Page 60 of Through the Eyes of Love

“I am happy to hear it—your entire family will be relieved when you are permanently out of harm’s way.”

“Will you tell me more about Mrs. Horton?”

“She is always kind and Elizabeth said she is a very good judge of people.”

“So, the two sisters confide in each other?”

“I swear sometimes it appears as if they can read each other’s minds!”

“The next months should be interesting—interesting, indeed.”

“Will you call again before you leave for town?”

“Yes—nothing could keep me away.”

* * *

When Darcy and Richard returned,only Elizabeth remained. She explained that her sister was fatigued and had chosen to take the carriage back to Stockton Hall.

“Perhaps I shall see her again soon.” Richard then took his leave and quit the cottage.

Darcy looked towards his wife for an explanation, but she simply shrugged her shoulders. “How did Jane seem when she left here?”

“All she said was that she was tired. We should not push towards anything she is not ready for.”

“Yes, my love, I agree.”

* * *

During the secondencounter between the Colonel and Jane, Darcy suggested they all walk along one of Pemberley’s many scenic paths. Richard and Jane walked beside their hosts. “You are fortunate to be living so close to your sister, Mrs. Horton.”

“Yes; Lizzy and I have always been close, and I have missed her more than I can say. Until I arrived a few weeks ago with my aunt and uncle, we had not seen each other since my father died last year.”

“Your sister speaks very well of the Gardiners, and I look forward to making their acquaintance one day.”

“Will you be in Derbyshire long?”

“I have important business I must attend to in London, but I shall return as soon as I can.”

“I shall look forward to it,” said Jane.

“As shall I, Mrs. Horton,” said Richard.

Darcy’s eyes widened as he looked towards his wife. She had just placed her hand over her mouth, attempting to hide her cheerful response to the pleasant conversation they had just overheard.

* * *

Richard excusedhimself and made his way home after they returned to the cottage, and Fitzwilliam went to find Bethel. Elizabeth turned and found her sister smiling for the first time in a long while.

“Well, Jane, what do you think about the colonel?”

“You, my sister, are an incorrigible matchmaker. I think he is a very kind man whom I have only recently met. Did he fight on the Peninsula?”

“He served under Wellesley and was wounded more than once. Since he recovered from his last injuries, he has been restricted to training new troops in London. He will not be in His Majesty’s army much longer.”

“Why do you say that?”

“My husband and Richard’s parents are concerned he might be sent back into combat—even commanding from behind the front lines is dangerous. They wish him to sell his commission and settle down. He inherited a small property near Matlock from his maternal grandmother and with the money from his commission, he has plans to become an estate owner.”