Chapter 2.19 #3
But Elizabeth’s eyes were still glittering, smiling at her husband. And the notebook was still held closely to her chest.
∞∞∞
May passed with more rain as well as pleasant, warm weather. At the end of the month, Maud and her family arrived at Lambton in a carriage generously sent by Darcy. They leased, at an affordable rent, a lovely house, rather small but comfortable.
Maud owned nothing but the money earned during her short time of working in Darcy’s house and another small sum from selling most of their belongings in Oxfordshire; yet, she succeeded in settling the entire family with it.
The general knowledge about Maud was that she was employed in Mr Darcy’s house in London and that her mother, Mrs Jenny Lovell, had worked as a seamstress in Paris, a fact that raised moderate interest in the neighbourhood.
As soon as Maud started her new assignment, both Mrs and Miss Darcy selected the finest of Mr Martin’s fabrics and ordered one dress and two bonnets each.
Also, Mrs Reynolds brought several gowns to be altered.
Induced by the silent recommendation of the mistress of Pemberley, other requests came in, although slowly; people were still reluctant to patronise a newcomer in their village.
However, a fortnight after her arrival, Maud and her mother earned enough to ensure a modest living for the next two months.
The first morning of June, Darcy was in the library, reading his correspondence, when Elizabeth entered. It had become their small ritual to spend half an hour together before breakfast, enjoying coffee and tea while discussing their plans for the day.
He greeted his wife and hurried to take her hand. She sat on the settee, wearing a smile that he found even more beautiful than usual. Her bright eyes narrowed as she looked at him intently.
“Good morning. Am I disturbing you?”
“You never do, my love. I was only reading some letters. I received some surprising news from Robert.”
“Really? Good news, I hope?” The smile did not leave her lips or her eyes.
“As I said—surprising. Robert departed for his regiment, but my aunt and uncle arrived safely at Matlock, and our cousin Anne is with them! I cannot recollect her ever spending the summer anywhere but at Rosings. It appears she came to Town with Lady Catherine, and she was too weak to return to Kent.”
“Miss de Bourgh is ill? I am very sorry to hear that.”
“I am not quite certain of that. The tone of Robert’s letter is far from grave. He inquired whether we would like to visit his parents one of these days, but I know both you and Georgiana are quite busy.”
“I look forward to seeing Lord and Lady Matlock and becoming acquainted with Miss de Bourgh, but perhaps we should wait another week or so. I hope they will join us when my relatives are here. It will be a pleasure to be all together.”
Darcy looked at his wife with increasing interest, caressing her face. “My love, is there anything else you wish you tell me? Your eyes say that there is.”
“You always read my mind.” She smiled; then her tone became hesitant. “I am not entirely sure whether there is anything to tell, but earlier this morning, I realised we have been married for three and half months and…”
“Yes…”
She blushed, slightly embarrassed to raise the delicate subject.
“Do you remember the first week after our wedding, when I…had to keep to my bed for a few days? It was quite an awkward and distressing moment…”
He placed a lingering kiss on her palm. “I do remember. It was a peculiar moment indeed.”
“Yes…but do you remember the second time it occurred? The following month?”
“Yes, it—” He frowned, concentrating on answering her. His fingers were caressing her hands; then suddenly his movements stopped. His eyes searched hers, meeting their sparkles.
“I do not remember either,” she said. “Because it did not happen—not in the second month or in the third or the fourth—it never happened again.”
“Elizabeth, what—? I do not understand.”
“I have been such a simpleton. For almost a month, I have been sick and dizzy and lacked my normal appetite.”
“You are still ill? Why did you not tell me? We must call Dr. Baring immediately—”
She put her hand over his mouth. “It would be worth calling the doctor just to prove me right. I am still unwell, but I believe I know why. My aunt warned me about this possibility, but with everything that happened to Maud, with the Almack’s Ball and our travelling, I somehow did not give it enough thought until this morning. ”
“Elizabeth…” His face showed complete disbelief, then disturbance, then pallor and flushing, all in a few moments.
She barely restrained her tears. “My love, I believe I am carrying our child!”
