by J Dawn King
Slapping the clergyman on the back, Richard laughed, “It is a fine time to meet you, Father.”
The men spent until late that night catching up on the prior decades. Early the next morning, Darcy shook Gerald Fitzwilliam’s hand. Richard grabbed him in a tight embrace, almost lifting the taller man off the ground.
“Do write when you are able,” Richard’s father insisted. “I shall meet you in Kent within a month.”
The journey back to London was made by two contented men—Darcy because most of his questions now had answers—Richard because he was proud to have such a fine man in his immediate family. He would never need to see Hugh Fitzwilliam again.
So involved were Elizabeth and Abigail in catching up that they forgot Georgiana’s presence. By the end of the afternoon, the young girl knew far more about married life than Elizabeth had known when she married.
Each of the three in the drawing room took turns holding Jem, who delighted in all the attention. He still smiled the most at Darcy’s sister.
“Elizabeth, when are we to have a baby Darcy?” Georgiana boldly inquired.
“Georgiana!” Stunned, Elizabeth hushed her sister.
“I simply cannot help it, Elizabeth. I had no idea I would find such happiness having a child in our home. Now that we have Jem here, I want more. Therefore, I beg you both to do all you can to see I am contented. Pray, fill our nursery with happy voices. I promise you I will be the best aunt to all of them that I can be.”
Both women grinned. Abigail told the girl, “We shall see if we can accommodate your wishes, Georgiana.”
When Elizabeth privately told her husband of his sister’s orders, he was overjoyed to comply.
Chapter 32
Richard and Abigail remained with the Darcys for a fortnight after their arrival in London. On their final day before departing for Kent, Richard fulfilled a promise he had made to himself.
Elizabeth and Georgiana were entertaining Jem. Darcy was hovering. If all went according to plan, he and Abigail could be away from Darcy House for approximately two hours.
The carriage traveled from Mayfair to the Knightsbridge area south of Hyde Park. Slowing to a crawl on the busy streets, they soon reached their destination.
Abigail turned to her husband with a question. “Why are we at the barracks? Have you left something behind you need to retrieve?”
“We left much behind, my dear.”
The military had packed up both his quarters and the Milford’s to make room for another regiment’s officers. Arrangements had already been made to transport their possessions to Rosings Park. No, what they left behind that the couple considered most valuable was outside of the buildings.
Strolling to a distant place beyond the barracks, Abigail said nothing. Only when she realized where they were heading did her hand shoot up to her mouth. The other arm wrapped across her middle, as if trying to hold her emotions inside.
“Richard,” she sighed, her voice husky with unshed tears.
They went to Anne’s grave first. Richard had purchased two small posies from a seller outside the church graveyard. Kneeling, he carefully placed the flowers in front of the marker.
“Abigail, I have deep affection for you. I promised at our marriage that I would cherish you.” Richard gulped. “Anne was my first love. I went into my marriage to Anne having knowledge that her health would allow me but a short time with her. I was grateful for every single minute we had together. She gave her life giving me a son.” Bowing his head, he admitted, “I will never forget her.”
Abigail dropped down beside him with no consideration for her skirts.
“My husband, I would not want you to feel otherwise. I loved Anne as a good friend who found reasons for joy despite her illness.” Abigail took his hand in hers. “We have each lost someone we promised to love forever. Let us not fail in this, Richard. As I will cherish my years with Samuel, I beg you to do the same with sweet Anne.”
He nodded, his aching heart absorbing the comfort she willingly offered.
“Dear Richard, I ask that from this day forward we set aside a piece of our hearts for our former mates. The rest of our hearts need to be for each other.”
He turned to study her expression, seeing the sincerity he had come to expect.
“I want more children, my husband.”
“No more separation?” he asked, unsure of what she was asking.
“No, no more separation. From this day on we proceed with our marriage as we mean to go on for the rest of our lives.” She squeezed his hand. “Are we agreed?”
“Yes,” he stood, helping her up with him. Cupping her face with his hand, he kissed her tenderly. “Let us take these flowers to your daughter.”
