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“I thank you, but I ate before leaving Matlock House.”

“May I enquire about my sister? Have you seen her? Is she still despondent?”

“All I know is that whenever I ask to speak to her, Mother says she is resting and does not wish to be disturbed. Truthfully, I have not asked about her of late.”

William’s expression grew solemn. “That is what I was told the last time I stopped in to see her.” Taking a deep breath, he let it go loudly. Then he changed the subject. “I apologise for sending my footman over so early to wake you with my message. Lady Morgan’s letter informing me she would be in town today arrived so late yesterday that I thought it best to send for you this morning; however, if you do not feel like accompanying me, I will understand.”

“Actually, I think I should be there, since I am now in charge of the investigation. One never knows what scrap of information tossed out in a conversation will be useful.”

Having laid his hat on the chair next to him, the colonel ran a hand over his forehead and then into his hair, brushing it off his face as he continued, “Did you mention in your letter to Lady Morgan what Mr. Graves said about having a man stand up for her?”

“No. I felt that something of that nature would best be done in person.”

“Well, I am at your disposal. Are you ready to leave?”

“I am.”

Both stood and headed towards the foyer.

Lord Morgan’s Townhouse

After knocking several times, the front door was opened at length by a very exasperated looking woman whom William instantly recognised from his last meeting with Lord Morgan as the housekeeper. She waved him and Richard into the foyer saying, “Wait here, please,” and promptly disappeared up the grand staircase.

William wondered why the butler had not answered the door and made a mental note to ask Lady Morgan if she had dismissed him, when the sound of a child crying broke through the silence. Giving Richard a puzzled look, he walked towards an open drawing-room door where the sound seemed to originate. Peering in, he saw a very young maid holding Lady Morgan’s daughter and trying in vain to calm her by swinging her gently side to side.

At the sight of William, the maid was so startled that she stopped and tried to curtsey whilst holding the baby. “Please cease, or you may drop her!” he declared, walking over to take Alice from her arms.

The child stopped crying as soon as William took her, which was not surprising to Richard, who had followed him. “I say, Cousin, you still have the touch. I recall Georgie would stop crying instantly whenever you picked her up.”

“After all the practice I had with my sister, I do not think I will ever forget how to handle a child,” William replied. “Children can tell when to trust someone by the way they hold and speak to them.”

Instantly, he began talking to Alice in a soothing voice in a bid to calm her. “What is making you so unhappy, young lady? You are too pretty to cry so forlornly, and you are only going to upset your Mama if you keep it up.”

The maid who had been holding Alice was too shocked by the sight of how well William was calming the child to say anything. In any case, her mistress rushed into the room before she had time to formulate a sentence. Seeing William holding Alice, Jane rushed in his direction.

“Oh, forgive me, Mr. Darcy!” she cried, taking Alice into her arms. “I had just broken my fast in the dining room when Sally brought her to me. The baby decided that even though she had already eaten, she wanted a bit of gruel and, unfortunately, I spilled a spoonful on my gown whilst feeding her. I had to go upstairs to change gowns and hoped to finish before you arrived. As you can see, I was not quick enough.”

William reached out to chuck Alice under the chin, making the child smile. “There is nothing to apologise for. Alice is no problem.”

Jane laughed. “I fear if you are around her long enough, you will retract that statement. She is teething, and nothing seems to help but a salve my mother used on my sisters and me. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring the jar to town, and my housekeeper, Mrs. Harris, says she does not have such a salve in her bag of medications. I hope to contact an apothecary today who can either provide me with a salve or with a formula to make one.”

“My housekeeper most likely has a remedy for teething babies. I seem to recall Mrs. Barnes concocting one for Georgiana when she was small. I shall speak to her when I return to Darcy House and see if she has the means to create more.”

“Why, thank you, Mr. Darcy,” Jane replied. “I shall be in your debt if she can help me. Not only does Alice not sleep well now that she is teething, but she keeps most of the house awake with her.”

At this, Jane turned to hand the child to the maid, who was still watching in amazement. “Sally, please take Alice to my sister. Tell Catherine to wet a washcloth in cool water, wrap it around one finger and rub Alice’s gums gently. Let her know that I intend to get another jar of teething salve as soon as possible.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the girl replied, swiftly leaving the room with the baby.

After Sally had gone, Jane walked over to close the door behind her. “We can speak in here if that suits you. No one can hear what is said with the door closed.”

“Wherever you decide will suit us,” William replied.

“Would either of you like a cup of tea or a biscuit before we begin?”

Both men responded in the negative.

“I am at your service then,” Jane responded as she took a seat in a lovely, upholstered chair. “Please, do be seated.”