Chapter 12

The next morning Elizabeth woke up late, feeling refreshed. She and Darcy had made love a second time last night, in the same manner as the first, and she looked forward to the many nights ahead.

She could hear Darcy talking to his valet in his dressing room, and decided that it was time to get up for the day. She called her maid, who brought her a tray of tea and baked delicacies. "The Master ordered these for you, Madam. He said you might want to break your fast in your room this morning."

"How very thoughtful of him. Thank you, Milly."

Darcy entered a moment later, fully dressed, and Elizabeth invited him to join her. They sat together and had a lovely breakfast, before Elizabeth said she wanted to get started on her day.

"Mrs. Reynolds said she would have the baskets ready this morning. I am afraid I overslept," she said, slightly embarrassed.

Darcy chuckled. "So did I. We will have plenty of time; do not worry."

"One thing I had not thought of," said Elizabeth after a moment. "Jessica has never been on a horse. How shall we take her out to see the tenants?"

"We can walk to the closest farms today," he said, "or take a carriage. As for riding, I would be happy to teach her."

Love bloomed again inside her for this wonderful man. "You would? Oh, thank you, Fitzwilliam. Then we can ride out together as a family."

"I also had a thought yesterday. The vicar of Kympton parish and his wife have four young ones. We should have them over to dine soon. Jessica would enjoy playing with their children."

Elizabeth agreed that it was a wonderful idea. Once they had finished breakfast, they went to the nursery to retrieve Jessica. Darcy saw that she was wearing the same pink dress that she had been wearing the day before, and remembered that he had paid Mrs. Tanner only for two new dresses for the girl.

Jessica seemed delighted to see them, and was eager to meet some more children.

"And tomorrow," Darcy told her, "should you like to have some new dresses? We can go to Lambton and order as many as you like."

"Oh, yes! I should like that very much!" she cried with a beaming smile.

"We need to order a winter wardrobe for you as well, my love," Darcy told Elizabeth. "The winters here are harsher than in Hertfordshire."

They made their way downstairs, waiting patiently as Darcy took each step carefully. Mrs. Reynolds had their baskets ready. Darcy had decided they would take the carriage this first day. He could get Jessica started on her riding lessons soon.

All three of them enjoyed their visits to the tenants. Darcy had been at Pemberley only about a month before, but he was always attentive to the needs of those under his authority, and was glad to see that they were doing well. The tenants themselves were honoured to be visited by the new mistress of Pemberley. She greeted them all in a friendly manner, and presented her baskets.

Jessica was introduced as Mr. Darcy's ward, and the children of the tenants seemed just as excited to play with her as she was with them. In fact, Darcy and Elizabeth even left her for a couple of hours with a family he trusted well while they went to deliver the rest of the baskets. Jessica barely noticed them go, so involved was she in the children's games.

Once they were finished with the tenants, Darcy asked his new daughter if she wanted to go on a picnic. She was eager in her agreement, and Elizabeth was equally pleased. She had not known Darcy was planning such a thing, but Mrs. Reynolds had put a picnic basket in with the others when they had left Pemberley.

Darcy took them to his favourite spot that could be reached by carriage, a glade in the woods beside a stream that led into a pool. After they had eaten, they played a game with a ball that Elizabeth had brought with them, and then Jessica wandered over to the shallow end of the stream to play in the water. Darcy decided some swimming lessons should go along with the riding ones. Elizabeth and Jessica took off their shoes and stockings to dip their toes in the cool water, but Darcy did not join them. It would be too difficult to get his left boot off and then on again without his valet's help.

When they brought Jessica back to the nursery for the evening, she was chattering happily about her day, and nearly falling asleep from all the excitement.

"Thank you for a wonderful day, Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth said, taking his arm as they prepared for bed.

"It would not have been possible without you," he replied, kissing her. Then he took her to bed and proceeded to make love to her, which she enjoyed just as much as she had last night.

