“Hannah, I need to see Mrs. Reynolds immediately.” Elizabeth tried to keep her voice even, but fragments of fear flickered through her eyes. “And please send word to both Mr. Spencer and the midwife; I will need their services.”

“Mrs. Darcy,” Hannah shrieked, “should I send someone to catch Mr. Darcy?”

“No,” Elizabeth’s voice allowed no other choice. “I waited until Mr. Darcy was gone before I said anything. He must see to Miss Darcy; do you understand me, Hannah?”

“Yes, Mrs. Darcy.” Hannah dropped a curtsy before she rushed from the room.

“Less than a quarter hour.” Elizabeth suddenly felt very alone. No one from her family was there, and Elizabeth clutched at Mrs. Reynolds’s hand. “You will stay with me, Mrs. Reynolds?”

“I will not leave you, Mrs. Darcy,” the woman assured her. “We have a long evening ahead of us. Now, let us get you as comfortable as possible.”The housekeeper fluffed the pillows.

“I suspect the captain has less than a dozen men, but they will be well armed.” Edward spoke softly to demand their attention.“Mr. Darcy and I will check the house. Mr. Howard, I want you and your men to secure the stable and other out buildings. Make sure they have no way to escape.”

They decided to work their way from the back to the front of the house, checking each room quickly but thoroughly. Both men knew something was amiss because no servants moved through the house.They did not speak to one another; Darcy and Edward knew what needed to be done without words. Moving quietly and swiftly, they slid from shadow to shadow, flattening themselves against the wall, ever vigilant. Coming upon a locked drawing room, Edward put a finger to his lips, wordlessly ordering Darcy to be ready for anything.

Edward, already on the move, jiggled the lock with his knife until it gave way, and the door slid open.The colonel’s footsteps showed his years of military training; he moved cautiously but with determination. Edward motioned he would open the door and enter first; he wanted Darcy to cover the entrance. Darcy nodded in an affirmation of understanding. It took only seconds for both men to secure the door behind them and assess the near emptiness of the room, but a soft moan told them they were not alone. Allowing their eyes to adjust to the darkness, Darcy first discovered the man crawling along the floor. “Harrison,” he whispered as he rushed forward to help him.The colonel continued to monitor the door.

“Darcy?” Harrison could barely speak, but with Darcy’s help he managed to stand.“Your sister,” he said as he stood gingerly.

Darcy hissed,“Where is Georgiana?”

“Rutherford . . . has her.” Harrison steadied himself. “He plans . . . to take pleasure . . . in her. I believe . . . he took . . . Miss Darcy upstairs.” Harrison managed to right himself completely.

“I will kill him,” Darcy threatened. “Help me find Georgiana.” His voice nearly pleaded.

“Follow me.” Harrison motioned to them, leading the way through another room with a panel in the back, which ascended a narrow, twisting stairway coming into an unused guest room on the second story. It was in the part of the house Harrison earmarked for renovation.

“Let Darcy and me handle the intruders; you are in no shape to fight off anyone,” Edward ordered.

Harrison had other thoughts, but he spoke them not. If they encountered any of Rutherford’s men, Harrison would let Darcy and the colonel do the fighting. He would save his energy for Rutherford.

Mr. Howard released the servants, putting the intruders in the cold storage larder.The estate staff assured Mr. Howard no one would escape.“We will see to it, Sir,” said the butler as the butler shoved the last of the interlopers into the hole and secured the door.

“The captain be wastin’ his time with the girl,” one of the rougher-looking men shared. “That be not what we come here for.”

One of his buddies pointed out their plans.“We be torchin’ the place soon enough.”

A third lit one of Harrison’s cigars and laughed lightly.“No one be lettin’ them savages free once we burn this one out.”

When the men turned to step back against the wall, Edward moved quickly. A dagger lodged in the first man’s back, purposely twisted by the colonel as he withdrew it to use on the second man. Darcy took the third, using a silken cord from a set of draperies to strangle the man, whose body twisted and turned, gyrating as Darcy kept tightening his hold until the man finally went limp.

