He did not reply but she felt him kiss her head.
“Bingley wrote to me,” he said after a moment of silence. “He is returning to Netherfield. The lease has been renewed for another year.”
“I believe I mentioned that Jane told me that he spoke with her before they departed.”
“Yes, he mentioned that.” Darcy’s lips pressed against her hair again. “He tells me that he has released Miss Bingley’s dowry and that she will reside permanently with Mrs. Hurst.”
Elizabeth shook her head in amazement. He was not wasting time showing Jane he could improve. “Did he say anything else?”
“Yes. He has invited his aunt, Mrs. Mildred Bingley, to manage his household. I have never met the lady, but Bingley speaks fondly of her in his letter.” He cleared his throat. “He abused me quite thoroughly as well. I know I deserved it and ought to be grateful he deigns to speak to me.”
“Did he not say goodbye before he departed?”
Her husband replied in the negative. “He wrote a note. And since I departed before they left, I, too, wrote a note…”
“What a mess.” She turned to face him. “You will not interfere again?”
“No. Bingley can be his own man. I shall focus on winning my wife’s heart and taking the role of favorite uncle to our coming niece or nephew.”
Elizabeth grinned and settled back into his arms. “I think it is a boy,” she said. “Though I confess, I also wish for a girl. That way, Jane will stay. Mr. Bingley takes great initiative renewing the lease for another year. My sister will not return unless she has a boy.”
“You did not tell me that.” Darcy did not sound disapproving, but neither did he sound happy.
“Will you turn her away?” She did not think he would, but she still feared the answer.
“It is not that. I feel… a little irritated that you did not include me in these discussions. Residual hurt, I suppose, from learning that you invited your sister and then chose not to tell me. It will be good to have Mrs. Collins here, though, so that I might know her better.”
“Call her Jane, my dear.” Elizabeth tapped his hand. “She does not like her surname.”
“I cannot imagine why,” he said wryly, reminding her of her father. She laughed.
They did not leave their chambers until dinner, washing away any remaining hurt through discussion and other activities. Elizabeth felt much better when they joined the others in the dining room, only to gag when she smelled fish.
“Pray, excuse me.” She hurried away, breathing deeply outside the room before returning.What is the matter with me? This is the second time the smell of fish has made me so nauseous.
“Are you well?” Her husband came to her side and took her elbow. She glanced around, embarrassed, but also pleased to note that the fish had been removed from the room.
“Yes, I am quite well.” They took their seats, Darcy making conversation with Jane as they tucked into the first course. As the second course came out, Jane cast a knowing look at Elizabeth and very clearly rested her hand atop her now very pregnant stomach.
Elizabeth’s mouth went dry.When was the last time…?Now thoroughly distracted, she searched her memories. Her courses had not come since April, since before she married Darcy.
It cannot be.Yet, Jane had begun increasing after only one month of marriage. Resolved to check her ledger later, Elizabeth turned her focus to her meal.It is not as if anything is certain until I feel the quickening.Nodding mentally, she sipped her soup, grateful to understand why the fish had made her feel unwell.
After dinner, Georgiana occupied her brother’s attention, allowing Elizabeth to speak to Jane.
“Do you think…?” she began, trailing off awkwardly.
“I, too, disliked the smell of fish during the early months. I also felt incredibly nauseous in the morning, but ginger tea took care of that. May I ask how long it has been?”
Jane’s question was clear, despite being vague. “Since April. At least, I think it has been that long. I need to check.”
“So, February, possibly. You will be out of mourning.”
Elizabeth frowned. “And you will not.”
“It does not matter. If I bear a son, I shall be back at Longbourn before the winter. I can conclude my mourning there.” Jane’s nonchalance did not fool Elizabeth.
“My husband has had a letter. From Mr. Bingley.” She watched her sister’s face and did not miss the slight flinch.
