Beginning, Section II, Next Section

Chapter 9

Posted on December 9, 2007

"I do not understand. Why would you make us your heirs when you did not know whether you would ever see us again?" Elizabeth asked.

"It is complicated, I suppose," her grandfather responded. "On the surface of it, I did not want Matthew Farrington to benefit economically from his marriage to my daughter. That at least is what I explained to my attorney and to your uncle, whom I long ago asked to be the trustee of my estate after my death. But the real reason is that I could not believe that you were really gone. By naming you as my heir, I kept you alive in my mind and heart."

"For eighteen years," Elizabeth whispered. She suddenly realized that however stunned she was by the turn of events, she had spent her life longing for something that she never knew. Her grandfather and her other family had spent that same time longing for actual people whom they had lost. She felt so sad for him yet grateful that he had never given up on her. Without thinking, she moved to the other sofa and grasped his hand. He put his other arm around her and they sat for many minutes just appreciating each other's company.

"Johanna."

Elizabeth was roused from her thoughts by her grandfather's voice. "Sir?" she asked,

"Your sister, Elizabeth. You know nothing of what happened to her?" he replied.

She shook her head. "I do not. Since yesterday, I have been wracking my brain to remember her but there is so little for me to go on."

"If you will excuse me for a moment, my dear, I have something to show you."

The Duke left the room but quickly returned carrying a small velvet pouch. He sat down again and removed two miniatures from their covering and handed them to Elizabeth. "That is you, my dear, painted about four months before you were lost. And here is Johanna. Your dear mother had this set painted for me along with one for herself. She knew how much I doted on the two of you."

"She does not look like me. She is very beautiful."

"As are you, my dear."

Elizabeth stared at the painted face, struggling to touch a memory which she believed must exist. For a moment, a glimmer of something appeared but she could not hold onto it. She unconsciously reached up and rubbed a small scar hidden within the right side of her hairline, a long-standing habit of hers when she was concentrating.

May 1794
Hertfordshire

The woman scowled at the two little girls who were in the carriage with her. They were tired and hungry and more than a little confused. Were she a decent woman she would have been sympathetic to their plight, for barely a day and a half ago they were dragged into a coach by strangers, leaving their father behind laying in the dust of the road. However, she was not a person whose tender feelings extended much beyond herself.

They had just pulled into a coaching inn near Baldock. The driver had parked the coach at the far side of the stable yard to lessen the chance that they would be noticed by prying eyes. He had then gone into the inn to purchase some food. Fanny made the girls sit on the floor of the vehicle to make them less visible and had drawn most of the shades. After a few minutes of listening to the renewed whining of the smaller child, she decided to wait outside of the carriage where she could at least find fresh air.

When she noticed that the driver was returning carrying a metal bucket, she opened the door and began to climb back into the coach. At just that moment, one of the girls suddenly pushed past her legs and jumped outside. Before Fanny could react, the child began to run towards a fence that circled much of the yard. Crying for assistance, she chased after her only to see her slip through a gap in the fence much too small for an adult to pass through.

The driver had now reached the carriage and dropping the bucket, ran after the woman. Unfortunately for the little girl, she had climbed into a corral of sorts whose one exit was soon cut off by her abductors. Her recourse was to hide near a small collection of outbuildings at its other end. It took them almost ten minutes to find her but find her they did, hiding behind a bundle of hay. The woman dragged her back to their carriage holding on with all her force as the child squirmed and at one point, tried to bite her.

When they reached the coach, the man picked up the dinner bucket and yanked the door open. To their horror, there was no one inside. The woman realized that in her haste to chase after the one girl, she had failed to fully close the door. While the children were too small to be able to open the latch, the other child would have easily been able to push the unlocked door open.

The woman shoved the girl into the carriage and in her rage, took the dinner bucket from the man and threw it onto the floor. The edge of it caught the side of the child's head. It started to bleed heavily and she began to cry from the fright. The man told the woman to get into the carriage in order to keep the child quiet and then went in search of her sister.

Fifteen minutes later, he returned alone. Johanna Fitzwilliam was nowhere to be found.

"What are we going to do now?" the woman asked nervously.

"We can't stay in the area to look for her, Fanny. We need to be at Alton by five o'clock. I don't think she can tell them anything much about us. We need to just move on."

With that, the driver climbed up into his seat and the carriage carrying Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam soon was on its way.

The Present
London

Arthur Nesbitt watched Elizabeth hoping that the paintings of she and her sister would trigger some recollection of what had happened to her. When he realized how hard she was trying to do just that, he patted her on the hand and took back the miniature of Johanna. He returned them both to the pouch.

"You may keep these with you, my dear. There is no need to study them so closely now."

Elizabeth sighed. Now that she knew of her origins, she was determined to learn what had happened to her and her sister eighteen years ago. She tried to recall her first memories of the Bennets. She remembered entering a nursery where a young child slept. The child was Mary Bennet. For a time she slept in a bed on the other side of the room. Eventually, two more babies came and she was moved to a different room where she slept alone.

But what about Johanna? She was certain that she had not come to Longbourn with another child. When were they separated?

"I want so much to remember," she said to her grandfather. "Where was it that we were coming from when my father was killed? Lady Susan may have mentioned it but I cannot recall what she said."

"You were returning from Rosings, in Kent. Your father's sister Catherine lived there, with her husband Louis de Bourgh and her daughter Anne. The Fitzwilliams generally spent Easter together there."

Elizabeth ran the names through her head. De Bourgh, she repeated to herself. De Bourgh. Anne the Bug. The look on her face caused the Duke to ask her what she had been thinking. She turned a little red when she answered her question.

"The phrase Anne the Bug came to mind, I am sorry to say. I hope that is not what I called my cousin!"

"More likely, it was one of your older cousins that called her that. I have not seen her in several years, but I happened to spend Easter the year before the tragedy at Rosings at the insistence of your mother. I recall that Anne was a rather unremarkable child spoiled by her mother into believing that she was just the opposite. She was determined to act the Queen towards all of her cousins. The Fitzwilliam boys in particular liked to torment her when the adults were not in earshot. Darcy was always kinder to her, no doubt because Robert had already made him into a serious young fellow by the time that he was ten years of age."

"Uncle Robert," Elizabeth repeated. "Sir, does my cousin William resemble his father?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact he does. He is a taller fellow than Robert Darcy was but their looks and coloring are very similar. Why do you ask?"

"When I first was introduced to him, I thought that I had seen him before in London. It did not make much sense to me since we moved in very different circles. Perhaps he reminded me of his father."

The Duke had been interested in asking about Elizabeth's adoptive family and used her remark as an invitation to do so.

"Did you often come to London, my dear?"

"I came to town once or twice a year to see the Gardiners, sometimes with the Bennets but later on, after I reached fourteen years of age, I generally visited them on my own."

"Who are the Gardiners?" the Duke asked.

"Edward Gardiner is Mrs. Bennet's brother. He and his wife live on Gracechurch Street in Cheapside with their four children. It was with them that I lived when I left Longbourn last year. He is a merchant."

Her grandfather could not prevent a slight look of distaste from crossing his face. Elizabeth was well aware of the views held by those from the higher ranks of society towards the working classes but she could not let any criticism of the Gardiners pass by without response.

"The Gardiners are very fine people, sir. My uncle made an honest and excellent living in trade and has always been very generous to me. Indeed were it not for them, I shudder to wonder what my life would have been liked. The Gardiners offered shelter not just to my mind but to my soul as well."

Elizabeth delivered her speech with a subtle yet clear meaning, which did not escape the attentions of the Duke. He realized that he must have offended her and hastened to correct his gaff.

"If that is the case my dear, I look forward to meeting them and thanking them for their care of you." he replied. "Do you think that they may know something of how you came to live with Bennets?"

"I really do not know. It was the one topic that we never discussed."

"Do the Bennets have other relations?"

"I am only aware of Mrs. Bennet having another sister, who married an attorney named Phillips. They lived in Meryton for a time but moved away when I was quite young. I do not remember much about them."

They soon changed the subject to more neutral topics and spent the next hours getting to know each other better. When the clock chimed five o'clock, the Duke suggested that Elizabeth retire to a room upstairs to refresh herself before dinner. He escorted her himself to a beautifully appointed suite of rooms on the same floor, not far from his own chambers. Telling her that he would call back for her at a quarter hour past six, he left her to the ministrations of a waiting chambermaid.

The maid was soon discovered to bear the name of Iris. She asked Elizabeth if she wanted to bathe before dinner or if she preferred to only wash at a basin.

"A bath at this hour? I would not put the household to such troubles, Iris."

"It is no trouble, milady. They keep a cask of water filled on this floor at all times and there's always water heating too. I can draw you a bath in no time at all."

Elizabeth marveled to herself for a moment about the practical luxuries which came with being in the home of a Duke. However, she was not interested in a bath and so asked the maid to just provide her with a basin of water. Iris quickly assisted her with the removal of her dress so she could wash without getting it wet. Once she redressed, the maid prepared her hair and then excused herself.

A knock on the door heralded the arrival of her grandfather. He entered the room carrying a velvet-covered box, which he handed to Elizabeth. She opened it to find a lovely aquamarine pendant suspended on a gold chain. The stone was a dainty size that did not distract from its brilliant blue color.

"It is beautiful, sir. But there is no need for you to give me gifts," Elizabeth said.

"So certain was I that you would return that I purchased presents for you on every birthday and Christmas that have passed since you were taken from us," the Duke replied with a smile. "I purchased gifts for some minor holidays as well. So, you must indulge me since I have quite an inventory to work through."

Her grandfather took the box from her hands and removed the jewelry. "May I?" he asked.

Elizabeth turned around to allow him to fasten the chain for her. The shy smile that he saw reflected in the dressing table mirror was his best reward. He offered her his arm and they left the room to join their waiting guests.

Chapter 10

The Matlocks and Darcy waited in the drawing room for the Duke and Elizabeth to appear. While they felt that leaving the two of them to themselves for a few hours had been the right thing to do, that did not prevent them from worrying about her. Thus, they were all relieved to hear her laugh ring out as she and her grandfather approached the room.

"Andrew, Lady Susan. Darcy. Welcome back," the Duke said as he led Elizabeth to a seat. After an exchange of greetings, the Countess joined her niece on the sofa.

"How are you, dear?" she softly asked.

"I am fine, Lady Susan," Elizabeth responded. "His Grace and I talked for some hours about many things. He even showed me some miniatures of myself and my sister. He gave them to me for the time being in hopes that they might help me remember something."

"I see that he gave you something else as well," Lady Susan said.

Elizabeth self-consciously touched the pendant hanging around her neck. "He told me that he bought this for my tenth birthday," she said quietly. "He purchased gifts for my sister and myself for various holidays every year since we disappeared. I do not want him to feel that he needs to give me things but he seemed so delighted when he presented with me this that I could not refuse it."

The party soon moved to a small dining parlor. The Duke dismissed the servants after they had laid out the serving dishes. Taking a glass of wine in his hand, he stood and offered a toast.

"To the return of my dearest blood."

As the meal progressed, Lord Andrew asked the Duke if he had decided how to tell his daughter about Elizabeth.

"I have given it some thought," he replied. "I think that it would be best for me to first inform her of it without Elizabeth being present. I will then arrange for them to meet."

"When do you plan to do so?" asked Lord Andrew.

"I will send her a note asking her to attend me here one day within the next week or so, without her husband."

"How will you be able to manage that given Montesford's control over their household?" The question came from Lady Susan.

"Maria's abigail Dora is the niece of a sister of Mr. Hodges through marriage. Dora visits her mother every other Sunday after services when they are in London. She is loyal to my daughter and her connection to Hodges is not generally known. He will arrange for my message to be delivered to Dora who in turn will give it to Maria."

Elizabeth sat silently wondering what sort of man her mother had married that the woman's own father was forced to employ a ruse in order to meet with her. She could not imagine that it would bode well for her future relationship with her.

When she turned her attention back to the conversation, she realized that her aunt had just addressed her and apologetically, asked her to repeat what she had said.

"I thought that we might go shopping tomorrow, dear," Lady Susan said. "We can bring along your cousin and her young friend -- I am sure that the girls would enjoy such an outing."