As Edward wrestled with his third man, Darcy moved quickly to help his cousin, literally shoving the cigar the man dropped earlier into his open mouth, causing the uninvited guest to choke and cough as the colonel finished him off.

They knew Rutherford must be aware of their presence by now so any chance of surprise was gone. Kicking at the door latch, the colonel dove out of the way as Rutherford unloaded his pistol into the door. Regrouping, Edward and Darcy continued to work in tandem, forcing the door open by both hitting it at the same time.Again, the captain fired while Darcy and Edward launched themselves into the bedchamber, rolling to avoid Rutherford’s attack.

Both men came up quickly, but then they froze, everyone posed in place in a terrible tableau. Georgiana stood shivering in a ripped dress, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth, and Rutherford’s gun cocked next to her head. Caution prevailed for several minutes as each person locked eyes on the other.

“Mr. Darcy,” Rutherford laughed lightly in amazement, “you are a hard man to kill.”With another gun in his free hand, the captain motioned for Colonel Fitzwilliam to move closer to Darcy.“And you brought the colonel—how delightful!”

Georgiana’s frightened eyes fell upon her brother; Darcy tried to silently tell her he would protect her.

“Easy, Rutherford,” Edward said softly as he slowly moved closer to Darcy.“You do not really want to hurt Miss Darcy.” Edward held his hands where Captain Rutherford could see them.

“Over there,” the captain motioned for both Edward and Darcy to move toward the far corner of the room. Then he grabbed Georgiana around the neck, keeping the cocked gun to her temple, and began to back away from them, pulling Georgiana toward the open door. “Follow me, and I will kill her,” he hissed.

Rutherford inched through the doorway, holding Georgiana tightly to him; thinking only of freedom, he nearly scrambled to get out of the way. Harrison knew whatever else he did with the rest of his life, the next minute would determine his real worth. No matter what it cost him, he would ensure Georgiana Darcy need never fear the likes of Captain Rutherford again. Moving like a cat, Harrison sprang to his feet. He grabbed the silken cord Darcy dropped earlier and wrapped it around Rutherford’s throat, dragging him away from Georgiana. With what energy he had left, he held the captain as his captor.

Darcy sprang forward, pulling Georgiana clear of the fray while Edward charged Rutherford, knocking the captain and Harrison down. Rutherford leapt up from the floor first and turned to run, but it was Harrison, not Edward, who reacted. He scrambled to his feet and lunged for the man, pulling his stiletto from his boot as he moved. The blade winked in the light as Harrison moved in what felt like slow motion to him, but, in reality, was a sleek adeptness. Rutherford turned just as Harrison made contact, and the blade disappeared into the center of Rutherford’s chest, sending them both collapsing to the floor. Exhausted, Harrison lay on top of Rutherford’s body, the captain’s blood seeping out on both of them.

Edward finally got to them, rolling Harrison off the captain, who now lay perfectly still. Harrison’s chest rose and fell as he tried to control his breathing. With the silence, Darcy stepped to the hallway, Georgiana’s face buried into his chest. He removed his jacket and placed it around her to cover her torn dress. Edward moved off to find Mr. Howard.

“It is over,” Darcy whispered in Georgiana’s ear as he loosened her hold on him.

Georgiana could not ask the question, afraid to even turn her head.“Is he?”

“Miss Darcy.” Harrison’s voice was breathy from all he had been through, but he forced himself to a seated position.

Georgiana peeked at him around her brother’s shoulder, and immediately she was kneeling by Harrison’s side, holding his head to her chest, tears streaming down her face. “You are alive,” she kept repeating as she stroked the side of his head. “Thank God, you are alive.” Harrison held her, bliss written across his beaten face.