Shock held him still and silent, staring at her in disbelief. Finally, the words came in waves, barely coherent, while he stroked her face and wiped her tears with tender kisses.
“My beloved Elizabeth, what are you saying? Should we hope? Is it possible that it happened so soon? I am being silly—of course, it may happen so soon—but I never thought…this is so unexpected...”
He slowly knelt to the floor in front of her, holding her hands tightly. She touched his hair; then her lips pressed his. Tears threatened them both, but they never broke their gaze, the master of Pemberley still kneeling before his wife.
“But…how are you? You said you are unwell. What should we do? You must rest now. I will not allow anything to trouble you further. May I help you in any way?”
Elizabeth laughed through her tears. “I do not believe we should do anything special. I remember my aunt’s carrying my cousins.
I was old enough to remember the times with Margaret and Becky.
She was quite her usual self. The only thing you must do is to stop worrying.
I am fine. And I am happy. I am beyond happiness.
I carry our love inside of me. What else can be more wonderful than this? ”
“I still cannot believe it. I will be happy too—I promise—as soon as Dr. Baring comes to see you. He is an excellent doctor, just like Dr. Harris. Should we bring Dr. Harris too? Yes, I will send for Dr. Baring right away! Should I take you to your room now?”
He tried to rise, but Elizabeth would not release his hands. He sat beside her, and she cupped his face, her forehead leaning against his.
“My dear Mr Darcy, you are truly the silliest man in the world. Do as you want—fetch Dr. Baring if you insist—but please leave the rest of the doctors in England alone. No other woman has been finer than I am—nor happier.
The entire day became a tumult of laughter and tears, hopes and fears, joy and concerns.
Immediately after breakfast, Dr. Baring was summoned. His impromptu visit brought comments, speculations, and peeking around corners from the Pemberley staff until Mrs Reynolds severely censured everyone and demanded they return to their tasks.
The doctor needed less than half an hour of private discussion with Mrs Darcy to confirm her suspicions. He estimated the heir of Pemberley would come into the world around Christmas time, and he arranged to visit the young mistress twice a week.
A more difficult conversation followed with Mr Darcy.
He held poor Dr. Baring captive in the library for more than an hour—asking countless questions and demanding details and recommendations.
At the end of the meeting, when the doctor was sure nothing remained unclarified, Darcy still had some uncertainties, which he agreed to postpone for a later occasion.
Dr. Baring showed full confidence that Mrs Darcy was in perfect health and there were no reasons for concern about her condition, but words were not enough to put Darcy completely at ease.
When the doctor left, Darcy and Elizabeth went for a stroll in the garden, arm in arm, still trying to become accustomed to the astonishing news.
The flowers had blossomed into an enchanting harmony of colours, and Elizabeth enjoyed the scent and the view while walking along, musing that, next summer, her child might play among the flowers.
“I know that I am happy, but I do not dare to feel it yet,” Darcy said. “Are we truly expecting our first child? I believe I frightened Dr. Baring. He promised me he will visit you twice a week, but I think he would say anything to escape from me.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “You are quite frightening sometimes, sir. But the doctor promised me the same, so I trust his words. He repeatedly said I have no reason to worry and there is nothing special I have to do.”
“He told me the same. He insisted on allowing you to do anything that gives you pleasure as long as it does not put you in any danger.”
“Then I shall only stay with you—that is what gives me pure pleasure. As long as you are with me, I feel safe and protected.”
“I have long ago told you that you belong in my arms,” he answered. “I promise I will not worry foolishly anymore if you promise you will let me know of any discomfort you may have.”
“It sounds like a reasonable arrangement,” she replied, and they continued to walk until they found a small bench on the edge of the lake and rested on it, enjoying the prospect.
Then Elizabeth turned to him and added in a lower voice, “Dr. Baring said we need no extra precautions of any kind. I am quite confident about what he meant, but I shall ask my aunt Gardiner more on that subject.”
“Yes, he indicated the same to me, but it would not hurt to ask Mrs Gardiner too—just to be certain. She is a very wise lady.”
“Yes, she is. Now, shall we return inside? I look forward to sharing the news with Georgiana. And we should also inform Mrs Reynolds, but I will ask her to keep the secret until we tell our families.”