It had been three years since they had been married, and Eliabeth was waiting for their first child.
Georgiana had come out into society a year before and was being courted by a Mr Hawcourt, a friend of her guardian Richard Fitzwiliam.
The colonel had decided to settle soon himself, and was making plans to abandon his regiment and begin to search for a wife in earnest.
They were the four of them at Pemberley, Darcy and Richard were out on an inspection of the estate, and Georgiana was practicing a new intricate piece on the pianoforte while Elizabeth sewed some baby clothes. She was only four months along but they were all so excited over the news they had begun preparations straight away.
Mrs Bennet was over the moon at the news of her third grandchild (Lydia had given birth to two children, but unfortunately neither of them had survived long, being too early. Dear Jane was trying her best but was still hopeful for any results). Elizabeth's mother was making plans to attend her second eldest daughter's delivery, and even Mr Bennet didn't seem eager to oppose her, it seemed like he had lost half his family in a very short period of time, and being reunited with a good part of it was a happy prospect.
The mail arrived and Lizzie rushed to receive the letter from the footman. She was waiting for Charlotte to give her news of her own baby girl. She was shocked to find a letter lined in black stacked in the pile, directed to her husband. She had no qualms about tearing it open and reading it, there was little she and her husband didn't share, and she knew he wouldn't mind her trespassing.
The news had her leaning against a wall and breathing heavily, with tears in her eyes.
The viscount was dead! He had been killed in a hunting accident, the earl was on his bed, sick with grief and the countless matlock had instructed her daughter-in-law to write them the news. The viscount had only one single living child, one daughter named Louisa. That meant Richard was now Viscount Lavenbroke and heir to the estate.
Elizabeth looked out the window, seeing the happy faces of her husband and cousin who had just arrived. What horrible news she was to give to them, to shatter their perfectly happy afternoon with such grief. She waited just inside the hall. Both men seemed concerned when they saw the expression on her face.
Lizzie handed the letter to her husband who wordlessly read it. His face was ashen as he silently passed the letter over to the colonel.
To say Richard was distressed was to put things mildly, the death of his brother hit him hard. He crumpled to the floor as tears streamed down his face, the letter gripped tightly in his fist. He didn't cry out but his body shook with the violence of his emotion.
Darcy kneeled next to him and put a comforting arm around his shoulders.
There was nothing to be said when the worst happened.