Page 158 of Pride and Prejudice Resolutions

Richard's face went pale. "You wrote to—"

"Last week. He is delighted to have you. Says the climate will do you good."

"The climate will kill me!"

"Then marry the girl and avoid tropical fevers," the Earl said, as if this were the most logical conclusion in the world. "Twentythousand pounds, Richard. It solves everything. And she is not hideous. I have seen her. Bit loud, but handsome enough."

Richard's hands clenched on the table. "I am not marrying Caroline Bingley."

The words exploded from him, echoing off the walls.

Elizabeth grinned. "Then why are you so defensive?"

"Because you are all impossible!"

Robert raised his glass, his grin absolutely feral. "To Richard and Miss Bingley, the unlikeliest match since Darcy and Elizabeth!"

"Hear, hear!" Elizabeth clinked her glass against Robert's.

Jane smiled, soft and knowing. "I think... they would be happy together."

Darcy nodded slowly. "She would keep him on his toes. And he would keep her from being miserable. A fair match."

"A terrible match." Richard flushed with indignation. "We argue constantly. She insults me. She wears colours that should be illegal. She is vain, sharp-tongued, and utterly infuriating."

"And kind," Georgiana added quietly. "She is kind when no one is watching."

Richard's head snapped to face her. "What?"

"She is, Richard. I have seen it. She helped Mrs Woolard's niece find employment last month when the girl was dismissed without references. She did not take credit. She simply... arranged it."

"How do you know this?"

"Because I was there when Mrs Woolard thanked her. Miss Bingley told her to stop weeping and to ensure the girl learned proper deportment."

A smile tugged at the corner of Richard's mouth despite his best efforts.

The Countess saw it. Of course she saw it. "You admire her."

"I do not—"

"You do." She turned to Elizabeth. "What do you think, my dear? Would they suit?"

Elizabeth tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think Miss Bingley would keep him from becoming a bore. And Richard would keep her from retreating into bitterness." She paused. "Yes. I think they would suit very well indeed."

The Earl sighed. "Then what are you waiting for, boy? Court her properly. Secure the match. Do it before Easter, and I will not send you to die of yellow fever."

"How romantic," Richard muttered.

"Romance is for poets," the Earl declared. "You are a soldier. Soldiers take objectives."

"I am not taking Caroline Bingley as an objective!"

"Why not?" Robert asked, genuinely curious. "You have already deployed tactical manoeuvres. You attend events with her. You sabotage her other suitors. You dance with her. Those are offensive operations, Richard. You might as well commit to the campaign."

"I hate the lot of you," Richard announced to the table at large.

"We know, darling," the Countess said, her smile serene. "Now finish your soup. It is getting cold."