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Sir leaned against Darcy’s knee, apparently satisfied that everybody had understood the entertainment.

They returned together. Elizabeth gave the cloth to the footman; Darcy retained Sir’s collar and asked for the table to be moved beyond his reach.

Caroline had watched their return. Her expression made Elizabeth conscious of the colour in her own face.

“I believe the rest of the company is ready for tea,” Caroline said.

“Then I shall join them,” Elizabeth replied.

The room settled into several conversations. Miss Westcott spoke of the air she had played upon her last visit, Louisa asked Caroline about the neighbourhood, and Charles supplied an account of the morning in which nobody could quite determine who had become muddier than whom.

Elizabeth looked toward the door when Mrs. Reynolds entered. The housekeeper caught Darcy’s eye and spoke a few words too quietly for Elizabeth to hear. He handed Sir’s collar to a waiting footman and went into the hall.

Through the open doorway Elizabeth saw Martha remove her bonnet. Ruth stood beside her, holding Anna against a familiar blanket. The child had one hand upon Ruth’s shoulder and was considering the unfamiliar company beyond it.

Darcy greeted them before anybody could suggest a different entrance.

He did not look toward Elizabeth for encouragement. He spoke to Ruth, waited for her answer, and held the door while Martha went into the room Reynolds had prepared for them.

Elizabeth turned toward the pianoforte. The music stood where she had placed it, Georgiana’s pencil marks still visible beside the troublesome passage.

She sat near enough to reach it when she was wanted and waited for Darcy to bring Anna in.

Chapter Forty-two

DARCY HAD PREPARED an explanation which would have occupied longer than Anna was likely to remain content.

He discovered its absurdity while Ruth removed the child’s outer wrap in the little parlour beside the hall. Anna wanted the tassel upon Martha’s shawl. She had no interest in the reasons a gentleman might give his neighbours for bringing her into his house.

“Is she comfortable?” he asked.

“Quite comfortable, sir,” Ruth replied. “She has been fed, and she was very good in the carriage.”

“We need not remain long.”

“She will tell us when she has had enough.”

Darcy nodded. He had heard the assurance before. It was more difficult to trust it now that a room full of people might witness his niece’s displeasure.

“May I take her?” he asked Ruth.

Anna turned at his voice. He held out his hands and waited while Ruth settled her into his arms. The child gripped his coat at once.

“You will have to leave that fastened,” he told her. “I have company.”

Martha smiled.

“Will you both come with me?”

“Of course, sir.”

Martha picked up the blanket before following him.

Darcy went first. At the drawing-room door he paused only long enough to see where everybody stood.

Jane sat beside Mrs. Hurst. Charles was speaking with Westcott near the window. Caroline stood at the tea table, while Elizabeth waited near the instrument with her music ready. Her eyes came to him immediately.

He carried Anna toward the nearer group.