The Colonels Timely Bride
Author: Dana R Lynn
Date: 2015-11-02 05:00:00+00:00
Publisher: Clean Reads

The Colonel’s Timely Bride
by Dana R. Lynn

Published by Clean Reads
www.cleanreads.com

This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, are purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

THE COLONEL’S TIMELY BRIDE

Copyright © 2015 DANA R. LYNN

ISBN 9781621354673

Cover Art Designed by CORA GRAPHICS

This book is dedicated to my personal hero and our children.

Love you.

Chapter One

Derbyshire, Present Day

“Mackenzie Lorraine, where do you think you’re going?”

Kenzie sighed and rolled her eyes. Her escape foiled, she schooled her features into a polite mask and turned to face her mother. Althea James was scowling. Of course. She hardly ever looked at her only daughter with any other expression. As if she were an unruly child, instead of a mature adult of twenty-three. Kenzie couldn’t wait to get back to her own home.

“I’m sorry, Mom. Did you need me?” A smirk threatened to break across her face. She refused to let it.

Althea’s scowl deepened. It was a wonder the woman didn’t have more wrinkles.

“I asked you where you were going.” Althea slammed her fists onto her narrow hips. “I could use your help. There will be a lot of guests here this evening. Remember?”

As if she could forget. Which is why she needed a few minutes to herself.

“Relax, Mom. I’ll be here. I’m just going for a ride. See?” She indicated her clothes. She was wearing her non-show riding boots, her favorite faded jeans, a black cami and a red and black checkered flannel shirt. Her mother’s lips tightened. Although Kenzie had been riding competitively since she was nine, her mother had never approved. It was something Kenzie’s father had encouraged. He had died when Kenzie was sixteen, but by then, she had been too old for her mother to steer her interests elsewhere.

“We are in England for your grandmother’s funeral, and you’re going riding?”

Uh oh. She was going shrill. That didn’t bode well.

“Let her go, Mom. You know she can’t stand being cooped up.”

Kenzie turned grateful eyes to her brother, Morgan. He would soothe her mother. He always did. Without waiting to hear her mother’s response, she made her escape. And all but ran to the stables. She quickly groomed and saddled a grey mare named Beatrice. Within minutes she was galloping away from the house.

House. As if that monstrosity could be so politely called a house. Kenzie hated the place. Always had. What’s more, she knew her beloved grandmother hadn’t cared for it either, but had felt obligated to remain in the family home. The only nice thing about the place was the stable.

She slowed the horse to a walk, holding the reins lightly in her right hand. Kenzie had been visiting her grandmother every summer since she was a kid. And her hip gran had kept in touch through email and even social media. Many of her friends had envied the fact the she had a passport and had been to Europe. Kenzie had stopped being impressed by it. As a teenager, there were times she would have preferred to stay in Pennsylvania with her friends. Guilt nagged at her about that.

She shivered. It was cooler outside than she was used to. It was somewhat ironic that she spent every July fourth in Great Britain. This was the first time she had been here during the spring. So far, she was feeling underwhelmed. Did it ever go more than two days without raining? If so, she had yet to see it happen.

“Enough!” Her voice burst out in the silence.

Beatrice twitched her ears.

“Sorry girl.” She patted the mare’s satiny neck. “Let’s just ride. Too bad there aren’t any rails to jump.”

Looking around, she spotted a tree laying on its side. Not as high as she usually liked to jump, but who knew how long it had been since Beatrice had been jumped? It would be good to start her off easy. Her grandmother hadn’t been able to ride for years. Why she kept a stable was beyond Kenzie’s understanding.

Well, she was here now. Might as well give the horse some exercise. As if the animal sensed her intention, she pranced beneath her rider.

“You want to run, don’t you girl?” Patting the mares glistening neck, Kenzie used her legs to coax the animal into a trot. They circled the felled tree a few times, until Kenzie was confident that the mare was ready. The first pass over the tree was smooth as cream. Kenzie laughed. She had missed this. She circled the tree again. Bea’s hoof came down hard on a large, flat shiny rock. It made an almost metallic ring. Startled, the horse whinnied and backed up. Calming the mare with a gentle pat, Kenzie urged her to keep going. She wasn’t ready to return to the house and face her mother.

Unfortunately, a storm appeared to be moving in. The air around them hummed with electricity, and lightening sizzled above them. No rain yet. They’d better head back.

Kenzie cast a longing glance at the tree. One more time couldn’t hurt, could it? After that, she’d meekly return to the house and help her mother prepare for the vultures. Umm, guests. She would do her best to be polite, even though she knew most would be there to gawk at where the reclusive old widow had lived. No doubt hoping to come away with some juicy gossip.

“What do you say, Beatrice? One more time?”

Beatrice whinnied. Even the horse agreed.

With fluid grace, they moved together. She could feel the horse preparing to jump, her muscles bunching. She held her breath as the graceful mare stretched out her legs in a perfect jump.

A single lightning bolt hit the tree, enveloping them in an electric haze.

Darkness.

****

She had no clue how long she had been surrounded by darkness. It felt as if she was being smothered by the thick air. And she could no longer feel the strength of Beatrice beneath her. What on earth had happened?

A scream built up inside her, the pressure immense. But her jaws were locked. Panic started to dance up her spine. Just as she was sure she was going mad, the heavy, smothering sensation lessoned. Her hair, she could feel her long hair stroking her cheeks and neck as a breeze moved it. Mist. She felt a misting rain, and was relieved to feel she could raise her chin to feel the sensation on her face. Closing her eyes, she smiled. Whatever had happened to her, it seemed to be passing.

A sharp gasp brought her eyes springing open. A young girl sat on a branch directly in front of her. Her dark eyes were wide in an unnaturally pale face. In fact, Kenzie was astonished to note that the girl appeared to be terrified of her.

“Are you … are you a ghost,” she finally whispered through trembling lips.

“What?” Was she for real? “Why would you think I was a ghost? No, of course I’m not.”

Bea pranced nervously. She patted the animal’s neck to comfort her, but kept her attention focused on the teenager. Something about the girl seemed off, but she couldn’t quite place it … Oh! Her clothes. The young girl was wearing a dress, a gown actually. Like she was going to some kind of masquerade. It was a high-waisted gown, yellow, with lace around the neckline and at the wrists. A yellow bonnet was on her head, although she could still see some pale golden hair peeking out from under the brim.

“You came out of nowhere!” the girl exclaimed. “I have been sitting here for nigh on half an hour, and without warning, you appeared.”

Kenzie was uneasy. What the strange girl said was impossible. But looking around, she realized nothing looked familiar. Even the house—

With an exclamation, Kenzie looked around. Her grandmother’s house, the fence and the stables… they were all gone. Not only were they gone, but the area around them was crowded with large trees. Trees that had obviously stood for a long time.

“Where am I?” she breathed. “Who are you?”

The girl stood and gave a graceful curtsy. “My name is Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley.”

Kenzie nodded. “Nice to meet you, Georgiana. My…”

She broke off at the stunned expression on Georgiana’s face. “What?”

“It is impolite to address someone by their first name unless invited to do so.”

“What is this? The nineteenth century?” Kenzie meant to scoff, but the look in her companions eyes made her stomach hurt.

“Of course it is.”

Chapter Two

London, 1814

“Richard, have you accepted Lady Anton’s invitation yet?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam bit back a sigh. He had hoped to avoid this particular conversation. At least for a few days. He had only arrived home last night. Yet here was his mother, standing in the library doorway, invitation clutched tightly in one hand. The look on her face said she would not be put off.

“I had not planned on attending, madam. I am not in the mood to smile and be charming at a ball.”

Lady Whitehaven’s thin lips tightened until it looked like she had none. He was in the suds now. If he had an estate of his own, or even a cottage, he could merely remove himself and wait out the storm. As it was, he was a colonel in His Majesty’s army, and had neither the time nor the opportunity to purchase his own home. Or the money. Such was the life of a second son.

“You must attend,” Lady Whitehaven declared. “Honestly, Richard, how do you expect to find a wife if you avoid balls and social gatherings?”

“Darcy found a bride, and he avoided balls more than I do.”

“Darcy found a penniless country girl. You are the son of a peer. You do not have that option.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam flushed, outraged. “Mrs. Darcy is perfect for Darcy. He’s a fortunate man to be able to marry for love.” Fitzwilliam loved his cousin, but part of him envied him. Not just because he had married for love, although that was unusual for a man of Darcy’s wealth and position. No. Fitzwilliam couldn’t help but feel that if he had followed his feelings when he had met Miss Elizabeth Bennet last spring, she might have become his wife. He had known as soon as he had met her that she would make a delightful wife. Quick witted, sharp tongued and beautiful. Plus the singing voice of an angel. Only two things had held him back from courting her. The first was he could see that she and his remote cousin had strong feelings for each other, although he was not certain if they were positive or not. And then there was his fortune. And hers. Both of which were nonexistent. As a second son, his parents had drilled into him the importance of marrying a woman of wealth. So he had let Elizabeth Bennet go. And stood silently while his cousin married her. Darcy and Elizabeth had glowed with joy that day.

He had never been more miserable.

And now his noble mother was insulting her.

Lady Whitehaven scowled at her son. “I’m not criticizing her, Richard. I like Mrs. Darcy. She has done admirably since she married your cousin. And we, of course, want to be supportive.” Her eyes softened. “You do not have your cousin’s options, my dear. You are not the heir. Your brother’s wife may yet produce an heir. But we cannot count on that. I want to be sure that you are taken care of before I die. And your father wants the Whitehaven title to be secure. What better way to do both than to find you a worthy bride?”

A heavy footfall indicated the entrance of his father. He was moving slowly. His gout must be bothering him. Lady Whitehaven moved back so her husband could proceed her into the room. He patted her arm affectionately as he moved past her.

“Now, my dear. Don’t fret so. Richard understands his duty. Don’t you son?” His tone was pleasant, but his gaze was steely as it pierced his youngest child. “If he can’t find a suitable wife on his own, we can always make an agreement with my sister, Lady Catherine. Anne is still single. And an heiress with an impressive dowry. I received another letter from her just this morning, demanding we set a date.”

Fitzwilliam shuddered. The idea of marrying his cousin Anne was abhorrent. He had laughed at Darcy for years while their aunt had tried to force him to marry her only daughter. Now that Darcy was married, though, he found himself the recipient of Lady Catherine’s expectations.

“Father, you know I can’t marry Anne. The idea is ludicrous. She’s too sickly to make any man a proper wife.”

Lord Whitehaven waved his protests aside. “No matter. You would be the master of a grand estate. Then, after she leaves you a widower, you can marry someone heartier.”

Unbelievable. Stomach twisting, he bowed to his parents and stalked out. His parents were snobs. As much as he loved them, he was finding it more difficult to respect them.

Outside. He needed to get outside. Grabbing his tall hat, he slammed it on his head and headed out towards the stables, nodding to the servant who held the door open for him. Within minutes, his stallion was saddled and he was charging down the road. He had no destination in mind. He just knew he needed to leave the confines of Whitehaven Manor. How could they even suggest he give in to Lady Catherine’s demand that he marry Anne? He would almost prefer Miss Bingley. He thought of the tall auburn haired sister of Darcy’s closest friend, Charles Bingley. Now she had a substantial dowry. And a fine figure. He sighed. She also possessed a superior air and a shrill voice. He recalled Darcy telling him she had pursued him relentlessly for years, her eyes on the Darcy estate, Pemberley. At the wedding, her allegiance had swiftly switched to the colonel. He had no doubts about why. He might not be wealthy himself, but he was the son of an earl. Marrying him would instantly improve her social status.

No. He needed another option.

On impulse, he headed towards Darcy’s place. Surely his cousin could provide him with the distraction he needed. Elizabeth would undoubtedly invite him to remain for supper. Which meant he could avoid his parents that much longer.

It was times like these when he wondered which he feared more— returning to the war or facing his parents and Lady Catherine.

****

Derbyshire

She was crazy. Stark, raving mad. There could be no other explanation. Why else would she be calmly walking beside this girl dressed like she just stepped out of a regency romance, as if she really believed it was 1814? But she was, leading Bea by her bridle. Her horse, at least, seemed to have no problem with their current situation.

Kenzie cut her eyes towards her companion. Georgiana, or rather, Miss Darcy, was a lot taller standing than she seemed to be sitting down. Kenzie was no midget at five-six, and Miss Darcy easily matched her height. She looked older than sixteen, too. Although her manner was very shy. Every once in a while a hint of playfulness snuck past her demure manner.

She seemed to think Kenzie was playing a great game. For the past hour she had been trying to convince the girl that she was from the future.

"Look! Have you ever seen anything like this before?" Reaching back in her pocket, she pulled out her iPod. Pushing a button, the sound of Adam Levine's voice broke over them. Huh. She hadn't really believed it would work. Miss Darcy backed up, fear once again on her face.

”What…what is that noise?” Miss Darcy leaned forward slightly, her lips pursed.

“Music.” Honestly, what did she think it was?

Miss Darcy scoffed. “That is not music! I have never heard any instruments that make such loud and raucous sounds.”

“That’s because they haven’t been invented yet.”

Again, the young girl backed up, fear and caution warring for control.

"Please don't be scared. I just want to go home." Convincing her to trust Kenzie took another twenty minutes. Finally, the girl seemed to realize she was in earnest.

"What were you doing when you arrived here?"

"I was jumping over that tree."

"Then you will probably go back to your time if you jump it again."

Made sense. In theory. In practice it didn't work. Kenzie and Bea jumped over the tree repeatedly until it became obvious that it wouldn’t work. Discouraged, Kenzie dismounted and slumped onto the branch.

"You will have to come home with me until we decide on a course of action."

Kenzie stared at her. "You can't be serious!"

“I assure you, Miss James, I am in earnest,” she was saying in her quiet voice. “We must find you some proper attire. And I believe you will need to learn the correct social behaviors expected of a proper lady.”

Kenzie’s head was swimming. Now that Miss Darcy was convinced, the reality of her situation was settling in. And with it came denial. What if this was just a dream? She had heard of people having odd dreams that they weren’t able to wake up from. Inside her mind she screamed at herself to wake up, wake up! Experimentally, she tapped the back of her hand with the fingers of her left hand. Discreetly of course. She didn’t want to upset the girl striding beside her, even if she was just a figment of her imagination.

“Won’t your family be worried about you bringing home a stranger?” The thought should’ve occurred to her earlier. She blamed it on her extreme distress at finding herself so far from her grandmother’s house. She knew if she had brought a stranger home, her mother would have thrown the queen of all fits!

The blonde girl smiled at her, not at all disturbed by the prospect. “My family will not know. My brother and his wife are staying at our London home. By the time they return, you should be more comfortable with society rules.”

Kenzie squinted at her, slightly shocked. “You mean they left you here alone? And why are you out and about without a chaperone?” She’d read enough regency romances to know that young girls did not ramble about unescorted.

“Believe me, Miss James, I am far from alone. Besides my companion, Mrs. Annesley, there are more than enough servants around to keep an eye on me. And I am perfectly safe here. You are on the Darcy estate. We have been walking on the paths of Pemberley the entire time. I would never venture outside of the grounds alone.”

Some of the unease melted. She suddenly realized how tightly she held her shoulders.

“We can say that we are old friends from school. I think that should do nicely, don’t you Miss James?”

“Yeah … but wouldn’t we be calling each by our first names?”

“Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Some people prefer to be formal always.” Miss Darcy flicked a shy glance at Kenzie under her lashes. “But I rather think I would like to call each other by our Christian names.”

For the first time in the past hour, Kenzie felt a smile bubbling inside her. She allowed it to sneak its way across her face. “Then please, everyone calls me Kenzie.”

“And I’m Georgiana.”

“Not Georgie?” Kenzie teased her, laughing as a mock shudder rolled across Georgiana’s slim shoulders.

“No, most definitely not Georgie. Only my cousin Richard calls me that. He’s a terrible tease. However, he’s also a colonel in His Majesty’s army, so I dare not complain.”

