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D arcy paced the library. He was satisfied with the way the settlement had been completed, and the duke had made enough concessions that Elizabeth would have the ability to control her own fortune if she wished to.

He smiled to himself. He could now turn his mind to more important matters. He wished for time alone with Elizabeth, time to come to know each other better, time for her to know the constancy of his devotion, and to pretend for her that theirs was a traditional courtship as far as possible.

He did not want to anger the duke, and so he must not appear to undermine her security for any reason. However, he knew Elizabeth chafed under the restrictions, and he wanted to assist her to feel she was less hemmed in.

But first, he must allow her this time with her sister, and the duke had agreed to return to the castle without her, entrusting Darcy to return her home safely before dinner. And soon, the Bailey family would arrive and he would have even less time with her.

The sooner they were wed, the better.

He huffed a laugh; he would go through and speak to Bingley while Elizabeth was happy with her sister.

He watched Elizabeth standing beside him, her face upturned to the breeze and her eyes closed in delight. The great landscape of Lancaster was spread out at their feet, and five miles to the west, he could just make out Morecombe Bay as it opened into the Irish Sea.

But he could not look for long, and returned his gaze to the vision of loveliness at his side. As he watched, she sighed and looked up at him.

“This is wonderful, William. I am enjoying our tour,” and she laughed. “It was a wonderful idea to take a tour of the castle as if we are visitors to the area. The breeze helps to cool the air, and the view is entrancing.”

He smiled indulgently; she was easy to please. They might not be able to go on excursions and outings as yet, but the housekeeper had entered into the spirit of the day and presented the castle and its history as if Elizabeth wasn’t living in the attached new building. Then she’d hesitated.

“Lady Elizabeth, we do not normally include the battlements in our tours, but the view is quite something to behold. Will you care to climb up through the tower?”

It had been an inspired thought. Elizabeth was delighted with the day and her infectious enthusiasm had endeared her to the staff already.

After they had descended and walked out onto the lawns, followed at a distance by the faithful Mrs. Curtice, he’d prepared his next story.

“I am desolated, Elizabeth. But an urgent matter of business has arisen at Pemberley, and I must attend. I hope it will not take many hours to deal with, and I will return at once. I will ride to save time, and so I ought only to be two days at the most.”

She looked up at him. “I don’t like to think of you riding and hurrying, too. What if you had an accident?” She shivered. “I couldn’t bear it.”

He took her hand. “Please don’t be concerned for me, Elizabeth. I will return safely.” He hesitated. “Would you prefer me to take the coach?”

She nodded. “I am being silly, I know. But this time, I think I would prefer it.”

“Then, of course.” He hesitated. “As we are betrothed, convention decrees I may write to you.” He raised her hand to his lips.

“I will write to you, Elizabeth, but I do not wish you to have to conceal what I say, nor do I wish to discompose your father. The letters will be a model of decorum.” His gaze was on her mouth. “No matter what I am feeling.”

He raised his other hand, and tucked that delectable errant curl behind her ear. “I was the one to delay our wedding for the six weeks I deemed would be right for your reputation, Elizabeth, but the wait to make you mine is nigh on unendurable.”

The blush spread across her cheeks, and she looked down.

“It is difficult for me, too, William. Especially as everything is coming to me here. I mean, it has been lovely to see Aunt Cecilia and Grandmother here, but we do not even go to the modiste. She is coming here with a selection of her wares to choose from. But I am sure I would wish for more opportunity to be out and about.”

There was little he could do. As the weeks ticked by until the marriage, the duke had become ever more suspicious that something would happen, something would go wrong just as he thought he’d made her safe.

Darcy slipped his hand under her arm. “Let us walk a little.” As they wandered on, she smiled wryly up at him. “I ought not to make my complaints to you,William. I know why Father feels this way, and I must just suffer it with grace.”

“I can understand that it is difficult, though.” Darcy thought complacently of his plan. If successful, he was sure she would be comforted by it.

At the door, he lifted her hand to his lips again, revelling in the warm touch of her skin. “I will hurry back from Derbyshire, Elizabeth, and wait with scant patience until I return to your company.”

Her smile was rather watery. “I will be waiting, William. Always.”

It was well past the normal calling hour when William stood outside the house late the next afternoon.

He had driven straight past Pemberley, feeling all the discomposure of not turning into his beloved home. But this journey was for Elizabeth, even though she did not know it. And he may not be acquainted with the family within, but he wanted to ask for their assistance.

It was a substantial house, and a significant estate. As the butler opened the door to him, he could hear the faint sound of children’s voices.

“Mr. Darcy.” A gracious, elegantly dressed lady came forward to greet him. He bowed.

“I thank you for receiving me at such a late hour, especially as we are not acquainted, Mrs. Gardiner.”

She smiled at him. “If you have driven from Lancaster, then it is difficult to be certain when one will arrive. And, although we did not have the opportunity of an introduction at Jane’s marriage, we did see you there.

Please, come in and take some refreshments, and I will have Mr. Gardiner called to join us. ”

Darcy bowed. “I thank you.”

“We might not be acquainted, but of course, you will know that we have heard a great deal about you.” Mrs. Gardiner was pouring the tea, and a genial-looking gentleman of some forty years entered the room.

Darcy rose to his feet. “I apologise to have called on you without the benefit of an introduction, Mr. Gardiner, but I am here to ask for your assistance on behalf of Elizabeth.”

Gardiner bowed. “I am pleased to meet you finally, Mr. Darcy. It gives me the opportunity to thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving Elizabeth from a terrible fate that day back in Hertfordshire.” He smiled faintly.

“And if Elizabeth needs something, then we will do our best to be able to help.” He glanced across at his wife, who smiled serenely.

“Of course we will. Do sit down and explain yourself, sir.”