NOTE: I messed up and posted chapter 31 instead of 30, so I've posted 30 and reordered them. My apologies for the error.

Chapter 30: And Darcy Came Tumbling After

Saturday, 14 November 1812

Rosings Park

When Darcy came to their room, Elizabeth was already in between the bedclothes in her nightgown. The darkness fell early this late in the year, and she found herself greatly fatigued from working so hard to not think about his leaving.

She watched as he put his candle on the table and quietly undressed. He gave the fire one last stoke before he climbed between the bedclothes.

His body was shockingly cold against her warm one. She could not stop the shiver that came. Hearing the humor combined with the seduction in his voice as he let out a long breath. "Ummmmmmm. You are nice and warm." He wrapped his leg around her, placing one absolutely frigid foot between her legs, causing her to gasp and again shiver.

"You, sir, are no gentleman to use me as your warming pan," she teased as she removed his offensively cold foot.

"May I at least warm my hands?" he asked, and without waiting for her approval, he snaked the two icy appendages under her arms and onto her breasts, causing her to pull back from his hands, which landed her onto his chest, which was also frigid.

"Is there no part of you that is warm!" she cried. She could tell from the movement of muscles of his face on her neck that he was grinning.

"I will happily introduce my warmest part to you," he offered alluringly as he began his osculation on the back of her neck. Though his skin was still chilled, he wrapped himself around her back, pulling her closer to use her warmth to make his touch more agreeable before he introducing that no-longer-small bit of heat he initially had to offer.

Once they were both were properly warmed and sated, he rested with her lying on top of him. He relished feeling the press of her belly on his, sometimes feeling the kicks that reminded him of the continuation of his line.

"Where were you after you finished tea?" he wondered. "I waited an hour. I was able to address a few matters of correspondence, so at least I made good use of the time, but you never came to me."

Surprised, Elizabeth responded, "You wished for me to come to you? How was I to know that?"

"I said I was returning to my … duty. I thought you would comprehend my meaning," he teased.

"How am I supposed to comprehend that!" she cried in vexation before she turned the table on him. "I am your duty, am I?"

She could hear the grin in his voice. "As I am yours." He slid his now warmed hand between them. "As this"—he gently squeezed her stomach—"is our duty."

"Then your duty is done," she reminded him of his aunt's earlier statement.

"My duty has only just begun," he told her. Then he placed his finger on her nose, tapping lightly as he spoke. "Do not speak of me that way." He removed his finger from her nose as his arm wrapped around her. "I tolerate my aunt as my elder, though she is a pompous fool. You are not a fool."

"You are so easily offended?" she asked.

"By you? Yes." He kissed her. "So you must be gentle with me."

Then, abruptly changing topics, he asked, "Are you sure you can not go to London with me? If not, I will have no choice but to return on Thursday."

"I am certain, sir," she answered. "There is no way for me to keep this hidden from Jane. You know how swollen I already am. Clothes and wraps hide it, but just barely. It is too dangerous."

"I have no wish to spend time without you"—then he tilted his head down as he placed his hands on Elizabeth's hips, rubbing her womb with his thumbs—"or you." He lifted his head again, kissing Elizabeth on the forehead. "I see no benefit for me to stay in London beyond settling this one affair. Georgiana may come here for a few days if she wishes." He again grinned. "It would be cruel of me to leave you to face Rosings Park alone."

She did not show her usual signs of amusement at his quip. He pushed her hair away from her face, though it was too dark to see much of her expression. "Elizabeth," he asked quietly. "Are you well?"

He could hear her sigh. "I am not usually so weepy. I find myself more so as I grow larger."

