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“I gave my word that we shall return to go fishing. I shall not disappoint you in that. I believe family is important, and you ought to know your father’s family as well as you know the Bennets and the Fitzwilliams.”

“When shall I meet my Darcy relatives?”

“I am afraid that, aside from an uncle who lives on the continent, we have no other known relatives on my father’s side of the family.”

“I should very much like to meet him.” An air of enthusiasm spurred him on. “When we meet, shall I call him Uncle Darcy or Mr. Darcy?”

“I suppose you might call him either of the two. It depends upon what makes you comfortable.”

Ben turned and smoothed his hand on the stallion’s dark, shiny coat. “What of his friends? Do they call him Darcy?”

“I imagine they might. Why do you ask?”

“Well, my uncle said his friends call him Carlton. He said when I grow up all my friends will call me Carlton too.”

“That is true.”

His voice riddled with curiosity, Ben said, “How will we know which of the two of us is being talked about when we are together?”

“You will know.”

“I like my uncle very much. I think he and I will be great friends.” Ben nestled closer and turned to face Darcy again. “But you need not worry.”

“Oh?”

“Indeed. Even though you are my father, you will always be my best friend.”

“I was of the opinion Samuel had claimed that spot.”

“Oh, but it is very different.”

“How so—if I may ask?”

Ben raised his finger to his lip. “Allow me to think.” After a moment he said, “If I could never see anyone in the world ever again but one, save my mama, I would want to see you.”

Darcy placed a kiss atop Ben’s head. “I feel the exact same way, my son.”

Elizabeth placed her fingers under her son’s chin and lifted his face. “I understand you enjoyed quite an adventure this afternoon, young man.”

“Oh, yes, Mama. Although, I know I should never have gone all the way to Camberworth on my own, I simply had to see if it was at all like I remembered.”

“May I trust you will never do anything like that again?”

“That I cannot say, for my uncle Carlton has invited Da and me to return.”

Elizabeth looked at Darcy, her eyes questioning.

Darcy placed his hands atop Ben’s shoulders. “Yes. While exploring the grounds, Ben happened upon a gardener who recognised him. Soon enough, Ben’s presence had garnered the attention of most of Camberworth’s servants and, ultimately, Mr. Carlton. Ben and his uncle were embroiled in a battle of chess by the time I arrived to claim him.”

Ben said, “Indeed. And I was sure that I would emerge the victor, but we ran out of time. And do you know what Uncle Carlton did, Mama?”

“I have not the faintest idea, son. You will have to tell me what your uncle did.”

“He left all the pieces standing so that when I return we can pick up our battle exactly where we left off. He said that is how he and his father—my grandfather—left off all their games.”

“I am glad you enjoyed meeting your uncle, Ben.”

“He is a very kind gentleman. Did you know that Da and my uncle already knew each other?”