Chapter 42
When Darcy awoke, he found himself in the chambers that were being used as the nursery.
He had fallen asleep watching his new-borns slumber a scant three hours ago.
A nervous wetnurse informed him that it would soon be time to feed his children.
He left the nursery to allow the nurses to do what they needed and walked into the Lavender suite, kissing his still unconscious wife on the forehead.
He washed and had Carstens shave his more than day old stubble and help him dress.
He then, after receiving confirmation that the feeding and changing of his sons and daughter was complete, returned to the nursery.
As he walked in, Lydia asked how her sister was doing. Darcy explained that she was still having her much needed rest which aided her recovery, and that thankfully she thus far had not developed more than a very low fever.
Once he paid attention to the rest of the people in the chambers, the sight that met him was one that warmed his heart.
The new grandfather was sitting in a chair with a grandson in one arm and his granddaughter in the other.
The Duke of Bedford was sitting in another chair holding his grand-nephew, and the aunts were looking on with pleasure.
Georgie, Lydia, Helen, Tiffany, and Kitty were bouncing from foot to foot with excitement waiting for their turn to hold a niece or nephew.
Once Helen, Lydia, and Georgie were seated in a chair, to their delight they were passed a baby each. They knew that once the proud grandmother, great aunts or the rest of the family entered, they would be hard pressed to get a chance to hold one of the babes.
Luckily in Mary’s state she slept much later than was her norm, so she and Hugh would not be competing for time with the triplets this early in the morning. They would have to away to Bennet Fields to get some time with Elly while the others were occupied with the Darcy three.
“Did you and Lizzy decide on names before the birth William, and when will you notify people of their birth?” Darcy’s father-in-law asked his son as he watched the girls hold his grandchildren.
He was amused how gently Darcy transferred his sons from Helen and Lydia to Kitty and Tiffany.
Georgie was very satisfied to sit holding her niece without having to relinquish her, that is until Lily arrived.
“We decided on the name Bennet for our first son, but other than that,” he nodded at Bennet, “no, we did not. We felt that we would be tempting the fates to pick names before our children were with us. As soon as my Elizabeth wakes, we will choose names for Ben’s brother and sister.
Once we have decided and both parents have made the decisions, then we will send the notifications out.
However, I am sending a note to the Ashbys as they will be most anxious and we do not want to cause Anne any unnecessary anxiety.
In addition, I will send a notification to Tim at Janet’s Well as he is our brother. ”
Andrew Fitzwilliam had entered the temporary nursery while Darcy was speaking, indicating that the Bennet Park party had arrived. “I will write the missives to Anne and Tim, William. You focus on Elizabeth for now,” he offered.
“I thank you, Andrew, it is appreciated that you are willing to send those on our behalf. You have had experience in writing these, after all,” Darcy smiled at his older cousin.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The rest of the day, when the babes were not asleep or being fed, there was no shortage of visitors to the makeshift nursery.
Besides the sisters and the grandparents, the Darcy three, as they had been dubbed, had a constant stream of family that joined the rotation to hold them or watch them sleep.
Everyone asked after Elizabeth and were cheered by the prognosis that Sir Frederick had given her husband.
Just after midnight Darcy was awoken as he felt Lizzy’s small hand weakly squeeze his larger one.
He did not realise that he had been holding his wife’s hand while he slept fitfully.
He felt a second light squeeze of his hand and looked up to see his beloved’s eyes fluttering.
His Countess opened her eyes! He leapt out of bed and lit some candles.
He stuck his head out of the door to ask Biggs, who was on duty standing vigil outside his mistress’s chambers, to wake the accoucheur.
As he closed the door, he heard a faint croak of “water”, after not drinking for almost a full day she was extremely thirsty.
Darcy poured some water into a glass for his beloved wife and helped her raise her head so she could drink a few drops.
He made sure that she did not drink too fast and make herself sick so after three or four sips he helped her settle back onto her pillows.