Darcy rolled over, taking her with him so she could lie on her side. He assured her all would be fine, stroking her hair until she drifted into slumber. While he was in town, he would begin to make arrangements for his daughter and Elizabeth to stay with him. He would go to London to dispel this troublemaker interrupting his investment, but he would also consult his aunt, Lady Matlock, about how to bring Elizabeth home with him.

~~~oo0oo~~~

Wednesday, 18 November 1812

London

He had wanted to approach his aunt to consult on ways for Elizabeth to stay with him. He had no way of knowing when Anne would die, and there would be the required mourning period after to consider, though that was forgiven a man with a young child to raise. (1) He was not sure how Elizabeth would be treated if they married too soon after Anne's death, but he had no desire to be apart from her again. These days in London were already too long.

Believing himself unable to ask his Aunt Eleanor outright for suggestions, lest he be subjected to repercussions he was not ready for, he limited himself to hinting at ways to absorb Elizabeth into his household. Offering her employment was out of the question. As an estate owner herself, there was no reason for her to agree. She might stay as Georgiana's guest, but that would be infrequent and only for short times.

Aunt Eleanor was also no fool. Unknown to Darcy, Anne's letters ensured his aunt knew most of what happened at Rosings Park, thus she easily understood his references. Deciding to forgo oblique references, Lady Matlock chose a direct approach. "You could always offer her the position of mistress."

Darcy had looked at her in exasperation. "I have considered it, but that would defeat the purpose of keeping the lady from scandal."

Aunt Eleanor sighed at his obtuseness. "Not if the position is mistress of your estates."

"I am not at liberty to offer such a position until Anne dies and some mourning period completed. Desiring to hasten Anne's death is unchristian and macabre."

Though the countess could name countless peers who would gladly hasten their spouse's death, she kept that information to herself. In compassion for her nephew's attachment, she offered him a long-term perspective. "So you need be separated a few months? Those months will end quickly. Fortunately for you, she is likely to remain unattached. It will be difficult for her to find a quality gentleman willing to accept her transgressions with another man. As you are her transgressor, you have the advantage of only having to accept her transgressions with you."

Still being relatively young, Darcy could not see the time as short. "To wait first for Anne to die and then another year beyond! It will be an eternity!"

Patting her nephew on the shoulder, she reminded him, "It need not be a full year. Men are forgiven for abbreviating their mourning, particularly when there is a babe needing a mother. You need not wait more than a few months."

But even a few months would be endless without her. This week certainly had been. They would stay at Rosings Park until Anne died. After Anne had died and Elizabeth recovered, he decided to bring Elizabeth to Pemberley as Georgiana's guest. She could help with the baby. He could continue to visit her room during the nights in his home. His servants would remain discreet until enough time had passed for him to make her his wife in the eyes of everyone, not just his wife in the eyes of God. (2)

"Darcy, come," encouraged his aunt. "Distract yourself from these concerns. We are having dinner tonight with a few allies from Parliament. Join us. It will help your uncle to have you with him."

Darcy distractedly agreed, but still ruminated on how to ensure he could move seamlessly from Rosings Park to Pemberley without a separation.

~~~oo0oo~~~

Saturday, 21 November 1812

Rosings Park

Darcy sent a note on Thursday explaining that he was unexpectedly detained. Other pressing issues had arisen that needed resolution before he could return to Rosings Park. He did not share when he expected to return, but Elizabeth knew his aunt, Lady Matlock, was commanding much of his time based on the discussion of the letters received by Anne and Lady Catherine.

Elizabeth had no reason to receive correspondence from him—she was neither his relation nor his intended—but she felt his neglect keenly.

She did not feel his absence so much during the day, his days had always been spent avoiding her. It was the nights that were tortuous. Having spent eight months keeping close company with the man, the past five nights had been spent cold and lonely, peering into an empty future. Although now far too late to change her course, her sleepless ruminations pondered the extent of her father's neglect that led to her accepting such a disgrace and her own ignorance of the cost to her sensibilities of participating in such an arrangement. If she were more practical like Charlotte or more vapid like Lydia, she may not be suffering so now.

The more she thought, the more her ire rose toward everyone involved, including herself. If only her father had put some of his earnings aside to provide for their future, if only her mother had not been so insistent on spending, if only her father had not had the accident, if only she had been strong enough to face the future her father left her. If only … if only … if only.

After spending her first and second nights alone and crying, she spent the rest sad and angry. Her days became dreamlike from her increased fatigue.

