Author's Note: I do not own any of Jane Austen works etc. Much sooner than I expected, here is part 2 of Midsummer Nights. I made sure to psot these two close together, because they were meant to be all in one, but it would have made the chapter a massive one so I cut them in half. Though there has only been something like two days between parts 1 and 2, please don't expect the next one for a while. I cannot in all good conscience write any more of this until my exam is finished. I hope you enjoy it and if you do or if you don't please rate and review! xxx

Midsummer Nights (2)

Turned and Tossed and Stretched

Friday 7th July 1816

9.42am

Darcy stretched. They had spent a pleasant night of sleep in their rooms, retiring earlier than usual at Elizabeth's request. Darcy wondered if Mr and Mrs Tarvit might find it rude, but they attributed her desire, as he did, to exhaustion from the journey.

Darcy foresaw the next few weeks to go by well, not only were they miles away from any distractions, but Lizzy had received a letter from Jane informing them that she and Charles were expecting another child. This news had thrown Lizzy into such a gladness of spirits that she spent most of her time endeavouring to find gifts for Bennet, Christiana and the new baby.

As he woke, an awareness of a very great heat in the room made itself known to him and though he thought very carefully about the prospect of rising to open a window, he very much preferred to withstand and even increase the temperature if it meant another few hours in bed with Elizabeth. But when he opened his eyes with the intention to move next to her, he saw that she herself had already risen, and was sitting cross-legged against the pillows, examining sketches which, even at his odd angle, were very familiar.

"What on earth . . . ?" Suddenly his memory came back to him. "Dear girl, I had not thought to ever ask her to show us these."

Elizabeth smiled and handed him some papers. She had been unable to sleep for several hours, waking just after dawn with an unpleasant nausea which she blamed on the rough roads to which she had never been used. "He runs about so much it is a wonder Georgiana could ever catch his likeness." She gently traced a finger along a portrait of Bennet which had been taken as he laughed. "Hmph . . . I miss him Fitzwilliam. I never imagined separation could be so overwhelming." He took her hand, wondering if he should quickly reread the letter containing Jane's news to her. "To think, that it seems but a day or two since were married and yet how many things have happened! We have travelled to France and Italy, we have many good friends and acquaintances in town, we have a son, dear Miss Darcy came into society last year and now Jane is with child again."

Darcy could not help but think of the improbability of it all moving so quickly. "I remember seeing him for the first time. God, those moments were interminable; the anticipation and anxiety of it all, and then he was there; tiny, red, confused and nuzzled into a blanket."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, which put her husband on edge; this look generally meant he had displeased her, or else some saucy comment would be thrown at him, to which he would be forced to answer honestly, but in a way that would please her. "William, imagine the frustration you felt when I was giving birth and you were pacing downstairs, wearing out your grandparents' fine Persian carpets." He did, though it was decidedly unpleasant. "That is what I feel."

"This upsets me Elizabeth. I had so hoped you would relish in the opportunity to be away from everyone." Darcy sat next to her, and when he spoke his voice conveyed a tone of such earnest feeling that she could not take her eyes from him. "I do not wish to leave him, but," his sudden smile told her he was about to say something impertinent, and she smiled too; "at least we may make love every night without fear of his disturbing us." She giggled and blushed, letting him fold the sketches away. "We may kiss wantonly in the morning," he pressed their lips together tightly, causing her to pant heavily when he ceased, which in turn made him smile. "like that." She giggled again. "We may do what we wish and when. My only request is that you never leave my side."

Elizabeth was impressed; he had made her feel like a young girl again and she loved the freedom of it. "I had not thought of such benefits. This is an opportunity." He nodded. "I am very much in love with you, my dear, and I would like us to behave as such."

"As you know dear, I never disobey you." She shook her head. "You wish is my command."

