Page 64 of The Widower of Pemberley

“Are arrangements made?” Darcy asked.

“Pistols, and you will fire together. At dawn. We must ride some distance as the meeting will be at a field in the next shire. Mr. Denny says it is the location generally preferred for such occasions.”

Darcy nodded.

He then made the introductions between Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth.

After a few words with his cousin, Elizabeth went to speak to Georgiana. There was something captivating about watching the line of her dress glide about her legs, and how her trim figure moved.

It was right to be fascinated by her.

Elizabeth leaned against the instrument, creating a lovely picture as she spoke softly to his sister.

Upon being addressed by Elizabeth, Georgiana banged the keys in a manner Darcy had never heard from her, and she stopped playing.

After a minute, while Elizabeth continued to speak, his sister began to play again, this time at a furious pace, while talking quickly to Elizabeth in a tone that was impossible for anyone else to hear over the notes.

Emily leapt up from where she had been sitting with a book open between her and Mr. Bennet.

“Papa! Papa! Now play. Now play with me.”

Darcy smiled at her instinctively.

And then he felt an aching sickness in the belly. He had threatened to spank her when she refused to leave the room because she was scared. And he meant to fight in a duel the next day. “Of course, my sweet. And what shall we play? Is it time for the tea party?”

“No! I am busy. We shall play draughts. With Mr. Bennet. He says that I give the best advice.”

“If you would like us to play a game of draughts, I am at your service, madam.” Darcy bowed a little before sweeping the girl into his arms. She giggled.

“No, no,” Emily insisted. “You play with Mr. Bennet. I’ll tell you what to move.”

Darcy grimaced.

Mr. Bennet laughed. “You consider this a hard task. I have been receiving…her excellent advice for the past few days.”

“I make the best moves!” Emily cheered.

“Then we shall play,” Darcy said to his child, “if Mr. Bennet is willing to risk defeat.”

“Most willing.”

“He is so funny when he loses a game,” Emily said.

“I shall try to be equally amusing should we lose,” Darcy replied.

Mr. Bennet chuckled again. He looked much recovered from the weakness that he had suffered. His colour was back and he was in good spirits.

“We still plan to marry this evening,” Darcy said as he sat down and quickly arranged the pieces in their rows. “You should look over the settlement documents and sign them.”

“I can scarcely read at present,” Mr. Bennet said. “I have sent for my brother-in-law Mr. Phillips to look them over for me.”

He meant to fight Wickham.

He meant to shoot Wickham.

He meant to kill Wickham.

Wrong. Wrong.