Tea had been excruciating. Anne and Lady Catherine discussed the notes Mr. Darcy sent to them, as well as the supporting letters from Lady Matlock and Georgiana, though Elizabeth had received none from her young friend. Mr. Darcy was attending large dinner parties hosted by the Matlocks and their intimates each night. Georgiana spoke of the piles of invitations he was receiving now that he was back in town. Lady Matlock spoke of the families in their company for the dinners, but more particularly of their marriageable daughters.

Once the daily ordeal ended, Elizabeth excused herself for some additional rest as she found herself more fatigued than usual these days. Though the tears swam in her eyes, she refused to allow them to fall. She knew this was inevitable, and she knew his leaving now would benefit her in the end. When the time came, she could celebrate leaving, as she would no longer hear intimate news of Mr. Darcy.

Thankfully, she did find a brief respite of rest. She again dreamed of children, one of them must be hers, but this time her dreams were of rowdy boys. Not one girl among them as they ran and played and all arrived home covered in mud, blood, and bruises. As raucous as the dream itself was, Elizabeth roused from it feeling more at peace.

When she awoke, Anne was sitting in a chair beside her bed, resting her head and hand on Elizabeth's stomach. Always having an odd fascination with feeling the baby move within, Anne had become increasingly demanding and intrusive since Mr. Darc's departure. At times, Elizabeth wondered if Anne viewed her as a person or simply a vessel. Right now, to have entered the room and willingly disrupted her sleep, she felt certain Anne viewed her as vessel.

When Anne felt Elizabeth move, she lifted her head to look up. Seeing Elizabeth awake, she sat up, still keeping her hand on the baby. "How are you feeling? Rested?"

As Elizabeth also sat up, she told Anne she did feel more rested. It had been a much-needed respite.

"We have yet to speak of your visit with Mrs. Wilson yesterday. You must wake me next time. What did she say?"

Debating how much she should share with Anne, she decided there was no reason to keep this information from her. "She felt all is well, but the baby is larger than she would expect. She attributes it to Mr. Darcy's large size but is also concerned for the safety of us both during the birthing with a child so large."

Anne inhaled sharply. "What does she mean?"

"She means if the baby grows too much, it might be too large to come out." Until recently, Elizabeth had only thought of her future as the owner of Longbourn, then she added the eventual loss of Mr. Darcy, and, more recently, the loss of her child. Yesterday, Mrs. Wilson had given her a shocking discussion on childbirth and the dangers it brought. She now needed to consult a solicitor soon, to assure Longbourn would go to one of her sisters if she did not survive the birthing. Mary. Mary would be the best caretaker and the sister best served by ownership as she was the least likely to marry.

"Is that truly a possibility?" Anne asked nervously

"Mrs. Wilson said right now it is only slightly larger, not something to worry about." Elizabeth laid her hands on each of Anne's shoulders. "There is nothing that can be done about it now. We can only make the best of what we have."

Anne's face grew red, her brows knit together in frustration as she rose to her feet. "No!" she cried. "That cannot happen! You are my friend, the one that I rely on! You must remain strong!"

Concerned for Anne's agitated state, Elizabeth stood with her, putting an arm around her friend's shoulder to help secure her sensibilities. "I vow to you—I have no wish to die. If I were to die in childbirth, there would be no way to hide what I have done, and there are already too many who know for my comfort."

Anne calmed, allowing Elizabeth's strength to reassure her. Returning to her seat, she asked Elizabeth to lie down again so she could feel the baby. Once Anne had her hands on Elizabeth's belly, she asked how Mrs. Wilson knew the baby to be large. Elizabeth showed her how Mrs. Wilson would feel around her womb to find the size. Anne felt the womb for herself, although she could not press as firmly as Mrs. Wilson did.

