Page 44

W illiam stood in the corner of the dining hall at Pemberley, sipping from a white china cup.

He needed some coffee to strengthen him after that tortuous forty-five minute receiving line.

He should be glad that people thought so well of his sister and his new brother-in-law but spending all afternoon in the company of people he barely knew was exhausting.

It had never occurred to William, but because of the sheriff’s job, Richard knew almost everyone within a twenty-mile radius of Meryton.

Apparently, he was on good terms with all of them, too, judging from the number of people who attended the wedding.

He cast a look at the long table at the end of the room.

His new brother-in-law was standing there, looking a little out of place in a formal double-breasted suit and tie.

He was smiling though—his usual engaging grin.

He laughed at something spoken by a wedding guest and picked up a knife to cut the wedding cake—a buttery, frosted, three-tiered monstrosity with edible silver beads and piped ivory flowers for decoration.

The cake top sported an Art Deco-attired bride and groom, with sprays of pearls and spun silver strands arching gracefully over them.

Richard took his bride’s arm to gain her attention—she was turned away from him, chatting—and he was rewarded with her luminous smile.

William’s heart tugged with a strange, wistful kind of joy—his sister was a radiant, blushing bride.

Earlier, when he was escorting her down the aisle of the church in her candlelight satin gown and fly-away layered veil, he wondered when the thin, gangly girl had turned into the elegant woman beside him.

In fact, he’d never seen her as glowing and resplendent as she looked today. All due to Richard.

“Mmph,” he growled, remembering the visit he’d had from his friend the week before.

“Well, this is a surprise.” William extended his hand. “If you’re looking for Georgiana, she’s not here. I think she went with Elizabeth into town for something or other.”

“Actually, it was you I came to see. Can I have a few moments of your time?”

“Of course.” Curious, William gestured to a chair and turned toward the sideboard. “Can I interest you in a glass of iced tea or maybe a bourbon?”

“Yes, I believe I will have a little glass of the fire-water, if you don’t mind.”

William poured two glasses. He gave Richard one of them and then sat in one of the overstuffed leather chairs in front of the hearth. Richard took the other chair.

“Here’s to a long and happy marriage. Sláinte,” Darcy said with a toast. They clinked glasses, and each man took a drink. “So, what’s on your mind?”

Richard crossed one ankle over the other leg and held the glass on his knee.

He stared down into the amber liquid before raising the glass and swirling the bourbon.

He took another sip. “I need to tell you something—now, before the wedding. I don’t want there to be any bad feelings between us—well, afterward. ”

William was astounded.He had known Richard Fitzwilliam for years. What could the man possibly have to tell him that could cause bad feelings? A sense of foreboding invaded the room. “Go on.”

“It’s about Georgiana.”He cleared his throat. “Your sister and I are expecting our first child in about seven and a half months.”

Darcy gave his old friend a look that would have frozen hell itself. “I see.”

There was a full minute of stone-cold silence.

“Can you give me one good reason why I shouldn’t come over there and beat you to a pulp, Fitzwilliam?”

Richard smiled his easy-going smile and sat up straight in his chair, setting his glass on the table beside him.

“Actually, I think I can give you several. I don’t think you want to wheel me up to the altar next week—that might cause some talk around town.

That’s one. We got a friendship that’s lasted more’n ten years—that’s another.

Georgiana will be none too pleased with you if you do.

There’s a third. And”—he leveled a piercing look at William—“there is the fact that I love her more than life itself, which is the best reason of all.”

William continued to stare at him, but finally, he looked away, dejected. “How could you let this happen, Richard? After what she’s been through?”

“Now Darcy, the timing is unfortunate, perhaps, but the event itself is a blessing.” Richard’s blue eyes grew misty.

“I never thought I would feel this kind of joy again. Georgiana and the little ones—well, I’m fortunate that after all this time, the Lord saw fit to give me a wife and a family to care for.