Darcy allowed her a moment before he brought Georgiana back into his embrace. “Come, my Sweet One, let us get you and Mr. Harrison some medical help.” He led her to one of the bedchambers further down the hall. “Stay here, Georgiana, while I see to Mr. Harrison.” Darcy’s voice held compassion.

In the hallway, Harrison forced himself from the floor just as Darcy returned to help him; Edward, followed by Mr. Howard, also returned. “The rest of Rutherford’s men are locked in the cold storage larder.”

“The men and I will remove these bodies to outside, Mr. Darcy.”

“Thank you, Mr. Howard,” Darcy responded automatically while helping Harrison to stand completely.“Hell is empty. All the Devils are here.”⁴ Darcy looked around in dismay at the melee their fight left in the hallway.“Edward, Mr. Harrison and Georgiana both need medical help.”

“On the way, Darcy.” Edward took Harrison’s other arm as he helped brace the man’s exhausted body.

“Miss Darcy?” Harrison managed to say.

Darcy offered,“My sister is fine.”

“Thank God.” Harrison nearly collapsed in the effort of the words, adrenaline fully drained from his body.

“Once I attend to her, I will allow Georgiana to come see you.” Darcy accepted the changes coming in Georgiana’s life.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” Harrison heard the resolve in the man’s voice, realizing how hard it must be for the proud Fitzwilliam Darcy to find his sister in such a compromising situation. “You must realize my intentions toward Miss Darcy are honorable.”

Edward laughed. “Well, I certainly hope so, Mr. Harrison, considering Miss Darcy’s two guardians now, literally, carry you to your bed. If your intentions are not honorable, we could easily let you die with the riffraff who now litter your hallway.”

Edward’s poor attempt at humor seemed comforting to them all—as if a sense of normalcy would return after such a horrendous night.“I suppose words of gratitude may never repay my thanks,” Harrison added as he collapsed onto the bed.

“Then you wish me to leave, Mr. Harrison?” Georgiana pretended to rise to her feet.

Harrison tightened his grip on her hand. “You know your power over me, Miss Darcy,” he said softly so no one else could hear.“I wish you never to leave me again.”

“Mr. Harrison.” Georgiana teased a strand of hair from his face.“You are very bold, Sir, and very assured of yourself.”

“I assumed, Miss Darcy, considering you risked your life to save mine, I might feel some assurance.” Harrison’s eyes drank in her beauty.“Though it grieves me you suffered because of me.”

Georgiana lightly touched the bruise on the side of her cheek, and then she reached out to tenderly touch his face. Harrison turned his head to kiss her palm. “As long as you are safe, I can withstand this little bruise,” she whispered softly.

At that moment, Darcy stepped through the door, clearing his throat as a way to let them know the visit was ended. “Come, Georgiana,” he encouraged her with his tone, “Mr. Harrison needs his rest.”

“Good night, Miss Darcy.” Harrison’s eyes followed her exit.

She turned to make him a proper curtsy, gifting him with an enigmatic smile.“Until tomorrow, Mr. Harrison.”

“How do we explain Georgiana’s presence without a chaperone?” Darcy’s concern lay in protecting his sister’s reputation.

“From what I understand from Harrison and his staff, he appeared earlier yesterday at a borough’s assemblage,” Edward laid out his plan. “Mr. Harrison is slated to take a position in the House of Commons.”

“I know all this, Edward,” Darcy seemed irritated. “How does this affect Georgiana’s presence here?”

“We will tell the Constable Mr. Harrison and Georgiana are engaged. He presented himself to her in London, and she accepted. She was on her way here so they could make the announcement official. As her guardians, we, too, were en route. You were elsewhere because of Elizabeth’s lying in, and I was with my betrothed. Mr. Harrison’s engagement would make him a more viable candidate as a married man. The storm delayed all of our efforts to get here. That is why Georgiana arrived before us and why Captain Rutherford was able to capture her and Mr. Harrison.” Edward looked on, pleased with his ingenuity.

