"She and the viscount will have beautiful children." Mamma gave Elizabeth a sly look. "And so will you and Mr. Darcy."
'Mamma!"
"Do not 'Mamma' me, Miss Lizzy. All of you have the Fitzwilliam genes and are destined to have handsome children. I look forward to watching your families grow."
"As do I," Papa said upon entering the room with William right behind. "I found this gentleman wandering around outside and invited him in. Would you be willing to take him off my hands, Lizzy? For some strange reason, he did not wish to be in my company for longer than two minutes."
"Teasing man," Elizabeth said and stood to accept the soft kiss on her cheek from William. "Dare I ask if you will join me for a walk? I believe Jane is in the stillroom, we can ask her to join us."
"You might wish to give her a few minutes," William said in a low voice. "Ash trotted off in that direction almost as soon as we arrived."
"We could always take the long route, say twice around the park before we interrupt them." Elizabeth faced her parents. "William and I are going to find Jane and the viscount and go for a long walk. If anybody comes during visiting hours, advise them we are unavailable."
"Well done," Willliam said once they were outside. "I thought I was going to have to kidnap you for us to have some time alone."
"Mamma and I were discussing that very thing before you arrived." She looped her arm around his and hugged it tight to her side. "I told her that we are done with the Meryton social rounds and those who wish to share in our joy can do so at our actual wedding."
"Thank goodness!" William exclaimed. "Dare I ask if this means you can spare your poor groom a few paltry hours before our wedding?"
"There is one way to grant your wish."
"I am listening."
"Well… If a couple of gentlemen cousins happened to arrive at Longbourn early enough to take breakfast with the family and managed to stay within the environs of the house for most of the day, visiting with friends and neighbors who drop in for tea, I can safely guarantee my groom a solid ten hours a day."
"I shall wait beyond Longbourn's pale for the cock's crow."
"You may have to assist Mrs. Pruitt in making bread if you dare show your face before even the scullery maid is up."
"For you, I would do that."
Elizabeth stopped walking and looked up at him, her eyes dancing with untold merriment.
"And I would love to see that!"
Mr. Darcy did not help Mrs. Pruitt make bread when he began appearing at Longbourn earlier than what was deemed polite, but he did bring some preserves and a few haunches of venison he'd had delivered from Pemberley to make up for increasing her workload. Finally, four weeks after Lady Kildair's ball, Lady Jane Hamilton, escorted by Mr. Bennet, and Lady Elizabeth Hamilton on the arm of her beloved brother walked down the aisle of Longbourn's chapel toward their respective grooms, Lord Edmund Fitzwilliam, the Viscount Ashton and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.
When Mr. Abernathy pronounced each couple man and wife, Mrs. Bennet was heard to say, "Oh! Mr. Bennet, we are so blessed. Two daughters married. I shall go distracted."
