Ashford brought his eyes to meet hers. “No, Madam, I find little fault with you.”

Kitty, who had grown wiser in the past year, knew just what to say. “My dear, Clayton,” she whispered, “we each have one fault: I keep no secrets, and, you, my Love, conceal everything. Please tell me what displeases you.”

Ashford looked deeply into Kitty’s eyes, holding her gaze before he spoke.“Miss Bennet, when one first meets you, he finds you to be a little rough around the edges, but on closer examination, he cannot help but see you are absolutely beautiful.”

Kitty blushed and looked away briefly, but, finally, she returned his gaze once again. “Mr. Ashford, you try to distract me from my pleas with your words of flattery. Please, Clayton, I beg you not to shut me out.”

“If you insist, Miss Bennet, but it will seem foolish,” he began slowly. “Although I applaud your ingenuity, I fear your abandoning me for the fame you may achieve as an independent woman. I know your preference for balls and parties, and I can give you none of that—at least, not in the near future.”

Against propriety, Kitty took his hand in hers. “Clayton, I love you.” She paused before continuing, hoping to find the right words. “May I tell you something? Last winter when I traveled to Nottingham with my sister and Mr. Darcy, I went for many long walks across the Pennington and the Matlock estates, and on those walks, I found myself. I found I am not my sister Lydia; I am more like Elizabeth. I have a certain resolve to prove myself better than the station in life which defines me, and although balls and socials once were my entertainment of choice, I am no longer that foolish girl; I would prefer the company of well-informed people and good conversation.That is the person I have become, and that person loves you. I would like the opportunity to earn part of my own money; my father can give me very little as part of my dowry, and I want to bring something to this marriage besides my regard for you. We may use the money I receive to purchase the extras for the parsonage, to buy books for the school, or even put the money away for our children.” Kitty dropped her voice on the last line.

Ashford looked at Kitty as if seeing her for the first time. “Our children?” he stammered.

Kitty released Ashford’s hand after spotting her father’s intense stare in her direction. “Do you not want children, Mr. Ashford?” Kitty’s voice held hurt, and she bit her lower lip to force back the tears welling in her eyes.

“Of course, I want children—our children.” Ashford’s words demanded her attention with the urgency in his voice. “I just never suspected you held such thoughts.”

“Every woman dreams of her husband and her family,” Kitty whispered so only Ashford could hear. “Every woman needs to feel the warmth of the man she loves—to share her intimate self with another. A woman dreams of a man who offers her both love and respect; she dreams of his accepting her for her strength and her vulnerability. A woman does not wish to always conceal her mind in deference to her husband’s.” Kitty meant her words to let Ashford know she expected to be treated with some equality although the British laws did not demand he do so.

Ashford’s eyes filled with love.“Miss Bennet.” His voice was laced with desire. “It will be a very long wait until I may call you my own.”

“I feel likewise, Sir.” Kitty looked about nervously, knowing the conversation turned more intimate.

Ashford cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet, I have something to tell you about our children’s futures, but I must ask your forbearance and not to become too excited until it happens.”

Kitty seemed confused.“Yes, Clayton?”

“When I sought another position away from Pemberley, I contacted several family members. In my correspondence, I learned a small estate in Bedfordshire is entailed upon me—upon our family in the future.” Ashford’s voice came soft and comforting.

Kitty’s eyes flashed with surprise.“Clayton, this cannot be true.”

“I am afraid, Miss Bennet, it is not in my nature to exaggerate the truth. It may be many years before the property becomes mine; you must be patient.Your father prefers to tell your mother upon their return to Longbourn. Therefore, I must ask you to keep this to yourself this evening.”

Kitty started to giggle. “You are sincere, Sir?” Ashford nodded in affirmation.“May I not tell anyone?”

“Tonight you must tell only your dreams. Tomorrow you may speak the words out loud.”

“How large? I mean, how large an estate?” Kitty could not hide her excitement.

Ashford looked pleased. “From what I know of it, I understand it to be a little larger than your home at Longbourn. My father’s uncle is a respected man in the community, and we shall assume his place upon his passing, although I do not wish any harm to the man.”

Kitty checked her enthusiasm, not wishing to sound greedy, but the thought of assuming the position of mistress of even a small estate thrilled her. At one time she thought marrying Clayton Ashford was “settling”; now, all her dreams came true. She learned to love him, and now he would give her a position in society. It was the best of both worlds. Kitty realized she would not have the life Elizabeth or Jane did, but she had been right to follow their examples. Kitty would do everything she could to make Ashford a good wife and to make a valued life. Automatically, Kitty thought how jealous Lydia would be of her good fortune. Finally, she redirected her attention to Mr. Ashford. “We will administer to those surrounding Pemberley until our time comes to be elsewhere. Possibly, if we are successful with the village school here, Clayton, we might replicate it in Bedfordshire.You will know how it might be done; it will not be new.”

“You speak my ideas out loud, Miss Bennet.”

