The rest of the week flew by before I knew it. If this was any example, Elizabeth was correct that June would come far sooner than I expected.

Richard came Thursday evening for dinner, although he could not stay very long after the meal. Teddy and Grace were both happy when he arrived on Old Satan. After the groom unsaddled the horse and put him in a stall they both went together to talk to him, scratch him under the chin and feed him a carrot or two. Grace told me later she enjoyed spending time with Teddy. His cheerfulness was contagious.

At dinner we discussed Charlotte's wedding and Mr. Darcy's planned return to Derbyshire. Richard asked to sit with me at the wedding and at the breakfast. I made him promise not to let Sir William drag him off. He told me Sir William had no power to move him now that we were engaged.

Charlotte had finally prevailed with her mother to limit the guests to a few of the local families, like the Bennets and their relations and a few of the soldiers along with Lieutenant Andrews' family. We met Mr. and Mrs. Andrews before the service. They seemed genuinely pleased to be gaining Charlotte as a daughter. The connection to Pemberley was probably a factor, but they also seemed to value her for her character. The lieutenant's older brother also came and brought his wife, who seemed pleasant enough, if a little flighty and fashion-obsessed.

Richard sat next to me as we had agreed. We settled into our seats, although we were good and did not hold hands or sit as close as we would like. This time we did not even need to converse in the short quick sentences we had used at Jane's wedding. The silence between us was comfortable.

When they met at the altar the bride and groom smiled with joy. Charlotte was simply lovely and you could see the Lieutenant thought so as well. He looked quite handsome in his uniform. His brother stood up with him and took his duties solemnly. Elizabeth stood with Charlotte and appeared as happy for her friend as she had at her own wedding. The familiar words of the ceremony rolled over us, the vows were said, the vicar pronounced the final blessing and Charlotte Andrews stood at her husband's side.

"That will be us soon." Richard whispered as the bride and groom went to sign the register. "June?"

"Early June. June 1st is a Monday."

"I like that idea. Mrs. Bennet gets her June wedding and we do not have to wait as long."

"She will want more time to plan, but we can be firm with her. June 1st is our wedding day."

Smiling he stood and offered me his arm. We left the church with the other guests and Richard handed me into the carriage for the ride to Lucas Lodge. He went on horseback and arrived just in time to be able to hand me out of the carriage as well. He offered his other arm to Grace and our little soon-to-be family walked in together.

Grace soon moved to talk with Miss Maria, who was now officially the Miss Lucas. Lydia and Kitty's predictions had proven correct. Grace and Miss Maria had found several interests in common and become good friends.

I congratulated Charlotte with a hug while Richard shook hands with his lieutenant. We wished them joy and then moved away so others could do the same. Lucas Lodge could be a bit crowded. We found ourselves a spot near the Bennets and Darcys. Richard fixed me a plate and brought his own to the seat next to me. He looked at it sadly. "No biscuits," he said with a slightly sulky tone.

"I will see if I can make you some next week."

His expression brightened. "You can make them by yourself? I know Mrs. Evans will be heading to London to work for Mary soon. I thought she helped you last time."

"She helped me to make them and to write all the instructions down. Mine may not be quite as good as hers, but I will do my best."

"Thank you, Sophia. I know I will love them."

Our attention was distracted by seeing both Elizabeth and her mother trying to delicately dispose of a bite of Lady Lucas' strawberry tart. The ladies had a slightly green look to them. I knew they both loved the recipe and wondered what could be wrong.

"I do not understand it," Mrs. Bennet said. "The only time I have problems eating strawberries is..." She looked down at her stomach and then at the tart. "But at my age...I thought it would take longer if at all." She looked at her daughter. "You as well, Lizzy?"

"All of a sudden I just cannot stomach the taste of the strawberries. I know I have been feeling somewhat queasy of late, but..." Elizabeth trailed off as well.

"And I have been so tired lately as well. You said the same only you thought it was because you were not walking. Have you had any other signs?"

Elizabeth looked at her mother and shrugged slightly. "Maybe?"

Lydia, who had been sitting near by, said, "What is wrong with the two of you? I have no idea what you are talking about."

Mr. Bennet laughed and patted his wife's shoulder. "Lydia," he said, "your mother has just confirmed what I have suspected for several weeks. If all goes well, around September, give or take a few weeks either side, the Bennet family will be gaining a new addition. And it seems the Darcy family will as well."

It suddenly all made sense to me. Mrs. Bennet's dozes, the more emotional behavior and now the sudden aversion to strawberries, a taste she always enjoyed. I remembered Elizabeth's weepy looks and her admission to being frequently tired. As Mr. Bennet said, there would probably be some new additions to the families later this year. A man who had been through this with his wife five times before would surely recognize the signs.

Richard nudged me. "Is he saying what I think he is saying? Will and Elizabeth might be parents by September? And the Bennets as well?"

"That is exactly what he is saying."

"Whew! And if they are lucky it is a boy and Collin does not matter, dead or alive. He mentioned hoping for this event after the incident with Collins in December. He asked that if he and Mrs. Bennet had another child, girl or boy, Will and Elizabeth would see to the child's well-being if Mr. Bennet did not live long enough for it to reach adulthood."

