We talked with Teddy a little while longer, although as Richard had predicted Teddy did give a great deal of his attention to the horse. The boy had to keep his friend up to date on the conversation. Richard let Teddy know his riding lessons would start as soon as we found the right pony and the whoop of joy brought a couple of the grooms out to make sure everything was well. Old Satan seemed undisturbed, but a few of the other horses started shifting nervously.

"We are excited too, Teddy," I told him, "but we do not want to scare the other horses. Let us go outside and you can update Richard's horse later."

He calmed a little and reached up to pat Old Satan. "I am going to learn to ride a pony and when I am good I can ride you," he almost whispered. Then the three of us headed out of the stable. As we got to the door he stopped and looked at me.

"Is Richard another name for the colonel?" he asked.

"Yes. Colonel is his military rank. He earned that. Richard is his given name, like Sophia is mine. York is my family name, the one that was passed down from my father and his is Fitzwilliam. What is your family name, Teddy?"

He shrugged. "Everyone just calls me Teddy. Mr. Bennet would know if I have any other names. Will I get a new family name when I am adopted?"

Richard ruffled Teddy's hair lightly. "You sure can. We are still making plans about what that family name will be, but when we are a family you can share it."

Teddy smiled again and danced out into the yard. Richard and I followed him arm in arm, no less happy.

"Richard, I informed Mrs. Bennet of our wedding date. She was reluctant for us to marry so early in the month, but I insisted and she finally agreed she would make the date work." Richard laughed at that. "While she and I were talking she said something that got me thinking. She asked about whether the staff would be staying and also suggested I would want to go there to get a start on the redecorating. I was wondering if we could make a holiday of it and invite the Bennets to spend a week or two at Rosings in April. I really am curious to see the place, but I cannot go alone. If the whole family goes then I will be able to continue with my responsibilities, have plenty of help deciding what to do with the interior of the house and we can start the process of filling the house with happy memories." I looked at him hopefully.

Richard smiled at me. "I do still have concerns about the staff. Waiting for June to deal with them might be too long. Early April would work out since there are several things that need to be done around the estate at that time. Will usually visited at Easter time to set up the planting schedules. That is March 29th this year, as you know. If we go in the first week of April I can take care of those things and you can all deal with the spring cleaning. I might have to come back and forth between there and the camp a few times if we stay two weeks, but that should not be a problem. Teddy will go with us, of course." He looked at the boy who was happily running around the side yard.

"Of course. He needs to get a look at his new home as well. Now, what is the story on this pony you found?"

Richard grinned. "You remember I mentioned how feisty Old Satan has been in the training ring since we came back from Kent?" I nodded and he went on. "Mr. Archer, the magistrate, had come by the camp yesterday to speak with me. I walked along with him when he went to retrieve his horse and we passed by the ring just as Old Satan dumped another rider. Mr. Archer laughed at the sight and suggested maybe my men needed to train on ponies first. He told me his brother raised them and had a few for sale if I was interested. He was making a joke out of it, but I told him I actually had need of a pony for a young boy of my acquaintance. We talked it over a bit and he told me his brother's direction and agreed to send him a note to say I would be coming by."

"I was wondering whether it would be too early to get the pony before we move to Rosings," I told him, "but Teddy is so very excited and with the information just falling in your lap like that it is probably worth a look. Will you take Teddy along? It sounds like Mr. Archer's brother has more than one and you would want to make sure the animal is a good fit for him."

"That would be even better!" Richard said excitedly. "Teddy would love to pick out his own pony. I will talk with Bennet and see if we could stable it here so I could give him lessons when I visit. There are some things at camp I need to attend to tomorrow, but I might be able to get away for a few hours on Tuesday or Wednesday. I could come by here to collect Teddy and we could ride together out to the other Mr. Archer's estate to look at the ponies. Oh, I like that idea!"

"Shall we go in and talk with Mr. Bennet about adopting Teddy, stabling a pony and taking the family to Rosings after Easter?"

"I would rather go visit the back parlor for a few minutes first."

I smiled at him. "If we go in the side door we might be able to stop there before Mr. Bennet knows we are inside."

"I like the way you think, dearest," he said affectionately. He addressed Teddy who had come running back up to us. "How would you like to to take a trip with me on Tuesday or Wednesday to meet some ponies?"

A shout and another big jump answered that question. Teddy was thrilled.

"I need to make sure Mr. Bennet approves first," Richard warned the boy, "but if he does we can ride together to a place where they have some ponies and see if one of them will work for you."

"I can ride with you on Old Satan? He needs to approve of the pony too."

"That he does. Do you want to go tell him about it while we go in to speak with Mr. Bennet? That is, if you can do it without disturbing the other horses? We will be in the house for a while, but I will let you know for sure before I leave today."

"I will try not to shout inside the stable and disturb the other horses. I get to ride with you and look at ponies! Hurrah!"

We left him jumping out his excitement before heading in to tell his friend. Richard and I went around to the side door and made our way back into the house through the kitchens. The staff was finishing up the dishes and other cleaning from luncheon. We nodded to them as we passed and slipped out into the hall. We had almost made it to the back parlor when we heard Mr. Bennet.

"Philosopher! We expect you in here to share whatever news had young Teddy jumping with joy."

Richard sighed and whispered, "That man knows exactly how frustrating he is being and enjoys every minute of it." He raised his voice and answered, "We will be right there, sir." Then he embraced and kissed me right there in the hall. We did not part until Mr. Bennet added, "Now, Philosopher!"

