Lydia Bennet Wickham untied her bonnet. “Well, is that any way to address me?” she protested.“Do not tell me you are taking on Lizzy’s uppity airs. I came here to see you and Lizzy. Is that not acceptable?”

Kitty shifted nervously. “Of course,” she began, “I am sure Lizzy will be happy to see you. Let me go tell her. Have a seat, Lydia; I will ask the maid to bring us some tea.” Kitty started for the door.

“Are you not the be all and end all—that is right, Kitty, have a maid bring us some tea. I will have a seat and wait on you and Lizzy, but please hurry. My journey was long, and I would like some rest.” Lydia strolled over to a chair and collapsed into it. “Well, Kitty, do not just stand there. Find Elizabeth.”

Kitty rushed from the room. She knew Elizabeth would not be happy to see Lydia, especially an unannounced visit and with everything else going on at Pemberley. Truthfully, Kitty did not want to see Lydia, either. Kitty developed an identity separate from the flouncy, inconsiderate girl sitting in Pemberley’s downstairs drawing room, and she definitely did not want Clayton Ashford to meet Lydia. He would see how poor her connections really were, and he would withdraw his affections from her.As far as Kitty knew, Lydia would mess up everything!

A smirk overspread George Wickham’s face as he made her a proper bow. “Miss Darcy, how nice to see you.” He allowed his eyes to drift slowly down Georgiana’s body.

His steady gaze created a momentary uneasiness in her, but Georgiana resolved long ago some day she would face Mr. Wickham full force as a Darcy.“I will ask you again, Sir, why I find you in Fitzwilliam’s study? He will not be happy you assume liberties in coming here.”

“Your brother is more than likely dead,” he said as he stepped closer to her,“so any liberties I may take will be of little consequence to him.”Wickham gave her a look of intimacy.

Georgiana took a step toward the desk, but Wickham moved in front of her. His smile told of a familiarity he should not be taking. “You certainly grew up, Georgiana; upon seeing you again, I regret leaving you so suddenly at Ramsgate.” He reached out to caress her face, and Georgiana repulsively contracted, stepping back and closing her eyes to block out his presence.

“Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth’s voice echoed through the study, and both he and Georgiana flinched with the sound.

“Miss Bennet,” he stammered.

“You, Sir, know that is no longer my name.” Elizabeth stepped to Georgiana’s side and gracefully maneuvered the girl a few steps away from Wickham’s presence.Then she stepped behind Darcy’s desk. “To what do we owe the pleasure of your company today, Mr. Wickham?” Elizabeth’s voice held true contempt.

“Elizabeth.” Wickham offered her an affable smile. “Your mother wrote of your distress. Of course, I grieved at your loss as my sister and of the loss of my brother Fitzwilliam.”

“I will kindly ask you to refrain from referring to either my husband or me in such familiar terms. I warned Lydia of that fact prior to my marriage to Mr. Darcy. I instructed Lydia to tell you, specifically, we would never welcome you in this house,” Elizabeth asserted.

“Now, Mrs. Darcy, we cannot allow past transgressions to affect our current relationship. As I was just ready to explain to Georgiana, I came to make my apologies and to offer my assistance. My father served this estate faithfully for over twenty years.The least I can do is offer my help to you, my wife’s sister, in her time of need.” Wickham carefully avoided referring to Elizabeth or Darcy as immediate family.

Elizabeth laughed.“Can you really possess such gall to think I would accept an offer from you after the betrayal you offered to my husband?” During this speech Elizabeth’s hands slowly pulled Darcy’s desk drawer open enough to grasp the gun he bought her shortly after bringing her to Pemberley. Darcy took such delight in teaching her to shoot it. “Now, I will kindly ask you to quit this house and never return.”

“Mrs. Darcy, surely you do not mean what you say.” Wickham took a step toward the desk.

“I would not do that if I were you.” Elizabeth pointed the gun at him.“At this range, I will not miss.”

Wickham’s eyes grew larger, and he stammered as he said, “Mrs. Darcy—Elizabeth—you must see the foolishness of this action.” He tried to edge to the side.

