You guys are making your voices know with the poll! Wow! Nobody likes Mr. Wickham! Keep voting! and if you have a name or idea for a character, even a new one, PM me! if I use the character I will send you a shout out!

SHOUT OUT TO Julianabr, for support when I've had a tough question. and Bonbonnett for her amazing advice! Keep the reviews coming! I'm reading every word!

So I've been hit with some people asking me why I never wrote Lizzy as the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, when in fact her young son is the Duke. Indeed he is, I will not deny it, but I have a hard time making our Lizzy a Dowager for some reason, but just know that she is in fact, since her husband's death, she is the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire, as is her mother-in-law.

That being said there is much talk of the will in this chapter. Details about Lizzy's title as well. I have done some research, for instance. If a Duchess is widowed, she will keep her title as the dowager duchess, until she remarries. Now if she remarries another duke, obviously she would take on his title, but if she marries beneath her she would take the title of her new husband UNLESS, there was a letter of patent, which you hear about in this chapter.

Catherine Par was the last wife of King Henry, and the king signed a letter of patent saying that she was to keep her title as the Dowager Queen of England, (his son took over the throne) even when she remarried. Furthermore she was to be treated as her title required.

Letters of Pantent are legal bindings most commonly used by monarchs. I would not consider our Duke William a monarch per say, but I do believe, as powerful as he was, that he would have no trouble getting one published.

So in this, (IF) Lizzy (EVER) remarries, she will still be the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire and then whatever her title is with her new husband.

Our William was smart in the fact, that if he had to have a will when he was so young, he would have an area of protection for his children, that would obviously change as his children got older, and he had survived. He left no stone un-turned, and left our Lizzy completely protected to do as she sees fit regarding their children, with their titles, education, and money.

Perhaps he was feeling guilty?

On top of that, we see Darcy kind of feel inferior to Lizzy at the sight of Devonshire House. There are links on my profile if you want to see the ACTUAL Devonshire house. The Ducal house was grand to be sure. I hope the links work, if not copy and past them into your browser. That ALWAYS works!

Ready! Get Set! READ!

Chapter 16

Elizabeth had just excited her late husband's study after the reading of the will, her father on her side, whistled at his surroundings. "I must say, my dear. The study carries more books than my library at Longbourn." He was teasing her of course, Elizabeth had been pensive throughout the reading, and many times when he looked over at her, she was listening intently, but with ice in her eyes.

There was no question that his Elizabeth was moving on, but the sting of her husband's betrayal, was something that would stick with her for a long time. No amount of money, or homes, or carriages, or jewels, or clothing would ever be enough to cover that wound.

Only love, he thought wryly, perhaps she might fall in love again. He desperately hoped that she would, and that the damage done to her heart by her first husband would not hinder her acceptance of another man should she choose to love again.

"You're quiet again, my dear. All I hear are the voices in my head. You must help this old man out or surely he will go insane, Lizzy!"

She giggled as they reached the sitting room down stairs, "You are not that old Papa, I see you wrestle with my son when you think you're not being watched. "

"Ah yes, well you see, I clearly have an advantage over my grandson, where as if it were Mr. Bingley, per say, I would not dare, my old bones are brittle and I must take care of them."

"This is why you spend so much time in your library then, Papa."

"Yes that, and there are other benefits as well," his eyes were sparkling. It was no wonder where Elizabeth and Sophia got their sense of wit. From their dear papa, and grand papa.

"Mama is not so bad anymore, papa," she laughed, "she has calmed down quite considerably it seems."

"Tis true, dear Lizzy, but take heed that her conversations are those of gossip and womanly wiles, and we all know I do not understand the art of talking of one's womanly wiles."

They both laughed at this.

"So gossip is alright by you, dear papa," she teased. She knew he hated gossip, no matter if it was about him or someone else.

"Oh yes! I can gossip with the best of them. Your mother is no match to me!" They sat then, as Lizzy ordered some tea.

"Lizzy, I feel as a father, I must ask you how you are feeling now that you know the truth in the actual will, and not just rumors spread by a nosy former solicitor."

