By mid-September, Fanny Bennet reported that her courses, which had been as regular as could be since she first had them, had been missed. That news allowed Bennet to stop the distasteful duty he performed a few times each week from his wedding onwards.
Fanny felt the quickening two and one-half months later. On his mother’s recommendation to reduce stress while she was with child, Fanny was permitted to move around the house, and as long as she was escorted, she could walk in the park.
Chapter 2
Lady Rebecca was not pleased that her family had not retired to Netherfield Park during the season. She envied Connie, who was not out yet, for not having to brave the shark-infested waters of theTonwhere she was sought for her dowry of sixty thousand pounds and a connection to one of the most powerful dukes in the realm. Her sister spent most of her time with their aunt or with some of her friends who were in London.
It was already past the middle of May 1789, and they were still at Devonshire House on Piccadilly Square. Unfortunately, there was a contentious session of the Lords in progress, and Papa could not in good conscience leave yet.
The only positive was that Uncle Reggie was also required to be present so Aunt Elaine and the young cousins were available to visit, which Becca preferred to being seen out and about where she would be importuned by some young buck, or in some cases, an older one, who fancied himself her future husband. Was it too much to ask that someone could like her for herself and not for her dowry and connections?
Mama and Connie were visiting Aunt Elaine at Matlock House on Grosvenor Square. Becca was not feeling sociable when they had departed thanks to the way she was accosted by both males and females at the theatre the previous evening, all of whom were seeking her favour and an invitation to theDevonshire and Burlington boxes. The latter was an earldom Papa held along with his dukedom.
Becca was seated in a drawing room with a view of the square when she noted a conveyance pulled to a halt in the circular, stone-paved drive in front of the house. She was happy to see it was her father’s town coach. She watched as he stepped out and made for the front doors. As soon as he disappeared from her field of vision, she headed to the grand staircase, where she stood and waited while Papa was relieved of his gloves, hat, and cane by the butler.
The Duke looked up the stairs and saw his eldest daughter waiting for him. “Becca dear, I have the best news,” Devonshire related as he reached his waiting daughter. “The session which delayed our departure to Hertfordshire has concluded.”
“That is the most welcome news, Papa. When may we depart? How I look forward to being plain Rebecca Devon when we are there,” Rebecca insisted.
“Your mother and I know how trying this time in Town has been for you, so we will remain incognito in Hertfordshire for as long as you need to recover your equanimity. I too will admit that I relish being among those who know not who we are and will not want to ingratiate themselves with us,” Devonshire revealed. “As to when we will depart, it will be about a sennight. The Fitzwilliams will depart for Snowhaven then, and you know your mother will not want to leave before your Aunt Elaine does, especially as they will not accompany us into Hertfordshire.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As the middle of May approached, Fanny desired nothing more than the babe in her belly to be expelled. It kicked her at the most inopportune times; she had to relieve herself almost hourly, and in the building heat of the coming summer, carryingthe bulk was becoming more and more uncomfortable. She hoped she carried a son, not only because it would guarantee the end of the entail Fanny had heard about. More importantly, it meant that her husband would never lie with her again. Or so he had promised.
Coupling was something she had learnt to endure, a duty she had been relieved of since she had reported missing her first month’s courses; hence she was not keen to repeat the actions. That is why the babe she was carrying just had to be a boy.
On the fifteenth day of May, when Fanny went to bed to try to sleep between kicks and needing to use the chamber pot, she had a dull ache in her back. Sometime after midnight, Fanny realised she was labouring.
Her screaming brought the footman on duty to her door. Hearing what the younger Mrs Bennet screeched at him, the man woke the butler and housekeeper. Soon Mrs Beth Bennet was awake as well. She went to be with her daughter-in-law while a groom was sent to summon the midwife.
As soon as Mrs Hill and one of the maids were dressed, they assisted the master’s wife into the birthing chamber.
All Fanny could think of between pains was how much larger this room was than the meagre chamber to which she had been relegated. She was certain that once she delivered the heir, she would be treated much better.
It was past three that morning before Mrs Brown arrived. She examined the young Mrs Bennet without washing her hands, or any of her implements, which had obviously not been cleaned for a very long time. “The pains be close together, but it being ‘er first one, it could take many hours yet,” the midwife announced.
Beth instructed the butler to wake her son. A half hour later she met him in the hallway outside the birthing chamber. “Mrs Brown thinks it will still be a long time. I thought you should be aware you are about to become a father,” Beth told her son.
“You did the right thing in having me roused. I will be in the study when there is news.” Bennet squeezed his mother’s hand and made his way downstairs.
The caterwauling emanating from Fanny was no less than what Beth had expected. The woman kept demanding laudanum only to be rebuffed by Mrs Brown, who told her it would complicate the birthing process.
The sun was already up when Fanny’s screams were replaced by the mewling of a newborn babe. While Mrs Brown did what she needed to, Beth and Mrs Hill cleaned the new Bennet. They looked at one another when they noted the sex. Beth knew that neither member of the couple would be pleased that the babe was a daughter. At some point, once Fanny was fully recovered, they would have to begin again to attempt to have a son.
“Let me see my son,” Fanny crowed once she had been cleaned and changed.
“It is not a son, Mrs Bennet; you have a daughter,” Beth revealed.
“No! That cannot be! I wanted a son so I would never have to suffer through relations with my cruel husband again,” Fanny screeched. When she calmed down some, she was given her daughter. The girl had tufts of golden blonde hair like Fanny’s and the bluest of eyes. “She looks just like me,” Fanny cooed, quickly forgetting her former pique.
Beth held her tongue, not wanting to upset the woman again. She did not tell her that the eyes could change colour within six months or so, and there was a chance the mite may have emerald-green eyes like Beth’s or any number of other colours. “She is a very pretty babe,” was all Beth said.
“She will be named Jane Esmeralda just like my late mother,” Fanny insisted.
Leaning down, Beth retrieved the girl from Fanny’s arms. For now her name was Jane—unless Thomas objected to the name. “I will take Jane to meet her father,” she stated. She left the birthing chamber before Fanny could object.
“Thomas, meet your daughter,” Beth announced as she entered her son’s study with the sleeping babe in her arms. She did not miss the moue of distaste on her son’s mien. “I know the thought of having to lie with your wife again is anathema to you, but do not take your disappointment out on Jane.”