Darcy was, in the end, unable to convince Elizabeth to ride on horseback despite his best efforts and a detour to some of the finest stables Mr and Mrs Darcy had seen outside of Derbyshire. He could see that she knew of his confusion over her request, but she made nothing of it, and he was not of a mood to press her. Truth be told, he did not particularly want to ride the horses, it was only that Lizzy was acting so strange that he felt compelled to find the reason behind it.

Now, however, they walking down to the beach with Mr and Mrs Tarvit, and Elizabeth was enjoying hearing of the raptures of the young Misses Tarvit. "Well, my dear Mrs Darcy," Lizzy turned and flashed a smile at Darcy, and he knew it was her glee at being addressed as 'Mrs Darcy', "My eldest is just sixteen, she has a wonderfully bright demeanour. The two youngest are only a year apart and share a very close bond." Mrs Tarvit then paused and retrieved a portrait of her daughters. "But they are currently in finishing school in France, so I am afraid you shall not have the opportunity to make their acquaintance at present, but I know they should be very glad to do so in the future."

"What?" Elizabeth was stunned and it was very evident on her face, frightening Darcy and causing him to pay more attention to their conversation than his own. "How can you bear to send them away? Your own chi-"

Darcy saw that now was the moment to stop her, before she irreversibly offended the Tarvits and prematurely ended their midsummer break. "Lizzy." Darcy's voice was firm, reminding Elizabeth that she was out of line. "I think you might like to walk closer to the shore, hmm?"

She nodded and allowed him to lead her further down the beach. "I am sorry, William. I do not know what came over me."

"She is a forgiving woman and will not hold it against you I am sure. But dearest, try not to insult those who have made their peace with being apart from their children." Lizzy rubbed her forehead and leaned on his arm for comfort. "Mrs Tarvit's youngest child is eleven, so she will have been separated from them countless times."

"Indeed." Darcy kissed her and explained he did not mean to sound as though he was reprimanding her. "I do think you were. But perhaps I deserved it?" Laughing, he kept her close and they slowed their pace to spread out as much time on the sand as might be possible.

3.29pm

"Mr Tarvit, your stables are exceptionally well-kept for such small holdings. Why do you not expand? You have the parkland."

The two men had been walking alone, Mrs Tarvit having taken an interest in providing Elizabeth with every titbit of information about her daughters. Darcy could see his wife's apologetic face for having left his side very time he blinked. But he found he had a genuine interest in the ins and outs of Mr Tarvit's estate; it reminded him of Mr Bennet's attempts to bond with him after Lizzy had told him of their engagement at Longbourn.

The elder gentleman bowed his head at the compliment, but replied it something he did not think worth considering much. "We do not ride much, ourselves. More often then not, those guests who do wish to ride are in possession of their own animals, such as yourselves, and when they do not, we have a good relationship with a nearby farm, and the master there very graciously gives over his horses." Darcy nodded, admiring his management of the estate. "So you see, we live quite well as we are."

Mr Tarvit suggested he take a look at their own breed of dogs, and the two men began to walk in that direction. "My Tarvit, you must bring your family to Pemberley. My younger sisters would very much enjoy the company. Miss Darcy would be very pleased to introduce you to her friends."

"Certainly. We should like to tour Derbyshire very much. I think they must be very pleased with Mrs Darcy's companionship." Darcy replied that she had exceeded all expectations, and declared they had very great felicity in marriage. At that moment they came upon the dog pens, and, to the surprise of both men, Elizabeth sat playing with several young pups. "Mrs Darcy! I see you have found my prize breed."

He referenced the family of dogs which now surrounded the lady, and Lizzy looked to be having most wonderful afternoon. "Mrs Tarvit went to see to this evening's menu, but I could not bring myself to leave them, they are so wonderful."

"They are Border Terriers. They are a very great breed, possessed by all the finest houses in Scotland." When she inquired as to one that had climbed onto her lap, he replied in a disaffected tone: "She is the runt of the litter, not actually suitable for breeding. We may sell her, but I doubt she will be wanted by anyone."

