Darcy bristled and demanded, “Am I? How?”

Lord Matlock chuckled. “For starters, the way you look at her. The way you touch her—yes, Darcy, I have seen you caress her hand, her arm, the small of her back. I have seen you innocently pretend to brush against her—repeatedly, I might add. You were in full company, and you fooled no one, including your aunt, and Elizabeth handled it all with grace and dignity, as a well-bred wife who has a true affection for her husband would.” He gave Darcy another pointed look. “I say wife, Nephew, because I suspect you have already taken her as your own. Am I wrong to think it?”

Darcy stood and walked to the window. He placed his forearm against the casement, his other hand on his hip, and expelled a deep breath. Several minutes ticked by in silence before he admitted “It is true.” A moment later, however, he spun around and added, “And do not dare to call her my mistress!”

The earl considered his words with a grim countenance. “Has someone aside from your Aunt Catherine referred to her as such?”

Darcy turned away and said tightly, “Elizabeth’s father, after he discovered me leaving her room just before dawn this morning.”

Lord Matlock pursed his lips and let out a low whistle. “That could not have gone well for either of you.”

Darcy laughed ruefully. “Believe me, it went far better than it would have with any other lady’s father. Elizabeth has always been his particular favorite, and Mr. Bennet is a reasonable and, I daresay, extremely forgiving man, even under such circumstances. His daughter’s happiness is his foremost concern. In short, he has not called me out nor demanded satisfaction in any way other than to ascertain that I hold Elizabeth in the highest regard and will restrain myself from any further contact with her until after we exchange our vows on Saturday. She has yet to learn of his knowledge of our situation. I would, of course, prefer she does not.”

The earl nodded and asked, “And he is the only one you know of who has discovered this facet of your relationship, aside from Catherine and her parson?”

“I… after Lady Catherine left last night I went to Elizabeth in her room. Georgiana was with her. I confess myself to have been so furious with my aunt and so concerned for what Elizabeth was suffering, I gave very little thought to propriety. I soon became so caught up in offering my comfort to Elizabeth, I had completely forgotten Georgiana was present, witnessing my attentions. Though nothing scandalous took place between Elizabeth and me in her presence, per se, I believe she now suspects something of the truth. At one point”—and here Darcy hesitated, his voice becoming hoarse—“at one point Elizabeth withdrew from me. She had such a look of sorrow and hopelessness in her eyes. I was terrified she was going to break our engagement. I could not… I could not think, for the fear that gripped me. I demanded Georgiana leave us, which she reluctantly did, but only after I had lost my temper.” He walked a few paces and slammed his fist against the wall. “Would to God that I had been more careful!”

Lord Matlock rose and went to Darcy, placing his hand upon his shoulder. “Darcy, what has been done is done. Unfortunately, you must now deal with the repercussions of your actions. Like I said, your aunt and I can be counted on to welcome Elizabeth into society, as can your cousins. Should any rumors get out, we will do all in our power to quell them. Once they have the pleasure of meeting your Elizabeth, I very much doubt many members of our circle will believe any of it anyway. It shall be dismissed as malicious gossip and die a quick death. Any reverberation will not be of a long duration, and neither of you will have to bear this alone, my boy. Therefore, do not worry yourself over it any further. All will be well.” Lord Matlock embraced him, clapping him upon the back.

Darcy returned the gesture with no little emotion. “Thank you, Uncle.”

*   *   *

Lady Matlock knocked upon the door to Elizabeth’s rooms and waited. “Elizabeth?” she called. “It is Lady Matlock. I would very much like to speak with you, my dear.”

The door opened, and Elizabeth appeared. Though she was dressed far more appropriately to receive visitors than Darcy had been, she happened to have the same worn, defeated look about her Darcy had exhibited when his aunt had first seen him earlier. It pained Lady Matlock no less to see it on Elizabeth’s lovely features than it had to see it upon the face of her nephew. She smiled kindly and stepped into the room. “Well, my dear, I believe you have had a rather trying night, have you not?”

Elizabeth managed a weak smile and averted her eyes. “Will you not sit down, your ladyship?” she asked as she indicated a small sofa and several chairs in the sitting room.

Lady Matlock took a seat upon the sofa and indicated that Elizabeth should join her. Taking her hands in her own, she said, “It would please me very much if you would call me Aunt, Elizabeth, especially since I have just spoken with my nephew regarding your marriage. From what I understand, you are to become my niece sooner than we expected.”

