/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Eleven
The next few weeks flew by as if in a dream. Ever since that fateful day when Elizabeth found out that she was pregnant, the household had been in a whir of motion, getting everything ready for the baby. It was all so exhausting, but it made Elizabeth feel strangely satisfied. Indeed it was for a joyful end.
But there was one thing that was troubling Elizabeth, and that was her older sister, Jane. Nobody had heard from her much, despite the fact that she lived so close to home, or at least towards Longbourn estate. Darcy had promised Elizabeth that he would stop by the Bingley estate to see if everything was ok, but this did nothing to reassure Elizabeth's feelings. She wished to see her sister for herself.
Strolling alongside the shoreline, Elizabeth sighed thoughtfully. Despite her longing to see her sister, she was also afraid. Afraid of what her sister was becoming or what Bingley was doing to cause the lack of communication.
"Mrs. Darcy," someone called out.
Elizabeth turned around, looking for the source of the voice. She smiled brightly when she saw Mrs. Reynolds coming up over the hill. It was always a pleasure to see the older woman; she brought a smile to everyone's face she came across.
"I might have known you were out here, Mrs. Darcy," Mrs. Reynolds said when she reached Elizabeth.
"I am very fond of walking," Elizabeth replied.
"And don't we all know it," Mrs. Reynolds said with a laugh.
Elizabeth smiled shyly as she wound a tangle of hair around her finger. Was it all so obvious about her wants, needs and desires?
"Mrs. Darcy, indeed you are fairly glowing," Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed. "I do believe that the coming of your child is something you are looking foreword to with great happiness."
Elizabeth was fairly surprised at this statement and frowned thoughtfully. She would have thought that all pretense of happiness would have been evaporated by now with the loom of all the work that came with the expectancy of a child, as well as the worries of family matters. Surely this 'glow' that Mrs. Reynolds was thinking of couldn't possibly cover everything.
"Oh, I fear I have upset you, madam," Mrs. Reynolds said in alarm. "I have spoken out of turn. I beg your pardon."
Elizabeth smiled suddenly and shook her head. "No, madam, do not worry yourself over me. I was only thinking about everything that is to be done before the child is born. It is such a daunting task."
Mrs. Reynolds smiled uncertainly, still not convinced with Elizabeth's words of comfort. "Indeed it is a daunting task, madam, but you are well taken care of and things are going according to plan. There is not much for you to worry about."
Elizabeth laughed, her clear voice ringing through the trees. "Except perhaps for the act of childbirth, I daresay. I am not looking foreword to the pain."
"It will be nothing, my dear, once you set your gaze upon the babe," Mrs. Reynolds said. "I must say, I've born three children of my own and the pain is nothing once you've laid your eyes on their beautiful faces. The wonder never ceases, no matter how many children you bear."
"I hope you are right."
Mrs. Reynolds laid a hand on Elizabeth's shoulder. "Trust me; it will all turn out right in the end. Worries cannot stay in one place for long."
Elizabeth gazed into the older woman's eyes, no longer sure whether she meant the child or other private matters. She didn't doubt that Mrs. Reynolds probably suspected the troubles that existed in Elizabeth's family, particularly between Jane and Mr. Bingley.
Before she could say anything, Mrs. Reynolds pulled gently on Elizabeth's arms. "We have chattered here too long, I am afraid, Mrs. Darcy, and that wasn't my intent on coming out here to find you in the middle of your walk. Mr. Darcy wishes to see you and have a private talk."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrow inquisitively. "Whatever for? If he so wanted to talk to me, why didn't he come out here and look for me himself?"
Mrs. Reynolds shook her head. "Great men like your husband are hard to figure out, madam. Often their reasons have nothing to do with what we expect. We must allow them their sense of propriety at times, whether it makes sense or not. Men will be men."
And Mr. Darcy most of all, Elizabeth thought to herself, but said nothing. As Mrs. Reynolds just so stated, men will be men and sometimes all a woman can do is to let them be, no matter how confusing.
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Author's Note: I must apologize once again for the lack of updating. College allows little time for one to have any free time to do one's pleasures, so please forgive me. And once again I thank all those who have reviewed and are waiting patiently for me to update. It will get done, I promise.