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“Mrs. Westcott, may I introduce Anna Hargreaves?”
The lady put down her cup. “Certainly.”
Anna regarded her with great seriousness.
“She is to be my ward,” Darcy said. “We are preparing for her to live here.”
Mrs. Westcott smiled at the child.
“You are providing us with very young company, Mr. Darcy.”
“I hope she will not find us wanting.”
“She will be very obliging if she does not. My own children were seldom satisfied with the entertainment I provided.”
Her daughter came nearer and agreed that she had been difficult to please. Mrs. Westcott said she could not recall inviting the confirmation, and several people laughed.
Darcy’s grip upon Anna eased. He was supporting her too stiffly. She settled more comfortably when he allowed her to lean against him and look about the room.
Martha and Ruth entered behind him. He turned sufficiently to include them.
“Mrs. Hargreaves and Ruth have had the care of her since her birth. Ruth will continue as her nurse, and we mean to see a great deal of the Hargreaveses.”
Martha looked at him for a moment before inclining her head to the company. Ruth remained close enough that Anna could see her.
Charles drew chairs forward for Martha and Ruth near Jane.
“What a pretty child,” Jane said.
Anna turned toward her voice. Jane offered one finger, and the child took it, then attempted to bring it to her mouth.
“I believe she approves of me,” Jane added.
“She has approved of a great many things in that manner,” Darcy said. “I am afraid I cannot claim it as a particular distinction.”
Jane laughed and allowed Anna to keep the finger a moment longer.
Mrs. Landon had been looking from Martha to the child. She moved nearer when Jane withdrew her hand.
“Hargreaves,” she repeated. “I know the cottage, of course. Is she a relation of theirs?”
“They have given her their name and their affection,” Darcy said. “I am grateful for both.”
“And her parents?”
“Are dead.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Landon softened her voice. “Then naturally something had to be settled. Her father was—”
“Miss Eliza,” Caroline said from beside the instrument, “shall we hear the air you prepared? I think Anna has discovered the keys, and may offer to begin without you.”
The child was indeed looking toward the pianoforte, where the polished surface caught the candlelight. Elizabeth rose at once.
“I should be sorry to disappoint such expectations.”
She sat at the instrument. Caroline moved the music slightly so that it rested securely upon the stand, then withdrew to a chair near her sister.
Mrs. Landon turned with the others. Darcy knew that the question had not been forgotten, merely interrupted. He was nevertheless grateful to Caroline for choosing the interruption. She had done it with neither an appeal to him nor a glance inviting gratitude.
