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ran to her niece and Jane was not far behind. "Emma! How wonderful that you could come after all."
Elizabeth embraced her niece, and as she released her, Emma turned to the gentleman who stood quietly to one side and said, "Aunt Lizzie, this is Mr James Wilson, my brother-in-law, whose kindness has enabled us to be here today. When he heard that my husband was unable to accompany us, owing to his work at Westminster, Mr Wilson offered to bring us in his carriage," she explained, "and we are very grateful to Uncle James, are we not my darlings?"
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    Both her daughters indicated complete agreement with their mother. Jane, who had arrived at their side, embraced her daughter and granddaughters before turning to thank Mr Wilson, but he was unwilling to accept so much gratitude, insisting that it had been no trouble at all. "Believe me, Mrs Bingley, I had to travel to Derby tomorrow for a professional consultation with a client--all I did was leave a day earlier. It was entirely my pleasure."
Mr Darcy and Bingley had joined them and after greetings were exchanged, James Wilson was easily persuaded to stay to dinner. A quiet, cultured man, perhaps thirty-six years of age, well spoken, with an interest in public affairs, he was soon drawn into conversation with Fitzwillliam and Anthony Tate, providing them with news from Westminster. He was well informed on a variety of subjects.
There was a great deal of interest in the new houses of Parliament, which had replaced the old buildings destroyed by fire in 1834. James, who had been in London at the time of the fire, shared memories with Fitzwilliam and delighted Darcy with his knowledge of the work of Turner, whose paintings had immortalised the great conflagration.
Mr Wilson praised the new buildings, designed by the architect Charles Barry, pronouncing them to be elegant and impressive. "The Lords will soon be moving into their new premises, but regrettably, the new House of Commons is unlikely to be ready for a few more years," he said, agreeing with Mr Gardiner that the fire had probably hastened the demise of the old wooden buildings, which were in need of replacement anyway.
He won even more approval when he expressed support for the type of commitment to building communities that Mr Darcy and Fitzwilliam had been advocating for years and pleased Mr Gardiner with a clearly argued case for the promotion of freer trade between nations.
A Whig and a Reformist, he revealed that he had nevertheless agreed with Peel's abolition of the Corn Laws, arguing that Britain's advantage in being a trading and colonial nation would be lost by support for the extreme protectionist policies advocated by the Conservatives.
"You are a man after my own heart, sir. You must attend a meeting of our reform group when you are next in the area," said Mr Gardiner, plainly delighted to find a Member of Parliament who supported his views so wholeheartedly.
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    "Emma's brother Jonathan Bingley is a member; he can provide you with whatever information you need. I do hope we will see you at one of our meetings soon," Mr Gardiner added, and James Wilson was clearly surprised at the level of interest shown in his views, promising to follow up the invitation.
    His kindness to Emma and her girls had already marked him as a favourite with the family. By the end of the evening, he had been pronounced a gentleman of the highest distinction and invited to dine with at least four of the families present whenever he was next in Derbyshire.
    Jane, finding him beside her as they watched the bonfire in the meadow, thanked him once again for bringing Emma to Pemberley. "Mr Wilson, James, you must let me thank you for your kindness to Emma and to me, in bringing her and her little girls here today. I cannot begin to tell you how much it has meant to me and to all of us. We were so disappointed when we heard she was unable to come; you have made such a difference to us all today. I thank you from the bottom of my