When they reached the tiny burial site, she was the one who placed the flowers by the stone.
“Tell me of her, please,” Richard requested.
Abigail sobbed her hopes and dreams that had been crushed at her loss.
He held her until she quieted. Then, he took her home.
The Darcys remained in London until the spring flowers began to bloom. Several times they traveled to Kent to help Richard and Abigail settle in to Rosings. The confrontation between Lady Catherine and battle-hardened Richard Fitzwilliam had not been bloody, but it had been lethal.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh had used the expression ‘over my dead body’ for the last time. The apoplexy instigated by the release of her furious temper had caused irreparable harm to a body that had only known indulgence. Less than two days after Richard arrived to remove his aunt from his rightful residence, she took her final breath.
The Darcys journey to Pemberley had been broken by a short diversion to Meryton. There, they visited Charles and Jane Bingley at Netherfield Park, who had married shortly before the holiday season. The Bingleys were already tired of the daily visits of Mrs. Bennet.
“Say, Darcy,” Bingley asked, “Do you know of an estate close to Pemberley that would suit my wife and me?”
“I do, as a matter of fact,” Darcy grinned. He had missed his good friend.
They spent three days at Netherfield Park without once seeing Elizabeth’s parents or youngest sisters. Apparently, those family members had no interest in Elizabeth, which was fine with Darcy. When Mary Bennet walked the three miles from Longbourn to visit, Darcy immediately insisted she use his carriage to return to Longbourn to pack for a lengthy visit to Pemberley.
Mary agreed. Thus, he would be in the same carriage with three females for at least four days. He did not mind at all.
They stopped the first night at the Rose and Thorn Inn.
“Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, Miss Darcy, and...” Mr. McAdams greeted the guests, stopping when he saw Mary.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy helped the innkeeper along.
“Ye are all most welcome.” The innkeeper’s jolly countenance induced a smile from each tired traveler. “Mrs. McAdams,” he yelled behind him. “Come quickly. See who is here.”
His wife came from the back room, wiping her hands on her apron.
“Oh, my. I dearly wanted to see you again. You see, we never heard whether the Mrs. and the baby made it to their destination safely.” She used the corner of the cloth to dab the tears from her cheek. “That dear sweet little lad. Is he well?”
Elizabeth took Mrs. McAdams aside while Darcy spoke with her husband. Georgiana and Mary had already followed the maid to their rooms.
“Mrs. McAdams, did you by chance follow my husband’s trial in the newspapers?”
“I did. A sorry business that was, if you do not mind me saying.”
“Yes, well, in the end, all worked out well. You see, little Jem was found to be the beneficiary of a large estate in Kent. He is with his actual father. His new mother is the woman who tended him here. They are and will forever be a happy family.”
“I am delighted to hear your wonderful news.” Grinning from ear to ear, Mrs. McAdams boldly asked, “Then you shall need to present a lad of his own to
that dear man you are married to, I believe. With that in mind, allow me to show you both to your rooms.”
Blushing like a debutante at her first ball, Elizabeth raised her brows at Darcy, who had heard the last of the exchange. He smiled, tilting his head towards where the innkeeper’s wife walked ahead of them. Mrs. McAdams was the smartest female in the world.
Almost nine months later, Elizabeth was relaxing with Mary in the sitting room. Rubbing at a constant pain in her lower back, she said, “You wanted to speak with me?”
“Yes, Lizzy,” Mary exhaled quickly and then spoke just as fast. “William has asked me to remain here at Pemberley. He suggested that I could be presented at the same time as Georgiana. You are about to become a mother for the first time. Abigail is too. Even though they knew I was here when they chose to stay here for her confinement rather than at Rosings, I feel like I am in the way.”
“Never,” Elizabeth insisted. Her husband had asked her earlier whether she would approve his request. “Do you want to return to Longbourn?”
