“I eagerly wait to see how you fare. Our dear mother will not know what to make of her eldest child, this tower of strength and resolve!” Elizabeth smiled broadly, taking Jane’s hand.
“You are quite the tease,” Jane said, standing slowly. “Help me to my room, Lizzy. I am tired.” Jane moved slowly, and Elizabeth assisted her. Though her elder sister exuded calm, Elizabeth had the impression that Jane was not entirely happy.
Two weeks later on the first of September, Jane’s waters broke and labor began.
Chapter Forty-One
September 1812
Pemberley, Derbyshire
Jane
Jane cradled her son tenderly in her arms, his almost white-blond hair peeking out from his blanket. Her labor had been quick, and he had arrived after only a few hours.He is so small,she thought.
“Have you decided on a name?”
Jane looked up to see Elizabeth in the doorway. Her sister smiled gently, her hand resting on her own stomach. Jane wondered briefly when Elizabeth would announce her happy event. She could only hope her sister’s marriage would turn out better than her own brief one had been.
She was not blind to the tension that had previously existed between her sister and Mr. Darcy. Now, there were signs of new,happier emotions. The former always seemed to blush when her husband was near, and the latter seemed to be eagerly trying to court his wife. There were many little signs of affection. A touch at the small of Elizabeth’s back, or a tender kiss upon the back of her hand. Whatever the previous nature of their agreement, Elizabeth now naturally gravitated toward her husband and he to her whenever they were in company.
Mr. Collins had never exhibited those sentiments to Jane. Yes, he had kissed her, held her hand, and taken her arm, but never with the reverence-like tenderness Darcy showed Elizabeth. Jane often felt like an intruder when she witnessed these little signs of love and affection. Elizabeth may not yet realize that she loved her husband, but there were many small signs that she did.
In truth, Jane knew jealousy when comparing her dismal existence with Elizabeth’s more promising one. Before her son had been born, Jane had resigned herself to living off her sister’s generosity forever. But now, she had a clear path set before her. The babe, by rights, should be raised at Longbourn, and it fell to Jane to take control of the estate in trust for her infant son.
“His name is Henry,” she whispered, finally answering her sister. “It is a good, strong name.” It was also Mr. Bingley’s middle name, but she did not plan to tell Elizabeth that.
“I love it. May I hold him?” Elizabeth crossed the room, arms extending hopefully as she came close to where Jane sat.
Ever obliging, she handed her son to her younger sister. Henry fit so perfectly in Elizabeth’s arms, and Jane noted the hope in her sister’s eyes as she gazed at her nephew.
“I do hope you will agree to be his godmother,” she said tentatively. “Do you think Darcy would agree to be his godfather?”
“I am sure he would be delighted.” Elizabeth rocked the baby, cooing at him. “Will he have another godfather?”
“I thought to ask Uncle Gardiner.” Jane leaned back against the pillows on her bed and closed her eyes. She really was very tired. “Can you send him with the wet nurse?” she asked. “I believe I ought to close my eyes for a while.”
“I shall hold him until he hungers.”
Jane nodded, drifting off to sleep.
Henry grew rapidly, and after a month, he was awake more often and had even smiled once. Jane had not yet written to her mother to inform her of her grandson’s birth. She did not feel equal to bearing Mrs. Bennet’s effusions, and so, when she was finally strong enough, she wrote instead to her uncle Mr. Phillips.
Dear Uncle,
I write to inform you that the next heir of Longbourn made his appearance on September first and is happy and healthy. I have named him Henry.
I have not made plans to travel as of yet, however I wish to be apprised of Longbourn’s situation as soon as possible. Since it falls to me to protect my son’s interests, I formally request that all expenses outside of what is typical to maintain the house be approved by me before being dispensed. My mother and sisters may receive their pin money from the interest from Mrs. Bennet’s dowry. If they overspend, they are not to draw from Longbourn’s coffers.
I understand my father employed a steward before he passed on to his reward. Please forward me his direction so I can correspond with him directly about any of Longbourn’s business matters.
Though there has not yet been a plan formed for my return to Hertfordshire, I shall write to you immediately upon its conception.
All my love,
Jane Collins
She sent the letter before speaking to her sister. Though it was her duty to take control of Longbourn and her son’s inheritance, she felt great reluctance to return.What if Mr. Bingley is there?she wondered. It was silly to worry, for she would be in mourning for many months. She could not entertain suitors until a full year had passed.
