Fitzwilliam accepted this alteration in her circumstances without the smallest hesitation. "Then I fear, Miss Lucy, that civilization itself is in the greatest danger."
Within moments he had disappeared beneath the dining table, which had somehow become a pirate ship under siege, whilst George issued contradictory commands from the captain's chair and Edward attempted, with increasing frustration, to impose military discipline upon the motley crew.
Darcy watched the proceedings from the doorway with a faint smile. "He has always been thus," he observed quietly to Elizabeth, "never able to resist playing the fool ever since he was a boy."
She glanced towards the extraordinary spectacle of a colonel in His Majesty's Army allowing himself to be captured by a six-year-old pirate.
"You are merely jealous of his popularity."
"I assure you I am nothing of the sort."
At that precise moment Lucy announced that Colonel Fitzwilliam was the bravest pirate in England and promoted him to Admiral of All Seas.
Elizabeth looked back at Darcy with unconcealed triumph.
"No?"
Darcy watched his cousin accept the honour with all the solemnity of a man receiving a field promotion from the Commander-in-Chief. "Well… Perhaps a very little."
???
The following afternoon dawned bright and fair and Mr Gardiner declared such weather far too glorious to waste indoors and proposed a picnic. Mrs Gardiner agreed readily enough, provided they walked no farther than her increasing comfort allowed, whilst Colonel Fitzwilliam (an ever-present fixture in the Gardiner parlour, along with Darcy) announced that any expedition involving fresh air was preferable to another afternoon of being soundly defeated at pirate warfare by Lucy.
Elizabeth and Darcy fell behind the raucous group that moved through Hyde Park without the others appearing to notice. Colonel Fitzwilliam had somehow persuaded George and Lucy that a line of chestnut trees concealed a band of French privateers, whilst Mr Gardiner listened with every appearance of interest to Edward's earnest explanation of the most effective method of defending a pirate fortress. Mrs Gardiner walked beside them all at a comfortable pace, smiling now and then at their silliness.
Elizabeth glanced ahead and laughed softly. "I begin to suspect your cousin manufactures these adventures merely to ensure he is never obliged to converse sensibly."
"I have long suspected the same," said Darcy. "Unfortunately he possesses such charm that nobody ever calls him to account."
"He has become a great favourite."
"I fear I have been entirely eclipsed."
"Oh, I do not know." She looked at him with teasing kindness. "George considers you a very respectable dragon."
"I shall treasure the distinction."
The lightness of the exchange lingered between them for a little while before Darcy grew quieter. Elizabeth felt rather than saw the change beside her. When she turned towards him again, his expression had become more thoughtful.
"There is something I ought to tell you."
She looked up at once. "What is it?"
"I shall be obliged to leave London for two or three days."
She stopped walking so abruptly that he halted beside her. "You are leaving?"
The question escaped before she could soften it. She had not meant it to sound so anxious, but the memory of their previousseparation rose quickly to her mind and anxiety fluttered in her chest.
Darcy saw it immediately and rubbed his hand comfortingly over hers which lay in the crook of his arm. "I am coming back, my heart," he said gently.
Colour rose to her cheeks. "I did not mean—"
"I know precisely what you meant."
There was not the smallest hint of reproach in his voice. If anything, he seemed touched by it.
"I would not leave you without good reason, Elizabeth."
