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“Providence has a way of working things out, I suppose. Anne ended up suffering the fate she wished on me. Still, she managed to ruin my life in so many ways.”

“If you do not mind my knowing, it might help to talk about it.”

“Georgiana was so traumatised by Anne’s sudden transformation from shy cousin to unreasonable shrew that she is unwilling to trust anyone ever again … especially any woman I might deign to marry in the future.”

“I am sorry to hear that. I know how close you and she once were.”

Suddenly, William recalled why he was there. “I do not think, however, that you asked me here to discuss my circumstances. How are things at Netherfield Park?”

Morgan smiled. “Splendid. Jane is the best wife and mother anyone could ask for!”

William’s lips curved slightly upwards. “I think we both know I was not enquiring about your marriage.”

“I realise that, but I would be remiss if I did not mention how grateful I am to have met Miss Jane Bennet when you sent me to Netherfield Park. You are the reason I am so happy today.”

“I am glad I could be of service. Now, about the estate.”

“I hope you will be as pleased with the progress as I. Your steward had very good suggestions to increase yields by rotating the crops in each field, and to recruit new tenants. I am close to making it profitable again, after which I can concentrate on improving my own estate as per our agreement.”

“I am glad to hear it. Still, you seem preoccupied with something not related to the estate.”

David’s smile vanished. “God gave you the gift of reading a man’s mind. What I wish to discuss with you involves Jane.”

Perplexed, William said, “Excuse me. What have I to do with your wife?”

“When Jane and I married, I had a will drawn up and named a cousin—my only living relative—as my executor. Whilst I did not particularly want him for the job, you were unreachable at the time, and I had to choose someone. Unfortunately, though he was barely twenty years my elder, he inherited his father’s propensity for heart ailments and, after suffering an apoplexy last month, has passed away.”

“I am sorry for your loss, but, again, what has that to do with me?”

“I need to know that someone intelligent and kind will take care of Jane, and our children, should I die. It was obvious from your plan to have me run Netherfield that you already had the Bennets’ best interests at heart.” Morgan smiled wryly. “Or at least one of them.”

William’s face flushed.

“Come now, Darcy. I would be a fool if I had not surmised that your efforts were because you care about Miss Elizabeth. After all, you offered for her.”

“How did—”

“Jane told me,” Morgan interrupted. “Do not be angry with her. I asked Jane about your past with the Bennets, and my Janie simply cannot lie. I had hoped you would accept the position for Elizabeth’s sake as well.”

“By helping the Bennets I was only trying to right a wrong. Now that you have married Jane, I feel no obligation to keep my hand in their affairs.”

“Please. Hear me out, Darcy.” After William grew quiet, Morgan continued. “Jane is not indomitable like Lizzy, and since she is with child again, she is even less so.”

“Tell me again. How old is your daughter?”

“Alice is nearly seven months old and our next is due four months from now.” Morgan laughed. “We did not plan on having another child so soon, but ‘the best laid plans of mice and men.’”

William nodded and Morgan continued. “Jane will need a strong man to lean on in the event of my death. Unfortunately, I find that the only man I trust to do that now is you. Will you please agree to be the protector of my family by accepting the position as executor of my will?”

As David was speaking, William had begun to slowly shake his head no, so Morgan interjected, “I am begging you. You are my only close friend. Please give it some thought before you turn me down.”

“I do not suppose you could ask your half-brother … James, is that his name? I thought you had worked out your differences.”

“I thought we had a civil relationship until after Father died. It was then I discovered that his mother—who was nothing more than one of several paramours Father lived with after abandoning my mother—had convinced the local vicar to list Father as James’ father in the parish records.”

“It would not be the first-time money convinced a vicar to falsify records.”

“No doubt! In addition, apparently Father added James as a potential heir in a new will I was made aware of after his death. This new will obligated me to immediately pay James five-hundred pounds upon Father’s death, money the estate barely had on hand. Moreover, it appears that James will be able to succeed me as owner of Morgan Manor should I die without an heir. The estate is entailed to the male line, you see.”