Lady Catherine reluctantly accepted Elizabeth’s invitation to join the household for tea. She still had offered her nephew’s wife no apology, but she kept a civil tongue in her head and prayed it would be enough to pacify Darcy. The thought of deigning to admit her wrongdoing did not sit well with Her Ladyship.

“Sir Phillip,” she said in acknowledgment of the man, who stood upon her entrance.“I am pleased to see you again after all these years.”

The baronet clicked his heels together before bowing in her direction. “Catherine Fitzwilliam de Bourgh, you are as beautiful as ever.” He kissed Lady Catherine’s fingertips.

“And you, Sir Phillip, are a perpetual liar.” She swatted at his arm with her gloved hand. “Come, sit beside me so we might speak of our days at Matlock.”

“As you wish, Your Ladyship.”


Soon the room filled with congenial company; Sir Phillip spoke often to Lady Catherine, but Darcy carefully noted how much more often, and with some degree of stealth, the man’s eyes drifted to the others enjoying the midmorning’s refreshments. Sir Phillip looked at each of them—listening to their words—trying to deduce what each was thinking. Darcy followed the baronet’s eyes with his own, trying desperately to observe in his guests what the magistrate saw—looking for something he had not seen previously.

Darcy’s gaze fell upon Mrs. Williams. She looked down at her lap, appearing deeply exhausted. When had she become so tired looking? Dark circles rimmed her eyes—charcoal smudges telling tales of no sleep—or of a guilty conscience, perhaps, or of twisted lies. Evelyn Williams did not stir—did not speak—simply stared unrelentingly at her teacup.

“Is something the matter with the refreshments, Mrs.Williams?” Elizabeth had noted his interest in the woman and spoke the words he could not.

Instantly alert, the woman stammered,“Noth-nothing is wrong. Everything is exquisite, as usual, Mrs. Darcy.You set a most admirable table.” Mrs. Williams took the cup in hand and returned to her tea, obviously shaken to have brought notice to herself.

“I wonder where Lieutenant Harwood has taken himself off to?” Cathleen Donnel commented as she motioned for more tea from the footman.

“Building up his appetite,” the viscount grumbled.

Mr. Worth whispered conspiratorially, “Harwood will show when he thinks our solitude least bearable.”

Stafford looked very displeased. “The man does have a knack for a grand entrance—reminds me of a distant cousin on my father’s side—likes to come late to every engagement so he might be the center of attention—a deceptive conceit.”

Lady Catherine displayed a determined smile. Her words, however, belied her attempt at politeness. “If I were never to see the man again, it would be too soon.”

“It appears the lieutenant has a few critics,” Sir Phillip remarked to no one in particular. His notice reminded Darcy to listen to what people said between the words, and that even silence spoke volumes. Of course, he expected Nigel Worth would disapprove of Harwood—the man’s interest in Anne would make it so, but to hear Stafford voice his dislike surprised Darcy. His eyes first met Elizabeth’s and then Spurlock’s. They both returned his gaze with interest; they, too, had heard the tone of the viscount’s words.

Not unexpectedly, Anne had absented herself from the group. Darcy had anticipated her reluctance to see Harwood before their intended meeting. At Elizabeth’s earlier suggestion, he had sent Georgiana to Anne’s room to keep their cousin company. “One never knows whether Harwood might speak to Anne privately,” he told his wife. “He may try to intimidate Anne or even play on her sympathies.” Now, he wondered if his prediction had proved true: Perhaps Harwood had chosen to confront Anne—even going so far as to appear at his cousin’s bedroom door. Darcy’s first instinct was to rush from the room and to put an end to the man’s plan, but Elizabeth, who had graciously abdicated her position of importance at the room’s center to his aunt and who now, quite naturally, sat on his right, whispered, “Georgiana will send word if the lieutenant calls unannounced on Miss de Bourgh.”

Darcy shot her a surprised look, but Elizabeth remained impassive, feigning no knowledge of what had just passed between them. “How is it that after barely a year of our marriage you are capable of reading my thoughts so expertly?” He leaned toward her—a private moment between husband and wife. If others saw, they would think he gave her instructions regarding a household matter.

Quite naturally, she turned her head and murmured, “We have an undeniable connection—a oneness that spans the universe.”

“I love you,” he whispered into her hair.

Elizabeth flushed but made no other comment.

“Mrs. Wickham,” Lord Stafford spoke sympathetically to the woman across from him, “how long will you remain with your sister? Shall yours be a lengthy visit?”

Lydia had been exceedingly quiet. In fact, few had seen her since her hysterics had sent her elder sister flying across the room. Although she answered civilly, her response lacked her usual exuberance. “If my sister will tolerate my intrusion, I had hoped for another fortnight, at least. My husband will not return from Bath before then. I so despise being in Newcastle without him—going among the officers unescorted is simply not done.”

“Going unescorted in society is always frowned upon, Mrs. Wickham,” he casually noted.

Lydia nodded passively. “So it is,Your Lordship.”

Elizabeth joined their conversation. “Of course, you must stay with us, Lyddie.” She knew her younger sister’s sense of guilt greatly outweighed the “crime.” “You have seen nothing of Pemberley or of the neighborhood, except for the sledding hill.The weather will change shortly, and we will have much to occupy us, I assure you. I do know how you thrive on social interactions.”

“Thank you, Lizzy,” she murmured. “I would enjoy spending time with you and with Miss Darcy. I truly miss my sisters and walking to Meryton daily and teasing Mary and Mama and Papa.”

Elizabeth smiled indulgently at her youngest sister. Lydia Wickham, although married for more than a year, was but seventeen and was still a young girl.“As do I, Lydia. We shall raid the village shops of their finest, and I will see a smile upon your face again.”