Judging from the smile on her face, Georgiana had a soft spot for her teasing cousin. A terrible thought struck Kenzie. If she were ever to meet this colonel, would he see right through their pretense? She thought it highly likely. Especially if she spoke. Which meant she must endeavor to speak as little as possible when he was around. Else she might find herself in a worse situation than she was now.

Chapter Three

London

“I tell you, Darcy, I will not do it! Nothing in this world could make me!”

“Calm yourself, cousin.” Fitzwilliam Darcy poured his fuming cousin a glass of port and handed it to him. “You are thirty years-old. Not even my uncle the earl could force you to marry where you do not wish.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam scowled. He lifted the port to his lips then decided he wasn’t thirsty. Setting the untouched glass aside, he resumed pacing before the fire place. “He couldn’t force you. You already have your own estate, and are completely free to do as you will. Me?” He swung around to face his cousin. “I am the second son of an earl. And until my brother’s wife is able to produce an heir, I am stuck. For if Henry dies without a son, and I pray he lives a long healthy life, but if he does die, than I will be expected to take his title.”

Darcy nodded. He knew this. This was the way of their society. Second sons could only inherit if their brother’s died. But with that inheritance, there were other prices to pay.

“I understand, Fitzwilliam. Truly I do. Remember, I was the one who was under the mistaken belief that I needed to marry to please my family.” Darcy frowned. “Richard…”

Fitzwilliam looked up in surprise. Darcy never called him Richard. Not unless what he was going to say was very serious. Indeed, when their eyes met, his cousin’s dark eyes were filled with an emotion he had never before been allowed to witness.

“I do not wish to interfere with your life. I only wish for you to find the happiness I have found. A happiness that I came so close to losing.” Darcy’s eyes closed briefly, as if he were gripped by strong emotions. “Richard, I almost lost Elizabeth, the only woman I have ever loved, because I was too busy focusing on society’s opinions. And I know in my heart I would have regretted her loss for the rest of my life.”

Fitzwilliam remembered how bleak his cousin had been after they had left Lady Catherine’s a year ago. He had to badger Darcy relentlessly before the man would tell him what had happened. Never had the colonel been so amazed as when he learned that his somber and always-proper cousin had proposed marriage to a lady with inferior connections. And that she had turned him down. His admiration for the very pretty and lively Miss Elizabeth Bennet had increased by leaps and bounds that day. Very few women would have had the courage to turn away such a suitor. Not when their futures often hinged upon finding a husband to care for them. His cousin, however, was devastated.

Happily, the pair had been able to resolve whatever issues had come between them and married. Now Darcy was the epitome of a happily wed man.

I want what he has.

“Gentlemen, were you planning on coming in for dinner?” a laughing voice called form the doorway.

Both men turned. Elizabeth Darcy walked towards them, a smile gracing her beautiful face. The light caught her chestnut hair and humor danced in her brown eyes. Eyes that glinted with love whenever they looked at Darcy.

A tightening sensation in his chest caught him unawares. Fitzwilliam rubbed it absently as he watched his cousin stride to his bride and lift her hand to his lips.

The three headed into dinner. Fitzwilliam shoved his discontent aside, determined to enjoy the evening with his two favorite people in the world. It might not be within his power to marry for love. But he would not give in without a fight.

It was close to midnight by the time the colonel returned to his parents’ manor. His evening with Mr. and Mrs. Darcy had done the trick. He had all but forgotten the altercation with his father. Indeed, he felt calm and confident again. He knew what he wanted. His strides were long and purposeful as he made his way down the hallway.

Unfortunately, his feelings of well-being only lasted until he got to his father’s office. As he was passing the door, his father’s bellow halted him in his tracks. Fitzwilliam felt his shoulders tense as he pivoted to face his father again.

“You called, Father?” he inquired politely, keeping his feelings tightly masked.

“I hope you were gone so long because you took my advice,” Lord Whitehaven glared at his younger son. “Did you write to Lady Catherine this evening? Is it settled?”

With an effort, Fitzwilliam kept a tight rein on his growing frustration. Only the ache in his jaw hinted at the fact that he was clenching his teeth.

“No, Father,” he managed to say. “I went to visit my cousin.”

Sparks leapt into the earl’s eyes. “Darcy, bah!” he spat. “That cousin of yours has already made a fool of himself. I refuse to allow you to do the same.”

“I do not understand why you are in such a rush to see me wed, Father.” Fitzwilliam ignored the reference to Darcy’s marriage. “Henry’s wife might present him with an heir before winter.”

The earl shook his head slowly.

“Henry’s wife lost the babe,” his father said.

Shock widened Fitzwilliam’s eyes. Shock and sorrow. He knew how much Henry longed for children. And not just because he wanted an heir. Henry had always wanted to be a father. And now his wife had apparently miscarried.

“When?”

“A week ago. The doctor does not know if she will be strong enough to ever carry a babe full-term.”

The implications slammed into him. If she was unable to carry a child, then eventually, the title would fall to Fitzwilliam. Or his sons.

Fitzwilliam swallowed as he felt the cage of his duty lock him into a corner. He had no choice.

“Father, I know what my duty is. All I ask is for a little more time.”

An inelegant snort escaped Lord Whitehaven. Reaching for his snuff box, he took a pinch and sneezed.

“Why wait? If you know what your duty is, then why not just do it? Give your mother and me a sense of peace.”

He sighed. “I wish to find my own bride. You know I like Anne. She is a lovely girl. For a cousin. I have no desire to wed her. Nor do I desire to bring her death on any sooner by forcing her to undergo a difficult pregnancy.”

The earl raised an eyebrow. Fitzwilliam held his breath as a thoughtful expression crossed his father’s face. He actually seemed to be considering it. Finally, Lord Whitehaven nodded.

“Very well. I will allow you to have a little more time.” Fitzwilliam restrained his smile. He knew his father very well. His father did not surrender without a price. As soon as his father started talking again, he knew he had been right. “You have until your birthday. At that time, you will present us with your prospective bride. If you cannot find a lady of noble birth to fulfill the station, then you will marry Anne.”

A few minutes ago, Fitzwilliam had felt he was in a cage. Now he felt as if a noose had been lowered around his neck.

Chapter Four

Derbyshire

Maybe today would be the day she was able to return home. It had been almost a month, and she was still stuck in the past. How she missed home! The noise, the fast pace, the freedom.

It was frustrating to be told every day that she couldn’t do something, simply because she was a woman.

Kenzie walked briskly to the stables. She still had an hour before Georgiana would arise. As much as she cared for her new friend, she could not get used to these hours that she kept. Most days Georgiana stayed in bed until almost 10 AM. Kenzie had always been a morning person. It was rare for her to sleep later than six. She made good use of the time. Georgiana had told her that as long as she stayed on Darcy property, she was free to ride Bea every morning.

Normally, this was her favorite time of day. She loved the way color washed the sky as the sun rose. She enjoyed the mist that fell each morning. The dew that resulted left even the spider webs sparkly and shiny. She could almost imagine fairies living in these parts. Just about the only thing Kenzie didn’t like about her morning rides was the horrible sidesaddle that Georgianna insisted was what all proper ladies used. She had so generously provided Kenzie with several lovely riding outfits. Although she felt somewhat guilty about it, Kenzie often slipped on her blue jeans under her riding clothes. Such as she had today. She had befriended one of the older grooms in the stable. He allowed her to saddle Bea herself. Or not. He never told on her, or even mentioned, the fact that her sidesaddle was often left hanging up. Although to be honest, her horse was at the other end of the stable, so maybe he had never noticed.

“You know,” she told Bea, “if we were back home, I think I might have even found trying this stupid saddle fun. Kind of a novelty. But here? I hate that I have to do it or people will think I’m a fallen woman.” She used her fingers to make air quotes. “I can’t imagine being this narrow minded.”

Bea nickered and rubbed her head against Kenzie.

“Come on, girl. We need to fly. I’m feeling a bit restless this morning.”

Briefly hugging the horse’s neck, Kenzie lead her outside. Casting her eyes around to be sure no one was watching, she placed her hands on the horse’s back and pulled herself up and struggled to get her herself settled on the horse. As soon as she was out of sight of the house, she would hitch up her skirt and so she could really move. But until then, she needed to take it slow and easy.

The past few weeks had been very long. Learning a whole new way of life was exhausting. The servants all thought she was extremely shy, because she rarely talked to anyone except Georgiana. There wasn’t much help for that. She was always aware that one word could damage her credibility irreparably. As it was, they were all probably dying to know why she was wearing Miss Darcy’s clothes. Georgiana had told them only that she would be staying with them for a time.

“Uh-huh.” She murmured to Bea. “I can’t wait to hear her explanation to her brother when he comes home next week.” She shuddered. If she had any other option, she would leave the manor before Mr. Darcy and his wife returned. But where else could she go? Literally, every one she knew was dead. Or more correctly, wouldn’t be born for at least 100 years. No, she was stuck. Good and stuck. Although she expected to be tossed out on her ear very soon. There was no way Georgiana’s brother wouldn’t see through her.

After riding a few minutes, she felt comfortable that no one looking out of the windows of the house could see her. It took some maneuvering, but Kenzie was able to hike her skirt up to her thighs and sit straddling the horse. Riding bareback was no challenge for her. There were many times she actually preferred it.

As she did every time she rode, she headed for the place where she had first appeared. She had run back and forth past the tree so many times she imagined there must be a path forming. Nothing. It never failed to disappoint her that whatever magic had zapped her into the past wouldn’t zap her back to her own time.

Well, she couldn’t dwell on it all day. She would try again. And she would keep trying.

“Okay, girl. Let’s run!” Using her thighs to signal the horse, they took off at a trot. As soon as Kenzie was sure that Bea had warmed up enough, she guided her into a smooth cantor. A laugh escaped her. It felt wonderful to be free of the house at last. The past two days had rained, and she had so missed being outside. Apparently most “ladies” were too genteel to walk in the rain. Except for Georgiana’s sister-in-law. Kenzie had heard all sorts of praise for the young woman who had won Mr. Darcy’s heart. And Georgiana’s too.

Kenzie was so wrapped up in her joy of the beautiful morning, that she didn’t hear the sound of another horse on the path until the other rider was practically on top of her. With a sudden gasp she brought her horse to a brisk halt. Horror flooded through her. Not only was she riding bareback, but her skirt was riding scandalously high and the handsome man staring at her in astonishment had a clear view of her blue jeans. Not a sight he would be familiar with seeing. Her first thought was to pray that this was not Georgiana’s brother.

At second glance, she realized that this was not a wealthy landowner. His military jacket with its shiny buttons and high boots told her this was an officer in the British Army. Which meant it could only be Georgianna’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam. A sinking feeling hit her when she realized that the man seeing her right now was the son of an earl. Her chances of passing herself off as a normal regency lady had just disintegrated.

Chapter Five

Beatrice snorted and danced, tossing her head. Using her legs and voice, Kenzie managed to bring the panicked animal under control. The beast gave her head one last toss before settling. Kenzie could feel the horse trembling beneath her.

“It’s okay, girl. All right.” Patting the horse’s neck, she tried to keep her cool even as her stomach tightened in alarm. Could she risk running? No. Beatrice was fast, but Kenzie would be willing to bet that her old mare was no match for the colonel’s horse.

The colonel shook himself, and immediately his astonished expression disappeared. His face became blank. Kenzie thought it was the scariest expression she had ever seen. It gave no clue what he thinking. Which meant she would have no warning. He urged his horse closer. Tensing, she held her silence. She would not be the first one to speak. Her mind flew in a hundred different directions. How could she explain things to him? It was hard to think clearly while looking at that cold face.

Briefly, she turned her attention to the magnificent horse he was riding. If she felt a tug of yearning to try her skill with such a fine animal, who could blame her? Then she turned her attention to the rider. Her breath caught. Dark hair curled to just below his ears. His eyes were brown. Deep, mysterious brown. Almost black. The kind you could drown in. She shivered. They were ice cold, as well.

“Who are you?”

The question jarred her. She blinked. It was a legitimate question. But she was feeling a wee bit overwhelmed.

“I will ask again, who are you?” This time the British accent was clipped.

Well, she could answer that question.

“My name is Ma-” Fool! Don’t give him your first name! “I am a friend of Georgiana’s. I am staying with her temporarily.”

If anything, his eyes grew colder. “I am Miss Darcy’s guardian, along with her brother. I knew of no friends coming to visit her.”

“It was a sudden visit.” There was no way she was telling this man (who had a sword at his side, by the way) any more lies than she had to.

Panic seized her.

“I’m sorry, sir. It’s not proper for me to be talking to you alone. I’m sure we will meet again.” Grasping the reins, she whirled her horse and fled, the pounding of the hoofs matching the blood pounding in her ears. How on earth was she going get out of this mess? A desperate glance over her shoulder eased some of her tension. The colonel hadn’t followed. But then, he knew exactly where she was going, didn’t he? After all, she had just informed him she was a friend of Georgiana’s, staying at Pemberley.

****

Colonel Fitzwilliam watched the young woman’s retreating back through narrowed eyes. Was she truly a friend of Georgie’s? Where could they have possibly met? Certainly not at school. For one, unless he had completely lost his powers of observation, she was several years older than Georgiana. Furthermore, his cousin had been out of school for over a year. His lips tightened as he remembered how he and Darcy had allowed her to be removed from school by her former companion, Mrs. Young. They had been sorely mislead, for that woman had been complicit in convincing Georgiana to consider eloping with George Wickham, the bane of her brother’s childhood. Fortunately, Darcy had saved her. That time. But was this another instance of his cousin’s innocence being exploited?

In his mind, he played back their brief conversation. Although her few words were rushed and soft spoken, he caught a hint of what seemed closer to a Colonial accent than a British one.

And then there was the way she rode. As shocking as it might be to some, he had seen ladies riding like a man before. He could recall at least two women who had disguised themselves as men to follow their husbands into war. Neither had rode as well, or as naturally, as the woman who had recently fled. If he were a betting man, he would wager that she never rode with a side saddle.

He probably should have chased her. After all, he was Georgiana’s guardian. But after being led astray by George Wickham and Mrs. Young, Georgiana had proven to be very unwilling to trust strangers. Not that he minded that. It made his job so much easier. It was difficult enough keeping a beautiful young girl with a substantial dowry away from charming fortune hunters. The very fact that the young woman he had just seen had obviously worked her way into his cousins affectionate heart, so much so that she was willing to allow the girl to wear her clothes and live in her manor indefinitely, made the colonel itch to know what was going on. What was her history? It was no matter. He knew exactly where she was going. The path she was on the lead straight back to Pemberley’s stables. From there he could catch her at the house. And he intended to have a long and thorough conversation with his cousin.

His purpose set in his mind, Fitzwilliam set his horse at a brisk trot back to Pemberley. Upon entering the house, he addressed Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper.

“Please ask Miss Darcy to attend me in the library,” he said as he handed his hat and gloves to one of the maids.

“Indeed, Colonel,” the matronly servant replied, “I will ask her to come to you directly.”

“Very well. I will wait for her. I am sure Darcy will not mind if I use his desk to write a letter.”

Mrs. Reynold’s curtsied respectfully and departed.

The sound of the heels of Fitzwilliam’s boots striding on the wooden floors echoed. Pushing open the library door, he walked in the large room and settled himself at the enormous desk. Helping himself to a piece of Darcy’s fine stationary, he penned a brisk note to Darcy, stating simply that he felt Darcy and Elizabeth might want to return home as Georgiana was hosting a guest. He didn’t offer his concerns. It would be a day or two before Darcy and his wife could arrive. Until then, there was nothing they could do about the situation anyway. He was reluctant to worry them for naught.

The other thought in his mind had more to do with the young woman he had seen riding. Something about her led him to believe that she was in some sort of distress. Colonel Fitzwilliam had always been a fine judge of character. He knew this without conceit. It was a necessary quality for a man in his position to possess, for he often was faced with making difficult decisions at a moment’s notice. To do so effectively he needed to be able to understand the men under his command.

