“You are bewitching.” He returned her smile and lowered his head to kiss her lips.

Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled her body closer to his, and Darcy felt himself becoming aroused by her nearness. “Fitzwilliam,” she whispered as she kissed along his jaw line. “I have something special to tell you; I hope you will be pleased to know I am with child.”

The news ricocheted through his body. “A child, Elizabeth—you are with child? My heir—an heir for Pemberley grows within you. Everything.You are everything, I do so love you, my Lizzy.”

The dream moved to the next level as he caressed her tenderly and kissed the woman he loved more than life. The kiss grew deeper and deeper, and Darcy could feel her passion grow under his touch. She brought magic to his life and love to his home.

“Umm,” he moaned as he loosened her hold on him so he could turn to face her. “Are you awake already, my Love?” Darcy moved the curls from her face.“It’s very early,” he whispered to the air.

“I was dreaming about you,” she mumbled, fighting to return to sleep.

He kissed her forehead. “I dreamed of you, Elizabeth Bennet Darcy, since I saw you first in Meryton.”

“Do you mean when I was only tolerable?” A hint of a smile turned up the corners of her mouth as she gave over to being awake.

“Will I never live down that remark?” Darcy teased as his kisses moved down the side of Elizabeth’s face.

Elizabeth kept her eyes closed although she now felt fully awake.“Maybe in twenty or thirty years.”

“We will add your ‘last man in the world I could be prevailed upon to marry’ to those phrases we wish to forget.” Darcy found her upturned mouth and kissed it tenderly.

“Our child will wonder why his parents once were so foolish.” Elizabeth’s free hand snaked around his waist and caressed the small of Darcy’s back and down his hips. Instinctively, his hand reached a similar point on her body as he pulled her closer to him.

“Our child will know his parents married for love.” He kissed along her neck and across her shoulder blade.

“Then you are truly happy, my Husband? A finer lady would not please you more?”

Darcy’s hand cupped her face. “Remember, my Love, I am sick of civility, of deference, and of officious attention; I desire only the liveliness of your mind.”

Elizabeth’s smile and the desire in her eyes encased him.“At the moment, Mr. Darcy, I doubt my mind has anything to do with the warmth I feel coming from your body.”

“You are correct, Mrs. Darcy; I believe my frivolous sensibilities are lost to you alone.” Darcy kissed her passionately, his tongue searching her mouth.

“I love you, Fitzwilliam.”

Her words created an immediate need in him, and Darcy’s hands began to search the intimate points on her body. Lost to loving her, he groaned,“Lizzy.”

“You know that is the one word which drives me crazy. I love the way you slur the z’s; it tells me how much you desire me.” Her voice came out in gasps as his assault of her body continued.“Say it again, please.”

“I love you, Lizzy,” he whispered in her ear.

“That is perfect—absolutely perfect.”

Elizabeth’s presence created a quagmire for him from the beginning. A full gamut of emotions possessed him during those months—fear, bewilderment, elation, depression, devastation, happiness, and satisfaction. Now, he could not remember a time when he did not love her and when Elizabeth was not his wife. Yet, in reality, they had only been a couple for three months.

A smile turned up the corners of his mouth as visions of Elizabeth appeared behind his closed eyes. When he first dreamed of her, Darcy only saw her fine eyes or her enigmatic smile.Those images flitted in and out of his subconscious, often distracting and befuddling him because Elizabeth, by his early assessment, lacked all the qualities he wanted in a wife. As time progressed, thoughts of Elizabeth’s vivacity, as well as his respect for her, grew, and Darcy began to picture her as a part of his life. He often fell asleep with visions of Elizabeth Bennet standing on the steps of Pemberley or walking with him and Georgiana through his estate’s parkland.Those dreams of Elizabeth lasted many months, and Darcy feared he would never know the living, breathing Elizabeth Bennet.