Elizabeth blushed and bowed her head.

Lady Matlock gave her hands a squeeze. “I know my saying so can be of little consolation after what has so recently occurred, but Lady Catherine can hardly lay claim to a reputation for affability and warmth. It was her dearest wish that Fitzwilliam marry her daughter, Anne, though, I must say it was by no means his wish any more than it was Anne’s. Elizabeth, you must understand, my nephew could have chosen the most affluent, well-connected young lady in all of England to be his bride, and still, my sister-in-law would have found some unfounded reason to berate his choice for the simple reason it was not hers. You must not dwell on what was said last night, my dear, for it matters not to Lord Matlock and me what has occurred privately between you and my nephew, so long as you have found love and joy with each other. To those of us who truly care for your happiness, nothing else can be of any significance.”

Elizabeth was too stunned to speak.

Lady Matlock smiled as she added, “I must say, I am almost relieved Catherine did not approve of you, for if she had, I would have been forced to question Fitzwilliam’s soundness of mind. You see, he and my sister-in-law have never shared the same tastes, the same opinions, or the same ideals. Yes, I am, indeed, delighted to be gaining such a lovely niece! And your marriage cannot come too soon for our family, I am afraid.”

Elizabeth’s expression showed her puzzlement, but Lady Matlock only continued to smile as she explained, “Thus far, Georgiana and Anne have been our only girls. I believe they found their childhood rather trying at times due to the exuberance of their male cousins and their overactive imaginations. To be always teased by such spirited young men can be an experience, to say the least.”

Elizabeth imagined Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam as boys and smiled. Lady Matlock continued, “Both young ladies were rather shy, so I daresay they found themselves easy targets for mischief. It was all in good fun, mind you, and Fitzwilliam, excellent brother that he was, never allowed their pranks to get out of hand. He was always attuned to Georgiana’s feelings. I am convinced someday he will make an exceptional father, as well.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand.

“Yes,” Elizabeth replied, “I have often thought so.”

“Lord Matlock and I have three sons, you know. My eldest, and my husband’s heir, is Harold. He is currently at our estate in the country, seeing to some affairs but will soon join us for Christmas. You met Richard the other day, and my youngest, Ethan, is in his final year at Cambridge. He is to take orders soon and will also join us at the end of the week.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I confess I am quite envious. I have no brothers, only four sisters.”

“Oh! Better and better,” exclaimed Lady Matlock with genuine enthusiasm. “I can hardly wait to see Richard’s face when he finally finds himself outnumbered and, I daresay, outwitted by so many ladies! But you did mention your sisters the other day, did you not?”

“Yes, I did. We are all as different as night and day. Though we certainly have engaged in our own share of teasing and mischief—and still do when the moment strikes us—we do happen to love one another dearly.”

“Of course you do, my dear. I believe they are all here now, are they not?”

Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, my elder sister, Jane, informed me this morning they were not going out and could all be found in one of the drawing rooms with my mother.”

“Then I should like it very much if you would introduce us, Elizabeth. Let us go down now and join them. Perhaps you can ring for tea?” She rose and offered Elizabeth her arm.

Elizabeth felt a tingle of trepidation as she linked her arm with that of Darcy’s aunt. “As you wish… Aunt, but I must caution you. Several of my sisters are young still, and their manners in company can be a bit wanting, particularly when in the presence of a handsome young man in a red coat.” She smiled meaningfully. “You may wish to keep Colonel Fitzwilliam’s profession a secret; otherwise, he may never have any peace so long as Kitty and Lydia remain in Town.”

Lady Matlock laughed. “Excellent! I daresay Richard would deserve it, too! Oh, no, my dear. We must leave your younger sisters in no doubt of his noble profession. It is about time my most troublesome son receives his just desserts for teasing poor Georgiana and Anne so mercilessly all these years!”

When Lord Matlock and Darcy, who was now refreshed, shaved, and presentably attired, went in search of the ladies an hour or so later, they found them all ensconced in the music room. It was a sight Darcy would not soon forget. Georgiana sat at the pianoforte as she chatted with Kitty and Lydia, her serious expression from the previous night now replaced by a happy smile as she played a lively duet with Mary, who also seemed to be enjoying herself. Elizabeth, whose disposition could only have been described as wretched before he had parted from her not five hours earlier, was now smiling and laughing with Jane. Jane was seated next to his aunt, who appeared to be taking an inordinate amount of pleasure in her conversation with Mrs. Bennet. He was astounded, to say the least.