Each time he heeled to stop in a village, horse and rider both lathered and heaving, the event incited a small crowd to gather to see what manner of gentleman was in such a rush.
Dignity, however, was the least of his concerns, thus he paid little attention to the hubbub. The hauteur by which he had always presented himself to the world at large was outright abandoned by the time he reached the farthest reaches of Pemberley. For the summer heat not only caked dust upon his perspiring forehead, it demanded he discard his jacket entirely.
Once upon even more familiar ground, he cut off the main road to find a shorter route by the stables. It was there he saw his coach being unhitched from a team of horses that were lathered almost as generously as his own. He pulled to a stop but did not dismount, for he espied Edward Hardin as he stood before an opened door of the coach with a bucket of soapy water. The interior of the carriage was a bloody mess.
“Who travelled in this coach?” Darcy demanded.
His mouth slightly agape, Edward Hardin stood looking at the dirt-encrusted countenance of his long absent employer as if at an apparition. The man flinched when Darcy shouted the query at him a second time, but remained stunned yet. Too impatient to wait for information (and not certain he was sufficiently steeled to hear the answer), Darcy whirled his horse and kicked him toward the archway to the court and through it. At the doorsteps to Pemberley, he slung his leg over the neck of the horse and jumped down at a dead run.
Servants were by that time swarming and the door was thrown open for him, but only by the smallest margin, for he had taken the steps two at a time. Surprisingly, Bingley met him as he entered the vestibule.
Darcy offered no greeting, but demanded of him, “Is Elizabeth well?”
Bingley started to say something, stopped, looked down, then away. He held out one hand, palm up, and Darcy could not determine if this gesture was in supplication or in asking for help in explanation. That either was a possibility meant Bingley could not answer his question definitively with a “yes,” and Darcy grabbed his lapel to encourage some a response. One came not; hence, he shook him in the hope of rattling his vocal cords loose. Bingley’s vest was so sticky with blood, it caught Darcy’s attention. He held up his stained hand before them, and both looked upon it with horror. A cold trepidation caused Darcy to abandon seeking a determination of Elizabeth’s well-being from anyone other than Elizabeth, herself.
“Where is she? Where is Elizabeth?”
Bingley pointed upstairs and Darcy’s boots assaulted them. At the top he took the corner by pivoting the newel post to speed himself, much as he did when a boy, and headed toward their rooms. Hannah had heard the commotion and opened the door in anticipation. He came to a skidding stop just inside.
He stood there, his chest heaving, less from exhaustion than emotion, for he could see Elizabeth there, the covers drawn up neatly beneath her chin. She lay still and white as death. No baby was in evidence.
Walking over to the edge of the bed, he kneeled and took her hand, softly calling her name.
“Lizzy,” he said. “Lizzy.”
Odd, the tricks one’s mind plays. She would have sworn before God that it was her husband’s voice she heard. But that was an impossibility.
Impossible or not, with great effort she turned upon her side and reached out, the allurement of his voice was irresistible. Grasping the side of the mattress, she tried to rise upon one arm, but she was too weak and collapsed upon it instead.
Again, she heard his voice calling her name and she opened her eyes, blinking wildly to clear the haze. The only thing within her focus was the floor, and upon it, a pair of boots. Tall boots. Large boots. Astoundingly large and decidedly dusty boots.
“Darcy.”
Had she managed any tears, they would have been obliterated by the shower of kisses bestowed upon her face by her husband. She endeavoured to say more than just his name, but her voice was weak.
“Do not tire yourself, Lizzy.”
There was little grander reason she could think of to exert herself, and she told him thus repeatedly. He, however, had whirled about demanding someone to tell him of her condition. Elizabeth tugged at his shirt, trying to get his attention once more, but failed. Jane, Hannah, Mrs. Reynolds, and Bingley too stood just beyond the world of her bed, peering upon them, smiling at the reunion. Darcy seemed reassured by such felicity, but confused.
“What?” he demanded. “What?!”
Elizabeth lifted her hand and pointed toward Hannah. Hannah was, indeed, holding a baby.
He looked again to Elizabeth and asked, incredulous, “Ours?”
Weakly, she smiled and nodded.
In another life, he might have rushed to look upon his child, but he did not. He took both of Elizabeth’s hands and kissed the palms. Repeatedly. Thereupon he attended her lips, caressing her face as he did. It would have been expected that those in presence would have known to give their reunion some privacy but no one there was in a mind to take their leave. Hence, Darcy finally rose and walked over to look upon the countenance of his child. He did so not so much in curiosity, but as in believing that what was required. Having not had time to fully appreciate his fatherhood, the magnitude of his altered situation was quite lost upon him.
The tiny bundle swaddled in Hannah’s arms turned crimson as it began a squall of impressive decibel. Jane reached over and turned back the edge of the blanket revealing a dark-haired, red-faced, squirming infant. He threw his head back with a hearty laugh of delight, now compleatly enlightened he was, indeed, a father.
