“Perhaps not, but I do not feel I am capable of trusting again.”
Lady Matlock laughed then, and Elizabeth was astonished.
“And what pray, do you do here now if not placing your trust in near strangers? Or trusting the earl with your son’s future?” She patted the younger woman’s hand. “Trust is not the issue. Your heart is. You will never find a better man than Fitzwilliam Darcy. I might even say he is a better man than my own two sons, but I would deny it to anyone else. However, if you cannot love him with your whole heart, you should walk away, Fitzwilliam deserves all that and more. I hope you will not allow your fears to keep you from a wonderful man, and the brightest future you may ever know.”
Lady Matlock rose gracefully to her feet and began to move away. “Breakfast will be served shortly.” She turned back to Elizabeth, “Pray do not deny yourself happiness because of one mistake made by a ‘young and foolish’ girl.”
Exasperation now warred with confusion.What a ridiculous ninny you have become, Elizabeth. Do not confuse your feelings with fear. Ha! The very fear is because of the feelings, if you would simply be honest with yourself.
Elizabeth did not immediately follow Lady Matlock indoors. Instead, she remained seated, allowing her memories of the past several months to filter through her mind.
She recalled the very day of meeting Mr Darcy was also the day she gave birth to Alex. How kind and generous he had been to a complete stranger. Elizabeth smiled to herself thinking of both Darcys during those days. So stubborn and sure they knew what was best.
Then she remembered Georgiana visiting at the Gardiners, with her brother. He did not hesitate then to offer assistance with the inheritance. Even going so far as to involve Lord Matlock. She pressed the tips of her fingers against her mouth. Since then, he had stood by her, providing strength and support, to her and Alex.A soft chuckle escaped her thinking of the tall and strong Mr Darcy being so gentle with her infant son, and his patience with the Gardiner children.
Finally, her thoughts drew her to the past two weeks. Their dance at the ball, his calls and all the little myriad ways he had shown her his devotion.
Her breath hitched, he was there. Always there. Handsome, assured and-
Enough.Elizabeth shook out her neck and shoulders and jumped to her feet.I shall spend the morning with Alex. These mental deliberations may wait.
After breakfast, she did just that. Elizabeth gave Dorothy a couple of hours off, telling her when she returned, they would take Alex for a walk in Hyde Park. The guards would accompany them. Jane anticipated Bingley’s visit and would not join in their outing.
~ / ~
It was a large group that eventually exited Matlock House, consisting of six men, two women and a baby. Elizabeth and Dorothy took turns holding Alex, who seemed to be growing by the day. He would be very like his father, unless Elizabeth was mistaken. Gregory had been a large man, tall and solid.
The fresh air and stimulation tired out her son, but before returning to Matlock, she wanted to check for correspondence at Carrington House. She and Jane had agreed to keep their family ignorant of the attack, for fear of causing an upset.
“Very good, Mrs Carrington. As long as we are there, I may pack more things for Alex. We departed so hurriedly, I left some items behind.” Dorothy was holding a sleeping Alex.
“I shall ask a maid to attend you and may look through my things as well. Who knows how much longer we will remain in the earl and countess’s home.”
The guards mainly took up posts surrounding the house, with Jax accompanying them inside. He remained below, examining the ground floor rooms whilst Elizabeth went upstairs, allocating a maid to assist Dorothy.
Entering her room, the sight of her toilette table made Elizabeth’s heart lurch.The letters! How could I have forgotten so entirely about them,she berated herself.
She rushed to the table and pulled open the drawer. They remained exactly where she had left them. Gathering them all up she did not hesitate to retrace her steps down the stairs in search of Mr Pikewell.He worked here during Gregory’s parents’ marriage. He may have heard rumours regarding Lady Carrington.
~ / ~
Darcy, having finished his meeting early, went directly to Matlock House anticipating a visit with Elizabeth. On his arrival he was informed Elizabeth had gone out some time ago, taking Alex to the park. He refused to wait, instead choosing to walk to the park himself hoping to catch up with them. He knew he was making progress with her. The time they spent together was bliss. She made everything bright and happy. Even when discussing weightier topics their intelligence and thoughts aligned. If they did not, their debates were entertaining in their own way. He had not met a woman who so captivated his mind, as well as his body, as did his dearest Elizabeth.
When he entered through one gate it was impossible to miss the entourage as they exited through the gate closest to Carrington House. He hurried to cross the park in their wake.
~ / ~
George Wickham was alerted by sounds coming up from the floor below. Careful to make no noise he eased his way down the servant’s stairs listening out for activity. With all the guards watching the little earl at Matlock House, Wickham found a way in with little effort and had been staying there since the house had emptied, even of servants. It had been almost too easy to nest there, sneaking into the larder at night for foodenough to keep hunger away. He was used to going without when necessary. His luck would eventually pay off, it always did.
Life, since his desertion from the militia and the subsequent carriage accident, had been entirely different from the one he had known before. With his appearance completely altered, he could no longer charm his way into beds or pockets. However, the loss of one talent granted him another. The same sixth sense which told him when to run before the creditors closed in, was perfect for his new line of employment. The earl and viscount had not been his first victims. He could read people and situations, which gave him a unique set of skills to earn far more than winning and losing at the gaming tables. He no longer cared to be a part of ‘lebon ton.’ This was to be his last job. Freedom across the ocean awaited, together with opportunities for a dull, uncomplicated life.
Staying inside the house cost him nothing and had given him the opening he anticipated. Unless he was very much mistaken, those were the cries of a baby.
~ / ~
Elizabeth was still searching for the butler when she heard a scream, which sent a chill up her spine.Alex!Flying back up the stairs she reached the nursery door, only to freeze at the tableau inside.
The young maid was holding Alex to her, with Dorothy standing in front of them blocking them from the man who stood with his back to Elizabeth.
