Chapter 40 #2
Thankfully before he took any action; he discussed his concerns with his wife, as he had promised her a partnership where he would consult her rather than making officious decisions without her input.
He was worried, but he was also a man of his word.
It helped that there were two sisters who would descend on him like avenging angels if he started to panic without thinking again.
His obviously calm wife had suggested that they call on Sir Frederick before leaving Town so that they could make an informed decision.
Darcy saw the logic in what his beloved wife suggested and they had an appointment with Sir Frederick that afternoon.
They were shown into the waiting parlour and when his wife was called, Darcy stood, took her arm, and marched into the examination room with her.
“M-my Lord, p-please wait in the parlour until Sir Frederick has completed his examination of L-Lady Pemberley,” the nurse squeaked out, already intimidated by the look on Darcy’s face.
“Unless my wife asks me to leave, I will be with her,” he looked at his wife with a pleading question in his eye.
“It is my desire that Lord Pemberley remains with me,” Lizzy’s smile was both playful and unexpected by the others in the room.
Sir Frederick had no objection as long as the lady did not.
Darcy told him about the case that he had read of and his worry that his wife may have the same problems. After his wife was helped into a long robe by the nurse, the accoucheur started his examination.
He asked many questions as he poked, prodded, and listened with his conical device.
When he was complete, he asked the Darcys to join him in his study once her Ladyship was dressed.
Not ten minutes later the nurse showed the couple into the accoucheur’s study.
“Lord and Lady Pemberley, please be seated,” Sir Frederick nodded at the two chairs.
“Please do not keep me, er us, in suspense Sir Frederick,” the Earl could barely breathe.
“I see no trace of the issue that you read about, Lord Pemberley.” The accoucheur paused as his words sunk in, “I consulted about that case about ten years ago. The lady in question had a cancer, which is what caused the growth. There were many other symptoms of the disease that presented themselves before the lady started increasing rapidly due to the growth. While I examined your wife my Lord, I saw nothing that was indicative of anything but a normal and healthy pregnancy. I am now convinced that your wife is carrying twins, at the very least.”
“AT THE VERY LEAST?” Darcy blurted out at full volume.
“Yes, your Lordship, your Ladyship. I cannot be sure as it is far too early, but the rate of increase that her Ladyship has displayed could mean that there are more than two babes. I will not be able to confirm it unless I can hear more than two distinct heartbeats after the quickening,” Sir Frederick told them in a very business-like manner as if he told women that they may be carrying more than two babes every day.
“I may have more than two children!!” An alarmed Elizabeth exclaimed. “What am I to do, what should I do, or not do? Are we still allowed to have … er … well …?”
“If your Ladyship is asking about marital relations then yes, so long as it is not uncomfortable for you then there is no reason why not.” He could not quite hide his smile.
“And travel? Is my wife allowed to sit in a carriage for the long journey home?” Darcy was fidgeting as his nerves were about to get the better of him; he then remembered that his wife was not the only pregnant woman in the world, though the news was unusual.
He took a breath and silently thanked Mary for her pointing out his need to take care of her without being a useless jumble of emotions.
“Again, until she enters month seven, I do not see why not, unless she does not feel comfortable travelling.” After he thought for a moment Sir Frederick continued, “If you can break the journey into shorter legs with more frequent stops and exercise, then I believe that her Ladyship will be even more comfortable.”
“Would you be willing to attend my wife at Pemberley approximately a month before she is due? No expense is too great,” Darcy asked, nodding when his wife noted his calmer demeanour and slid her hand into his. She would have to thank her sisters again.
“I have too many patients for me to leave them for longer than a week, my Lord. I suggest that if you are willing, you and your wife could be in Town for her confinement. April or May, when we expect the delivery, is not normally too hot in London. That way I can give her the attention needed while attending to other cases that require my attendance.” He waited as the Countess considered her options.
“Would you be willing to attend me in Hertfordshire, just over four and twenty miles from Town? Our family’s estates are there. Given the foul odours and fumes in Town, I would prefer to give birth in the country,” the Countess asked hopefully.
