The Question of Consent
By DJ Clawson
A sequel to "A Bit of Advice"
Chapter 11 – Christmas at Kirkland
"Come in," was Miss Bingley soft voice, not asking who it was. The look on her face when he entered was indescribable, so filled with conflicting emotions, but that didn't make her any less beautiful. She said nothing at his entrance, or at his shutting the door behind him, which was most improper for two unmarried adults of opposite genders. And a great deal of affection.
As his legs were so horribly wobbly, it was very easy to get to his knees. "Caroline – "
"Don't do this," she said, already in tears. "Please."
"I know very well I can offer you next to nothing, besides my paltry income, and that it is very unrespectable to actually be earning an income and not receiving it," he said. "I know that our social positions are incomparable, and that I cannot provide for the lifestyle to which you are not only accustomed to but are deserving, and that we shall be forever reliant on your brother. In fact, all things considered, all I have to offer you is my total and unconditional love and admiration." He was very surprised, in fact, that he managed to keep his own voice mainly intact as he said it. "If that is not sufficient, then I will trouble you no longer. If it is, Caroline Bingley, will you accept my hand in marriage?" The last line, he said in Italian.
"Yes," she replied in the same language. "Oh G-d, yes."
There was barely a second before Charles Bingley burst in the room. "You had to do it in a language I don't know! Now I will look like a fool if it wasn't a yes. It was a yes, right?" He looked at both of their faces as Maddox stood up. "I dare say it was. Doctor, I believe you and I are to have a conversation?"
Charles Bingley spun around in the chair in office. "I could get used to this. Too bad I have no remaining sisters. Though, the bit about Lord Kincaid was most unpleasant, but I have many years to learn more about checking into people's finances before my Georgiana comes into society. But, as usual, I am babbling on and you have something very important to ask me."
Actually, Maddox was grateful for the reprieve, for it gave him time to collect himself. "Mr. Bingley, I would like to request your sister's hand in marriage."
"Granted."
He breathed a sigh of relief. "I feel with all good conscious I must remind you – "
" – of your financial state. Yes, well, Caroline's been riding on the family fortune for years, as have the Hursts, so I see no reason why to not add another person to the list, provided you are not a gambler, which I imagine you are not. Though, I feel I must inquire as to what exactly is your income. For propriety's sake."
"I – I have some savings. A few thousand pounds, what I've saved since receiving my license. And my yearly income, at best, is another five hundred, but that is entirely dependent on my patient list."
"And your patient list would improve dramatically, I imagine, if your own social standing increased," Bingley speculated. "And there is the matter of you being a very talented doctor. So I cannot say that you are entirely without fortune and bring nothing to the table. Not that it is relevant at all to this conversation. If you make Caroline happy, then you are doing all that is required to be my brother-in-law." He stood up, and approached the quivering doctor. "I suppose we should shake on it? Is that how it's done? I would usually ask Darcy, but I could hardly bother him at this juncture."
So they shook on it. This was not enough for Bingley, who grabbed Maddox and embraced him. "Welcome to the family. I hope you will find it to your liking."
"I think I will," Maddox finally managed to say.
Now formally engaged, there was no problem with the immediate issue of keeping Caroline and Maddox properly apart except at social functions, because he was still living with the Darcys. The most pressing matter, now that this was one was passed, was in fact getting his approval for their return to Kirkland. Darcy insisted they go on ahead of him for Jane's sake, and then lamented very loudly that he was disgusted that since his injury, no one seemed to be listening to a word he said.
When he could sleep without the opium, and could finally walk with only the aid of a cane, Dr. Maddox finally gave his consent for the journey, provided they proceed appropriately slowly and he oversee the Darcy carriage's progress entirely. At long last, the carriages baring the Bingleys, the Darcys, and one affianced doctor could start out from Town, heading north towards Kirkland and a very expectant wife. "Just in time for Christmas," Mr. Hurst gurgled, and Bingley had had to admit that this year, the holiday had been very far from his mind.
On the first rest stop, Doctor Maddox took the time to try to get Darcy to get up and move about with the rest of them, and finding that he could not, practically forced a dose down his throat. Only afterwards did Darcy thank him, which was his way of subtly admitting that he was in fact in some considerable pain. When the doctor was sure it had taken effect, they loaded back into their carriages and continued on the journey. Darcy learned on Elizabeth's shoulder, drifting in and out.