Elizabeth cocked the gun. “If one lies down with a dog, he is likely to get up with fleas. I do not choose to be bitten by fleas today, Mr. Wickham. Now, turn around and leave this house. I will not ask again.”

Wickham offered her a smile while saying,“Of course, Elizabeth, I only thought to be of some service to you.” He began to back away, but in order to exit the room,Wickham crossed Georgiana’s path. The girl had not moved since Elizabeth placed her where she currently stood.Wickham could not give up his plan so easily, and, impulsively, he reached out to grab Georgiana’s arm.When the girl screamed, Elizabeth fired.

In a blaze of smoke, the bullet grazed Wickham’s left shoulder and lodged in the bookcase behind him.A curse filled the room as he advanced on Elizabeth, dragging Georgiana with him. Yet, before the smoke from the gun cleared, and before Wickham took more than a few menacing steps, he found himself held tightly in a stranglehold and the point of a stiletto resting beneath his chin. Mr. Harrison’s voice hissed with anger as he tightened the hold.“If I were you, Sir, I would release Miss Darcy’s arm immediately unless you would prefer to die on this spot.”

Georgiana gasped, but Elizabeth calmly stepped from behind the desk and looked up at Mr. Wickham and smiled. “Mr. Harrison.” She offered him a proper curtsy. “How pleasant to see you again.” Her voice became sugary as she looked through Wickham as if he did not exist.

“I am sorry to intrude on your little party.” His voice softened some from his initial appearance in the room, but Harrison had not loosened his hold on George Wickham.

“Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth said as she went over and removed his fingers from around Georgiana’s wrist, “I will ask Mr. Harrison to let you live only because you are Lydia’s husband.”As she said the words, both Kitty and Lydia appeared at the door. “Lydia, your husband has a flesh wound to which you must attend,” Elizabeth called out to her. “I will have Mr. Howard and some of my men escort you two back into Lambton; I expect you shall want to return to Newcastle as soon as possible.” Elizabeth’s tone offered her younger sister no choice in the matter, and, for a change, Lydia did not protest.

“Mr. Harrison, will you show Mr. Wickham to the door?” Elizabeth never looked at the man again as she turned her back on Wickham and Lydia.

“Gladly, Mrs. Darcy.” Harrison’s voice was pleasant, but then he menacingly whispered in Wickham’s ear,“If you touch Miss Darcy again—in fact, if I hear you even mentioned her name, I will finish this. Stay away from this estate forever. Do you understand me?”Wickham nodded his head in the affirmative as best he could under the restraint of the hold Harrison had on him. Harrison released the throat hold, but he pointedly placed the stiletto to Wickham’s back. “This way, Sir.” He motioned for Wickham to move to the door.Wickham, nearly doubled over from a lack of oxygen, gasped and rubbed his throat, but he moved past Lydia to exit the house. She chased after him, trying to help his progress, but Wickham shoved her away. As if by magic, Mr. Howard and two other riders appeared to follow the unhappy couple back up Pemberley’s lane toward Lambton.

Georgiana smiled sheepishly, “Did you just shoot Mr. Wickham?” Her voice shook with glee.

“I believe I did.” Elizabeth joined in the ambiguous laughter. Kitty looked at them both and began to giggle also. Within a few seconds all three stood together in each other’s embrace, laughing playfully.

When Mr. Harrison returned to the study, he stood mesmerized by the scene. “I thought I might offer my assistance,” he mused, “but I see you three are quite capable of handling situations in your own special way.”

“Oh, Mr. Harrison,” Elizabeth said as she came forward, wearing a look of utter abandon, “I must admit next to my husband, I was never so pleased to see someone as I am you today. How much you were missed—words cannot explain.” She extended her hand, and he kissed it lightly as he bowed. Elizabeth took Harrison’s arm as she turned him toward the drawing room. “Come, ladies,” she called over her shoulder. “This house has been solemn too long. Mr. Ashford will be here momentarily, and I think we need the companionship of close friends.That is what makes Pemberley strong.”

