by Lady Waller
She directed Thomas to return them to Pemberley. Disappointment sat heavy on the shoulders of the three women in the carriage. Her sisters for ruining their chance at a suitor and hers for ruining her gift to her husband. She’d wanted to handle the situation on her own, but now that feat seemed impossible.
Chapter Eight
A Disappointing Gift
Darcy could read the disappointment in his wife’s face the moment she stepped into his study. Inwardly, he rejoiced at seeing her safe and back home, but outwardly he kept a neutral expression. She shut the door behind her and he invited her to sit on his lap.
Perched at the edge of his knee, she leaned her face against his neck.
He inhaled her sweet rosewater scent and waited for her to speak.
“I’m going to need your help,” she said.
“Good.”
She lifted her head and arched an eyebrow. “It’s good that your gift is ruined?”
He nudged her chin with his finger. “Why is it so important for you to do this without me?”
Elizabeth rested her hands on her stomach. “If we have a son then he shall be your heir to Pemberley. Your partner. If we have a girl then I will be tasked with raising her and finding her a proper husband.”
The realization tugged at the edge of his consciousness. “Are you concerned that the baby will change our relationship?”
“The baby is a joy and I hope there will be many children for us, but things will change. I wanted to do something that you could look back on and think of me as your first partner.”
“You will always be my partner.” Darcy moved her from his lap and stood. He pulled her hands into his, then gave her knuckles a gentle kiss. “Why don’t we show our young Darcy-to-be that we are a formidable pair? A united force against the rest of the world. That is something that will always stay the same.”
She smiled and the familiar spark returned to her eyes. “Better together than separate?”
“Correct. That is a gift in my life that can never be ruined. Now tell me why you have failed to solve the mystery of the missing statue.”
“I have not failed.” She cut her eyes at him. “I have indeed found the culprit. It’s the ensuing confrontation that I cannot handle on my own.”
“Tell me.”
“The reports are that Constable Lovell’s son was seen with the statue.”
He released her hands. Her news was not the twist he’d expected, but he was certainly glad she’d decided to include him instead of confronting the constable on her own. “Are you fit to ride back to Lambton?”
“Yes. Let us finish this investigation so we can dine in peace with our family this evening,” she said.
He searched out Thomas, and soon Darcy and Elizabeth sat close on the carriage bench as the horses led them to Lambton.
Darcy had Thomas let them out in the middle of town. The constable’s house wasn’t far from the center.
“The wife and a couple of his children are ill,” Elizabeth explained. She huddled into her coat.
He narrowed his eyes at his willful wife. She’d conveniently forgotten to mention the sick family before they had left Pemberley. “I’ll ask for him to meet us outside.”
Thomas stayed with the carriage while the two approached Constable Lovell’s home. A young child ran past them to the back of the house. He had unruly blond hair that stuck out from beneath his cap like straw.
Elizabeth gestured to the boy. “That is the boy we spoke with the day before yesterday. He directed us to the older boys at the stable.”
Darcy stepped back from the constable’s front stoop. “That is the constable’s youngest son.”
From inside the house, they could hear coughing and a baby wailing. As much as Darcy wanted the issue of the statue settled, he hesitated to intrude on the family when so many of them were ill.
Elizabeth laid her hand on his forearm. “I can read your mind. Perhaps this is something that can wait until the family is well?”
Darcy tilted his head. Why would the youngest Lovell have lied to Elizabeth about the boys who worked at the stable? He placed his hand on top of hers. “Let’s ask the young Mr. Lovell a few questions. Then we’ll return to Pemberley.”
He led the way around the side of the house towards the back. An open shed stood at the edge of the garden, and Darcy could see the boy’s dirty coat bob in and out behind a bale of hay. The boy spoke to a couple of goats tied to post.
“It’s time for our daily prayers, Mr. and Mrs. Goatingham.” The boy dropped to his knees and one of the goats chewed the frayed cloth at the back of his coat.
Darcy pulled Elizabeth closer so she could get a better view.
“Dear Lord, please save our mother and baby sister from the illness that I brought into our home.” The boy wiped his nose with the sleeve of his coat and batted away the chewing goat.
Elizabeth pulled his sleeve and they backed away so the boy wouldn’t notice them. Once they were in front of the house, she sighed loudly. “That poor boy.”
Darcy rubbed the skin beneath his chin. “Perhaps he thinks the statue and plates will enhance his prayers.”
“We cannot take them away from him now. Not while his family is still ill.”
Darcy nodded and placed his hand at the small of her back. He guided her towards their carriage. “No. I’m afraid it would be a cruel act to take the statue back now.”
They walked in silence for a few moments. He glanced at his wife’s profile, his heart swelling at the love she showed him. She’d shown great strength and courage in solving their little town mystery, even if it had ended without resolution. An idea formed and he pulled her to stop. The wind whipped the hair around her face as she glanced up at him.
