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“If your feelings for her are still strong, have you considered that she may have seen the error of her ways? Service pays very ill, and a woman as handsome as Miss Elizabeth Bennet undoubtedly must deal with men hoping to take advantage.”

“You can rid yourself of that thought. She still despises me.”

“How do you know that?”

“I have my sources.”

“Would one of your sources be the gentleman you placed at Netherfield Park to befriend the Bennets and marry Jane Bennet?”

“You have never concerned yourself with Meryton. How is it you learned Netherfield Park was in new hands?”

“Lady Catherine’s toad informed me. When Father learned that you had agreed to marry Anne, he sent me to Rosings Park to fetch some important papers. Naturally, I hoped to learn that rumours of your engagement were just that. Instead, the instant I dismounted in front of the manor, that sycophant Collins rushed up to say how happy he was that Mr. Darcy had decided to do his duty to the heiress of Rosings.”

“I wish I had been there to toss him from the parsonage.”

“Unfortunately, I did not think of that. I suppose my mind was diverted when Collins quickly enquired if I was familiar with the man who had recently let Netherfield Park—a Lord Morgan. He could barely hide his resentment at the man for being solicitous to the Bennets. Naturally, Collins thought they deserved every censure Miss Lydia’s folly brought their way.”

“Naturally.”

“I could not immediately recall where I had heard the name Morgan, and it was only later that I remembered your father once had a good friend by that name and that you and his heir had become friends despite his being ten years your senior. From that point, it was easy to put two and two together. I concluded you must have installed Lord Morgan’s heir at Netherfield to befriend the Bennets and, in doing so, convince Meryton’s elite that the Bennets were worthy of association.” Richard smirked. “Tell me. How close am I to the truth?”

“Your powers of deduction amaze me.”

Richard’s proud smile quickly faded when William added, “However, although I negotiated with David to take over as Netherfield’s tenant, I had nothing to do with his marriage to Jane Bennet. It came as a surprise to me, as I advised him not to marry until his finances were in order. Moreover, to answer your earlier question, I know Elizabeth continues to hate me because David still insists that we meet privately in London. If Elizabeth held no resentment towards me, he would have no reason to keep our visits secret from his family.”

“You could be right,” Richard replied. Tossing down the last of his brandy, he crossed the room to place the empty glass on the liquor cabinet.

“Still, I cannot but wonder how you installed Lord Morgan at Netherfield so quickly. If I am not mistaken, it had to have occurred between Elizabeth Bennet’s rejection of your proposal and your marriage to Anne mere weeks later.”

“It was a simple matter. Bingley wanted to give up the lease, so I had my solicitor contact the owner of Netherfield and transfer it to me with the stipulation that my name be kept secret.”

“It must be nice to be wealthy enough to do what you wish and pay people to act in your stead.”

“Think of what you are saying, Richard. No amount of money could buy me Elizabeth’s regard after my offensive proposal or purchase my freedom from Anne after she revealed her true self.”

“I am sorry, Darcy. Obviously, money is not a cure-all.” Then, more sombrely, he added, “Still, I cannot believe you went to all that trouble and expense to help a family that, by all accounts, hates you.”

“If I had not interfered with Bingley’s fixation with Miss Bennet, her family would have had at least one daughter married to a man of means when Miss Lydia ran off with Wickham.”

“Naturally, you blame yourself.”

“I am to blame. I should have let Bingley make his own decisions. I need no further proof of that than seeing how miserable he now is, married to Lady Lucretia Brownstone. She looks remarkably like Jane Bennet, and I believe the marriage was his attempt to get over the woman he truly loved.” William stood, raking his hands through his hair as he often did when he was stressed. “I needed to right a wrong, so I did what I had to do.”

“And your reason for keeping your part in installing Morgan at Netherfield a secret?”

“What do you suppose Miss Elizabeth might have said or done had she known I was the one who actually leased Netherfield Park and installed David as the tenant?”

Richard let go a low whistle. “I see what you mean.”

“Actually, the idea to lease Netherfield Park fell right into my lap.”

“How so?”

“A meeting with Bingley upon my return to Town from Rosings made me aware that Miss Lydia had eloped with Wickham. You and I both know he would never marry her. I felt certain that the Bennets would soon be shunned by their neighbours and immediately began to consider how I might help them.”

“Of course you did.”

“When Lord Morgan showed up at my doorstep out of the blue, professing to admire how I had managed Pemberley after Father died and seeking my opinion regarding what to do with the rundown estate he had recently inherited when his own father passed, I decided to make him an offer: He could reside rent-free at Netherfield for one year, and I would instruct him in estate management if he would try to help the Bennets keep their place in society. He also had to follow my steward’s directions regarding crop management and tenant matters at Netherfield.”