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E lizabeth leaned out of the window of Father’s coach as it left London along the Great North Road. Then she turned to her aunt. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re coming with me to meet my mother’s family. I have been dreading it rather, especially as I know I look so much like she did.”

Aunt Gardiner patted her hand. “I think it’s for the best, really. Your father is still not so well acquainted with you that you can easily confide in him — which he understands — so it needed to be me, I think, and as I am distantly related to them, it helps somewhat.”

“But it means leaving the children for so many weeks. How can you bear it?”

Her aunt’s eyes were moist. “I’m glad you’re thinking of them, Elizabeth. But Edward is remaining in town, and their nurses and governesses are utterly trustworthy and loved by the children, as you know.”

Elizabeth leaned against her. “I know. I just feel as if I am asking too much.”

“Just remember, you have been part of my family since you were a tiny baby. While I know you are not my child, I feel that way about you.” Her aunt let her voice turn practical.

“So, if my eldest daughter needs me to meet new members of the family, and to choose an entirely new wardrobe, you cannot try to make me miss all the excitement!”

Elizabeth laughed. “You know how to make me feel better.” She sat back. “You tell me that we’ll be nearly three days on the road. Can we start today by you telling me about the family members we’re going to meet?”

“Yes, dear. The Baileys are a very well-connected family, and your mother’s sister, Lady Cecilia, looked very like her indeed. It will be obvious to everyone when you’re standing beside her that you cannot possibly be an imposter.”

“Was Lady Cecilia older than my mother?”

“She was two years younger, and extremely shy and quiet. But they were very close. Your mother’s death devastated her, and she blamed herself for not going to Pemberley with your mother.

” Aunt Gardiner looked sad. “Death in childbirth was even more common twenty years ago than it is now, and the experience terrified your aunt. She refused all offers of marriage, and is now past child-bearing age.” Aunt Gardiner looked at Elizabeth significantly.

“She is a very lonely lady, and I think she will feel it her obligation to take your mother’s place at your side to assist you with your come-out. ”

“You don’t think she should?” Elizabeth was puzzled by the unspoken warnings.

“You must remember what your father told you when he explained the circumstances of your birth, Elizabeth. You’ll recall that he said he thought he and your mother would not be blessed with children, but after ten years of marriage, your mother became with child.

I don’t know how old she was when she married, but she would have been about twenty years of age.

Then ten years before you were conceived, and you are twenty years old now. ”

“So my mother would be about fifty years of age?” Elizabeth was listening raptly.

“Yes, so your aunt Cecilia would be about forty-eight or so,” Aunt Gardiner said. “As an unmarried lady, I think you may find her ideas a little old-fashioned. But I know you are kind, and I’m sure the current earl and his lady will be another source of advice for you.”

Elizabeth nodded. “Is he Aunt Cecilia’s father, or has her brother inherited?”

“Her brother,” Aunt Gardiner confirmed. “The dowager countess, your grandmother, lives in the dower house, and we have to remember she lost not only her husband, but her daughter — and she has been deprived of seeing you grow to adulthood.”

“Why did I never meet them after I was told who I am?” Elizabeth was curious.

Her aunt sighed and leaned back. “I do not know. I suggested it a few times to your father, but he never gave me any sort of response until we were arranging this visit. We will have to see what they say.”

“And what about my other aunts and uncles, and cousins? I must have cousins.”

“I expect so,” her aunt said. “But of course, since I have the children, I have hardly been here. And your father discouraged me from being in contact, because he was not certain your location would be kept secret. But I have written regularly to your grandmother, apprising her of your achievements, although not where you were. So they know you are well — but I would appreciate it if you did not make your father aware of it.”

Elizabeth contemplated the next few weeks. “It’s going to be rather awkward.”

“Come now, Lizzy,” her aunt remonstrated. “You have told me yourself how your courage always rises with every attempt to intimidate you.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I am discovered!” She looked out of the window again. The crowded London streets had given way to the roadside verges and farms of the Great North Road, still busy with coaches and horses.

“Let’s talk of other matters now. Tomorrow, perhaps you can tell me of Consall Hall, and the nearest towns.”

