I set the empty bucket outside the stall. As Bennet moved ahead to the next one, I neared Elizabeth. “How are you feeling?”
A grin raised her cheeks. “I am well. I do not feel any change in me yet.”
I took a moment to admire her glowing skin, broad smile, and sparking irises. “Yet I can detect a difference. You are always beautiful, but when you are with child, you manifest a spectacular luminous quality.”
“Thank you.” She perused my face. “And this time you have no reason to be anxious as you were when I carried and gave birth to Bennet. Is that not wonderful?”
A short chuckle came from me, and I placed a kiss upon her nose. “Indeed, I could not be happier.”
She grabbed me in an exuberant embrace. Entertaining a spontaneous whim, I lifted her, spinning her as though she weighed no more than a child. She emitted a joyous squeal.
Bennet ran towards us, moving his rather chubby legs at an impressive rate. “Me next, Papa!” He jumped in place, holding up his arms.
Setting Elizabeth down with care, I kissed her forehead. She moved aside to let our son have his turn. Bennet’s delightedsqueals as I spun him around fed my already elevated spirits. When I set him back on the ground, he scampered down the aisle to greet the other horses.
I took my wife’s hand, and we followed our son. “Have you thought of possible names for our baby?”
She peered at me. “Not as of yet. Have you any suggestions?”
“You previously selected Jane Anne, and I think that is an excellent choice.” My sight locked upon her. Would she hate my idea? “For our third child, what do you think of naming him Graham?”
“Ah, after your…friend.”
“Yes, would you mind?” Despite the anguish Graham had caused me, which I had minimised in my recitation of the details to my wife, he had altered my life for the better.
“Hmm.” Elizabeth cocked her head, appearing to give the matter consideration. After a moment, she displayed a bright smile. “Graham. Graham Darcy. Mr. Graham Darcy.” She uttered the words in a lilting fashion. “Yes, it is an altogether excellent name.”
The End
Epilogue
June 1818
Pemberley
Darcy
Isorted through the stack of letters on my desk, placing the most pressing ones on top. Since Graham’s birth two weeks ago, I had neglected my correspondence. My beautiful son had greeted the world with a head of brown, wavy hair, announcing his annoyance at the change in his circumstances with vociferous yells.
Although my wife seemed well on her way towards recovery and had already resumed several of her duties, I rested easier in the knowledge she would never have to endure that particular ordeal again.
My movements ceased at a sudden alteration in the air—an unseasonable chill along with another, more elusive, change. I rose, went to the casement windows, and shut them.
“Hallo, Darcy.”
Good God. I spun round to find Graham leaning upon the mantel. He wore a purple coat embellished with an abundance of ostentatious gold embroidery. “Graham, what are you doing here?”
He raised his palms. “Be easy, my friend. I am not here to conduct business of any sort. I want to congratulate you. With the recent birth of your second son, your family is now complete.”
I shifted my weight and set my shoulders into a less rigid position. “Thank you. I could not be more pleased.”
“Could I trouble you for a glass of your excellent brandy?”
“Of course.” I poured two glasses of the liquor, and we took seats.
Graham raised his glass to take a sip. “Ah, this is delicious!”
“You must have another reason for coming here. After all, you did not congratulate me after Jane’s birth.”
