Chapter 18
Chapter 18
15th of July 1814
The carriage gently swayed, lulling Jane to relax as it carried them further north. Thus far, they had only been forced to spend one night at an inn. For two nights, they had stayed with Amelia and Sir Anthony at Dereham in Nottinghamshire before they resumed their journey north. How Jane relished seeing her cousin Amelia with her daughter Isabella. Amelia was an excellent mother.
Today’s destination almost made her foot tap in a steady rhythm. They would be arriving at Pemberley, and not soon enough! Jane longed to spend time with her favourite sister. They had not been in company since her wedding to Henry. Moreover, Fitzwilliam had invited them to remain for as long as they wished before continuing on to Lancashire and Clitheroe Castle.
At the moment, Henry watched her with a steady gaze. Before today, she might have thought he did so out of desire, but she battled queasiness whenever they were in the carriage, and, no doubt, her discomfort had not gone unnoticed. The longer they travelled, the more Henry scrutinised her. She had also not been able to sleep since closing her eyes made the movement of the carriage more noticeable and her malady more intense. It had made the journey interminable!
She swallowed hard and breathed in a steady cadence in an effort not to cast up her accounts. Emmeline and Juliana leaned against her sides, fast asleep, and she had no wish to wake them by crying for the driver to stop the carriage, yet how she wanted to! The warmth of the equipage in the heat of the summer afternoon had made matters worse as well. To walk for a moment along the side of the road would be a welcome relief.
Without warning, Henry raised his walking stick and rapped upon the ceiling. The carriage slowed, and when Lord Charles frowned in his direction, Henry began speaking with his hands. “Jane needs air.”
She exhaled. “I do not.” She ensured she used her hands as well so Charles would not be excluded.
“You are green,” said her now brother. His voice had changed some since his hearing loss. The difference was slight but noticeable to those who knew him well.
When the step was placed, Henry waved her forward while Charles helped situate the girls so they did not wake. “Come. It would not do to become sick in a crowded carriage. The girls would surely follow suit with little provocation, and we would have no respite due to the smell.”
As soon as her feet hit the dirt of the road, she inhaled then dashed around the back to the brush on the verges, losing the tea and the refreshments from the last inn amongst the tall grass. Her husband rubbed her back until she was finished then offered his handkerchief to wipe her mouth.
“Better?”
His flask appeared before her as she nodded. “To wash out your mouth.” Brandy had never been a favourite of hers, but she could certainly claim a preference to it over the alternative at this moment.
“Are you with child?”
She sighed and shrugged. “I do not know. From what Lizzy told me, the babe needs to quicken to be certain. I am but nauseous and my breasts are sore.” Were they ever sore! Her stays rubbed against her nipples so, she had tucked bits of silk over them to shield them from the seams of the garment. That had never been a problem before.
His hand rubbed her back. “Both of which are signs from what I have been told.”
“I had planned to speak with Lizzy. I had wanted to be sure before I confided in you.”
He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Instead, you have left me for three days of travel to wonder why my serene and handsome wife is suddenly keeping her hand near her mouth in a nervous manner and turning some rather interesting shades of green.”
“I have not been so bad.” Had she?
“Enough for me to notice,” he said. “You have turned green before, but just now was the worst I have seen you. Usually, the colour passes, and you appear well again for a time.”
“I had not realised the movement of the carriage would affect me so.”
“You could have asked your cousin before we departed Dereham.”
She ran her fingers along the decorative ridges of the flask while Henry kissed her temple. “I could have, but I preferred to speak with Lizzy. Pray, understand she is my beloved sister. I wanted her to know before everyone else, even Gran, who I could have asked before we left London.” She moved so she could hand him his flask and curl her arm through his. “We shall know more this evening, I am certain. Would you be pleased if it is so?” While he required an heir, he had told her more than once that any babe would come when God intended. After all, neither Lizzy nor Amelia were with child right away.
He turned her and took her in his embrace. “As long as you and the babe are well, I shall be over the moon.”
When they returned to the carriage, Charles’s eyebrows were lifted to them both. Henry looked to her, and she shrugged.
“Maybe. It is too soon,” he signed to Charles.
“If Simon discovers, he could become desperate.”
