by Ted Bader
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Mr. Darcy walked quietly to the bed. He picked up her hand and leaned over to kiss his wife. Georgiana heard him say, “I am glad you are better. I was fearful of losing the light of my life.”
“The doctor says I am to have twins.”
“I am glad, however, I am more interested in you getting well.”
“I will then, but I will also give you sons. Pemberley will be filled with the sounds of boys.”
“Even when you are weak, you are lively,” smiled Mr. Darcy. “I must go, so I do not sap your strength.”
“Please visit me often for you are my tower of strength,” Elizabeth said as she closed her eyes.
Three days later, Mr. and Mrs. Bingley arrived. Stepping out of the carriage, Mr. Bingley exclaimed, “Darcy, we came as soon as we heard the news about Elizabeth.”
“How is she?” Jane asked breathlessly.
“She appears to be out of danger; however, she is quite weak from anemia and must lie absolutely flat. Come, let us go up to her room.”
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley waited in the hall as they let Jane enter the bedroom. Georgiana stood as Jane entered.
“Lizzy, my dearest Lizzy,” Jane exclaimed, as she saw her sister’s head turn towards her. “How are you?”
“I am to have twins!”
“I am so happy for you, but did you have to announce it in such a dramatic way? You gave us a terrible fright.” Jane took her sister’s hand and smiled, “How are you taking the strict bed rest?”
“I feel most wretched having to lay still. My legs want to jump up and walk in the springtime air, and yet, I must remain a prisoner.”
“Oh, Lizzy, it must be so difficult for someone like you who loves the outdoors. . . . I also have some news that only Mr. Bingley knows about. I am with child and the midwife says it will be six months from now.”
Elizabeth smiled.
“Oh, Lizzy, did you not have any symptoms of your condition?”
“No.”
“I am glad. I have had nausea almost every day. The coach ride here was quite distressing, but I would let nothing keep me from seeing you. . . . Enough of my troubles, I only want to be with you. It is my chance to repay you for your attention during my illness at Netherfield.”
“My dearest Jane, your presence shall cheer and comfort me.”
“What do you want most?”
“I would like most to be at the window looking out at Pemberley’s springtime, but that is impossible.”
“I will go talk to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley to see if there is anything that can be done about your wish.”
After a few minutes, Jane returned with some of her embroidery and joined Georgiana who was also involved with it, and sat by Elizabeth. Little was said for the next three hours until Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Reynolds came softly into the room.
Elizabeth looked up and said, “What is the commotion about, Jane?”
“Your husband has a surprise for you.”
“What can it be?”
Mr. Darcy came to her side and said quietly, “We have fashioned a pallet for you to lie on. We can then take it over to the bay window so you can look outside.”
Elizabeth smiled and said quietly, “I should like that very much.”
They placed the pallet on the bed. Georgiana and Jane helped Elizabeth slide onto it. The three men then took it over to the window and gently placed her down. Georgiana and Jane brought pillows from the bed.
Before leaving, Mr. Darcy leaned over, kissed her and said, “Anything for my dearest and loveliest.”
When the women were alone, Georgiana pointed out the flowers blooming in the south garden.
“This will do much to soften my wretched condition. I shall be happy to have my children, but the wait will be quite a trial.” A few moments later she continued, “I can also see the bridge over the river. Now I can see who is coming or going from the estate.”
All of the events of the past few days had left a deep impression on Georgiana’s mind. She now knew, in a more concrete manner, what was involved with marriage. The fairy tale, affectionate aspects of her romantic novels were being balanced with the duties and outcome of married love. She resolved that she should only marry with the greatest affection or stay a spinster for the rest of her life.
Chapter Eight
May arrived and with it, one evening, an unexpected guest. Mr. Darcy was listening to Georgiana play the pianoforte, when a servant came into the music room and announced, “The honorable Mr. Henry Westbrook.”
Georgiana’s fingers faltered over the keys and she quickly stopped. She observed that the visitor was not unexpected to her brother. They rose and greeted him. Without further elaboration, Mr. Westbrook followed Mr. Darcy into the study.
