***********
Eliza Louise Bingley made her appearance heard at approximately three in the morning on 10 October following a torturous day of labour for her mother. Elizabeth remained at her sister’s side the entire time and Bingley was called in several times to boost his wife’s spirits. Mrs. Bennet was evicted from the room the second time she burst into tears lamenting her daughter’s demise, and a threat was made to throw her from the house when she bemoaned the child was not a boy. Mr. Bennet tended his other grandchildren and remained out of the way until all had quieted.
The harvest was completed, and temperatures turned cooler causing Elizabeth to look eagerly toward the new year. Bingley had suggested the Darcy’s spend Christmas at Netherfield since Jane could not travel making it impossible for them to accept an invitation to Pemberley, and plans were underway to make it so. Jane had been churched, and Elizabeth and Darcy were named Eliza’s godparents at her christening. All seemed to be moving forward speedily to everyone’s pleasure.
On 26 November, the Netherfield party, which now included the Darcys who had remained following the ceremonies, was reminiscing over the Netherfield ball which had taken place so many years ago, when the butler entered the drawing-room and approached Elizabeth with an express. Recognizing the Rosings seal but not the handwriting, she quickly broke it open and read the missive.
“Oh dear.” Her hand lifted to her lips as she continued to read.
Darcy, who sat near her, leaned forward until he recognized his aunt’s writing. “Is it Anne?”
She nodded and handed him the letter. “She is requesting our presence at Rosings.”
“Is she unwell?” Jane asked.
“Her health has been declining since this summer,” Georgiana offered. “Brother, what is said?”
“Lady Catherine wrote on Anne’s behalf. They are requesting the entire family spend Christmas at Rosings as it is believed Anne will not survive the winter and she wishes her family and friends to be with her.” He folded the letter and returned it to Elizabeth. “If you are in agreeance, I will make the arrangements.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I will write to Lady Catherine. When are they to expect us?”
A line formed between his brows as he considered her question. “We will have to secure a nurse for the children.”
“Oh,” Elizabeth glanced at her sister. “Of course, I had not considered that Betsy would remain with Eliza.”
Darcy stood. “I will send a request to Mrs. Knight in London. I am certain she will have some suggestions.”
“Oh, yes!” Georgiana exclaimed. “Mrs. Knight is so excited, Elizabeth. She has ordered the nursery and Mistress quarters aired and refreshed. She cannot wait for children to be in residence again.”
A blush stole over Elizabeth’s cheeks and Darcy knelt at her side. “I fear my impatience began it. I could not wait until your time of mourning to pass to begin preparing my staff and homes for your arrival. Both Mrs. Knight in London and Mrs. Reynolds at Pemberley are more than pleased.” He took her hand in his. “Would you be averse to stopping in London on our way to Rosings? You could meet the staff and see our home, and we could add the nurse maid to our party. If not, I will send the servant’s carriage off earlier so they can stop on their way.”
Elizabeth worried her lip. “It is full early to begin such preparations. In the past, when at Rosings, the existing staff assisted me.”
“But you were not in residence then, my darling, and it was only Will.” Darcy sat back on his heels. “I will simply ask Mrs. Knight to secure a maid at this time. You can think on what I have suggested.” He stood and folded his hands before him. “Arrangements can be made that we could leave on Wednesday, Thursday at the latest.”
“If we did stop in London, would we be able to continue to Rosings the same day?” Elizabeth asked softly. “I would not feel comfortable staying the night at Darcy House, but I am certain my aunt and uncle would welcome me and the children.”
A timid smile graced Darcy’s lips. “We could continue on. We would use the time to change the horses and take some refreshments, much as we would at an inn.”
Elizabeth squared her shoulders. “Then I suppose it would be much nicer to stop at your home as opposed to a public house along the way.”
“Our home. Yes, I quite agree.” He bowed over her hand. “I will send word?” He met her gaze expectantly and she nodded. His joy overtook his countenance. “Wonderful! Bingley, may I have the use of your study?”