Though a pang tore through her, she held up her hands palms out. “I shall not live in fear of him.”
Henry gave a definitive bob of his head. “Hear, hear. I could not agree more.”
At a knock on Jane’s bedchamber door, Sutton hurried over, peeked out, then admitted Lizzy before excusing herself for the night.
“I hope you are not too sleepy,” said Lizzy, rubbing the side of her sizeable belly. “I believe the men returned to the library for brandy after you and Georgiana retired. I must say I liked your husband when I met him at the wedding, and I like him more and more as I know him better. He deserves you, dearest.”
Jane turned on the stool before the dressing table to face her sister. “I am just happy Henry and Fitzwilliam get along so well. Henry needs more friends than he possesses. I believe he has trusted no more than Lord Charles for most of his life.”
“Such a tragedy for his brother to lose his hearing, but he is fortunate indeed to have the family he does. Your husband’s love for his brother does him credit. I am impressed you both learnt to speak with him using your hands, and so quickly.”
“We had been learning almost a month before he lost what remained of his hearing and have had the month after to become more proficient. Lord Charles and his valet have been studying the art longer, so they can teach us what we lack.”
Her sister waddled over to sit on the bed and let her legs extend in front of her. “Since we are alone, do you have any questions about what has happened since you wed?”
With a pause, Jane drew her eyebrows together a bit. What did she—Oh! “All has been quite well. I appreciate how you explained matters to me. As you said, the specifics were not required.”
Lizzy leaned back, using her hands to support her. “How was the trout this evening?”
After a gulp at the reminder of the accompanying scent of the cursed fish, Jane glared at her sister while she rose and stepped over to the bed. “You are being uncharitable.”
As she gave one of her characteristic bubbling laughs, Lizzy clapped her hands together. “I described the signs to you. Did you not remember them all?”
Jane sat down beside Lizzy and leaned against the pillows so she was propped against the headboard. “I have experienced that particular one before, but not for trout.” When Lizzy lifted her favourite eyebrow, Jane sighed. “It was liver.”
“Well, best be prepared. I found the aversion could strike without warning, and sometimes would change. I hope all else is well?”
“Thus far. Was my sickly complexion your only clue?” In the coach, Charles had claimed her cheeks a little fuller.
“Your face is a bit rounder, but not much else. I wonder how excited Emmeline and Juliana will be at the prospect of a baby brother or sister?”
Jane smiled. “The dear girls mentioned the possibility when we told them we would marry. They will be ecstatic and want to treat the babe like their doll if we let them.”
“We attempted that with Kitty and Lydia if you remember,” said Lizzy. “More so you with Kitty and me with Lydia, but I remember us persuading Mrs. Hill to let us hold them.”
“I remember that also.” The last word Lizzy had from their father was of Kitty’s upcoming marriage to a solicitor from Hitchin, yet Fitzwilliam’s younger sister still remained at Pemberley. “I am surprised Georgiana has not yet had her first Season. She will be nineteen soon enough.”
“Her birthday is next month. Fitzwilliam is determined not to press her, but she has not shown much of an inclination for town. We love her being here, but she has confessed that she would like children one day.”
“Which will not happen if she does not find a husband.”
“We also do not want her to hide away and sacrifice her own happiness due to fear,” said Lizzy. “Wickham did her no favours.”
Jane chewed on her cheek for a moment. “Perhaps once Charles has come to terms with what has become of his life, we could play matchmaker for them. He is five and twenty, so not a great deal older. He is also kind and has a good wit.”
“And Georgiana would not look down upon him for losing his hearing. What of his situation?”
“He has a small estate in Staffordshire from what Henry has indicated, and he has the use of a home belonging to the dukedom in Belgravia.”
“Fitzwilliam would like that she is close.” Her sister bobbed her head back and forth. “I have never been one for arranged marriages.”
Jane held up a finger. “I never said arrange. Mayhap we invite you to Clitheroe, or perhaps when Charles returns to his own estate, we could use it as an excuse to invite you all to a house party. We could merely see if they form an attachment. She has always adored riding, and he rode Rotten Row as often as the weather would allow. From what Henry has told me, Charles has an impressive stable of horses. He has made an impressive business of breeding them and selling the offspring at Tattersalls. The sales bring him more income than what the estate provides. Charles also bemoaned to Henry that he would never find a lady who would want him as he is now.”
