Page 3 of The Earl’s Second Chance

“I need you both to return with me,” he said. “Not merely to tell them. To help me tell them properly.”

Edward studied him. “Why not write?”

“Because I have hidden in letters and books and jokes for too long.”

Mrs. Gardiner reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

On the journey to Hertfordshire, Thomas spoke with an honesty his brother-in-law had never heard from him.

“I chose Fanny because she was beautiful and lively. When I learned that liveliness was not good sense, I punished her for my poor judgment. I withdrew respect, then affection, then effort. I left her to raise five girls while I laughed from the doorway.”

“She did not always make the task easy,” Edward said.

“No. But I made it impossible.”

“And what will you do now?”

Thomas watched rain gather on the glass. “Begin late.”

At Longbourn, the family assembled in the drawing room. Mrs. Bennet was pale with apprehension. Jane sat beside her. Elizabeth stood near the mantel. Mary held a closed book. Kitty and Lydia whispered until their father entered wearing black.

He did not sit behind a desk. He stood before them.

“My cousin, the Earl of Herfershire, has died.”

Mrs. Bennet blinked. “I did not know you had an earl for a cousin.”

“Neither, to my shame, did I trouble myself to know him well. Under the settlement of the title, I am his successor.”

Silence.

Lydia laughed. “Papa, you cannot be an earl.”

“A compelling legal argument, but the Crown disagrees.”

Mrs. Bennet rose too quickly and swayed. Jane caught her arm.

“Then I am—”

“The Countess of Herfershire.”

Fanny fainted.

When she revived upon the sofa, she clutched her husband’s sleeve. “And when you die? Mr. Collins—”

“Will not turn you out of Herfershire Hall. You will have twelve thousand pounds a year for life, a house of your choosing, and servants and carriage. Each of our daughters will be provided for, married or unmarried.”

“Always?”

“Always.”

The word seemed to pass through her like warmth.

She began to sob—not loudly, not theatrically, but with her face against his hand. “I have been so frightened for so long.”

Thomas sat beside her and drew her into his arms before all their daughters.

“I know,” he said. “And I am sorry.”