Soft footsteps brought his attention to the library doorway. Hovering just inside the door was Georgiana and her guest. Whoever she was, she was not a coward. If she had been, she would have embraced the opportunity to disappear as soon as it became clear that he had no intention of running her down on his horse. A coward would have left Georgiana to fend for herself, instead of bearding the lion’s den. Amused, he took in the expression on her face. Fear lurked in her blue eyes. But that fear was overwhelmed by a spark of defiance. She met his eyes. Her mouth firmed and her chin lifted.

He chuckled softly. This could prove to be interesting.

“Georgiana, dear,” he addressed his cousin. “Will you introduce me to your guest?”

Georgiana swallowed audibly. Her “friend” winced slightly.

Oh, yes. This would be very interesting, indeed.

Chapter Six

Oh, he was mad. His face didn’t show it of course. Just a smile as he watched them approach was the epitome of politeness. Kenzie knew though, the man sitting behind the desk was not happy with the current situation.

“Cousin Richard! I had no idea you were coming for a visit,” Georgiana greeted him.

Kenzie winced again. Only an idiot would fail to notice how nervous her new friend was. Georgiana couldn’t even meet Richard’s eyes. Oh, wait. She hadn’t been introduced yet. And even if she had, he would have to be Colonel Fitzwilliam to her. Georgiana had explained to her that to use a man’s first name was tantamount to declaring yourself engaged to him. She bit her lip as some very inappropriate humor occurred to her. Wouldn’t it shock him if she slipped? The smile never reached her face as his cold eyes turned on her.

He kept his eyes on Kenzie while he responded to Georgiana. His voice, at least, was gentle. “I decided to make an impromptu visit, dearest. You have been here without Darcy and Elizabeth longer than usual. I thought you might be lonely.”

You thought she might get into trouble, you mean, Kenzie thought, a slight sense of resentment swelling in her heart. And you think I’m trouble.

Apparently, Georgiana came to a similar conclusion. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open before she checked her emotions. Straightening her spine, she levelled a calm stare back at the colonel. Kenzie detected a certain amount of hurt in that look. Hurt that he didn’t trust her? What for? While it was true she had spent the past several weeks with Georgiana, and they had started to grow close, she was well aware that there was something painful in the girl’s past she wasn’t ready to share just yet. Still, watching her face her much older, intimidating cousin, Kenzie’s respect for her friend grew.

“Richard, you need not have concerned yourself. My friend here was plenty of company for me. We have had so much to discuss, I have had no time to become bored or lonely.”

Kenzie stopped herself from snorting, but just barely. It was true they had much to discuss. They had spent the past weeks working on teaching Kenzie how to behave properly. Which hadn’t been easy.

She mentally prepared herself as Georgiana held out a graceful hand in her direction. Here it comes. Georgiana would introduce her as a friend from school, and she would be outed as a fraud. Nothing she could do but pray for mercy.

“Cousin, I would like to introduce a friend of mine, Miss Mackenzie James. Kenzie, my cousin, the Honorable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.”

Gritting her teeth, Kenzie lowered her lashes and curtsied the way she had been taught.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

He made a slight bow in turn. “Miss James.” Propriety dispensed with, the questioning resumed. “But how did you two meet? It cannot have been at school.”

Now what? But she didn’t give Georgiana enough credit.

“Naturally it was not at school. We met in London while Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth were on their wedding trip. In the dress shop.” Before he could pose another question, she rushed on. “Now, Richard, my friend has had a tragedy of sorts in her family, and needed a quiet place to come where she could grieve. We were not expecting her solitude to be broken so suddenly.”

A tragedy. So true. Suddenly, Kenzie was swamped with the enormity of her problem. Her family was gone. She would never see them again. Not her mischievous brother. And not her high-strung mother. A thought struck her. Her mother … the last conversation they had was not a good one. And she would never be able to apologize for how callously she had disregarded her mother’s feelings. Pain gripped her. She brought her arms across her stomach, trying to hold the feelings inside.

Male hands lightly gripped her shoulders. She jumped. Colonel Fitzwilliam had come behind her, and was gently leading her over to the settee. The coldness had drained from his eyes to be replaced by concern.

****

He was an oaf. A complete and utter heartless cad. He had watched as the agony had seared through Miss James’ expression. Then he had seen the physical manifestation of her pain. When her face had gone white, he had feared she would faint. The thought that she was acting briefly crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it. He had seen similar reactions from the wives of soldiers who had fallen under his command.

How was he to know she was in mourning? Her clothes were not mourning gowns. Furthermore, was that not Georgiana’s gown?

“Miss James, I apologize for seeming heartless. I can only explain that I was concerned for Georgiana. And you are not attired for mourning.”

Dull eyes lifted to his. Dull, but enchanting. He shook the thought away.

“My clothes…” she whispered, then her voice petered out.

Georgiana got his attention, urgently shaking her head. “Richard, she has nothing.”

He watched as Miss James jerked at the soft whisper.

“Miss James, I need to talk with my cousin. Can I get you anything? A glass of wine, perhaps?” Some color was returning to her cheeks. He was still hesitant to leave her side.

Wordlessly, she shook her head. He paused, then decided. Taking Georgiana to the far side of the room, he cast another glance at her guest. Satisfied that she was not listening in, he turned back to Georgiana.

“Georgie, what do you mean she has no clothes?”

Georgiana bit her lip. “Don’t ask me to tell everything, Richard, please. It’s not my right to tell her secrets. But all her things are gone. And her family. It happened suddenly, and she had no time to prepare herself. Please, Richard. She is a good, honorable woman with no place to go. I do not own any clothes suitable for mourning, and she refuses to allow me to buy her clothes.”

He hesitated. Shame filled him as he realized he was relieved to have some proof of her lack of mercenary intentions.

“Why did you not dye some old cloth to make her some mourning arm bands? That would have satisfied propriety.”

Georgiana hung her head. “I feel horrible about that. It never occurred to me. And I do not believe it occurred to her, either. After all, she might have other customs, growing up in America—”

“America!” he hissed. “Georgie, we are at war with America. If our aunt, Lady Catherine, learned that you were hosting an American here she would come that very day and cause a scene. I can promise you, it would not be a pleasant experience. Your brother is still dealing with people who sneer at him for marrying Elizabeth. Not that he cares, but I can only imagine if Lady Catherine spreads the rumor that he is harboring a spy at Pemberley.”

Unintentionally, he had raised his voice.

“I promise you, sir, I am no spy!”

The feminine voice startled a flinch out of him. He had been speaking out of exasperation. It had never really occurred to him to imagine her in the role of a spy. And yet, now that the idea had formed, what if…?

Pivoting, he fixed his “Colonel” stare on her. Instead of dropping her eyes or flushing, she glared back. In fact, she stepped closer. So close, he could smell a fragrance wafting from her skin. Lilacs? It suited her.

What was he thinking? He had no interest in whether or not her perfume suited her. No more than he was interested in the fact that she had a sprinkling of freckles across her sun-kissed nose. Freckles! Most women of his acquaintance would have been mortified at the evidence that their skin had been exposed to the sun without a parasol for protection.

“Forgive me, Miss James. I spoke without thought.”

“But you are suspicious of me.”

The colonel raised his eyebrows. “I would be suspicious of any person who happened to visit when my cousin and his wife are away. I am Georgiana’s guardian, a task I regard with the utmost seriousness. For that, I make no apology.”

Chapter Seven

The nerve of the man! Kenzie was still fuming over the spy comment the following morning. He had apologized, very nicely too. It was clear he didn’t think she was a spy. Hopefully, she would never meet this vicious gossip Lady Catherine.

Of course, her irritation would fade when she remembered his kindness at her distress. Such a complex man! Part of her found him absolutely fascinating and wanted to know him better. The other part of her, the wise part, told her to put as much distance between herself and him as was physically and emotionally possible.

Easier said than done. Unlike her time, it seemed it was perfectly normal for people to just stay all night. He had made some remark about Mrs. Annesley providing an appropriate chaperone until the paragon named Elizabeth arrived home. Which according to the colonel, he expected Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Darcy home tomorrow.

Another test she would need to pass. Although, she might not need to worry so much. Shaking her head, she recalled how quickly the colonel had bought their story. To be honest, though, she felt it was all true to some degree. In her mind, this was a tragedy: her family was gone, and she had been left with nothing in seconds.

Entering the breakfast room, she moved to the side board and helped herself to breakfast. As she did so, her eyes fell on the black arm band she wore. Dear Georgiana! She had selflessly volunteered one of her dresses to be torn so the strips could be made. She explained to Kenzie that while she wore those, she could not dance or allow herself to be courted. As if she was even thinking about those things!

On impulse, she poured herself a cup of hot chocolate. At home she would have had some of her flavored coffee. Here, all the coffee tasted like mud, she mourned. After the first day, she had resigned herself to drinking tea, but this morning she felt she could use the extra sugar. Georgiana could spare it, she smirked. Nothing lifted a woman’s mood like chocolate. Lifting the cup to her face, she closed her eyes and inhaled, allowing a smile to bloom across her face as the aroma of warm chocolate wafted to her.

She turned. Her heart stopped.

Staring at her above his own coffee cup, Colonel Fitzwilliam pierced her with his bottomless brown eyes. For a moment, they watched each other. Just when she had decided she wasn’t hungry, he grinned. The effect was startling. His face came alive with boyish charm. Instinctively, she knew this was the real man.

“Miss James, I hope you are feeling better this morning.”

His deep voice rolled over her like a wave. She shivered. Distance, Kenzie. Keep your distance.

“Thank you, I am feeling well. Georgiana isn’t awake yet.”

He rolled his eyes. “I am well aware that I shan’t see her for at least an hour or two yet. I am rather surprised to see you up.” He raised his eyebrows.

Taking a timid sip of hot liquid, she smacked her lips slightly at the lovely sweetness coating them. Lifting her eyes to the colonel to respond, she paused when she realized he was watching her intently. Rather, he was watching her lips intently. Flushing, she set the cup on the table and averted her eyes. What had they been talking about? Oh, yeah.

“I do not see the sense in sleeping through the best time of the day.” She shrugged.

“I noticed yesterday you are an accomplished equestrian.”

She grimaced. “I must apologize for my attire when you came upon me—”

He held up a hand. “Please, do not apologize. I understand. You were not expecting anyone to see you. You are not the first woman I have seen ride like that. But you are the most accomplished at it. I was curious.”

How much dare she say?

“I grew up around horses. And we were far enough away from others that it felt like we had our own little world. My father would often take my brother and me out riding. He encouraged it.”

Sadness rose at the thought of Morgan. She forced it down.

“I regret the loss of your family,” the colonel said. His voice was soft, like velvet. “I realize this conversation may be difficult for you. We can discuss a more pleasant topic if you wish.”

Now that he had offered her a way out, she found she wanted to talk about her family. Just a little. It felt good to be able to share, even a small piece.

“My brother Morgan and I were always close. He is … he was only two years younger than me. He understood my need to be out and about. I hate being kept inside for long stretches of time. My mother never understood that. We did not get along well. And now that she’s gone, I wish I hadn’t been such a difficult daughter.”

There was silence from the man sitting with her. A glance in his direction showed a thoughtful frown tugging at his mouth.

“Parents do not always understand their children,” he began slowly. Was he talking about himself now? “Frequently, their goals and wishes are not shared by their offspring. You were fortunate that your father supported you, even if your mother could not.”

“What about your parents?”

Why had she asked such a personal question?

“Forget it. I should not have asked. Forgive me.”

He shook his head. “No, I learned about your parents, it is only proper that I tell you a small bit about mine.”

Holding her breath, she waited.

****

Was he really contemplating discussing his problem with this strange young woman? What was he doing? And earlier, the urge to kiss her had nearly overwhelmed him. Kiss her! Such an action would compromise her if someone saw. And in his cousins’ house! Calling upon his legendary control, he decided to bring the conversation to safer ground.

It proved unnecessary. Georgiana breezed into the room with a smile. He knew it was not a completely genuine smile. Worry clouded her lovely eyes. Viewing the cozy twosome at the table, her smile relaxed. It even stretched to what might almost be called a grin.

“Good morning, Richard. Kenzie.”

They murmured their replies. It might have been his imagination, but Miss James looked a touch disappointed by the disruption. An idea occurred to him.

“Georgie, I want to take a ride through the paths in the woods. Would you ladies care to join me?”

Amusement grew as both ladies’ eyes widened.

“Oh, yes, cousin! I would love to. Only, Kenzie …” Georgiana’s voice dwindled as she peeked at her friend, biting her lip.

“Miss James does not care for the side saddle. I gathered that yesterday.”

Shock registered on Georgiana’s face. “You saw her riding without her side saddle!”

Tilting his head, he viewed his cousin through narrowed eyes. “I told you last night at dinner that I had seen her ride. I assumed you understood.”

“And you were not shocked?”

Well, maybe a bit. “Not at all,” he responded. “She’s a splendid rider.”

Georgiana’s mouth worked as she tried to process this knew information. A gurgle of laughter came from Miss James. He was vaguely aware that he envied Georgie the pleasure of calling her Mackenzie, or Kenzie. It suited her.

“Georgiana, I don’t mean to laugh at you, but you look like a fish.”

His own smile threatened as Georgiana’s mouth fell open again and her eyes widened. When Miss James sucked in her cheeks to make her mouth appear like a fish’s mouth, he found the need to cover his mouth with his napkin.

He need not have bothered. Instead of being insulted, Georgiana covered her own mouth as giggles erupted. Miss James did not bother with ladylike giggles and titters. She tilted her head back and laughed.

No other woman of his acquaintance would dare to laugh so freely. So vibrantly.

“I will promise to be ladylike and use a side saddle today, Georgiana. But please, let’s go riding? You know I hate to spend such a lovely day in the house.”

“Miss James, I think if you promise to use the side saddle while in view of the house, neither Georgie nor I will insist upon it once we are on our way.”

A splutter came from the side. His cousin’s eyes seemed ready to burst from their sockets. “Richard! You cannot mean to say that you would be unoffended if she … that is …” she spluttered again, unable to continue.

Exasperated, he sighed. “Georgie, I have seen much that offended me. That would not be one of them. Miss James would benefit from the time outdoors.” When his cousin still hesitated, he lowered his voice. “She has lost so much, dearest. Can we not give her this?”

Shamed, Georgie ducked her head. “I am sorry, Kenzie. Please forgive me for being selfish.”

“Always.”

Soon it was agreed that they would go in an hour. The ladies returned upstairs to put on proper riding attire. A sinking feeling took up residence in his belly. How was he supposed to put distance between himself and Miss James if he kept thinking of ways they could spend time together? There was so much he did not know about her. In addition, even if she was all that she appeared to be, he knew his parents would not approve of her. Her comportment was all wrong for the son of an earl. But for a simple soldier, she was enchanting.

Chapter Eight

Kenzie met the colonel and Georgiana in the hall by the front door. The colonel smiled at her, his eyes running over her in assessment. She suspected he was trying to decide if she had on breeches under her very proper riding outfit. Feeling mischievous, she raised one eyebrow at him, daring him to ask. His smile widened into a grin, but he shook his head.

“Ladies, shall we?” He bowed deep, sweeping his arm before him to indicate they should proceed. Georgiana giggled. Grabbing Kenzie’s arm, she all but dragged her out.

The high spirits were contagious. Throwing her head back, Kenzie laughed with abandon. Turning, she saw the colonel staring after her open-mouthed. Oops. Proper ladies did not laugh loudly. Well, it was too late. Besides, she didn’t think the colonel was one to mind. Sure enough, he recovered and he smiled again. His eyes met hers, and she knew she saw approval in their depths.

The trio strolled to the stables, enjoying the warm sun and the fresh breezes.

“Oh, I so missed being outdoors,” Kenzie sighed, lifting her face and closing her eyes. “I can practically feel the vitamin D sinking into my pores.”