Finally, he won her heart; then his dreams took on a more intimate nature. He dreamed of Elizabeth in his bed and the pure pleasure of taking her. However, none of those dreams came close to the actual act of touching and feeling Elizabeth in his embrace. He so needed her in his life. Darcy abandoned all the “restrictions” of love; they shared love as it should happen between a man and a woman—natural desire and respect. He knew not how other gentlemen treated their wives, other than bar talk, which he considered to be the alcohol and false pride speaking. He spent his time with Elizabeth trying to please her before he took his own pleasure, and Darcy welcomed her coming to him when she desired him. Such love could not be contained by the proprieties of the time.

“Do you plan to stay in your tub all day, my Husband?” Elizabeth’s voice held strands of amusement as she stood looking at the muscular frame of the man she loved.

“I could not get you out of my mind,” he said before submerging. When he came out of the water, he called, “Would you hand me a towel?”

Elizabeth’s eyes traced his frame when he stood. “Maybe I should help you dry off.” Her voice betrayed her real thoughts.

“As much as your offer pleases me,” he began,“we still have a house full of guests.” Darcy took the towel she offered and then stepped forward to kiss her lips gently. “Mmm, so tempting.” He could not take his eyes from hers.“I swear, Elizabeth, when we rid ourselves of these guests, I will never invite another to my house. I want the pleasure of loving you all day—every day.”

“Fitzwilliam, you are so not what I once thought. How could I ever think you to be so proper?” She snickered as she lightly touched the expanse of his chest and dabbed the water dripping from his hair. “I will wait for you in the sitting room,” Elizabeth said with a hesitation. “We will go down to breakfast together.”

“I will only be a moment.” He kissed her cheek while she caressed his chest. As she started to walk away from him, Darcy grabbed his robe and quickly cinched it while he crossed the room and caught her arm. “Elizabeth.” She turned to look at him, and he cupped her face in his hand. “Do you have any idea what effect you have on me?” His eyes searched her face, praying she would understand him.

“You have a like effect on me, Sir.” Elizabeth went on her tiptoes to nibble on his lower lip.

Both of them found their breath coming in short gasps before they even touched each other. “We are coming back to this room for an early afternoon nap; we are both very tired today after staying up so late last evening.” He nearly whispered the words because she never released him from her eyes.

A hint of a grin fell upon her face. “I am exceedingly tired today, Fitzwilliam; we may need to spend several hours resting, but for now I will be waiting in the sitting room, my Love.”

Darcy released her arm to let Elizabeth leave, but it took several moments for him to move.

Henry finally appeared.“Are you ready, Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth sent his man in to help him dress.

“Yes, Henry, I am.”

Elizabeth blushed with his attention.“From tolerable to beautiful—that is quite a change of heart, Mr. Darcy,” she teased.

“I was always open-minded, my Love,” Darcy returned the taunt.

“Oh—definitely,” she returned, “how could I have ever doubted you?”

“Yes, Uncle, we took longer coming down this morning, but we could all use a few extra minutes’ sleep after our joyful evening.” Elizabeth walked to him and offered up an affectionate embrace.

Darcy asked from the side bar table, “May I fix you a plate, Elizabeth?”

“Yes, Fitzwilliam, but please remember my delicate constitution.” She moved to greet her aunt also.

“I doubt Mr. Darcy is likely to forget the delicacy of her condition any time soon,” Jane Bingley teased as she carried her husband’s plate to the table and returned for one of her own.

“That is true, Mrs. Bingley.Your sister will have to go some to top this gift.” Darcy’s eyes fell on his wife when he said these words.“Only twins could outdo this one.”

“Twins!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “May I deal with only one heir for Pemberley at a time, Sir?” Her tone told everyone his familiarity in front of her family members did not offend her.

“Listen to the two of you,” Charles Bingley laughed. “Could anyone at this table ever think Darcy to be so happy? Mrs. Darcy, he is a changed man.”

“I told him something similar just a few minutes ago.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled, and Darcy’s eyebrow shot up, anticipating her remark.“He is not so proper, after all,” she teased.Visions of his body brought a flush to her cheeks.

“Well, I do not know about that,” Bingley chuckled. “But he does seem to have found contentment.”

