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"Well," he said slowly, glancing at Kate, "I am promised at an excavation in Scotland. I was already meant to be there, in truth, but with the discovery here and my accident, I have been able to delay my arrival. Once my work is complete at Pemberley, however, I must travel north."

He gave Kate a small, apologetic smile, and her heart squeezed painfully. He had spoken of Scotland before, and of course she knew he could not stay at Pemberley forever, but in all the excitement and worry of the past weeks, it had completely escaped her mind. She had become so accustomed to his presence that the thought of him leaving, even for a short time, was too terrible to contemplate.

"I do hope to return here once that work is done, Mr and Mrs Darcy," he continued solemnly, "if you would be pleased to receive me."

"I dare say they could find an empty cupboard for you to sleep in," said George with a laugh, before either of her parents could reply.

"You would be very welcome, Briar," said her papa, raising his glass to him.

Kate's worry and disappointment were replaced by a strange sort of pride. Her parents liked this man. Her family had accepted him, and that meant more to her than she could put into words.

They had just moved on to the main course, a fine feast of roasted pheasant, braised potatoes with onions, baby carrots cooked in honey and fresh green peas with leeks, all accompanied by a delicious port gravy, when Johnson stepped into the room.

"I beg your pardon, sir, madam, but we have visitors."

"Visitors?" said her papa, looking up in surprise. "At this time of night? We are not expecting anyone."

"Has someone had an accident?" asked her mother. "Are they seeking shelter or aid?"

"No, madam," said Johnson, looking unusually uncomfortable. "Perhaps it would be best if we spoke in the hall."

Darcy and Elizabeth made to rise, but before they could do so, two people Kate had never seen before pushed into the room behind the butler, who looked stricken at this dreadful breach of propriety.

The woman was tall and thin, wearing a dark grey gown that was almost black. She had sharp, pinched features, and her already thin lips were pressed into an even tighter line of displeasure. A few strands of straight grey hair escaped from beneath her bonnet. Her eyes were a pale, icy blue, and they swept over the assembled family with an expression of disapproval as if them being in residence when she turned up unannounced was a great personal inconvenience to her.

The man beside her was much shorter, but dressed in the same uninspiring shade. His pale face had a waxy sheen, and his sparse grey hair was combed across his head in thin strands, stripes of pink skin visible between them. He was a little thick around the middle, and his waistcoat strained against his stomach. Unlike the woman, who stood very straight, he held himself with his shoulders hunched forward, although, somewhat incongruously, he held his head high, nose in the air.

Her father walked around the table, looking deeply displeased. "I do not know you, sir, madam, but I am sure you are aware that it is inexcusably rude to walk in upon a family dinner without any invitation."

"Do you know who I am?" demanded the man, drawing himself up to his full, unimpressive height.

"I am sure we do not," said Elizabeth, rising from her chair, "which is why, as my husband has just explained, it is so very rude of you to burst in upon us in this way. What is your business?"

"Father, Mother, why are you here?" came Nathaniel's voice beside Kate. His tone was tight and cold. She looked at him in horror, struggling to reconcile the expression of icy disdain on his face with the amiable man she had come to know and love.

He rose from his chair and repeated again, louder this time, "What are you doing here?"

"Receiving a most unpleasant welcome," said the woman, whom Kate now realised must be the countess. "I would have expected better manners from the Darcys. I understand yours is a very old and respectable family, Mr Darcy, even if you have never had the distinction of a title."

Kate saw her father's expression change, and his face pale in anger. "Lord and Lady Syndham, I presume," he said stiffly, offering a short bow. "I was not aware that we were to have the pleasure of your company. Any family of our guest is, of course, welcome at Pemberley, although I should have preferred a little warning of your arrival." He said the last part through gritted teeth.

"Would you care to join us for dinner?" said her mother coolly. "I can have rooms made ready where you may refresh yourselves after your journey."

"There is no need for that," said the earl, not taking his eyes from his son. "We have come only to collect the viscount and remove him to his proper place. I understand he has been injured while under your hospitality, and I will not have my heir, however disappointing he may be, risking his life digging about in the dirt like some common labourer. Perhaps now, he has received a blow to the head he will see sense."

"I will go nowhere with you," replied Nathaniel stiffly. "I have work to complete at Pemberley, and then I shall continue on to Scotland before returning here." He made the mistake of looking at Kate, his expression softening into a gentle smile.

"I see you have added mooning about after unsuitable girls to your list of disappointing behaviours," said the earl, his voice almost a snarl.

"I would thank you, sir, not to speak of my daughters or any member of my family in that manner," said her father, and Kate noticed that his hands were now curled into fists at his sides. She hoped against hope that this unexpected interruption would not end in violence.

"She is pretty enough, I suppose," said the countess dismissively, looking Kate up and down. "But she is not for you. I have had enough, Nathaniel. I have had enough of you flitting around the country and failing to attend to your responsibilities as heir to the earldom. And now you have very nearly killed yourself in the process, as I understand it. It stops today. You will return with us and take up your proper place."

"I am in my proper place, Mother," Nathaniel said. "I have no intention of returning with you, now or ever. I am a grown man. You cannot compel me."

"I shall take away your allowance, you ridiculous boy!" said the earl in such a petulant tone that Kate was surprised he did not stamp his foot.

She had heard enough. She stood beside Nathaniel, although her legs trembled beneath her. "He is not ridiculous," she said. "He is everything good and proper. He is much more of a gentleman than you have shown yourself to be, sir."