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For his part, William laid his head against the comfortable squabs in the corner of the vehicle and closed his eyes as though he were sleeping. The only thing that gave away his true state to Elizabeth, however, was that his breathing never settled into a steady rhythm and his hands remained clenched rather than relaxing. Still, she understood his reluctance to look at her and tried to pretend she, too, was sleeping whenever he happened to stir and look around.

Their first stop was a newly constructed inn that had replaced an older establishment destroyed by fire. The Darcys had been longtime customers of the original inn which was many miles closer to London than the one they patronised afterwards. They were welcomed with open arms and given the best accommodations available. That happened to be the upper story of family accommodations on the right side of the building, as opposed to the single rooms on the lefthand side that were reserved for men traveling alone.

Because William wished to get to London quickly, he planned to push the servants and horses further each day than he normally would and everyone inside both vehicles appeared ready to rest once they arrived at the inn. He had been spared the task of helping Elizabeth from the vehicle by a quick-thinking footman who jumped off the coach and opened the door to assist the ladies. This gesture allowed William to cross the yard to Addison’s coach to assist with transferring the prisoners into the inn.

In addition to assigning a guard to each prisoner, they had manacles on their wrists and shackles on their ankles. The manacles were unlocked only when they were required to eat on the order of Mr. Wilburn, who meant to make certain they had no opportunity to escape. After getting both prisoners settled in the rooms they were to occupy, the guards assumed their positions. Then, and only then, did William feel free to check on the ladies and the servants.

As he walked out of the room he was to share with Mr. Wilburn, William encountered Lydia, who had just exited the apartment across the hall. “Oh, Mr. Darcy! The rooms here are excellent! I do not think I have ever stayed in a lovelier inn.”

“I am glad you approve, but I would rather you stay inside your room and ring for service if needed. That includes Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley, as well. Though this establishment is nicer than most, inns are never entirely safe for women to roam about unprotected.”

Lydia laughed. “Unprotected? We have you to protect us.”

“I cannot do that if I have no idea where you are. It would take only a few seconds for someone to abduct you, secret you inside a coach and be gone before anyone was the wiser.”

“In light of how quickly Wickham absconded with me, I cannot disagree with you.”

“Good! I had rather you not.”

“I apologise for being so careless. I smelled the food as we went through the common room, and I realised how hungry I was,” Lydia explained. “I was merely going to find the innkeeper to ask when we might expect to have dinner sent up.”

“Please, go back and tell the others that they should stay in their rooms. I was just going downstairs to settle the bill, and I shall speak to the innkeeper regarding dinner whilst I am there.”

“Thank you, kind sir,” Lydia replied with a smirk and a quick curtsey. Then she turned and went back inside the apartment.

London

Lady Morgan’s Townhouse

As Richard started up the steps to the townhouse, the sound of another carriage arriving made him turn to look. He found Mr. Graves’ vehicle had stopped right behind his, and the barrister was just stepping out. Consequently, he waited for that gentleman to catch up to him. When he did, Richard offered his hand, which Graves took immediately.

As they shook hands, Graves said, “I was just at Darcy House. Since my last letter to Mr. Darcy went unanswered, I thought to speak to him at his home. I was told that he is out of town, so I decided to confer with Lady Morgan ... that is, if she is well enough to see me.”

“Lady Morgan is doing very well, according to the doctor. As for Darcy, he had to travel to Lambton on family concerns; however, I received a note last evening saying he was returning to London shortly.” Richard laughed. “I cannot say what my cousin means by shortly, however, for he sometimes thinks a se’nnight is short.”

“It is not essential that I speak to either of them in person, but they need to know that the judge handling Lady Morgan’s case contacted me to say his health has improved, and he is ready to hear cases again. Since the child has been born and is a boy, that will make the next meeting an important one. I wished to know if Mr. Darcy or Lady Morgan would like to attend that meeting—which is scheduled for two weeks or so from today—or have me handle it by myself.”

Incredulous that the barrister knew the child had been born, Richard ventured, “David Morgan is barely three days old. How did you know he had been born?”

“Actually, the day after he was born, Lady Morgan sent me a letter with the news. She said now that the child is here, she felt certain she and Mr. Darcy would soon be married. She particularly asked me to relate that observation to the court.”

Mr. Graves watched as Richard scratched his head, and his expression became puzzled, before the barrister added, “I had the impression that Lady Morgan particularly wished them to know that theirs was a genuine engagement and not a pretence made up simply to fool the court.”

“I cannot imagine why anyone should bring that up,” Richard replied.

“Nor I, especially since Mr. Darcy left me with the impression that he intends to break the engagement once the case is settled,” Graves declared. “In any case, I have found it best to let sleeping dogs lie, so I do not intend to mention it.”

“I agree. Now, unless you wish to stay and speak to Lady Morgan, I shall be glad to pass along what you have told me, and, of course, I shall tell Darcy as soon as he arrives.”

“Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I have two other cases pending, and to leave this matter in your hands will be a tremendous help. Please give Lady Morgan my congratulations on the birth of her child.”

Richard smiled. “But not on her upcoming marriage?”

“I will reserve my congratulations on that event after it happens.”

“You are a wise man, Mr. Graves.”

The barrister winked. “That is why I am paid so well.”