Elizabeth could not let her husband go on feeling responsible for Wickham’s actions, or her sister’s. “William, please do not feel regret. What you did was an act of compassion and generosity to my family,” she told him. “Last night, after I left you, I went to the library. Jane was there; she also found sleep difficult. We spoke at some great length about what should be done,” she began to say. “I will admit to you I was frustrated at first, but Jane reminded me as you tried to do that Lydia freely chose to run off with Wickham. You persuading Wickham to marry Lydia was a great kindness. By doing so, Wickham did give her some respectability. At least by giving her his name she was able to hold on to some standing in society. I shudder to think what would have become of my sister had you not saw fit to intervene. I tremble to think about what might have become of Lydia had Wickham abandoned her in London.”
Darcy leaned down and captured her soft lips with a tender, gentle kiss. He held her in his arms, and for a time, all thought of Wickham fled them both.
Chapter Eighteen
Elizabeth and Jane sat in the carriage with Lydia, their Aunt Gardiner, and Mrs. Bennet as they made their way to the dress shop.
“What a surprise it was to wake up this morning and find Mr. Wickham had come to see us all,” Mrs. Bennet said. “We were all so happy to have him come. It is a shame though that his stay will be so short. He will not be able to attend Mary’s wedding or Miss Darcy’s ball. I think it very wrong of Colonel Wellington to send him all this way only to demand he return so quickly to Newcastle.”
Lydia sighed, “I told you, Mama, Wickham could not help it,” she told her again. “He will come and take dinner with us this evening after he concludes his business for the Colonel, but then he must return to his regiment. He is a very important part of the regiment now. Why, Colonel Wellington has promoted him to second lieutenant already. If he continues to do well and be of service, he will make captain before long.”
Elizabeth did her best to reframe from saying anything negative to her sister. “I wonder at his being promoted so very high in rank without ever seeing the battlefield, what do you believe would cause the Colonel to do such an unusual thing?” she remarked to her sister.
Lydia giggled, “I think it has to do with all the secret missions Colonel Wellington sends Wickham on,” she told her. “How exciting is it that I am married to a spy!”
Elizabeth was about to respond when she felt Jane take hold of her hand. She sighed and smiled, “Perhaps that is it,” was all she said on the matter.
As the carriage approached the shop, Lydia began to feel uncomfortable. After riding over one particularly hard bump in the road, she cried out a little. She narrowed her eyes just a bit and said, “Lizzy, those pains from yesterday have returned,” she told them as she clutched her stomach.
Jane looked over at her sister with great concern, “Lydia, are you well?” she asked her.
As the pain grew in intensity, she began moaning, “It hurts terribly,” she cried for a moment, but then the pain seemed to subside, and she breathed easier. “I think it is better now.”
Mrs. Bennet smiled, “Perhaps that last bump in the road caused you some discomfort, my dear,” she told Lydia. She turned to Elizabeth and scolded her. “Lizzy, you must tell your driver to have care when Lydia is in the carriage.”
Elizabeth smiled, “I will Mama,” she told her just as Lydia cried out again.
“Oh Mama, something is wrong!” she cried out again as the pain came back and she held her stomach.
Elizabeth looked at her sister who had a somewhat fearful look on her face. “I think we must return to the house.”
As the pain worsened, Lydia cried louder, “Oh Lizzy, Jane! It hurts so very bad!” she said, her voice filled with fear.
Mrs. Bennet began crying hysterically, “Oh my poor girl, she is dying!” she cried out.
Mrs. Gardiner took in a deep breath and carefully placed her hand upon Lydia’s stomach. She could feel the labor pains tightening. She knew something was not right. She hoped for the best but feared the worst. “I think you are right Elizabeth,” she said as she leaned out the window and ordered the driver to return to the house.
Just as the carriage turned, the pains began to ease off again. Lydia looked at Elizabeth. “Oh, but my new gown!” she cried. “I must get my gown for the wedding!”
Jane shook her head, “Lydia, you are not well,” she warned her. “We must get you home and into bed.”
Mrs. Bennet continued to cry, and she waved her handkerchief about the tight carriage, “Oh my poor girl, you cannot have the baby now!” she screeched. “It is too soon!”
Elizabeth tried to remain calm, “Mama, this is hardly helping,” she told her as the carriage moved at a quicker pace.
Mrs. Bennet began to cringe as if she were the one in agony. Lydia’s eyes filled with fear and panic as the next wave of pain took hold. “Mama, what is happening to me!” she cried out.
“Oh, Jane!’ Mrs. Bennet sobbed out as Lydia held her stomach and whimpered. “Oh Lizzy, she will surely die and so will the baby! It is too soon! Oh, my poor girl!”
Lydia’s eyes opened wider at her mother’s words, “Oh no!” she began to scream as the pain grew worse. “I am going to die!”
Mrs. Gardiner took Lydia’s hand in hers, “You are not going to die,” she told her. “You must remain calm and try not to upset yourself,” she said to soothe her.
Lydia looked at her mother who was in near hysterics, “Mama,” she cried. “Mama, what is happening?”
