by Linda Wells
Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Jones exchanged amused glances, the servants hurriedly removed all evidence of the birth, and soon the new family was left to sleep in peace.
When Jane left the room, she found Georgiana and Charles in the nursery, he clutching their baby girl. “Is it over?” He whispered worriedly.
Jane sank into a chair and watched him slowly rocking. “Yes, we have a beautiful nephew. He is sleeping with Lizzy and William.” Georgiana squealed and ran from the room to begin writing letters.
Charles smiled as she ran out the door. “The Heir of Pemberley!” He grinned. “Your mother will be ecstatic.”
She nodded. “I am afraid our little Angela will not receive nearly the adulation Lizzy’s son will from his grandmother.”
Charles raised his brows. “How fortunate for Angela . . . and us!”
“Charles!” Jane shook her head then asked softly. “Are you jealous?”
“Of Darcy for his heir?” Charles looked at her then down at his peaceful daughter. “No Jane, we have a beautiful healthy child. That is all that matters. Someday our heir will be born.” He kissed her cheek and then looked at his wife. “Or maybe she already has been. We have no entailment, and I have no plans to create one.” Angela woke and began to fuss, and Charles rose to hand her to Jane. “I will call her nurse and then we will go to sleep.”
While the Darcy family slept, Mrs. Reynolds crept in to take the newborn and place him in the cradle next to the bed. When she turned, she saw that Darcy already had pulled Elizabeth tightly to him. She looked closely and realized he was not sleeping, and saw tears tracking down his cheeks before he buried his face in her neck. She noticed his shoulders starting to shake and she quickly slipped out of the room, saying a prayer of thanksgiving as she closed the door behind her.
After four quiet hours, the young master awoke and made his desires known in a very vocal way, startling Elizabeth and thoroughly alarming his father. “What is wrong?” He sat up then looked around the room in confusion.
Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm. “William, he is hungry. Could you please bring him to me?”
He stared with wide eyes. “You wish me to lift him?”
She laughed. “Well, if you do not I will climb out of this bed and . . .”
He jumped up immediately. “No, no, no, I will go.”
Darcy approached the wailing baby and spoke to him seriously. “Now Wills, bear with your Papa, and I promise not to drop you.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to muffle her laughter and watched as William worked out the best method for tackling his task. His hands were so large, he could have lifted him in any way and not made a difference, but he finally made a decision, scooped him up, and clutched him to his chest. His triumphant face beamed at Elizabeth. “Now what do I do?”
She smiled. “Unless you intend to feed him, Will, I believe that you should bring him here.” Walking very slowly he gently laid the baby in Elizabeth’s arms.
“I did it!”
She laughed and kissed him as he sat on the edge of the bed. “Yes, now let us see if I know what to do.” She opened her nightdress and placed the baby to her breast, coaxing him with the nipple and gently stroking his cheek while speaking to him softly. It took several tries, but he caught on, and the room filled with the soft humming of a baby being fed.
“What does it feel like?” Darcy asked as he watched in fascination.
“It is not unlike your attempts,” he blushed, “but with a far different purpose.” She gave William a teary smile as they watched their baby feed. Darcy stroked the dark curly hair.
“Are you sure that you wish to nurse him yourself? It is not expected of you. Jane has a wet nurse.”
“I wish to William. I do.” She looked at him with determination in her eyes.
He sighed. “Will you at least let me employ the wet nurse Mrs. Reynolds found? For the night time? I want you to sleep.”
He looked worriedly at her. Elizabeth held the fingers that were stroking hers. “You mean you want my attention solely on you?” She pursed her lips.
He quickly protested. “I did not say that, Lizzy. I do want you to be rested.” He then shyly looked into her amused eyes. “But of course, I cannot give you up either.” He added sheepishly.
“Ah. I suspected as much. I just wanted to hear you say it.” She smiled and closed her eyes with contentment. “Well, if you can keep me from rising when he cries, the nurse will have employment.” She opened her eyes and sparkled at him. “Of course, that means that you will not be rushing to look at him either.”