Hannah laughed. Jane laughed as well. Bingley grabbed Mrs. Reynolds by the waist and swung her around, and the startled woman stopped laughing when he did. Bingley put her down a little meekly and walked over to stand behind Jane, his hands resting upon her shoulders.
It was only then that Darcy saw Jane also held a baby.
“My congratulations as well to you and Jane, Bingley,” he said.
Everyone was looking at him so queerly, he was suddenly befuddled.
“Have I admired the wrong baby?”
He turned back to Elizabeth and bid, “Which is ours?”
She said, “Do you mean, sir, that we can keep but one?”
That he looked at her quite blankly revealed his deafness. Thus, she held out her arms, which he hastily reclaimed.
She held his face in her hands and said as clearly and plainly as she could, “They are both ours.”
The rapture with which Darcy embraced not only his wife, but also his new-found fatherhood, transcended mere words. And eventually his reservoir of vigour was compleatly sapped by emotion and he fell fast asleep atop Elizabeth’s covers. She had no way of knowing, of course, but concluded regardless, that it was the first peace he had secured for months. Hence, she was reassured, not affronted, by his relief.
The story of the birth of their babies could wait. That they and Elizabeth had survived the ordeal was all the information he wanted just at that particular moment. Elizabeth needed only to hear the murmured confirmation from him that Georgiana had returned to England unscathed to allow herself a serene rest as well. Hence, the blissful onlookers took their cue and retreated from the room, none realising that Darcy had not thought to inquire if either of his offspring was now heir to the vast fortune of Pemberley.
The babies favoured each other prodigiously, hence, their differing gender supplied the most efficient means of telling one from the other. This, as it happened, was of more immediate importance to their family than which would eventually inherit. And assured of lineage, Pemberley and the surrounding countryside feted the births with festivities unparalleled since the Darcys’ wedding.
Whilst Derbyshire celebrated, Darcy embarked upon an individual interview of those present to learn eventually the full story of Elizabeth’s pregnancy and the spectre of childbirth upon the road.
Most post hoc commentary had been jests by Elizabeth about the extent of her recent girth (now able to find more humour ab
out it once her waistline was returned to an approximation of the past). Yet he uncovered that, though Jane actually delivered the babies, the dual birth explained Bingley’s bloodied waistcoat. For his arms were commandeered as the most convenient repository for one of the squalling new-borns. Upon the new father’s behalf, the fright and desperation during that event was ignored in favour of a telling that emphasised excitement and suspense. Much was the same for the tale of his ruptured hearing. The truth would be left to the ingenuity of each other’s considerable imagination of what actually occurred.
It was within these conversations that Darcy learnt that, howbeit the family was blessed with two births, two deaths had occurred as well. When he heard from Bingley the sad news of Mr. Bennet’s passing, he went directly to Elizabeth to console her. Possibly in want of not dwelling on that cheerless subject, she told her husband that Wickham had fallen in battle. She did so hesitantly, uncertain of just how that bit of information would sit upon him. He appeared to take it quite unremarkedly. Her father’s death clearly was the more pertinent of the two.
The next day, understandably, Elizabeth was weak and bedridden yet. Even so, Jane had difficulty keeping her still, for she could not be happy but to have her husband and both babies in the bed with her. So roundly delighted to be home, Darcy was not inclined to leave her even for a moment, and was only coaxed from her side by the bell calling that Miss Georgiana had returned to Pemberley.
Fitzwilliam had fared poorly upon the trip home to England, but stoicism was part of his nature. Denial of pain was not a surprise, but he projected such cheerfulness about his circumstances, that Darcy knew that a farce as well. Fitzwilliam’s vision and Darcy’s hearing had repaired at about the same level. Fitzwilliam’s sight was blurry and it left him dizzy. Darcy could hear, but mostly higher tones.
Of the two, fortune smiled most favourably on Darcy, for he could understand most of what Elizabeth said and could hear the babies when they had a notion to let out a wail. (Elizabeth assured him it was best his ears were disadvantaged at that particular time, for the noise the infants produced together was quite extraordinary.)
Still steadfastly at his side, Georgiana had accompanied Fitzwilliam to Whitemore, but the news of the babies’ births bid her make haste to Pemberley. Seeing his sister standing safe within the walls of their home once again was a grand, but far too fleeting moment for Darcy. Quite precipitously, he was reminded that other ill-tidings were at hand and Elizabeth would have to be told.
As her recent company with her brother was both compact and extended, it could be understood if immediately after Georgiana gave her brother her congratulations in an unbridled embrace and kiss on the cheek, she relinquished his company to go to Elizabeth and have a look at her niece and nephew. Before she did so, Darcy told her of Mr. Bennet’s recent death.
