Elizabeth stood with Darcy’s help, and Mrs Hobbs walked her to the door. As they left the room, Darcy heard Mrs Hobbs inquire, “This be your first?”
At Elizabeth’s nod, she huffed a laugh, “First babes especially tend to come on their own schedule. I imagine your shock an’ worry has’n been much help to ye,” she commented, taking in her black gown.
Elizabeth climbed the stairs with Mrs Hobbs chattering beside her the whole way. “Tell me, dearie, how do ye be on the road so close to your time? ’Twas not the best choice ye made.”
“My aunt was to be with me, but after my husband’s death at sea, there were unforeseen difficulties. I found I was no longer welcome to stay on in our dwellings. In the end, I sold what I could and now travel to return to my family.”
This speech was truncated by short breaths as pressure gripped her middle. As they reached the top landing another sharp pain nearly bent her over.
“Breathe through it, dearie. Not much further now.” When Elizabeth could straighten up again, they took the last steps to enter a small room. It contained a bed and dresser, with a screened off area for a necessary. A small table in the corner with a chair completed the furniture. The room appeared clean and dust free. No fire was lit, but for all that the space was warm.
“Now, if you dunna mind, dearie. Let’s get this dress off ye. You can then lay down on the bed so I can get a feel of the babe.”
With Mrs Hobbs’s help Elizabeth removed her clothing till she remained only in her shift. She then tried to sit on the bed, but instinctively she felt more comfortable climbing onto it on her hands and knees.
“Tha’ be fine. If tha’ feels right, ye just stay like so, I can still feel fer the babe’s movements.
Minutes passed with the only sounds being Elizabeth’s harsher breathing as another pain ripped through her abdomen.
Finally, she lowered herself to the bed to lay on her side.
Mrs Hobbs pulled the chair over to sit right by the bed and placed her hands back on Elizabeth’s bulging middle.
Not a minute later another fierce pain shot through her and Elizabeth moaned. When this one also finished the older woman took Elizabeth’s hand, “The pains are comin’ close together, which can mean your time’s come. These pains do sometimes stop. Have ye had any before today?”
“Yes. Though the midwife did say it was normal,” Elizabeth breathed out.
“Oh, aye, it is. ’Tis the body’s way of preparin’ for the birth.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hands gently, “Tell me dearie, how long have ye been gettin’ these pains?”
Tears filled Elizabeth’s eyes. “I have had them on and off for the past couple of weeks, but the ones I have been experiencing today arestronger. They began early this morning,” she admitted quietly. “At first, they were not so painful, or so close together.”
Mrs Hobbs smiled warmly at her, “Well, dearie, I do believe yer babe be wantin’ to be born soon.”
Elizabeth began to cry in earnest as another pain seized her. “Will my baby be well? It is earlier than I was led to believe…”
Mrs Hobbs placed her hands on Elizabeth’s abdomen again, “Hush now. The babe may be a bit small, but with proper feeding, it should plump up nicely. There’s always the chance the timin’ was off on the date yer midwife gave ye. It ’appens. Nothin’ to worry ’bout now, dearie.”
When Elizabeth could speak again, she apologised for taking up so much of her time. “It is unforgivable to put you to so much trouble. How am I to pay for everything?”
“Those be worries for another day. Right now, you just concentrate on the pains. An’ you cry out loud’s you please. No one’ll be hearing you up ’ere. I must go down and inform my husband and that nice Mister Darcy you ain’t goin’ nowhere today.”
“I-I feel… I need to walk.”
“Aye, that be good for the birthin’. ’Tis good your body telling you what it needs. Tha’s a good sign, dearie.
She helped Elizabeth stand and then moved quickly to the door. Before Mrs Hobbs exited, she assured the labouring woman, “No one else be up here. I’ll be back soon and with another set of helpin’ hands.”
Chapter 2
Darcy was pacing the private room, whilst Georgiana looked on. Both were anxious for the young lady they had only just met. Her plight and solitary status had pulled on their heartstrings.
“Brother, she is all alone. What if…?”
“Let us wait and see, Georgie. Many women travail and give birth every day. Not all end as our mother did.”
A knock startled them, and at Darcy’s “Enter” the same cheerful face peeked in again, “I think the young missus will no’ be leavin’ ’til the babe is born. Poor thing.”
“Do whatever is needful, Mrs Hobbs. I will pay for any service or assistance that is required. Whatever is needful,” he repeated.