"You will do well," Anne said, more as if reassuring herself than her friend. "Darcy was a big baby from what Aunt Anne told me, but she was much smaller than you are and was able to birth him."

~~~oo0oo~~~

Sunday, 22 November 1812

Rosings Park

The carriage had been called a few minutes before. The three women watched from the entry as it moved up the drive to transport them to where they would endure the earliest of Mr. Collins' sermons to get the task over for the day.

Suddenly, Anne grabbed Elizabeth's arm.

When Elizabeth turned, Anne's face was ashen. Elizabeth lunged to grab her cape, pulling Anne into her arms as the frail woman lost consciousness and Elizabeth tumbled backward to the floor.

Lady Catherine looked on in shock as a footman called for help while rushing to help the ladies. Elizabeth held Anne in her lap as she ordered a messenger sent for Mr. Pryce. Two footmen spread a sturdy tablecloth on the floor alongside Anne and, with Elizabeth's help, moved her onto the cloth. Each footman grabbed a side of the tablecloth and used it to carry her to her room as Elizabeth walked alongside.

As they made their way upstairs, Elizabeth became more aware of how troublesome it could be to have Anne's wing so remote and difficult to access with her declining health. Anne began to stir while the footmen were still climbing the stairs, Elizabeth kept her calm and still so that they could go the rest of the way without further injury.

Once Anne was in her bed, Elizabeth asked what caused her to swoon. Anne could not answer. One moment she felt fine, the next she lost all sensation. The two continued to speak quietly, with Anne assuring her friend she was not yet going to die. She must first know both her child and Elizabeth were safe.

When Lady Catherine finally led in Mr. Pryce, along with Mrs. Wilson, Anne was sitting up and feeling much better. Mr. Pryce moved to examine Anne while Mrs. Wilson brought Elizabeth to her room for an exam.

No part of Elizabeth was left un-inspected. First was to ensure there was not one trace of blood, both were relieved at finding its absence. They then felt the baby movements. Mrs. Wilson kept her hands on Elizabeth's womb waiting to feel something while asking how much movement Elizabeth had felt since the fall. Elizabeth had thought only of Anne, so had not noticed any movement. Becoming increasingly impatient and never one to bend her duties to any constraints of propriety, Mrs. Wilson ordered Elizabeth to stimulate her nipples to get the baby moving so they both would know it was safe. Elizabeth, too frightened at this point to disobey, complied. When the baby finally began to move, Mrs. Wilson breathed a sigh of relief but encouraged Elizabeth to remain in bed to rest for the next few days.

Elizabeth explained to her midwife that, fortunately, she had not fallen hard. Her legs, strong from so many years of long walks, were not able to keep her from being offset but were able to slow her down. She was able to catch herself with her free arm, saving her from a particularly nasty fall. She felt certain the baby was not affected.

As Mrs. Wilson finally agreed all was well and began to remove her hands, the baby did one last gymnastic, seeming to punch and kick at the same time. They looked at each other in surprise, and then both laughed. "It looks like your little one is ready to burst out," Mrs. Wilson laughed. "Having a little one who wants to enter the world this much may make your time easier!"

"I can only hope," replied Elizabeth.

~~~oo0oo~~~

While Lady Catherine anxiously waited at the front door for Mr. Pryce and Mrs. Wilson, Peeke decided for the first time to overstep her bounds.

The master was a good man, and he cared dearly for Miss Bennet and their child. She watched Miss Anne grow jealous now that Mr. Darcy was as possessive of his child as she was. Miss Anne's own blindness amused her. Miss Anne herself said she wanted Mr. Darcy to feel possessive of the child, but when he acted to stop Miss Anne from feeling the babe at her leisure, she no longer liked it.

Peeke knew Miss Anne had created a reason to send Mr. Darcy to London and had even this morning been sending letters to her Aunt Eleanor suggesting reasons to keep him in town until after the babe was born. She knew Lady Catherine would not notify her nephew of the happenings at Rosings Park. She only wanted him to create the child and give her daughter an air of respectability.

Someone must tell him. He deserved to know. It is his child. Though she herself did not yet know the outcome of the exams, Mr. Darcy deserved to know both were injured and the post had to leave soon for it to arrive in London today.

Mr. Darcy,

This morning, your wife suddenly collapsed, falling into her friend and bringing both to the ground.

The doctor is in with your wife to find the cause, though the child may be in trouble as well. The midwife is checking as I write, determining the extent of their injuries. Miss Bennet looked to take quite a tumble.

As the master, I felt you should know.

