserves it, I suppose.

You see how you like wine made from rice! Geoffrey said to Charles.

I’m sure I wouldn’t, he said. So am I the first to be graced with your company? He grinned. It is an honor. I did get a few letters sometime last summer, all in a bundle, but I only had news about you by way of England to know you were alive and well. So Uncle Brian and Her Highness have gone ahead with Danny?

There was an uncomfortable cough from Geoffrey, and so Georgie answered as fearlessly as she did everything else, Danny stayed.

Stayed? Stayed where?

In Japan. He wanted to travel more.

Did his father grant his permission?

Did Papa grant you permission to be here?

Charles looked away. I don’t need Father’s permission. But this is only Italy, and besides, Danny’s young.

He would not listen to reason, and as I am very accustomed to loved ones’ and relatives’ individual streaks, I did not tie him up and toss him on the boat with Mr. Maddox, Geoffrey said, though we did consider it.

Did he say how long he plans to stay?

A year. Maybe more, Georgie answered. I suspect until his sight is gone, which will be soon, but you ought not repeat that.

Charles nodded, and sipped his wine. As eager as I am to hear all of the details of your trip, I can see that you both are exhausted, and while I was not expecting visitors, the guest rooms will be ready momentarily. He said something quickly to a servant, who nodded and took away his glass. I assume Alison is not fluent in English.

We’re trying our best, Geoffrey said. Between the wine and his own exhaustion, he was light-headed, and glad that Charles brought their conversation to a close. She’ll pick it all up again soon. I’m just happy she recognized you.

They shared a laugh, and Charles showed them to their rooms – beautiful, spacious bedrooms with murals on the walls and a view of the ocean from the balcony. Georgie saw that Alison was fed and put to rest in her own room before she would agree to lie down herself. She kissed her brother on the cheek. I worried for you.

I would say the same.

She hugged her brother again. Geoffrey nodded to Charles, who left, shutting the door behind him.

They both collapsed, still dressed, on the grand bed, complete with carved wooden posts and a canopy. It was bizarre to be so far off the floor. Geoffrey forced himself back up to help Georgie out of her new dress, unlacing it in the back for her, and she slipped under the sheet in her under-kimono as he removed his jacket and vest, and kicked off his sandals. Despite all she had eaten, she was still a little pale. He slid a hand in and rubbed her belly, where there was just the smallest swelling of what would hopefully be their next child. This time, Georgiana bore her symptoms with considerable might, but they assaulted her small frame all the same.

You’ll feel better soon, he whispered. It was probably true; they were back on land, and she was probably near or passing her three-month point, when the initial symptoms would ease. And you don’t have to drink any more foul potions.

If I still feel this way afterwards, I’m going right back on it. You caught me in a moment of weakness.

It is the only way you can be caught.

