Lizzy lost her mind fairly quickly, despite the constant attention of her sister and her husband. Kitty would sit with her in the afternoons while Darcy took care of estate business. Darcy spent the rest of his days with her. He broke his fast each morning in bed with her and then spent the majority of his day sitting with her.
Jane promised to return as soon as she and her husband decided on an estate. She wrote frequent letters to Elizabeth and promised that she would be returning to Pemberley shortly. They had been gone so much longer than expected. They simply could not decide on an estate.
Lizzy also received an interesting letter from Georgiana. She had read it multiple times and called for her husband to read it once she was certain she understood. As he read it, he chuckled.
"Why are you laughing?" She was alarmed by the content of the letter and did not find it humorous like he appeared to.
"I cannot help it! This is amusing. I can tell you with certainty that Caroline Bingley and your sister are not having an unnatural relationship. I have seen your sister with her husband, and Caroline Bingley is not exactly subtle. This has no truth to it, so I do not think we need to worry about scandal. Miss Bingley must be unaware of these rumors because if she knew, she would have put an end to it already. She would never want to hurt her chances of making a good match."
Elizabeth suppressed a giggle at the thought of Caroline's marriage changes being hurt by such a rumor. She would never be allowed in company if people believed the rumor to be true. "What should I write to Georgiana?"
"Tell her that you are certain that the rumors have no basis. Tell her not to speak of it again. When Charles returns I will inform him and we will determine what to do. Tell Georgiana to do nothing." He was very firm on this. It was not something he wanted Georgiana to involve herself with in any way.
"Very well," she said as she set the letter aside. She would respond later.
He chuckled again, "well, at least I had a laugh. Now tell me, how are you feeling?"
"Hot," she groaned. She was sitting on top of the covers in only her thin nightgown. It was a hot summer day, hotter than he had ever remembered a summer at Pemberley being.
"I am sorry. I wish I could do something to make you feel better, to ease your discomfort." He put his hand on hers and squeezed it softly.
"I know. And I grow larger each day. The babe is restless." She sighed. The babe was very active and had been keeping her up during the nights, causing her to nap in the afternoons.
"Just like her mother," he smiled lovingly.
"Her? I think we shall have a boy. He kicks very hard. I believe his legs are long, just like his father's."
"Well," he said, "I trust your instincts. Tell me, what else can I do to make you more comfortable?"
"Well," she sighed, pushing herself back against the headboard to sit up straighter, "there is one thing that you could help me with."
"What?"
"Well, despite being hot and large and tired, I want you so desperately."
"Elizabeth," he frowned, "you that that it is forbidden." He too wanted her, but it was not allowed. He would never risk the safety of either his wife or child. But, he felt the same frustration as her.
"I know, and I do not wish to harm the babe, but perhaps you could kiss me and hold me in your arms for a little while." She pouted and look at him with her large, sparkling eyes and he could not deny her anything.
"You know I might not be able to control myself once we begin to please do not demand anything more once we start."
"I promise. Now, come here," she gestured and he climbed onto the bed, giving her a kiss. She hummed, "oh, how I've missed your kisses."
He kissed her more deeply and continued to pepper her with kisses for some time. His hands traveled up and down her body and when he pulled away, she was smiling back at him.
"I wish we could continue," she sighed.
"Oh Elizabeth, you know I would if I could." He continued to lie next to her, though he would have preferred to take a cold bath. He liked the intimacy of lying beside her and holding her in his arms, even though they could do no more.
The remainder of July continued in the same vein. She was always hot, tired, and desperate for her husband. He would kiss her and hold her and they would be frustrated together.
She read and had been read many books. The romances only made her ache for her husband more so she read more mysteries than she had ever read before.
The local shopkeepers did come to show their offerings to the master and mistress of the house. It has been some time since there had been a babe at Pemberley and the nursery was in desperate need of some new linens. Lizzy had done some embroidery in bed, but she only had a small blanket made. They picked out linens are some wooden toys for when he was older.
Fitzwilliam had also sent one of his mother's necklaces to London to be reset. The jewels were a bit too ostentatious or Lizzy. He was having them made into earrings and a smaller, more understated necklace. He planned to give them to her as a present following the birth of their child.
She lost track of the days whilst lying in bed and began a secret project. On days when she had time alone, she would write romantic stories. She started at first due to sheer boredom and frustration with her desire for her husband, but she found that she enjoyed it greatly. Perhaps when she finished, she would read it aloud to Kitty, Jane, and Georgiana. Fitzwilliam might also enjoy her stories – he was a romantic man and the main character of her romance did bear a striking resemblance to her beloved husband.
She missed Jane terribly as well and hoped she would return from her estate tour soon. She knew that both Charles and Jane were indecisive, but she had no idea how bad the two of them could be when alone together. She knew that Charles relied on her husband for these things and it would have been better if he had gone to aid them. She could not live without her husband, especially not now. She would have to be without her sister until they could decide on an estate.
Elizabeth had been enjoying Kitty's company. She had grown a lot in recent months – likely because she no longer had Lydia to influence her negatively. Kitty was growing into a fine woman and would make someone an excellent wife one day. That was going to be her next project, helping to find Kitty a suitor.