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Martha rose to move the kettle farther from the fire. Thomas bent to put one basket inside the other. Neither spoke, and Darcy was grateful until he realized they were giving him time to recover.

“Did she laugh again?” he asked Ruth. His voice was not quite steady. “After the basket?”

“Only the once this morning, sir. She will do it for you one day.”

“I should like to hear it.”

“You shall. Thomas had to make himself very foolish first.”

“I do not think that will present an insuperable difficulty.”

Ruth smiled. Darcy looked down to find Anna chewing the edge of his coat. Ruth handed him a clean cloth, and he slipped it beneath Anna’s chin before gently drawing the wool from her mouth.

“Is she sleeping well?” he asked.

“Better since the shutters were mended,” Martha said. “There is no draught at the cradle now. Though she has nearly outgrown the gown I put her in last week.”

She picked it up from her sewing basket and showed him the seam she had let out.

“Mrs. Reynolds will send more linen,” Darcy said. “Tell her what you require.”

“Thank you, sir.” Martha folded the gown but kept it upon her lap. “We have been meaning to ask you something.”

Darcy looked up.

“Thomas and I are very fond of her. You know that.”

“I do.”

“We would gladly keep her. Only, we do not know how long you mean her to stay.”

Anna had begun examining his waistcoat buttons. Darcy covered the nearest one with his thumb before she could draw it toward her mouth.

“She will always be provided for,” he said. “When she is old enough, I shall engage a governess.”

“Here, sir?” Martha asked.

He glanced about the little room. Ruth’s chair stood close to the cradle; Martha’s sewing filled the basket beside the hearth. There was a place for Anna in everything they did. He had seen her sleep in that cradle, had watched her reach for Martha and quiet in Ruth’s arms. He was reluctant to change anything while she was so well.

“I have not settled that. I would not wish to disturb her while she is so content here.”

“We are not asking you to take her away,” Thomas said. He had put down the baskets. “Martha worries you may think we are.”

“No.” Darcy looked at Martha. “No, I had not supposed it.”

“We love her,” Martha said. “We only wondered what you wished for her, when she is older.”

He stroked the back of Anna’s hand. She stopped worrying at his button and watched him.

“May we speak of it another day?” he asked.

“Of course, sir.” Martha put the gown away. “There is no need to settle it this morning.”

Anna began to fret, turning her face against his coat. Ruth came to take her, and for an instant he held her closer. Then he saw the child’s mouth seeking through the wool and surrendered her to the nurse.

“She is hungry,” Ruth explained, settling Anna against her shoulder.

“Of course.”