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Elizabeth’s mind was whirling. She was not at home—at Longbourn. No. Wherever this room was situated, it was beautiful beyond her wildest imagination. She began to admire the abundance of polished wood on the walls and recognised a smell she had almost forgotten—the smell of her father’s library.

She could hear someone reading, and it comforted her. Looking to both sides, she was amazed at the sight of more books than she ever had seen in one place. This was definitely not Longbourn’s library. She reached for a book that was lying on a nearby table, running her fingers down the spine.

Suddenly her eyes settled on two women, one sitting and one standing. Their countenances were so kind that she was not afraid, though she wondered who they might be. Abruptly, one woman lifted a lid to reveal golden brown muffins on a plate directly in front of her. The smell of apples filled her nostrils and, tentatively, she reached for a delicate china plate and placed a warm treat on it. She scarcely had set it in her lap when someone handed her a cup of steaming liquid—tea it was.

Instinctively she murmured, “Thank you.”

Rosewood Manor

Evan’s study

The sound of a carriage pulling up in front of the house brought Evan to his feet and directly after, to the window of his study. “Oh no, Ana, it is your brother’s coach. They have returned sooner than expected.”

The unmistakable sound of an approaching carriage had propelled him into action, and he had begun to right his clothes—tucking in his shirt and buttoning his breeches—even as he stalked towards the window to see who had arrived. Returning to the place where he had been deliriously happy only minutes before, he picked up his coat, waistcoat, and cravat along the way.

Equally alarmed, Georgiana quickly smoothed her skirts and began putting her clothes into some semblance of order. She then twisted her hair into one long strand before swiftly fashioning it into a bun, mumbling under her breath the entire time. Evan grinned at the sight of his beautiful wife’s discomposure.

“What are you saying, dear?”

“Why does William always show up without notice?” she whined.

Never once stopping, she continued to complain as she stooped to retrieve a pin, then haphazardly stuck it into the bun. “Inconsiderate!”

Spying one more just a few feet away, she squatted to pick it up and glimpsed another. “Thoughtless!”

Falling to her knees, she crawled towards the last pin which was nearly unreachable under a table. Completely unaware of the pose she presented in her pursuit of the pins, she was surprised to hear her husband’s voice from behind her.

“If your brother were not on the verge of discovering us, I would show you how enticing you look from this point of view.” Still on her knees, she blew out an exasperated breath and looked back over her shoulder.

“You should not be thinking of that at a time like this!” She held out her hand. “Help me make myself presentable!” His wonderful deep laugh filled the room as he reached to take the offered hand, pulling her to her feet and into a warm hug, before planting a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.

She stomped her foot. “One of these days, I shall just send him away without an explanation!”

“Of course, you will, my love! And tell me, when has Darcy ever given us notice of his arrival? Here!” He held out three more pins. “Put these last few in your hair, and we shall be perfectly respectable!”

Once she had finished, he turned her around in a circle. “Lovely, as usual. He will be none the wiser!”

She reached out to smooth his ruffled hair. “Do not think for a moment that we shall fool Richard—my brother, maybe, but never Richard!”

They both laughed, falling into each other’s arms for one last hug before going, hand-in-hand, to unlock the study door. As they did, they shared a knowing smile. Richard had discovered a locked door once before, and they still had not heard the end of it.

Just as they reached the foyer, the front door was thrown open by Mr. Jenkins, and Richard’s large frame filled most of it as he strode into the house. “Good Lord, it is good to be back in Derbyshire!”

A young, red-haired boy followed close behind him, and then Ana’s beloved brother came through the door carrying a blond-haired child of about two. Shocked at the sight of Millie, both Ingrams froze, neither able to move or offer a word of greeting. For just a moment, William wondered if he had made a mistake, and even Richard threw him a questioning look.

Instantly, his attention was drawn back to Millie as she began crying and wiggling so forcefully that William was obliged to set her down. She took off like a flash, small shoes tapping out a cadence on the polished marble tiles as she ran towards Georgiana.

“Mama!”

As in a dream, Georgiana stooped to catch her as she neared, and the crying child flung herself into her arms. There were tears in every eye as the crying child clung to Georgiana, and she soothed the child with calming reassurances. Evan looked from the scene before him to his brother with a puzzled expression.

“She is an orphan in need of a good home. I thought—” William began, before being interrupted by Arthur’s reverent voice.

“I—I cannot believe it. You look so much like her mother, ma’am. She was tall and blond, like you and ...” His voice faltered, and he shook his head in wonder. “I am Arthur Fielding. I have been helping to care for Millie since ...” His voice trailed off. “I think she believes you are her mother. She has not seen her since—since the fire.”

He stopped, suddenly realising what he was saying and fearing the effect it might have on the child. However, Millie was too emotional to notice anything but Georgiana. Pulling back to study the small, teary-eyed child clinging to her, Georgiana soothed, “Shhh, little one, all is well.” She swayed from side to side in a rocking motion as Millie laid her head against her chest.

Meeting Evan’s eyes, now as bright with tears as her own, she brushed an unruly curl from the cherub’s face. Then Georgiana flashed a confused smile at him before setting her gaze on her brother. “Of all the people in the world, how did this child come into your care? Is she truly in need of a home? Can this be happening?”