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Story: A New Beginning

Jane had been in London for a few days and was beginning to feel more at ease in her new role as a wife and mother to two little girls.

Her only concern at present was her dear sister, Lizzy.

Fortunately, Andrew had resolved all pending matters, and in two days' time, they were to depart for Derbyshire in search of Elizabeth.

Mrs. Bennet, her daughters, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillips had also travelled to London and would assist Mrs. Smith in caring for the girls—and in protecting them, should Agnes appear in town unexpectedly.

Mrs. Gardiner came as early as propriety allowed, bearing important news for her niece.

Upon welcoming her aunt, Jane led her into the small drawing room where she used to receive callers and ordered that tea be brought to them.

"How are your mother and sisters, dear?" Mrs. Gardiner inquired warmly.

"They are very well. Aunt Amanda has been most kind to them.

" The residences of Mrs. Smith and her nephew Andrew were conveniently close, and Mrs. Bennet had chosen to remain with Mrs. Smith so as not to disturb the newlyweds in their home.

"Since her husband passed, Mrs. Smith has lived in solitude for far too long.

It pleases me that she has now found something resembling a family again, and she seems to be enjoying their company immensely.

Just yesterday, the Phillipses came to dine with us, and we are all prepared for this evening's gathering.

" "Thank you, Aunt. It brings me such comfort to know we shall all be together—though I cannot but feel Lizzy's absence keenly," said Jane, her voice touched with sadness.

"I know, my dear, and that is precisely why I have come.

I understand you intended to travel north, but it will no longer be necessary.

I received a letter from Lizzy this morning.

She is to arrive in London at the end of the week.

Mr. Darcy must journey to Kent to visit his aunt, and Elizabeth, along with Miss Darcy, will remain here.

" "What wonderful news, Aunt! At last, my dear sister will be with us again—and she shall no longer have to endure another day in that man's employ…

" Jane could not suppress her excitement and embraced her aunt with joy.

Meanwhile, Andrew, who had intended merely to inform his wife that he was on his way to the club to meet a friend, unintentionally overheard a portion of the conversation and paused in the hallway.

He thought it best to allow Jane a moment to recover from her sentiments before entering.

In truth, he was meeting with a friend well acquainted with Mr. Darcy, hoping to better understand how to approach the matter of terminating Elizabeth's contract—ideally without entangling the family in any unpleasant legal complications.

He was about to knock on the door when a certain phrase gave him pause, and he remained just out of sight, listening.

"And how are you, dear? You look so well," said Mrs. Gardiner.

"I am content, Aunt. Andrew is a thoughtful husband, and Clara and Matilda are in desperate need of someone who loves and protects them.

I am quite moved by the thought that, one day, they might truly see me as their mother.

" "I can see it already, dear. Your affection for those girls is most sincere.

" Andrew, standing just beyond the doorway, could not help but smile.

Each day, his admiration for Jane deepened.

She was tender and gentle with his nieces, lovely and sweet in her disposition, and altogether unlike anyone he had ever known.

It was becoming increasingly clear to him: he was falling in love with his wife.

"I am so glad to see you happy in this new life," Mrs. Gardiner said, taking Jane's hand in hers.

"Aunt, I have found myself thinking often of Mr. Bingley lately…

but—" "My dear Jane, it is never easy to forget those who once held a place in our hearts.

" Andrew, struck by the name, felt suddenly uncomfortable.

He had no wish to spy upon his wife, and yet he could not bring himself to walk away.

The name Bingley meant nothing to him, and yet it did—now.

'Bingley? Who is this man, and when did I heard that name before?

'he wondered as he turned away, heading instead to his study.

He needed a moment to think. Inside the drawing room, Jane hesitated.

"Aunt, I did not express myself correctly.

I no longer think of Mr. Bingley in the way I once did.

Since I met Andrew, I have begun to doubt whether I was ever truly in love with him.

Without question, he is kind and handsome—but what I felt for him, I now believe, was admiration, perhaps even infatuation, but not love.

Or at least, not the kind of love I have come to understand.

" "Why do you believe that?" "Because after all that I have experienced, Aunt, I no longer believe I could ever truly admire such an inconsistent gentleman.

While he was in Hertfordshire, he seemed genuinely interested in forming a connection with me.

But without so much as a farewell, he left—and never returned.