"That would be a concern for an older parent. I am sure Mr. Darcy agreed immediately."

"He did. I know Bingley and Burrows would do the same, but Will is particularly good at shouldering responsibilities."

"I have noticed that about him," I said with a chuckle. "Oh dear. Lydia."

"What?"

"Your parents and Elizabeth may not want the gossip spread yet. So much can go wrong, especially early on. Excuse me for a moment while I go warn Lydia and the others not to say anything until they get permission."

I got up and whispered my warnings. Lydia and Georgiana were talking over the news already and I quickly suggested they wait to discuss it until they were away from the company or they had permission.

"But Papa just said it out loud." Lydia protested.

"It was a surprising moment for them. Do both your parents and your sister the courtesy of letting them tell people outside the family the news in their own time. This is a sensitive subject for many people. Plus we do not want the news to take any of the attention from Charlotte today. "

"Very well," Lydia said. "But Georgie and I can talk all we want at home, right?"

"Right." With that, they both agreed to be silent.

Kitty and Grace were easier to persuade. I think they had already heard part of the conversation with Lydia despite my whispering. They just nodded their agreement to my suggestion.

Elizabeth had already made the same suggestion to her mother. I heard them agreeing to speak more about it after the wedding breakfast. As I went back to sit with Richard I saw a smiling Mr. Bennet speaking quietly with Mr. Darcy, who looked more agitated than happy.

Richard made a small gesture towards the two. "Look at the difference. Bennet knows what to expect and has suspected this for a while anyway. He may worry, but he is pleased. Will looks like he was just struck by lightning and is not sure whether to be happy or go into a complete panic," he chuckled and added, "I doubt he will allow Elizabeth to walk anywhere on her own ever again. I have seen how overprotective he can sometimes be with Georgie. He will be 100 times worse with his wife and possible child."

"And how will you be if we are ever in that situation?"

"Just as bad." He grinned at me. "I still hope we will be in that situation some time. I think I would enjoy being a father. I would try to follow my Uncle George's example. He was a man I could respect. Actually I want to speak with you on a subject related to my lack of respect for my father. Do you think we can talk in some privacy after services on Sunday?"

"It may be a little difficult with it probably being the last time we will have Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth there before they leave for Pemberley. But I do have an idea for a way. It also relates to something I wanted to ask you about. I do not need you to answer my request right away, but just put it out for you to think about."

"You know I am likely to go along with anything you ask, unless it means we will not marry."

"You will be marrying me. June 1st, remember?" We both laughed softly.

"I know you will have many responsibilities at Rosings and it will be hard work to restore the estate to good working order." He nodded, but let me continue. "You also have a tendency to throw yourself into a task without taking breaks even when you should. It will be part of my job as your wife to remind you that not everything must be completed right away." He chuckled.

I felt nervous about the request I was going to make and I was not sure I could explain it properly. He saw my hesitation. "Go on. You have an idea to force me to take breaks on occasion?"

"In a sense. Maybe provide a competing priority. It also relates to what you just said about following your uncle's example. I have been thinking about Teddy. I know Mr. Darcy has provided financially for him and he has a home of sorts at Longbourn, but he does not really have a family. He is lonely and needs people to call his own..."

"And you would like for us to adopt him, giving him the family and me a distraction while I take time to teach and raise him properly?"

"Yes, that is what I have been thinking about. He would not be your heir, but he would have a chance to have a father, mother and sister and maybe a few other siblings. We could give him an education that could start him in a profession. I know he would give us love and respect in return." I was feeling very uncertain.

"So your idea for your chance to talk was to go out and play ball with Teddy?"

"More or less."

"Would you be very upset with me if I did not agree to adopt Teddy?" he asked gently.

"No, Richard. I understand it is a big request and requires a lifetime's commitment. Teddy is currently provided for and will come to no harm if we do nothing. I had just hoped he would come to some good and bring good to us as well." I was truly not upset with him. I did still feel a sinking sensation in my stomach. I was disappointed, just not in him.

"I am not denying your request, dearest. I just wanted to know if you would be upset with me if I did. The truth is, I am not at all against the idea."

I looked back up at him hopefully. He nodded a little, with a small smile.

"When my mother died," he said, "there was no one left at Matlock who cared one way or the other about me. Not my family. Not the servants. Uncle George found out somehow that I was wandering about the estate unsupervised, living off what I took for myself from the kitchens. He came for me and took me back to Pemberley while my father said he was welcome to me. Uncle George gave me attention, education and the guidance to live an honest and useful life. I think the best way I can honor him is to offer my attention, affection and guidance to Teddy. It would honor Teddy as well. He has shown his courage in protecting the ones I love on more than one occasion."

If we had not been sitting a room full of people I would have thrown myself into his arms and kissed him senseless. I think he could see it in my expression.

"Save that kiss for me, dearest. I will claim it later when we have some real privacy." He grinned.

I grinned back, then told him, "Mr. Bennet says he has never regretted giving Teddy a place to live after his parents died. I think we will never regret giving him a family."

