Chapter 14 #3
“Miss Darcy, I am delighted to meet you. Lizzy has told me so much about you.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Horton, Lizzy has told me a great deal about you as well. I am very pleased to meet you at last.”
The three ladies entered the cottage and spent a lovely hour chatting and drinking tea.
Jane stood beside Elizabeth as Georgiana awaited her carriage.
The youngest woman took her aside. “Has your sister had the opportunity to meet Richard yet?” she asked in a whisper.
Elizabeth nodded her head, and Georgiana spoke to Jane.
“When my father died, my brother and my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam were named as my co-guardians. I am fortunate to have been cared for by the two finest men in England. Farewell, Mrs. Horton, I hope to see you again soon.”
The carriage drove away under Elizabeth’s gaze, and she smiled at the idea of the Bennet and Fitzwilliam families being brought even closer together. All Elizabeth wanted was for Jane’s life to be made easier.
* * *
The midwife had explained what to expect, and shortly after Georgiana’s visit, Elizabeth passed an important milestone. That night, she was snuggling in bed with her husband. “You may not realize it, but today was a significant one in our lives.”
“Why is that, Mrs. Darcy? Have you finally become aware of how much I love you?”
“I appreciate your love every day. . .but that is not it. I. . .I felt the baby move today.”
Fitzwilliam flew to a seated position and stared at her. “How did it feel?”
“There was a fluttering and then a little poke.”
“Did it hurt?”
“Not at all. I was excited that our child has reached this milestone.”
“Will you tell me when I can feel it?”
“Of course, but I cannot predict when that will be.”
Her husband kissed her and placed his hand on their growing child, and both fell asleep smiling.
* * *
The following day
When Jane entered the drawing room, Elizabeth asked her to sit beside her and held her hands. “I have the most fantastic news. I am going to have a baby—I felt the quickening yesterday.”
Jane hesitated a moment before embracing her. “I am so excited for you. This is the best news I could imagine. How do you feel?” However calm she seemed; she released a little sob.
“Have I upset you, dearest?”
“I try not to think about what happened, but sometimes it is difficult. I never felt the baby move before it was lost. Let us not think of the past but celebrate the future!” Elizabeth grasped her sister in a hug and both shed a few tears.
The sisters had just stopped crying when Fitzwilliam entered the room. Jane rose and took his hand. “Congratulations! I am delighted for you both.”
He kissed her hand and walked her back to the settee. “Thank you. Elizabeth waited so long to tell you because she did not wish to cause you any pain. She loves you very much.”
“I have decided to be the most affectionate aunt of any child ever born in Derbyshire!” They all laughed, and tea was called for.
Meryton, Hertfordshire, 11 Nov.
Lizzy,
I am very disappointed you will not host your sisters in London this Season, nor be there to buy them any new gowns.
I understand your desire to remain at home until your baby is born but you are being selfish not recognizing how your decision has affected your sisters and their marriage prospects.
Now, they will have to meet some local men and make do with the clothes they already own.
How I wish your father had taken better care of us!
Goodness knows, there is no money for new gowns.
He should have thought about our future and not spent all his money on books.
If you are anything like me, you shall have an easy delivery.
Give your husband a son and heir and be done with your wifely duties.
Your Mama,
F. Bennet
“Fitzwilliam, you will not believe this letter from my mother.” She handed him the paper. His face showed various expressions as he read what Mama had written.
He gave the letter back to her. “Perhaps we should send your mother some money to buy your sisters new gowns.”
“I was thinking the same thing—but I find it interesting how she neglects to recognise all the money she wasted on every frippery that caught her eye while my father was alive.”
“Does your mother know you were in service for a short time?”
“When I left London, I wrote to my mother about arriving in Lambton and told her I was staying with Mrs. Hopkins. I had not yet started working for Mrs. Murray and I did not mention it in my subsequent letters to anyone.”
“I am proud that you sought work when you had no other choice, but it will remain our private business forevermore.”
“I agree. I did what I had to do at the time, and there is no reason for anyone else to know. Now, what about Mama’s parting words?”
“I hope you have an easy time of it as well. Do you plan to sleep apart from me after the babe is born?”
“I am getting too heavy to sit on your lap or I would settle there, cover your face with kisses and assure you that when I am well after the baby is born. . .”
“Yes?” He asked suggestively.
“Nothing could keep me from falling asleep in your arms every night for the rest of our lives.”
Fitzwilliam helped her to her feet and held her close. “That is all I could ask for. I love you more than I can say, my dearest Elizabeth.”
“As I love you, forever.”
* * *
One cold evening in early December, Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were sitting near the fireplace in the cottage’s small library. “Have I ever told you about my friend, Charles Bingley?”
“I believe you told me you were planning to visit him in Hertfordshire, but the fire forced you to stay here.”
“Mrs. Reynolds knew of my travel plans, and shortly after the fire, she sent Bingley the news. It seems he was not confident enough to let that estate on his own. He was depending on me to show him how it is done.”
“If he has not settled near Meryton, where is he now?”
“Apparently, dear wife, he is on his way to visit us here and should arrive within the next few days. He heard about the devastation of Pemberley and my injuries and waited until now to allow things to settle down. He will stay at the Rose and Crown and come to see us when he arrives.”
“He is coming at this time of year?”
“He is travelling in his carriage and slowly making his way to Scarborough where he has relatives.”
“Is Mr. Bingley a married man?”
“He had not wed the last time I was with him almost two years ago in London—anything may have happened. Look at me: since Bingley and I were last together, I have married a beautiful woman and have a baby on the way. Why do you ask?”
“I was just thinking. If Jane and Richard cannot find love with each other, perhaps Mr. Bingley might suit.” She said with a quirk to her lips.
“Bingley and Jane! Why did I not think of it? We shall not say anything to either of them while Bingley is here, but Jane is sure to visit and after they meet. . .who knows?”
“What about Richard? I got the impression that when Jane and Richard were together, they seemed quite friendly towards each other.”
“Richard keeps everything inside and said nothing to me about Jane before he left for town.”
“I knew you were a true romantic at heart.”
“Not until I fell in love with you, my darling wife.”