“Whatever you require.” Bingley kissed his wife’s cheek and led his friend from the room.
Elizabeth stood also and moved to follow them. “I shall be in my room writing my own letter and making arrangements.”
***********
By Tuesday evening, Darcy had received a letter from his housekeeper reporting a young lady had been secured for the trip and would be ready to travel the following day, so the party retired early. As the sun rose on Wednesday, two carriages pulled away from Netherfield heading for the London road. The servants’ carriage led the way. They would arrive at the Darcy town house and collect the new nurse maid, and then continue on to Rosings in order to be ready when the others arrived.
In Darcy’s carriage, Georgiana and Elizabeth sat on the forward-facing bench and took turns caring for Anne while Darcy and Will sat across from them. Both children fell asleep for a time but were awakened by the sound of the wheels on the cobblestone streets when they entered London. Will, having no memory of seeing such a bustling city, moved back and forth between the windows attempting to see everything while Darcy chuckled at his enthusiasm.
They drew to a stop before an imposing structure and Elizabeth swallowed over the lump which had formed in her throat. Darcy exited and handed out Georgiana before taking Anne from Elizabeth and giving her to his sister. He then helped Elizabeth from the equipage and turned back to catch Will who loved to jump from the carriage. Elizabeth turned her gaze to the front door where an older lady and gentleman waited for them.
When everyone was inside, Darcy introduced Mr. and Mrs. Knight to Elizabeth and her children. Tears glistened in the housekeeper’s eyes as she looked over the babes. “Oh, it has been so long since there have been wee ones in the house. Come, come, you are surely hungry, and refreshments are in the green drawing-room. There is milk and biscuits for Master William and tea and pastries for the rest.”
They all enjoyed the light repast and Elizabeth was given a brief tour of the home before they were forced to return to the carriage in order to reach Rosings by nightfall. Elizabeth felt the housekeeper’s gaze upon her constantly and noted the anxious expression about the woman’s eyes. While saying their goodbyes, she assured Mrs. Knight she would not change a thing and was rewarded with a bright smile.
***********
With the shortened days of autumn, the sun set early and Elizabeth, Anne, and Georgiana drifted off to sleep. Darcy had expected Will to do the same, but the boy’s curiosity seemed to be more demanding than his fatigue from travelling.
“Unca Da, why you call Mama Lisbet?” the boy asked after a brief silence.
Darcy paused, moving the baby from one arm to the other and resettling her while he considered his reply. “Your mother and I have been friends for a very long time, Will. She has given me permission to call her Elizabeth when we are alone or with family and friends. I do not do so in public as it is not proper.”
The boy frowned. “Why?”
“It is not done. Society would not think it right.”
“Who’s sositee?” he asked, trotting his horse across the seat.
“People,” Darcy replied succinctly hoping it would end the questions.
“Why they care?”
Darcy sighed. “I do not know.” He looked out the window and was pleased to see the lights of Hunsford. “We are nearly there. Shall we wake the ladies?” Will opened his mouth, but Darcy quickly clapped a hand over it. “Never frighten a lady awake, Will. You must wake her gently.�
�
“How?”
Darcy looked longingly at Elizabeth. “What do you think would be a good way to wake them?”
Will thought before speaking. “Mama kiss me.”
Darcy felt his heart in his throat. “I believe that would be a very good way to wake her.”
Will crawled down from his bench and up onto the other between the ladies, waking Georgiana in the process. She smiled at him and he returned it before placing a wet kiss upon Elizabeth’s cheek. The grin which had begun when she felt him beside her grew and she slowly opened her eyes.
“Good morning, my little love.”
She embraced him, but he wiggled away. “It not mornin’, Mama.” He giggled.
Will returned to his place beside Darcy who reminded him of the proper way to leave the carriage. Will sighed, but when the carriage drew to a stop, he remained in his seat, even though his legs swung back and forth with excitement. Darcy had helped Elizabeth and Will from the equipage and taken Anne from his sister when Colonel Fitzwilliam approached from the side of the house leaning heavily upon a cane.
