Page 60

“Wait here. I shall not be long,” he called to his driver.

Once Jane greeted William in the parlour, it became evident that she wished him to stay longer than he wanted to. He had tried to avoid being in her company too often so that she might not form a strong attachment to him; therefore, after he had related all that had transpired in the courtroom, he immediately informed her that his steward was expecting him at Darcy House to discuss important matters. That declaration prompted Jane to plead her case.

“Oh, Mr. Darcy, knowing you would likely not have eaten since breaking your fast, I had cook prepare a small luncheon for us. Could you not stay long enough to enjoy it?”

Though her beseeching expression touched him, William was relieved that the excuse he meant to give her was the truth. “I regret to say that I usually do not eat between breakfast and tea in the afternoon. That is when I meet with my steward, if necessary, and handle my correspondence. I find I am more focused and can handle affairs better on an empty stomach.”

Though disappointed, Jane attempted to smile. “I completely understand. I imagine you must keep to your schedule if you are to handle all your concerns as well as mine. Thank you for at least taking time to come by and tell me what was said in court.”

“You are very welcome,” William declared, donning his hat. As he turned to leave, Jane stopped him with a question.

“May I enquire if you have heard from Colonel Fitzwilliam? I only ask because I have not heard from Lizzy, and I hoped he might have encountered her and perhaps had mentioned that to you.”

“I fear I have not. Richard will likely not write until he has something substantial to share. Should I hear from him, though, I shall let you know.”

As Jane nodded, a thought came to mind. It was something William dreaded—being blindsided by accidentally running into Elizabeth. That fear pressed him to add, “May I ask that you do the same if you hear from Eliz … Miss Elizabeth?”

Not for the first time, Jane noticed that William faltered whenever he said her sister’s name. Immediately, she regretted taking note of something so petty.

I imagine Fitzwilliam does not wish to recall his acquaintance with Lizzy any more than she wishes to remember him. All I can do is pray they can be civil to each other once we are married.

“I shall be glad to inform you the minute I hear from my sister,” she murmured at last.

After William exited the house, Jane put his refusal to stay out of her mind and went upstairs to check on Alice, for it was almost time for the child to be fed again.

Lambton

Elizabeth was frustrated that she had not heard anything from Lydia. Realistically, however, she knew it would likely be a several more days before an answer arrived. Still, she was anxious to know what her sister wished her to do—secure a coach in Lambton and come to fetch her or ask Jane to let Lydia borrow a coach and driver.

Mr. Hill was satisfied just to walk about the village. He especially liked accompanying her to the bakery each morning to receive the free muffins Mrs. Potter insisted they take since Lizzy was basically the new owner now. Afterwards, they would return to the inn, where they would order coffee and enjoy their fare.

One afternoon, after Mr. Hill had returned to his room, Elizabeth was browsing through the small selection of books in a quaint shop which curiously housed both a bookseller and a confectionary in the middle of Lambton. As she stepped from behind a bookshelf, she caught sight of Colonel Fitzwilliam passing the door. Laying the book down that she had been paging through, she rushed out of the shop.

“Colonel Fitzwilliam!” she cried.

Richard stopped, turned and smiled before walking towards her. Tipping his hat, he said, “Miss Bennet. Mr. Hill said you were at one of the shops, so I thought I would scout around for you.”

She smiled. “I am afraid I was hidden behind a tall bookshelf, so you missed seeing me just now.”

“The bookshelf would not have to be very tall to hide you,” Richard teased.

As Elizabeth blushed, he added, “I wanted to let you know that Mr. Stevenson insists on going to Hertfordshire to stay with his brother. Since I vowed to see him there safely, we are to leave tomorrow. Do you still wish me to take Mr. Hill back to Netherfield?”

“I do. I worry for his health. He was entirely worn out from our trip to Sheffield, so this is an opportunity I can take to send him home without him believing he has failed me. Let him think we need his help to get Mr. Stevenson safely to his brother and ask him to keep in touch with the man. Partridge Crossings is not far from Meryton, so that will not be a hardship, and we can hear back quickly should Mr. Stevenson suspect he has been followed.”

“That plan seems sound; however, I have a favour to ask.”

“Oh?”

“Whilst I am away, please stay at Pemberley. I have already spoken with Mrs. Reynolds, and she is agreeable. We have no way of knowing where the miscreants who killed your brother are, and it makes me uneasy to leave you unprotected. I know Darcy will not be happy if I leave you on your own.”

Richard could tell that Elizabeth meant to argue, but he held up a hand to silence her. “I agreed to see Mr. Hill back to Netherfield Park. It is not too much to ask for you to honour my request.”

Elizabeth sighed, then smiled. “As you wish.”

“May I suggest also that you keep an eye on Jesse whilst I am away? Though he is fascinated by the size and scope of Pemberley and elated to have been given a pony to ride, I can tell he is not keen on being separated from his grandfather even if it is only for a short while.”

“At his age, time passes very slowly.”