I looked from one to the other, wondering what fresh mischief my brother had concocted. “Ask me what, exactly?”
George rolled his eyes and shot his friend a sigh of mock exasperation. “Bingley here came to me with a matter of great importance. Alas, it was quite beyond my humble capacities. I advised him to consult you, the fount of all wisdom.”
Bingley, now looking slightly embarrassed under my inquiring gaze, cleared his throat. “Well, Darcy, I’ve been giving some thought to… ah, branching out a bit. I’m considering leasing or even purchasing an estate.”
“An estate?” I repeated. “And what prompts this ambition?”
Bingley’s expression turned earnest. “It was my father’s fondest wish to see me settled as a gentleman of property. And, well, it would greatly add to my sisters’ happiness. I am hoping to secure something by the end of the year.”
I leaned back, assessing him. This was a side of Bingley I hadn’t anticipated. “Your father’s wish, you say? That is a commendable reason. And thinking of your sisters’ well-being shows thoughtfulness. What sort of advice do you seek?”
“Everything, I am afraid. I know not where to begin, but I was hoping you might guide me. I had a letter from my youngest sister only this morning, and she is all eagerness for me to be about the business, but I’ve not yet found a competent adviser.”
“It would be my pleasure. You see, George? Not everyone is indolent. Some desire to better themselves and become useful to their families.”
George, who had been lounging by the window, straightened up. “You are perfectly convinced that I lack all ambition.”
“I would be delighted if you proved me wrong.”
He grinned. “Then prepare yourself to be delighted, for while you are sprouting roots behind your desk, I have been making rather illustrious connections abroad.”
“And what would that be? Another tale of your adventures in Town? Or have you bought another racehorse?”
“You wouldn’t understand. ‘Tis a matter of the heart, brother. You said I should contribute something to my own upkeep, and so I have. I have captured the fancy of the loveliest creature on earth.”
I couldn’t help but scoff. “Your romantic escapades hardly qualify as contributions, George.”
“You might be surprised, brother. But go on, discuss your mills and cogs. I shall not bore you with tales of the heart.”
I crossed my arms. “Oh, consider me most diverted. Let me guess. She wears too much rouge and can be found on Drury Lane.”
“No, no.” George waved his hand dismissively. “Nothing of the sort. I’ve been… well, I’ve been courting a young lady. A veryrespectableyoung lady, I might add.”
“‘Courting,’ George? I think ‘seducing’ is the word you are looking for.”
“I am quite serious, brother,” he replied, a hint of defensiveness creeping into his voice. “I know I’ve given you little reason to think so, but Iamcapable of genuine affection.”
Bingley watched us, a slight smile on his lips. “I have met her, Darcy. She is quite a catch, I must say.”
I regarded George with a newfound curiosity mixed with a healthy dose of skepticism. “And if I were to ask the young lady’s name?”
He buffed his fingernails on his jacket and inspected them. “You might be pleased. I cannot say, really. Sometimes, I’ve no idea what would please you.”
I narrowed my eyes and cleared the last papers from my desk. “Humor me.”
He shrugged. “Lady Lucilla, daughter of Lord Belmont.”
My desk drawer slammed closed when my hand twitched. I froze, then glanced carefully up at him. He was jesting again, and I would not be taken in this time. So, I played along, waiting for whatever prank he meant to deploy. “Lady Lucilla, is it? I heard she was courted by Viscount Eddington, with a betrothal expected any day. You must have charmed the lady until she cannot think straight.”
“There you have it. I rescued her from Eddington and his staggeringly dull friends when I was at Ascot in April. The twenty-second, if you must know, at half past three in the afternoon, just before the eighth race went to the post.”
I stared at him. “There, you have tipped your hand. You never recall anything with such precision, so what are you after this time?”
“Nothing! Bingley, am I not telling the truth? I introduced him to her in Town a fortnight ago, and she avowed all the details I just told you.”
“On my honor, the lady recited it precisely as he has said,” Bingley concurred. “And I might say she added one or two embellishments regarding what George said to her about…” Bingley broke off suddenly, and I caught a faint shake of George’s head.
“About?” I prodded.
