Chapter 19

Bingley tied his doctor's bag to the saddle horn and patted his gelding on the flank. Taking off his hat, he ran a hand through his hair, and grinned. Darcy is going to have another baby in the house. He thought about how much his friend had changed in the last few months and realized that maybe it was time he thought about settling down and having a family.

With that thought in mind, he set off down the path that led to the pond. Placing his hat back on his head, he pulled it low over his eyes, and looked ahead to watch for Jane and Anna. He was just coming around the bend when he saw the person he was looking for ahead him.

She had stopped to watch Scout and Anna playing in the tall grass and didn't hear him come up.

"Miss Bennet." Bingley said when he came to stand beside her.

Jane jumped slightly at the sound of his voice and glanced over at him. She gave him a small smile before turning back to look at her niece. "How are you Doctor?" she asked after a few minutes of silence.

"I am fine, Miss Bennet." He ran a hand along the back of his neck and she noticed since he came up to her that the Doctor looked nervous.

"Is there something wrong with my sister?"

"No, no it's nothing like that. Can I ask you a question?" Bingley asked when he turned to face her.

Jane looked up at him and nodded her head. He took a deep breath and asked, "Can I take you on a buggy ride tomorrow afternoon?" his courage started to disappear when she stayed silent. Taking a step backwards, he held up his hands. "I understand if you don't want to; I'm sorry I asked."

She laid a hand on his arm and smiled up at him when he stopped trying to walk backwards. "That sounds like a lovely idea. Would you like to walk back to the house with us?" Jane asked and glanced over to make sure Anna and Scout were behaving themselves.

"I would like that." Bingley said and went over to kneel in front of Anna. Brushing some of the dirt off her face, he took her hand in his, and walked back over to where he had left Jane; Scout scampering behind them. Once they reached her, Anna looked up at her Aunt, and back to the man holding her hand.

Keeping her hand in his, she held up her other hand for her Aunt to take. Jane took her little hand in hers and Anna pulled them both forward. Bingley walked beside Anna and smiled down at the little girl; he knew she was up to something. He nodded to Jane and they started swinging Anna between them. The little girl let out squeals of laughter and soon both of the adults were joining in. Scout didn't want to be left out and started howling as they walked along.

As she swung her niece between her and the Doctor, Jane glanced up at him, and found him watching her. Lowering her head, she felt her cheeks heat up. Turning her head, she kept her concentration fixed on Anna and didn't lift her head to look at him.

"How long will you be staying Miss Bennet?"

Lifting her eyes to answer him, she said, "I had only planned to stay for a few weeks, but the last few days I found myself wishing I could stay here." Jane looked ahead of her and took in the view. The trees were gently swaying, the sun shining, and she could see Will's cattle grazing in the distance.

Bingley followed her gaze and felt a smile play on his lips. "This country grows on a person. I remember the first time I laid eyes on this place. It had seemed too open and wild to a fourteen year old boy."

Jane snapped her eyes to his. "You didn't grow up here?"

"No, my folks came out here when I was fourteen from back East. Both of my sisters were against the move out here, but my father wanted to try something different. I met Will and his family that week and we have been friends ever since."

"Where is your family now?"

"My mother got sick a few months after coming out here and they decided to move back. I stayed on with the Darcy's until I decided to go back East and go to school to become a Doctor. I moved back here about two years ago to be the doctor in Pemberly." He explained when they came up to the house.

Stopping in front of the porch steps, Bingley looked down at Anna, and pulled one of the little girl's braids. "I will see you soon, Anna. You be good for your Ma and Pa." he said and looked up at Jane. Tipping his hat, Bingley walked to his horse, and swung in to the saddle. Turning his horse towards town, he glanced over his shoulder one last time as he rode out of the yard, and saw Jane watching him ride away.

She stood there and watched him until he rode over the hill. Turning to look down at Anna, she found the little girl watching her. "Should we go inside Anna? I'm sure your tummy is making noises."

The little girl nodded her head and pulled Jane up the porch steps. Opening the door, Jane stepped inside, and hung their bonnets on the hook by the door. Walking in to the kitchen, she stopped in the doorway when she saw Will standing at the stove, flipping something in a pan. Glancing around, she saw Elizabeth sitting at the table, looking in to her cup of tea.

Anna's face lit up when she saw Elizabeth sitting at the table and she ran forward. Throwing her arms around her legs, she raised her head and looked up, "Ma."

Elizabeth felt tears form on her lashes when she heard Anna call her Ma. Lifting the little girl up, she settled her on her lap, and wrapped her arms around her. Resting her cheek against Anna's, she whispered, "I love you sweetie."

Jane took a chair across from her sister and studied her face. She didn't seem to be sick or anything like that, but she did have a certain glow about her. "Are you alright Elizabeth?"

Elizabeth looked up and smiled at her sister. "I am perfect Jane. How would you like to be an aunt before Christmas?"

"I would like that, but," her eyes widen when she caught her sister's meaning, "Are you with child, Elizabeth?"

She eagerly nodded her head and Jane gave her a bright smile. "I can't believe my little sister I going to have a baby. Can I stay until the baby is born? I want to be here with you." Jane didn't mention the other reason she wanted to stay longer.

Elizabeth felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up in to the face of her husband. At his slight nod, her eyes lit up, and she reached for Jane's hands. "We would be pleased to have you stay longer, but is there another reason why you want to stay?" she asked her sister with a mischievous smile.

Jane looked down and tried to hide the blush that rose to her cheeks. "I'm not sure what you are talking about. I only want to spend more time with you."

She patted her sister's hand and smiled slightly. "I'm sorry Jane. I only want you to be happy."

"I am happy Elizabeth." She said and gave her sister a small smile.

Will watched from his position behind his wife and smiled. He could see the sisterly affection they had for each other and wished he had something like that with his brother. Taking his hand off her shoulder, he walked back to the stove, and dished up their supper. He set their plates on the table and walked back to grab his own.

Setting it on the table, he sat down, and got their attention, so he could say the prayer. After he had finished talking, Will dug in to his vegetable stew, and started eating. He kept most of his attention on his wife while he ate. It had scared him when he had seen her faint that afternoon and he didn't want her to faint again.

He had been excited and scared when he found out Elizabeth was having his child and couldn't believe he was going to be a father. He loved Anna as his own, but this child would truly be his. Putting his fork down, he pushed his plate aside, and pushed back his chair. Standing to his feet, he looked at Elizabeth.

"Will you be fine here with Jane? I need to go and start on the chores."

"I will be fine Will. Jane and I are going to start on some mending and I want to write a letter to my folks. Go outside and feed the animals." She said and waved her hand towards the front door.

Will chuckled at her impatience of getting rid of him and walked to the front door. Grabbing his hat, he pulled it low over his eyes, and stepped outside. Walking down the porch steps, he paused at the bottom, and listened. He thought he heard the faint sound of hoof beats, but listening now, he didn't hear anything.

Shrugging his shoulders, Will strolled the rest of the way to the barn, and swung the door open. Stepping inside, he started feeding the horses. A few minutes later, as he walked to the back of the barn, he stopped again when he heard the sound of boots on the gravel.

Turning around, his eyes strained in the darkness, to see a figure leaning against the barn frame. Will called out in the darkness and a voice answered him a few moments later.

"Hello, brother."