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“When my husband was stationed in India, I began volunteering there as a way to feel I was helping in some way, even if I couldn’t be with him.

Then, when he was killed, the men there shared in my grief, even though they did not know John himself,” admitted Lucy.

“It was as if they treated me like they would wish other soldiers to treat their own widows and sisters, had the worst come to pass.”

Mrs. Gardiner smiled with understanding, warmed by the praise for her father’s work, and the ladies spoke for some minutes about the good being done at St. Elmo’s.

Lady Margaret greeted her cousin’s betrothed pleasantly but seemed more comfortable with Miss Jane Bennet’s serene manners than Elizabeth’s liveliness.

The two ladies fell into easy conversation about the wedding and the Bingleys’ plans for the spring.

Glad to see her current and future relations meshing with such apparent ease, Elizabeth turned to find the Countess observing her closely.

Suppressing a twinge of nervousness, she smiled bravely.

“Lady Matlock, I am very glad to meet you; Mr. Darcy and his sister have both spoken of you with great fondness.”

Lady Eleanor nodded to herself, as if her nephew’s fiancée had just passed a test of some sort.

Although she had always planned to do everything in her power to ensure that Darcy’s wife did not embarrass him in Society, the lad’s choice had been an unknown quantity and it was a relief to see such genuine amiability.

“Indeed, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Miss Elizabeth. My nephew and niece have been singing your praises, as has as my son.” It delighted her to see the young lady blush and lower her eyes.

“Thank you, but I’m sure they have been far too kind.

” Elizabeth paused, finding herself at an unusual loss for words.

She wished to thank Mr. Darcy’s aunt for her assistance to him during Lady Catherine’s visit to Matlock, but could not find an appropriate way to phrase it while in Miss de Bourgh’s presence.

She quickly cast her mind about for another topic.

“And how is Colonel Fitzwilliam? I have not seen him since his brief stay at Pemberley when we were visiting Derbyshire in June.”

Lady Eleanor smiled warmly at the mention of her younger son. “I have heard that Richard is back in town, though I have not yet laid eyes on him myself.” She sighed. “I had hoped that this new assignment would keep him in London, but it seems he is forever being sent off to one place or another.”

Suddenly recalling precisely whom the Colonel was dealing with at that moment, Elizabeth made a sympathetic comment but then quickly turned the conversation to Darcy’s other cousin. “Miss de Bourgh, you look very well. Are you enjoying your time in London?”

The small woman had indicated that her health was adequate and agreed that there were a great many things to do in town.

There was a moment of silence, but then Miss de Bourgh added softly, “I was very glad to make the acquaintance of Mrs. Gardiner and her family. Thank you for suggesting that I meet them.”

Lizzy grinned broadly, glancing toward her aunt.

“I am so glad; Jane and I have always looked forward to our visits at Gracechurch Street. Will you be coming to the engagement party tomorrow?” When Anne nodded shyly, Elizabeth expressed her delight before turning back to the Countess.

“And I believe I heard that you will be attending as well, Lady Matlock? I trust that Mr. Darcy remembered to convey the invitation in a timely manner?”

The twinkle in the older lady’s eye assured Elizabeth that her fiancé’s family contained at least one kindred spirit. “Actually, Georgiana had to prompt him. Darcy has been remarkably absent-minded lately. ”

Elizabeth could not help but laugh at the tease, and Lady Eleanor was amused to see the girl blush a little as well.

Before Lizzy could think of how to respond, Miss de Bourgh’s whispery voice was heard again. “My cousin is very happy.”

Not long after, Mr. Holmes knocked lightly on the door and informed Miss Darcy that luncheon was ready to be served.

The elderly butler looked shyly toward his future mistress and Elizabeth found herself giving him a small nod; Lady Eleanor noted the interaction and smiled in approval.

Her concerns that the future Mrs. Darcy was whollly unprepared to take on her new responsibilities were rapidly dwindling.

Lunch was extremely pleasant. Elizabeth found Lady Margaret to be much like Jane—calm and good and serene—but it was Lucy’s energy and joie de vivre that had her laughing aloud.

With Lucy’s encouragement, Miss de Bourgh admitted that the Earl had explained the details of her inheritance just that morning.

“It’s all very confusing because so many people died within a short space of time,” admitted Anne.

