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Matty, my hope is that you will have some memories of me, but Gracie and Winston, I know you will not. It is natural based on your ages at the time I will be called home to God.

That being said, I am positive your Mama, and new father (especially if it is William Darcy as I suspect and hope it is) will not allow you to forget me. While I want you to remember me, I do not want it to be a choice between me and your new father.

The truth is that you can hold and love both of us. (When you are older, ask your mother to explain my theories on the heart’s capacity to love.) I know your early history, and your new father will know the rest.

I fell in love with each of you the very first time I saw you after you came into this world. Never forget you are gifts from God which He bestowed on us using your Mama as the conduit.

Regardless of your rank, always be kind and respectful to those below you, especially the servants who make your lives so much easier. Honour and truth must be your watchwords. It is never acceptable to tear another down to try and make yourself look better.

There is so much more I could say, but I am not sure there is enough paper here at Castlemere to write that book.

Listen to Mama and your new father. They will always have your best interests at heart. Also, know that although you cannot see me, I will always be a part of you, and I will watch over you for all of your lives.

Happy birthday Matty on your 12th birthday and to Gracie and Winston, for your 10th birthday you celebrated in February.

Winston, never allow anyone to call you ‘Winny’. Your mother will not be amused in the least. Both of my sons, I trust you to protect your sister once she joins society.

Now and forever, I wish you only good and happiness for the future. I love you and always will,

Papa

“I am very grateful that Mama and Papa William, not to mention everyone else in the family, have told us so much about Papa Archy. I for one feel like I know him,” Winston stated. “And Papa Archy, I will never allow anyone to call me Winny.”

His older brother and twin sister echoed his sentiments.

Matty at least retained some distant memories of Papa, but they were mostly faded. Mama and Father helped with keeping them, and new ones based on their telling about Papa, alive.

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

Buckingham Palace, 20 March 1829

Until this day, his investiture before King George IV, Lord Mathew Chamberlain, the Duke of Hertfordshire, did not have the full powers and rights of his title.

Two years after the King ascended to the throne, he ordered renovations to the then Buckingham House and decided to make the informal title of Buckingham Palace a reality.

The chamber they were in for the ceremony that day was one of those which had been newly renovated and redecorated.

The King had been spending money on his project for seven years already.

No one, except his mother at times, called the young duke Matty any longer.

When he had entered Eton at the age of fourteen, he had requested to be called by his full first name, for those who had the privilege of doing so.

Growing up with Mama and Father, Mathew had no improper pride, but he was fully cognisant of his duties as duke.

With Mama, Father, Grandmama Anne—Grandpapa Robert had joined Papa in heaven in 1825—Uncle Andrew and Aunt Marie, the Earl and Countess of Matlock—Uncle Reggie had passed away in 1821.

Aunt Elaine was at Fitzwilliam House suffering from a spring cold—looking on from the front row of important guests, the Duke of Hertfordshire knelt before the debauched King of England who prepared to touch his shoulders with his ceremonial sword.

He did not look at his brothers, sisters, and cousins in the row behind his parents and grandmother as he was sure one of them would do something to make him laugh.

Until Robert Darcy had been taken by influenza in October of 1825, Elizabeth and William had kept to their determination to move between Castlemere and Falconwood when not in London. After his death, they added Pemberley to the mix of estates they lived at.

They refused to allow Lady Anne to move to the dower house.

She was only too happy to remain with her son and daughters at whatever estate or house they resided at.

Lady Anne claimed that her bevy of grandchildren, which included the adopted ones, kept her young.

Lady Anne’s many adopted grandchildren were those born to Lizzy’s sisters.

Outside with the coaches were Biggs and Johns who still headed the guards for Her Grace and her family. So far, they had refused any and all offers to retire from service.

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

Elizabeth—as of today the Dowager Duchess of Hertfordshire—and William looked on with parental pride while the King touched their son on his shoulders, and he officially became the Duke of Hertfordshire.

They were well pleased that His Majesty was not in his cups on this day.

Even with the blunted ceremonial sword, one could do damage if not careful.

They had spoken of it a few nights ago, and William had agreed with Elizabeth’s decision.

Like their older brother, one million pounds was placed in trust for Gracie—even at nineteen she did not object to that form of her name—and Winston.

Elizabeth decided to give their Darcy daughters a dowry of one hundred thousand pounds each, and a similar amount to sons after Alex.

The rest of the Hertfordshire fortune would be split among her and Archy’s three children.

Of the seven non-entailed estates, two would go to each of the three Chamberlain children while Elizabeth would retain Castlemere and will it to one of her grandchildren.

On the ride home to Darcy House after the investiture, Elizabeth acknowledged how lucky she had been to earn not only the love of one, but two excellent men.

She lifted her eyes to the heavens. ‘ Yes, Archy, I know, you were right. I will always love you, but as you know and predicted, I love William fiercely, as I do all of the children equally, be their family names Chamberlain or Darcy. Rest well, Your Grace, William and I will see you one day, hopefully many decades in the future. ’ After her silent words to her late husband, she sat back against the squabs.

William reached out and squeezed her hand, the love she felt for him reflected back at her in his eyes.

~~~The End~~~

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