Author's Note: I do not own any characters, storyline, setting etc of Jane Austen's. As this is my first upload I am unsure of the response it will receive and so I would appreciate any feedback so I know whether or not you want me to keep uploading. I will keep writing either way. Thanks xxx
Turned and Tossed and Stretched
Thursday 9th September 1813
5.30am
Elizabeth stirred from her sleep – more from pleasant contentment than any sense of disturbance – and turned to her side, stretching, to see Darcy, asleep, and breathing softly. His curls had fallen over his eyes and she noticed a smile breaking over his face; at this, Elizabeth knew he could see her.
"Why do you insist on staring at me, madam?" Said he; opening his eyes and beaming at her.
"What do mean, sir? You must be mistaken, for if you will recall, it was you who stared at me for most of our acquaintance." At this, he laughed and wound one of her curls around his forefinger.
"Indeed Elizabeth. I did."
There then followed a silence, during which Darcy kissed her forehead and placed his arms around her. The dawn had not yet come up, and the couple lay dozing.
The previous day had brought joyous celebrations, as it was Darcy's birthday, and not only had Mr and Mrs Bingley, their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, Mr and Mrs Bennet and their remaining daughters joined the family party – but Colonel Fitzwilliam had endeavoured to amuse them for several hours.
Elizabeth had, as was the wont of Mr Darcy's wife, arranged only the finest for her lover; there were no dances or other such entertainment because it was not that which would have pleased Mr Darcy, but she ordered the kitchen staff to prepare the bird shot by her husband the other day and bought fresh fruit - and a rarity (and favourite of Miss Darcy's); chocolate. The day passed amiably and without error; the majority of the family party retiring early.
However there was one subject on which was dwelt countless times by the company but that Elizabeth herself was feared of mentioning in case she should give herself away. She had done her best to keep her thoughts from Mr Darcy, but found that he did perceive something to be the matter with her. In any situation, she had avoided revealing herself and now – lying in her husband's arms and feeling him kiss her so softly, she knew she had saved the best of his birthday until the last.
"My dear, William," began Elizabeth, "How loving must you be towards one who has kept from you her most intimate secrets!" At her words he had pulled back to look at her, and could not decide on the possibility that she should be teasing him.
"I am at a loss to understand you, Elizabeth. Are you now telling me that, for these past two days you have indeed been troubled?" The genuine concern in his voice was so unexpected by his wife that she immediately started herself to doubt the effectiveness of her secrecy, but she was now committed to telling him and there was no reason and no method through which she could remove herself from the discussion.
"Yes indeed, sir. I have been silent but not so troubled, as you say."
"Then . . . will you not tell me?" Mr Darcy secured his arms about her back and Elizabeth lay, quiet, but suddenly feeling her nerves shake at the prospect of his reaction.
"You may have noticed my apprehension to enter into a popular topic yesterday," her lover answered in the affirmative, "and though, I may have concealed from the company my eagerness for the subject, I most certainly do not want to do the same where you are concerned."
"Elizabeth I do not understand – your reluctance to enter into the topic can't have troubled you before the event took place."
She laughed at his confusion but felt it was mostly out of fear. "No indeed. I wanted to speak with you when we were alone, and now . . . I must confess myself afraid at your response – but I cannot think why!" She smiled at Darcy.
"My dear, Elizabeth, do not hide from me. You know only too well that I shall find you out." He paused. "What is it that made you so reluctant to talk about children?"
Mrs Darcy paused and dared not look her husband in the eye. "Because I did not want to reveal myself"
"You did not want to reveal what of yourself?" He laughed at her.
"I have not been well, my dear, as you must be well aware, and understanding that it would not be at all wise to stall my seeing a doctor I called for your Physician."
"Howards? He is the best, but I wish you had told me, I am not so unreasonable, Elizabeth."
"I know, my dear, but if my suspicions were not to be confirmed I did not want to disappoint you."
"What were your suspicions? Were they confirmed?"
Elizabeth couldn't help but beam at him and stroked his face, imitating his playfulness with her curls, she felt confident but when she spoke her voice was barely above a whisper. "I suspected that I might be with child." She paused to absorb his reaction but he interrupted her before she could possibly begin again.
"Then . . . may I assume –? "
"You may assume that I have been given confirmation by Dr. Howards that I am expecting a child."