Darcy rolled his eyes. "Yes, my Lady, especially since Georgiana has not been shopping in all of a week," he said.

Elizabeth laughed. "Sir, she has not been shopping as of yet with Lady Sarah since she has come to town. That should be an event for the two of them."

"As long as you are escorting them and not I, Madame, you may take them shopping whenever you wish," Darcy replied with a hint of a smile.

When the meal was done, the guests decided to return to their homes. It had been an emotional day for all concerned and as happy as the Duke was, he was beginning to look tired. He escorted his guests to the front hall and after whispering something to Andrew Fitzwilliam, embraced his grandchild and bid her goodnight, to the unexpressed surprise of his butler and the attending footmen. As they boarded their carriage, he raised his hand in farewell and then asked Mr. Hodges to accompany him to his study so he could familiarize him with the news of the day.

A few minutes later, the Matlock coach stopped in front of Darcy House and the cousins said goodnight to their aunt and uncle. Mr. Gates informed them that Georgiana and Lady Sarah had gone upstairs some fifteen minutes earlier. Darcy decided to look in on his sister and invited Elizabeth to accompany him. They found the two girls in Georgiana's sitting room. Both responded enthusiastically to the invitation to shop the next day although they were less excited by the prospect of meeting Lady Susan at ten the next morning.

"William, Mrs. Smith asked that I tell you that she has prepared Elizabeth's chambers as you requested," Georgiana said as she stood up. "Would you like me to show her to the rooms?"

"I will do that dear. I think you and Lady Sarah should retire now to rest up for your expedition tomorrow," her brother replied. "I believe that our aunt has an ambitious plan in her mind." He leaned forward and kissed her on her forehead, and then she and Sarah disappeared into an adjoining room.

"Elizabeth, I can take you to your rooms now." Darcy escorted her back to the staircase and then around to the other side of the floor. He opened the door to a sitting room and stood aside for Elizabeth to enter a room beautifully appointed with mahogany furniture. The main fabric selection for the upholstery and drapes was a pale green fern pattern on a cream background. Darcy went to an adjoining door and motioned for his cousin to follow him. It opened to the bed chamber itself. The furniture here was mahogany as well but the fabrics were accented with a brilliant cranberry-colored motif. Elizabeth walked to the center of the large room and from the windows, realized that it must run to the end of that part of the house. At the far end, it turned to a shallow alcove, where two more doorways were installed. Before she could say anything, Darcy called out and a chambermaid appeared from one of the doorways, which led to the dressing chamber.

"Elizabeth, this is Maggie Summers. She will be your abigail while you are here."

The young lady curtsied and informed her that her trunks had arrived from the Parker residence and had been unpacked. She then stood aside as Darcy opened the other door along the same wall. It led to a room that appeared to be an atrium of sorts. It extended further than the bedchamber itself did and its rear wall and a portion of the ceiling were all glass. There was a small dining table as well as a sofa and chairs but the dominant feature was a large collection of plants. The room had another door along the opposite wall.

Darcy walked back to the bedchamber itself and asked Elizabeth if she was ready to retire. Still a bit bewildered by the luxuriousness of her appointed rooms, she decided that she would like to find something to read before attempting to sleep. She indicated as much to Darcy who offered to take her to the library, a room that she had yet to see.

The library was splendid, the largest that Elizabeth had ever seen in a private home. She quickly walked to one set of shelves and studied the titles. After a few minutes, she turned to Darcy and found him watching her with a bemused expression.

"William, this is magnificent!" she exclaimed.

Darcy was pleased with her reaction but in an attempt to appear modest, assured her that many had collections as fine as his, if not better.

"Your grandfather has a more impressive collection than mine, both here and in the country," he said.

"Lady Susan did tell me that you and the Duke occasionally are competitors at auctions," she replied. "I did not see his library, but he did show me some of his most precious volumes which he keeps in his private study. I looked through a very beautiful atlas."

"Yes, Wiltingham has a great interest in both maps and atlases. I leave them to him. It is true however that we sometimes desire the same work, in particular illustrated manuscripts from the time of the monasteries. He has an advantage over me, however."

"What is that?" Elizabeth asked.

"His access to funds. Your grandfather is one of the wealthiest men in England."

"Oh." That was all that Elizabeth could reply.

"Were you interested in something in particular?" Darcy asked, sensing that his response had made her uncomfortable.

"Poetry, I suppose."

Darcy explained that his library was organized by type of book and then showed her where the volumes of verse were kept. After a few minutes, she selected a copy of Dryden's Fables, Ancient and Modern.

"I believe this will suffice," she said.

"Do you wish to retire with Mr. Dryden?" Darcy asked. "I am going to have a drink before I do so. I would be pleased for the company."

"I will join you then, sir. Under the circumstances, I am fairly certain that Mr. Dryden alone will not be sufficient to sedate me."

Elizabeth took a seat and waited for her cousin to join her with two glasses of wine. He took a seat opposite to her and watched her as she sipped her wine.

"How was your visit your grandfather?" he eventually asked.

"On balance, it was very pleasant. We spoke of our views on various things. He also talked about my mother and her husband, a conversation that I think made both of us uneasy."

"It is an unfortunate situation."

"Do you remember much of her from when you were younger?"

"I do. Our families visited with each other often, especially when we were in the country. Our estates were not far apart. My mother as well as Lady Susan were good friends with your mother. I believe that she also enjoyed seeing you and your sister because she had not daughters of her own. Georgiana was not born until after you disappeared.

"Your mother had the rare gift of being able to interact with children as if they were already individuals in their own right. We all appreciated that. In fact, I am probably not exaggerating if I say that myself and my cousins were all a little infatuated with her."

Elizabeth's mind wandered a bit and then recalled one of her grandfather's comments. "William, may I ask you an odd question? Did you ever call our cousin Anne the bug?"

Darcy started laughing. "If I ever had doubts that you were my kin, that would convince me. While I refrained from doing so, my cousins were not so generous. Poor Anne suffered from being her mother's daughter and Malcolm and Richard tormented her over it."

"Have you seen her recently?"

"Edward and I still visit each year at Easter. Regretfully, Anne has grown up to be a vapid and colorless individual. I imagine that you will meet her before long. Once the Duke makes his recognition of you public, Lady Catherine is sure to make haste to London."

"And is she like her daughter?" Elizabeth asked.

"No. In truth, our aunt is somewhat of a harridan. She is nothing like Lord Andrew or either of her deceased siblings."

Not knowing how to respond to that, Elizabeth looked down at the book on her lap. She noticed that a bookplate had been affixed within its cover bearing the name Fitzwilliam Darcy. "William, how many of these volumes have been added by you?" she asked.

"About a quarter of them, I would think. My additions for the last five years or so usually bear my bookplate, as long as the work is not an antiquity. I did purchase books before I came into the estate but they would not have the plate."

Darcy watched Elizabeth examine the book carefully. He was curious as to what had given rise to her interest in reading but was not certain whether she wanted to talk about her past. "Did you have access to many books when you lived with the Bennets?" he finally asked.

"My stepfather had a fairly good collection. It was nothing compared to this of course but he had books on many topics and allowed me unfettered use of the library. It probably helped that no one else in the house had much interest in reading."

"I have the impression that you got on well with him," Darcy noted.

Elizabeth smiled. "Mr. Bennet was such an odd mixture of quickness, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice that neither his wife nor his daughters could understand him. I suppose that I benefited from having some similar interests with him. We also both enjoyed observing the character and foibles of others."

"Did you not have much rapport with your stepsisters?"

"Regretfully, no. They had three daughters, Mary, Kitty and Lydia. Mary, the oldest of them had early on acquired a peculiar interest in dense religious tomes. It was not unusual for her to begin sermonizing whilst we were at the dinner table. I had no animosity towards her, rather we simply had nothing in common with each other. Kitty was a sweet enough girl but she primarily followed the example of their youngest child Lydia, which was not to her benefit. Lydia was very spoiled by her mother and lacking in common sense. She was a vain girl mostly interested flirting with members of the militia which was quartered in our town some months before I left Longbourn, despite being only fifteen."

"And Mrs. Bennet?" Darcy asked.

Elizabeth shook her head. "My head aches to just think of the woman. She was exceedingly foolish and prone to uncouth behavior, even in company. I suspect that when she met Mr. Bennet, he mistook her silliness as some kind of charm. It was clear to me from an early age that he had little true respect for her. She very much disliked the fact that he held me in some esteem. It was as if she blamed me because he had little interest in her daughters."

"When did you last see them?"

"I left Longbourn about a month after the death of Mr. Bennet and have not seen them since that time. As I mentioned yesterday, their estate was entailed to an utterly ridiculous relation and when Mr. Bennet took ill, he and his wife conjured up the idea that I should marry this man, in order to provide for her future. When I refused to do so, both became angry with me."

"Even Mr. Bennet?"

"Sadly, yes. I think that as his health declined, he began to feel guilty for never having made any provision for his wife and children, besides her modest settlement of five thousand pounds. Although he had admirable qualities, it is true that he was very disengaged from his responsibilities in that regard."

"Did this relation claim the estate after he died?"

"At the time that I left the Gardiners' home, he had not done so."

Darcy decided to turn to a more pleasant topic of conversation before they retired for the evening.

"Are you looking forward to going shopping with Lady Susan tomorrow?" he asked.

"I suppose," Elizabeth replied. "However, I must confess that I am somewhat uncomfortable about the economics involved."

"What on earth do you mean?"

"I assume that she intends to pay for any purchases that I may make. I realize that it is very generous of her but.."

"Now, you are being foolish, Elizabeth," Darcy interjected. "For one thing, I imagine that Wiltingham intends to cover your bills. And, it is not as if you do not have a need to acquire new things."

Elizabeth frown at him. "What do you mean, sir? Are you suggesting that I look like a ragamuffin? Were you embarrassed to be seen with me this afternoon when we walked to my grandfather's house?"

Darcy started to laugh, a circumstance that caused Elizabeth to scowl at him.

"Cousin Elizabeth, I fear that you have no idea what a sensation you will cause when your discovery is publicly acknowledged. I am not suggesting that you are an embarrassment but that your family, most especially your grandfather will be rather eager to express how happy we all are that you have returned. In our society for better or worse, that includes spoiling you with material things."

"I would hate for people to think me a mercenary, William." The serious tone of her voice caused Darcy to pause.

"Elizabeth, this is your birthright. You must accept that, especially given the Duke's circumstances."

"He told me something this afternoon which astonished me."

"What was that?" Darcy asked.

"Apparently, he decided years ago to make myself and my sister his sole heirs, in the firm belief that we would someday be found. I can barely comprehend it."

Elizabeth realized that her cousin did not seem surprised by her revelation.

"Had you been aware of this, William?" she asked.

"Yes. Now that you have been found, Lord Andrew wanted to add another trustee for the arrangement and asked me to do so yesterday. No one else knows about the arrangement, however."

Darcy became quiet and began to look as if he was uncertain about something. Elizabeth assumed that he had been reluctant to take on the responsibility and teasingly asked him if he feared that she would be a difficult charge to manage.

"That is not it," he replied. He thought for another minute.

"What exactly did Worthington tell you about the estate, Elizabeth? Did he tell you how your mother figures into this?" he asked, in a tone that Elizabeth now recognized reflected his serious mien.

"He did not speak of my mother at all in regards to this. Why do you ask?"

Lord Andrew had provided Darcy with a copy of the Duke's legal document when they were together earlier in the day. While they were waiting to rejoin Elizabeth for dinner, he had used the time to read through the terms and found himself convinced that there was a problem with them that had not been properly considered.

"According to what the Earl told me, your grandfather's will effectively skips over his daughter and any other children that she may have in favor of you and Johanna. Once he dies, if neither of you were found before the date upon which you would have attained forty-five years of age or God forbid, proven dead to the satisfaction of the trustees, there would be a dissolution of the estate to distant relations of his.

"However, a clause was added that said if he were to receive definitive proof of either of your deaths while he was still alive and that further, you had died with no heirs of your own, that your portions of his estate would go to the Duchess. I can only surmise that his attorney had him add that provision in the event that he changed his mind about what he had done. He had made the document irrevocable but could have subsequently acknowledged a belief that one or both of you were truly gone, which would have then triggered that clause.