He smiled and shook his head. “You know me too well.”
“I know that you want the people you love to be safe.” Elizabeth looked down at their boy then back to him.
He leaned forward and kissed her tenderly. Darcy rose and settled back into the bed next to her, embracing his family. “Safe in my arms.”
“SIR, THIS LETTER JUST ARRIVED by the Pemberley messenger.” The butler bowed and handed Lord Matlock the envelope.
“Well, I imagine we know what this is!” He grinned at Lady Matlock, who sat forward on her chair.
“Do not keep us in suspense Henry, open it!”
He laughed and broke the seal, reading silently, and then looked at his son. “It seems that you owe me five pounds, Mark.”
“A boy!” Mark cried. “Well done, Darcy!”
“I would say well done Elizabeth.” Lady Matlock gazed pointedly at her eldest son. She turned to her husband. “An heir, how wonderful! What does he say?”
Lord Matlock smiled at his wife and read aloud. “William and Elizabeth welcomed William George Thomas Darcy into the world yesterday morning. He is a strapping lad with black curls, brown eyes, and an extraordinary wail. He is healthy and whole and his mother is beautiful and tired, but very happy and well. He looks forward to our arrival in a few weeks for Georgiana’s wedding when he will introduce his heir to his questionable relations.” He laughed. “Darcy was giddy when he penned this!”
Lady Matlock held out her hand for the letter and read it, smiling. “Oh I am so happy for them! I think that they could care less if it was a boy or girl, but it is good to have this burden done for them.” She looked up and saw Mark gazing at his wife. Inspired by the examples of their cousins and brother, and the not too subtle hints of their parents and Aunt Catherine, they had made great efforts over the past months to improve their marriage beyond one of convenience.
“Well in a short time it will be Kathleen and Richard’s turn. I hope she will hold on until after the wedding, we will have to leave soon after the breakfast for Rosings, Henry.”
“Are you sure that we are wanted?” Lord Matlock asked with a smirk.
She was affronted. “Kathleen’s mother is passed. Of course she wants me.”
Mark met his father’s twinkling eyes. “It seems Elizabeth did well without her mother’s presence . . .”
She sniffed. “Her sister was there.”
“Of course, Elaine.” Lord Matlock agreed.
“I hope that you will be with me when my time comes.” Laura said softly.
The room became silent. “Laura, do you . . . do you have something to tell me?” Mark stared at her, unwilling to believe what he thought she had said.
Laura met his gaze. “I am with child, Mark.”
“Really?” His smile was slow but was spreading rapidly. “When will . . . how long . . .?”
“I believe it will be in March, near the end of the month.” She smiled.
“You are . . . two months along?” He said as he walked to her and grasped her hands. She nodded. “How long have you known?”
“I became convinced only this morning. Are you pleased, Mark?” She looked at him hopefully.
“Am I pleased?” He laughed and pulled her up and into his arms. “Of course I am! I am thrilled!” He kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Laura!”
Lord and Lady Matlock rose and congratulated them. “I will be honoured to be wit
h you, Laura.” She hugged her.
Laura whispered in her ear. “Thank you. Thank you for forcing me to change before it was too late.”
The two women regarded each other and embraced again. “You are forever welcome, my dear.” Lord Matlock called for champagne to be opened, to toast the new Heir of Pemberley, and the hoped for Heir of Matlock.
Chapter 44
Alex’s carriage arrived two days after the baby’s birth. Georgiana was standing outside on the steps, excitedly waiting for his carriage to come to a rest and almost outran the footman who rushed forward to open the door and pull down the steps. “Alex!” She threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
“Georgie!” He embraced her tightly then forced himself to let go. “Sweetheart, if your brother sees us he will beat me raw!”
“Oh, he is holding his son or Elizabeth, or more likely both. He has no time to spare for us.” She hugged him again.
He laughed at her persistence. “It is a boy then, wonderful! Tell me about this new nephew of ours.”
“Oh Alex, he is the most handsome young man!” Georgiana took his hand and dragged him into the house. “Come, they are waiting to see you!”
