Anne sat silent for several moments. “It is a conundrum. All I know for sure is that I must discover my own identity and become my own person. I am seven and twenty and have never known the thrill of another’s attention.”

“That brings me to another topic of discussion. I wished to know of your continued recovery from Mrs. Jenkinson’s death and of what appears to be a blossoming relationship with Mr.Worth.”

Anne blushed profusely. “Is it not shameless that I am here because I followed Lieutenant Harwood to Liverpool; yet, I am finding comfort in building a friendship with Mr.Worth?”

“What I know of Nigel Worth tells me the man is honorable.”

Anne looked surprised.“You knew Mr.Worth previously? I was under the impression that you met him when he came to Pemberley with those seeking refuge from the storm.”

“I dealt with Mr. Worth several years ago in a legal matter regarding one of our former Pemberley employees.” Darcy stretched the truth, even with Anne, but he realized she would think he interfered in his cottagers’ lives—as if that were the normal way for a landed gentleman to behave. He could not admit to her that he had paid Wickham’s debts without also revealing the man’s betrayal and attempted seduction of Georgiana.

Anne asked impulsively,“Do you believe Mr.Worth’s attentions honest?”

“I assume you question whether the man’s interest is based on your fortune?”

“I am painfully aware that Rosings Park is my best asset,” Anne openly confessed.

Darcy’s expression softened. “You cheat yourself, my Dear, if you make the assumption that is the only reason any man might find you attractive. Yet, with Mrs. Darcy’s insights, I have learned that women often have a poor opinion of their own true appeal and must learn, in their own way, to love themselves and accept themselves.” He paused to allow Anne to digest his words thoroughly. “As for Mr. Worth, I believe he would not choose to show attention to someone he might not truly find attractive. A man will flirt with a woman he knows he cannot have, just to say he tried; but when his heart becomes engaged, his demeanor changes to one of protection and caring. I have noted such a change in Mr.Worth since discovering your beauty.Worth has a successful practice and a comfortable home in Cheshire. Although he would welcome your wealth, it would not persuade him to make you an offer. As a point of reference, we must assume that the man would know how to see to your interests and to make them grow profitably.”

“Whereas Lieutenant Harwood would not?” Anne asked weakly.

“I do not know the lieutenant’s motives, Anne. I can speak only of what I know of Mr. Worth.” Again, Darcy paused for emphasis. “What I wish to ask, my Dear, is whether I am to pursue my quest for information about Lieutenant Harwood? I had planned to assure myself and you of the man’s intentions and of his truth once the storm subsided.”

It was Anne’s turn to pause; she needed time to word her response. “If you would not mind postponing your inquiry, Fitzwilliam, I would like the opportunity to see where Mr. Worth’s addresses lie. My intuition tells me my future may find itself in that direction. I never felt Lieutenant Harwood’s commitment to me the way I do with Mr.Worth.”

“Very good,” Darcy said with relief. “I wish you happiness, Cousin, and it appears that Mr. Worth wishes you the same.” He stood, bringing an end to their conversation.“If you care to remain at Pemberley when Her Ladyship returns to Kent, Mrs. Darcy and I would be honored to play your hosts. It would make it more feasible for Mr. Worth to continue your courtship. Pemberley is not so far that he could not arrange a day trip. It might be a way to determine the depth of the man’s interest. If he is willing to withstand the discomfort of a long carriage ride or one on horseback to spend a few hours in your company, then we can count him a legitimate suitor.” Darcy chuckled, thinking of how he would have traveled from Derby to Hertfordshire in a heartbeat if Elizabeth had given him reason to do so.“It would demonstrate most clearly his intentions.”

“I suppose it would.Thank you, Fitzwilliam, for understanding.”

“Think nothing of it. If I cannot fulfill the position of husband, at least, I can portend the role of brother.”

“That is most comforting.”They caught hands as he led her to the door. Anne turned to him before making her exit. “Mrs. Darcy is a very fortunate woman. She married into the highest realm of the land, and I do not speak of Pemberley’s wealth.” Going up on tiptoe, she kissed Darcy’s cheek.

“Go and find your happiness, Cousin,” he murmured.

“I will, sir,” she replied.Then she swept from the room.