“In the meantime, I hope, Sir, you will see your way to give me permission to pursue any connections my sister may provide me. I will not advertise, but I would like to prove my worth to you, to my family, and to myself. I never felt myself worthy of anyone; Clayton, it is important to me.” Kitty’s eyes beseeched his.

“I wish we were alone, Miss Bennet,” Ashford whispered, “so I could show you your worth to me. I can no longer imagine my life without you in it. If decorating rooms makes you happy, my sweetest Katherine, then I will be satisfied to have you happy.”

Kitty looked about mischievously before speaking.“Let the husband render unto his wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.”⁶

Ashford chuckled. “The first bond of society is marriage; the next, our children; then the whole family and all things in common.”⁷ He spoke the words seductively, and Kitty giggled nervously.

In revenge, Kitty pursed her lips, letting Ashford know she would meet his challenge. “Hail, wedded love, mysterious law; true source of human offspring.”⁸

Ashford nodded in agreement. “I see, Miss Bennet, you learned your lessons well.Yet, may I add Plutarch’s advice to a bride, ‘A good wife should be as a looking glass to represent her husband’s face and passion; if he be pleasant, she should be merry; if he laugh, she should smile; if he look sad, she should participate of his sorrow.’”⁹

Kitty found this verbal exchange with Clayton Ashford stimulating. She used to observe Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy fence verbally, but she never understood the allure until now. She stood and looked down enticingly at Ashford before saying, “You forget, my dear Mr. Ashford, the old proverb says, ‘If you want peace in the house, do what your wife wants.’”

The man laughed out loud. He stood and offered Kitty his arm.“I could never refuse you, Miss Bennet,” he said invitingly into her ear as he led her back to her family.

“Mrs. Darcy, we are pleased to see you again.” The butler took their outer garments.

“Mr. Thacker, we apologize for bringing you a house full to which to attend.” Elizabeth shot a quick glance at Darcy; they had not been in London together since the initial days of their marriage.

“The staff is ready to serve you, Madam, and we are thrilled to finally be able to see Mr. Darcy’s children for ourselves. We arranged the nursery per your instructions.” Darcy noted the ease with which his staff addressed his wife.

Elizabeth smiled with the reference to the twins. She became accustomed to the reverence with which the Derbyshire community treated her children, but she had not anticipated how the same feelings would, naturally, permeate the London staff. “Is my sister about, Mr. Thacker?” Elizabeth looked around expecting Kitty to greet her.

“Mrs.Ashford is in the drawing room along with the young vicar. They have been quite pleasant guests, Mrs. Darcy. The staff enjoyed serving them.”

“Thank you again, Mr. Thacker. May we have some light refreshments brought to the drawing room?” Elizabeth offered the man a smile and a light touch to his arm to let him know she was glad to see him again.

“I anticipated your needs, Madam.They will be there momentarily.” He made a quick bow and exited toward the kitchen.

Darcy leaned in to speak to Elizabeth privately. “It appears, Mrs. Darcy, you won over my London staff as well.” He smiled down at her.

“My Husband, what I know of interacting with your staff, I learned from observing you, Sir. I profess no real knowledge of any of this.” Elizabeth gestured to their surroundings.“Prior to my marriage to you, I held no point of reference to this lifestyle. If I am successful, it is a compliment to your patience and understanding. I cannot imagine how you must have felt assuming all this on your own; I am thankful for the model and guidance you gave me this past year.”

Many of Darcy’s memories returned, but Elizabeth adopted the habit of acknowledging what all Darcy went through when he first became the Master of Pemberley. Her sentiments seemed to provide a transition between Darcy’s former life and the one they shared. “I am pleased you find contentment in these duties, Mrs. Darcy.” He continued to whisper to her as he led Elizabeth through the main hallway.

“Fitzwilliam,” she confided, “I find contentment in being your wife. I would be content to be in a tenant’s cottage if you were there. The house means little without you. Some day I hope you will believe those words; I never fell in love with the wealth—I fell in love with an honorable man.”

Darcy paused, allowing the others to enter the room ahead of him.“Elizabeth, I served you poorly as a husband in this past year; yet, you continually accept me back into your loving heart. I do not deserve your regard, but I thank God you still wish to share my life, my home, and my bed.”

“Your bed, Mr. Darcy?” Her eyebrow shot up with a teasing gesture.

“Your bed or my bed or our bed,” Darcy picked up on her tone,“as long as we are there together.”

Elizabeth touched his jaw line.“As long as we are together.”

“Hannah, I am ready,” Elizabeth called without looking around. She rested against the back of the tub, eyes closed, letting the water seep around her body.

Darcy paused before answering her, amused by the delight she took in everything she did. Finally, his resonant voice responded,“I sent Hannah away, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth rolled on her side and peered over the lip of the tub. A smile overspread her face. “Mr. Darcy,” she teased, “has the Master of Pemberley chosen to take on the position as my handmaid?”

