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“There is something I wish to arrange before supper.”

“What is it?”

“Anna Hargreaves will be here.”

Charles waited. His expression held interest, but none of the concern Darcy had rehearsed an answer for.

“I intend her to live at Pemberley as my ward,” Darcy continued. “We have begun short visits to accustom her to the nursery. I should like to introduce her that afternoon, before the company becomes too large or the hour too late.”

“Very well. How long ought she to remain?”

Darcy looked at him.

“I cannot claim any useful experience yet,” Charles added. “Jane may know.”

“Martha and Ruth will be with her. They will tell us when she has had enough.”

“Then we shall do as they advise.”

Darcy had prepared for questions about Anna’s history. Charles merely marked a quiet room upon his list.

“You are very good to the child,” he said.

Darcy could not accept the praise comfortably. “I am fond of her.”

“I should hope so, if you mean to have her here.”

“Louisa and Hurst can stay until the fourth,” Charles said. “Caroline has offered to undertake the invitations if you approve the list.”

Darcy laid the paper flat.

“I should be obliged to her. Let her know Anna will be introduced before supper, so her arrangements may allow for it.”

“I shall tell her.”

“I will tell her myself.”

Charles glanced up, then nodded. Darcy had supplied no reason, and his friend asked for none.

They were still considering which guests required a carriage sent when Jane and Elizabeth appeared at the open door. Jane wished to know whether the two men intended to arrange the refreshments without consulting anyone who would eat them.

“I shall eat them,” Charles said.

“You generally tell me everything is excellent. I require a less forgiving opinion.”

Elizabeth looked over the list. “Do you wish me to condemn the supper before it has been chosen?”

“Only to help prevent our being asked to eat three meals between lunch and bedtime,” Jane replied.

Charles drew a chair forward for his wife. Darcy rose to offer Elizabeth the other. Their hands met briefly upon its back.

She looked up at him.

He had kissed her yesterday. The knowledge was entirely unhelpful while Charles asked whether cold meat would be sufficient for the afternoon. Darcy released the chair, and Elizabeth sat with a composure which he envied until he saw the colour in her cheeks.

“Tea and something small will be enough,” she said. “You intend to feed everybody again in the evening.”

“Very well,” Charles answered. “Though Hurst may dispute the word small.”