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Chapter 26

I must have passed out when Wickham put me on the horse because I woke in a dusty and cluttered room to voices across the room from me. Groaning softly from the dull ache in my head, I looked down and saw not only that I was tied firmly to a chair, but that my hands were tied firmly together also. My dress was still soaked through, and I was so cold that my teeth were chattering.

"What shall I do with her, Wickham?" I heard from beyond me.

"Whatever you like. I have written to Lord Matlock for a heavy ransom, and I expect to be paid within a week or else Lady Fitzwilliam is dead."

"I have no time for this, you know. I am going to elope on the morrow!" the other man said with a chuckle.

"Do I know her?" Wickham asked with interest.

"Of course you do. You and I were together when you were first introduced to her. Do you remember Lydia Bennet of Hertfordshire?"

"That one? If I did not have a ransom coming my way, I might have eloped with that girl myself," Wickham mused. "Denny, how are you going to persuade Miss Bennet to accompany you?"

"Ah, she's a naïve creature, Wick. You do not have to be very persuasive with a young girl like her." My mind scarcely focusing, I could barely make out what was being said. Then it registered in my mind--Lydia Bennet, Elizabeth's sister! Someone named Denny was going to elope with her.

"Be careful. At least she doesn't have a powerful older brother to meddle with you," Wickham growled.

"Ah, George, I won't let her family get in the way of it." Suddenly, I felt eyes on me. "Do you think we should keep Lady Fitzwilliam tied up while she is wet? Suppose she becomes ill," Denny told Wickham.

"What do I care if Darcy's cousin becomes ill? The Fitzwilliams and the Darcys could stand to lose her."

"You are a bit cruel, Wick. They could charge you with murder. Have you not heard of Colonel Fitzwilliam, man? He's legendary. You do not want her brother coming after you."

"I grew up with them, you fool," Wickham snapped. "I know how to handle the entire family." Denny shrugged and backed away from the crazed Wickham. "Take care of her, and don't let her free, whatever you do," Wickham told him. "Mrs. Younge and I are going into town today."

"Should you be seen around London?" Denny asked him, concerned.

"I know how to lay low," Wickham said icily. He took his hat in his hand and left with a bang of the door.

I was wet, cold, hungry, dirty, and I was all alone in this place with a man who wanted to elope with Lydia Bennet. And Wickham had no qualms about killing me.

I wanted to be with Nathan, sharing in the happiness of our engagement (if indeed he was going to propose), but I was here, and Nathan was knocked out somewhere on the grounds of Pemberley.

Needing to keep my mind off of Nathan, I engaged in conversation with Denny.

"Please," I whispered. "Where am I?" Denny started when I spoke, and then he cautiously came over to me.

"You are in London, my Lady. Wickham managed to take you from Derbyshire to London without being seen. I wish I knew how he did it."

"Where in London?" I asked, wanting more specifics.

"You would never have graced this part of London. It is a bit... rough. Mrs. Younge is hiding Wickham."

"Mrs. Younge?" I gasped, finally realizing who Wickham had meant when he said he was going into town with her. Mrs. Younge, Georgiana's wayward caregiver. I should have known she was involved with Wickham.

For a moment, I was very confused. Why would Denny be speaking to me about all of this unless he knew I was not leaving... alive. "You and Wickham will not get away with this, Sir," I said coldly.

"The powerful Lady Fitzwilliam gets what she wants, I see." Denny chuckled. "You, my Lady, are in no situation to argue with me. You are the one being held captive while being wet and cold. You could die of a cold."

"No one dies of trifling colds," I scoffed. Or could they? I became uneasy and thought the worst. While I pondered the thought of dying from a cold, Denny fell asleep.

As the hours went by, I became restless. My energy had never been replenished and I had not eaten since the night before. My body was numb, and I felt my life fading away by the hour. I knew if I was not rescued soon I would be very ill.

Denny awoke some time later and yawned, not seeming to have any cares in the world. He adjusted his eyes to the fading sunlight and then saw me in the corner where I had been for the last six hours.

"May I having something to eat? I have not eaten since last evening. I may die without ample nutrition," I told him.

"I don't know where Wickham gets his food," Denny mused. "I'm sorry, you will have to ask him."

"Can you not inquire of Mrs. Younge?"

"She is with Wickham," Denny reminded me, stretching his muscles after a long nap.

"You do not care if I die," I said somberly. When he didn't answer, I stared straight ahead, knowing I was to die. Then I made a resolution.

"Would you dictate a letter for me, please?" Denny looked skeptical, but I pleaded with him with my eyes.

"Very well," he sighed. He found a piece of paper and positioned his quill over it.

"My darling Nathan," I began. Denny's eyes rose to mine.

"Are you engaged?"

"It is no business of yours," I snapped weakly. Then I relented. "I am not, but if Wickham had not interrupted, Nathan would have proposed. Besides, why would you care for propriety?"

"Continue," he ordered me.

"My darling, Nathan," I repeated. "I am sorry to part with you in this way, and it was not my intention of breaking your heart." I hesitated and then added, "No, mark through that last sentence, please." Denny sighed but marked through it. I continued, "I hope you live to find an intelligent and sweet woman who will make you happy as your wife. Do not despair in my death, for I am happy in Eternity. I will wait for you my love. Love, with all of my heart, Emily Fitzwilliam."

"Is that all?" Denny asked, looking at what he had written. I breathed out slowly.

"I am not well, and I cannot think of any more words. It was short and to the point, was it not?" Finally, I resorted to begging. "Please, Sir, would you untie me or let me become dry?" When he didn't answer again, I added, "I feel weak and without nourishment, I fear I shall have a fever and then die."

"Wickham told me to watch you, and I know he would not like me to untie you." Denny looked as if he were relenting, however.

"Please? I will have my father give you some extra money for being so kind to his daughter. He is an Earl." Denny's eyes wandered over to me after a minute, seeming to think about my proposal.

"Money? How many pounds will I receive?"

"Whatever you wish--Just please let me feel circulation in my hands. I am also shivering it is so cold." Denny finally let his greed get to him and so untied me. He still looked as if he had second thoughts, but I could almost see him picturing all the pounds he would get from my father. As soon as he untied me, I brought my hands to my face; they were numb since I had been tied up for several hours. "Thank you."

"I am not as cruel as Wickham," Denny said, affronted.

"I shall be the judge of that," I muttered under my breath. It took a while, but my hands began to feel again, and the tingling sensation that came to them made me crazy; I did not like the feeling at all.

My dress, heavy material in itself, was still wet, though some places were dry. I desperately needed some dry clothing. Knowing that was not going to happen, I sighed in frustration.

I looked over and saw that Denny was nodding off to sleep every once in a while, but he would jerk his head up so that he would not sleep. "Mr. Denny," I said softly. I sat in a chair across the room from him and made him think I wasn't going to move. "What did Wickham promise you for taking care of me?"

"He said I was to get half of the money that your father and Darcy were going to give him." Denny yawned again, obviously tired despite the few hours of sleep he had gotten earlier.

"How can you trust Wickham? He is not an honest man. Do you not think that he would cheat you as he would cheat Mr. Darcy?"

"He wouldn't do that," Denny said with a shake of his head, though he looked uncertain.

"I know him well, Sir. We grew up together; he would do anything to get his way." Denny was still looking uncertain, but his eyes were closing again as he fought off his drowsiness. After a few minutes, his eyes shut and then he fell asleep.

I walked over to the desk and took the letter he had written and tore it up. After escaping, I hoped to see Nathan again, and so I needed no letter.

Having waited five minutes, I quietly walked across the room and opened the door. I shut it back softly and then glanced around to make sure no one was watching. After leaving the damp, dark building, I broke into an unladylike run. I had no thought as to what direction I was running, my thoughts were just to run until I could get away from the area I was in.

I passed by many in society whom I never would have seen due to my social status, and no one seemed to care as I ran in between them, the streets busy this evening. I ran until I was breathless, the feeling of fright still in my chest.

I must have run a half hour, for I soon saw large townhouses, and the area looked familiar. I knew not where Wickham and Mrs. Younge had gone, so I continued running until I could go no longer.

The adrenaline wearing off from my escape, hours without food, and my body being wet made me dizzy. Fighting off the dizziness, I tried to focus on my primary goals: to find shelter and then I wished to see Nathan.

In the distance, I made out six forms all communicating with one another around a carriage. When I came closer to those forms, I knew I was hallucinating: there I saw six men, five of whom were family. I stopped in the middle of the road, and I heard a voice cry, "Emily! She is here!" All six men ran toward me.

I would have stood there until they came to me, but I had run my course and my fatigued body could handle it no longer. I felt my body become light and my world darkened as I fell until I lay in a heap on the ground, unconscious.

