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William loved this place, not because of the wealth it represented but because of the memories, his family history, and the peace he felt when here.

His arrogance and improper pride had almost made him lose all of this.

When William thought about how he used to be; it made him want to cast up his accounts that he had been so very bad.

He had not seen it at the time, but Mother had told him he would one day look back on his time at Glen Morgan Heights with fondness.

As usual, he should have known she would be right.

With that thought, he applied enough pressure to Zeus’s flanks to have him start forward again into a canter.

He directed his horse into the internal courtyard where, thanks to the shots he had heard, his parents and Anna were waiting for him.

He stopped and jumped off the stallion’s back, and with thanks, he handed the reins to a waiting groom.

“Welcome home, Son.” Darcy extended his hand.

“You are looking well, William,” Lady Anne stated before she pulled her son into a hug.

Rather than be his former taciturn, reserved self, William scooped Anna up into his arms and playfully twirled around, making sure he held her securely. “It is good to see you, Sweetling,” he told her as he put her down and kissed her cheek.

Lady Anne and Darcy looked at one another with pleasure in their countenances as they watched the man they always knew their son could be interact with his sister.

“Come, let us retire to the family sitting room for tea. There is already a chill in the air,” Lady Anne suggested.

The four Darcys entered the house and made their way upstairs. The long-time housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds, supervised the delivery of the tea so she could greet Master William.

“William, you will join us in London for the Little Season, will you not?” Lady Anne asked after tea had been drunk and little cakes consumed.

“Society in Town was not good for me previously. I am not sure if I should join you,” William replied uncertainly. “I would hate to lose any of the progress I have made.”

“You will not be alone. The Fitzwilliams, including Richard, who will take time away from his estate, Andrew and Marie, and other friends of ours will be there,” Lady Anne told her son.

“Lizzy—Her Grace—is being presented by the Duchess of Bedford, and your Aunt Elaine and I will be the co-sponsors, among others.”

“Will the Duchess of Hertfordshire want to see me? I was thankful she was not home when we called at Hertfordshire House before we dealt with Mrs de Bourgh. What of the Duke? We did not speak that day when we all met with him. I did not leave them with a positive impression of my behaviour, and I would not want to be the one to upset Her Grace,” William reasoned.

“William, you silly goose, Mary tells me that Lizzy and her husband have fully forgiven you. You know they were aware of how you were at Glen Morgan Heights, do you not?” Georgiana pointed out.

“They believe in forgiveness and second chances, and you, Brother, are not that same man who insulted Lizzy so grievously before her wedding. Do you think His Grace would have allowed you to join the meeting with him had he still been angry with you?”

“Your sister said it better than I could have,” Darcy agreed.

“In that case, I will join you when you travel to London,” William decided. “When do you depart Pemberley?”

“The second to last Monday of October. We will travel to River Run and overnight there, then we will all depart together the next morning,” Darcy responded. “It will be good to see the estate and what you have been doing.”

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

“Archy, have you heard back from the Palace yet?” Elizabeth asked, as she had each day since they had set the date for her presentation.

“I still cannot believe that my brave Lizzy wants me with her when she meets Her Majesty,” Hertfordshire teased. He cared not; in fact, it would be his pleasure to escort her into the presentation room. After all, his wife was normally fearless.

“You did not answer my question,” Elizabeth pouted.

“That is unfair to use that look on me; you know I can deny you nothing.” Hertfordshire grinned.

He was sure Lizzy was aware a letter had arrived from Buckingham House.

“Yes, I heard back from the Queen’s first lady in waiting.

As a favour to me, you will be presented to her privately, not at a drawing room, and I will accompany you, as will Bedford, Georgiana, and a few others. ”

“Does this mean I will not be required to wear that hooped monstrosity Cousin Georgiana and Aunts Elaine and Anne described to me?” Elizabeth enquired hopefully.

“No, my darling Lizzy, you will not, but there will still be hoops, albeit much smaller. I am sure we will have some made from which you may choose. I will make sure my vest matches your outfit. Jennings will, as she always does, outdo herself with your coiffure. You could wear sackcloth, and you would be no less beautiful. You will be the brightest jewel Queen Charlotte sees.”

“You are biased, my dear Archy.”

“Of course, I am. If I were not, I would not be so irrevocably in love with you.” Hertfordshire paused. “I know how much you miss riding Jamil . I thank you for accepting the doctor’s recommendation that you not ride her until after you deliver our child.”

“It is hard not to be on her back, but I see her each day and give her treats. Mary rides her every second day, and when Cathy and Lydia are here, they take turns on her,” Elizabeth responded wistfully.

The Duke cogitated about what he wanted to say. “There is one more who is able to ride Jamil . Even though we invited Jane to join us, she will not be coming to Town with us, do you not remember? She is a good rider and will treat your mare well.”

“You mean she should ride my mare?” She received a nod. “It slipped my mind Jane will be here. I am not averse to her riding my mare; then that way, she can be ridden almost every day. I will make the request of her this evening.”

“Lizzy, dearest, I see you have not had any sickness in the morning. You are very lucky, you know.”

“I did feel a little nauseous. Lettie brought me dry toast and ginger tea when I experienced those symptoms. It settled my stomach, and it has been more than a month since I last felt anything like that. And yes, I know it is a blessing. Aunt Maddie told me she was very sick with each of her three.” Elizabeth remembered something.

“Speaking of our aunt, she suspects she is with child again. If she is, and I believe so as she has never been wrong about this, we will deliver our children within a month or so of one another.”

“That is all good news; I will wish the Gardiners well when I write to them. Unless you object, we will make for London in about a fortnight.”

“I will go speak to Jane about Jamil ,” Elizabeth said as she stood up. She kissed her husband before asking a footman if he knew where Misses Millar and Walker were.

Elizabeth discovered them in the conservatory. She knew Jane enjoyed the warmth inside as well as the sweet smells of the plants growing within.

“Lizzy, did you need us?” Jane looked up from her book.

“As you know we are for London…” Elizabeth explained what she needed from Jane.

“You know it would be my pleasure to do so for you. However, I know horses remember those they love and also those who hurt them. Will Jamil allow me to ride her after what I attempted to do?” Jane enquired nervously. She hated bringing up her attempt to hurt her sister, but it had to be said.

“If you will remember, I never climbed on Jamil ’s back, so other than a very superficial scratch, she was unharmed.

She has had worse than that when we have not noticed bramble bushes growing near the path,” Elizabeth responded.

“On the morrow, you will come with me to visit Jamil . You will offer her treats, and we will see how she reacts to you. If she shies away from you, we will know.”

Jane agreed. Her worry was unfounded, as Lizzy had said. There had been no actual damage to the mare, so she was friendly with Jane. That settled it; Jane would ride her until after Lizzy delivered and was able to do so again.