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Cecile nodded. Ten thousand pounds would put her back on her feet quite nicely. “You know that I have no choice. Count me in.”

Wickham smirked. “I knew I could depend on you. Let us hope the source proves accurate.”

Pemberley

The Library

Lady Waltham was beside herself as Fitzwilliam Darcy completely ignored her, escorting his supposed cousin into the library, hand-in-hand. As Mrs. Reynolds began to lead her up the stairs, Gwendolyn turned and ran back down them, heading directly to the library as though she had not been rebuked. When William looked up at her entrance to the room, she declared, “What I have to say to you is private!”

Drawing himself up to his full height, William never flinched. “I told you that I have nothing to say to you, madam, nor do I wish to listen to your drivel.”

Gwendolyn stood motionless for some time, her fiery eyes flickering between William and Elizabeth. She craved to hurl the gossip learned in London at her rival, but knew it would be more effective if she used it against Fitzwilliam...alone. Huffing, she headed towards the door.

“This is not over, Fitzwilliam. You will face me sooner or later!” With that pronouncement, she was out the door and a livid housekeeper escorted to her to the smallest, least comfortable guest room at the end of the hallway.

“What was that all about?” Elizabeth asked. Clearly the woman was acting the part of a jealous lover. At William’s look of dismay, she laid a hand on his arm. “I am sorry. I should not have asked. If you do not wish to tell me—”

“I wish you to know everything, though I fear you will care less for me afterward.”

Elizabeth cupped his face and brushed a light kiss across his lips, causing him to ache for more. “Nothing ... absolutely nothing could induce me to care less. Since we have found each other again, you have been all that is good and kind towards me, and that is as far in the past as I care to delve.”

“A very wise person once said, ‘If we are to be together, I must tell you. Otherwise, there will be a gulf between us, and I could not bear it.’”

Elizabeth smiled, though tears threatened as they filled her eyes. “As another wise person replied, ‘Then tell me everything.’”

William smiled wanly, pulling her into his arms as if to keep her from escaping. He kept his head lying atop hers, fearing to look into her beautiful face as he explained his relationship with Gwendolyn Waltham. It took several minutes and, afterward, Elizabeth was deathly silent as neither moved. When he could bear it no more, William pushed her to arm’s length, though he still clutched her forearms. “Please say you do not hate me.”

Wiping the remnants of tears from her cheeks, Elizabeth tried to smile. “What happened to you was an injustice, just as surely as the one perpetrated against me. Lady Waltham took advantage of a good-hearted young boy, who has grown into the good-hearted man I love. That you turned your back on that type activity, when so many of your sphere would have embraced it without conscience, speaks well of your character.”

William kissed her deeply then murmured, “Oh, my sweet Elizabeth. Hearing you speak well of me is all I ever desired. Thank you for being so understanding.”

“I could also thank you for your understanding heart, but we would be all night singing each other’s praises.” She kissed him lightly again. “Now, if I remember correctly, you wanted to take a hot bath to soak your poor, aching back. Being on horseback most of the day must have been excruciating. Come, let us retire, so you may get some relief.”

“I look forward to the respite of soaking in my tub, but knowing that you know everything and love me still is worth more than all the hot water in Derbyshire in allowing me to sleep.”

Peals of delicious laughter filled the room, bringing a smile to his face. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, how do you always know just what to say to make me love you more?”

~~~*~~~

Once in her room, Gwendolyn had donned her most revealing nightgown, though she had no intention of sleeping. She sat down and waited for what she concluded was a sufficient amount of time for the household to settle down. Upon determining that everyone was probably abed, she donned a robe, blew out the candle on her dresser and opened the door barely wide enough to peer into the hall. It was pitch black save for the occasional lit candle in the sconces along the wall. As she moved down the corridor hoping to locate William’s quarters, she heard footsteps coming and quickly tried a nearby doorknob. Finding it unlocked, she slipped inside an empty bedchamber and placed her ear against the door. Not hearing anything more, she opened the door slightly and was startled as William walked past in the dark. Not seeing her, he turned and greeted Adams, who was coming along behind him. They carried on a whispered conversation well within hearing distance of her hiding place.

“Sir, I have come from the kitchen. I am having more water heated for your bath, as what I brought up earlier has cooled. It is still warm, but not as hot as you like it.”

“Thank you, Adams. It is entirely my fault for taking so long downstairs. I shall begin my bath with what you have here. Just bring more hot water up when you can.”

“Very well, sir. I shall return just as soon as it heats.” With those words, the servant retreated the way he had come, and William entered his dressing room, leaving the door unlocked for his valet.

Gwendolyn could not wipe the smile from her face. She could not have planned a better seduction. She would wait until William was in his bath to slip inside his room, and this time, he would not be able to resist her. Congratulating herself on her ingenuity, Gwendolyn looked about the room for a chair and finding one, sat down to wait. Fitzwilliam would have time to undress and enter his bath, and then she would appear.

~~~*~~~

Lord Greenwich was already in bed when his wife opened the door between their rooms and appeared at his bedside, candle in hand.

“Martha, my dear, what are you about? I thought you would be asleep by now.”

“I cannot rest. There is something about Gwendolyn’s behaviour that does not seem right to me. Though she said she and Mr. Darcy were old friends, he did not seem happy to see her in the least. And did you see how she snubbed his cousin’s greeting, almost as if she were jealous? I tell you, Harrison, there is more to this than meets the eye. I pray that we have not been ill used to upset Mr. Darcy.”

“One could not help but notice the snub of Mr. Darcy’s cousin or Gwendolyn’s jealous behaviour, and the tension between her and Fitzwilliam was palpable. I, too, fear there might be a reason, other than the weather, that we were diverted to Pemberley.”