After an hour or so, the men returned to the parlor and stood about the fireplace.
“Well, my dear sister, how would you like to have Mr. Henry Westbrook as the new rector of Pemberley?”
She stood, “Oh! Henry, I am so pleased. I knew Reverend Wilson was retiring and I was quite concerned about who might replace him.” Looking at her brother, she said, “Fitzwilliam, I wish you had let me in on the secret.”
“I did not want to raise your hopes. Henry had numerous questions and I wanted the parish committee to speak to him before he made up his mind.”
Georgiana asked Henry, “When will you take the position?”
“I graduate next week and take holy orders soon after. I will remain at home for a few days and then return to Cambridge.” He then looked at Mr. Darcy and said, “Shall we make the first Sunday of July my inaugural time?”
“Good. Reverend Wilson said he would be available until the end of June.”
Georgiana said, “I know we have been expecting your elevation to the clergy for some time; but I, at least, think ‘Reverend Westbrook’ will take some getting used to.”
After a few more minutes of conversation, Mr. Westbrook took his leave.
Georgiana did not dwell upon Mr. Westbrook’s position very long. The Bennet family was arriving the following day. Arrangements for the visit needed to be finished with Mrs. Reynolds. She was glad that Mr. Westbrook had missed Kitty, so as to avoid embarrassment to them both. Georgiana then went and watched Elizabeth for the evening.
The Bennets arrived after breakfast the next morning. Georgiana felt much more comfortable with them this time, particularly with Kitty. Her prior visit and their ongoing correspondence had made them good friends. Mary, the second youngest of Elizabeth’s sisters and much plainer than the other Bennet girls, also came to Pemberley for her first visit.
In the middle of the afternoon, Mrs. Bennet, Kitty, Mary and Georgiana were sitting in the parlor discussing and working on their embroidery. They had already been in Elizabeth’s room and after several hours had tired Mrs. Darcy out. Mrs. Reynolds had to chase them out of the master bedroom, and their retreat had led them back to the downstairs parlor.
All the women were surprised when a servant announced the attendance of Mr. Henry Westbrook. Georgiana, Mrs. Bennet and Mary looked at Kitty with dismay. Kitty hung her head and looked like she wanted to crawl away.
Mr. Westbrook walked tentatively into the room and stood by the fireplace. He cleared his throat and remained silent for a moment as he surveyed the group. He then said, “You are probably wondering why I have come today.”
No answer was forthcoming. Georgiana tried to think of something clever to say, but words escaped her.
Mr. Westbrook cleared his throat again and looked in Kitty’s direction and said, “Miss Bennet, I have heard glowing reports of your work in this parish and in Meryton.”
Georgiana looked at Kitty’s tense body and saw it relax a little.
Mr. Westbrook continued,
“No one here is going to make this easy on me, and this is only right since I am to blame for any discomfort being felt now.”
Mrs. Bennet said, “You are welcome to visit us anytime.”
“Thank you,” he replied and continued, “As I was saying, Kitty, your works of charity and enthusiasm towards church have not gone unnoticed. Reverend Wilson speaks highly of you.”
Kitty lifted her head showing a facial expression of mingled surprise and happiness. “Mr. Westbrook, your upbraiding last Christmas was something I needed. It helped me take a look at my shallow life. I believe the changes induced in me have helped me be less selfish.”
“Miss Bennet, please call me Henry.”
With this statement of Mr. Westbrook’s, Kitty turned her head away and Henry looked in another direction, towards the window.
Georgiana finally rejoined, after several quiet moments and said, “Now, Henry, you should not think Kitty has done this in an attempt to impress you. She despaired of ever seeing you again.”
“I know,” was his soft reply. He cleared his throat again and looked at Mrs. Bennet and said, “Mrs. Bennet, would you and the other ladies be so kind as to allow me a few minutes alone with your daughter, Miss Catherine Bennet?”
