Disclaimer: As much as I wish they were my own, they belong to JA!
Chapter 3
The following days passed relatively peacefully considering the preparations that were happening within the great house. Mr. Darcy's birthday was fast approaching and Elizabeth was involved in preparations for the ball which would be held in his honour.
Elizabeth was sat at her bureau finalising the menu with Mrs. Reynolds when there was a soft knock at the door. Elizabeth smiled as Georgiana and Kitty entered the room.
"We are sorry for interrupting but we were wondering if you were ready for our trip to Lambton but I can see you are engaged at present" said Georgiana as she made to leave.
"No Georgiana, I think we have finished here," she glanced at Mrs. Reynolds who curtseyed and left the room.
"Are you ready yet Lizzy?" Kitty enquired impatiently as Elizabeth tidied her bureau.
"Calm yourself Kitty, we shall find you a new gown!"
"Lizzy, Georgiana, how do you like this?" Kitty asked of a pale blue muslin.
"Oh yes Kitty!" Georgiana exclaimed, "it is beautiful, I think it will become you very well do you not think Elizabeth?"
"I quite agree, perhaps this is the one Kitty?"
"Yes indeed!" cried Kitty happily.
Having chosen material for three new gowns, the three ladies returned to the awaiting carriage.
On their return to Pemberley they found Mrs. Reynolds somewhat flustered.
"Oh Mrs Darcy!" she cried "Mr and Mrs Bingley have arrived!"
"Already? I understood that they would not be joining us until tomorrow."
"Indeed ma'am, indeed."
"Thank you Mrs Reynolds, I am sure it shall be fine."
Elizabeth smiled as her housekeeper disappeared into the depths of the house.
"Mrs. Darcy! How delightful to see you!" Elizabeth turned to greet the approaching gentleman.
"Mr. Bingley! I hope you have not been waiting long, we were not expecting you until tomorrow."
"Ah, yes, we are very sorry Mrs Darcy, it seemed that Jane was eager to see you. I hope we have not inconvenienced you."
"Not at all," laughed Elizabeth, "it is wonderful to have you here!"
"Lizzy!" Mr. Bingley bowed and took his leave, following Kitty and Georgiana into the drawing room as his wife approached her sister.
"Jane! Oh my dear Jane!" Elizabeth cried as she embraced her sister warmly.
The two sisters had always been close and remained so, even as married women. Indeed, it seemed that the distance between Pemberley and Netherfield had been to great for the sisters to bear, resulting in the Bingleys' taking a house in Cheshire where they were now happily settled.
"You look well Jane."
"I am very well Lizzy, oh I am so happy!" Jane laughed.
"I am happy for you also" said Lizzy with a bittersweet smile.
Jane looked into her sister's eyes and saw the pain hidden behind the joy that danced there. She slipped her arm through Elizabth's and they walked towards the long gallery.
"Lizzy, what is worrying you?"
"Nothing Jane, I am quite well."
"Elizabeth, I can see that you are not, " Jane chided gently.
Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as they reached the portrait of her husband. She stopped and turned to face her older sister.
"Oh Jane, I truly am happy that you are with child but it reminds me that I am not. I fear that there will be no heir for Pemberley," she cried as her tears fell.
Jane held her sister in her arms, concerned by the grief of her usually spirited sister, "dear Lizzy, do not cry so. I am sure that you will become a mother, do not fear. Indeed, I am sure that Mr Darcy would not stop loving you if their was no heir."
Elizabeth smiled hesitantly, her love for Mr Darcy, she thought, could not be altered in the absence of an heir. As she and Jane proceeded to the drawing room, she resigned herself to the chance that she might never have a child and resolve to think on it no longer.
The following evening heralded the arrival of Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her daughter for the forthcoming festivities.
After supper, the party had retired to the drawing room. Elizabeth sat with Georgiana as she played the pianoforte but her attention was drawn to another part of the room.
"I hear from my nephew, Mrs Bingley, that you are expecting a child" said Lady Catherine.
"Yes Lady Catherine" Jane replied, colouring slightly at the change in conversation.
"I am sure that Mr Bingley is pleased at such news." Mr Bingley looked over from his conversation with Mr Darcy at the mention of his name, "indeed, " Lady Catherine continued, "the expectation of an heir is surely worth celebrating. Do you not agree Darcy?" Mr Darcy looked most uncomfortable at his aunt's questioning. Lady Catherine noticed her nephew's change in countenance and also how his wife had coloured and smiled, "Darcy?"
"Yes indeed Aunt" he replied coldly.
By now, Georgiana had stopped playing and all attention had turned to Lady Catherine.
"A son, I am sure shall always be welcomed with relief. I cannot imagine what a gentleman is to do of his wife cannot provide an heir," concluded Lady Catherine as turned to converse with her daughter. Georgiana, noticing the silence that had descended, resumed her playing.
Elizabeth rose and moved to a window to hide the colour that had overwhelmed her face and the tears that stung her eyes. She stared out at the darkness, her very soul pained at Lady Catherine's stinging words. Did the absence of an heir make her an undutiful wife?
"Mrs Darcy, are you quite well?"
Elizabeth recollected herself and turned to Mr Bingley smiling, "Thank you Mr Bingley, I am very well, a little tired perhaps."
Lady Catherine smiled condescendingly at her Elizabeth, "Perhaps we should retire for the night," she began, "An early night may be preferable if our hostess is unwell."
"There is no need to retire on my account ma'am," Elizabeth replied.
Lady Catherine rose "No indeed but Anne and I shall, however, retire."
Mr and Mrs Darcy stood as their guests rose and retired to their chambers. Mr Darcy offered his arm to his wife who accepted it gladly as they ascended the staircase. Pausing at outside Elizabeth's bed chamber, Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth with concern in his eyes, "Eliza, pay no attention to my aunt, she cannot understand our situation."
"I think not, I believe Lady Catherine understands perfectly and takes joy in pointing out my faults in the company of others."
"Faults? How was she talking of any faults?"
"The fault of my being an undutiful wife by not procuring an heir for your estate."
"Lizzy, she did not say that."
"Not directly but she most certainly implied it in her manner and choice of words," Elizabeth's voice was bitter and she turned to enter her chamber.
"Elizabeth, calm yourself, let us go to bed and think no longer on my aunt."
Elizabeth turned, locking the door behind her. Ignoring her husband's knocking, she sat on her bed and wept. Her tears increased all the more as she heard Mr. Darcy move towards his own chamber for the first time in their marriage.
Elizabeth tossed and turned in her bed, unable to sleep, feeling the absence of her husband most acutely. Not soon after, she found herself outside the door to Mr Darcy's bed chamber in her shift and a shawl. She knocked on the door and in hearing a reply entered the room. Mr Darcy looked up from where he was sitting in his chair, still dressed, he turned away from Elizabeth as she approached.
"Fitzwilliam," she began softly, "I am sorry for how I behaved, I am truly ashamed of myself."
When he did not respond, she turned to leave, ashamed of her treatment of the man she loved so dearly.
"Stay, Lizzy." Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Darcy standing behind her smiling.
Gosh, my prayers go out to everyone caught up in the explosions in London, as much as it was expected, it is still a shock to see it happen so close to home. I pray that their won't be anymore fatalities and that justice will be brought.
I will update as soon as I can.