Chapter 27

"Take her upstairs." I opened my eyes to a slit and then closed them, too weak to leave them open for long. I vaguely remembered falling to the ground in an unconscious state, but I was still thinking through a fuzzy haze. At the moment, I knew I was being carried, but I couldn't tell by whom. Gradually, I recognized the voices around me, and that is how I found out who the sixth man was of the group (to my disappointment): Mr. Bingley.

"Bingley, you can go home to your wife now," William told him. "In fact, it would be best to spread the news at Pemberley that Emily is found but very ill."

"I will go as fast as I can, Darcy," Mr. Bingley replied.

"Godspeed, Charles. And thanks for coming to help find her," William told him.

"You are welcome, Darcy. I presume that we are to be brothers soon, anyway," Mr. Bingley said.

"I can only hope," William sighed. I heard footsteps and a door close, assuming that Mr. Bingley had left for Pemberley where Jane probably resided still. I felt myself being carried as we moved throughout the rooms in the Darcy townhouse.

"Father, where could Wickham have gone? He obviously took Emily to London," I heard Andrew comment. I hadn't seen Andrew in months, and I wondered if he came to London to find me or if he had been there anyway.

"That man has dealt with Fitzwilliam Darcy long enough! Richard, do you know Colonel Forster? He is head of Wickham's regiment," William said, not letting my father have time to reply.

"I have heard of him, Darcy, but I do not know him well. I will look into the matter as soon as possible," Richard replied. He and William must have been standing right next to one another.

Soon, I felt myself being carried upstairs and then put down on a bed. I was listening to the conversation, but not comprehending everything being said.

"How is Mother taking this?" Matt asked, his voice being close to me. He must had been the one carrying me. I heard someone exhale, and I think it was my father.

"This has been some year for our home. The servants have been ill all spring, and just recently did we become healthy. When we got news that Emily was kidnapped, your mother paled. I thought she would faint. Fitzwilliam, thank you for your promptness in getting us all together," my father told William.

"It is my duty, Uncle Matlock. Mrs. Reynolds was the one who alerted me that Emily was out riding, and she had not been seen for hours. I went searching for her and found Hillsborough knocked out on the ground."

"Who is Hillsborough?" my father questioned. I moaned from my lack of strength, and I also wanted my family to know I was awake--especially if they were going to be talking about my future husband.

"Emily? Are you awake?" Matt asked, coming over to the bed. He took my cold hand in his and then looked to our father. "Nathan Hillsborough is going to be your new son-in-law."

"My son-in-law? Do I know this young man? Is he good enough for my Emily?" my father asked stiffly.

"Uncle, he is a gentleman," William assured him. With my eyes still closed, I felt like I was being examined. I was correct when a moment later my brother started ordering everyone around.

"Darcy, could you go fetch one of your maids and ask her to change Emily's dress? She is wet in many places. And Andrew, you go for a doctor. Emily is very ill, and we need to get her dry and warm. Richard, you need to go send an express to Matlock to assure Mother that Emily is found." As Matt finished barking is orders out, all left to do his bidding. I finally lifted my eyes up to his face above me. Matt caught me staring up and squeezed my hand.

"How is Nathan?" I whispered so softly that Matt had to lean down to hear me. Not a moment later, William entered the room with a maid behind him. Matt glanced over to him.

"She wants to know how Hillsborough is doing," he told William.

"He is at Pemberley, Emily," William told me. "We did not think it a good idea to move him quite yet. Wickham hit him over the head with his pistol very hard, and he is recovering. He wanted very much to come, but it was not possible yet." I groaned in reply.

"Let's leave her for a few minutes," my father said. "Emily needs to get warm." Matt let go of my hand as my father came over to kiss my forehead. "No one kidnaps my daughter without repercussions," he said, more to himself than anyone else. "Get well, my dear. You've had all of us very worried." He and my brothers left the room.

"Georgie was in tears," William added, the last in the room besides the maid.

"William," I barely got out. "Denny is planning to elope with Lydia Bennet tomorrow." My breathing became labored again, and I saw William's face harden.

"I have to go. Emily, do you know where you were taken?" he asked me.

"Mrs. Younge," I said in softly. "She's hiding them." William took my hand briefly and squeezed it.

"All will be well, Cousin. You get your rest. I'll have Hillsborough with you as soon as I can," he promised. I squeezed his hand back weakly.

"If I am not dead," I said softly. Fear entered into his eyes briefly, but then it disappeared.

"No, Em. You will get better." He took one last look at me and left the room quickly. As soon as he was gone, the maid promptly helped me change into a dry dress that I had already stored at the Darcy townhouse. Despite the warmth of the dress, over the course of the next few hours I felt chills rack my body, my head hot to the touch; I had developed a fever.

The doctor looked me over and pronounced with some trepidation that I was violently ill. I looked up at all the faces around me and had trouble understanding what the doctor meant. A day passed, and I tossed and turned most of the day.

"Mama," I whispered one time, Matt barely catching the word.

"Father, I'm going to bring Mother to help Emily. She called for her." My father consented. "And, sir, would you be opposed to having Miss Lucas or Miss Bennet here to look after Emily? They are her friends."

"If they wish," my father said wearily. "Seeing as Miss Lucas will be your wife in a couple months, she will be welcomed here."

"Thanks, Father. I admit that I am a selfish creature; I really wanted her to be here to help me." The next day I heard new voices in the townhouse and outside my door.

"When can I see her?" I heard an agitated voice say.

"Mr. Hillsborough, please! Emily is not well enough to see you. She hardly knows her own family!" It was Elizabeth Bennet's voice. How long had she been here? I was disoriented and confused with time. Another voice spoke soothingly.

"Wait for a few minutes, sir. We will see what we can do. For the moment, please go with my fiancé and sit down in the parlor." That was Charlotte Lucas! Wait, did she say Mr. Hillsborough? I may have been sick, but I wanted to know if he was really here or just a dream.

"Nathan!" I moaned softly. "Nathan!" I tried to say more loudly, my head feeling stuffy. I wasn't sure if I was even saying his name out loud because I felt so ill. "Nathan!" I cried, tears coming to my eyes. He must have heard me for a moment later he bounded into the room--Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Matt right behind him.

"I came as soon as I could! Emily!" Despite my fever and harsh breathing, I smiled for the first time in days.

"You came! You were not seriously harmed?" Even as I said the words, I felt weak, and they barely escaped my lips.

"I had to take a day to recuperate, but you, my love, are ill! What did that horrible man do to you?" He put his hand on my hot cheek. "You are burning up. Are you not supposed to have cold cloths applied to your face?"

"We have been doing that," Elizabeth said quietly.

"What happened to Denny?" I asked, my eyes drooping once I knew that Nathan was, indeed, here.

"Denny? Do I know him?" Elizabeth asked in surprise.

"Wickham kidnapped Emily and a man named Denny, who was in the same regiment, watched her while Wickham and Mrs. Younge gallivanted around London. He untied Emily when she begged him to, and then when he fell asleep she escaped." Matt looked tired. "He was going to elope with your youngest sister, Miss Lydia." Elizabeth gasped and her face paled.

"Denny? I remember him a little. I thought he was... nice." Elizabeth sighed in frustration. "What has happened since then?"

"Darcy went off to find him," Matt said softly. "He, Richard, and our father are looking for both Wickham and Denny. I believe Darcy warned your father and went to warn Colonel Forster as well in Brighton before any elopement could take place."

"Mr. Darcy has done this?" Elizabeth looked pale now.

"Mr. Darcy must love you a great deal, Elizabeth," Charlotte said softly.

"I must leave to bring my mother here. I was going to leave yesterday, but I postponed a day. I will be back by mid-morning tomorrow," Matt told Elizabeth and Charlotte. "Andrew is here if you need anything." Elizabeth and Charlotte must have been staying at the Darcy townhouse. Elizabeth excused herself, still reeling after hearing what William had done for her family. Then, I saw as Charlotte and Matt left the room, leaving me alone with Nathan.

"I found Brannon," Nathan told me, his thumb caressing my hand. I could not even remember him taking my hand. I struggled to hold a conversation with him.

"Was he well?"

"He looked very well. Did you know that Darcy stumbled upon me when he went looking for you? He had his servants carry me back to Pemberley. Darcy told me that since I was to be your husband, I should be given special care."

"Since you mentioned it," I said weakly, "you are not engaged to me and so should not be in here alone with me."

"I can remedy that, my love." He put his hand on my forehead, feeling the intensity of the heat. He looked upset over my appearance, but he continued, "Emily Anne Fitzwilliam, will you marry me?" The words I had been wanting to hear for months were finally said.

I stared into the eyes of the man whom I had grown to love and who loved me in return. My lips parted, and I suddenly noticed they were very parched. However, even with my raging fever, I was not about to let him leave without telling him that I was his.

"Yes," I said in a whisper. Nathan's eyes softened and he leaned closer to me.

"My love," he whispered as he bent down and kissed my forehead. I closed my eyes and opened them again, the room starting to spin. For some reason, the death of my aunt suddenly loomed in front of me. Didn't Aunt Anne die this way? I couldn't remember now, but I felt on death's door.

