together. They were remarkably similar in build and features and could easily be mistaken for brothers rather than cousins.
'Good evening, Hugo, thank you for agreeing that I should be taken into your confidence. I have already sent word to my family that the house party will take place in the first week of May. I have also informed the staff at Pemberley so that they may begin to prepare every guest chamber for the invasion.'
His smile was warm as he came over and half-bowed to her. 'Darcy was right to insist that you knew everything. I believe you already have a list of families to invite.' He held up his hand as she was about to show him. 'I rely on your good judgement, there's no need for me to know who you've decided to include.'
The evening passed pleasantly enough but the speaking looks she exchanged with her husband made her pulse race and she was relieved that their guest took his leave as soon as the meal was over.
'Don't expect to see me at any of these social events – I never attend – so to do so now would draw unnecessary attention. I shall call round at the end of the week in the expectation that you will have made the acquaintance of the suspected traitors.'
He strode off and Fitzwilliam turned to her. 'I have one letter to compose and then will join you upstairs.' He trailed his hand across her cheek on his departure, leaving her pulse skittering.
Recently they had spent more time making love than they had in the past few months. The surge of joy made her catch her breath. She was convinced that by the time they returned home to Derbyshire she too would be expecting another infant.
*
Lizzy was dressed in her most elegant evening gown and her beloved was resplendent in black. They were to attend what was called "an informal supper party" where they expected to be introduced to Sir Robert and Lady Sinclair and their progeny – Miss Annabel Sinclair and Mr Richard Sinclair.
When they were in the carriage Lizzy had a question. 'Do you think that Mr and Mrs Hall and their children will be present, Fitzwilliam? From what you've told me they are only on the fringe of Society and might not have gained an invitation.'
'I doubt it. I think you will have to pay a morning call on Lady Sinclair in order to make their acquaintance.'
She settled back on the squabs enjoying the intimacy of the darkness and the feel of his shoulder pressing against hers. An unexpected bubble of laughter escaped, sounding loud in the confines of the carriage.
'What has amused you, sweetheart?'
'I was thinking that I almost hope it takes another year for me to conceive if we are to spend more nights like the last one.'
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. Even through the fabric of her glove she felt his kiss. 'I love you, Elizabeth Darcy, and intend to demonstrate how much as often as I can.'
His voice was gruff and his fingers closed over hers in a grip that was almost painful.
'And I return the sentiment, dearest Fitzwilliam. Although we have drifted apart in the past months I believe that is all behind us.' She should have stopped there but something prompted her to speak what had been in her heart. 'I know why there was this distance between us. You were unhappy with the amount of time I lavished on the twins and felt neglected.'
He released her hand as if it had become repellent to him. He moved so there was distance between them before he spoke. 'Are you, by any chance, suggesting that I am jealous of my children?'
His tone had changed from loving to icy. She bitterly regretted her remark and wished the words unsaid, but they hung between them. Either she could apologise and deny his suggestion or support her words with evidence. She chose the latter – she was never one to avoid a difficult situation.
'What else was I to think when you moved from the marital bed? When you spent as much time away from home as you did in it? Nothing else had changed so what other conclusion could I draw than that the arrival
'Good evening, Hugo, thank you for agreeing that I should be taken into your confidence. I have already sent word to my family that the house party will take place in the first week of May. I have also informed the staff at Pemberley so that they may begin to prepare every guest chamber for the invasion.'
His smile was warm as he came over and half-bowed to her. 'Darcy was right to insist that you knew everything. I believe you already have a list of families to invite.' He held up his hand as she was about to show him. 'I rely on your good judgement, there's no need for me to know who you've decided to include.'
The evening passed pleasantly enough but the speaking looks she exchanged with her husband made her pulse race and she was relieved that their guest took his leave as soon as the meal was over.
'Don't expect to see me at any of these social events – I never attend – so to do so now would draw unnecessary attention. I shall call round at the end of the week in the expectation that you will have made the acquaintance of the suspected traitors.'
He strode off and Fitzwilliam turned to her. 'I have one letter to compose and then will join you upstairs.' He trailed his hand across her cheek on his departure, leaving her pulse skittering.
Recently they had spent more time making love than they had in the past few months. The surge of joy made her catch her breath. She was convinced that by the time they returned home to Derbyshire she too would be expecting another infant.
*
Lizzy was dressed in her most elegant evening gown and her beloved was resplendent in black. They were to attend what was called "an informal supper party" where they expected to be introduced to Sir Robert and Lady Sinclair and their progeny – Miss Annabel Sinclair and Mr Richard Sinclair.
When they were in the carriage Lizzy had a question. 'Do you think that Mr and Mrs Hall and their children will be present, Fitzwilliam? From what you've told me they are only on the fringe of Society and might not have gained an invitation.'
'I doubt it. I think you will have to pay a morning call on Lady Sinclair in order to make their acquaintance.'
She settled back on the squabs enjoying the intimacy of the darkness and the feel of his shoulder pressing against hers. An unexpected bubble of laughter escaped, sounding loud in the confines of the carriage.
'What has amused you, sweetheart?'
'I was thinking that I almost hope it takes another year for me to conceive if we are to spend more nights like the last one.'
He took her hand and raised it to his mouth. Even through the fabric of her glove she felt his kiss. 'I love you, Elizabeth Darcy, and intend to demonstrate how much as often as I can.'
His voice was gruff and his fingers closed over hers in a grip that was almost painful.
'And I return the sentiment, dearest Fitzwilliam. Although we have drifted apart in the past months I believe that is all behind us.' She should have stopped there but something prompted her to speak what had been in her heart. 'I know why there was this distance between us. You were unhappy with the amount of time I lavished on the twins and felt neglected.'
He released her hand as if it had become repellent to him. He moved so there was distance between them before he spoke. 'Are you, by any chance, suggesting that I am jealous of my children?'
His tone had changed from loving to icy. She bitterly regretted her remark and wished the words unsaid, but they hung between them. Either she could apologise and deny his suggestion or support her words with evidence. She chose the latter – she was never one to avoid a difficult situation.
'What else was I to think when you moved from the marital bed? When you spent as much time away from home as you did in it? Nothing else had changed so what other conclusion could I draw than that the arrival
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