Disclaimer: As much as I wish they were my own, they belong to JA!
Chapter 5
The following weeks passed quickly and all the Darcys' guests, with the exception of Kitty, had left Pemberley to return to their own homes. Their remained at Pemberley however, at atmosphere not unlike that of Christmas. The news of Elizabeth's pregnancy had brought with it a joy which spread throughout the grand house from the family themselves down to those below stairs. The news had had a considerable impact on the kitchen.
Lucy, one of Pemberley's many maids returned to the kitchen having responded to the bell from the breakfast room looking at little flustered.
"What would Mrs Darcy be requiring now?" inquired one of the cooks.
"Blancmange, Mrs Taite, blancmange served with potatoes."
Mrs Taite raised her eyebrows, "an interesting choice for breakfast, it seems our mistress's cravings are becoming more imaginative, even more so than her predecessor."
In recent weeks, the requests for certain 'delicacies' had become more and more absurd sometimes astonishing the kitchen staff. However, these were what Mrs Darcy desired and so it was always quickly seen to.'
"I do hope the child won't be affected by such dishes." Lucy worried, looking curiously at the dish before her.
Mrs Taite laughed at the naivety of the girl, "not at all Lucy dear! The late Mrs Darcy, God rest her soul, was not unlike our mistress, particularly when expecting Mr Darcy and I turned out just fine! Come along dear and take it up please."
Above stairs, the family were unaware of joviality which passed beneath them. Mr Darcy, Georgiana and Kitty watched with looks of bemusement and astonishment as Elizabeth began to eat the dish which sat before her. The colour vanished from Georgiana's face and she felt most unable to eat.
"Elizabeth my dear," Mr Darcy began, "I am most uneasy about going to town today, it seems that Georgiana finds it most difficult to eat at present. In fact, I am most inclined to do so myself."
Elizabeth coloured deeply and stopped eating as she saw the faces of her companions. Struggling to compose herself as a wave of nausea swept across her, she rose, excusing herself as she hastily retreated to her apartment.
Mr Darcy laughed gently as he observed her leave but was quickly reprimanded by his sister.
"Fitzwilliam, you should not be so unkind to poor Lizzy, it is not her fault."
Darcy was some what startled by Georgiana's remark yet he was not entirely surprised. Since his marriage, Georgiana had regarded Elizabeth as a sister and endeavoured to spend a significant time in her company, benefiting from Elizabeth's spirited nature. Kitty had brought with her to Pemberley her open and easy manner which had at first alarmed Georgiana.
However, Darcy had noticed some of his sister's excessive shyness lift as she and Kitty became better acquainted.
Darcy glanced briefly and noticing the time, rose from his chair, "I am afraid, ladies, that I must take my leave if I am to apologise to Mrs Darcy before I go to town." He embraced his sister and smiled warmly at Kitty before striding upstairs.
"Lizzy?" Mr Darcy enquired, knocking softly on the door to his wife's chamber.
"Yes, what is it?" she snapped, wrenching open the door.
"Elizabeth," Darcy began, feeling a little irritated as she turned away from him. Their marriage was not perfect, they were only human and it was not unexpected that their tempers clashed now and again. He attempted to regain his composure but before he could, she turned on him.
"Mr Darcy, I would appreciate it if you refrained from making such comments in public which induce such embarrassment." she said coldly.
"I was concerned for the welfare of my sister. She finds it difficult to eat when forced to observe your current eating habits."
"Well, I am sorry that the necessities of my own welfare are so abhorrent to you. Perhaps it may be preferable for everyone if I took all my meals alone for the next five months." Elizabeth said bitterly, hot tears filling her eyes. Again, she turned from him and moved towards the window and the tears streamed down her cheeks. Since learning of her condition, Elizabeth had struggled with the emotions that had flooded her, the changes, how one moment she could be laughing, the next shouting or crying, she hardly understood it herself.
Darcy paused before moving towards her, he did not enjoy the speed at which his wife's emotions could change and was weary of what could happen next. He heard Elizabeth's sobs and without a second thought, took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, his heart aching at seeing her in such turmoil. Elizabeth responded with an equal passion but then pulled away.
"I'm sorry for what I said Fitzwilliam, it was unkind and undeserved."
"What did I not deserve? I am sorry for mocking you although….. blancmange and potatoes?" He laughed as Elizabeth tried to move away from him jestingly. He moved his hand so that it covered the slight bulge, concealed by her gown and could not help but smile.
