Lizzy smiled broadly and squeezed her friend’s hand, “Thank you, Laura. I know you have made the colonel happy and he cannot stop smiling when you are together. I had never thought cousins could be so alike but Will and Richard are like little boys whenever they are together and I am grateful that you are sharing your special day with us.”
“Well, because of William’s insistence of marrying as soon as possible, our wedding date moved up by a week so I cannot complain!” Laura laughed. “Thank you for use of the cottage in Ramsgate for our wedding trip. Rosings Park is still under renovation and William is planning to take you someplace farther away, I have been told. Tell me, Lizzy, what was the reason for the cottage being named ‘Victory Cottage’? It is a wonderful name and I am curious of the meaning.”
Lizzy’s eyes shone, “It is a two-fold meaning, Laura. First reason is to dedicate it to the memory of Admiral Horatio Nelson, as HMS Victory was the ship he commanded to win the Battle of Trafalgar. The second reason is closer to my heart, as it was where I had truly begun to fall in love with Will. He showed me what it was to be loved with every action and look, and when he offered it to me before his second proposal, I knew I needed him as my husband and not only as a dear friend. Victory Cottage not only wins battles but hearts.”
Laura smiled fondly, “It is the perfect name, Lizzy. I shall think of Lord Nelson’s courage as well as your heart when we are there for a month. Has William told you where he is taking you?”
“No,” Lizzy responded. “He has been secretive and has not told a soul, except for Papa Darcy. It must be somewhere in England or perhaps as far as Scotland, but he will not tell me anything except that we will be gone at least two months.” She looked into space and tapped her chin. “I hope all is well, though. I saw him going to see Mr. Jones, our local apothecary here the other day and also consulting with Mrs. Annesley about some medicinal herbs after she arrived. I wonder if he is feeling poorly, or if Mama Darcy is ill again. I would hate to be gone so long if she is not well.”
“I have not seen anything wrong but of course you know Lady Anne better than myself.” Laura answered. “I am certain William would not keep such a thing a secret from you if you only ask him. Ah,” she exclaimed, “the gentlemen have returned already and you can ask him now.” She commented as she stood and kissed Richard’s cheek, “I thought you were out fishing and would not be back until luncheon, Richard!”
Richard laughed, “I caught six fish and was doing well but this mooncalf cousin of mine was too eager to return to his lady and kept disrupting the peace.” He looked at William who was embracing Lizzy and was not letting her go. “He is a fool in love.”
“We are all fools in love, Richard!” Lizzy chastened her future cousin. “I have seen you with Laura and might I remind you that you stood and paced for a full hour when your betrothed was expected yesterday. You were so anxious of her arrival that I had to return home before the Grantleys were due.” She reached up and kissed William’s cheek. “He missed me and I missed him.”
“I am going to take Lizzy to the library for a while if you do not mind.” William grinned. “I have a gift for her and I am sure you would not mind some time alone yourselves.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down and departed with Lizzy on his arm.
“Those two,” Richard laughed, “are like little children still.” He sat next to Laura and kissed her lips ardently. “I did miss you, my love. Ten more days to go. I feel like I waited an eternity to marry you and the next ten days will be an eternity more.” He kissed her again for several minutes until a knock was heard at the door.
“Enter!” Richard groaned. “Every time I have some privacy with you, my love...” He chuckled.
The butler entered and bowed, “Mr. Fitzwilliam, I am looking for Master Darcy. I have urgent news.”
“He is in the library with Lizzy, Mr. Nicholls. What has happened? Anything I can do?”
“No, sir,” he shook his head. “I just received word from Mr. Charles Bingley that his father has passed.”
~*~
“Will!” Lizzy frowned, “You do not have to get me one more thing. After Snowflake, my beautiful ring, and Victory Cottage, you will never need to gift me another present.”
William kissed her lips tenderly, “I give because I can, my love, and I have enough to share with you anything that will please you.” He lifted up the box again, “Open it, my love. It is not only from me but also from my parents.”
Lizzy opened the velvet box and saw the most beautiful row of pearls on a string to form a necklace. “These are gorgeous, Will! I have never seen such perfectly round, large pearls like these before.”
“It is a wedding gift, for you to wear in ten days, my love.” William smiled. “I cannot believe it; it still feels a dream.”
Lizzy wrapped her arms around William’s neck, “You are the very best of men