"When our uncle first described the arrangement to me, a problem had occurred to me but I decided to wait until I had studied the document itself. Lord Andrew happened to give me a copy of it earlier today and while we were waiting for dinner, I read through it. I have yet to speak to him about it, but am now convinced that I was correct in my original concerns. I do not wish to unduly alarm you, but I feel this is something that you need to know."

Elizabeth had followed the details of her grandfather's will without difficulty but was not sure what it was that was troubling her cousin.

"Sir," she began, "I feel quite strange about this now that you have told me that my mother has been neglected in these plans. Is there no way to change this now that I have returned?"

Darcy shook his head. "That is not my concern. Your grandfather had his reasons for doing what he did and I believe that is between he and your mother, not between she and you. I am sure that the Countess was amply provided for by her second husband as she was by your own father. What I am worried about is what this may mean for you."

"I do not understand you," Elizabeth replied.

"Permit me to first give you some background information." When she nodded, Darcy continued.

"When your party was attacked, there was a belief in the family that it was not an unfortunate random crime. Lord Andrew outlined the reasons for you yesterday. Five years later, your mother married Matthew Farrington. I was sixteen years when that happened, not quite a child or a man I suppose.

"Soon after we received word of their betrothal, my father and I had the occasion to be out riding together, just the two of us, returning from visiting a tenant's property. My father was older than yours; indeed he was a few years older than my mother who was the first born in the Fitzwilliam family.

"We had packed a lunch in our saddle-bags and my father suggested that we stop and partake of it along side of a stream that runs through the park. We left the horses to graze and settled under a tree. We sat and ate in companionable silence for some time and then my father began to speak to me of Farrington. My father was somewhat acquainted with the prior Duke of Montesford and therefore with the son.

"I will not waste your time with all of the details, Elizabeth but my father, a steady and discerning man, believed with all of his convictions that Matthew Farrington had arranged for the attack that killed your father."

Elizabeth stared at him. "Did he share his views with anyone else?" she asked.
"I suspect that he spoke to Wiltingham about it -- he was quite good friends with your grandfather. If he spoke to the Earl about it, neither ever mentioned it to me."

"What reason did he give for why this man would have wanted my father dead?"

"Because he coveted your mother to an irrational degree and was frustrated in his first attempt to acquire her because of the Duke's distaste for him and because your mother loved James Fitzwilliam. After she accepted your father's suit, our fathers crossed paths with him in Derbyshire at a horse auction. My father said that had Farrington the ability to turn your father to stone like the demon temptress Medusa, he would have done just that, such was the hatred that radiated from him."

"And then to have married his widow! Oh, my poor mother!" Elizabeth cried.

"Indeed. So, when the Earl told me of your grandfather's will, a disturbing thought occurred to me. I should however hasten to add here that our uncle believes that no one other than he and the Duke and the attorneys knows of its contents."

Elizabeth waited for him to continue.

"Do you not see it, Elizabeth? Now that you have returned, were anything untoward to happen to you, the Duke of Montesford would have the double fortune of having acquired half of your grandfather's estate and having his revenge on Wiltingham after having kept his daughter from him so many years ago."

"William, surely you do not think that I am at risk from the man? It has been so many years, the worse that I can imagine is that he will force my mother to reject me."

Darcy shrugged. "I cannot say for sure. But knowing that you were aware of the will, I wanted to make my thoughts known to you."

They sat together for awhile and then Elizabeth looked up. "I believe that I will take Mr. Dryden upstairs now, William."

Darcy nodded and stood to accompany her. As they walked up the stairs, she asked him about the suite that she had been given and learned that it was his own mother's. His suite was on the opposite side of the hallway; it also connected to the small greenhouse room. When they reached her door, she thanked him for his consideration and gifted him with a brilliant smile before she slipped inside.

Maggie appeared from the dressing room when she heard her enter. She quickly helped her out of dress and into her nightclothes. After informing the maid of her plans for the next morning, she bid her goodnight and climbed into bed. She did not attempt to retire immediately but rather, removed the velvet pouch containing the miniatures of she and Johanna from the drawer of the nightstand and looked at them for some time. She said a silent prayer that she might remember then doused the candle and went to sleep.

Chapter 11

Hockley, Essex

Charles Bingley entered the assembly room ahead of his sisters. He looked around for his friend Robert Peters who had left without them when it became clear that the ladies' preparations were delayed. He spotted him standing near the refreshment table with two other men. Motioning for Caroline and Louisa to follow him, he quickly joined them.

"Bingley, I am glad that you made it," Peters said with a grin. Bingley ignored him and greeted John Appleton who in turn introduced him to his father, the Reverend George Appleton, a dignified looking man of about seventy. The Reverend graciously welcomed Bingley's sisters to the assembly and did not show any discomposure when their responses were lacking in enthusiasm.

Bingley was pleased to make the man's acquaintance but in truth, was more interested in whether or not his daughter was in attendance. He eventually found her in the dancing line, and tried to determine with whom she was partnered without being too obvious about it. His plan had been to ask her for the first dance but Caroline's insistence that her gown be re-pressed at the last minute had thwarted him. He glanced at his sisters who were now standing a few steps removed from him, observing the gathering with an unmistakable look of disdain. He decided to ignore them for the time being.

When the set came to an end, Jane Appleton returned to her relations escorted by a young man. He turned out to be a deacon assigned to her father parish who bowed to them and then quickly left to find his next partner. After the usual exchange of pleasantries, Bingley asked after her remaining dances and was delighted to learn that the next two sets were free. The music soon started and he led her to the dance line followed by Caroline who had been asked to dance by Peters.

Bingley found himself unable to concentrate on the steps of the dance. Each time that he looked at his partner he received a shy smile from her. They exchanged a few words but mostly he was content to gaze at her luminous blue eyes. In between the sets they stood by themselves for a few minutes, having ended the dance at the opposite end from their party. Bingley was eager to know more about her than Peters had been able to tell him and decided to take advantage of the opportunity presented to him.

"Miss Appleton, it was a pleasure to meet your father this evening," he began. "Has he been rector at his parish for very long?"

"It has been about fifteen years now since we came to St. Thomas Church, Mr. Bingley," Jane replied.

"And were you in Essex before that?"

"He was curate for a number of years at a parish in Buntingford, Hertfordshire."

"Is that where you were born, Miss Appleton?"

Bingley noticed that the young woman suddenly looked uncomfortable and immediately apologized if he had been officious with his questions. Jane hesitated as if uncertain about something but then smiled at him and replied to his question.

"The truth Mr. Bingley, is that I do not know where I was born. I came to live with the Appletons when I was about five years old. Someone found me by myself and brought me to the church at Buntingford. The Reverend and Mrs. Appleton took me into their home at that time."

"I am very sorry, Miss Appleton," Bingley said. "I did not mean to stir up unhappy memories for you."

"It is quite alright, sir," Jane assured him. "The way that I joined the Appleton family does not distress me. I have nothing to complain about as I grew up in a very loving home. I am grateful that they adopted me."

"Did you not recall anything about your past?"

"Only a very little and nothing that aided the Appletons in their attempt to discover who I was. I mostly remembered images of places and people but not the names. I think that I had a younger sister. I had taken ill with a strong fever soon after I came to the rectory and the apothecary believed that may have interfered with my memory."

The music soon started for the next set and Bingley escorted Jane back to the dance line. They spent another pleasant half-hour in each other's company while speaking of less momentous matters. This time when the music ended, he brought her back to where her father and brother were standing. He was surprised to see that his sisters were not with them and asked if they knew where they gone.

"Mrs. Hurst started feeling poorly and decided that she wanted to go home," John Appleton replied. "Miss Bingley accompanied her. Peters sent them home in his carriage but instructed the driver to come back to pick you up."

Bingley thanked him for the information and then headed for the refreshment table to find something to drink. Miss Appleton was dancing again, this time with a man who looked old enough to be her father. He forced himself to not stare at her and rejoined her brother who was now standing by himself.

"My sister is an excellent dancer," Appleton remarked. He had noted Bingley's attentions to Jane and felt compelled to feel him out on the matter. His sister always comported herself with great decorum but knowing her as he did, he sensed that she was engaged by the fellow. He was not about to have her trifled with for the holiday entertainment of a gentleman.

Bingley was oblivious to the machinations of his new acquaintance and simply answered him as he thought.

"Yes, your sister is indeed very lovely."

They stood silently for a time watching the dance. Bingley however was even more curious about Jane after hearing about her childhood and decided to seek more information from her brother.

"Miss Appleton told me about how she came to live with you," he said. "It was very generous of your parents to open their home and hearts to her."

"It was not difficult for them to do so, Bingley. Jane was an adorable and loving child, even with strangers."

"I am astonished that her family was not searching for her," Bingley observed.

"As were we. In truth, none of it made much sense. I do not know exactly what she told you, but a local man who had been returning from a trip to Letchworth found her asleep in the back of his cart when he arrived at Buntingford. He had made a number of stops along the way and could not tell us when she had joined him.

"Jane was dirty and hungry but was wearing clothing that appeared to be finely made. The only thing that she had with her was a wooden toy which she refused to relinquish, even when my mother gave her a bath that first night. She was already feverish when she was found and it became worse. When she finally recovered, she was confused about everything and more than a little frightened. She told us that her name was Joanna -- we changed it to Jane because my mother's name was Joan -- and that she had a younger sister, but that was all she knew."

"How very sad a story. She may have a family which still wonders what became of her but thank God that yours took care of her."

"Where do you hail from, Bingley?" Appleton then enquired.

"I was born in York. I still have some relations near Scarborough but have lived in London since finishing my schooling."

"You know Peters from Cambridge, then?"

Bingley nodded.

"Do your parents live in London as well?"

"They have both been deceased for several years now, my mother longer than my father. He had always meant to purchase an estate but never did. I presently rent a house for myself and Caroline in town but intend to buy a home, preferably in the country, some day soon."

"Where would you like to settle?" Appleton asked as he watched Bingley's eyes follow Jane on the dance floor.

"Oh, I am not certain. Derbyshire, perhaps," Bingley said. "It is a beautiful county. I have a very good friend who lives there and would like to have our children grow up together."

Bingley realized that the man was now looking at him rather strangely and thought upon what he had just said.

"Oh, I did not mean to imply that I have children. Neither my friend Darcy nor myself are even betrothed to anyone. But at my age, it is time to think of such things more seriously."

A few minutes later they were joined by Reverend Appleton, who had danced a set with the wife of one of his parishioners. Jane returned as well. She and Bingley stood making small talk with one another, while her brother walked over and murmured something to their father. The reverend eventually made his way over to the couple and invited Bingley to come to their house for dinner the next day, after Sunday services.

"Your sisters are also welcome, as is Peters," he said. "If I do not see him before I leave, you might mention to him that he would be welcome at services as well."

Bingley laughed. His friend was not a church-going man but he now intended to persuade him to accompany him to St. Thomas Church in the morning. He accepted on his own behalf but told the reverend that he would send word in the morning as to whether his sisters would attend. The Appletons departed soon afterwards and Bingley went off in search of his friend, to tell him that he was returning to the house. He saw no point in dawdling at the Assembly Hall now that Jane was gone.

Chapter 12

London

The next morning, Elizabeth joined Georgiana and Sarah Parker in the entrance hall to await the arrival of Lady Susan. She appeared promptly at ten o'clock and quickly bustled her charges into her carriage. In a short time, they arrived in Bond Street and pulled up in front of an establishment identified by only a small plaque bearing the name Woodworth affixed to its door. By the time they had all disembarked, a liveried man was holding the door of shop open for them.

Upon entering, a footman rushed to take their bonnets and coats. A young woman then approached them and after curtsying to the Countess led them up to a sitting room on the next floor. A woman dressed in a simple but elegant gown soon joined them.

"Good morning, Lady Matlock. It is a pleasure to see you," she said.

"Good morning, Mrs. Woodworth. Allow me to introduce my nieces Elizabeth Bennet and Georgiana Darcy and our friend, Lady Sarah Parker. Ladies, this is Mrs. Agnes Woodworth."