"If I die," I whispered, "you can marry another."

"I will never marry anyone but you, my Lady. Besides, you will not die; you will get better. The doctor is coming as we speak," he added, hearing footsteps coming up the stairs. He squeezed my hand and let go of it. I think he was trying to encourage me and to convince himself, but his face had a look of doubt on it.

"How is my patient?" the doctor asked, bringing his bag into the room. He eyed Nathan carefully. "I do not recollect meeting you, sir. Are you part of the family?"

"I will be, sir. I am Nathan Hillsborough, and I am Lady Fitzwilliam's fiancé." The doctor hardly paid attention to Nathan as he started examining me.

"I need Miss Bennet or Miss Lucas in here immediately. Lady Fitzwilliam is worse, it seems." Nathan went to bring back one of them while the doctor examined me. It was Charlotte who entered the room and cried out as she saw the doctor holding onto my wrist to ascertain my pulse. My future sister-in-law paled.

"Emily looks worse. What has happened?"

"I am fine," I feebly answered her. However, I felt my head fall back, and then I was out again. That night, my fever was at its worst. I tossed and turned again, my forehead continuing to be hot to the touch. Nathan was not allowed to see me. Truth be told, I was feverish and delirious, so I would not have even known my fiancé if I had seen him.

Chapter 28

"My baby," my mother cried, in tears at my appearance. Charlotte and Elizabeth took their rest, earning it for all the hours each stayed up with me. Finally, before evening, my fever broke, and all the house rejoiced. I slept more soundly after that and hardly noticed when my mother stayed up with me. The next morning, I was half-conscious when Matt came into the room with her.

"Did you know that Emily is engaged, Mother?" Matt asked her.

"Your sister?"

"She's engaged to Mr. Hillsborough."

It was all overwhelming for her. "Is he here this morning?"

"He came as soon as he could, I think," Matt answered.

"Would you send him up for me, Matthew?" my mother asked. Matt replied that he would. Nathan came up a short time later.

"Good morning, Lady Matlock," he said with a bow.

"Good morning, Mr. Hillsborough. I hear that you are to be my future son-in-law," she said softly. Nathan nodded briskly.

"I am. I secured Lady Emily's hand the day before she became delirious, and I talked with Lord Matlock last night."

"My husband has yet to tell me. I heard the news from my son," she said wryly. "Will you promise me that you will take good care of my daughter?"

"The very best, Lady Matlock. I have known your daughter for a long time now, and I have loved her for many months. I feel that she is truly the one God has destined me to be with. I shall never love another as I do her." My mother saw the devotion in his eyes and smiled.

Nathan took my hand, and for the first time in days, I had the energy to open my eyes. I looked up into his sad but loving hazel eyes and whispered, "I love you." My mother quickly left her seat by my bed and walked out the door, cracking it behind her.

I saw a tear fall from his eye, and my own eyes began to water.

"I thought I had lost you," he said tenderly, sitting in the chair that my mother had just occupied.

"I'm very spirited, don't you remember?" He managed a small grin at the memory of the first time we had met. "My fever has broken, Nathan. I am on my way to getting well now." All the emotions that he had bottled up inside spilled out, and I saw him put his face near the bed, his shoulders shaking with sobs. "My love, you'll make me cry myself," I told him, my own voice choked with tears. Overwhelmed with emotion, I wasn't rationally thinking. I threw off the cream duvet and scooted closer to Nathan. Then, I lifted his head up gently. We looked at one another, tears in both of our eyes, and I suddenly leaned forward to kiss him greedily. I felt more energized with that one kiss than I had in days.

I don't know how it happened, but Nathan managed to set me on his lap. He spoke with great emotion when he said, "I want to marry you soon."

"Well, since Lady Lucas is planning Matt's wedding, Mother can plan ours. Would you want to marry before Matthew and Charlotte?" I rested my head against his chest.

"I want to marry very soon," he whispered, his chin on my head. His arms encircled me, and I felt safe and warm.

"How soon?" I whispered.

"A fortnight," he admitted, gently rubbing his right hand on my back, sending shivers down my spine.

"A fortnight. Oh, I have never dreamed of planning my wedding in so short a time span, but with you all normal thoughts cease to exist." Nathan looked down at me, and I closed my eyes as his lips met mine again. We were so involved with one another that when the door opened we didn't know it until we heard someone clear his throat. I pulled apart from Nathan, panting from lack of breath. I turned with dread to the door and saw Richard!

"Colonel Fitzwilliam," Nathan said, with a nod of his head, acting like everything was just fine. Here I was in Nathan's lap and we had been kissing--quite passionately. Richard looked a little embarrassed. At his look to me, though, I quickly got back under the covers.

"I see you are feeling better, Em." I blushed hot.

"Nathan and I are marrying in a fortnight," I said quietly.

"Not sooner?" he joked. I made a funny face by scrunching up my nose.

"I almost died, Richard, and Nathan and I were quite emotional..."

"That was adorable," Nathan said to me, ignoring what I had just said.

"What was, pray tell?" I asked him.

"What you did with your nose," he said. I knew he was smitten if he thought what I did with my nose was adorable. I gave him a loving grin. Richard, unfortunately, ruined the moment.

"Hillsborough, I'm sure you would like to have a few words with my parents about the timing of the wedding," Richard reminded him. Nathan nodded and kissed me quickly on my hand before leaving the room.

"Thank you for interrupting," I told my brother.

"Don't pout, Emily," Richard laughed. "Even when you were a little girl, that's what you would do when you were caught doing something wrong."

"Always the elder brother," I mumbled. "I am almost twenty and you treat me as if I were a child again."

"You were fortunate that it was I and not Father that caught you and Mr. Hillsborough in such a compromising position, Sister. He would have had you marry tomorrow."

"It was not so bad," I murmured, my face flaming. Richard had pity on me. He came over and hugged me.

"You were lost to us for a while. We thought you were too ill to come back to us."

"I am glad I am so valued in the family." I looked out to the window and saw a vase with fresh flowers.

"From your fiancé," Richard said with a grin. We talked of many subjects, and then he stood and gave me a smile when he saw I was fatigued.

"I must go now because you need your rest." My brother kissed my head like he used to do when I was little.

"I think I want to take a walk outside soon," I murmured before he could leave.

"If the doctor says you are able to go, I am sure we can arrange something." Suddenly, I wondered where my cousin was. Since Elizabeth was in the townhouse...

"Richard? Where is William?"

"He has just returned from Pemberley. He'll see you later tonight." I nodded to him as he softly shut the door. I soon fell back to sleep, my dreams sweet and a smile on my face.

Chapter 29

At dawn the next day, I laid in bed and counted for the tenth time how many pieces of furniture I had in my room; I was definitely bored. There was just enough light in my room to see objects clearly enough.

Having awakened at a very early hour and feeling as though I had been in bed forever, I defied the doctor's orders and crept out of bed. The dizziness overwhelming me, I held onto one of the posters of the bed for support.

I somehow managed to dress myself, though I was a sight to behold when I was done; I looked very pale and weak. Was this what Cousin Anne felt like? I felt more compassion for her now.

I decided to leave my hair down, not feeling in the mood to call a maid or to put it up myself. When I finished, I gingerly made my way to the door and opened it quietly, looking around for any maids or unsuspecting relatives.

Clutching the top of the banister, I made my way carefully down the stairs. I was glad William had a big townhouse since he was now housing my mother and father, Charlotte, and Elizabeth (besides William and I). Richard, Matt, and Andrew chose to stay at the Fitzwilliam townhouse, which wasn't far from here. I also discovered that Nathan owned a townhouse, and it too was not far from mine. I was glad to know they were all in some proximity to one another.

I continued to walk through the house, stopping every few minutes from fatigue, and finally made my way to the library. Opening the door, I expected it to be empty, but to my surprise I saw William.

"Oh, Cousin!" I exclaimed softly.

"Emily?" William put down his book and stood. I hesitated, and he saw how I was clutching the wall firmly. "You are not yet well enough to be out of bed, are you?" Rolling his eyes in affection at my stubborn expression, he came over and took my arm. Escorting me to a comfortable seat, I sat down next to William.

"I had to leave my dreary chamber," I complained. "Do you know what it is like to stare at the same walls for a long period of time?"

William chuckled. "I have been ill before, and I know that you will recover from this boredom."

"I should not be surprised that you are awake so early," I commented to him.

"I am awake much earlier today than normal, in fact." I looked at him curiously, but he just sighed in thought.

"Am I to suspect that maybe someone sleeping in this townhouse occupies your mind?" I noticed that William looked a little guilty. "Have you spoken with Elizabeth? I am sorry I was unable to see anyone last night, and I meant to talk to you, William, but I was tired. Did you talk with Elizabeth at all?"

"By the time I arrived, Miss Bennet had retired early due to her ministrations with you." I was disappointed that they had not talked yet, but continued to another subject.

