Mr Darcy relaxed back in his chair in the study, Lady Catherine had just walked out of the door and he felt that he needed a moment to regain his composure before he went to see his wife. He sighed and closed his eyes thinking on the conversation that he had just had with Lady Catherine. She had apologised for her last letter and asked them to visit after the child was born. It took Darcy a while for this information to acknowledge inside of his brain but when he did he felt that he had an obligation to forgive his Aunt and accept her invitation. Hopefully, he thought, things may now be as perfect as I wanted them to be.
Mr Darcy nearly jumped out of his seat when the door opened and Elizabeth walked in, her hand on her stomach.
"My dear Lizzy what is it?" He asked her. She stood still in front of his desk. "Will you not sit Lizzy?" She sat quickly.
"Has Lady Catherine left so quickly?" She asked him, she saw him smile slightly before he nodded.
"She has Lizzy. She gave me no bad remarks, in fact it was quite the opposite."
"She wanted to ask you for forgiveness?" Lizzy asked in curiosity.
"Yes she did. And I am sure that she did the same in the letter she sent you." Elizabeth nodded.
"I feel terrible Fitzwilliam for the things I said to her. I know myself that they were said in frustration and anger but I now repent them. Do you think she will ever forgive me?"
"Of course she will, eventually. Perhaps you may apologise when we travel to Rosings." Elizabeth smiled slightly.
"Are we accepting her invitation Fitzwilliam?"
"I have. Although, if you do not feel inclined to go I will not force you. You should be aware of that by this stage in our relationship."
"Thank you." They both turned and looked at the door when there was a slight knock on it. Darcy quickly shouted their entry and Mrs Reynolds entered smoothly , carrying a note. She crossed the room quickly and passed the note to Darcy who opened it. His face changed quickly from happiness to worry. He placed the note down on his desk as Mrs Reynolds closed the door. He swallowed quickly.
"You did not inform me that you were experiencing pain a short time ago." He said quietly.
"Who told you that? Kitty?" Darcy said nothing so she presumed that she was right. "She knows nothing Mr Darcy."
"But she does. She can see when you are in pain Lizzy, like I did when you walked through my door. They are worried about you. Will you not allow me to call a doctor to set their minds at rest?" Elizabeth stared at her husband for a moment before she nodded.
"Alright." She said. "Call the Doctor, I confess that I do wish to see him." Darcy nodded.
"Good." He stood quickly and walked around to help Elizabeth out of the chair. "Come, I will take you upstairs. I am sure that Georgiana and Kitty will be waiting to know that you are well."
Mr Darcy had been pacing his study for hours after his wife had actually gone into labour. When the doctor came he thought that there was something wrong but when he told him that his child was on the way he could not wait. He paced the study wildly knowing that he would not get entry into Elizabeth's chamber.
He did not know how many hours he had paced but sunset had already arrived and gone leaving the study in darkness. He paced silently with a glass of whiskey in one hand, hoping to cure his nerves. Through the house he could hear Elizabeth's cry of pain, each one piercing his heart. And then they stopped.
Darcy looked up to the ceiling listening carefully for any sounds that may prove that his wife and child were well, but there was nothing…nothing, just silence.