Page 108 of The Long Road Back to Yesterday

Dr. Wynn regarded her thoughtfully. “I remembered an old friend who has spent more than sixty years expecting everyone to think him mad.”

“We are indebted to you,” Mr. Darcy said. “Without Mr. Fletcher’s account, much of what we have discovered would still be conjecture.”

Dr. Wynn considered them. “I begin to regret introducing you. I hope I shall not hear that any of you have decided to follow Samuel Grange’s example.”

Elizabeth folded her hands in her lap. “I intend to learn whether I can, sir.”

The physician’s expression became grave.

“If there is a way to return to a time when my father lived, I mean to find it.”

“Miss Elizabeth, Jim's story proves that something happened to Samuel Grange. It does not prove that you can repeat it. The boy himself had no certainty of what would happen.”

“Yes, sir. But now I know it may be possible.”

“You have decided to investigate whether it can be done. That is not quite the same as deciding to do it.”

“No, sir.”

“Then I shall hope that what you learn persuades you to abandon the notion.”

Elizabeth made no promise.

When the carriage reached Ashcroft Manor, Mr. Darcy addressed the physician.

“Dr. Wynn, I must ask for your discretion concerning what we heard today. If anyone should ask, we visited an old acquaintance of yours and heard another tale concerning Arbor Low. Please keep Elizabeth’s intentions confidential.”

“I kept Jim Fletcher's confidence before you were born, Darcy. I shall not betray it or Miss Bennet’s now.”

“Thank you, sir.”

* * *

The following morning, Elizabeth went to the gate prepared for her run and found Mr. Darcy waiting alone with his horse.

“Good morning, Mr. Darcy. Georgiana is not with you.”

“She was ill again this morning. She assures me it will pass and insisted that I come without her.”

“I am sorry, sir.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

He dismounted.

Elizabeth considered the road. “I do not believe I shall run this morning, sir.”

“I had hoped you might prefer to walk.”

They set out on foot toward Arbor Low, Mr. Darcy leading his horse.

Elizabeth indicated the bag on her arm. “I brought my notebook and a pencil. I spent an hour yesterday afternoon writing everything Mr. Fletcher told us, lest I forget some detail that may later prove important.”

Mr. Darcy withdrew several folded sheets from inside his coat.

“I did the same.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Of course.”