Page 25 of He Taught Me to Hope (Darcy and the Young Knight’s Quest #1)
“I see no harm in that, if your mother is agreeable,” Darcy responded.
“May I, Mama? You are welcome to come along!”
Darcy stared at Elizabeth intently, with thoughts racing through his head of what a tempting prospect that would be.
Collins interrupted, “Why don’t we all have a tour of Rosings Park?” The light touch of his hand discreetly placed along the small of her back, effectively released her from the grasp Darcy seemed to hold over her imagination from the moment he had entered the room.
“Thank you, son. Yes, you are permitted to go with Mr. Darcy, though I am afraid I must decline. However,” said she as she shifted a bit to put a stop to his surreptitious touch, “Mr. Collins must speak for himself.”
“I believe my place is here with you,” Collins said, with a pointed look at his adversary.
Darcy was not impressed. “Pardon us, everyone.” He accepted Ben’s proffered hand and led him from the room.
Lady Catherine observed the goings-on of those around her with an odd mixture of curiosity and consternation.
For once, she found herself at a loss for words.
Her nephew seemed quite taken with the young child, but that was not what puzzled her.
She wondered if her nephew did not show a little too much interest in the young widow Carlton, as well.
A mutual regard, no doubt. She did not want to speak on it to the embarrassment of Mr. Collins. Nevertheless, she would speak on it.
“Mr. Collins, young Bennet seems far more fascinated with my nephew than he is with you. And you, about to become the child’s stepfather,” she voiced aloud. As does your intended her silent thoughts insisted. “How do you intend to correct that?”
The commanding voice of his hostess, dispensing her own strong opinions on the matter, snapped him from his increasingly incensed reverie.
Indeed, Collins had his own thoughts on how he would right the situation, though none that he cared to discuss with her ladyship.
The spectacle of the haughty man whom he was learning to disdain, leading his future charge from the room, usurping his own role as the father figure for the young lad, and slighting him whilst speaking brazenly with his intended before his very eyes, vexed him exceedingly.
After an adventurous tour of the entire main level of the great manor, complete with fanciful embellishments befitting such a grand mediaeval castle, Darcy and Ben eventually made their way to the large, rambling kitchen.
They found the staff busy going about the business of preparing for the evening’s dinner.
Not since Darcy was a young lad himself had he ventured there.
After nearly two decades, none of the faces was familiar to him.
Everyone certainly knew who he was and, therefore, endeavoured to allow him whatever unimpeded access was necessary to carry out his undertaking.
Darcy directed Ben to the large wooden table where the scullions and other kitchen domestics normally took their meals and told him to have a seat whilst he prepared a light fare.
Ben laughed aloud at Darcy’s haplessness in securing the necessary provisions.
The butler, who had been made aware of the highly esteemed Mr. Darcy’s presence in the kitchen, arrived nearly out of breath.
“Mr. Darcy, may I be of service?”
“Yes, Mr. Henry. My guest and I would like—” he looked at Ben with uncertainty.
“Cake!” Ben shouted.
“Yes, cake, that would be nice. Is there anything else?”
“Milk!”
“Of course. Mr. Henry, my guest and I would like two slices of cake and two glasses of milk. ”
“With pleasure, Mr. Darcy.”
As the two friends were enjoying their refreshments, the army of kitchen staff, including the ill-humoured chef, having recovered a bit from the prospect of their mistress’s venerated nephew in their midst, were thrown in a tizzy once again by the entering of yet another esteemed visitor.
“Darcy, I have been commissioned by Lady Catherine to seek out and recover the two of you. I might have known I would find you here.” He slapped Darcy firmly on the back in recollection of the days of their youth. “Introduce me to your young friend.”
Darcy picked up the fine linen napkin to dab his lips before acceding to the older gentleman’s wish. Ben did likewise. “Ben, I would like you to meet my cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Richard, this young man is Bennet Carlton.”
Richard bowed and encouraged Ben to remain in his seat. “So this is the young man whose story was so broadly spoken of last evening. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
“It is my pleasure as well, sir.”
“Pray tell, young man, how do you know my friend?”
“Your friend?” Ben directed a quizzical eye towards Darcy. “You said he was your cousin!”
Darcy smiled widely. “Indeed, Ben. He is my cousin and my friend. The two are not mutually exclusive, you know.”
“If you say so—as long as he does not suppose he is your best friend,” Ben affirmed adamantly.
“Oh no! I believe you have firmly staked that honour for yourself.” Darcy could not help laughing at Ben’s possessiveness when it came to such matters.
“Indeed! But I suppose since he is your friend, he might be my friend as well,” Ben said as he leaned a bit closer to Darcy as if speaking confidentially.
“I believe you will find him quite worthy,” Darcy replied with certitude.
“But what shall we call him?” Ben asked Darcy as if it were the weightiest consideration they had yet faced .
Richard had had enough of being ignored by the two of them. “I must insist upon having my share of this conversation.”
Darcy said, “I am afraid there is something you must know about the two of us.” He looked to Ben for confirmation. Ben nodded his approval. “You see, I am truly King Arthur and this young man is my brave knight, Sir Lancelot. The two of us are conferring to decide who you might be.”
“Ah, King Arthur and Sir Lancelot, you say!”
Ben eagerly responded, “Indeed! Moreover, my mama is Lady Guinevere, and this is Camelot,” he declared with considerable enthusiasm, his arms stretched wide and nearly matched by his smile.
“I see!” Richard spoke in a tone apt to the seriousness of the occasion. “Then you must allow me to introduce myself as Merlin .”
“Merlin?” Ben asked Darcy, with a look of uncertainty.
Darcy recalled the many times Richard had been there for him whenever he had needed him most, including as recently as the evening before. He grinned. “Trust me, my young friend; Merlin is a most befitting name.”