"It is as to be expected, I knew what he was leaving behind, I did not expect to gain much, but to guide my children through this society until they are grown. The stipulations he put in place for William and Sophia, are well thought out, and I am glad that I did not have to step in and put a limit on them. He was a good father Papa. To this I must be truthful. And a good husband, I want for nothing," she looked around the room. "as you can see. This house is no longer my house, but my sons. I do however have the other homes where I can stay at, at any time, and for that I am grateful he did not forget about me."

"The dowager house was not mentioned, Lizzy. What can he mean by that."

"I know not, father, except that his mother still resides there, that is her home, I do not feel I can take it from her, she is a good woman."

"And for you to keep claim of your title, until William comes of age, and the style for the rest of your life. Lizzy he must of had the letters patent. How else can you explain it? If you are to remarry, you will still be a duchess, a dowager none the less. But this is quite astonishing for me to believe. I cannot think of any other instances of this."

"The Dowager Queen father, Her majesty, Catherine Parr, King Henry's last wife. She was allowed, on the kings orders, to keep claim to her title, and was to be treated as such, since he passed before she. It is not that uncommon, believe. The world is a constant changing."

He waved her off, none the less impressed, his favorite daughter deserved her prestige. "The rules he has in place for the raising of the children are quite surprising, he went through great lengths to keep you protected, as well as the children. He left no stone upturned." He thought wryly, "perhaps I shall revamp my will, I cannot let my late son upstage me so."

She giggled, "Oh father there is no need, I am sure, that you have considered every issue, that need spoke of."

He nodded, and then looked at her serious. "Elizabeth, I must ask you," He paused, he was never one to be emotional. "Elizabeth, I know how it has hurt you, these new dealings with the journals, but take heed, my dear, Do not shut love out, should it come knocking with the right man. You will very much be fine on your own, for that the Duke made certain, but what is a life without love." His heart shown through his eyes, "There is nothing greater, I'm certain, then a life full of love. I do not want you to be alone. Sure you have the children, but who is to take care of you, my Lizzy? I ask you to mind my words, for your old papa, cannot bear the thought of you alone."

She nodded seriously, "I have come to the conclusion Papa, that all men are not the same. Shall I punish a man for another man sins, surely not! Only I shall guard my heart a bit more, for I do not know if it can take another heart break. But I shall not stop it should it love another. I am not so proud as I use to be, Papa. "

"You were never proud Elizabeth, you knew exactly what you wanted and needed in life, at such a young age. Perhaps I should have not allowed you to be married so young, then your marriage might have been more equal. But he did take care of you, and love you in his own way, and he has taken care of you from beyond the grave, and for that I will always be thankful for my late son. You were young, and what could have been an infatuation, was considered love. I do not blame you my child, for you could hardly know the difference. I do not blame the Duke either, for he knew his own heart, or would I hope he did. But you are much older now, and a mother no less. And I know you shall do what is right by you and your children. Of that I have no doubt. Now, " He stood, "I have spoke my peace, I shall go steal my grandchildren from their nurse maid, and make use of the most excellent library here. I am told there is an excellent book of nursery rhymes there. Let us hope that Sophia is in a calm mood." And with that he laughed, and she chuckled at the thought of her father getting her daughter to sit still. More so, it would not happen.

"My daughter is quite calm when I read to her, father," she teased.

"She likes her mother's hair, my daughter, and I am old and do not have enough she can yank on." He left the room then, leaving Elizabeth to her thoughts.

Darcy was in a foul mood with anyone that crossed his path. It was two days since he had last seen her, one day since she had left, and to make things worse, Georgiana and Richard had also left that day to make the trip to Matlock to visit his aunt and uncle, Richard's parents. He had nobody to converse with, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were out in the shops, Bingley was at the Bennet's helping with wedding plans, and the books at Netherfield's Library, quite frankly, did not hold his interest. So he made his decision quickly to come up with an excuse of business with his steward in London, and he was well on his way.

As he made his way to the ducal house. He knew that the reading of the will had taken place yesterday, and he was anxious to see how it went. As the his carriage made its way inside the grand gates of Devonshire house, he could not help but feel a bit inferior. It was far more grand than Darcy house, to be sure.

As he presented his card to the butler, he was told nobody was in residence except the Duchess, to this he smiled, than was taken to be presented to her in the sitting room.

Darcy kept his composure until the door was closed. "I have missed you." And in a flash she was in his arms, pressed up against the door, the thoughts of the world fading, as right now they only had eyes for each other.