The Ashes of Longbourn (37 page)

             
“Mrs Lane, is there a problem?” Darcy asked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.  The housekeeper stepped aside, allowing Darcy view of his wife seated, looking very ill.

             
“Lizzy, what is wrong?  I knew it was more than you said last night.  Dearest, let us help you back to bed and have the physician attend you.”

             
Nodding her head, Elizabeth avoided looking at her husband’s face.  She did not wish to see disappointment in his eyes, as she had proven his worst fears that she not only had not recovered, but probably never would.  Feeling fragile was not something that Elizabeth liked; she thought she was on the road to becoming more like her old self.  She knew that Darcy would treat her as if she were a porcelain doll now. 

             
Darcy remained at his wife’s side, holding her hand in his own, until the physician arrived.  Mr Wilson was an elderly man, and he had spent many years tending to not only the Darcy family, but the Fitzwilliam family as well.  Upon his arrival, he scooted Darcy from the room, stating emphatically that it would not do Mrs Darcy any good to have her husband nervously pacing the room.  Reluctantly, Darcy stepped into the hallway to pace.

             
“Mrs Darcy, I would like to ask you some questions first.  When did you begin to feel ill?”

             
“Last night, we were at a ball.  I felt a headache beginning and, when I stood up, I became dizzy and needed to sit again.  This morning, I lost all that was on my stomach when I became extremely nauseated.  Now I feel very fatigued.”

             
“Have you been experiencing bouts of fatigue in the afternoons lately?”

             
Elizabeth thought about it for a moment and realized that his question held merit.  “Now that I think about it, yes, I have been resting more and more in the afternoons.”

             
“Forgive me for not remembering, but how long have you and your husband been married?” Mr Wilson asked.

             
“Over four months now.” Elizabeth replied, curious as to why that would be important.

             
“And when were your last courses?”

             
Realizing what the physician was suggesting, Elizabeth’s eyes grew large.  “I cannot remember, though I must tell you that after my accident last year, my courses were very sporadic.”

             
“That is not uncommon; the body was attempting to heal and would use all resources in the body to do so.  But you have mostly recovered, from what has been said.  What of your bosom?  Are you sore or tender in this area?  Have you noticed any increase in their size?”

             
This brought another round of nodding from the wide eyed young lady.  “You believe I am with child?”

             
Mr Wilson examined his patient, noting other changes in Elizabeth’s body since the previous time he had examined her.  “I note a slight swell to your belly. One can never be certain until the quickening, but from all of your symptoms and what I can see, I would place my bets on you carrying the next generation of Darcys.  Let me see, I would place the confinement to be around the end of July.  If I am correct, you should experience the quickening in the next few weeks.”

             
“After the accident, I did not believe I would ever be able to have children.  Of course I never expected to be able to walk again either.”

             
Mr Wilson smiled.  “The paralysis did not have any effect on your… womanly area. There was no reason to believe you would be unable to conceive.  I will suggest that you rest as much as possible, eat proper meals and a few small meals occasionally through the day.  Mrs Lane will have a tea brewed that will aid in calming your stomach when it is queasy.  That is normal for ladies who are increasing.  If need be, your cook can arrange to have bland foods added to the menu to keep from aggravating your stomach.  And I suggest that when you stand up, do so slowly.  Give your body the time to adjust so that you do not swoon on us.”

             
Listening closely, Elizabeth took in all the information that was given to her.  Before Mr Wilson made ready to leave the room, he took hold of her hand.  “Mrs Darcy, have no fears.  We will watch over you carefully.  And I would suggest speaking with your aunt and Lady Matlock, for they will have suggestions as to ways of preparing for the coming changes.”

             
“Thank you Mr Wilson.  I am sure that my husband will make many calls for your advice and to reassure him that all is going well.”

             
“I look forward to our visits then, Mrs Darcy.  Now, rest and I will ask Mrs Lane to send up some toast and some of her peppermint tea.”

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
Darcy had nearly worn a path in the carpet outside Elizabeth’s bedchamber door. 
What could be wrong with her?  Am I to lose her after such a short time of happiness?  I cannot stand the thought of living without her by my side, not after all that has happened.

             
He heard the door open and turned to see the physician exit the room.  “My wife, please Mr Wilson, tell me the truth.”

             
“Sir, I believe that this sort of news should be given to you by your wife.  If you have questions after speaking with her, you know where to find me.  I will continue to come and check on her as needed.”

             
Darcy shook the hand of the man before he opened the door and made his way to his wife.  Sitting on the side of the bed, he lifted both of her hands to his lips, placing many kisses on each.

             
“Did Mr Wilson tell you the news?” Elizabeth asked.

             
Shaking his head, Darcy had difficulty looking into his wife’s eyes. The fear that was taking hold of his heart did not wish to see the pain written in her eyes.  “He told me that the news should come from you.”

             
“William, will you please look at me?” Elizabeth was surprised at her husband’s behavior.  “Please, my love, look at me.”

             
Finally, Darcy raised his eyes to look into hers.  In them, he could see the undying love that his wife shared with him.  “What is the news?  Are you well?”

             
“It will be several months before I am completely recovered, but it is well worth the time, for the gift that I will have at the end of this will be most precious.”

             
Confusion was obvious the way that Darcy’s eyebrow cocked itself.  “I do not understand.”