"He's pretending to be asleep," she said to Maddox. "So he doesn't accidentally say anything ridiculous."
Maddox said nothing, but he did notice Darcy smile after she said it.
The trip proceeded more smoothly then, at least for Darcy and the two other occupants of the carriage. Dr. Maddox buried himself in a book, which amusing he had to read with his glasses removed and the text pushed up right to his face. The title was in Latin, and when asked, he said it was a very boring medical text, and that he would gladly switch to something more amusing to be read aloud if he had anything with him.
On the borders of Derbyshire, the carriage abruptly stopped when the one in front of it did. Eventually the carriage door opened, and Mr. Bingley practically tore open the carriage door. "Doctor, if you would, it seems we are needed in Kirkland most urgently, and they have sent riders for us."
"Is it – "
"Yes, Elizabeth," he said. "Perhaps our estimations were incorrect. It not an exact an exact science, after all. Or perhaps it is – I am not the expert on the subject. But Jane is – very expecting. Now."
"Then I must go with you," she insisted.
"I cannot possibly ask that you leave – "
"'m fine," Darcy mumbled. "Lizzy, ride with them."
Maddox coughed, and this apparently was enough of a reminder.
"Bingley, can you give us a moment to confer?" Elizabeth said, as Maddox climbed out. "A very short moment, I assure you."
"Yes, of course."
With the door closed, she turned to her husband, "Darcy, I cannot ride."
"I told you," he said, his voice slurred. "I will be fine."
"No, I mean – I cannot ride." Since he wasn't at his full senses, she whispered the full explanation.
"Oh." It took him even more time to process his news. "Well, then ..." he broke up in laughter. "I love you."
"As do I."
He put his hand on her belly. "What shall we name it?"
"George," she said. "But seriously, you see, the only way I could go would be to take the a carriage – "
"Then take this one," he said. "And go fast. I will ride with the others so very slowly."
She kissed him. "Thank you."
"Thank you for being my wife," he said. "Now go and help Caroline deliver her baby."
She held her laughter until they got him out of the cart, and started off with much greater haste for Kirkland Hall.
Even the expectant servants of Kirkland were not prepared for the onslaught that was three overly worried people storming in the door, barely allowing time for their coats to be removed. The only person immediately in their range was Mr. Bennet, who Bingley shook, "How is she?"
"I have no idea. Being a man, they won't let me on the same floor as an expectant woman. But she has not delivered, that much I know, and the mid-wife and my wife are tending to her. But I see you have brought a doctor –"
"Yes," Bingley said ask quickly as possible. "Mr. Bennet, this is Dr. Maddox, who is very accomplished and also Miss Bingley's betrothed."
"Very good – what?"
"It will be explained, father," Elizabeth said, "when there is not something else pressing."
As the three new arrivals ran up the stairs, Mr. Bennet said, "I hope at least he's not Scottish!"
Jane Bingley was in her bedroom, surrounded by her mother, the midwife, the nurse, and several servants. Her face was the expected strained red of a woman in the throws of labor, but she was not screaming or cursing. In fact, she still had a great deal of her senses about her. "Charles!"
"Jane!" he said, practically tossing everyone in his way aside, including his mother-in-law, who would surely object to his intrusion in any other circumstances as he ran to her side and embraced her as he could, considering her position and girth. "Oh my lovely Jane, I am so sorry for the delay! I had no idea – "
"It came about so quickly," she said, "but – I am told I am hours away. You are here with plenty of time. Lizzy!"
Elizabeth took up her place on the other side of her sister, a place she would not relinquish for some time, as she grasped her hand. "If I could have come any sooner – "
"I know. Please, while I am between contractions – how is Darcy?"
"Enduring the other three Bingleys as we speak. Though perhaps Miss Bingley is not so terrible after all." With that, she shot a look at Dr. Maddox, who was holding his bag and quietly waiting to be introduced. "But he is recovering well, thanks to the doctor here. Jane, this is Dr. Maddox, who is responsible for my husband's good health, and is Miss Bingley's fiancé."
"Mrs. Bingley," the doctor bowed.
"Oh. Hello, doctor – what?" Jane said. "I thought – "
"It's a very long story. One I would be happy to tell you," Elizabeth said. "Whenever you are ready. But at the moment, would you consent to an inspection?"