“May I be of assistance?” he asked.
“Good evening, Colonel.” Elizabeth dipped a curtsey. “It is good to see you again.”
The Colonel made an awkward bow. “I wish we were come together in better circumstances.”
Georgiana stepped from the carriage and hugged her cousin tightly. “You are moving better.”
Fitz bowed his head, his lips tugging upward. “Thank you for noticing, Pumpkin. May I have an introduction to this stalwart gentleman?” he asked and nodded toward Will who stood just in front of Elizabeth staring up at him.
“Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, this is Master William Collins, or Will as we call him.” Georgiana knelt beside the boy. “Will, this is my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
Fitz smiled as Will bowed. “You are a very proper young man, Master Will.”
Will’s head lifted with pride. “I’ve dull spons billies. I a big brudder.” He pointed at the baby in his mother’s arms.
The Colonel frowned before looking at Darcy and shaking his head. “Adult responsibilities already?”
Will nodded. “And I a puppy a’ home.” He frowned. “Mama say he can’t come wit us. Unca Bing watchin’ him.”
“A puppy? Unca Bing?”
Elizabeth smiled at her son. “A Springer Spaniel puppy we have named Rascal and Will’s Uncle Bingley.”
“A Springer Spaniel?” Fitz eyed his cousin once more.
Will nodded again enthusiastically. “He my birfday present. I two.”
“And a very precocious two you are.” The Colonel leaned forward, unable to kneel due to his still healing leg. “Shall we go inside and warm ourselves by the fire?”
Will nodded and, glancing between Darcy and his cousin, stepped toward Fitz and took his hand.
“Unfortunately, I am unable to manage the front stairs, too steep you see,” he said as he motioned towards the offending things, “so I have been using the garden door.” He pointed toward the side of the house and everyone followed. “Anne is confined to her room and is already asleep, but the others are gathered in Lady Catherine’s drawing-room. Though you most likely wish to settle the children and prepare for dinner, I believe they wish to see you first.”
“They?” Elizabeth asked softly.
“Yes. My mother and father, my brother and his wife, as well as my sister. They have heard much of you, madam, and your children.” He did not say more as he disappeared within and motioned for everyone to go ahead of him up the stairs. “These are not as steep, but I still take longer than you will wish to wait,” he said bitterly.
Elizabeth laid a hand on his arm as she passed him. “We are pleased you are home with us.”
He lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. “I would have preferred the minor scrapes my cousin is able to inflict.”
“As would we all,” Georgiana said before kissing his cheek.
Darcy lifted Will to his shoulder and led the others up the steps at a slow pace so the Colonel would not fall too far behind. The boy’s eyes grew round when they entered the front hall. His head tipped back as he took in the high ceilings and his jaw hung open when Kite stepped forward and bowed.
“Mr. Kite,” Elizabeth said with a smile. “It is good to see you again.”
The man appeared much older, but he smiled as he eyed the bundle in her arms. “I am pleased to see you also, Madam, as well as your children.” He motioned for them to follow him and he stopped before the formal drawing room Lady Catherine preferred. The wrinkles about his eyes deepened just before the doors were opened and he announced them.
“Ah, you have finally arrived,” Lady Catherine declared.
Darcy chuckled as he greeted his relatives, and then turned to introduce Elizabeth and her children. He swallowed once and took a deep breath. “Aunt, Uncle, may I present Mrs. Elizabeth Collins? Madam, Lord and Lady Matlock, the Viscount and Viscountess Matlock, and Lady Esther Fitzwilliam.”
Bows and curtseys were made, and Lady Esther stepped forward. “Darcy, you neglected to introduce these adorable children.”
“I awaited the request, Esther.” He looked at the boy in his arms. “This strapping young man is Master William Collins, known to his family and friends as Will, and the bundle in her mother’s arms beginning to awaken is Miss Anne Collins.”
Will, accustomed to standing on the ground when he bowed, did his best to lean forward as he normally would do when introduced but kept a hand securely wrapped about Darcy’s shoulder.