“I do not,” her voice held no hesitation. “The things I hear from Mama are ridiculous. She insists William is going to throw me in front of rich, single men. He would never do that nor would I be willing to be thrown anywhere, especially at a man.” She waited until Elizabeth quit giggling to add, “I do believe there is nothing left for me at Longbourn.”
Elizabeth recalled the day she left, her wedding day. She had thought she was leaving a man filled with selfishness for a man filled with disdain. How wrong she had been about Will. She was not wrong at all about her father.
“I understand,” Elizabeth told Mary. “Dear sister, marriage to a good man is not to be dismissed. With hard work on the part of both parties, the happiness that comes cannot be compared to anything else under the sun.”
“You and Will are exemplary.”
“Thank you for thinking so, my sister. With that said, let me tell you of Mr. Henry Fitzwilliam and his wife, Lady Olivia.”
“The couple who welcomed twin girls a month ago?” Mary inquired.
“Yes,” Elizabeth chuckled. “They had a miserable start to their marriage. The two of them spent little time together until Lady Olivia decided it was time to become a mother. With only one half of the couple giving attention to their union, the result was still amazing. When their world as they knew it fell apart, Henry followed her lead when she decided she wanted to go back to her family’s estate. The elderly duke was thrilled to have his daughter home. He was even more so when he found out she was with child. The duke pampered her like the princess he raised Lady Olivia to be. Her happiness radiated to her husband. Although we hear grumblings from him on occasion at the loss of his position and fortune, as the son-in-law of an exceedingly wealthy Peer of the Realm, he does not suffer. He is still welcome at his former clubs and is highly regarded as a man with a vast knowledge of British history and law. They have created a good life together, which began with Lady Olivia taking positive action.”
“I do find their experience interesting,” Mary admitted. “Nevertheless, I will not marry unless I find a man as patient as Colonel Fitzwilliam, as friendly as Mr. Bingley, and as in love with me as Mr. Darcy is in love with you.” She looked closer at her sister. “Lizzy, are you well?”
“I do not believe so. Pray run and get Will. And Mrs. Reynolds. And the midwife.” Elizabeth groaned. “Run!”
Seven hours later, Mrs. Reynolds entered Darcy’s study. Richard had tried to coerce him into playing billiards. He had offered Darcy a selection of books to read. Next, he opened a fresh bottle of brandy in hopes of distracting Darcy from his constant pacing.
“I will not have it, Richard.” His cravat had gone missing about an hour after Elizabeth had gone upstairs. His jacket had long since been draped on the back of a chair. Darcy’s lower lip was almost raw where he kept biting it out of nervousness.
“Darcy, would you relax?”
“This, from a man who hovers over Abigail as if she is a fragile piece of china perched on the edge of a table.” Darcy growled. “In a few weeks you will welcome another child. I cannot believe you will not be in the same state I am in right now.”
“You are correct,” Richard admitted. “Your wife would tease you if she was here with us.”
“She would,” Darcy grinned for the first time since his wife’s labor started.
The door opened. Pemberley’s housekeeper stepped inside. Darcy held his breath. Fear seized him causing his hands to shake.
“Is she? How is she? Is she well?” he stammered, panicked when she looked from him to Richard. “Tell me!”
Never had he spoken to Mrs. Reynolds that harshly.
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds looked directly at him before turning to his cousin.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, your wife started having pains shortly after joining Mrs. Darcy to assist with the birth. I am happy to say that Mrs. Fitzwilliam delivered a beautiful daughter moments ago. Other than a few whimpers, the baby looks as healthy as they come. Mrs. Fitzwilliam is all smiles. She asks that you attend her.”
“A baby,” Richard stood as still as a statue. “We have a baby. Already?” Whooping, he rushed from the room, his boots stomping up the stairs.
“How is my wife,” Darcy demanded, pleased for his cousin but concerned for his Elizabeth.
“Mr. Darcy, first I will tell you that Mrs. Darcy is well. Unlike Mrs. Fitzwilliam, however, she is most certainly not smiling.”
“She is well,” he could hardly believe her words.
