Chapter 2
Darcy was pacing the private room, while Georgiana looked on. Both were anxious for the young lady they had only just met. Her plight and solitary status had pulled on their heartstrings
"Brother, she is all alone. What if…"
"Let us wait and see, Georgie. Many women travail and give birth every day. Not all end as our mother did."
A knock startled them, and at Darcy's 'enter' the same cheerful face peeked in again. "I think the young missus will no' be leavin' 'til the babe is born. Poor thing."
"Do whatever is needful, Mrs. Hobbs. I will pay for any service or assistance that is required. Whatever is needful." He repeated.
"Tha' may not please the missus." Mrs. Hobbs entered the room and closed the door.
"Mrs. Carrington is not in a position to object at this point." Darcy's mein was stern.
"We will not turn our backs on 'er. Thrown out of her home and bein' like she is …" she tutted, shaking her head. "Jest ain't right." she continued muttering.
"Mrs. Hobbs, I must have a few minutes of Mrs. Carrington's time.
"Sir. The missus ain't in a condition to-"
"We need her family's direction, Madam," Darcy cut her off. "I am afraid I must insist." His frown and firm look sent a silent message.
She nodded slowly in understanding. "Aye. I will send a maid for ye' when the missus be made presentable."
Time passed, with Darcy pacing and Georgiana attempting to focus on her embroidery. Eventually, Darcy sat down next to his sister and took one of her hands.
"Georgie, will you accompany me to the room? We know nothing about Mrs. Carrington, and if the worst should happen…" He grimaced, "we must have a way to contact her family. I would hate for them to be left ignorant."
"I agree, Brother." Georgiana's voice was quiet. "That would be most dreadful."
A soft knock on the door sounded.
Mr. Darcy called out. "Come."
A young girl entered, and curtseyed. "If ye please, sir. The mistress says ye best go up now."
They climbed the inn's stairs, following the maid up to a room on the top floor, near the back of the inn. Mrs. Hobbs certainly knew her business. Any cries would be far from the public rooms.
The door was open swiftly after their knock. Georgiana and Darcy entered, but he stayed just inside the door.
Georgianna was beckoned closer by Mrs. Hobbs. "Come dearie, wash her face down with the cool water. It will be refreshing for the missus."
The laboring woman was propped up on pillows, a sheet covering her body and a shawl over her shoulders.
"Mrs. Carrington," Darcy called to her. "Is there anyone we can contact for you?"
"My family. But they are not in position to come-"
"Madam," he cut her off. "Let us write down your information. I think it best to write to your family and let them know of your delay."
She looked at Darcy, her eyes meeting his stern expression. Reading his true concern, she bit her lower lip, but nodded. "Thank you, sir."
She gave him the direction for the Bennets of Longbourn, near Meryton in Hertfordshire. "It is just my father and older sister at home, at present. Perhaps for now, only a short note to tell them of some delay? I do not wish to cause them any concern at this time."
Her dark, expressive eyes beseeched him, and he could see the haunting of old pain in them. Nodding once in agreement, he stepped outside the room, but remained waiting in the corridor while Georgiana conversed quietly with Mrs. Carrington. Mrs. Hobbs quickly followed him out.
"Will she be well?" Darcy's voice cracked. The memory of his mother's passing still haunted him to this day.
She gave him a searching look. "Only the good Lord knows tha', sir."
"Our mother…" he did not continue.
"Ah well, I'm sorry for tha', sir. We will do our best and pray for a happy endin'."
Georgiana exited the room a few minutes later and saying their goodnights to Mrs. Hobbs, they descended back down to the private room.
Darcy gestured for Georgianna to enter, but he approached the innkeeper.
Darcy looked around at the busy public room. "I regret the inconvenience, but thank you and your good wife for your kindness. I wish to make it clear I will cover any costs. Shall you keep serving or encourage them," he nudged his chin in the direction of the drinkers in the common room, "to leave early?"
Mr. Hobbs responded with a chuckle, "Nay, sir. A few more drinks in 'em, an' they will no' hear a thing. One of my boys will keep watch here; make sure they don' get too rowdy."
Darcy nodded. "I shall need to send a couple of expresses. If you could make those arrangements for me?" He started to move away, but turned back. "Do you have a couple of rooms available for us, should we require them?"
"Yes, sir. I have a suite available with two rooms. Just let me know when you be wantin' 'em."
After arranging for a warm meal to be delivered, Darcy entered the parlor and closed the door behind him.
"I ordered a warm meal, to be served shortly. In the meantime, I shall write to her family."
"I am not sure I can eat." Georgiana sighed.
"No. Nor I." He walked around the room, not settling in any one place for too long.
"Shall you send them express?"
"Yes. At least the one to Darcy House. We would be anticipated there. As for Mrs. Carrington's family, I do not wish to alarm them, so I will give instructions for the letter to be delivered tomorrow morning. Hopefully, it is the only one required to be sent.
Georgianna was quiet for a time. "What will happen to her? I have never seen such sorrow and yet such courage in one person. Not even Anne, and she had endured so much at the hand of Lady Catherine."
"She does appear to be a strong young woman, although we are not really aware of her full situation. At least she has a home to return to."
"She shared a little information with me when I spoke with her upstairs. I inquired as to why she was traveling alone." Georgiana looked down, a blush rising in her cheeks. It was not like her to be so forward. "Her husband was a captain in the Navy, but he died not long ago. It is so sad. They wed just last summer."
A sigh escaped her at the thought of the young woman's suffering. Staying silent for another minute, she then raised her head to look at her brother.
"Brother… What shall we do now?"
"What would you like to do, Georgiana?"
Surprise showed on her face. "You are asking me?"
"You seem to…. connect with the young woman upstairs. As a young lady yourself, and my dearest sister, I would be interested in hearing your thoughts. "
Georgiana thought for a few moments. "I should like to stay, I know I cannot be of assistance with the birth, but I detest the thought of her being alone and unprotected, especially afterward. She will require time to recuperate."
Darcy smiled softly. "Then we shall stay. In my express to Darcy House, I shall add instructions to have my valet and your maid return to us here. It seems we will remain here for some duration. All going well."
Georgiana beamed a smile at him. "Thank you."
"We have no pressing business and I too, am unsettled at the thought of leaving her unattended."
A knock on the door heralded the requested writing supplies and supper.
Partaking of the few bites he could manage, Darcy decided to write the letters instead.
"William, might we ask for a second maid to come, as well?"
At Darcy's inquiring look, she added, "I wish for Mrs. Carrington to have someone with her. We cannot expect the maids at the inn to always be on hand."
His expression was one of pride, "A very good thought, Georgie. It may prove helpful to have another set of hands, especially at night."
While Darcy wrote his communications, Georgiana toyed with her food, eating very little.
When he finished writing, Darcy noticed his sister's wool gathering. "It will be a long night, Georgiana, shall you retire?"
Her head lifted to look at him, "Will you?"
"I think not."
"Then, if you will be here I wish to stay, as well. Even if I do fall asleep." The siblings shared a smile.
Brother and sister spent the next hours in quiet companionship. As the inn emptied of travelers and revelers alike, it settled down to quiet slumber. Only later, during the darkest time of night, could faint cries from above be heard.
A knock sounded on the door. When Darcy opened it, a maid passed on a message.
"The babe is coming."