August 1793
On Monday, the twelfth day of the month, Maddie and Edward Gardiner were seated in their dining parlour, breaking their fasts together as they did every morning before the latter left the house to go to his offices.
Maddie noticed the melancholy on Edward’s countenance. “Edward, what is it? Where is my smiling, happy husband this morning?” she asked concernedly.
She slid her one hand down to her flat belly. If only they had the hope of their own child already, but after almost a year and a half, nothing. Maddie prayed that He would grant them a babe sooner rather than later.
“Business is better than ever,” Gardiner continued. “Our life is wonderful, and I love you more than I have words to tell you. That reminds me, I apologise again that the business did not allow us to travel to visit your family in Lambton. It is our turn, as they were here for Easter.”
“With my father and brother running the book emporium, they more than understand your restrictions with regards to travel,” Maddie assured her beloved.
“By next summer, I will have my new manager trained in all facets of the business, and we will go to Lambton. By the by, speaking of that town, did I tell you that Lord Matlock and Mr Darcy said that when they are in London for the season of 1794 they will bring a friend, another earl, to invest with me?”
“Who is he?” Maddie queried.
“Lord Paul Carrington, the Earl of Holder. They would have introduced us before, but it seems the Carringtons have not been seen in London for a few years.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The Carringtons were preparing to depart from Pemberley on the Monday after they had celebrated Jane’s fourth birthday. They had been at the Darcy’s estate since mid-June. The Fitzwilliams were to make for Snowhaven two days later.
It had become a tradition of sorts. Each year the three families would pass the summer at one of their main estates on a rotating basis.
It had been Snowhaven the previous year, while the summer of 1794 would be enjoyed at Holder Heights.
There were no blood ties between the Carringtons and the other two families, but thanks to the three girls, their connection, which had been one of very good friends, was now one of family.
All three girls were intelligent, but as she got older, it seemed that Lizzy had some special abilities. In a year Jane would begin with Jamey’s governess. It was almost certain Lizzy would join the lessons as well even though she would not be four yet.
In the last months, Jamey was taught by tutors rather than Mrs Healy. Said lady was overjoyed that her services would be needed with the Carringtons for years to come.
As young as she was, Lizzy was beginning to recognise letters and loved being around books. It was the reason she had been indulged over the summer and been taken to Lambert’s Book Emporium to look at books each time she had been in Lambton with her family.
Lizzy was the only Carrington girl the Lamberts met. If they thought it strange she was not referred to as Lady Elizabeth, they never said so, either in public or privately.