Opening her eyes, she encountered blank stares. “Oh, sorry. I just mean that the sunlight is healthy for you. I am not fond of being stuck indoors for days on end.”

The colonel nodded. “I do agree with you, Miss James. I suspect you are outdoors whenever there is a bright day.”

Georgiana snorted. “Cousin, she would be outdoors even when it pours if I would join her. I keep telling her it would not be appropriate for us to be caught out in a storm. And what if we were to catch a cold?”

“A little rain never hurt anyone. Besides it’s not like we would melt.” And there were those confused looks again. “You know, sugar melts when it gets wet, but we aren’t that sweet?”

It was very difficult not to roll her eyes when Georgie nodded slowly, clearly not understanding the comment. Her appreciation for Colonel Fitzwilliam grew. He chuckled, deep laugh lines forming on his face. Ah, here was a man who loved to laugh. She had missed that upon their first meeting, but the more she saw him, the more she saw that he was an individual who loved life.

At the stables, she saddled her house, grimacing as she set the horrid side saddle on the horse. She turned to see that Georgiana hadn’t even started. “Georgiana, why isn’t your horse saddled yet?’

The younger girl’s eyes widened. “The groom has not yet arrived to saddle her.”

“Are you serious?” Kenzie shook her head in disbelief. She marveled that any woman would allow herself to remain so helpless. “Here, where is your saddle? I can do it for you. But you really should learn how to do it for yourself. Just because you’re a woman, doesn’t mean you’re not capable. It’s a good skill to know.”

“She’s right, Georgie.”

Georgiana looked at her cousin, aghast. “Richard! Surely you are not suggesting that saddling a horse is a ladylike accomplishment?”

Colonel Fitzwilliam scratched his head. “Maybe it does not seem ladylike, but it would do you no harm to know.”

Unconvinced, Georgiana stood aside and allowed Colonel Fitzwilliam to saddle her mare for her. The colonel tried to show her, but she resolutely turned her head away.

“Spoiled,” Kenzie muttered to Georgiana, who smirked back.

Turning back, she saw the colonel chuckling again. Did he hear her? A blush heated her cheeks. She was not making a good impression today. And she wanted Richard, um, the colonel, to think well of her. She wasn’t ready to examine why. Because as soon as she found a way home, she would be gone. Then they would never meet again. Her heart ached just thinking about it.

She shook her head. Can’t think about that. Just enjoy today. She allowed the colonel to lift her onto the saddle. His hands lingered on her waist briefly. Her breath caught. Clearing her throat, she broke away gently. Time to ride.

****

He couldn’t remember the last time he had enjoyed an outing with a woman so much. And not just because she was beautiful. Which she was. Her blue eyes sparkled and her dark hair kept escaping from its pin in little tendrils. The urge to touch a curl brushing her ear had his hand twitching. She was also bright and lively, and refreshingly blunt. Biting his lips to hold back a grin, he recalled hearing her accuse Georgie of being spoiled. He knew Georgie was pampered. Most of the young ladies of his acquaintance were. He had never heard anyone complain about that before. No, indeed. Ladies were supposed to be totally dependent on the men in their lives. A fact that had bothered him ever since the day he wrote his first letter informing a woman her husband had died under his command. Until then, he had never wondered what would become of a woman with no man to protect her. After that, the thought haunted him with every letter he had to write to a new widow.

Breaking out of his thoughts, he pulled his horse up next to Miss James’ animal. Leaning over, he whispered into her ear, “I believe we are out of sight of the house.”

She shivered. Did he make her do that? He hoped he had, then mentally scolded himself for being careless. He was in no position to encourage her to think of him as a prospective suitor. It was imperative that he remembered that.

She jumped down from her horse.

“It’s okay, Beatrice. We’ll have you free from this horrible contraption in a moment.”

This time he could not prevent his reaction. He snickered. “Isn’t that an exaggeration? Surely, a side saddle isn’t that bad?”

Scalding him with a fierce glare, she tossed back, “I’d like to see you try and ride that way. It’s unnatural! I’m amazed more women aren’t injured.”

“Most women do not ride at a full-out gallop.”

“It’s no wonder! Well, I intend to gallop. Which means the side saddle has to go.” She hefted the heavy equipment off the horse’s back and placed it in the bushes, out of sight.

Realizing she would need to re-mount the huge animal, he started to dismount. She stopped him with a raised hand. Amazed, he watched as she lifted her skirts and used some sort of belt to hold them above her waist. She was dressed in the same dark blue breeches he had seen her in the first time. She then proceeded to pull herself up on the horse and sit astride.

Was there another woman like her?

Chapter Nine

Tired and dusty, the trio decided it was time to return to the house. It was with regret that Kenzie replaced the side saddle on Bea’s back. The horse nickered and twitched her ears back.

“See, even my horse dislikes this saddle,” she murmured, cutting her eyes at the colonel. His lips twitched, but otherwise he didn’t react.

A gusty sigh drew her attention to Georgiana.

“And what was that sigh for?”

“It is almost time for my language lesson with Mrs. Annesley. As much as I adore her, I would prefer to miss my lesson today.” Georgiana sent a pleading glance to her cousin. She batted her long lashes for effect. “Please, Richard? If you tell her that I have your permission to miss my lesson, Mrs. Annesley would have no choice in the matter.”

“Sorry, Georgie. I will not be responsible for you falling behind in your studies.” Reaching over, he tugged on one of her curls.

“You are no fun, Richard! I think I should be allowed to miss because Kenzie needs me. Imagine how bored she is when I’m occupied with my boring lessons.”

Fitzwilliam chuckled. “Are you bored, Miss James?”

Laughing, Kenzie shook her head. “Actually, I would enjoy the quiet. It would be a lovely day to sit in the garden and read.”

Wrinkling her nose and tossing her head, Georgiana picked up her pace. “I can see that you two are determined to force me to suffer through French this afternoon.”

“Pauvre petite,” Kenzie mourned.

“La!” With a flounce, Georgiana disappeared inside. Kenzie saw her wink as she disappeared. Why that little brat! Had she engineered leaving Kenzie alone with the colonel? What was she thinking?

Kenzie wasn’t afraid of being “compromised”. They were in front of the house, and even now, servants were seen going about their duties. Not that they would talk. One thing she had learned early on, the Darcy’s took their privacy very seriously. The servants all knew that no gossip about the inhabitants of Pemberley would be tolerated. Furthermore, Kenzie sensed a strong feeling of both respect and affection for the Darcy’s. Her reputation was safe.

****

Fitzwilliam was unsure if he wanted to shake his cousin or kiss her. He had seen that little wink. She knew he was expected to marry an heiress, and yet she was encouraging him to pursue her friend. Unbelievable.

Still, he could not regret time spent in her presence.

“You said you wanted to read. Should we go see what books are in my cousin Darcy’s extensive library?”

She nodded, but her eyes were averted. Was the bold Miss James feeling shy? Because of him?

They entered the library. She stopped and gazed around her in wonder. “I love this room,” she whispered, her voice almost reverential. “There are so many classics here!”

He looked at her, confused. “I admit some of the volumes here are old, but many are less than fifty years old.”

Her eyes widened. A grimace appeared on her face. He had the sensation that she was deliberately keeping information from him. He decided not to press her on the issue. She was entitled to her secrets, as long as they didn’t harm his family, and he was confident they would not be. The affection she held for Georgie was genuine. Instead of questioning her, he would observe her and see if he could gather any clues about whatever she was hiding.

The room was quiet for a few minutes as they each perused the shelves, searching for a title which interested them. Not an uncomfortable silence. Once they had both selected a book, they moved in one accord to the garden right outside of the front parlor. Sitting on the stone benches, they were in full view of the house, so the rules of propriety were met. At the same time, they were able to converse at will without any fear of being overheard.

Every few seconds, Fitzwilliam found his gaze drawn back to his companion’s face. Years of sizing up troops had honed his observation skills. He knew something had happened in the past few minutes to upset the woman beside him. Exactly what had happened, he was at a loss to know.

“Miss James, are you well?”

There. Her lower lip was trembling. If she were to lift her eyes to his, he would certainly see tears. However, she would not lift them. Even while they sat together, he sensed she was struggling to subdue the emotions which had overwhelmed her.

****

With hands that shook, Kenzie ran her trembling fingers over the title of the book she held. It was a first edition copy of Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift. Tears obscured her vision. She blinked rapidly. Morgan loved, or would love, to have seen this. Her brother was an avid reader, and had an almost reverent appreciation for old books.

Homesickness rose up in her soul. How she missed her brother’s laugh, and his quick conversation. Even her mother’s high strung attitude was a point of nostalgia. As much as she had argued with her mother, she longed to see her again.

The colonel called to her again. She needed to answer him.

“Thank you, Colonel. I am well.” But she wasn’t. “I was just thinking how my brother would have loved seeing Mr. Darcy’s fine library.”

Her voice broke. She bit her lip and kept her face turned away.

“Miss James, I am sorry to have brought you pain.” His voice was rich with sympathy.

Finally, she managed to look at him. “Sir, it’s not your fault. I still have difficulty realizing I will never see them again. It’s reality.”

He nodded.

“Colonel, may I ask you a question?” At his nod to continue, she hesitated. She continued in order to distract her thoughts from her present situation. “This morning, you said you would tell me about your problems with your family. You don’t have to, but I wanted to let you know I was willing to listen if you still wished to do so.”

For a long moment, he didn’t respond and she worried she had offended him. Just as she was preparing to apologize, he began to speak.

“I am not very comfortable speaking of this issue, but it has been weighing heavily on me.” He focused his eyes off into the distance. To all appearances, he was calm. A muscle twitching in his cheek was the only visible sign of agitation. “My older brother is my father’s heir. As the second son, I will by rights receive nothing by way of an inheritance, unless my father is feeling unusually generous. Which is doubtful. That’s why I joined the military. It was either that or enter the church.”

He chuckled without mirth. “Now, I am a firm believer in God, Miss James, and I go to church when not in the midst of battle. But I am no great orator. Giving sermons for a living is not a talent I possess. As a soldier, I have little to offer a woman. Therefore, I had always assumed I would remain single.”

His fingers strummed an impatient pattern on his thigh. She held her breath.

“My father has other plans for me. My brother’s wife has not yet produced an heir. He is concerned that the family name will die out. Or worse, that some inferior cousins will take hold of the title. So he expects me to marry the daughter of a peer in order to be ready to step into my brother’s shoes.”

Ice gripped her heart. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe.

“He has given me until my birthday. Either I find a woman who fits his description, or I am to marry my cousin Anne. I have no desire to marry my cousin. Nor, to my knowledge, does she desire to marry me.”

Chapter Ten

Dinner that evening was a silent affair. Neither the colonel nor Kenzie were feeling talkative. Kenzie was aware of a strange tension which had sprung up between them. Frequently, their eyes met during the meal. Sometimes they exchanged half smiles. His eyes were contemplative, but she could see the shadows hidden in their depths.

The weight of his duty was hanging heavy around his neck.

And she was feeling the hopelessness of her growing affection for him. An affection she wouldn’t voice, but was reciprocated in each glance.

“Well, I for one am tired of the silence,” Georgiana exclaimed when the meal concluded. “I suggest we go to the music room. I have not had the opportunity to practice today. Come along, Kenzie. We will astonish Richard with our skill at the pianoforte.”

“I don’t know, Georgiana. I’m sure—”

“That’s a splendid idea, Georgie. Capital. Just what we need.” Colonel Fitzwilliam pushed to his feet. “Ladies, if you would join me?”

It would be mean to refuse. Reluctantly, Kenzie followed the pair, dragging her feet.

The moment she and Georgiana sat at the pianoforte, however, her reluctance dissipated. Nothing soothed her like music.

“My brother just ordered this piece for me.” Georgiana proudly displayed an Italian piece.

“Oh, I love that one!” Kenzie blurted. She bit her lip when Georgiana shook her head. Oh. The music she had enjoyed playing for years at home was brand new here.

Hoping the colonel hadn’t noticed her faux pas, the women settled into the task of bringing the beautiful music to life.

****

The colonel had noticed her slip. His eyebrows raised as he realized she had, indeed, played this music before. How else could she have played it so effortlessly? Even Georgiana, who was very accomplished on the instrument, had to stop and repeat notes when she erred.

What did it matter if she had seen it before? Shoving the bothersome thoughts aside, he decided to focus on enjoying the evening. He knew he would not have many opportunities to spend time with Miss James. Not that it was a bad thing. This evening, he had begun to realize the extent of his attraction to her. Knowing that only sorrow could come of it, he had ignored all thoughts of doing the proper thing and leaving.

He was Georgiana’s guardian and needed to remain available to his cousin in order to stave off any issues. Fustian. He knew it, but still he could not find the will to arise and escape her presence.

The duet ended, and Georgiana asked her friend to play something different.

The brunette shook her head. “I hope I don’t offend you, Georgiana, but I’m all in today. I think I would prefer to retire.”

Concern reared its head and pushed its way into the colonel’s mind. Was she ill? Or had he offended her earlier for talking so freely about his family?

When she made her way to the stairs, he waited until Georgie was occupied in her music once more. Quietly, he slipped from the room and moved towards where she had headed.

“Miss James.” He kept his voice low so as not to inform his curious cousin that he was speaking with her friend.

Miss James halted before the stairs, but kept her eyes directed away from him. He discovered he did not like that at all. Suddenly, the desire to see her eyes welled up inside him. Never had he been prone to fits of impulsiveness. Until he met her.

“Please, look at me.”

Her head edged up. He could feel the reluctance in the movement. When those eyes met his, he sucked in a breath. The merry orbs which had sparkled this afternoon were pools of misery.

“Miss James, please, I hope I did nothing to offend you this afternoon. If I did …”

“Hush.” She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. He was unprepared for the sensation of her touch, even through his clothing. Her eyes widened. Yes, she had felt it too. Quickly, she snatched the offending hand back and hid it behind her back. He was reminded of a child caught sneaking treats from the kitchen. Bravely, she continued to look at him, blushing furiously. “I was not bothered by you, Colonel. I will admit to feeling at sea, but it’s not your doing.”

She backed up. “And I really am tired. Goodnight.” She fled up the stairs.

Georgiana exited the music room five minutes later and was startled to see her cousin standing at the base of the staircase. He had an expression on his face she had never seen before. It was lost.

Chapter Eleven

The Darcy’s were home. Fitzwilliam watched as their carriage drew up to the house. The footman hopped down to open the door. Darcy jumped down before helping his wife descend.

“Richard!” Elizabeth called, delight in her voice. And for once, he did not feel a tug of envy as he watched Darcy kiss his bride’s hand. A surge of relief rushed through him. It seemed his unseemly infatuation with his cousin’s wife was fading.

Darcy gathered his wife on his arm and headed his way.

“Your letter hinted there was a problem here. I was worried that Georgiana might be in trouble and you were reluctant to speak plainly. We left as soon as we could.” Darcy eyed his cousin carefully. “You didn not need to run anyone through, did you?”

Fitzwilliam flushed. How he wished he had waited to send that letter to his cousin! He had been so sure that Miss James was up to something underhanded. And remembering the way George Wickham had tricked Georgiana into consenting to an elopement last year, he had fired off that letter without paying any heed to the possible consequences. After learning more, he had forgotten about the letter.

“Sorry, Darcy. You must have been out of your mind when you received it.” Grimacing at Darcy’s nod, he rubbed the back of his neck.

“Richard,” Elizabeth’s soft voice drew his attention. “Since there does not appear to be an emergency, maybe we can continue this conversation indoors.”

Fitzwilliam stared at her. Indoors? Elizabeth never wanted to be indoors. If the sun was out, so was she. Was she well? For the first time, he noticed how pale and drawn her lovely face was. Why, she was exhausted! Had he worried her this much? Or was she suffering from some other malady? If so, they should have remained in town until she was well again.

“Elizabeth, are you ill? I do apologize. It was never my intention to upset you. Indeed, let’s move indoors where you will be more comfortable.” In his haste to help her, he moved to her other arm.