The girl gave her sister the shyest of smiles. “I will honestly try, Lizzy.”


After the refreshments, Darcy dutifully led his aunt into one of the smaller drawing rooms, away from the main hallway. He sent a footman for Anne and asked Mr. Worth to join them shortly. “I wish to speak to you privately,Your Ladyship,” he said as he set the door ajar. Lady Catherine said nothing, but she graciously accepted the support of his arm. Darcy became more aware of her feebleness, but it did not change his resolve to speak honestly to his mother’s only sister. Once she was comfortably seated, he continued. “I am gratified by your agreement to remain at Pemberley, Aunt, but it is my understanding that you have made no move to apologize to Mrs. Darcy. I thought I made myself perfectly clear on that point.” He seated himself across from her, settling back into the cushions and giving the impression of being completely in control.

“I have had no opportunity.” His aunt shifted a bit uncomfortably, adjusting a shawl about her shoulders to fill the awkward moments.

“Did not Mrs. Darcy call upon you earlier to assure your presence at tea?”

He watched her in silence, forcing her to respond. “Yes,” she said grudgingly.

When she added nothing more, Darcy frowned. “Was that not an opportunity to address your regrets to my wife? No one would have had reason to hear but Elizabeth.”

“I could not find the words.” For a brief moment, her countenance softened; then a shuddering gasp for air brought her haughty stare.

Darcy shuttered his true feelings. “Then I suggest not only do you find the words, but you also find the opportunity to utter them in sincerity to Mrs. Darcy, or else I will personally have your belongings packed and will order your carriage.”

“You would do such a thing!” she declared.

“Do not cross me, Aunt, for you will lose. If I must choose between you and my wife, Elizabeth will win every time.”

“You would turn your back on all I have done for you—turn your back on your family?” Lady Catherine charged.

Darcy sighed in disbelief. “In a heartbeat.” Somewhat irritably, he continued, “Besides, my family is here—at Pemberley—Georgiana and Elizabeth and the child she carries.”

“Mrs. Darcy is to deliver?” Incredulity peppered the words. With her usual harrumph of disdain, Lady Catherine added, “ She will probably present you with a daughter.”

“If Mrs. Darcy gives me ten daughters, I would find no disappointment. The estate would simply go to one of Georgiana’s children. In fact, I would work twice as hard for my daughter, for she would need a valuable settlement to secure her future, and as much as I would enjoy teaching my son the intricacies of owning this estate, an entailed property is not the end of the world.”

His aunt looked at him in surprise. “You mean of what you speak? You affect this girl that much?”

“I do, Lady Catherine. My marriage to Elizabeth was the pivotal moment of my life. Of all I have accomplished, it is the summit.” Darcy smiled with satisfaction; he saw that his aunt finally understood.

She tasted frustration first and then shame. At last, Lady Catherine spoke. “I will do as you ask, Darcy. I will offer Mrs. Darcy an apology.”

“Thank you, Your Ladyship.” Before he could say more, Anne entered the room, followed only seconds later by Nigel Worth. Once they had seated themselves together, Darcy remarked, “We have only moments before Harwood’s appearance; I thought we might reiterate what we all know. I suspect Harwood will withdraw his demand for Anne’s hand in marriage, for such was never his intention.”

“The lieutenant wants money,” Worth snarled.

Darcy eyeballed him closely. “How are you so positive of Harwood’s motives, Worth?”

“Only yesterday evening, the lieutenant threatened to exact a fee for his silence.”

“You spoke to Harwood? When?”

“After the evening’s performance,” Worth admitted. “He and I exchanged words when I warned him away from Miss de Bourgh.”

Anne turned suddenly. “You did that? Warned Robert away from me?”

Anne’s use of the lieutenant’s familiar name bothered Worth, but he made himself ignore it. If she chose him now, what did it matter if she had once considered someone else? “How could I not do otherwise? The man upset you, and I will not look the other way in such matters.”

“You take too much on yourself, Mr. Worth,” Lady Catherine asserted.

Anne snapped, “Quiet, Mother. If Nigel chooses to defend my honor, I am most gratified.”

Actually taking away the earlier sting, the use of his Christian name on Anne de Bourgh’s lips thrilled Worth. “I would have said more except for our agreement to make it appear that you traveled to Liverpool to meet me.”

“I wish I had been so astute,” Anne whispered and dropped her eyes in embarrassment.

Darcy recovered the conversation.“Do we know for how much Harwood will ask?”

“The lieutenant’s exact words to me were,‘More than you have.’”

“And how much is that exactly, Mr. Worth?” Lady Catherine asked.

Worth sucked in a deep breath. “Do you ask, Your Ladyship, of my financial soundness?”

“I believe my aunt wishes to know the extent of your—er—worth,Worth.”

Nigel rolled his eyes good-naturedly. “As if I have never heard that one before, Darcy.”Then returning his attention to Lady Catherine, he became serious once more. “My grandfather left me a small bequest, which I have invested wisely—thanks to my knowledge of law and business. At last accounting…somewhere in the neighborhood of thirty-two thousand pounds. My practice brings in five hundred to six hundred per year.”

“Thirty-two thousand!” Anne exclaimed. “Then you do not need my fortune.Why did you not tell me?”

“It is not who I am. I determined some time ago to not spend more than I could afford. A single man has few expenses, and as for announcing my worth, I preferred a woman to choose me, not my purse strings.” He looked deeply into Anne’s eyes, holding her gaze.“We will speak more of this once we have properly dealt with Lieutenant Harwood. I shall have you know it all.”


“Thank you, Lord Stafford, for agreeing to speak to me.” Sir Phillip took up his pen to make some notes.