A Loyal Servant

She folded and sealed the note, having a rider bring it immediately to the Darcy house in London. Having done her duty, Peeke went downstairs to prepare a light meal for Miss Anne and order tea for the others.

~~~oo0oo~~~

Rosings Park Kitchens

"The miss'us took a tumble today," one of the footmen who helped bring Anne upstairs told the cute scullery maid he was flirting with in the kitchen. A few other maids and kitchen workers in the room joined their conversation. "It was lucky for her that her friend helped break her fall or she would have walloped the floor."

"That's no good, that's no good. She still has more'n three months to go!"

"She was talkin' by the time we got her to her bed. Her friend stayed by her the whole time," the footman duly reported. "I think she's doing better."

"If she's getting sicker, they need to take that baby out before it catches what she has."

"Or she stops feeding it, and it starves before it can even be born'd."

"Does it look like she's gonna have it early?"

"The doctor and midwife left a few hours ago. They woud'of stayed if problems."

"What if she does have it now? Will it live?"

"Hard to tell, she's got some months left. I've seen two make it from so young, but they were both girls."

"We need to pray for it to be a girl then."

The servants again bowed their heads, praying for their mistress and her baby, as well as giving thanks for her friend who saved her from injury.

~~~oo0oo~~~

London, Darcy House

"That is none of my concern, Aunt Eleanor," Darcy firmly told her. "I have informed you, I am not here to participate in the season. I was only here to dispel a legal matter, which has drawn out much longer than it should have. I am already prepared and will be leaving in the morning."

"But Darcy, there will be many important people at Lady Jersey's ball. The earl needs your help convincing his peers to vote for the bill he introduced this session," Lady Eleanor chided. She could not understand Anne now wishing to keep Darcy in London. Just a few months ago, the girl was conspiring to keep him at Rosings Park. She was doing her best, but it was apparent Darcy had no interest in staying. Nothing she could do was going to keep him past tonight.

"Uncle Henry has spent many years convincing his peers, he will do a fine job without my help," Darcy assured his aunt as his butler entered to hand him a scrap of a note. Looking curiously at the paper, he realized it was an express sent from Rosings Park. As he opened it, he saw that it was not from Anne or Lady Catherine, making him anxious to learn its contents.

Reading the brief missive, Darcy stood. "Aunt, my plans have changed. I will be leaving immediately, it has become urgent."

Aunt Eleanor teased vapidly, "Oh come now Darcy, what could be so important to keep you from the ball tonight?"

"Anne has collapsed. She fell into Elizabeth, bringing both to the floor. The doctor and midwife were called." Then adopting his most intractable expression, he addressed her concern. "Dear Aunt, if you believe the ball is so important, there is no reason for you not to go. You may give my apologies, but I leave in ten minutes to assure the well-being of my wife and child."

