Once his parents had discussed names, they decided on William Reginald Bennet Fitzwilliam for the young heir to Netherfield Park. An express to Pemberley announced young Master Fitzwilliam’s arrival and asked the Darcys if they would fill the office of godparents for young William Fitzwilliam, who would be called Will.
The Darcys replied immediately with hearty congratulations and acceptance of the office of godparents. Young David Fitzwilliam, now a little more than three, was ecstatic to learn his Unca Rich and Antie Mary had gifted him a boy cousin, which when added to the two Darcy sons, increased the growing number of male babes in the family.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At Rosings Park, Mrs. Anne Ashby was a little despondent at the flurry of birth notices. She did not begrudge anyone their joy. No, her discontent was with herself. It had been above four months since she had married her Ian. The first three months after they married were spent at their estate Sherwood Park in Surrey to give the former Miss de Bourgh time to learn how to be mistress of that estate.
They had returned to Rosings Park a sennight before the day the express announcing the birth of William Reginald Bennet Fitzwilliam arrived. After a fortnight stay, they would initiate their planned rotation of three weeks in Surrey and one in Kent.
Anne was worried the elixir Lady Catherine had given her over the years to try to maintain control of Rosings, if not eventually killing her own daughter to steal her estate, had affected her ability to become with child.
She had travelled to town with her husband to consult with Sir Frederick after he had returned from Pemberley, and he had told them as far as he could tell there was no impediment to Anne Ashby’s ability to bear a child.
As she was worrying about her ability to become with child, she forgot to watch herself for the signs she was in the early stages of pregnancy. She used to love mutton, but in the last number of weeks she could not bear the smell, and her breasts, normally not very large, had started to grow in size and were somewhat tender.
Anne was too preoccupied with worry about not being pregnant, and the fear of never being so, it went unnoticed she had missed her last courses. She did not know it yet, but Anne Ashby was over a month into her first pregnancy.
Mornings that started with her being sick occurred within a sennight, and soon after Anne noticed she had missed her courses. She took care to consider all the weeks that had passed and realised this was the second month that her courses had been missed.
Anne invited their newly established local physician to consult and examine her. She wanted to be sure before she said anything to her beloved husband. The former local physician, after being dismissed, had been arrested by the local magistrate for conspiracy to commit grievous harm to a patient, regardless of who had given the order, and was transported to Van Diemen’s Land, never to be heard of again.
After his examination, Mr. Chadwick confirmed Anne’s suspicions and she was over the moon with joy when she shared the news with her husband, that in about seven to eight months they too would be parents, if all went well.
They decided not to share with anyone on either side of the family except his sister and brother who lived at the Hunsford parsonage since they recently married. Mr. Graham and Lady Sarah Allenton would divine the secret since they ate at Rosings almost every day the Ashbys were in residence. As could be predicted, the Allentons were very happy for the Ashbys and understood the need not to share the news, and promised to keep the secret until Anne felt the quickening.
At the end of the fortnight’s stay at Rosings Park, they were to travel north to Derbyshire. They would first go to Netherfield Park to spend time with Mary and Richard Fitzwilliam so they could meet young Master Will.
After a five-day sojourn in Hertfordshire, they planned to travel north to Pemberley to meet the three Darcy children and stay there for about six weeks, which meant Anne would likely feel the quickening while there.
They would see the Bingleys and meet their daughter Maureen while in the area, and Anne was looking forward to furthering her friendship with the former Charlotte Lucas, now Mrs. Elliot.
Anne especially anticipated meeting Grace, the Elliot’s young daughter whom she had heard so many good reports about.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After a very enjoyable five days at Netherfield Park with Mary, Richard, and baby Will, the Ashbys set out for Pemberley. It would be Ian’s first-time seeing the Darcys’ primary estate. He was in great anticipation of doing so and renewing his acquaintance with the Darcys and the Bingleys, as well as meeting the newest three Darcys.
On the afternoon of the third day after they left the Fitzwilliams, the Ashby conveyance pulled to a stop at the entrance to Pemberley. They were met by Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, and after being shown to their suite where they freshened up from their travels, they entered the nursery to meet their new cousins.
Not yet three months old, the Darcy three were already quite strong, could all lift their heads, and would smile and giggle as the surfeit of adults tickled them and cooed at them. Anne remarked at how identical Ben and George were, and they agreed that little Franny was indeed a miniature Elizabeth Darcy. Her eyes had begun to change recently, and it looked like she would eventually have hazel eyes like her mother.
That evening at dinner they were joined by the Elliots and little Grace who, after polite curtseys, went to the nursery so she couldhelpcare for the babes. Anne Ashby shared with her family that they suspected she was with child. All present wished Anne and Ian Ashby their best wishes and hoped Anne would have an easy confinement.
Charlotte shared the news she had given Elizabeth but two days before, that she had felt the quickening of her first babe. Little Miss Grace Elliot was of course hoping for a sister, but after seeing the Darcys’ sons she shared she would be happy with either a brother or a sister.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The whole family met at Longbourn for Christmastide that year. The Darcys, the Fitzwilliams, and the Bingleys travelled from Derbyshire and were joined by the Hursts and the Elliots. The Gardiners came from London, and Mary and Richard Fitzwilliam also stayed at Longbourn even though Netherfield Park was but three miles away.
The only members of the extended family who were not present were the Ashbys as Anne had been restricted from travel by Sir Fredrick. They were spending the rest of her pregnancy through her confinement at Sherwood Park.
It was a very merry party, and Mr. and Mrs. Bennet lovingly watched their family. Every new glance warmed their hearts even more. Three daughters married, five grandchildren, and a very large extended family. They proudly watched as their sons, very much men now in their own rights, were each holding a Darcy son while Kitty and Georgiana were entertaining Will and Franny.
Little Maureen was being held by her proud Papa and looked as serene and content as her mother. Reggie and Elaine Fitzwilliam were entertaining almost four-year-old David, while his sister Gillian was being entertained by her father and Uncle Richard. Lizzy, Mary, Andrew, and William were sitting and talking to the Hursts while their child slept in the nursery.
As they watched their extended family, Bennet leaned over to his Fanny. “Can you believe how our family has prospered since Tom and James were born Fanny?” He asked quietly.
“It is hard to comprehend how fully our fortunes changed that day, Thomas. We both prayed to God for a son, and we both pledged to change our ways. And most importantly, we have kept those pledges.” Fanny rested her forehead against her beloved husband’s.
