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"Yes, and I am already wondering whether I ought to have kept my observations to myself. Do not go terrifying the poor young man, William. Promise me."

Her husband looked down at her, a crease between his brows and his fine dark eyes still troubled. "I shall not terrify him, Elizabeth, although I cannot promise not to ask him a few questions. I know almost nothing of his family or his circumstances, and I would be a very poor father if I did not concern myself with such matters."

"Of course you may ask questions, darling, but be gentle."

Darcy gave a reluctant laugh. "Very well. I shall endeavour to restrain myself."

"That is all I ask."

He quickly divested himself of his coat and waistcoat before sitting so that Elizabeth could help him remove his boots. It was a task they had performed together on countless evenings over the years, although Cooper and Burke were never pleased that their master and mistress frequently preferred to manage such matters without assistance.

Little by little, as he removed his daily armour, Elizabeth noticed him relax. By the time he was settled in the chair beside the fire, he seemed more himself, and when she passed him on her way to retrieve her wrapper, he caught her about the waist and pulled her gently onto his lap.

She settled herself against him, and he pressed his face into her hair, breathing in deeply. "Do you think we shall still be doing this when we are old and grey, my love?" he asked.

"I should certainly hope so. I have no intention of giving up sitting upon your lap merely because we have a few more wrinkles."

"A few more?" He laughed. "Elizabeth, I am fifty years old. Fifty! Can you believe it? Three grown daughters and a grandson, and in my mind I am still the fine, vigorous, if ridiculously proud, young man you spied at the Meryton assembly."

"I still find you very appealing," she said, nuzzling against his neck. "Although I confess I much prefer the gentleman I have before me to the one who informed my neighbours that I was merely tolerable."

"I shall never be permitted to forget that unfortunate remark, shall I?"

"Certainly not. I intend to remind you of it when you are eighty."

"I do hope that by eighty you will have forgiven me."

"Oh, I forgave you a very long time ago, William. But that does not mean I must stop enjoying myself at your expense."

He smiled and kissed her forehead. "I suppose I deserve it. And I am very glad you did not allow my youthful idiocy to put you off me permanently."

"Well, you did improve upon closer acquaintance."

"High praise indeed."

"And you have become the most wonderful husband," she continued, lifting her head to look at him. "And a very fine father, even if you do occasionally forget that your daughters are no longer little girls."

He sighed. "I know. I do know that, Elizabeth. But it seems only yesterday that Kate was sitting upon my knee asking me to explain why the moon changed its shape, or bringing me some unfortunate beetle she had discovered in the garden. Now she is standing too close to a gentleman who dresses like a peacock."

"I know, darling. But I think you must allow Kate to discover a little more of the world beyond your study. She may surprise you."

"She surprises me every day," he said softly. "All three of them do. Sometimes I wonder how we came to be so fortunate."

Elizabeth reached up and stroked his cheek. She knew that look in his eyes. She had seen it when each of their daughters had been placed in his arms for the first time, and again when he had held their grandson. For all his reserve and solemnity, Fitzwilliam Darcy had never been very good at concealing his love from those who knew him best.

"We have done well, you and I," she said. "Even if our daughters do seem determined to keep us on our toes."

He kissed her then, properly this time, and she was pleased to discover that his landmark birthday had done nothing to diminish his enthusiasm for the activity. When he finally drew back, she rested her forehead against his and smiled.

"Now, Mr Darcy, I believe we were discussing the alarming number of clothes you are still wearing."

"Ah, yes. I had quite forgotten."

"Then I suggest you turn your attention back to the matter at hand. We have had a long and very successful day, and I believe we deserve a little celebration of our own."

Darcy rose with his wife in his arms, causing her to give a surprised laugh and catch hold of his shoulders.

"William! Put me down. You will hurt your back."