“My brothers were to inherit the estate and the bulk of the fortune between them, of course, as well as act as my guardians until I was married. But Father must have realized that the three of them were going to die because he sent a letter from Pemberley to his solicitors amending his will.”

When Anne trailed off, Lady Eleanor took up the story.

“Apparently Sir Lewis de Bourgh was feuding with his father and elder brother at the time—usually the three of them were thick as thieves. We all assumed that he had left his fortune to them, but it turns out that his letter named one of his younger brothers as heir of Rosings Park if Anne does not marry and produce a male child.”

Not knowing of Mrs. Gardiner’s connection to the de Bourghs, the Countess continued on blithely, “Unfortunately, Jonathan de Bourgh and his family also died in the same epidemic, which makes it all quite a muddle.”

Elizabeth looked toward her own aunt in surprise and realized that Mrs. Gardiner was doing her best to conceal her shock.

Recognizing that her aunt would not wish to reveal her parentage at such a moment, Elizabeth turned back to Lady Eleanor and searched for a response that would not be out of place.

“Goodness, that would create quite a puzzle. Who are Miss de Bourgh’s guardians in the interim? ”

The Countess nodded—pleased by the young lady’s astute question—and disregarded the strange reaction of Mrs. Gardiner for the moment.

“Sir Lewis requested Mr. Jonathan de Bourgh and my husband as guardians, while his solicitors continued to act as trustees to the estate. Matlock is not at all pleased by how they fulfilled that duty, but they claim that Lady Catherine’s steward has sent annual reports from the estate while they kept track of the investments in London.

Honestly, I believe that they are a little afraid of her. ”

Elizabeth laughed along with Lady Eleanor and her daughters. Turning to Miss de Bourgh, she was intrigued to see a flash of humor in that lady’s expression as well. Without thinking, she wondered aloud, “Wouldn’t it all be so much easier if women could inherit property directly?”

At the sharp intake of breath heard around the table, Elizabeth was suddenly reminded that her liberal leanings were not best exposed in new company. Fortunately, her concern was short-lived and a moment later, Lady Eleanor and Mrs. Wallace both burst into pleased laughter.

The Countess reached out a hand to pat the girl’s hand and mentally thanked the Lord that Darcy had had the courage to bring this fresh spirit into the family.

“Ah, Miss Elizabeth… you are a woman after my own heart. They expect us to run their households and estates, but heaven forbid that we might own any of it ourselves!”

Lucy added eagerly, “Oh heavens yes—I can’t tell you how many times I have had to bite my tongue to keep from telling off one of Papa’s political cronies!

One moment they’re complimenting the hostess for organizing a grand dinner or ball, and the next they start lecturing about why females are too feeble-minded and emotional to be trusted with property…

and don’t get me started on a woman’s place in the government! ”

Having discovered a mutual interest, the three ladies happily debated women’s rights for the remainder of the meal.

Meanwhile, Jane spoke softly with Lady Margaret about living in London and Mrs. Gardiner remained quiet; usually she would have been eager to join in the discussion of suffrage, but at present her mind was too overwhelmed with thoughts of her father and family.

When the ladies were finished dining and the guests prepared to depart, Madeleine moved to where Miss de Bourgh was standing in the corner. “I feel as though I should apologize. If my father was to be your guardian, then somehow we should have looked after you.”

Anne cocked her head to the side, surprised to find that she was developing a genuine affection for this previously unknown cousin. “There is no need. You had no more knowledge of my existence than I did of yours.”

The two shared a look and eventually smiled at one another. Sighing, Mrs. Gardiner kissed the younger woman on the cheek and said seriously, “Come visit me soon. Not just the party tomorrow—come sometime when we can sit alone and really talk, my dear.”

After taking their leave, the Miss Bennets and their aunt chatted easily about their new acquaintances while the carriage navigated the streets from Grosvenor Square to Gracechurch Street.

Unfortunately, the happy mood was dampened when they caught sight of several red coats standing at the street corner.

Once they arrived at the Gardiners’ home, Elizabeth’s aunt directed the servants as to the distribution of the parcels, although Lizzy took the box containing Jane’s favorite new bonnet and passed it to her sister with a smile.

Then, with a look of shared misgiving, the pair followed their aunt into the house, not sure what to expect.