Along with her husband, Mrs. Woodworth was the owner of the most exclusive clothier in London. New customers came to her solely upon referral from existing patrons. The Countess of Matlock had been a client of hers for many years, having been introduced to her by none other than Maria Fitzwilliam Farrington. Lady Susan had sent her a note the day prior requesting an appointment for an "Elizabeth Bennet, a relation recently come to town who requires a wardrobe." Not recognizing the name, the woman had assumed that the young lady was a relative of the Countess rather than her husband, a mistake that Lady Susan intended for her to make for the present.

For the next several hours, the women looked at sketches and models of various types of clothing, as well numerous selections of fabrics. Tea and sandwiches were served. Elizabeth was taken into an adjoining chamber where she was thoroughly measured. When they were arose to depart, some two dozen new gowns had been ordered along with outer and inner garments. Four of the dresses were to be delivered to Darcy House within three days, along with a seamstress for final alterations. Mrs. Woodworth herself escorted the party to her front hall and graciously thanked Elizabeth for her custom.

The next stop was to a shoemaker where a variety of footwear was ordered, including evening slippers and more sturdy shoes for outdoor walking. Next came an accessory shop for the purchase of bonnets and gloves. When that was taken care of, Elizabeth was in enough of a daze to suggest to her aunt that they return to Darcy House. Lady Susan indicated that she needed to make one more stop for purposes of her own. Thus they soon found themselves at a jewelers, admiring a variety of expensive baubles.

The Duke of Wiltingham had charged the Countess with determining Elizabeth's preference in jewelry, since he wished to make her a present of a new piece to celebrate her restoration to her true family. Thus she decided to take her niece to her favorite jeweler and observe her reaction to what he had on display. After a half hour of examining many beautiful pieces, she noted that Elizabeth was particularly drawn to a necklace made from bi-colored tourmalines. The green and red gem stones were very unusual.

Lady Matlock had just murmured to the proprietor to set aside the necklace after they left when the door to the shop opened and he rushed around his counter to greet another customer. She turned around to see who had entered and her heart almost stopped. Looking around the room, she caught sight of her niece Georgiana who looked as if she was frozen in place, staring at the beautiful blond-haired woman who was now in the store.

The Countess quickly walked to the side of Elizabeth, who was standing alone looking at a case containing elegant hair adornments.

"Elizabeth," she said softly. "Please do not turn around when you hear what I have to say. Your mother is here. I think it is better for you to remain standing here so I need not introduce you to her. Just leave the shop after we do."

The Duchess of Montesford had stopped to enquire about her latest order, a custom set made from sapphires and pearls which was now ready for her inspection. As the proprietor scuttled off to retrieve it for her, she looked over at the other customers and saw Lady Susan approaching, followed by Georgiana Darcy and a young woman whom she did not recognize. The Countess greeted them dispassionately and Georgiana quickly introduced her to Lady Sarah. After a brief exchange of inquiries about their respective families, Lady Susan ushered the two girls out of the shop. It was only then that the Duchess noticed another young woman observing her from the other side of the room. She was certain that she did not know her. A quick appraisal of her garments led her to also conclude that she likely could not even afford to shop there.

Elizabeth continued to look at her mother even as she walked towards the door. When they were only a few yards apart, she could not stop herself from smiling at her. The Countess offered a slight nod in return. As tempted as she was to stop, she knew that it was not the time to do so and thus continued on her way out of the shop where a footman from her aunt's household was waiting for her. He escorted her around the block to where the carriage was stopped and the ladies were soon on their way back to Darcy House.

"Elizabeth, I am so sorry for having taken you to Smithson's," Lady Susan declared. "What a thing to have happen!"

Her niece assured her that she had not been distressed by what had just occurred, merely curious. She did own that it might make being introduced to her mother a little more awkward given that the woman had acknowledged her in passing.

"She is certainly very beautiful," Elizabeth added. "It is clear where Johanna got her looks."

"In some ways she hardly looks changed from the day she married James," the Countess noted, "except I believe that the joy that always radiated from her died when he did."

When the ladies arrived back at Darcy House, Georgiana asked her aunt if she would join them in some light refreshments and they made their way to her sitting room. A few moments later, Mr. Gates entered and after bowing, handed Elizabeth an envelope embossed with the seal of the Duke of Wiltingham. She opened it then after quickly reading it, passed it to the Countess.

"That is very kind of the Duke, but Lord Andrew and I cannot join him this evening. We are attending a musical evening at the home of the Marquess of Turnbull. But that should not stop the rest of you from going."

"I would feel somewhat strange going out in public with him at this point, Lady Susan," Elizabeth replied. And then stifling a smirk she added, "and of course I have nothing to wear." Darcy was walking up the stairs in search of them when he heard howls of laughter break out down the hall. They were still at it when he walked into the room and although they tried to comport themselves, it was with little success. Finally, he mentioned that he had received an invitation to the opera from the Duke which included Georgiana and Lady Sarah.

"I know that he sent an invitation to Elizabeth and to your house as well, my Lady," Darcy said.

"I am afraid that we have a commitment already, William," Lady Susan replied.

"I do not want to disappoint him," Elizabeth said. "However, I think that this may be too soon."

"What is the invitation for?" Georgiana asked. She and Sarah had been waiting patiently for someone to tell them that information but had so far been ignored.

"I am terribly sorry, Georgiana and Sarah," Elizabeth said. "It is an invitation to attend a performance of Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride. It is being given in French."

"Oh."

The adults all started to laugh when they saw the expressions on the girls' faces.

"Let us do this instead," Darcy suggested. "I was planning to go for a ride in a short while. I will stop first across the square and invite Wiltingham to dine here this evening. And, assuming that you and Lady Sarah are willing to forgo the opportunity, I will decline the invitation to the theater."

With that, everyone began laughing again and then the Countess took her leave. Darcy escorted her out and the remaining ladies decided to retire to their chambers to rest.

Darcy entered the Duke of Wiltingham's residence and asked Mr. Hodges if His Grace was available to him. The butler asked him to wait in the drawing room and quickly returned in order to direct him to the Duke's private study. When he walked in, the Duke was sitting at a desk looking at a pile of small boxes.

"Ah, Darcy. Here you are," he said.

"Your Grace."

"So will all of you be attending the opera as my guests tonight?" Wiltingham asked.

"Sir, I do not believe that we can attend tonight. However, it is my hope that you will join myself and my three female boarders for dinner at my house instead."

"Not opera enthusiasts, eh?"

Darcy explained that both he and Elizabeth enjoyed opera a great deal but that she felt that her appearance in the Wiltingham box might touch off too much speculation. The Duke considered the point and then admitted that it had merit to it.

"I am just eager to have my grandchild at my side," he said. "However, I should be able to bear a few days more of maintaining the secret." He noticed then that Darcy was surreptitiously eying his desk.

He gestured at the boxes. "Another sign of my enthusiasm, Darcy. These represent a small portion of the holiday gifts which I bought and stored away for Elizabeth in every year that she and Johanna were missing. I am trying to decide upon the order in which to present them to her."

Darcy smiled at the old man. "Sir, I would imagine that Elizabeth would be pleased by anything that you gave her. Her real joy has been in meeting her family again."

"I realize that but I will not be denied the pleasure. How did her shopping trip go? I told Andrew last night to let Susan know that Elizabeth was to have anything that she wanted. I hope that she listened to me."

"Sir, I actually do not know. But I will say that they all looked quite tired when they returned, if that helps."

The Duke laughed. "I will ask Elizabeth about it tonight then. Can I offer you a brandy, son? Andrew mentioned to me that he has asked you to become a trustee of my estate when I pass. I would be interested in speaking with you about it."

Darcy realized that his plan for a ride in the park would not take place this day. "Thank you, sir. A glass of brandy would be fine."

The Duke walked to a small table containing decanters and poured them each a drink. He handed one glass to Darcy and then sat down across from him. "Did Andrew provide you with a copy of the will?" he asked. "If not, I can have my attorney do so."

"I received a copy yesterday and spent some time reading through it," Darcy replied.

"Did you have any questions?"

"I confess that I was curious about whether Her Grace and Montesford were aware of it."

The Duke shook his head. "I did not speak to them of this. I also put no explanation of my actions in the document. I did not believe it to be necessary. My daughter knows my reasons."

Darcy wondered whether to mention his concern for Elizabeth's safety with her grandfather. He felt uncomfortable not only because of the outrageousness of his idea but also because he had not yet discussed it with his uncle.

"What is it, Darcy?" Wiltingham asked. "If you are uncomfortable with my decisions, I would be willing to explain them to you."

"Sir, I admit that I was initially surprised by what Lord Andrew told me. However, I was able to consider the matter from your perspective and of course recognize that it is your right to do what you will with your own estate. What actually is troubling me is the provision by which the Duchess can inherit."

The Duke waited for him to continue. When he was done, the older man stood up and walked over a window and stared out. It was some time before he returned to Darcy's side and sat back down.

"Your father expressed his opinion on Farrington to me several years after Maria married him. I assure you that I did not dismiss it at the time. I did not however relate it in my own mind to my will perhaps because deep in my heart, I did not really believe that the girls still lived.

"Now that Elizabeth has returned, I know that Johanna is out there as well. Hearing your analysis, I must of course agree with your logic. Under the circumstances however, I believe that all we can do is be vigilant. After all, I can hardly accuse Montesford of trying to gain something that he does not know that he has lost."

The clock then chimed for half past four. Realizing the time, Wiltingham suggested to Darcy that he return to his own home to prepare for dinner while he did the same. He indicated that he would be at Darcy House for six o'clock.

Dinner had been an enjoyable affair, Darcy thought to himself. Initially, both Lady Sarah and even Georgiana were a little shy in the presence of the Duke but his good humor soon made them feel at ease. He was very civil to Mrs. Annesley and spent some time speaking with her of her years in Staffordshire where she had lived a part of her married life. But of course it was Elizabeth to whom Wiltingham's attentions were drawn and Darcy could not blame him. Besides being his granddaughter, she was vivacious, intelligent and well-spoken; she made her remarks even more interesting by adding a veneer of wit where appropriate. Very much like her grandfather, he thought. Darcy also thought that she was quite beautiful, even if her looks were not the classic ones shared by her mother and her sister.

Both he and the Duke were startled to learn that the young ladies had seen the Countess of Montesford earlier that day. When Georgiana had hesitatingly asked when Elizabeth was to be formally introduced to her mother, Wiltingham indicated that he hoped that it would be within the week but said nothing else. Then Mrs. Annesley deftly moved the conversation to another topic.

After the meal was over, the Duke asked Darcy if he might speak to he and Elizabeth privately. When the three of them were in the library, he told her that he expected that her mother would receive his note the next day, based upon his information from Hodges.

"Sir, what did you tell her?" Elizabeth asked.

"I informed her that a matter of grave importance to her had come to my attention and that I needed to speak to her privately about it this coming week, as soon as she can attend me at my home. She will send me a note telling me when she can come, " Wiltingham replied.

"And are you certain she will respond to your summons?" Darcy asked.

"She will. As a result, I must ask that you remain available as well, Elizabeth. I do not think that we will need to wait very long. When she arrives at my home, I will send word to you and then after I have told her, I would like to bring her here to meet you, if that is all right with you, Darcy."

"That is perfectly acceptable to me, sir."

"Good. Thank you."

The Duke made as if to leave when Elizabeth interrupted him. "Sir, it has occurred to me that I generally visit with the Gardiners on Sunday. Sometimes I arrive there early enough to go to church with them. I then spend the day. I can send them word that I am unable to join them this weekend, but I am concerned that they will worry."

Wiltingham considered her question. "Elizabeth, they will learn of these matters soon enough from the news. If you were to tell them in advance of the public reports, would they honor your confidence?"

"Yes, they would," she replied.

"Then I will accompany you to meet them at their church and will invite them to return to my home with me," the Duke said.

Elizabeth was not at all certain of his plan but his grandfather insisted that it would turn out for the best. She reluctantly agree that he would call for her at Darcy House a half hour before the start of the services. That having been settled, he led the way back to the drawing room.

"Is he always like this?" Elizabeth murmured to Darcy as they walked behind the Duke.

"Yes. He is one of the most forceful men that I have ever met. However he is generally so well-mannered about it that others usually feel that they had an option to refuse him. I am not sure whether that is generally true."