"Yes, yes, of course," said the overwhelmed Jane, who turned to her husband as Dr. Maddox opened his bag and began removing various instruments. "You will confirm that?"
"I gave my consent but yesterday. It seems love will not be stymied."
"To Caroline Bingley?"
"Yes, dear."
Dr. Maddox had no comment, too absorbed in his examination. He took out a tube of glass, and pressed it against Jane's stomach, and put his ear on the other end, which they all found very odd but did not question. "Sound," he explained after a minute or so of listening. "It carries better through solids. Well, Mrs. Bingley, my assessment is that you are doing quite well, and are some time away from delivery. I know that is not much comfort to you – "
"No," she said as she grimaced, clearly riding another contraction. "But – it is good news."
"Uhm, Mrs. Bingley," he said very formally. "You are aware that you are expecting twins, correct?"
The blank stares of the crowd he was facing confirmed his suspicions that was not, in fact, the case.
"Well, then I must be the bearer of the news."
"You are sure?" Jane demanded.
"Quite. There are two heartbeats. And considering your girth ... yes, I would say twins."
"Oh." She said it nonchalantly, then turned to her husband. "Charles?"
"Yes?"
She then proceeded to strangle him by his cravat. Only the collective forces of Mrs. Bennet, the mid-wife, and the nurse could get him away from her in time for him not die of asphyxiation.
As the hour grew late and the screams grew louder, so much so that they made their way to the front hallway, did Elizabeth Darcy reappear, and only when she was informed that the other carriage had finally arrived. She embraced her husband, who hobbled in, and gave him the news as it was, that Jane was still in labor and Bingley was hiding in his study for his own safety. "How do you feel?"
"Like I very much want to sit down," he said, "on something that doesn't bump up and down."
She helped him to Bingley's massive study, where he took a seat in an armchair that was brought in by the servants instead of one of the traditional low-backed office chairs, and she whispered the most recent update to Bingley before disappearing back upstairs. Beside Darcy was Mr. Bennet, who had taken up the business of keeping Bingley from drinking himself into a stupor. Mr. Hurst joined them, and the male sanctuary was filled, as Dr. Maddox remained mainly with his patient. In the parlor outside Kitty Bennet was joined by Mrs. Hurst, Georgiana, and Miss Bingley, and finally had some entertainment.
"All things considered, I think I should say you look much recovered and quite well," Mr. Bennet said to Darcy. "But the fact of the matter is I have never seen you worse."
"You didn't see him a week ago," Bingley said. "Drink, Darcy?"
To his great surprise, Darcy answered, "I would appreciate it, yes." And he took a shot of whiskey and downed it like it was meant to be medicinal, which it probably was. "What is the news?"
"I am having twins. You?"
"Wife. Pregnant," he said. "Triplets, surely."
"Oh, this again," Mr. Bennet said with a roll of his eyes.
"To be sure?" Bingley said.
"She is fairly sure. And now we have a doctor in the family to confirm it."
"Quiet convenient," Mr. Hurst said, already taking advantage of the free-flowing alcohol with a large glass of whiskey.
"Yes, yes, we must all endeavor to come down with horrible diseases that only he may cure," Mr. Bennet said.
"I will pass on this endeavor," Darcy said. "Having already fulfilled my obligation to make him worthwhile."
"So it is true, then," Mr. Bennet said. "He is affianced to Miss Bingley. It seems I am terrible at predicting marriages. The only one I got right was Jane, and I did not verbally predict it. I let my wife do that."
"No one predicted this," Bingley defended his father-in-law.
"I did," said Mr. Hurst.
"Then you will be the best man, perhaps," Bingley said. "For it seems I must give her away, so I am unavailable, and Darcy can barely stand up."
"I will remind you, Bingley, that Lord Kincaid did me the favor of shooting me in the left side, leaving my right arm quite available to run you through once I am recovered," Darcy said.
"How very nice of him," Mr. Bennet observed.
Jane's labor continued into the night, which was by no means unexpected, and many residents and visitors retired. Darcy refused to do so, but he did fall right asleep in the armchair in Bingley's study, and Elizabeth was satisfied with covering him with a blanket, as she was quite busy herself. The Hursts retired, and Kitty was very excited but as a maiden was not permitted to be part of the team surrounding Jane, so she also went to her room with an annoyed huff. Mr. Bennet gave up around the eleventh hour, complaining of his old, stiff body, and invaded the female sanctuary upstairs to give his eldest daughter a kiss on the forehead before turning in for bed. Mr. Bingley stayed awake only with the help of his servants, who he demanded rouse him regularly with updates, but otherwise he was passed out facedown on his desk.