"What happened to Wickham and Denny?" William's expression became angry.

"That... blackguard!" William finally spat. "Wickham has eluded the authorities. I am thankful that you are to marry Hillsborough in a fortnight so that he will be with you to protect you." William smiled wryly. "Although he did not exactly protect you last time."

"But he did!" I countered. "Wickham struck when Nathan and I were... occupied with one another," I said with a blush. William shrugged but continued.

"As for Denny, at least he was found out before he could run off with Elizabeth's sister." He shook his head and then smiled grimly. "Mr. Bennet immediately set out for Brighton to pick up his wayward daughter."

"So, he is in custody?"

"Yes, he is."

"William, what will become of Wickham? He may try to kidnap another lady--maybe even Elizabeth." At her name, William frowned heavily.

"I had not thought of that," he said in contemplation. "Richard and I will continue to investigate the matter in the meantime." I changed the subject yet again.

"When are you going to propose again?" I asked bluntly. My cousin's mouth fell open in response to my inquiry.

"Whatever possessed you to ask that?" he asked, blinking his eyes.

"I think that Elizabeth is ready for you to ask again. She found out that you warned her father about Denny."

"She knows? Who told her?" he asked with a small sigh. I wondered why he was upset over her knowing.

"I think Matt told her. I was not fully coherent at the time because of my illness, but I heard Matt tell her that you had gone to Hertfordshire."

"I do not want her to know because I do not want her to feel obligated to me in any way," he explained. "Now that she knows, however..."

"I think she loves you more than ever," I told him.

"You and your matchmaking," William said with a grin. "You have wanted Elizabeth and I to be married from the first time you met her, have you not?"

"Yes! I admit that I thought you two were a perfect match. Are you going to give her Aunt Anne's engagement ring?" I asked eagerly.

"Wait, Emily! You are premature in your excitement. Miss Bennet has not yet accepted. In fact, since she has rejected me once, I would like to go slowly if I am to ask again."

"I know she will accept," I said confidently. Then I became curious. "You were here when Nathan talked to Mother and Father, were you not?" I asked him.

"Not at the time, no. I arrived later, but your parents were still discussing his visit."

"What did they say?" I asked curiously.

"Evidently, they were not a little shocked to learn of your hasty marriage plans." I bit my lip, my usual gesture when I am learning bad news.

"What else?"

"Mr. Hillsborough was very thorough in his explanation of why your marriage needed to be a fortnight from now. I think Richard was a little bit persuasive too. Uncle asked what you two had done to warrant a wedding so close to the engagement." I blushed.

"We have done nothing wrong!" I said, defending myself.

"Calm down, Em," William said patiently. "Hillsborough explained that your illness almost took your life, and as such, he feels it imprudent to wait any longer. He admitted to his impatience."

"I hope Richard keeps quiet," I said nervously. "Nathan and I were a bit emotional and were... comforting one another when Richard came into the room."

"Comforting one another?" he asked in amusement.

"It is none of your concern," I said with a look to quiet him. William laughed.

"He wasn't wrong when he said you were feisty, Cousin. Your marriage will not be boring in the least," he said with a grin. I smirked.

"Boring? Never! I can be a rather stubborn creature," I admitted.

"You remind me of Miss Bennet in that way," William said with a light in his eyes whenever he mentioned Elizabeth. I was about to reply again when the door opened. I looked up and saw the very person he had just mentioned... Elizabeth! Another early riser, Elizabeth blushed and looked shocked to see William.

"Mr. Darcy! I am sorry. I presumed no one would yet be awake. I will leave..."

"No, Miss Bennet!" William said hurriedly. "Come in. Emily and I were talking." Elizabeth hesitantly stepped into the room.

"How are you feeling, Emily?"

"Better, thank you," I replied. "Thank you also for your care to me during my illness. You and Charlotte were very kind to do so."

"We were worried for our friend," Elizabeth answered softly.

"Emily and Mr. Hillsborough are marrying in a fortnight," William told Elizabeth.

"I wish you happiness in your marriage," she said with a genuine smile.

William bade Elizabeth to sit down, and she did so next to me. Elizabeth looked distressed, but then she cleared her throat. "Mr. Darcy, I have to thank you for your kind service you rendered to my family. I heard from Mr. Fitzwilliam that you warned my father and Colonel Forster of Denny. My family--and I--are indebted to you for what you have done."

"I am sorry Matthew told you, Miss Bennet," William said, once again upset over something he shouldn't have been. "If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. Your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe, I thought only of you. " At this, Elizabeth looked down, embarrassed.

My mind started calculating and soon realized that William was in the perfect moment to propose again--and here I was in the way! I stood up suddenly--so suddenly that I swayed. William came to my side immediately and escorted me to the door. I looked up at him and mouthed, "Propose!" William's anxious face turned into a slight grin at my antics.

"Emily," he warned me. He turned around and cracked the door. I was very tempted to listen, but I remembered promising William that I wouldn't eavesdrop again.

However, I suddenly had a bout of dizziness and clutched the table next to William's library for support. I was gradually gaining my strength back, but it took a few minutes. As I stood in the hall, I heard, "Miss Bennet... Elizabeth..." I anxiously leaned forward, my heart beating hard, when I heard a commotion in the next room.

"I demand to see my brother!" an angry voice said. My eyes grew wide as I recognized the voice of my Aunt Catherine!

William and Elizabeth exited the library soon after, William's jaw tight and angry. From his look, I could tell it was Aunt Catherine bothering him and not Elizabeth. We all moved to the parlor, where my aunt now stood.

A moment later, my parents, looking as if they had just woken up, clamored down the stairs.

"What is all the commotion?" I heard my father say in an exasperated voice. Aunt Catherine stood still, her eyes flashing angrily. She did not answer immediately, and while we were waiting, a frightened housekeeper came in behind her.

Just when I thought the situation could not become any worse, the housekeeper announced Nathan. I sighed suddenly. Nathan would surely break off our engagement after meeting my aunt.

"What is all this bellowing, Catherine?" my father finally asked her, his mouth grim.

"I have heard the most upsetting news!" she said in a screech.

Nathan, who was caught behind Aunt Catherine, looked trapped. I waved him over with a slight gesture, and Nathan cautiously walked over to where I stood next to William and Elizabeth.

"Who is that?" he asked me in my ear.

"Aunt Catherine," I told him with a roll of my eyes. "Please do not break off our engagement when you meet her," I added lowly. Nathan laughed silently, merriment in his eyes.

"Nothing would stop me from marrying you," he whispered, his finger trailing down my arm. I shivered from his touch, but looked up when my mother spoke.

"What is wrong, Catherine?" my mother asked, an annoyed look on her face.

"I have heard a most alarming rumor concerning my nephews and niece," she said with a sneer. Nathan subconsciously pulled me closer to him, ready to defend me in case I was the niece of whom she spoke.

"You have two nieces and four nephews, Catherine. Of whom are we talking?" my father asked patiently.

"Your daughter is to marry beneath her," Aunt Catherine said, her beady eyes looking my way. I tried not to gasp at what my aunt had said, but relaxed as Nathan's arm tightened around me.

"You have no right to speak of my fiancé in that manner!" I cried as I glared at her. Aunt Catherine took a step in my direction, furry written all over her face. My aunt had finally gone mad.

"Not only are you disgracing the Fitzwilliam name, but my nephew is too!" As she walked over to us, William moved in front of Elizabeth, guarding her from our deranged aunt.

"What are you about, Aunt?" William asked, his demeanor calm, but I knew that inside he must be seething.

"It has not been one day, but I have heard the news of Emily's engagement. Then, I was enlightened to learn that my very own nephew was marrying a mere country girl with no connections and no wealth. Are the shades of Pemberley to be so polluted? What have you to say about breaking the contract of marriage with your cousin?" she angrily demanded William.

"I am not married to Cousin Anne, Aunt, and I have no intention of marrying her."

"Anne Darcy never meant her son to marry your daughter, Catherine. You twisted her words," my mother added.

"Elizabeth is not a 'mere country girl'," William added angrily. "My Eli--Miss Bennet is a gentleman's daughter and as such deserves respect." My aunt noticed his slip of the tongue with her name, and I cringed inwardly.

"You have an understanding with her already?" Before she could continue, I spoke.

"I am marrying Mr. Hillsborough and William will marry Miss Bennet with or without your consent."

"I have also heard that my nephew Matthew is also marrying a country nobody," Aunt Catherine continued, ignoring me. I silently prayed that Charlotte was still asleep.

"That is quite enough!" My father straightened to his height of six feet two and continued in a solemn tone, "Catherine, leave this townhouse immediately. Until you apologize to all of us here, you will be cut off from our family." My aunt's eyes became huge.

"You deserve no compliments. I take my leave of you--you are no longer my brother," Aunt Catherine said with a huff as she left the townhouse. As soon as the door closed, I collapsed against Nathan, my energy drained. I was glad he held me tightly.

