“We have,” Mandy confirmed.“My sister and I have found the work very fulfilling, have we not, Louisa?” Louisa nodded vigorously.“It is sad how much need there is for the services that we offer. Mama told me about the update that was received from the Derbyshire Committee; it seems that you have made much progress.”
“We have, and you are correct; there is much need; we will do what we can do, but until it becomes a national priority, it will always be a drop in the bucket,” Lady Elaine told the ladies.
“How are the Black children faring?” Elizabeth asked the question she had wanted to from the time the discussion began.
“They have adapted fully to their new surroundings and are flourishing,” Mandy replied,“In fact, there is an adoption for them on the horizon.”
“All seven of them?” Elizabeth asked in disbelief. Her first inclination was to think how they would never live near her, but that was but a moment as she knew adoption by a loving family would be the ideal for the children.
“Yes, all seven,” Louisa confirmed.
“When did this come to pass?” Tammy asked,“I had no notion of this development until you mentioned it just now.”
“Do you know Mr and Mrs Goodridge from Middlesex?” Louisa asked.
“Yes, they have a nice sized estate, Ashford Dale is the name, I believe, and no children,” Tammy recalled.
“The very same,” Mandy confirmed.“Evidently, they had wanted to adopt for a while now. They have no living family on either side and have never been able to have their own children. They visited the home where the Blacks are situated a little over a month ago, and evidently, they fell in love with them. Since the first visit, they have been back once or twice a week. They took the two oldest boys with them to see the estate the week before we left, and the two praised the situation to the sky when they returned.
“The Goodridges were preparing their home to receive the seven when we departed. I expect it will be just days until the children move to Ashford Dale permanently. They will be recognised as sons and daughters by the couple and take the Goodridge name. The oldest boy will be made the heir.”
By the end of the recitation, Elizabeth had tears of joy streaming down her cheeks.“I could not have imagined a better outcome for them.”
The discussion then moved to the upcoming wedding. As the conversation swirled about her, Elizabeth felt something akin to euphoria. One different decision and the boys would have ended up in gaol, and the other five would have been left to starve. She would see them occasionally, she was sure, but she knew that she would never have to worry for their futures again.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Where is Fitzwilliam, Darcy?” Bingley asked after he took his shot.
“He returned to Brookfield today, and his betrothed and her family arrive there on the morrow. I never imagined that I would ever see him so besotted,” Will replied as he lined up his shot.
“If that is not the pot calling the kettle black, then I do not know what would be,” George Darcy ribbed his son.
“Are you saying that my friend walks around mooncalf, Mr Darcy?” Bingley asked with a grin.
“That would be an understatement, Bingley,” George responded, grinning at his son’s discomfort.“You raised the subject of one being besotted with his betrothed, son. If I was inaccurate, you are welcome to correct me.”
Will gave the three grinning men his best scowl.“May we just return to the game, please?”
“Peace, son. Have you informed Lizzy where you will go for your wedding trip yet?” George asked his son.
“No, I have not, Father; it is a surprise for her,” Will replied.
“What are you planning, Darcy?” Hurst asked.
“I will share the information as long as you swear that you will not allow my wife to wheedle it out of you.” Both Bingley and Hurst swore on their honour.“Perry has agreed to allow us to use his private vessel, which is berthed in Southampton. We will travel there from the wedding, and we will sail to the Italian peninsula. Lizzy was always fascinated by my descriptions of the area from when I was on my grand tour. If it were not for the war, I would have taken her to the Kingdoms of Portugal and Spain.
“I know she would also love to see France, but as the Great Terror has not ended, albeit it is less now than it was, I will not take a chance with my new wife by setting foot on any French lands.”
“Given Lady Elizabeth’s insatiable thirst for knowledge, I am sure that she will approve most heartily of the wedding trip,” Bingley opined.
“All I need to do is make it until our departure without her drawing the information out of me,” Will winced.
“You will hold strong while she uses her charms on you to loosen your lips, Will,” his father stated.
“I truly hope so,” Will replied. He wished his lips were otherwise engaged, for the word conjured many instances of their stolen kisses. He could not get enough of her lips, and when they kissed, he was at his most vulnerable but had managed to stop himself from revealing his plans—so far!
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
