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Anna reached for it.

“You might have warned me sooner.”

“I had hoped she would behave better for you, sir.”

They stood outside Mrs. Reynolds’s room. Martha had brought two gowns which no longer fitted, together with the child who had caused the difficulty. Darcy had met them as he came from his steward’s office, and had offered to hold Anna while Martha explained what was required.

He had expected the explanation to be brief. Mrs. Reynolds had a number of questions about sleeves, washing, and how much room should be allowed for further growth. Anna meanwhile possessed herself of his thumb and appeared willing to remain all afternoon.

“This one may have another tuck let down,” Martha said, spreading a gown against her skirt. “But the sleeves are too close. Ruth says there is no sense lengthening it if we must struggle to get her arms into it.”

“Quite right,” Mrs. Reynolds replied. “We shall have new ones made. Keep that as it is; it may serve another child.”

There were three small embroidered daisies near the hem.

Darcy looked at them, then at Anna. Miss Bennet had mended the gown for a child she believed to be the daughter of an unmarried girl. If she knew whose daughter, she had given it all the same. He had returned to that consideration often enough without finding the courage to ask what else she knew.

Anna made a sudden, determined effort to stand upon his arm. He supported her beneath the arms while she pressed her feet against his waistcoat.

“You are not large enough for that.”

“She disagrees,” Martha observed.

“Evidently.”

The child smiled at him. He smiled back before he could help it, and Mrs. Reynolds paused with the gown in her hands.

“What is it?” Darcy asked.

“Nothing, sir.” She looked down at the little sleeves again. “I shall send the linen this afternoon.”

Miss Bingley’s voice sounded beyond the turn in the hall.

Darcy knew she had been seeking her brother. She had asked him earlier whether Charles meant to write to the London agent, and he had escaped answering by referring her to Charles himself. Now he heard her explain to Miss Bennet why the letter ought already to have gone.

He lowered Anna into Martha’s arms.

“You may go by the lower passage,” he said quickly. “Mrs. Reynolds will show you.”

Martha looked toward the hall, then back at him. Mrs. Reynolds folded the gown back into the parcel and gave it to Martha, who tucked it beneath one arm and held Anna with the other.

“Yes, sir.”

Anna reached toward Darcy as Mrs. Reynolds opened the passage door. He touched the child’s fingers but did not take her again.

“I shall come tomorrow.”

The words were scarcely out before Miss Bingley appeared. Miss Bennet followed a step behind her. Both saw Martha pass through the doorway with Anna upon her shoulder.

“Mrs. Hargreaves has been consulting Mrs. Reynolds,” Darcy said.

Miss Bennet’s eyes moved from the closing door to his face.

Miss Bingley scarcely glanced at it. “I am sorry to trouble you again, Mr. Darcy, but Charles is not in the billiard room. I thought he might have joined you.”

“He said he meant to sit with his wife.”

“We have just come from Jane’s room,” she replied.