Lizzy mood took a considerable downturn at this, but Mr Tarvit did not seem to notice and declared a very great interest in a fish course for dinner. Having no protest from his guests, he absented himself immediately. "You still shock me, Lizzy. To be playing with puppies indeed."

She feigned hurt at his comments. "Oh William, how can you say such a thing?" He laughed and began to tug a stick with the smallest puppy. "How cute you are, my dear." She stroked the runt, and sighed. "William, I cannot bear the thought of her being sold to another . . . or worse."

"I imagined as much." He said, knowing what she would ask him. Admittedly, she was the most beautiful dog he had laid eyes on; big eyes and golden brown hair covered by the deepest black. Her movements were more and more endearing as one watched them and he knew she had Lizzy wrapped around her paw, and she fast doing the same to him.

"May we take her home?" He sighed. "Oh William, she is not for you. She is for me."

"Lizzy, I cannot ask to take one of his prize dogs." Tenderly, she covered the pup's ears, not wanting her to hear. She informed him that Tarvit did not consider this dog one his most prized. "True." He watched her lift the tiny animal to her breast, coveting it, loving it. "Alright, Lizzy, I will ask him."

10.27pm

Lizzy sat at the window seat as she loved to do at Pemberley. She had been left alone after her husband had gone to offer Mr Tarvit payment for his puppy. Though Darcy had warned her not to become too close to the animal lest he should refuse, Lizzy had already selected several names, her favourite of which she had written down, not daring to speak it.

The room itself she had not admired until now, when she had the opportunity to examine the proportions of it. At first glance it was certainly a finely furnished room, but the details were far more intricate and told Elizabeth that this house was a family treasure. Much like Pemberley, it had been handed down, over the years with each generation adding to its impact.

The walls were wooden panels painted white and very obviously old, but the bed was new, and commissioned by a London designer whose widely recognised trademark was evident on the head. The bedding and soft furnishing were depictions of country and nature scenes. Elizabeth smiled; she had decorated many of Pemberley guests suites in a similar way to try to bring some of that house's great park to the indoors.

She then concentrated her mind on the view in front of her and saw the night watchmen moving about the lawns, readying themselves for their patrols of the forests. Though they were not in possession of a particularly grand house, the Tarvit parkland was very extensive. Elizabeth knew that they had the means to expand, but did not and this was because of the many families due to come to the Borders towards the height of summer for the hunting. The many branches of the Darcy family tree, four of whom were in possession of very large hunting grounds, would visit one estate in one year, and another the next. It was a very good chance to spend time with those relations who were not close enough to visit regularly.

The activities of the guards and thoughts of the hunting seasons were not enough, however, to retain her attention for long, and at length she turned her gaze to the door once more, willing the handle to turn.

Lizzy laughed at such childish behaviour, and stood quickly, giving herself a headrush. Again, she laughed at her own stupidity and was forced to fall back on the bed. When the headache had left, she turned to see the sketches of Bennet lying open, and it warmed her to think she had not left every piece of her heart at home. Remembering her overexcitement at the thought of Darcy's return, she knew better than to exert herself. Her feelings were all in tumult; she was by no means certain that there was any reason not to exert herself, and she fervently hoped she hadn't raised Darcy's suspicions too high when she had denied the offer of the horses.

Suddenly, the long-awaited moment arrived and Lizzy sat up, carefully, watching the handle turn. "Darcy."

He chuckled. "My dear, you look very much like our son when the nanny brings in the sweetmeats."

She dismissed his comments. "Do not distract me, I beg you! Tell me Mr Tarvit's reply."

He sat next to her and caressed her hands, speaking softly. "The man needed no time to consider. He told me that we may take her and do what we will with her, if it will make her happy."

"Oh William! Thank you!" She threw her arms around him and began to kiss him ecstatically. "What a marvellous surprise for Ben!"

Darcy rolled his eyes, knowing it was his young wife who would have her most of the time. "Goodness!" Darcy moved to see her face, and saw her eyes filled with tears, though he knew them to be from joy. "I do not think I have seen you quite so happy in a long time." He handed her his handkerchief.

