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Elizabeth took advantage of the empty carriage to lay her head on William’s shoulder, snuggling her forehead into his neck. She needed the comfort his presence gave her and knew he would appreciate her closeness as well. “I know he will be fine, but I cannot help but worry.”

“That is because you are a good mother.” William laced their fingers together, his thumb stroking her skin in reassurance.

“We still have some time before we can see him for ourselves. Let us talk of something else before you start worrying yourself about possibilities. What did you think of Theodore’s behavior at the ball? He has been…off lately.”

Sighing, Elizabeth tried to force her muscles to relax, and thought back to recall what she had seen of the colonel. “Theodore seemed well enough, but you are right. During his unguarded moments, he appeared more pensive than usual.”

“I have always pictured Theodore as the perfect knight-errant roaming the countryside, looking for battles to win and people to save. In the regulars he had a purpose, and I think he is somewhat lost without it.” Leaning his head down to rest on Elizabeth’s, he continued, “London society is not something he fits into well. He has always had a distaste for superficial drama.”

“I would not worry about him too much. I’m sure he will find his way and you will help him. Besides, did you see him at supper? He looked to be enjoying himself with Catherine and Cedric.” Elizabeth closed her eyes, savoring the comfort of being held by William.

“I will trust your faith in him.” After being silent for a moment, he asked, “Did you see Mary with Goulding?”

“Yes, I did. He always tries to dance the supper set with her when they are at a dance together.” Laughing with an undignified snort, she continued, “I do not think either of them realize how obvious they are to us. He should be finishing Oxford soon. I wonder how long it will take for him to propose.”

Chuckling softly, William pressed a kiss into Elizabeth’s hair. “Ah, to be young, though he does not have the best of prospects.”

Leaning back, Elizabeth looked at her husband, her eyes narrowed.

“Fitzwilliam Darcy, you know Mary does not care about prospects and we could very well provide a number of places for them to live. One of your satellite estates, or even Pemberley. Mary would live in a hovel if she felt she was loved.”

William leaned in and nuzzled Elizabeth’s nose with his own.

“I very well know that Mary would live anywhere if there was love in her life. I was simply worried about Goulding. Young men are often proud, you know, and he may hesitate to propose if he feels he cannot offer her what he thinks she deserves.”

Elizabeth giggled with a roll of her eyes. “Oh, you young men and your pride.”

Heading away from the gaiety of the ball and into the hallway with Georgiana and Mary, Catherine tried not to worry for Artie.

It was rather silly that William would think they would want to stay and enjoy themselves while their little nephew was home sick.

Besides her dance with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she could have done without the whole experience.

Between the pettiness of women like Miss Eliss and the vile actions of Lord Deerhurst, the evening was a complete waste of time and a good dress.

Thinking about the dance with the viscount made Catherine suppress a shudder.

Just what percentage of the men she met would prove themselves more like him than the more stellar examples of their kind?

For a moment, she considered the possibility of wearing shoes with a better grip to the next ball.

Perhaps with some kind of reinforcement in the top of the shoe?

That way, she would be better protected from clumsy dancers stepping on her feet, not to mention they would certainly make a better weapon if she was forced to kick someone.

Grinning, Catherine rolled her eyes at the absurdity of her thoughts.

Looking ahead, she saw the colonel standing in a pool of light at the entrance speaking with his brother and hoped the candlelight would conceal her blush.

Though she could easily do without most of the experiences she had that night, she would never have traded away her time with Colonel Fitzwilliam.

The time with him was something she would cherish, even if she wasn’t sure what to make of that realization.

He had come to her aid and reassured her.

Supper had been thoroughly enjoyable and chatting away with everyone made for a special meal.

The dance, however, had been something else altogether.

Never before had a dance evoked such feelings.

She knew debutantes who absolutely loved to dance and though she had always found it enjoyable, she would not have pined had she missed the opportunity to dance.

She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but there was an unmistakable shift in the experience that made her feel off-balance.

His eyes held a mischievous glint, and the way his deep chuckle reverberated through her left her stomach in a constant state of flutter.

Somehow, the dance had created a thrilling anticipation within her, leaving her uncertain of her desires.

Did she hope those new feelings would gradually fade away? Or did she want them to intensify?

Standing at the entrance of the building, Theodore spoke with his brother, who wanted to leave before his mother made herself a nuisance.

“You go ahead, Cedric. I am sure Darcy's carriage will be here shortly, and then I will see you at home.

All these lovely ladies will keep me company while we wait. Isn't that right, Mrs. Ansley?”

“More like keep you in line,” Catherine’s cheery response came from where she stood between Georgiana and Mary.

Seemingly reassured, Cedric bowed elegantly in their direction.

“Ladies,” he said as way of farewell before turning his gaze to his brother.

“I will see you at home, Theodore. Please tell Darcy that I hope young Artie recovers swiftly.” Climbing into his carriage, he disappeared into the foggy London night.

