by Wells, Linda
“Yes.” Kitty looked to her aunt.
“Think about the importance of such an announcement at Longbourn, dear.” Mrs. Gardiner said with a smile. “A brother for you would have made such a difference in all of your lives.”
“Oh …” Kitty turned back to Georgiana. “When Papa dies, there will be no more Bennets at Longbourn.”
“Darcys will remain in Pemberley for another generation.” Mr. Gardiner explained and hugged Georgiana while she continued to cry. “This is exceptionally important news.”
“GOOD FOR YOU, LIZZY. Mama hated you for not being the heir, and look at you giving one to your Fitzwilliam.” Lydia smiled and sat down immediately to write back to her. “Good for you.”
“WHAT HAVE YOU THERE?” Lord Moreland asked Harwick.
“It is from Darcy, he has his son.” He looked up and smiled. “And Elizabeth is well, she is safe.”
“I hope that his first son is everything that he dreams he will be.” Moreland raised his glass to his lips and took a drink, and watched Stewart greeting Julia and his sister in the hallway. “Sometimes the wrong one is born first.”
“What are you two talking about?” Stewart joined them and accepted a glass from his brother.
“Darcy has his son.”
“Does he?” Stewart smiled softly. “And Mrs. Darcy?”
“She is well.” Harwick tilted his head and studied him. “What are you thinking?”
“Hmm?” He looked at his father and smiled. “It is amazing what the order of birth can mean for a man. I am grateful to be second.”
“WELL DONE, ELIZABETH.” Lady Matlock said with satisfaction.
“The baby?” Alicia looked up from her sewing.
Audrey clapped her hands. “It was a boy, was it, Mama?”
“Yes, she has done her duty.” She said proudly.
“Oh, so now she can push Darcy away, you know how much she abhors his attentions.” Audrey winked at Alicia.
“I know, she simply grows ill every time he fixes those steely eyes upon her, she practically faints in anticipation!” She laughed and noticed Lady Matlock’s unsmiling stare. “Forgive me Lady Helen.”
“Both of you ladies know the difference between wanting and not wanting your husband in your bed.” She said pointedly. “Both of you have sons, and you know full well the importance of this news that she has produced the heir.”
“And must now produce the spare.” Audrey nudged her sister.
“I do not think she will mind.” Alicia whispered.
“Ladies!” Lady Matlock chastised them, then relaxed and smiled as she read the letter again. “No, I do not think she will mind at all.”
“Look at this!” Lord Matlock strode into the billiard room and waved his letter in the air. “Darcy is ecstatic, the joy radiates from the page!”
Singleton set down his pool cue and attempted to grab the flying sheet and finally Layton managed to snatch it from his father. “What could possibly make that man excited?”
“A son!” Layton read the birth announcement and laughed. “And naturally he delivered him!”
“I KNEW HE WOULD DELIVER THE BABY.” Fitzwilliam let the news wash over him and laughed, feeling his cousin’s happiness and understanding his confession of relief, and hope for the security of his family and heritage. “Well done, Elizabeth.” Pulling himself together, he thought of Darcy delivering the baby. “In his study, no less, the seat of Pemberley! How appropriate! Well, I lost that bet. Eva!” He got up from his chair in the library and spotted Mrs. Mercer. He grabbed her hands and kissed her cheek.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam!”
“Go tell the gossips below stairs, Mrs. Mercer, the mistress has presented the master with an heir.”
“A boy!” She gasped. “Not twins?”
“No ma’am.” He laughed. “One is enough, Asher Fitzwilliam Darcy, he is the man.” Grinning, he strode off through Darcy House, and looked over all that was on display. “An heir to this glorious home.” He took the stairs two at a time. “Eva!” He found her in the guest chambers they shared and closed the door behind him.
“What are you bellowing about?” She stood and was immediately scooped up and dropped on the bed with a bounce. “Richard Fitzwilliam, you are insane!”
“No, my dear.” He took off his coat and loosened his cravat, then placing his hands on either side, leaned down to kiss her. “What say we make an heir?”
“Lizzy had a boy!”
