“Could she still be there? It has been eleven days. Elizabeth must have planned her disappearance for some time.” Darcy paced the room.

Edward looked frustrated.“I know not who else to ask.”

“As early as possible, I will be off to Bath,” Darcy thought out loud.“At least, it is a beginning.”

“Hannah reports Mrs. Darcy took few personal belongings. From what I know, it appears Elizabeth took none of Lady Anne’s jewelry or other gifts.”

Darcy set his jaw line.“Elizabeth never wanted the jewels. It is not in her nature. Edward, I think I will see if I can find any clues in Elizabeth’s rooms; I will join you after for dinner.”

His wife’s words rushed through him. Elizabeth loved him enough to leave him because she thought him unhappy with her. She also feared his wrath. What had he done to her that Elizabeth would so fear and distrust him? What kind of husband was he to her? Darcy thought of their child—a child he would never know—never hold. Evidently, from what Kitty told him, Elizabeth thought he meant to send her away after the child was born. Contempt filled his heart as he wandered aimlessly to the nursery designed for their child.Walking to the window, in the dying light of the day, he could clearly see the field of wildflowers Elizabeth started especially to give him pleasure. Fully in bloom, the blossoms danced as the breeze rustled the growing stems. Tears misted his eyes as he grieved for what he lost. Somehow he must find her before she disappeared from his life forever.

A late post arrived from Georgiana, and Darcy for a few minutes considered not opening it. The posts brought him nothing but pain of late, and he knew he had no news, which Georgiana would want to receive in return.

“Mrs. Darcy will not risk losing the child, Fitzwilliam,” Edward assured him. “At least, we know Elizabeth is going to Bristol; otherwise, she would not go to Bath.”

“Maybe she wants us to believe her in Bristol; Elizabeth could take a public conveyance to Liverpool,” Darcy reasoned. “My wife went to a lot of trouble to disappear completely.”

“Then what do you propose we do, Fitz?”

However, before Darcy could answer, a maid announced Mr. Bingley’s arrival.

“Darcy.” Bingley greeted him with a quick bow before turning to the colonel. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, I am pleased to see you.”

“Welcome, Mr. Bingley,” Edward stammered.

“I am sorry, Darcy,” Bingley returned his attention to his old friend,“to come unannounced, but Mrs. Bingley insisted I follow you to Pemberley to help find Mrs. Darcy. Jane worries for her sister’s safety and demands my participation in her recovery.”

Darcy actually looked relieved. “We welcome your help, Bingley.” Darcy forced himself to return to the familiarity of his former friend’s name, hoping to resume Mr. Bingley’s devotion.

“Have a seat. Let me order you some refreshments, and then we can map out a plan to recover my wife.” Darcy knew Bingley to be a man he could trust.

They decided Bingley would travel to Liverpool; he would check the bill of lading for ships leaving for the Americas. Bingley would pay special attention to single women taking passage. Elizabeth had Hero with her; they knew not whether she planned to take the dog aboard ship, but it would be a clue. Colonel Fitzwilliam would do the same thing in Bristol. Darcy would go to Bath to see if Elizabeth waited there before departing to the seaport.

The inn she chose was a small economical one on a less-traveled road; she paid for the room in advance, and the innkeeper showed deference for Elizabeth’s wishes. She and Hero walked along the back streets each day. Knowing England would soon be behind her, Elizabeth relished the little pleasures she observed, etching the memories on her mind. Her condition allowed her a certain amount of anonymity.The citizens of the area accepted her as a married woman of some consequence and allowed Elizabeth the freedom to move among them as she always did with strangers.Within days of her arrival in Bath, the locals greeted Elizabeth and sought her out for conversation. She could almost picture herself living here among these people if she did not fear Darcy would find her.

Finally, inquiries among the public cab drivers gave him a lead. For a fee, one of the drivers remembered taking a lady who fit Elizabeth’s description to a secluded inn on the outskirts of Bath. Darcy, sitting in the comfort of his carriage, prayed his wife might still be there.

The area reminded Darcy of Lambton or Meryton, and he realized he should have looked here first; Elizabeth would not choose a high-level inn, one costing a premium. It was not in her nature.These were simple shopkeepers, the type of people who would appreciate Elizabeth’s true worth.

