Chapter 29

As April turned into May, Elizabeth continued to expand, but instead of just her belly, it seemed as if her entire body began to swell. At first, it was her feet, especially if she did a lot of walking or standing that day. Then, the swelling crept up to her ankles and lower legs. Her hands were next. She nearly cried the day she told Darcy that she had to remove her wedding ring. He had kissed her softly and told her he understood. The next day, he presented her with gold chain on which he strung her ring and placed it around her neck. The swelling worsened however, and it got to the point that she could not move her fingers nimbly enough to stitch or crochet or even write legibly.

One morning, Darcy walked by her sitting room to find her tucked up on a settee, only wearing a dressing gown with her feet elevated. She had a tray across her lap and was desultorily dealing cards on to it. "Elizabeth? Whatever are you doing, my love?"

"Playing Patience." She looked up at him somewhat sullenly. "And I am quite aware of the irony, thank-you." She went back to dealing her cards.

"Are you all alone this morning?" he asked sitting next to her feet.

"Yes, Georgiana and Jane took their children to visit Aunt Gardiner. Georgie wants to see how they've set up their nursery and meet her governess. Since I can hardly walk, I decided not to attend."

"I'm so sorry dearest," Darcy began.

"Oh, don't placate me like a child, Fitzwilliam." She sighed and put the cards down. He took up one of her hands and placed kisses on each swollen joint. She smiled. "I suppose I am acting like a child." She ran her free hand over her abdomen. "I am feeling somewhat petulant. Why isn't Georgie this swollen and miserable? Jane never was."

"Angus always says every woman is different; every pregnancy is different."

"I know. I know." She moved the hand he was kissing to cup his face. "Is it terrible to want this to be over? I just want to feel like my old self again. I want to hold my baby, not carry it around like a great, swollen oaf!"

Darcy removed the tray to the floor and embraced his wife. He thought he understood her frustration and knew he understood her conflicting feelings. On the one hand, she was so happy to be pregnant and so far along, but the pregnancy itself was taking its toll and she wanted it to be over. He too, wanted her labor to begin to relieve her suffering, but he dreaded it as well. He knew that labor and delivery were dangerous, and if there were twins, it would be doubly so.

She shifted and moved out of his arms. "I am sure you must work. I know how much time and planning goes into the planting and the spring lambing. You must have letters to write."

"You are not dressing today? I could help you down the stairs and you could sit with me in my study."

"No, I'll stay above stairs today. Nothing fits and I just do not feel like it."

"Any more pains?"

"No, just those intermittent ones from before. I haven't even had any of those today. My back was aching, but Becky brought me a warm brick and it is helping."

Darcy looked over his shoulder at her writing desk. He turned back to her. "I am assuming you do not plan to attend to your correspondence today, Madam?"

Elizabeth held up her hands and laughed. "I'm afraid not."

"May I avail myself of your writing desk?"

"It won't be too small for you?"

"I can adapt, Mrs. Darcy."

"Very well. I would enjoy your company."

Darcy kissed her hands and stood up. "Let me just go down and collect my papers and pen. I won't be a moment." He stopped at the door and smiled down at her.

"Thank-you, Fitzwilliam."

D&ED&ED&ED&ED&E

McDuff had a house call near Gracechurch Street towards the end of the day, so afterwards, he stopped at the Gardiners to join his wife, daughter and the Bingleys. He was led into Gardiner's study to join him and Bingley who had escaped the women's talk of baby clothes and knitting patterns. Bingley was sitting at Gardiner's desk, writing a letter, while Mr. Gardiner read through a ledger. They both stood as McDuff entered the room.

"McDuff!" Bingley exclaimed. "How good of you to join us."

"Thank-you, Bingley," McDuff answered smiling broadly as he shook Bingley's proffered hand. "My last call of the day was nearby and I knew you wouldn't leave before dinner." He turned to Mr. Gardiner. "Uncle, sir. Hello."

"Welcome, Doctor. It is good to see you."

"Thank-you. Where are the ladies?"

"They are all in the parlor," answered Bingley. "When Uncle Gardiner returned from the warehouse, I escaped with him to his study."

"Bingley, you may use my study at any time," Mr. Gardiner noted as the three men all took seats.

"Oh, I know," Bingley responded, "But if I left Jane alone too soon, I would regret it later."

McDuff and Gardiner laughed. "The sweet and gentle Mrs. Bingley would reprimand you?" McDuff asked. "I can hardly believe it."

"Oh, yes, my good doctor," Gardiner said, smiling. "Marriage to my niece has done a world of good for Mr. Bingley. Why, even his penmanship has improved!"

Bingley smiled at the good-natured teasing. "Yes, marriage to Jane has improved my life in numerous ways."

McDuff asked, "What made you need to escape your delightful wife, then, sir?"