When I later visited Louisa and Caroline in London, I realized the Bingleys are precisely the sort of people who can simulate affection and civility with alarming ease.

I now see clearly that the best thing that ever happened to me was never seeing him again.

" "I am pleased to hear you speak with such certainty and self-awareness.

Undoubtedly, the events of recent months have made you stronger and more discerning.

" "Yes, but it is not merely misfortune that has shaped me.

Since I met Andrew, I have come to understand the value of loyalty and strength of character in a gentleman.

My husband knows what he wants, and he is willing to stand firm to protect those he loves.

" Mrs. Gardiner smiled with quiet satisfaction.

It was clear, even if Jane herself had not fully realized it, that her niece was slowly and sincerely falling in love with her husband.

That afternoon, Andrew wrote a brief note and entrusted it to the butler, asking him to deliver it to Jane.

He informed her that he would return in two hours and assured her that there was no need to worry.

Despite his growing unease, he resolved not to dwell on matters that ought not to concern him—at least not yet.

At the gentlemen's club, Paul White was already waiting for him.

After exchanging pleasantries and discussing various family matters, the conversation turned toward what had truly prompted Andrew's invitation.

"I still cannot believe you are a married man, Taylor," Paul said with a smirk.

"Well, a Baron now—and with two little girls in your care.

I suppose a wife became something of a necessity.

But I must say, your sudden nuptials caught everyone by surprise.

" "My wife's father passed only a few months ago, and her family is still in mourning," Andrew explained.

"A grand wedding would have been most inappropriate.

But I intend to host a ball in her honour before the end of the Season.

She deserves her rightful place in society.

" "A fine idea," Paul said approvingly. "I hope to make her acquaintance soon.

My wife, too, would welcome the opportunity.

She struggles to find companionship among the so-called ladies of our circle.

Marrying the daughter of a banker was not a popular decision.

" Andrew chuckled. "I can imagine. Those women are quick to forget their husbands' financial dependencies when it suits them.

Believe me, as a second son, I was invisible for years.

The moment I inherited the Norton title, however, invitations began arriving by the dozen.

" They shared a laugh before Andrew turned to the true subject at hand.

"I need your advice. It concerns my wife's sister.

After her father's passing, her family faced considerable hardship, and my sister-in-law was compelled to seek employment.

She now works as a companion to Miss Darcy.

" Paul raised a brow but said nothing. "I wish to have her contract annulled.

Quietly, of course. I want to avoid any unnecessary conflict, particularly with Darcy.

You know him better than I—what kind of man is he in such matters?

" Paul considered for a moment. "Darcy is a man of honour.

He can be rigid, yes, and very proper—but he acts according to principle.

And now that you are Baron Norton, he would not dream of opposing you over something as minor as this.

If needed, I can speak to him directly, but I suspect it will not come to that.

He does what is proper, always." Andrew nodded.

"That aligns with my impression of him. Still, I appreciate your reassurance.

" "Of course." Paul then leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.

"Taylor, do you see that gentleman who just entered the club?

The one in the blue tailcoat." Andrew turned discreetly.

"Yes. What of him?" "That is Bingley. And the man beside him is his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst. Bingley is one of Darcy's closest friends.

If you would like, I can introduce you—perhaps he might offer further insight.

" Andrew froze for the briefest of moments.

"Bingley?" he repeated, his expression unreadable.

"No… That will not be necessary. I think I met him before.

" They resumed their conversation, but Andrew's mind wandered.

The name had struck a chord. He recalled Jane's words that morning, spoken with unexpected certainty—and the faint trace of sorrow that had lingered in her voice.

'So this is the man,'he thought. Mr. Bingley, upon brief observation, appeared to be every bit the fashionable London gentleman—elegantly dressed, youthful, confident in his manners.

He smiled easily, gestured with grace, and conversed as one accustomed to admiration.

Andrew, in contrast, had always considered himself more reserved and more practical than charming.

And yet, Jane had chosen him. He knew he had no reason for jealousy—his wife had declared her indifference to Bingley, and she had never given him cause to doubt her loyalty.

But still, a strange and unwelcome feeling lodged itself in his chest, cold and persistent.

'Absurd',he told himself.'She is my wife.

And I have nothing to fear.' And yet, as he watched Bingley laugh across the room, he could not help but feel that some rival ghost from Jane's past had entered his world uninvited.