“Could I change clothes, first?” He protested.
“No! Come on!” She pulled at him enthusiastically.
“You do realize I am older than you. All of this activity might leave me exhausted.”
Georgiana stopped and stared at him. “That does not bode well for our honeymoon.”
Alex’s eyes opened wide. Georgiana smiled and pulled him along much more willingly. They arrived at the nursery and knocking, she cautiously opened the door. She looked at Alex and they entered. Elizabeth and Darcy were sitting next to each other in rockers, holding hands, the baby on Elizabeth’s lap. Darcy rose and shook Alex’s proffered hand. “Alex, welcome, may I introduce you to our son?”
Alex smiled at his friend and brother, “Congratulations Darcy, Georgiana told me the news the moment I arrived.” He leaned to kiss Elizabeth’s cheek.
“Welcome Alex!” She smiled.
“You look radiant, Elizabeth.” He peeked at the swaddled bundle in her lap. “He is a handsome young man. Obviously he takes after our side.” He winked at her and stood to grin at his friend.
“It will not work, Alex. Nothing would make me happier than to see our son resemble his mother.” Darcy looked down at them, his eyes were shining, and his chest was puffed with pride.
“Besotted!” Alex laughed and grinned at them all. “Now, if you do not mind, I would like to make myself presentable. Darcy, whenever you feel you can tear yourself away, I have the settlement for you to sign.”
“We have weeks before the wedding.”
Alex regarded this new man and shook his head in bemused surprise. “Besotted!” He laughed again and Georgiana led him from the room.
DARCY ATTEMPTED to concentrate on the enormous pile of letters that had accumulated on his desk over the three weeks since fatherhood had made its welcome and permanent intrusion into his life. Concentration, however; was difficult when his attention was perpetually distracted by his wife, who seemed perfectly at ease answering notes of congratulations with her right hand, while, cuddled securely on her left arm was their son, who stared at her in rapt attention. Elizabeth looked up, feeling two identical pairs of intense brown eyes staring at her and smiled, first indulgently at one young man, then lovingly at the other. Darcy’s heart lurched and he met her expression with his own smile, then sighing, bent back to work. How he could possibly love her more was beyond him, but that mark had been exceeded most thoroughly. He had experienced many moments of panic in the past weeks. Elizabeth developed a fever the morning after the birth, and Darcy felt the horrible fear that he would lose her and be left alone to raise their son. Thankfully she recovered quickly and was fine by the next day, but it only served to make him more protective. Despite the employment of the wet nurse for the night, both he and Elizabeth would rise to check on his breathing, or to care for him at the slightest sound. For the first week, Darcy absolutely refused to let her walk or venture from their chambers. Of course, Elizabeth eventually rebelled, and just the day before, when he finally gave in to his duties and left to work in his study, the first thing she did was dress and walk downstairs. At least she tried, before becoming dizzy and sitting down on the great marble staircase. She addressed the worried queries of a footman, who obviously was not fooled by her assurances, and immediately set off to alert Darcy. He came striding out of his study in time to see Elizabeth walking out the front door.
“Lizzy!” He called, but when he exited, she could not be seen. “Where did she go?” He said to himself, not a little angry with worry. He started to descend the steps to search for her when a musical voice caught his ear.
“William, what are you looking for?”
He turned and there she was, sitting on a bench directly behind him, her back against the sun-warmed stone of the house, her curls blowing slightly with the breeze. He let out a breath. “I lost you.”
She shook her head and held out her hand. “How could you lose me when I am right by the door?”
He took a seat beside her, and grasped her hand. “Jenkins said that you grew faint and were sitting on the stairs. Why would you get up, Lizzy? You should be in bed!”
“No, I needed some sunshine and fresh air.” She smiled at his never-ending worry. It had been three weeks, after all!
“There is a balcony off our chambers.” He said stubbornly.
She caressed his face. “I needed to escape.”
His brow furrowed. “From what?”