“My wife is an exceptional woman.” Darcy crossed to place the plate on the table; then he kissed Elizabeth’s hand and held the chair for her as she took her place at his table.“Would you like tea, Madam?” He bowed slightly to indicate his attention to her needs.

“May I have chocolate instead?” She grinned with all his regard.

While the others found Darcy’s devotion to Elizabeth amusing, he, meanwhile, whispered in her ear, “Anything, Elizabeth.”

Kitty Bennet’s attendance at the dinner proved to be an unexpected pleasure for Ashford. Her hand in his during the dance set gave Ashford his first sense of endearing contentment. He did not know what true effect her presence had on him for he had not acknowledged those thoughts of her yet; however, their relationship invited further possibilities.

The object of his attention now filled her plate while distractedly looking for Mr. Ashford to enter the room.When he appeared, a singular thrill shot through her as he wished the room a “Happy New Year,” but kept his eyes on Kitty’s face to judge her reaction. She offered him a simple “good morning” and a nearly invisible nod to the vacant chair beside her own, in hopes Ashford would join her.

Georgiana Darcy, on the other hand, knew this day would bring her a deprivation of Chadwick Harrison’s attention; therefore, she did not anticipate the day, as did Kitty. Mr. Harrison took an interest in Miss Darcy, but he promised Elizabeth he would not declare his intentions until after Georgiana’s next birthday.As Mr. Darcy’s only sister, Georgiana held high expectations of a good match, and Mr. Harrison must prove himself to her brother before asking for her hand in marriage. Harrison’s presence at Pemberley this last month allowed Georgiana to get to know him, and her regard for this stranger grew quickly.Today, he planned to return to Hines Park, his estate; it would be some time before they would see each other again.

When Mr. Harrison entered the breakfast room, Georgiana (unlike Kitty, who readily met Mr. Ashford’s eyes) dropped her glance, fearing she might betray her feelings for the man, not only to him, but also to herself.Therefore, Harrison chose the seat next to Mr. Bingley and across from Georgiana rather than the empty one next to her. Although he promised Elizabeth Darcy he would not approach Georgiana at this time, Harrison would not miss the opportunity to talk to her and savor the last of their interactions.

“Good morning, Miss Darcy,” he said with more interest than necessary. Harrison did not know whether Georgiana was aware of his arrangement with her sister, but he wanted her to know his interest did not wane.

“Mr. Harrison—I hope you slept well.” Georgiana allowed her eyes to rise to meet his briefly.

He leaned forward to speak to her alone.“I did; thank you, Miss Darcy. It was certainly a momentous evening, was it not?”

Georgiana let her smile rest on her brother and Elizabeth.“I am so happy for Fitzwilliam. He deserves such elation in his life; my brother put his world on hold to run this estate and serve as my guardian. I could wish him such pleasure for the rest of his days.” Georgiana’s voice held the pride of and respect for her brother.

“I hope to replicate his accomplishments,” Harrison offered. “Hines Park is not as large as Pemberley, but soon I hope it reflects some of the lessons I learned here, and then I, too, may think of starting a family of my own.” Harrison’s words bordered on impropriety, but he felt a need to let Georgiana know his dreams could be found in her.

She offered him a hint of a smile, which was more than he could expect to receive under the constraints placed on him by the Darcys. Yet, it held possibilities; he could set his dreams based on the softness of Georgiana’s countenance.

Knowing when her birthday fell, he emphasized, “I would hope to have everything in place by late summer.”

“You will be missed, Mr. Harrison.” Kitty said the words Georgiana could not, and Georgiana shot her new friend a “Thank you” when no one looked at them.

Darcy called from across the table, “When will you depart, Mr. Harrison?”

“I planned to do so early this afternoon, Sir. Hines Park is only a little over a two hours’ journey.”

“I am sure you are anxious to see your home again,” Jane Bingley added.

“I am, Mrs. Bingley; yet, I will miss the new friendships I formed at Pemberley.” Again, he hoped Georgiana would understand his double meaning.

