by Webb, Brenda
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, it is so beautiful!”
“The flowers represents the month of April, when Alex was born. There is also room for a small portrait and a lock of his hair.”
As he sat the box back in the safe in order to show her how to open the locket, a small paper fell to the floor. Elizabeth stooped to retrieve it and found that it was a commission for that locket and more.
“Fitzwilliam, this order is for six lockets.”
He looked penitent. “I instructed the jeweller to prepare several, as I intended to present you with one upon the birth of each of our children. Then, all that would have been required is to add the child’s name, date of birth, and the flower that represents the month they were born. Each heart was to fit between one of the diamond rings. ”
Elizabeth giggled. “And you decided on a half-dozen.”
“I… I ordered them before you had such trouble with Alexander’s birth.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, a long labour with your first child is not unusual according to Mr. Booker, and he said that I would likely not have such a long labour with our subsequent children. Even if that were not the case, is our son not worth every second of the pain?”
“Alexander is truly a blessing, my love, but for me to see you in pain is agony itself! I do not wish to ever see you go through that again.”
Elizabeth squeezed his hands. “I understand that you love me and that you suffer when I suffer. I would feel the same way if you were in pain. Nonetheless, the grief of knowing I would have no more children would be more unbearable than the pain of childbirth. And just as you were there for me with Alexander, I will need your support with our future children. I can bear anything as long as you are with me.”
“Then you are not averse to having another child?”
“On the contrary, holding Alexander only serves to make me desire as many children as God will allow. And with your help, all shall be well. You will see.”
“You are so brave, Elizabeth,” William whispered as he pulled her into his arms. “If only I were half as fearless.”
“So, tell me, my fearful husband,” she replied with a wicked smile, “if there are any lockets left when the last of our children are born, what shall become of them?”
“I had not thought of that possibility.”
Elizabeth ran a hand playfully over the hard muscles of her husband’s chest, before continuing upward to caress his cheek.
“Then I suppose we shall just have to make it our duty to ensure there are none left.”
~~~*~~~
That afternoon
The Parlour
The atmosphere in the house was electric with anticipation. This was the first gathering of most of the family at Pemberley in many years. Elizabeth’s health had been so unstable immediately after Alexander’s birth that William was consumed with worry. So it was not until after she improved significantly, that his thoughts turned to inviting the rest of the family to see his son, and as soon as the invitations were extended, they had been accepted. In addition to the Bingleys, Elizabeth’s father and the Landinghams, who were bringing Georgiana, Richard and his new bride, Lady Colleen, were accompanying the Earl and Countess of Matlock to meet the new heir of Pemberley.
Having missed Richard’s wedding because she was advised not to travel, Elizabeth was especially eager to see Lady Colleen. William had attended the wedding, consenting to travel to London to stand up with his cousin only at Elizabeth’s insistence. Not surprisingly, he had arrived and departed Town in the space of three days, so anxious was he to return to her.
Being their nearest relations, the Bingleys and the Landinghams were already frequent visitors to Pemberley, while Georgiana stayed at Westcott Manor and Pemberley in equal measures. In fact, Aunt Audrey and Jane had just returned to their own homes two weeks before, having removed to Pemberley for Elizabeth’s lying in and stayed until her recovery was assured. However, both the Bingleys and Landinghams had consented to stay at Pemberley during the Fitzwilliam’s visit, in order to fellowship with the rest of the family. Thus the stage was set for a lovely gathering.
~~~*~~~
When the Bingleys, Mr. Bennet, the Landinghams and Georgiana arrived, right behind one another, William, Elizabeth and Alexander were on the portico to meet them. As Georgiana emerged from the carriage, she ignored her brother who had started down the steps in order to rush towards her sister and Alexander.
“Please, may I hold him, Elizabeth?”
“Once we are in the parlour and you are seated, you may.”
So after all the greetings were done and they were all ensconced in the parlour, Elizabeth motioned for Georgiana to sit beside her. Gingerly she laid Alexander in her sister’s arms and swiftly Georgiana arranged the baby so that he lay facing her. Then she began to remove the blanket in order to see his legs and feet.
“Oh, Elizabeth, he has gotten so big since I last saw him!”
William chuckled. “You saw him four days ago, sweetling. I do not think he could have changed that much.”
“Yes, he has! You see him every day so you would not notice.” She looked to Audrey Landingham for agreement. “Do you not think he has grown significantly, Aunt?”
Lady Landingham immediately took the seat on the other side of her niece, smiling down at the child who had captured her heart as well.
“I certainly do!” She winked at Elizabeth who had leaned over to hear her answer. “And he seems much more alert! See how he follows me with his eyes when I speak?”
As though on cue, Alexander gurgled.
“He knows we are talking about him!” Georgiana exclaimed, her eyes still glued to her nephew. All the other occupants of the room exchanged knowing smiles.
Just at that moment, Mr. Walker appeared at the door again. “The Fitzwilliam’s coach has been reported at the first gate, sir.”
