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The new mistress of Rosings Park had been well satisfied with Richard’s estate.

She had been beyond grateful that all of the gaudy, tasteless, uncomfortable, and ostentatious furniture and décor had been long removed and replaced, and the whole of the house redecorated before she arrived to take the reins as mistress.

Anne de Bourgh was to accompany them, but she was not feeling well enough to travel, not even such a relatively short distance, but she had insisted that Mary and Richard go to be with Lizzy and her children. Anne had Mrs Jenkinson with her.

Although she was not related to the late Duke of Hertfordshire directly, Aunt Elaine was in mourning too.

Uncle Reggie was wearing a black armband just like Richard, and Anthony.

The Fitzwilliam parents had decided to mourn for three months so Aunt Elaine was wearing the muted colours of half mourning.

Elizabeth appreciated the shows of solidarity with her while she mourned.

Elizabeth linked her arms with Mary on one side and Charlotte on the other. They followed Anthony, who was chasing Hubert as he looked for someone to take him to the nursery in order to go play with Cousin Matty. Richard and his parents followed behind the others.

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

“Lizzy, you look like you are doing better,” Mary said. She and Charlotte had joined her older sister in her sitting room after everyone retired for the night.

“If you mean I do not burst into tears every time Archy’s passing is mentioned, or I see something that reminds me of him, then yes, I am doing a little better,” Elizabeth responded.

“I still miss Archy every minute of every day. When I am busy with my duties or the children it is better, but whenever I am alone at night, or I do not have something to occupy my mind, I think of my love and what I have lost.”

“It is understandable that it is still raw, it is just over three months now,” Charlotte stated sympathetically.

“It is three months, is it not? Why are Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie still wearing half mourning? The time they planned to mourn Archy is passed,” Elizabeth calculated.

“Mother told me she did not want to stop her mourning until we have seen you,” Mary revealed.

“Mary, I am not so fragile that I will come apart if Aunt Elaine is no longer mourning. She and Uncle Reggie did not need to mourn for even three months, but I do appreciate the gesture they made. However, it is time, and I will take no offence at them ending their mourning period.” Elizabeth looked at Mary so her sister could see the truth in her eyes.

“I will let Mother know in the morning. I do have some potential news.” Mary smiled as Lizzy and Charlotte looked at her urging her to continue. “I missed my courses at the end of June. I think I may be with child.”

“I hope you are,” Elizabeth enthused. “Does Richard know?”

“As you know we have no secrets, however, I want to wait until I miss one more, perhaps two. I would hate to raise Richard’s hopes for no good reason. He would love that we have a child, so if I am not correct, he would be greatly disappointed,” Mary explained.

“And you Charlotte, how is Anthony Archy doing? He looked very healthy when I saw him earlier this afternoon,” Elizabeth enquired.

“He is as good as Hubert was at the same age. He almost sleeps through the night already,” Charlotte related.

“You are aware, Eliza, we would have been just as happy with a daughter, as she would have inherited Netherfield Park. As it is, it will be little Anthony’s legacy, thanks to your late husband’s generosity. ”

“He was such a good man.” Elizabeth lifted her eyes to the heavens wistfully. She was certain he was looking down on her, the children, and their family.

“I think it is time for bed, until the morrow, Lizzy,” Mary said as she stood and stretched.

“Sleep well, Eliza,” Charlotte wished.

“I will see you in the morning. If either of you are up early, I will be in the stables preparing to ride Jamil .” Elizabeth smiled as her sister and Charlotte exited the sitting room. She was sure they would much rather cuddle with their husbands than be up at the crack of dawn.

By the next day, after Mary conveyed Elizabeth’s opinions regarding their continued mourning to her parents-in-law, they ceased their outward signs of mourning.

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

As the end of July drew nearer, Elizabeth found that her anticipation of the Darcys’ arrival increased apace.

Yes, she was keen to see William and discuss his assistance with the children, who were excited about seeing him again.

However, it was more than that. She hoped that Aunt Anne had another letter from Archy for her.

He had not told her how often letters would arrive, which heightened her eagerness for the next one.

She realised this was exactly what her brilliant husband had planned.

He had given her something to look forward to, to take her mind off losing him, if only for a little while.

He had succeeded in his aim, because Elizabeth could think of little else as the day of the Darcy’s arrival approached.

The house was full—as full as a massive mansion like this one could be—of family and that too kept her occupied when she was not busy with the children or her duties.

As the days passed the longing and love she felt for Archy did not change, but the grief was slowly but surely lessening.

Elizabeth still cried when the despondency of losing Archy overwhelmed her, but that was not very often now.

That was another thing in which Archy had been right.

As her pain and melancholy over losing him gradually reduced, the place he occupied in her heart was as secure as ever.