So, it did not totally surprise Darcy to see her walking along one of the side streets, Hero nipping at her heels. He tapped on the roof of the carriage, indicating he wanted the driver to stop. Disembarking, he began to follow her at some distance, fascinated at how shopkeepers stepped to the street to speak to Elizabeth and engage her in simple conversation. She was the type of person anyone would want to meet and to know.

Nearly upon her, Darcy paused with the pleasure of watching his wife work her magic on complete strangers. Hero must have caught his scent for the dog scurried away from Elizabeth and rushed to greet Darcy. The animal jumped up on his leg, and Darcy reached out automatically to pat its head, but he never took his eyes off of his wife’s retreating form.

Elizabeth realized Hero lagged behind, and she turned to call the animal to her.When her eyes took in Darcy’s form, she froze, swallowing hard. For a fleeting moment, she considered running, but the futility of such an action, especially in her condition, brought a light chuckle to her being.

“I assume, Mrs. Darcy,” Darcy’s voice played softly through the air,“you find something amusing about our situation.”

“Do you not think it would amuse the members of the ton to know the great Fitzwilliam Darcy had to search out his wife among the shopkeepers of Bath?” Elizabeth refused his intimidating stance.

Darcy stepped closer to her, holding Elizabeth’s eyes locked with his. “If it may ease your mind, Mrs. Darcy, your husband cares not for what amuses the ton.” He took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm. “It seems we need to talk, Elizabeth. Would you care to show me where you are staying?”

She did not know how to judge her husband’s demeanor; he could be performing for those who watched their interactions from shop windows and street corners. Of course, it did not matter. She was his wife, his property; she had no legal rights so she accepted his arm and led him back toward the inn. “Come, Hero,” she called as they took steps toward their future.

At the inn she introduced Darcy to the innkeeper as her husband. The proprietor was surprised his roomer came from such an obviously privileged family. “Your wife quickly became a favorite among the locals,” the innkeeper told Darcy as a form of respect.

“My wife is an amazing woman,” Darcy spoke evenly. “Now, if you will excuse us.”

“Certainly, Mr. Darcy,” the man bowed deeply.

Darcy followed Elizabeth up the narrow steps to the room she let. When he closed the door behind them, Elizabeth expected him to attack her verbally, or even physically, for her deceit. She turned to face him, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Darcy looked at her, turmoil playing across his face. “Elizabeth,” he said so softly she could barely hear him.

“Yes, Fitzwilliam.” She turned a cold stare on him. “You have something you wish to say to me?” She knew he won; she would have to return to Pemberley with him. Once she delivered his child, she would be out of his life, but she would not let him see how much the loss of his love would affect her.

Darcy saw her defiance, and although he wanted to lambaste her for what she tried to do to him, he could not fight the impulse to take her into his arms. In a second he was across the room and encircling her in a tight embrace.“Please forgive me,” he whispered into her ear as he pulled Elizabeth next to him. His closeness soothed her anxiety for a moment. “Forgive me, Elizabeth,” he whispered again.“I never meant to hurt you.”

Darcy’s closeness nearly undid her resolve; she hungered for his touch for so long Elizabeth clung to him without thinking. Eventually, though, reality crept in to her desire for him, and Elizabeth pushed away and walked toward the fireplace. “For what am I to offer absolution, Fitzwilliam?”

He looked at her in benign amusement. “I am a foolish man, Mrs. Darcy.” For some reason, Darcy thought he should be offering more penance, but the manner in which Elizabeth spoke told him she was as confused as he.

“How foolish, Mr. Darcy?” she offered him a bit of a challenge in her voice.

He gave her a start of a smile. “Unfortunately, very foolish, Madam.”

“Foolish enough to criticize your wife’s family connections?” Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips and tried to look angry.

Darcy took a step toward her.“Guilty as charged.”

“Foolish enough to consider your wife a complete wanton?” Her angry look began to fade.

“May I claim temporary insanity?” Once more he stepped toward her, a look of desire in his eyes.

“Foolish enough to leave your wife at Pemberley and to go off to London?” Her voice held more contempt than before.

“Guilty again.” Darcy reached out and grabbed her hand. Elizabeth resisted, but he held strong.