He approached her, sauntering over to where Elizabeth laid in the water. “A handmaid,” he taunted, “would help you get dressed, Mrs. Darcy.That was not what I considered as my duties as the Master of Pemberley.”

Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.“And what, pray tell, would you consider to be one of your duties as the Master of Pemberley?”

Darcy took a large towel from the shelf. He held it open to her, bidding her with his eyes to step out of the tub. She did as he suggested, and Darcy encircled her wet body with the towel, while lightly kissing her forehead. He whispered in her ear as he trailed kisses down the dampness of her neck,“As the Master of Pemberley, I consider it my pleasure, never a duty, to love you as a husband should, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Then I may depend on you, Mr. Darcy, to keep the chill away.” Elizabeth went up on her toes to nibble on Darcy’s lower lip.

“I guarantee you will not feel a chill, my Dearest One.” Darcy kissed along Elizabeth’s neck and collarbone. She lolled her head back to allow him easier access; Elizabeth moaned as Darcy pressed his need. “Lizzy,” he whispered seductively, “I must have you. I thought of nothing else today.” Darcy kissed her, quickly deepening the kiss. Finally, he cupped her chin and looked deep into Elizabeth’s eyes. “I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?”¹⁰

Elizabeth laughed lightly. They spoke lines from Benedick and Beatrice before. It was a favorite play of Darcy’s. “As strange as the thing I know not. It were as possible for me to say I loved nothing so well as you, but believe me not, and yet I lie not, I confess nothing, nor I deny nothing.”

Darcy pulled her closer to him, needing to feel the softness of her skin along her back and hips. Her response made him smile, and before he spoke again, he partook of another kiss.“I swear by it that you love me, and I will make him eat it that says I love not you.”

“You have stayed me in a happy hour. I was about to protest I loved you.” Elizabeth snaked her arms around his neck and pulled Darcy’s mouth to hers once again.

Even with the closeness and the return of Elizabeth’s desire for him, Darcy wondered if she forgave him for all the pain of this first year. “And do it with all thy heart?” he asked the question through the play, not willing to sacrifice his feelings to her in any other way. The memory of his prejudice still haunted him.

Elizabeth knew exactly what he needed at that moment. He needed her pledge that they would survive. “I love you with so much of my heart that none is left to protest.”

Darcy swallowed hard as she arched toward him. “Come bid me do anything for thee.”

Elizabeth pulled his head down to hers once again, kissing him with all the passion she felt whenever in Darcy’s arms.“Make me yours, Fitzwilliam; I want to be your wife in every way.”

He picked her up in his arms and carried Elizabeth to her bed.“Elizabeth, I will spend my life trying to make you happy.” He laid her back on the pillows and began to kiss lightly down her arms and torso.

“I am happy in your arms, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth kissed behind his ear and along his chin line. “I am happy right this moment because I see the man with whom I fell in love; my life is complete with you and the twins.”

“I will live in thy heart,” he spoke softly as he set to proving his desire. Elizabeth smiled at Darcy’s unexpected vulnerability. He wondered for a moment if he would ever deserve her love. Then he allowed himself the pleasure of enjoying the warm fragrance of Elizabeth’s skin. Elizabeth arched against him, and Darcy lost himself to her.“Lizzy,” he moaned.

So, they compromised. Georgiana and Mr. Harrison would marry in mid-November. They would spend the Festive Season at Pemberley, helping Elizabeth with the tenant celebration. Although not married, Harrison, with Georgiana at his side, would offer his tenants a similar gathering for All Hallows Eve. Elizabeth and Darcy would serve as their mentors in this matter. The Bishop at Matlock would marry Georgiana. The wedding breakfast would take place at her uncle’s estate; the Matlocks planned an elaborate affair for her. Matlock would be closer to London, but Darcy felt she should be at Pemberley, although the small church could not hold the anticipated throng who would attend.

Lady Haverty, still chattering on to Kitty and Mr. Ashford, joined the Darcys as a revered personage.The seven of them sat comfortably in Darcy’s box. Lady Haverty became a staple at Pemberley over the last few months. Initially, when she came to the estate, she showed Darcy her disdain for his choice of a wife, but Elizabeth made inroads into her Ladyship’s regard that first day, although, in reality, Elizabeth cared not for the woman’s manners. Then she reasoned Darcy lost his mother and his Aunt Catherine; if she could build a relationship with Lady Anne’s childhood friend, then maybe Darcy would see his wife differently.

That was when Darcy had no memory of Elizabeth, but even with the return of his husbandly attentions to his wife, Elizabeth continued to cultivate a positive relationship with Lady Haverty. The woman, lonely for her own family, happily embraced the young couple, listening to the opinions of Lord and Lady Pennington and the Matlocks rather than Lady Catherine. Now, Lady Haverty deemed it her responsibility to Lady Anne’s memory to serve as a “sage” to the young Mistress of Pemberley. Elizabeth listened to the venerable older woman and then did what she deemed best for her family; yet, Lady Haverty never considered Elizabeth’s independent mind a slight to her Ladyship’s position in society. Instead, the woman learned to enjoy the new life springing from Pemberley. Now, her Ladyship thought helping Kitty Ashford to be the perfect way to enjoy the Darcys’ company while building herself a reputation for innovation in her home—a friend of young designers.