Anne found Georgiana and Evelyn Williams in the rose-colored drawing room. Both worked at their embroidery, a task Anne found tedious.“What say you,” she asked as she joined them,“to performing a play? I thought it might be a way of passing the hours. We could create costumes or just use our everyday clothing. Nothing spectacular—just us, enjoying one another’s company.”

“I have never tried to act,” Georgiana began. “I am not sure I could deliver a line without choking on the words.”

“Even if you forgot your lines, no one would care.”Anne reached for Georgiana’s hand, needing her family to agree to her first attempt at defining herself. “Do you think I have ever enjoyed such freedoms? We would experience it together. Besides, we have a predominance of women in the house.We can take the part of men and lose ourselves in the roles.”

Georgiana asked, “Do you believe the others might agree?”

“How do we know unless we ask? This is the first time I have ever suggested something that my mother has not prompted.”Anne was intoxicated with the possibilities before her.

“What of you, Mrs. Williams?” Georgiana asked as she turned to the older woman.“Might you care to join us if we can persuade the others?”

Mrs. Williams vehemently declared, “My late mother believed the theater leads to the worst vices.”

Anne flinched with the woman’s censure, but she forced herself not to succumb to her own feelings. “I would not call what we attempt theater, Mrs.Williams, but if you choose not to participate, we understand. Come, Georgiana, let us find the others.” Anne gently pulled the girl to her feet. “I am sure that Mrs. Wickham will be happy to perform with us.”

“I hope Elizabeth will also agree to take part.” Arm in arm, they walked toward the open door.


Finding several of the guests still lingering in the morning room, Anne, a bit embarrassed but willing to try something new, cleared her throat to catch their attention. “Georgiana and I thought we might perform a play among ourselves to pass the time—nothing elaborate, just us trying to put the storm and the gloom of the past few days behind us.”

Cathleen’s eyes lit with eagerness. “That sounds like something I might enjoy. I missed the outside day because of my accident. I would like to get to know the others better. Have you chosen a piece to perform?”

Laughing at herself for not having thought that far ahead, Anne glanced quickly at Georgiana for suggestions.The thought of performing had occurred to her only after she had left Darcy’s study. He had told her to find her happiness, and Anne had always wanted to perform plays. It seemed a natural consequence of their heartfelt conversation. “I do not believe that either my cousin or I hold a preference for a particular play.”

“Might I make a suggestion?” Cathleen continued. Anne and Georgiana nodded their agreement. “A tragedy under the circumstances seems inappropriate. A comedy, probably something from Shakespeare, seems feasible. How about Much Ado About Nothing?”

Georgiana confided, “Elizabeth loves that play!”

Anne thoroughly enjoyed Georgiana’s growing excitement. “Then Much Ado About Nothing should be our choice. Thank you, Miss Donnel, for your suggestion and for accepting our idea as your own.”

Mr.Worth looked up from an old copy of the Times. “I am not much of a performer, but you may count on me, Miss de Bourgh.” He caught Anne’s eye and winked.

“Thank you, Mr.Worth.”

“And you,Your Lordship?” Georgiana prompted.

“Why not?” Adam Lawrence placed his napkin beside his plate. “It is not as if we have had much else to entertain us.”

“May we all meet in the ballroom in an hour?” Anne quickly organized the group before they could change their minds. “I suppose we must find a copy of the play. I am sure Mr. Darcy owns at least one copy of the work.”

“I believe I saw copies of Shakespeare’s works in the gentleman’s library,”Worth announced as he rose to his feet.“Let me help you find a copy, Miss de Bourgh.” He came around the table’s end to where Anne stood.

His presence sent a shiver down Anne’s spine, but she managed to send Georgiana to secure Elizabeth’s and Lydia’s consent. “We will see you in an hour,” she declared as she took Worth’s proffered arm.


“Where could Mr. Darcy keep his copies of Shakespeare?” Anne asked as she scanned the shelves for the books. Having confessed to Darcy her interest in the man who accompanied her into the library suddenly made Anne nervous.

Worth stepped behind her. He had dreamed of Anne de Bourgh the previous night. Speaking softly, close to her ear, he said, “I believe you will find Mr. Darcy treats his library as he treats his life: The man cannot tolerate disorganization. The books are shelved alphabetically by the author’s last name.We simply need to find the letter S.”

Anne turned to face him, expecting Worth to step back, but he held his ground, and she found herself only inches from the man. “Shall we,” she murmured nervously, “look for that letter?”