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“I told him that the walls are much too thin, as I could clearly hear other people saying their prayers!”

Suddenly remembering what Elizabeth had cried out in the throes of passion, William schooled his face to show neither recognition nor pride, the latter having surfaced unbidden.

“I was trying to sleep. It was the middle of the night, and suddenly a woman shouted, ‘my Lord in heaven’ only it came out as one word … my-lord-in-heaven! Whatever do you suppose she was praying for, Darce?”

William never replied, nor did he glance back at his guffawing cousin as he strode back to his coach, climbed in and sat down next to Elizabeth. But inside, he was smiling.

Seeing her quizzical expression, he offered, “Richard wanted to know if he was staying at Pemberley or Rosewood Manor when we reached home.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“I told him that he was welcome to visit Pemberley, but he is staying with the Ingrams until I decide that the honeymoon is over!”

The sound of the horses being whipped into action covered Elizabeth’s giggles as she turned in the seat to face William, nuzzling into his neck before laying her head against him and closing her eyes as his arms encircled her tightly. Never would she learn what Richard had said regarding her cries of pleasure. Nor would she know that William was torn between being exceedingly proud and being slightly embarrassed that they had been heard.

~~~*~~~

Chapter 43

Rosewood Manor

As Georgiana came down the grand staircase, servants were rushing to and fro, almost colliding with one another in their attempts to get everything accomplished before the coach arrived with the Master of Rosewood. According to the last express he had sent, he would arrive today. Being exceedingly anxious, Georgiana had already questioned Mrs. Jenkins regarding the progress of the preparations, and the housekeeper’s assurances had calmed her somewhat.

For her part, Georgiana had awakened at first light, gone into the nursery to check on Millie and found her wide awake. She had lain down on the bed with her child, hoping a cuddle with her mama might lull her back to sleep, but after a half-hour of back rubs and lullabies, she gave up, and, with daughter in tow, headed below stairs.

Now three hours later, Georgiana sat anxiously watching the drive through the drawing room windows, while Mrs. Calvert entertained an increasingly heavy-eyed child by reading to her. She will probably be irritable and sleepy by the time Evan arrives. A big yawn from Millie just at that very moment confirmed her fears.

“Mrs. Calvert, please take Millie back to her bed for a short nap so that she will be well rested when her papa arrives home.”

Millie’s head swiftly whirled around to study her mother. “Papa?” she echoed.

“Yes, darling,” Georgiana replied, smiling at the tow-headed child that she no longer remembered was not her own flesh and blood. “Your Papa will be home by midday, and our family shall be complete again! That will make you and Mama smile!”

Millie nodded, doing exactly that. “Mama smile.”

Georgiana walked over and took her up in her arms, running her fingers lightly over her face. “Yes, Mama smiles when Papa is home.” Then she handed her child to the nurse who had waited patiently and was now reaching to take the bundle of muslin, lace and beribboned hair. Millie’s face crumpled, her bottom lip starting to poke out. Georgiana laughed.

“You will get nowhere by pouting, sweetling!”

She leaned in to kiss her daughter’s soft forehead before the now whining child was carried out of the room. Her cries began in earnest once she could no longer see her mother, and Georgiana, stepping to the doorway, watched stealthily as Millie’s tears of protest lessened the farther Mrs. Calvert walked, stopping completely by the time they negotiated the hallway upstairs. Then she walked back into the room smiling, remembering the nurse’s assertion that Millie never cried for long.

As her daughter was now down for a nap, Georgiana focused her attention solely on the deserted front drive, sighing heavily. Where are you, Evan?

Pemberley

The scene at Pemberley was not unlike the one at Rosewood Manor. However, there was one difference—there was no one to question Mrs. Reynolds about the state of preparedness.

For years, she had been solely in charge of the house and often took care of a myriad of other tasks while Mr. Darcy was away for long periods—not because she particularly desired to do so, but because the task fell to her lot. Or at least it had up until now. The realisation that someone else would now be taking care of the matters previously ascribed to Anne Darcy stopped the elderly servant in her tracks as she crossed the foyer on yet another trip to the kitchen. Captivated by the notion, she felt the corners of her mouth lifting into a smile. After all these years, Pemberley is truly going to have a mistress once more!

When she was unmarried, Georgiana had often tried to function as hostess at dinners and such, even showing some interest in running the house, but she had never attempted to fill her mother’s role. Thus, Mrs. Reynolds seldom dwelled on the possibility of someone else replacing Anne Darcy ... until Elizabeth had come.

Suddenly, something drew her attention to the top of the grand staircase, where an apparition of William’s father and mother materialized, their eyes communing with hers. They were dressed exactly as she had seen them before the last dinner party that Mrs. Darcy had been well enough to attend. The housekeeper had had similar glimpses of them over the years, and each revelation reassured her that they were watching over Pemberley and their children. With shining eyes, she addressed them in her heart.

Fitzwilliam has married a good woman who loves him—Elizabeth Bennet. And just as when I spoke to you of Miss Georgiana’s husband, I have no doubt that you would heartily approve of his choice, too. You raised them well, and I pray that you rest in the assurance that, because they are honourable, they have found the happiness that oft times evades those of their circle.

Suddenly the candles on the large chandelier overhead flickered, causing her to chuckle. You need not remind me that, though I may be a sentry, I am never alone on my watch.

A familiar ache remained as they faded away, and a quick swipe of her hand removed all traces of the tears that had suddenly surfaced. Straightaway, Pemberley’s long-time servant resumed her duties as though nothing untoward had occurred. After all, there was much to accomplish before the arrival of Mr. Darcy and his bride.