Mrs. Gardiner looked at Mrs. Bennet, “Fanny, did you not explain anything to her? Did you not tell her what to expect?” she asked her.
Mrs. Bennet made a face and shook her head, “I thought there was still more time,” she admitted. “I did not want to frighten her with all the horrid details until it was closer.”
Mrs. Gardiner rolled her eyes and shook her head, “Oh Fanny, how could you be so neglectful!” she remarked before she took charge of the situation. “Elizabeth, change seats with your mother,” she told her. “Jane, you will tend to your mother while Lizzy helps me with Lydia!”
Elizabeth and Jane both did as they were told. By the time they neared the house, Elizabeth was sitting next to Lydia holding her hand while Jane tried to calm their mother. Mrs. Gardiner brushed the hair from Lydia’s face. “There are many possible explanations for what is happening, Lydia,” she told her. “You could be suffering from a sour stomach. You recall this morning you did eat a great deal at breakfast. Remember, Mary warned you not to eat so many kippers.”
Lydia took in a deep breath as another wave of pain came over her. She looked at her aunt as tears formed in her eyes, “I suppose that could be it,” she said as the carriage came to a stop. “Lizzy, you believe that is it?”
“I am sure our aunt is right,” Elizabeth said as she did her best to help her sister stand up. “Can you walk into the house?” she asked her.
Lydia nodded her head. “I believe so, the pain only comes and goes,” she said as she sniffled in. “It is not so very bad right now, but then it gets worse. Oh, Lizzy, could it really be too many kippers?” she said. Lydia held tight to both Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner’s hands as they guided her out of the carriage.
Jane helped her mother who was crying and shaking. “Oh my poor girl, my poor dear girl! She is lost to us!” Mrs. Bennet wailed.
Lydia began crying harder as she looked from her aunt to her sister, “Oh Lizzy, I do not want to die!” she cried as they took her into the house.
Once inside, Mrs. Gardiner called for the servant and instructed that the doctor be sent for at once. Jane came in with Mrs. Bennet who was crying and carrying on as Mr. Bennet and Mr. Gardiner came out of the drawing room.
“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” Mrs. Bennet cried. “Our dear girl,” she shrieked as she sniffled in and pointed a shaky finger over at Lydia.
Mrs. Gardiner looked at her husband, “Elizabeth and I will see to Lydia. Please see to your
sister,” she told him as she proceeded to climb the stairs with Lydia and Elizabeth slowly.
Jane did her best to help keep her mother upright as Mr. Gardiner came to help her. “What has happened, sister?” he asked her.
“We were on our way to the dress shop, and Lydia began having pains again. They seem to be coming and going but are increasing in severity,” Jane told him. “We determined it was best to return to the house so the doctor may come and examine Lydia.”
Mrs. Bennet cried out, “Oh my poor Lydia, my dear girl! She will die! The child is coming too soon, and they will both die!” she cried out again and then fainted into her brother’s arms.
Jane helped her uncle carefully put her mother in a nearby chair while Mr. Bennet called for the smelling salts.
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth helped Lydia remove her bonnet, and her shawl as another strong pain came on. She held her stomach and cried out, “Oh, it hurts so much more than it first did!”
Elizabeth turned to her aunt, “Where is the doctor?”
Mrs. Gardiner began helping Lydia undress, “Lizzy, the doctor will get here soon enough. Go and tell Beatrice that I need her to bring clean linens and hot water,” she told her.
Elizabeth’s eyes opened wider. “You do not believe she will have the child now?” she asked her aunt.
Mrs. Gardiner smiled, “I am merely preparing for every possibility,” she told her. “As I said, it is possible the pain is nothing more than too many kippers. Now, go down and tell Beatrice to bring the things I asked for and then come back and bring Jane with you.”
“Right away, Aunt,” Elizabeth said as she hurried down the stairs. She was so distracted that she almost ran into Jane. “Jane, Aunt Gardiner said to tell Beatrice to bring up fresh linens, and hot water,” she told her. “Then you are to come up and help with Lydia.”
Jane’s eyes filled with panic, “Is Lydia having the baby now?” she asked.
Elizabeth took her sister’s hand in hers, “I cannot say,” she told her. “I do not believe our aunt knows for certain, but I believe she thinks it possible.”
“Oh Lizzy,” Jane said as tears filled her eyes. “The baby cannot come now! It is much too soon.”
“Be strong, Jane,” Elizabeth told her as she heard Lydia cry out again. “Hurry and come up!” she said.
Jane hurried off to the kitchen in search of Beatrice as Elizabeth turned to her driver. He still stood waiting in the doorway.
“James, you must go and fetch my sister Kitty and tell Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley what has happened. Tell them to come at once,” she instructed him.
“Of course, ma’am,” he said as he turned and hurried over to the waiting carriage. Elizabeth looked briefly over at her mother who was crying and sobbing before she turned and ran back upstairs. By the time she returned to the room, Lydia was in her nightgown lying on the bed.
Lydia looked up at Elizabeth, her eyes filled with apprehension. “I do not think I can do this!” she cried out as she moaned with pain.