Knowing that it would take about a half -hour for the coach to reach the manor, William did not move from his perch near the hearth. “Thank you, Walker. Please summon me in time to greet them.”
The servant nodded, disappearing out of the room and leaving the door open as they had requested earlier. From that moment on, a jumble of conversations ensued in all areas of the room. William, Charles and Marshall were conversing near the hearth while surreptitiously watching the women ogle the baby. Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet constantly inched closer to the sofa, eventually coming to stand behind it where he had a better view of his grandson.
He had visited Elizabeth twice since her marriage, always by himself. He used the opportunity to visit Jane as well, insisting to both daughters that he travelled alone in order to escape the hysterics of his wife and other children for a brief time. Left unsaid was that Mrs. Bennet would not have been welcomed at Pemberley in any event. Neither daughter brought up the subject of their mother, for they well remembered the vitriol directed towards Lizzy at Jane’s wedding.
“Would you like to hold him?”
Thomas Bennet was startled from his thoughts by Elizabeth’s question. He began to mumble, “He is so small. I do not think I should be trusted—”
“Nonsense!” Elizabeth declared.
Instantly, he was being pulled around the sofa to take the place alongside Georgiana. Across the room, he heard the men laugh just before Alexander was placed in his lap. Not knowing what to say, he could only smile at the child and chuck him under the chin. That was good enough! Alexander smiled and waved his arms in his usual manner.
“He is pleased!” Georgiana declared.
Leaning over to kiss her father’s cheek, Elizabeth added, “He feels safe with you.”
Just then, Mr. Walker reappeared at the door, and without a word, William nodded. The servant left as William walked over to take Elizabeth’s hand.
“If you will excuse us, Elizabeth and I shall greet my other relations and escort them here.” Addressing his aunt, he added, “Will you see to Alexander if he begins to fret?”
Audrey nodded. “I shall be
glad to, though I think he is quite content at present.”
Mr. Bennet looked up to wink at Elizabeth. “I think we shall be just fine until you return.”
~~~*~~~
Later
The food and drink was magnificent and the conversation stimulating, thus the entire group found themselves enjoying the fine hospitality of Pemberley. After the ordeal they had endured to rescue Elizabeth and learning of Catherine’s treachery, the opportunity to welcome a new Darcy into the family was seen as a chance for them to acknowledge what was truly important—family.
After dinner, the men all assembled in William’s study to enjoy some newly imported cigars, while the ladies retired to the music room. As William passed out the cigars, Lord Landingham asked the Earl if he had heard anything more regarding Lady Catherine.
“In fact, I heard from the gentleman in charge just last week. It seems Catherine tried to force several of the other incarcerated women to address her using her title. All she got for her trouble was a black eye.”
“I thought Aunt Catherine had separate quarters,” William said, his voice sad with concern.
“But she shares the courtyard with everyone,” Richard interjected. “If she is to get any sunshine or fresh air, she has to do so with all the occupants of her building.”
“I regret that she is reduced to such circumstances,” William began, only to be interrupted by his uncle.
“She put herself in those circumstances! I have no sympathy for someone so eager to see you and Georgiana destroyed and to have a man killed. While I see to it that she has clean clothes, bedding and decent food, even a maid on occasion to wash her hair, my sister will never again live like a queen.”
“I, for one, am glad that she is not free to harm anyone,” Richard declared.
~~~*~~~
The Music Room
For a long time, the women listened silently as Georgiana, who had been prompted, exhibited on the pianoforte. Finally Jane leaned over to speak privately to her sister. Since they occupied the settee nearest the door their conversation would not be a disruption nor could they easily be overheard.
“I have some wonderful news to share with you, but I do not wish for anyone else to know as yet.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew large as she waited for Jane to continue. Seeing that she had her sister’s full attention, Jane whispered excitedly, “I believe that I am with child!”
Elizabeth wanted to shout, but instead, she quickly glanced about the room to find no one paying any attention to them. Squeezing Jane’s hand, she whispered in reply, “I am so pleased I want to do a jig.”
“If you do, you will give away my secret. I have not even told Charles as yet because I understand that only the quickening is a sure indication. I do not want to raise his expectations, only to be disappointed.”
“I understand your reluctance. I was resolved to wait until the quickening as well, but my secret was revealed straightaway when I nearly fainted. Now I am pleased that it was. It was so sweet sharing the entire experience with Fitzwilliam right from the beginning. I well remember the night we were lying in bed and felt the baby move. It is a sweet memory that I shall always cherish.”
Jane looked thoughtful. “Perhaps I shall tell Charles sooner.”
“Do what seems best for you, Jane.”
Just then Georgiana ended a song and stood to address the room. “I would love to hear someone else. Would you consent to exhibit, Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth laughed. “I am willing to sing if someone is willing to accompany me.”
“I will,” Colleen volunteered, “if we can find something we both are familiar with, of course.”
Thus, when the men joined the ladies in the music room, Elizabeth’s lilting soprano greeted them, accompanied by Colleen’s wonderful skills on the pianoforte. She was as proficient as Georgiana, and seeing her at the instrument made Richard’s heart swell with pride.