“Yes, so let us see if we might produce one as well.” He tugged at her gown. “Shall we?”
“Welllll.”
“No?” Fitzwilliam’s face fell.
“No dear, it is just that … we might have already.” She reached up to hold his face in her hands and laughed to see the utter astonishment that was there. “Surprise?”
“Oh my dear girl!” He cried and touched her belly. “Truly?”
“Yes.” Evangeline laughed and watched as he resumed tugging at her dress. “Now what?”
“Well we must celebrate!”
“ASHER?” De Bourgh leaned over Mary’s shoulder.
“From the Bible. He was one of Jacob’s sons; he was promised a life blessed with abundance. A man known for his goodness and care for others.”26 She smiled when he laughed.
“Well that is certainly applicable to a child of Darcy and Elizabeth.”
Mary read on, “Oh, he looks just like Fitzwilliam! Lizzy said that his eyes are such a beautiful clear blue, she hopes that they stay that way.”
De Bourgh read the letter and laughed. “Darcy says he weighs at least five stone!”
“I think that he exaggerates.” She looked up to him and he shrugged, and then laid his hands over her growing belly. “I would say you have someone considerably smaller inside of you.”
“Time will tell.” She pulled his head down to kiss him.
De Bourgh’s eyes lit up. “Darcy said that I would greatly enjoy the wanton period …” The letter fell to the floor. “Upstairs?”
“Now!” Mary got up and he chased her from the room.
“COME HERE LITTLE GIRL!” Robert tickled Lucy and delighted in her giggles. “A boy! I can see Darcy’s smile from here.”
“That is the setting sun.” Jane laughed.
“Is it not as brilliant as his smile? I have no doubt that they are overjoyed.”
“Elizabeth says that Fitzwilliam definitely strides like the cock of the walk, he is so proud.” She read on. “Oh, and Rosalie is still not quite sure if she likes him. Poor thing.”
“Did you like your sisters?”
“I honestly do not remember. But I love them all now.”
“A GRANDSON.” Mr. Bennet smiled to himself. “What joy Darcy must feel to have his heir. And delivered by his hand. Again!” He read the letter, laughing as Elizabeth described her desire that her husband had the honour, and how calm he was, playing along with her scheme all along. “I cannot wait to meet this young man.”
Hearing his wife’s voice, he called out, “Mrs. Bennet.”
She appeared in the doorway to the bookroom. “What is it Mr. Bennet?”
“Elizabeth has given Darcy his heir. A strapping lad. Mother and son are very healthy and well.”
“A boy!” She cried. “Lizzy had a son!”
“Indeed.” He tilted his head and watched her. “She has done very well. Darcy says he would be thrilled with any child but cannot deny his pride.”
“He has every right to be proud! Why it is a man’s greatest desire to have a son!” She waved at him. “It was yours!”
“It was, but I have come to peace with the lack of one and am quite delighted in my girls.” He stood and walked past her. “You might write a note of congratulations to your second child.”
Mrs. Bennet startled. “She does not wish to hear from me ever again!”
“If that is the case she will not return the note.” He raised his brows and pointed to the desk. “It is for you to make the first move, not she. Thi
s is, I would say, your only opportunity.” Nodding, he stepped from the room and went down the hallway to the parlour where he sat and wrote a note of his own.
“GOOD MORNING, LOVE.” Darcy spoke softly and kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head. The interminable six weeks of waiting for each other had ended the evening before when she appeared in the library after feeding the baby carrying a bottle of orange wine and wearing a very welcoming smile. Breathing in her perfume, he traced his hand down her bare shoulder pausing, just for a moment, over the scar, and then down to cup her bottom. She raised her head from the pillow of his chest and smiled gently at him. “How do you feel?”
“Delicious.” She kissed his chest as his laugh rumbled through, and did not protest in the slightest when his hands found her waist and lifted her up to lie over his warm, nude body. Elizabeth’s arms wrapped around his neck and they kissed, tenderly, sleepily. “Will…” She whispered against his ear. “Please…”
“I am glad to…” Rolling them over he suckled each breast, and when finished returned to kissing her mouth. “Better?”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth watched him studying her body, watched him stroking over her breasts, touching her in the familiar, comfortable way that lovers do. He was learning the shape and feel of her new form, not quite returned, nor ever likely to be, to what it was nearly eleven months before. “I love your eyes.”
