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"I agree," she laughed. "But still, Kate is a grown woman. You said yourself that she is not suited to a London Season. She would hate to stand in ballrooms and make conversation with marriage-minded mamas and silly young men who looked at her and saw only her dowry. She will do much better finding someone through her own interests. But the fact that she needs to take her own route does not mean she does not want or deserve someone to love. We love her, William, and we always will, but it is not the same, and you know it."

Darcy was quiet for some time, turning his brandy glass slowly between his fingers. At their feet, Pegasus gave a tremendous sigh and rolled onto his back, all four paws in the air, having decided that the conversation had gone on long enough without anyone paying him proper attention.

Elizabeth smiled and reached down to rub his stomach. "At least there is one gentleman in this house whose affections are uncomplicated."

Darcy looked down at the dog. "His affections may be purchased for a slice of ham."

"Well, we all have our weaknesses, darling."

"Mine being a certain impertinent country miss who has made my life a great deal less peaceful than it once was."

"And a great deal more interesting, I should hope."

"Infinitely more interesting." He set his glass upon the little table beside him and reached for her hand again. "I know you are right, Elizabeth. I do know it. But I cannot bear to see her unhappy. She has always been such a tender-hearted girl, and she has so little experience of the world beyond Pemberley. I worry that she will be terribly hurt."

"And she may be," Elizabeth said gently. "I cannot promise you that she will not. But we cannot keep her from every disappointment, William. She must be allowed to make her own choices, even if we would sometimes wish to make them for her."

He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face. "I had thought I would have a little longer with her. Bella is married, Mina will no doubt be wanting to go off and paint the world before we know it, and now Kate..."

"Kate is still here, darling. And even if she does fall in love and marry, I cannot imagine that she will ever go very far from us in her heart. You know how much she adores you."

"Yes, well, I adore her too." He looked towards the fire again. "I shall endeavour to be a little more reasonable tomorrow."

"That would be a very good start."

"And I shall not murder Briar," he added after a moment.

"Excellent. I am so pleased we have settled that."

"Unless he gives me cause."

"William!" Elizabeth gave him a look of exasperation.

"Oh, very well. I shall make every effort to resist the temptation, although I make no promises if he upsets Kate again."

"You are a dreadful man, Fitzwilliam Darcy," she said, laughing as she leant against his shoulder.

He slipped an arm about her waist and drew her closer, resting his cheek against the top of her head. They sat together for a little while, listening to the crackle of the fire and the occasional contented snuffle from Pegasus, who had finally resigned himself to the fact that no more attention would be forthcoming and had fallen asleep with his head against Darcy's slipper.

"Do you remember when Kate was tiny?" Darcy asked after a while. "She was such a solemn little thing. Always watching everything with those great dark eyes. I used to think she was studying me, trying to decide whether I was a suitable sort of father."

"Knowing Kate, she probably was," Elizabeth said with a smile. "And I imagine she found you more than satisfactory."

"I hope so." He turned and pressed a kiss to her temple. "You have given me such a wonderful life, my love. I sometimes wonder what I did to deserve it."

"You married a very troublesome woman against the advice of your most illustrious aunt. I should think that deserves no reward at all."

"Come here, you troublesome woman," he murmured, turning her face towards his.

She went willingly, letting him kiss her slowly and thoroughly, his hand coming to rest against the back of her neck. There was something deliciously familiar about kissing her husband after all these years, and his touch still made her heart beat faster in her chest. His lips were warm from the brandy, and she wound her arms about his neck, enjoying the familiar feel of his hair beneath her fingers. His hands settled at her waist, and when she shifted herself a little more comfortably against him, he made a low groan of appreciation that sent a pleasant warmth through her.

"There now," she whispered, drawing back just enough to look into his face. "You see how much better things are when you stop glaring at the world?"

He smiled and brushed a loose strand of hair from her cheek. "I love you, Elizabeth Darcy."

"I know, darling. And I love you very much, even when you are being a dreadful old bear."

Elizabeth laughed as he rose from the chair, keeping one arm firmly about her, and began steering her towards their bedchamber.