“I wonder where Anne and Edward could be,” Elizabeth expressed her thoughts out loud.“You do not suppose Anne is feeling poorly again.”

Georgiana assured her, “I saw her this morning; she and Edward were going to take a short walk through the gardens before they joined us. I am sure they will be here soon.”

Almost as if on cue, Edward and Anne entered the room. “Edward, we began to worry,” Darcy called out to his cousin.

“Anne wanted some fresh air before breakfast.” Edward led Anne to a seat next to Mrs. Gardiner and leaned down to speak to Anne privately.“I will fix you something.”

Anne barely whispered,“Just some toast and some tea.”

Edward spoke to Anne as one might coax an obstinate child.“Will you not try something a bit more than that? Please do it for me.”

“For you,” she agreed and then caressed his cheek.

Darcy joined his cousin at the side bar table. “How is Anne really doing, Edward?” Darcy whispered as he shot a quick glance at Anne de Bourgh.

“She was under our aunt’s scrutiny so long Anne sometimes must be coaxed into vibrancy.” Edward’s face showed his love for the adolescent-like woman.

“I would never, I fear, think of Anne as vibrant.” Darcy’s words held regret he had for never helping Anne escape Lady Catherine’s control. “However, Edward, I am sure with your love she will be just that.”

“Thank you, Darcy.”

“For what?”

“For understanding I truly love Anne.” Edward’s words sounded as if he had not been able to convince others of his regard for his cousin.

“We always were more than cousins, Edward. I sincerely pray for your happiness.” Edward gave Darcy a grateful nod and returned to the table to join Anne.

“Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.” Clayton Ashford stood to take his leave. “I am afraid I must depart. I thank you for sharing your evening and your home with me.”

“We were pleased you could be here,” Elizabeth offered. “You must come again soon. Would you be free tomorrow evening for dinner?”

“I would, Mrs. Darcy. I thank you for the invitation. May I also ask your permission to announce your good tidings of an heir for Pemberley at this week’s services? I know the community will rejoice with the news and offer their prayers.”

“I have no objections, Mr.Ashford. Do you, Fitzwilliam?”

“You are welcome to be our town crier, Mr.Ashford.”

“Mr. Ashford, I will walk out with you.” Elizabeth stood. “I think I must inform key staff members at Pemberley before they hear our news from a tradesman in Lambton.”

“No, thank you, Mrs. Darcy. I prefer to walk. I bid you farewell until tomorrow evening.”With that said, he pulled on his coat and departed down the lane toward Lambton.

Elizabeth worked her way to the study. She stopped before entering the room to ask one of the maids to have Mrs. Reynolds and Hannah come to her.

“Mrs. Darcy, did you wish to see us?” Mrs. Reynolds felt some agitation at being summoned to the study.

Elizabeth came from behind her husband’s desk to greet them. “Yes, Mrs. Reynolds, please will the two of you come to join me?” Elizabeth gestured to the chairs.

Both ladies took the seats she offered, but the unusual situation bothered them.“Mrs. Darcy, have we done something wrong?”

“Oh, Mrs. Reynolds, is that what you thought? I apologize for giving you the wrong impression. On the contrary—because Mr. Darcy and I value your service to me and to the estate, we felt it appropriate to tell you something before the news spreads through the community via Mr. Ashford.” Both women took on the look all women have when their suspicions are about to be confirmed. “Mr. Darcy and I hope to welcome our first child in late July.”

“Oh, Mrs. Darcy,” Hannah squealed.“I am so happy to hear this. I suspected as much by the way you picked at your food lately.This is great news.”

As tears welled in her eyes, Mrs. Reynolds could barely contain herself. “Mrs. Darcy, you are to let me take on things; you are not to let Pemberley be a concern.The Master must be beside himself with happiness.”

“He does seem quite content with the prospect, Mrs. Reynolds. I wanted you two to be aware. Hannah, I will obviously depend on you in a personal manner. I will need additional clothing and some personal care in choices of food. Mrs. Reynolds, we must prepare a nursery.Yet, all these little things were never my concern in bringing you here.You are a part of the Pemberley family, and you have an interest in what happens within our lives. Mrs. Reynolds, you may tell other staff members as you see fit.”

