Page 161 of Dearly Beloved

“The school has made all the difference. The Gardiners will collect her when their visit with Aunt Maddie’s family concludes. They expect to arrive here by the eighteenth.”

“I only hope she conducts herself well. Fitzwilliam has not yet met her, and I cannot help but fear that should she behave badly, it will lower me in his estimation.”

“You need not fear that, Lizzy,” Kitty said. “Your husband loves you too well. Lydia might elope, and he would not think less of you.”

“Pray do not speak so, Kitty. Such thoughts are best left unspoken.”

Kitty laughed. “She is not so bad as that. We visited her on our journey here, and she seemed much improved. Quite a proper young lady. You will be proud of our little sister.”

“And she is already seventeen,” Jane added. “Her age must offer some advantage.”

Elizabeth said, “Perhaps, but Mamma never outgrew her follies. I shall reserve judgment, and hope for the best.”

Turning the subject, Jane asked, “Kitty, are you with child?”

Kitty blushed. “No, not yet. Dr. Edgerton says there is no cause for concern. I am still very young and have time. Alexander has been very patient. He says all must be left to Providence. He has younger brothers who may inherit if we have no children.”

“That is kind of him,” Jane said. “Dr. Edgerton is right, of course. You are still very young.”

“Lizzy, when does Georgiana arrive?”

“Richard and Anise bring her tomorrow. She will be here in time for Easter.” Elizabeth continued, “And Mrs. Tolbert? Papa once declared he would not marry again. He values his freedom.”

Jane smiled faintly. “It is difficult to say. I believe he is very fond of her, though he does enjoy his independence.”

At that moment, Elizabeth heard William begin to cry. She rose.

“He is hungry.”

She walked towards the grove, where Fitzwilliam now stood, holding their son, who clung to his neck with both arms. When the child saw his mother, he reached for her.

Elizabeth took him into her arms and soothed him. “William, are you hungry, my son? All is well, my sweet boy.” Together they walked toward the house.

As they walked, she looked to her husband and said, “I love you, Fitzwilliam.”

He bent and kissed the top of her head. “I love you too, darling.”

Then he reached over to his son and kissed his head. “And I love you too, my boy.”

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