"Papa, why would Aunt Catherine not like my fiancé?" I finally asked, curiosity getting the better of me. "Their incomes are similar." I flushed. "Not that it matters," I added. Nathan understood.

"I cannot comprehend why your aunt thinks that," my father said with a shrug and a sigh. I looked over to Elizabeth and William, the former still stunned from my aunt's visit.

"Mr. Darcy," she said quietly, "thank you for defending me."

"Would you like to continue our discussion in the library?" he asked her. She nodded as they both walked back into the library. Meanwhile, my mother stood shaking and stomped her foot, something I had not seen her do before.

"I have never liked your sister," my mother muttered. It was strange hearing my mother speak ill of anyone; her disposition was like that of Jane Bingley's. "That woman has crossed the boundary, James," my mother told him, not caring to speak in front of Nathan. "I do not care if she is your sister, I would not wish to see her again!"

"Mama! Please reconsider. What would happen if we never saw Anne again? She needs us," I told her.

"I am too agitated to talk," my mother sighed. "If you will excuse us," she said as she and my father went back upstairs, leaving Nathan and me alone together.

As all noise ceased, Nathan and I were close enough to the library to suddenly hear William's voice. "My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject forever." I looked over to Nathan, a slight grin on my face. My aunt hadn't ruined William's proposal.

"My wishes... I admit that my wishes have changed so gradually in the last year. I would be delighted to marry you, sir."

We then heard William say, "I love you and want to give you everything I own and have. You have made me the happiest of men--dearest, loveliest Elizabeth."

"He loves her," I said, a smile gracing my face.

"Hmm. Your aunt did not seem to affect him at all," he said, echoing my thoughts.

"My aunt is a very foolish woman," I told him. "Nathan, do you despise me for what my aunt said?"

"What do I care what she thinks, my love? Your family has welcomed me positively, and you love me. What else could I ask for?" he murmured, his hand on my cheek. As much as I wanted to be standing near him, I felt weak.

"I am tired; let us go sit," I told him softly. He agreed, and we started to walk to the parlor, but my legs went weak suddenly, and I was about to fall when I felt Nathan's strong arms catch me.

"I am always rescuing you, my love. Is this a pattern with all ladies or just you?" he asked in an amused voice.

"It is probably not other ladies," I said with a sigh. "My legs are not yet totally supportive of my weight. I was in bed too long."

"Lest we be found in a compromising situation again, we had best resume the plan to sit somewhere," he told me. Being held in his arms buoyed my spirits, and suddenly I changed tactics.

"I want to welcome you first," I told him, a wicked grin on my face. "I was unable to welcome you properly just now." Nathan understood what I meant immediately and bent down to kiss me.

"Good morning, my future wife," he said before he kissed me. I melted into his arms and felt even weaker with his kiss.

"You do know how to say hello in the morning, sir," I teased breathlessly.

After a sufficient amount of time, Nathan escorted me back to the parlor. While there, Charlotte came down from above and Richard and Matthew arrived.

"Good morning, Miss Lucas," Matt said with a kiss to his fiancée's hand. Charlotte was more than happy to see him. He looked around the room. "Where's Darcy?" He and Charlotte sat down, though Richard remained standing.

"He and Miss Bennet are in the library," Nathan told him.

"Why do you not sit down, Richard?" I asked him.

"I have a matter of importance that I have to speak to Darcy and Father about, but thank you, Emily." My brother looked a little impatient.

"I will go to get him," Matt offered our brother. He left and came back a moment later with a flushed William and Elizabeth. Charlotte and I exchanged amused glances.

"I have a matter of great import to speak with you about, Darcy," Richard began.

"Is it very important, Richard?" William interrupted him. "I have to... leave town for business purposes and may not be back for a day."

"I need to speak with you," Richard repeated. Matt again offered to find Father, and a moment later all four men disappeared into the study.

"It looks as if you are the man designated to entertain us," I teased Nathan.

"I wish to help," he said, seeming troubled by being left behind. I squeezed his hand.

"You are helping them by helping us, my dear. Now, Elizabeth, may we congratulate you on your engagement?" I asked her. Elizabeth looked surprised.

"How do you know..."

"We were nearby and overheard," I admitted, suddenly feeling guilty. "I am sorry."

"It is fine. Mr. Darcy will see my father as soon as he can to secure my hand."

"Finally!" I cried. Then I bit my lip. "I am truly sorry. I did not ever think you would like William enough to marry him."

"It has come on so gradually," Elizabeth said, her eyes bright. "He is a good man, the best of men."

"I am glad. Now, all we need is a husband for Georgiana... and a wife for my two eldest brothers," I added, another matchmaking scheme coming to my mind.

"Emily!" I heard as both William and Richard said my name at once. Their meeting had been short.

"Georgiana is too young for courtship," William said sternly.

"And I can find my own wife," Richard said with a look to me.

"You have not found one yet," I countered.

"Emily," my father warned. I shrugged, though I still wanted to match him with someone.

Very soon, William left to go to Hertfordshire, and I happened to see his goodbye to Elizabeth...

"Are you nervous, my love?" Elizabeth asked shyly. I saw William brighten at her term of endearment for him.

"Will your father consent immediately?"

"He will be no trouble to you. I even wrote him a letter to explain my change of heart." Elizabeth stopped talking as my cousin kissed her softly. "I shall miss you... Fitzwilliam."

"I love you, Elizabeth," he whispered to her. Having been frozen in place nearby, I suddenly thought that it might not be a good idea to linger and carefully made my way to the parlor.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. I rested as I talked of wedding details with my mother, Charlotte, and Elizabeth while the men talked of--well, whatever men generally talk about together.

As evening approached, my mind wandered back to my aunt's visit. I hoped she wouldn't cause anymore trouble in our family--especially before my wedding.

Chapter 30

There is nothing I detest more than inactivity. Every male family member that I had, plus my own fiancé, were adamant that I not overexert myself. How can a girl get anything done for her wedding if she is stuck in her home?

I was in low spirits as the week passed, though dearly cheered when Nathan came to call. Elizabeth and Charlotte were also constant companions until my wedding, and I smiled at the thought of future family gatherings. Charlotte would be my new sister and Elizabeth my cousin, and we would all gather together for holidays and summer balls...

I was in the library, and had been daydreaming with a book open when I heard a voice say, "You look thoughtful, my love." I fluttered my eyes upward and groaned to Nathan. The housekeeper must have let him in, knowing by now he was to be a daily visitor.

"I have to be thoughtful. I am not yet able to do much," I pouted. "I cannot even ride Brannon or any horse, and I need to ride."

"You can ride all you want to when you are fully recovered," he said gently, sitting next to me on the sofa. "Your health is all I care about, Em."

"I shall be well soon enough," I whispered. "Promise me when we get to your home, that I can ride whenever I want." Nathan laughed.

"Darling, it will soon be our home." He took the hand that wasn't holding the book and caressed it. "I have no need to tell you that you can do whatever you want when we arrive. Have I told you about my home?" I shook my head.

"Did you inherit it after your... parents passed away?" I put down the Shakespeare play I had been reading and slid closer to Nathan, his arm sneaking around my back. I sighed as I leaned on him, the feel of his arms making me secure.

"I feel a little bit like Darcy," he admitted. I looked up at him with a questioning glance.

"Why?"

"My parents had only one male--I was the heir, and then Sarah was born. I don't know much about what happened to your Aunt Anne, but my mother was susceptible to illness. She was with child when she came down with this mysterious malady. My father had all the doctors he knew come and look at her, but no one could save the child. From then on, my mother could not conceive again, and her constitution was weak and only deteriorated further." I squeezed his hand, the pain obvious on his face.

"And then both your parents caught another disease?" I asked, remembering vaguely what he had said from that horrid day when Wickham took me from Pemberley. I had been in Nathan's arms... Speaking of his arm, I remembered that he had hurt it. "My love," I said softly. Nathan looked at me expectantly. "When you were thrown from the horse, you hurt your arm, did you not? I thought that you had."

"The doctor told me that I had pulled a muscle, but within the couple days that I was at Pemberley, it healed nicely. I was unable to use it very much the day after," he admitted. Suddenly, Nathan let go of me and stood. I puzzled at his behavior, especially when he began pacing.

"Nathan? What is wrong?" I asked him, worried that it had something to do with the wedding, now only a week away.

"I cannot forget my father's face when he learned my mother was very ill. Despite the fact that I really never had the chance to say goodbye to either of my parents, I know they loved Sarah and I dearly. I cannot help but wonder..." He shook his head.

"What is it, darling?" I asked, standing and putting my arm on his to keep him from pacing. He was making me a bit dizzy.

"I am selfish, Em. I don't want to see you go through that. I, myself, don't want to go through that pain. I feel so much love for you..."

I put my hand in front of his mouth and whispered, "There's no need to dwell on that which we can't foresee, my love. A great many things could happen, but we do not know the future. All we can do is trust in God, and love each other unconditionally." Nathan took me into his arms and sighed deeply.

