That old man cannot spell respect, never mind give it.
Please give my regards to all of your family and my friends in the Meryton neighbourhood. Remind your father he is my personal hero for putting Mrs. Bennet in the town gaol.
As soon as I have evaluated the situation in Derbyshire, I will write to you, my friend. My prayer is it will be somethingwhich can be done without any possible harm to you or any of my family.
With the warmest regards of friendship and sisterhood,
Elizabeth (Eliza)
Charlotte handed the letter to her mother. How she hoped it would be advisable to travel north and see Eliza—Her Grace—again.
“What good news!” Lady Lucas exclaimed. “I am certain if Eliza says it is safe, your Papa will be the first one out of the door to take us to go see her.”
Charlotte would add to her prayers not only for Eliza to be kept safe, but that they would see one another soon.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Do you really think we will be able to see Lizzy in Derbyshire?” Jane asked her aunt and uncle excitedly after they had read the letters the express rider had just delivered.
“It is very good she was able to get her husband to send her to increase at Castlemere, it is but four or five miles from Lambton. I think I need to write to my brother and tell him it is time we took up his invitation to come visit him, Eve, and his children,” Madeline asserted. “We can wait there until Lizzy feels it is safe to see us.”
“How long would you want to be in the north, my Dear,” Gardiner enquired.
“Until Lizzy delivers her child,” Madeline averred. She saw the look on her husband’s face. “I am well to travel, there are still more than two months before the time the midwife estimated I would begin my lying in. Giving birth in Lambton would not be such a bad thing.”
“What if Lizzy judges it is not safe for us to be seen with her?” Jane worried.
“We will still be in the area if or when she can see us. If nothing else, I am sure she will be able to make forays into Lambton to shop. And I believe she will be able to attend church on Sundays,” Madeline opined.
“I do not think I would be able to be away from the business for so long,” Gardiner reminded his wife.
“Edward Gardiner, we both know you are able to take far more time away than you do,” Madeline challenged. “Did you not tell me what a good manager Mr. Humphries is? And what of your head clerk, Captain Peacock and his assistant, young Mr. Grace? Surely they can run things effectively and will contact you by post when and if needed?”
“I suppose there is truth in your assertions,” Gardiner admitted.
“Does that mean we are all to travel to Derbyshire?” Jane interjected excitedly.
“It seems we need to pack,” Gardiner decided.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Will you join us at Pemberley in time for Easter, Andrew?” Darcy asked his eldest nephew.
“I will be there the week before the holiday, Uncle Robert,” Andrew averred. “There is not too much for me to do at Hilldale before I join you.”
“As I am finding no enjoyment in the season, what say you I accompany you to Hilldale,” William volunteered.
“If my aunt and uncle can spare you, I would enjoy the company,” Andrew responded.
Neither Darcy parent had an objection. “We depart London on the morrow, when will you two head for Staffordshire?” Lady Anne queried.
“The day after,” Andrew replied. “The same day as Mother and Father make for Snowhaven.”
“It is wonderful Richard has returned in time for Easter,” Lady Anne remarked. “I assume my sister and brother are waiting as that is when his leave from the army will begin?”
“You have the right of it, Aunt Anne,” Andrew confirmed. “In fact, if he agrees, I will invite Rich to join William and me in travelling to my estate.”
“Rich will be sorry he missed Anna’s twelfth birthday, but I know he will be impressed at how much she has improved on the pianoforte since he has been away,” Lady Anne guessed.
