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“Go ahead. You may hold them.”

She eased forward, sitting down gingerly on the straw, gently lifting first one and then another. She gave each a thorough rubbing and a quick kiss before she set them down. With the last kitten, an orange stripe, she lay back on the straw and held him overhead. All the kittens began to walk around and across her, and as one brushed her face, she closed her eyes and smiled. Her peaceful expression warmed William’s heart.

“When they are old enough to leave their mother, would you like to have one? Georgiana used to have a cat in her room. They make excellent pets.”

Elizabeth barely nodded as he held out a hand to help her stand. He tried brushing the straw off her dress and from her hair, but was not successful. “I am afraid Maggie will have to remove the straw, as all I shall accomplish is to rake the pins from your hair.”

He laughed as she seemed to blush, and they hurried back to the house. “Mrs. Reynolds will wonder where I have taken you, if I do not return you shortly! She always provides a light snack at this time, as I am usually famished by then.”

Once at the house, he could find no one about as he led Elizabeth to her room, so he walked her out onto the balcony.

“Stay right here, and I will send Maggie to help you get the straw out of your hair and change clothes. I would like you to join me for refreshments, if you feel up to it.” He squeezed her hand and left.

As he exited, he went through the sitting room and knocked on Mrs. Drury’s door. There was no answer, so he continued into the hallway where he was met by an exasperated Mrs. Reynolds.

“Mr. Darcy, there are two tenants downstairs who almost have come to blows in the foyer. I asked Mr. Walker to escort them to the east drawing room and stay with them to assure they do not resort to fisticuffs until I could locate you.”

“What do they—never mind. Please ask Mr. Walker to escort them to my study where I shall hear their dispute. Also, have Mr. Sturgis come to the study, as I am sure he knows more about their argument than I do at the moment.”

Mrs. Reynolds looked frustrated. “I am sorry you have to deal with this now, with the young lady here and all.”

“Oh, I nearly forgot! I left Elizabeth out on her balcony, and I could not locate Mrs. Drury or Maggie. One of them needs to go to her immediately.”

“Maggie is helping to train a new maid downstairs. Mrs. Drury is in the east wing drawing room. I shall send her back to Miss Lawrence straightaway.”

“Thank you.” William touched her shoulder. “I can always count on you.” She blushed and bobbed a small curtsy.

“I shall have Mr. Walker send the men to your study right away and locate Mr. Sturgis.”

William watched her walk away and for a moment considered whether Elizabeth would be safe alone for a few minutes. Increasingly loud voices below caught his attention, and deciding Elizabeth would surely be safe on the balcony, he hurried down the stairs towards the angry men.

Meanwhile, Georgiana arrived at the front door of Pemberley to find the place seemingly deserted. While there were footmen outside, there were none to be seen once she stepped inside the doorway. Neither was Mr. Walker about to greet her. She waited for Mrs. Reynolds to appear as usual, but even she did not come, so she continued on through the foyer and stood looking up at the grand staircase. A young maid whom she had never met, came swiftly down the stairs with an armload of dishes on a tray. Georgiana addressed her.

“I am Mr. Darcy’s sister, Georgiana Ingram. Do you know where I might find my brother?”

She bobbed a curtsy. “Yes, ma’am. I heard Mr. Walker say he was taking two tenants to Mr. Darcy’s study where the Master is to hear their dispute.”

Just at that moment, loud arguing could be heard from the direction of the study, and Georgiana determined she might as well take this opportunity to assess the mysterious woman for herself.

“Yes, well, I have actually come to see the visitor Mr. Darcy brought back from London. Can you tell me where I might find her?”

The young girl studied the older woman, and believing that she was Mr. Darcy’s sister, answered her question. “The young lady is staying in the family wing—the third room on the right.”

“Thank you,” Georgiana replied through gritted teeth. She tried not to show her disgust. “You have been most helpful.”

In the family wing! How could William put her in our family quarters?

Opening the designated door without knocking, Georgiana stalked inside to find no one about. She turned to leave but noticed that the curtains covering the French doors were billowing in the wind. Walking to the doors, she looked upon a sight that made her cringe. Elizabeth sat in a comfortable chair, her shoes off and her feet propped upon a stool. She was watching a pair of horses gallop in perfect synchronization across a nearby meadow, oblivious to the fact that her dress and hair were littered with hay. Her chocolate curls were half out of the pins from William’s attempts to get the straw out.

Georgiana walked around in front of her. “I am Georgiana Darcy Ingram, and you are?”

Elizabeth’s gaze drifted to her shoeless feet, and she began to wring her hands, but she did not answer, causing Georgiana to become even more agitated.

Putting her hands on her hips, Georgiana exclaimed, “Have you no manners? And just what are you doing with hay in your hair? Did the tenant’s dispute interrupt a roll in the hayloft with my brother?”

“Georgiana!”

She turned to see William striding towards her, Mrs. Drury fast on his heels.