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Anna looked up at him.

“Good morning.”

She struck his waistcoat with one open hand.

“That is not a customary greeting.”

“It may become one,” Martha said.

He laughed. Anna laughed because he had, or because Martha made a face at her from the neighbouring chair. Darcy did not insist upon knowing which.

For a little while everything went as well as he had hoped. Anna watched the movement of light upon the wall, pulled at the blanket, and accepted her rattle. Ruth returned, sat nearby, and told Martha what she liked about the smaller chamber.

Then Mrs. Reynolds brought a parcel of linen to show them, and Darcy asked about a screen for the hearth, and a maid appeared to inquire where the old curtains should be taken. The visit lengthened while the adults became occupied with arranging it.

Anna began to fret.

Martha took her. Ruth tried next. The child quieted briefly, then turned her face into Ruth’s shoulder and began again.

“She is tired,” Ruth said.

“She might rest here,” Darcy suggested, looking toward the sleeping room.

Martha’s eyes met his.

He remembered his promise.

“No. You know what she needs. Take her home.”

Ruth’s relief was plain. Martha folded the blanket, and Mrs. Reynolds fetched their wraps without proposing one more thing to inspect.

“We stayed too long,” Martha said gently.

“I kept asking you questions.”

“We all had things to look at.”

“Then tomorrow we shall look at Anna.”

Martha smiled a little. “That may answer better.”

He went to the cottage that afternoon. Anna slept in her cradle. He sat with Thomas for a little while and left without waking her, grateful that no one treated the unsuccessful visit as a reason to abandon the next.

On Sunday they tried again after church.

Darcy had asked for no further arrangements. The room was ready, Ruth had seen what she needed to see, and Mrs. Reynolds left them with instructions to ring if anything was wanted. Martha brought the same blanket. Anna wore a clean gown and an expression which suggested she had formed no lasting opinion of yesterday’s inconvenience.

He was more cautious this time. He allowed Ruth to settle her first, sat near enough to speak, and waited until the child reached toward his waistcoat before asking to hold her.

Martha helped as before. Anna’s weight rested safely upon his lap, his injured hand clear of her grasp. He hummed a few notes while she considered the room.

Martha looked up.

“Miss Georgiana used to play that.”

“Yes.”

“Again, sir. She is listening.”