Tory ran down the grass covered hill behind Pemberly, closely chased by Henry and Davey, the groundskeepers son

Tory ran down the grass covered hill behind Pemberly, closely chased by Henry and Davey, the groundskeepers son. It had been seven days since she had become engaged to her brother's best friend. Seven days, and a letter had been dispatched to Lord and Lady Bancroft six days ago. At the bottom of the hill she slowed and allowed the two young boys to catch her and tumble her to the ground.

"Can we play tag now Tory, please?" Henry whined.

"Yes, but let's head back towards the house so Davey's mum doesn't wonder where he's gotten off too."

Once back up near the house the boys worked together running after Tory to try and catch her skirts, in order to tag her. Tory spent her time trying to keep her skirts out of small, over-excited hands.


"If you would like, we could sit out here and have refreshments brought to us, while I send a servant to fetch Victoria."

"That would be lovely, Mrs. Darcy. Thank you." The four adults stood for a moment looking over Pemberly's grounds.

"Mr. Darcy," said the older gentleman, "who is that girl running about in such a manner with those two young boys?"

"That, my Lord, would be Victoria."


"I think we should go back inside now. Henry, it's time for your lessons and Davey's mother will be wondering wear he is." Tory firmly told the boys.

"Race us?" Davey asked hopefully.

"All right. On your mark. Get set. Go." The boys ran with all their might and Tory purposefully arrived at the porch last. Together the three walked up the stairs, Davey joyfully announcing his win and Tory with leaves and twigs in her hair and grass stains on her skirt.

"Ahh, Victoria, we were just about to send for you." Tory looked up to see her father, an embarrassed, yet indulgent, expression on his face. Her mother just looked amused. The two young boys, fearing they were somehow in trouble, snuck inside while Darcy's attention was on his eldest daughter.

Darcy took his daughter by the hand and led her towards an older couple. "Allow me to introduce Lord and Lady Bancroft, Marquis and Marchioness of Dunford. Lord and Lady Bancroft, my daughter Miss Victoria Darcy."

"My Lord. My Lady." Tory greeted politely, her face as red as it ever was.

"Who were those two young boys you were running with?" asked Alex's mother, Lady Julia.

"That would be my younger brother, Henry and the housekeeper's son, Davey. If you would excuse me for just a few moments I will pop up to my room and freshen up, as it were." Tory sought permission from both Alex's parents and her own.

Her mother rescued her by saying, "Run along, dear, but do hurry, Alex will be joining us in a few moments." Just inside Tory caught Ben laughing quietly at the spectacle she had made of herself. A sound punch had him rubbing his right arm and in a more sober mood as he joined the two sets of parents.

Upstairs in her rooms Tory quickly changed clothes before turning to see what ruin was made of her hair. Looking in the mirror she reprimanded herself, "Lovely, Tory. Looking like some sort of wood nymph is just the way to convince them you're respectful and courteous enough to marry their son." Tory quickly pulled her blue dress out and changed before attending to her hair.

Hurrying back downstairs she was disappointed to find that Alex had not yet joined their party. Ben, however, was still there and pulled out a chair for her, right across from Lord and Lady Bancroft, who chatted amiably with her parents until Alex came up behind her and plucked a leaf out of her hair. "Romping in the yard with Henry and Davey again?"

Lord Reginald Bancroft turned to greet his son, "Apparently Miss Darcy wishes to still be in nursery with her brother."

"Henry's not still in nursery. He's had tutors for the last two years. The boy's nearly seven, father! Should not Miss Darcy care for all members of her family?"

"Caring for family is one thing, but including the servant boy is quite another!"

"I think it admirable that there was no distinction made between the boys, my dear. It shows great kindness on the Darcy's part, and Miss Darcy especially. She gave little care to her appearance and thought only of bringing the boys joy."

"Kindness is not indicated by making children happy. I'm a very kind person and I have never debased myself to make any child happy. What her behavior shows is a lack of restraint."

Ben reached for Tory's hand as she lowered her head to hide the tears. In a quiet, unsure voice Tory said, "I feel pity for your children then. Children deserve to be happy."

"I would censor your ideas; Alexander will not marry without my consent." The threat was clear to everyone around.

Ben looked up to take his cue from his father. Both his parents were watching Tory to see how she would handle herself.

"Lord Bancroft, I am well aware of the power you hold of mine and your son's happiness. However, it would be wrong to lower myself please another."

"Not even for Alexander?"

Tory shook her head. "No, not even for him." She let go of Ben's hand, the Darcy pride fully taking hold.

"I wouldn't want her to," Alex defended.

"You desire a prideful wife?"

"I desire Victoria as my wife."

"Lord Bancroft," Darcy interrupted, "perhaps I could speak with you in my study? Our sons could join us and we will leave the ladies to their pleasures."

"If you insist."

"I do. If you'll just follow me…"

Three of the men filed out, but before leaving, Alex leaned down to whisper to Tory. "Don't worry."

"You keep saying that."

"I haven't been wrong yet have I?"

"No, but…"

"No buts. Don't worry, and talk to my mother. She's quite friendly."