"Have you heard the news?" Jo asked Elizabeth, about a fortnight after she had begun working at Pemberley. Elizabeth liked Jo very much, though sometimes she felt as though she was betraying Betsy by having made such a good friend so quickly.

"I have not heard any particularly exciting news, lately. Well, unless you count the news I heard yesterday from Mr. Brooks. He has just purchased a new wagon." Elizabeth had visited the Brooks farm the previous day, which was her half day off. She was not sure which she had relished more, the solitary walk or the friendly visit.

"Oh. Well I suppose that's news," stumbled Betsy. "But that's not what I wanted to say. Cook just told me that Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne will be leaving for Bath in few days. I don't know how long they'll be gone, but I am to go home and stay with my family while they're away. I'm so happy!" Elizabeth tried to feel happy for her friend, but she was troubled by the news.

"Do you know why they are leaving? Has Mr. Hanson recommended that Master Fitzwilliam take the waters. He is improving, but I do not think he is in any shape to take such a long journey."

"I don't rightly know, Eliza. I didn't think to ask either. I was too busy thinking about my own self." Jo admittedly, guiltily, and then giggled. Normally Elizabeth loved her new friend's good humor; however, on this day it grated on her. She was too worried about the news and how it would impact Master Fitzwilliam, and whether she would still be able to care for him.

Elizabeth had been able to spend a good deal of time sitting with the young man, singing and reading to him. She had even managed to coax him to eat a little more. Only Mrs. Reynolds and Parker were aware of her extended presence with the young master. Parker had not exactly approved of the arrangement, mostly because he feared Elizabeth would become to attached to the young master. Conversely, Mrs. Reynolds heartily supported anything which might bring "the poor boy" back to health. Thus, Mrs. Reynolds had purposely given Elizabeth very few tasks beyond those relating to the young gentleman's improvement. Their arrangement had purposely been kept secret from Mr. Darcy, whom they believed would certainly disapprove.

"Never mind that, Jo," Eliza responded, "I am sure someone else will let me know. I see you are excited to spend more time with your family. Would you tell me more about them?" Jo happily obliged Elizabeth's request and delivered a monologue about each and every one of her relations. Elizabeth could scarcely concentrate on her friend's words, as she was too preoccupied with weightier matters; thankfully, Jo failed to notice Eliza's inattention.

As soon as she was able to locate Mrs. Reynolds, Elizabeth asked her to verify Jo's news.

"It is true that Mr. Darcy and Lady Anne will be leaving for Bath soon on Mr. Hanson's recommendation. The doctor believes Lady Anne is suffering from cancer of the bowel," Mrs. Reynolds gravely informed her.

Elizabeth gasped, "How dreadful!"

"Does he believe the waters will cure her?" she then inquired doubtfully.

"No. I believe he expects the waters will ease her discomfort. Honestly I think it is criminal to separate Lady Anne and Master Fitzwilliam, but it is not my place to intervene. I cannot believeLady Anne wished to go, but I suppose her respect for her husband prevents her from protesting too loudly. I cannot imagine what Mr. Darcy is thinking."

"Perhaps he is thinking that anything which will give his wife comfort should be done regardless of the cost. That sounds romantic. I do know that he is very much attached to her."

"The young are always turned by thoughts of romance," sighed the older maid.

"Was Mr. Reynolds not so devoted to you?" Mrs. Reynolds laughed.

"My husband loved me very much." Mrs. Reynolds greatly admired Mr. Darcy for his benevolence, most particularly his kindness to the poor. She could not imagine a kinder master, and she did not wish to disrespect him; nevertheless, she believed her poor deceased Mr. Reynolds had been a far superior husband. Of course, she could not say as much, and unfortunately, her silence left Elizabeth suspecting that Mrs. Reynolds had not been happy in her marriage.

"Will Mr. Hanson remain at Pemberley when the master and mistress leave?" asked Elizabeth, returning to the original topic of their conversation. Every time Elizabeth saw the doctor she despised him more. He persisted in trying to poke and prod Master Fitzwilliam, making the young gentleman more fearful. Elizabeth believed that Master Fitzwilliam would heal far more quickly if the doctor would stay away.

"I am not certain. He may wish to travel with them to be of service to Lady Anne." This answer both pleased and angered Elizabeth. On the one hand, the idea of Mr. Hanson departing pleased her very much. On the other, if Mr. Darcy truly believed in Mr. Hanson's skill, he would be behaving callously toward his son by removing the man. She sighed loudly.