Elizabeth looked up at her cousin and was relieved to see a small smile on his face. She said nothing more as they returned to the other ladies.

Posted on December 12, 2007

Chapter 13

Elizabeth awoke early on Sunday and considered what to wear. Her mourning period for Mr. Bennet had actually ended during the previous week although she had continued to wear her final mourning dresses up until the prior day's shopping trip. She decided upon a pale yellow dress that she had not worn much prior to her step-father's death. It was already pressed: all of her clothes had been seen to when she had moved to Darcy House.

When Maggie came to check on her, she made her aware of her dress selection and then allowed her to assist her with washing. A short while later, she was dressed and sitting at the vanity table, having her hair done. The maid excused herself and left the dressing room only to return a few moments later with a sprig a small white flowers.

"From the sun-room, miss," she said as she started to weave them into Elizabeth's hair. When she was done, she was pleased with her efforts, as was the young lady.

"Thank you very much, Maggie. It feels very pleasant to be able to wear this dress again."
"You look lovely, miss. Will you be wearing the new piece of jewelry today?" Maggie enquired.

Elizabeth debated what to do. She knew that wearing the necklace would please her grandfather. The Gardiners were going to be surprised by the news no matter how she told them and her jewelry would be the least of it.

"Yes, thank you. I believe that I will wear it."

Elizabeth walked downstairs to the breakfast room to wait for the Duke shortly after ten o'clock. She was pouring herself a cup of coffee when she was joined by Darcy who gave her an admiring smile.

"You look quite lovely, cousin," he said.

"Do not sound so surprised, cousin," she replied merrily.

"I am only surprised at my previous blindness!" Darcy said, returning her banter. Then he noted the absence of a plate in front of her.

"Are you not eating, Elizabeth?" he asked.

"I usually eat with the Gardiners after the services." She frowned. "Oh, I completely forgot about that. If they go directly to my grandfather's house, they will not have eaten. And the children will be with them as well!"

"Just mention this to the Duke when he arrives: I am sure that he was planning to provide refreshments but if he was not, I can send a man to his house with a message from him. As to the children, if they come back with you, I am sure that Georgiana and Sarah would be happy to entertain them for you."

Elizabeth was soon summoned to the entrance hall by Mr. Gates; Darcy escorted her out to the Duke's carriage and helped her into it. As she had expected, her grandfather smiled broadly when he saw that she was wearing his pendant. She told him of her concerns for the Gardiners and learned that he had anticipated providing them at least one meal. The conversation then turned to more important matters.

"My dear, I have given some thought to what we should tell your friends. I am a little concerned that they will not believe any excuse that we give them for why they should accompany you back to my house," the Duke said.

"The truth will be hard enough to believe," Elizabeth responded. "In some ways, it still is for me!"

"Tell me, have they ever met the Earl of Millwood?"

"No, sir. They met his wife but he was not home when they escorted me to my interview."

The Duke considered the matter further. "We can tell them that you must leave their service immediately and that they need to discuss the matter with your older relations today. Perhaps I should pose as a relative of his, who decided to escort you to church in order to provide them with transport back to their house. I assumed that their children would need to use their own chaise to return home. I will introduce myself as Arthur Nesbitt."

"Grandfather, you are quite the schemer," Elizabeth said. "I suppose that is as good a story as any." A notion then occurred to her and she started to giggle. "Sir, when they see my new pendant, they may just think that I am engaged to you!"

They both began to laugh so hard that a footman tapped on the window glass to ask if they were in need of assistance. They assured him that they were fine and then tried to get a hold of themselves. When the carriage stopped in front of St. Clement's Church, they had both regained their poise. The Duke stepped out and then assisted his granddaughter in doing the same. He then offered her an arm and escorted her into the church.

Elizabeth's aunt and uncle were already seated near the front with their two older children and their nanny. She and her grandfather took their seats in the back and waited for the service to begin. The church began to fill up and Mrs. Gardiner turned around in an effort to locate her niece. Elizabeth soon caught her eye and by her gestures, indicated that she would remain seated where she was. When the service was over, the Duke took her to stand at one side of the vestibule to await the Gardiners. As Elizabeth had expected, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were quite perplexed when they realized that the older man who had been next to her in the pew was now standing with her. After she greeted them and her little cousins, she introduced them to the stranger and he made his little speech.

Edward Gardiner eyed the other man with some suspicion. "Sir, did you travel here with my niece unaccompanied," he asked.

"Of course not," the Duke replied. "A maid from the Millwoods' household was on her way to visit her parents and accompanied us as far as the church."

Mr. Gardiner turned to his niece. "Elizabeth, he began, "I am confused by this. I thought you quite pleased by your situation. Why on earth would you be quitting it so soon?"

With a lingering look at her grandfather, Elizabeth replied. "Uncle, I am afraid that it is not possible for me to remain as Lady Sarah's companion. You will understand when you hear the complete story but it cannot be told here. Please accompany us back to their house."

The Gardiners stepped away from them briefly to discuss the matter between themselves. While they were doing that, the Duke moved closer to Elizabeth.

"And you say that I am a schemer!" he whispered. "I caught that look that you gave me, young lady! You have likely convinced these poor people that I compromised you and am being forced to marry you."

Elizabeth did not reply but feigned innocence in all her looks. When the Gardiners returned, they indicated that they would do as they had asked. It was clear however that neither were happy about it. The children were sent back to Gracechurch Street and their parents took their seats in the Duke's coach. They spoke very little during the trip and stared at Elizabeth quite a lot. Her aunt in particular kept glancing at the brilliant little pendant around her niece's neck. She found herself enjoying the absurd little situation too much to feel guilty about it.

It was when the carriage turned into St. James Square that the Gardiners became more animated. "Where are we going, Elizabeth?" Mr. Gardiner demanded. "The Parkers live in Berkeley Square, do they not?"

"Patience, Uncle. All will soon be revealed," Elizabeth said with a smile.

The coach stopped at the largest house on the square and a squad of footman descended upon the carriage. As they approached the door, they saw nothing to identify it but a plaque bearing the building's number. When the butler escorted them in, Edward Gardiner heard him greet the older man with the appellation of Your Grace, and he suddenly realized who he actually was.

They were shown to an elegant drawing room where a side-table had already been laid with food and drink. The Duke asked his guests to be seated and then as he had previously agreed to do, let his granddaughter do the initial talking.

"Aunt and Uncle Gardiner," Elizabeth began. "I must confess that we dissembled somewhat to convince you to return here with us. This is obviously not Millwood House. This is the London home of Arthur Nesbitt, who is the Duke of Wiltingham. This week I discovered that he is my maternal grandfather."

When only silence greeted her, she continued. "A week ago, I happened to make the acquaintance of a Miss Georgiana Darcy and her older brother William, who are friends of Lady Sarah. While we were together, William caught sight of the birthmark on my wrist and thought that he recognized it. He arranged for his aunt the Countess of Matlock to meet me and for a number of reasons, she became convinced that he was right. She then revealed her suspicions to His Grace who himself agreed with her and well, here we are."

Edward Gardiner turned from his niece to his wife and then looked at the Duke. "Forgive me, Your Grace, but this is a rather odd tale. What suspicions were born out? Why do you believe that Lizzy is related to you? Who is she supposed to be?"

"In 1794, Mr. Gardiner, my son-in-law James Fitzwilliam, the then Earl of Matlock, was traveling home with his five year old daughter Johanna and his three year old daughter Elizabeth, when his carriage was attacked and all of the adults were murdered. The two little girls disappeared. We searched for them for years with no success. The current Countess of Matlock knew Elizabeth as a child and when she met her, she was able to satisfy herself that certain unique marks were present on Elizabeth's body, including the distinctive birthmark on her wrist."

Mrs. Gardiner looked at Elizabeth immediately upon hearing his last statement. When she caught her eye, the young woman nodded slightly and despite herself, Mrs. Gardiner softly gasped.

'In addition," the Duke continued, "she remembered certain pet names and phrases from her time with us, without being prompted. Her age and coloring are correct and her looks are almost identical to my own mother's, as you can see in a portrait hanging in my private library. There is no question in my mind that she is my dear granddaughter Elizabeth."

Mr. Gardiner made an effort to compose himself and soon addressed Wiltingham. "Sir, you must understand that we know nothing about this. Elizabeth was taken in and raised years ago by my older sister's family in Meryton. I had not yet even met my wife at that time and was away from England intermittently for years, establishing my business. She had been with the Bennets for almost five years when we first saw her, which was at our own wedding."

"Mr. Gardiner, it was not my intention to accuse you or indeed, anyone related to you in connection with Elizabeth's disappearance. While I am of course very eager to learn if there is anything that you might know about how she came to live with your sister, that was not the reason that I invited you here today. The news about my granddaughter will likely become public this week and she wanted you to hear about it directly from her and not from a newspaper."

"Please, aunt and uncle," Elizabeth said. "It was not my intent to upset you. I really was at a loss to know how to tell you this. It has all happened so suddenly this week that I have yet to even meet my mother."

The Duke encouraged the Gardiners to partake of the refreshments now that the motivation for the visit had been revealed. After seating themselves with their plates of food and accepting the offer of a glass of wine, the atmosphere in the room lightened somewhat.

"Elizabeth, I did not understand your comment about your mother," Margaret Gardiner said.

"I take it that she was not with your father on that terrible day?"

"No, aunt," Elizabeth replied. "She had remained at home because of an injury."

"When do you expect to meet her?" Mrs. Gardiner asked.

"She will meet her this week, Mrs. Gardiner," Wiltingham responded. His tone of voice had immediately cut off conversation although that was not his intent. He sighed inwardly. "My daughter is remarried now, to Matthew Farrington, the Duke of Montesford. That has delayed my being in contact with her."

To Elizabeth's dismay, the silence again lengthened. Here were two of the dearest people in the world to her and the thought of them estranged from her was not one that she could tolerate. She cast about for something to do or say and finally spoke.

"Sir, I would like my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner to see the painting of my great-grandmother," she announced to the Duke. "May I take them upstairs?"

The Duke realized that she wanted to be alone with the Gardiners. Using his private library for that purpose would not have been his first choice but he sensed that Elizabeth was testing him with this and he could not disappoint her.

"Certainly, my dear. Do you recall where it is?" Upon confirming that she did, he indicated that he would wait for them in the drawing room and watched them depart.

Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner said nothing as they followed Elizabeth up the staircase. When she reached the door to the library, she held it open and motioned for her aunt and uncle to enter the room. As she anticipated, they reacted much as she did when she first saw the painting.

"My God, Elizabeth. You look just like her!" Mrs. Gardiner exclaimed. Her husband seconded that opinion, as they both moved closer to the painting.

"It is astonishing, is it not?" Elizabeth agreed. She waited for them to take their time to admire the painting before asking them to sit down.

"Aunt Gardiner, Uncle Gardiner, I want to apologize for springing all of this on you so suddenly. I did not know what else to do. And I want to assure you that you will always be as dear to me as ever: nothing can change that. I will simply not allow it."

"What is this room, Elizabeth?" her uncle asked, as he looked around at the shelves of book and elegant objects.

"This is the Duke's private library," she replied.

Edward Gardiner quickly comprehended what his niece had done and how their host had responded. That more than anything began to put his mind at ease. This was clearly the refuge of a very wealthy man that likely few of his friends had seen, much less a merchant from Cheapside.

"It was generous of him to allow us to visit it," he said.

"He is a very kind man. He has already been a little too generous with me. I admit that it makes me a little uncomfortable."

Her uncle smiled at her. "Most everyone spoils those whom they love, to the best of their abilities. There is nothing unusual in that."

"Elizabeth, what is this business about your mother?" Margaret Gardiner enquired. "I sensed that there is some sort of problem there."

"There is, although I do not know all of the particulars. It largely involves the Duke of Montesford, her second husband. My grandfather did not approve of him which has left them somewhat estranged. However, from what I have learned from my cousin Darcy, this man Farrington is not someone of good character. I do not believe that my grandfather's disapproval of him was capricious."

"I have heard many stories circulating over the years about Matthew Farrington, none of them complimentary," Mr. Gardiner commented. "They involve ill-usage of women as well as periods of living beyond his means, surprising given what a fortune he must have inherited."
"It is all very distressing," Elizabeth replied softly.

