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“For you, I would not.”

“Do you ever regret how your life turned out? We both vowed to marry for love, and though you cared for David, I know your marriage was no love match.”

“Oh, Lizzy. I confess that I did harbour regrets when we first married, but my regrets were long over by the time Alice was born. If I had it to all over again, I would not change a thing … except to ask God to let me have more time with David.”

Tears had filled Jane’s eyes with her reply, and she searched a pocket in her gown for a handkerchief. Finding it, she brought it to her nose to muffle a soft sniffle.

“I am sorry, dearest,” Elizabeth said, reaching out to give Jane another hug. “I should not have asked you that. I suppose I wanted reassurance that you did not regret your marriage, because it would relieve my conscience for being too selfish to do the right thing. I had the chance to save our family twice, and each time I chose not to because I wanted to marry for love. In hindsight, I did not do myself, nor my sisters, any favours.”

“You had the right to act in your own interest, Lizzy. And there is still time to find love,” Jane pressed. “Do not let Lydia’s situation dissuade you from marrying. You could still help her if you were to find happiness. Surely anyone you loved would jump at the chance to help Lydia even if only for your sake.”

“Perhaps, but we shall never know, for I am determined never to marry.”

Frustrated, Jane replied, “I pray you change your mind, but I cannot force you to see reason. I do wish, however, that you would accompany me to London today. I can always take Kitty, but it is your opinion I desire most on what steps I should take next.”

“Did Mr. Darcy say what the meeting will entail? I cannot figure out why it is necessary for you to go to him. He could have come here much more easily.”

“There you go again,” Jane said, sighing. “Criticising Mr. Darcy over nothing.

In truth, he means to accompany me to the bank to remove David’s name from our accounts. He also mentioned in his letter that there is something Mr. Graves, the barrister, said I should do in the event he must act on my behalf in court. Mr. Darcy assures me that what we need to discuss will not take long, but he wishes me to have time to make up my mind and suggests I stay in London long enough to come to a decision. He is very kind in that regard … never pressing me to do as he wishes but giving me the opportunity to decide what I think is best.”

The thought of Mr. Darcy’s kindness made a lump form in Elizabeth’s throat. How could I have misjudged him so completely?

“Lizzy?”

Making her thoughts return to the present, Elizabeth forced a smile with her reply. “I am sorry, but I cannot accompany you. I am off to Lambton to call on Mrs. Potter. I wrote her a letter explaining what happened to David and the jewellery I was going to use to fund the deposit for the bakery. I asked if she would be willing to sell me her shop without a deposit, but have not heard back, and I fear she may return what little money I sent as ‘good faith’ to hold it. My hope is if she knows of Lydia’s situation, she will have sympathy and work with me. In any case, I feel I must try.”

“How will you travel, now that Lady Cargile is dead? Surely you do not intend to take a public coach alone.”

“I collected a months’ salary from Lord Addison, and he also presented me with a hundred pounds that Lady Cargile bequeathed to me in her will. Therefore, I plan to hire a private coach as far as Lambton. I shall rent a carriage and driver once I arrive in Lambton. Whilst in that area, I plan to call upon Constable Stone to find out what, if anything, he has learned about David’s death.”

“I assumed you would not come with me if it meant being in Mr. Darcy’s company.”

Elizabeth began to protest, but Jane interrupted. “There is no need to apologise, dear. I had Kitty pack a trunk, so I shall have a footman add it to my coach. Surely Mary will be able to handle Mama for the short time I will be away.” Then taking Lizzy’s hand in hers, Jane looked deeply into her sister’s eyes. “Would you at least let Mr. Hill accompany you? I would feel much better if he did.”

“If you do not feel Mr. Hill’s absence will be a problem, I will.”

“It would truly ease my mind. You know how I worry about you.”

“Please do not fret over me. I shall keep you informed, and I hope you will do the same regarding all you learn about David’s will.”

“I will. I promise.”

With another long embrace, the sisters parted ways.

London

The Mint[3]

George Wickham could not believe his eyes. As he walked into The Rooster’s Comb pub where he had been staying, he found a card game going on in the far corner. He had tried to get a game started earlier in the week but was unable to muster enough players with funds to lose. Moreover, the one now dealing the cards was someone he recognised, though he would never call him a friend and was not a person Wickham would have considered wealthy enough to host a game.

The man, Solomon Drago, was a reputed highwayman, who along with his not-so-bright partner, Otha Sullivan, whom everyone called Sully, made their living by preying on the decent citizens of England. From month to month, and sometimes day to day, they changed their appearances using costumes, hats and wigs as a means to escape identification for their crimes. In addition, they normally worked the northern counties and were always wanted for questioning by one constable or another in that area.

Though Drago was known for being short, with red hair and freckles, Wickham might not have recognised him today except for the fact that the hat he wore had been stolen … from Wickham himself.

Walking towards the table where three men were playing poker with Drago, he took up a stance several feet away, ostensibly watching them play. Soon after, one of the men threw his cards on the table, swore and stood, declaring, “No man can have that much luck!”

Drago reached into his lap, pulled out a pistol, and laid it on the table. “I suggest you calm down, Perkins. That is, unless you wish to challenge me.”