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“I cannot argue—he is her match in every way that matters. It’s only…

I can remember when I first held her in my arms—it was my tenth birthday and she was not yet a day old.

I cannot recall a time when I did not feel re sponsible for her safety and happiness…

it’s so much a part of me that I don’t know how to stop. ”

Elizabeth ran her fingers through his dark curls. “I don’t think Georgiana would want you to stop, and I believe Jonah is wise enough to respect the uncommonly strong bond that the two of you share.”

Fitzwilliam nodded absently. “Richard told me to think of it as gaining a brother rather than losing a sister.” He attempted to laugh but it ended up sounding more like a sigh.

Smiling sympathetically, Lizzy searched her mind for something that might comfort him. “Oxfordshire is not so very far—two days by carriage—and we shall see them very often when we are all in London.”

Her husband lost a little of his morose air, but she could still see wrinkles on his brow.

Sitting up, she held his chin so that he looked her full in the face.

“Your parents would be proud of you, Fitzwilliam Darcy. Grateful as well, I believe, for the excellent care you have given their daughter.”

Although her words embarrassed him, the bone-deep sincerity evident in her eyes could not but comfort.

For a minute, he simply looked up at her, this beautiful, intelligent woman whom he trusted with more of himself than he had ever expected to share with any other person.

What would have happened to him if he had not found her?

Or worse, if he had been forced to go through life knowing she was alive in the world but thinking ill of him?

Fortunately, before his musings might become any darker, he was distracted by the feeling of her soft lips upon his own and soon enough his worries were pressed aside by other, more pleasant matters.

After enjoying the kiss, he rolled her on her back, kissing that sweet place on her neck, just behind her ear.

For an instant, he hovered above her and wondered if the strength of his attraction would ever cease to surprise him, but then all thought was brushed away as she reached for him and whispered, “Will… love me.”

“Oh Liz…” was all he could say before proceeding to honor his wife’s request to the best of his ability.

The next morning, Darcy’s wish to put off his sister’s wedding was granted, although not for a reason he would have chosen.

While the family and guests gathered in the drawing room for afternoon tea, a messenger arrived with an express for the Earl of Matlock.

That gentleman stiffened slightly upon observing that the envelope was edged in black, but maintained his composure long enough to excuse himself.

Not much later, the other members of the Fitzwilliam and Darcy families were summoned to the library to hear the news; Lord Edward Fitzwilliam was dead.

Grief was thick in the room, although very little was said about the man himself.

Son, brother, and cousin he might have been, but he had lived his life in such a way that had endeared him to no one.

Instead of reminiscences, much of the time was taken up with discussion of practicalities.

“We shall return to Matlock tomorrow,” announced the Earl. “The servants who were with Edward in Scotland have arranged to transport him home; they expect to arrive Friday at the latest; I will write to my steward and the vicar to make arrangements for a service on Monday.”

When his wife sniffed, he spoke to her sternly; “It must be done quickly, Eleanor; you must see that. The weather has been cool thus far, but he cannot… we cannot delay… the interment … overlong,” he ended weakly.

Lady Eleanor wiped her eyes with her handkerchief and stood. “I understand perfectly, Husband. Now, if you have no further need of me, I shall see that the packing is accomplished and write a letter for the housekeeper; we must arrange for mourning clothes and so forth.”

Before she could turn away to the door, the Matlock had risen and taken her hand in his own.

He said nothing, but the couple exchanged a long look of shared grief before she nodded and took a deep breath.

“If you will delay sending your letters, I’ll write my instructions to Mrs. Burgess immediately and have it brought so that they may be carried together. ”

Lord Henry grunted his approval and watched his wife depart before resuming his seat. The remainder of the family sat quietly for some minutes before Darcy asked gently, “How may we help, sir?”

After some discussion, they began making a list of the people who needed to be notified of Ashbourne’s passing and divided up the work among them.

At Elizabeth’s suggestion, a letter to the Viscountess was added to the packet that would be traveling to Matlock that afternoon.

Notification of her husband’s death by post was not ideal, but none of the family wished to take the chance that Lady Alameda might learn of it before one of them could speak to her in person.

Upon learning of the situation, the Somersets politely decided to leave a week earlier than planned.

Before they departed, it was agreed that Miss Darcy and Lord Jonah would marry at the Pemberley chapel in July, allowing the Darcys and Sir Richard an appropriate interval to mourn their cousin and brother.

Lord and Lady Matlock supported the proposal; although they would not be finished with the year of mourning for their son, it would be acceptable for them to attend a small wedding service, if not the festivities surrounding it.

“But Elizabeth, when do you expect your confinement? Shall you be recovered in time to plan all of this?” asked Lady Eleanor suddenly, only just remembering the Darcys’ own news.

One more brick of sadness was added to the weight that seemed to press down on her, recalling her own eagerness at the time she was expecting Edward.

Feeling her husband tense beside her, Elizabeth reached out to touch his arm reassuringly.

“The midwife and doctor both agreed on sometime in late April, so I hope to be well recovered by July. As long as Miss Darcy is still happy with a small family wedding,” she paused to smile a little at Georgiana’s decisive nod before adding, “I believe it will all work out perfectly well.”

Noting the Countess’s doubtful expression, she added, “We shall do as much of the planning as we can this winter. May I write to you for advice?” When Lady Eleanor looked relieved, Elizabeth made a mental note to keep up an active correspondence with her newest aunt; the next months would not be easy for the Countess and Lizzy imagined that participating in the planning of her niece’s wedding might provide a pleasant distraction, even if much of it had to be done from a distance.

“I expect Mrs. Reynolds shall be very happy to assist, as well… if she can be made to accept that Georgiana is old enough to leave home, that is,” mused Mr. Darcy.

There was a moment of silence before everyone began chuckling, allowing the evening to end on a lighter note that might otherwise have been expected.