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“As soon as he is able.”

“In any case, I am off to London first thing in the morning.”

“Can you not wait until after I meet with him? I would like for you to be a party to any decisions I make.”

“Jane, I feared you would fall apart when David died. Instead, you have shown yourself to be the strongest woman I have ever known. You do not need my advice.”

Jane dabbed at the tears now rolling down her cheeks. “When you become a mother, you will understand where my strength comes from. I cannot fail Alice.”

“In any event, Lord Addison insists I return to Town tomorrow to claim my wages and discuss my employment. Should I end up needing a place to stay until Lady Cargile returns from Brighton, I shall impose on our aunt and uncle.”

“My mind is so muddled; I do not recall you mentioning that Lady Cargile had gone to Brighton.”

“I thought I told you, but things have been so hectic that perhaps I forgot.”

“Lizzy, you are now the only person in this world whom I truly trust. Please keep in touch and let me know how you and poor Lydia are faring. I cannot fathom how all that has happened will affect her.”

Elizabeth tilted Jane’s chin so she could look into her eyes. “To be honest, I have not yet told Lydia about David … or Papa. I will, but only when I feel she can handle the disappointment. Meanwhile, you and I must have faith that God has charge of the future.”

“Truthfully, after all that has happened, I fear God must not have enough angels to take care of everything,” Jane murmured tiredly, “though I do petition Him every day.”

“Nonetheless, we have no choice. He is our only hope.”

“How well I know.” Jane threw her arms around Elizabeth. “Please take care.”

“I promise I will.”

Chapter 5

A se’nnight later

As his coach approached Meryton, William was reminded of the time he had spent in this village two years previously. Lost in memories of a dark-haired nymph with jet-black eyes, he did not hear Richard’s enquiry, which prompted his cousin to ask again, “I say, Darcy! Will we be staying at the inn or at Netherfield?”

“I will decide after I speak with Lady Morgan.”

“What if her mother and sisters are at Netherfield? I recall that when you visited Bingley two summers ago, you spoke of little other than how much you hated being thrown in Mrs. Bennet’s company … at least that was the gist of your letters, as I recall.”

In truth, it was the thought of seeing Elizabeth again that made William’s heart ache. Seeing her would make his mission harder, though he did not wish to remind Richard of that fact. Aloud, he said, “I thought too meanly of Elizabeth’s entire family at that time. After what I have suffered at the hands of my own relatives, I hope I have developed more tolerance for the Bennets’ imperfections.”

By the way, you do realise that tomorrow is Christmas Day do you not?”

“I asked your mother to purchase Georgiana several books, a new parasol and anything she thought Georgiana might like and gift it to her from me. That is the extent of my observance of Christmas this year and I imagine Netherfield will not be celebrating either.”

“I have to agree with you on that.”

Shortly thereafter, Netherfield came into view. At first glance, William thought it was not as grand as he remembered, but after exiting the coach, he noted that the façade was in the midst of being sanded and repainted, no doubt one of Morgan’s attempts to correct things.

Richard was taking his own measure of the manor, when the front door opened, and he watched William hurry up the steps. Rushing to catch up to his cousin, he was just in time to hear Darcy give the housekeeper their names. Before the elderly woman could announce them, however, the mistress of the house entered the foyer, holding her daughter.

As Jane came forward, her expression turned to one of relief. “Mr. Darcy, I am so thankful you have come!”

William’s first thought was that Jane no longer resembled the young woman he remembered. Motherhood had taken its toll, as her face was fuller with a definite slack about the jawline, and her hair was pulled back in a plain bun. Probably because she was with child again, she had employed a large shawl to cover her gown, though it did little to hide her pregnancy.

Whilst these thoughts ran through William’s mind, he had no way of knowing that Richard’s were of a different nature. Having never met Jane before, he was surprised that an obviously weary woman, jostling a blonde-haired infant with striking blue eyes that matched her own, could look so beautiful. He swallowed hard and moved towards his cousin, who was presently begging the lady’s pardon for bringing him along without an invitation.

“On the contrary, I am pleased to welcome any friend of yours,” Jane said, smiling warmly at Richard. Then, addressing the housekeeper, she said, “Mrs. Dowd, would you please take Alice to Kitty? Tell her I need her to watch the baby for a while. Also, instruct a footman to take warm water up to the rooms Mr. Darcy and the colonel are to occupy so they may wash off the dust of the road. Then ask Mrs. Hill to send up a tray of refreshments for each of them.”

After the housekeeper left with the child, Jane nodded to the right. “Shall we remove to the library? I fear it may be the only room where we may speak in private.”