And was stopped by her laughter. She did not sound unwell. In fact, if he was any judge, the secretive glance she shared with her husband was exuberant. Darcy raised one eyebrow. She responded with a nod.

Darcy cleared his throat. “Richard, this is not to be made known to anyone outside of our family. Not even to your parents. Elizabeth and I will be parents in December. We would like you to be godfather.”

Elizabeth was … Darcy would be … Godfather.

There was nothing he could do about the grin spreading over his face. “Darcy! Elizabeth! I am very happy for you.”

They entered the house, and were met by Georgiana and Miss James. Georgiana gasped and rushed to embrace her brother and sister-in-law. Miss James paused, uncertainty written into every line of her body. It was clear she doubted her welcome here. Catching her eyes, Fitzwilliam tried to indicate with a smile that she had nothing to worry about. He was sure Darcy would have pity on her.

At the moment, Darcy was busy embracing his excited sister. He laughed as she started jumping up and down, clapping. Raising his eyes, he continued to smile, but his gaze sharpened as it fell upon the pretty young woman wearing one of his sister’s gowns and black arm bands. To his credit, his only reaction was to aim a quizzical glance at the colonel.

“Georgie, would you care to introduce me to your friend?” He had to be curious. His voice, however, was calm and unruffled.

“Oh!” Georgiana’s hands flew to her rounded mouth. “I am so sorry. Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, this is my dear friend, Miss Mackenzie James.”

Fitzwilliam stopped listening while Georgiana explained Miss James’ presence. Instead he focused on Miss James herself. He had always thought she was lovely, but today in Georgiana’s dark blue gown, she was exquisite. He was entranced by her eyes. For the first time he noticed how deeply blue they were. And they were made even more spectacular by the black ring around them. He had never seen eyes like hers before.

“Richard?”

Embarrassed to be caught staring, he turned back to see Darcy giving him a knowing smile.

****

As the introductions were made, Kenzie kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Soon, they would start to demand an explanation for her presence. Hopefully they wouldn’t turn her out. Colonel Fitzwilliam had allowed her to stay. Although, Georgiana’s brother did have a protective look about him. Elizabeth, though, she was lovely. And her eyes were the most open and friendly eyes Kenzie had ever seen. The dark haired woman had taken one look at Kenzie’s arm bands, and her eyes had filled with sympathy. Even now she was moving over to take her hands.

“Miss James, please accept our condolences for the loss of your family. Forgive our surprise, Georgiana had never spoken of you before.”

What could she say without lying? Kenzie hated to lie, but she couldn’t very well say, “Well, that’s because I dropped into your world from 200 years in the future.” Yeah, that would go over like a lead balloon.

“Our friendship has not been a long one. But it has helped me through a difficult time. I can never thank Georgiana enough for her kindness to me.” There. That was all true, wasn’t it? And she didn’t think she said anything shocking. But here, who knew? Half the time Kenzie was afraid to open her mouth lest she give offense or say something that was considered poor breeding.

She held herself so tight, by the time luncheon was completed she had developed a raging headache. Before she knew it, she was squinting whenever she happened to glance towards the windows.

How long did she need to sit here? All she wanted to do was to go to her room and crawl back into bed. Every movement sent a jarring pain through her head.

“Miss James, are you well?”

What? The colonel’s voice reached her, but he sounded far away. When had she closed her eyes? She forced herself to open them. The colonel was standing next to her chair. She knew it was him, even though his red coated figure was blurry. He had asked if she was well.

The effort to answer him took more strength than she had. Wearily, she allowed her eyes to flutter shut again. Ah, that felt better. She let the darkness swallow her.

****

Fitzwilliam caught her as she pitched forward. Gathering her up in his arms, he rose.

“Kenzie!” Georgie ran to her friend’s side, her face white.

Swiftly, Elizabeth rose to her feet and approached. She calmly felt Miss James’ forehead, then addressed her husband over her shoulder.

“William, she’s feverish. We need to get her settled in her room. Would you please have a maid sent up?”

“Should we not call a doctor?” Fitzwilliam blurted. His eyes scanned the girl in his arms again. She was breathing normally, and her face, although a little flushed, was not alarmingly red. Indeed, if he had not seen her faint he might have thought she was merely sleeping.

“I do not believe she is ill enough for a doctor,” Elizabeth stated. He wanted to argue, but she was not finished. “Please remember, sir, I have four sisters. I have seen my eldest and one of my younger sisters faint when they were even the slightest bit unwell. I believe she is merely suffering a trifling cold. However, if it would comfort you, a physician shall be summoned.”

Glancing up, he intercepted the considering looks on all three faces. Georgie actually had a small smirk. What happened to concern for her friend? Surely, they were behaving far too casually. Unless, it was he who was over-reacting. Heat crawled up his neck and face.

“No, if you say she is not ill enough for a doctor, I will trust your judgment.” He followed Elizabeth out of the room, hugging his burden closer to him. The instinct to protect and shelter Kenzie, no, Miss James was warring with his impulse to flee Pemberley at once. Steeling himself against such impulses, he followed Elizabeth and Georgie into Miss James’ room and gently laid her on the bed. Straightening, he remained near her a few seconds longer, battling with his desire to reach out and smooth her hair back from her lovely face. Until Elizabeth forced him aside with a fierce frown. But he saw the sympathy in her eyes.

His chest tightened. No one but Elizabeth would understand so well. She had possessed nothing but her charms to recommend her to Darcy. True, she was a gentleman’s daughter, but a poor gentleman’s daughter. None of the five Bennet sisters had a dowry, and even their house had been entailed away to a cousin. A buffoon of a cousin. When Fitzwilliam had met her last year in Kent, he had felt attracted to her. But he had known that he had nothing to offer her. Just as she had no expectations of marrying well, he knew that he would have very few options as a second son. One could hardly ask a woman to share the life of a soldier. And even then the idea to marry for money was repugnant to him.

His situation was more serious now. He had a duty to marry to provide an heir so the family line would continue. His father had made it abundantly clear that if he did not marry a woman of acceptable breeding, his wife would suffer. And he would be disowned.

It would be unconscionable to show any interest in a woman under those terms. Regardless of any tender feelings that may be developing in his heart for her, he could not bear the thought of her suffering because of him. And he was developing a decided attachment to Miss Mackenzie James. An attachment she could never know about.

Setting his jaw, he gave Elizabeth and Georgie a courtly bow. Pivoting on his heel, he strode briskly from the room. Within a quarter of an hour, he had made his excuses to Darcy and taken his leave, knowing he left part of his heart behind.

Chapter Twelve

London

How early could he leave without appearing rude? Fitzwilliam smiled as he bowed over yet another spoiled heiress’s gloved hand. How had Darcy endured this for so long? At least Darcy had the luxury of choosing with his heart. At his parents’ insistence, he had thrown himself into the various activities of the marriage mart. Balls, the theatre, he attended them all. And he was bored. Bored, bored, bored.

His parents would be in high dudgeon if they suspected he had already formed a tenderness for a young woman without a fortune. In truth, much of his reason for attending the balls with such enthusiasm was to distract himself from dwelling on Kenzie’s blue eyes and melodic voice. It did no good. Every woman he was introduced to was automatically compared to her and found wanting. None of these women would talk with him as freely and without pretense as she did. And the thought of any of these women riding bareback was laughable. He was aware that they looked at him with calculating eyes. Some wouldn’t even consider him an appropriate suitor due to his status as a second son. Therefore, a man without his own property. Others looked at him and saw a link to a title. No doubt they had already considered that his brother had no heir. His lip curled.

“Colonel?” A startled voice broke into his reverie.

Belatedly, he realized he was glaring at the young woman before him. Drat! He could not even recall her name.

“Pardon me, miss. I have a matter I must attend to.”

Ignoring her insulted pout, he spun on his heel and strode towards the exit.

“Richard!”

He sighed. He had hoped his mother would be too preoccupied to stop him. But why should he expect that? She had come tonight expressly to judge the worthiness of each girl he talked with.

She was already at his side. If he did not know it would have been undignified, he would have thought she had run across the distance.

“My dear, surely you are not departing? The ball has barely begun. I have several young ladies I want to introduce you to.” Her smile was pleasant, but her eyes were cold. Do no defy me, they warned.

Fitzwilliam straightened his broad shoulders. He schooled his features into his military mask. She might be his mother, but he was no longer a boy. He understood what was at stake, but he would not be cornered. Or ordered about. He would come and go as he pleased.

“Madam,” he bowed slightly. “I have seen all I wish to see tonight. I feel the need for some peace and quiet. I will bid you good evening.” He continued out at a brisk pace. He knew his mother would not call out after him. Bad ton and all that.

****

Lady Whitehaven stood like a statue, rage brewing in her breast. How dare he walk out on her! Did he have no consideration for the state of the Earldom? She drew in a deep breath, struggling to control her temper. Too late she realized someone was standing beside her. A quick glance confirmed her fears. Lady Greystone was standing there, a look of avid curiosity on her face. And if she was not mistaken, glee was dancing in her eyes. The two women had been uneasy friends for years, always vying to best each other.

“My dear, where was your son off to in such a hurry?” Lady Greystone purred.

“Richard? He had something he needed to complete. I have no doubt you will see him at the ball tomorrow evening.”

“Hmm. I wonder,” Lady Greystone tilted her head as if in thought. “Maybe I should not mention … my information could be incorrect. I cannot say if what I have heard is accurate.” She allowed her voice to fade as if she was hesitant to broach a touchy subject. Her eyes, however, sparked with malice.

“Oh, just say it! It is clear you believe you are in possession of some useful information.”

“Only this. A dear friend of mine lives near your nephew, Mr. Darcy. Her maid reported the colonel was quite an interested visitor to Miss Darcy recently. Is it possible he is considering her as a perspective bride?”

Georgiana? She was young. Only sixteen. But she did have a large dowry. It could be a beneficial match. Not that she believed that Richard had intentions toward his cousin. But maybe he could be persuaded?

“Of course,” Lady Greystone continued, “Miss Darcy herself was hosting a young guest. A young woman of about twenty, I understand. An impoverished friend, I believe she said. And a lovely girl.”

Fear blossomed in Lady Whitehaven’s soul. An impoverished young woman, sanctioned by the Darcy’s! Darcy could not be trusted to guide Richard. Not after his appalling lack of decorum in ignoring propriety by marrying beneath him. Why should he think anything of encouraging his cousin and dear friend to do the same?

Pasting a smile on her face, Lady Whitehaven made her excuses to her gloating friend. Her mind was fully occupied with finding out the truth, and separating her son from any who did not meet with her expectations.

Sending a servant into the billiards room with a message for her husband, she waited impatiently for him to join her. He finally arrived after five minutes.

“My dear, are we leaving? It’s early yet.” Lord Whitehaven frowned at his wife, puzzled.

“Yes, we must leave this minute,” she hissed. Her eyes skirted the hallway. Not seeing another guest nearby, she relaxed. “I will explain in the carriage.”

Lord Whitehaven huffed in annoyance, but allowed his wife to lead the way out.

“Your son is making a complete fool of himself!” she burst out the moment they were seated in the carriage. Lord Whitehaven’s heavy eyebrows climbed. Seeing his surprise, she forced herself to calm down. “I have heard it reported tonight by Lady Greystone that he has been visiting Darcy’s estate recently.”

“Nothing unusual in that, my dear—”

“He was not visiting his cousins! He was visiting their guest. A young woman with nothing! A fortune hunter, no doubt.”

A storm cloud darkened Lord Whitehaven’s visage. “Are you sure of your information?”

“No, but I intend to find out. First light tomorrow morning, I intend to set out for your sister Catherine’s home. Between the two of us, we should be able to formulate a plan to keep this girl away from Richard.”

Chapter Thirteen

Derbyshire

Had she really been here two months already? It seemed strange to Kenzie that it was already May. After a few days of awkwardness, she had settled in with the Darcy family. In spite of all her fears that the Darcy’s would turn her out, they too bought her story. Georgiana’s awe of Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Darcy had caused her some anxiety, but soon she had been invited to call them William and Elizabeth, as if she were family.

“Kenzie! Are you ready? Elizabeth says we need to be on our way.”

Kenzie joined Georgiana somewhat reluctantly. Elizabeth had helped to make her mourning wardrobe more appropriate. Georgiana had somehow convinced both she and Elizabeth that Kenzie needed one new gown. So while they were in town shopping for a gown for Georgiana, Kenzie found herself prodded and measured as well.

And now, she was accompanying the family to an estate twenty miles north of Pemberley. Kenzie had balked at first. She could remain at Pemberley until the Darcys returned that evening. Georgiana shook her head.

“Kenzie, we are not going for merely a day, silly,” she chided her. “We are going to be visiting for at least three days. Why bother going for just a day?”

She had been so astonished that she had allowed Georgiana to pick out her clothes without a word. Three days? She was supposed to keep up with this charade in another stranger’s house for three days?

“I feel like a fraud,” she muttered to the younger woman. “Georgiana, I can’t believe I let you convince me to get this. I feel almost naked.”

She felt a bit smug at her friend’s fiery blush. Regency ladies did not say “naked”. It was almost as improper as swearing.

“Would you stop being a ninny about it? You needed something, and we were already in town.”

“Georgiana Darcy, you do not call your guest a ninny. I thought you had better manners than that.”

Georgiana heaved a sigh. Kenzie smothered a grin, and noticed that Elizabeth did the same. She was willing to bet that Elizabeth was used to melodrama, coming from a family with five daughters.

Darcy’s voice could be heard talking with someone just beyond their sight. As they neared the stairs, the other man laughed. Kenzie’s heart fluttered. She came to an abrupt stop, and Georgiana had to do a neat side step to avoid crashing into her back. She recognized that voice.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was back.

She had tried to convince herself that she hadn’t missed him, that she didn’t keep an ear open for any bit of news about him. He had returned to the war, and she insisted it didn’t matter if she never saw him again. Now, she admitted that she was lying to herself.

William and the colonel came around the corner. They glanced up the stairs, and the laugh died on the colonels eyes. Instead, wonder filled his face as he caught sight of her.

Breathe, Kenzie. Breathe. Her heart was pounding like a freight train as she started down the steps.

****

She was breathtaking. When he had first seen her, he had thought her merely pretty. Now, he was convinced that she was the loveliest creature who ever lived. Even in her mourning gown. Thankfully, she hadn’t decided on a black gown. Hers was a soft white with black edging. Her black hair was swept up, but there was one dainty curl that swayed against her neck. His eyes fastened on that curl briefly.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she curtsied before him. “I had not heard that you had returned from the war.”

Bowing over her hand, he realized he did not need to force a smile. Rather, he needed to force it not to become a ridiculous grin.

“Miss James. I am only here on a short leave.”

Was that disappointment in her eyes? Elation and self-recriminations battled inside him. He was happy that she had missed him, too. But the practical part of him warned him that he should discourage any affection on her part. On his part, he acknowledged his heart was already lost. But he was no closer to living a life he could ask a lady to share. No man of any worth asked a gentle lady to share a soldier’s life. And even if he sold his colors and became a civilian, he would be too poor to support a wife for quite some time.

All at once, Fitzwilliam became aware of the pregnant silence around them. The Darcys were all three watching them, avid interest in their eyes. Heat climbed his face.

“Should we be on our way then?” he blurted.

Darcy chuckled. “Certainly, Fitzwilliam. Let’s escort the ladies to the carriage, shall we?”

Five minutes later, Fitzwilliam suspected Darcy was trying his hand at matchmaking. What else could account for the seating arrangement? Miss James had been placed directly across from him. Every time he raised his eyes, he met hers. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes kept sliding away and coming back. Yes, she definitely felt the attraction.

After an eternity, they arrived at their destination. Mr. Charles Bingley had recently purchased an estate in Derbyshire with his bride, Jane. Fitzwilliam had always enjoyed Bingley’s company. And Mrs. Bingley was a delightful woman. Quiet and serene, she was Elizabeth’s oldest sister. A beautiful woman, she had soft blond hair and light blue eyes. Fitzwilliam had always found her lovely, although not nearly as vibrant and alive as Elizabeth. But few women were.