“Your wife is an accomplished musician, Richard,” William offered. “Does she sing as well?”
“No. She allows that she cannot carry a tune, though I am not convinced of that. However, I am content to enjoy her playing.”
“Just as I am content to hear Elizabeth sing!”
“We are both blessed,” Richard added, patting his cousin on the back.
“That we are, Cousin. That we are.”
~~~*~~~
Later that night
Now attired for bed, Audrey Landingham decided to join her husband on the balcony. Marshall looked very handsome in his dark blue robe, his grey hair shining in the moonlight as he admired the canopy of stars in the clear, night sky.
“A penny for your thoughts.”
At her voice, he turned to pull her into his arms, burying his face in her soft dark hair. For a long time he did not speak, content to hold her. Then he pulled back to look into her eyes.
“I was thinking of how perfect my life is now. I have a wonderful woman to love.” He leaned down to kiss the tip of her nose. “And I have my beautiful daughter in my life, not to mention Fitzwilliam, who is like my own son. I thought that I could not want for anything more, but somehow Alexander’s birth has made me even more content.”
“I know what you mean. It is as though he is my own grandchild.”
“And the fact that Fitzwilliam has chosen to have his heir carry my name is not only a complete surprise, it is very humbling. I thought he would name the boy after George.”
“My nephew cherishes the time you spent with him, giving him guidance. That was far more than George Darcy provided.”
Marshall nodded absently. “I did not do anything significant. I only meant to be available to him if he needed a friend, a mentor. But I have learned that things done with the right attitude do not go unrewarded.”
“I have learned that as well.”
“When that little boy peers at me with that solemn expression—you know the one.”
“The one where he looks just like his father?”
“Yes, that is it, he looks like Fitzwilliam. When he looks at me with that expression, I find myself willing to go to the ends of the earth to protect him. I did not expect to feel so close to a child again—at least not after Georgiana was taken from me.”
“If one’s heart is open, there is no end to the number of people who will fit inside.”
Marshall pulled Audrey tighter in his embrace, kissing the top of her head. “You are a very wise woman, Audrey Landingham, and I love you dearly. If not for you, I would still be lost.”
“And I would not be fully alive again after all these years. In your arms, I find the will to love and be loved.”
“Then suppose we take advantage of that feeling, darling, for I wish to love you again.”
Instantly she was in his arms and he was carrying her back into the bedroom. Without bothering to stop, he kicked the door shut as he went through the door from the balcony. It made sufficient noise to awaken Richard and Colleen in the next bedroom, and would have, had they not been engaged in amorous activities of their own.
~~~*~~~
The Darcy’s Bedroom
All of the guests retired early since they had travelled for some part of the day—with the exception of Mr. Bennet. William and Elizabeth’s father talked for a short while after everyone else had excused themselves, and though he did not believe he would ever be Mr. Bennet’s favourite son, William was content that they now respected one another. Alexander’s birth had broken down the last barrier between them, it seemed. Thus, as he wearily ascended the grand staircase, William relived their conversation.
“I must admit that I was concerned for Lizzy when she married you. I feared most that I might have erred in raising her to be inquisitive and to speak her mind. The thought constantly plagued me that no man would want her without wanting to change her personality. But I have seen firsthand that you have let her flourish, Son. She can be who she is—no matter how outspoken and opinionated.”
Mr. Bennet laughed as William shook his
head in amusement.
Then Thomas Bennet sobered, his gaze falling to his shoes. “It is important to know beforehand that you can live in harmony with the one you marry. I have learned this lesson well.” His smile returned as he looked back to William. “It gladdens my heart to see my Lizzy in a marriage where she is cherished. I owe you a heartfelt apology for anything derogatory I might have said about you.”
As he held out his hand, William reached to shake it. “No apology is necessary. It is good to know that we both hold Elizabeth’s happiness sacred.”
Mr. Bennet’s eyes became shiny and he tried to recover his composure. “Yes, well it seems my grandson has greatly added to her joy.”
They talked of Alexander until the elderly man allowed that he was tired and followed the others example by retiring to his room, thus by the time William reached the bedroom he shared with Elizabeth, he was fatigued. Fully expecting to find her already sleeping, since she had come upstairs over an hour before to feed Alexander, he was surprised to find her awake. She was lying in their bed on her side, propped up on one elbow. The baby lay beside her almost asleep.
William entered quietly, and so concentrated on their son was Elizabeth that she did not notice his entrance. For a while, he stood in the darkness drinking in the sight of the two people he loved most in the world, reminiscing of the nights he had longed for Elizabeth to be his wife. The realisation that all his dreams had come true was almost overwhelming.
Elizabeth quietly cooed words of love to her son while gently rearranging the dark tendrils on his forehead. “He is Mama’s boy. Yes, he is… and such a good boy… he lets Mama sleep longer each night… yes, he does.”
In between her murmurings, she kissed his cherubic face. Finally, she looked up to see William watching her and smiled, motioning him forward.