“Certainly,” was her quick reply. She rose and grabbed Mary, whose head was engrossed in a book, and prodded her into the adjoining assembly room. Miss Darcy retreated with them.
After fifteen minutes, Kitty came to find them. She rushed up to hug Georgiana, while saying, “I am so happy and it is all because of my sisters and you, Georgiana.”
“What did he say?” Mrs. Bennet asked.
“We shared mutual apologies and he asked if he could begin courting me again. He made it clear that he was not yet asking for an engagement; but given our recent difficulties, he thought it best to approach me in an official way, so as to not give an impression that he was trifling with me. He has gone to find father and discuss this with him.”
Mrs. Bennet said, “I believe you would do well to capture his affections.”
Georgiana asked, “Is this what you want?”
“Yes. I never stopped liking Mr. Westbrook. That affection worked to change my ways. Apparently, Mr. Darcy encouraged Henry to reconsider me while they were discussing his possible position.”
At this statement, Mrs. Bennet sat down and fanned herself. She exclaimed, “A fourth daughter to be married and all of them with encouragement by Mr. Darcy! Had I known he was cupid when I first met him, I should have fainted!”
“Mamma, I am not yet engaged.”
“You are as good as in that blessed state. I doubt Mr. Westbrook will change his mind.”
Georgiana then asked, “What else did Mr. Westbrook say? You were alone with him for fifteen minutes.”
“He said he was blessed with courting a woman who had already favorably impressed the parish with her work. He said it is seldom that a clergyman could start off on such a sound footing in his first position.”
The time for dinner approached. Poor Mr. Darcy! He already was given the honor due his position, but now he was worshiped by Mrs. Bennet! Fortunately, her awe made her quiet, which facilitated the meal well. When Elizabeth was told, by Kitty, of the visit of Mr. Westbrook, she responded with warm congratulations to her sister.
Georgiana felt the well-deserved satisfaction that she had helped Kitty in an important matter.
Chapter Nine
The four months of Elizabeth’s confinement wore on. A routine settled upon the household. Elizabeth endured this with her usual liveliness, particularly after a month, when her anemia began to improve. Georgiana observed that her sister would endure anything to have these babies. The difficult pregnancy served to strengthen felicitous bonds between Georgiana and Elizabeth. It helped Georgiana to show her love by helping Elizabeth. The acts of companionship and devotion helped bridge any remaining emotional gap that their five year age difference might have caused. In addition, the wait sharpened Georgiana’s desire to have nephews or nieces. She felt a significant investment in her brother’s and sister’s children.
Mr. and Mrs. Bingley returned to Netherfield for Jane’s advancing pregnancy. Charles had found an estate to purchase only 30 miles from Pemberley, in Yorkshire, but it was not going to become available until the fall. As a result, it was decided the Bingleys would settle in the north after the birth of their first child.
Finally, one day in early August, several weeks before Georgiana’s seventeenth birthday, Elizabeth told Georgiana, “I have an unusual cramping pain that I have never felt before. It has lasted two minutes and is now wearing off. I hope and wonder if this is labor.”
“I certainly have no experience with those symptoms,” Georgiana smiled. “I will run and get Mrs. Reynolds.”
She returned minutes later with Mrs. Reynolds. The older housekeeper soon turned and said, “It is, indeed, labor. Go and tell Mr. Darcy to send for Mrs. Cheshire from Bakewell as soon as possible.”
Georgiana ran breathlessly downstairs to her brother. He commanded his best driver to go and fetch the midwife. They both watched moments later as the carriage raced away from the estate. When Georgiana and her brother entered the bedroom, Mr. Darcy rushed to Elizabeth’s side. Mrs. Reynolds placed her hand on his shoulder. “Now sir, this is Mrs. Darcy’s first labor. It will probably last twenty-four hours or more.”
Indeed, Mrs. Reynolds was right. Mrs. Cheshire arrived in plenty of time to make arrangements for the delivery.
Georgiana felt as if her heart would break as she listened to Elizabeth’s moans and saw how exhausted her sister looked. The night wore on. Georgiana dropped off to sleep as dawn approached and was awakened by a sound strange to her ear--the cry of a baby.