That would have been enough for me, but this is a miracle beyond anything I ever hoped. ”

Another period of awkward silence ensued. Darcy leaned forward to rest his elbows on his knees and stared into the empty fireplace.

Richard went on quietly. “I’m gonna need you, William, as her time draws near. I’m gonna be pretty skittery, given my experience with the whole business.”

William gave him a solemn look, not yet forgiving, but at least a look with empathy behind it. “I imagine you would be.”

Richard stood, walked over and put his empty glass on the sideboard. “Well, that’s all I came for. I wanted to let you know, beforehand. Own up to my responsibility, and tell you that, in my heart, she’s already my wife. I’ve already made my vow—to her, and to God.”

“Mr. Darcy, it is your sister’s wedding day.

” He shook himself from his thoughts as his lovely wife approached.

She stepped up beside him and brushed a speck of lint off his lapel.

“Wipe that frightening scowl off your face right now,” she teased, “or people will think you’re not happy about the marriage that took place today. ”

“Mmph,” he repeated.“In truth, I’m more than a little relieved that the marriage finally took place today.”

“What? Oh, that.” She put her arm around him and gave his back a loving caress. “So, if you’re relieved, then why are you scowling?”

His face relaxed a little into a wry smile. “I can’t seem to help myself.” He leaned over and spoke in her ear. “Have you forgotten who gave me advice about my wedding night?”

“Ohhh. Yes, that’s right. It was Richard.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“Can’t stand the idea of your little sister being a wife? Good lord, William, she’s got two children, and—”

“Yes, but I can’t seem to forget that Richard was the one who told me what to do and how to do it.

And when I think about that conversation and what he’s going to do—hell, what he’s already done…

” He took a sip of coffee. “Oh, just forget it,” he said as he set his cup in his saucer with a clink and blew out an exasperated breath.

Elizabeth laughed softly, and he felt his clenched jaw loosen a little more.How he loved to hear her laugh!

“Darling, look at them. Do you think you could ask for a better husband for her?If you searched the whole world over, you couldn’t find a man who adores her any more than he does, and she’s glowing with happiness.”

“And I know why she’s glowing,” he said, still cross. “I still can’t decide if I want to congratulate him or take him out back and thrash him.”He looked around glumly. “I’m just glad they’re actually married now.”

“Poor William, I know your gentlemanly sensibilities are offended, but, really my dear, all’s well that ends well.”

“Hmm.”

“There isn’t too much you can do about it now.”

“Mmm.”

“And they’re very happy.”

“Hmm.”

“And so are we.”

He quirked one side of his mouth into a lopsided smile. “You won’t let me wallow in my self-pity for a moment, will you?”

“No, I won’t.” She brought his hand to discreetly touch the new little bump at her middle. “We have too much to be thankful for.”

The rest of his tension floated away on her encouraging words.

“You are right, as usual, Mrs. Darcy.” He set his cup and saucer down as the music began to play. “I believe I’m supposed to have this dance with the bride.You’ll save me the next one, won’t you?”

“Of course.”

Later, as the happy couple left the reception for their honeymoon, Elizabeth saw her husband pull the good sheriff aside.

They spoke in low tones with their heads together, looking at the ground.

She saw William straighten up and extend his hand to his friend.

Richard responded with a wide grin and took the peace offering.

William clapped his new brother on the shoulder with his free hand, and Elizabeth watched as her Mr. Serious smiled a genuine, dimpled smile that lit up the hall.

“Thank goodness,” said a relieved voice beside her. She turned to see her sister-in-law, watching over her shoulder. “I didn’t think William would ever come around.”

“He loves you very much. It’s hard for him to let you go into the care of another man.”

Georgiana smiled.“Yes, he’s very old-fashioned that way, isn’t he?” She looked at her sister-in-law, thoughtful. “You know, if anyone’s to blame for this situation, it’s me.”

“Gi, if I remember right, it takes two to create that ‘situation.’”

“Oh, I mean the whole situation, not just this one.” She looked down at her still flat abdomen.

“What do you mean?”