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A rchy was not doing well. It was obvious to Elizabeth, but unless he said something to her, she would not force the issue.

Her beloved husband had requested that he be allowed to enjoy as much time as he normally would while he was still able.

Elizabeth would honour that to the best of her ability.

The Gardiners, Phillipses, and Bingleys, along with Cathy, Anna, and Lydia, arrived the Saturday before the wedding.

Aunts Maddie and Hattie, and Jane joined with Aunts Elaine and Anne in assisting Elizabeth to make sure the wedding and subsequent breakfast were all organised according to Mary’s wishes. By Tuesday morning, everything was ready.

“Does this mean you are free to join me in a ride around the lake?” Hertfordshire enquired of his wife. “I know how much you enjoy seeing the renewal of spring.”

“Are you feeling well enough to ride?” Elizabeth worried.

“Today is better than the last few days,” Hertfordshire assured his wife. “It is such a pleasant day, you and your helpers have everything organised, so I felt it was the ideal time for you and me to ride out and enjoy ourselves. I have had Jamil saddled, and not with a side-saddle either.”

“In that case, yes, my dear Archy, I would love to join you for a ride. I will go and change into a riding habit and meet you back here as soon as may be.” Elizabeth stood on her tiptoes and captured her husband’s lips, before running up the stairs.

Hertfordshire stood staring at the lake through a large window near him.

He would miss his favourite estate, that was sure, but any possession paled in comparison to the magnificent treasure who was his Lizzy.

His faith told him he would be able to watch over her and his children, but it was not the same, and it surely would not be enough.

Unfortunately, it was all he would have.

It was that knowledge which drove him to live as much life with Lizzy and his children as was humanly possible until the day and time he was summoned home by God.

At least he would rest here in the crypt with his beloved late mother.

He was shaken out of his thoughts when his wife returned dressed in a deep burgundy coloured habit which made her look even more beautiful than normal. How he loved this woman. Her riding hat was in her hand.

It was not easy for him, but Hertfordshire had been determined to lift Lizzy up into the saddle. He mounted his own stallion, and they rode north-west rather than to the east and across the stone bridge. Biggs, Johns, and a groom followed behind on their geldings.

They rode along the shore, which was a mixture of stones and sand, with the occasional rock for good measure.

They passed the side of the new wing of the house which was built parallel to the western shore of the lake.

The shoreline became wider and sandier at that point, and they both kicked their horses into a gallop.

They did not slow until they reached the northern end of the lake, about two miles from the house.

This end was like a large semicircle, unlike the more pointed end to the south.

There were a half dozen streams which fed water into the lake, only two of them wide enough for bridges—wooden ones—and a nice wide stretch of shore.

Some years ago, Archy had had several stone tables and benches placed under a stand of trees, where those seated had an unimpeded view of the lake from north to south.

Elizabeth instantly understood Archy had planned this outing because one of the tables had a tablecloth on it and there were pillows on the stone benches around that table.

On the cloth were various comestibles and drinks, with plates, glasses, and cutlery.

Two footmen stood unobtrusively to one side, near the donkey cart they had used to bring the food, and the other supplies.

Even though she could dismount easily, Elizabeth waited for Archy to assist her down. She knew he took pleasure in doing so. He led her over to the table, and before they sat, he poured two glasses of wine.

“A toast to the best wife and mother in the world,” Hertfordshire said after he handed his Lizzy the glass.

She bit the words back because Elizabeth knew that wine did not do well with his belly, but he had planned something special so she would not be the one to dampen his joy. “And I celebrate the best husband and father in the whole of the world,” she responded.

Hertfordshire took a single sip of wine and placed his glass on the table. Even that little he could feel burned, but he had been determined to drink a toast with his Lizzy.

Elizabeth allowed her eyes to fall on the dishes on the table. There was a selection of small cakes, biscuits, and her very favourite dessert, gooseberry fool. She looked at her husband with an arched eyebrow. “Are you attempting to fatten me up for some reason?” she teased.