“You are a very proper young man,” Lady Esther said, returning a curtsey. “And your sister is quite pretty.”
“Mama’s pitty,” Will replied decisively. “Like you,” he added and smiled.
“A charmer as well,” the young lady replied with a giggle. “Come sit with me.” She regained her seat and held out her arms to the lad who leaned forward in response.
Darcy and Elizabeth exchanged a quick glance before he lowered their son onto the Lady’s lap. Georgiana sat beside her cousin and the two of them entertained Will while the others took their seats. Anne began to whimper, and Elizabeth attempted to quiet her.
“I have yet to see my daughter’s namesake,” Lady Catherine stated.
“Forgive me, your Ladyship,” Elizabeth rose and approached her hostess’s thrown-like chair. “I fear she is hungry and may not be in the best of spirits. Perhaps I should see her fed and changed first.”
“Nonsense, Mrs. Collins. Bring her to me.”
Elizabeth bit her lip but did as asked. At first, she leaned so Lady Catherine could see the child, but soon her Ladyship was holding the babe.
“How old is she now?” The older woman’s voice had softened as she studied the baby closely.
“Just over eight months, Madam.”
“Unca Da’,” Will called out as he climbed down from Lady Esther’s lap and toddled toward the man.
“Da?” Lord Matlock asked with a brow raised.
“Will is still learning titles and names, your Lordship,” Elizabeth bowed her head to the man. “He has difficulty with complete names. Every man is Unca for uncle and every lady is An’ for aunt. If it is more than one syllable, it is quickly shortened.”
The man smiled. “If I remember correctly, Richard caused quite an uproar calling Darcy’s father Da when he was about that age. He did not have the sense to put Unca in front of it.” He chuckled.
The Colonel sat back in his seat with his leg stretched out before him on an ottoman. “Hmm, that would make me the first son, would it not? Perhaps I was simply trying to claim my inheritance.”
The men laughed while the ladies scolded them.
“Did William not have teeth by now?” Lady Catherine asked.
“He did,” Elizabeth replied. “Anne is just beginning to teethe. She is not as adventurous or impatient as her brother.”
“I have often found girls to be slower in development,” Lady Matlock sai
d as she stood and approached her sister. “It is time to share her, Catherine.” She lifted the babe from her ladyship’s lap and bounced ever so slightly as she returned to her seat. “It has been so long since we have had a child in the family,” she said wistfully.
“Not for lack of trying, Mother,” the Viscount replied as he held his wife’s hand.
“Oh, forgive me, Clarissa. I meant no insult to you, my dear.”
The Viscountess bowed her head. “I did not take it as such,” she responded softly.
Will, who had been playing at Darcy’s feet, stood and crossed to the lady’s side. “Wanna play wit’ ma hus?” He put the well chewed and beaten creature on her lap.
“Thank you, Master Will.”
The boy frowned. “I Will.”
“He is not accustomed to a title before his name,” Darcy explained. “He has been mostly with family for the last few months.”
Lady Catherine sniffed. “His name is William, is it not? When did he become Will?”
“I a big brudder,” Will said with pride as he pointed at his sister. “I’ve dull spons billies. I Will now.”
The Fitzwilliams looked one to the other, but none were able to decipher the boy’s speech until the Colonel began chuckling. “Think about his Unca Da. The boy said he has adult responsibilities.” He laughed again louder. “Though I agree with Will, they are dull responsibilities.”
The boy beamed as he made his way to Colonel Fitzwilliam who lifted him onto his lap.
“Darcy,” the Earl scolded with a chuckle. “He is a bit young for that.”
“My father told me the same when Georgiana was born.”
“But you were twelve.” His wife joined the laughter.
“I think it sweet,” Georgiana replied in her brother’s defence.
Anne, whose whimpers had come and gone while being passed between these new people, suddenly decided she was displeased and announced it quite loudly. Elizabeth quickly regained her daughter but was unable to quiet her.
Mrs Collins' Lover Page 47