“I believe that will work. It is close enough that I can see my patients in town during the week and any emergent cases as needed. I have two colleagues who have practiced for a number of years and were trained by myself. They should be able to consult with me and take care of my patients as needed when I am in Hertfordshire. Yes, that will work,” Sir Frederick nodded at the Earl and Countess.
After discussing logistics for a while longer, a much-relieved Darcy and his contemplative wife returned to Darcy House.
As Bennet Park belonged to his wife, there was no need to ask permission to stay at Longbourn, but after he canvassed his wife’s opinion, suspecting and having it confirmed that she would be more comfortable in her childhood home, the Darcys made the short walk across the square to Bennet House.
It was only Lord and Lady Longbourn at home which, given the disclosure that the Darcys needed to make, was a good thing.
The three youngest Bennets were at school and Tim was visiting Matlock House along with Georgie.
After some small talk, Bennet could see that there was something troubling his second daughter.
“What is it Lizzy, I know you well enough to know that there is something that you want to tell or ask us? Is that not why I gave you away to your husband so he would have to be the one that you asked things of?” he teased but frowned when his daughter did not smile as she normally would.
“William read something about another lady who increased rapidly that made him concerned, so we saw Sir Frederick today,” Lizzy saw the look of horror on both her parents faces as they assumed the worst. “All is well with me!” she held up a hand to waylay questions and nodded when her parents resettled into their chairs.
“I promise,” she soothed. “However, it does involve his suspicion that I may be carrying twins.”
“Are you and the babies well, Lizzy?” Fanny asked softly.
“His examination showed that everything is normal, but…” she tried to take a breath.
“But what?” her father cut her off, his concern rising again. “What is wrong?”
“Not wrong, Bennet,” Darcy responded calmly, “but given the rapidity of Elizabeth’s increasing from almost day one of her pregnancy the accoucheur suspects that there may be more than two…” He never finished the sentence.
“MORE THAN TWO!!!” His mother-in-law yelled then went quiet as she stared at her daughter in a stupor while her father was looking at her as if she had grown a second head.
“Mama and Papa, we will return to Town at the end of January to see Sir Frederick. We will not return to Pemberley until after I deliver the babes.” Seeing looks of confusion on her parents countenances she explained.
“William asked Sir Frederick to come to Pemberley before my lying-in and for the duration, but he cannot be three days from Town at Pemberley for that length of time while he cares for his other patients.” She saw the realisation dawn on her father, “I do not want to give birth in London so, we suggested Hertfordshire. That is agreeable to him. We can of course stay at Bennet Park, but if you agree I would prefer to be at Longbourn.”
“My dear, dear Lizzy of course you will come to Longbourn. You are welcome to stay for as long as you need and want. The Lavender suite is waiting for you.” Fanny sighed in relief as she sat next to her daughter and took her hand.
“Whoever else needs to be there to attend you, we have the room. My grandbabies will be born at Longbourn. Hattie and I will be there as much as you need us. In her last letter she told me how excited she is at the prospect of becoming a great aunt. Will you use our midwife, or will Sir Frederick bring one with him?”
“Thank you both, it removes one worry for us. As far as the midwife goes, I know not. We will inquire when he examines me in January. Is Mrs Richardson still working? She was the midwife when we were born!” Lizzy smiled at the thought of seeing the woman who helped deliver them.
“She is a little long in the tooth,” Bennet quipped with a smile, “but she did help bring all of my daughters into the world starting with Jane three and twenty years ago.”
“Until Lizzy is seen by Sir Frederick in January, is it agreeable that we keep this news between us?” Darcy asked as he looked at the other three. “Once he has examined Lizzy, then we can share the news with the family, just in case he is wrong in his suspicion.”
“I agree with, William.” Lizzy slid her other hand into his as she spoke.
“Then so be it,” the Bennet matriarch patted her daughter’s hand “Until you tell us otherwise, we will not mention this news to anyone.”
A much-relieved couple returned to Darcy House. Lizzy knew she would need to visit Madame Chambourg’s again before they travelled north as she was fast outgrowing the gowns that had been made for her a month before.
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