“Mr. Harrison,” Elizabeth began in hushed tones,“although I am truly happy to see you, may I ask why you came here today?”

Harrison mimicked her casual manner in case anyone watched them too carefully. “Mrs. Darcy, I received news from Hannah More regarding your husband’s disappearance. I am astute enough after the last conversation I had with Mr. Darcy to realize he traveled to Hull because of what I shared with him regarding Captain Rutherford. I came to beg your forgiveness and to offer my assistance to you in any way I may be of service.” His eyes searched Elizabeth’s face for her reaction.

“You need no forgiveness from me; you did nothing. I honestly believe God sends us no more than what we can handle. At least, that is what my dear Fitzwilliam assured me after my announcement of delivering an heir for Pemberley. If Captain Rutherford was not the problem, another issue would take Fitzwilliam away. It is part of our life’s journey.”

“You are so wise, Mrs. Darcy; it is obvious why Mr. Darcy knew he needed you in his life.” Admiration showed on Harrison’s countenance.

Elizabeth blushed with his praise and then touched his arm lightly before adding,“I am going to offer you one reprimand, Sir, if I may.”

“Of course.”

“Please do not entice my sister to join you in the woods again,” she teased.

Harrison chuckled lightly. “It was not my intention, but I will not lie and say I was not pleased to see Miss Darcy. I came to see if you would accept my help, but I held back knowing of my promise to you and your husband regarding your sister. Plus, I felt guilty about Mr. Darcy’s disappearance.”

Elizabeth smiled largely. “At least you sent her back to the house quickly.”

Harrison allowed his eyes to drift toward Georgiana. “One of the hardest things I ever did.” His lips turned up in the beginnings of a smile as he watched the woman who inspired him. Looking back at Elizabeth, he asked, “May I inquire as to why your brother caused such chaos today, or have I overstepped my bounds in doing so?”

“It is not something I readily share,” Elizabeth hesitated. “Mr.Wickham spent a lifetime trying to exact revenge on my husband. He was once a favorite of the Darcy family, but he chose to let his jealousy control his fate. My husband’s father educated the man and offered him a living. Instead, Mr. Wickham chose a more nefarious lifestyle—he took a settlement instead of the living. Then he came back to seek additional funds from my dear Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy refused.” At this point, Elizabeth hesitated, not sure if she should share Georgiana’s shame.

Finally, she began again. “Considering your admiration for my sister, I will tell you something of what happened, but she must trust you herself and tell you the specifics.” Mr. Harrison nodded his agreement. “Mr. Wickham once played on Georgiana’s innocence. That is why Fitzwilliam and I are careful about with whom she associates. She was not compromised, but Mr. Wickham is quite persuasive; he even once tried to entice me from Mr. Darcy.”

Harrison looked a bit shocked, but he said nothing. Elizabeth continued, “The fact Georgiana faced Mr. Wickham today tells me how she matures.” Harrison’s eyes returned to Georgiana’s face. “Mr. Wickham eventually compromised my youngest sister Lydia. Needless to say, I would prefer this did not become common knowledge.” He nodded again, assuring her of his secrecy. “Mr. Darcy arranged Lydia’s wedding in order to save her, my other sisters, and me. He did it because of his love for me, keeping it a secret and not wishing just my gratitude. Mr. Darcy is such an honorable man—the best man I have ever known.”

Elizabeth let images of Darcy play across her mind. “Mr. Wickham’s commission is a gift from my husband. It is a long way from here to Newcastle.” Elizabeth laughed lightly. “Mr. Wickham saddled himself with the least of my sisters—my mother’s darling girl whose head is filled with balls and military officers. I warned them before my wedding never to come here, but Mr. Wickham tried to take advantage of Mr. Darcy’s absence to insinuate himself back at Pemberley.That is why I sent him packing.”

“That is quite a story!”

“The truth is stranger than fiction,” she mused. “Yet, it could make a great novel, could it not?”