Distracted from his occupation, he looked up and smiled. “I know.”
“The colour, yes, but your lashes, they are so long and…” She sighed, “I love how they…” a pink flush was creeping up Darcy’s face, “… I love looking at you asleep so I can see your beautiful lashes.”
“Oh.” He bit his lip.
“Asher has the same, your eyes, your lashes, your hair; I think he will have this nose that I love to kiss.” Darcy leaned back down to let her lips touch his nose and his eyes twinkled. “I know that you love that.”
“I do.” His hands travelled up and down her body. “You are as lovely as ever, dearest; you had nothing to fear when you finally let me look at you. The only change that I see are these,” His palms rested over her hips, “And you know how I love your curves.”
“But they grew wider.” She lamented as he nibbled his way down to her slightly rounded abdomen. “At this rate I will look like a pear if I keep bearing you babies.”
“Lucky me, I love pears, they are so juicy.” Darcy blew on her belly and she laughed. “There is my laugh. Your promise is fulfilled for one more day.”
“I thought that you wished for more than one laugh a day.”
“And what do you wish from me?” He hovered above to kiss her lips. “Shall we begin again?”
“We did last night, or have you forgotten already? Do I not feel as good to you?” Elizabeth’s smile disappeared and she looked at him worriedly.
Darcy groaned at her insecurity. “Hush woman! The sun is up, you can see my face. Do I appear in any way disappointed in you? Did I last night?” With a practiced hand he eased himself inside of her. “I will never grow tired of watching you receive me. I pray that you will never worry over my desire for you. No matter how many babies you give me. You feel wonderful, love, I swear.”
Relaxing, she ran her hands down his broad back to grasp his bottom and urge him closer. “So do you.”
20 APRIL 1812
This morning suddenly everything was as it should be. It was as if the past six weeks of healing had not been necessary at all. I woke up to find my amorous husband wanting me as passionately as ever. The memory of the past months spent trying so many awkward; and often laughable ways to love each other was wiped away the moment we were actually able to lie face to face again. Unlike after Rosa when we had to learn again how to touch and satisfy, this time it was so easy. I still worry that I am unappealing to him, but he swore that I am and I know that he is incapable of an untruth, so I suppose that I will just have to believe him.
I remain emotional, but I am regaining control. Fitzwilliam laughed that he no longer needed to carry quite so many handkerchiefs. He is one to talk, how many times have I caught him talking to Asher and stopping in mid-sentence to gaze upon him, and attempt to wipe his eyes without anyone seeing? He is so proud of his son. His love for Rosa has in no way changed or diminished, but it is as if his heart has grown to make room for this new baby. It has taken me a long time to heal from this birth, and if there is one thing that I do not wish to forget, it is Fitzwilliam’s soft deep voice as he sat with Asher while I rested, and told him all about his home, and family, and everything he holds dear. He used to talk to Rosalie about his troubles and fears; I see the difference this time. Fitzwilliam is confident now as a husband and father. I wonder what his private conversations will concern when our next baby comes. Perhaps by then he will be expressing frustrations over the new baby’s siblings and their antics. Whatever it will be, I cannot wait to listen.
Until then I will love my little Rosa, who has finally decided that she likes her baby brother, and is doing her best to be a little mother. She loves to sit with me while he nurses and we read her books, or talk about important things that concern her. She is two years old now, and embodies all that goes with the age. She is loving and selfish, possessive and curious; precocious, naturally, and so very dear to me. And Asher, little Ash, at six weeks he is as large as Rosa at six months. He is perpetually hungry or sleeping. He has definitely found a home on his papa’s lap. Soon he will be amazing us with his accomplishments, and I am sure that in the blink of an eye, he will be towering above me.