She wiped her eyes with the proffered cloth and spoke with a rush of nervousness. "Well, I must tell you, the puppy is not the only reason I am so happy." He inquired after her meaning and she deliberated only a moment, before realising she could not very well deny the fact now. "Dearest, my . . . courses . . ." She spoke delicately on a subject she still felt uncomfortable discussing or even mentioning to him. "They are shamefully overdue, and I had not noticed."

"Lizzy . . . for how long have they been so?"

"This is very strange indeed as it seems my sister and I are to have children all at the same time." Darcy begged to know the answer to his question and she smiled. "Three months." He grinned, and she saw a comfortingly glad expression pass across his face before he wrapped his arms around her and would not let go.

Friday 11th August 1816

4.13pm

"Cahyidge! Cahyidge! Cayidge!" Bennet's sweet little voice penetrated even the thickest walls of Pemberley, letting all within its doors know of the arrival of the Master and Mistress.

"Miss Darcy, I do believe the young master wishes us to wait outside." Mrs Reynolds' scolding tone, intended to impart some instruction on the virtues of pleases and thank yous were lost whenever she looked at Bennet. He was so much a reflection of his father that she knew his impertinence arose from a childish excitement to see his parents and could not be angry at him.

Georgiana joined her nephew, and, noticing Mrs Reynolds failed attempt to teach Bennet manners she said, "Mrs Reynolds, he is not three years old yet, and you are quite aware that neither my brother nor my sister, who now possess some of the best manners I have witnessed and the greatest conversation, were as disciplined as he is at this age." The woman agreed, and the stepped into the afternoon sun, to see the Darcy coaches rolling into the drive.

"They do look well, Miss Darcy. I suspect the Mistress has been yearning after her son." Georgiana replied that in her letters she did express such a feeling, but they were glad to be alone. "I am surprised no request was made for the servants to welcome them."

"You should not be, as they were only holidaying for a short while. My brother perhaps did not wish any ceremony to be given to the occasion, as the house remained occupied by myself and my sisters. Not much in the way of absence has been noticed, I think." The lady mentioned that they was certainly missed by some servants who did have the courage to voice their opinions, but otherwise her statements were correct, though Mrs Reynolds noticed they kept a calendar of the days until their return. As the carriage drew closer, all possibility of conversation became impossible due to the level of volume emanating from the young Master.

When they had stopped, Bennet ran down the steps at such a speed, his dear Aunt could not keep hold of him, and could only hope that he did not falter and tumble.

"My dear boy!" Darcy hoisted Bennet into the air, making him scream with laughter, and Elizabeth roll her eyes at all of his previous comments regarding her son. "How we have missed you!"

"Papa!" Bennet squealed and danced about as his father tossed him again and again into the air.

"Dearest, do not make him sick, it will entirely unpleasant for everyone." Elizabeth's voice, however soft, could have been heard miles away by her son, but he was next to her, her tones reached him immediately and he demanded to be passed to her. "Hello, handsome!" Bennet wrapped his tiny little arms as far around his mother's shoulders as they would allow. "I have someone to show you."

At this, Lizzy let jump out of the Carriage the Terrier pup she had so coveted. Bennet pointed and repeated the word 'duggy' many times, and Elizabeth introduced her as Izzy. Bennet surprised her when he babbled that she was named after his Mamma, as Lizzy had named the dog after the bitch, Isabella.

Lizzy picked up the pup. "Mumma!" She laughed at his skewed pronunciation, and began to ascend the stairs.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Reynolds." The old woman curtseyed and began to see to the organisation of the suitcases and carriages, aided by Mr Darcy as he was welcomed home by her. "Georgiana, how are you, my dear?"

Miss Darcy smiled and was glad to see the little boy so happy in his mother's arms. She recalled many nights when he had been so upset not to find his parents in their rooms that she had slept with him in the nursery. But this, she would never tell Elizabeth. "I am glad to see you home. How was Scotland?"

