Chapter 7
Mr Darcy finished reading the letter that had recently arrived from Fairfield. He was still feeling a little unsure about allowing Georgiana to remain in Kent but the news that Bingley had conveyed in his letter had lifted his spirits. He picked up his pen and set about replying to his friend.
Pemberley, 8th May
My good friend Charles,
I thank you for your last letter and I hope that this one finds you in good health. I warmly congratulate you and Jane on the safe arrival of your daughter, I trust that she will bring you great joy! I pray that Jane has recovered fully, I am sure that you shall both adjust to the change.
Elizabeth is as well as can be expected, she is healthy although a little out of spirits I think. I must confess that I am a little cautious when I approach her, her countenance changes often, indeed, I am not always sure quite what to expect. However, the quarrels and the tears do not mean I love her any less, indeed Charles, I love her so very dearly.
I eagerly await the arrival of our child but I am little unsure of what to expect, I believe I may need your advice on the matter! Each day I am astonished that there is a new life growing inside Elizabeth and at how active it has already become.
It is unfortunate that we are unable to visit you at this joyous occasion. It has been recommended that Elizabeth does not travel too far from Pemberley until after the child has been born. I believe that this is for the best but, as you can imagine, Elizabeth is somewhat vexed at this.
Once again, I congratulate you both Elizabeth and I hope to see you very soon at Fairfield or here at Pemberley.
Yours &tc,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Darcy sealed the letter and leant back on his chair, meditating on the circumstances in which he now found himself. He had been married for a year and one half and would soon be a father, an event he was rather nervous about but, at the same time, exhilarated at the prospect. Elizabeth. Happiness diffused across his face as he thought on her. His eyes fell upon the letter from Bingley and he quickly recollected himself as he went in search of Elizabeth to tell her of her sister's joyous news.
Xxxxxxxx
Elizabeth was delighted at the birth of Rebecca Hannah Bingley and dearly wished that she could go to her sister. She was most vexed at Mr Darcy's insisting that she remained at Pemberley but was beginning to understand his reasoning. Kitty was at Fairfield so Jane was not alone and was in good help but she could not help but worry.
She rolled over as she struggled to make herself comfortable but without success. She got out of bed and walked over to the window, her hand rubbing her belly.
"Come on little one, please calm down," she whispered to her unborn child, sighing as she was answered with a firm kick. Sleep had become a valuable commodity to Elizabeth but it often took its time to arrive, her swollen belly making it awkward to position herself comfortably. This was not helped when accompanied by the movement of the baby.
She heard a movement behind her and felt the soft lips of her husband linger gently on her shoulder. His arms slipped around her waist and rested on her belly. Elizabeth leant back against his chest, feeling safe and, at last, comfortable. She closed her eyes and sighed happily.
"Can you not sleep Lizzy?"
"No, not at present."
"Perhaps you should try again."
"I should like to see you try with this making it near impossible to be comfortable," she snapped. "Sorry," she continued, "I am very tired."
"I know my dear." Darcy whispered softly.
He turned her around so that she faced him and stroked a lock of hair between his fingers.
"However," he continued, "soon we shall have our child, you shall be comfortable again and you can sleep to your heart's content. For now though, you shall have to make do with the comfort that I can offer."
He tilted her chin up with his finger and looked into her fine eyes before kissing her tenderly. He drew her as close to him as her belly permitted but the moment was broken as he felt a kick in objection. He and Elizabeth laughed as they returned to bed.
Xxxxxxxxxx
A sevenday later, Georgiana returned to Pemberley from Rosings, her arrival coinciding with an invitation from Lady Preston.
"A picnic Lizzy?" Georgiana exclaimed, "that sounds delightful!"
"It certainly does, a most fitting celebration for Miss Preston."
"I do not believe I have had the pleasure of a picnic," Georgiana mused.
"I am sure, my dear, that you shall find it entertaining, I am sure Miss Preston shall. I recall my own thirteenth birthday, mama was very tiresome during the festivities. I believe I took refuge in my father's library, mama was most displeased." Elizabeth smiled at the recollection.
"Perhaps Mrs Bennet was right to be displeased Lizzy."
"Yes, perhaps she was but one cannot change the past now, we must concentrate on what is happening in the present Georgiana. I do believe Mr Preston will be present at his sister's birthday."
Georgiana coloured, a little less violently that she had in the past, a result, perhaps, Elizabeth thought, of the constant teasing from Kitty.
"Come Georgiana," Elizabeth continued, "Your brother and I shall be your chaperones, you shall be able to continue your acquaintance with no fear of impropriety or scandal."
"Lizzy, what if Mr Preston were to make an offer of marriage to me? What should I do?"
"Georgiana, I cannot make such decisions for you. I am afraid that lies with you and, of course, your brother."
"I do not think that Fitzwilliam approves of Mr Preston."
"On first acquaintance, Fitzwilliam did not appear to approve of me but he certainly came to look upon me with a more favourable eye." Elizabeth observed as Georgiana looked away from her, "Georgiana," she continued, "do you have a certain regard for Mr Preston"
The younger woman looked up and shyly nodded.