“That she is.” Mrs. Reynolds approached him and put her hand on his shoulder.
“And the babe?” Darcy cared not if it was a son or a daughter. He yearned for a healthy wife and child no matter the sex.
“Your son, do you mean?” The twinkle in his housekeeper’s eye almost dropped him to his knees.
“My son?” Darcy was elated.
“Yes sir, which is the reason your wife is not smiling.” She spoke to the air, for Darcy had run from the room as quickly as Richard had.
Tapping on the door outside Elizabeth’s chambers, he could not make himself wait until he heard her permission to enter. Peeking through the doorway, he saw her holding a large bundle in her arms.
Moving closer, he saw the biggest infant he had ever seen. Instantly he knew the reason for her frown. His wife was a tall woman with narrow hips. The birth could not have been easy with a baby that big.
When she was finally able to pull her eyes away from their son, she grinned. “He is as big as a horse, Will. I am afraid he will be ready to ride one of those beasts in but a few months’ time.”
Darcy simply could not look away from the picture they made. There was true beauty he had seen on occasion during his lifetime. What was in front of him surpassed it all. He was overwhelmed.
The beginning of their marriage had been a challenge. He had grown from prideful to a man wanting peace and happiness. Elizabeth had gone from hating him to loving him deeply. Darcy enjoyed every aspect of their marriage, every minute detail. He loved Elizabeth with a passion he had never expected to feel. Now she was the mother of their child.
He decided, then and there, that he would teach his son to appreciate how magnificent Elizabeth was. And he, Darcy, was blessed to call such a woman his wife.
Approaching the bed, his wife held her hand out for him to hold. He kissed her brow. Reaching down, he brushed the tips of his fingers over the baby’s cheek. Immediately, his son’s tiny mouth puckered as his forehead furrowed. Seconds later, the baby let out a healthy wail.
Without further ado, Elizabeth handed the baby to him.
An instant lasting love surged through his heart. Never had Darcy seen a babe as wonderful as the lad in his arms.
“My husband, do you recall what you asked me for that night we stayed at the Rose and Thorn Inn on our way north?”
Darcy found it hard to look away from studying his son. Distractedly, he mumbled, “I do not.”
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“You asked for a baby of our own,” Elizabeth’s smile was radiant. “I am pleased to provide you with what you claimed, on that very night, was your greatest desire.”
He remembered. Mrs. McAdams had sent them upstairs for that purpose. What they had not known at the time was that Elizabeth left the inn increasing.
He laughed aloud, disturbing the baby. “Then we should plan on visiting that inn every year over the next decade as I place an order, with Mrs. McAdams’ permission, for a baby to grow our nursery.”
“Every other year,” Elizabeth insisted.
“Agreed.”
Epilogue
During the ten years since Darcy and Elizabeth married, they returned to the Rose and Thorn Inn each time they journeyed to London or Kent with their growing family. Richard and Abigail came directly up the Great North Road. Their favorite spot was Lyme Regis, where they had been smuggled into England during the war with France.
The couples were deliriously happy.
Charles and Jane Bingley had relocated to Derbyshire soon after the trial was over. Darcy helped them find an estate fewer than ten miles from Pemberley. It was with gratitude that Miss Caroline Bingley rarely visited her brother. When she did, her stay was short. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet never made the attempt to travel to Derbyshire. They were never invited to Pemberley.
Two months after the Darcy’s firstborn arrived, Jane Bingley delivered a son of her own.
Mary Bennet and Georgiana Darcy both married from Pemberley. Mary’s husband was a retired sea captain who had made his fortune fighting the French. They settled in Brighton. When they traveled to Derbyshire, they rarely, if ever, stopped at Longbourn.
Georgiana Darcy fell in love with the second son of a duke. His interests were in establishing foundling homes for abandoned children. In the years they had been wed, they had no children of their own. Yet, Georgiana did not mind at all. Instead, she devoted her attention to each new arrival at the home. As she had promised, she was an excellent aunt to her many nieces and nephews.