Laughing as we went, we returned to the drawing room. Everyone looked at us expectantly. Richard ignored them and led me to our usual seats. We sat down together and I reached under the seat for my workbasket and took out my knitting. The room was silent for moment.

"Well?" asked Lydia, always the first to break, "What were you talking with Teddy about?" She bounced a little in her seat.

Richard feigned nonchalance as he answered, "Oh, nothing much. We just asked him if he want to be our adopted son and live with us at Rosings."

A murmur of surprise went around the room.

"If those joyous shouts were any indication," said Mr. Bennet, "he found the idea agreeable."

"That he did," Richard answered, "but the shouts you heard were more about the pony."

"What pony?" asked Mr. Bingley in confusion. "There are no ponies at Longbourn are there?"

"Not now, but if Mr. Bennet would be willing to provide stable space for one until after the wedding I plan to provide a pony so Teddy can learn to ride."

Mr. Darcy laughed while shaking his head at Richard's enthusiasm. The four young ladies all expressed their approval of the idea. Mr. Bingley cheerfully nodded acceptance of the answer. It was Elizabeth who spoke up.

"I think that will be a very good activity for Teddy. The magistrate's brother, also Mr. Archer, raises ponies and my have one for sale."

"I got ahead of you this time," said Richard with a chuckle. "I already found out about him and the magistrate sent a note over to his brother yesterday warning him I would be coming to call."

Elizabeth laughed. "Well, Papa? Do you think a pony would strain the resources of the Longbourn stable?"

He laughed in return. "If we can manage the visits of the great black beast the colonel rides, we can surely manage a pony."

"We had another request for you, Mr. Bennet." The older man looked at him in question.

We wondered if the entire Bennet family would join us on a trip to Rosings Park for the first week or two of April? Sophia would like the chance to see to some of the redecorating before we marry and move in. Mrs. Bennet and your daughters would be of great help to her. While they work inside, you, Teddy and I could check on the tenants and make sure everything is in good shape."

"Oh, yes, Papa! Could we?" said Lydia, echoed by a similar question from Kitty.

"I would like to see Rosings," said Mrs. Bennet. "And travel will be so much more difficult later on."

Mr. Bennet had looked a little unsure at first, but his wife's comment decided him. "If you wish to make the trip, Mrs. Bennet, then we shall accept the invitation." Grace, Kitty and Lydia all cheered.

"No more than two weeks, mind," Mr. Bennet told us. "Lydia and I still have to tend to estate matters here as well. We want a prosperous year."

"Are Jane and I included in the invitation?" Mr. Bingley asked.

"Of course, Bingley. We will be happy to have you both there. I am just sorry that Will, Elizabeth and Georgie will be at Pemberley."

"I will send you a list of what to look for when you are there," Mr. Darcy said. "I had intended to suggest you make a few short trips to check on things. I hope to have a replacement steward for you as well. You may end up losing key members of the household staff. I suggest working with Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Nicholls to line up some replacements. You will know better who you will need after you visit, but if you warn them in advance they may be able to send someone right away if you get there and need a replacement fast."

"Good idea, Will. I would appreciate your notes and suggestions. I have much to learn and Uncle George's lessons were several years ago."

"You know how to manage groups of people from your time in the military. The finer details will be easy enough to learn."

Richard nodded, then he looked to Mr. Bennet again. "When Sophia and I were talking with Teddy we had a discussion about names. He does not remember his family name and says everyone just calls him Teddy. What is his full name?"

Mr. Bennet thought for a moment, then brightened as he remembered. "It is true. We have all called him Teddy so long I almost forgot. He was christened Thaddeus James Simons. The records are at the church in Meryton if you ever need them. His parents called him Teddy, so we simply continued as they began."

"Thaddeus, hmm?" Richard said thoughtfully. "One of my fellow officers, back when I was a lieutenant, was named Thaddeus. He told me his father insisted the name meant "courageous heart". I think that certainly fits our Teddy."

"I would say so," Mr. Darcy agreed. "I am glad you plan to adopt him, Richard. He needs a family and you will be the better for having him to keep you from overworking as you take on the responsibilities at Rosings."

"That was part of Sophia's plan in suggesting the arrangement." Richard's comment prompted some laughter.

Mr. Darcy continued, "Of course, the trust fund I established for Teddy still stands, as does the investment I made on his behalf with Gardiner. I suggest you be sure to update your will to make provision for him—the law gives him no rights to inherit anything from you unless you specify it in your will. Phillips can help you with that."

"I will be seeing Phillips on another matter this week and planned to speak with him about updating my will. I also wanted to gain your advice on a legal matter. Would you mind if I rode back to the dower house with you when you return later? I know you will be busy tomorrow with your final preparations for the trip to Pemberley and I also have business in camp tomorrow."

"Of course, Richard. I will be happy to advise you on any matter you wish."

The conversation turned to the Darcy family's travel plans. While others participated in that discussion, Mildred came over and congratulated us on our decision to adopt Teddy.

"He is a good boy and the association will be as beneficial to you as it is to him."

"That was exactly the argument my Sophia used when she presented the idea to me," Richard said. "Of course I had to agree with her."

"Whose idea was the pony?" she asked with a glint of mischief in her eyes.

"Mine. Right after she insisted I could not teach Teddy to ride using Old Satan."

"You may just be able to train him into a very good sort of husband, Sophia," she said with a wink at Richard. "He already seems willing to listen to you."

"We each agreed to listen to the other and consider any requests. We respect each other and that is how we will make our marriage a happy one."

"You will do very well, Colonel," she said approvingly. "You will do very well indeed."

I had to agree with her.