Chapter One

The Darcy Manor.

A few days later.

Fitzwilliam placed his hands on his hips. He couldn't believe it!

As he watched, his brother, Newman was talking with the house keeper. A few days after his brother's marriage, their Papa, him, and Newman were in the office. Fitzwilliam couldn't get over the fact he was interrupted by a mysterious letter and it was addressed to him. Yet what made the circumstance a bit worse, was the fact a baby was found too! As it was, he read the letter and when his Papa entered, he spoke with him about it.

"The induvial who wrote it didn't sound too pleased, Fitzwilliam." His Papa had said to him. The day of his brother's marriage, was when Fitzwilliam read the letter. He found it hard to admit that he too couldn't figure out who the sender was! Let alone when he read only one sentence: "The unicorn will aid you in finding the infant's parents."

"Unicorns are legends; they don't exist." Fitzwilliam remembered their house keeper explain. She was one of the best ladies Fitzwilliam knew for things like mysterious letters and infants appearing at their doorsteps. But Fitzwilliam was thankful for the lady; he smiled at her now as he watched as Newman was talking with her. Yet he paused when he realized Newman wasn't too happy with the information he was receiving with her. Fitzwilliam was with their Papa in the office that day; he looked over at him and when his Papa shrugged his shoulders, Fitzwilliam took this as a cue for him to approach and know what was occurring with his brother. As he rose, the morning light shone through the windows; Fitzwilliam was happy it was a bright day but he wanted to know what was wrong with the two.

"You're retiring?" Newman inquired.

Fitzwilliam stopped right beside his brother when he heard this. Fitzwilliam turned to their Papa and he nodded. His expression was gentle but Fitzwilliam knew that when his Papa did this, something serious was being talked about. He nodded in response before he turned and waited to know more the reason their house keeper was retiring.

"Yes. I have been happy tending to your family," the house keeper continued, "but I have prayed for this and I know it is the best. I am older and I believe a new lady would be best to replace me."

"No wonder Newman doesn't look too happy." Fitzwilliam thought.

He watched as his brother placed his hands on his hips. Fitzwilliam knew Newman wasn't too pleased with this and he understood. It made sense she was retiring; she been with their family for a long time. But what Fitzwilliam knew was she was like a mother to him and his brothers. Their Papa had not been married but adopted him with Newman and Ignatius. It was a blessing because Fitzwilliam recalled the days when he felt alone and wondered if there was hope for him. When their Papa adopted them, it was an answer to his prayer!

"I intend on retiring early and I know God will send another lady for you." Their house keeper conclude.

All of the Darcy men looked and Fitzwilliam smiled at her. He knew, from the tone in her voice, she was going to accomplish her task and he prayed she would be happy after she retired. Newman wasn't too happy but he was accepting when he answered. "Well, we all are thankful you blessed us with your years with us. Do keep in touch and let us know how things are for you as well as your husband."

Fitzwilliam watched as their house keeper smiled at them.

"God be with you all! I know He will bless you and guide you to the places He wants for you. Know I will keep in touch and will visit here and there. In the meantime," she peered over at him and Fitzwilliam wondered if she heard his heart beat, "Fitzwilliam? You will be a great council men and Newman will be a wonderful train company owner! And

Ignatius is going to be an incredible train engineer!"

"As they are will be." Their Papa added to the conversation.

Fitzwilliam and Newman turned and they smiled at Papa. He was a blessing and Fitzwilliam admired him for his prayer life as well as an example of masculinity. He inwardly prayed God would bless him more as the years went by. But in the meantime? He looked back at their house keeper at the same time the door opened. When Fitzwilliam looked, he watched as the grounds man entered. He was their house keeper's husband and when he met their expressions, he smiled as he greeted.

"A blessed day to you all! My wife told you about her retiring?"

"Yes and we're thankful she told us. Because she has blessed us well." Their Papa answered.

Both Fitzwilliam and his brother raised a brow; Papa was a blessing!

This was going to be eventful, Fitzwilliam thought, as Papa, his brother, and the couple talked about what was going to occur later. Fitzwilliam knew he was going to attend a meeting in town but he wanted to know if they were going to have another house keeper to replace theirs. He turned and looking out the window, Fitzwilliam waited to know what going to happen next. He hoped that when he met with the council, another matter would be cleared. At the same time, he overheard Newman say.

"We also need to figure out who the baby's parents are. Otherwise, we will have to find a wet nurse for him and I will do some checking after we write this add in the papers."

"No doubt indeed this is for a new house keeper." Fitzwilliam concluded before he joined in the conversation. Later that week, he would be at the council but he also wanted to see if he could meet with Miss Watson; the lady he was courting.