“That is it, Richard! Dismount immediately and prepare to have your claret drawn. How dare you make such an accusation!”

“Calm down, Darce. Cripes, man, you started the whole damn discussion by implying Dun was leaking information.”

“Well, if he did let something slip to Miss Elizabeth, I can guarantee the young woman is not passing the information along to Masséna. I have been known to utter utter nonsense while in her bewitching company as well, so I suppose I cannot blame the bloke. And she is not his lady, Fitz. The fool has not even asked for permission to court her yet, and that was his first mistake.”

“Has he made a second?”

“Yes. He has made me realize I never wish to lose her.”

An hour later, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, and their friends, Charles Bingley and Ellis Fleming, met at Whites.

“Fleming, it is good to see you again; and I trust matters went well in Derbyshire. I know my sister has been eagerly awaiting your arrival. Have you visited Georgiana yet?”

“Of course. In fact, I have actually come here directly from your house. I must say Miss Darcy grows more beautiful every time I see her. I am so glad I was able to complete my business and be here in time for the ball. I understand both your sisters have been enjoying the company of the Misses Bennet since your family arrived in Town and they will also be attending the event. How are those lovely ladies?”

The blonde gentleman pounded his fist on the table. “Confound it, Darcy! Do you mean to tell me now that the exquisite Miss Bennet has been in London these past weeks and you did not see fit to inform me?”

“Bingley, my friend, I only learned of their presence in the city over a week ago. When I discovered Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were to dine with us at Darcy House, it was too short notice to include you; and I could hardly inveigle an invitation for you to dinner at their home last evening. They are a delightful family, though; and the two eldest daughters are such good friends for my sisters.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam snorted and said, “Ah, yes. They are merely your sisters’ friends. Right. Be that as it may, I agree with Fleming that they are, indeed, lovely ladies. I hope to have an opportunity to dance with them both at the ball at least once, but I imagine their dance cards will fill rather quickly. Hmm, perhaps I should call upon Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth and make my requests early. Any gentleman interested in standing up with such desirable women must be kept on his toes, otherwise another bloke will step on his toes to have the privilege of stepping on the ladies’ toes.”

His suggestion caused alarm in two of his friends, as he had intended; and Bingley and Darcy both privately decided they should also call upon the Bennet household before it was too late. Fleming stood and explained he had an appointment with his solicitor; and Colonel Fitzwilliam departed with him, as he had to attend a meeting at headquarters.

“Darcy, do you suppose Fitz really has a meeting or might he actually be on his way to the Bennet townhouse?”

“I know he really has a meeting, Bingley. Stop fretting. I am sure the Bennet sisters will still have room on their dance cards for you. Speaking of sisters, we met yours at the Royal Academy recently while Georgiana, Anna, and I were in company with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. I must say, Bingley, your sister can be rather … ”

“Yes?”

“Rather … ”

“Spit it out, man. How do you wish to describe Caroline? Snooty? Snobby? Snotty?”

“Yes, yes, and yes. Sorry Bingley, but you well know what she can be like. Caroline was very disdainful toward my new friends that day, and … ”

“Wait one minute. Your new friends? I thought Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth were merely your sisters’ friends, so why have you been spending so much time with them?”

“Oh, do stop nitpicking. Seriously, Bingley, you and I have known each other for years; and I greatly value our friendship and hope to never lose it. Nevertheless, what I have to say next may very well jeopardize our relationship.”

“This sounds serious, indeed, Darcy. Please be assured you have my full attention, cooperation, and continual friendship, whatever dire information you are about to impart.”

“This is difficult to say, and I realize it is not my place to do so. Despite that, something must be done about your sister. One of these days she is going to go too far and offend the wrong person. You jokingly described her as snobby, snooty, and snotty; however, it is no joke, my friend. Miss Bingley truly is a snob; and I certainly do not allude to the slang that I realize may have been hurtful to you while at Cambridge.”

“Darcy, I am not ashamed of my background. For many generations our ancestors were cobblers. Caroline and I do, absolutely, owe our current prosperity to a bunch of shoemakers. I know the origin of the word ‘snob’ started as the nickname for a cobbler or his apprentice. It also meant tradesman, merchant, townsman, or basically any person of low class. I am not ignorant to the fact ‘snob’ is now beginning to mean one who imitates their betters. You and your relatives have always been our betters, yet you have never looked down upon us, my friend; and I thank you for that.

Thank you also for being a good enough friend to be honest about Caroline. I will certainly have a long-overdue talk with my sister about her attitude. She is not a bad person, Darcy, merely insecure and, perhaps, envious. Because of our wealth, we were thrust into a mostly unwelcoming society. Without the guidance of parents, we have floundered. Please accept my apologies on her behalf. If you think it advisable, I will also, without hesitation, apologize to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth for any embarrassment they suffered because of my sister’s actions or words.”

“Good God, Bingley. My sphere of society can only benefit from the inclusion of a good man like you. In my estimation, Charles Bingley, you stand head and shoulders above the majority of aristocrats of my acquaintance; and I am privileged to call you friend.”

The two young men suddenly became embarrassed by such heartfelt talk and started to joke about their long-standing friendship, their days together at Cambridge, and the people they knew there.

“ … and remember Pascal, the mathematics professor? Now there was a cold and calculating man!”

“Yes, indeed, he obviously had a lot of problems.”

“If I remember correctly, Darcy, he was cross-eyed and could not control his pupils.”

“Then he started to wear spectacles to improve di-vision.”

Bingley groaned at his friend’s puny pun and Darcy said, “Well, Pascal could certainly multiply well enough. I have heard he and his wife have twelve children. Perhaps he was not so cold after all.”