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“Blame it on the fact that you were thinking of the return of another who is dear to you—one that has been returned from the dead as it were. That is all, sweetheart.”

Jane leaned in to place a soft kiss on Charles’ lips, and when she pulled back, she recognised the look in his eyes and smiled slyly. “I do not have to see to the packing this very moment.”

“Do you suppose Peter will sleep for another hour?” he ventured eagerly.

“I just imagine that he will.”

With Jane’s arm wrapped securely around his, they made their way up the grand staircase, first to the nursery where Charles placed Peter in his bed under the watchful eye of his nurse, and then, with hands clasped, to their own bedchamber. And for the next hour or more, they forgot all their cares as they celebrated the joys that came with being married to someone you dearly love.

An inn on the way to Derbyshire

“There you are, Cousin!” Richard strode forward to clasp William’s hand as he and Elizabeth stepped down from the coach a good hour after dark. If not for the torches along the front of the inn, it would have been pitch black, as the clouds obscured the moon. On the breeze, the smell of rain in the distance made Elizabeth take a deep breath of fresh air.

“I was beginning to think I should send a search party out to find you!”

His eyes danced with delight as William scoffed, “Considering how late we left Liverpool, we made good time. I was determined that we would arrive tonight before the rain, as I want to reach Pemberley with the rest of you tomorrow.”

Richard lifted his brows in mischief. “Were you afraid of the tales I would weave if I returned to Pemberley before you?”

William smiled knowingly. “No, I was afraid that if I did not reach this far tonight, you might decide to wait for me in the morning and ride back in my coach. As it is, I can now rest assured that you will travel with the others, and Elizabeth and I will be alone again tomorrow as we travel.”

Richard grabbed his heart with both hands. “I am wounded!” Glancing over William’s shoulder, he addressed Elizabeth. “Do you see how this reprobate treats his relations? Would that you had known this before you married the scoundrel!”

Elizabeth’s musical laughter filled the night air, instantly reminding Richard of the young girl he had met two years ago at Rosings. Taking in her lovely appearance, he thought of how far she had come since William had brought her into his home—into his heart. Elizabeth Bennet had come back to life! No, it was Elizabeth Darcy who had risen from the dead.

His musings were interrupted by Elizabeth’s impertinent retort. “I have firsthand knowledge of his kindness and generosity, sir. I shall never be dissuaded from my regard for him.”

William smiled lovingly at his bride as Richard stepped aside to motion them on into the inn. “Then so be it, milady. Since you have been hopelessly hoodwinked by my cousin, there is nothing I can add, except to say that I wish you both joy!”

Elizabeth placed her hand around the arm that William extended, and they proceeded inside to find a clerk giving directions to several servants, while their trunks were being carried up the stairs by William’s footmen.

Trying to hide a smile, William enquired, “Why are the others not here to greet us? Are they already asleep?”

“You have guessed correctly. They have long since succumbed to fatigue—neither is able to endure such weariness as often follows a career such as mine. Only an experienced officer could withstand such incessant travel and still function admirably at this hour.” At William’s raised brow, he guffawed, “Or a newly married man!”

“You should not have waited up either,” William offered. “But I must confess that it was good to see your smiling face when we emerged from the coach.” Richard shrugged at the tribute.

As the newlyweds started up the stairs, William threw a question over his shoulder. “Were you able to get us a suite?”

“Yes, though you shall be sharing it with me!”

Stopping in the middle of the stairs, William turned, his face now sporting a frown. Enjoying himself immensely, Richard commenced to explain. “There were only so many rooms left when we arrived. The suite has two bedrooms with a sitting room between, so I told them I would take it!”

Because Richard had signed the register when he arranged for the room, the staff had no idea if the couple newly arrived were married, other than by their affectionate manner. And since Elizabeth wore gloves, there was no ring to placate their uncertainty. Thus the maid escorting their party coloured a bright shade of red at the mention of just who would be sleeping where.

Richard, having seen her disquiet, was much too amused to desist. Thus, he waited until she had escorted them inside the sitting room to say solemnly, “I just assumed that you and I would share a bedroom, Darce.”

William choked as he swallowed, causing him to strangle a cough and Richard added, “Surely you do not expect the young lady to share!”

The maid was so taken aback that she immediately ran out of the room, slamming the door and causing Richard to laugh uproariously. William’s first inclination was to be angry with his cousin for letting the maid think that Elizabeth might not be his wife, but as he glanced Elizabeth’s way, he saw that she was not angry in the least. Her shoulders were shaking, and she covered her mouth with both hands, trying desperately not to make a sound. Meeting her eyes, they both laughed out loud, while Richard joined their merriment.

Hearing the occupants of the suite laugh so stoutly after she pulled the door shut, the maid gasped. Then she quickly went in search of the other night maid, wishing to share her experience with the party in the expensive suite with someone who would understand.

Finding Henrietta in the kitchen, she went through the entire tale before adding, “All I can say is that the lady did not look in the least offended at their discussion of the number of beds available.”

Henrietta shook her head knowingly. “I do not believe I shall ever understand these rich folk.”

Back in their bedchamber, William made a mental note to make certain that the entire staff of the inn would know he and Elizabeth were married before he had departed the next day. Perhaps adding a bonus for the first-rate service rendered on their return home from their wedding would serve the purpose.