Author's Note: Enjoy this chapter! I've been super busy but I'm going to try to update as frequently as I can.
Lizzy was much recovered from her injuries, she only had a faint scar of her forehead but other than that she looked well, when Kitty arrived in early June. It was a warm yet cloudy day when her carriage arrived at Pemberley.
"My goodness, you're so big!" Kitty declared as she was helped down from the carriage and saw his sister.
"It is nice to see you Kitty. I fear I am not nearly as big as I will be by the time of my confinement. If you can believe it, I will only grow larger," she smiled.
'Welcome to Pemberley Kitty," Darcy greeted. He was standing next to his wife looking as proper as ever.
"Greetings Mr. Darcy. It is beautiful." Kitty looked around and took in the gorgeous estate.
"Would you like a tour now?" Lizzy asked. She was proud of her home and loved to show it off.
"Not now. I am positively exhausted from my travels. May I change and rest for a bit?"
"Of course! I'll have your trunks sent up to your room at once. I shall be waiting in the parlor when you are finished."
"Thank you. I shall try to be quick for I have a very interesting bit of gossip for you."
Two hours later, Kitty joined Elizabeth in the parlor. Though not entirely proper, she was reclining on a chaise lounge as per her doctor's orders. Her feet did ache and it was nice to have them elevated.
"You look so well. I heard about your injury and I did not expect to find you looking so well. How are you?"
"I am much recovered. I feel much better, though rich foods make both my head and stomach ache. I am tired but everything is good. The aches and pains are nothing compared to my happiness."
"I am glad to see you in such good spirits. I take it that marriage suits you."
"It does. I am so very happy. I never dreamed I could be so happy."
"I must tell you what happened when Lydia arrived home. I cannot continue to make small talk – I think I shall burst."
"Very well. What happened?"
"Your husband's note to Papa arrived before Lydia did. When Mama and Papa heard that Lydia pushed you and then lied about it they were so angry. Mama went to her room and stayed abed because she could not believe Lydia would do anything to hurt you or the future heir to Pemberley. Papa spent a lot of time in his library trying to figure out what to do with Lydia when she arrived."
"And what of you and Mary?"
"Mary and I spoke of Lydia's wild behavior. I have heard little from Lydia since her marriage and I simply cannot believe she has changed so much. She was always brash, but never cruel."
"What happened when Lydia arrived?"
"She tried to pretend as if nothing happened, but Papa would not have it. He screamed at her and told her that if she said even one wrong word, he would throw her out. He wrote to Mr. Wickham to come retrieve her but he got no reply."
"That was expected. Mr. Wickham cares little for her, I am afraid. I am glad that Papa finally took a stand."
"One more thing of note occurred… Caroline Bingley came to visit."
"Are you serious?" Elizabeth had not heard this since Georgiana was afraid to write about it. She did not know it she would cause a scandal by writing about it so she had remained silent about the whole thing.
"Yes! A few days after Lydia arrived, Caroline Bingley came to the house. She wanted an audience with Lydia. She spoke with Lydia for what felt like hours. When they emerged, Lydia was in her traveling clothes and she left with Miss Bingley for London."
"No!"
"Yes! It is unbelievable, I know, but it is true."
"When Mr. Bingley returns, I will tell him of it."
"When do Bingley and Jane plan to return?"
"I know not. They have extended their trip once again. I swear they will never make a decision on an estate. I believe they have seen every estate nearby at least twice."
"At least seeing the estates will help them make a decision."
Lizzy laughed, "I do hope so. I would like to see them settled before my confinement."
"Speaking of your confinement, Papa expressed a wish to come and visit around that time. He will probably write to you about it, but I know he misses you very much."
"I would love a visit from Papa, but I fear the time around my confinement will be very chaotic."
"Do you know what to expect for your confinement?"
"I have spoken to the midwife, but I believe it is something I will not understand until I have experienced it. I know it will be painful, but it will be worth it."
"What will I have to do? I am not sure what I am capable of doing to help."
"You will have to talk to the midwife about that. It is odd. With four sisters, you would think one of us would know what to expect. I am sure you and Jane will not do anything major; that is what the midwife is for."
"I cannot believe you will be the first to have a child. You swore you would never marry."
"I know. I always expected to be tending to Jane, not the other way around."
"How is Jane? Is she happy?"
"I believe so. Mama was overbearing while they were at Netherfield, but she has been happier in Derbyshire. She longs for an estate of her own."
"Has she been blessed like you? What I mean to ask is if she is with child. Since Mama found you about your condition, she has been fretting about children for Jane. She was focused on Lydia but since the incident, she has been silent about Lydia."
"If Jane is with child, she has said nothing. I hope she will be blessed soon. I would like very much for our children to be close in age." Lizzy rose to stretch her legs. "I am tired of sitting. Would you like to take a walk through the gardens? I would like to show you the grounds."
"I would love to explore the grounds."
"Good, then let us go."