"Wonderful, we had excellent company, Mr and Mrs Tarvit. They have three daughters of their own and expressed a great desire in meeting you."

Georgiana knew the name, and informed Lizzy of her brief acquaintance with the eldest Miss Tarvit in France. "How adorable she is. May I?" Lizzy handed Georgiana the puppy. Taking a breath, Georgiana spoke. "Lizzy, I have some news for you, that I did not wish to write in a letter."

Lizzy stopped, and could see from the light blush in her sister's face that this was important news. "I have entered into a very great friendship with a young lady from town. A Miss Carter."

"Carter? They are very good friends of ours." She lifted Bennet into a more comfortable position on her hip, as he had begun to slide and protest. "They have Charlecote Park and Somerleyton Hall, wonderfully situated houses if my memory serves me. Though not as beautiful as Pemberley, of course."

She nodded by way of reply and continued. "They are of very good character, and we have recently spent time with them at Beningbrough with Mr and Mrs Bingley, as my brother Charles invited the men down for hunting and dear Jane is much in need of company in her condition." Lizzy had assumed as much and asked after her sister, in answer of which she received a favourable reply. But she was suspicious of the information Georgiana was giving her; she had made friends before and the discussions about them never ventured on the subject of the family's character as it was assumed that if Lizzy and Darcy knew them then they were good people. "I am also good . . . very good friends with Miss Carter's elder brother."

Ah. "Georgiana, I am very happy for you." Her mind flashed back to the young woman's entrance into society last year, and knew that Mr Carter had been the gentleman with whom she had passed the chief of the evening. Looking carefully at her, she knew all Miss Darcy wanted was to inform her. "I am very honoured that you have told me, Georgiana. But, if I may suggest, do not tell your brother yet."

"Lizzy, we are not engaged."

She laughed. "I know, dearest. But William is very protective of you." Miss Darcy nodded in understanding. "Let us continue this conversation in a more suitable place, later, and away from the prying ears of my young man, here. Go and welcome your brother."

Georgiana kissed Bennet, handed Elizabeth the puppy and stepped outside once more while Lizzy contemplated whether or not to inform her husband herself.

7.31pm

The company was pleased upon hearing the lady's fingers move so smoothly over the keys: the harmonious sounds bled out into the corridors and servants could be heard humming the tune as they went about their work. Although there may only have been four people in residence at Pemberley, each person enjoyed the rare moment during which the hostess would bestow them with her performance.

Despite being embarrassed and quite nervous at the prospect of playing, Lizzy could not conceal the pride in her face as she thought of her husband and her son, now almost three years old. Darcy was equally enamoured of his wife and watched her with the same intense stare he employed during their acquaintance. This was not lost on Lizzy and she tried to coax a smile out of him by offering one of her own, an endeavour at which she never failed to succeed.

Jane Bingley sat in a similar manner; her thoughts consumed by images of her daughter stumbling about after her elder cousin and her fantasies of her own new baby; Charles beamed at Elizabeth's musical ability, especially as she began to sing and Georgiana allowed herself a vow of self-congratulations for having taught her sister to such a level.

Mr and Mrs Bingley had heard of the arrival of the Darcys, and, wishing to hear their entire trip, were at Pemberley in time for dinner with their daughter. Jane was always looking for a chance to be with her dear brother and sister especially at such times and Lizzy was such a wonderful hostess, and they were so familiar, that there was no great need to be fussing at the presence of one or other of the sisters. Kitty and Mary had long since returned home, and were yearning for another visit, but seeing her sister so happy, and knowing they had much on their minds, Jane did not wish to press anyone.

When the piece was finished, Darcy kissed his wife affectionately whilst the family applauded and thanked their hostess. But as Lizzy turned to receive praises from her brother and sisters, she began to realise what an effort she had to expend just to focus on their faces.

"Lizzy . . . what a marvellous piece, the children would love it!" Jane kissed her sister and began suggesting other pieces. Georgiana soon joined her, but Elizabeth could only force a small smile. She wanted, nay, needed to sit down.

