A Baby at Pemberley

by Abbey North

  Lizzy scowled. “I cannot imagine being so avaricious, and to see such a lovely child as no more than a means to an end. Yet, I confess to being relieved at his greed. He signed away something far more precious than money, and it brings me peace of mind to know he cannot rescind that.”

  “Most assuredly not. The best solicitors available ensured that.” Fitzwilliam chuckled. “I am not entirely sure Wickham really bothered to read the document or realized how much power he relinquished, but I am certain he did not care about little Lydia. He never asked about the baby, nor about his wife. Clearly, he had heard through someone that she passed away and saw this as an opportunity to gain money, rather than a chance to get to know his daughter. Such a worthless…”

  He trailed off, clearing his throat. “Well, I had best not utter my true opinion, lest I risk blistering your ears, love.”

  Lizzy smiled, relief flooding her. “I suspect I might have a few words of my own to describe the man, and they would surely blister your ears.”

  Looking intrigued, Fitzwilliam set aside his tea and came to sit beside them. “Really? You must enlighten me to these words at some point in the near future, dear Lizzy, and you must also tell me where you learned them.”

  Lizzy chuckled. “I do have a few secrets, Mr. Darcy.”

  He stroked his hand across her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “Not for long, Mrs. Darcy. Soon, you will yield them all to me.”

  With a chuckle, she leaned against him as Lydia reached out and tugged forcefully on Fitzwilliam’s cravat, making him gasp before laughing. “You are certainly most persuasive.”

  “And most blessed to have you and little Lydia.” Fitzwilliam bent his head to kiss her, and Lizzy met his lips with hers. It was a sweet, tender kiss, and Lydia apparently decided she was missing out, because she grasped their cheeks and leaned forward, butting her nose against Lizzy’s forehead and making the adults laugh again.

  Epilogue

  Several months later, Lizzy stood in the church with Charles and Jane beside her, and Fitzwilliam at her other side. His arm was around her waist, and she held baby Richard as the minister sprinkled water on his head.

  She turned at the sound of Lydia babbling, seeing the little girl sitting on her mother’s lap, jabbering away to Fanny about something that no one understood, but which clearly enthused little Lydia. Fanny was nodding along as though she understood every word, making Lizzy smile before returning her attention to the more solemn occasion of her son’s baptism.

  Soon enough, the ceremony was over, and Charles and Jane had been recognized as little Richard’s godparents. There would be a luncheon at Pemberley to celebrate, and Lizzy walked beside Fitzwilliam as they exited the church.

  Lydia was now perched on Douglas’s hip, clinging to her grandfather and pulling his long gray hair. He was struggling with amusement as he approached. “If you have no objection, she shall ride with Fanny and myself. She is quite attached to us.”

  Lizzy smiled. “I can see that, and I have no objection.”

  “Nor do I,” said Fitzwilliam. He reached out a hand to Lydia, stroking a finger down her cheek. “Do ensure you are careful with her though. She is most precious.”

  “Indeed, she is,” said Fanny. She shot a baleful look at Mary, who hovered nearby. “I do not think we shall have any trouble finding little Lydia a husband when the time comes. She will surely understand the value of a good match.”

  Mary sighed, clearly exasperated. “Mother, do drop it. As I have told you many times, I have no wish to marry, and I have no need. Kitty is engaged to a fine officer, and Jane and Lizzy have made good matches as well. Leave me to my books, for I do not desire the distraction of romance.”

  Lizzy smiled. “When you have met the right man, perhaps you will reevaluate that opinion.”

  Mary sniffed as she walked past them, nose in the air as she headed to the carriage. “I assure you I shall not reevaluate that opinion.”

  “I fear she shall remain a spinster for life,” said Fanny with a cry of dismay.

  Douglas seemed unconcerned. “Do leave her be. For now, she is content, as we are in our way. Besides, have you not noticed how the clerk from your brother’s law office looked at Mary when he joined us for dinner last week, along with the Phillipses?”

  That seemed to soothe Fanny, and the two of them moved off, Lydia between them, though clearly focused on the task of matchmaking for Mary. Lizzy felt a bit of sympathy for her sister, but she was far too happy in the moment to have any truly negative feelings.

  Little Richard whimpered then, so she gently jostled him, soothing him once more back to sleep. “We are so propitious, Fitzwilliam.”

  “Indeed, we are.” He put one hand behind the baby’s head, under hers, and the other around her waist. “He is a fine fellow, and little Lydia is a bright spot of happiness in her own right. We are certainly blessed. I am the luckiest of men, to have these children in my life, and you as my loving wife.”

  She tipped her head, meeting his in a gentle kiss, feeling like the luckiest woman alive. They parted, moving to their carriage, and she couldn’t help thinking of Lydia for a moment.

  Her sister was missing so much of Lydia’s life, but she took comfort knowing Lydia was looking down on them, likely approving of the job they were doing raising her daughter, and ensuring little Lydia was as happy as could be. It was all they could do for both Lydias, and Lizzy was certain it was enough.

  Once in the carriage, she sat across from Fitzwilliam, still holding Richard. He was starting to get fussy, so she untied her bodice and dipped it lower, allowing the baby to latch on. Her cloak was in place to preserve her modesty, though she felt no embarrassment nursing in front of her husband. ““Have I told you today that I love you, Mr. Darcy?”

  He tipped his head slightly, stroking his chin. “I do believe you mentioned it sometime early in the morning, but I could certainly bear to hear it again.”

  She grinned. “In that case, I love you more with every day, Fitzwilliam.”

  “As do I, Lizzy. I love you more than words can say, and that increases with each breath I draw and each beat of my heart.”

  With a sigh of contentment, she leaned back and closed her eyes, feeling the tiredness of motherhood sweeping over her. It was a good, pleasant tiredness, caused from hard work and contentment, and she was fortunate to experience it, just as she was privileged to have all the blessings she had in her life.

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  About the Author

  Abbey is a diehard Jane Austen fan and has loved Fitzwilliam since the first time she “met” him at age thirteen upon borrowing the book from the school library. He is the ideal man, though Abbey’s husband is a close second. Abbey enjoys writing various steamy and sweet Jane Austen variations, but “Pride & Prejudice” (and Mr. Darcy) will always be her favorite.