Mrs. Sanford elbowed her way to the front. “Tell me what has been happening. How often are your pains? Has your water broken? Any blood? Did anything happen to bring this on?”
Had anything happened? It almost made her laugh. Elizabeth answered her questions as best she could.
“Open your mouth,” the midwife said.
When Elizabeth obeyed, Mrs. Sanford pressed down her lower lip. “As I suspected. You are parched. Mrs. Reynolds, some broth with plenty of salt, watered wine, sweetened tea. Chamomile, if you have it. Right away. If she drinks enough, we may be able to stop this, or at least delay it. No lemon; that might agitate the womb.”
The housekeeper gave a sharp nod. She was no sooner out of the room than Chandrika was at Elizabeth’s side, holding a cup of tea. Of course Chandrika would have prepared everything as soon as she heard the news. She always did.
Elizabeth gulped it down and held out the cup for more. Why had she not realized how thirsty she was?
Mrs. Sanford said briskly, “Good. Now, tell me each time you have a pain.”
“I will. Whatever you say.” Had it only been that morning that she had awakened in Darcy’s arms, thinking all would finally be well? “I am so very tired.”
“I am hardly surprised. Climbing mountains and riding dragonback during your labors? That is a new one for me.” But she said it with a smile.
“That was the easiest part of it.” Her eyelids drifted closed. It was such a relief to have someone else handling the decisions.
“Stay awake, Mrs. Darcy. Resting is very important, but you must drink a great deal more before you sleep.”
Chandrika began to wipe Elizabeth’s face with a damp washcloth. The coolness felt good. She winced as a pain began. “It is happening.”
The midwife laid her hands on Elizabeth’s bulge, her mouth moving as she counted silently until it faded. “It is still weak and short. That is a good sign.”
Weak? Elizabeth did not want to think of what a strong pain would feel like, but she would take it as good news.
Two days later, the midwife grudgingly announced that Elizabeth seemed to be out of imminent danger. “For now, at least. There is a good chance your labors will start again if you resume your normal activities. I strongly urge you to stay in bed for the next month.”
“For a month!” Lying in bed with nothing to do was already driving her mad, when the only thing she could think of was Darcy. “What if I promise to be careful and to avoid exerting myself?”
“Do you wish to carry this baby to term or not?” Mrs. Sanford retorted.
Elizabeth sank back against the pillows. “Of course I do.”
“Then you will rest. You are fortunate, compared to most women with early labor who have no choice. You have servants to do all the work and friends to bear you company.” Mrs. Sanford’s voice was sharp.
Frederica said in a low voice, “I beg you, Elizabeth, take no risks.” There were lines of fatigue on her face.
“And this coming from someone who has never seen a risk she would not take!” Elizabeth teased in a vain effort to rally her own low spirits. “Very well, I shall obey, but I do not promise to be cheerful about it.”
Not when Darcy was most likely in a French prison, suffering God knows what ill treatment..
“Good,” the midwife said briskly.
“There is one thing,” Elizabeth said slowly. “If I must remain abed, I want to do it in the cottage at the oak grove. I am too far from the land here. Should my husband need to draw on Pemberley’s power through me, I have to be able to access it.” It was the only thing she could do for him.
Mrs. Sanford rubbed her knuckles over her lips. “I do not know that it is a good idea for you to act as a conduit—”
“His life may depend on it!” Elizabeth snapped.
The midwife sighed. “I suppose moving you would do no harm, if you are willing to be carried there in a litter, and if Mrs. Reynolds can supply you with everything you need.”
The housekeeper said instantly, “There will be no difficulty about that.”
“It may even be beneficial to you to have more access to the land. It gives you strength. Mrs. Reynolds, may I speak to you outside about the arrangements?”
The housekeeper nodded, and the two women left the room.