Two days later, Elizabeth descended wearily from the coach and turned to assist Aunt Gardiner. Then she was free to look around her at her ancestral home.

It was an imposing house, large and built of a heavy grey stone. But the park was large and gracious, and she could see many gardeners busily employed in keeping it tidy.

But her eye could not follow the paths and woods. Her aunt’s hand tightened on her arm, and drew her attention to the people waiting at the top of the steps by the great front door.

Elizabeth lowered her eyes and curtsied demurely as soon as she was closer.

“May I introduce your niece, Lady Elizabeth Osborne, my lord, ladies.” Aunt Gardiner’s voice was steady and calm, although she must have been feeling nervous.

“Lady Elizabeth, your uncle, the Earl of Cheddleton and other members of your family.”

Elizabeth’s lips twitched. So Aunt didn’t know who everyone was, either.

She looked up — and it was like looking into a mirror. But she tore her eyes away from the woman at the end of the row as the earl’s booming laugh rang out.

“Well, I think we can all be sure you are no imposter, my dear. Let us go into the house and we can do proper introductions there.” He bowed to Aunt Gardiner. “My mother is indebted to you for your regular letters over the years, despite Osborne’s strictures against them.”

Elizabeth glanced at her aunt. But she was unable to comment, as she was engulfed unexpectedly by the embrace of the oldest lady on the step.

“My granddaughter, grown and well.” There were tears in the woman’s eyes. “I could never quite believe it. But here you are.”

The earl intervened. “I understand, Mother, but there is a cold wind. Come indoors and you can take the seat next to Elizabeth and can talk to your heart’s content.” He winked at Elizabeth, who dipped her head politely.

She didn’t need to have worried about meeting an earl at all, it seemed.

He appeared to be a jovial man who understood she might be a little overwhelmed.

He and his wife shepherded them all into a large, gracious drawing room, where several silver trays held steaming teapots and plates of delicious-looking pastries.

The older woman, whom Elizabeth understood must be the dowager countess, steered Elizabeth towards a sofa by the fire.

“Will you sit with me, dear? Oh, perhaps you need to retire first? I have so many questions. I cannot believe how like Althea you are. But you appear dainty, or perhaps frail. Tell me you are well and do not suffer frequent illnesses?”

Elizabeth smiled slightly. “I will be happy to sit beside you, my lady. I do not need to retire, and no, I am well, and rarely suffer so much as a cold.”

The maids were pouring the tea, and Elizabeth caught more than one curious, well-hidden glance. The earl had been listening, and laughed. “You will do well, Elizabeth. Remembering and answering every question.” He turned his attention to his mother.

“Now you have seen her and are sitting with her, allow me to claim my niece’s attention.”

Elizabeth did not try to extract her hand from her grandmother’s, but looked up at the earl, who looked at his mother’s hand enveloping hers. He sighed and shook his head.

“Very well, I’ll need to introduce you from where you are sitting. First, my wife, Sarah, Lady Cheddleton.” He drew the lady to his side, and his tender smile down at the woman told Elizabeth all she needed to know that this had been a love match.

“And now, my sister, your aunt Cecilia.” The earl turned and extended his hand to the lady who had been weeping softly since Elizabeth had first set eyes on her.

“Come, Cecilia,” her brother remonstrated gently. “We were anticipating Elizabeth’s return when she came of age, weren’t we?”

The lady patted her eyes and came forward towards Elizabeth. Her gaze roamed all over Elizabeth, who attempted to keep her expression serene and untroubled. But she could not do it. Aunt Gardiner had said this lady had been very like her sister, and it was true.

The portrait of Elizabeth’s mother could easily have been a portrait of Aunt Cecilia — and Elizabeth could see that she must have been very like Elizabeth herself when in her twenties.

Elizabeth withdrew her hand from her grandmother’s, and stood up, face to face with a lady who was the image of her mother.

“You look like my mother’s portrait.”

“My Althea, back home with us.” The two spoke as one, and Elizabeth realised she was weeping when Aunt Gardiner pressed a handkerchief into her hand.

Elizabeth could hear the soft voice of the countess to her husband. “She will make the perfect wife for our Robert.”