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We shall secure a suite of rooms for you at the inn if they have any available, assuming you intend to catch up with us sometime later today.

We wish you joy!

Richard

Tears filled William’s eyes, and Elizabeth grasped his hand, squeezing it in solidarity. “Your family is all that is good and kind,” she whispered as she slid an arm around him.

He chuckled quietly, thinking of Lady Catherine and Gladys Fitzwilliam. “Not all of my family, but the ones I care most for certainly are.”

“I really have only Jane and her family and my aunt and uncle in Cheapside, but they are all that is good and kind, too, and I love them.”

“And they shall be a part of my family—our family. You shall spend all the time you want with them, and they will be welcome at Pemberley or Darcy House whenever they desire to visit.”

Elizabeth’s brow knit. “Will I only be allowed to see them at Pemberley or Darcy House?”

“Of course not, sweetheart! But I intend to be very careful with you, my dear wife, and with where you visit. Those members of your family that are neither good nor kind may still mean you harm. I am determined that they shall never be near you again—or our children.”

She smiled at the mention of children and nodded in understanding. “I never want to see them again, either.”

William pulled her into his chest, and placed a kiss atop her head. “Then it is settled. We shall welcome the ones we love and those who love us into our lives and our children’s lives. They shall be our family.”

Elizabeth nodded as big tears rolled down her cheeks. “Our family. It sounds so wonderful.”

~~~*~~~

Chapter 42

Going Home

The hypnotic sway of the carriage had rocked Elizabeth almost to sleep only an hour outside Liverpool, though the last time William had asked, she had insisted that she was not tired. He chuckled contentedly at the way she leaned into him. Moving his arm to wrap it around her shoulder caused Elizabeth to tilt precariously forward, so he gently pulled her back, and her head came to rest against his shoulder.

His low baritone was smooth as he whispered in her ear, “Lie down, sweetheart. Put your head in my lap and your feet on the seat. If you rest, you will feel much better by the time we stop for a change of horses.”

“But what of you?” Elizabeth murmured sleepily, yawning and rubbing her eyes. “You must be just as tired as I am.”

He laughed aloud, the deep sound reverberating through his body into hers and filling her with happiness. Smiling now, she looked back over her shoulder to study him.

And to think that I once thought him incapable of merriment!

Her thoughts were quickly interrupted by his declaration. “Surely you do not think I can lie down in this coach, sweetheart! While you sleep, I shall lean into this corner and doze as I always do while travelling.” Quickly lowering his head to nuzzle her neck, he whispered seductively, “Now, lie down and rest, my love, as I intend to keep you awake again tonight.”

Swiftly she turned her head to meet the lips now placing hot kisses on her neck, triggering another very passionate interlude. Not expecting such a response, William whirled her around so that she faced him. His eyes shown with unbridled desire, and she felt herself melting into him as he cupped her face and drew her mouth to his. If not for the driver calling out a command to the horses a few seconds later, William might have completely forgotten that they were not alone. He smiled sheepishly as he pulled back to look into her equally affected eyes. His desire had kindled hers, and she sighed audibly when he broke away.

“I forgot where we were for a moment.”

“I … I forgot as well, my darling,” Elizabeth murmured, resting her forehead against his. With such close proximity, their lips could do naught but join again, though this time there was not the previous urgency. After several minutes of deliciously tantalizing kisses, William loosened his grip and lowered her to lie in his lap.

“Rest, my love.” One hand tenderly smoothed her hair. “Rest,” he murmured with an exhaled breath.

Soothed by his tender caresses, Elizabeth closed her eyes. Last night had been both infinitely satisfying and totally exhausting. William was right—she should rest while she had opportunity.

As he observed the rise and fall of her chest, it was not long until William realised that her breathing had become steady. Once he was convinced she was soundly asleep, he reached into his pocket to retrieve the letter that had fallen out of Elizabeth’s Bible just before they were wed. Though it had been forgotten in the euphoria of last night, he had caught sight of it when he had donned his coat this morning. And while he intended to return the letter, he wished to read it through once more before confessing that it had fallen into his hands. Written two years ago, he was unsure if he remembered correctly what he had said and was equally worried that he had.

Pulling the familiar paper from its hiding place, he noted first that it was well worn, almost falling apart at the folds, evidence that she must have read it often. His eyes flicked to Elizabeth’s face, serenely beautiful in sleep. Determining that she was indeed unaware, he began to read the words that he had written in anger so long ago. The further he read, the more ashamed he was of his arrogance. Every word had been fashioned to defend his position with absolutely no concern for her feelings. Finishing the first page, he was convinced that she must have hated him more with every examination of it. But, as he moved the page to read the second, he discovered that someone had written on the back of the first.

Immediately, he recognised Elizabeth’s delicate script, and his breath caught at the tenderness contained in the greeting.

My Fitzwilliam,