“Maybe you could suggest it to Mrs. Radcliffe.”

“I do not think it has enough drama for her taste—it would all have to take place in a darkened castle.” Elizabeth allowed herself to laugh again.

Harrison returned to his mission in coming to Pemberley. “Then I will ask again, Mrs. Darcy, how I might be of service to you.”

“Later today, if you would, I will ask you to ride into Lambton and be sure my sister and her husband have a room for tonight and tickets on tomorrow’s coach. I cannot let Lydia suffer because of my disdain for Mr. Wickham,” Elizabeth offered her plan.

Harrison bowed gently to take his leave. “That would be my pleasure, Madam.”

Elizabeth touched his arm again to stop his withdrawal. “Would you stay with us for a few days? If it is not too much trouble, I would ask you to ride out with Mr. Howard and inspect the lands. I trust Mr. Howard, but it would do the tenants good to see someone—a man—who takes an interest in the estate.They know Mr. Howard to be an employee. I will ask Georgiana to ride out, too. If the two of you are with Mr. Howard, it will send a message to the tenants that Pemberley’s future is in safe hands.”

“Mrs. Darcy, how quickly you learned your husband’s ways.”

“Fitzwilliam’s voice is always in my head. Let us rejoin the others.You may even sit next to my sister today,” Elizabeth teased. “It will be your reward for your valiant efforts on her behalf.”

“She is magnificent,” Harrison verbalized his thoughts.

Elizabeth cautioned, “I have not changed my mind about your declaring yourself, Mr. Harrison. With my Fitzwilliam’s departure, I need Georgiana more than ever.”

Harrison dropped his eyes.“I know, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Plus, you should know my husband and I are teaching Georgiana about the running of an estate. She will be a formidable mate for any man brave enough to choose her,” Elizabeth taunted.

“If I believe in liberty for men of color, I certainly could not consider making my wife my subject. Miss Darcy’s knowledge of an estate would not intimidate me nor would it intimidate any man who truly values a woman’s ability. In the Americas, women work alongside their men; it is a liberating concept.”

“Well spoken, Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth grinned largely. “Now, I am in need of some tea.”They walked back toward the others. Harrison quickly claimed the seat next to Georgiana, fearing Elizabeth might change her mind, but Elizabeth took note of Georgiana’s fragile condition after the scene with Mr. Wickham and allowed her husband’s sister to glory in Mr. Harrison’s attention to her.

Darcy stayed at Darling Hall for nearly a month. Now, he would wait for the response from his father and then bid Miss Donnelly adieu. She would not be happy with his decision, and Darcy dreaded the scene that would occur, but even a dutiful son had to consider the price he paid to please his father.

He remembered a large estate, grieving for his mother’s passing. His father grieved also to the point of distraction, often leaving his children alone. He felt a sister, but he could not recall a brother.As these memories resurfaced, he decided Miss Donnelly deceived him. He knew not why unless she simply did not have other options. The confusion caused by the memories and the lies deepened his anxiety each day.

“I love you, Frederick,” she purred.

The realization of her words and the encumbered feeling of her touch finally invaded his psyche, and Darcy violently pushed the woman from him while grabbing at the bedclothes to cover himself.

“Madam, what do you mean by being here?” he demanded.

Miss Donnelly stood before him, wearing nothing more than a silky nightgown along with wrist-length white gloves. Her appearance struck him as comical, and he fought the urge to start laughing.

“I desired your attentions.” Miss Donnelly offered him a sugary smile. “May we not finish this?” She stepped closer to him to let him know her receptivity to the idea.

“I do not think so, Madam!” He put distance between them as he secured the bed linens around his waist.

Again, Miss Donnelly closed the distance between them. “But you told me of your love. You said, ‘I love you,’ not a minute ago.”

“Madam, I assure you love is not the feeling I possess at this moment. You should not be found here,” he tried to reason with her.

“We are to be married soon. We can anticipate our happiness,” she argued.