“You will love the performance,” Lady Haverty invoked as she took one of the lower seats in the box.

Kitty gushed, “This is magnificent! Look at the chandelier, Clayton.” She pointed out the obvious with her eyes and the tilt of her chin.

Darcy, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Chadwick Harrison took the seats behind them. Although not raised in a life of opulence, Elizabeth knew what was expected of her:The constant gazes of others who came to the theatre to be seen and those who came to the theatre to look at the rich and the famous were to be ignored. Polite indifference was the rule, and Elizabeth lightly touched Kitty’s shoulder to reel in her sister’s enthusiasm.

Watching the stage with polite attention, Elizabeth realized many of the stares were directed toward her. She turned to look at Darcy; his handsome profile brought a smile to her face. Instinctively, she rested her hand in the crook of his arm. Darcy looked down at her hand, took it in his, brought it to his lips, and returned it to his arm. Elizabeth gave him the slightest purse of her lips, and Darcy’s eyebrow shot up with the provocation.

A hard stare brought Elizabeth’s attention back toward the stage and the audience. An attractive woman sat with a small party in a private box across the way. Elizabeth became acutely aware of the scrutiny in which she found herself. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered as she leaned close to him so as not to disturb the performance, “who is the striking lady in the box on the right?”

Darcy dreaded the question; he hoped Elizabeth did not notice.They spent two exquisite days at Kensington Place rekindling their love, and now his response could destroy those moments. “No one of any consequence.” He tried to avoid the inevitable.

Elizabeth felt his body stiffen under her light touch and noticed how Georgiana shifted her weight away from where Elizabeth sat. She raised her eyes once more to the woman, and she knew even without her husband’s confirmation; Elizabeth looked into the steady gaze of Cecelia McFarland. Her eyes misted over, as she fought back the tears. She looked at Darcy again, silently demanding he acknowledge her question. Darcy took her hand into his lap and began to stroke her inner wrist with his fingertips. He dropped his chin and mumbled softly,“I am sorry, Elizabeth, for hurting you. Please know I love you more than life.”

He did not raise his head again until Elizabeth touched his chin with her index finger. Darcy looked up at his wife, and she held him there with her gaze.The music swelled behind them, but neither of them turned away. He let his gaze run over her.A jumble of memories rushed at Elizabeth, but she gave Darcy a nod, stating she knew her position as his wife. He squeezed her hand as she leaned in to say,“I adore you, my Husband.”

Relief flashed across his eyes; Elizabeth would not turn him away. He read her answer in the silence which coursed between them. Finally, Darcy mouthed the words,“Thank you.”

Elizabeth watched as the spectators made their way toward the exit. “I will fetch the wraps,” Darcy whispered in Elizabeth’s ear, while motioning to Mr.Ashford to join him.

Lady Haverty took Kitty’s arm, joining the throngs working their way through the vast interior passages. Her Ladyship took up a position on the staircase’s vast landing where those stiffly bowing to one another could admire her. She introduced Kitty to various friends and pointed out several dignitaries to the young girl’s delight.

Finally, Elizabeth and Georgiana stepped through the draped door to the box and into the busy corridor. Mr. Harrison led Georgiana a few feet away to introduce her to some members of the Parliament.

When Miss McFarland stepped casually in front of Elizabeth, the woman’s appearance took her by surprise. Elizabeth wanted to turn away, but there was nowhere to which to run. Miss McFarland closed the trap. “Mrs. Darcy, I presume,” the woman’s voice nearly purred with perfection.

Cecelia McFarland, by all standards, easily portrayed a woman of social standing and position. Her well-bred manner seethed with ambition. Elizabeth felt a bit intimidated; yet, she would not give Darcy up without a fight. She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “The purloined author Miss McFarland, I assume?” Elizabeth’s voice matched her enemy in false sweetness.

“Where is your husband?”The woman moved in closer to tower over Elizabeth.

Elizabeth wanted to take a step back to open up the sightlines, but instead she used one of Darcy’s tricks and stepped up to be within inches of the woman’s face. “Mr. Darcy, unfortunately, has no time to continue your relationship, Miss McFarland. I thought he made the point clear previously. I would suggest you seek your interests elsewhere.” Elizabeth watched with delight as the woman flinched with her words.

“Should we not allow Mr. Darcy to make that decision? In what world do you believe you could compete with me? No matter what you do, Mrs. Darcy, you will always be found wanting. With whom do you believe your husband spent his time before he was called home for your lying in?” A sneer curled the edges of the lady’s lips.

