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Richard Fitzwilliam had grown increasingly grim as she spoke. Finally, after some long moments of contemplation, he stood and nodded to the others, offering only, “A home of one’s own is no small recommendation, for anyone,” before he departed the room.

The Colonel was still in a sober mood when he bade farewell to the Darcys and their guests later that morning. He had taken extra days to escort Georgiana’s companion from Staffordshire on the way to Pemberley, but his army duties required him to be in Brighton within the week.

Darcy stood by as his cousin checked his horse’s girth. “Will you still be able to return in time for your father’s birthday celebration at Matlock?”

Richard grinned broadly. “Oh indeed—I can’t wait to see you inform the Earl that his plans for welding the Darcy family connections to the Fitzwilliams are about to go up in smoke, all because of some impertinent country miss that the haut ton has never heard of.

Don’t worry Darce—I wouldn’t miss it for all the tea in China! ”

Seeing his cousin looking dour, Richard laughed aloud and slapped the younger man’s back hard enough to make him stagger a little. “Ease up, Darce. She is a prize above rubies and I will do everything I can to make sure that the Fitzwilliam clan acknowledges it.”

“Thank you, Richard.”

The Colonel shrugged nonchalantly. “As long as you know that I have every intention of camping out on your doorstep if the Earl disowns me.”

Darcy responded with even greater gravity; “You know that we would be happy for you to make your home with us for any length of time.”

Richard turned and studied the younger man for a moment. “Wills, you are closer to me than my own brother and I would give my life to protect you or Georgiana; you know that. I will be at Matlock to support you.”

The two men shook hands solemnly. “Safe travels, Richard.”

Once mounted, the Colonel saluted with an impertinent flick of his wrist. “Oh, get back to that lovely fiancée of yours. I’ll return before you know I’ve gone!”

Darcy watched horse and rider canter into the woods along the track to Lambton and then mentally traced the route they would take south to London and then Brighton.

For a moment, he wondered what Richard would find there.

His cousin had official business at the encampment, but he was also going to check on Lieutenant Wickham’s activities and Darcy could not help but worry about what his childhood playmate might be up to.

After several minutes of contemplation, however, a burst of song from a thrush nesting under the eaves brought him back to the present and it took no great consideration before he decided to follow his cousin’s advice.

Over the following days, the newly engaged couple enjoyed many walks around the beautiful gardens and woods at Pemberley, often accompanied by their relations but occasionally by themselves, as Darcy appeared to revel in showing her every corner of the property.

They did part on occasion; Elizabeth joined her aunt and Georgiana on ventures into the nearby villages of Lambton and Kympton, while Fitzwilliam introduced Mr. Gardiner and the children to his favorite fishing spots, providing rods and tackle enough to equip them all.

Although it cannot be denied that the couple found their kisses growing into more amorous embraces on several occasions, a severe lecture by Mr. Gardiner on gentlemanlike behavior (as well as how the younger man would like to see Miss Darcy in such a situation) kept Fitzwilliam under relatively good regulation, while a firm admonishment from her favorite aunt kept Lizzy from teasing her fiancé beyond his limits.

One morning toward the end of their visit, Elizabeth rose from her bed feeling tired and, despite all the happiness surrounding her stay in Derbyshire, decidedly tetchy.

At Longbourn, she would have claimed an indisposition and gone off on a solitary ramble or remained in her bedchamber, but at Pemberley she did not like to worry her host. After casting a longing look back to her bed and the novel sitting on the table beside it, she resolutely left her room to face the world.

At breakfast, Lizzy did her best to contain her poor mood.

This was aided when the butler arrived with a tray of mail and the company’s attention was turned toward their letters.

Elizabeth was especially pleased to see a note from Charlotte that had been forwarded from Longbourn.

Her pleasure was brief, however, as she was not far along before she realized that her friend’s purpose was not to discuss the general news at Hunsford but one upcoming event in particular.

Although Elizabeth’s heart still rebelled against her friend’s marriage, in her mind, she had accepted Charlotte’s reasoning.