Darcy’s eyes took on a steel gray hue, his anger evident as he spoke to the woman still offering herself to him. “Miss Donnelly, if we marry, I will not be visiting your bed; even if we are alone forever, I shall not take my pleasure in you.” His voice held a controlled resolve. “Now, I will ask you to leave my chambers.”

“I will tell everyone you brought me here and compromised me; you will have to marry me.” Miss Donnelly picked up her robe from the floor where she dropped it.

“If you tell people what happened this evening, I will deny it, and it will be your shame alone. As a female, your word will never take precedence over mine in a court of law, and I will take it that far if you insist on our marrying. What reputation you have will be ruined; your lifestyle is too idiosyncratic for the conservative farmer found in this area to believe anything you say.You will be left with no reputation at all.This is not a bourgeois neighborhood. Do I make myself clear!? You are eight and twenty and have no marriage prospects to date. Whom do you think the populace will believe?You invited me to Darling Hall; in fact, your carriage brought me to Darling Hall for all I know. I will swear you did so to ensnare me.”

Miss Donnelly began to shake with anger and embarrassment. “You do not intend to marry me?” Her words hung in the air.

“I considered the matter, and it does not seem to be in our mutual interest to do so.”

She started to continue her protest when she caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. Full of rage and mortification, Elizabeth Donnelly turned to see Conrad standing in the shadows. He rose from his pallet on the floor and stood mesmerized by the melodrama playing out in front of him. “You!” she screamed, pointing a gloved finger in his direction. “Why are you lurking about in Mr. Donnelly’s room? Speak, man, don’t stand there like a mute.”

Her glare intensified as Conrad shifted his weight under her stare. He stammered, trying to compose an answer to an obvious question. Mr. Donnelly did not trust the household staff nor did he trust her. Before he committed an ultimate sin of speaking out unceremoniously to his employer, Darcy stepped forward, placing himself between Elizabeth Donnelly and his manservant. “Control yourself, Madam,” he demanded in a harsh whisper. “You are making a scene. It is bad enough you entered my bedchamber uninvited; now you propose to complicate the matter by announcing to the staff your indiscretion. Have you no shame?You prove my point with this display. I assure you Conrad’s silence in this matter, but if you do not leave now, your actions will readily become public knowledge. Now, I suggest you leave my room posthaste. We will never speak of this incident again. Do I make myself clear?”

Darcy’s head remained only inches from her upturned face. A stranger coming upon the scene might think he stumbled upon a moment of intimacy between a man and a woman; however, Darcy felt nothing but contempt for the lady standing in front of him. He fought hard to keep that emotion out of his voice when next he spoke. “Conrad will escort you back to your room, Miss Donnelly. Have a pleasant evening.” He placed his hand on her elbow to guide her toward the bedroom door, opening it precipitously. With a flick of his wrist, he motioned for Conrad to escort his employer back to her bedroom.

“I do not want that man near me,” she demanded as she looked back at the truly stunned servant.

“Then I will summon your maid.” Darcy pretended to pacify her.“Of course, that will add to your duplicity. I guarantee Conrad’s loyalty to this estate and to your family; I cannot speak as such for the other servants. Now, do you still wish for me to summon your maid? I suppose if you insist, I could escort you wrapped in my bedclothes, but I do not see how that will nullify the situation.What shall it be, Madam?”

Shocked, she shrieked at the top of her lungs, pulled the gloves from her hands, threw them on the floor at her feet, and heavily stamped to her room. As instructed, Conrad followed at a respectful distance until she entered her chambers and slammed the door.

“Miss Donnelly,” the maid said, waiting for the mistress’s attention before continuing. “There is a gentleman from Kent to see you.”

Shaking the cobwebs from her mind, she said,“Send him in.”

The short, pudgy clergyman entered the study and made Miss Donnelly an ostentatious bow. “Miss Donnelly, I am Mr. William Collins. Your request through my father Sir William Lucas to officiate over your nuptials honored me.To marry the son of a lord is a rare distinction.”