"I feel like a fool for worrying over this, Emily. You are right."

"You are no fool," I told him, my voice low as he bent down to kiss me. I felt weak after the kiss and was glad that Nathan securely held me to him. "You never told me about your home," I reminded him. "Our home," I corrected. "What is the name of this grand home? Is it as grand as Pemberley?"

"I admit that nothing is as grand as Pemberley, though I am prejudiced a bit more in favor of my family home. It is called Ashford Park. It has beautiful hills, and I remember playing all about the estate as a boy. I could never imagine living elsewhere. I cannot describe it to you--it is something you will have to see for yourself."

"I shall love it the same, then," I told him. Nathan kissed the top of my head.

"You will have to talk with Mrs. Evans, the housekeeper. If you want to change anything in the house, let me know. When you see my townhouse this week, you can do the same there. I am a man and cannot understand the new fashions. I figure that my future wife knows more than I."

"I probably will not want to change anything, Nathan. I do not profess to be an expert on fashion, but I will see if there need to be changes." Holding me in his arms, Nathan sighed contentedly.

"I feel content with you just as we are. Would we never have any more problems." I shook my head with a slight grin.

"Sir, what would life be without trials and tribulations? Boring, I would think."

"A day with you is never boring," he countered. He bent down to kiss me again when the door opened. I sighed as I pulled away from Nathan. William stood in the doorway to his library, a sour expression on his face.

"I am sorry to interrupt, but there is a visitor who would like to speak with you both." William's expression was an odd one for just any visitor. He was not social by nature, but he looked very annoyed now.

"Who is it?" I asked him as Nathan and I both started walking towards the door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Collins have come. Our aunt has sent him to try to talk sense into you since your wedding is so close, it seems. That fool is going to soon be my brother-in-law," he said with a sigh.

"William, do not say that around Elizabeth," I chided him softly. "It is still her sister married to that man."

"I did not speak ill of Mrs. Collins, Emily." Knowing what I was about to get into, William, Nathan, and I walked into the drawing room.

"Lady Emily, I am most humbled to be of service to you today," Mr. Collins said as I entered the room. He stood and bowed, his balding head lowered. "Mrs. Collins and I have just come from Kent, where the Majestic Lady Catherine--two days since--was in excellent health, though in poor spirits." I waited for the bumbling man to stop ranting before I talked.

"I am sure she was in poor spirits," I agreed, sitting down. Nathan, annoyed as much as William by his calling, chose to stand next to William near one of the great windows.

"She has asked me on a mission most grave," Mr. Collins began. "As a clergyman, it is my duty to..." I was not about to let him ramble on again.

"Yes, sir, as a clergyman, is it not wise to examine the whole situation before pronouncing a judgment? You will soon be in my family through marriage, and I wish we would not quarrel, sir." Mr. Collins fidgeted, not knowing what to do.

"My most wonderful patronage has asked me..." I interrupted again.

"Mrs. Collins, how have you been of late?" I asked her. Mary seemed startled at the interruption and that I had inquired directly to her, so she took a moment to compose herself.

"I am tolerable, Lady Emily. I read my Fordyce as much as I can, and I feel content in my present situation." I looked to Charlotte and Elizabeth, both sitting across from Mr. and Mrs. Collins. I gave Charlotte a look with raised eyebrows, indicating that she would have said the same thing and would never have been as happy as Mrs. Collins as she would be as the soon-to-be Mrs. Fitzwilliam.

"I am glad you are content, Mary," Elizabeth told her sister. There was a silence in the room after that, and all that could be heard was the chiming of the hour on the clock.

"Elizabeth, did you tell your sister the news?" I finally prodded after two minutes of unbearable silence. Elizabeth looked puzzled for a moment. Then she nodded.

"Mary, Brother, I am to marry Mr. Darcy." Mr. Collins' eyes went wide, and he floundered about.

"Mr. Darcy? Does her Ladyship know?" Mr. Collins inquired.

"My aunt can have nothing to say on the matter that would be of any import to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins. Her Ladyship's opinion is not that of royalty." I think I could have shocked Mr. Collins enough to cause him to have a heart attack. The little squatty man's face turned red. Before he could choke out another word, the housekeeper announced my mother. Relieved, I stood and walked over to her.

"Mother!" I said softly. "I am glad you are here," I added under my breath. She saw Mr. Collins and sighed heavily.

"Good afternoon, Aunt Matlock," Darcy told her with a smile. She greeted everyone in the room and then paused briefly before resuming. (I must explain here that my father and mother had removed themselves from the Darcy townhouse to the Fitzwilliam townhouse as my father had business to complete.)

"I am sorry to interrupt you, Mr. Collins, but I was wondering if the ladies would like to go shopping. My daughter's wedding is in one week's time, and we haven't much time to waste." I nodded eagerly.

"I shall get my bonnet now!" I cried. "I have eagerly awaited this opportunity for what seems as if forever!" I said happily. My mother chuckled at my enthusiasm.

"Of course, Charlotte and Elizabeth will be looking at items, too, will you not?" my mother added. Charlotte nodded and Elizabeth blushed. As Mr. Collins was not the center of attention anymore, he agreed to stay with the men while Mary joined us to shop. I saw William and Nathan exchange looks of agony that Mr. Collins would be in their company. Before we left, Nathan took me aside a moment.

"I know that your family can buy you anything, Em, but get whatever you want. I can afford to treat my wife well."

"That is kind of you, dear, but I only require your love and attention." I pursed my lips. "Though I do need a new bonnet. I have somehow misplaced the one I had the day Wickham came to Pemberley." Nathan looked guilty as soon as I mentioned it. "Mr. Hillsborough, why have you a look of guilt on your face?"

"I confess," he said, clearing his throat, "that when you fell, and I found you, your bonnet lay on the ground. When I awoke and you were gone, the only reminder that you had been there was that bonnet. I took it."

"I see you are a man of your word," I told him mischievously.

"Whatever do you mean?" he asked, seeing that my mother was waiting for me. I nodded in her direction.

"You said, sir, while at Netherfield, that if my bonnet managed to lay around again, you would keep it."

"So I did," he said with sudden remembrance. He ginned. "Well, I have it, and you shall not see it until we go home."

"I need a new one anyway. You can keep that one." I looked over to see Mr. Collins talking with William, who was desperately trying not to listen. "I am sorry we are putting you in the company of Mr. Collins for a time. I shall reward you greatly for this."

"Then it is worth it, my love. Go on with you now. Your mother will chastise her new son soon if you do not leave."

"She would not chastise you, my love. I will talk with you later," I whispered. Nathan, being in public, elegantly took my hand and placed a short kiss on it. My face felt warm as we both bid goodbye to one another... I was about to leave to go shopping, but the deprivation that I felt at leaving him only for short amounts of time was intense.

"When shall we see Georgiana?" Elizabeth asked as soon as we were all settled in the carriage.

"She is to come on the morrow," I said brightly. "Dear Georgie is very excited that I am to marry, and I am sure she will be even happier to learn that you are to be her sister." Elizabeth's happiness was obvious.

"Yes, Elizabeth, Lord Matlock and I are very happy to call you niece soon. Fitzwilliam has made a very good match. His parents would be proud." Elizabeth was only a little surprised at my mother's willingness to embrace her with a 'lower' social standing. My mother was no snob.

"I have to find the perfect wedding dress," I announced. "Though, I am not one for finery... at least not as much as Miss Bingley." Elizabeth tried not to laugh.

"How is our sister doing?" Mary asked Elizabeth quietly. She had been somber the whole time she had been at the Darcy townhouse.

"Oh, Jane is well. She and Charles are to stay at their townhouse in a few days. They are going to attend the wedding and then I think they will stay in town for the rest of summer. Jane has been happier in her letters of late, and I wonder if she has a secret," Elizabeth added.

"Oh!" I said, immediately understanding. "I hope it is so." Mary didn't understand what we were talking of.

"From some of her hints, I think Jane may be with child," Elizabeth explained to Mary.

"So soon?" Mary asked. I shrugged and tried not to burst into laughter again at Mr. and Mrs. Bingley's affectionate display in the carriage a very short time ago.

"From their open display of affection, I can believe it," I muttered. My mother looked a bit shocked.

"Emily Anne Fitzwilliam!" I smiled at the thought that I would no longer have that name in a week. I couldn't help teasing my mother, though.

"What?" I cried. "Is it not so?" Fortunately, the carriage stopped so that my mother could not reprimand me again. Marrying was doing strange things to my head. Elizabeth, Charlotte, and I had much fun finding items for my wedding, and Charlotte and Elizabeth even found some new dresses. I loved looking for items for my trousseau, and some of the items I picked up made me blush, making me think of the wedding night. (Reminding me that my mother said she would give me that talk just before the wedding...)