Flanked by Richard and Mary, Elizabeth stood just outside of the front door as the Darcys’ travelling coach was drawn to a halt. Matty was patiently holding his mother’s hand until he saw Uncle William alight.

Matty slipped his mother’s hand and ran to William, his arms out. He dove into the waiting arms and chortled as William swung him around.

If she had not already decided she needed William in her children’s life, the heartwarming scene before her would have been all she needed to reach that conclusion.

All Elizabeth could do was shake her head and lift her eyes to the heavens in the clear, azure sky.

‘ Yes, Archy, as you were more often than not, you were right in this as well ,’ she thought.

Anna ran forward and gave Lizzy and Mary a hug. Neither sister missed her disappointment at who she did not see present.

“Cathy and Lydia are out riding with Jane and Charles. They wanted to be here to welcome you, so they should be back soon,” Mary revealed. “Until they return, you are stuck with us old married ladies.”

Mary’s jest produced a giggle in Anna.

Elizabeth had welcomed Uncle Robert and then received a hug from Aunt Anne. She was looking at the latter expectantly.

“No letter today, Lizzy,” Lady Anne informed her. “As soon as we reach the date for the next one, I promise you I will give it to you. You would not want me to break my word to Archy and hand it to you early, would you?”

“What a teasing man my late husband was. But yes, Aunt Anne, I would not have you break your promise. I will wait,” Elizabeth huffed.

“Lady Elizabeth,” William greeted as he attempted a proper bow with Matty on his back.

“William, I think the time to just call me Elizabeth has come,” Elizabeth allowed. “It is good to see you again. As you can see, Matty is very excited by your arrival, and I know Gracie and Winston will be happy indeed.” She wanted to add she was pleased to see him as well but did not.

“In that case, it is good to see you, Elizabeth ,” William stated.

“Uncle William, we need to go to the nursery,” Matty insisted impatiently as a boy of four was wont to be. “Hubert, Gracie and Winston are waiting for us.”

“Your wish is my command,” William responded.

As he walked with the young duke on his back, William turned his head to look at the magnificent beauty.

Even in black, there was no woman her equal.

That she had invited him to use her familiar name was very welcome.

He understood why she had not offered him to call her by the diminutive form of her name; it is what the late Hertfordshire had called her.

Could it be that she was beginning to see him as more than a friend?

Shortly after he had managed to have the children agree to allow him to go wash and change, one of the footmen informed him Her Grace would like to see him in the study. He made his way there without delay.

On arriving William saw that Elizabeth’s huge principal guards stood in the hallway, either side of the door of the study. The door was open.

“Come in, William,” Elizabeth invited as soon as she saw him.

“Please sit in any of the chairs.” She watched as he selected the centre of the three chairs, the one directly opposite her.

“I know your parents are sanguine with your leaving River Run to come assist me and the children, but I want to be sure you still feel that is something you are willing to do, and more importantly, want to do.”

“It most certainly is,” William confirmed. “I love…your children, and it would be my honour to aid them in any way you need me and the same for assisting you as required. Besides my desire to be of use, I made a pledge to your husband to do whatever you needed of me.”

“I appreciate the sentiments, but are you sure that you will not miss managing an estate?”

“If I may be candid, Elizabeth?” After seeing a nod, William continued.

“In the years I have learnt from my father as well as living at and running River Run, I am fully trained in estate management. Hence, it will not detract from my education while I am helping you. Besides, do you not have one or two estates which need to be run?”

“As long as it is your choice freely made, I would like you to be around the children as much as possible. Archy told me, more than once, they would need a stable male presence in their lives. They love you, and you are very good with them. Never once in observing you with them, have I seen anything but genuine enjoyment in your time with them. I also approve of the way you always speak of Archy to them. That is very important to me, so I thank you for that.” Elizabeth saw a question forming on William’s lips, and she guessed what it was.

“As far as the future between you and me, I cannot say at this point. It is far too early for me to think about a romantic future. However, I will tell you that it is possible that there may be more one day.”

William took a deep breath and counted to ten silently before he responded.

She had said enough to give him hope. Could it be that Hertfordshire’s prediction would come to pass?

“Then in that case, it will be my pleasure to join your household.” He thought of something.

“Will not a single man living in your house cause rumour and inuendo? I would not like to see your reputation sullied.”

“Perhaps, but who will say anything about a cousin assisting a family member?” Elizabeth saw the confused look. “Did you forget that Richard is my brother by marriage, and are you not his cousin? Besides, I have enough well-placed family and friends who will squash any unseemly gossip about me.”

“In that case, it is settled. I will inform my parents and Anna. I do suggest I remain in the guest wing of any homes in which we reside.”

“I had not planned on anything else.”

William stood, as did Elizabeth. She extended her dainty right hand, and they shook to cement their agreement.