“All right,” Elinor said, but Lizzie could see that her earlier good mood was gone, and she cursed herself silently.
That night in the library, both Talbots were waiting for the other one to start talking.
“Have you given any more thought to our move?” Colin was the first one to finally say something.
“I have,” Lizzie said with a nod.
“And?” He prompted when she said nothing else.
“Well, the coronation is in a few months. Are you certain it will be all right if you miss it?”
“I don’t know how the monarch shall survive my absence,” he said jokingly.
“Colin,” Elizabeth said almost imploringly. “YouhateAmerica.”
He lifted both eyebrows. “I love you more than I hate America. And I want you to have the fresh start you always wanted.”
“Mary is having her baby soon,” she said evasively.
He narrowed his eyes. “And? You don’t have to stay for that. She has her husband and her parents. And I hear her brother will be visiting,” he said with disdain.
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to,” she finally admitted.
He was clearly taken aback. “So, you don’t want to move?”
She shook her head.
“But, you always…” He broke off, clearly at a loss.
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologising?” He asked her.
“I know that you really wanted to give me this new start, but I assure you that I no longer need it. I now like, even love, my life. And I finally like myself enough not to worry about what other people think.”
“Are you certain?” Colin asked in a strangled voice.
“I am,” she said with a smile, and they embraced. “I don’t know what to do about Elinor, though,” she admitted when they let go of each other.
“I might have some ideas,” Colin said.
Four weeks later, the Talbots and Elinor had just finished their appointment at the Bank of England (where the spouses had joined forces and finances in setting up a very generous fund for their friend), and were waiting for Lady Burnham to join them so they could go to Bond Street in search of some last-minute items the two women might need on their voyage.
Talbot, inspired by his conversation with Lady Burnham around Christmas, had suggested that she be the one to accompany Elinor to America, and the idea was met with more enthusiasm than anyone could have predicted. Not only was the older woman looking forward to finally curing her restlessness, but chaperoning the motherless Elinor during this new chapter of her life would also serve as an outlet for all the maternal guidance and instinct to comfort that her son’s passing had left unused inside her. As sad as Elizabeth was to put the distance between herself and two of her closest friends, she had to admit that the two of them were a match made in heaven.
Afterwards, they wanted to drive Elinor and Lady Burnham to Talbot’s townhouse, then drive to their Mayfair house to pack for the journey to Norwich. Mary was at the very end of her pregnancy, the Brandons (with William and Mary’s assistance) had almost finished preparing the new building for the foundling babies and local wet nurses, and Colin had no obligations in London (except briefly attending the coronation in July) until September, so Elizabeth hoped to have at least five months of bliss in her favourite place in the world.
“Promise to write as often as possible,” Elizabeth urged both of them once more when they were saying goodbye in front of Talbot’s house.
“Don’t worry,” Elinor smiled. “You might even come to regret that request.”
“Never,” Lizzie said fervently as she hugged her friend.
She then turned to Lady Burnham, whose joy and excitement these last few weeks had made her look ten years younger, and hugged her as well.
“I’m going to miss you so much,” she whispered into her hair. “I cannot thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me.”
“I needed you as much as you needed me,” Lady Burnham replied tearfully. “I promise to keep in touch.”
