“I do so wish we could tell the others.”

“Soon, my love.”



“Will the colonel propose to Miss Darcy?” Winkler sat beside Kitty on a small settee.

Kitty glanced to where Georgiana stood with her cousin. “I think they’ll know happiness before long, but how did you know?”

“I recognize the same bewilderment on the colonel’s face as I find in my own mirror’s reflection. He’s quite besotted with Miss Darcy and does not understand how it happened.”

So utterly happy, Kitty wanted to giggle like a schoolgirl, but she said, “I’m most eager for us to define our future relationship now that Mr. Darcy has withdrawn his objection.”

Winkler frowned. He still didn’t like being a puppet on Pemberley’s string. He would think more clearly on his staying at Lambton once he had settled this matter with Kitty Bennet. For now, an odd sense of joy rushed through him. Winkler said, “As am I, Catherine.”



“I brought you a glass of port,” Anne said as she approached Southland.

Roman looked up with pleasure. He’d never expected that his future wife would worry in his absence. Their worlds were so different that he’d had begun to have second thoughts on the alliance. He didn’t love this woman who now stood before him, but he’d long carried the highest regard for her family. It wasn’t she that he questioned, but rather whether he could transition into her world. “Thank you,” he said with a smile. “That’s most kind of you.”

Anne looked about nervously. “Why do you sit in this empty hallway? Edward was very enigmatic about your absence from the party below.”

“I’m afraid that I’m under orders and cannot speak of it.” He awkwardly added, “Would you sit with me for awhile? I’d enjoy your company.”

Anne blushed. “Since we are officially engaged, I suppose it wouldn’t be improper.”

Roman found another straight-backed chair in an empty bedchamber and carried it to the hallway. He placed it along the wall, beside the one he had previously occupied. Seating Anne, he returned to his chair. “Thank you for seeking me out. The colonel and I will leave for London at dawn, and I was sore to know how I might have a few minutes of private time with you before my departure. We’ve several things we should discuss.”

“Go on, Lieutenant,” she said softly.

Roman swallowed hard. “We should decide when we wish to marry.”

Anne looked away in embarrassment, but she said, “Not too long. Long enough for the suddenness of our joining not to lead to gossip, but not so long if we wish to start a family. At least, that’s what my companion counsels.”

“Mrs. Jenkinson?” Roman questioned in surprise. “Not Lady Catherine?”

“My mother is accepting, but she hasn’t totally acclimated to the idea. Her Ladyship shall never rescind the engagement announcement, but I do believe she’d thought never to see the day.”

Roman captured her hand in his. “Then what say you? Choose a date. In London, I will purchase a license.”

“My mother had suggested Mr. Collins’s calling the banns upon our return, but I had considered the end of February.” Anne calculated the dates in her head. “The twenty-third or twenty-fourth of February? Those are at the end of the week. Why don’t you clear whichever day you prefer with your superiors and then send me the date in a letter. I assume we’ll correspond regularly.”

When he had proposed, Roman had never considered how they’d handle the particulars of their relationship. He’d just gotten caught up in the possibilities. Now, the idea of receiving mail from his betrothed fascinated him. His was a small family, and he rarely received the amount of mail the other officers did. He relished the idea of someone special writing to him. “Of course, we’ll write regularly, and I’ll ride to Kent when I have days off duty.”

“I’ll make you a good wife, Roman,” Anne blurted out. “At least, I’ll try.”

“I know you will,” he said compassionately. “Ours may not have been an instant love match, but few of the gentry marry for love. I promise you my fidelity and my respect.You own my admiration already. From those three, we’ll build ourselves a foundation upon which we can live comfortably. I’d like to make you happy. Mayhap, a strong affection will grow between us.”

“You’ve made me happy,” she assured. “I’ve the hopes of a young woman again. I’ll do whatever is necessary to make us a comfortable home. For you to know contentment.”

Roman smiled easily. Possibly, he’d made the correct choice, after all. His future wife was an heiress. As such, upon Lady Catherine’s death, Rosings Park would belong to Anne, and, ultimately, as her husband, to him. Their children would inherit a great estate. He’d accomplished much with his choice. With Anne’s acceptance, he’d moved up in society. “We’ll do well together,” he promised. They stared into each other’s countenances for a prolonged minute. “Anne,” he said with a rasp. “Would you allow me to kiss you?”

She blushed thoroughly. “I’d like that very much, Roman.”



It was well after midnight when he entered her bedchamber. He had scaled an icy terrace and the metal claws of the ivy wall to reach an empty chamber in the U-shaped wing. Earlier, he had lowered his trunk to the ground with strips of cloth he’d made from torn bedding. From the empty bedroom, he’d made his way to her suite. Slowly, he opened her door and slid into the darkness. Using the fireplace’s faint light, he moved stealthily across the room. Reaching her bed, he placed a knee on the edge and reached for her shoulder. Giving it a slight shake, he prepared for her awakening startlement.