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Wickham’s brow knitted uneasily. “I apologise. I was upset that I could not find you. May I ask why you had to leave so hastily?”

“I was warned that your boyhood chum, Darcy, and his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, were not only in Town but were actively searching for me. How is it that I learned of this before you? Were you not supposed to inform me when he was in London, so that we could begin our plan to recover my wife?”

“But he has only just arrived!”

The count scowled, apparently aware that that was not the case. He seemed about to challenge him anew, when Wickham quickly added, “One of my associates informed me yesterday that he was in Town. I immediately met with the woman who is to help us recover your wife and, as we speak, she is on her way to Derbyshire. I came as soon as I could to inform you that I leave for Liverpool in the morning.”

“And when did you suppose I would leave for Liverpool?”

“You have not said, though I assumed you would most likely leave straightaway once you had heard from me that all was in readiness.”

“I did not think it necessary to explain, given my devotion to my wife, but I had always planned to travel with you. I have very little baggage, as most of my belongings are already on the dock in Liverpool, and one of my father’s ships sails from there shortly.”

“Yes, of course. So you will sail from England with your wife as soon as she is brought to Liverpool?”

The count bristled. “What I do after I recover my wife is no concern of yours, and you would do well to remember that!”

Wickham grew cross at the count’s attitude, but tried to control his temper by concentrating on the reward. “I shall endeavour to remember that for future reference. Now, as to our imminent journey, the coach I hired leaves early tomorrow. Keep in mind that as soon as your wife is convinced to leave Pemberley, the clock begins ticking and time will be of the essence.”

“Let us hope, for your sake, that luck and time are on our side. I could not abide failing to reclaim my Elizabeth.”

The evil expression on Stefano’s face unnerved Wickham. He had dealt with many corrupt men, but the lack of feeling in the count’s eyes made his skin crawl, and he was disquieted at having to share a coach and accommodations for the four-day journey to Liverpool with him.

Why do I think the reward will hardly compensate for being in your vile company?

Matlock House

A Dinner Party

When William arrived at Matlock House, he was surprised at the number and variety of people assembled. Aunt Evelyn had kept her word—there were only family members present, but she had failed to mention that distant relations might be among the guests. As he looked from one person to the next in the half-circle waiting to greet him, his discomfort increased substantially. Included in the group was a woman William detested almost as much as Lady Catherine—his aunt Gladys Fitzwilliam.

Gladys was the widow of Lord Matlock’s brother David. From the time he was old enough to form his own opinions and live with his own decisions, William had avoided her company. The only exceptions were an unexpected visit to Pemberley after his father’s death and an equally unexpected visit to his London townhouse shortly before he left the country.

During the London visit, he was quite sure that his aunt had tried to force a compromise by slipping her oldest daughter Florence into his dressing room late one night. Fortunately, William’s valet was still in the room and opened the door to find Florence standing just outside in the hallway dressed in nothing but her nightgown. Consequently, their visit did not end cordially but with even more strained relations between them. William never told anyone but Richard about his suspicions.

After he had moved to Scotland, Richard wrote that Florence had married, and her husband had been killed in a hunting accident within six months of the marriage. And as William noticed this same cousin standing next to her mother, he could not help but feel some sympathy towards her. At the very end of the line was Edith, the youngest daughter, whom he hardly recognised, since she had matured so much physically in the last two years.

In thinking of his cousins, William had always tried to keep in mind that the daughters were probably only pawns in their mother’s plans. After all, Florence had been very apologetic, if not honest, as to her reasons for being in the hallway in such a state of undress. Tonight, however, he cringed to consider why they had travelled to London, as they normally resided in Brighton this time of year.

Quickly recovering, he moved forward to address his aunt and uncle and then on to Amelia. His cousin was now eight and twenty and no longer the lively girl he remembered playing with as a child. Richard had informed him of the sad state of his sister’s marriage, and the fact that she had not been able to conceive a child. It saddened him that she looked stressed and much older than her years. Even more disappointing was that, somewhere along the way, she had lost her lively disposition and smile.

William bowed. Taking her hand, he brought it to his lips, all the while looking intently into her eyes, willing her to see his concern. “Amelia, it has been too long. I have missed our conversations.”

“Yes, it has been a long time, Fitzwilliam. I, too, have missed our talks, especially of books, plays and operas. You are the only cousin I have who can carry on a decent discussion regarding Shakespeare…umm…well, except for Georgiana, of course. But, alas, since she and I have married, we hardly see one another.”

“Then you must come to Derbyshire. You and your husband are welcome to stay at Pemberley, but I know Georgiana would want you with her at Rosewood Manor as well. You could enjoy being together again, as you did when you were girls. She often speaks of you—in fact, she mentioned you just last week.”

She smiled brilliantly for just a moment, and then the smile faded completely. “She has a child now, does she not?”

William squeezed the hand he still held, knowing this was hard for her. “Yes. A little girl—Millie. You would love her as much as we do. She is truly a blessing. She was an orphan, you know.”

Amelia looked wistful. “Yes, I heard.” Then she seemed to recover her guard, straightening and resuming the indifferent demeanour that she had exhibited when he entered the room. “I would love to see Georgiana again and you as well, but I fear that I cannot come. Marshall does not allow me to be away from home for very long, and Derbyshire is quite a distance. He is not fond of visiting family—mine or his.”

William leaned in to whisper, “Perhaps it is time to do what is not allowed.” He nodded at her slight smile and moved on to greet Colonel Fitzwilliam.

“Richard! It seems we are always meeting.”

As everyone laughed, Richard flicked his eyes to the extra family members and back again, speaking softly. “Just remember, this, too, shall pass.” Then he said for everyone to hear, “Are you not the lucky one?”