For Lizzy, the best part of the night came when it was time to say goodnight to their young cousins after playing with them in the drawing room, giving Nanny and the governess a much needed respite and also a chance to adore the youngest members of the family.

Plus seeing Jane, with her eyes lit up in joy, hinted of years to come when they would start families of their own.

Lizzy nearly fell into bed after Sharpe helped her bathe and dress for a night of dreams, and in the darkness, the sounds of London sneaking past the glass panes of the window, she slept.

Deeply.

"Miss," Sharpe's voice penetrated the sleep-drenched layers of her consciousness. "Miss, I am sorry to disturb you, but it is a letter from your mother."

Lizzy woke, her second morning in London, with a gasp again, sitting straight up. Light was streaming in from the opened curtains, and a fire popped merrily in the grate. Sun on the rug told her it was late, far later, than she was used to rising.

Especially if the morning post had arrived.

"Did I lay abed through breakfast," she asked, horrified at the rudeness on only her second day in London. At least they did not have early errands planned for the day.

"Yes, miss, but do not trouble yourself," Sharpe said with a smile, "Mrs. Gardiner has taken breakfast in her room, and your sister is in the drawing room, at her correspondence. I made sure that Cook would set something aside for you, so you needn't go hungry. Let me help you dress, and you shall begin your day."

Elizabeth's eyes turned to the letter, now resting on a silver tray atop her a low table beside her bed, and nodded. She had slept so very deeply, and for what seemed forever. And while it was odd to be woken by an abigail, rather than her sister, and the familiar sounds of Longbourn, it was a relief, also, to wake, and to feel her mind clear, her thoughts ready for the day.

She was dressed, sat while Sharpe arranged her hair, when she began to read the letter from her mother.

My dearest Elizabeth,

I was so surprised to receive a letter from your aunt, and from an address such as this, no less. You will have to forgive me, as I have never written a letter to a grand house as the one you reside, and just off of Grosvenor Square! I will not sleep to think of it, and neither will the other girls. Your father assures me that it is no cause for worry, that your uncle and aunt have come into favor with the Dowager Marchioness of Ashford, and her generosity and support. You must take pains not to squander such a chance! And with sponsorship as the Dowager can provide, be assured that many young men will come calling, hoping to curry favor for their families, their sisters, and mothers. I will not lie, Lizzy, and say I am not pleased. We have so long known the benefits that the connection of an heir would bring to our family, and I will admit that it was not without regret that I saw you and your sister Jane leave. But it will be for the best, and you will have a chance at securing a good marriage, one that will see the rest of us settled and provided for.

Now, as to news from home, the I have received the most unpleasant news that the Usurper will be visiting us shortly. I speak of your father's cousin, Mr. Collins, that evil and wicked man who is certain to be planning on how quickly he will turn me out of Longbourn once your dear father has passed.

Please send a letter as soon as you are able, your sisters miss you terribly, and your father is almost ill with want of you, although perhaps that is the brandy that he was gifted with yesterday by one of the tenants.

All my love,

Your affectionate mother,

From my hand,

Fanny Bennet

"All is well?" Sharpe asked, and Elizabeth realized her maid was finished, and was holding out a fan for Lizzy to take with her downstairs.

"I am not sure, yet," Lizzy replied, her fingers trembling as she folded the letter up. "My mother is often overcome with nerves, and this trip is exciting them terribly. I will write to her as soon as I go down. I also owe my father quite the missive, I have been remiss."

The house was quiet, the younger children up in their nursery, and Mr. Gardiner at his warehouse for even residence in a fine house off Grosvenor Square did not mean he could ignore his business.

In the drawing room, she found Jane, a letter in her hand. She looked up and smiled, but it was a watery one.

"Is all well?" Lizzy asked, sitting down next to her sister. Jane took a deep breath.

"Our mother has been writing, and she says our father is in a state. I had no idea..."

"No idea what?"

"I had no idea that Mama was so distressed about the thought of the entail," Jane replied, "that she could scarecely talk of anything else other than my marrying well enough to ensure that she would not suffer when Mr. Collins inherits the estate."

"She wrote to me of the same thing."

"Oh, Lizzy, what are we to do? Our father has no sons, no brothers, no uncles. He is an only child, and we will have no hope of a good marriage if we stay at home," Jane said, her voice trembling. "We must make our matches here. I cannot bear to disappoint Mama."

"Nor I," Lizzy replied, squeezing her sister's hand. Jane gave her a weak smile.

"Let's see, you must eat breakfast, and then I think we should each write to our sisters. Shall you write to Mary, and I wi;l take Lydia, if you also write to Kitty?"

"That is a good plan, Jane. And perhaps, once our letters are complete, we can walk in the gardens. I would like to know the grounds better. And perhaps the Dowager will call this afternoon, and we will have more information then, regarding the Season." Elizabeth tapped her fingers against her lower lip. Meeting the Dowager was something she was apprehensive about, and for good reason. What would this woman, who had so quickly changed their lives for the better, think of two girls from Longbourn, a small holding that didn't even so much boast as an inn? Two girls who hadn't been taught or molded by anything remotely resembling a governess?

She promised herself she would not let her aunt and uncle down, and she would do her best to win the affections of the Dowager.

She would do all that, for the sake of her sisters, her parents, and for her beloved sister Jane.

And, with her heart full of hope and her spirits raised from her sister's presence, she sat down and began her first letter.

Dearest Charlotte,

I feel like I have so very much to tell you, and at the same time, not quite enough words to put them to paper…

I am excited to report the book is complete and is loaded into Amazon for release next week! I am so delighted with all your kind words, I am in raptures. Thank you for reading, and I wish you all the best this week!

Nora