“Oh, William, do you realize how long it has been since I could simply stand and walk? I needed this.” He remained unconvinced. “I need to test my limits, and I need exercise to regain my strength so I can care for you and Wills properly.” She gave his hand a squeeze. “Do you have time to escort me on a stroll in the garden?”
He looked at her raised brows and beguiling smile and sighed. “You promise you will not ever walk alone?”
“I promise. If you cannot come, I will coax Georgiana to join me, at least until I am fully recovered, and then we will address the subject again.” She peeked up at his lowered head. “Will that do?”
“I suppose.” He said grudgingly, he had no intention of ever letting her go alone anywhere again. He looked into her smiling eyes and stood. “Shall we, my love?”
They set off on a stroll through the nearby gardens, now colourful with the flowers of the coming autumn. The nip in the air, the breeze, and the changing leaves suited to reinvigorate them both after the long confinement. She looked up at his contented face, and felt a desire to tease him. “I was thinking, William, I will have to go into Lambton soon.”
“What do you need? Surely we could send a servant?” He smiled down at her.
“Well, now that I am a mother, I suppose that I really should start wearing a lace cap. I have not worn one since we married, but . . .” Any further thoughts were immediately stopped by Darcy’s arms holding her to him and his lips descending upon hers.
“No. MY wife will not cover her beauty with such a thing. If someone wants proof of your wedded state, they may look at your hand. If they wish to see that you are a mother, they may see our son. Your hair was meant to be seen. I will buy you combs, ribbons, jewels or feathers to decorate your hair, I will even accompany you to the milliner’s to purchase hats and bonnets to wear outside of our home, but please do not ask me to see you in a cap.”
Elizabeth laughed and kissed the lips that hovered over hers and smiled up into his serious eyes. “But William, it is also meant to keep my head warm!”
“Was your head cold before you married, my love?” His lips began wandering over her face and neck.
“No, I suppose it was not.” She said, closing her eyes and feeling a familiar ache returning to her recovering body.
“Then please indulge my desire. I have no doubt that my eccentricity will bec
ome quite fashionable before long.” His lips travelled lower to taste her shoulder.
“Oh my, William, you are reading the fashion magazines?” She whispered breathlessly.
“Of course not. We do not need them. You shall set the fashion.” His breath was coming in rasps, and his hands began to travel over her form. Her waist was almost back to its former state, but her breasts were tender and enlarged by their new duty. “Oh Lizzy, how much longer must we wait?”
“Three weeks, my love.”
“The moment you are recovered, find me.” He stared into her eyes. “The second you are ready.”
Elizabeth swallowed and felt the burn of his desire as he ran his hands over her, and nodded. “I will.”
THE IMPOSING CARRIAGE rolled up to the entrance of Rosings, and for the first time in over a year, Lady Catherine de Bourgh entered her former home. Her old housekeeper led her to the drawing room where the very pregnant Kathleen rested on a sofa, her swollen feet propped on pillows. The older woman looked around the room. Gone were the ornate decorations. Now the room held a brightness, a happiness that Lady Catherine never achieved as her goal was to display her wealth, not to create a comfortable home. Kathleen moved to rise and Lady Catherine stopped her.
“Stay seated Mrs. Fitzwilliam. I will not have you risking your well-being for a courtesy.”
“Thank you Aunt Catherine. Without my husband’s assistance, I am afraid that rising from a chair has become a quite undignified process.” She smiled and indicated a chair, “Please be seated. I hope that your journey was comfortable.”
“It was. My carriage was made for that purpose. Nonetheless, I am pleased to take this much shorter trip than the journey to Pemberley would have been.”
“Is that why you decided not to attend Georgiana and Alex’s wedding?”
Lady Catherine regarded the young woman in silence, and then spoke. “No. I am here because my daughter’s wish in giving Rosings to your husband was for him to marry and fill these halls with the sound of children’s voices, and make this place a home. From what I see already, the transformation is well underway. I wish to be here to witness Anne’s dreams come to fruition.” She blinked back a tear and resumed her fierce expression.