Mr. and Miss Darcy spent many afternoons at Fitzwilliam House as winter faded into early spring. Mr. Darcy did just as he had promised he would with his cousin’s only son. Young Richard took to the man immediately as he felt acutely the absence of Mr. Bingley.
The two spent hours in the library, and some of those were taken up by the reading of many books. But often, when Elizabeth came to have tea with them, her son was crawling under the huge, ornate writing desk by the window as Mr. Darcy counted to twenty before seeking the boy’s hiding place.
To see the man in his shirtsleeves, and on his knees, searching every nook and cranny in the library softened her heart further to the proud man.
There had been a change in her relationship with Mr. Darcy. It had been so gradual Elizabeth had not realized it until the afternoon young Richard had fallen asleep as Mr. Darcy continued to read from a book about pirates.
She had stood quietly in the doorway and listened to Mr. Darcy’s voice, low and deep as it was, as he read of scurrilous deeds upon the high seas. Her son was not slumped against the man in slumber. He was snuggled under his arm as the boy did with her when she read.
Elizabeth felt the prick of tears and a lump formed in her throat. She imagined Mr. Darcy was the colonel, for the picture of the two dear ones before her would have been just the same.
She swallowed and said a small prayer for Colonel Fitzwilliam’s soul and spoke to him in her thoughts as she often did. Have you led us to him, Richard?
It was the first time she thought seriously of Mr. Darcy as a father for her son and the idea comforted her.
She stepped forward and left the door open for the maid to bring their tea. “My goodness, your visit to the park did tire him today. He never falls asleep during a rousing tale of swords and pirates.”
Mr. Darcy gently closed the book and settled more deeply into the sofa. His cravat was loosened and his shoulders relaxed. He pulled young Richard closer against him and yawned. “I believe I am the one who was tired out by the park. He has a wealth of energy I had not considered when I agreed to a game of tag.”
Elizabeth bit back the laughter that might awaken her son and cherished the warmth that infused her heart. “He is a sturdy young boy and boundless in his rambling. Quite like me, I suppose.”
She straightened her skirts all while still going on about her son and looked up to see that Mr. Darcy’s head had fallen back against the sofa, his eyes closed.
The maid arrived with tea and Elizabeth stood quickly and met her before she made her way further into the room. Speaking quietly and pointing at the sofa, she helped wheel the cart from the room. “Let us go to the salon instead. I would not wake either of them for the world.”
That event had replicated itself over the weeks that followed and as she now sat in the parlor with her sisters and Miss Darcy reading fashion magazines, she could hear Mr. Darcy and her son as they climbed the stairs from the entryway.
There was laughter from Richard and threats of sword play from Mr. Darcy. Nanny appeared in the doorway and corralled her charge. Young Richard resisted but Elizabeth arose from her seat.
Before she might intervene, Mr. Darcy knelt and captured the boy’s attention. “Be good and do as Nanny says and there may be swords in the library after dinner if she gives me a good report.”
The boy’s eyes lit up and he grasped Nanny’s hand, nearly pulling the woman off her feet. Elizabeth covered her laughter at the sight for she did not wish to encourage her son to be quite so thoughtless.
Nanny stumbled along behind him before getting him to settle down as they gained the stairs.
Mr. Darcy watched them go before turning again to Elizabeth. “It is my hope he goes easily to his nap. I would not like to excite him so that he is trouble for Nanny.”
“He was up earlier than usual this morning. He found his way to my rooms and climbed under my covers. I am worried that Nanny often loses sight of him. I do not blame her, but still it worries me.”
Mr. Darcy grinned from ear to ear. “He would not be the first boy to do so, Elizabeth. You may rest easy in the knowledge that the footmen are aware of it when he is out with Nanny. The servants of Fitzwilliam House do guard their young master.”
Elizabeth’s brow relaxed at this bit of news. “I am so grateful for them. It is a great service they have done to see that we are comfortable in our new home. I shall have to see they are rewarded handsomely. Perhaps a small raise for everyone?”
“I know they are compensated quite well for their services, but a small token from their new mistress would not go amiss.” Mr. Darcy said as he offered Elizabeth his arm.
The pair went into the parlor and Mr. Darcy encouraged his sister to play for them. Miss Darcy obliged and the Bennet sisters continued with their magazines.
Mr. Darcy sat with Elizabeth and sought the answer to a question that had bothered him. “How is Aunt Margaret behaving lately? I have been to Matlock House twice and she was out, or so the butler told me.”
Elizabeth gave a puzzled look at his seeming doubt of the butler’s veracity. “She has come only twice in the last few weeks. Both times, she and my mother argued but she did not leave in disgust. Richard spent the better part of an hour with her both times, though she had not an idea how to entertain a boy of his age. She seems to like me at one moment and hate me the next, though.”
“She would not know how to entertain a young child. Aunt Margaret prefers to bully rather than befriend. I can imagine young Richard tested her patience to its limits.” Mr. Darcy chuckled as he thought of it.
“I believe my mother had already weakened it long before my son was brought down from the nursery. When next she visits, I will insist mother remain in the salon or risk being sent back to Longbourn. Such a threat would be sufficient as she is at me night and day to hold a ball so my sisters might be paraded before wealthy, young gentlemen.” Elizabeth grimaced at the thought but Mr. Darcy seemed amused by the idea.
“You certainly could fill the ballroom of this house, Elizabeth. Gossip of the Bennet sisters is the buzz of London this spring. With Georgie debuting this season, all eyes are on our family.”
Elizabeth knew he spoke the truth. Her few forays into Mayfair with her sisters had proven to be quite a show for the well-heeled who frequented that area. Lydia and Kitty had loved the attention while Mary had lowered her head and remained close to Elizabeth’s side.
“So you believe I should indulge them? It could end up as quite the spectacle, you know. Their behavior has improved since coming to Town, but they are still capable of thrusting us all into scandal on a whim.”
Mr. Darcy seemed thoughtful. “Perhaps we might ask Aunt Margaret to see that they are prepared for such an event. If we beseeched her to assist in improving their behavior, it might ease the tension between the two of you.”
Elizabeth snorted in incredulity. It was not the most ladylike noise, but it expressed her feelings on the matter perfectly. “As long as I am Richard’s mother, we shall never see eye to eye.”
Mr. Darcy did not doubt it. “That may be true, but it only means there is much room for improvement. It cannot hurt to seek a truce. At heart, she truly wishes to be useful. She simply does not know how to go about it. Your mother desires that matches be made and my aunt is an expert at it. Throw the ball, Elizabeth. What is the worst that may happen?”
Elizabeth gave Mr. Darcy a roll of her eyes. “You tempt fate so, William? I would not think you would do so lightly as you are well acquainted with my female relatives.”