Author's Note: I found some time to write this week so hopefully I can post the next chapter as promptly as this one. Enjoy!
They exited the house and started around the back garden. Kitty was impressed by the sheer size of it. Pemberley was a very impressive home, but it was the grounds that were the best feature. Beautiful rooms meant nothing to her if she did not have beautiful grounds to walk.
"This is certainly something to behold," Kitty complimented, taking in the surroundings.
"Sometimes I cannot believe that this is my home," Elizabeth confessed with a small smile.
"Lizzy, I have one more confession for you. Something happened before I left home." Kitty looked at her hands instead of at her sister.
"What Kitty? Was it something bad? What has happened?"
"Mary is engaged," Kitty groaned.
"Really? Why did you not tell me this sooner?" she crossed her arms.
"I am embarrassed to admit it, but I am jealous. I truly never expected to be the last sister married. I thought I would beat Mary to the altar; I was certain of it."
"Oh Kitty, fear not! I believe you will be married. Mary has found a man she loves and one day you will do the same."
"But what if I never marry?" Kitty cried out.
"If you wish to marry, then you will. You are a lovely girl. Perhaps we can find you a husband while you are in Derbyshire. You never know who you may encounter."
"But I fear I will never marry! Surely Mary could not be more attractive than me."
"Everyone is attractive to someone. Fear not! Let us talk of more pleasing things; do you have any other news?"
"No!" Kitty said, "do you have news for me?"
"I do not. Here, let me show you this section of the garden. It has been redone since I moved in." She led Kitty down the newly built path, "this was the first thing I wanted to changed. Don't get me wrong, the gardens have always been beautiful, but I wanted more paths to walk. The house was already so lovely that I felt the work could be best done outside."
"It is very lovely here. I can see why you love it so much."
"When I first saw Pemberley, I must admit it took my breath away. That day, I was certain I could spend the rest of my life wandering these grounds."
"I still find it strange that you visited Pemberley before you were mistress of it."
Lizzy smiled looking down, "perhaps the same will happen to you. Oh Kitty, I hope that you'll find happiness. Marriage is so wonderful," she smiled, her hormones bringing out her emotional extremes. "Perhaps I will organize a dinner for you. Our new parson should arrive in a fortnight and he is but five and twenty." She smiled mischievously. Kitty had been much improved since she had been removed from Lydia's company; Lizzy had grown to respect her a lot more and planned to help her find love if she so wished.
"I think I would like that very much. Perhaps we could have something soon. It may be best to act before you are too large to be a hostess" she teased.
"I know not when I will be too large to host so I will start the planning at once." Lizzy said slowing her pace.
"Are you tired? Do you wish to go back?" Kitty inquired.
"No Kitty. I feel fine. I wish to show you the rest of the grounds. Come along, through those rosebushes, the lake is up ahead." She was so proud to show off one of her favorite parts of Pemberley.
"These grounds seem to go on forever. Have you walked them all?" Kitty asked looked at the winding paths that looped around the lake and through the thick gardens.
"I think I have walked most of them. They are vast indeed. I am so happy to walk again. I was starting to lose my mind. I hope I can resume my walks after the babe comes."
"How long shall I stay after the babe is born?"
"You may stay as long as you would like. Georgiana will be returning from her season and she would like a companion her own age. I will not have as much time to spend with her once the babe comes and it will be nice to have you here."
"Do you mean that? Because I would love to stay. I enjoy your company and Mama will be focused solely on planning Mary's wedding."
"I do mean it, but Kitty, may we slow down? I am started to feel fatigued." In truth, she thought she had walked too far and thought it best to slow down or perhaps to turn around.
"Oh, of course. We may turn around. I have done enough walking for the day."
Elizabeth had begun to feel a twinge in her back and was now uncomfortable. She did not wish to alarm Kitty, but she thought it best to return straight to bed. As they began their walk back to the house, Elizabeth's discomfort grew and she winced.
"Elizabeth, what is wrong?"
She gritted her teeth, "nothing, nothing. Let us just get back to the house," she said before wincing again.
"Lizzy – all is not well! I can tell, something is wrong with you."
"Let us just walk more quickly. I will be fine once I get to my chambers. I must have walked a bit too far. Once I retire to my bed, I will be fine."
Kitty aided Lizzy by holding her arm and taking some of her weight. Lizzy was normally a good, fast, walker, but she was going much more slowly than normal. Despite this, they made good time to the house and Kitty found a footman at once. The footman helped Kitty walk Elizabeth up the stairs. Once she was settled in bed, she elevated her feet and waited for the pain to stop. The pain was not sharp, but instead a dull aching pulse.
"Kitty," Lizzy said, "can you send a servant to fetch my husband? I am afraid that the pain in my back is not diminishing."
Kitty nodded, running into the hallway to find a servant. Minutes later, Darcy appeared in her room.
"Elizabeth, what's wrong?" he said approaching her bedside.
"My back aches. It comes in waves, but it's dull. I don't know. I think Doctor Perry should come and check up on me."
"Is something wrong with the babe?" he asked with alarm.
"I know not," she winced.
"I will send for him at once," he said fleeing the room to order a servant to fetch the doctor. He returned moments later and Lizzy was riding out the latest wave of pain.
"Will you lay next to me while I wait for the doctor?"
"Of course," he said climbing into bed beside her, taking her hand.
"My back really hurts," she said, tears pricking the corners of her eyes. "Ow!" she finally cried in pain.
Lizzy's maid entered the room after being told to assist her mistress. "Mrs. Darcy, I think the babe may be coming. 'Tis how it all began with my my sister ma'am."
"But it is too early!" Lizzy cried and Darcy gripped her hand even harder.