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D arcy spoke to the footman outside the door. “Please ask His Grace if he would receive me again.”

The duke was standing in the doorway of his library; perhaps he had been more anxious than he had shown before.

His face held a rare smile. “Thank you, Darcy. I think you will make her happy and can keep her safer than I can.” Then his features resumed their habitual sadness. “I will miss her, though. It has not been long enough.”

“I understand, sir. However, I am sure she will wish us to be in company often.” Darcy would promise the earth to make her happy, although he knew her father would not feel able to visit Pemberley for some time.

“Well, let us go through, so I may wish her joy. We can talk about the settlement later.”

The duke seemed perfectly affable, and Darcy hid his bemusement as he followed his future father-in-law back to the drawing room.

Back at Briarwood, Georgiana was waiting by the door impatiently. “Well?”

Darcy smiled at her. “I would ask you to wish me joy, dear sister.” Over her squeals of delight, he continued.

“I will be returning there to dine this evening, I am afraid, Georgie, but Elizabeth and her father will be dining here tomorrow evening, so you can meet her.” He patted her shoulder as she drew back.

“The duke! Coming here to dine?” she squeaked, her dismay obvious.

“It is perhaps a trifle fearsome, arranging your first dinner party for such an august personage, Georgie, but I am afraid that is the way it has to be. I will ensure Mrs. Annesley assists you, and the housekeeper is very helpful, too.”

All he wanted to do was go back to Elizabeth and walk in the gardens with her, and talk of their future together.

But she had been understanding, urging him to spend the afternoon with his sister.

“After all,” she had said, “I will have your company to myself during our wedding tour, so I must not be selfish now.”

The duke was courteous and kind to Georgiana, as Darcy had been confident he would. But Elizabeth had borne her off to the pianoforte, and they had conversed and whispered over the sheet music as they searched through it.

Darcy sat with the duke, but could not avoid watching them. He wished he might have more time with Elizabeth, but appreciated her gentle kindness to his sister.

“You might, perhaps, wish to take Elizabeth out tomorrow. I can provide a second coach for extra servants.”

Darcy turned to the duke. “That is very generous of you, sir. I’m sure Elizabeth would enjoy it. Is there an interesting place which she has not already seen?”

Her father chuckled. “You were not long behind us, Darcy. Elizabeth has not yet seen anything of the area. I can recommend the river. It is not far, and you may drive along the banks until you find a place you’d like to walk or picnic. There is much parkland alongside.”

“You’re very good. Thank you.” Darcy found himself already anticipating the opportunity.

He watched Mrs. Annesley join the ladies and speak quietly to Georgiana, who lifted her head and noticed the footman waiting in the doorway. He smiled as he watched his sister jump to her feet.

The duke chuckled. “I am glad to have met your sister, although I’m sorry that my rank has caused her some discomposure.”

“Elizabeth has relieved her mind a great deal. I can see that already,” Darcy murmured as he rose, ready to escort Georgiana into dinner, and the duke prepared to take Elizabeth’s arm.

But they’d not been more than a few minutes at the table before the butler appeared with the silver card tray. Darcy’s frown echoed his. Now what?

He read the card with some dismay, and rose to his feet. “Please excuse me for a moment.” He hurried through to the hall.

“Uncle Henry, Aunt Alice! This is an unexpected pleasure.”

“Well, when we called at Pemberley to see Georgiana, we found that you’d dragged her up here. So we came to discover what’s going on!” His aunt kissed him briskly on the cheek, and patted her hair as the servant bore away their outerwear.

“Of course you may join us for dinner,” Darcy said formally. “But if you will excuse me first, I will need to apprise His Grace that you will be joining us.”

The shock on their faces was worth any price, and Darcy grinned. He was betrothed to Elizabeth, everything now was wonderful.

“The duke? Of Lancaster? He’s dining with a Darcy ?” Aunt Alice couldn’t contain her shock, and his uncle was equally surprised.

“Excuse me for a moment.” Darcy returned to the dining room and bowed.

“Your Grace, I apologise for the interruption. My uncle and aunt, the Earl and Countess of Matlock, have arrived unexpectedly. I hope you will not be too displeased that they will join us.”

“Not at all, Darcy. It’s as well they arrived before we had properly begun.”

The servants were hastily adding places at the table as Darcy escorted his aunt and uncle to the dining room. He was very glad Briarwood was large enough.

“Matlock.” The duke acknowledged his uncle with a nod — of course they were colleagues at the House, and rose to his feet to bow to Aunt Alice.

Darcy drew their attention to Elizabeth. “And I believe you are acquainted with his daughter, Lady Elizabeth Osborne.”

Uncle Henry bowed at her. “It is a pleasure to see you again, my lady. I was very sorry with what happened in the House, and I hope you do not think too badly of all of us because of that one libertine.” Then he turned to her father.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your meal, Your Grace. We had no idea Darcy would be entertaining.”

The duke glanced at Darcy and raised his brows. Darcy’s lips twitched, and he nodded a fraction. He was looking forward to their reaction at the news of his betrothal.

“Well, it is an auspicious occasion.” The duke sounded as urbane as always, and paused, seeming to enjoy their bemusement. “I am talking of Darcy’s betrothal to Elizabeth, of course.”