Chapter Five

The Darcy Manor.

Fitzwilliam looked at the horses.

A few days later, Fitzwilliam was out in the back with his Papa and

Newman. Of course, Ignatius was elsewhere and Fitzwilliam understood this. He knew he and his wife were happy and Fitzwilliam hoped he would be as blessed. He also recalled Miss Vitals was going to be replacing their house keeper. He smiled when he remembered how Newman was excited for her to work at their manor but he also wondered if Newman was developing feelings for her.

"After all," he reflected, as he watched Papa with one of the horses, "she did get on his nerves when she messed with the porridge.

He never will let her forget that."

"Alright; Mr. Darcy? He is a fine horse but I believe it would be best if we find another one. He's aging but having another horse will help greatly." Fitzwilliam heard their grounds man say.

Fitzwilliam looked and watched as Papa, who was talking with the ground man, turned to their male horse who was the one the men rode.

The saddle horse was male and Fitzwilliam knew Papa liked him very much. He was their main horse for transportation but Fitzwilliam noticed he was aging. He offered a prayer of thanks to Our Lord when he took to mind what the grounds man said. As he watched, Fitzwilliam took a moment before he agreed. Yes; the horse was great but it would be best to find another as backup.

He was standing by the fenced area where the horse was grazing. It was a blessing knowing his family was blessed to have a field for the horses to roam. He finished his prayer as he approached Papa and the older gentleman. Their house keeper's husband was their grounds man and as Fitzwilliam walked over, both Papa and he turned and smiling at him,

greeted.

"A blessed day, Fitzwilliam!"

"The same to you." Fitzwilliam responded. He looked at Papa as he greeted him and father and son smiled at each other. Fitzwilliam thanked Our Lord for his Papa as well as his brothers. After he finished this prayer, Fitzwilliam heard a neigh; he turned and watching, he smiled more as their horse approached.

The horse approached and when he stood by, Fitzwilliam walked over and after he extended his palm, he waited for the horse to give his consent. When he sniffed him, Fitzwilliam knew he'd been given permission. Once this occurred, he made his way closer; then he began to give him a gentle rub as Papa and the grounds man continued their conversation.

"One thing is for certain: it will be a blessing if there is a backup.

He's as old as Fitzwilliam, if you recall, Mr. Darcy."

"Yes; you're right about that. He needs to be as gentle as this one. I believe some of the farmers in town will know what kind of breed to let us look at."

Fitzwilliam eased the horse as he listened. He knew a few of the locals in the country would be able to aid them with finding another horse. But he knew too that if this one didn't have a backup, they would need to purchase another one. He agreed with Papa and the grounds man; a backup would help them greatly. The horse neighed and Fitzwilliam gave him another gentle rub. But he knew purchasing another horse would aid them. He looked at Papa and when he met his expression, both of them agreed without a word.

"I know a family who will aid us with a horse. Mr. Cain Otters will be our best resource. They are a blessed family and everyone is happy Mr. Otters has been the animal doctor for so long." Papa remarked.

Fitzwilliam did his best not to groan; he remembered the Otter family. One of the council men was a relative of them; he didn't voice this but he had an opinion about them. The Otters were a Catholic family and Fitzwilliam knew one of them was married to his brother, Ignatius. He prayed for them but he also wondered how it was each of the Otter women married men who were into more than the ladies were into the men. But Fitzwilliam was thankful for Deborah; she was a blessing and she aided Ignatius a lot. He offered a prayer for them as another figure approached them. When Fitzwilliam looked, Newman came over and his expression was stoic. Whenever Fitzwilliam saw this, he knew something was wrong. Papa and the grounds man waited as he approached; what as unique about his brothers' was they all were six foot; yet Fitzwilliam wondered if he was taller than Newman. But he would let God tend to that; as they waited, the horse nudged Fitzwilliam and he looked at him. As he waited for his brother,

Fitzwilliam eased the horse until Newman joined them.