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Having said that, Elizabeth picked her least threadbare gown from the closet where a maid had hung what few clothes she brought with her, donned the item and began fastening the buttons. Once finished, she hurried downstairs to avail herself of the food that awaited each morning in the small dining room—if one could call any room in Pemberley small. The housekeeper had pointed that room out on her first day there, making it clear that she was expected to dine downstairs. She must have given Mrs. Annesley the same instructions, for the old companion was always seated at the table when Elizabeth walked in.

Gaining the dining room door this morning, the overwhelming smell of excellent food and coffee on a sideboard made her stomach growl. At least I shall be well-fed whilst I am at Pemberley.

Later

As she circled the pond with Mrs. Annesley, Elizabeth recalled something Mrs. Reynolds had said about her when she spoke about bringing Georgiana Darcy’s old companion back to act as a chaperone.

“Mrs. Annesley, please do not think you are obligated to answer any questions I may pose, but I am full curious about why you were sent packing, as Mrs. Reynolds referred to your dismissal. From what little the housekeeper said, she is still very angry about how you were treated.”

“There are a lot of things that harridan—” After stopping to gain her composure, Mrs. Annesley began anew. “Please forgive me, but I have known many hateful, cruel and heartless people in my life, and Anne de Bourgh was the worst. And, in hindsight, after seeing the pain she inflicted on my precious charge, as well as her kind-hearted brother, I think I shall never forgive her. If I do, it will be only by the grace of God. But, to answer your question, I was let go because I would not allow her to speak to me with the same animosity she spewed on others.”

“Colonel Fitzwilliam told me a little about her.”

“Did he now? I am surprised, for Mr. Darcy tries to keep his life private, and I did not think he would have told even the colonel. The poor master believes it best that no one knows the agony he endured during that period of his life. I do not subscribe to that theory, though. I think people should know what a saint he was to put up with the torture Anne de Bourgh put him through.”

“I believe the only reason Colonel Fitzwilliam told me was because he knew I had been hurt when I learned Fitzwilliam had—” Realising what she was about to say, Elizabeth stopped abruptly.

The old servant stopped and turned to face Elizabeth. “You were hurt when you heard about his marriage?”

Unable to lie, Elizabeth studied her shoes before saying, “I did not mean to reveal that I rejected his offer when we were in Kent. Soon afterwards he married his cousin.”

“So, you were the one who broke his heart. I tried to tell Miss Darcy that only a broken heart could have persuaded her brother to give in to the demands of his family and marry that woman.”

“Your recollections make it sound much worse than what the colonel shared.”

“If you believe that a woman drunk on power, and brandy, going about the halls of Pemberley shouting obscenities at servants at the top of her lungs and pounding on the door to master’s study to challenge him to come out and face her, is reasonable behaviour, then I will admit to having exaggerated her actions.”

About that time, they finished their trek around the pond, and Elizabeth excused herself with these words: “I regret my part in harming Mr. Darcy. If I knew then what I know now, we would have married, and all of Anne de Bourgh’s plans would have crumbled into dust.”

Mrs. Annesley grasped Elizabeth’s hands. “I pray you and Mr. Darcy will still find happiness.”

Knowing that William was obligated to marry Jane, Elizabeth tried to keep a smile on her face with her answer. “I fear that only God could make that happen.”

“Then I shall pray that He does.”

Not willing to disappoint the elderly servant, Elizabeth only squeezed her hands in acknowledgement before leaving Mrs. Annesley to walk back to the house alone.

On the drive to Lambton

Elizabeth had been heartened by Jesse’s decision to accompany her into Lambton. Whether his agreement was because she suggested he bring Duke or because he had another chance to purchase some sweets, she was not certain. All in all, she was just happy to have another opportunity to gain the child’s trust.

Mrs. Reynolds had insisted a footman accompany them, in addition to the groom who always drove the carriage. Therefore, today she, Jesse, the footman and Duke squeezed inside the vehicle to make the trip to Lambton. After they had traversed the first mile or so of the trip, Elizabeth thought it time to coax the boy to speak.

“Are you happy at Pemberley?” Elizabeth asked.

Jesse quietly tilted his head as though thoroughly considering the question. At length, he nodded.

“What do you like most about it?”

Pulling the hound close for a hug, he said, “Duke and Blaze.”

“Who is Blaze?”

“My pony.”

“Have you ever had a dog before?”

Jesse nodded. “Once. But he died.”