Wringing her hands, Georgianna peered into the darkness as if trying to spot their carriage. “I hope Artie is all right. I could never stay and enjoy myself, knowing that he was unwell.”

“We will be home shortly, and you can check on him yourself. Between all the maternal figures in his life, I am sure that he will have plenty of arms to hold and care for him,” Mrs. Ansley reassured Georgiana.

Mary wrapped an arm around Georgiana's shoulders in a comforting gesture. “Children are always coming down with one thing or another. I am sure he is fine.”

It was only a matter of minutes before their carriage arrived and they all piled in.

Conversation was quiet as the hour was late, and despite their concern, they were all tired.

Sitting in the quiet allowed Theodore to contemplate the evening.

While he would never say that he enjoyed balls, the night had progressed better than he had hoped.

Spending time with Catherine had managed to tip the scales towards something he hadn’t felt in quite some time: hope.

Their dance had been delightful, and the supper conversation had been fun in a way that he hadn’t experienced in a while.

Seeing Cedric happy with Miss Selene had been a wonderful surprise, and he was thrilled she had managed to make his brother laugh.

While he would never want to spend more time in society than he had to, perhaps a dance here or there with the right people could be bearable.

He knew that as an earl, his brother had to attend more events than Theodore could ever manage without pulling out his hair.

He had previously wondered how he would manage the season and help shepherd the girls, but after tonight, he mused that attending events with Cedric, Darcy, and his gaggle of ladies was probably something he could handle after all.

The steady pace they had been taking came to an abrupt halt, pulling Theodore from his thoughts.

There was a commotion in the distance that made the horses stomp uneasily.

An unusual screaming filled the air. There was a seriously injured horse somewhere at the front of the line of stopped carriages.

Theodore could recognize it from his time in the Calvary.

Sticking his head out the window of the carriage, Theodore asked, “Can you see what is going on?”

The footman sitting beside the driver looked back at Theodore. “There has been an accident, sir. It looks like a carriage has been overturned.”

Hopping down from the carriage, Theodore felt a familiar quiver run through his leg on impact.

At least it had not given out on him. Amidst the cacophony of the horse's cries and the searing ache in his leg, fleeting memories of past battles flickered in his mind.

He did not know if the memories brought the pain, or if it was the pain that brought the memories, but the familiar rush that came with going to someone in need helped him move beyond the horrors of his past.

Cedric was right, he needed to find ways to help people, and this was just the kind of opportunity he had been needing.

Not only did he have the experience necessary to help with the horses, but he also knew how to treat injuries in a pinch.

Looking back up into the carriage, he said, “Ladies, stay in the carriage. I am going to see if someone needs assistance. Please do not go haring off trying to help. It is late and I do not want any of you to get injured.” With that, he rushed off towards the sounds of commotion, weaving his way through the dark street.

Trying to block out the screaming of the injured horse and the cries of alarm, Cedric closed his eyes.

The accident had turned his carriage into a chaotic mess, and he found himself lying against what used to be the side of the carriage but was now the floor.

The bumps and imperfections of the material were a comfort of sorts, for at least he could feel them on his cheek.

He had tried to get up to help whoever was screaming earlier, only to come to realize that he could not move.

A heavy sense of dread settled in his chest as he accepted the grim reality that the situation was beyond his control.

He could still blink, which was good because it meant he could blink the blood out of his eyes as it dripped down his face.

It was clear that he had a head wound, though he guessed it was probably not the only wound he had sustained. At least he was mostly free of pain.

As time passed in an odd, disjointed haze, he felt his mind drifting.

The dance he had shared with Selene had been lovely.

He almost smiled, thinking that it was good to end things on such a pleasant evening.

She had been all that he was looking for in a dance partner, and spending time talking with her at supper had been a delight.

She did not fawn over him and his title and had expressed several interesting opinions.

It was a pity he would never dance with her again.

He was not going to lie to himself. He knew that the situation indicated his end. No one who had become paralyzed at the neck lived for very long. He most likely had other injuries that would only complicate matters, and he was weary, feeling as though time was slipping away.

There was a shout that pulled him from his hazy contemplations.

The familiar voice, filled with a distinct sense of authority, had been Theo.

His poor baby brother. It would all fall to him now, and while Cedric had every confidence in him, his only remaining worry was whether his brother was happy.

Everything else faded into insignificance.

He heard the door to his carriage fly open.

“Cedric, my God,” Theo cried from above him.

After a few grunts, Theo was before him, and he could see his brother's terrified face.

Cedric realized he really must look horrible if his battle-hardened brother was that pale.

He knew in his final moments that there was not much he could do to help Theo, but he felt that he must find a way.

It would be so hard for his brother now, with so much to take on.

Summoning reserves he did not know he possessed, he managed a faint smile. “Find your happiness.”