Elizabeth hurried over and took her sister's hand in hers, “Lydia, you must try very hard to rest. I know it hurts, but the doctor is coming; he will be here very soon. I am sure he will have some idea of what is happening and how to provide you some relief.”
Lydia held on tight to her hand, “Please Lizzy, do not leave me!” she cried as the pain began to subside. “Promise you will stay with me? Promise everything will be all right!”
Elizabeth nodded her head, “Of course I will stay,” she told her.
Mrs. Gardiner saw the look of fear in Elizabeth’s eyes, “Do not be fearful Lizzy, pray all will be well! Be strong for your sister,” she told her as Jane came into the room.
Elizabeth nodded her head. “Yes, of course. Thank you, Aunt,” she said as she blinked away the tears in her eyes.
Lydia looked up at her. “Lizzy, it hurts so very much!” she sobbed again as the pain returned. “I no longer wish to have a baby! It is so very painful and not at all fun!”
Elizabeth held on as Lydia squeezed her hand, “Oh silly girl, it will be all right,” she said as she struggled to control her own fear for her sister. “You will see, all will be well just as our aunt has said,” she encouraged her.
Not much time passed before both Beatrice, and the doctor came into the room. Elizabeth stayed near the bed holding her sister’s hand, “She is having pains doctor, they come and go but have been increasing.”
The doctor took one look at Lydia and said, “Mrs. Wickham will be all right,” he told them. “It appears that the baby is ready to be born. There is nothing to be upset or fearful about. Babies are born every day.”
Both Elizabeth and Jane’s eyes opened wide with panic, “But doctor, the child is not due to come until February!” Jane told him.
He went to examine Lydia and shook his head. “Nonsense,” he said. “She is having this child now,” he said as he turned to their aunt. “Mrs. Gardiner, will you stay with your niece and be of service to her?” he asked. “I believe Mrs. Wickham will do better if you are here.”
Mrs. Gardiner nodded her head. “Of course, doctor,” she told him as she moved over to the top of the bed and sat near Lydia. She took a cold damp cloth and wiped her brow. “Try to breathe, Lydia,” she encouraged her.
Elizabeth looked up at the doctor as she blinked away her tears. “What should I do?” she asked as she did her best to keep her emotions in check.
“You stay where you are,” he told her just as Lydia cried out again. “Let her hold your hand and do encourage her to be calm. As I said, babies are born every day.”
“Oh Lizzy, is the baby coming?” Lydia cried “Is it happening?”
Elizabeth looked down at her sister. “Yes, dearest, the baby is coming,” she told her trying not to cry. “You must not upset yourself now; we must do as the doctor says. Try not to worry. All that can be done will be.”
Lydia cried out again as the pain grew worse and her water suddenly broke. “Oh Lizzy, what is happening to me! Am I dying!?”
“You are not dying!” the doctor assured her. “Do not fear, my dear, it will not be long now,” the doctor told her as he took off his coat and rolled up his sleeves. “I give you my word; you do as I tell you, and all will be well.”
Elizabeth looked up at the doctor. She narrowed her eyes in confusion. She wondered why he would be telling Lydia that all would be well when it would not. “Doctor, we did not expect the baby so soon. I fear the worst will now happen,” she told him again.
The doctor furrowed his brow in confusion, “Mrs. Darcy, I cannot speak to that right now. The baby is coming, and all I can do is help with the delivery...” he told her. “I will leave the rest to Mrs. Wickham to explain to you later.”
Before Elizabeth could say anything more, Lydia cried out, “Oh, make it stop! I do not want a baby anymore! Mama! Lizzy, help me!” she cried harder. The pains were coming faster and stronger than ever.
She began thrashing about as both Elizabeth and Jane held her hand and tried to calm her. Jane brushed the hair from Lydia’s face as sweat began to bead across her brow. Mrs. Gardiner leaned down and held Lydia’s head in place. She wiped her brow again and told her. “Breathe Lydia, you must not hold your breath!” she warned her.
Lydia screamed as the pains came one after another, “It hurts!” she cried, “It hurts!”
Mrs. Gardiner leaned down and whispered soothingly to her niece, “Listen to me now, Lydia, you must not hold your breath,” she told her. “You must do as I tell you and breathe in and out slowly. The pain will go easier if you do as I tell you.”
Lydia had an almost wild and frantic look in her eyes as she listened to her aunt. “I cannot do this, Aunt!” she wailed as she looked from her aunt to Elizabeth. “Oh, Lizzy! Jane, it hurts too much! I do not want to have a baby! I do not want to do this! Make it stop!” she cried over and over again. “Oh, where is Mama?” she cried out.
As another strong pain took hold of Lydia, she screamed o
ut, and the doctor moved over and examined her again. “The baby is coming Mrs. Wickham!” he shouted. “I can see the top of the head.”
Elizabeth held Lydia’s hand tight and said, “Do you hear that, Lydia? It will soon be over.”
Lydia was almost panting now as the pains came one after another, “I cannot,” she cried. “I cannot continue!”
Mrs. Gardiner held Lydia down to keep her still. “Breathe Lydia, do not hold your breath. Breathe through the pain as it comes!” she reminded her.
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