“Will Mr. Harrison agree to this story?”

Edward knew Darcy did not want to lose his sister. “The man loves Georgiana; he would swear on a stack of Bibles in order to save your sister’s reputation.”

“My life changed so much in less than a year. The Fitzwilliam Darcy I thought I was no longer exists. Now, I must lose my sister, too.” Darcy grasped for the last vestiges of his former life.

“Lucky for you, Fitz, Harrison admires you as much as he does Georgiana.You may still influence your sister’s life if you so choose.” Edward found his words amusing.“In reality, Darcy, you should be pleased with how well Georgiana turned out. She is as refined as any lady of the ton, but Georgiana possesses a substance—she is not only beautiful; Georgiana is resourceful and brave. She will make Mr. Harrison a fine wife; he will be successful because Georgiana will lead him to it—subtly, but it will be your influence on her. Your parents would want nothing more for her or from you.You fulfilled their charge to you; now, it is time for you to get on with your own life. Fulfill your own dreams, Fitz.”

“Do you believe so, Edward?” Darcy looked about a bit unsure.

“Elizabeth will make you happy at last.” Edward stood and stretched.“Now, let us get some rest.”

“I return to Pemberley tomorrow morning. Would you bring Georgiana home in her coach?”

“Of course, but I suppose I will need to bring Mr. Harrison, too, or else she is likely to refuse our leaving.” Edward could not help but see the humor in the situation.

“Bring the man to Pemberley,” Darcy nearly growled.“I am not sure I can stand any more independent women in my life.” Darcy took a large swig of brandy before he stood to go upstairs to one of the guest rooms.

“Good night, Fitz,” Edward mocked Darcy’s retreating form.

“Elizabeth is my life, Mrs. Reynolds.Where should I be?”

The housekeeper started to tell him he should be downstairs like a proper gentleman would be, but Elizabeth’s voice interrupted her thoughts.“Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth called urgently.

Darcy moved quickly to her side.“I am here, Elizabeth.” He moved an auburn curl from her face as he kissed her forehead.

“If you are going to be here, Master Fitzwilliam,” Mrs. Reynolds ordered,“help us get Mrs. Darcy up; she must walk.”

Darcy seemed confused.“Walk?”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds insisted, “she must walk; it will speed up the process.”

“The Master of Pemberley.” She offered him half a smile.

“The Master and the Mistress of Pemberley,” he corrected her.“Together we are invincible.”

When the pain came again, she cried out, and Darcy held her tighter. “Elizabeth, listen to me. Look in my eyes; take my strength and use it with your own. We can do this together.” She nodded, too exhausted to do anything else.

“You are about ready, Mrs. Darcy,” the midwife told her. “When the next pain comes, you must quit riding it through. I need for you to begin to push.”

The painless intermission ended too soon, and Darcy could tell as she clutched at his hands her time had come. “Stay with me, Elizabeth,” his voice willed her to him as she leaned forward in the bed. He pulled her to his chest and held her there until the pain subsided.

“You are doing well, Mrs. Darcy.” Mrs. Reynolds came around the other side of the bed to wipe Elizabeth’s face.

Exhausted, she looked at Darcy to see if a daughter disappointed him, but all she saw was total contentment. He watched everything Mrs. Reynolds did with the child, trying to finally see the baby. Eventually, the housekeeper brought the child to him and placed his daughter in his arms.

Darcy held the baby, and his life changed instantly. “She is beautiful, Lizzy.” He laid the child in the cradle of Elizabeth’s arm where they both could see their daughter. Elizabeth turned back the cloth to see a petite face plastered with auburn curls. Darcy touched the child’s hand, and its palm instinctively wrapped around his finger. “I told you, Mr. Darcy, your child loves your touch.”

Darcy smiled at Elizabeth.“She is so small.”

“She will grow soon enough, my Love,” Elizabeth assured him.