“Foolish enough to consider sending your wife away and taking up with another woman?” Tears stung the corners of Elizabeth’s eyes, and her lip trembled, but she refused to back down from him.

“I am afraid on those counts I must plead not guilty,” he said evenly.“Just foolishness again.”

Elizabeth reacted with disappointment for she thought he lied to her. She turned away from him. “Do you expect me to believe you?”

Darcy knew he must convince her immediately before the mood changed. “Elizabeth, you know me better than I even know myself sometimes, and you above all people know I abhor deceit of any kind; I do not lie to you.You heard Edward and me discussing Lord Suterland and Lady Midland’s affair. I never thought of sending you away. As far as my relationships in London, I foolishly aligned myself with people I thought would aid my sister’s presentation, but I never offered Miss McFarland any regard. In fact when she approached me, I told the lady you own my heart.”

Darcy saw her face soften some. “Then why did she send that letter?”

“That part, I cannot answer, but as soon as I realized her intentions, I severed all connections with the woman and her cousins.” He reached out and lightly stroked her jaw line with his fingertips.“I love only you, Elizabeth; please believe me.”

Elizabeth’s lip quivered again.“I am afraid,” she said at last.

“How afraid?” He smiled as he saw her close her eyes to his touch.

“Very afraid,” Elizabeth gasped at the intimacy Darcy offered.

“Afraid enough to pretend to be attending to your sick mother while hiding out here?” Darcy began to tease her.

“Guilty,” she smiled.

“Afraid enough to try to go to America to escape your husband’s foolish nature?” He pulled her closer.

Elizabeth actually blushed this time.“Guilty again.”

“Afraid enough to take five hundred pounds from the household accounts?” Darcy cupped her face in his hands.

“An early wedding present for my sister and Mr. Ashford.” Elizabeth indicated her receptivity with a tilt of her head, moving close enough to feel his breath on her cheek. Darcy could stand it no longer; he captured her mouth with his.

“I will offer you absolution if you can see your way to forgive me,” Darcy whispered to her again. “We are both far from perfect, but Edward says you are perfect for me.”

“What do you say, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth brushed his lips with hers.

“I say, my Love, we lost some common memories, but we still share common places in our hearts.You promised I would be happy at Pemberley; you did not mean without you there, too. How can I be happy without you, Lizzy?” Darcy pulled her closer to him.“I admit there are elements of the ridiculous about you, my Love.” He kissed her deeply. “However, I found my romance does not need a thing but you.” Darcy laid her across the bed.

“Yet, Mr. Darcy, you do not seem inclined to act upon it.” Elizabeth’s teasing struck a cord.

“I suppose as your husband I should punish you for trying to leave me.” Darcy’s hand ran up the length of her body.

Elizabeth remained still, trying not to react to him.“Do you think, Mr. Darcy,” her voice becoming breathy, “I might consider finding myself in a bed with you to be a punishment? If so, please exercise your husbandly rights anytime you wish.”

Darcy kissed her tenderly, letting his lips linger next to hers. “Am I to assume, my Wife, I am forgiven?”

“I do not know, Fitzwilliam; forgive is a mighty powerful word. May I wait until I see how severe my punishment might be for trying to deceive you? If the punishment turns out to be as exquisite as I recall, I may have to consider disobeying you more often.”

Darcy laughed.“You have no idea how much I missed you.” His hands began to search the curves of her body. “And you, Mrs. Darcy, promised before God to love, honor, and obey me.”

Elizabeth instinctively slid her arms around his neck and pulled Darcy to her; she kissed him deeply. They both found their breathing shallow, and a heat flushed her cheeks. As she spoke again, Darcy scattered light kisses about her face. “My connections have not improved,” Elizabeth said after swallowing hard,“and when it comes to you, Mr. Darcy, I am afraid my wanton tendencies are out of control.”

By now, Darcy was lost to loving her. “I am counting on it, Lizzy.”

“Ah, that is not fair.” She slid her hands under his waistcoat to caress the muscles of his back.“You know I cannot resist you when you call me Lizzy.”

Darcy’s smile totally encompassed her. “I am counting on that fact, too, Lizzy.” The kisses came faster and with more passion than either of them could remember.