“Let us see what the next year holds,” said Lizzy. “At times, Georgiana does seem a bit maudlin, but then she plays with Alexander and all is well. When this one comes, I am certain she will dote upon him or her the same. Besides, I believe Lord Charles will require a generous amount of time. What he has endured is a devastating loss.”
“I agree, though I believe he has taken it better than most.”
“I believe Papa would have enjoyed the malady as it would mean he could not hear Mrs. Bennet’s caterwauling,” said Lizzy.
“That is also uncharitable.” Even so, Jane could not help but laugh. Their father would likely run to the Longbourn chapel to offer his prayers of thanks.
“Are you still upset he did not attend the wedding?”
“I have accepted it and decided not to dwell upon it. He has never made much of an effort since we left Longbourn, and he despises town. I should not have been surprised he did not come.” She did not really want to speak of Papa. “Has the midwife indicated when the baby will come?”
Her sister cradled her belly between her palms. “Any day now is all she can say. He has dropped, and I am absolutely miserable. My ankles are the size of gammons, not that I can see them anymore, and I am so tired, Janey. How do I get this child out of me? He just will not come. The midwife said to walk. After two hours of waddling about the gardens, Fitzwilliam made me come inside and put up my aching feet.”
Jane covered her mouth to keep Lizzy from seeing her smile and did not remove it until she could attempt a sympathetic expression. “I am sure you do not have much longer to wait.”
The door opened and closed, and Henry paused in place when he noticed them on the bed. “Forgive me. I had not realised you would be here, Mrs. Darcy.”
“Do not trouble yourself. I did say I would be retiring.” After a wicked grin at Jane, Lizzy manoeuvred herself so her feet hung over the edge of the bed.
“Allow me to be of aid,” said Henry, who rushed forward with his arms outstretched.
Once he tugged Lizzy to stand, she held up her hand. “I would kiss your cheek, Jane, but I may never stand straight again if I do.”
As soon as Lizzy waddled from the room, Henry gave a slight chuckle. “I should not find amusement in her discomfort, but she at least approaches it with humour.”
“She would not be Lizzy if she did not. I thought you were still drinking with Fitzwilliam and Charles.”
“At Darcy’s offer to borrow a book from the library, Charles perused the shelves, then retired. Darcy wished to join his wife soon after, and I had no complaints since I wanted more than anything to join mine. Did you ask your sister about—?”
“No need. She noticed my illness from the trout at dinner. It was her first observation after entering the room.” She straightened a bit while he removed his dressing gown and his nightshirt after. She had to concentrate not to stare at the picture before her. His muscular chest and stomach dipping down into the “v” that led to his…He was a stunning man.
“Henry, what do you think of matching Charles in the future—once he is more settled?”
He climbed in bed beside her and blew out the candle on the table beside him. “I suppose it would depend upon who you had in mind. I do not know many who would be good enough for him.”
“Georgiana, Fitzwilliam’s younger sister. She turns nineteen next month, is not flighty, and has no desire to be a part of the ton.”
He leaned against the headboard. “The idea has merit, particularly since I do not believe he would attempt to court a woman otherwise. But I believe we should give Charles some time first. Any match we attempt now would meet with failure.”
“I agree,” she said.
Before she could blow out the candle on her side of the bed, Henry crossed over her to do so, then took her mouth in a kiss that curled her toes. An arm around her waist pulled her down to lie on the mattress while they continued to tease and explore each other’s lips and tongues. His kisses could make her forget all. She could kiss him for hours if he expressed the desire.
Henry opened the buttons on the top of her nightgown then dragged it up her thighs to bunch at her waist. She tilted her head so he could suckle and nip at her neck, her collarbone, and her breasts through the linen before he ducked under the coverlet. He had never done so before. What was he about?
She lifted onto her elbows as his head dipped between her legs followed by the most exquisite sensations flooding through her. With a gasp, she reached down to clutch at his hair. Her legs trembled, and she began to wind as tight as a bow. Soon, she could do no more than collapse back and let him see to her pleasure. And good heavens, what pleasure it was!