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“What do you mean?”

“She described her upbringing as on a small or minor estate. I have never heard of the Bennet family so that appears to be true. There is no point in taking her as an invited guest to a grand ball or any event where you are to attend. She would be horribly out of depth and it would be a punishment for her, rather than a reward. Instead, I would like to maintain a correspondence with her, get to know her and see if there is a way to genuinely reward her. I will not proclaim that we are in her debt but rather I will acknowledge it to myself.”

The Duke looked at his youngest sister. She reluctantly nodded.

“I can see your perspective Maria. Do you think it is too much Charles?”

“Saving someone in battle, be it on land or sea, results in a reward. I have seen officers promoted for rescues, sometimes skipping an entire rank. At sea a Lieutenant can end up with command of a minor ship in such circumstances. Now it is my daughter rather than a senior officer but I can support what you propose Maria. I will ask Charlotte to pen a note to the young lady thanking her personally but we will stop there. You may continue the connection going forward and I will be interested to hear about any way that she can be rewarded appropriately.”

And so shortly before Christmas 1809 Elizabeth Bennet was the recipient of two letters. They were delivered as she and her uncle broke their fast. Young Edward had returned from school for the holidays but was staying with a friend for a few days. The youngest three children were upstairs in the nursery, not yet allowed to eat in the dining room. Elizabeth took the letters from the footman and was amazed when she realised the senders.

“These do not look like the usual letters from Longbourn Lizzie.”

“No uncle, they are not.”

She carefully opened the note from the Duchess. It was simple and came across as genuine. She thanked Elizabeth on behalf of herself and the Duke for saving their daughter. It was elegant but it was also clear that a line had been drawn under the matter. Wordlessly Elizabeth handed the note to her uncle.

“The Duchess of Richwood?”

Elizabeth nodded and waited while her uncle scanned the note. He peered at her suspiciously.

“Why do I think there was more to the event last summer than you originally recounted?”

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and bowed her head. She had hoped to avoid telling the crucial detail she had omitted.

“The child was in danger of being crushed in the same way as Aunt Madeline. I pulled her out of the way.”

Her uncle in turn closed his eyes, grimacing at the memories.

“There is so much I could say to you, but in the end, you and the child are safe. I can understand that you wished to spare me the pain. But I ask two things of you Elizabeth. Firstly, please be honest with me. You did not lie to me, but you were dishonest. This was a lie of omission rather than of commission.”

Elizabeth looked chagrined at this comment.

“It is done, I understand why I just ask that you do not do it again. The second thing I ask of you is much more important. Please be safe Lizzie. I could not cope, our whole family could not cope, if something happened to you.”

Elizabeth stood up and leaned closer to her uncle, kissing him on the forehead.

“I will uncle.”

“Good. Now who is the second letter from?”

“The lady who recognised me. She was there with the Duchess last summer. She is the Duke’s sister.”

Her uncle indicated that Elizabeth should open the letter and see what it said. The note was longer than the one from the Duchess but did not run on. What stood out from this missive was the request to continue corresponding in the new year. Elizabeth again passed the note to her uncle while she tried to process the news.

“She asks as part of the note that I permit you to correspond with her going forward. That is quite the connection Lizzie.”

“I am all at sea uncle. What are your thoughts?”

Edward Gardiner sat quietly at the end of the table considering the two notes.

“The Duke is the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and lives there most of the year. He is also at a level of society which is close to the pinnacle. The sister lives in London. She introduced herself as Lady Maria Leonard, so she is unmarried?”

Elizabeth nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I checked Debrett’s, she is unmarried. The other two sisters are married.”

“They are grateful so I suggest you do not over-analyse the request. You are 18, she is? When was she born Lizzie?”