The next day, Darcy took his wife and new daughter to Lambton's best seamstress. Georgiana had often ordered her clothes there. Jessica was excited at first at the idea of new dresses, but soon grew bored with all the fittings. After she was finished, it was Elizabeth's turn to be fitted, and so Darcy took his new daughter out to a tea shop in Lambton where she could have some special pastries, and then to a bookstore that he had always liked, which he knew had children's books in it. Pemberley already had plenty of books for children, but none of them had been bought recently; so he told Jessica to pick out five books that she liked, and they spent a happy hour together until it was time to collect Elizabeth, who was finished with her fittings.

It was only about a week until the new wardrobes were complete, and delivered to Pemberley. Jessica was thrilled with her clothes, and eager to try on all of them. That evening, Mr. Gregory, the vicar of Kympton, along with his wife and children, joined the Darcys for dinner at Pemberley. Jessica had been out with her parents twice more to play with the tenant children, but she was more than happy to entertain her new friends in her new home. She was very pleased to tell them all she had learned about Pemberley. The vicar and his wife were charmed by the little blonde girl, and promised to have her over to the parsonage sometime soon for another playtime.

It was only another week before Georgiana returned to Pemberley. She gave her brother and new sister big hugs, glad to see them. She was surprised to find a little girl now inhabiting Pemberley, however. When she asked about Jessica, Darcy simply told her that the girl was his ward. Georgiana looked curious, but did not press for more information.

Evidently, word had reached the Matlocks somehow that Darcy had a ward. He had not tried to keep it a secret, and clearly all his neighbours in Derbyshire knew. So it was that he received a letter from Lady Matlock in June.

Darcy,

I have heard some very disturbing rumours, that you are housing a so-called "ward" at Pemberley. You must know that it is not right to bring your natural child into your home. I do agree that you have some responsibility for her, but she should be fostered out, not flaunted beneath your new wife's nose. Think of Elizabeth, Fitzwilliam. It is not right to do to her. What will the status of this natural child be once your wife starts bearing you legitimate heirs? Elizabeth will begin to resent you. I beg you, think of your wife, and send the child away. Your uncle can help you find a suitable place.

Your aunt,

Lady Elaine Matlock

Darcy did not correct his aunt's assumption. It was better if everyone thought Jessica was his illegitimate child; better that than guess the truth. Elizabeth would be looked down on if anyone knew. He wrote back that Elizabeth was happy to have Jessica at Pemberley with them, and that he would discuss the matter no further.

Lady Matlock had clearly decided not to give up, however. A couple weeks later, Colonel Fitzwilliam arrived unexpectedly at Pemberley. Darcy and Georgiana greeted him enthusiastically, and Elizabeth too was glad to see the amiable man. She had enjoyed making his acquaintance first in London, and then again at the wedding.

Darcy was not prepared for what Richard had come to say, however, when they went to take their port after dinner.

"I am here on a mission for my mother," said Richard. He held up a hand when Darcy would have spoken. "There is no need to protest. She sent me here to 'talk some sense into you,' but I, unlike she, do not believe that you have a natural daughter. I know you well enough to realize that you would never lie with a woman outside of wedlock. So who is the child, Darcy? I would almost think she was one of Wickham's bastards, except that you have given her the Darcy name."

Darcy was not going to tell Richard the truth, no matter how much he trusted him. He had promised Elizabeth that no one would know, and he would keep that promise. "She is my ward, Richard. That is all you need to know."

"But –"

"That is all you need to know," he repeated firmly.

Richard sighed and shook his head. "Very well. I trust you to know what is best. As long as Elizabeth does not mind having her here –"

"Elizabeth loves her like a daughter," said Darcy, "and so do I."

"Then there is no more that need be said. I will tell my mother to desist," said Richard, and he stood with a smile. "Let us join the ladies."

Darcy was glad for Richard's trust in him. They had always been close, and he knew Richard would make sure that Lady Matlock did not bring up the matter again.

In August, Elizabeth celebrated her 21st birthday. The spring and summer at Pemberley had been perfect. Darcy had bought Jessica her own pony, and had kept his word to teach her to ride. Her abilities had grown by leaps and bounds, and soon she was travelling across the estate with her parents. Sometimes they travelled to the lake, and there Darcy gave her swimming lessons.

On this day, Darcy wanted to do something special to celebrate his wife's coming-of-age. They had brought Jessica to Mr. Gregory's parsonage to play with his children while Darcy took Elizabeth on a picnic. They rode to his favourite spot, the glade beneath a waterfall on the east of Pemberley lands. Elizabeth was enchanted with the place.

