“Mama thinks that I may be having twins. She says she was about the same size as I am now when she was with child carrying Tom and James,” Lizzy volleyed, laughing at the surprise on Jane’s face.
“Before the end of next year, we may be aunts and uncles many times over.” Kitty clapped.
“It does look that way. When does your doctor think your babe will be birthed Jane? I know from what Mrs. Richardson has told Mary after she examined her and confirmed she is with child that Mary should birth her babe in July,” Fanny asked her oldest daughter.
“It seems Mary and I will be in our lying ins around the same time, Mama. It is providence we birth our children about the same time as we did get married together. It will be as if the cousins are as close as brothers and sisters like William and Richard are,” Jane offered sweetly.
“I should like to announce I too am with child. I felt the quickening some four weeks ago. Harold and I are beyond happy that we are to be parents,” Louisa informed the family.
Louisa and Harold Hurst received a hearty round of congratulations from all those assembled. As Kitty exclaimed the pleasure of another niece or nephew on the way. Anne de Bourgh looked at the scene wistfully. She knew she was healthy enough to bear children; all she had to do was find someone she could love the same as she saw reflected in the couples around the room.
Anne would never settle for a marriage of convenience either, she wanted to be loved as if she was the only reason the sun rose and set as William loved his Elizabeth, Bingley loved his Jane, the same as all the other couples in their beloved family. It was time to be open about her plans.
“Georgie and Kitty, I hope you do not mind if I join you for your debut season as I plan to debut as well. Aunt Elaine will sponsor me for my curtsy. Lady Catherine would never hear of my having a season, and although I am already five and twenty, I am determined to make up for lost time. I have no interest in an arranged marriage; I will only marry for the deepest mutual love and respect. I see so much happiness in all of you, and I would like to at least give myself the opportunity to find the same,” Anne blushed after her uncharacteristically long speech.
“Anne I am sure I speak for Kitty as well when I say we are more than happy to have you join us. The more the merrier.” Georgiana smiled happily.
“Oh yes, Anne. I second what Georgie said. We too will only settle for love matches so there is no pressure to accept the first man who shows interest in us this coming season. Not even the fifth. I would rather never marry than marry without love,” Kitty agreed.
“We have taught you very well, Kitty,” Bennet smiled proudly at his youngest daughter. “We are looking forward to you and Georgie joining us at Longbourn until Reggie and Elaine take you to town in February to prepare for your season.”
“If I do not find a love match, I know William and Richard would never force me to marry where I do not have the inclination.” Georgiana looked at her guardians with a sweet smile.
“You are correct, sweetling, neither William nor I would ever force you to accept someone against your inclinations. I pity the dastard that would try to compromise you, Anne, or Kitty with so many male relatives willing to take him to task,” Richard winked at them.
“I am looking forward to seeing the rest of the Fitzwilliams on the morrow, did you and Papa break your trip at Snowhaven, Mama?” Lizzy looked over at her mother.
“We did. We spent the night with Reggie and Elaine, and they wanted us to mention they are waiting for Andrew and Marie to arrive in the morning then they will join us all at Pemberley. Elaine told me it is the last time Marie will travel as she should enter her lying in in late February or early March,” Fanny revealed.
“Mama, what will you do with Jane and Mary entering the final stage of their confinements around the same time?” Lizzy enquired.
“Mama will stay with Mary. By the time I enter my lying in you, Louisa, and Marie would have birthed your children so I will have plenty of support. Aunt Maddie will also come from town to be with Mary, and I am sure Aunt Elaine will want to be at Netherfield Park for Mary’s lying in, so along with Mama, Mary will have good support as well,” Jane stated, having wanted to make sure that no one felt torn.
“I agree with my Jane, Mother Bennet. We have a lot of family close to the Meadows so you can be with Mary without worrying Jane will not have family to assist her.” Bingley held his wife’s hand gently.
“Thank you, Jane, and you Charles, for your thoughtful and unselfish solution to the problem. I believe your suggestion is a good one, and unless there is a significant change; that is what we will do,” Fanny nodded in approval.
“Fanny has the right of it. We will be here for Lizzy’s time, and as long as she is close to the estimated date, we will return to Longbourn well in time for your lying in Mary. Maddie, do you plan to come to Derbyshire for Lizzy’s?” Bennet looked to his sister-in-law.
“As long as there is no emergency with one of the children or Edward’s business then yes, we will join you in returning to Derbyshire to be with Lizzy, Thomas,” Madeline agreed as she glanced at Lizzy and couldn’t help but smile.
“Richard and I thank Jane for her thoughtfulness, and it is a good solution given the distance between our homes,” Mary agreed.
“There is one way we would all be close for both births.” Richard looked at his Mary.
“How is that? What battle plan are you considering?” Mary teased him.
“I am sure we would be welcome at Snowhaven before your lying in and remain there for your recovery. Just think about it, no need to decide now. The grandparents would have all their grandbabies born within a thirty-mile radius. And for your sisters to see ours so soon when months would otherwise be required.” He kissed her hand. “I just want you as close to your sisters as I know you want to be. And my mother would be overjoyed to have her daughter home when she gives birth,” Richard drawled, Fanny’s answering laugh making him grin.
“Louisa, where will you be for your lying in?” Lizzy asked.
“We plan to be at the Hurst estate, Lakeside, in Lincolnshire, Lizzy. After my churching we will return to the Meadows so we can be with Jane and Charles.”
“Your parents must be happy at the prospect of a grandchild and possible heir, Hurst.” Darcy nodded at Hurst.
“They are. We are now very welcome at Lakeside,” Hurst stated, not willing to bring up the persona non grata that had made it difficult for them in the past.
“Well now, there will soon be a plethora of babes in this family,” Bennet grinned as he glanced around the room.
