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“Lizzy, Matty is not four yet. True his birthday is in two days, but he is still very young. The twins have only recently turned two. As much as I would not want it to be true, all they will have of me are portraits and memories you keep alive, but I will not be able to be a father to them.” He paused as he took her hands.

“As hard as it is to think of it now, you will need someone to assist with the children, and I mean more than our sisters and friends.”

Elizabeth cogitated and knew there was much truth in her husband’s assertions.

She could live with a year’s mourning, but she did not think she would ever remarry.

Archy’s words about their children caused the slightest crack of doubt in that resolution.

“You have my word of honour. It will not be more than a year, and I will be open to marrying again.”

“That is all I ask, my love.” Archy kissed his Lizzy deeply. “Will you allow me some time with William?”

After a few more deep kisses, Elizabeth made her way out of the study, passing William as he entered. She was on her way to where her children were, interested to hear how they had enjoyed William’s company.

“You wanted to see me, Hertfordshire?” William asked when he stopped before the huge desk.

“Sit, William.” Hertfordshire indicated the chairs before his desk. He waited for the younger man to select a chair and sit. “You are too intelligent not to understand why we had the conversation we did at Pemberley after my Lizzy’s birthday was celebrated.”

“I have an idea what you were saying, but rather than make assumptions, it would be preferable for you to state things plainly.”

“My wife has vowed that she will not mourn for more than a year, and that she will be open to marrying again. I will not demand it of her, either before I am called home or in any letters I leave her. That being said, even if she cannot yet see it, she will need a partner, and my children will need a father.” Hertfordshire paused for a moment.

“How did you enjoy their company today?”

“Far more than I expected to like being in the company of little children. Lord Hertford is an intelligent lad, and yes, Lady Grace and Lord Winston demanded I allow them to ride on my back, with me on all fours.”

“And their demands on your attention did not vex you?”

“Not at all, they are a pleasure to be with. It makes me look forward to one day when I am granted children of my own.” William looked off into the distance wistfully. He knew who he would want to have as the mother of his children.

“It was such looks as this one that told me you were in love with my Lizzy. All I can do is give you my blessing if she is open to your suit. Do you know that other than Falconwood, Hertfordshire House, and a certain portion of the fortune, Elizabeth will inherit it all?”

“I did not know that. I would love her if she were a penniless daughter of a country squire. I will never allow wealth and connections to guide me when I choose a bride. My heart will lead.”

“That is something about which I have no doubt, which is why you will make her the ideal husband after I am gone. Even though it will be known that she will not gratify any man who attempts to entrap her, the vultures will be circling, and I much prefer she not have to experience that kind of attention from a slew of fortune hunters. In addition, I believe you would make an excellent father.” Hertfordshire looked pensive for some moments.

“I knew your time at Glen Morgan Heights would be the making or breaking of you.

It pleases me more than I can articulate that it was the former and not the latter.

“The reason I know you will be a good husband to Lizzy and father to my three children, is because of the strength of character it took to not only survive your time as a footman, but to grow from strength to strength tells me you will be able to deal with all of the pressure that comes with loving a duchess and having a future duke as your son.”

“Lord Matty will always be your son.”

“That he will, and Lizzy will keep me alive in his memories, but he will never know me. I am reconciled to that. If you and Lizzy marry, you will be his papa. The same applies to the twins, who at two will only have what Lizzy tells them.”

“You know my heart is hers, even if she is unaware of that fact. It will all depend on her desires. I will not impose myself on her if she has no interest in me.”

“In that case, we understand one another. In a letter I leave for her, I will tell her I approve of you, and introduce the thought of you as more than a friend. As we have discussed, the rest will be up to the two of you.” Hertfordshire cogitated as the beautiful face of his wife appeared in his mind’s eye.

“Her love has been one of the highlights of my life. I will go meet God with a full heart.”

“All I can do is attempt to live up to the trust you have potentially placed in me. I thank you for not castigating me for falling in love with your wife.”

“How could I censure you for something over which you had no control? You always maintained propriety in her company; you were never out of line and were always a consummate and honourable gentleman.” Hertfordshire extended his hand.

“I know this is not an easy situation, so thank you for your fortitude and understanding.”

William shook the extended hand. “I can only pray I will face my end as calmly as you are.” He shook, but not too vigorously, mindful of Hertfordshire’s illness and not being at full strength.

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

On their ride back to Pemberley, at a slower pace than the one to Castlemere, Richard asked William to stand up with him in a sennight when he and Mary married. William answered in the affirmative without delay.

For his part, William related what he and Hertfordshire had discussed, first rather cryptically at Pemberley and then this day in detail.

Richard whistled. “That shows how much he trusts you that he is handpicking you as the possible husband to his wife and father to his children after he has been taken. The man you were before Scotland would have never been considered for this.”

“Well I know it. I can only give thanks on High I am not that man any longer. He was a rather arrogant horse’s arse, was he not?” William ribbed.

“Cousin, when you are right, you are right.” Richard changed the subject. “My message should have reached Snowhaven by now. I told them we would be returning to Pemberley, so I will not be overly surprised to see a Matlock coach there when we arrive.”

“Speaking of estates, Hertfordshire told me about Lady Elizabeth…” Knowing he could trust Richard with his life, William related what her inheritance was to be.

“Good Lord, William! No wonder Hertfordshire wants Lady Elizabeth to be protected, regardless of her not gratifying a compromise. You could do far worse. She is a wonderful woman.”

“In truth, I could not do better. The question will be if she will have me.”

“Just be your charming self.”

William did not reply as they brought the horses to a trot, and then to a walk as they approached the Pemberley stables.

Richard’s supposition that his parents would be present was proved correct when his mother pulled Richard into a warm hug as soon as he and William entered the main drawing room.

“I am so happy for you, Richard. With everything happening to Archy, I was not sure how long your wedding would be delayed. That he was the one who insisted you marry soon, fits with his character. He loves to see those around him happy,” Lady Elaine gushed after kissing each of her younger son’s cheeks.

“Mary is perfect for you, Son,” Matlock insisted as he shook his son’s hand vigorously. “You were very lucky to win her love.”

“I have some news,” William reported. His parents and Richard’s turned to look at him intently. “Hertfordshire…” He gave them a synopsis of the two conversations he had had with the Duke. When he had completed his retelling, there was silence for about a minute.

“If things go as Archy desires, I will be more than pleased to have Lizzy as a daughter, and those three adorable children my grandchildren,” Lady Anne stated.

“I am sure none of us would like you to be able to win the woman you love for this reason, however, like your mother I will be very happy if Elizabeth is ever my daughter. I can tell you that Anna will be even more pleased. Not only will she gain one sister, but four more as well,” Darcy agreed.

Before the Fitzwilliams returned to Snowhaven, Ladies Elaine and Anne wrote a note to Elizabeth offering any help she might require in the planning of the wedding and the breakfast thereafter.