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“When I was coming home from Illinois on the train, running away from George, I decided life was too short to live in fear, and I wasn’t going to live that way ever again.

But then, I was back in my old house, letting my brother and Mrs. Reynolds care for me, and I started slipping back into my old ways.

It’s very easy to do when you’re in familiar surroundings.

A few months after I came back, I realized I was falling in love with Richard, but I was afraid—afraid to trust that love, afraid he wouldn’t want me because of my past, afraid of what William would say, and on and on.

After a while, I thought Richard might feel something for me too, but I knew he would never pursue me.

” She chuckled. “He thought he was too old for me—he told me that once.”

Her sister-in-law straightened her shoulders and held her head up high.

“I thought long and hard about it, and I decided I must at least try to obtain my happiness, no matter what the outcome. So, I pursued him . Oh, not in a demanding way, but just over time, and I discovered that he loved me too.”

Georgiana turned to Elizabeth and took her hands, an earnest expression on her face.

“Tell William he shouldn’t worry about letting me go.

Richard and I will take care of each other and the girls”—her eyes fluttered downward—“and anyone else who comes along.” She embraced Elizabeth tightly and whispered in her ear.

“I’m so excited that our babies will be born close together.

I’m glad we have you, Elizabeth. I always wanted a sister. ”

Richard came up and touched her elbow.“Are you ready, my dear?”

Georgiana took his arm and gazed at him, eyes shining. “Yes, I’m ready. Let’s go say goodbye to Maggie and Ruth, and we’ll be off. Take good care of my girls, Elizabeth. I know it’s only for two days, but I’ve never been away from them overnight.”

“We’ll keep them safe and sound. William will spoil them terribly, and it will take you a week to sort them out.”

Georgiana laughed.“I’m sure he will. Goodbye and thank you again!”

Elizabeth watched her husband’s face as his eyes followed the newlyweds, walking out to the car under a shower of bird seed.

He scanned the room, and when his eyes found her, he gave her a wistful smile.

Then he held his hand out to her, and his action drew her to him as surely as if he had tugged her close with a rope tied around her waist.When she reached him, she took his hand, and they turned back to the dining hall and the rest of their guests.

“Miss Bennet?”

Jane Bennet turned at the sound of her name and found herself looking directly into the face of Charles Bingley.She startled slightly and lowered her punch cup to her saucer. In typical Jane Bennet fashion, however, her unreadable expression moved quickly into place.

“Good afternoon, Mr. Bingley.”

There was a pause while Mr. Bingley simply looked at her. He cleared his throat nervously. “How are you?”

“I’m doing well.”

“You look well.”

“Thank you.” Jane fished around for a topic of conversation.“How is the new store in Glasgow coming along?”

“Quite…well,” he replied inanely. He took a deep breath. “Actually, it could use your touch. The displays in the Meryton store are much more appealing, and I’m at a loss about what to order.”

Jane gave him a look of cool appraisal.“I’m not sure what I can do about that from here, sir, but I will advise you as best I can.”

“Oh, no, I wasn’t suggesting…I…was just making conversation, I guess.”

“Oh.”

“Lovely wedding, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, they look very happy.” Jane, on the other hand, knew she looked a little miserable.

“Darcy told me your sister is expecting in a few months.”

“Yes, we are all looking forward to meeting the new baby.”

“He is about as happy as I’ve ever seen him.” Mr. Bingley chuckled.“He smiles and seems almost giddy, at least for him.”

Jane smiled graciously at his observation but said nothing.

Mr. Bingley looked across the room wistfully at the Darcys, standing hand in hand. “My friend is certainly a lucky man.”

“Yes,” Jane replied. “My sister is good for him, I think.”

“Of that, I am quite sure.”

Another silence.

“Miss Bennet, uh…Jane…may I call you Jane?”

Jane looked at him, surprised. “I suppose.”

“Jane, I would like to call on you tomorrow, at your family’s home, but I don’t want you to feel obligated to see me.”

“Call on me?” She could feel herself losing control of her emotions and her expression.

“Yes, I-I wanted to before, but I was concerned.I didn’t want you to think you were being asked to spend time with your employer outside of work. I figure if I call on you at home and talk to your father right away, it will make my intentions very clear and not feed the gossip mill.”

“Your intentions? Surely, your young lady in Glasgow would not be pleased if you courted someone else while you were out of town.”

Mr. Bingley looked confused. “Young lady in Glasgow?”

Jane simply looked at him with an impassive expression and cold blue eyes.

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t have any idea who you mean.”

Jane’s composure began to crack. “But… Miss Caroline said…”

Mr. Bingley’s face turned stern. “You mean my aunt Caroline?”

Jane nodded.

He set his lips in a grim line. “What did she say to you? I think I need to know.”

Jane looked him in the eye.“She said many things, but the gist of the message, as it regarded you, was that you were shortly to be engaged to the daughter of an old family friend in Glasgow.”

His mouth dropped open, then shut, then opened again as if to speak. Then he shut it again. “I see. I see the situation quite clearly now. May I be perfectly honest with you?”

“I would like that, for a change.”

He took a deep breath. “I can’t blame you for being suspicious of my motives, given what you’ve been told. Would you be willing to have a seat out on the porch? I think this discussion might take a while.”

Jane tried to look around circumspectly.

She definitely didn’t want her mother to witness her leaving with Mr. Bingley.

She would never hear the end of it. Instead of her mother though, she caught the eye of her brother-in-law.

William was looking intently at her and Charles.

When he noticed Jane’s questioning gaze, he smiled at her and looked around before putting his finger to his lips in a gesture of hush, suggesting that her secret was safe with him.

She returned the smile and nodded to Mr. Bingley.

“Yes, I think that would be all right, Mr. Bingley.”

He offered her his arm. “I would like it very much if you would call me ‘Charles’.”

“Charles, then.” She looked up at him with a hesitant smile and blue eyes that barely hinted at a sparkle or two.

“You really are the most angelic creature,” he said, almost to himself.

A gentle laugh escaped her, and he flushed, embarrassed. They headed toward the corner of Pemberley’s wrap-around porch and its waiting swing. Charles took a deep breath and began. “I suppose it all started the day I hired you to work at Netherfield’s…”