Had Elizabeth the courage to look up at her husband, she would have observed the happy change in his expression at her words. "I . . ." he could not bring himself to say anything; that the young woman with whom he had been infatuated, at whom he could not cease to stare should have married him, made love with him and now should have their child – he simply could not believe it, "Lizzy."
"I am sorry I did not tell you, William but . . ." Elizabeth fell silent when she looked up at Darcy's face; she had seen him many times with no expression, therefore at moments such as this, when he smiled at her, she knew he was truly content.
Tuesday 12th October 1813
3pm
Mrs Darcy wandered about the groves of Pemberley in wait for her family who were travelling from Hertfordshire for Dinner at her insistence. She had already welcomed the Gardiners with whom she, Mr and Miss Darcy had already spent the better part of one week. Indeed their company could not have been improved had they not been joined the previous evening by Mr and Mrs Bingley who brought with them wonderful conversation and comfortable manners.
Elizabeth could not have been happier, but was finding difficulty in her attempts to conceal their news from the party and especially Jane – whom she could not help but notice was frequently asking after her health. Although at the moment, her spirits could not be dampened; every night Mr Darcy would have her in his arms, kiss her and feel for the movements of the child – disregarding his physician's remarks that although the mistress was far along in her condition, the child was by no means developed enough to be felt in its movements. Nevertheless, her husband indeed kissed and stroked her abdomen at every opportunity and she relished in his attentions; falling asleep in his arms and waking with his kiss.
Eventually and at length, the Bennet family, or what was left of it, arrived in eager anticipation of being reunited with its daughters, and Mr Bennet – within seconds of laying his eyes upon his second-eldest – showed no desire to be in any other's company. Elizabeth had guessed he would have suffered a great deal remaining in the same carriage as his highly-strung and nervous wife and silly daughters, but she had truly not appreciated how unbearable his confinement had been.
"Elizabeth, you know not how I have missed you" Exclaimed Mr Bennet, after she had pulled back in disbelief of his forthrightness.
"My dear, papa, you will have ample time to recover from your taxing journey. At present however, I do believe I would show you to your rooms." Elizabeth moved from her father to greet her mother and her sisters, who had been entirely shut up in the face of Pemberley once again. Elizabeth could recall only once when her own situation had driven her mother to silence, but now she could revel in it as she knew that Mrs Bennet's reaction was borne out of awe and respect – something which she did not know her mother possessed for anyone other than Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley or the austere Lady Catherine.
6pm
"Mrs Darcy?" Mr Darcy inquired, as they were deigning their evening wear for a lavish evening meal, "I do believe this meal would be the perfect opportunity to inform our general company about your condition."
Elizabeth stopped at her vanity table, and set down her brush; enjoying imagining the reactions of those who were most dear to her, "Yes, but I think perhaps we should close all the windows and doors lest the whole of Derbyshire should hear my mother's squeals of delight!" Her husband laughed at her playfulness, offered her his arm which she accepted and they descended the stairs to dinner.
The dinner party was full of admiration for the provisions and Elizabeth was especially grateful that her mother was not seated particularly near herself, her husband, her sister or her brother. Mr Bennet was happy to see his daughters paid such attention from his sons-in-law and pleased that his wife was spent describing the splendour of Pemberley to Mary, Kitty and Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
Mr Darcy leaned over to whisper in his wife's ear, "My dear, I believe we should inform the party, if only to give your mother something else about which she can talk." Elizabeth smiled at him and nodded her agreement.
"Do go ahead, at your leisure, sir." She said, kissing him lightly and tapping her glass with a spoon so as to attract the attention of her guests, who immediately quietened and looked up the table to Mr Darcy.
"Hold on, hold on, Mrs Bennet. I believe your son is going to say his first words of the evening and requires that everyone be silent to be sure he is heard above our conversation." The poor Colonel Fitzwilliam remarked, who had been badly trapped out of earshot of his cousin for the whole evening. Darcy, who waited until the ripple of laughter had subsided, eventually began to speak;
"I believe even Mrs Bennet would wish to silence the world if she knew the content of my information." His guests were silent at those words and Darcy held his wife's hand and grinned saying "My wife and I have in good information, that in April of next year, we are to expect a child." There was a silent hush before the roar of surprise shot up from the dinner party, rose to the ceilings of Pemberley and dashed out to the very ends of the park.
"MY DEAR LIZZY, A BABY!" exclaimed her mother, joy shooting from her face and for a moment, Mr Darcy saw pure happiness in the eyes of Mrs Bennet and had to remind himself that it would be more than just himself and his wife to whom this child would bring contentment.
