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“I can understand that Colonel. But you cannot be responsible for the behaviour of a member of your extended family. I had never met the man.”

Richard noted Lady Napier did not call Darcy a gentleman.

“It was only when I received his letter of apology that his name was confirmed. The Countess visited yesterday and also apologised. I owe her so much for her help and support during the season that it was easy to let the matter drop.”

A big smile.

“And you Colonel, you will always be welcome here at Napier Hall.”

The Colonel was always secretly delighted at the smile on Lady Napier’s face. What was also noticeable was the slight, but only slight, relaxation of both her chaperone and guards. He was a frequent visitor, the only frequent visitor, as Lady Napier had told him herself. He might not yet have achieved approval, but their suspicion had started to ease. It was a start.

He also took note of the way she phrased her response. He would ‘always be welcome’. Darcy was forgotten about as he pressed on with his own suit.

“Ignoring my deplorable cousin, how have you been Lady Napier?”

When the Countess had called, apologising for Darcy had been the main topic. But she had also used the occasion to invite Lady Napier to various events. But Elizabeth had been resolute in not getting dragged into an endless social cycle. She had suffered through that in the Winter and Spring. She had agreed to meet for luncheon the following week but had not committed to anything else. But other than this one social call, which she would use as an excuse to visit Mr. Arbuthnot’s shop, she intended to be socially quiet.

What Elizabeth had done, was send a long letter to Lawrence recounting her conversation with the Colonel regarding the return of large numbers of men, both soldiers and sailors. She had asked him for recommendations in how to assist these men, but also whether there was an opportunity for profit. Not of the men, but of the businesses that hired them. This had resulted in long discussion with Harriet Underwood, and just that very morning Lawrence had sent a reply and he would be visiting the following week as well. The dower house was being cleaned to allow him to stay on the estate. She did not want him to have to travel to Bath every day. But she also did not want his presence in Bath to be commented upon.

In response to the Colonel’s question, once again the estate provided a ready-made excuse. She was never going to be out in the fields helping the harvest, but as the Lady of the Manor, she did set the tone. With all the tenants working very long days, Elizabeth had ensured that cider and sandwiches were distributed every other day.

She was never going to forget her nadir, where such simple charity would have meant the world to her.

But as usual, she and the Colonel had plenty to talk and argue about. There was never any heat to their debates, they both had confessed to, on occasion, taking the opposite opinion to their true feelings, just to enjoy the debate between them. That morning it had been the latest news from the War with the Americans. The Colonel had heard that 15,000 additional soldiers were being sent to Canada. It was hoped that this would be a decisive boost and finally end that war. It had always been secondary to dealing with Napoleon, this was the chance to conclude it.

“The Countess and I are meeting for luncheon next week, on Wednesday. Are you able to change your second visit to Tuesday? It would be Monday and Tuesday mornings next week?”

“I can do so without a problem, but do you not wish to split them up? Are you free on Thursday?”

“I am afraid not. The Baron’s lawyer, my lawyer now I suppose, Mr. Lawrence arrives on Wednesday afternoon and will be here for the rest of the week.”

“Then so be it, Monday and Tuesday it is.”

Both Richard and Elizabeth looked forward to spending time together. The Colonel had considered offering to accompany Lady Napier to church on the Sunday. He had held back, sensing that he should let the Darcy situation settle. He did have one significant social card to play.

“Would you allow me to invite you to the wedding of General van Grant and Miss Manners? It will be quite the occasion, definitely the social highlight of the season. The Duke of Rutland, a relative of Miss Manners, will be in attendance.”

This invitation had significance, not just because of the stature of the event, but for the two of them. Elizabeth thought not of reasons to say no, but for reasons to say yes. Richard was granted a huge smile.

“That sounds wonderful. I would be delighted to attend with you.”

“Excellent. We will deal with all the issues of my standing up with General van Grant closer to the time but there is nothing that cannot be overcome.”

20 minutes later the Colonel was riding off down the drive.

“The Colonel is making quite the statement, my Lady.”

“I realise that Harriet. I will almost certainly be escorted and chaperoned by his parents.”

“If Mr. Darcy is there?”

“When the Colonel tells his parents that I am accompanying him then Darcy will have to decline the invitation, assuming he was to get one. You have reminding me of my consequence all season.”

There was a long pause.

“Your independence, your freedom?”

“I know, Harriet, I know. I am focusing on the positive at present. But I have a month to decide what happens in the days after this wedding.”