“Yes, please do, Peter.” Elizabeth turned towards the one guard. “John, please show this young man to the kitchens so he may have some refreshment until I am ready for him.”
“Aye Yer Grace,” the guard bowed to the Duchess.
Elizabeth held onto the precious letter while she watched John lead Peter around the corner on their way to the kitchens. She hungrily broke the seal as soon as they were gone from her sight.
20 March 1807
The Parsonage, Lambton
My dearest niece, Lizzy,
Before you admonish us and remind us you said you would write when you thought it was safe, we could not stay away. ‘We’ in this case is more than your uncle, cousins, and sisters. Sir William, Lady Lucas, Charlotte, and Maria are here, as are your Aunt and Uncle Philips.
Before we departed, we read that dissipated man who forced you into marriage was in London. Also, you should know, if you are unaware, from what the locals tell he has never once been to the estate where you are.
In fact, under his late father, the Lambton living used to be in his gift, but it was taken away from him—the church did not think one of his character should be allowed to appoint a clergyman to a living—and given to my brother’s patron’s late father, Mr. George Alexander Darcy. I think if you check, you will see that none of his estates have livings tied to them.
I acknowledge your fears for our safety, especially that of Jane’s, if we approach you openly before you deem it safe to do so. However, we have a plan.
If you have not been to church yet, tell your minders you will attend the Lambton Church starting this Sunday. If the men with you enter the church at all, they will remain at the rear of the nave. You will of course sit with us and they will not be able to see if we speak.
Also, if you have not met her yet, the midwife who will see to you is a Mrs. Medford. She and my sister-in-law are very close and she has agreed to take me on as her ‘assistant’ who will of course, need to examine you weekly, to make sure the growing ducal babe in your belly and you are well. I will, obviously, have a very pretty, blonde ‘apprentice’ accompany me when I come to ‘examine’ you.
When we visit under the guise of checking on your state, you can order any men far away from your chambers to maintain modesty so no one will be able to overhear our conversations.
You had mentioned how concerned your husband is about having a healthy heir. That means even if the frequent visits are reported back to him, he will not object.
Lizzy, is it possible you worry too much? Have you not told me, all of us, how loyal the staff and servants are to you?
It is not my aim to diminish your concerns as you unfortunately know that man’s ways better than any of us. We will be careful I promise you. The very last thing we want is to cause that odious man to punish you in any way.
If he keeps to his reported proclivities, I would wager that you, what you are doing and who you are seeing, is the last thing on his mind. What he does is sickening to any right thinking and decent person, but in this case, I believe it works to our advantage.
I await your reply, my darling girl.
With all my love and regards,
Aunt Maddie
Tears of joy were streaming down her cheeks as she read the letter. Her beloved family and friends were but a few miles away from her at this very moment. Elizabeth stood and made for the castle.
She walked with purpose and climbed the stairs, making directly for her chambers. Poor Loretta was shaken by the door crashing against the wall as Elizabeth pushed it open.
The maid was concerned seeing the evidence Her Grace had been crying. “Are you well, Your Grace?” the maid asked.
“I have not felt better in some time.” ‘Since before I was tied tohim!’ she added silently. Elizabeth realised she must have looked a fright having been crying. “Do not concern yourself Loretta, these are tears of joy.”
With that, she sat at the table she had placed under the window in her bedchamber and began to write.
Less than an hour later, the Gardiner’s footman, Peter, was on his way back to the parsonage at Lambton.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Hertfordshire had visited his three remaining mistresses and although he had initially found pleasure being able to treat them as he wanted to, he knew it was nothing to the absolute bliss he would experience when he was able to bring his spitfire of a wife to heel. If only it did not take so many months to deliver a babe.
He would do nothing to disturb her. She was carrying his future—insurance his name would live on—and that was all important. To make sure the babe was healthy, he would wait almost a year after his child was born before recalling her and his son from Derbyshire.
In his mind, if the child survived his first year of life, all would be well. Then, he would revel in taking his pleasure with her. She would be repaid tenfold for every insolent and impertinent remark and action. His thoughts were disrupted by Wickham’s entry into the sitting room.