“Mr. Darcy.” The midwife touched his shoulder. “Why do you not take your daughter for her first walk through Pemberley? You should not be here for what comes next.We need to clean Mrs. Darcy after the birth.”

Darcy nodded. “I will be back soon, Elizabeth.” He kissed her lightly, taking the baby into his arms. Elizabeth found it amusing that a small bundle fascinated the tall, proud Mr. Darcy.

Darcy could not have been to the lower floor when the pain struck Elizabeth again. When it came, she smothered her cry with a pillow. The afterbirth should not be so painful, and even the midwife seemed surprised the pain did not subside.

Elizabeth finally gasped,“What is it?”

Mrs. Reynolds hurried to the edge of the bed. She shoved a cloth into Elizabeth’s mouth to muffle the sound.

“It is another baby,” the midwife shouted as the head showed itself.

Elizabeth’s eyes went wild, and Mrs. Reynolds quickly rang for Hannah.“Hannah, go tell Henry to keep Mr. Darcy downstairs as long as possible, and then bring me another cloth.”

Hannah rushed away, returning at a trot. They bolted the door, and Hannah took Darcy’s place on the edge of the bed. In only a brief moment, Elizabeth knew another child was imminent. “Mrs. Darcy, I need you to push again,” the midwife ordered.

Elizabeth took several deep breaths, and when the pain came, she bore down hard, using the last of her energy to push the baby’s head clear.

“Once more, Mrs. Darcy,” the midwife barked. “You are almost there.”

This time the cry could not be muffled, but Elizabeth sustained the effort until the child slid out onto the preparation cloth. She collapsed back against the pillows as Hannah bathed her face with a cool cloth.

The midwife cut a second cord, and Mrs. Reynolds went about cleaning the child. Elizabeth waited for what seemed to be a lifetime to hear the weak cry burst forth.

“Is it all right?” Elizabeth called out as they heard Darcy’s footsteps outside the chamber.

“Let me in, Mrs. Reynolds,” Darcy’s voice demanded when he found the bolted door.

“In a moment, Mr. Darcy,” the woman called, but her attention was on the child she held in her arms. “Come on, Sweet One,” she coaxed as she rubbed its back and feet. Finally, a deep intake of air came, followed by a loud cry. “Thank God,” Mrs. Reynolds said a little too loudly.

Elizabeth started to weep with relief; her shoulders visibly shook.

“Hannah, let in Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds said calmly as she wrapped the child in its cloth.

When Hannah unbolted the door, he literally shoved the maid out of the way as he rushed to Elizabeth’s side. “Lizzy?” He searched her face to see if she was all right.

“I am fine, Fitzwilliam.” She looked past him to see Mrs. Reynolds approaching with another child. “It is a boy, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds placed his heir in his arms with a certain amount of reverence. “Pemberley has waited so long.” The woman could say no more; she was overcome with her emotions.

“Let me see,” Elizabeth demanded.

Again, Darcy turned the child so his wife could see her son. The baby had Darcy’s long torso and black hair. “He is definitely your child,” Elizabeth teased. “By the way, where is your daughter?”

“I did not forget my little princess, if that is what you mean, my loveliest Elizabeth. I placed her in Henry’s very able hands before I rushed to your side.”

“She is here, Mrs. Darcy,” Hannah called as she entered the room.

“Well, I certainly hope that is all,” Elizabeth laughed nervously.

“Elizabeth, you are the most amazing woman.” Darcy leaned down to kiss her.“Who would think we would have twins?”

Once again, Mrs. Reynolds made Darcy leave the room. This time he only agreed to go as far as their joint sitting room. The midwife massaged Elizabeth’s stomach, and they placed damp warm cloths on her to help her pass the afterbirth. Mrs. Reynolds, with Hannah’s help, cleaned the room as well as the Mistress.Then they allowed Darcy back in the bedroom.