Mr. Collins might not be clever or sensible, but she did understand that a lady of eight and twenty years might be willing to put aside romantic notions in order to gain herself a comfortable situation.

However, Elizabeth had resolutely avoided thinking on any part of her friend’s marriage beyond that.

Thus, the note she held in her hands announcing that Mr. and Mrs. Collins were expecting an addition to their family in November left her disturbed and, to be perfectly frank, rather nauseous.

To her great relief, Elizabeth was distracted from her contemplation of the Collins’ marital relations when Pemberley’s housekeeper entered the room and spoke softly to Mr. Darcy.

The resulting smile on the Master’s face made it clear that he was pleased by whatever news she brought.

He glanced around the table until his gaze finally settled on his sister.

“Georgiana?” When he had her attention, he continued, “The… err… items that you ordered in Lambton have arrived.”

Miss Darcy’s smile bloomed immediately and matched her brother’s in brilliance. “Oh, so soon? How wonderful! May we…” Her eyes flickered towards Elizabeth. “Now?”

Fitzwilliam shrugged boyishly and his sister, giggling with pleasure, rose from her chair and followed Mrs. Reynolds out of the room.

Before Elizabeth could ask a question, Georgiana reappeared with a footman carrying several packages of varying sizes, made festive with green ribbons.

Noting that her aunt and uncle looked more amused than surprised, Lizzy arched an eyebrow suspiciously when Mr. Darcy moved to stand beside his sister.

Standing side by side with his hand lying casually on Georgiana’s shoulder, Elizabeth was suddenly struck by the closeness between these two siblings, orphaned and alone in the world but for each other. Their eagerness to embrace her into their small family was a demonstration of monumental trust.

Before her thoughts could become too serious, however, Lizzy’s attention was brought back to the present when, after an encouraging nudge from her brother, Georgiana began to speak, tentatively at first but with increasing enthusiasm.

“Miss Bennet… Elizabeth , my brother and I wished to give you a present to celebrate your decision to become part of our family. I know that many ladies would expect jewelry as an engagement present, but when Fitzwilliam suggested that we give you something from the both of us, and knowing your love of the outdoors, I thought that you might like something more practical.”

Miss Darcy’s eyes suddenly widened, struck by the thought that her future sister might be offended by such a sentiment. “But I am sure Wills will give you jewelry, as well…”

Elizabeth could not keep herself from hugging the girl.

“Dearest Georgiana, you were absolutely correct. I have never been one for baubles or trinkets—I would much prefer a book and a pair of walking boots, much to my mother’s dismay and my father’s joy.

But none of this is necessary—though it is very kind of you, truly, I had not expected a thing. ”

The Darcy siblings shared a grin and Georgiana squeezed her new friend’s hand. “My brother loves to give presents at the most unexpected times—I fear that you shall just have to get used to it.”

With a slightly bashful smile, Darcy passed a smallish packet to his fiancée.

Elizabeth carefully untied the ribbon and moved the paper aside to discover a little wooden horse, just the size of her hand and painted to resemble a bright bay with three white socks and a slightly jagged blaze.

Plugs of real horsehair had been added to give it a long black mane and tail.

Though lovely and unique, it seemed to be more a child’s toy than any great work of art.

When Georgiana giggled, Elizabeth suddenly realized that she had been studying the little horse with a puzzled look for some moments.

Quickly recalling her manners, she smiled and thanked both siblings, slightly confused by the gift but relieved that they had not been too extravagant in their spending.

Her compliments on the little horse seemed to amuse the Darcys and soon Georgiana was pushing the two larger packages toward her.

In one, Elizabeth found a pair of tall, low-heeled leather boots that looked as practical as a man’s but made for a lady’s foot.

In the other, she caught her breath at a lovely riding habit made in a soft sage green with darker green trim.

Holding up the dress, Lizzy quickly saw that it would fit her, which prompted a suspicious look back at the small horse and then to her fiancé. “Fitzwilliam Darcy, what have you done?” Her stern voice was contradicted by the twinkle in her eye.

Will grinned happily, appearing positively boyish in his pleasure. “I wonder if you might like to accompany me on a ride this morning, Miss Bennet?”