Elizabeth’s voice dripped with sarcastic sweetness. “Mr. Darcy and I spent the weeks before my lying in with his cousins in Bath. So, if you wish to insinuate otherwise, Madam, it will be my pleasure to call you out as the liar you are. Check the social registry; you will find us there.” Elizabeth purposely turned her back on the woman and began to put on her gloves.

Miss McFarland’s temper steamed; she deluded herself into thinking Fitzwilliam Darcy cared for her, and the woman would not be defeated so easily. “This is not over, Mrs. Darcy,” she said to the back of Elizabeth’s head. “The game is not yet won by you.”

Elizabeth turned slowly to look at Cecelia McFarland once again. “Do you play chess, Miss McFarland?” Elizabeth plastered on her face the fake smile she often used with Lady Catherine.

Miss McFarland looked taken aback. “I despise the game.” Her voice held pure contempt.

“That is too bad, Miss McFarland. It is a favorite of my husband’s; yet, that is neither here nor there. If you knew the game, you would know the king is useless without his queen. That is called checkmate.” With that, Elizabeth walked away to join Georgiana. She never looked back to see the woman’s look of utter bewilderment.

“I believe it to be Miss McFarland,” the older woman shared before greeting an acquaintance moving down the Grand Staircase.

“Excuse me, Lady Haverty.” Kitty dropped a quick curtsy and started to leave, wishing to be at Elizabeth’s side.

At seeing the girl’s obvious distress, Lady Haverty clutched Kitty’s arm. “What is wrong, Mrs. Ashford?” her Ladyship hissed into Kitty’s ear.

“Miss McFarland played poorly by my sister; I must go to her.” Kitty confided.

“Played poorly how?” Lady Haverty demanded.

“I am not at liberty to say,” Kitty added quickly, trying to make her exit,“but let us just say if the woman were successful the Darcy name would be tainted with scandal.”

As Kitty ascended the stairs to be by Elizabeth’s side, she saw the woman in question turn to leave Elizabeth’s company. Miss McFarland unceremoniously raised her skirts enough to descend the steps quickly. She bumped into several slower theatregoers exiting the building. Kitty stepped to the side to allow her to pass, never looking again at the woman who nearly destroyed all their lives.

Just as Kitty reached Elizabeth and Georgiana, a scream of surprise echoed through the rafters of the hallway. They all jumped from the sound; spinning around, they caught only the commotion of bodies bumping into each other and sprawling at the foot of the Grand Staircase.The crowd pressed forward, including what was left of the Darcy party, bending over the railing, everyone anxious to see the source of the hubbub.

Leaning awkwardly against a column support post of the staircase reposed Miss McFarland. The hem of her gown was torn and her dress askew. Blushing, the woman quickly pulled herself to a standing pose, recovering her demeanor and straightening her dress. However, the snickers of the crowd did not stop even when she restored her bearing, and she looked around nervously for some explanation.

The crowd froze in some horrid montage. Miss McFarland stood alone by the support post, trying to determine how to extricate herself from an obviously embarrassing situation, and, momentarily, she locked eyes with Elizabeth Darcy, noting a look of amusement on the woman’s face.The crowd continued to stifle twitters and guffaws. Finally, someone in the back could be heard plainly in the silence of the hall. “My God, the woman’s bald!”

A look of horror overcame Miss McFarland’s composure as she automatically reached for the wig she wore, finding it setting awry, covering her head but not in place.Tears filled her eyes as she looked into the faces of all those who would now shun her.With her hand trying to adjust the wig as she ran, the woman, who only moments ago commanded the room, now fled from it in alarm.The titters became full out laughter as she streaked past the members of the ton.

“The encore was as entertaining as the actual performance.” Elizabeth’s tongue-in-cheek comment bubbled out as she fought hard to regain her equanimity.

Georgiana could barely force a straight face. “I am sure tomorrow’s reviews will say the performance was so powerful, it caused the hair on one’s head to stand on end.” All three of them nearly lost it with that comment. Each had to look away and cover their faces with their hands.

Finally, Elizabeth took a deep breath to steady her composure, trying to control her natural tendency for mirth. She allowed her eyes to scan the others on the staircase, and then gasped at seeing her Ladyship being helped to her feet. “Lady Haverty,” she called as she pushed her way through the crowd to the woman. “Lady Haverty, please tell me you are uninjured.” Elizabeth quickly moved to support the woman.

“My pride might be a bit injured, Mrs. Darcy,” her Ladyship intoned in her best attitude,“but I am well otherwise. Did you see what happened?”

“No, your Ladyship.” Elizabeth dropped her eyes, hoping no one realized she had a confrontation with Miss McFarland before the woman tripped on the staircase.

“Then you did not note how I shamed myself by accidentally stepping on the hem of Miss McFarland’s dress?” Lady Haverty forced Elizabeth to look at her. With a nod of her head she continued. “I am getting up in age and must have taken a misstep.”