Eleanor Fitzwilliam felt like a fool. How could she be bantering about a ball when such a thing was happening? But why had she not received a similar missive?

~~~oo0oo~~~

Rosings Park

True to his word, Darcy left London within minutes of receiving the express. The sun would go down at four o'clock, but the few extra minutes allowed by the twilight should allow him time enough to complete the journey.

As his carriage pulled into the Rosings Park entry, Darcy barely waited for it stop before leaping out. Holder, his valet, stayed behind to arrange for his luggage to be sent to his room, fully expecting his master to be staying in the mistress's wing tonight.

The great house was engulfed in darkness when he entered. Finding a candle, he quickly made his way to the desired wing, going directly to the last door. Entering their rooms, he first went to see if she was in the bed. The candle beside the bed illuminated her face as she looked up from her book at him, Darcy breathed a sigh of relief as he went to join her.

Placing his candle alongside hers, he sat beside her putting one hand protectively on her belly, the other across her shoulder as he pulled her toward him. "Are you injured?" he asked as he rested his face upon her head.

She did not answer right away, concerning him. "Elizabeth? Please tell me." He could feel her begin to shake, but still she would not speak. He could only presume the worst. "All will be well …"

As he was assuring her all would be well even though she lost the child, he felt the little imp kick him.

Darcy sighed in relief. Their child was still there and still alive. Then why is Elizabeth not speaking to me and shaking like this? There was only one way to find out. Releasing her, he began to undress. "Stupid boots …" he muttered as he struggled to remove the tight fitting Hessians. Once freed from the leather, the rest was relatively simple to remove.

Sliding between the bedcovers, he reached over, took her book, and marked her place. He set it on the table, as he rose to blow out the candles before returning to her. Enclosing her in his arms, he began to kiss her. When she did not return his affections, did not put her arms around him, and did not return his kisses, he allowed her some space but kept her in his arms. "A few hours ago I received a note. It told me you fell and were injured. I left as soon as I could. Please, you must tell me what happened. I have spent the past four hours in the carriage dreading what I would return to."

He heard her inhale deeply before she began to speak with a quiver in her voice. "Why have you returned? I thought you were to stay in Town."

This was in no way the answer he was expecting. "What do you mean? I have been trying to return for the past four days! I sent you a note with Anne's letter explaining and apologizing for my continued absence, along with a few other things." He had written quick notes to Aunt Catherine and Anne for politeness' sake on Wednesday, when he knew he would not be able to return the next day, and again on Friday, informing the ladies of his resolution to return on Monday.

But he included letters inside Anne's for her to give to Elizabeth, those he wrote from his heart. He told her of his frustration at being trapped in London. The man causing problems with his investments was unreasonable and seemed only to be causing issues because he enjoyed wasting people's time. Darcy detailed being trapped in the judge's office most of the day on Thursday while wondering about Mrs. Wilson's visit. He shared with her his aunt's efforts to drag him to dances and dinner parties each night. He attended a couple of the dinner parties. While he at first enjoyed listening to the peers bickering over their politics, after the second course their arguments became stale.

Darcy closed the space between them. "Why did Anne not give you the letters? I initially addressed them to you, but then realized I have no place writing directly to you."

"I thought you would not return. I would not see you again," she told him as she finally snuck her arms around his waist and buried her head in his chest.

"I will not leave you." He began to stroke her cheek and hair to comfort her. "Now, please. Tell me what happened and if you are injured."

Pulling herself back a bit, she finally told him of what happened that morning. "My fall did not hurt me, I was fortunate. Anne is not so well. Mr. Pryce believes Anne is becoming worse. She must stay in bed for the next week." She inhaled, sighing deeply. "We are now confined to this wing."

Though sad to know Anne was beginning to decline, Darcy was relieved to find Elizabeth in full health. "What did Mrs. Wilson say?"

"All is as it should be." She brought his hand down to feel the movements. "She is concerned about the size, but mentioned that last time. She did say yesterday I am overdue for the confinement as my size is becoming clear even through all the layers of clothes."

"Has anyone noticed?"

"Peeke says they have not. With Anne having her own growing belly, one that is much more evident than my own, Peeke was able to distract them from my own growth." Darcy could hear the admiration in her voice as she said, "Peeke is a remarkable woman. She knows how to manage people. She directs the local gossip so the people repeat only what she wishes them to. She also devised the stays with a pouch that Anne wears to look pregnant. Anne said she has rewarded Peeke in her will. I hope she has, for without her none of this would work."

Darcy had barely noticed Peeke. He would interact with stewards, butlers, a bit with a few others, but servants were there to make things run smoothly in his homes not to be acknowledged. Now he learned the timid woman who emptied the chamber pot was also the one assuring Rosings Park would stay in the Fitzwilliam family. He was duly impressed.

"I am now sentenced to three months confinement," Elizabeth sighed. "Four—I must have time to recover."

"I am happy to offer my services for your entertainment." Beginning to demonstrate that concupiscent nature she awoke within him, he teased, "Allow me to commence your new exercise regime now that walking the park is barred to you."

~~~oo0oo~~~

Rosings Park

Servants Dinner

That night at the servants' dinner, Sally Peeke knew the message she was to give out would not be merely idle chatter for the downstairs servants and the local peasants such families interact with. What she was about to tell those present would be included in letters to friends and family throughout England, but more particularly throughout London. The Rosings Park housekeeper and butler maintained correspondences with the housekeepers and butlers of the Fitzwilliam and Darcy households. From those households, the information would spread like a pestilence.

