She stared at everything with wide-eyed wonder, and she and Will were inseparable, with him not leaving his wife's side for even an instant.
Thomas and Charlotte were still concerned about her, but pleased enough with Elizabeth's progress to consider returning to Somerset in time for the birth of their first child. He was also undeniably worried about Ferncliffe causing trouble for his niece little Sophie, and for the Rakehells.
So the Elthams and the Stones began to pack. The Fitzgeralds assured them they would remain and keep an eye on the unfortunate young couple for as long as possible.
Thomas hated to leave his sister, but there had been no news of Ferncliffe and his associates. He could not help but feel nervous on his own behalf and that of the other Rakehells back in Brimley. It was either remain in Ireland for the entire winter waiting and wondering, and having their baby born in Ireland, or leaving before Charlotte grew any larger.
"I hate to leave you, old man, but-"
"We'll be fine. Really. I give you my word. It was a terrible accident, but she'll be fine. And I'm sorry-"
Thomas shook his head. "Not your fault. Whatever got into her mind spooked her, and is gone now. She loves you. And I understand about the past now. You and your sister have told me everything. There's no need to ever mention it again."
"I'll be patient with her. She has no reason to fear what happened to Jane, ever."
Thomas nodded, embarrassed. "I know that. I'm very grateful." They shook hands, and then he embraced his brother-in-law. "Come to Somerset soon, eh? And consider yourself an honorary Rakehell."
"Thank you. We'll see you in the spring. Take care of Charlotte. He'll be a fine son."
Thomas stared at him, but shrugged, and went to see his sister one last time.
It was a tearful farewell for Thomas and Charlotte as they left Elizabeth, but she embraced them both and told them to give her niece Sophie a kiss for her.
"Be happy," Thomas whispered, holding her close as she stood on the very spot where she had nearly died less than two months before.
"I shall. I'm getting better every day," she said slowly.
Vevina was thrilled at her progress, but she could not help wonder at the change in her brother. He was excessively devoted to Elizabeth, but seemed to shun Parks and Monroe.
She had mentioned it to him a few times, but he'd simply shrugged and said he had a lot on his mind.
Yet now there it was again, she noticed one Sunday in mid-October. He never met Parks' eye any more.
Finally she challenged him head on. Will and Elizabeth were resting on the bed in their private pale blue, white and primrose chamber, Vevina sewing in the chair beside her brother.
"Please, Will, you always used to trust me. Won't you tell me what's going on? I can see there's something amiss between you and Parks. It's not, well, it's not because of Elizabeth, is it? You can't possibly be jealous-"
He shook his head. "No, it's because of me."
"Why, what is it then?"
"Not is, but will be."
"Why, what have you done?"
Will's lips thinned to a narrow line. "I can't tell you."
"Will, for pity's sake! After everything that happened the night of the eclipse, everything you shared with me then, you refuse to tell me if you and your friend have quarreled?"
He sighed. "You're right. But I didn't want to get you or Stewart involved. Now I'm cooped up in this house with Elizabeth to tend to, and I can't and don't wish to carry out my mission. Our mission, the three of us."
Vevina stared, then threw down her sewing. "Drat. I knew it! That's why you've all been staying at Joyce Hall instead of with us at Clancar Castle. I thought it was a bit of male high spirits."
He frowned. "We don't womanize or swill gin. You ought to know that."
"Yes, I ought to. I'm sorry. I just thought with the war over and everything you might, well, let off steam."
"My life with Elizabeth has been steamy enough, thank you. And Monroe and Parks are only interested in their mission."
"Let me guess. It's something to do with clearing Father's name and ours. We caught Samuel and Willoughby. But that isn't enough for you. You want a formal pardon, and the men responsible punished. But revenge is a double-edged sword, dear brother."
He didn't even trouble to deny her accusations. "There were more than two traitors," Will pointed out. "We need to bring them to justice. And there was also a secret cache of weapons."
She stared at him in confusion. "But how? Where?"
"That's what we were sent to find out."