Fitzwilliam’s eyes returned to Kenzie. She was, though. He could feel the vibrancy emanating from her. He was sure it took all her control to keep herself still. In fact, was that … yes. He hid a smile behind his hand as he caught sight of her small foot bouncing up and down in impatience.

“Fitzwilliam! Darcy!” Bingley yelled with barely controlled exuberance. “Come! Why are you still in your carriage! I have been waiting to show you around.”

Laughing, they exited the carriage. Elizabeth saw her sister and rushed forward to hug her.

“Jane! I have so much to tell you!”

“Lizzy, Miss Darcy, Mr. Darcy! Wonderful to see you. And you as well, Colonel.”

Darcy leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “We are brother and sister now, Jane. No more Mr. Darcy. I insist you call us William and Georgiana now.”

“As you wish, William.”

Darcy lifted a hand to indicate his guest. “And may I present Miss Mackenzie James? She is a friend of Georgiana’s who is visiting us.”

Jane’s keen eyes took in the state of Miss James’ dress and softened in sympathy. The women curtsied to each other and Bingley bowed. “Of course. Welcome to our house Miss James. This is Miss Bingley, Charles’ younger sister.” She indicated the well-dressed woman beside her.

Miss Bingley gave Miss James only the smallest acknowledgement. When her eyes slid to him, the colonel shuddered. They lit with avarice. Instantly, a wide smile stretched her thin lips. Her eyes fluttered coquettishly.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam! What a pleasure to see you again!”

It astonished him how one person could make him feel dirty with a mere greeting.

Bingley led the way into a sitting room. “We are waiting for one more couple to arrive. Do you remember John Turner from Cambridge, Darcy?”

“John Turner! I have not seen him in six years,” Darcy exclaimed.

“Nor had I. I happened to see him in town last week. He is recently married and has inherited his father’s estate, only 20 miles from here. I mentioned our party, and he was quite pleased to accept my invitation.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam began to move towards Miss James. Miss Bingley intercepted him. Her conversation was vain, filled with flirtation and little snipes at the other women she knew. He hastily disengaged himself from her side and returned to the gentlemen. When his jaw began to ache, he realized he was gritting his teeth in annoyance.

Outside a carriage pulled up.

“Ah! That must be John now,” Bingley exclaimed.

The group faced the door as the servant announced Mr. and Mrs. Turner. Mr. Turner entered the room, his bride on his arm.

“Sarah!”

Fitzwilliam jerked at Miss James’ sudden cry.

Mrs. Turner’s eyes filled with tears. “Kenzie? Kenzie!”

Miss James narrowly missed Fitzwilliam as she dashed across the room, arms outstretched. The women embraced, both of them crying in broken sobs. The colonel stiffened as he noticed Miss Bingley sneering as she watched them.

The others had all fallen into a shocked silence. Miss James’ voice was clearly heard by everyone in the room.

“I thought I had lost the whole family. I thought I was the only one left.”

Chapter Fourteen

Her throat was raw. Despite her best efforts, another sob burst through as she held on to her cousin. Sarah had mysteriously disappeared two years ago.

“Kenzie, I never thought I’d see you again,” Sarah whispered brokenly, her own voice harsh from crying.

“Miss James. Mrs. Turner,” Bingley approached them, and stopped.

He doesn’t know what to say, what to think. Oh no. Glancing around, Kenzie realized she and Sarah had created a scene. It was a good thing it was a small party. Pulling herself out of her cousin’s arms, she wiped at her face with her hands. A handkerchief was held before her. She didn’t need to look to know it was the colonel’s. She was hyper aware of his presence. Nodding her thanks, she tried to erase the telltale signs of emotion and moved to hand it back.

“Keep it,” he murmured.

“Mr. Bingley, Mrs. Bingley, please forgive us for causing such an uproar. I thought my entire family was gone. To find my cousin is alive has overwhelmed me.”

“Cousin!” Georgiana gasped, eyes wide. Kenzie saw she had put it together.

“Yes, Sarah and I are first cousins. Her mother and mine are sisters.” Sarah and Kenzie exchanged glances. Although Mr. Bingley was all friendliness and would no doubt allow them to have a room to catch up privately, to do so in a house full of guests was unthinkable. Especially given the snide attitude of Miss Bingley. They could not take the chance of being overheard.

To say that the other guests were amazed was an understatement. And, with the exception of Miss Bingley, all were supremely sympathetic to the two women. Miss Bingley’s sneer became even more pronounced. During dinner, she fawned over the handsome colonel. Kenzie could hardly eat. Her stomach was in knots. The colonel was seated across the table from her, so there was no way for them to converse. Instead, she had to satisfy her longing with glimpses of his smile. He didn’t appear to respond to Miss Bingley’s flattery, she was glad to note.

Miss Bingley dropped the act of cordiality the moment the ladies and gentlemen separated after dinner. She allowed herself the luxury of making caustic comments throughout the remainder of the evening. Kenzie found her manner of dressing, her manners, and even her joy at seeing her cousin again were all the focus of snide remarks and distain. If she never set eyes on the superior woman again, she wouldn’t be sad.

What was the purpose for separating? Why couldn’t the sexes remain together? Kenzie got Georgiana to the side briefly and put the question to her. And received a blank stare in response.

“Remain together? What an idea!”

Sarah joined them. Georgiana glanced around them.

“What, making sure Miss Bingley won’t join us?” Kenzie said drily, rolling her eyes. “Not likely. Your cousin is with the other men.”

“That woman! She was forever clinging to William before he married Elizabeth. I think she wants a title.”

“Not with her connections to trade,” Sarah murmured.

“Sarah!” Kenzie was amazed at the biting remark.

Her blond cousin blushed. “Sorry, Mackenzie. I forgot myself. I can’t like the woman. She tried to compromise John before we were engaged. If she had succeeded, he probably would have married her to preserve his honor.”

What an idiotic notion! Yet she had seen proof of that mindset since she had arrived. The idea of trapping a man into marriage for a wealth or a title was … was … She shuddered, unable to come up with a vile enough word.

“Miss Darcy, would you do us the honor of playing for us?” Jane Bingley approached with her gentle smile.

Immediately, Georgiana’s face paled. Panic filled her eyes. The change was so swift, Kenzie was startled. Georgiana, it seemed, had the regency equivalent of stage fright. Before she could talk herself out of it, she grabbed her friend’s hand.

“Come on Georgiana. We’ll play together.”

Sarah brightened. “Kenzie, I saw a harp as I entered.”

A grin pulled at the corners of Kenzie’s mouth. It had been ages since she had touched a harp. Not since she had arrived in this time. Her fingers itched to pluck at the strings.

Georgiana gasped. “You can play the harp?”

“She can. Piano and violin as well.” There was no mistaking the pride in Sarah’s voice.

“Why, Miss James,” a syrupy voice broke in. “Is there anything you can’t do?”

Winking at Georgiana, Kenzie turned to Miss Bingley. “Why yes, Miss Bingley. I neither draw nor do I speak Italian, although I can sing it.”

Without waiting for the snide woman’s answer, Kenzie moved to the harp. Setting her fingers on the strings, she waited for Georgiana. Fortunately, the two women had practiced together on the piano frequently during the past two months. She would be able to improvise as long as the younger girl picked a song they had done together.

Her eyebrows raised when Georgiana began with a Scottish piece. Shrugging, she focused on the instrument before her. Miss Bingley stared at her, anger in her gaze. No doubt she had meant to discredit her. Closing her eyes, she shoved the loathsome woman out of her mind and began to sing.

****

“Shall we rejoin the ladies,” Bingley suggested.

The gentlemen stood and meandered back towards the parlor. The sounds of the piano—and was that a harp?—began to drift from the open doorway. A second later a voice started singing. It was a lovely feminine voice, but different than usual. The ton favored light and airy sopranos. There was nothing light or airy about this voice. It was a rich alto through and through. Soon it was joined by a soprano. Elizabeth had joined in.

The men entered the room silently, all listening in appreciation as Elizabeth and Kenzie harmonized. The song ended, and they were almost unanimously asked for an encore. Almost. Fitzwilliam noted with some amusement that Miss Bingley’s expression was decidedly sour. That lady did not like to see others garner admiration or praise. Especially if she considered those others beneath her.

Georgiana stood. “Kenzie, would you play that song you showed me last week? The one I had never heard before.”

Kenzie … Fitzwilliam felt his face heat as he realized he was calling her by her first name in his thoughts. Miss James, he corrected himself, flashed a rather wild eyed look at Georgiana. He did a double take. Was that his little Georgie? His sweet cousin had her chin raised and her eyes clashed with her guests with what could only be termed defiance. Between Elizabeth and Miss James, they were influencing her attitude. He wondered if Darcy had any idea what was in store for him when it was time for her debut next year. A glance over at his cousin answered that question. Darcy was staring at his sister with a mixture of indulgence and resignation.

Barely restraining a snicker at Darcy’s expense, Fitzwilliam settled into a seat near the back of the room. He did not even try to disguise his goal … he wanted to be able to freely watch Miss James as she performed. This time he allowed the smile to form on his face as she reluctantly replaced Georgie at the piano.

His eyes widened as she began the song. He had never heard anything like it. The rich, emotional quality of her voice increased along with the pace of the music. It was not as complex as a concerto, but the lightning quick movement of her fingers on the keyboards was unlike the music either in England or on the continent. Maybe something new in America?

He was caught up in the music. When it stopped, he tried to define the empty feeling inside himself. It was regret. Regret that he would not be the man privileged to listen to her for the rest of his life. Suddenly, all he wanted was to return to his regiment. At least there, he would have something bigger than himself to focus on.

“I say, Colonel Fitzwilliam.” He forced himself out of his reverie and faced Bingley. “I was just inviting Darcy and Turner to join me for a hunt the day after next. Care to come along?”

“Ah, Bingley, very kind of you to invite me. Unfortunately I must decline. My aunt, Lady Catherine, has requested my presence at that time. I will be joining my parents in Kent.”

Darcy frowned. “In Kent? We were just there at Easter. Does she require my presence as well?”

Darcy and Fitzwilliam both helped to supervise Lady Catherine’s steward.

“No. I believe this is more of a personal nature.” He lowered his voice to keep the ladies unaware of the conversation. “My parents, and our aunt I believe, are hoping to influence me to choose a bride. The sooner the better, or at least they appear to think.”

Darcy grimaced. “You mentioned that before. I had hoped they would drop the subject.”

Scoffing, Fitzwilliam shook his head. “Since when have any of them ever given way to another’s wishes? No, be assured, until I am irrevocably married, they will hound me.”

“You will be able to join us tomorrow, though? We have a delightful day planned with a picnic and some hunting.”

Against his will, Fitzwilliam found his eyes again drawn to Miss James. His heartbeat quickened as she laughed at whatever Elizabeth was saying.

“Yes, Bingley. I will be here tomorrow. I will not leave a minute before I have to.”

Chapter Fifteen

Caroline Bingley stole from the room, trembling with excitement. This was her chance! She had listened with glee as the colonel had talked with the other men. His own relatives were pressuring him to marry. Preferably someone with better breeding than Mrs. Darcy. It still stung that Mr. Darcy had chosen that country chit, Eliza Bennet, over herself. And now, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the son of an earl, was becoming bewitched by Miss Kenzie James. Kenzie! Such an outlandish name!

Entering her chamber, Miss Bingley hastened to locate her writing paper. Well, she would have to take steps. Surely, Lady Whitehaven and Lady Catherine would be interested in learning that their precious colonel was in danger of making a disastrous match with a woman of unknown breeding? And in doing so, maybe she could put herself forward as a desirable candidate for his hand? After all, she had overheard her brother saying to Jane that the colonel was expected to marry a woman with a sizeable dowry. Her own dowry was quite large.

Before she could talk herself out of it, she penned her letter.

Dear Lady Whitehaven,

I beg your pardon for being so bold as to write to Your Ladyship. We have never had the pleasure of meeting. However, I feel compelled to acquaint you with a situation which might adversely affect your family.

I have been in the company of your son, the Hon. Colonel Fitzwilliam, while he was visiting my brother’s estate in Derbyshire. I had the opportunity to observe interactions betwixt the colonel and a young woman, Miss James. The afore mentioned lady is a poor relation to the wife of one of my brother’s friends. It soon became clear to me that she had designs on your son. I regarded them with much concern. She would not be a fitting choice for the son of an earl.

I wish you the best of health. If I can be of any assistance to you, it would be my honor.

Your Humble Servant,

Miss Caroline Bingley

Miss Bingley read over her letter carefully. Her conscience pricked her. She didn’t actually know that Miss James had designs on the colonel. Nor did she know her to be penniless. Straightening her shoulders, she dismissed her doubts. What did it matter? If the woman was penniless, she was unworthy of the colonel. If not, well, if she had a dowry than she had the means to attract another suitor.

Tracking down a servant, Miss Bingley handed over her letter, insisting that it was of the utmost importance that it was dispatched immediately.

Placing a hand over her chest, she drew in a deep breath to calm herself. Her heart was racing. Had she done the right thing? This was nonsense! Of course she had! Assuming an innocent air, she returned downstairs and rejoined the group.

Her brother raised his eyebrows as she entered the room; other than him, though, no one else appeared to have noticed. Relief was replaced by annoyance. Really! How rude were these people to not even notice her absence? Seething, she settled in a chair to watch the party. Particularly she watched the colonel conversing with Miss James. Both were flushed, their eyes never wavering from each other. Miss Bingley pursed her lips. Yes, her letter had been sent just in time. If her plan succeeded, Miss James would never see the rugged colonel after he left for Kent.

****

“Miss James, allow me.”

She was becoming very familiar with that scent. And that voice. Colonel Fitzwilliam. Or Richard, as she had taken to calling him in her mind. He helped her to descend from the carriage. Once her feet were on solid ground, he placed her hand on the bend of his arm. The muscles flexed under her hand. She fought the urge to tighten her hold.

Instead, as soon as they drew near to the group, she released him, and was vaguely amused by the disappointment on his face. But she knew his family was depending upon him to marry someone wealthy and connected. She might be relatively new to the culture, but it hadn’t taken long to understand that marriages were made for financial and social gain. Love was not even in the equation for most couples. Sliding a glance to William and Elizabeth she smiled. She knew of one exception to the rule. Then she looked at Sarah. Hopefully her cousin was another.

Almost as if she knew Kenzie was thinking of her, Sarah looked up. She motioned for Kenzie to join her. Immediately, Kenzie moved to her side. Grabbing her arm, Sarah pulled her cousin in close.

“Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

Kenzie nodded. The women excused themselves and began walking near the line of trees. Still in sight of the others, but far enough away so their conversation wouldn’t be overheard.

“Sarah, how did you get here? We thought you had been kidnapped. Your car was still at Gran’s and all your things …”

Sarah nodded, a frown settling on her face. “I know. It was strange. I was riding, and decided to jump over a fallen tree. Suddenly, it felt like a sudden storm blew up. There was lightning. One minute I was jumping,” She shrugged.

“The next you were smothered in darkness and 200 years in the past,” Kenzie finished for her.Both women shuddered at the memory.

“Does John know?”

“Yes, he had started noticing odd things about me. Eventually, I had to do some explaining. Fortunately, by that time he loved me enough to listen.”

Hearing that her cousin had made a love match was a balm to Kenzie’s soul. It would have been awful believing her cousin was trapped in a loveless marriage.

“Does anyone know about you?”

Sighing, Kenzie rubbed her hands over her face. “Georgiana. I guess from her perspective I just appeared out of thin air. Spooked her pretty good. I had to convince her I wasn’t a ghost.”

“Instead you had to make her believe you were from the future,” a snort escaped Sarah, causing Kenzie to giggle.

“What sort of cruel joke is this?” an angry voice demanded.

Richard.