They giggled, and with that, managed to finally relax.

~~~

Geoffrey rose first. He moved quietly, so as not to disturb his sleeping wife from her well-deserved rest. The servants were a bit shocked, when he entered the dressing chamber, that he had dressed himself, and looked at his feet, but he just shrugged in return and inquired after his daughter.

Alison was more than happy to see him, and pushed away all of the food the maid was trying to feed her to greet her father. Papa! I missed you!

Did you rest?

She nodded. She was not accustomed to being away from him and cared for by others, but it was an adjustment he told her she would have to make. Where’s Mama?

Still sleeping.

How long is she going to be sick?

Several months, but then she’ll be better.

Promise?

He smiled. I promise. They had explained to her, in some form, Georgiana’s condition, but of course it was beyond her understanding and part of them wanted it to remain that way. Why don’t you finish your meal?

I want to eat with you. Why can’t I eat with you?

English children don’t eat with their parents.

Then I don’t want to be English! she shouted – appropriately, in Japanese.

I’m afraid you’ve no choice in the matter, he said, and gave her a reassuring smile. When we are home in Lancashire, we’ll eat together sometimes. How about that?

She grumbled, but agreed, and returned to her meal. The Tuscan sun was setting, and Geoffrey found Charles on the largest of the many balconies, watching the sky turn orange, and then red. Before Geoffrey could reach him, he nearly crashed into a charging servant, who uttered something in Italian that didn’t sound particularly apologetic and continued on his way.

Charles.

Charles just looked up at him and nodded. Geoffrey. His face was flushed, as if he was agitated, or maybe it was just the wine. Dinner’s late here – but you’re welcome to something if you are hungry.

I’m not, but thank you. He took his seat, wondering if he would have to make conversation first. Fortunately, the decision was not his.

Did my father send you?

You know the answer to that. We haven’t even been home yet.

I mean, did he write you and tell you to come?

No. Geoffrey looked at his cousin, but Charles’s eyes were lost in his own thoughts. Eliza did.

Charles said nothing, but acknowledged this with a slight nod.

Practically all of her letters were about you. Your time in London, your habits as a bachelor, the doctor’s visit.

So nothing is sacred, Charles grumbled. I’m not ill.

"She said you looked ill. Here, in Italy, Charles did not. He had a healthy weight and color on his face, not like Eliza had so painstakingly described in her letters. She has a right to be concerned when she sees you in bad shape."

I wasn’t ill.

You must have been in some fashion – enough for her to write us halfway across the world –

It was none of your business. He sighed. But I suppose it is, and you’ve come to drag me home.

"I’m not inclined to drag anyone. Charles, there are people who want you home. They desire your presence. They worry about you for all reasons you’ve given them. I’m worried about you. Georgie’s worried about you. He paused, and considered his next words. Is this about marriage?"

Charles laughed unhappily. My father hasn’t pressed the issue, no. We’re not all inclined to make a running leap to the altar, like Frederick and Edmund.

But – Edmund?

What? Oh, it must have been too recent for you to hear. Edmund is to be married. Or, is married by now. I forget the date. He met a girl while escorting Eliza to an assembly and that was that. He swallowed his wine. He wrote that since he had no idea of your arrival date, he would reluctantly pursue his endeavors without his sister present.

This Geoffrey needed to digest for a moment. Edmund, married? At twenty? Why aren’t you home?

I was not invited.

"Don’t be ridiculous. He needn’t even say –"

"You mistake me. I was not invited. Edmund made that very clear in his letter and it is my brotherly duty to respect that."

It is your brotherly duty to – what? He shook his head. He understood the words, but he did not understand. Does your mother know about this?

That’s the first thing out of your mouth?

She is my aunt. And mother-in-law.

Charles shook his head. It’s between me and Edmund. I don’t want to hurt my parents any more than I already have.

"What is between you and Edmund?"

His cousin finally looked him in the eye. If Eliza couldn’t get it out of me, you certainly won’t.

Georgie will.

In her condition, I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s not so simple. And no, it’s not about marriage, or illness, or Chatton House. Not specifically.

Geoffrey considered this. Did Edmund covet Chatton House? He never expressed an interest before, and life had hardly dealt him a bad hand. He had done well in school and was already on his way to being a successful barrister, and if the news was true, he was married. He didn’t need Chatton House. But that wouldn’t prevent him from wanting it. Geoffrey was suddenly never more thankful not to have a brother.

It did sort of make sense. The older, simpler brother, inheriting almost everything, and the Younger brother – who was undeniably more clever – forever attempting to prove himself. Perhaps even Uncle Bingley wasn’t aware of it, but Geoffrey was not prepared to brand his uncle such a fool.

That didn’t explain everything – not by far – but it was something to think on.

Geoffrey, Charles said, for old time’s sake, make me a promise.

I’ll hear you out.

