This chain of events would have an interesting effect on the lives of Fitz and his beloved Charlotte. A few nights after the appointment, the couple, hand in hand, confronted Sheriff Lucas, announcing their intention to marry. Instead of the expected explosion, a grim Lucas asked a simple question.

“Fitzwilliam, will my girl ever go hungry?”

Stunned by the question, it took a moment before Fitz could answer.

“No, never. I stake my life on it.”

Lucas’s bleak expression gave way to one of resignation and grief. “Then you have my permission. Take care of my baby girl.”

The couple shared an incredulous look. Charlotte said gently, “Paw, I think you ought to know we were thinking of living here, in the house, with you, if that’s all right.”

The tears that had formed in the older man’s eyes flowed freely as he responded, “That… that would be fine. I’d be glad for the company. Mighty glad indeed…” He broke down as the couple rushed to embrace him.

As improvements needed to be made on the house, the wedding would not take place until mid-January. The event would not be as bittersweet as many feared, as it seemed that Fitz and Lucas had settled most of their differences. But if anyone thought that there would be smooth sailing in the Fitzwilliam/ Lucas household, they would be wrong. Two stubborn men were bound to butt heads from time to time, and if Lucas and Fitz were good at anything, it was arguing with each other.

Still, they were united in their love for Charlotte and fear of her displeasure. In the crisis, Charlotte had found her own strength, and she was no longer afraid to express it. It was surprising indeed for the town to learn that Sheriff Lucas could be henpecked, but there was soon no question that Mrs. Fitzwilliam was the person who ruled that household. Fitz would have no complaints—he knew best how to please his wife—and within a few years the yard about the house was filled with their children.

With one wedding in November and another in January, it was easy for Beth and William to settle on mid-December. Mrs. Bennet was happy that at least one of her daughters would not be married in her Sunday best, but she was confused by Beth’s intention of becoming Catholic. Wasn’t her brother-in-law’s church good enough, she had asked.

Beth smiled and kindly, yet firmly, said, “Mother, when I marry Will, I will have to promise to God that I will raise my children in the Catholic faith. I will not be a different religion from my children. I hope you can see that.”

So on a bright December Sunday morning, Elizabeth Bennet, dressed in a new white dress, received First Communion and was confirmed into the Roman Catholic Church. Five days later, wearing the same dress, she again walked down the aisle of the Santa Maria Catholic Mission chapel, this time to become Mrs. William Darcy. Her intended stood tall and still, his white shirt gleaming against his black suit. His face was impassive, as was his wont when he was emotional, his fiancée now knew. She had only to gaze into his intense blue eyes to see the fireworks of happiness that his demeanor masked. To help set aside the terrors of the months past, the various families had decided to make the three weddings a town event, so it was standing room only as Father Joseph proclaimed the couple man and wife, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and prayed that God’s peace would descend upon the people of Rosings.

Epilogue

May, 1873

Two men on horseback stood in the shade of a single oak tree atop a ridge on Pemberley. A tall man in a black vest was astride a black Arabian, the man’s tan ten-gallon hat nodding as his companion spoke. He was of a slightly shorter stature, sitting on a brown horse, and wearing a black hat with a silver hatband. As they talked they gazed over the sea of prairie before them, dotted with hundreds of cattle, lowing and grazing. They were not alone; a handful of wranglers carefully moved their cowponies around the vast herd, keeping an eye out for trouble.

There was an unfamiliar sound on the breeze—that of construction from across the river. The taller of the two men gestured in that direction.

“Soon, Fitz,” said William Darcy, owner of Pemberley Ranch, “soon the railroad will be through the town, the stockyard will be built, and we won’t have to drive our cattle to Kansas ever again. I reckon you’re looking forward to that.”

“That’s for certain, Will,” answered Richard Fitzwilliam, manager of Rosings Ranch. “Ten more days and it’s the last roundup. I just hope I can get back afore Charlotte has the baby.”

“Hoping for a boy?”