"And if he were to make you an offer, do you think you would accept?"
"I….I believe that perhaps I would."
"Perhaps?"
"I could not accept him without the consent of my brother. However, I believe that if it is God's will then he will consent."
"Yes indeed."
Xxxxxxxxxx
When the day of the picnic arrived, the sun was high in a blue sky. The party were assembled on a hill overlooking Leighton Hall, and, having eaten, were enjoying the fine weather.
Young Beatrice was engaged in a game of Blind Man's Buff with her friends and several younger cousins. The game had been initiated by Henry Preston who appeared to be as entertained by the game as the children.
Georgiana and the elder Mr Preston were sat under a parasol under the watchful of eye of Lady Preston, as well as Elizabeth and Darcy. In a slightly less formal situation, Georgiana felt a little more at ease with the gentleman.
"Your sister appears to be enjoying her birthday Mr Preston."
"Yes she does although I think my brother is enjoying it more," he laughed at the behaviour of his brother, "I often wonder whether he thinks he is still thirteen himself!"
"Perhaps he has happy memories of being thirteen."
"Perhaps he does. He was certainly more agreeable at thirteen than Beatrice is now. She is rather stubborn but perhaps she will improve with age."
"It is a trying age."
"Indeed," smiled Mr Preston. "Miss Darcy," he continued, "tomorrow I must go to York on business. I am not sure how long I shall be but when I return I should like very much to speak with you again. Would you allow me that honour?"
Georgiana felt the heat rise in her cheeks, "I….thank you sir, I should like that."
After thanking Georgiana, Mr Preston became quiet and the pair found themselves content watching the children as they played.
Lady Preston, who had been closely observing the couple, turned to Elizabeth, "It appears, from observation, that my son is most bewitched by Miss Darcy. I must confess that I have never seen him quite as transfixed by a lady, not even by any of the young ladies in York." Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, "Do not mistake me Mrs Darcy," Lady Preston continued, "My son is a gentleman and very honourable but I should like to see him settled. They make a fine couple, do you not agree?"
"Yes," replied Elizabeth thoughtfully, "Perhaps they do." She observed the couple as they talked, she knew of Georgiana's regard so was careful to note Mr Preston's countenance.
He was very attentive and really did appear to be transfixed.
"Perhaps," Elizabeth thought to herself, "he is in love with her." She meditated on this for some time, not noticing the chill in the air until Beatrice announced to her mother that she was feeling a little cold and would like to return to the house.
"My dear?"
Elizabeth recollected herself as Mr Darcy addressed her.
"I think perhaps it is time we returned to Pemberley. There is a chill in the air and you look a little tired."
"Tired? I cannot imagine how you were given that impression!" Mr Darcy laughed as he assisted her in standing up. She took his arm gratefully as they followed the rest of the party descending the hill.
Xxxxxxx
The weeks went by and Elizabeth was growing steadily. Kitty had returned to Pemberley much to Elizabeth's relief. She was finding it increasingly difficult to rise from her bed or a chair without assistance and she felt most uncomfortable in the warm weather.
As June moved into July, Elizabeth was confined to her chamber to begin her lying in. She found the confinement rather tedious and had found the company of Kitty a relief as she told her of events at Fairfield.
"Kitty, I cannot tell you how frustrating this is!" Elizabeth cried, throwing down her book.
"Perhaps it would help if you took a turn about the room."
"Yes, I think I shall although I will need you help!"
Kitty laughed as she helped her sister out of bed. Elizabeth started walking around the room, feeling a little better from the exercise.
"Lizzy?" Kitty began, "did you see Mr Markham whilst I was with Jane?"
"A little, although it seems to me that he spends more time in our company when you are at Pemberley."
"Really?"
"Kitty my dear, you have a lot to learn. It seems that Pemberley shall have two young ladies meditating on matters of the heart."
Their conversation was suddenly brought to a halt as a look of pain diffused across Elizabeth's face, her hands moving instinctively to her belly.
"Lizzy?" Kitty's voice was wrought with panic, "what is wrong?"
"My pains are starting, it's time."
Xxxxxxx
Mr Darcy paced the hall outside his wife's apartment, Kitty had come running to him when Elizabeth's pains started crying that the time had come. The midwife had been called for and had warned Darcy that it could be some time before the child was born.
Georgiana had persuaded him to go down to dinner with her but he had been unable to eat and had now returned to his post outside Elizabeth's chamber. Kitty and the midwife went in and out of the room yet told him nothing of events within. He could hear the cries of pain from Elizabeth, each one piercing his heart.
"Georgiana," he turned to his sister who had joined him.
"I thought you might like some tea."
"Thank you."
"How are you?"
"Oh Georgiana, I hear her cries and wish that I could be in there with her."
"I understand. I am sure it shall be over soon."
Several hours later, Darcy was sat in an alcove a little further down from Elizabeth's chamber. His thoughts were disturbed by the sudden silence coming from the room, on hearing the door open, he leapt to his feet. The midwife emerged from the room, wiping her brow.
"Mr Darcy, I am so very sorry."
Oooh, I am evil, heheheheehehehehehehehehehe!
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