Elizabeth stared at this woman who once spoke out against her. Now, as she gazed at Lady Haverty, the corners of Elizabeth’s mouth turned up in a smile.With the realization of what the older woman just confessed, Elizabeth pushed the laughter deep within her.“Lady Haverty,” she chuckled lightly,“you must be mistaken. I believe you are known for your lightness of foot.”

“Am I really, my dear Mrs. Darcy? Then you will not think poorly of my mistake? Rumors may hurt one’s reputation, and I would not wish to bring shame to your family through association.” Those few knowing seconds established an understanding. Lady Haverty protected Elizabeth from the rumors following Darcy.

“Your Ladyship will remain a treasured acquaintance of the Darcy family as long as I am the Mistress of Pemberley.” Elizabeth locked arms with the woman and led her to where the others stood.

Everyone he knew sat in the cathedral awaiting Georgiana’s appearance. Although his parents would thoroughly approve, he thought he preferred the relatively simple ceremony he shared with Bingley.The wedding breakfast would occur at the Matlocks’ estate. Several tenants from both Pemberley and Hines Park journeyed to Matlock as a sign of respect; they waited patiently outside the church to offer well wishes.

“Mr. Darcy, you must wipe that gloomy countenance away.” Elizabeth spoke softly to him alone.

Darcy turned to look closely at his wife. “How is my sister?” Darcy’s thoughtful attitude relayed his need for assurance of Georgiana’s will to go through with this.

Elizabeth considered teasing him but then thought better of it. “Like any woman truly in love, Georgiana glows. The only cloud overshadowing her day is she feels she displeases you somehow, my Husband.” Elizabeth touched his sleeve, drawing attention to what she said. “Can you not give Georgiana the comfort she seeks on this, her wedding day?”

“I do not wish to lose her, Elizabeth.” The words hung in the air.

“You can never lose Georgiana. She carries you with her in every step she takes.You, my Love, are more than a brother; you are Georgiana’s parent, guardian, role model, and friend. You treated her with respect and taught her what you value. The magnificent woman she has become is because of you. Please give her your blessing and not just your consent.”

Darcy touched Elizabeth’s chin with his index finger before moving away. Her words made what he had to do easier. He tapped lightly on the door where Georgiana awaited him. When he heard her acknowledge his entrance, Darcy took a deep breath before entering. He stood mesmerized by the image of the woman she had become.“You remind me of our mother.” His words told the secret he felt in his heart.

“Do I really?” Georgiana’s nervousness crept into her words.

Darcy walked over to where she stood; he took her hands in his and spoke to her from his heart. “You, Dearest One, are so much like her; I find I do not wish to lose you. I withheld my support for this union for selfish reasons. Losing you to Mr. Harrison is like losing our mother once again.”

Expressing such needs cost Darcy greatly, and relief rushed through Georgiana in knowing he did not disapprove of her actions after all. She reached out and caressed his face with her palm.“Fitzwilliam, we each must find the path which makes us happy; Elizabeth is your path, and Chadwick is mine. Yet, Brother, we are always—always connected; for so many years there was just us two. Please be happy for me.”

“I am happy for you, Georgiana; although being the selfish man I am, I put my own happiness above yours. Forgive my obsession of trying to protect you when you no longer need protection. It might take me some time to adjust to your not being at Pemberley any longer, but I do love you, and I do give you and Mr. Harrison my blessing.”

“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” Her eyes misted with tears.

Darcy cleared his throat, forcing back the sadness he would not show her now. “There are two days in a woman’s life which should be perfect—her wedding day and her child’s birthday. Ignore everything else today and concentrate, Dearest One, on the happiness you will feel once you are Mr. Harrison’s wife.This is your perfect day.” He brought Georgiana to him and kissed her cheek. “You are as beautiful as I ever saw you. Now, let us go and hypnotize Mr. Harrison with your beauty. When Elizabeth came down the aisle, I knew if I died that moment, I would be happy for I looked upon the most beautiful woman in the world. Mr. Harrison is in for that same exquisite moment when he sees you.” Darcy watched as a light blush overtook her body, but his sister took his proffered arm as pure bliss covered her smile.

Sporting the fashion of the day, Mr. Harrison wore a dark brown embroidered silk satin suit. He paced the front of the church waiting for Georgiana’s entrance. A stir at the rear told him the time arrived. When he took his place and turned to behold Georgiana, her appearance on Darcy’s arm took his breath and replaced it with a longing he did not know existed.

There she stood in all her glory. Georgiana wore a silver matte satin gown with flecks of gold threading throughout and overlaid with gold embroidered English net.The gown laced up the back with silver and gold alternating silk ribbons; the bodice gathered at the center, emphasizing her blossoming bosom. Although most women chose a bonnet to wear as part of their wedding attire, Georgiana wanted Mr. Harrison to remember her beauty on this day. So, instead she chose a scalloped edged lace, which she attached to a jeweled comb. Accenting her blond curls draped loosely at the nape of her long slender neck, the lace, draped down her back, hung to the floor.

