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T here was one big disadvantage of living at the castle, Elizabeth thought gloomily. From her place in the family wing, it was impossible to see the road and watch for William’s coach.

He’d be arriving about now, she thought, glancing at the clock and sighed in impatience.

Mrs. Curtice glanced up. “Not many moments now, Lady Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes at herself. “I’m sorry to be so obvious, and I know I am being silly, but I’m beginning to wonder how I can endure this for another two weeks.”

“It must help, though, that your family are willing to congregate in the main drawing room and leave you to receive Mr. Darcy in this smaller parlour.”

“Oh, yes,” Elizabeth breathed. “It makes it all bearable.” And it did. Mrs. Curtice was discretion itself, chaperoning from the other end of the room, to give them privacy in their conversations.

She glanced at the clock again and frowned. “He’s not usually late. And he did write last night from Briarwood to say he was back from Pemberley and would call this morning.”

Her companion laughed. “It is only five minutes, Lady Elizabeth!”

Elizabeth grinned wryly, but her reply died on her lips. She could hear footsteps in the hall, and she rose to her feet, smiling.

And William was there, lifting her hand to his lips. “Elizabeth. I have missed you.”

“And I you.” She looked at him carefully. “You are up to something, William. I hope you don’t feel you will ever be able to keep secrets from me.”

He laughed. “I have a surprise for you.” His voice was a little louder than required, and he glanced back at the open door.

“Aunt Gardiner!” Elizabeth found herself in her aunt’s embrace. “Oh, I’ve missed you so much!”

“My Lizzy.” Her aunt’s voice revealed as much emotion on her aunt’s part as her own, and Elizabeth rested her head on her aunt’s shoulder, scenting her aunt’s light rosewater perfume, something that had permeated her childhood whenever she went to London.

After a few minutes, her aunt drew back slightly. “We could sit down, dear, and pretend a little more composure, could we not?”

Elizabeth laughed, trying to prevent her voice becoming a little shrill.

“I suppose so.” She looked around for William, but the room was empty.

Even Mrs. Curtice had left the room, to give her time alone with her aunt.

“Uncle has come here with you?” She could not imagine Uncle Gardiner permitting her aunt to travel alone.

“Of course. He is greeting the duke and will join us shortly.”

I can’t believe it.” Elizabeth held onto her aunt’s hand as if she’d never let it go. “I didn’t think you were arriving until the day before the marriage.” She leaned against her aunt, taking comfort from the familiar strength of the woman who’d seemed as much of a mother to her as Mama.

“We weren’t, but when Mr. Darcy appeared last night at Peak House, and explained the situation, we agreed we would call on you for a few days now.”

Elizabeth tightened her grasp. “I am so happy you’re here. And it was so thoughtful of William.” She looked at her aunt. “I was surprised when you said in your letters you hadn’t met him at Jane’s wedding, because you were both there.”

“I’m sure you can imagine what the wedding breakfast was like, Lizzy. We saw him, of course, as groomsman, but your mama was exceedingly noisy and the place was chaotic. We spent most of our time helping Mary try to calm her down.”

Elizabeth smiled ruefully. “And I suppose he was all distant and disdainful.”

“Not at all,” her aunt said, reprovingly. “But it is obvious he found it difficult to move around amongst people he did not know well.” She raised her eyebrows knowingly. “It was a very different man who presented himself on our doorstep yesterday.”

Elizabeth felt herself blush. “He is the best of men. I’m so fortunate that Father has allowed us to wed. I can’t imagine anyone else I could be happy with.”

“I’m delighted for you, my dear. I know you understood the need to marry, but we were concerned at who your father would choose for you.”

Elizabeth nodded fervently. “Oh, yes. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that Father relented in his dislike of the Darcy name.”

I think it was very difficult for him,” Aunt Gardiner mused.

“But when Mr. Darcy intervened in your trouble with Mr. Wickham, it was obvious he cared deeply for you.” She huffed a laugh.

“Then he discovered that even peers of the realm could not be trusted with you, so he had to reconsider the options available, knowing that with your independent spirit, he could not keep you cooped up here for very long.”

“Well, I’m very happy William was an available option, as you put it!” Elizabeth leaned closer. “Are you staying here, at the castle?”

Her aunt shook her head. “Mr. Darcy was very good and has invited us to stay at Briarwood. We may be well acquainted with your father, but we cannot just appear and presume to stay.”

There was a knock on the door, and a footman opened it. Then the room was suddenly full of people. Father approached Mrs. Gardiner and bowed over her hand in an unusual show of respect.

“I am delighted you were able to travel to give Elizabeth some company, madam.”

Elizabeth ran to her uncle and embraced him. “Thank you for bringing Aunt here, Uncle. I’m so happy to see you!”

He patted her shoulder. “It was a wonderful surprise when Mr. Darcy appeared and suggested it, Elizabeth. And you look very well, after what he told us.”

She frowned. “What did he say?” She glanced over at William who was standing back, looking quite pleased with the proceedings.

Uncle laughed. “Why, he said you were chafing at the bit, not being able to go out alone and walk for miles, as has always been your wont.” He glanced at her father.

“I am impressed you have been able to keep her looking so content without permitting her that, Your Grace.”

Father smiled wryly. “To be perfectly honest, if Darcy wasn’t available to absorb her discontent, it would not have been so easy.”

Elizabeth tossed her head. “I have decided that I will not let it seem to trouble me too much, as I must accept the inevitable with grace!”

Amid general laughter, she made her way to William’s side, and slipped her hand into his. “Thank you,” she whispered. “It is the best of gifts.”

He looked down at her, that warm, passionate gaze that always made her legs weak. “I would do anything for you, Elizabeth. You know that.”

But Father was speaking. “I will not hear of it. You will stay here with us for the rest of your stay, Gardiner. Not only will you be able to see more of Elizabeth, but you know how indebted to you I am. It would be a poor show of that gratitude if you did not stay here.”

Elizabeth tightened her hand in William’s, and rose on her toes to whisper a little closer to his ear. “But I will not forget that it was you who brought them here to me, William.”

“They are here for you. That is all that matters.”