A/N: If any of you are curious to know, a batman was a servant to an officer on the battlefield. For more information, you might like to look over this:

wiki/Batman_(military)

Also, I'd like to let you know I've hit a bit of a wall and it might be a while before I update again. It would help to know what you think of this so far :)

Thank you!

P.S: Review if you know who Fitzwilliam Darcy is!

Chapter XI

Mr. King was a sad old man who preferred to live in quietude. A widower, who had recently lost his wife to grief after all their sons had died in the Battle of Waterloo, he had not one soul to care for him, except for a loud housekeeper who criticized him at all times and a manservant who was a cook and a butler.

This Mr. King had been easily persuaded to play his role, and shortly before noon he received the Bennetts and introduced them to the valet he wanted to find a master for.

"This poor orphan is just come from the country," said Mr. King, "an acquaintance of Jemima's sent him to London to find employment. He is very well-bred and a very good sort of lad."

Anne glanced at the tall Darcy before Mr. King resumed his speech, "A very good sort of lad, indeed, for he was a General's batman during the war and his valet here in England but the poor General died of a wound and now he is left an orphan."

The two gentlemen exchanged a few more words about the military, which served to greatly improve Frank's opinion of Anne's scheme, while Miss Bennett stood up to discourse with her future servant.

"How did you put all this together?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"Does my lady really wish to know?"

"I would not have asked if I hadn't, now would I?"

He smiled. "I really did serve that General during the war. Did a great deal for him."

Anne narrowed her eyes. "A contract?"

"Why, yes, indeed, a contract. He died of a harmless wound. Fortunately, he had a stupid physician."

"Impressive," she could only murmur before Frank stood up himself and began to question the former batman.

His queries were answered so delightfully that at the very end, Frank remembered he didn't know the lad's name.

"Darcy," the demon said and Frank laughed.

"Darcy! By Jove! Not Fitzwilliam, I hope?"

The demon frowned, bemused. "No, sir. Thomas. Thomas Darcy is my name." He glanced curiously at his lady who bore a very nonchalant expression.

"My dearest Annie, there you have your Darcy, carved in flesh and bones!"

Anne only sighed and hurried her brother to close the business at once so that they could leave. Frank complied but still found occasions enough to tease her on their way back which prompted her to let go of his arm and place Darcy between them.

"He can be quite irritating at times," muttered Anne on one side of the demon.

"I trust you with my sister's safety and comfort, mate," said Frank on the other.

"Certainly."