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Good day, Father. How those three innocent words struck Darcy hard as he recalled an agreement he and Ben made, prior to Darcy’s and Elizabeth’s nuptials, as to how Ben would address him. Ben’s words that he would only address him as ‘Father’ when he was exceedingly vexed echoed in Darcy’s ears. Oh, the distress of having disappointed his child for the first time. The first of many to come, I am sure, although that in no way diminishes my current circumstances. It cannot be helped.

Once he and Elizabeth were alone, Darcy rubbed his hand across his face. “It is a difficult business being at odds with Ben.”

Elizabeth crossed her arms. “Mr. Darcy, unless you can explain your motives you will find yourself at odds with me, as well.” She then walked to where he sat and took the seat next to him. “I see no harm in allowing Samuel to join Ben in the schoolroom. In fact, I said as much to Mr. Coolidge. He voiced no objections to the scheme.”

He reached out to her, took her hand and cradled it in his. “Elizabeth, my love, I am the one with objections. You will have no way of knowing this, but I have first-hand experience with all that can go wrong when one attempts to lift someone above the sphere in which they were born.

“Indeed, in these very halls of Pemberley did I witness such a travesty unfold. I see in Ben and his friend Samuel a similar situation that I suffered as a young child when my own best friend was the son of my father’s steward. It is no wonder that Ben is so fond of Samuel. My childhood friend possessed many of those same admirable qualities that endear young Samuel to everyone he meets. But the fact is that Samuel is the grandson of servants. He is not Ben’s equal, and I refuse to regard him as such. I shall not repeat the mistakes of my father.”

“So, you truly suppose that allowing Samuel to benefit from the same educational opportunities as Ben equates with regarding him as Ben’s equal?”

“I do not intend to take any steps that place me upon the path my father chose. It warms my heart that Ben should have a friend of his own age with whom to spend his days, but I shall not allow Ben to forget that their worlds are leagues apart.”

“Will that not be a hard point to argue given that they reside under the same roof?”

“Elizabeth, I do not need to spell out the differences between living above and below stairs to you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “I would hope that you do not see fit to spell it out for my young son either. I truly do not wish for my son to think of himself as being better than anyone else.”

“That does not mean it is not true. Ben is our son. He is heir to a fortune of more than two hundred thousand pounds. He will be a wealthy gentleman with expectations of owning a magnificent estate—perhaps even Camberworth, if I can successfully persuade his uncle to sell.”

“My, Mr. Darcy, these are lofty goals that you have for our son.”

“Have they not always been your goals as well?”

“My greatest goal for Ben just now is that he should enjoy his days of youth. If that means having his friend join him in class, I see no harm.”

“What would be next? Shall I see that Samuel owns a horse as fine as Ben’s? Shall Samuel be allowed to attend Eton with Ben? Shall he be educated at Cambridge alongside Ben as well?”

“You have asked a series of questions that I am not inclined to address at this point. You know my sentiments as regards boarding school.”

“Yes, hence the purpose in Mr. Coolidge’s being here, which brings us full circle. My decision is final. Samuel will not be allowed in class with Ben.”

“You surprise me, Mr. Darcy. Do you not think it would do Mrs. Reynolds proud to see her grandchild enjoy many of the same privileges as Ben?”

“You will find that Mrs. Reynolds and I are of the same mind in this regard.”

“You speak with such confidence. How do you know what her thinking is along those lines? I am rather certain you have not sought her opinion.”

“I would have no need to seek her opinion. She, more than anyone, knows the dangers in raising one’s expectations beyond what is reasonable for one’s sphere. She witnessed first-hand how badly that turned out when my father attempted the same with my childhood friend. She would never wish such a fate for her own flesh and blood. You have never met the rotten fruit of my father’s benevolence. Pray you never will.”

“Pardon me for thinking it is not sound to conflate your childhood experiences with Ben’s.” Her voice a mixture of curiosity and frustration, she said, “Who is this childhood friend of whom you speak? Does he have a name?”

“What does it matter to you? He and I have ceased all relationships. He is not welcome to set foot at Pemberley ever again.”

“Then it will do no harm if you tell me his name.”

Darcy ran his fingers through his hair, and then blew out a long, exasperated breath. “George Wickham.”