Charles swirled his glass around, letting the wine twirl in the glass. I know you’ve come to bring me home, but at least give me a day or two before you bring it up again. I’m not prepared.

How could he refuse? It would be too cruel. A day or two.

Yes.

All right. Geoffrey stood, leaving his wine untouched, and patted Charles on the shoulder as he left. All will be well.

But Charles’s sad chuckle told him otherwise.

Chapter 3 – The Witch

When Georgiana woke, Geoffrey spoke to her about his conversation with Charles, and most importantly, his promise to Charles. Georgie was not pleased, as what her husband told her only added to her concerns, but she agreed not to raise the issue herself until at least the next day. She had much to think on herself – especially the news of the wedding.

He got along with Edmund when they were children, she said as she washed her face. It must have happened while Charles was in Cambridge. I was so distracted. She shook her head. Charles tried to talk to me about his depression in University, but it was as if he wasn’t truly ready and I wasn’t ready to hear it. I was so focused on you.

When was this?

About a month before our marriage.

Geoffrey simply said, Oh.

Georgie dried her hands, and wound her mandala beads back around her right wrist. It’s no excuse. Still, it doesn’t make sense. Charles has never really talked or not talked about inheriting Chatton House – he knows all of the estate business, I’m sure, but it’s not as if his income is from land like Pemberley.

No, it’s much simpler. It’s simply a question of what the business is worth and if Uncle Bingley intends to sell it at some point.

Edmund has always been so intent to prove himself as a man who could stand on his own. He wouldn’t settle for a living in the military or the church.

He’s fortunate, then, that he wasn’t born a generation ago.

He is. He’s said as much to me. I’ve never had the impression that he desires Chatton House, but I’ve not precisely been around to notice his moods as of late. She frowned. Eliza has. She would have said something, but she’s hardly said anything of Edmund except how well he’s done for himself.

I don’t think this is something Edmund would discuss with her.

True. So I will be on my best behavior – for tonight. And some of tomorrow.

She shooed Geoffrey away as the maid approached to help her dress for the evening in something that was available. He was attended by his own assigned manservant, a fussy Italian with enough English to order him to be steady for the tying of a tighter and more complex cravat than he was used to. They were still unable to locate any fitting boots, but he told them his stay would not be long.

Before dinner formally began, he went to say goodnight to Alison, then joined his wife and cousin for dinner. Georgiana was in a better mood, and ravenously attacked the first courses, but drank only tea. The talking was mostly left to Geoffrey, and for a moment (and after a few glasses of very fine claret) he forgot his worries. This was his cousin, his friend, a man who was like a brother to him (and was, by law). He could tell him things he left out of the letters, and it would be a good testing ground for revealing just how many attacks on their persons they withstood.

Charles was his old charming self, different from what he had been an hour ago. Mr. Darcy, a village constable?

I think I was a rather effective one. Georgie?

You had a gun, dear. That alone made you intimidating.

There’s more to being a constable than being intimidating, Charles said.

I will grant him that, Georgie said, not looking up from her plate, which she was very set on emptying. They were very grateful people. Did we tell him the gift they gave you at the festival?

The cow?

But I thought they didn’t eat meat, Charles interrupted.

They do not, Geoffrey answered. But they have cattle for farming. And they... gave us one. The whole animal. Alive.

He held out until Christmas, Georgie said, because I liked the milk. The Japanese don’t drink cow milk; they think it hurts the cow or something like that. But Christmas Eve, he... did whatever he did to get meat for the next morning.

I will shorten the story for the sake of proper dinner conversation and say that it is much harder to turn a living cow into steak than I had previously imagined, and I have a new appreciation for the butchers and their awful task.

You’re a huntsman.

Yes, but that doesn’t mean I skin the birds and cook them. Anyway, we did have our wonderful feast of indeterminate chunks of beef –

– and stuffed ourselves silly –

– and drank too much, I suspect, because we must have said something that made Mugin look at me crossways for a week.

How is Mugin? Charles asked. I’m afraid I only have a few memories of him, from his second trip, though he was distinct enough to have remained in my mind.

He’s written us from his new home on one of the islands off the coast of Japan, Georgie said as the servant refilled her plate. It’s an independent kingdom of sorts. Either he’s very happy or he’s a good liar.

Probably both, Geoffrey said. He promised Georgie he would stay out of trouble, and he seems to keep those promises, so who knows? But he is recovered from his wounds.

His wounds?

We haven’t gotten to that part of the story, Georgie told her husband. We’re still at Christmas.

Which we were not allowed to celebrate or mention by name.

Officially.

"Very anti-Christian sentiment there. Apparently the Franciscans were so intense in their missionary efforts that it put the shōgun off our religion entirely, regardless