Kenzie closed her eyes and prayed for guidance. Slowly, she turned and faced the man who held her heart in his hands. Her body trembled at the cold eyes glaring at her, as if she was a stranger. How could she convince him? Logical Richard. It was impossible. But she had to try.

“Richard.” He jerked as she said his name. How could she be so careless? “I’m sorry, Colonel. I know it seems impossible. It has to be a lie, you’re thinking. But it’s not.”

He shook his head, a fierce scowl on his face.

“Please, listen,” she begged, tears in her eyes, in her voice. “Think about me. Do I talk like someone from this time? Think of the things I know. Music that has only just come out, that I know as if I had played it for years. Because I have. And other songs, like the one I sang yesterday, that haven’t even been written yet.”

Sarah chimed in. “You can ask John for collaboration. And Georgiana.”

“She’s a child,” he muttered. But his face turned thoughtful at the mention of John.

It took almost an hour, but his doubts became stronger. Indeed, he remembered enough instances where he thought she was different. “Those pants you wear for riding …”

“They are called blue jeans. Made from denim.”

“I have never even heard of denim.”

She couldn’t help her smirk. “Blue jeans won’t be invented for another forty or so years. A man named Levi Strauss made them. In California.”

Sarah whistled. “Wow, how did you remember that?”

“I did a report on him during high school. It stuck.” She shrugged.

****

Was he really supposed to believe this incredible tale? Yet, somehow, it explained so many things. He did manage to get John Turner alone at one point. The man confirmed his wife’s story. Suddenly, Fitzwilliam was ablaze with curiosity. Throughout the rest of the day, he constantly sought out Kenzie to ask her about the future.

“You called me Richard,” he mused at one such time.

Blushing, she ducked her head. “I’m sorry. In my time, people don’t refer to each other as Miss or Mr. I would have been Kenzie to you the moment we were introduced.” She raised her eyes to him. In a breathless voice, she continued, “and I would have called you Richard.”

“In my mind, you have been Kenzie, almost from the beginning,” he admitted in a low voice.

“I have trouble remembering that I can’t call you Richard.”

He held out his arm. When she placed her hand on it, he moved them into the shadows of the trees. Still visible, but barely. “You still could. Call me Richard. I enjoy hearing you say my name.”

Regret flashed in her eyes. “I would love to, but how could I? We are neither family, nor do we have an understanding.” Meaning they were not engaged.

“We could be.” He was amazed at his own boldness.

A gasp left her. “But your parents … your family’s title?”

“Kenzie James, I have grown to love you with my whole heart and soul. I have tried to convince myself that you would not be satisfied with me. For one thing, we shall only be able to afford a modest living. My father is sure to disown me. But I care not for the money if I have you.”

Tears fell from her eyes. “Richard, I adore you. We could live in a cave and I wouldn’t care.”

The urge to kiss her was overwhelming. But he knew he could not risk it. Not when his heart’s desire was this close. And then there was the issue of her being in mourning. Although, since she was not a widow, they could shorten the period.

“Kenzie, I want to offer you my hand, and my protection. Custom forbids me from asking until your mourning is complete.”

“How long do I have left?” she whispered, longing thick in her voice..

“You have been here over two months. Six weeks is the minimum. If when I returned, your mourning were to be complete ...” he left the thought incomplete.

“Yes! When you return, I will be free to accept you.”

He nodded.

“Tomorrow I will meet with my family and tell them my decision. If you are agreeable, I will resign my commission and return to you a free man. Willing and ready to offer you my hand, if you would accept it.”

“Nothing you could do would ever change my feelings for you. I would gladly accept you.”

Chapter Sixteen

Kent

The servant accepted Colonel Fitzwilliam’s hat and gloves with a neutral expression.

“Lady Catherine is expecting you in the parlor, sir.”

“Very good, Sanders. Have my parents arrived yet?”

“Yes, sir. They arrived half an hour ago.”

Perfect. So his parents and Lady Catherine had plenty of time to discuss him behind his back. He shrugged. Knowing his aunt, she would feel comfortable reiterating every negative and unflattering comment to his face. She was blunt to the point of rudeness. Although she would never tolerate a similar trait in others.

His boots clicked across the hall as he headed to where his judges waited. His mouth quirked, but he was not amused. He had come to tell them that even if he were to be disowned, he would not marry his cousin. Nor would he seek out an heiress just so he could marry for wealth. He would marry for love, or not at all. He hoped the fear for the future of the title would be enough to carry his point home. If it was, he could go back and offer for Kenzie with something more than himself. Either way, she had said she would accept him, and he planned to make her his bride. As soon as he could obtain a special license. Waiting would only give his family time to interfere.

Kenzie. His Kenzie. He had thought the name was absurd the first time he heard it. Now, he thought it fit her. Spunky and unique. And she was his.

Entering the room, he found his parents and Lady Catherine waiting for him. They faced him with cold, angry faces. A letter lay on the table in front of them. His face froze as he noted the signature. Miss Bingley. Why would Bingley’s scheming sister be writing to his parents?

His mother did not make him wait.

“Richard,” she said. He could feel the temperature in the room drop. “I have two questions for you. Why am I receiving letters from a notorious fortune hunter? And why is she writing about your deplorable behavior regarding a Miss James? Whom I hear has no money or family. Surely, you would not seek to align yourself with such a creature?”

Fury coursed through his veins. How dare that woman take it upon herself to warn his family against Kenzie?

“It is unimportant who this woman is,” Lady Catherine interrupted. “What matters is that Fitzwilliam do his duty. It is time he and Anne were married. And if we obtain a special license, they may marry without delay. Then this upstart who dares set her cap at him will have no choice but to relinquish any hold she may have over him.”

“Lady Catherine, I am standing here. Please do me the honor of addressing your comments, as false and malicious as they are, directly to me.”

“Fitzwilliam, you will keep a civil tongue in your head,” Lord Whitehaven glared at his rebellious son. “Your aunt is correct. We must hurry. I had thought to give you until your birthday, but it seems you are unable to make a sensible choice.”

The door opened and Anne slid into the room. Fitzwilliam was concerned at how pale and sickly she appeared. He helped her sit. The three others in the room watched with calculating smiles. He ignored them. In his mind, they had ceased to have any hold on him the moment they began abusing his love.

“Anne, are you well?”

“Yes, Cousin. I thought I heard you arrive and thought you might wish to talk with me.”

His heart lurched. Did she want him to propose? No, they had spoken many times about her wish to remain single. She was only here to offer support, he was sure of it.

“Father. Mother. Lady Catherine. I am sorry that you will not give way on this subject. It was not my intention to break with the family. However, I mean to be understood. I am willing to take that step if necessary.” Lady Whitehaven paled. Lady Catherine and his father, though, their faces grew red with indignation. “I have already made an offer to Miss James, and she has accepted my hand.” Ignoring their gasps and outraged cries, he continued, raising his voice to be heard. “I am in town to resign my commission and see my lawyer regarding a settlement for my bride. I have no intention of wedding my cousin or anyone other than the woman I love.”

They railed at him for quarter of an hour. It was no use. He would not be moved. Only Anne remained smiling.

Fitzwilliam was preparing to walk out when a maid entered, announcing callers. Two matrons entered the room. Ah yes. Mornings were reserved for social calls. He was surprised his parents had planned this meeting when they knew callers would stop by. Their reasoning soon became evident.

“Ah, ladies. So pleasant to see you!” Lady Whitehaven purred, a gleam in her eye. “You know my son, of course? He just became engaged, to Miss de Burgh.”

What? His jaw dropped in disbelief. How could she? Announcing it like that, if he protested it would look like he was crying off. Anne’s reputation would be ruined. And his parents and Lady Catherine were counting on his being too kind to destroy his cousin that way.

He was trapped.

Rescue came from an unlikely quarter.

Anne gave a happy laugh, seemingly unaffected by the news. “Oh, Aunt! I do apologize! When Richard was just saying he was engaged, he did not mean to me!” She leaned towards the guests with a confiding air. “My cousin has met a lovely young girl while visiting the Darcys. He asked her to marry him only yesterday. A love match. Is it not wonderful?” She sighed as if it was the most delightful news she’d ever heard.

The ladies exchanged excited glances. Fitzwilliam could just imagine their whirling thoughts. Who was the mysterious woman who had snared Lord Whitehaven’s bachelor son? They could not wait to leave, probably to spread the news.

It was his cue to make haste. As the ladies were leaving, he leaned down and brushed Anne’s hand with his lips. “You have my eternal gratitude,” he whispered.

“Just marry her soon,” she whispered back. “And promise to be happy.”

“I will, I promise.”

He left without a backward glance. Anne followed. Once the door was closed, she lingered, knowing the situation was far from over.

Silence descended upon the room. “I will see my lawyer immediately. He is no son of mine.”

“Wait,” Lady Catherine ordered. “I know of someone who owes me a favor. If someone were to convince this woman that Fitzwilliam had bowed to pressure and had married Anne, we might be able to pay her to leave. Then he will have no reason not to marry Anne.”

“That’s a fine idea, Sister. But he will be by her side before we could succeed.”

A laugh filled with malice erupted form Lady Catherine. Anne clenched her fists in response. “It’s already being carried out. I sent a rider out early this morning. Miss James will be hearing of Fitzwilliam’s nuptials to Anne within the next two hours.”

“Brilliant,” Lord Whitehaven marveled.

“What if she does not believe it? If she loves him, she might insist on hearing the news from him,” Lady Whitehaven murmured.

A chair creaked. Anne could envision her mother rising majestically from her chair.

“It’s very simple. Miss James will disappear. And no one will ever find her.”

Horrified, Anne stared at the door. She must stop this. Her cousin deserved to be happy. And so did she.

Chapter Seventeen

Mr. Richard Fitzwilliam. He smiled. His commission had been resigned and he was on his way to see his solicitor. Never in his life could he remember feeling so at peace with his lot in life. And soon his lot would improve. He had been thrifty, and had enough money saved from his years as a soldier to buy a small house. Maybe in Lambton, near Pemberley. He would have to invest in a trade. No help for that. But he was an intelligent man. He had confidence that he would be able to learn a business.

“Richard!”

Startled out of his reverie, he stopped on the walk way and gaped at his brother, Henry, who had yelled at him from his carriage.

“What are you thinking man? Driving so fast? You could—”

He broke off as his brother forcibly opened the door and leapt out. Inside the carriage, he could see Anne, white faced, cringing against the cushions. Anne did not like speed, he recalled.

“Richard, you must accompany us! Anne overheard Mother and Father and Lady Catherine scheming. If we do not hurry, your Miss James might be in danger.”

Fitzwilliam needed no prompting. Rushing past his brother, he entered the carriage. His temper soared as he listened to his cousin’s recounting of what his own family had planned. The break was inevitable now. He could no longer consider himself related to those who would harm his beloved.

“Henry, how came you to be involved in this sorry adventure?”

“Anne did not know where to find you. She arrived at my house and demanded that I save you from our parents’ scheming. The moment I heard what was happening, I knew where my allegiance lay.”

Touched, he realized how little he knew his brother. They had always been separated by their status as first and second son. He regretted that now. “Henry, I do apologize if this will put a strain on you.”

Henry waved a hand. “I am glad to be of service. You know I married for social reasons, Richard. I was not brave enough to risk father’s displeasure. And I do not regret it. I have grown to be excessively fond of my wife. But you have found love. It would be criminal for you not to seize it.”

He intended to. But he feared he might be out of time.

****

Derbyshire, The home of Mr. and Mrs. Turner

“I don’t believe you.” Kenzie swayed. She refused to give in to the grief that threatened to swallow her. “He wouldn’t do that to me.”

“Guess the colonel’s not the honorable man ya thought he was, now is he?” The woman smirked. “Or maybe he is. Once his lady mother announced he was betrothed to ‘is cousin, ‘e couldn’t ruin ‘er by jilting ‘er, now could ‘e?”

The old woman had shown up at Sarah and John Turner’s door, claiming to have vital information for Miss James. What she said had made Kenzie’s heart want to shrivel and die. But Kenzie knew Richard would never behave that way. Never. She remembered how determined he was not to marry his cousin.

“I’m sorry, you need to leave now. I am sure that when the colonel arrives he will tell me the truth of the matter.”

The smirk left the woman’s face. It was replaced by a snarl. “The old lady thought you might be stubborn. It doesn’t matter. She paid me plenty. And even if your man does return to you, his family will have kicked ‘im out. Would you really do that to ‘im? I thinks if you really loved him, you’d go away. Yer poison to a man in ‘is position.”

Unable to bear any more of the vile taunts, Kenzie shoved the woman out the door and slammed it shut. She could hear the woman’s ranting in her mind. Over and over. Was she right?

The woman’s voice called through the thick door. “If you still be here in a day or so, Miss, it might be bad for your health. Or that of the colonel.”

Leaning her head back against the door, Kenzie fought against the wave of dizziness that swarmed her head. What choice did she have? Already, her heart was shattered.

“Kenzie, I heard what she said. You can’t listen to her. He loves you. I know it.”

A sob tore out of her mouth. Kenzie slid down the wall and sank to the floor. The pain … it had ripped her in two. She was bleeding from the inside out. Warm arms surrounded her.

“Honey, it will be okay.”

“It won’t,” she moaned. “How can I do this to him? What if he does marry me? And what if it costs him his family? It hurt so bad to lose mine. If he becomes bitter at me for costing him those he loves, I will lose him anyway.”

Tears were falling in earnest now. “I will lose everything! Sarah, I can’t marry him, but it will kill me to watch him wed another. But I can’t go home.”

Silence.

Then, Sarah’s voice, small and broken. “Yes, you can.”

She couldn’t have heard right. Kenzie lifted her tear-stained face to stare in shock at her cousin.

“You can go home, Kenzie. I did. I found the way, and I went home.”

“What are you talking about?”

“The tree we both jumped over is a time portal of some kind. I don’t know how it came to be there. There’s a small metallic brick that is a switch by the tree. It activates the device, then when you jump over the tree, you are caught in the vortex.”

Recalling the day she arrived, Kenzie recalled hearing the clang as Bea’s hoof struck something.

“Sarah, did you really go home?”

Sarah nodded. “I went home. I saw Gran and we talked. But by then, I was so in love with John, I couldn’t stay, so I returned.”

Suddenly, anger gripped Kenzie. “You never said anything. I came here directly after the picnic yesterday. We sat up talking all night. And you never said anything.”

“What was the point? You were happy.” Sarah hesitated. “And I was so happy to have you here. I thought I would never see the family again. But seeing you so sad, I couldn’t keep it to myself.”

****

Fitzwilliam pounded on the front door of Pemberley, out of his mind with fear. When the door opened, he pushed past the astonished servant, and rushed into the hall. Where was his cousin? He bounded towards Darcy’s office.

“Kenzie! Darcy! Egads, is no one home?”

“Fitzwilliam! Why are you bellowing? Whatever is amiss?”

He whirled to find Darcy standing in the parlor doorway, confusion wrinkling his brow.

“Where is Kenzie? I must see her at once. I have not a second to lose.”

“She is not here.”

The blood drained from his face. Had his aunt already carried out her diabolical plan? “Not here? I must find her! She is in danger!”

Darcy shook his head. “She went to her cousin’s house directly after the picnic.”

He needed to think clearly. Sucking in a deep breath, he released it slowly to calm himself. He may have gained some time. Surely his aunt did not know where she had gone, either.

“Darcy, I apologize for bursting in on you like this. Please, Anne and Henry are with me. Anne, I fear, is fatigued by the trip. I would be obliged if you will allow her to remain here with Elizabeth and Georgie. And I wish for you to join me. I will explain what has occurred on the way.”

Curiosity and concern on his face, Darcy agreed with alacrity. No more than ten minutes passed before they were on their way. But to Fitzwilliam, every minute seemed to last an eternity.

Fitzwilliam strummed his fingers impatiently against his thigh as they travelled. Life without Kenzie was not a prospect he would even consider. She must be well.