The picture of Elizabeth and his children together in her bed seemed part of a “perfect” plan. Elizabeth slumbered as their son nursed so Darcy picked up his daughter. He walked about the room, holding the child, cuddling her close to him, his life finally framed in squares of practicality. Eventually, Elizabeth’s eyes fluttered open as the child pulled away from her breast. Seeing Darcy enthralled with their daughter sent sweet sensations through her.“Are you happy, my Love?” she said sleepily.

“I spent a lifetime preparing for this moment.That is what my father said when Georgiana was born. I understand now what he meant. They are perfect, Lizzy; you are perfect. Like you promised, I will no longer have to work so hard at being happy. Everything I need is in this room.”

Darcy handed her their daughter, and he took their son. She adjusted the child to her other breast. “This could be a full-time job,” she laughed.

“I will bring in an extra wet nurse tomorrow,” Darcy said as he rubbed his son’s back, waiting for the burp to come. He looked back to Elizabeth. “It is amazing, Elizabeth, how this immense love sweeps over a person when he holds his child for the first time.”

“A baby is a testament to love.”

“In that case,” he teased,“we must be twice as much in love as everyone else.”

“Is everything well with Georgiana?” Elizabeth felt ashamed for not asking sooner.

“My sister will marry Mr. Harrison,” Darcy said at last.“He saved her from Captain Rutherford. Edward and I decided our story would be she came to Hines Park to announce her engagement, and the storm delayed my arrival.”

“You do not intend to tell me what happened?”

“Tomorrow, my Love, I will tell you everything. Edward will bring Mr. Harrison here, along with Georgiana. We need to discuss several things regarding Georgiana and Kitty, but you must be exhausted this evening. My sister and Mr. Harrison are safe; that is what is important.”

As he walked toward the window carrying their child, Elizabeth asked, “Have you considered names for our children, Mr. Darcy?”

“You know me too well, Lizzy.” Darcy laughed at himself. “Before I heard your screams, I took our daughter into my study. I stood at the French doors, and I foolishly showed her the gardens when a thought came to me from my tour on the Continent. In Italy, I discovered the phrase Dare alla Luce, which means give unto the light.”

“Like in the well dressing mosaic?” she teased.

Darcy graciously ignored her taunt. “At first, I considered the name Lucy, as a reference to the light, but with a son, too, I have come upon a different idea. Traditionally, I should consider naming my son after my father, but our Pemberley breaks with traditions. Dare alla Luce—give unto the light. What do you say to Ella and Lucas?”

“Ella Darcy—Lucas Darcy—not traditional names, but I believe they suit our children.” Elizabeth eased Ella from her breast. “May we put the children safely between us and rest together, Fitzwilliam?”

“Of course, Lizzy; you must be exhausted. I cannot wait for Georgiana to see the babies; she will be so happy.” Darcy looked pleased again.

“You realize, Mr. Darcy, we are likely to be descended upon by various relatives over the next few weeks. When we next have a child, my Love, let us do so in the dead of winter when the roads will prevent travel, then we will have the child to ourselves.” Elizabeth looked about her. She moved Ella next to her in the bed, caressing the baby’s face. “Lucas, my son, you must protect your sister.” Elizabeth teasingly rubbed the boy’s stomach.

Darcy sat down on the edge of the bed.“Ella, my daughter, you must teach your brother some of your mother’s sensibility and your father’s foolishness.”

“We will have quite a household,” Elizabeth snickered.

“A year ago there was only Georgiana and I in this house. Now we have added so much more. I have you and the twins. Georgiana will have Mr. Harrison, and we can even consider Kitty and Mr. Ashford.” Darcy stroked Elizabeth’s arm as he spoke. Her curls spread out over her pillow, and Darcy enjoyed the intimacy of the scene.

“Then you regret nothing about our life, Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth asked nervously.

“Regrets, my Elizabeth, are the past crippling a person in the present.They are a waste of time.” Darcy caressed her face. “I regret nothing about us, Elizabeth. Nothing at all.”