“Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and may I wish you all of the best while you increase Mrs. Darcy,” Mrs. Reynolds enthused, overjoyed at the proof positive the next generation of Darcys was on the way.
Douglas echoed the housekeeper, and the two senior staff members withdrew to allow the family private time, and to start informing the servants of the impending joy.
“Oh my! William! Lizzy! I am to be an aunt! Congratulations, we suspected something but did not feel it was right to ask you.” Georgiana jumped up from the seat in front of the pianoforte.
“Georgie do not forget you will not receive that distinction alone! We are to be aunts, along with the rest of the sisters, sisters-in-laws like Louisa and Marie, and sisters by heart, like Anne! And James and Tom will be uncles before they turn seventeen, but they too will have to share that privilege. I am so happy for both of you. I noticed you were getting larger Lizzy, and I was sure you were not eating too much, but as Georgie said, we did not say anything.” Kitty blushed.
“I suspected before Mary and Jane’s wedding. It slipped out when we talked the night before, but they were sworn to keep my secret except from their husbands. Mama and Papa do not know yet. When they arrive tomorrow, Mama will know before I say anything.” Lizzy laughed. “The real challenge will be the opportunity to act like aunts with Mama and Papa, and Uncle Reggie and Aunt Elaine close by.” Lizzy giggled at Darcy’s frown. “Perhaps we can set up a schedule.” She winked at him, and he finally smiled.
It was far better to have so many that love you than the loneliness he and Georgiana experienced for so many years. “A schedule is just the thing. I get the first ten years, you the second.” He winked at his wife, making the women surrounding him laugh.
“Actually, Anne wrote and told me she should arrive earlier than planned. She is travelling to Longbourn from Rosings Park. If all went to plan, then she should arrive tomorrow along with the Bennets, Richard and Mary, and the Gardiners. When will the rest of the Fitzwilliams arrive at Pemberley brother?” Georgiana remembered the letter she was meaning to share over tea.
“The Bingleys and the Hursts will get here the day after tomorrow, and the rest of the Fitzwilliams from Snowhaven and Hilldale the following day,” Darcy related.
“Lizzy,” Georgiana feigned minimal interest her blush belied, “when did your father collect the twins from Cambridge?”
“In her last letter, Mama wrote she was very happy to have her boys home. She says they are so grown up now. She mentioned Papa arrived home with them on the tenth of December. They asked her to let William know they are looking forward to riding with him once they are here,” Elizabeth reported, worried about her husband’s reaction to his sister growing up.
“If there is more snow then our brothers, like anyone who wants to, will be able to ride in one of the sleighs we own,” Darcy stated, either not having noticed his sister’s reaction, or pretending well that he had not.
“If Mama does not notice right away, we promise we will say nothing until you tell them, Lizzy,” Kitty vowed.
“Thank you, Kitty, I too believe both Mama and Aunt Maddie will know as soon as they see me, but they may not say anything until I tell them. I am sure Mama and Papa will be ecstatic at the prospect of their first grandchild,” Elizabeth agreed.
“William, will Georgie still travel to Longbourn with me when Mama and Papa return?” Kitty asked, understanding this may change certain plans.
“I can see no reason why not, Kitty. You two will start preparing for your coming out when Aunt Elaine and Uncle Reggie come and collect both of you from Longbourn in February to stay with them at Matlock house. Mary and Richard’s plans may change, and they may not join you.
“The only difference I can foresee is Lizzy and I will not be joining you now and will come back to London for next season, so long as our little one will be healthy, and Mr. Bartholomew has no objection to our son or daughter taking a long carriage trip,” Darcy explained.
“Why would Mary and Richard maybe not join us, brother?” Just then Georgiana realised the probable reason and her lips formed a silent “O”, her eyes wide with the additional surprise.
“Well, now that you have realised what William means, yes, Georgiana, and Kitty? Mary thinks she too is with child, as does Jane. They have not felt the quickening, but both have suffered from sickness in the mornings, so there is no way to hide their condition for long.” Lizzy nodded as Kitty’s eyes widened in excitement.
“There will be three nieces or nephews, or some combination thereof, next year. How wonderful!” Kitty exclaimed.
“Yes, Kitty, we will be able to spoil them all. How I look forward to it.” Georgiana hugged herself and was almost bouncing on her toes.
“Remember Georgie and Kitty, we will have to rely on the Good Lord above to see all of us have successful births and everyone is healthy. I myself feel I and all of my sisters will follow my Mama, who birthed six children with nary a problem, so I am not worried.” Looking at her husband, Lizzy smiled gently. “Your brother will do all the worrying for the both of us.”
The ladies giggled and Darcy looked chagrined. He remembered the trouble his dearly departed mother had suffered aside from the births of himself and his sister. His father had once shared with him that each one of her disappointments had taken a toll on Lady Anne, both emotionally and physically.
He did know he could not smother Lizzy with his worry, and what she said about her mother was the truth. With lack of reason to worry, he decided although he would be vigilant, he would attempt to temper his need to control everything concerning her health.
His Lizzy had not reacted well the one time he had attempted officious control. And honestly, he loved her the more for it. He had tried to force her to stay abed so she told him everything he told her to do; he had to do with her.
He had thought it would be simple to remain in bed all day, but she was reading and pretending to be fine, and he was only thinking about all he should be doing. When he reminded her that he had responsibilities, she had correctly asked him if she did not? But if hers obviously did not count, so also did his not. They had gotten up directly once his apology had been rendered.
As soon as Mr. Bartholomew had confirmed her state, his Lizzy had given up one of her favourite things for the duration of her pregnancy, riding her beloved stallion Mercury. That was enough of a sacrifice.
“Now I understand why you stopped riding Mercury, Lizzy,” Kitty smiled sadly for her sister. I knew you would have to have a good reason not to be galloping across hill and dale on your beast of a stallion with William. If he will let me take him out for a ride, I will exercise him for you. You know I have as good a seat as you,” Kitty offered.
“You have a better seat than me.” Elizabeth laughed when Darcy looked at them in surprise. “Just because she does not steal my thunder when I am on him, does not mean she could not. She is a truly beloved sister.” She winked at Kitty. “He is no beast, Kitty. Now you are fully grown, I fear you would love riding him as much as I do. But I agree he is as sad as I am that I am not able to ride. In the morning, I shall take him some treats, and each day he is given exercise by one of the grooms, and on occasion William rides him and gives him his head.”
“I was referring to his size, not his nature, Lizzy. He has a very good nature and has had since he was a foal, especially with you. After all, you were the one who nursed him when his mother rejected him as a foal. William is the only one other than you it seems, he will allow to ride him; he must approve of the way William loves you,” Kitty surmised.
“You have the right of it, Kitty. When Lizzy and I first started to know each other, he would not even allow me to approach him, then as we fell more in love, he seemed to sense his mistress approved of me, so he allowed me to join the circle of humans he trusted. The first time I rode him he was a little tentative, but now he welcomes me almost as readily as he does Lizzy,” Darcy related.