Unfortunately, bad news awaited them at the Turner’s house.

“She has returned home.” Sarah told them.

Fitzwilliam groaned. “How is that even possible?”

“It doesn’t matter. She left half an hour ago. I doubt if you can catch her.”

Despair rose up inside him. “I have to try. Please, tell me where to go.”

“Do you have room in your carriage? I will show you where.”

John and Sarah squeezed inside. It drove Fitzwilliam to distraction when he realized they were travelling back towards Pemberley. What if she had gone? Would he ever be able to reach her again?

After what seemed an eternity, they entered Pemberley’s woods. Near the very edge of the woods he could see a fallen tree. In front of the tree, two figures were struggling. Kenzie and an unknown man. Kenzie cried out. The man raised his arm, and a knife flashed in the sunlight.

Fitzwilliam threw himself out of the carriage before it had stopped. Hitting the ground at a run, he raced forward. He did not even take the time to grab his sword. Instead, he rammed his full weight into the man, knocking him from his beloved. Aware that she had fallen, he only had time to spare her the briefest of glances before his opponent was upon him again. A smart blow to the jaw left the would-be kidnapper dazed.

Darcy and Henry arrived to seize the man.

Looking about frantically, Fitzwilliam saw a lonely figure standing near the tree, despair in every line of her body.

“Go to her, Richard,” Darcy urged. “We will keep watch over the kidnapper.”

“You can’t do nothing with me!” the man yelled. “I was hired by Lady Catherine de Bourgh herself, I was!” The man shrank as three pairs of cold eyes looked down on him.

“Go!” Darcy ordered again. With a nod, Fitzwilliam moved to the woman who held his heart in her hands.

****

“Would you have truly abandoned me?”

With a cry, Kenzie whirled and flung herself into Richard’s arms. She felt their strength as they tightened about her. How would she live without this dear, dear man? She tried to put some space between them. No such luck. He wouldn’t budge.

“Richard, I couldn’t come between you and your family. The thought of you becoming resentful of me was too much. It would destroy me if I had to watch you grow to hate me.”

“Kenzie, I have made my decision. I choose you. With my whole heart.” When she opened her lips to argue, he stopped her with a finger to her mouth. She stilled. “I know what I would be giving up, but I also know what I would gain. I love you.”

“Oh, Richard, I love you, too. But I don’t think they would give you up. Not that easily. They would make our lives miserable.”

He was silent, deep in thought. “Not if we were in your time. They could not touch us there.”

She sucked in a breath. “You would leave your world, for me? But I told you about my time. There’s a lot more war, and things aren’t always pretty.”

Richard ran a loving hand down her cheek. “No, but in your time, if I were to kiss you the way I want to, would you lose your reputation?”

“No,” she whispered, her cheeks rosy. He leaned over and stole a kiss from her soft lips.

“I have just ruined your reputation in my time. Or at least I would have if anyone who cared had seen.”

A smile began to form on her face.

“If we have children someday, which I want, very much, would our eldest son inherit everything, while younger sons were left to fend for themselves?”

“No.”

“If we have daughters, would they be dependent on the men in their lives? Would I spend my twilight years worrying about what would become of them if I died before they married?”

“No.”

He nodded approvingly, stopping to give her another breath-stealing kiss.

“And if we have children, would they be forced into roles that society chose, or could they, sons and daughters, decide their own futures?”

“They would have a choice.”

Richard pulled her closer. “And so do we. I have lived too many years without love. I wish to live my remaining years with it. What do you say, Kenzie, my love. Will you travel with me to your world and be my wife?”

“Yes, a million times yes.”

The silent observers knew something momentous was happening, but Darcy and Henry weren’t sure what. Richard and Kenzie approached the group to say their farewells.

Darcy watched his cousin and friend solemnly. “I do not understand what’s happening, but I trust you. If you say you are leaving, I will miss you.”

“Darcy, the Turners will explain everything.”

“Be happy, Richard.”

“I will, William. Give Elizabeth and Georgie a hug for me.”

The hardest one to say goodbye to was his brother. He had never been close to Henry, but his brother had chosen to support him against his family. Kenzie knew that would mean everything to Richard. Reaching out, he embraced his brother. No words were said. None were needed.

Returning to her side, Kenzie placed her hands on his shoulders and allowed him to lift her up on Bea. She settled in and he climbed up behind her. Drawing the reins into her hand, she directed the mare to circle the tree. After three circles, she heard a clanging noise. The air sizzled with electric.

“Storms coming,” someone murmured in surprise.

Bea’s muscles gathered beneath the couple as the horse took the leap over the tree. And they were caught up in the darkness.

****

She couldn’t feel Richard. Panic rose up. She pushed it down. He was there. Wait. Just a few seconds. There.

The world she was familiar with rematerialized. It was the same as it had been when she left. But it seemed different. No, it hadn’t changed. She had.

“This is incredible.”

She smiled, content. Richard was with her.

“I do hope you will be happy to wed a pauper, my love, because I own nothing in this world of yours.” He laughed.

She giggled. “Actually, we won’t be poor.” She snuck a peek at her love. “I have a trust fund.”

Epilogue

Pennsylvania, USA, Five years later

“Darling, look what Morgan found!”

Richard straightened up from his desk as his gorgeous wife ran into the barn. They had used some of her inheritance to purchase a training stables. He discovered he had a head for modern finances. Once they had found someone willing to create an identity for him so he could function as a citizen, that is. The business was doing quite well.

“Yes, my love? What did your brother find?” Richard had become close to Morgan. They were best friends. Morgan had been told everything, of course. And it had only taken them three hours to convince him they weren’t raving lunatics. Amazing.

“He found out something about your family history. Do you want to see it?”

Richard had started to stand. Now he slammed himself back down in his chair. Did he want to see it? Yes. No. Yes? He couldn’t form the words, so he settled for nodding.

Kenzie handed him some papers, then moved to stand behind him. He leaned his head back against her as he read. The backs of his eyes stung as he read that Henry’s wife had managed to finally conceive and bear a son. And then four daughters. Many times during the past four years, he had considered researching what had become of his brother. He had always decided against it, afraid of what he would discover. But now he knew. His soul had ached for his brother, but now he felt at peace.

He flipped the page. Georgiana had married well. Another page. A smile tugged at his mouth, even as tears smarted in his eyes. Darcy and Elizabeth had six children. Two of them had been named Richard and Mackenzie. They had probably received many odd looks at her christening. He flipped another page. Ah, Bingley and Jane had been prosperous. Twelve children. Oh my. And … wait a minute.

“Your grandmother was a descendant of Charles and Jane Bingley!”

They stared at each other, mouths open, before bursting into laughter.

“Mama, Daddy, me not sleepy.” They looked across the room. Two year old Sarah Elizabeth stood inside the door, lower lip pushed out in a defiant pout. Her auburn curls were mussed from lying in her bed. Her new baby sister, Georgiana, was still asleep in her crib.

“Darling, does she look like Caroline Bingley to you?”

Richard stood up and pulled his wife into his arms. “I dare you to say that again.”

She opened her mouth, and he silenced whatever she had planned to say with a kiss. Which was what she had in mind, anyway.

About the Author

Dana R. Lynn grew up in a suburb of Chicago, but now lives in rural PA with her husband, three children and enough animals to fill a petting zoo. She worked for years as a teacher of the Deaf and hard of hearing, but currently enjoys working as an educational interpreter. Crafting stories all her life, she is frequently seen jotting down ideas whenever inspiration strikes.

Also from Dana R. Lynn

Chapter One

What was the matter with him?

Darcy scowled as he paced back and forth across the length of the library. He could barely believe his actions of the past few days. To allow his control to slip so badly! And all because of a mere country girl, who was far beneath him. No money, no connections, and that family of hers!

But in spite of these objections, Darcy continued to find Miss Elizabeth Bennet everything that was fascinating and lovely. Not that he had always thought so. No, indeed. When he had first spied her several weeks ago at a dance, he had barely noticed her. His mood had been too dark. He even allowed himself to make a disparaging remark about her to his persistent best friend, Charles Bingley. He had come to Hertfordshire to help Bingley get his new estate in order, not to socialize with the local beauties. Yet, he found his interest in Miss Elizabeth growing with every meeting. Still, he was able to squelch this unseemly fascination with the second of the five Bennet sisters. Or so he had thought. Then, several days ago, the eldest Bennet sister, Miss Jane Bennet, had become ill while visiting Bingley’s sisters. Of course, she had to stay as their guest until she was healthy enough for travel.

Although Darcy thought of Bingley as a brother, he didn’t much care for Bingley’s sisters. Miss Caroline Bingley had travelled to Hertfordshire to act as Mr. Bingley’s hostess, for it was one of the unwritten rules of the gentry that a single man could not entertain guests at his house without a hostess. Darcy would have been fine with Miss Bingley if she would leave him alone. But Miss Bingley had decided she wanted to marry Darcy. For his estate, no doubt. She was constantly batting her eyes and complimenting him. Louisa Hurst, Bingley’s married sister, was slightly better. Still a snob, but less obvious about it. She had dragged her husband to Hertfordshire so she could keep Miss Bingley company.

Darcy chuckled as he remembered the expressions on the faces of Bingley’s sisters when Miss Elizabeth had been shown into the breakfast room the next day. They were appalled to learn she had walked three miles to visit her sister. Three muddy miles, judging by the state of her skirt. Darcy admitted that he had enjoyed the past few days in her presence. She was unlike any woman he had ever known. Her conversation was witty and clever, and her playful manner challenged him. She paid him none of the compliments he was used to receiving from young women desiring his attentions. He had even allowed himself to forget his objections against her. Until her mother and younger sisters paid a visit, that is.

Darcy grimaced as he thought of Mrs. Bennet and her three youngest daughters. Their behavior was thoroughly shocking. It was the first time he could ever recall being in accord with Miss Bingley. She had openly disparaged the family to her brother, trying to point out the disadvantages of the connection. Bingley, however, stood firm in his defense of Miss Bennet, whom he declared an angel. But even Bingley could not defend Mrs. Bennet. He remembered Mrs. Bennet’s taunts as she and her youngest daughters visited Netherfield Park under the guise of checking on “Dear Jane”. She had apparently decided that Darcy was the enemy and aimed poorly veiled barbs his way throughout the visit.

Miss Elizabeth, however, had tried to defend him, her cheeks scarlet with mortification. Darcy came to a stop as he remembered the agonized, apologetic glance she had shot him with her spectacular eyes. Those gorgeous, sparkling hazel eyes with dark lashes made for flirting…

Flirting? Good heavens. What was wrong with him? Darcy strode to the window and stared out, not seeing the breathtaking view as dawn softly crept over the landscape. Instead of the trees and the vast array of flora, his mind was wholly absorbed with a beautiful face, its eyebrows arched provocatively as she teased him.

Today she would be leaving, going home where she belonged. He should be grateful. He could put distance between them. Then he would be able to regain his control and focus on more appropriate things. Even as he told himself he would forget her and move on, he felt a strange ache inside his breast at the thought of never seeing Miss Elizabeth’s beautiful eyes again.

His eyes grew far away as he considered his future. He was a Darcy. His family was one of the oldest and wealthiest in the ton. Even Grayson House, the home of his uncle, the earl, didn’t equal Pemberly. It had been made abundantly clear to him, first by his excellent late parents, and more recently by Lord and Lady Grayson, that he had a duty to marry well. That meant marrying a young lady with the appropriate breeding and standing in society. A wealthy landowner’s daughter at the very least. Better still, the daughter of a peer.

Darcy grimaced in distaste. Matchmaking mamas had been thrusting their daughters in his path since his father had died five years before. He shook his head. It was obvious the connection to wealth was more important to many than the happiness of the marriage itself. Most people in high society considered marriage as little more than a business merger. As long as the parties involved were discreet, infidelity was accepted as the norm. A view shared by many in his own family.

His lips twisted as he thought of his aunt and uncle’s attitude towards marriage. The connection was what mattered. As was avoiding scandal at all costs. He remembered well the times he had seen his aunt give a young girl the cut direct for some rumored misdeed. Whether or not the misdeed were true, the girl was considered ruined and to be avoided. Darcy had not paid too much attention until several months ago when his own dear sister had found herself embroiled in a scandalous plot. Disgust roiled in his gut at the thought that his relatives would have tried to force him to marry her off to a cad or send her away, just to avoid any taint to their family name. Fortunately, society remained ignorant of her fall.

He shuddered. No, a marriage based on the whims of society was not what he wanted, either for himself or for his sister Georgiana.

Frustrated, Darcy ran a hand through his hair. If he were going to marry, he would abide by the laws of Christian marriage. He would not marry someone he couldn’t hold in affection or respect. Mrs. Bennet again came to mind. No. Although he held the second Bennet daughter in the highest esteem, her family was too much of a black mark against her. Which meant he needed to forget Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her fine eyes.

****

“Jane, are you ready yet? The carriage is waiting!”

Elizabeth watched impatiently as her sister took her time preparing for their journey home. Elizabeth was eager to escape the snide comments of Miss Bingley and her sister. She was also anxious to be away from Mr. Darcy’s intense stare. Even imagining the way he watched her, she shivered, although she did not understand why. He made her uneasy, and Elizabeth disliked feeling uncertain.

“Jane,” she implored.

Jane Bennett glanced at her sibling with a gentle smile. Everything about Jane was gentle. Her voice, her manner, even her famous beauty. Where Elizabeth ran, Jane floated. Elizabeth laughed while Jane smiled serenely. Yet the two sisters adored each other. Until now, no one had ever held so much of Jane’s sweet heart as her sister. But now she knew Charles Bingley.

“I am coming Lizzy,” she sighed. “I am a little reluctant to go home. I will have to tell Mama that I am still not engaged.”

Elizabeth looked at her sister.

“At least Mama had the sense to try and throw you at a man you actually like this time,” she teased. “Imagine if Mr. Bingley were a horrible bore, or an ogre. Actually, though, if he were that bad, I think Mama would send me his way instead of yours.”

It was true, and they both knew it. Although Mrs. Bennet loved all her girls in an abstract sort of way, she despaired of ever finding a man willing to marry her most headstrong daughter. What man wanted a woman who could argue and debate as well or better than he?

Jane blushed. The two smiled, then suddenly burst into laughter. They were still laughing as they descended to meet with the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy.

Darcy and Bingley looked up involuntarily as the sisters made their way towards them. Both men unconsciously sighed at the sight of girls. Mr. Bingley with delight written across his face as his angel approached, Mr. Darcy with regret as he realized with cold certainty that he would not be able to forget the woman who had plagued him since he arrived. Indeed, Miss Elizabeth would always be his idea of perfection, no matter how far away he went.

His feelings were muddled when he followed her out to the carriage. He was so disturbed by the path his thoughts were traveling that he barely took note of Miss Bingley. That young lady had pulled out all the stops to try and attract his attention.

She walked as near him as she dared, deliberately moving as elegantly as possible. She batted her light blue eyes coquettishly at him, moving her hands to draw his gaze to her perfectly coiffed red hair and brand new morning dress. Her conversation was everything the ton considered proper, yet it was all in vain. Mr. Darcy paid her no heed. Indeed, he may as well have been walking alone. Not once did he even spare her a glance. Oh, but that chit Miss Eliza Bennet, at her he stared. It was disgraceful!

In a sudden fit of pique, Miss Bingley brought the sharp point of her closed parasol down upon the unsuspecting horse. The beast startled in fear and pain, rearing dangerously. Shouts came from the groomsmen as they tried to restrain the large animal. The second horse shied away from its yoke mate, pulling the carriage forward, causing it to wobble and tilt.

A woman screamed. Silence.

“Miss Elizabeth!” No one recognized that hoarse, emotion-filled cry. They turned to see Mr. Darcy, kneeling on the ground, uncaring of his fine clothes. His pale face stared in anguish at the still form of Miss Elizabeth.

Table of Contents

The Colonel’s Timely Bride

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Epilogue

About the Author

Also from Dana R. Lynn