July 1811

"Do you want to tell them the truth?" After reading Darcy's letter aloud, Lord Matlock asked the Marquess of Hertford, Frederick. Darcy was asking him directly who Georgiana's father was.

"Yes, I think it is time to tell him and Georgiana the truth." He looked him in the eye. "Do you not agree?"

Lord Matlock shook his head and answered emphatically, "No, I disagree. I think the past should remain in the past. There is nothing we can do to change it."

Lord Hertford nodded slightly and said, "I agree that we cannot change the past, but we can change the present and the future. You know that what I want most in the world is to be able to help my daughter."

"Legally, she is not your daughter. We are also not entirely sure you are Georgiana's biological father."

"She is Anne's daughter, and it is enough for me to love her as my own. I am going to Pemberley to speak with Darcy and Georgiana. I want to tell my daughter how much I have always loved her and that she has been in my thoughts since she was born. For several days, I have been thinking up ways to mitigate the gossip, and for that, I must have an excellent relationship with the Darcys. You know few people from high society will dare to speak ill of a young lady if she has the support of a marquess and whose uncle is an earl."

Lord Matlock sighed, "Richard and Lady Matlock left for Pemberley two days ago. I am returning to Matlock in two days as I have to meet with my steward, and from there, I am going to Pemberley. If you wish, you can join me."

The marquess nodded, and a few minutes later, he returned home thoughtfully. He needed to tell his son the truth. He hoped Sebastian would understand and be glad to have a sister, even if he could not recognize her as such.

PPP

Life in London was not remotely what Fanny Collins, formerly Bennet, had dreamed of. After living in Longbourn on £2,000 a year and various servants, she had to adjust to living on a much tighter budget. Of the £320 a year she had to live on, the lease of the tiny house and the wages of the two servants she had cost her £150 a year.

The neighbourhood where she lived with her daughters was very far from the houses of wealthy people. Her neighbours were hard-working people who had little money and were mainly employees. Her brother, Mr. Gardiner, refused to introduce her to suitable gentlemen so she could marry again. Kitty and Lydia were bored in London. Young women of similar ages who lived nearby were busy doing chores around the house and had different interests. The Gardiners and Jane visited them once or twice a week, and sometimes Mr. Gardiners invited them to his house.

Mr. Stevens had called on Fanny three times and was still as enamoured of her as before. With great powers of persuasion mixed with a good 'act', she convinced the gentleman that for them to marry, he had to sell the bookstore and purchase Purvis Lodge with that money.

"My love, I cannot wait for these six months to end. I am eager to marry you finally. I want you to be with me always." Mr. Stevens told her as he caressed her bountiful chest after making love.

Fanny sighed melodramatically, "Oh, Patrick, I wish it were that simple! I do not know if we can ever get married. I must think about the future of my daughters before my happiness." She caressed his face gently and, feigning great sadness, added, "As you know, Kitty and Lydia are the daughters of a gentleman, and if I marry you, they will be associated with a merchant. I wish you could sell the bookstore and buy a small estate like Purvis Lodge so we can be together once and for all!" Fanny began to cry and repeat that she loved him.

In the more than 30 years that he owned the bookshop, Mr. Stevens had saved over £15,000, counting his late wife's £5,000 dowry, which he planned to use when he retired in a few years. If he sold the bookshop with all its books and his house in Meryton, he would get an additional £5,000 or more. With that money, he could buy Purvis Lodge. Fanny was right; he should have thought of it before!

After making love for the second time, he told her with conviction, "My love, you are correct. I have been very selfish, only thinking about myself and not you and your daughters. I promise I will find a solution so we can get married. I will speak with Mr. Phillips when I get back to Meryton."