Biggs knocked on the door and reported that Sir Frederick and his night nurse would be with them in minutes.
It was the first time that Darcy had ever seen the huge man smile.
Biggs, seeing with his own eyes that his mistress was starting to recover, allowed a rare smile to crack his otherwise stoic face.
“The babes?” asked Elizabeth as she looked at her husband to gauge his mood, and for once it was easy to read the joy in his expression.
“They are all well. As soon as Sir Frederick examines you, my love, I will answer all of your questions,” he said, his smile of the kind that revealed his dimples and he gave his Lizzy’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“I am very happy to see that you have decided you have had enough rest for now, Lady Elizabeth,” Sir Frederick quipped as he walked into the room dressed in his robe and slippers.
“I apologise for my casual style of dress, but I felt that examining you took precedence over making myself presentable,” the accoucheur teased lightly.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Sir Frederick. I care not what clothes you wear as long as you examine my Elizabeth,” the Earl stated with understandable relief now that his wife was conscious.
After a short examination assisted by his night nurse, Sir Frederick looked at the nervous parents, his expression telling them he was pleased with what he saw.
“For a woman who delivered three babes less than a day ago, you are doing far better than I expected, Lady Elizabeth. My nurse informs me that there has been no more fever other than the brief very low one some hours ago and negligible bleeding, in fact, less than would be expected. The longer we go without any adverse signs, the less the chance of any negative consequences. It is very serendipitous that you are such a fit woman. I have no doubt that your overall health made you a much better candidate than most to have survived three births with so little consequence, which is as I predicted. Once you are able, I would recommend that you commence your exercise regimen again as it will stand you in good stead for any future times you become with child. Do either of you have any questions for me?”
“I know that I birthed three babes, are they all well? Are they boys or girls? Why have I not seen them yet?” the Countess was babbling, something out of character for one as intelligent as her, but given the ordeal she had experienced it was understandable, even expected.
“It was a long and hard birth. You lapsed into unconsciousness about eighteen to twenty hours ago,” Sir Frederick continued before either could interject, “As I informed your husband, that is not out of the ordinary for what you endured. The body needs to take some time to recuperate and rest. I will defer to his Lordship to give you the news about your babes. My nurse will wait in the hall until you have finished your discussion. Just call out if you have need of her. Do not worry, your Ladyship, it is entirely normal to feel tired over the next number of weeks. Your body will demand rest and the more you comply with it, the faster you will heal. If there is nothing else you need specifically from me, I will retire for the night. Goodnight Lord Pemberley, Lady Pemberley.” He bowed slightly to each as he said their names, then he and the nurse exited Lady Elizabeth’s bedchamber, closing the door behind them.
“William, tell me everything, I want to know about our children,” Elizabeth looked at him in anticipation.
Darcy took his wife’s hand and looked at her lovingly, grateful that there was only good news to impart.
“As Sir Frederick told you, you delivered three healthy babes, my love.” He informed her happily.
“All three healthy! I thought I misheard,” exclaimed a very happy, if tired, Lady Elizabeth Darcy.
“As I just said, we were blessed with three very healthy and hearty babes. Two sons and a daughter, and oh, my love, your Mama says that the baby girl is an exact copy of you when you were born, my Lizzy. Even coming out screaming louder than her brothers with her arms and legs flying in all directions.” He grinned.
They had a lot to celebrate and much thanks to be offered up to God Almighty for the gifts that He had bestowed upon them.
“We have two sons and a daughter?” she gasped, then looked at him and locked their eyes. “Other than Bennet, what should we name them?”
“Let us decide on names my love, how about Caroline for our daughter,” he teased and she laughed softly.
“Do not even suggest that name in jest, William.” She looked at him in feigned disgust. “What a good father you will be. Let us name them together, what are your thoughts, my love?” Lizzy asked, her heart so happy he could say anything other than the name he joked about and she would agree.