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Sorely apologetic, Elizabeth stammered, “I-I apologise if my actions affected your safety. My intention was to move you and your grandson to a place of safety until the miscreants are arrested and hanged. I even thought to secrete you away to my family’s home in Hertfordshire, but Colonel Fitzwilliam suggested offering you the safety of his cousin’s estate near Lambton. Surely you have heard of Pemberley. At either place I believe you would be safer than here.”

For a long time Mr. Stevenson studied the floor. Once he had apparently made up his mind, he looked up. “Are you still willing to help us, regardless of whether my grandson ever speaks of what he may have seen?”

“Certainly,” Richard interjected. “Just to be clear, the fact that you abandoned your farm may be taken as proof that you or your grandson witnessed the murders, which leaves you at risk.”

Mr. Stevenson nodded. “I believe it will be best if Jesse separates from me. He could more easily hide at Pemberley than I can. Until the murderers are caught, I will join my brother at his home near Partridge Crossings in southern Hertfordshire. Daniel has four stout sons who will be able to handle whatever happens should they come after me.”

The old farmer rose to his feet and faced Richard. “Can you promise me, Colonel, that Jesse will be safe at Pemberley?”

“I can,” Richard replied. He stood, as did Elizabeth.

“I had rather you join Jesse at Pemberley; however, you are free to do as you like. If that means travelling to Hertfordshire, I can escort you there myself, as I will be on my way to London in three or four days. My superior, General Lassiter, is to return to headquarters then, and he will expect a full report from me as soon as he arrives.”

“As for now,” Elizabeth interrupted, “I think it wise if we all proceed to Pemberley as soon as possible. How long will it take you to get ready?”

“Jesse and I have nothing to pack but the few clothes with which we left Sheffield. However, we will have to take our time to Lambton. My old mare, Duchess, cannot walk fast anymore.”

“My cousin has plenty of horses; taking the mare will not be necessary.”

“You do not understand. Duchess is not just any horse. She is Jesse’s pet and goes wherever he does.”

Secretively Richard rolled his eyes at Elizabeth before saying, “Very well. The sooner we get started, the better.”

Not long afterwards, as Richard was helping Mr. Stevenson into the carriage, a young boy with flaxen hair and blue eyes came around the side of the cottage leading an old white mare. Richard attached Duchess’ lead to the back of the vehicle and climbed inside.

“If that is everything, we are off!” he proclaimed.

As soon as Mr. Stevenson and Jesse were settled at Pemberley, Elizabeth thanked the colonel for escorting her to Goodwin and returned to her room at the inn in Lambton. Once Mr. Hill had greeted her, she explained that he would be accompanying Richard back to Hertfordshire to help protect the Stevensons—a pretext she and the colonel had agreed upon to get the elderly servant back to Netherfield. Meanwhile, she stated that she wished to speak to Mrs. Potter regarding the bakery and bade him remain at the inn since she would only be across the street.

The bakery was very busy, even though it was nearly closing time. Apparently, many had waited until the last minute to purchase what they needed, so Elizabeth entered the shop and stood silently in the shadows until the last customer was served. Upon finally noticing her, Mrs. Potter’s face lit up.

“Miss Bennet, I have not heard from you for so long that I began to worry you had given up the idea of buying my bakery.”

“Oh, no!” Elizabeth said, smiling hopefully. “I have been in Sheffield investigating my brother’s murder and have just now returned.”

“Did you have any luck?”

“Some,” Elizabeth replied, not wanting to go into details in order to keep the Stevensons’ secret. “I was joined by Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who is heading the investigation for General Lassiter, and he was most helpful.”

“I am glad to hear it.” Whilst she was speaking, Mrs. Potter walked to the door and locked it before changing the sign on the door to read “Closed.”

Turning she asked, “Would you consider joining me in my apartment for a cup of tea? I need to tell you the latest concerning the sale of my shop.”

Elizabeth’s heart lurched, thinking the woman had surely sold it to someone else. “I-I would be happy to.”

Once in the lovely apartment with a cup of hot tea and a plate of delicious pastries on the table beside her, Elizabeth waited with bated breath, the lump in her throat too large to allow her to actually eat anything.

Mrs. Potter, however, seemed pleased with herself as she sat down across from Elizabeth with her own cup of tea and a sweet bun. Taking a sip of the tea, she began, “So much has happened since last you were here.” Seeing Elizabeth’s expression fall, she added, “Oh, do not worry. My news is all good.”

The elderly woman then proceeded to tell Elizabeth the story that William had concocted when he purchased the bakery and a house for Mrs. Potter. “I have changed my mind about requiring a deposit and will agree to accepting monthly payments on the shop. In addition, the payments will not be a fixed amount. You will owe me only one-tenth of whatever sales you have made at the end of each month until the full amount is paid. In addition, I am prepared to stay on for a year, if needed that long, to make the transition a smooth one. In that way your sister will know how to do everything once I leave. The only stipulation is that she must share the apartment with me when I am in town, until I fully retire.”

Left unsaid was that all the payments would be placed in an account at Lambton’s bank in Elizabeth’s name. That particular fact she would not learn until after Mrs. Potter retired, and even then, she would be given the credit, for William wished to remain anonymous.

“I am certain Lydia would not mind sharing your apartment, as her room at the shelter is much smaller; however, you said you wanted to purchase a house near your sister with the deposit. I do not understand how you can accomplish that under this arrangement.”

“I am no longer in need of a deposit because a generous benefactor who proclaimed that he had always loved my baked goods kindly purchased the house for me.”

“May I ask his name?”