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You have both been sorely missed these past years."
    He chuckled. "It is always nice to be missed."
    "I understand we shall soon be missing you again," she said as if it were of no importance whatsoever. As if it didn't matter. As if she didn't care.
    "I leave tomorrow." He studied her for a moment. "I must confess I am rather surprised by your appearance. I am waiting for Jonathon. A servant said he had asked to meet me here to discuss my trip."
    "No doubt he will be here any minute." Lizzie shrugged and resisted the impulse to confess that Jonathon had no idea whatsoever about this meeting in the library. "Until then, why don't you tell me of your plans?"
    He laughed softly, and the sound echoed through her veins. "There is nothing to tell, really. I propose to seek out those investments of my father's that may still be feasible and see if there is anything of worth to be salvaged. Beyond that, I intend to make my own fortune in shipping or the import of goods or something of that nature."
    "Is it that easy then?" She tilted her head and considered him. "Does one simply say, 'I shall make my fortune' and then go out and do just that?"
    "Exactly." He nodded somberly, but there was a distinct twinkle in his eye.
    "Exceedingly odd then that there are not more fortunes being made, don't you think? I mean to say, if it is indeed that easy, surely there would be no more poor? One and all would be successful and wealthy."
    "I am mistaken then, it is obviously not at all easy." He sobered. "In truth, Elizabeth, I do not know if I can succeed. However, as I do not intend to fail, there is no other option." A half smile quirked his lips.
    "Nor do I intend to return until I have accomplished all I have set out to do."
    "Must you really go?" she blurted and stepped toward him. "Couldn't you make this fortune of yours right here in England? Besides, you will be the next Earl of Thornecroft with all the wealth and prestige that accompanies the title. Surely, that is enough for any man?"
    "It's not a question of wealth, although it may well seem so. It's more a matter of, I don't know, of…" He searched for the right words.
    "Honor?" she said, hoping he would deny it. Honor was one thing she knew she could not fight.
    "Exactly." He smiled and her heart sank. "Or rather that's part of it. Pride plays a part as well, I suppose." He thought for a moment. "I wish to atone for my father's mistakes, and that is obviously a point of honor for me. I wish to achieve success because of what I am rather than who I am."
    "Pride?"
    He nodded. "I don't want my life to be simply handed to me through a whim of blood and fate. Through no effort of my own. I know it is the way of the world we live in; still, I find it somewhat distasteful. Odd, I know, but there you have it. Oh, certainly when the time comes I will be happy to accept the title because it is my duty to my family and it is what my uncle wishes and I care for him very much."
    "Yet you are willing to leave him and everyone you care about. Everyone who cares for you."
    "I admit it's difficult, but this is what I was meant to do. I know it now as I have always known it. I cannot refuse to follow the dictates of my heart. Wherever they may lead." His intense gaze caught hers.
    "Can you understand that?"
    "No," she said quickly, then sighed. "Yes, I suppose I can, although it would make no sense coming from anyone but you."
    He laughed. "Is that a compliment?"
    "You may take it as such." She forced a light-hearted smile. "However, as you insist on leaving us, I have a small token for you. A farewell gift, as it were." She held out the book. "It's Mr. Dickens's new Christmas story."
    He accepted the book and turned it over in his hands, the gilt lettering winking in the dim light. "I have heard talk of it. It's supposed to be quite good."
    "Oh, it is indeed wonderful. It may well be the most wonderful story about Christmas that has ever been written. I liked it enormously."
    He stared at the volume