"Along with you now, Eliza. If you can convince Master Fitzwilliam to eat this roast chicken Cook made for him, I will give you one of the raspberry tarts I baked last night." Elizabeth's mouth watered as she thought of that tart. She had not really needed any extra motivation to aid Master Fitzwilliam, but the added incentive could not hurt.

"Good Morning, Master Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth chirped as she entered his room. "You absolutely must try this delicious chicken. Well, I will be honest, I have not tasted the chicken, but it does smell good. In fact," Elizabeth teased, "Maybe I should convince you not to eat. Then I could eat the chicken, and no one would ever know."

Fitzwilliam smiled at her as he replied, "Mother would." His smile delighted both Elizabeth and Lady Anne, who had witnessed the exchange as she sat in a chair beside the bed.

"I understand you are traveling to Bath soon, my lady."

"Indeed, we are. I have been ill lately, and I believe taking the waters will help me. I am insisting that Mr. Hanson travel with us."

"It was your idea to travel to Bath and bring the doctor?"

"Indeed." Elizabeth felt that this put an entirely different shade on the matter. She now expected that Lady Anne knew how dreadful Mr. Hanson truly was, and that she had concocted the scheme to remove him from her son's presence.

"I hope you are feeling better soon." Elizabeth wondered what Master Fitzwilliam had been told of his mother's ailment. Did he suspect her to be deathly ill? Did he feel that his parents were abandoning him?

"Thank you."

Elizabeth again looked to Fitzwilliam, and was surprised to see he had already begun to nibble at the chicken, which she had placed on a bed tray for him.

"Would you like me to return later, so as not to intrude upon Lady Anne's visit, sir?"

"Please stay. You must finish the book." Elizabeth would not argue. She had already read more of Robinson Crusoe to Master Fitzwilliam than she had with her father, and she very much wished to learn how the tale ended.

While she read, Mr. Darcy entered the room.

"Dearest, why are you here? I thought we agreed that it was improper for you to be in a gentleman's chambers."

"I did agree. It is improper even if the gentleman is my son."

"Then why are you here," asked an exasperated Mr. Darcy.

"My son needs me," Lady Anne promptly retorted.

"But -"

"No. I think you have forgot, my love, that what is proper is not necessarily the same as what is right."

Mr. Darcy sighed, "I still do not approve, but I know it is futile to argue with you when your heart is decided."

"Thank you."

"And what is she doing here? Surely someone else might be found to read to the lad. It is one thing to have a serving girl in the room to stoke the fire and deliver a meal. But this situation is asking for trouble."

"Can you not see that it comforts our son? He is not afraid of her. Besides, she is just a little girl." Mr. Darcy carefully scrutinized Elizabeth. Though he had seen her often, the gentleman had never truly looked at the maid before. Realizing that she was being examined, Elizabeth felt grateful for the dictates Mrs. Bristlethwaite had issued regarding her appearance.

Before that moment, Elizabeth had gained the impression that Mr. Darcy was cruel, heartless, and domineering. His next words disproved her suppositions. Mr. Darcy might be a cold man, with firm ideas about maintaining propriety and the appearance thereof, but he definitely loved his son.

"Very well. Eliza, I will allow this if you will agree to always have another person present when you are going to be in this room for more than the briefest of visits. Also, you must agree that once my son is well you will have leave Pemberley. I will help you to secure another position if that is your wish. Or if you prefer, I will help to arrange a marriage for you." Elizabeth gasped, but Mr. Darcy did not pause. "Furthermore, if even the slightest whisper of indiscretion arises from this arrangement, you will need to marry. I am sure I could easily make an arrangement with one of tenant farmers, even if you have little to recommend you as a wife."

"Father!" rebuked Master Fitzwilliam.

"I suppose that was an ungentlemanly thing to say," Mr. Darcy replied. Elizabeth grinned at this almost apology.

Lady Anne then added, "Besides, husband, I have observed that Mr. Parker is very fond of young Eliza. I do not doubt that he would marry her in a trice if he could."

"Is this true?" Mr. Darcy asked Eliza.

"Mr. Parker is a good friend to me."

"In that case, perhaps I should broker a marriage between the two of you now. I would be willing to provide you with a dowry, a sort of payment for the services you are providing to Fitzwilliam." Lady Anne thought this a sound solution, and said so, but Elizabeth shook her head.

