Page 96

Sometime after his return from Glen Morgan Heights, I noted the way William looked at you when he thought no one was watching. As you are well aware, he never made you aware of his feelings, neither overtly nor even covertly.

I could see he was fighting feelings over which he had no control and doing an admirable job of hiding them.

There were never feelings of jealousy on my part. There was no reason for them. He never attempted to make you aware of his feelings or do anything as dishonourable as to approach you and try to win you away from me. (I know neither William nor any other man would have succeeded in that.)

It was only when the seriousness of my illness became clear to me, that I began to think of the future you would have without me at your side.

As I know you are aware, it is not something I desired, but when faced with the inevitability of my leaving the mortal world, I had to put my own feelings aside and do whatever I could to assure you, Matty, Gracie, and Winston would all be protected from the storm my death, and your subsequent wealth would create.

In my first letter I hinted that I believed there was a man who would be ideal for you to marry once your year of mourning is completed. That man is William Darcy.

The day we apprehended Wickham and his cohorts and after the celebratory meal for your birthday, I spoke to William and asked him if he was in love with you. Once I assured him I was not angry with him, he admitted to it. I did not tell him of my cancer because you and I had not spoken yet.

Some days after you and I spoke about my illness and what would be, I spoke to him again and told him what I will tell you now. IF you two decide to marry, you have my blessing.

Before you misunderstand the above and think I have decided your future, allow me to make the following points:

I have not made any agreements regarding your future marital status, binding or otherwise;

I am not attempting to dictate who, if anyone, you choose to marry. It is your choice, and yours alone, Lizzy. This is no more than my opinion; and

William is fully aware that only if you two reach an understanding, nothing will occur between you.

I take this chance of engendering your disapprobation because in death, as it was in life, my primary concern is your felicity.

My hope is by now you and William are very good friends, and you can see something more with him. In addition, it is my belief he will make the children an excellent father in my stead. I could see even before I was taken he was entirely genuine with the children.

I have expressed my opinion, nothing more, but you must know that if you decide to marry another, or ultimately choose not to remarry at all, I would accept your decision. All I want now is the same I have wanted from the instant I fell irrevocably in love with you, and that is, your happiness.

Lizzy, my dearest darling Lizzy. We both know you have a stubborn streak, which asserts itself, especially when you feel someone is pushing you to do something.

Do not deny it, my darling wife, you know I have the right of it.

My hope is you will not slice off your nose to spite your face.

I believe you are too intelligent to do so, but I ask this of you, just in case.

How I wish I had never needed to write any of the letters I have, but that was not part of His plan.

I love you more than I have words to proclaim. I am only sorry I will have to leave you far too soon. Not only you, but the wonderful children with which you have gifted us.

Live a good, full life, and always, be happy, my love,

Archy

Elizabeth reread Archy’s words twice more. Then she placed the letter in her memory box and sat back down to cogitate for some time.

After a while of silent contemplation, about ten minutes before the time of the meal, she reached some conclusions. She owned it would be rather child-like and churlish to take up against William simply because of Archy’s letter, besides she had no intention of doing so.

Discovering that William was already in love with her made her feel good.

One of the things which had held her back from speaking to him about the future had been her lack of clarity with regards to his feelings about her.

That was no longer unknown. How had Archy noticed it when she had had no inkling?

She had been one whose perspicacity had been, supposedly, legendary, and she would never have thought to watch William.

If she had, it would not have helped. She remembered how Archy wrote about how William’s feelings were well hidden unless he believed he was unobserved.

As she stood to go join the family for the meal, Elizabeth reached a decision. She would need to speak to William soon.

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

On Sunday evening, Elizabeth requested that William ride out with her the next morning, weather permitting. He agreed. They would meet at the stables a half hour before sunrise. William did not ask why Elizabeth had invited him to join her ride, and she said nothing more on the subject.

By the time the two walked out to the stables, Brian and John, along with two of their men were seated on geldings waiting for them. Jamil and Zeus were both saddled and waiting impatiently for their riders, being held by grooms.

Once out of the paddock, they rode towards the east. Soon enough they arrived in a long field with a stand of trees at the far end. “Would you and Zeus like to race Jamil and me to the trees? Just past them is as good a place as any on the estate to watch the sun come up,” Elizabeth challenged.

William was about to accept when he looked around and recognised the location where they were. “This is the field where I shoved my riding boot all the way down my throat, is it not?”

“That it is, but I thought we could make some good memories here instead. Come now, William, you are not afraid to race against a lady on a mare, are you?”

Without a word, William gave slight pressure to Zeus’s flanks and was in a gallop in seconds.

Elizabeth did the same to Jamil who caught and overtook William and his horse within a few lengths.

By the time William reached the trees, Elizabeth was waiting for him, patting her horse’s neck with a smug look on her face.

It was not long before the sky was ablaze with the colours of the rising sun in the east. This was a good place to watch, and the memories of being here with Elizabeth near him were far better than the first time he was in this field.

Once the sun was up, Elizabeth turned and faced William.

“We need to speak.” It was a statement not a question.

“You are aware your mother gifted me with a letter from Archy yesterday, are you not?” She saw his nod.

“In it, he shared the facts of both meetings with you and your feelings, at least at the time for me.”

“If that makes you uncomfortable, I will, of course, leave.”

“William, do not jump to conclusions. My equanimity has not been disturbed, and I am not angry. I do, however, have an important question for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were when you spoke to Archy, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have undergone a significant change, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever.”

“My sentiments have not undergone any material change since the meetings with your late husband to which you allude. If anything, they have strengthened. Are you telling me we have a chance of being together in the future?”

“Yes, that is what I am saying. For now, there can be nothing official, but we may court unofficially until my mourning is over. Thereafter, if you still want to, you may ask for an official courtship and beyond. I must tell you that although I am not in love with you yet, I do have very tender feelings, and they are not just because of how good you are with the children. I can assure you this is not based on gratitude or some sort of obligation for all you have done for us.”

“To me, this is like a dream coming true. I am only sorry the cost was that such a good man like Hertfordshire having to pass away for it to come to pass. I look forward to a future with you and the children, Your Grace.”