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Elizabeth with so much responsibility. It is unheard of.”
    â€œIt is a change,” Darcy said calmly, “but do you not agree it is necessary?”
    â€œOf course, I agree,” she assured him. “Elizabeth will blossom under your tutelage. She is so perceptive about what needs to be done, and she possesses the courage to see things through.”
    â€œI am gladdened by your assurances,” he said, taking her hand in his, “because Elizabeth believes you, too, should become familiar with the estate. She wishes you to join her in this endeavor.”
    â€œMe!” Georgiana’s voice cracked.
    â€œMy Dearest One.” Darcy caressed her chin line. “You will live in a world foreign to what we have now. Cities are infringing on the estates, and the life we know in Regency England will never be the same again. Elizabeth believes it would be to your benefit to know how an estate should be run. A man, who values you as a learned woman, will accept your knowledge and welcome your ideas. If not, maybe the man is not an appropriate choice.”

    â€œFitzwilliam,” she stumbled through the words, “you and Elizabeth trust me that much?”
    â€œWe do.” Darcy held her eyes, trying to relay the truth of his words. “Elizabeth wishes you to help her with Pemberley if, Heaven forbid, I meet an untimely demise. She wishes not to make decisions for your ancestral home without your input.”
    â€œOh, Fitzwilliam,” she said, flushed with excitement, “I am overwhelmed by your confidence in me. I will try not to let you down. I mean, I may let you down, but I will try not to do so.”
    â€œThen you are pleased with the idea?”
    Georgiana’s arms snaked around his neck as she hugged him closely. “The fact you and Elizabeth value me gives me a purpose.”
    â€œThen you will join us with Mr. Howard tomorrow afternoon.” Darcy stood to leave.“I encourage you to ask questions of Mr. Howard, Elizabeth, and me when you need to do so.”
    â€œThank you, Fitzwilliam.” Georgiana’s eyes sparkled with delight.
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    The lessons started the next afternoon as Darcy requested. To his satisfaction, both Georgiana and Elizabeth asked astute questions and offered insights he and Mr. Howard did not consider. “Do you really believe punishing Mr. Jenkins for poaching a deer when his family is hungry is the best way to resolve the problem?” Elizabeth asked.
    â€œIf we do not, then all the tenants will help themselves to the game on the estate. Soon there would be no game left,” Mr. Howard confided.
    Georgiana asked,“Is there not some way to share the game? Mr. Jenkins was only trying to take care of his family—he was not trying to make a profit from the kill. None of us believe it was a malicious action; he did what any of us in this room would do in a similar situation.”

    Darcy sat behind his desk, fingers clasped and listening to the conversation. “I believe I hear you saying Mr. Jenkins’s punishment does not meet the crime.”
    â€œExactly,” Elizabeth chimed in.
    Darcy cautioned, “Then what do you propose? Please remember I must discourage the other tenants from following suit.”
    Elizabeth paced the floor several times before turning back to her husband. “Obviously, Mr. Jenkins owes the estate for the deer. Is there not a disagreeable job for him to do as repayment? The job should be one nobody wants to do. Mr. Howard, can you not think of something?”
    â€œI suppose so, Mrs. Darcy. Maybe something to do with the waste pots.”
    â€œThat would resolve one of the issues,” Darcy summarized. “But there seems to be a bigger problem.”
    â€œFitzwilliam,” Georgiana’s voice came out small, “I have an idea, if I may.”
    â€œOf course, Dearest One,” he encouraged her.
    â€œIt seems every year the estate has an abundance of