"Dearest?" Lizzy was thankful to finally hear a concerned voice, particularly her husband's. "Are you unwell?" Darcy panicked; he did not want a repeat of their anniversary dinner, and she had been doing so well.

"I do not know." She whispered. But her confusion over her health was soon settled when she turned pale and she could no longer hear the demands from her husband for a cool cloth. "Fitzwilliam," she said as a hot flush came over her. She breathed more deeply, her sight was gone, and she slipped into unconsciousness.

10pm

As Elizabeth began to return to consciousness, she could make out the landmarks of her own room; the curtains, the window seat and the books were in familiar places and this familiarity calmed her. She knew she was alright, and, from the soothing tones of her husband's voice, he appeared equally as restful.

"Lizzy?" She opened her eyes fully and turned her head too see him sitting up in bed and reading. "Well, hello there."

She smiled. "I feel as though I have been napping. What happened? I do not think it was serious, you have prepared for bed and," she looked down at her own nightclothes, "you undressed me, too."

He closed his book and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her forehead. "You fainted, and woke, but you were very tired, and I thought it better that you were put to bed." She agreed with him and apologised, asking if anyone was particularly worried and he replied that they were not. "At first, perhaps, but Jane at least guessed at the reason. You have been journeying for some time, Lizzy, it is not an unreasonable reaction. In any case, they are all gone to bed, and you have orders not to get up until late in the morning."

Lizzy was surprised. "I have orders from Dr Howards? How on earth did he get here so quickly? He must have only just left." Darcy shook his head and informed her that the orders were directly from him. Just then, the sound of bare feet running along the carpet was heard by them, and they both knew who was next to enter.

"Master Bennet, you must not run away! You must not disturb your mother and father." The poor nurse's voice made Lizzy and Darcy struggle to restrain a burst of laughter, but they managed, until they heard Georgiana scold him, too.

"Ben! You are a big boy, can you not yet sleep by yourself? Your mother put you down at seven o'clock! You will be nothing but tired and grumpy in the morning."

Eventually, the door was opened, and Bennet ran in, picked up by his father and lifted onto the bed, where he snuggled directly between his two parents and preceded to show his Mamma a picture he had drawn. "It is perfectly fine, please go to bed, both of you. We shall sleep with him tonight."

Miss Darcy smiled, "very well." She then looked at her nephew, who laughed and hid in Lizzy's bosom. "How spoiled you are." Darcy then reminded her of the times she would not sleep when she was a child, and Georgiana left, blushing and shaking her head at her brother.

"Look, my dear," said Lizzy, showing him Bennet's drawing, "He has drawn us all in the park." Darcy laughed and wondered how she could decipher his scribbles. Then he put the drawing down to read once more, and found Bennet had taken the book and was turning the pages 'like papa'. Lizzy was in fits of laughter when he began to frown and pretend to write things down. "Oh, how well he knows you!"

"He does indeed. Extraordinary."

"William, do not think Ben ought to know of his new sibling?" Darcy asked her if she thought he would know what they meant. "Look at him, he understands and mimics what you do, and can have a legible, if short, conversation with his family. Why should we not at least give him the honour of knowing before everyone else?"

"Very well. Bennet, Papa needs your attention."

Bennet only gave the book to Darcy and said, "Read Bennet."

"May I ask you a question first?" Bennet replied that he may, Lizzy laughed, and Darcy picked him up, placing him on his knee, so that Lizzy could see him. "How would you like a little brother or sister to play with?" Bennet looked quite pleased with the question, and said that he would like a brother or sister.

"Then you shall have one." Lizzy smiled and kissed him, and Darcy was forced to read his son a story all about brothers and sisters for an hour until he fell asleep, much to Elizabeth's amusement. For her part, Lizzy was decided that Georgiana's relationship was too young to make public to her brother and that it was not really her business to tell. She resolved to speak of it to Miss Darcy at the first opportunity.