Edward Gardiner regarded his niece and suddenly wondered whether she might benefit from some time alone with her aunt. He decided to return back downstairs. If the Duke was not amenable to conversation with him, he would seek out the library. He stood up and after announcing his intentions, left the two ladies to themselves.

"Oh, aunt, I am so glad to see you. This has all been so confusing," Elizabeth cried.

Mrs. Gardiner quickly changed seats in order to sit down next to her niece and caught her in an embrace.

"My dear, it is an astonishing story. I can easily comprehend why you would be overwhelmed, although I must say that you appear to handling this very well."

"Every one has been very kind to me, especially Lady Susan, the Countess of Matlock and my cousin Darcy. He lives across the square with his sister Georgiana and for the moment, Lady Sarah. That is where I am staying for now."

"I assume that the Countess knew of your other birthmark?"

Elizabeth nodded. She decided however not to tell her aunt of it being inspected. "My grandfather learned of it as well from my mother, when they were searching for us."

"I cannot begin to imagine what your mother felt, losing her entire family in such a way. The uncertainty over you may have been more devastating then the death of her husband. Nothing is known of who had taken you or what became of your sister? " Mrs. Gardiner asked.

"No, apparently not. She was a very beautiful child. I hope that her beauty convinced others to treat her with kindness. Here, you can see what she looked like." Elizabeth reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out the small velvet pouch. She handed her aunt the two miniatures.

"I see what you mean," Mrs. Gardiner said. She then picked up the painting of Elizabeth. "It looks very much like you when we first met, even though you were eight years at that time."

"It is all so incomprehensible to me, aunt. The manner of my discovery here, who my relations are, the story of my father's death. And then there is my mother. I have actually seen her now. We ran into her yesterday while I was shopping with Lady Susan and the girls. I pretended not to be with the other ladies so no awkward introduction would be required.

"She was very beautiful but there was an almost unnatural stillness about her, as if she had no emotions. When I left the store, I had to walk right past her and could not resist smiling at her. She gave me a dim smile in return almost as if it was difficult for her to do so. I have no idea what may happen at our introduction."

Seeking to change the conversation to a lighter one, Margaret Gardiner enquired about the recent shopping trip that her niece had mentioned. "Lady Susan is your aunt through marriage, is that correct? Where did she take you shopping?"

"We went to a place owned by a Mrs. Woodworth on Bond Street."

"She brought you to Agnes Woodworth's? You must have had a delightful time. She is the most exclusive dressmaker in London, if not in all of England. Did you reveal to her who you were?"

"Lady Susan let her believe that I was a relative on her side although she did seem curious about the extent of my purchases."

"And what did you buy? I cannot wait to see them," her aunt remarked.

Elizabeth looked a little embarrassed. "I am awaiting the delivery of four or so gowns tomorrow for a final fitting. The others will arrive later. I lost count of the total but there were at least two dozen new dresses and gowns ordered for various times of day and occasions. We ordered some new spencers and pelisses as well. My aunt also informed me that I will require even more finely made evening gowns once I am introduced to society but she did not want to order them until the news announcement has been made."

Margaret Gardiner smiled fondly at her niece. "You can choose to enjoy this time, you know. I am sure that your new found family only wants the best for you and is determined that you should have it. So, tell me of these relations whom you have already met."

Downstairs in the Duke's study, he and Edward Gardiner were enjoying a glass of port and speaking of the past. Mr. Gardiner had found the drawing room empty when he returned and was about to ask to be directed to the library when the butler entered and requested that he join the Duke.

"Gardiner, thank you for joining me," the Duke said. "Please have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Grace."

"Please call me Wiltingham. After all, we are relations of a sort now," the Duke replied.

The men sat awkwardly for a few minutes until the Duke offered Mr. Gardiner a drink. While he was pouring it, he asked after the Gardiners' family.

"You have two children then, who were in church with you?"
"Actually sir, we have four children. My second boy can not yet sit still during an entire service and our youngest, a girl, is just two years. Elizabeth is her godmother."

"You are very fortunate. My wife and I only had one child. In fact, I am the last of the Wiltingham line."

"Does your daughter have other children, besides Elizabeth and, forgive me but I do not recall your other grandchild's name?"

"Her name is Johanna. They are my only two grandchildren since Maria had no children with Montesford."

The Duke finally decided to stop avoiding the question that he needed to ask.

"Gardiner, is there anything that you can tell me about how Elizabeth came to live with your sister's family? The issue of concern to me right now is finding her sister."

"Sir, all that I know is that the Bennets took her in when she was about three years old. I did not meet her until she was eight. The story that they told about her was quite vague. They gave me the impression that she was an orphan somehow related to the husband of my other sister, whose married name is Phillips. They gave others the impression that she was related to the Bennet side.

"At the time, they lived in Meryton but years ago, the Phillips moved to Essex. I have not seen them since my first child was born and have not had any correspondence from them in over five years. In truth, whenever I brought the topic of Elizabeth's origins up in conversation, no one was willing to discuss it. I had assumed that there was some impropriety involved and eventually stopped enquiring."

"That is an understandable conclusion. Perhaps it is one that they wanted you to reach," the Duke observed.

"My sisters are not particularly clever women. They gained their husbands through their girlish looks and charm. Had they known of anything nefarious associated with the child, I do not think they could have managed to keep such a secret. And my brother Bennet would not have willingly participated in anything questionable."

Edward Gardiner was only partially correct in his assumptions.

Chapter 14

May 1794
Hertfordshire

At a quarter hour before nine, the carriage arrived at a house on the outskirts of a small town named Alton. The driver jumped down and quickly knocked on the door. The man who answered it clapped the newcomer on his back and then looked past him to the coach.

"So what is it you are bringing me now, Sam?" he asked.

"I'm sorry we're so late. I got something unusual, Martin. A rich man's kid."

"Well, you better bring them in."

Exhausted by the ordeals of the last two days, Elizabeth had fallen asleep and had to be carried into the house. When they were inside, Martin Stone looked at the child and then turned to his friend.

"What in the hell did you do to her? What's the blood from?" he demanded.

"It's nothing. She hit her head is all. You know how scalp cuts are: they bleed like a stuck pig."

Stone instructed Fanny to put the girl in a back room then gestured for Sam to start talking. In a few minutes he had the general idea of what had happened.

"He ordered me to kill her but I ain't no kid killer, Martin. Plus I figured there'd be people looking for her who would be willing to pay to get her back. We couldn't keep her because we have to go back. So I figured I'd bring her to you and if you didn't want her, I'd leave her in front of a poorhouse somewhere."

"Who's her people?"

"Her father was an Earl. Her mother's the daughter of the Duke of Wiltingham, in Staffordshire."

Martin Stone considered the matter. He was a longtime criminal who made his money in various ways but mostly through fencing and smuggling. A ransom payoff could be a sweet sum, under the particular circumstances. He made up his mind quickly.

"Sam, I need to speak to my associate but if that goes right, I'll give you two hundred pounds for your troubles, fifty now and the rest when I get paid. But you and the woman need to stay here for a few days. I can't take care of a kid on my own."

Sam Wilkens agreed to stay at Alton for the next several days. Stone indicated that he would be leaving early the next morning to see an associate of his and advised him to keep the child quiet and out of sight.

At half past ten the next day, Martin Stone arrived in the small town of Meryton to see his associate, who was also his cousin. The two men had done a good amount of business over the years, facilitated by their willingness to break the law. He quickly explained the situation to him.

His cousin as a rule was neither reckless nor overly cautious. He asked a few questions such as the age of the child and considered how this might be done.

"Martin, I think it pays to wait before contacting her family," he offered. "It will make them more desperate but at the same time, any official search for her will have died down. I would wait at least six months."

"Six months!" Stone snorted. "What in hell can I do with the kid for that long?"

"Obviously, you cannot keep her. I may however have an alternative. Tell me, what condition is she in?"

"Well, she's a little banged up from falling down but otherwise she's fine, I guess. She needs some clothes though. The one's she's in are all dirty."

The other man nodded and rang for his assistant. He muttered a request to him and the clerk swiftly departed.

"I need to run an errand. You can wait here. I will have tea and bread sent in for you," he said to Stone. A half of an hour later he was in Thomas Bennet's library, making him a proposition.

"My relative only wishes to keep her child out of view for no more than six months, Bennet. Her deceased husband's parents are demanding that she give her up to them for raising. She will not do so and is afraid that they will snatch the child from her. She hopes that with the passage of some time they will come to their senses. I am looking for a home for the child for just a short time and because of the sensitivity of the situation and the client, I would prefer to place the child with someone whom I know."

Thomas Bennet was not a particularly industrious man but he was an intelligent one. He had taken the measure of the man in front of him when they first had met and believed that he was too smooth by half to be sincere. Other than short conversations at larger gatherings, he was content to let his wife do the socializing.

He stared over his glasses at him. "Why does your relative not move herself with the child far away from their grasp?" Bennet enquired.

"It is very complicated. Her own mother was a foreigner and she fears that our laws will work against her," he replied.

"How can you be sure that she would not merely abandon the child with us?"

The man thought quickly. "I have asked her to give me a deposit to provide for the child's upkeep and to act as surety in the event anything was to happen to her in the interim. The deposit is for five thousand pounds."

Mr. Bennet considered the proposal. His instinct told him that something was amiss here. The other man however was a shrewd enough character, unlikely to bring trouble so close to where he lived. He considered the fact that beyond his estate, he had no true assets. A son in the future would help him break the entail but the son must be born and then reach his maturity. Some security for his wife would not be unwelcome, if it was on his own terms.

"The five thousand pounds must be made over to me and the income on it available for the upkeep of the child. At the time she collects her, I will retain one thousand pounds for our troubles. If she abandons her, the five thousand pounds will be payable to my wife upon my death. If you draw up documents to that effect, I will take her. We must of course come up with a different story to tell the neighborhood since I assume you would not want to risk the exposure of your client."

The two men stood up and shook hands. Mr. Bennet asked when the child was to be delivered. He was surprised that it would be so soon but raised no objections. The two men spent a few minutes developing a simpler background story and then the other returned to his office and his cousin.

The man had expected that Bennet would ask for money. A thousand pound payment to him was nothing in light of the anticipated pay-off and he had adequate funds to deposit the full five thousand in the other man's name. If he was correct, the Fitzwilliams and the Duke of Wiltingham would pay at least fifty thousand pounds for the return of their precious child. There was little danger that the girl would recall anything of worth that could identify him or anyone else; she was just too young. All that remained was for him to work up a plan with Martin. They had the time to make it a good one. Six months from now, her family would be so eager to recover her that no questions would be asked.

The Present
London

"I understand that your brother Bennet passed on just over a year ago. Where is your sister now?" the Duke asked.

"She is still at Longbourn. I do not know whether you are aware of the fact that my brother's estate was entailed upon a distant relation. For reasons unknown to me, he has yet to assert his right to the property although he is claiming most of the income from the property beyond what is needed to pay the servants and estate-specific bills."

"She is fortunate then. Has she made plans for where they will go when he does claim the inheritance?"

"She has been reluctant to do so, sir. It may become my lot to take them into my household. The girls however are coming up to the age where marriage is a realistic possibility."

"May I ask what you do for a living, Gardiner?"

"I have a linen drapery establishment and am also an importer and retailer of specialty items, in particular from the orient and America." Edward Gardiner smiled at a recollection. "Lizzy has always preferred to browse at my import shop instead of looking at silks and muslins like the average young lady might. She tells me that it is a window to new worlds."

The Duke smiled at that as well. "She seems to me to be a very capable young woman. From what she has told me, much of that is likely due to the influence of you and your wife. We are very grateful, I assure you."

"Thank you, Your Grace. I would like to think that we did everything that we could for her, but she deserves most of the credit for the woman whom she has grown up to be."

The Duke stood up to refill his glass and motioned to Mr. Gardiner to hand him his as well.

While he was engaged in doing that, Mr. Gardiner gathered his courage to ask about something that was puzzling him. "Your Grace, do you mind if I ask you a question about Elizabeth's disappearance?"

