“Come, Mrs. Darcy.” Her husband stepped behind her. “The winter days are short, and we wish to be at Pemberley by tomorrow.”

“Of course,” she replied. “It’s time.”

Mr. Joseph placed Elizabeth’s hand on his arm and led her from the room.

After watching her depart, Darcy impulsively turned and touched the child’s cheek. “You’ll send Mrs. Darcy news of young William.”

“Elizabeth shall know of my son’s many accomplishments.”

Darcy bowed to the lady. “I’m certain it will please my wife to learn of my namesake’s achievements.”

“And you, Mr. Darcy. Shall you celebrate William’s many firsts?”

Darcy gave her a knowing smile. “I celebrate anything that makes Mrs. Darcy happy.”



“Did you see much of battle, Lieutenant?” Mr. Grange asked. Grange and Mary had joined Southland, Anne, and Mrs. Jenkinson in a small drawing room. The ladies watched the gentlemen play chess. “It must be a grand adventure,” the young man added. “A chance to become a true hero.”

Roman sat quietly for a few moments. He stared intently at the board as if planning his next move, but instead he chose his words. “Despite my eagerness to serve my country and to protect the colonel, there were moments I regretted my decision to follow my commanding officer to America.” A long silence ensued. “The colonel would’ve allowed me to remain in England, to switch posts, but I’d have none of it. Like young Grange here, I thought of heroism.”

“But surely, even in the Americas, a man can find the glory of war,” Grange protested.

Roman touched his knight, but he did not move it. “There’s no glory in war, Mr. Grange.” The lieutenant sat back casually in his chair. “There’s fear and necessity and cowardice and the overwhelming need to survive, but there’s no glory.”

“You speak so harshly, Lieutenant,” Mary observed.

“I apologize if my tone offends, Miss Bennet. I did not mean for it to do so.”

Anne’s soft voice brought Roman from his darker thoughts. “And the colonel? Does my cousin express the same feelings regarding war?”

“A hero’s image is etched in Edward Fitzwilliam’s face. The colonel inspires his men with his own bravery. Your cousin, Miss De Bourgh, is not an officer hiding at the rear. He leads with his own resolve to correct the world’s wrongs.”

“I would expect nothing less from Edward. He was built to protect. Plus, he was the one who always accepted a dare. The Countess spent many sleepless nights nursing Edward’s injuries.”

Roman smiled wryly. “I cannot doubt it. The colonel is not one to withdraw. But he’s also not one to take foolish chances. Everything is calculated for success. If I were to have to face an enemy again, I would choose Colonel Fitzwilliam as my commanding officer.”

“That’s high praise indeed,” Mrs. Jenkinson challenged.

“And every word is true, Ma’am.The man you know as a cousin and an Earl’s son is a military genius.”

“Really?” Anne seemed surprised. “I’d expect Edward to be brave, but I had never thought of his tactical intellect.”

“Then it’s with pleasure that I share something of the man I admire.”



“Shall they be well?” Elizabeth asked as their carriage reached the main road and turned toward Derbyshire.

From the rear-facing seat, Darcy had watched the emotional turns of his wife’s countenance for over a half hour. The desire to stay with the Josephs and the desire to return to Pemberley had warred within her. “Mr. Joseph has assured me that he’d not allow his wife to travel until Boxing Day. They’ll spend Christmas at the inn. The man is cognizant of the fact that it’ll take more than two days to reach Newcastle with a newborn babe; therefore, he must reasonably arrange his family’s passage.”

“What of Mr. Joseph’s mother?”

“His future lies with Mrs. Joseph and young William. Joseph won’t risk their lives to say his farewells. As a clergyman, the man knows that honoring one’s parents doesn’t override ‘cling to her only’ in the marriage vows. He obviously cannot leave Harrogate today.”

Elizabeth nodded her agreement. “It’s too soon for Mary.”

“And they cannot travel on Christmas,” he added.

“Of course, I’d forgotten the implications of the religious celebration.”

Darcy removed his gloves and placed them beside him. “Joseph and I had several conversations about the proper thing to do.”

Elizabeth smiled easily. “In other words, Matthew Joseph asked for your counsel, and you explained the man’s family duty,” she teased.

Darcy’s eyebrow rose. “Would you expect anything less of me?”

“My husband, I’ve never misjudged your consequence.”

“As opposed to my finer qualities,” he countered.

Elizabeth chuckled lightly. “It was part of my grand plan, Mr. Darcy. A man only wants what he cannot have.”

“Ah, now I see,” he said sagely. “Your flirtation with Mr. Wickham was only to pique my interest — as was your denial of your cousin’s proposal. Therefore, it only follows that your constant disdain was to prove that I didn’t understand what I most needed.”

Elizabeth’s eyes misted with tears. “I never meant to cause you pain, Fitzwilliam.”

Immediately, Darcy switched seats. Taking Elizabeth into his arms, he said, “And I never meant to criticize.You must realize I no longer care about the past. It was what it was. As long as we have found each other, nothing else matters.”