Chapter Ten:

March 1816, Beacon Hill, 1816:

Jasper Brodwick sat in his study in front of a roaring fire it was still cold in Boston even as spring bloomed around them the days grew longer, lighter. Jasper was pleased with her life in Boston, he was still madly in love with his beautiful wife, as a leading businessman in the area who held a good fortune, they were the elite of Boston society. They enjoy dining out, ball's and the theater on a regular basis he had also been blessed with an heir as Jane had given birth to a son. A nearly two-year-old, Edward was an intelligent child with blonder her and blue eyes like his mother.

Gardiner Emporian thrived. Edward Gardiner before leaving American had gifted his own share of the American venture between his two nieces Jane and Elizabeth upon Janes's marriage her percentage became ownership of her husband. Elizabeth was able to live very generously of the proceeds she received quarterly meaning she didn't have to rely on her brother, she was also excepted in the first circles of Boston as people in America were more outgoing and less tied to the rules of society as in London. Her status as a gentlewoman and her brother the Viscount of Ashbrook sealed her position. Jasper had reluctantly become the viscount Ashbrook on the death of his brother, who had died while racing carriages the same week his son was born.

The butler entered with silver trays containing today's mail wearing a bleak expression, on top of the pile was a black edge letter, that could only mean one thing. Jasper broke the seal. The seal belonging to the countess of Ashbrook.

The letter containing the sad news that of the Earl of Ashbrook passing in January. As he was the viscount due to his brother's premature demise, he was required to return to England and officially become the Earl, his mother required him to settle his business in Boston, come home to run the Earldom along with his countess. The dowager countess advised she would remind in the Family's townhouse in Mayfair till he and his family arrived she planned to introduce her daughter by marriage into the first circles before retiring to the dowager house at the family country seat.

May 1816, London:

"Home" murmured Elizabeth, as she stood on the deck as the brig maneuvered up the Thames.

It has been nearly four years since they left England, she had left them behind, she often dreamed of their child and their life together as a family at Pemberley the life that was not meant to be.

Arriving home was a breath of fresh air, Elizabeth hadn't realized she has been holding her breath for the past three years till she saw the familiar features of London she was eager to learn of Mr. Darcy and her child, her aunt had tried to gain information form her connections in Lambton over the years, but all they could learn was that Mr. Darcy was now married. Mr. Darcy was notorious for being a private family man, when Elizabeth had heard the news of his marriage, it had broken her heart. Lizzie took a deep breath ceased to fight her tears and let them fall freely down her cheeks, she promised herself that this was the last time she would cry for him, she knew it was time to move on for good just like he had.

Being a keen writer she and Jane had regularly corresponded with their father, aunt, and uncle. Their mother was often too busy with her younger daughter's but would also write a line or two on the end of Mr. Bennet's letters since the departure of his more intellectual children Mr. Bennet had been forced to correspond with then as it was often the only sensible conversation he had even if he waited months for letters to arrive.

It was from these letters that they learned that their younger sister Mary had married the heir of Longbourne, a clergyman called Mr. William Collins he held a valuable living in Hundsford parish in Kent. Though both sisters agreed that with Mary's more serious take on life a clergyman would suit her. Their father's description of the man had left them with very little doubt that he was a sensible man. Kitty or Catherin as she was now called was married as well to a local gentleman farmer from st Albans and Lydia who was still silly as ever was still at home with her parents.

The brig became a flurry of movement as the sailors began the preparations to dock, so Elizabeth returned to her cabin to check her ladies maid had completed her packing and were ready to elite. Once this was complete she knocked on the cabin belonging to her sister and brother and joined them.

"Lizzy, are you excited to be on dry land, I know you must be dying for the freedom to walk for miles" chimed her brother.

"Husband doesn't tease, Lizzie I think we will all be glad to be on dry land" replied Jane

"Jasper, you know me well" she laughed

"Sadly you will be delayed a little longer for your walk, as we will have to head straight Ashbrook house, but Grosvenor square has a small park, Hyde Park is only a five-minute walk away I'm sure our dearest Lizzie can get lost in there for hours" he jested to his wife.

There was a knock on the door, the captain advised them it was time to disembark, As they walked down the gangway Jasper pointed out an extremely fine-looking carriage the carriage was emblazed with the Earl of Ashbrook Family Crest. The driver jumped when he noticed Jasper approaching he dropped into a low bow alongside the other servants accompanying him as they welcomed the Earl and countess home.

It was at this moment, that it struck Elizabeth for the first time, her sister Jane was truly a countess and how different their lives would now be. When the carriage arrived at Ashbrook House on Grosvenor square, the dowager countess stood at the top of the steps to greet them, the senior servants stood a little behind her ready to greet their new Master and Mistress. Elizabeth had enjoyed the dowager's company when they were in Boston she found her to be feisty which she liked.

