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“Yes, sir. Madam, please follow me.”

Mrs. Barnes started up the grand staircase and everyone followed. Glancing back over her shoulder, she addressed the weary party, “After you are refreshed, I will send each of you a supper tray, as I know you are most likely famished. Cook has prepared Mr. Darcy’s favourite meal.”

“That is so kind of you,” Mrs. Drury replied as she continued her trek up the stairs, William following.

Leading the procession, Mrs. Barnes made no remarks about the circumstances that brought the young woman to Darcy House. She and her husband along with Mr. Noble, Mr. Darcy’s valet, had been informed only to expect Mr. Darcy’s cousin, who was travelling with him to Pemberley, as she needed to recuperate after a severe illness. William trusted them implicitly and intended to explain everything to them later. He knew they would guard Elizabeth’s secret just as tenaciously as he.

Arriving at a large bedroom, tastefully decorated in gold and green, Mrs. Barnes motioned for them to enter. Two maids stood at attention, awaiting instructions, and showed no astonishment at seeing the Master come into the room with a woman in his arms. They were well-versed in their duties and kept their eyes cast down.

“This is your room, Mrs. Drury,” Mrs. Barnes said, looking to one of the maids. “Agatha, will you attend Mrs. Drury. Lula, come with me.” With quick curtsies, the maids complied.

Crossing the room to a door, Mrs. Barnes opened it to reveal a sitting room and continued through and into a second bedroom, decorated in lavender and white.

“This is Miss Lawrence’s room.”

William followed his housekeeper into the second bedroom and carefully placed Elizabeth on the large white counterpane covering the bed. He perceived that she was awakening, so he sat down on the side of the bed. A flick of his hand sent the servants out of the room.

“Elizabeth?” Her eyes flew open and locked on his. “You are at my home in London. We will rest here for just a few days before travelling to Pemberley.” He took both her hands in his, remembering how she had reacted to his touch that morning.

“I will leave you in the care of my trusted employees, who will see to your comfort. You will have a nice hot bath and something to eat before you have a good night’s rest in this soft bed.”

Elizabeth seemed to study his face and he smiled. Leaning over, he placed a kiss on her forehead before pulling back.

“Mrs. Drury will be in the next room, and Lula will be sleeping on a cot in the sitting room in between. If you need anything, you may ring this bell.” He reached over and picked up a small bell on the bedside table, ringing it a bit and smiling.

“I will see you tomorrow. Most likely, you will want to tour the house, and I will be happy to escort you. Would you like that?”

As quickly as he stood, the young maid reappeared, and he nodded towards Elizabeth. As she came around the bed, he slipped out the door and found Mrs. Barnes standing just inside the sitting room. She said softly so that Lula could not hear, “I thought that having them in adjoining rooms would ensure that Mrs. Drury is able to keep close watch over Miss Lawrence.”

William nodded, glancing back to Elizabeth, and speaking equally as quietly, he gave further instructions. “Keep the doors to the hallways locked. I do not want her to encounter any men—footmen or otherwise—in the house.” Then he said wearily, “I will retire to allow you to take care of Miss Lawrence so that she and Mrs. Drury may eat and rest.”

As he made his way out of the room, he could hear Mrs. Barnes speaking. “Mrs. Drury, Agatha will assist you with a bath if you would like. Rest assured that Lula will see to Miss Lawrence’s every need.”

Mrs. Barnes had been informed that if anyone should enquire, Elizabeth Lawrence was a distant cousin of Mr. Darcy, and a debilitating illness had triggered an invitation to Pemberley to recuperate. Of course, Miss Lawrence was being chaperoned by her aunt, Mrs. Drury. Though this explanation was plausible, it was certain that nothing would satisfy the gossips of the ton if they got wind of the young woman’s presence in Mr. Darcy’s homes, either here or at Pemberley.

William’s Study

The next day

Attending to some problems with his steward the next morning, William was startled when Mr. Barnes announced his cousin. “Colonel Fitzwilliam to see you, sir.”

Sighing, he stood. Richard warned me that he had ways of knowing when I was in Town. “Send him—”

“Darce!” Richard entered without waiting for William to finish. “You were not joking when you said you would not be staying at Netherfield long, were you?” Then looking back at the departing butler he chuckled, “Old Barnes is getting faster. He was able to catch me this morning!”

Shaking his head at Richard’s antics, William replied, “It is good to see you too, Richard, but I do have much work to accomplish before I return to Pemberley. Perhaps we could meet later today?” As he spoke, he motioned towards the pile of papers on his desk and his steward still sitting in the chair in front.

“And this is the thanks I get for coming to warn you, Cousin?”

William immediately dismissed the steward, waiting until he closed the door on his way out before asking, “Warn me?”

“Yes. Mrs. Preston is on her way to Darcy House, even as we speak.”

“Mrs. Preston? How would she—” He stopped at Richard’s smirk. “What would possess her to call on me uninvited and unaccompanied?”

“Oh, she is not unaccompanied. Mother is with her!” William sat back down with a groan. “It seems the two of them have become quite cosy since you danced with the Black Widow at my ball. She has convinced Mother that you shall offer for her any day now.”

Another louder groan filled the room, and Richard guffawed in response. “Oh, come now, Cousin! Did you really expect to pay even the slightest amount of attention to that wallflower and not raise her expectations?” At William’s scowl, he sobered and spoke candidly. “It is true! She has been seen picking out her trousseau, and I have a firsthand account that she has been commenting on where you might go on your wedding trip.”