"I agree." He looked around the room. "We may be sitting in a room full of people, but we do seem to have a sort of privacy here." He sighed. "This discussion about Teddy does tie in with my topic. I have been thinking a good deal about family lately. I feel no connection or kinship to my father or brother. I know of no stories of our ancestors that give me a sense of pride. Aunt Anne was a Darcy as far as I was concerned, while Aunt Catherine demonstrated all the worst qualities of the Fitzwilliams. When I resign my commission I will be the Honorable Richard Fitzwilliam, but I find little honor in the name. The Fitzwilliams are like Rosings Park in a way..."

A hand dropped down on his shoulder just like my memory of another wedding breakfast. I was not surprised to hear the voice of Sir William Lucas.

"Colonel! A happy day, is it not! And you set to marry soon as well. Who would have thought it?"

Richard looked at me and rolled his eyes, but answered, "A very happy day indeed. Lieutenant Andrews was lucky to win the hand of your fine daughter. I am sure he and Mrs. Andrews will be very happy."

"It is a capital match! Capital! And when will you two be celebrating your wedding?"

Richard cocked an eyebrow at me in question and I nodded permission. "We will be marrying on the first of June. Mrs. Bennet has been kind enough to offer us help with our planning."

"Will you be going together to the summer encampment, then?"

"I have recently inherited a family estate," Richard told him. "I plan to resign my commission prior to our wedding and we shall live there."

"How very fortunate for you! A lovely wife and a new home. Capital!"

"I agree," said Richard. "You have my most sincere congratulations on your daughter's wedding."

Sir William smiled and bounced back on his heels a few times. He looked like he wanted to say more but had no idea what that might be. We looked at him in silence. Finally, with another expression of "Capital!" he moved on to speak with someone else.

Richard chuckled a bit. "Not as private as I had hoped," he said.

"At least you did not let him drag you off this time."

Richard looked as if he was not sure how to return to our conversation. I was not completely sure where his thoughts were tending, but I spoke up.

"In a discussion with Elizabeth and Mildred I mentioned my concerns about living at Rosings when you are not comfortable there. Mildred told me the best we could do is take away the furnishings and ornaments that prompt the worst memories of your aunt and concentrate on filling the house with new happy memories. Your family name is somewhat the same. It has been tarnished by the actions of your family, but you are the Honorable Richard Fitzwilliam. I am not ashamed to take your name."

He gave me a half-hearted smile then sighed, "I know you are not ashamed of me or my name. Like your request about Teddy I have a request for you to think about. I will not be upset with you if you are against it, but I need to ask."

"I will consider any request you make."

He was silent, obviously considering how to word his request. He had just seemed to decide and was opening his mouth to speak when Mr. Bingley appeared next to us, looking for all the world like a younger and livelier version of Sir William.

"What a celebration!" he said, completely missing Richard's exasperated sigh. "I look forward to attending your wedding Colonel, Miss York. Mrs. Bennet asked if she could host the wedding breakfast in the Netherfield ballroom. Of course I agreed. We want to celebrate for you in style."

"Thank you, Mr. Bingley," I said, hoping he was done.

"Amazing thing what happened in Kent. And now you have your own estate. You could have knocked me over with a feather when Darcy told me."

"Bingley, this is not the time or place to be discussing that situation. We can talk about it at the Bennet house on Sunday afternoon."

"Oh, quite right. We do not want to put a damper on the celebration here."

"No. I will look forward to talking with you then, but I was in the middle of an important discussion with my lovely betrothed and would like to return to it."

"My apologies for the interruption. I am very happy for you both, you know."

"We do appreciate that. Thank you, Mr. Bingley." I answered. As Sir William had done, he bounced off to speak with someone else in the room.

"I am almost afraid to try again," said Richard, looking a little defeated.

"I want to hear your request. Please?"

He nodded. "Very well. You said my family name is like Rosings in a way. I agree it is and I agree with Mrs. Annesley's advice about removing the things that spark bad memories and creating new ones in their place. You may not be ashamed to take my name, but I am ashamed to carry it. I know it is traditional for a woman to take her husband's name when they marry. I would like to request the reverse. I would be honored to carry the name of York and pass that name down to our children. I have heard from the Duke of Montrose about your family. They have an honorable heritage. Let the name Fitzwilliam be removed like the gilt-crusted, gaudy and uncomfortable furniture that currently occupies Rosings. We can create our good memories as Mr. and Mrs. York."

He took a deep breath and looked at me uncertainly. I was not sure what to think.

"Are you certain this is what you want, Richard?"

"I have been thinking of it for some time, at least about letting go of the name Fitzwilliam. I want to release the connection to my father and brother so they do not taint what you and I plan to build together."

"If that is you wish than I will be honored to share my family name with you."

"When we have the privacy for me to claim that kiss you are holding for me, then you may claim the one I am holding for you."

"We will need a different plan than a ball game with Teddy in that case."

"I trust you will think of something."

I would definitely put my mind to it. The back parlor was always an option if we could just get away from the rest of the company. Hmm.