Adelaide Brodwick dowager countess of Ashbrook was delighted to see her son and his family again she warmly greeted them as well as Lizzie before directing them to the private family parlor on the first floor. Adelaide was a sensible woman who truly cared for her daughter by marriage she knew the ton well, knowing some would hold Jane's background against her. As much as she grieved for her husband she was a strong woman who knew her duty was to make sure the new countess succession a success, she had made plans to make sure it was. As it was nearly the end of the season and they were in mourning they wouldn't attend any social events, their time was filled with a whirl of family dinners with extended Ashbrook family and catching up with the Gardiners.

Adelaide had also booked them many Modiste appointments with the finest London boutiques as she had noted on her trip to the Americas that both Jane and Elizabeth had both become accustomed to dressing in the American fashions which would never do for a countess of England. Both Ladies ordered complete new wardrobes in the latest London fashions, and the best fabrics available this was a gift from the dowager countess, who wanted to treat her daughter to the best. On her own trip to Boston she had become quite fond of Elizabeth she found her to be a talented, witty young lady with a lively playful disposition she knew she was also wealthy in own rights. With the correct support of the dowager and her friends and of course right wardrobe she was be snapped up on the next marriage mart by the most eligible men.

It was decided among the family that they would escape the ton by visiting Mary in Hunsford at the end of June before traveling to Longbourne and then on to Lindford Mannour which was to be their new home in Staffordshire. The dowager was to travel ahead to Linford Manor to make it ready for the family. It had been deiced that Elizabeth would continue to live with her brother and sister, they would oppose her leaving as they insisted she had always been part of their family and would continue to do so. Elizabeth gladly accepted the other, she could, of course, set up her own establishement, but that would mark her as an old maid, and the thought of living with Mrs. Bennet again didn't entice her either.

Elizabeth, Jane, and Edward would travel a few days earlier than Jasper to Hunsford. As Jasper would be tied up with his lawyer and he knew his family was ready to escape the heat of London. He planed to stay at his club, where he might enquire about darcy, so their London home was closed. Their aunt Gardiner told them that Mary would be in Hunsford a wouldn't be traveling as she has recently discovered she was with child, so the sisters decided they would surprise Mary to give her all the support a family can give as she prepared for her child.

June 1816 Eastbourne:

Darcy carried his sleeping child to her chamber, they had spent the day at the seaside with Georgina, and Catherine was exhausted. It had been three years since his wife's passing he knew his duty and had observed the custom full year of mourning, for she had legitimizing his daughter it was the least he could do.

Lady Catherine transpired to be amazing be a grandmother however she was never able to shake her meddling over baring ways, therefore, she tried to step into the role of mistress of Pemberley. After all, it was her daughter's rightfully role. After nearly six months of living with his aunt, Darcy had reached his breaking point, he forcefully told her it was time for her to return to Rosing to her life as its Mistress. Lady Catherine knew when she was beaten furthermore she recognized when to bide her time, agreeing to return to her own home on one condition that she had regular contact with her grandchild Catherine Anne had started to soften ladies' natural nature.

Around the same time, Mr. Bingley visited him he had just returned from finally ending the lease on Netherfield Park. Their friendship had become strained since Darcy's marriage. Bingley and his sister Caroline had seen Caroline as Darcy's future wife they were disappointed when they find out about his wife and child. Caroline Bingley knew she needed to bide her time she was glad of his wife passing firming her belief it was her destiny to be the second Mrs. Darcy. The next mistress of Pemberley, she vowed that no one, not even the child would stand in her way.

Bingley over a glass of whiskey shared the rumors in Meryton. Jane Bennet moved to Boston in American, marrying extremely well becoming a viscountess the saddest in Bingley's face was apparent. Darcy already suspected that Elizabeth was with her sister but he doubted that Jane was a viscountess he would know if she was as he was part of the first circles. As his searches for Elizabeth concluded that their uncle owned a successful extension to his business in Boston he wanted to go there, ships manifest were searched to clarify she had sailed her name was never found on any passager list. If she had left England the chance he would find her where slim, especially as someone who didn't want to be found. As much as he wanted to board a ship to Boston he had a duty to his sister, she was to be present to the queen and have her first season, he needed to be there to support her as she was a reserved quiet girl who would be one of the diamonds of the seasons especially with her large dowry.

Now it had been three Years, Darcy had wanted an excuse to escape London so with his cousin col Fitzwilliam they had visited his sister Georgian and her new husband the baron of Clifton, at their estate in Eastbourne. Georgianne was settled as Lady Clifton and happy with her husband theirs was a love match, unlike her own marriage. As much as Georgianna loved her family it was time for their visit to come to end, a letter Darcy received from Lady Catherine requested that he stop in Hunsford on her way to Pemberley as he had done on his way so she could spend time with her dearest grandchild and favorite nephew and son. On the last day of June Darcy, Richard, and Catherine Anne set on their journey to Rosing Park in Hunsford.