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“Finally though, Catherine stepped over the line. One evening at dinner, she began describing her plan by which she and George Darcy would marry, thus combining the fortunes of Pemberley and Rosings and allowing her to take over the running of both estates.”

“Good Lord!” exclaimed Richard. “So her plan to marry Anne to Darce here grew out of having her own ambition stymied.”

“Unfortunately, yes,” admitted his father. To his nephew, he added, “I suppose I should have been more firm with her, but Catherine has never been easy to control, particularly by a younger brother such as I.”

The Colonel could not help but chuckle. “Not to worry, Father—Darcy has Miss Elizabeth Bennet to protect him, now.”

The Earl smiled briefly. “Now that is a confrontation I might like to see… from a safe distance. Lady Edna would be pleased with your fiancée, Wills. Your grandmother was feeling her age, but she moved back to Pemberley House after the funerals, routing Catherine and sending her back to Kent. Apparently my sister’s last grab for power was to insist that she should raise the Darcy children.

She wanted to take you and Georgiana back to Rosings permanently. ”

Will nodded, his eyes far away. “I remember the argument. Aunt Catherine had the servants packing trunks for Georgiana and me. I’d never seen Grandmama so angry as when she discovered what was happening.

She actually had my father brought up from his study, which was unheard of.

I shall never forget her words; ‘Fitzwilliam Darcy is a Darcy, the heir of Pemberley, and he shall be raised at Pemberley.’ ”

Lord Henry studied his nephew carefully. “I hadn’t realized that Catherine got that far. What did your father do?”

Darcy shifted uncomfortably. “Our trunks were unpacked and Aunt Catherine left with Anne. She has never been back to Pemberley since then.”

“I had no idea!” exclaimed Richard. “And yet, we visit Rosings every year!”

Will shrugged. “I hadn’t thought about it myself until I talked to Anne at Easter. She hasn’t visited Derbyshire at all since that summer.”

The Earl stirred. “George Darcy asked me to take you with us each year when we visited Rosings. He believed it was important that you know your mother’s family, but he could never again be comfortable with Catherine.

Fitzwilliam, you must understand that your father would never have allowed your aunt or anyone else to take you and Georgiana away from Pemberley permanently.

He loved you both, though he may not have demonstrated it well. ”

Richard caught a pained look in his cousin’s eye. “Wills? Surely you did not think…” He trailed off.

The younger man sighed but forced himself to speak when he saw his relations looking upon him with such concern.

“In truth, we saw very little of him, though Grandmmama came to see us, every day without fail. I assume she dined with Father most evenings, but she always broke her fast with me in the schoolroom. Wickham and I were sent away to school within a few months, but even then, Grandmama and I exchanged letters every week until she passed. By then, Georgiana could write a bit.” Will smiled fondly.

“I still have most of her notes, as well as the drawings she made for me.”

“And your father?”

Darcy’s face went blank. “He wrote me once a month about estate business, investments, and various other family concerns. I have those letters, as well, of course. Actually, I have kept up the tradition in a journal for my heirs; the monthly summaries are very useful.”

Richard spoke softly. “But nothing personal?” Although the letters he had exchanged with his own father over the years were few and far between, he often felt that he had grown closer to the Earl through their correspondence than during years of living in the same house.

Will shrugged, feeling defensive. “He was preparing me for my future role. When I returned to Derbyshire between terms, I would ride out with the steward to see the fields and visit the tenants. I knew the planting schedules and breeding plans, how much wool we had baled in past years and what it sold for, which cottages needed repairs and which mines were nearly played out… not to mention all the investments and charities and so forth.”

Lord Henry was nodding with approval. “I remember, after your father’s funeral, how impressed I was by the ease with which you took over his affairs.

I arrived expecting to find an overwhelmed schoolboy, but was faced with a knowledgeable young man fully capable of assuming his place immediately.

Your father would be proud of you, Darcy. ”

A faint blush was visible on Will’s cheeks. “Thank you, sir, but I have always felt that I should apologize to you. You very kindly offered your assistance and I dismissed you out of hand.”

The Earl chuckled aloud. “You have nothing to apologize for, young man. You knew what you were about; had you allowed me, Catherine, or anyone else to treat you like an ignorant child, it would have been twice as hard for you to establish your authority, both at Pemberley and in Society. You are a Darcy, regardless of your Christian name, and the head of an ancient and honorable family. Your forefathers would be proud of you; certainly I am proud to call you nephew.”

Not trusting himself to speak, Darcy nodded his thanks. The three men sat quietly for some minutes, finishing their brandies and thinking on times past. It was not until the clock began to toll the hour that the Colonel roused himself.

“Well, good sirs; while this has been a most revealing evening, I fear that this little soldier needs to get some sleep.”

Darcy voiced his agreement and rose. When the three men had moved in to the hall, he turned to the Earl, offering his hand and then giving him a quick hug, much to the older man’s great surprise. “Thank you, Uncle Henry.” Turning quickly, he collected his coat and left for home.