The ball had been a long one and it was the early hours of the morning before many of the guests had retired. Jane was enjoying the peace before everyone else rose which would not be for several hours yet. The child within her was active today and it would not now be long till she entered her confinement period. Her leisurely stroll through the house took her into the gallery. Looking up at the portraits of the Darcy's past and wondered over the current ones. The faces looking down on her all held a similar proud expression but one. The newest portrait holding pride of place, her sister and new husband smiled out from the canvas.
Though Darcy's face was grave, there was a distinct sparkle in his eye the artist had somehow captured, the same sparkle that dominated Lizzy's face to a greater degree. It was such a handsome portrait and they looked so well suited. The only thing missing from the image of bliss was a child.
She rested an involuntary hand on her belly, smiling at the thought of her own family very soon to be growing. She had always wanted children, of course it was what the wife brought to a marriage, but Lizzy didn't seem to notice the lack, nor did Darcy. Her mind drifted back to a conversation had not so long ago with her volatile sister:
"But Lizzy, don't you want children?"
"Of course I do, but I do not rely on them to secure the happiness of myself or Darcy."
"I do not rely on them for happiness either Lizzy, but you have been married for almost 8 months now with no sign of children, surely people will be beginning to wonder."
"Then let them Jane, indeed I never thought you would be one of the first to question me about it."
"I don't mean to Lizzy, I'm just concerned about you." She was enveloped in a hug for this piece of confidence and the concern that was invariably echoed in her eyes.
"Truly Jane, I am happy, we both are. Neither of us feel the need for a child to improve the state of matters. Indeed, I believe we both enjoy the freedom of being childless a great deal at the moment." The unmistakable twinkle was in her eye that left Jane unable to mistake what she was referring to.
A deep blush darkened her fair cheeks as the taboo subject was even lightly referred to. Her sister laughed at Jane's discomfort and linked arms with her to continue their walk through the park. "Don't worry about us Jane, I speak for myself and Darcy when I say we are both in a state of perfect wedded bliss."
She could not help but smile at the memory, Lizzy was practically fearless when it came to talking to her, nothing could not be said.
She eased herself down into one of the window seats and watched the dust motes floating through the beams of sunlight from the large windows that lined one side of the beautiful gallery. It was going to be another beautiful day, nothing could spoil the quiet contentment that filled her now.
Soft female voices echoed from down the hall heading towards the gallery where Jane sat. She struggled to a standing position to retire to another area of the house when she heard her sisters name mentioned. She recognized the voices to belong to Caroline Bingley and Mrs Hurst, neither of whom had welcomed the new Mrs Darcy.
"I could scarely keep my countenance when that dreadful sister of hers arrived, at least she had the sense to remove her from the ball."
"I know, to think that such a female should be Mr Darcy's sister in law is absolutely repugnant." Said Caroline, venom in her voice.
"I know you had cherished hopes of engaging his affections my dear. It was my dearest wish also, to be sure those jewels she wore last night would have been far more suited to be worn about your neck."
"Yes." The word was almost a hiss, so furious Caroline had been to see them adorn so low a personage. "That a woman such as she is mistress of Pemberley. I cannot wonder at Lady Catherine being so outraged."
"To be sure, but remember Caroline, she would have been opposed to anyone Darcy married if it was not her own daughter."
"I own you are right. But still, how could he marry one of the Bennett's, a family of so little consequence?"
"You have my sympethies, but truly we must try to accept her, she is mistress here now."
"Perhaps you are right, but I heard the maids talking this morning. Did you know she has been sending money to that odious sister of hers. Their allowance cannot possibly keep them so she has been applying to our Mrs Darcy for help with their finances."
"Does Darcy know do you think?"
"Surely he could not approve such a plan. Know, it is my belief he knows nothing of the situation. Do you think their marriage would remain so blissful if he was to find out?"
It was at this moment they saw Jane standing in a beam of sunlight, her countenance flushed at what she had just heard. How could they, she could forgive many things, but such slights as had been levelled at her dearly beloved sister enraged her beyond all sensibility.
"Why my dear Jane, I am surprised you are up so early today." Caroline barely registered any surprise at having found her standing in their way. Nor of the look of horrified anger on her usually calm face.
"I felt the need of a walk. I could not sleep." It was an effort to keep her voice level, this was her sister in law, she was supposed to love them, to accept them as her husbands family. True enough her own were by no means perfect, but by no means would they slander another or plot their downfall as these two had been doing.
"Let me escort you to your chamber my dear, you are a trifle flushed. Indeed I believe you would feel the benefit of a little rest." Mrs Hurst stepped forward, intending to take her arm. It came as a great surprise to find easy going Jane stepping away from her and removing her arm from reach.
"Thank you, I would much rather have a word with Caroline."
"Perhaps a little later dear, I have some urgent words I must address to Mr Darcy if he is up. I believe I shall wait for him in the library."
"You will do no such thing! Caroline, for heavens sake, do you not think I haven't heard all you have just said." She was in high colour now, the child restless within her.
"If you have heard I am astonished you would even admit to having heard a private conversation. Surely the proper thing to do would be to forget you heard it." Caroline turned away at that point, herself to high in anger to address a pregnant female in such a fluster.
Mrs Hurst was at pains to coax Jane away to her chambers, finding her strangely resistant. With a final pull Jane was freed from a most undignified positon and hurried after Caroline, finally catching her at the stairs.
"Please Caroline, I cannot allow you to do this."
"But Jane, surely you cannot expect me to retain this information from Darcy. It is his money, should he not have the right to know what his wife does with it."
"And what if he already knows Caroline, would that not be an embarrassment for you?"
For a moment she hoped she had persuaded Caroline, but she only turned away and continued down the stairs. Without another thought Jane hurried after her. What happened next she did not know. Her skirt was under her feet and she slipped on the fine fabric. Only two thirds down the stairs and she fell the rest of the way. For a moment she sat stunned, the next moment pain ripped through her belly. The sounds of Jane's fall had brought Caroline to her side and the cry of pain had her crouched at her side, more undignified than she had ever been in her life.
"What is it Jane?"
A pair of haunted blue eyes lifted to her face, sparkles of tears already catching in her lashes. "The baby." Another sharp pain had her gasping for breath. "Its too early. Its too early!!"
Apologies for so short a chapter and in the delay in updating. I have no excuse for it other than the general hectic lives we all lead leave little time for writing. Still, I know where I am going for the next few chapters and hopefully they will be longer than this.
