Page 17 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“I have missed you, too, Lizzy.”

“I do not blame you.” Thomas was closeted in Gardiner’s study with him and Madeleine as he sought to understand his niece’s position in their household. “Lizzy is my responsibility, and if you cannot encircle her into your family, I can send her to school. Susannah spent a brief time at a seminary and detested the experience, so I know it is not what she would prefer for her daughter, but⁠—”

“No, you are correct, Thomas. I have not done right by her.” Madeleine glanced at her husband beside her and awaited his loving look before continuing. “Since before we married, Edward and I had planned to do all we could to establish ourselves firmly in society as quickly as possible. We want the best for our children, you understand, despite their roots in trade.”

Thomas nodded, hoping to better comprehend why Lizzy had been left almost entirely alone for the past month.

“Our agreement was that Edward would spend long hours to rise in his business, while I would form connections to help us socially. He has been successful, as you know, having purchased his partner’s share in the import business only last year.”

“I have been gathering around me people I can trust,” Gardiner said, “but perhaps it is now time I reduce my hours⁠—”

“Could you, Edward?” Madeleine’s eyes shone with unanticipated happiness as she turned back to her husband.

“Yes, with a few alterations, I believe I can return home at a more reasonable hour most days.”

His wife beamed and sighed, unconsciously placing her hand on her abdomen.

“This is excellent news for your family, Gardiner,” Thomas said. “Congratulations on your success.” He looked to Madeleine, who understood his unspoken question.

“My own efforts have been less quantifiable,” she said. “While I have made many acquaintances and a few friends, I no longer know what ‘social success’ means to me. I do not like being away from home so much or attending parties each evening, especially without Edward. I do not mind telling you I am with child again, so I had planned to limit my social activities soon. I suppose this has been one last push to do all I can for our position before I embrace a more home-bound lifestyle.”

“Having a third child does not mean we may no longer go out, my dear,” Gardiner argued.

“I know, and I will continue to be active in some of my charitable works, but I do not wish to go out so often, at least not for some time,” she replied. “My daughters barely know me, and Thomas, I would welcome the opportunity to know Elizabeth better, but…in truth, I am intimidated by her. She is so much better informed than I am even at six-and-twenty. She is far more accomplished and well-read than I, and I fear I will disappoint her if she looks to me for any kind of guidance. She is a vibrant girl on the cusp of womanhood, and I have no experience raising girls past the age of three. I have not even managed to find a firm grip in London society, so how can I help her enter the throng?”

Thomas could not help but let a chuckle escape. “You will do well. She is a bright girl, but let this be a consolation. Do right by her, and she may yet help you rise in society.”

“What can you mean?” Madeleine asked.

“Lizzy has been raised with Fanny’s never-ending diatribes about ‘Ollie the Farmer,’ when in reality, Lizzy’s father was a gentleman,” Thomas confessed.

“Was he?” Gardiner asked in surprise.

“Yes, but he could not reveal himself—alas, I can tell you no more. Not now. When Lizzy is one-and-twenty, I will tell her all, and you will know, as well.” In keeping with Susannah’s request, he knew he could not yet tell anyone Oliver Rowe had been an earl, although he would have liked to unburden himself of the mystery and have no more secrets from his niece or his wife.

“Her father could not make himself known to Elizabeth? So…she is his natural daughter.”

Thomas startled at his brother-in-law’s mistaken assumption. He shook his head but did not speak for a moment. Given what they thought they knew of Lizzy’s background, he supposed it normal for Gardiner to reach the worst conclusion instead of guessing the confusing truth. Others might not understand Thomas’s reasons for secrecy, but they had not spent time with Oliver and Susannah those last years. Lizzy’s parents had been justified in their caution, and he would not betray the trust they had placed in him.

“No, she knew her true father, who was married to my sister. The secret is only that he was a gentleman…I wish I could explain.”

Thomas allowed the couple to digest what little he had said. Gardiner and his wife shared another look of confusion. Then Gardiner looked back to Thomas and rubbed his temple.

“That does make far more sense,” Gardiner finally said. “So, Ollie⁠—”

“Oliver. Her father’s name was Oliver.”

Gardiner nodded.

“What do you mean, Edward?” his wife asked, and Gardiner reddened.

“Do not fear, Edward. It is right for Madeleine to know now,” Thomas said. “Lizzy’s father left her a hefty sum, which Edward has been helping me manage for the past fourteen years. You should know her education and gowns and any other personal expenses will not be a burden on you.”

“Your sister did not make the shameful match Fanny always claims, then?” Madeleine asked.

“Not at all,” Thomas said and swallowed, missing Susannah and Rowe with renewed intensity. “Although his family did not support the match. The banns were read, and they married with my father’s consent. It was done in Oliver’s parish in Lancashire, however, not Meryton, so Fanny assumed Susannah had run off and we had gone in search of her.”

Thomas sighed. “Their union had nothing scandalous about it. My parents and I traveled with Susannah to her new parish, where we took in the seaside for two months before the nuptials. We attained a closer acquaintance with Oliver, and we were at the wedding. It was simple and full of love.”