“This will be great news; the staff and the tenants waited for a long time. It has been over seventeen years since Pemberley knew such happiness. Master Fitzwilliam will have an heir for the estate. Pemberley will survive.” Mrs. Reynolds’s eyes misted again with tears. She and Hannah stood to take their leave. “Bless you, Mrs. Darcy. Everything will finally be happiness at Pemberley.”

Elizabeth felt a bit overwhelmed with Mrs. Reynolds’s reaction. She knew how important giving Darcy an heir must be, but she never suspected her time would bring forth such emotions. Recently, she came to understand the great responsibility her husband assumed when he took over Pemberley after his father’s death. Elizabeth also now possessed a better idea of how many people depended on Darcy and the estate for their subsistence, yet sometimes she still could not conceive how she fit into the picture. Carrying Darcy’s child gave Elizabeth a new acceptance of what all he and this estate meant to hundreds of people at Pemberley, but also to those in Lambton and at Kensington Place. She married into responsibility. Immersed deep in these thoughts, Elizabeth seated herself behind Darcy’s desk to pen a letter to her parents.

Elizabeth leaned back to feel the warmth of his body. He heard her emit a light moan as he kissed the side of her neck.“I was just enjoying the view.”

“Pemberley in the spring and early summer must resemble Heaven because I know of no place more beautiful. I cannot wait for you to see it; you will love it as I do.”

“I already love it, Fitzwilliam.” She turned to face him directly.“I was just thinking about how much a part of my life you and Pemberley have become. I wrote my parents about our unexpected gift and asked for Kitty to stay with us; as I did so, I felt guilty for not being homesick for Longbourn. How is it I lived at Longbourn for over twenty years and at Pemberley for less than two months, but it is Pemberley of which I think when someone says home?”

“I do not know how to explain it because I feel as such, too. When my mother died, so did life at Pemberley. Now, with you here, it lives again. It is no longer just a fine house—it is my home.We, obviously, belong together—our fatum.”

“I do so love you, Fitzwilliam.” Her arms snaked around his neck, and Elizabeth leaned in to rest her head on his chest. For some time, Darcy held her there, stroking her hair and feeling how she melded into him. Finally, she agreed they must rejoin their guests. “Fitzwilliam, before we go, may I ask you a couple of things?”

“Of course, Elizabeth.”

“First, I would like to employ tutors for Kitty while she is with us. She is not as shallow as is Lydia, and Jane and I wish to help her become less provocative.”

“I have no problem with the idea. I realize making a good match may depend on such training for your sister. It is our duty to help her find an appropriate mate.”

Elizabeth smiled at him.“Thank you, my Love. Secondly, I have been thinking about your teaching me about Pemberley. Should not Georgiana also be made aware of how to run the estate?”

“I am not sure what you mean, Elizabeth.”

“I realize with the jointure Pemberley is mine until my death if something happens to you, but I would want it to also belong to Georgiana—at least, as long as she wants to be here. I would feel uncomfortable if I made decisions for her family’s estate without her input. Plus, do you not think it would be to her advantage if she knew about estate business, in general? When she chooses to marry, no man would be able to fool her into believing his worth is more than it actually is. Some men would object to her knowing their business, but a man who respects our sister for herself rather than her thirty thousand pounds would not.”

“I see. So you believe I should approach my sister on this idea?” Deep in thought, Darcy finally released her and took a few steps toward the window.

“I wish you would, Sir, if you believe it has any merit.” As Darcy always saw Georgiana as needing protection, Elizabeth seemed tentative about how he would react to such a proposal for his sister.

“Let me think about how it might be handled. Georgiana’s natural instinct is not as adventurous as is yours, my Love; she may not see such knowledge as being part of her realm.”

“Georgiana simply wants your respect for her worth. I believe she would welcome an opportunity to learn about Pemberley.”

“Mr. Harrison said a few days ago I was blessed to have two progressive-thinking women in my household,” Darcy added as he turned back to embrace his wife once more.