"Darcy," said Bingley, patting his brother on the back and shaking his hand,
"Congratulations, my man. I am very happy for you."
Darcy could not help but beam back at his friend – not unlike the manner in which he had been smiling on his wedding day, "Thank you, Bingley. But I believe it is I who must be happier than you – on this occasion at least."
"Indeed it must!"
In Mr Bingley's wake there was Mr Bennet, Mr Gardiner and Colonel Fitzwilliam all with warm congratulations; however Mr Darcy could hardly concentrate on his guests for he could not catch sight of Elizabeth. She was swarmed by her relations; Jane, Kitty, Mary, Mrs Bennet, Georgiana and Mrs Gardiner and eventually had to demand they all sit down again. When this had been accomplished and dessert had been served, Mr and Mrs Darcy could finally converse.
"My dear," whispered Elizabeth, "I do believe we have made many people very happy. You are to be sincerely thanked."
Darcy laughed a bit and said "Dearest Elizabeth, I think I know you to understand that to reach such a point as we have, the act must be mutual. You must, therefore, also be thanked."
"True." she beamed at him, and they lifted their glasses to one another in a private gesture.
11pm
In the evening when the family had tired them of oohing and ahhing at the grandeur of Pemberley and marvelling at the news of the first baby, Elizabeth retired to her room and as she began to undress, she stopped to feel her belly: it was becoming rounder and fuller and she felt it more real now that her family knew.
Whilst she was occupying herself so, Mr Darcy came upon her in his nightshirt.
"My dear, I do not think the child shall respond to your prods directly."
She looked up, not at all startled by his presence in her chambers – even when she was so barely dressed, "Fitzwilliam," she smiled and he came to her and kissed her. "I am afraid our family will not leave now. Shall we forever be surrounded by curious relatives?"
"My dear, your family will leave as planned tomorrow evening and only Georgiana will remain with us. You have nothing to worry about."
"Indeed." She said, and wrapped her arms around his neck, "My dear, dear, Fitzwilliam. What would I want in this world, with you by my side?" Darcy held her close to him and kissed her passionately.
"William," she whispered, "I do not think it is safe for us to do this."
"I am allowed to show affection for my wife, am I not?" said Darcy, kissing her cheek.
"Yes, indeed, but if my memory serves me rightly, this passionate affection you are displaying has always lead to lovemaking."
"Are you telling me that I will not be allowed to make love to you until after this child is born?" Darcy pulled back and looked deeply into her eyes – praying it was not so. Elizabeth laughed, laid her head against his chest and wrapped her hands about his neck.
"My darling husband, it is too soon because such animated activities might endanger the baby. In a few months we can resume our lovemaking I assure you."
He started at her estimated time, "why is it that when you look your most beautiful, most content, most gloriously irresistible I am forbidden from making passionate love to you?"
"Because God is cruel and unkind" she jested, "but until such a time as normal marital business can resume you have my full permission to kiss and be tender towards me . . . and your child." She smiled happily at him and kissed him softly, until his hands once again encircled her waist and pressed her rounded abdomen against him – at which point he found himself unable to continue. "Fitzwilliam, what is the matter?"
"If you keep kissing me I shall not be at liberty to control myself please, let us go to bed."
"Going to bed is your solution to controlling your ardent love for me?"
"Hopefully I will be too exhausted to focus upon your enticing figure."
Elizabeth sat back upon the pillows as her husband covered her with the sheets, "you are full of compliments this evening sir."
Darcy smiled and lay next to her, kissing her hair and tenderly stroking the baby. "I cannot help it. You have made me happier than I could ever imagine, Elizabeth." At his words, she ran her fingers through his hair and gently held her face at his cheek, nuzzling him and enjoying his kisses until his lips finally captured hers.
Wednesday 13th October 1813
7.30am
Waking the next morning, in much the same position as they had fallen asleep – she in his arms – Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam dressed quickly so they might bid farewell to the family. Elizabeth was sore to see her father go but reminded herself that should Mr Bennet remain, so must Mrs Bennet, and she could not have borne such company in her condition.
"Lizzy," called Mr Bennet, as she was kissing her mother farewell, "Elizabeth, come here." She smiled and Mr Bennet hugged his daughter.
"Papa, you shall see us at Christmas when we come to Netherfield, you need not miss me so much."
