“I believe under the circumstances that you should call me Mary,” the woman said. “Mrs. Joseph seems so formal for what lies ahead.”

Elizabeth smiled through a false confidence. “Then I am Elizabeth.”



Georgiana had left Kitty in charge of hanging mistletoe in the downstairs rooms and had sent Mr. Bennet, Mr. Grange, Mary Bennet, and Jane Bingley to oversee the decoration of the barn for the Tenants’ Ball. Finally alone, she sneaked into her brother’s study and closed the door for a few minutes of silence. She needed time to hear herself think and to relive what Edward had said earlier. He’d referred to her as “my girl,” and he’d deflected their aunt’s criticisms. It felt wonderful to have Edward’s recognition. With a shove, she waltzed across the room, an imaginary partner twirling her with wild abandon. In her mind, Edward’s arm tightened about her as she smiled up at him. It could happen, she thought. Edward could finally find her appealing.

“Very nice, my dear,” a deep voice said from a darkened corner, and Georgiana stumbled to a halt.

“Oh, my,” she gasped. Straightening her gown’s lines, Georgiana pinked. “I didn’t realize you were here. No one,” she stammered, “no one was to see my girlish display.”

The colonel stepped from the shadows. “I should’ve said something when you first entered. I apologize if my presence alarmed you, Georgiana; however, I’ll selfishly admit that I enjoyed watching you and wouldn’t have missed it for a sultan’s riches.Your face glowed with the purest joy.”

Georgiana dropped her eyes. “I allowed my feminine side to overcome my good reason.”

Edward now stood before her. Gently, he cupped her chin and raised it. “I’ll not permit your self-censure. I’ve never seen you more beautiful, Georgiana. From the moment I beheld you on Pemberley’s steps, I’ve been astonished by the changes in you. I admit to having difficulty accepting how much your transformation offers: I’m your guardian, but I wish I was nothing more than an ordinary man.”

Innocently, she asked, “Can you not be both, Edward?”

“I’m not certain,” he whispered huskily. “It would seem I must decide what role I wish to play.”

“Would you dance with me?” Georgiana’s gaze traced his face’s lines.

Edward smiled easily. “I can think of nothing I’d enjoy more.” Sliding his arm about her waist, he edged Georgiana into his embrace.

Their eyes never left one another. “We have no music,” she whispered.

“We’ll make our own.” Edward stepped into the dance by bringing Georgiana next to him. They ignored the required distance between them. Instead, their bodies flowed about the small open area.

Edward concentrated on her face, and Georgiana experienced a change she’d never expected. A flush spread, but it wasn’t from embarrassment. The warmth came from her heart and somewhere in her lower stomach. She allowed Edward to direct their steps about the furniture. To guide her through the waltz’s intricacies. It was the most exquisite moment she’d ever known. “This is lovely,” she said softly.


Edward couldn’t dispense with the volatility permeating his body’s every pore. Of late, he’d found that nothing or no one could satisfy the deep sense of loneliness that followed him through his daily routine. Nearly a decade of serving his country had proved beneficial for his career and for his purse, but the war’s bloodshed and carnage had taught him that life held precious moments; and he should embrace them when they occurred. This was definitely a special moment. He was in a private, darkened room with a very beautiful woman; however, that woman was Georgiana. His sweetly precocious Georgiana. That same girl he’d taught to swim. Whose many cuts and scrapes he’d bandaged. Who always inserted herself into his and Darcy’s most private moments. Over whom he had once considered abandoning his honor and killing a man in cold blood. That was the girl in his arms, but Georgiana was no longer a girl. Her very feminine curves fit the planes of his chest and his thigh. He needed to release her and place his cousin away from him. This was madness; yet, it felt so perfect.

“This is lovely,” she said softly.

“You are lovely,” he murmured. And she was. The look he witnessed earlier graced Georgiana’s face again, and Edward realized it was meant for him. He brought that joyous response to her countenance. His heart sang of possibilities, but his head told him to slow down. This was Georgiana, and he’d not hurt her. He needed time to decide how best to proceed.

Reluctantly, Edward slowed their pace. Spinning Georgiana one last time, he brought her to a halt. Making his legs step away, Edward bowed over her hand. “I don’t know when I’ve held a lovelier woman in my arms. Thank you, Sweetest, for reminding me for what I fight.”

He watched as Georgiana composed herself. Surely, something had passed between them, but was it “something” he wanted to pursue? He’d spent so much time on the battlefront and in diplomacy that his personal skills skewed toward the negative.

Georgiana recovered well enough to dip a quick curtsy. “I pray you see no more battles, Edward. I worry so when you’re away.” Her demeanor remained cautious, and Edward noted mystification on her pretty countenance.

“Perhaps we should join the others,” he said softly while offering his arm.

Georgiana glanced away. “As you wish, Colonel.” She placed her hand lightly on his. “I suppose our guests must wonder at my defection. It would disappoint Fitzwilliam to know of my selfishness.”

“Neither your brother nor I would criticize your need for privacy. It must be a family trait. Often I wish for the ability to send everyone else away.”

Georgiana paused before exiting through the now-open door. “Does that include me, Edward? Would you have me elsewhere?”

“Never in this lifetime, Sweetheart.”



“Oh, please beware, Miss Catherine.” Winkler rushed forward to steady the ladder on which she stood. “Why are you hanging that ornament? Shouldn’t a footman be doing so?” Winkler reached for her as Kitty backed down the ladder’s rungs.