Although he knew he could not stay much longer and risk further embarrassing her by being discovered alone or seen skulking away after midnight, the need to express his sentiments overrode all caution.

“Georgiana,” he whispered, cupping her face with his palms and engaging her eyes, “I…” And then he could resist no longer, bending for a consuming kiss that spoke louder than any words.

For a long while the ticking clock was the only sound, unless one counted heavy breathing and moist lips in action. Mental clarity and restraint were slowly restored, Sebastian withdrawing but keeping the space between their bodies minuscule.

“I am glad that I arrived when I did. Being with you during this difficult time, aiding even in a small way, eases my heart. I cannot fathom how awful to hear later that you went through this trauma without me. We may not yet be wed, Miss Darcy, but I already feel responsible for you. Do not doubt that or my love for you.”

She laughed shakily, attempting to nod with her head clasped firmly between his hands. “I have missed you, Sebastian, so much. And I am glad you were here too.”

He kissed her again, tenderly, and then stepped back. “Now I should be going, despite my reluctance. You need to sleep and I am sure Mr. and Mrs. Darcy will need you tomorrow.”

“When will you return?” Her voice caught, emotions still surging close to the surface.

“I am staying at my grandmother’s townhouse. I shall wait upon your pleasure. See to your family first and when you deem it appropriate, write to Lady Warrow.” He pulled on his overcoat, smiling at her worried expression. “I promise to respond with alacrity. After all, I have an official question to ask of your brother and have no intention of delaying any longer than absolutely necessary.”

“Yes, indeed you do,” she agreed with a hint of humor, “and, as difficult as it was to manage in my despondency and loneliness, I have several sheets of music I need your expert opinion on.”

“I sincerely doubt I will have anything worthwhile to add to your brilliance, Miss Darcy, but I will delight in hearing you play the notes.”

“You flatterer! The piece is meant to be played together and I am sure you will add some flair I did not envision, after your skill in rapid memorization is tested, that is.”

“I adore a challenge,” he countered, leaning to meet her lips for a final kiss, “and I adore you. In fact, I am crazy in love with you.”

“I love you,” she breathed, closing her eyes and rubbing her soft cheek against his stubbled one. “Shall I have a horse saddled?”

“No, thank you. I think a walk in the brisk air will do me good. It is not far. Attend to the present circumstances, Georgiana, but call for me soon. I need you,” he ended simply, leaving seconds later, after another kiss.

Lizzy’s fever broke three hours before the dawn, Marguerite changing the damp nightgown without the sleeping Darcy even aware. He did rouse at the angry voice of his son demanding sustenance, assisting the procedure since Lizzy remained languorous and addled. The baby did not seem to mind, nursing well from each breast, but Lizzy’s condition worried Darcy.

“It is to be expected,” George stated. “The fever, although lessened, is slightly elevated and the effects of the inflammation cause sluggishness. Add that to the residual ether sedation and I anticipate in may take a day or two for her to rally completely.”

His assessment was correct. Lizzy slept most of the day and all that following night. She recognized Darcy and spoke dazedly of what had happened, but her haziness prevented curiosity as to how she was rescued or the condition of her abductors. Gradually, over the ensuing week her memory would return, but there would forever be gaps in her recollect mingled with bizarre images that made no sense. She was haunted by disturbing dreams, some powerful enough to jerk her awake, crying out in fear and reaching franticly for Darcy.

An oddly sweet odor to her breath and mild cough lasted for another twenty-four hours, also the aftereffects of vitriol, George said, as were her poor appetite and vomiting even with the bland soups and plain breads offered. The inflamed blotch marring her beautiful breast was gone in two days, thanks to Michael and the various medical treatments, internal and external, that their resident physician prescribed.

Alexander experienced lingering lethargy during that first day, his stomach was easily upset, and he too coughed. A honeyed tonic brewed by Uncle Goj remedied the unpleasant symptoms and after another night of restorative sleep he was physically one hundred percent cured. However, nightmares that he never remembered upon waking plagued him for weeks with Darcy called upon to pacify his terrified son until returned to sleep.

Observing their distress with no way to remedy it other than embracing caused him immeasurable pain, in some respects worse than their suffering. His sleep was disturbed by their nightmares and his own plagued dreams. The daytime hours were busy, allowing little time to rest until later in the evenings when the four of them gathered together in the large bed for play and stories, inevitably falling asleep in a tangle of limbs.

The laceration to his scalp was not large and healed without festering. The only negative effect was an annoying tingling as it healed and an occasional headache. His greatest physical pain arose from the wallop against the heavy oak door, the bruises scattered over his body, and muscles stressed during the altercation. Luckily, he was a quick healer and daily hot baths, soothing compresses given by his uncle for the biggest bruises, and deep massages from Samuel speeded his recovery.

The combination of bath, medicines, and massage definitely helped that first morning, Darcy exiting his dressing room prepared to deal with the consequences of the prior night’s events.

Richard had not returned to Darcy House during the night, assuming his cousin would be otherwise occupied and trusting that Dr. Darcy would handle the medical needs with his typical brilliance. Besides, after taking care of matters as completely as possible considering the late hour and extending thanks to the men from his former regiment, all of whom had enjoyed themselves and shrugged off his thanks, he was exhausted and hungry for his wife’s comforting arms.

However, knowing his cousin as well as he did, Richard rose early and rode straight to Darcy House after breakfasting with his new family. Once the hot pot of coffee was delivered to the combination study and library where Darcy sat waiting and steaming cups were held in their hands, Richard launched into his update.

“The men guarding the house were scum Wickham had hired. None of them had any idea they were working for the Marquis of Orman, content to take the money and ask no questions. The fear instilled by my associates and I, obviously military despite not wearing uniforms, was enough to subdue, especially after a spell in Newgate just for good measure.”

He sipped gingerly, continuing, “My comrades enjoyed trussing them up and finding the ricketiest cart obtainable for the long ride back to town. A handful of coins to the gaoler and vague information on their crime will be enough to keep them in misery for a good while.”

“Will they be executed?”

Richard shrugged. “It is easy to arrange that and they deserve it since they knew a woman and child had been kidnapped. Men of that ilk should not be roaming free for the next criminal to take advantage of. I will see what I can arrange and still leave your name out of it.”

“Thanks. What about Orman?”

“Still raving and frothing at the mouth last I saw. Campbell and Willet took him to Bethlem. No news from them today, but I plan to visit the barracks when I leave here. I am not a doctor, Cousin, but the man seems insane to me. It might get tricky since he is a peer of the realm. However, if your name has to come into it, we can merely say he threatened you in some way and not mention Elizabeth or Alexander.”

Darcy visibly relaxed, sighing and nodding in relief. “I will go to great extremes to prevent them being dragged into this and harmed in any way possible.”

“Even lie?”

“I know, I know. It goes against every principle I embrace, but in this situation I will employ every ounce of my poker skills to bluff if need be.”

Richard could not resist laughing. “Well, let us work on a plausible story since your skills at poker are dismal!” Darcy grunted but did smile, and Richard continued. “It will not be difficult to spin a tale. Everyone knows your past with Orman, and his insanity and living conditions are real enough. I say keep it simple and close to the truth. Call me a cynic, but I would be shocked if the authorities waste time on investigating too thoroughly. They will take one look at him, toss him into a cell, and happily confiscate what property and money he has in the name of the Crown. He will not be an enigma in that madhouse they call a hospital, I assure you. He can share a room with Lord Attenborough or Baron Warburton.”