"Indeed I must – I am about to travel for three days in a carriage with your mother and your sisters and then I must suffer in their company until you deign to welcome me again." As he was saying this, Mr Darcy had moved beside them and looked earnestly at his wife.
"Mr Bennet, you know you are always welcome in our home." Mr Bennet stood back to look at his son and daughter, raising his eyebrows.
"I know. But I do not think I could possibly rest easy knowing I was inflicting my wife and my younger daughters on you – even in your very comfortable rooms."
As they laughed Mrs Bennet's shrill chide came from the carriage:
"Mr Bennet – we shall never be able to make it out of Mr Darcy's park let alone Derbyshire if you do not cease such mindless chatter!"
Mr Bennet sighed and Lizzy looked up at her husband who said his final goodbye to the family and shook Mr Bennet's hand, "Goodbye Mr Darcy. I hope to see you soon."
"Goodbye sir. I hope you sleep for most of this journey."
"I hope they sleep for most of this journey."
Elizabeth kissed her father and moved out of the way of the carriage with her husband holding her hand and standing next to her brother and sister. Later, in the evening, they said goodbye to Mr and Mrs Bingley and their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and eventually it was only Georgiana and Mr and Mrs Darcy quietly sitting in the drawing room.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" asked her husband.
"Of course my dear, why do you ask?"
Darcy moved to sit beside her and softly kissed her head, "I just wanted to know." Elizabeth stared incredulously at him and Georgiana looked up from her needlework.
"What is it? Why do you both look at me so?" Slowly Elizabeth and Georgiana began laughing, but Elizabeth stopped when she saw the hurt look on her husbands face.
"Oh Fitzwilliam," She kissed him and looked him in the eye, "We are teasing you! I have never known you to ask simply after someone's comfort."
"My wife and my sister do not recall ever having seen me act generously toward someone?"
"Not when the person after whom you are inquiring appears to be perfectly content." Georgiana said as she gestured to Elizabeth who smiled at her observation.
"Perhaps I should endeavour to act more graciously towards my acquaintances?" suggested Darcy.
Elizabeth sat up at this, "oh no indeed, sir. I very much enjoy that your true character does not entirely and openly show itself until you are in the company of your family and close friends."
Georgiana only remained with them for another half hour or so and then declared she was exhausted and removed to her rooms.
Saturday 11th December 1813
4.43am
Elizabeth turned. And again, she turned. In the small hours of the morning, she turned and tossed and stretched in her bed. Her problem was situated in the fact that the size of her abdomen had grown so much that it was now becoming very uncomfortable for her to sleep on her stomach - as she had done since she was little. What Elizabeth found particularly frustrating was that she felt she was no where near to holding her baby in her arms; she was still only 5 months gone but was showing her condition more and more. Her only contentment came from a small tête-à-tête she had with Mrs Reynolds. She remembered the look of joy that had spread throughout the old woman's features and smiled when she thought of how it had remained there since. Mrs Reynolds politely asked after her mistress' health every morning but the previous day she had also sought to confirm how far along Elizabeth was.
"Five months indeed!" The housekeeper exclaimed. "You shall be feeling the presence of the little one soon then, Mrs Darcy." Elizabeth looked confused and inquired of her housekeeper her meaning. "My dear," she said, softly now as she moved towards the young wife of Mr Darcy, "it is common during these months for a mother to feel the movements of her baby. Although I must concede that it does take longer for a new mother such as you to notice such stirrings." Her expression softened as she returned to her duties, leaving the mistress with her hand resting carefully against her middle in the vain hope that she should suddenly feel her child saying hello.
Elizabeth was brought from her reverie by a rumbling in her stomach. She thought it was odd however, that she should be hungry when she did not feel so. When the sensation came upon her again, it was longer, and she could discern that it was in fact like nothing else she had ever felt before. Again, the sensation arose and she could tell that it came specifically from her left side and was nowhere near her stomach. Although the feeling was quick and did not come again for what Elizabeth felt was an age, she did not forgot the wonderful first movements of her baby, Fitzwilliam's baby, inside her.
"Elizabeth?" It was the quiet, tired voice of her husband. "Are you awake? Elizabeth?" She softly placed her right hand on his arm, not wanting to move in case she missed the feeling again.
"Ssh, yes I am awake. I could hardly sleep."
"Why?" He turned to her now, seeing her unusually calm and placid position. "Lizzy, my dear, you look like you are deep in prayer."