"Surely you do not object to Parker."

"I have no objection to him, sir," responded Elizabeth. "He is a good man, with a gentlemanly manner. Still, I am only thirteen. I do not wish to marry anyone." Mr. Darcy nodded with comprehension; after all, her youth was a major factor in his decision to allow the girl to spend time in Fitzwilliam's bedroom.

"Very well, I will speak with Parker. Perhaps he will agree to an understanding that if your reputation is besmirched, he will agree to marry you." Elizabeth nodded.

"And I will do my very best to avoid any appearance of immoral behavior. I do not think it is so unusual for an injured man to be tended by a nursemaid, Mr. Darcy. So I expect your fears are unfounded." Mr. Darcy nodded, to show he had heard her words. He did not like this young maid at all. He found her vulgar, rude, and impertinent; nevertheless, she seemed to be helping his son, and he so he would tolerate her for the time being.

That evening, Elizabeth was informed that the housekeeper wished to speak with her. She apprehensively wandered into the housekeeper's room, fearing a reprimand, though she was not certain precisely why. She had behaved poorly many times since arriving at Pemberley, but most of her misbehavior had occurred before the master or mistress. Thus, she would have expected either of them to administer any disciplinary action.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Bristlethwaite had no intention of rebuking Elizabeth. "How are you faring, Eliza?" the older woman asked.

"I am well."

"Have you settled in comfortably here, then?"

"I have. Mrs. Reynolds has helped to ease the transition, tremendously."

"I am glad. Has Lady Anne spoken with you today?"

"Yes, we did speak earlier."

"Do you need the rest of today free from your duties to process the news." Elizabeth assumed that she was referring to Lady Anne's cancer, and did not inquire further.

"No ma'am. The news is naturally distressing, but I do not believe I need extra time off."

"Very well. I do not know if you will wish to write. However, Lady Anne informed me that you are to be provided with ink and paper should you wish it. You do not worry about the cost of any return letters you receive either. The household will assume the expense." Eliza thought it only right that Pemberley would assume the expense of letters she wrote to the master and mistress regarding their son's condition, and she could not imagine any other letters Mrs. Bristlethwaite could mean. However, the housekeeper seemed to wish for some response, so Elizabeth politely thanked her.

Mrs. Bristlethwaite was disappointed that Elizabeth did not seem more thankful for the generosity offered to her. Nevertheless, she reminded herself that, though the girl did not seemed visibly distraught, she must be somewhat distressed by the news that both of her grandfathers were deceased.

The housekeeper had been particularly grateful when Lady Anne had agreed to inform Eliza of the letters which she had received. After Elizabeth's initial interview, Mrs. Bristlethwaite had written to each of Elizabeth's grandparents, though she had not mentioned her reasons for wishing to communicate.

The first response Mrs. Bristlethwaite received read as follows:

Dear Madam,

I regret to inform you that Mr. Andrew Bennet has been deceased for almost six years. His heir resides in London, where he is in trade in the textiles industry. I have held the lease of the manor for nearly four years, but have had little contact with the master. I will include his address in case you wish to contact him.

Sincerely,

Peter Goulding

The second provided even less information.

Mrs. Bristlethwaite,

I received your letter three days ago, and I have searched through all of my files for any labeled Bristlethwaite. I am not certain what sort of business you had with Mr. Gardiner and will need more information before I can help you. Unfortunately, Mr. Gardiner passed away several years ago, and I took over his practice. However, I would be happy to assist you any way I can.

B. Phillips

Mrs. Bristlethwaite had given the two letters to her mistress, who had agreed to inform Eliza of their contents. Lady Anne had further suggested that Eliza should be encouraged to write to her grandfather's heir with the hope of learning more about the rest of her family.

This discussion had occurred before Mr. Hanson had diagnosed Lady Anne with cancer of the stomach, and the mistress could easily be forgiven for forgetting to discharge the duty promptly. However, after that morning's encounter in which Mr. Darcy agreed to continue allowing Eliza to nurse Fitzwilliam, Lady Anne made a conscious decision to withhold the information. She feared that if Eliza learned of her grandfathers' demise, she might be less able to cheerfully assist Fitzwilliam. Moreover, she worried that if Elizabeth did make contact with her relations, it might interfere with her ability to act as a nursemaid. Mrs. Bristlethwaite never suspected her mistress's duplicity, and Elizabeth never suspected that anyone had written letters on her behalf.