“As you can see, many significant dates including my parents’ marriage and my and Georgiana’s births were entered here in the front of the book along with so many who came before us. On the blank pages in the back, a more elaborate family history was at one time started by my mother. Following my mother’s death, this Bible sat unopened for many years in our library.”
Elizabeth respectfully ran her fingers over the entries, saying, “William, this book is a treasure.”
“Sadly, it has not been updated since her death, not with my father’s death, my marriage to Anne nor with Anna’s birth. Now that we are married, I thought it would be a good time to update the entries, and should we have more children….”
“Dear William.” She put the book aside, turning in his arms and ardently kissing her husband with all the love she possessed.
“Elizabeth, what is it, my love?” he worriedly asked, seeing the tears spilling from her eyes.
“Forgive me, I did not mean to alarm you. These are tears of joy,” she said, allowing him to wipe her cheeks dry with his thumbs. “With today being your birthday, I want to give you one more gift.”
“You do?”
Then releasing the ties on her robe, she took his large hand and placed it on the slight swell of her bare flesh. “William, here rests our child.”
William was so moved that he could not prevent the tears from leaving his own eyes. “Our child? Oh, my darling,” he murmured, before kissing her tenderly and gently rubbing the swell with his fingers. “But, Elizabeth, could it be? We have only been married a short time.”
“Yes, our time together has been short, but long enough for me to conceive. William, you are a perceptive man. Surely you must have noticed that I have never had my courses since our first night together.”
“I did, but I, I did not think…. Sweetheart,” he said, pulling her onto his lap, kissing her and caressing the place where his hand rested, “could this be true?”
“Yes, I believe it is. Although I am not far enough along to feel the quickening, I have been experiencing all of the signs. And the day before the Gardiners left, my aunt and I visited the midwife in Lambton, who confirmed my suspicions. William, the midwife said it is possible I may be carrying twins since I have begun to increase so soon.”
“Twins!” he said in astonishment. “Not one, but possibly two children.” Again he kissed her. “But is it safe for you, Elizabeth.”He could not help showing a look of concern. “You are not a large woman and to be carrying two babes….”
Placing her fingers on his lips, she soothed, “William, you are not to worry. Although you never met her, my Grandmamma Elizabeth was much like me in stature. She successfully gave birth to my father and Lady Deming, whom you know are twins.”
“Twins,” he said again in wonder, as she placed her hand on top of his. “Oh, my dearest love, whether it is one or two babes, I could not be happier.” Pulling her close and down with him onto the bed, he tenderly kissed his wife again and murmured, “Elizabeth Darcy, have I told you yet today how very much I love you? That you are my life, the very air I breathe?”
“William, it matters not if you say the words, for with everything that passes between us, every look, every touch, I know in my heart what you say is true. You, too, are my life, and our child will be a testament of our love.”
“My darling,” he murmured as he tenderly caressed her, “my love for you is endless, and I would have it no other way.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
A HAPPY REUNION
Longbourn
Autumn
Near the end of September, the Darcy family travelled back to Longbourn as was planned. Because of Mr. Bennet’s precarious health, the joyous event of Mary and Edmond Barton’s wedding was shared with Jane and Charles Bingley, who had recently become engaged. Like before, William had petitioned for special licences from his uncle, the archbishop, so that the weddings could be held at the manor house instead of the local church. The weddings were followed by a splendid wedding breakfast attended by many in the neighbourhood.
The Hursts and Miss Bingley made the trip from London to support their brother, but only stayed at Netherfield for two days prior to the wedding. While Caroline claimed to be over her disappointment, she had no desire to remain any longer than was necessary, and she and the Hursts returned to London following the wedding breakfast. Mr. Collins, who had been present for the Darcys’ wedding, was not able to attend. Twoweeks prior he and Charlotte Lucas had married and settled in a neighbouring county where Mr. Collins had recently accepted a position as rector. Having just begun his post, he was not comfortable leaving his new parishioners and returning to Longbourn at that time.
Mr. Bingley had invited the Darcys to stay at Netherfield while he took Jane on an extended honeymoon to visit his relations in the north. William, however, declined so that Elizabeth could easily spend more time with her father. With the Bartons honeymooning in Bath, Elizabeth was grateful she had the opportunity to stay at Longbourn and look after her father in Mary’s stead.
After the Bartons returned, the Darcys planned to continue on in residence with the family allowing Elizabeth to share in the care for Mr. Bennet. Following the weddings, Kitty and Lydia would travel to Town with the Gardiners, where they would begin their studies at the women’s seminary William had chosen. Despite the girls’ previous behaviour, Lady Deming and Lady Eleanor had graciously offered to monitor their progress, sending regular reports to the Darcys. Assuming they did well and behaved appropriately, they would be provided with new clothes and accessories befitting young ladies who were preparing to undertake the spring season.
While Georgiana enjoyed interacting with Elizabeth’s younger sisters, she had no desire to attend school again and be away from her immediate family and her new sister. Until her coming out, her studies would be monitored by Mrs. Annesley, and William would hire an occasional music master who could make the journey to Pemberley or take up her instruction when the family was at Longbourn or in Town.
Now that Elizabeth was carrying their child, William took every precaution with his precious wife, making sure she was looked after and did not tax herself unduly over the weeks thatfollowed. And while Elizabeth was a strong and healthy woman, knowing what William had suffered with his first wife and the loss of his son, she graciously allowed him to care for her in this way.
Until Elizabeth felt the quickening, the Darcys had agreed they would not formally make an announcement to the family. It was towards the end of October when she first felt the babe move within her womb.
Placing his hand on the swell of her stomach, he curiously asked, “Tell me, what does it feel like?”
Guiding his fingers Elizabeth said, “This is where I first felt our child move. A bit of fluttering would be the best way to describe the sensation.” Touching his face she lovingly said, “I am sorry you cannot feel the movement yet, for it is truly wondrous.”