“Ah, Mr. Collins.” Miss Donnelly made him a curtsy. “I forgot you arrived today.” She tried to put on a face of confidence, but Miss Donnelly wondered what to do with Mr. Collins now that Darcy rejected her advances.

“Of course, I came as quickly as possible. My esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh of Rosings Park kindly released me of my duties this week so I might attend to your needs. My curate will deliver my sermon to my flock at Hunsford tomorrow.” Mr. Collins spoke quickly, trying to impress with his connections. “We may do the ceremony early Monday morning.”

“Mr. Collins,” she finally interrupted his speech,“my cousin and I wish to marry immediately.We were to marry previously, but armed highwaymen attacked Frederick, forcing us to postpone.” Why she just did not admit there would be no marriage even surprised her.

“How awful,” Collins gasped.“I assume your cousin is with health now.”

“He is recovering quite well, thank you.” She offered him a seat.“May I offer you some refreshments, Mr. Collins?”

“No, thank you, Miss Donnelly. Might I, however, meet your intended? I believe it is part of my responsibility as a spiritual leader to counsel my charges. Lady Catherine de Bourgh highly agrees this to be a part of my duties. In fact, she encourages it. I am currently providing such services to her daughter Miss Anne de Bourgh and her intended Colonel Fitzwilliam, who is actually the son of Lord and Lady Matlock.”

Miss Donnelly thought she never saw such a pompous nincompoop in her life, but if she could still convince Darcy to marry her, she would tolerate anything. So, did it matter whether Darcy would visit her bedroom or not? That activity did not particularly interest her anyway. She would approach it as a business deal; Darcy would marry her, and she would give him part of the inheritance.There was still hope this could be resolved.About that time Darcy came down the main staircase. She quickly moved to the study’s door and called to him. “Frederick, would you come here a moment? I have someone who wishes to meet you.”

Darcy rolled his eyes at her request, but he did as she asked. He entered the doorway of the study and said, “Yes, Madam.”

Mr. Collins jumped to his feet expecting to see a refined gentleman, but the surprise of seeing Fitzwilliam Darcy standing in the doorway froze the man in place. He knew from Lady Catherine and from his wife’s family in Hertfordshire that Darcy had been missing for five weeks.To find him here in Brigg actually stifled Collins. “Frederick, this is Mr. William Collins. Mr. Collins, this is my cousin, Frederick Donnelly.”

Darcy, much to Collins’s surprise, did not change his expression. He made a quick bow before speaking. “Mr. Collins, welcome to Darling Hall. I am afraid, Sir, you caught me at an inopportune time; I must excuse myself. I am sure my cousin will entertain you nicely.” Before anyone could respond, Darcy left the room and the house.

Miss Donnelly tried to cover her embarrassment. Obviously, Darcy’s anger had not subsided.“My cousin is very busy with the estate,” she stammered.

“Your cousin?” Mr. Collins’s voice rose in disbelief. “That man is not your cousin!”

“You are mistaken, Sir. That man is my cousin Frederick Donnelly.” She forced her voice to remain even.

“Madam,” Collins said as he began to pace the floor, “that man is Fitzwilliam Darcy, the Master of Pemberley, the nephew of my esteemed patroness Lady Catherine de Bourgh. What kind of deceit are you trying to practice here?” His accusations hit Miss Donnelly fully, and she steadied herself with the back of the chair.

Repeating her earlier remark, she mumbled. “You are mistaken, Sir. He is my cousin Frederick.”

“Madam, he is my cousin! Mr. Darcy is married to my cousin Elizabeth Bennet from Longbourn. It is an estate entailed to me upon her father’s death.What makes you think I know not this man?”

Miss Donnelly whispered in disbelief,“He is married?”

“My cousin Elizabeth is with child,” Collins added triumphantly.

“Mr. Collins,” Miss Donnelly recovered quickly,“I will have my men bring my coach to take you back into town.” She rang the bell for a maid.

“Miss Donnelly,” he began to protest, but the woman left the room without even a by-your-leave.Within seconds, a staff member ushered him from the room and the house. Collins had no opportunity to speak to Darcy again.