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He looked smugly unrepentant.

“We are engaged Elizabeth.”

He watched as she fanned herself.

“I can see that married life is going to be an adventure.”

Darcy nodded, still looking smug. He reset his features when he remembered one final point.

“Do you have a preference for our wedding trip?”

The change of subject let them both calm down.

“I suppose Vienna, Aachen and Paris is not possible this year?”

“Sadly, such a Grand Tour will have to wait the cessation of hostilities.”

“I will be serious.”

However, thinking about the first days of their marriage had the blush returning to Elizabeth’s cheeks. She took a deep breath.

“Pemberley will be our home and I would like to see it sooner rather than later. But I do not wish for my wedding night to be in an inn, however nice, on the road north.”

She tried to control the flush in her cheeks.

“What say you to us staying at Darcy House for the rest of that week, worship as usual at St. George’s on the Sunday and then head north the following Monday. Georgiana can accompany us if she wishes and then we can spend the summer at Pemberley. Once the harvest is in, maybe we can take a short trip, the Lakes perhaps, depending on the weather.”

Darcy saw the practicality yet elegance of the solution. Georgiana would stay at Matlock House and the knocker on Darcy House would be removed. The door would be opened to no one. And his heart swelled as Elizabeth called Pemberley home, as well as her understanding of the importance of the harvest. He had an extremely competent Steward but both of them being home for the summer would help establish Elizabeth in the neighbourhood.

“Agreed. We have the date, location, wedding breakfast and tour all settled. A productive morning.”

“Will you join us for lunch? The Duke has been meeting with Lady Maria and she reminded me to ask you before you left.”

“I would be delighted. It is fascinating to listen to His Grace talk about all the aspects of Ducal life he is learning. Much is very similar to my own training from my father but he will have many additional responsibilities. I share his suspicion that his Regent is not ready to yield his authority. I suspect that gentleman is in for a rude shock come August when His Grace reaches his majority.”

Roderick, Duke of Desmond was fulsome and sincere in his congratulations to them both. Elizabeth was never going to have been his bride, and he was not a rake, so they had settled into a friendship that was genuine. When it was just the two of them, or with Lady Maria, then Elizabeth called him Lord Roderick, with his permission. But she never overstepped the bounds of familiarity when there was anyone else present, even her fiancé. He appreciated her candour with him, displaying her real personality, while still giving him due respect. A private tease of ‘tally-ho’ was the extent of her pushing the bounds of propriety. And he did not care if it was almost too close to the mark. Elizabeth had made a good friend in the Duke of Desmond by being herself.

“Shall we take a stroll to help digest that delicious lunch? Aunt, can I persuade you to accompany me?”

Soon the four of them were strolling from Hanover Square down to New Bond Street. Not the first choice for any of the other three but the Duke liked to be seen and weak Spring sun took the chill from the air. What Darcy found illuminating was neither he or the Duke were accompanied by any servants, and Lady Maria only had her companion. Yet Elizabeth was trailed by her two trusty bodyguards. He mentally smiled at the thought that he might not just be teaching Elizabeth to ride but the Smiths as well. It was going to be an adjustment for all of them.

Elizabeth was not someone who strolled. Her idea of a walk was closer to a route march. And shopping was also an activity that held little joy for her. It was necessary at times but to be endured rather than enjoyed. But she was now an engaged woman, Darcy had sent a note with their agreement to the Earl before they departed Leonard House on Hanover Square. The announcement would be in the paper the next day. For once she was actually taking her time and perusing the various items in the different shop windows. The party splintered agreeing to meet at a small tea shop in 30 minutes. Darcy escorted Elizabeth while the Duke escorted Lady Maria.

“I will have Claire with me, and Robert stationed at the door, you are free to indulge William.”

Elizabeth had noticed his eyes straying to the bootmaker next door to the shop she intended to visit. They were unlikely to be the first couple who had separated at the door.

“Are you sure?”

She smiled indulgently.

“Shall we say 15 minutes, and then I will send in Robert to rescue you?”

Darcy was still chuckling as he entered the bootmaker’s emporium. Elizabeth and Claire were more than browsing but had not the time to seriously shop. Elizabeth was never going to be a slave to the latest fashion about the Ton, but even she realised that her wardrobe needed to expand. This was a first step for her in evaluating additional styles and looks.

“We should make an appointment for next week, I am taken with several of these dresses.”

“I agree Miss Elizabeth, there is an elegance to them, even although the cut is quite, I am not sure what the correct word is, severe maybe?”