“My mother took great care in choosing that statue for the church. I have the fox hunt tomorrow and I wonder if you could find a suitable replacement. Also, I won’t have the time to speak with Mr. Holland about the constable’s son. Perhaps you can handle that task as well. It would be a great help. From this point forward, you could be the ambassador between Pemberley and the church.”
A soft smile curved her lips. “Are you attempting to ease my disappointment?”
He returned her smile. “Yes.”
“It is working very well. I shall enjoy being your ambassador.”
Satisfied with Elizabeth’s happiness, they continued to the carriage and home to Pemberley. He mused at how hard she’d worked to give him a precious gift, not knowing he’d never be able to coherently explain to her that he’d received the best gift of all the day he’d met her.
Chapter Nine
The Epiphany Ball
Elizabeth entered the assembly hall in Lambton and noted the atmosphere hummed with excitement. The public ball reminded her of the one from Meryton where she’d first met her dear husband. What a silly girl she’d been at the time.
Even though she’d told Mrs. Holland she hadn’t planned to attend the town’s Epiphany ball, Kitty, Mary, and Georgiana had worked together to convince her to come for at least part of the evening. The three girls bounced past her, their spirits high. The younger Mr. Holland had apparently gotten over his dismay at the news of their youngest sister’s scandals and asked each of them for a dance.
Her father stood beside her and watched Kitty and Mary fight over Matthew’s attention and who would dance with him first. “Lord save that man if he doesn’t ask for the hand of one of them.”
“Do not worry, Papa. I see more than one pair of eyes on my sisters tonight. We’ll find them a suitable match soon.” The music echoed through the hall and she placed a hand on her stomach as the vibrations seemed to shake her every nerve.
He sighed. “Very soon, I hope.”
Fitzwilliam and his cousin moved throughout the room, speaking with several of the gentlemen. Often her husband turned his gaze toward her and they shared a secret smile.
Mrs. Holland called out to her from a mixed group of women and men, and Elizabeth join
ed them.
“Mrs. Darcy, I’d like to introduce my brother, Doctor Willard, who is visiting from London. He is a most sought after doctor for women in your condition.”
Elizabeth curtseyed and the doctor gave her a slight bow. “Welcome to Lambton. If you are to stay a while, perhaps you’d like to dine with us at Pemberley.”
Doctor Willard smiled warmly. “I accept your invitation, Mrs. Darcy.” He glanced at her protruding stomach and a frown formed between his eyes when his eyebrows bunched together. “I fear I am going to sound most impertinent, but do you mind if I ask you a question concerning your condition?”
His frown worried her. “Please do. I can tell from your expression that something is on your mind.”
“Are you sure you are only in your fifth month?”
“Quite sure. Why?”
“Does the baby move often and in several different places?”
“I think she never sleeps. Please tell me why you ask.”
“I have recently assisted with the delivery of several twins. I would not call myself an expert, but I do believe you carry as if there is more than one babe.”
Elizabeth’s heart sped up and she sucked in a sharp breath. The thumping at the top and the thumping at the bottom of her stomach were almost constant. “Is there a way to examine me to know for sure?”
“With the knowledge I have, I would do my best to ascertain if there is more than one.”
She glanced around the assembly hall and saw that Fitzwilliam was still on the other side of the room. “Then we would like for you to do so at your earliest convenience. Please excuse me whilst I share this news with my husband.”
Doctor Willard nodded, and she moved across the room to her husband.
Unable to wait for an appropriate time to interrupt his conversation, she grabbed Fitzwilliam’s hand and pulled him to a quiet corner.
“Are you unwell, my dear?” he asked.
Although the doctor could not be certain, the thought of sharing their love with many children overwhelmed her. Not one, but two Darcy children to love and cherish. Just as her husband loved and cherished her. Tears filled her eyes. She took his hands and placed one at the top and one at the bottom. “I have met a doctor who believes we are to be blessed with twins.”
As if on a stage, the babies thumped and kicked and moved on cue.
The rest of the world melted away, and only their growing family existed before them.
“I cannot wait to meet our children,” he said. “I love you, Mrs. Darcy.”
“I love you, Mr. Darcy.”
The End
Coming Soon:
Lizzy and the Lord of Frogs: A Pride and Prejudice Fairy Tale Mashup
Other Pride and Prejudice Variations by Lady Waller:
It’s in His Kiss: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Short Story Variation
A Gift for Lizzy: A Sweet Pride and Prejudice Variation Novella
About the Author
Lady Waller is a shy girl who loves to write sweet and spicy historical romances. Come along as she takes you through medieval, Victorian, and Pride and Prejudice variation romances.
For updates on releases, connect with Lady Waller on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Lady-Waller-Books-1472640382782167/