“We already broke our fasts, but I thought this would be an indulgent substitute for the midday meal. If you want something more substantial there are meat pies, bread, ham, and cheese in the cart.”

“I will not object to a meal of sweets and desserts. You know me too well and are softening me up with my sweet tooth.”

They shared a bench which was facing the length of the lake.

Elizabeth had some of her favourite dessert, a strawberry tart, and a lemon biscuit.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as Archy nibbled on some plain biscuits, but hardly ate anything.

She knew it was why her Archy was losing weight rapidly.

One of the symptoms of the disease he had, made food unpalatable.

There were only a few plain items he could eat, and keep inside of his body.

When Lizzy was sated, Hertfordshire stood and gave a nod to the guards, groom, and footmen.

They withdrew so they would all be out of earshot.

Then he led her to a blanket, with many pillows on it, which was below an old oak tree.

He sat first, his back resting on pillows between him and the gnarled trunk.

Once his legs were open, he invited his Lizzy to sit.

She did so, leaning her back against his chest. How he relished feeling her so physically close to him.

She could feel his bones through his jacket and shirt. Elizabeth knew that the last thing Archy wanted or needed was to dwell on those things they could not control. He took one of her hands into each of his own and interlaced their fingers.

For a while they sat in this manner just enjoying their company.

The only sounds were water lapping on the shore, birds serenading them, and the occasional noise from one of the horses.

If Hertfordshire closed his eyes he could imagine this was their peaceful existence, that he was not sick, but rather that he would live for decades more.

As much as he dreamed for that to be, he was well aware of the reality.

“Lizzy, part of my reason for wanting to ride out with you was for us to have some exclusive time together. It may be rather selfish, and you are too intelligent for me to pull the wool over your eyes. You have seen the accelerated weight loss, how much of the pain tonic I am taking, and other symptoms you recognise.”

“Yes, Archy. I have noted all of that. I would not broach the subject until you were ready to speak of it.” Elizabeth paused and cogitated. “Why now, the day before Mary and Richard wed?”

“Because I am afraid the day I need to begin to imbibe laudanum is rapidly approaching. As such, there are certain things we need to discuss. We can wait until after the wedding, but it is time to tell our children that I am ill.” Hertfordshire took some deep breaths as pain coursed through his abdomen.

“You know Mr Marylebone will read the will; there will be no surprises. It reflects the clauses added to the wedding settlement word for word.”

“How will I manage without you?” Elizabeth sobbed as the tears began to fall.

“I will not speak platitudes and tell you how life moves on. It will be hard thanks to the depth of the love we share, but you will do it because you are too good of a mother to lose yourself in your grief and ignore your children and other duties. You know how many hundreds, thousands, are dependent on the dukedom and all of our estates, do you not?”

Elizabeth gave a watery nod.

“As hard as it will be, you will have to soldier on. But not alone, all you will have to do is ask, and you will have as much help as you desire. You remember what John Donne wrote in Devotions upon Emergent Occasions , do you not?”

“I have read it, so to which part are you referring?” Elizabeth asked pertly as she dried her tears.

“I am referring to No Man is an Island . You are a very strong woman, the strongest I have met, but do not isolate yourself, and do not forget you have promised to be open to loving again. As much as I love you, that promise I elicited is selfish in many ways. Our children will need two parents, and of course I do not mean that you seek someone to replace me, but someone who will honour my memory while being a steady force alongside you as the children grow. You are too good of a mother not to have more children, and you are not exactly old .”

The last comment caused Elizabeth to give a very light and playful slap on her husband’s arm.

“Intellectually, knowing what you say is correct, and allowing another man to reside in my heart with you, are two different things. I did not promise I will marry again, but I will honour my word to you and be open to the possibility.” Elizabeth half turned in the circle of her beloved’s arms. “You have a man in mind do you not?”