Elizabeth,
You will never lose my affection, nor could you possibly cease stirring my blood. The very thought is abominable to me. My desire belongs to you and to you alone. Always.
FD
27 June, 1819
Pemberley, Derbyshire
My Dear Husband,
Come home and meet your daughter. She came sooner than planned, but she could not be stopped. She will be formidable, I can already tell. From beginning to end, it was all completed in less than four hours, and all in time for breakfast. I am well; so well I am sitting at my desk writing you a letter! But I would be even better were you here with me.
Give my love to Georgiana and kiss my new niece or nephew for me. Tell her I will visit her and the babe as soon as my health allows. Hurry home to us, my love.
Elizabeth
27 June, 1819
Glendale, Staffordshire
Elizabeth,
Forgive me! I cannot believe I missed the birth! I thought there were a few weeks yet to go and Marsden was beside himself with worry. Georgie is well—she came through her confinement with her usual grace and strength, and is now the proud mother of a beautiful boy she intends to call Darcy. I must admit I am rather flattered. He has the look of Georgie about him already.
Marsden has asked me to be godfather and I accepted, of course. His brother will also do the job.
Your letter arrived before tea and a storm has just broken out. I will leave for Pemberley at first light. I cannot wait to meet our daughter and to see your sweet face. I am so very proud of you, my wife. You amaze me. Please sleep and allow the nurses to assist you; that is what they are for.
I am sending this letter back with young Timmons; he was fair to bursting with pride to be the one to deliver such an important missive.
I will be with you shortly, my love.
Your Husband
9
A Death in the Family
HeathstoneHall,Norfolk
9 September, 1823
Dear Elizabeth,
It is certain. Hayes is dying. His wound has festered and the doctor has said it will only be a matter of time before his body gives out completely.
My uncle is beside himself, and poor Richard is half mad. He will be the viscount when his brother passes, a role I am certain he never thought would be his. I am sure you remember how lost he was when Timothy died a few years ago. I cannot understand the pain of losing two elder brothers, but were Georgiana to be lost to me, I do not know what I would do with myself.
My aunt only leaves her rooms to sit with her son. She looks like a ghost, pale and thin. She has hardly eaten since the accident.
The girls seem well enough, though they have been asking for their father. Richard was visiting with them in the beginning, playing their usual games, but since Hayes’s turn for the worse, he has avoided everyone. Lady Alice has not left her husband’s side. I have only seen her thrice since I arrived, and I barely recognized her.
Death is lurking at the door.
How fare you and the children? Has Bennet’s cold gone away? Tell Elinor I will read her a story as soon as I return, but it may be some weeks now.
How is the babe? Is he kicking you overmuch? If it does turn out to be a boy as we suspect, I know we had discussed naming him for Richard, but what do you think of calling him Frederick? Freddie never had a son and he would not live to see it, but I like the idea of him being remembered in our family in such a way.