By the time we returned to the townhouse, it was late in the afternoon and we had to wash up before dinner. Tonight, my parents, all my brothers, Nathan, William, Elizabeth, Charlotte, Mr. and Mrs. Collins, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were to dine together. When I came down the stairs, I saw Richard, William, and Nathan conversing together seriously.

"What is wrong?" I asked them, moving down the stairs at a fast pace. Nathan looked worried but gave me a tiny smile in return for my concerned gaze. He held out his arm for me to take. Firmly pulling him closer to me, I asked again what was wrong.

"We have lost all trace of Wickham. We do not think he is in London any longer," Richard finally said.

"But that is good," I said, not understanding their grim faces.

"The Colonel, Darcy, and I are concerned, sweetheart, for all the ladies. Even if he is gone from London, he could return any time and cause havoc. There is an alert out on him, but he is a sly man and can charm even the most intelligent of men and women." I saw William flinch at this, obviously thinking of Elizabeth.

"Should I be concerned 'til the wedding?" I asked, worried myself.

"Just be more cautious, Emily," my brother advised.

With that ominous warning, the butler called us to dine. Nathan escorted me into the dining room and gave me a loving look. I tried to smile back, but it was hard. I should have been happy for the events leading up to my wedding, but I was told to be cautious. Not only should I be worried about Aunt Catherine, my own relative, but Wickham was still on the loose, ready to destroy everyone else's happiness.

Chapter 31

The hours flew by and the end of the week was near. The ladies were encouraged not to go out of the townhouse without a male escort, and I quickly tired of feeling scared to wander from my home. I wondered how long we would have to guard ourselves from that rat named Wickham.

Mr. and Mrs. Collins left us soon after he found he could not persuade Nathan and I to give up on being married, and I confess that I was relieved when Mr. Collins was gone. William and Nathan felt like celebrating, and even Elizabeth, who loved her sister, was glad to have her brother-in-law gone.

I toured the Hillsborough townhouse and found everything to my liking, so I told Nathan not to change a thing in it. Unfortunately, the day after, Nathan told me that he was to go away on 'business' for a day, and then he would return. After saying goodbye to him, I played the pianoforte, read, or tried to sew to take my mind off of his leaving me.

Georgiana had come to stay with us, and so all the girls enjoyed the preparations before the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley, staying at their townhouse, even visited. It was a lively party, and one I would cherish for years to come. The girls cheered me up when my Nathan was gone, and I was blessed to have such friends and family.

The day that Nathan was to return, I had been out again with my mother and the other girls looking for material for new dresses and had come home in the early afternoon. I heard voices in the library, and untying my bonnet and taking off my gloves, I immediately entered. As soon as I bounded into it, I saw Nathan and William talking .

"William! Mr. Hillsborough," I said cheekily. Nathan pretended to be offended.

"Four days until our wedding, and I am already Mr. Hillsborough to you? My love, you astonish me." I rolled my eyes.

"I have just returned from shopping for material for some new dresses. Do you like blue?" I asked him.

"You look beautiful in blue," he said with a grin. "Though, I admit I think you look beautiful in any color."

"Hillsborough, you are smitten indeed," William said with a sigh. "What is it with women that they make us men behave in such a manner?"

"The female sex is a wonder, Darcy. I am sure even being married to one, I will forever find them mysterious." I snorted a little bit like Lydia Bennet, and my cousin and fiancé had a hard time not laughing.

"William, Elizabeth and I have been looking for you," we heard from the doorway. Elizabeth and Georgiana beckoned William over. I was glad that he left for Nathan immediately came over to me.

"Emily, yesterday I rode home to give you something that has been in my family for generations of Hillsboroughs. Someday, my love, I hope we can pass this down through another generation with our children." My cheeks pinked at his mention of children, but my heart pounded as I saw him reach into the pocket of his jacket and pull out a box. "I had it sized for your finger." He opened the box and pulled out an elegant diamond ring, very simple in form. "It is not very grand," he apologized, "for one of my great-grandfathers did not have much money, but what he gave to his wife was from the heart. It has been a tradition in the family ever since."

"It is grand enough for me," I told him, hugging him after he slipped the ring onto my finger. The diamond shined in the light.

"I learned that when my long ago great-grandfather Hillsborough was middle-aged, a relative died and left him Ashford Park. He also inherited a lot of money. My great-grandmother would not hear of having another ring."

"I could not bear with another ring either. I have very simple taste." Nathan was happy that I liked the ring.

"This is a sign of our love," he whispered. After being in Nathan's arms a few minutes, I wondered aloud about Miss Hillsborough and her fiancé.

"Will your sister come to our wedding?"

"Yes. She is well enough to come with Lord Browning. My sister and Lord Browning are marrying in a month. In fact, Sarah wrote to me last week saying that she and Lord Browning would come. You will be able to meet her."

"You said that you had differences with her," I questioned him.

"I did. Maybe Lord Browning changed her, or perhaps her illness tempered her. I only know that she is more congenial than ever before." I swiftly changed the subject again, as I was wont to do.

"So far, sir, Mr. Wickham has not come out of hiding. Do you really think he will bother us again?" Nathan's face clouded at the sound of his name. I did not feel that he would interfere. Maybe he had decided to go his own way and leave us be. Nathan sighed.

"I do not want to take any chances with my bride, now do I? Until you are safely with me in our home, I will not be at peace." I comforted Nathan with my tender kisses for a while before William returned to the library, and then we moved to the music room to hear our Georgiana play for us, then Elizabeth. That night there were no worries, and I slept very well.

Chapter 32

"Tonight I shall be Mrs. Hillsborough," I whispered to myself, my cheeks pink with excitement. "No," I murmured, correcting myself. "Lady Emily Hillsborough." I shrugged and tapped my foot, impatient for the day to begin.

I left my room in my nightdress, knowing only the girls and family resided here. I took the stairs two at a time and entered the library, my candle illuminating the hundreds of novels and other books that William kept. An avid reader, he added to Uncle George's collection and I noticed the new novels he had collected. I picked out a collection of Shakespeare's sonnets. I usually read Shakespeare because his works fascinated me, though I was well read in many other poets and authors.

"William has a copy of Milton," I said to myself as I scanned his books after perusing through his sonnets. I blew out my breath and bit my lip. Being too excited to read, I began pacing. However, after my energy was finally extinguished, I slid on the sofa and fell asleep. I awoke some time later to murmurs and excited voices.

"I have found her!" I heard William say. I yawned and turned over. "Emily! We have been looking for you. What are you doing in here?" The candle that had been burning for quite some time was now dying, and William blew it out before it burned anything.

"Do you have to disturb me, Cousin?" I asked with another yawn. William looked amused.

"Not unless you want to jilt the bridegroom at the altar." I sat up suddenly, remembering what today was.

"It is my wedding day, William, and I have not seen or heard from Wickham. I am safe."

"You are not safe until you leave London for a while," he disagreed.

"What keeps him from visiting my new home?" I asked crankily. Sometimes I wish I had Jane's disposition to believe the best in all situations.

"Why are you worrying about that man on your wedding day of all days, Emily?" William asked as he put back a couple books on his shelf that I had displaced that morning.

"Oh, bother," I moaned as I stood up, stiff from sleeping on the sofa for a few hours. "You are right. I shall be happy starting now."

Chaos reigned the rest of the morning as all my female family and friends I had poured into the Darcy townhouse. Elizabeth, Charlotte, Georgiana, Jane, and Mother helped me with my wedding gown and other accessories as the men gathered together wherever they were. I think that they were at the Fitzwilliam townhouse, though they could have been at Nathan's townhouse for all I knew.

"You look pale, Jane. Charlotte and Elizabeth can help me with the rest. Why don't you sit down for a while," I told her as soon as I noticed that she didn't look well.

"I wish to help," she told me in her soft voice.

"Sit, Jane. You can help Emily from sitting as well as standing," her sister admonished her with a smile.

"If you insist, Lizzy," Jane said, looking relieved. Elizabeth smiled to me as if she were right in her hunch about Jane.

"Does not my daughter look beautiful?" my mother asked proudly. The girls all agreed, and then we were all ready to go. When Georgiana, Jane, and Elizabeth left to go downstairs, my mother detained me for a moment.

"What is it, Mother?" I asked her, curious to why she wanted to speak to me.

"I have neglected to tell you about... the wedding night," she finally said. I blushed a deep crimson.

"Is it so necessary to tell me? Can I not find it out on my own?" I hedged, embarrassed.

"Emily, don't be childish, my dear. You are about to embark into a new phase of womanhood, and I want you to be prepared." After my mother's description was over, I finally blinked. Her last piece of advice was that Nathan loved me.

"I see," I said, my knowledge increasing greatly in that fifteen minute span. I remembered when I had been in Nathan's lap just after I had broken my fever, and then I laughed.

"Whatever is so funny?" my mother asked, her eyebrows raised.

"Oh? A fond memory, Mother," I said sweetly. I was not going to elaborate about how Richard had come upon us in such a passionate state. Soon, I was downstairs and saw all the ladies chattering quietly. "Thank you all for being my friend. I don't deserve such happiness."

