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“I believe part of you realises it brings new challenges, sir. I have also noticed that while you have progressed in your abilities on Mr Gardiner’s machine, this has not yet translated into full mobility. I have heard your sighs, sir, when you are carried up and down the stairs.”

“That is it, Finn! It is as if I have reached a plateau and cannot get past it. I am still unable to lift my legs sufficiently to mount a single step of the library stairs. My frustration seems to increase! Oh, why cannot I understand the workings of my own mind?”

“I believe it is engaged in higher purposes, sir. But perhaps I can give you some good news. Mr Trevor has advised me that the wading pool is complete. With your permission, he wishes to fill it with water and start the boiler heating.”

“Do you think it will make such a difference, Finn?”

“I have every confidence in Dr Gordon’s opinion that it will strengthen you more generally, sir. The good doctor has been very impressed with your progress on Mr Gardiner’s machine. But he says it only strengthens a very specific set of muscles and that the pool will allow you more general exercise.”

Having been shaved and attired for the day, which habit he had resumed as his increased stamina permitted, Darcy allowed himself to be conveyed to the study by Finn and Hobbes where he took breakfast while Mr Trevor read his business correspondence aloud. It was during this interlude that Farley announced that Mr Bingley was in the vestibule requesting an interview. This action was so far at variance with Bingley’s typical casual and familiar behaviour that Darcy raised an eyebrow. Requesting his rose-tinted glasses from Finn, who had remained in the study to assist his master with his breakfast, Darcy perched them on his nose before begging his footman to show Bingley in.

Finn frowned. After Mr Bingley had taken himself off so shamefully in Vienna during Darcy’s hour of need, Finn had hoped that the fellow would not have the gumption to impose on his master again. Bingley’s single visit since their return to London had not pleased Finn, but as Darcy’s old friend had not troubled them further in the days afterward, he’d had every hope that the connection could be discreetly dropped. Nonetheless when Finn had detected the hand of Mr Bingley’s managing sisters in the recent attempt to disrupt Darcy’s marriage to Miss Elizabeth, he knew that hope to be vain. He was now very glad he had apprised Darcy of their involvement before Bingley imposed on the master again.

Finn had immediately smelt a rat upon Lady Catherine’s advent from Kent although, based on conversations he had overhead, her arrival had been prompted by another source, specifically correspondence directed to the clergyman who accompanied Lady Catherine about. But Finn’s subsequent acquisition of the anonymous letter written to Lady Catherine that had precipitated the second incursion had proved that his suspicions were not totally unfounded. Finn abhorred untidiness. So, when Lady Catherine had been unwise enough to discard the missive on a side table as she argued with her brother at the colonel’s wedding breakfast, Finn had merely tidied it into his pocket. Subsequent examination of the poisonous letter left him in no doubt of its author—he had received too many peremptory notes from the lady of the house during their stay at Netherfield ordering him to do this, that or the other to not instantly recognise her hand. Of course, these missives had been couched as advisory notes to her guest’s valet should Mr Darcy wish to participate in a walk, ride or some such, but Finn had resented the way Miss Bingley closely managed Darcy’s time, always thrusting herself to the master’s notice in the guise of entertainment. Finn had pondered for several hours afterwards whether he should apprise the master of his conclusions. But his intervention proved unnecessary when Darcy had mused aloud on the origins of his aunt’s letter. Finn had subsequently surrendered it.

Although Darcy was at first incredulous that Miss Bingley would have the temerity to interfere in his affairs, reflection on her behaviour on the Continent, particularly their refreshing dip in the Neckar, gave him pause. After asking Finn if he was sure that it was Miss Bingley’s handwriting, Darcy had accepted the letter from his valet and quietly tucked it away in a secret drawer of his desk.

“Hello, Charles,” said Darcy after his friend was announced.

“Good morning, Darcy,” said Charles, coming forward hesitantly. “It is good to see you up and about.”

“Thank you,” said Darcy civilly. “It is good to be up and about.”

Bingley shifted uncomfortably on his feet. “I was hoping we might speak privately,” he said, acknowledging neither Finn nor Mr Trevor with a glance.

“Of course,” said Darcy. “Thank you, Trevor. Please act on the Bolton investment.”

“Certainly, sir. I will go to The City immediately,” said Mr Trevor with a bow.

“Thank you, Finn. I will take my exercise in an hour. Perhaps we can try out the pool directly afterwards if it is ready.”

“Very well, sir,” said Finn. “Shall I top up your tea before I go?”

“Thank you. Would you like a cup, Bingley?”

Bingley did not really fancy a cup of tea but took one anyway for the sake of communion.

After the door closed behind Finn, Bingley got to the point.

“Well, Darcy, I was wondering if I had perhaps offended you,” said Bingley. “In retrospect, I realise I left you in a bit of a spot in Vienna. Perhaps it would have been better if I had let Hurst escort the ladies back to England, but Caroline was most anxious that I accompany them. Also, I feel rather bad about my last visit here. I know that it must have seemed that I was completely wrapped up in my own business, but the truth was that I did not know how to handle the aftermath of your illness. I thought it would be best not to dwell on it, but perhaps instead I appeared insensitive...”

“I understand, Bingley,” said Darcy calmly.

“I’m ever so glad that you are improving. I hope that we might continue to be friends...”

A lump came into Darcy’s throat for Bingley had hit the nail on the head: they could never be as close as they once were—friendships are strengthened by hardships endured together, by battles won. But he graciously reaffirmed their relationship.

“The trouble is, Darcy, Caroline has got it into her head that I’ve offended you somehow because she didn’t get an invitation to Princess Brunhilda’s wedding.”

“I had no control over that, Bingley. My aunt largely determined who was invited. You know she is very high in the instep, having spent time in the French court.”

“That’s what I told Caroline, Darcy—that the source of our fortune precluded an invitation. But living as we do in Grosvenor Street, she had to endure the mortification of many of the guests passing Hurst’s very door on the way to the reception. She says several bankers were invited and...” Here, Bingley hesitated. “That you even invited Jane Bennet, despite the fact she is a governess.”

This piece of spitefulness seriously nettled Darcy. He frowned. “Why do you think Jane Bennet is a governess, Bingley?”

“Is she not? I thought she was Miss Cherise Garth’s chaperone, but Caroline says she is actually governess to the Garth children and just filling in for Miss Garth’s permanent chaperone who broke her arm.”

“I am afraid you have been misinformed, Bingley. Jane Bennet is a friend of the Garths. There is some connection via her aunt who lives in Cheapside. She has been accompanying Miss Garth as a favour because Miss Garth’s chaperone had a fall.”