Well here I go crying again and I must stop. I can hear Fitzwilliam speaking to Adams, and I know he will be with me in moments. We are off to Kympton this morning, where we will give thanks for my safe delivery and return to the public world, and our dear son will be christened. With that our life truly returns to normal, whatever that might be!
“HOLD TIGHT, DEAR.” Darcy grinned and bent down to Rosalie. “Hold Mama’s skirt, little love.”
“Where are we going?” Elizabeth cried when Darcy flicked the reins of the curricle and they left the gravelled drive to roll up onto the lawn. There were a few bumps and Elizabeth grasped the baby tightly.
“Whoa!” Rosalie squealed from her seat in between her parents, and clutching Elizabeth’s dress, she smiled widely. “WHEEEEE!”
Darcy laughed and urged the horses to pick up speed. “There you go, whee!”
“Fitzwilliam, where are you taking us?” Elizabeth demanded and was relieved to see him put one arm around Rosalie.
“The Elizabeth I know would never ask such a mundane question; she would be overjoyed to be out of that, what did you call it? Oh, out of that ‘stuffy old mansion’ and back in the fresh clean air.” He tilted his head and smiled at her. “Or have you become a stuffy old matron …”
“Do not start on me about age, old man.”
“Old man!” He snorted. “Hardly.”
“You are older than I am.” She smiled and leaned down to Rosalie. “Much older.” Rosalie put her hands to her mouth and giggled.
“Eight years does not make me that old.” He declared. “Not even eight. It is closer to … seven and a half!”
“Hardly.” Elizabeth snorted and they eyed each other. “Very well, you are not old and I am not matronly, but this is my first day out and I do demand to know where …” The curricle slowed and they arrived at the forest and the path that led to their glade. “Oh.”
Darcy jumped down from the carriage to tie up the horses, then reaching up swooped his giggling daughter through the air and to the ground. He gave her bottom a pat and turned to lift Elizabeth out and gently set her and Asher down. Kissing her tenderly, he gently rubbed her bottom before winking and giving it a little pinch. When she pretended affront, he took Asher and settled him safely in the crook of one arm, then grasped Elizabeth’s hand. “All right, Rosa, show us the way.”
“She knows how to get there?”
“She helped me.” He grinned. �
��You, my love, have been sleeping quite a great deal, so Rosa and I have taken advantage of your recovery.” Seeing her surprise, he kissed her. “Come and see.”
“Come, Mama!” Rosalie ran ahead and stopped, waiting impatiently for them to catch up.
“You two played together?” Elizabeth demanded. “Why did you not tell me? When was this?”
“Oh we played a great deal together over the past six weeks. We both missed Elizabeth Darcy, but we were agreed that she needed to rest, so we read books and played with toys …”
“I know all of that, what happened out here?”
“Well, she did reach the momentous age of two a few weeks ago …”
“And …”
“And I took her for a ride …”
“On a horse?” She gasped. “But she said nothing … oh Will, is that when she talked about how nice and strong Richard is?”
“Yes.”
“Richard the horse!” Elizabeth groaned. “I thought that she meant …”
“Richard the colonel?” He chuckled. “Yes, I thought as much.”
“And you did nothing to correct my misunderstanding!”
“No, I found it amusing how you waxed poetic about how wonderful Richard is, and how Rosalie was confused when you mentioned how handsome he used to look in his red coat. Rosalie wondered why his coat had changed colour because she thought that a red horse would be just lovely.” Darcy’s lips twitched when Elizabeth gasped and started to laugh. “Of course, I tolerated it because I thought of you admiring a horse, and not my cousin.” He finished softly and looked down to their entwined fingers.
“Oh Will.” Elizabeth touched his face and he looked up to see her smile, and shrugged shyly. “Silly fool.”
“Probably.”
“Definitely. Maybe we are both a little silly about things today.” She squeezed his hand, and leaned against him. Darcy raised her fingers to his lips, then lowering their hands; they swung their arms and walked with a greater spring in their steps. Rosalie scampered ahead of them and they entered the narrow path that led to the glade.
“Come on!!” Rosalie called. “Papa!”
“We are just behind you, dear.”