She jumped up. Mrs. Cheshire was holding a baby upside down. The midwife handed the newborn to Mrs. Reynolds for cleaning. She said, “The Lord be praised, Mrs. Darcy, you have a healthy baby boy; but wait, the other baby is coming quickly.”
Georgiana watched intently as Mrs. Cheshire delivered a second boy. He also wailed, even more heartily than the first.
Mrs. Reynolds said, “Miss Darcy, pick up a blanket and take the second baby.”
Mrs. Cheshire handed the second twin to Georgiana. She awkwardly but carefully held the tiny boy and dried him off. The little infant had blond hair and blue eyes. He was clearly not an identical twin since the first child had dark black hair like his father.
Mrs. Reynolds and Georgiana approached Elizabeth to place the now quiet little boys in her arms. She looked at them momentarily and said, “They shall be called Andrew and John.” She then dozed off. Mrs. Reynolds picked up the blond-haired John. Georgiana took the other, named Andrew, and noted his abundant black hair and blue eyes. She imagined that her beloved brother looked like this when he was born. Andrew was quiet in contrast to his younger brother, John, who resumed announcing his arrival to the world with loud crying.
Mr. Darcy was called into the bedroom. As Georgiana handed him each child in turn, her heart swelled with love for the children he was so proud of. She sat down in a rocker. After a few minutes, Mr. Darcy relinquished the boys to her. He then sat speaking quietly with Elizabeth, while Georgiana rocked her new nephews. She could not imagine any handsomer babies--nor any happier parents. Georgiana wondered if she would ever love someone enough to marry and bear children.
The next morning, Georgiana was sitting by her sister’s bed when Elizabeth’s eyes opened. She heard Elizabeth exclaim, “Now I can sit up. Would you be so good as to help me with some pillows?”
Georgiana helped her to a sitting position.
“Now, where are my babies?” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“I will go get Mrs. Reynolds,” Georgiana replied.
In a few moments, Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Darcy and Georgiana came back into the bedroom. Mr. Darcy was holding
the black haired Andrew, ever so gently, like a priceless heirloom; Mrs. Reynolds had the blond-haired John, who needed calming down for a moment before conversation could begin.
“Here is our oldest,” Mr. Darcy said as he brought Andrew over.
“He looks just like you,” Elizabeth told him as she settled the infant in one arm.
“And here is John,” Mrs. Reynolds said, placing him on her other side. “He is more rambunctious than his brother.”
“His hair and face remind me of my sister Jane,” Elizabeth cooed.
After several minutes admiring her babies, Elizabeth relinquished them to Mrs. Reynolds who said, “Which nurse-maid shall we send the boys to for feeding? Mrs. Cheshire says there is a good, affectionate woman in Lampton.”
“I had not thought of that before. Must I send them out?”
“My lady knows that the custom for gentle women is to not breast feed their own children, but to send them out to a nurse-maid,” said Mrs. Reynolds kindly, but firmly.
Color came into Elizabeth’s face as she said, “I will not send my sons out to a stranger. I did not endure the last four months in order to be spared of their company. I will suckle them myself, thank you very much!”
Mrs. Reynolds appealed to Mr. Darcy with a look. Mr. Darcy chuckled, “Since when has Mrs. Darcy been conventional? I see no wrong in her desire.”
Georgiana was delighted. Whatever her thoughts about love and marriage, the birth of the twins had aroused a maternal instinct in their aunt. Despite the strong desire of Elizabeth to take care of her own children, Georgiana knew her sister would need help.
Section Two
October, 1815
Miss Georgiana Darcy
Chapter Ten
Georgiana was sitting on a bench in the south garden of Pemberley. Her nine year old nephews, Andrew and John, sat next to her. Her seven year old niece, Maria was beside John. “Thank you Andrew and John for bringing this bouquet of flowers you have picked. The daisies are so lovely. I enjoy looking at fall flowers.”