She smiled at his analogy. "Hmm, perhaps I am," she teased and looked up at him. Seeing his confused face, she repeated what Mrs Reynolds had said.
"Will I be able to feel it?" He asked and his face reminded her of an inquisitive child, anxious to know what his Christmas present was before he was allowed it.
"I doubt it my dear," she touched his face when she saw it fall slightly in disappointment; "I can hardly feel it myself. It is too faint." Although he was frustrated, Fitzwilliam knew that whenever he felt so, it was twice as difficult for his wife as she would eventually give birth. "Please do not be disappointed," Fitzwilliam immediately began to shake his head and attempted to defend his expression but his wife spoke before him, "I know that you must be upset, but I am certain that as the child grows – "
"Really, Lizzy, I am not – "
"Fitzwilliam, please," her earnest look quietened him and he endeavoured to let her finish her thoughts, "dearest, I am not saddened if you are hurt that there is not yet much development, but there will be – I am only just able to feel it myself."
"Elizabeth, you must believe me, I am not in the least disappointed. Every day, I think about you and your condition. It gives me such happiness, Lizzy. You make me proud . . . and I cannot but become excited when you announce to me that you can – however lightly – feel the baby." He placed his hand gently on her abdomen, "it makes it all the more real."
Elizabeth smiled down at his hand, "I understand. It seems too good to be true; our life is lined with such happiness it seems. I am frightened of waking." She could not retain her expression as she had hoped however, as her fears were quite real. Mrs Darcy was not at all ignorant of the rate of infant mortality and was reluctant to wallow too much in pleasure, as she knew with what speed it could be taken away.
Her husband, equally, was aware that she must know of the likelihood of problems occurring, but as she had not shown much inclination towards such a subject as yet he had not dared mention it. It was not his intention to create worry. Now, nonetheless, she appeared to be concealing these worries from him. "Lizzy, I will not have you concentrate on what could happen."
"Would you have me be so unrealistic that I do not even consider their possibility?"
"No, indeed," he saw that she would not be dissuaded from her concerns completely, but with Lizzy he knew that an honest explanation would be best. "Elizabeth, I know that you will already have satisfied your morbid curiosity on this subject. Of course there is the chance that . . . that something may happen," he felt her take a nervous breath, "but equally, and more likely, you like many women before you – including your mother and Lady Catherine, I might add – you will give birth and enjoy a long and happy life with many children."
Elizabeth smiled at the prospect but asked, "why is it more likely that I shall be alright than not?"
"I know you very well, my dear. It is not in your nature to be intimidated by anything. Moreover, you are young, healthy, and vigorous and if I may say so . . . you have a full figure," Lizzy's eyebrows shot up at this, "you can take it."
"And where, may I ask, did you conduct your research, Mr Darcy?"
He laughed at her teasing, "my father thought it appropriate to explain such things to me before he died."
"I see." Lizzy, took his hand in hers and kissed it. "Thank you. I must admit I am grateful for your candour, I know most husbands would not even credit their wives with enough intelligence in this condition to understand all aspects of childbirth, let alone explain them. It is more than I am due, I think."
"I beg your pardon madam," he sat up and looked at her sincerely, "but I am not most husbands. When we discuss anything, I know that you are my equal, whether or not you are in a more delicate condition. It is not in my nature to conceal things from you just because you are a woman. I know that you are quite capable of handling anything, Elizabeth. You know this."
She beamed at him, "I know, I know, you are perfectly right." Darcy lay next to her again and placed kisses in her hair until she fell asleep.
Friday 17th December 1813
8am
Mrs Reynolds watched as the ladies' maids of the women of Pemberley handed their madam's boxes to the footmen. The family party was invited to Hertfordshire for Christmas and despite her own trepidation, the mistress had insisted that she was able to travel to and from Netherfield in her condition with relative ease.
"Mrs Reynolds! We shall miss you!" Exclaimed Georgiana in a bright tone, as she made a beeline for the housekeeper and enveloped her in an embrace. "Enjoy your Christmas!"
"I shall, Miss Darcy, thank you. And you as well."
"Indeed I will. I could not be more excited." At that moment a sweet smile graced her face as she saw her sister and brother walking slowly out of the foyer. Her smile, however, turned to laughter when she noticed the look on Lizzy's face.
"Fitzwilliam, I am not an invalid. Please, do not treat me as such." Elizabeth pulled her arm out from her husbands and walked quickly in the direction of the carriage to oversee the packing.