Fitz smiled. “Don’t get me wrong. I’d be pleased with a son, but I think I’d rather a pretty little girl that takes after her momma.” He wasn’t giving his wife false praise, either. Marriage had done wonders for Charlotte Fitzwilliam, Darcy thought. Maybe it was because she was always smiling, but the lady had never looked so pretty in her life.

Fitz pointed towards the main house. “Speaking of little mammas, here comes one. Howdy, Miz Beth!”

Will turned, a smile lighting his face to watch Beth ride up on her paint, Turner. She was dressed in the Spanish style: a white blouse with a black vest over flowing black trousers, the better to ride a horse astride. She had her curly hair pulled back and a wide-rimmed flat hat. For an instant, Darcy was reminded of his mother. Beth answered her husband’s smile with one of her own.

“Howdy yourself, Fitz. How’s Charlotte?”

“Ready to birth that baby.”

Beth pulled Turner to a halt next to Will. “But she’s only seven months along.”

Fitz grinned. “She’s missin’ her feet, she says.” The comment earned a laugh from the lady. “Speakin’ o’ Charlotte, I’d best be gettin’ home. I’ll be by to take my leave of y’all afore I head out to Kansas.” He waved as he spurred Jeb Stuart towards town.

Beth turned to Darcy. “What were you talking about? The drive?”

“That and the future. Things are changing, sweetheart. The railroad, Gaby…”

Beth eyed her husband closely. “Are you having second thoughts?”

Will sighed. “Not really. Gaby needs to get out and meet new people. Miss Dashwood’s School for Young Ladies in Austin is a fine place. Gaby wants to go, and if I win in November—”

Beth interrupted him. “When you win in November.”

Will smiled, amused by his wife’s confidence in him being elected to a seat in the Texas Legislature. “Right—then we can get us a place at the capital and spend some time with her, in-between all the hearings and meetings and such.”

“Well, if you don’t have time, I certainly will.” The word was the Democrats felt they had the votes to take control of the state government away from the Reconstruction Republicans. The federal government under Grant had lost all taste for the fight, and the opportunity was there to reestablish local control. There was talk of a new Texas State Constitution. With such changes before them, Darcy knew he had to be a part of it.

“You still planning on coming with me to Austin?”

“Someone’s got to host your soirées. José will have everything handled here. So there’s no reason for us to stay behind. Besides,” she smiled, “I don’t want those society women getting their claws into you.”

Will grinned. “Are you jealous, Mrs. Darcy?”

“Just putting my brand on my own, Mr. Darcy.” Beth tried to look serious and failed. “I rode out to tell you Father’s here.” Tom Bennet, the new chairman of the Long Branch County Democratic Party, was manager of Darcy’s campaign.

“I hope you left him in good spirits.”

“He’s always in good spirits, as long as Samuel’s there.”

Will rolled his eyes. “Wonderful. I’d better get back, before my son’s grandfather spoils him rotten.”

Beth lowered her eyes. “Will, I’ve been thinking.”

“About what?”

“Do you think it’s time we thought about a brother or sister for Sam?”

Will reached out for her hand. “Are you sure? It’s only been eight months.”

She blushed. “I only asked if we want to think about it.”

“All right. Let’s go talk to Tom, and then let’s go for a swim in the lake and… talk about it.”

Beth raised an eyebrow. “Humph. There won’t be much talking, then. You and swimming—you love to get me in the water. Why?”

Will turned bright red. “Umm… maybe one day I’ll tell you. Meanwhile…” He reached over and caught her lips with his. Satisfied—for the moment—the two rode back to the house.

The only addition to the Pemberley Ranch was a flagpole. Flying from it was a single flag of red, white, and blue. It was the visible sign of the compromises made between the former-Yankee farm girl and one-time-Confederate rancher. It was the flag of their home, and their children’s home, and their children’s children’s home.

The Lone Star flag of the State of Texas.

In the beauty of the lilies Christ was born across the sea,