"Of course you do, Cousin," Georgiana said quietly. I finally looked to Jane.

"Before I wed, I have to know if we are to have good news from you and Mr. Bingley, dearest Jane," I said to a surprised Jane Bingley.

"Well... I have received word from Mr. Stewart, the apothecary, that I am expecting," she admitted. Everyone congratulated her as Elizabeth hugged her sister.

"Does Mama know?" Elizabeth asked her.

"Not even Mr. Bingley knows of it yet. I have a perceptive sister and soon-to-be cousin," Jane said meekly, though radiantly. After everyone had settled, I began my speech again.

"I would like to thank everyone for all the preparations you have done for my wedding. After our brief honeymoon at Ashford Park, my new home, we will come back and see Charlotte wed to my dear brother. And then Lizzy and William will marry, of course."

"That leaves Georgiana," Elizabeth teased her. Georgie reddened.

"I am sure my brother will fend off my suitors once I am out. He is rather overprotective of me at times."

"I will temper that," Elizabeth assured her. "All he needs is a woman to help guide you, and I feel ready to do so."

"You are too kind, Elizabeth." Georgiana was grateful that she was gaining a sister. Meanwhile, I was thinking of Richard and Georgiana again. Was he that much older than she was? I didn't think so.

"Georgie, have you spoken with Richard lately?" I asked her innocently. Georgiana was taken aback by my question.

"I spoke with him yesterday," she stammered. "Why?"

"I am just curious," I said with a slight shrug, trying not to give myself away too much.

"Richard is very concerned for our well-being. He has been a little protective of me lately, possibly because Elizabeth and Charlotte have protectors. He did bring me a flower the other day, and he promised me a dance at your wedding reception," Georgiana added brightly.

"He did? He's the attentive cousin," I mumbled while in thought. However, I had no time to ponder my brother's actions because my mother told us it was time to go.

A carriage whisked us away to the church, and I grew more excited as I saw Elizabeth enter in before Charlotte, my maid-of-honor. Matthew was Nathan's best man since they had been friends for a long time.

I walked down the aisle and caught sight of a handsome man who beamed at me as he saw me walking towards him. He took my hand in his as the preacher started the ceremony. The actual words that were spoken were vague in my mind, but the expression on my beloved's face, and the love I felt as we were speaking our vows stayed fresh in my mind.

And after that, we were pronounced husband and wife. The first kiss we shared as husband and wife made me weak and I felt tears in my eyes. Nathan gently wiped away the tears on my cheeks as he whispered, "I love you, Emily Hillsborough."

A moment later, we were walking down the aisle and out of the church. Nathan helped me into the carriage, and then we were on our way to Mr. Alexander Roberts' home. He was gracious enough to host our reception. I had not heard of him until recently, but evidently he was a good friend of Nathan's and also a man in his mid-twenties and still a bachelor.

Once we were in the carriage, Nathan held my hands tightly in his. His look was serious, but loving, and he bent forward to kiss me intensely.

"Lady Emily Hillsborough," he whispered, pulling me closer to him. "I like your name."

"Hmm," I murmured as his kissing grew even more passionate. I finally leaned away a bit and tried to slow my breathing. "My husband, I fear if we do not stop, people will wonder at our appearance." Indeed, my face was a bright hue by now.

"Let them wonder, my love. What is so complicated to see that a man loves his wife and a wife her husband completely?"

"Love is not to be displayed openly in society," I told him.

"Nonsense. I married and now want to show the world that I love my wife. I care not for social norms in that respect," he told me.

Despite his declaration, I made him promise not to kiss me so passionately until we were on our way to Ashford Park. He reluctantly agreed and had not long to scowl because the carriage stopped soon after. I was helped out of the carriage and then Nathan escorted me into a grand London home.

The ballroom was grand, rivaling that of Matlock's ballroom. Nathan and I chatted with family and friends until all who were coming arrived. Nathan and I shared a dance, and I felt as if my feet were not touching the ground. I had eyes only for my husband.

The time finally came for us to go. I kissed my brothers on the cheek and told them to be good. Richard rolled his eyes, but then eyed me suspiciously when I whispered, "Take good care of Georgie. I've heard about your recent attention to her."

"Emily, your imagination runs away with you," he said dryly.

"I am not fooled," I insisted. Richard chuckled as Matt gave me a big brotherly hug.

"I'm going to miss you. My best friend has stolen my sister," he teased. Nathan grinned good-naturedly.

"We will invite everyone to our new home. You will complain of seeing me too much," I assured him. I hugged Charlotte next, her face happier than I had seen it, my brother's engagement ring on her hand. I whispered a loving goodbye to Andrew next, telling him to find a wife soon.

Then I hugged William, Elizabeth, and Georgiana. I even said goodbye to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, whom I had invited to the wedding. I enjoyed their newfound friendship, and I was delighted that they also got along well with William. Mrs. Gardiner having grown up in Lambton, not five miles from Pemberley, had plenty to talk of with William.

Nathan and I then turned to Miss Hillsborough and Lord Browning. Miss Hillsborough was a petite girl with light hair and a sweet complexion. She reminded me of Georgiana a little, though shorter. Lord Browning didn't look that much older than Nathan, in his late twenties perhaps, and had a friendly countenance.

"I am happy to finally call you sister," Miss Hillsborough said softly.

"As am I. Miss Hillsborough, would you like me to write to you? I can keep you up to date on all our musings, and you can tell us your adventures."

"I would be honored to write to you, but please call me Sarah if we are to be sisters. And this is Lord Ethan Browning," she added.

"Lord Browning, it is nice to meet you again," Nathan said with a nod.

"Hillsborough, I am happy for you and your wife."

"Thank you, sir." Lastly, I hugged my father and mother goodbye.

"Papa, I shall not neglect to visit Matlock soon," I assured him. He smiled proudly.

"I will expect it, Emily. And son," he added to Nathan. Nathan stood straighter as he spoke with my father.

"Yes, sir," Nathan responded.

"Take care of my little girl."

"I will, sir. The very best care," he added, his loving eyes on me. My mother sniffled and wiped away tears with her hand, and I was surprised. My mother hardly ever cried.

"Emily, write to me, darling," she said, my father finally handing her a handkerchief. She dabbed at her eyes and then hugged me tightly.

"I will, Mama," I whispered to her.

"Goodbye, son," my mother added softly as she hugged my husband. I saw how Nathan warmed to my parents, his own parents in the back of his mind. After saying a last goodbye to the group, we were on our way home, just the two of us.

"I've waited for months just for this day," Nathan said as he snuggled me closer to him.

"I am glad," I whispered as he finally released his pent up emotions and kissed me deeply. I saw a hunger in his eyes.

"We might as well wait until we get to our home," I told him with a sigh. Suddenly, I was worn out and leaned on Nathan as the journey continued. I fell asleep to Nathan's hand gently rubbing my back. I awoke when I heard, "Wake up, my love. We are home." I blinked. I could not have slept the whole way to Ashford Park, but it was so. I watched in awe as a huge house loomed in front of us. There were hills all around, and trees for miles. The house itself was a grand mansion with four or five stories, if I counted properly, and dozens of rooms inside. Nathan was pleased with my reaction to his home.

"Does this mean you like it?" he asked. I nodded, my grin wide.

"It is perfect, my love." Nathan helped me out of the carriage, and then we walked up the steps and into the house where there were a lot of servants, maids, a butler, and a housekeeper looking at their new mistress with curiosity.

"Everyone, this is the new Mistress, Lady Emily Hillsborough." Nathan told me the names of everyone, but I was very bad with names, and I felt wretched that I could not remember hardly any of them. Nathan assured me that I would know their names in the future and told me not to worry about it for now.

Nathan ordered the maid to draw up a bath for me and to have our food sent up to the sitting room. After I was refreshed, I joined Nathan, though by now I was hardly hungry. Nathan saw as I nibbled on a piece of bread for a few minutes, and he finally stood.

"Emily, do you want to get ready?" he asked softly. I nodded and changed into my new negligee, a pale rose color, complimenting my complexion. I then brushed my hair out, letting it fall down the middle of my back.

A few minutes later, I heard a knock on my new chamber door and opened it. Nathan, wearing only his breeches, took my breath away as well. I finally grinned as his mouth remained open. I gently took his hand.

"Come, Mr. Hillsborough, you have seen me in a nightgown before."

"Yes, my wife, but that one paled in comparison to this." He immediately picked me up, much to my delight. I gasped with a smile as I held onto him, my arms going around his neck. He carried me into his bedchamber and shut the door. I noticed that a fire was burning brightly in the fireplace, but a moment later I forgot all about the fire in the fireplace and focused on the fire in my husband's eyes. He lay me gently on the bed and covered my mouth with kisses until our passions grew and we finally completed the love that had grown over these many months.

Continued In Next Section