"Elizabeth . . ." he said in her direction in a vain attempt to apologise. Instead he stood next to his sister. "She will not let me be careful with her."
Mrs Reynolds laughed. "If I may say so, sir, it is unsurprising." Her master looked confused. "Even you must be aware of how uncomfortable she is, she will want to take advantage of as much movement as possible whilst she is able to do so. There will come a time when she must restrict herself, but if you contain such a disposition as Mrs Darcy's too soon, you will make these last months unbearable for both of you."
Mr Darcy sighed, but nodded his head in silent acquiescence. He could not deny that his caution was for his own benefit more than that of his wife and his child. Even so, when he saw her moving to him, he felt such an overriding protective instinct that it was all he could do not to sweep her up in his arms and lock in her rooms. Not that he would have been able to lift her with the extra weight she carried.
"Dearest, it is time we left. We shall never get to the inn before midnight at this pace," she turned and kissed Mrs Reynolds on both cheeks, and said this upon seeing concern written all over her face, "We shall be quite alright I assure you. If we find I am unable to travel in the New Year then we shall not do so. I am sure my husband will keep you abreast of all developments if I cannot." She smiled up at him and squeezed his arm.
"Alright, thank you ma'am. Now, I want you all out of this park in five minutes or there really won't be any chance of you coming back after the New Year." Mr Darcy kissed her hand and guided his wife and Georgiana into the chaise. Under Mrs Reynolds' glare, the driver then took no more than three minutes to clear the gates and disappear amongst the trees.
Sunday 19th December 1813
9am
"My dear, you shall wear out the heels of your shoes with such pacing and I cannot bear to have your mother remove you from my company again so that you might buy new ones." His wife was rarely so unsettled and yet Bingley found it slightly humorous. That she should be so agitated at the arrival of her sister was surprising even with Elizabeth in such a condition.
"I still cannot believe she agreed to come to us." Jane rapped her fingers on a side-table in her annoyed state.
"You did invite them, my dear. What, would you have expected your younger sister to refuse such a request from you? And she could hardly refuse in any case, as we are essentially repaying them for our stay last year." Bingley stood next to his wife and held her hand to calm her, "please, be still. Lizzy may be adventurous but she is not insensible. She would not dare do anything that might harm her child."
Jane exhaled as if she had been holding her breath. She smiled. She knew that her sister would be fine, but she could not help but worry. It was in her nature to feel unsettled until she knew that her nearest and dearest companions were safe and dry. "True," she replied.
"And even if she would, there is no power on earth that would stop Darcy from keeping her at home." Jane giggled at his observation and sat next to him on the settee, taking up her embroidery that she intended to give her niece or nephew after Lizzy had given birth. Not a moment had gone by, however, when a distant clattering was heard from outside. Jane flew to the window in such a rush that her husband's paper cascaded to the floor and he spent a good few minutes on the floor rearranging the pages. "Jane, really, you have seen them before."
Mrs Bingley cared little for her husband's distress, though, and with each passing second could discern more and more easily the crest on the Darcy carriage as it thundered across the horizon and turned towards the house. "Lizzy!" She exclaimed and dashed down the hallway to the front steps, her husband and the servants walking at a calm pace behind her.
In the Darcy carriage, Elizabeth laughed excitedly. "I have never seen Jane so elated; we have must have worried her quite a bit."
"My dear," remarked Mr Darcy, "I think it was you and your condition that worried her to such an extent."
Georgiana piped up in defence of her hostess, "no indeed, Fitzwilliam. Mrs Bingley has always been concerned for every one of guests. I am sure that she was concerned because we are tardy."
Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana's efforts at understanding, thought on how similar Jane and Georgiana were and tidied her appearance for her sister and her brother.
As the carriage door opened, Mr Darcy stepped out and handed his wife down, but she was not on the ground for more than a second, when she was across the drive and in the arms of her beloved elder sister.
"Lizzy!" Jane held her sister at arms length and looked into her eyes, the authoritative tone of an elder sibling rising in her voice as she gave a command that Elizabeth knew from experience was not to be questioned. "You must rest, now."
"Mrs Richardson will show you to your rooms, Darcy." Mr Bingley offered.
Elizabeth turned to her husband as he led her upstairs, "I am now not so certain that you and Jane are not blood related." They laughed, but Elizabeth's pleasure was short-lived when she felt a sharp pinch from a baby who wanted its presence known.