"I must go now Lizzy, I shall write on my arrival." He kissed her tenderly and reluctantly left Pemberley for London.
xxxxxx
A day did not go by when Elizabeth did not thank God for the gift that He had entrusted to her. Such gratitude for life itself had produced in her a joy unlike any she had ever known. While Darcy was in town, Elizabeth spent much of her time deep in meditation as she managed the household but had been advised by Dr Fairfax to ensure that she rested.
One such afternoon found Kitty and Georgiana in the small sitting room for which they had a preference. Feeling a little frustrated, Kitty threw down the bonnet she had been edging in disgust, "I think this bonnet shall never look well on me, perhaps I shall give it to Lizzy."
Georgiana smiled, "Perhaps Mr Markham will prefer a different bonnet."
Kitty looked up at Georgiana, a little startled by her unusual boldness and coloured slightly. "I do not see why Mr Markham would have a preference of what bonnet I should wear."
"Do you not Kitty?"
"Not at all!"
"He is a very agreeable gentleman, perhaps more so than Mr Henry Preston."
Kitty once again felt the colour spread across her face at the mention of the second gentleman.
At their first acquaintance, Kitty had taken a fancy to the younger Mr Preston. He was not unlike his older brother in charm and breeding although was a little more spirited. Kitty had found him very easy to converse with and had quickly formed an attachment. Their had been a time when she had believed that he returned her feelings but on closer examination she had seen no peculiar regard and so had resigned herself to his indifference. He was, after all, a second son so could not afford such a match for Kitty could offer him very little. However, as their acquaintance had lengthened, a friendship had formed and Kitty almost looked upon him as the brother she had never had.
Kitty recollected herself and laughed, a mischievous look flitting across her face, unnoticed by her companion.
"Mr Preston is like a brother to me and will remain so. However, I do think that he his more likely to become your brother Georgiana or am I mistaken?"
Georgiana flushed violently at Kitty's teasing and felt her heart beat stronger at her chest for indeed she did have a certain regard for the gentleman. to whom Kitty refered.
"Oh Kitty," she began quietly, "he is very amiable and I must confess that I like him very much indeed."
"Then perhaps you should show some evidence of your regard rather than trying to persuade him of your indifference."
"Goodness Kitty!" Georgiana exclaimed, "can that possibly be proper, I cannot make an exhibition of myself, what would my brother say?"
"Georgiana, you cannot possibly behave with impropriety," said Kitty, thinking back to the impropriety of herself and Lydia in Hertfordshire, "Do you think Mr Darcy will not approve of the match?"
"I cannot be sure, he is so good to me and wishes only to protect me. I do pray that he will approve of Mr Preston, I do so wish to marry for love."
"Indeed you shall!" Kitty laughed, "come, let us see if Lizzy will join us for tea."
Over the months that Kitty and Georgiana had spent together, they had become good friends and confidantes. Kitty had found Georgiana's shy countenance more preferable than her younger sister's impropriety and as a result had become less irritable and most improved. Georgiana had at first been alarmed by Kitty's forwardness and easy manner but in further acquaintance had begun to find it a little easier to engage in conversation, not just with her family but also with other acquaintances.
Xxxxxx
London, 24th February
My Dearest Elizabeth,
I trust that this letter finds you safe and in very good health. I hope that you are resting, well, that our sisters are ensuring that you do. Since my last letter to you, it pleases me to say that the business that keeps me here is almost complete and I shall return to Pemberley in a week. Oh Lizzy, I have missed you so very much but rejoice that we shall soon be reunited.
My aunt has written to me congratulating us on our news and has invited us to Rosings in March if you are well enough to travel. Her reaction was interesting indeed, a little unconvinced maybe. Perhaps a visit to Rosings will reassure her that Pemberley may not be entailed.
Do not worry yourself over Lady Catherine's reaction for I am sure that she shall be appeased when the baby is born.
Dearest Elizabeth, I shall see you in one week, you have my heart forever.
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Please review and please be honest! This chapter didn't flow as well as I wanted it to so I would welcome your opinions. It seems that every time I sit down and write, the plot seems to take a change in direction but I think it will eventually go in the direction I want it to in! For those of you who like fluff, I think that the next chapter will be the last of it for a little while, however, it is well under way!