“Give me one good reason to stay, Fitzwilliam.” She kissed his chin line.

“I can give you a thousand reasons not to stay, but stay anyway.” Darcy pulled her to him again, feeling the warmth of her body against his.“Stay because I love you most ardently.”

Elizabeth leaned over him, her mouth resting above his.“Maybe, Fitzwilliam, I should stay because I love you most ardently.”

“Those would be two excellent reasons to stay.” The kisses demanded their undivided attention for another half hour.

“Lizzy,” Darcy said at last, “I used to think I was special—privileged—but I am only wealthy. I am actually an ordinary person—but you make me special.You make me into a man of consequence—a man of value. I never want to be ordinary again. Do not ever think about leaving me. I shall not tolerate it, my Love.”

“Love, honor, and obey,” Elizabeth murmured as she kissed him again.

“You were quite thorough in your search, Sir.” She challenged him the way he liked for her to do.

“I had a worthy opponent.” Darcy’s fingertips caressed her palm. “Perhaps you could inform your sister of your return to Pemberley and your expectation of her return also. I prefer not to replace Mr.Ashford if possible.”

“And what of Georgiana? Will she return to Pemberley soon?” Elizabeth bit her lower lip, not sure what Darcy would think about Georgiana leaving London.

“My sister wishes to return to our home. Once Mr. Harrison appeared at Lord and Lady Elliott’s ball, my plans for her to find a suitable match changed. She is quite bold where that gentleman is concerned.”

“Do you think Mr. Harrison encourages her boldness?” Elizabeth asked softly.

“I think Georgiana is as much in love with Mr. Harrison as I am with you, Mrs. Darcy.” He lifted her hand and kissed it, softly brushing his lips across her knuckles.

Nearly unable to think of anything but her husband, Elizabeth stammered, “Then we will no longer object to Mr. Harrison’s attentions toward Georgiana?”

“My objection to Mr. Harrison lies in his cooperation with you, my Love, in trying to make your escape.” Darcy held her eyes with his. “Yet, if he makes Georgiana happy, I will accept him willingly in my home. Mr. Harrison is being courted for a position in the House of Commons. My sister would be moving in a powerful circle as Mr. Harrison’s wife. My parents would be pleased with that fact.”

Elizabeth’s eyes flashed with the humor of it all, and Darcy braced himself for her next cut. “Then there was no need for your going to London, no need for all the stress of the past few months, and no need for my risking everything. Your sister’s great love simply walked through our front door and presented himself as a man of honor.The irony cannot escape even your notice, Fitzwilliam.”

Darcy offered her another of his devastating smiles. “It seems so, my dearest Elizabeth. Some day I may shamefacedly proclaim I taught the man everything he knows.”

“Something to tell our grandchildren?” she laughed lightly.

“I will tell our grandchildren to be themselves—to listen to their hearts, while respecting their parents. I will also tell them childhood ends soon enough, and they will have the rest of their lives to try to forget it.”

“Darcy philosophy again—you are very profound, my Husband.” Elizabeth moved from her chair to sit on Darcy’s lap.

He pulled her to him, needing to hold her once again.“The advantage of a university education.” Darcy traced a line of kisses along her shoulder.

“You are a devastatingly handsome man, Fitzwilliam Darcy.” Elizabeth grasped the back of his neck to keep his mouth near hers.“And I am blessed among women you chose me as your wife.” Elizabeth kissed him deeply again, trying to convey her passion for him.

When he eased away from the intensity of her kisses, Darcy breathed deeply, trying to control his desires. “We cannot allow Bingley and Edward to search fruitlessly for something I hold in my grasp at this moment; however, I have needed you in my arms for so long, I wonder whether another hour could make a difference.”

Elizabeth trailed her fingers along the line where his hair met the back of his shirt. “I do not see where an hour would make a difference to Mr. Bingley or the colonel, but to us, I believe we have put our lives on hold for too long.”

Draping his arm over the back, Darcy turned slowly in the chair. “Again, Mrs. Darcy?” He looked amused while drinking in the beauty of his Elizabeth. With her wrapped in the bedclothes and her auburn curls draped over the pillow, Darcy fought the urge to take her once more.“Should I not finish my letters, my Wife?”