Harrison stumbled back a few steps upon seeing her; she, literally, looked like an angel, and for a moment, he thought his heart stood still. Then Georgiana Darcy began her procession down the aisle toward him, and the man’s happiness could not be contained. He considered shouting for joy, but instead he let the smile on his face and the tears welling in his eyes speak of his exhilaration.

Georgiana took her place beside Chadwick Harrison, and the words he longed to hear began. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God. . . .” The rainbow of light from the stained glass window danced about Georgiana in a mystical benediction. Harrison forced himself to concentrate on the words of the service, but the words could not calm his racing heart. Only Georgiana’s countenance gave him comfort.

“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”

Darcy’s voice rang clear.“I do.” He lightly kissed Georgiana’s cheek and then placed his sister’s hand in the bishop’s.The clergyman placed that same hand in Mr. Harrison’s and then continued with the vows. Harrison’s heart swelled as he spoke the words which would bind him to Georgiana Darcy forever.

“. . . to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.” Chadwick Harrison fell in love with Georgiana nearly a year earlier; now, he could create a future for them. “. . . with my body I thee worship and with all my worldly goods I thee endow.” Never abandoning looking deeply in her eyes, Harrison slipped the ring onto Georgiana’s hand.

“Forasmuch as Chadwick Harrison and Georgiana Darcy have consented together in holy wedlock and have witnessed the same before God and this company, I pronounce they be man and wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.Amen.”

“Will you not return to our bed, my Love?” she whispered softly as she caressed Darcy’s jaw line.

Several minutes passed before he spoke the words identifying what really bothered him. “Do you believe Georgiana to be happy?” His doubts about serving his sister’s future laced Darcy’s words.

Elizabeth resisted the urge to tease him; Darcy needed a different comfort this evening. “Our sister found happiness.” The answer spoke the simple truth.

“What if Mr. Harrison hurts Georgiana?” Darcy protected his sister for so long, he could not relinquish the need to do so now. Elizabeth realized his tendency for self-censure so she tried to choose her words well.

“Mr. Harrison loves Georgiana most ardently.”

“How do you know, Elizabeth? How can you be so sure?” Darcy turned to face her, but he did not withdraw from his wife’s embrace.

“The man literally stumbled back upon Georgiana’s entrance today.The love he feels for our sister could not be hidden.”

Darcy seemed surprised.“Did he really?”

“Mr. Harrison is violently in love with Georgiana. He physically protected her twice. You said so yourself, my Husband, the man was single-minded in Georgiana’s defense with Captain Rutherford. He would allow Rutherford’s men to burn the estate or even take his life, but protecting Georgiana was a different story.”

“That does not mean he will not hurt her; I ardently love you, but I hurt you.” Darcy looked in Elizabeth’s eyes, seeking the forgiveness she already gave him, but which Darcy did not fully give to himself.

“Our trials were not of our own making, Mr. Darcy; you cannot compare what happened to us to the normal relationship between a man and a woman. However, even with everything, we found our way back to where we belong. You, Fitzwilliam Darcy, are my dream—my destiny.”

Darcy could not resist kissing her lightly; Elizabeth’s words moved him. “I remember our wedding; you were so beautiful. It was all I could do not to run to you and take you in my arms.You, however, were all calm and innocence.”

Elizabeth brushed her lips over Darcy’s before speaking. “Mr. Darcy, I am so pleased my acting skills improved to such a degree; I assure you, my Love, calmness was not part of what I felt standing next to you.”

Darcy’s breath became shallow as he asked,“Then, pray tell, what did you think?”

Elizabeth flashed him a quick smile; she kissed him lightly, allowing her lips to linger close to his. “I kept thinking, oh, please, Reverend Woodson, hurry and make me this magnificent man’s wife before he changes his mind.”

Darcy chuckled,“Magnificent?”

Elizabeth gave him a little growl in his ear, and then accented each of her words with a kiss along Darcy’s chin line. “Magnificent . . . superb . . . handsome. . . .”

Darcy allowed his hands to drop to Elizabeth’s lower back after pulling her hips to him. “I will again surrender to your charms,” he gasped as Elizabeth continued to distract him with her closeness. Darcy lost himself to his wife’s body for a few minutes, his interest in Elizabeth’s intimacy increasing rapidly. Then a thought crossed his mind, and Elizabeth felt Darcy’s body stiffen. He blushed when he asked, “Did you speak to Georgiana about what she should expect tonight?”

Elizabeth could not completely stifle her amusement as the “prideful” Mr. Darcy asked about his sister’s wedding night. “I spoke to Georgiana,” she gave him at last. “I told her the same thing I told Kitty—what my Aunt Gardiner shared with me.”

Darcy’s eyebrow shot up.“Mrs. Gardiner? Not your mother?”