In response to a brief nod he continued, "I am surprised that you never received a request for a ransom for the children. I do not mean to sound insensitive, but I would have thought that the attackers would have killed the girls as well if their intent was not to profit from them."

"You are absolutely correct, Gardiner," the Duke replied. "In fact, I did receive a ransom demand about six months after their disappearance, for Elizabeth. Nothing ever became of it, however. I never told my daughter about it, fearing that it would make her even more unhappy."

"What were the circumstances?"

November 1794
Lincolnshire

Martin Stone urged his horse to run faster. He was on his way to a rendezvous with an agent of the Duke of Wiltingham, to provide him with proof that he had Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, in this case the dress that she had been wearing when she was taken. A letter had been sent to the Duke two weeks earlier demanding fifty thousand pounds for her safe return. He had been told to publish an advertisement in a London daily which would be the signal that he had agreed to view their evidence. Stone would receive five thousand pounds in exchange for the dress and then would await the next message either accepting or refusing his terms.

Stone was not concerned that the man would have him followed. There was too much at risk. Since he might hang for blackmailing a Peer as easily as he would hang for a kidnapping, arresting him before he turned over the child would be pointless. The next step would be trickier but he was confidant that he and his cousin would find a way to collect their reward and deliver the girl without being caught.

So involved was he with the machinations of their plot that he failed to see an overturned tree up ahead of him until it was too late. His horse attempted to leap over it but the jump was too shallow and he stumbled and fell, dislodging his rider from the saddle. Stone was partially caught under the horse and in a short while lost consciousness.

The horse had sustained no injuries and after it had righted itself, had run off for parts unknown. A local man later found him lying in the middle of the road. He loaded Stone into his cart and took him to an apothecary who detected signs of internal bleeding which were not treatable. When he awoke and found out what had happened, he asked the apothecary to send word to his cousin telling him what had taken placed. To the other man the message sounded like gibberish and as a result when he contacted the cousin, it was only with the fact and circumstances of Stone's death.

Without the evidence of the dress and his able cohort, the remaining partner was unwilling to resurrect the ransom scheme. He reluctantly informed Mr. Bennet of the situation and deflected a variety of suggestions, including the return of the child to her father's supposed relations. In his own way, Thomas Bennet had become fond of the girl and her lively cleverness and accordingly, did not argue with him with any real enthusiasm. Thus it came to pass that Elizabeth Fitzwilliam became Elizabeth Bennet for her next eighteen years.

Chapter 15

The Present
London

"And so, it all came to nothing," the Duke said in conclusion.

"What an odd story," remarked Mr. Gardiner. "The cleverness of using the newspaper for messages would have given me hope that the offer was actually legitimate. And yet, it was not."

"Indeed, that was my reasoning as well," replied Wiltingham. "When the man never contacted us again, I was very relieved that I had not mentioned it to Maria."

"The fact that he only referred to one child must have been deeply troubling as well."

"Yes. Although in my heart, I believe that Johanna is still alive."

"It would mean a great deal to Elizabeth for her to have a real sister," said Mr. Gardiner. "The Bennets were too unlike her in in mind and temperament to become true friends with her. I pray that a miracle will happen and she will return to you as well, for all of your sakes."

Hockley, Essex
St. Thomas Church Rectory

Charles Bingley happily took a seat at the table next to Jane Appleton, who rewarded him with a soft smile. His sister Louisa sat next to him, while Caroline sat across from him between Peters and John Appleton. His younger sister had glared at him during the entire trip to Hockley; he was quite glad that it had only taken twenty minutes. When he had returned home from the assembly the night before, he quickly determined that neither sister was ill but rather both were terminally bored. When he informed them that they would be staying in Essex until the middle of the week as planned, both had pitched long fits. Caroline was even more put out to learn that they were to dine at a parsonage the next day.

"Charles, have you lost your senses? Why on earth must we travel to a parsonage tomorrow for dinner?" she demanded.

"Because we were invited and I accepted, Caroline," Charles calmly replied. "It is just dinner. You usually eat on Sundays and as it is not a very long trip, you should not become overly tired."

That annoyed her so much that she huffed out of the room. Louisa started in on him next but before she got very far he reminded her that she was the one who had opted to come on the trip instead of remaining in London to nurse her husband. That was sufficient for her to exit the room in the wake of her sister.

And now the two of them had dressed as if they were to dine at the court of an empress. He knew them too well to believe that they had done so out of respect for their hosts. Rather it was their frequently employed method of announcing their perceived superiority to the rest of their company. It all mattered little to him today; he was determined to take advantage of the last day that he might be able to see Jane Appleton for some time. For some time that is, unless his latest idea came to fruition.

The Reverend Appleton took his seat at the head of the table and said grace. A servant then brought him a large roasted duck to carve as another offered several vegetable dishes to the guests. Before they began to eat, John Appleton arose and offered a toast to the company and then with a bit of a grin, thanked the Lord for the presence of Wallace Peters in church that morning.

Bingley's sisters could not manage even a polite smile in response to their host's jest. Rather, they looked at each other in that way which publicly conveys shared criticism. Jane Appleton watched them out of the corner of her eye and wondered why they were determined to cause themselves such displeasure. She listened as the younger one spoke to her brother.

"Charles, I assume that your man knows that we are departing on Thursday? I would hate for the carriage to not be properly checked for our trip," Caroline demanded.

"Quite so, my dear," Mrs. Hurst agreed.

"I am sure our vehicle will be just fine, Caroline." Turning to Jane, he asked her whether or not she had the opportunity to spend any time in London.

"I have been there several times, when my late mother's sister lived there."
"Pray tell us, where did she live Miss Appleton?" asked Miss Bingley.

"Near Finsbury Circus, Miss Bingley," Jane replied.

"Oh. We live on Grosvenor Square. Do you know the area?" Miss Bingley asked.

As Jane shook her head, Bingley interjected himself into the discussion. "It is quite close to Hyde Park, Miss Appleton. I rent a house there for myself and Caroline since I have not yet settled on a place to live permanently."

"Charles can be so tedious about this, Miss Appleton! He keeps insisting that he is going to buy a home in the country when we are both perfectly content in town. I do not know what I would do if I was not in London for most of the year. How would I pass the time?"

"While I have enjoyed my visits to London over the years, I am quite biased towards the more rural areas, no doubt because I have spent most of my life in them. Each one must find their own place, Miss Bingley," Jane replied.

"Yes, I would imagine that as a parson's daughter you have visits to the old and the poor to keep you busy," Caroline replied.

"I do visit the old and infirm of our parish but I would like to think that I would be doing so even if my father was not rector here."

"Do you enjoy the theater, Miss Appleton?" Bingley asked.
"When I have had the opportunity to go, yes I have. I enjoy musical performances but do not have the taste for opera, I am afraid."

"That is a shame, Miss Appleton. Perhaps you have not been exposed enough the opera to appreciate it," offered Miss Bingley in a knowing manner. "We go quite often during the season."

"Yes, we are quite fortunate in that my good friend Darcy maintains a box year-round. He lives a short distance from the opera house and frequently invites us to be his guests," said Bingley. He added, "If you are ever in town this season, you must be sure to attend one with us,"

"Thank you, Mr. Bingley. I would find that to be delightful," Jane replied as a light blush appeared on her cheeks.

Bingley beamed at her as his sister Caroline watched the pair warily. She had no intent of allowing her brother to be captured by the pious and no doubt penniless daughter of a minister. If they were to stay in the area for almost another week, then she and Louisa would need to develop a list of sights that they wish to see, in particular ones which were not near Hockley. That and perhaps a few discreet words to Miss Appleton if the men left them would do the trick. To her relief, a little while later the Reverend suggested that the sexes separate after dinner. She resolved to take advantage of the opportunity offered to her.

London
St. James Square

Elizabeth and Margaret Gardiner spoke for nearly two hours, with Elizabeth alternating between joy and fears. Mrs. Gardiner was proud of her niece and how she had managed to the many recent changes in her life, beginning with the death of Thomas Bennet. She could not help but wonder how on earth a child kidnapped in Nottinghamshire came to live with her husband's relations in Meryton. She supposed that they would never know the answer to that.

When the clock struck three, Mrs. Gardiner realized that she and her husband at least would need to return home to dine with their children in a few hours. "Elizabeth," she said, "I believe that we must leave for Gracechurch Street soon. Will you return with us for dinner?"

"I would like that very much, aunt. Perhaps we should go in search of my uncle Gardiner and my grandfather."

When the two ladies arrived downstairs, the butler directed them to the library. Expecting only to see Mr. Gardiner waiting for them, they were surprised to find him in the middle of a chess game with the Duke. They were so intent upon their match that they did not appear to have heard them enter. After a few minutes, Margaret Gardiner cleared her throat and got her husband's attention.

"Excuse the interruption gentlemen, but I fear that we must be returning home soon in order to dine with our children. Elizabeth has expressed a desire to have dinner with us Your Grace, if that is acceptable to you," she said.

"I invited His Grace to dine with us as well, my dear and he countered with an offer to fetch the children if we wish to dine here," her husband responded.

"And what did you decide, sir?" his wife asked.

Mr. Gardiner looked at the Duke and then at the chessboard. "Actually we decided to play a game of chess soon afterwards and never made a decision."

Mrs. Gardiner smiled at him fondly. "I am afraid, Your Grace, that we must refuse your hospitality on this occasion at least. I wish to see my youngest children before they are put to bed. You would be very welcome to join us."

"I thank you, madam," the Duke replied. "I prefer to stay in my home tonight, as I am awaiting a message. But you are welcome to go, Elizabeth. Just indulge me and stop by here once more before you return to Darcy House for the night."

Elizabeth assured her grandfather that she would do as he asked and after mutual farewells, the three of them entered a Wiltingham coach for the return ride to Cheapside. Much later in the evening, Elizabeth returned and sought out the Duke in his upstairs library.

"Good evening, sir," she said with a smile and bent down to kiss him on his cheek.

"Ah, Lizzy. I trust that you had a pleasant visit?"

"Indeed. I always enjoy seeing my little cousins, for while they are spirited children there is no malice in them, excepting I suppose the tendency of the younger boy to get into the molasses sometimes."

"Does he consume it in large quantities? I would think one round of that might put him off of the stuff for good," Wiltingham replied.

"Lately sir, he has been trying to feed it to a most reluctant cat."

The Duke burst out laughing at that. "It sounds like the type of mischief that you would have been up to as a child, my dear."

"I would never do that to a cat, sir! They have my utmost respect."

Her grandfather smiled then picked up a note which had was lying on his desk. Elizabeth could see an elegant gold embossment on its front.

"I have heard back from Maria. She will be able to visit me Tuesday morning. Farrington is to be away from Monday to Wednesday evening so he will not be aware of her visit beforehand."

"He would not stop her from attending you, would he sir?" Elizabeth asked.

"No, not even he is that audacious. He would however likely demand to come with her. So this has worked out for the best."

Elizabeth tried to stifle a yawn as she listened to him but was not successful. She soon wished him a goodnight and then went out to the carriage which was waiting to take her to Darcy House. She suspected that she would sleep well tonight. Her anxiety over meeting her mother would have to wait until the next day.

Chapter 16

The next morning, a commotion ensued at Darcy House with the arrival of several personages and bundles from Woodworth's Clothier. Upon seeing the enthusiasm of his sister and her friend for the upcoming hours of modeling and pinning, Darcy decided that he had business to attend to out of the house. Elizabeth was just coming down the stairs as Mr. Gates was assisting him with his coat and hat.

"Ah Lizzy, there you are," Darcy said. "I have err, some errands to attend to today."

Elizabeth laughed. "No doubt you do, William. I would join you if I could, although the timing is useful since I expect a visitor here tomorrow. I learned of it yesterday but returned too late to inform you." Aware that Gates as well as other servants were in earshot, she hoped that her cousin would take her meaning.

"Just as well then," Darcy replied. "We can speak of this later, if you would like." Elizabeth nodded then went in search of some breakfast. Darcy decided to write a quick note to his aunt Matlock before leaving, informing her of the news and asking that she entertain Georgiana and Sarah Parker the next day if at all possible. He asked Gates to have it delivered immediately and then went about his business.