“Did he now?” Elizabeth teased, knowing she was serious with him too long. “What did he mean by progressive, do you suppose?” She went up on her tiptoes to brush Darcy’s lips with hers.

Darcy’s passion quickly rose just being near his wife. “I hope my sister is not progressive in the same way as you right now, my Love.”

“Oh, do you believe, Sir, there is more than one meaning for the word?”

“Certainly.” His hands began to caress Elizabeth’s back as he kissed her neck. “Progressive may mean ‘improving,’ which seems appropriate for my sister. She improves each day under your influence, Elizabeth.”

“And what of me, Sir? How may you consider me to be progressive?” Her challenge offered him a warning of choosing the right words. “Do you see your wife as too forward-moving and too liberal?”

“Not at all, Madam.” Darcy found an interest in the curls that draped down from her hair.“Your progressive nature means you are dynamic and spirited.You consume my mind.”

Elizabeth laughed with a cackle, which began deep within her. “Fitzwilliam, I admit you handled that quite well. I always took delight in your ability to twist the English language to prove your point.”

A full smile overspread Darcy’s face. “Truthfully, my Love, our verbal swordplay was one of the first things that attracted me to you. I used to say things to provoke a response just to hear you address me directly.”

“Fitzwilliam Darcy, you did not!” She seemed shocked by this disclosure.

“I am afraid, my Dear, I did.” His eyes twinkled, realizing her reaction to his words.

Elizabeth relished his early attempts to win her attention. “Tell me, Sir, when did you so manipulate me?”

“Do you recall Miss Bingley’s litany of qualities of an accomplished woman?”

“Of course, how could I forget? She wished to let me know I could be found wanting.” Elizabeth shifted her weight, indicating she still felt limited when she recalled the words.

“Oh, my Love, do not even begin,” he cautioned. “I know how you think.You want for nothing. It is Miss Bingley who lacks any real worth.” Darcy saw her shoot him an incredulous stare.“Do you not recall to Miss Bingley’s list I added extensive reading to improve one’s mind? Caroline never reads unless forced to do so. I knew you were a voracious reader. I assumed you would understand my reference.”

“You forget—I thought you hated me then.”

“That still amazes me, Elizabeth; I could not take my eyes from you.You played havoc with my emotions that evening, my Love. You stood beside Mr. Bingley as we played cards. When you offered your attentions to Charles, I said something to provoke you to draw your attention to me—to force you to look in my eyes.” Darcy caressed her jaw line with the back of his hand.

“It could not be so.Why did I not see your desires?” Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief.

Darcy chuckled; how often they misunderstood each other in those early days of their relationship took on comic effects in hindsight, although his misery at the time nearly destroyed him.“Do you remember my comment of knowing only a half dozen women who were truly accomplished? I knew you would never let that comment go by.”

“It seems, Sir, you knew me better than even I did.” Elizabeth kissed him tenderly.

“If I knew you as well as I should have, it would not have taken us so long to find each other.” Elizabeth saw the remorse drift into his eyes.

“None of that, Mr. Darcy.” She massaged the frown lines in his forehead.“We agreed we went through all we did so we could be happy now. Do not remember the bad; it never existed.”

Darcy drew Elizabeth near where he could feel the contours of her body next to his; her warmth brought him comfort. “As long as you never consider leaving me alone again, Elizabeth.”

“How could I ever leave you, Fitzwilliam? You possess my heart.” Her kiss this time made him want her, and Darcy’s hand searched the neckline of her dress, running his finger along the top of her breast. She finally broke the embrace.“My goodness, Sir, you are dynamic, or is that progressive, today?”

He began to laugh. “We will continue this later, Madam, in our room.”

“I am anticipating the pleasure, Sir. Let us rejoin our guests now.” She took his proffered arm to leave the room.

“I said it before, but we will invite no one else to our home, Elizabeth. Believe my words.” They both knew the irony of their relationship. They needed close family and friends to sustain them, but solitary interludes held a real appeal.