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Suddenly, the sound of water being brought into the dressing room jarred him awake. Reaching for his cousin’s letter, he slipped a finger under the wax seal. Instantly noticing it was dated several days previously, he began to read.

Richard,

By the time you read this, I should be almost to Lambton. Lydia Wickham paid Lady Morgan a visit yesterday with a tale about George coming to the charity to seek her help in finding Miss Elizabeth. According to him, he was hired by a gentleman to locate Elizabeth Bennet and to hold her until he receives further instructions. Wickham claims the man likely had a hand in killing Lord Morgan, but it is anyone’s guess if that is true.

Moreover, George claims he means to hold Elizabeth for a ransom, then abscond with the money and set her free before his employer can act. For some inexplicable reason, he thought Lydia would help him find her sister for a cut of the ransom, but she proved him wrong by striking out on her own to find Elizabeth herself. Lady Morgan advised her sister against acting alone, but she would not listen and left for Lambton after leaving her child there. Lady Morgan pleaded with me to go after her; thus, the reason for my absence.

Do not feel obligated to return to Derbyshire straightaway. I doubt General Lassiter would allow it in any case. My hope is that Elizabeth accepted your offer to stay at Pemberley, but if she is not there when I arrive, I shall conscript two or three of my best marksmen to help me search for her, Lydia and by necessity, Wickham. So, entertain no worries for my safety.

Since you are particularly fond of my brandy, I feel certain my letters will find you at Darcy House; therefore, I will send all messages to you there.”

Fitzwilliam

Richard raised his eyes to the ceiling. Good Lord! Darcy is now tasked with protecting the only woman he has ever loved. I pray this mission will not end up destroying him.

Lambton

Bundled up against the cold, Jesse had proved easy to entertain as Elizabeth took him to several shops so he could get an idea of what delights Lambton had to offer. He seemed especially interested in the bookshop, where he looked though several primers with pictures used to teach children to read, whilst Elizabeth examined books of poetry. After she had returned to him, she noticed that Jesse could read a little and knew his numbers; therefore, she bought a primer, hoping it would spur further interest in reading.

At the haberdashery, she watched as he admired a pair of work gloves and ended up purchasing them for him as well. Afterwards, she asked if he wished to buy some caramels at the confectionery or sweet buns from the bakery. He seemed unable to choose, so she took a few coins out of her pocket and handed them to him.

“I believe we shall just have to buy both.” This prompted something she had never seen before: a wide grin on Jesse’s face.

Speaking to the footman who was accompanying them, she said, “Please go with Jesse to the confectionery whilst I see if the bakery still has buns for sale. Meet me at the carriage once you are finished, and we shall return to Pemberley.”

The footman stood watch until Elizabeth crossed the street and entered the bakery before he waved Jesse towards the confectionery and followed him inside.

The Bakery

Mrs. Potter was just turning the sign on the door to read ‘closed’ when Elizabeth tried to enter. Seeing who was without, the old merchant opened the door again and waved Elizabeth inside.

“Miss Bennet! I am so happy to see you. I had begun to wonder if you had returned to London to fetch your sister.”

“Actually, I have been waiting to hear from Lydia. I half expected her to come directly here without writing, and I hoped that you might be the first to see her.”

“I am sorry, but I have not. You must be worried.”

“I am,” Elizabeth confessed. “But Lydia can be unpredictable, so I am trying to stay calm until either I hear from her or she arrives here.”

“I understand,” Mrs. Potter replied. “At times young people can be so vexing.” Then she changed the subject. “Since Jesse seems to like my sweet buns so well, I expected you earlier today.”

“We got off to a late start,” Elizabeth replied. “Do you have a dozen I might purchase?”

“I have two dozen just coming out of the oven, which is why I was about to put the closed sign on the door. I find it hard to watch the counter and man the ovens at the same time. If you will wait right here, I shall fetch a dozen for you.”

“Thank you.”

As Mrs. Potter disappeared behind the door leading into the kitchen, Elizabeth heard the front door open behind her. Realising that Mrs. Potter had not locked the door after letting her inside, she turned to see someone she had hoped to never see again: George Wickham.

Wickham was dressed smartly and looked just as handsome as the first time she met him in Meryton. Now, however, his handsome mien and charming manners were merely reminders of how her once boastful claim to be an excellent studier of character had gone so wrong.

As all this was going through her mind, the look on her face must have convinced Wickham that she was pleased to see him, for he smiled as he removed his hat and executed a smart bow. “Miss Bennet. How good it is to see you again.”

By then Elizabeth had regained her senses. “Unfortunately, I cannot say the same about you.”

Wickham’s smile quickly vanished. “I fear your disappointment may only grow worse, then, for I am here to seek your help.”

Forgetting all about the sweet buns, Elizabeth stalked towards the door as if to leave. “That will never happen.”