Chapter 2: May 1814

As she walked down stairs to breakfast a little over a month after her arrival at Pemberley, Lizzy suddenly felt quite dizzy and had to clutch the banister for support. Thinking nothing of the event she continued down to the breakfast room, where Georgiana and Fitzwilliam were already seated. Darcy got up and pulled out a chair for Elizabeth which she gratefully sank into. The food was on the table and when Darcy pulled the cover off the steaming dish of sausage Lizzy felt a rush of nausea and had to rise and hurry out of the room and down the hall to an open window. Brother and sister both jumped up in alarm at her flight and Fitzwilliam was by her side in an instant.

"Whatever is the matter Lizzy?" he asked worriedly.

"It is nothing dear. I felt a little sick, that is all."

"Can I help you upstairs. Do you need to lie down?" His anxious tone made Lizzy smile.

Georgiana had joined them by this time. She too, looked distressed.

"I assure you I am quite alright. Perhaps I won't eat just yet but will go upstairs and rest for a few minutes. I shall be well directly. No Fitzwilliam," as he made to see her to her room. "I shall go alone. You must eat before your ride to Lambton and I am perfectly capable."

Despite her protest, he refused to let her go upstairs unaccompanied and left her only at the door of her room where he sensed she wanted to be alone.

Lizzy did not lie down but paced the floor restlessly. She tried to tell herself that she really was just a little ill but there was a small inkling in the back of her mind which could not be pushed aside that sent thrills of hope and prickles of fear up and down her spine at the same time. She knew she must wait and see and not raise her hopes too high, but she had had several signs in the last few weeks and it was hard not to hope. Back and forth she walked until, with a shake, she pulled herself together and went down to see Mrs. Reynolds about the day's schedule.

At the foot of the stairs she met her husband, on his way up to check on her. Lizzy dropped her eyes as he took her hands, fearing she would betray her suspicions too soon.

"Are you feeling better?" he asked. Then he added with a sterner tone, "You should not be up yet. You look flushed."

Lizzy blushed still harder at this statement but felt rather annoyed at his tone. She tried not to show it and said cheerfully, "Nonsense, I feel much better and have only come down for a few minutes to see Mrs. Reynolds about the supper tonight."

He looked unconvinced. "You will rest if you feel ill again?"

"Yes, yes, I will. Really Fitzwilliam, you treat me like a child sometimes."

She turned to go but he called her softly, "Elizabeth."

She turned back reluctantly. He drew her to him and kissed her gently.

"You know I only worry because of how much I love you," he said. "I know you are strong and capable, but I must confess, any excuse to coddle you is most welcome."

She smiled despite herself. He had a way of making her do that. His eyes were like dark pools that one could fall into if one wasn't careful. He kissed her again, lifting her slightly off the ground. When he pulled away for breath, Lizzy realized where they were and gasped.

"But what if someone had come by?"

"I don't care who knows that I love my wife."

Lizzy pushed him away with a playful smile. "You will be late for your meeting Mr. Darcy," she observed. "If you wish, we can resume that delightful pastime when you return, perhaps in a less public setting?"

She was gone, and Darcy with a smile and a shake of his head went out to where his horse stood waiting, leapt on and galloped away.

Lizzy threw off the coverlet and staggered to the chamber pot in the next room. Kneeling beside it she vomited violently. Fitzwilliam, roused from sleep and thoroughly alarmed, came towards her but she motioned him back. As usual, he refused to comply. He pulled up a stool and sat beside her, holding back her hair. He rose to fetch a glass of water for her. When he returned, Lizzy fell into his lap exhausted.

He reached over to pull the bell which summoned Elizabeth's maid.

She objected weakly, "It's far too early to wake Martha," but he paid her no attention.

Martha came into the dressing room a few minutes later, looking disheveled and decidedly sleepy. Her eyes widened at the sight of Elizabeth on the floor in Mr. Darcy's arms.

Darcy spoke briskly. He was always like this in times of trouble, Lizzy realized, calm and collected after the first few seconds of shock had passed. Those seconds showed how deeply he cared, the following time, how much he could be depended on.

"Mrs. Darcy is taken ill," he said. "Wake one of the grooms up and have him ride for Doctor Reeves."

Lizzy waited until the maid had gone and then said meekly, "I am willing to see the Doctor, Fitzwilliam, but can't it wait until morning? I feel so silly, calling him here for such a trifle at this hour."

"It is not as early as you think," he replied. "The sun will be up directly. I shall tell the Doctor you did not want him if that will make you happy," he finished with a touch of irony.

"No, no." Lizzy smiled. "That would make it still more awkward."

"Can you return to bed now?"

"Yes."

She made to rise but he picked her up instead and carried her back. He lay down beside her and Lizzy laid her head on his chest.

"I love you Elizabeth." Whispered softly.

"I love you too." Still softer.

Doctor Reeves came out of Elizabeth's room with a broad smile on his always jovial face. Darcy, waiting in the hallway, let out a sigh of relief.

"Ah, Mr. Darcy himself." The doctor chuckled. Fitzwilliam had no time to wonder at the strange greeting. Doctor Reeves continued, "Your wife will be quite alright. Next time this happens I would appreciate it if you waited to call me until after 8:00. There is nothing urgent about the case. She just needs rest for a few months and…"

"A few months!" Darcy exclaimed.

"Yes. Perhaps longer, but as I was about to say, the morning sickness should be gone by then."

Darcy did not hear the last few words. He had pushed open the door and rushed in. Lizzy was sitting on the sofa against one wall, demurely sewing. Relieved somewhat, Darcy went over to her, knelt in front of her and placed his hands over hers.

"Mind the needle," she teased.

"Forget the blast… the needle. What did the doctor say? I was unable to understand a word of what he was saying. I had to see you."

She smiled and extracted her hand in order to place the needle on the table. With her now free hand she traced a circle on his palm with her finger. She spoke carefully. "Do you remember that morning when I told you I wanted to return early from our honeymoon?"

"Yes," confusedly.

"I told you I was not pregnant."

He was very still.

"As it turns out, I lied, though I didn't know it at the time."

He bent his head over her hands and she felt something warm and wet fall on them. For a moment she was frightened but the next he raised a face shining with joy. He laughed a little shakily. "I did not realize what it would feel like to hear you say that, even though I had been hoping you would."

"You are happy then?"

"Yes! And you?

"Yes, oh yes!" She was laughing and crying with him now.

He rose, lifting her with him and kissed her fervently again and again.

Ten minutes later they sat on the sofa together, quietly enjoying their newfound happiness.

"Fitzwilliam, I should not like to tell anybody just yet. I believe it is customary to do so only after the third month."

"I agree," he replied.

There was a moment of silence and then they broke it at the same instant with the same words. "But let's tell Georgiana."