Elizabeth ate quickly and then returned to her bed chamber where a dressmaker and two assistants were awaiting her, along with Georgiana, Sarah and Maggie. The dressmaker, a Miss Perth, assessed the type of undergarments needed for the first dress and dispatched Elizabeth and her maid to the dressing room to change. She soon emerged wearing a day gown made from two selections of pale green muslin: the bodice was sewn from fabric embellished with a faint print of ivy.

Looking in the mirror, Elizabeth realized that she could barely remember ordering the dress although she admired it very much. She was quickly called to attend to the directions of the dressmaker and stepped up onto a block of wood brought to facilitate the alterations. And so the rest of the morning went. Mrs. Woodworth had sent over five gowns to be fitted, including two more suitable for evening wear. Between the fabrics and the urgency, Elizabeth decided that she did not wish to know the actual costs of her purchases. She sensed a certain deference from the workers but did not know its origins until she happened to ask a question about the trim on the third dress that she was modeling.

"If this is not to your satisfaction Miss Bennet, we can change it to anything that you wish," Miss Perth offered. "Mrs. Woodworth informed me that there is no limit whatsoever on your account. All of the bills after all are being sent to His Grace."

Elizabeth caught a glimpse Georgiana in the mirror, giving her a questioning look. She shrugged and turned around to face the seamstresses. She wondered if the Woodworths thought that she was to marry the Duke. A few seconds later, she realized that if anything, they probably thought her to be his mistress. That notion was so amusing that she began to cough to cover her laughter and eventually had to request a glass of water.

When the fittings were done, she requested that the green dress and one of the evening dresses be ready for the following morning. The dressmaker indicated that the dresses would likely be delivered that evening. Elizabeth left them to their work and hurried downstairs, hoping to spend some time in the library. The two younger girls however caught up with her before she reached the bookcases, eager to discuss the morning fashion show.

"I was surprised when they mentioned the Duke," Georgiana said.

"I imagine that Lady Susan gave Mrs. Woodworth the billing particulars," Elizabeth replied. "I am surprised however that she shared it so freely with her employees."

"Yes, I agree."

Lady Sarah suddenly made an odd sound. When the other two looked at her, she turned red.

"You do not think that they thought you were his mistress, do you?"

"Sarah! What an imagination you have!" Georgiana cried.

"That is exactly what they believe," muttered Elizabeth.

The two young ladies stared at her. "Well, I doubt they think he decided to take a new bride at the age of seventy," she declared. At that, they all started laughing although Elizabeth determined privately that she would mention the indiscretion to Mme. Woodworth on their next meeting.

Later that afternoon, the Countess of Matlock arrived. Darcy had seen her husband at their club and told him that Wiltingham expected his daughter the next day and as a result, Lady Susan decided to see how Elizabeth was faring under the circumstances. She also wanted to extend an order concealed as an invitation to Georgiana and Lady Sarah to attend her the next day, as Darcy had requested. She agreed with him that her niece did not need an audience for what might likely be the most emotional day of her life.

She and Elizabeth took tea in the sitting room attached to her niece's bed chamber. Lady Susan looked around the room and smiled. "I recall doing the very same thing with Anne Darcy when she was alive," she reminisced.

"I gather that the Darcys were very well-suited to each other," Elizabeth said.

"Yes, they were, as were your parents."
Elizabeth nodded at the segue. "Can I assume ma'am, that you have heard about my mother's impending visit to the Duke tomorrow?"

"Yes. William ran into the Earl this morning and told him. Also, I do not know whether he had time to mention this to you, but he requested that I invite your two younger cohorts to our house for the day. He thought and I agreed, that you would benefit from the privacy. And how are you feeling, my dear?"

Elizabeth considered her answer. She was feeling far less anxious about the pending introduction to her mother than she had expected.

"Lady Susan, I find myself more curious than anything else now. I believe that seeing her unexpectedly at the jeweler's shop dispelled some of my apprehension. Seeing my aunt and uncle Gardiner yesterday has helped me as well.

"I was concerned that they might be put off by this news. I was also afraid that my grandfather would dismiss them out of hand because of their station in life. Neither of those things happened. I now feel that if my mother were to reject me, that I have many other people upon whom to rely, no matter how that rejection would pain me."

"I wish that I could tell you how Maria will react tomorrow, but in truth I cannot. She is no longer the person whom I once knew so well, at least on the surface. I am sure that she will allow herself to be introduced to you however. She will not deny her father that."

"She looked so frozen when I saw her, aunt, almost as if no feelings could escape her," Elizabeth remarked. "While I am not so worried about meeting her, I am glad that she will not be with her husband. I have heard nothing of that man to want to be in his company. Even my uncle Gardiner has heard nothing good of him from the gossip that circulates among merchants about their customers."

"Such gossip while often unseemly is as often true," said Lady Susan. "Many a peer has been known to reveal his true base nature when around only those whom he deems inferior to him."

"Speaking of gossip, Lady Susan, the dressmaker from Woodworth's was here yesterday, with several seamstresses. I was a bit taken aback when she made reference to the fact that the Duke of Wiltingham was paying for my clothing. Even worse, she did so in front of the other two women. It almost sounded as if she believed me to be a kept woman, telling me that money was no object concerning my purchases."

"That is completely inappropriate, Elizabeth! I will most certainly have a word with Agnes when next I visit her shop," declared the Countess.

"Actually, I would prefer to do so myself, once the news about me is released," Elizabeth replied. "It is after all my name that was being so bandied about."

Lady Susan nodded in deferral to her niece's wishes then asked whether she had decided what to wear the next day.

"I think so. One of the day dresses which was pinned this morning is made from a lovely green muslin. I think that will be the one."

The conversation turned to more mundane topics, with the Countess speaking of her son Malcolm, whom Elizabeth had yet to meet. They talked for another half hour and then the older woman left to attend to some appointments.

Chapter 17

Elizabeth awoke before sunrise on Tuesday. After an unsuccessful effort to return to sleep, she decided to leave her bed and prepare for the day to come. She put on a robe and then quietly opened the door to her chamber, catching the attention of a dozing footman. She asked that tea be brought up to her chamber but cautioned him that it was not necessary for Maggie to be awakened to attend to her. A short time later, a maid knocked on her door and carried in a tray holding a pot of tea as well as bread, butter and jam. At Elizabeth's direction, she placed it on a table near to the room's fireplace.

Elizabeth poured herself a cup of tea and slowly spread butter on a piece of bread. Her mind was running through the various possibilities that the day could bring. Her mother might embrace her unreservedly. Alternatively, she might refuse outright to accept her as her daughter. Or she might acknowledge her as her own child but eschew an ongoing relationship with her.

What if she welcomes me and asks me to join her household? Elizabeth thought. After all that I have heard of her husband, that is not an attractive possibility.

She had finished a second cup of tea when a knock on the door signaled the arrival of Maggie.

"Miss, you should have called for me earlier if you needed help," the maid said.

"It was not necessary, Maggie. I woke up so early that I called for tea mostly to have something to do."

"Should I see to your bath then?"

"Yes, that will be fine. Oh, I forgot to ask last night - did the ladies from Woodworth's complete the green gown yesterday?"

The maid reported that they had completed the alterations on three of the dresses. Elizabeth asked her to have the one gown pressed so that she might wear it that day. Within an hour, she was seated at her vanity watching Maggie prepare her hair when someone knocked on the door. The maid went to answer it and returned shortly carrying a small box.

"This was delivered for you just now, miss."

Elizabeth took the parcel from her and opened it up. It contained a necklace of what she assumed were small jade beads, each the same size, as well as a pair of earrings. She shook her head and laughed, wondering from where her grandfather got his intelligence. Lady Susan is spying for him, no doubt.

"Shall you wear those today?" Maggie asked.

She realized that the maid was watching her curiously. As tempted as she was to reveal why she had received the gift, she decided to remain discreet a little while longer.

"Yes, I believe shall. They will match the dress very nicely, I think."

When Elizabeth made her way down to the breakfast room, she found Darcy eating by himself. He stood up to greet her and she realized, held his gaze on her a second longer than usual. It gave her an unfamiliar frisson of pleasure which she tried her best to conceal.

"You look very lovely, Elizabeth," Darcy said as he took his seat again. "That is one of your new dresses?"

"Thank you, cousin. The dress is new as is the necklace which arrived for me this morning from the Duke. Remarkably, it matches what I was preparing to wear today!"

"The Countess is remarkably good at ferreting out and conveying information. I imagine that she went straight from my home to Wiltingham's as soon as she left here yesterday."

"I daresay, sir, that our aunt would not have stooped to such behavior!" Elizabeth replied in mock outrage. "I am sure that she dispatched a footman on the errand."

Darcy laughed at that and waited for her to take her seat before resuming his own meal. Elizabeth had just finished eating when a footman entered and handed a note to his master. Once the man left, Darcy informed Elizabeth that her grandfather and the Duchess of Montesford had just arrived.

Chapter 18

After welcoming Maria Farrington to his home, Darcy informed the Duke that Elizabeth was waiting for them in his study which would afford them greater privacy. As a result he was in his library reading through correspondence when he heard shouting coming from the entrance hall. He jumped up and hurried downstairs in time to see Matthew Farrington forcibly shove Mr. Gates out of his way, causing him to fall.

"Farrington! What in the blazes are you doing?" Darcy rushed to help the older man to his feet and walked him to a nearby chair. "By what right do you come into my house and manhandle my people?"

Matthew Farrington was a few years older than his wife and on first glance, was a very handsome man. His hair retained most of its youthful auburn color and his figure was still fit. He had startlingly green eyes which would draw an observer in, until he or she realized that they held little emotion. It was like staring into the eyes of a jungle cat as it observed its prey.

"I was told that my wife was here. Where is she? I demand to see her now!" The Duke of Montesford made as if to move around Darcy but was stopped by the other man's outstretched arm.

"Sir, this is my home and I will not tolerate these excesses of behavior from you," Darcy said firmly. "Her Grace is here, in a meeting with her father. You may wait for her in the drawing room if you please."

"I will see her now, Darcy!" With that, Farrington moved as if to push him aside but soon found himself blocked from proceeding by two footmen.

"Adderly and Sutton, thank you. Please show His Grace to the drawing room and order refreshments for him."

Darcy was grateful that he had asked for his two most burly footmen to attend the first floor that day, in the event of something like this happening. Once they were out of view, he quickly walked upstairs to his study but paused when he reached the door. He heard no voices coming from within the room but finally knocked on it softly. It was opened by the Duke.

The two women were seated at some distance from each other. Neither looked particularly emotional at that moment. Darcy could not sense what had gone on and so just moved ahead with his announcement.

"The Duke of Montesford is here, Your Grace. He is awaiting the Duchess in the drawing room."

Wiltingham nodded to Darcy and then turned to his daughter. "Maria, do you wish to introduce Elizabeth to your husband now?"

Maria Farrington nodded and stood up. She walked out of the room with a brief glance at her daughter who arose next, uncertain of what she should do. The Duke softly called her name and offered his arm to escort her downstairs, with Darcy trailing them. They caught up with the Duchess as she was about to enter the drawing room. Her husband was pacing at the other end of the room and appeared very agitated. When he saw her enter, he quickly moved to confront her.

"I returned home early only to find that you had gone to visit Wiltingham. When I reached there, I was told that I could find you at Darcy House. What is going on here?"

Before she could answer, Arthur Nesbitt walked into the room with Elizabeth who was now clutching his arm with her full strength. Darcy was right behind them and quickly pulled the doors closed as he entered. Farrington barely glanced at them and then turned his attention back to his wife. "I asked you, what are you doing here with them?"

"My father requested my presence, my Lord, on a matter of some importance. You see, my daughter Elizabeth has come back. She has returned."

It was then that Farrington looked again at the young woman who stood next to the Duke of Wiltingham. She was staring at him with piercing black eyes, as if seeking to place him but failing to do so. In a split second, a wide smile appeared on his face as he strode over to her and put his arms around her shoulders in a light embrace.

"It is a miracle, my child. It is a wondrous miracle. Welcome home."

At that moment, Darcy alone could see into the eyes of the man himself. He saw no sincere delight in them or in fact, any pleasure at all. What he saw in them was hate. Hate and a small flicker of fear.

Continued In Next Section

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