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“I-I cannot imagine something so horrible.”

“Nor could we.” William shrugged. “Still, what is done is done. As for the future, I wish to move forward and have children of my own.”

“How many children do you want?” Jane asked shyly.

“At least two, though I would not object to more, if God deigns to bless me with them.”

Aware that Jane would have two children by the time they married, he said, “Have you given any thought to having more children? Would that be something you would welcome?”

“I love children and, naturally, would expect to have more if I remarry.”

Suddenly, the carriage stopped in front of Lady Morgan’s townhouse, and a footman opened the door. William stepped out first and then helped Jane to the pavement. They both seemed embarrassed to be discussing having children, so neither spoke again until William had escorted her inside the house and turned to leave.

“I heard from my solicitor, and he expects Mr. Graves to be here the day after tomorrow. We will all need to meet with him then.”

“I shall be waiting to hear from you.”

“Good,” William replied. “I shall let you know as soon as the hour has been set.”

Then he added, “Until later,” and departed.

Chapter 13

Just outside Lambton

The majority of the journey back to Lambton had been spent in superficial conversation, even though Mr. Hill chose to ride with the driver, leaving Elizabeth and Richard alone inside the carriage. Nevertheless, being in the colonel’s company had forced Elizabeth to dwell on something she normally refused to—her last meeting with his cousin. She assumed Richard knew about her rejection of Mr. Darcy’s proposal, for she had seen how close they were whilst in Kent. Now, she could not help but wonder what the colonel thought about her foolishness, though she was too embarrassed to bring up the subject.

Suddenly, Richard pointed out a lane that veered off to the left. “If you take that path, it winds around until eventually you end up at the drive to Pemberley. Of course, it is too narrow for anything but a horse. As a boy, when I stayed here in the summer, Darcy and I used to take that route to slip away from his father when we learned he was looking for us. Uncle George always managed to find something to keep us busy. He believed work would keep us out of mischief, whilst we preferred to stay occupied by visiting the confectionery shop or bakery in Lambton.”

Elizabeth could not help but smile. “I cannot imagine Mr. Darcy ever misbehaving.”

Richard laughed. “Oh, he could be as unruly as the next lad before—” Suddenly, his smile vanished, and he went silent.

“Before?”

“Before his mother died.”

Shaking his head sadly, he added, “Darcy was never the same after Aunt Anne died. I lay the blame on Uncle George. He placed too much responsibility on my cousin’s shoulders from that point on. He was but a boy of twelve, and he took everything Uncle George said very seriously, especially the mandate to uphold the Darcy legacy by being a role model to all of those who would depend on him, not to mention a good steward of everything he was to inherit.

“Then, after his father died and he and I became Georgiana’s guardians, Darcy’s responsibilities seemed to increase ten-fold. Given my occupation, I was too often out of the country; therefore, most of her governance fell to him. I must admit, however, that he rose to the challenge, though it has taken a toll. I fear the happy young companion of my childhood is lost forever.”

Her interest stirred, Elizabeth could not help but ask, “Was his happiness not secured by his marriage?”

Shocked, Richard’s expression darkened whilst his head flew back. “Surely, you jest!”

“I-I do not,” Elizabeth stuttered in reply.

Shaking his head as though in disbelief, Richard added, “It appears Darcy was correct to trust Lord Morgan with the secret of his horrific marriage. My cousin confessed that once, whilst in his cups, he told his friend everything. I feared it would return to haunt him; however, if you had no idea his marriage was a travesty, then it follows that Lord Morgan did not even tell his wife. I say that because I believe you and Lady Morgan are akin to me and Darcy—you share everything.”

“Jane never said a word, but had she revealed it to me, her motive would only have been to make me feel compassion for Mr. Darcy. She always rationalised his lack of subtlety, trying to improve my opinion of him.”

“Did she succeed?”

Elizabeth stared out the carriage window for a long time before answering. “I have never told anyone this, but after Mr. Darcy gave me a letter at Kent explaining why he separated Jane and Mr. Bingley and revealing Mr. Wickham’s lies, I had a change of heart. I was … I am still too ashamed to admit it, even to Jane.”

“Had Darcy only known of your change of heart, I am certain he would never have married Anne, no matter how compelling her ruse.”

“Would you mind divulging what happened?”