“If you must, Sir, but I am a very impatient woman.” Elizabeth offered him a pretend pout.

“Within moments, Mrs. Darcy.” He looked at her lovingly before returning to his pen and paper. Elizabeth rolled over to cuddle with his pillow, breathing in deeply the essence of him left on the cushion.

Shortly, he returned to the bed. “May I join you, Madam?” Darcy gathered her hair in one hand and then bent to kiss the nape of Elizabeth’s neck. Discarding his robe, he slid back under the counterpane with her.“I will remind you, my Love, some things are worth the wait.” He took Elizabeth in his arms to reclaim her mouth.

Placing jam on his toast, Darcy dropped his eyes from hers when he said,“I thought we might stay in Bath for a few days. Anne is already here, and I am sure Edward will rush to her side now I no longer need his services in your pursuit.Would you not enjoy a few days alone?”

Elizabeth did not answer right away. “I brought nothing with me to merit being seen in Bath’s society.” Darcy hid something, and she knew not what it might be.

He gave her half a smile. “That will give me a good excuse to take you shopping, my Love.”

Stalling before saying anything, Elizabeth poured them both some more tea. “Fitzwilliam, I would love a few days of just the two of us for I can never get enough of you, but you, my Love, are not adept at deception.What else should I know?”

Darcy placed the teacup back on the saucer; he did not want to tell Elizabeth about the McFarland rumors.“Elizabeth, you are right; I keep something from you because I want no more pain on your pretty face, but you should be aware of how my foolishness cost you.”

Elizabeth stiffened with his words, dreading what her husband would say. Darcy cleared his throat before continuing. “Miss McFarland let many people know the same lies she placed in her letter. Rumors are rampant; the Matlocks told Edward. We will be under the eyeglass for some time. My absence from London will be noted.” He left the rest unsaid.

Elizabeth’s eyes misted over with tears. “Upon what are these rumors based, Fitzwilliam?” Her voice was barely audible.

Darcy moved immediately to kneel at her side. “Elizabeth, there was nothing between Miss McFarland and me; she and her cousins repeatedly accompanied Georgiana and me to different events, but I never purposely gave her any encouragement. At the Elliott ball, the lady at dinner slipped her hand into mine.”

He heard Elizabeth begin to sob, and, desperately, Darcy caught her hand in his. He would not allow them to slip apart again. “Elizabeth, please, you must listen to me. I emphatically removed my hand from hers immediately. I told Miss McFarland I love you. She stormed from the room, much to the obvious amusement of many of our tablemates. After this incident, I wanted to come home to you immediately, but Georgiana heard the rumors from Mr. Harrison that evening. I never considered how tongues might wag.When Georgiana made me aware of what was being said, she and I agreed we would remain in London and publicly shun the Dorchesters. I made a point of singing your praises at each opportunity, as has Georgiana.”

Elizabeth finally raised her chin and turned to look at him. Darcy’s eyes held the truth she needed from him. “Then those in Bath,” she said slowly, “need to see Mr. and Mrs. Darcy in love; you left London because I wanted a holiday before my lying in.”

Darcy allowed the breath he held to escape with an audible sigh.“You are magnificent, Elizabeth.” He leaned in to kiss her tenderly, cupping her chin line in his palm.

“I believe I am ready to spend your money, Sir.” Elizabeth gave him a quick kiss before standing.“I hope your pockets are deep, Mr. Darcy. It will be my revenge on you for placing us in such a precarious position. I cannot resist your appeal so exacting my vindication must come in a more flamboyant way.”

Darcy laughed at her directness. “I am your obedient servant, Mrs. Darcy.” He made her a proper bow.

Without warning, Elizabeth rushed into his arms, nearly knocking Darcy over with the impact. “I love you, Fitzwilliam.” She buried her face into the lapel of his coat. “I love you more than life.”

“Elizabeth, I will spend the rest of my life taking away any doubts you have of me. We will raise our children to know love.” He held her to him for several long, exquisite moments. Finally, he said, “If we do not leave, Mrs. Darcy, you will need no new clothes at all.”

“Enough, Mr. Darcy—we must reestablish your wife’s reputation as the Mistress of Pemberley, but first some form of penance on your part is necessary,” she teased as she led him toward the bed.