Elizabeth laughed out loud. “Trust me, my Love, if I listened only to my mother’s advice, I still would be denying you my bed.”

“I always respected Mrs. Gardiner.” Darcy’s smile turned up the corners of his mouth as he returned to kissing Elizabeth deeply.

Finally, she asked,“Will you not come back to bed, my Love?”

He paused in his need to kiss Elizabeth’s neck and shoulder. “Soon, Mrs. Darcy.” He withdrew from her a few steps and tried to settle his emotions. “I believe I want to stay here for a few more minutes. As tempting as you are, Elizabeth, I fear I am missing my sister this evening a bit more than I reasonably should.”

“Do not question whether you did your duty to Georgiana, Fitzwilliam.” Elizabeth stepped up behind him and lightly touched Darcy’s back.“She could not be more prepared for the life she chose.The only thing more surprising than the chance Georgiana is taking is where that chance is taking her.”

Darcy kissed Elizabeth’s cheek. “I know you try to ease my mind, my Love, but I still question whether I did well by Georgiana.”

Before she could answer, a light knock came at the door. Darcy strode quickly to the opening. He found Henry standing outside. “I beg your pardon, Sir,” the valet stumbled over the words, “but a late post came a few minutes ago. I thought it might be important.”

“Thank you, Henry.” Darcy took the letter from the silver salver and closed the door.With shaking hands, he crossed to sit in a chair close to the candle where he could read. “It is from Georgiana,” he said distractedly. Darcy broke the seal and unfolded the paper, reading the words out loud.

Finally, Elizabeth spoke tenderly, but with passion. “Ella needs the same kind of love you always gave to Georgiana. She needs to know what to value in this world. Ella will need to make good choices; as a woman, she will need a strong man who will help her find her worth. Your daughter needs the same lessons you gave to your sister; it should be easier this time, my Love; you learned well with Georgiana.”

Darcy directed his attentions to his wife. With a smile he asked,“If it is to be so for Ella, what should I teach Lucas?”

“His family duty,” she teased.

“Never, Mrs. Darcy.” His humor returned. “My son must learn to value the women in his life.”

“Even if they are progressive in their thinking?” Elizabeth got on her knees and moved in closer to where she could touch him.

Darcy met her taunt by looking deep in Elizabeth’s eyes. “Especially if they are progressive in their thinking—they are the most difficult to understand but are the most worth knowing. Maybe my princess needs to return to her crib,” he smiled, “and we need to return to our bed, Mrs. Darcy.”

“I was thinking something similar. Is it not wonderful we two think so much alike?” Elizabeth took Ella from him. “Warm the bed, Mr. Darcy; I will be right back.”

Elizabeth headed back to the nursery. Returning a few minutes later, she found Darcy already under the counterpane. She slid in next to him, warming herself against his body. She encircled his neck with her arms and began to kiss along Darcy’s neck.“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”

“Both you and Georgiana knew what I needed tonight.” He raised his chin to allow Elizabeth access to the indentation at the base of his neck.

“All I did, Mr. Darcy, is remind you others need you as much as Georgiana.” Elizabeth now kissed along his collarbone, and Darcy felt the warmth spreading through his loins.

He cupped her chin and brought Elizabeth’s mouth to his. “My dearest Elizabeth,” he said, his voice taking on a seductive huskiness,“thank you for reminding me what I want and what I need lie in you and the children. A dreamer is protected by the security in being home.”

Elizabeth kissed him deeply. “Life offers each of us a thousand chances; I am pleased I am the one with whom you chose to spend your life. Love comes gently when we least expect it—like walking in a dream.”

Darcy pulled Elizabeth as close as he could, pressing her body to his. He kissed her passionately while touching her intimately.“I love you, Lizzy,” he whispered into her ear.

“Umm,” she moaned,“perfection lies in those words.” Elizabeth draped her leg across Darcy’s body.

“Lizzy,” he murmured as he directed kisses to her neck and chest.“I must have you.”

Elizabeth touched him in the way she knew would enflame his passion further.“Where you are, my Love, is where I intend to be. I surrender to your charms; I want to be where no one will dare to interrupt us.”

“Then it is a good thing, Lizzy,” he teased,“you lie with the Master of Pemberley.”

“It is an excellent thing to lie with the Master of Pemberley.” She gasped with Darcy’s assault of her sensitive spots.“In fact. . . .”

Darcy put his fingers over her mouth.“This is not the time to demonstrate your wit, my Love.”

A teasing smirk flitted across her face. “What should I demonstrate, Mr. Darcy?”

“How much you love me, Mrs. Darcy.” His kiss this time left Elizabeth gasping for air.“Tell me you want me, Lizzy.”

Her fingers tugged at the curls along the nape of his neck. Darcy met her eyes with an intense rush of desire.“I want you, Fitzwilliam.”

“Kiss me, Lizzy,” he demanded as he began to take pleasure in the love Elizabeth freely offered him.