She had carefully considered how she would describe the day's events so they would not be twisted incorrectly. She must keep the explanations frank and straightforward for the simple servants to share without muddling.

Peeke stood, calling the attention of the table to her. "As many of you already know, the mistress fell unconscious this morning. Most important: she is now well. She is able to walk around her room, but the doctor has ordered her confinement to begin. The wing shall be sealed, the mistress and Miss Bennet will remaining there at all times to keep illness away. The women will have a few visitors, which include Lady Catherine and Mr. Darcy, only on Tuesdays. The doctor and midwife will schedule their visits on Tuesdays as well. I will be the only servant for the wing, so I will not have much time down here. It is vital to keep illness out of the house. The doctor says there have been cases of babies born this early surviving, but it is rare and they tend to end up sickly. Every week that we can keep the mistress hale and whole is another week stronger for the babe." She sat after finishing her speech, allowing the servants to speak among themselves.

"Aye, it's best for the baby to stay in her, but it must be taking much from the lass."

"Mrs. Peeke, she will only be locked away until she births?" a young maid asked.

"No, Maddie," Peeke responded. "She will be shut in the wing until she dies. We wish her to live as long as she can so we shall keep her away from illnesses that might want to attach themselves to her."

"Then what happens to the babe?"

"She will care for it there as long as she can. Her friend, Miss Bennet, will help."

"Uhm, this might be impertinent, but how is she goin' feed the babe? She doesn't seem to have much to her. If you hire a wet nurse, she'll have her own chil'den to feed so will have to come and go."

Peeke had hoped this would not be brought up. Miss Anne had not yet spoken to Miss Bennet about it so it was not certain she would agree, but Peeke saw no other option. Considering how much her mistress was giving to the young woman to have a child, this should be part and parcel of the agreement. "Mrs. Wilson will help Miss Bennet fill that role."

"That ain' gonna hap'n! How can she feed when she don't have none of her own?"

"Mrs. Wilson is the one who knows how it works. She is the one who suggested it to keep illness away," Peeke told them. "She says the baby feeding will bring the milk after a time, but she has a device that has the same effect. Miss Bennet will begin using it before the mistress is expected so she will be ready." (1)

"Newfangled devices they keep comin' up with! Maidens feedin' babes. It's unnatural, but I guess they need it here. Keeping the mistress well an' all."

"We are doing everything we can to help Miss Anne, but each of you needs to do everything you can to keep illness out of the house. Send word if there is illness in your household. We shall find outside work for you to do," Peeke indicated the butler and housekeeper.

As the women of the table began to discuss the pregnancy, Peeke listened to ensure the gossip went the way she wanted it to. The ladies spoke of the experiences they knew of. The older women told the younger ones how important it is for the babe to stay in the womb with a healthy mother. Cook spoke of her maiden friend who took in her dear friend's infant when her friend died and was able to feed it in the way Mrs. Wilson spoke of. The others were impressed to hear of it.

The men at the table listened to hear the condition of the mistress but decided they had no need for the rest of the information so moved their discussion to the weather.

~~~oo0oo~~~

(1) They did have a kind of breast pump back then. It was a glass tube to fit around the breast, with a bulb at the end to collect the milk and a tube for the woman to suck on to create a vacuum. I do not remember exactly what I searched on to find it. (Google must have very strange search records for me, considering the stuff I have searched on for this story.) Adoptive mothers have used this to breastfeed the children they've adopted, but it's not an easy process and not guaranteed to work.

(2) Much of my information came from the website Vanessa Riley's Christian Regency Blog "Mourning in the Regency Period." It said women were not allowed to marry for a year following their husband's death to make sure they were not with child, but men were permitted to remarry right away, particularly if he had young children to care for.

(3) Admiral Nelson called Lady Emma Hamilton that, his wife in the eyes of God, in asking for his country to take care of her if he were to die in Trafalgar—which he did, and the country did not, though it is more complicated than that.

To the Guest who notified me that I skipped a chapter - THANK YOU!