             
Elizabeth took her husband’s hand and placed it on her abdomen.  “The gift is the new life that is growing inside me; a new life that was made from our love.”

             
Realizing what was happening, Darcy became overjoyed.  “A baby?  We are having a baby?  Lizzy, this is wonderful news.  Oh, dearest, loveliest Lizzy, I cannot begin to tell you how much I love you.  This is wonderful news.”

             
“Then you are not upset?” Elizabeth asked as she caressed her husband’s cheek with her hand.

             
“How could I be upset? This is perfect, Lizzy.  Our own child, a child we made.  I knew that you would be able to conceive.”

              Elizabeth began to laugh as her husband stood up and twirled around the room.  Becoming dizzy, he finally collapsed on the bed beside her.  Reaching his hand over her stomach, Darcy began to gently caress the area where his babe was growing.

             
“I am pleased to see you take the news so well.” Elizabeth said as she ran her fingers through his curly locks.  “I was worried as to how you would take it.”

             
“I am so very thrilled, my love.  I have so desired to have children with you, to watch you swell from the seed I planted inside you.  I want at least a dozen children, a large family to love and watch grow to become parents themselves.  It does not matter if this child a boy or a girl, there will be time to keep trying if this is a girl.  Besides, Pemberley is not entailed, so a daughter may inherit.” Darcy leaned over and placed a kiss on her belly.  Then he began to speak as if he were talking to the babe.  “You must take care to be good to your Mamma.  She is a wonderful woman who has been through so much this past year, so I beg you to be kind to her when you grow and begin moving about.  You will be loved so much by both your Mamma and me.  I cannot wait until I am able to hold you in my arms and rock you to sleep at night.  I promise to take you on horses as soon as your Mamma is not watching, for I doubt she would approve of a newborn on horseback.  We will roam all over Pemberley and I will show you all of my favorite places, as well as those of your grandparents.  Your Mamma will take you on long walks, and I will be with you as well.  Oh, my little love, rest and grow strong.  I will watch over your Mamma and you always.”

             
“I love you, William.” Elizabeth had tears beginning to stream down her cheeks as she listened to the loving words of her husband to their unborn child.  “You will be a wonderful father.”

             
“And you, my Lizzy, will be the most perfect mother in the world.  With your charm and intelligence, your talent to make others at ease and cared for, and the love that you already have for our babe; no child could wish for a better mother.”

             
“Shall we send messages to Matlock House and Gracechurch Street?” Elizabeth asked, not really caring if he chose to delay the announcement.

             
“Later.  I believe that your sister will be up here soon as she learns that the physician has been here to see you.  And I insist you rest today, as you should not do too much.  We should begin to make lists of what we will need for the babe, cradle and clothing and such. And we will need to hire a midwife and a wet nurse.  Shall we be at Pemberley for your confinement or remain in Town?  If we go to Pemberley, I insist we have a surgeon stay with us for the final month, perhaps two.”

             
“William, there is plenty of time for all of that.  I am most likely around two and a half months along, from what Mr Wilson said after his examination. It should not be much longer before the quickening.”

             
“But there is so much to do in so few months.  I will send a message to Mr Wilson, asking his advice of a surgeon who could stay at Pemberley if that is where you wish to be for the birth.”

             
“Let us take the rest of today to enjoy the news of our babe.  Tomorrow we can begin to fret over where to be when he or she is born.” Elizabeth was laughing at her husband. 

             
With a devilish grin on his face, Darcy stood and walked to the bedchamber door.  Turning back to be able to see his wife, Darcy stepped backwards into the hallway.  “WE ARE HAVING A BABY! I AM GOING TO BE A FATHER!” he shouted out.  This caused Elizabeth to laugh even harder.

             
“You are a silly man, Mr Darcy.  Your child will be born laughing at you.”

             
“I look forward to every giggle and chuckle that comes from our children, my wonderful wife.”

             
Jane and Bingley had heard the shouting and came running.  So did Mrs Lane and several other servants.  To say that there was a great deal of joy would be an understatement.  Jane went directly to her sister’s side and embraced her.  Both of the sisters had tears of happiness streaming from their eyes, the pleasure of knowing that their family would live on through their children was a blessing.

             
“I can just hear Mamma now. 
You must give him an heir, as a gentleman needs to have an heir.  Then you will not need to worry if you have any other.
”

             
“Our mother did not know my husband wishes for a dozen or more children.  And there is no entailment.”

             
Darcy returned to his wife’s side.  “I cannot wait to have a daughter who looks like her mother.  Though, now that I think of it, perhaps we had best stay at Pemberley at all times after the birth of a daughter, and build a mote around the main house.  Otherwise we will be fighting off the young men who will find her as bewitching as I find my beloved wife.”

             
“Papa never had a mote surrounding Longbourn, and we had no problems with too many young men.” Elizabeth teased.

             
“Ah, but your father was not as known in society as the Darcy name is, and he did not participate in London society at all.  I believe he was quite wise in that decision.  We should follow his example when it comes to caring for our children.” Darcy had a grin on his face, telling Elizabeth that he was teasing.

             
“But what fun is there in having a daughter who is like me, only to lock her away so that she does not get into mischief?  She must be allowed to be adventurous or she will be nothing at all like I was.”