Bingley looked down at his hands and his smile faded. "They were wanting to discuss Mrs. Darcy again. Jane is so worried and Aunt Gardiner and Mrs. McDuff were trying to reassure her. I worry so when Jane is increasing, so I can understand her concerns. Mr. and Mrs. Darcy have been through so much. I hope for success, but she is so altered, even from when we arrived. She looks as if she should deliver any day, but Jane says it is at least six weeks away. And now she is having difficulty walking? How will she find the strength?"

McDuff, reached out and clapped Bingley on the knee. "This is a time for rejoicing, lad. Mrs. Darcy has bloomed under my care, if I do say so myself. She is healthier than I have ever known her to be. All will be well. You'll be bouncing a strapping nephew on your knee in no time, with his mother smiling at you both. Mark my words!"

At that moment, a young servant boy was admitted to the study. He was sweaty and panting. In his hand he clutched a note. "Dr. McDuff, sir? I'm to give this to you as quickly as possible."

McDuff rose and took the note, reading it quickly. He turned to the other two men in the room. "It is from Darcy. Mrs. Darcy's waters have broken and she is having pains every 15-20 minutes." He turned to the boy. "When were you sent?"

"I left the house at half three, sir."

Gardiner had opened his pocket watch. "It has been an hour and a half, McDuff. Do you want a horse?"

"Yes," McDuff answered, folding the note and tucking it into a pocket. He took up his bag as he said, "I have my gig, but the horse is not trained for riding."

Gardiner rang a bell and told the maid who answered to have a horse saddled at once for the doctor. "Go as quick as you can."

"Darcy is there alone," Bingley said quietly.

"I know," McDuff muttered as he left the room.

The other two men joined him as he crossed the entry to the parlor opposite the study. He knocked quietly on the door and they all entered at once.

"Angus!" Georgiana squealed and got to her feet to greet her husband. As she approached, her face changed from delight to concern. "What is it?"

"I just received a note from Darcy. Mrs. Darcy's time has come."

"Oh, my!" Jane said and Bingley moved to her, taking her hand and kissing it.

"Mr. Gardiner is lending me a horse and I will go at once," he continued. "Bingley, can you see the ladies home and have someone bring my gig?"

"We will take care of everything," Mrs. Gardiner said with quiet authority. "You go on at once and take care of Lizzie."

"Yes, Angus. Go at once. Jane and I will be there directly." Georgiana stepped up on tiptoe and kissed her husband's cheek. "Send my love to my brother."

"All right, then. Good day." McDuff left the room and, guided by Mr. Gardiner, went to the back of the house to mount his borrowed horse.

When Gardiner returned to the parlor, he heard voices talking over each other.

"I cannot leave Charlie and Betsey to your nurse alone, Aunt. It will be too much for her."

"Nonsense, Jane," Mrs. Gardiner replied. "I think it will be better for you and the children to remain here. Between Miss Greene, Annie's nurse and myself, we can handle all of them. Besides, it is nearly dinner time and they will all be asleep soon enough. It is no trouble."

"If you are sure, Aunt."

"I am. You need to be with your sister. And you don't need to worry about the children at that time."

Georgiana returned from the nursery. "Aunt Gardiner, your girls are treating Betsey and Anne like dolls, braiding their hair. And Charlie is enjoying his time with the "big boys," as he calls them. Your children are very accommodating to their younger cousins. Miss Greene and Jenny are sitting in the corner watching and knitting."

"You see, Jane?" Bingley asked. "Let me call for the carriage so you can be with Lizzie. I'm sure she wants you. And you as well, Mrs. McDuff."

"Yes, please, Mr. Bingley," Georgiana answered. "But what of my husband's gig?"

"I'll have a groom take it back," said Mr. Gardiner.

Jane left her husband's side and moved to her Aunt. "You'll come too, when the children are settled?"

"Of course, my dear, if you wish it."

"Yes, I think it will help." She turned to her husband and said, "I'll just tell Charlie and Betsey about their great adventure – spending the night with their cousins!" She hurried up the stairs and Georgiana went back up to tell Anne and Jenny of the plans for the night.

Bingley took Mrs. Gardiner's hand and kissed the back of it. "Thank-you, Aunt."

"Of course, my dear. Hurry to Darcy House. Send word if you need me sooner, but I will plan to come when the children are all settled."

There was a quiet knock at the door and a maid entered, carrying Bingley's coat, hat and stick. "The carriage is at the door, ma'am," she said to Mrs. Gardiner. "I have the ladies' things in the hall. Should I fetch your coat as well?"

"Not yet, thank-you, Nan. I will remain her for the time being."

"Yes, ma'am," she said, helping Bingley with his coat. He took his hat and stick and Nan left the room.

Jane and Georgiana descended the stairs together and Bingley and the Gardiners joined them in the entryway. Mr. Gardiner kissed his niece's cheek and shook hands with her husband. "Good luck," he whispered.

The three left and the Gardiner's waved them off. Mrs. Gardiner sighed deeply and a tear traced her cheek. Her husband kissed it away. He smiled down at her. "So, last chance, Maddie. Are you betting on a boy or a girl?"

"How about one of each?" she asked, forcing herself to smile back as they went back into the house and closed the door.