Although complete opposites, Georgiana and Anne were very close—more friends than cousins. Anne loved Georgiana’s enthusiasm for just about everything, while the young Miss Darcy admired her cousin’s composure and grace. But the fragile Miss de Bourgh and the exuberant Georgiana did have one thing in common: They loved Fitzwilliam Darcy, and both had hinted that a union between William and Elizabeth would please them greatly.

On the journey to Derbyshire, their opinion of Elizabeth increased with each passing mile. From the couple’s playful exchanges, it was obvious to Anne and Georgiana how well suited they were to each other. Lizzy frequently teased William and invited the two ladies to join in. He finally held his arms up in mock surrender.

“I don’t have a chance,” he said with the half smile Lizzy so loved. “Three against one and with nowhere to go,” he said, looking out the carriage window at the passing countryside. “But be careful, ladies, when we stop at the inn, I might run into the woods to get away from you.” He turned and winked at his sister and cousin, and they returned the wink with knowing smiles.

When Lizzy got out of the carriage at Pemberley, a brilliant harvest moon was rising in the east. It was a fantastic shade of orange, and the face of the man in the moon was clearly visible.

“We shall have a full moon tomorrow night, Mr. Darcy,” Lizzy said, looking at the lunar wonder.

“No, the full moon will actually be the following night. I have an interest in such things, and I keep charts and a telescope in an attic room.”