"It is charming, Fitzwilliam," she breathed.

He smiled. "I thought you would like it. I have been saving it for a special occasion."

She leaned over to kiss him, and only stopped when her stomach rumbled with hunger. They both laughed.

"Let us see what Mrs. Reynolds has prepared for us," said Darcy, opening up the picnic basket.

Within, they found sandwiches of fresh, crusty bread with cheese and chicken, strawberry tarts, cinnamon biscuits, and lemonade.

"She always knows just what we like," said Elizabeth with a little laugh.

They sat to eat, and as they did, Elizabeth noticed her husband gazing at her. "What is it?" she asked.

"You are so beautiful, Elizabeth."

She smiled and blushed. "So are you."

He looked surprised. "I have never been called beautiful before."

"Well, it is true all the same."

"I have a gift for you," he said.

She looked surprised. "I thought the necklace was my present." This morning, Darcy had presented her with a gorgeous ruby and diamond necklace with matching bracelet and earrings from the Darcy treasury.

"Yes, but I am entitled to get my beautiful wife more than one gift," he teased.

"Far be it from me to protest!" she laughed. "Besides, I have a gift for you too."

"For me? But it is not my birthday."

"Need I have a reason for presenting my handsome husband with a gift?"

"Far be it from me to protest!" he echoed, laughing. "Now, your gift."

He brought out what was clearly a book wrapped in brown paper. Elizabeth removed the paper carefully and gasped at what she saw inside.

"It is a first edition of Paradise Lost!" she cried. "Thank you, my love! I love it!"

"I thought we might read some of it out loud while we relaxed here today."

"That is a lovely idea. But first I want to give you your gift."

"What is it?" he was lying back on his elbows, his long legs stretched before him. A curl of black hair fell over his forehead and she reached forward to tenderly push it back.

"We are going to be parents in about eight months or so," she said.

Darcy sat up quickly. "Parents? Are you certain?"

She nodded, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. "I should have had my courses six weeks ago and they still have not come."

Darcy groaned low in his throat, and took her in his arms for an embrace. "My darling Elizabeth. You have made me so happy."

He pulled back to check her expression. "You are happy, are you not?"

"So very happy!" she agreed. "The tears are ones of relief and happiness. Perhaps you will never truly understand, Fitzwilliam, how horrible and terrifying my last pregnancy was. There was the attack, and then a couple weeks after that I missed my courses. I paid no attention to it, but once I missed them a second time and began vomiting morning, noon, and night, my mother discovered what was happening. I spent my entire pregnancy far from my family, with only an old, cantankerous woman for company, sick to my stomach every day, and with fear that somehow I or the child would die, or that shame would be brought on my family. I was so very miserable, Fitzwilliam. It was not an occasion of joy. This is."

Darcy took her into his arms again, hugging her tightly as she let loose a few more tears. "I am so sorry for what you have been through, my love. But you are happy now."

"So, so happy," she said. "I have you, and I have Jessica, and now we will have a new baby."

Darcy's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Have you been ill so far?"

"I have had a little bit of queasiness in the mornings, but having tea and dry toast before I break my fast always helps."

"I am glad you are not so ill this time."

"So am I. Fitzwilliam," she said, pulling back and looking into his eyes. "I want to start over. I want to make everything new."

"What do you mean, my love?"

"Will you make love to me? In the – the usual way? With you on top?"

Darcy looked concerned. "Are you sure you are ready for that, Elizabeth?"

"Yes. I want everything to be new. I want to start again."

"Then I would be happy to," said Darcy with a smile.

They could not completely disrobe, since it took some effort for Darcy to dress and undress every day with the help of his valet, but they removed what they could, and Darcy made love to his wife tenderly under the blue sky. Elizabeth took his weight on top of her gladly, reveling in watching the wisps of cloud pass above, and her husband's face over her, twisting in passion. She did not mask her moans, in this magical glade where no one else could intrude. At last, they reached their climaxes together, then clung to each other with tears of happiness in both their eyes.

Elizabeth felt new.