No one was watching Caroline Bingley, and Elizabeth first saw her again when she was going for more towels. Dr. Maddox was staying wide awake by ingesting what seemed to be gallons of tea, and Elizabeth turned a corner and saw him taking another bottle from Caroline. Not wanting to invade their privacy, she stepped back behind the corner, but did peer over to see Caroline give him a kiss on the cheek before he went back to Jane's room.
Only Jane's agony was keeping Elizabeth and her mother awake. She screamed, she cursed a number of curses that they could properly identify her discovery of, and she damned her husband to the ends of the earth (fortunately, he was not there to hear it). The mid-wife remained in the room, but Dr. Maddox gave the orders, especially now with the dangerous complication of two potential newborns. Between contractions, Jane was told the entire tale of the adventures in Town, including both conspiracies to get Miss Bingley out of one marriage and into another. As this was done in front of Dr. Maddox, he blushed and turned away, but did not flee with a patient in the room needing his expertise. Jane commenting in a rare moment of lucidity that she rather enjoyed the story, or would take the time to enjoy it upon retrospection and when she was not otherwise engaged.
Eventually there was the inevitable, and Jane's contractions would not cease, and even the most uninformed person in the room could tell it was her time.
"Pray for sons, Jane dearest," Mrs. Bennet said, holding her hand.
"At this moment, I am very mad at G-d, so I would not care to," she said. "Doctor Maddox, if you're such a master doctor, do me the favor and hurry it up!"
"That, sadly, is beyond my abilities," he said quietly, and merely told her to push.
Charles Bingley's first response to being shook awake was to sit up and shout, "Yes, yes, I consent! By G-d, yes!" It was then that he came to his senses, and unfortunately realized that not only had a pounding headache, but a doctor standing over him. "Wha? What is it?"
"Happy Christmas, Mr. Bingley," Maddox said.
Charles squinted at the grandfather clock, and noticed the time. "Yes, I suppose it is Christmas eve. Or day. Is it day?"
"I believe it is. Now." Maddox looked at his watch. "It is precisely four-thirty-two in the morning."
"Oh." Charles settled back. Things were coming to him slowly, "Um – "
"You have a son, Mr. Bingley. And another daughter. Congratulations."
Bingley looked up at Maddox, who obviously hadn't slept a wink and was staying up only by force of will at this point. "And Jane?"
"I would hurry if you wish to catch her before she is sound asleep."
"Thank you. Thank you, doctor." He grabbed Maddox's arm and shook it so violently that he nearly tore the doctor's arm off. "Thank you so very much – uhm, Daniel."
"My pleasure."
"And, uh, I guess someone should do something about Darcy," Bingley said in passing as he pushed passed Maddox and raced up the stairs. Darcy was still asleep in the chair.
The Bingley twins, as they would be referred to for some time, had the fortune to be different genders, because otherwise, they were identical in appearance. Both of them had a small tuft of blond hair like their mother, and both of them were squealing tiredly when Bingley entered the bedchamber, as seated beside his wife, and took one, then two infants into his arms.
"Congratulations," said an exhausted-looking Elizabeth, who then moved out of the way so he could see Jane, who was finally able to go back on her side. Her eyes were heavy and bloodshot, and her natural motherly glow somewhat defused for the expected reasons, but she still managed to smile softly at him.
"Shall we name them?" she said, her hoarse.
"Now? We can think on the matter but ... I would very much prefer the boy to be named Charles."
"I do like the name Charles," she said, and gestured, and Elizabeth passed the boy to Jane, or more accurately, laid him beside her on the bed.
"Perhaps we can finally convince your father to let us name the girl Elizabeth," he said, cradling his second daughter.
"Perhaps," Jane said, and seemed to be drifted into sleep.
He kissed her, and had the remaining servant take the children and put them in their cradle. He turned to Elizabeth. "Thank you. Happy Christmas."
"Happy Christmas." She was clearly too tired to curtsey. She left without another word, and as she was gone, Charles collapsed on the bed next to his wife and fell asleep fully-clothed.
Next Chapter - Vita Nuova