Page 138 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

“I regret ever mentioning him to you, Mrs. Darcy, but you had a right to choose how you wish to live your life.”

“You remind me of Papa, sir.”

Dr. Wynn chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I shall see you on the other side. I am certain of it.”

Richard stood waiting when she turned to him.

Elizabeth slipped her arms around him. “The handkerchief will be beneath the edge of the stone. If we disappear forever, keep it to remember us by.”

“I will.”

He released her and straightened. “But I have faith. I will see you again soon, Mrs. Darcy. Do not fear.”

“Thank you for serving as a witness to our madness.”

Fitzwilliam came forward and pulled his cousin into an embrace.

“Richard, thank you for being here.”

Richard clasped him tightly before letting him go. “There is no place where I would rather be, Darcy.”

Fitzwilliam returned to Elizabeth and took her hand.

“The sun is setting. Come, darling.”

He held out his other hand to Georgiana. She took it, and the three of them walked back toward the central stones together.

* * *

Elizabeth set the embroidered handkerchief beneath the edge of the large flat stone in the center of the circle.

When she straightened, she turned to Richard, and he nodded.

Then the three Darcys stood hand in hand and waited.

Together, they watched as the sun sank toward the horizon.

The wind moved across the henge.

Elizabeth tightened her hand around Fitzwilliam’s.

“What if I never find you again?”

He turned to her.

“What if neither of us remembers? You will be at Pemberley, and I will be at Longbourn. There will be no reason for our paths ever to cross.”

Tears slipped silently down her cheeks.

Fitzwilliam released her hand and drew her against him, keeping Georgiana’s hand clasped in his other. He rested his cheek against Elizabeth’s curls.

“I will find you, Elizabeth.”

She pressed her face against his chest, unable to stop her tears.

He kissed the top of her head.

“I love you, Elizabeth. Whatever happens, remember that. I have loved you with a love that will...”