Page 95 of Shields and Roses

Bingley looked at the board doubtfully, considered for a few moments, then made a move.

"And what did you play, young man?" Bennet asked from his place by the fire. Bingley told him the move. "Very well, please make my response."

Bennet told Bingley his move. Once it was made, Bingley stood, tweezers still in hand, looking utterly baffled. Lizzy took pity on him and gently relieved him of the tweezers, putting them back down as she explained.

"You have just been playing on behalf of the late Mr. George Darcy. This board belonged to him. In honor of the many games they played together by post, your friend sent it to my father when the elder Mr. Darcy passed on. My father added the Darcy nameplate and started a tradition that anyone who visits the study can make one move in the game per visit on behalf of his former partner."

Bingley examined the board closely again. "Oh, I see. You are keeping his memory alive this way."

Mr. Bennet had gotten to his feet as Lizzy explained. He now offered his hand to Bingley. "Exactly. Well, now that you have been initiated, welcome to the study, Mr. Bingley. I have heard much about you and it is good to finally meet you."

Bingley shook hands. "Thank you, Mr. Bennet. It is good to meet you as well. I feel like I must have passed some sort of trial coming in. Do all your guests have to do so on their first visit?"

"Only the ones I have heard are good-natured enough to accept it." Bennet said with a chuckle. "You come here very highly recommended indeed."

"Well, thank you…I think," Bingley replied.

"Come sit down. Sit down. We have a lot to discuss. You received Mr. Darcy's express on Friday, I hope." Bennet gestured to the chairs and reclaimed his own. Bingley and the other three all took seats.

"I did. And I passed on the messages for Mr. Gardiner and Miss Mary. Did Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Lucas marry on Saturday as you hoped?"

Darcy chuckled. "Yes, they were married Saturday morning and went to London using my carriage. It arrived back here early this morning along with a note from Richard confirming they arrived safe and sound, although they did have to take it very slowly to avoid causing motion sickness to Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I think I mentioned Wickham had given her a nasty blow to the head?"

"Yes, you did. What about Wickham? Has he been court-martialed? Is he still being held?"

Bennet responded to that question. "He is still being held. I sent a man to confirm it just this morning. Richard spoke with the officer who was deciding if an investigation and court-martial is warranted and is hopeful that it will go through despite some opposition from Wickham's commanding officer."

"Why would the man oppose it? With so many witnesses, how could he doubt Wickham's guilt?"

"At this point, I do not think he does doubt it. He is just being contrary on principle. I get the feeling Colonel Forster does not like being told what to do either by civilians or by members of the regular Army. However, he is also smart enough to know that if Wickham escapes him or he fails to take our complaints seriously, he will be in danger of losing his own commission through a possible court-martial. He will cooperate, but he will also make it as difficult as possible for us as he does."

"That seems like a foolish waste of energy to me," Bingley observed. "But I suppose, as long as Wickham does not escape justice, that is enough. I never liked him much, not even at school. He hung around, of course, and he had to be reasonably nice to me for fear Darcy would complain to his father, but he always treated me with contempt."

"I had not realized that," Darcy said. "Did you ever mention it to me?"

Bingley shook his head. "No, there did not seem to be much point. He would have just been sneakier about it if I had gotten him into trouble."

"I am sorry I did not notice it myself," said Darcy, clearly troubled by his lack of perception.

"No need to worry about it. I could have defended myself more strongly if needed."

Lizzy decided it was time to change the subject. "How was Mary when you saw her last, Mr. Bingley? Have the Gardiners confirmed their plans to bring her back here?"

Bingley turned to face Lizzy, and the warmth of his expression caused everyone to smile in response. "Miss Mary is very well," he said. "I saw her just yesterday when I attended church with her and your other family members."

"May I take it that you intend to ask for a private interview later?" Bennet asked.

"What?" Bingley said in surprise and then recovered, "Oh, yes, sir. Definitely."

"Very good," Bennet said with a twinkle in his eye. "Please proceed with your answers to Lizzy."

"Right...yes...what did you ask?"

"Have the Gardiners confirmed their plans for bringing Mary back here?" Lizzy asked, with a smile reminiscent of her father's teasing look.

"Oh, right. Yes, they have. The Gardiners, along with Miss Mary, will be here on Thursday, although the Damasks and Lord and Lady Sheldon, along with the Cathcarts, are arriving tomorrow. I saw Sir Barnaby in London and offered him house room. He told me he had already arranged to stay with Sir William Lucas. I think he is arriving tomorrow. I suppose that means just you and me to keep Caroline company tonight, Darcy, unless Sir Phillip wants to join us."

Bingley's comment hit Darcy like a punch to the gut. He had forgotten that Bingley's arrival meant he would be leaving Longbourn to stay at Netherfield Park. Leaving Longbourn? Then an idea hit him to save him for at least one more night.