Page 31

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A pile of correspondence was spread out before him, but William’s mind was on something else entirely. He had just spent two hours with Elizabeth. She had grown tired, as she was prone to rising before it was light, and he had suggested she rest before dinner. Though she clung to his hands as before, she consented to a nap when he declared that he would personally escort her to her room.

He smiled as he remembered how she had looked up at him and closed her eyes as they stopped just outside the door. She had wanted him to kiss her forehead, as he had done on several occasions this past week. He was only too pleased to comply, though he knew of the impropriety of the kisses.

Impropriety be damned! If Elizabeth needs a kiss to reassure her, then a kiss she shall have.

At that moment there was a knock on the door. “Come,” William called.

Mr. Barnes opened the door and stepped just inside. “Lady Matlock to see you, sir.”

William straightened, afraid of what she might do if she were to see Elizabeth in his home. Sighing, he realised he had no choice. “Send her in, please.”

Rising from his chair, he moved in the direction of his aunt who was just entering the room. “Aunt, so nice to see you again.” He took both of her out-stretched hands and guided her to a chair. “Please, sit down.”

She complied, taking the measure of her nephew as he walked around and sat down behind his desk again.

“And, I am happy to see you, Fitzwilliam. I hope you will forgive me for coming without an invitation, but I was afraid you would be away to Pemberley before I had the chance to talk to you.” She saw the trepidation in her nephew’s face. “Oh, come now. You cannot fear what I have to say that much.”

William smiled. “You can be a fearsome person when you want. I well remember the punishment you administered when Richard and I broke your rules.”

Evelyn Fitzwilliam suppressed a smile. “And the punishment was well deserved, though that was five and twenty years ago at least!”

“At least! But well remembered!” Easy smiles faded as each examined the other expectantly. Finally, his aunt broke the uncomfortable impasse.

“I have come because I feel I have lost touch with you, nephew. All those months you spent in Scotland and Ireland, with only an occasional letter…” Her voice softened and trailed off as she observed his discomposure.

“I am sorry.” Affectionately she patted his arm. “I did not come to chastise you. I love you as my own child, and I find I still tend to treat you as that young boy who used to climb into my lap.”

A sparkle returned to William’s eyes, and his lips lifted at the corners as he teased, “Richard claims my dimples bring out the mother in every woman.”

She laughed. “That Richard! Well, you brought out the mother in me long before you were a handsome, eligible bachelor with captivating dimples!”

The smile faded as she suddenly grew solemn. “I could not help but notice that your attitude toward Mrs. Preston has drastically altered in the short time you were away from London.” William shifted in his chair and refused to meet her eye. “Am I correct?”

After a few moments, he nodded without looking up.

“You are a grown man and that is your business, but I did notice that you seem to be more preoccupied,” she paused, “or should I say troubled? So I am here to remind you that if you ever need a woman’s—a mother’s perspective, you have only to ask.”

William sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as he grimaced. “I am sorry. I thought your visit might involve my duty to marry Anne now that she has been abandoned.”

“Lord no! I would never wish that for you, though I would love to see you married and content. God only knows it would have been easier to agree with your uncle than champion your right to choose the woman you want.”

“I…I am not thinking of marriage at this point, but you would support my choice, if I decided to make an offer?”

Evelyn Fitzwilliam stopped short. He is questioning my resolve already? Has he someone in mind as Richard believes?

Straightening her shoulders she declared, “Yes. Though you are well aware that I would prefer you to choose someone of your station, the most important thing is that she be the woman you desire.”

William’s lips curved into a small smile. “And my uncle will not approve unless she is a member of the ton.” It was not a question.

“My Edward is stubborn and opinionated, but he loves you. He was wrong to become angry about Anne and he knows it, though he would never admit it. He has even yet to admit his error in insisting that Edgar offer for Jacqueline.” She wrung her hands. “That decision proves his ability to err, and my poor Edgar is suffering the consequences. It has turned into an unimaginable disaster.”

“Richard mentioned that they have had no more children after their son was stillborn.”

“Jacqueline refuses to try for another child. She is staying here with her father. When I last talked with her, she firmly declared that she no longer wished to live with Edgar. Her father has always spoiled her, and he refuses to interfere. I suppose it is a lost cause.” She shook her head as if to clear her mind.

“And the viscount is still living alone at Montrose Estate?”