Chapter 8
"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."
The colour drained from Mr Darcy's face and he stared at the lady, unable to speak.
"There was nothing I could do."
"Lizzy?" Darcy whispered, "Is she?"
"Your wife is alive sir but only just."
"The child?"
"I could not save him. I am very sorry indeed."
Darcy sank down into a chair, the shock overwhelming. His child, his son was dead and, even worse, he had almost lost Elizabeth as well. He looked up as Kitty emerged from the room, her cheeks stained from the tears she had shed for her sister.
"I….I am sorry" she stuttered before fleeing to her room.
"May I see her please?"
"Yes, of course sir."
Darcy entered Elizabeth's chamber, followed by the midwife.
"I am sorry Mr Darcy, I shall leave you," she moved towards the door, carrying a tiny bundle in her arms.
"Wait," Darcy said, "Is….is that my son?" he stuttered, struggling to regain his composure.
The midwife nodded, "Would you like to hold him sir?"
Mr Darcy shook his head, moving instead to Elizabeth's side.
"Very well sir," replied the midwife leaving the room.
Darcy sat down on the chair beside Elizabeth's bed. He watched as she slept, her complexion very pale. He reached out and brushed some stray curls out of her face and let his fingers caress her cheek. The feel of her feverish skin left him unable to contain his emotions and he let the tears fall.
"Don't leave me Lizzy, please don't leave me."
A knock on the door signified the arrival of Georgiana, her face pale and tear-stained. She approached her brother cautiously but upon seeing his face, ran to him and embraced him fiercely.
"Oh, Fitzwilliam," she cried as she looked at Elizabeth, "will she recover?"
"I don't know, she is gravely ill Georgiana, I nearly lost her."
"I know. Kitty is beside herself, she has sent an express to her sister Jane and urges you to allow her to come to Pemberley."
"Yes, Lizzy would want her here. Where is Kitty?" Darcy enquired suddenly realising that she must be feeling desolate.
"In her chamber I believe."
"Will you go to her? I think perhaps she needs someone with her, she almost lost a sister and does not have her family to comfort her."
"Yes, of course, I shall go at once."
Once Georgiana had left, Dr Fairfax, who had been called for, joined Darcy at Elizabeth's side. He took her temperature and frowned, pressing a cold compress to her forehead.
"She lost a lot of blood during the birth, the bleeding has been stopped but she has a fever and she is very weak." He looked out of the window towards the dawn. "It has been a long night for you Mr Darcy, I urge you to rest."
"I should stay with my wife."
"Sir, I will stay with her and send for you if necessary. Please sir, she is in safe hands. I suggest that the two young ladies also rest."
Darcy nodded in consent and moved towards the door but a thought came upon him and he turned to the doctor.
"Doctor, before I retire, I….I should like to see my son."
The midwife was called for and she returned with the tiny bundle which she placed gently into Darcy's arms. He moved over to the window, where the sun was still rising and pushed aside the blanket to view his child. He gazed at the tiny features of his son's face and stroked his silky black hair, feeling the coldness of his skin. Silent tears descended as he held the lifeless form of his son close to his chest. He felt a hand in his shoulder and he turned to face the doctor. Darcy nodded, and, reluctantly relinquishing his son, returned to his own chamber.
Sleep eluded Darcy and he lay, restless, unable to calm his mind. He was not unused to grief, his mother dying when he was a child and, more recently, his father. As a child he had found it difficult to understand the emotions that coursed through him and spent little time grieving for his mother as he comforted Georgiana. His relationship with his father had been strained and again Darcy had found himself comforting his sister rather than grieving himself. Despite such acquaintance with grief, the grief he felt now was nothing like any he had ever none. His son was dead, not just the heir of Pemberley but his child, the child whom he had come to love even as he grew in his mother's womb. Darcy was thankful that Elizabeth was still alive, he truly did not know what he would have done if he had lost her as well. However, this could not detract from the grief of having their child taken from them so cruelly.
Xxxxxx
In another part of the house, Kitty and Georgiana were engaged in comforting each other. Georgiana sat on the edge of Kitty's bed as they tried to come to terms with the events of the night.
"Do you feel a little better Kitty?"
"Yes, a little. How do you fair?"
"I must confess that I am still in shock. I do not want to believe that our nephew is dead."
"I…….oh Georgiana," Kitty cried, "it was truly dreadful in there. Lizzy was in such agony, I have never seen her cry so," she sobbed into Georgiana's shoulder before continuing, "and then it was over and there was silence. Lizzy had fainted from the pain and I held her hand waiting to hear the child's cry but it did not come…….oh Georgiana!"
Georgiana's own tears fell as she embraced Kitty fiercely. She was unused to such open displays of emotion and rarely expressed her own but in the presence of Kitty's raw emotion, Georgiana could not help but release her feelings.
However, despite the tears, the words she spoke were those of wisdom, a wisdom perhaps considered to be beyond her seventeen years.
"Grief is a strange thing but in this life it must be endured. I do not truly understand why God takes those we love but I believe that He shall comfort us and not abandon us."
Georgiana's heart was breaking for her new family, she herself was hurting but she could not imagine how her brother was feeling nor how Elizabeth would when she was told of the devastating events. However, her faith was not shaken. As a Christian she did her best to live a good life but she had discovered in her heart the true meaning of being a Christian, finding personal salvation through Jesus Christ. She accepted what was presented to her in life and in times of great trial such as this, turned, without hesitation, to God.
She handed a handkerchief to Kitty who having dried her eyes, smiled at the friend who had become like a sister to her.
"Thank you Georgiana, you are very dear to me. I am sure that Mr Darcy and Lizzy will take comfort in your words just as I have."
Georgiana smiled and embraced her friend once more before suggesting that rest for the morning before luncheon.
One hour before noon, Darcy was awoken to the sound of a carriage approaching the house. Getting out of bed, he moved to the window to observe Bingley and Jane leaving the carriage both with somewhat pale countenances. Darcy dressed quickly and descended the staircase to greet them.
"Darcy!" Bingley exclaimed, shocked at his friend's appearance. Darcy greeted his friend with a brotherly affection before turning to Jane.
Jane embraced her brother-in-law with an affection not unlike that which she held for Elizabeth.
"I thank you greatly for coming so quickly." Darcy started.
"We could think of nothing else. Jane has been beside herself with worry. Tell us, how does Elizabeth fare?"
"She is not yet awake, she is gravely ill but mercifully she is alive. She….she does not know that our son is dead."
Jane, unable to maintain her composure, let out a gentle sob, "Please Mr Darcy, I must go to her."
"Yes of course, come, I shall take you to her."
Well, that was not the easiest chapter to write, I am writing this based on my own experience of losing a loved one so I apologise if I upset anyone. I don't want to depress you all but it isn't going to much happier for a bit. I know you're probably hating me right now but I wanted to make this story vaguely realistic. I've read so many fics where Elizabeth gives birth to a healthy baby, sometimes even twins with no complications at all, which, to be honest, doesn't seem to be that realistic considering the infant/mother mortality rate! Anyway, that's my justification!
Please review and point out any mistakes you come across, I always need the help!