Then, rather mildly, he added, “I am told also that another loss has befallen the family. It is reported that George Wickham has evidently lost his life in valorous battle.”
They stood looking at each other silently for a moment, for Georgiana knew of Wickham’s treason.
Georgiana responded, “If Wickham shot John Christie in the stomach and left him to die, I hope he is burning in hell as we speak.”
Darcy found no argument with that sentiment, but cautioned her, “With all that has bechanced, I have yet to tell Elizabeth that young John is dead, or that Fitzwilliam’s wounds kept us in France. She thinks it was the quarantine alone.”
Though it was not actually asked of her, Georgiana understood she had just inherited the unkind duty of delivering that information to Elizabeth, “I shall explain what has come to pass as best I can.”
It was as Darcy had hoped, for he was not yet certain in his own mind “what had come to pass.”
Perhaps filtered through Elizabeth he would understand it better himself.
Darcy did not inquire why Georgiana stayed with Elizabeth for an extended visit. In other circumstances, he would have interrupted such a lengthy stay, rousting the over-zealous confidant in defence of Elizabeth’s rest. But he knew that it was probable Elizabeth would learn more of Georgiana’s situation in those few hours than he had uncovered in all their time together in France, thus he kept himself downstairs and fretfully paced the room. Full curious, but still not disposed to expose it, he made a great show of a lack of interest in his sister’s discourse, but wasted little time after Georgiana had left before returning to hear from Elizabeth what was unearthed.
Forthwith of other information, however, Elizabeth announced, “As soon as I am up and about there will be a wedding to plan. That is, of course, with your approval.”
That Fitzwilliam and Georgiana had come to an understanding was not an unmitigated surprise, but Darcy was not yet certain what he thought of it. Fitzwilliam was quite unwell and it seemed premature to take so great a step as marriage. An engagement seemed too imprudent to him, even one done in the proper way.
“I think this should be postponed at least until Fitzwilliam can come to me and ask for her hand properly. If he is too unwell for that, he is surely too unwell to marry.”
At that pronouncement, Darcy went over and peered at the baby resting in Elizabeth’s arm, trying to determine its identity. Elizabeth called to the nurse to come take the babies, which surprised Darcy, for she had scarcely let them out of her sight. The babies gone, he sat down next to her plumping her pillows.
By all rights, Darcy should have taken notice of the solemnity of Elizabeth’s countenance just then. But so all-consuming was his determination to be nothing but happy to be home, one must forgive him for looking to her in love rather than query. Thus, it was with reluctance that Elizabeth was compelled to readdress the issue of impending wedlock. It was only when she stopped his fussing with her comfort and took his hands in hers that he clearly looked at her countenance and all that it betrayed.
She said simply, “I fear ’tis impossible to wait until Fitzwilliam is fit. I understand that might take a year.”
As Elizabeth spoke, she soothingly stroked his hands. This unmistakable gesture of solicitude was not misinterpreted, howbeit it did take a few moments for him to come to full realisation.
He asked regardless, “It is impossible to wait?”
“Yes.”
With more than a little bitterness, he said, “I fancy this means Fitzwilliam is more fit than I imagined.”
“But you see they must wed immediately?”
Elizabeth wanted to keep the conversation moving forward but, not unexpectedly, was unsuccessful.
Even more bitterly, he said, “I have spent the last months away from you in care of Fitzwilliam and I am repaid by this?”
“I truly do not believe this occurrence was staged for your injury, sir.”
Elizabeth had a half-smile ready for the glare she knew she would receive. And the semi-smile did, if not eliminate, at least soften the truth of her words. He stood and did the inevitable of walking to the window and looking silently out across the grounds. Omnipotence had not lasted two days. He chuckled at the irony, thus alarming Elizabeth.
“Laughter was the last thing I would have thought to hear from you right now,”she said.
He almost explained that he was laughing at himself, not the situation, but did not. Instead, he said as he turned around and faced her.
“Tell me, Mrs. Darcy, who shall I get to second Fitzwilliam?”
“Second him?”
“Yes, it must be someone hardy. Only a stout man can hold him up whilst I run him through. Perchance Bingley will do it.”
Darcy said this with all due severity and Elizabeth was not entirely certain he was not serious. Not entirely certain he was not serious either, Darcy continued to speculate upon the duel this deflowerment demanded.
“Yes. It is my place to demand satisfaction upon this insult to the House of Pemberley. Is there a greater insult a gentleman can sustain than defilement of his sister?”
He had begun to pace with recl
aimed anger.
She countered, “Possibly the insult to his character was he to draw the blood of a blind cripple?”
“That is my dilemma, is it not?”
“I think there is something else to consider.”
She patted the bed next to her, inviting him to sit by her side again.
When he joined her, she said, “Georgiana has been frank with me, not in the particulars, but in general. I understand Fitzwilliam has been bedridden?”
“Yes. We left as soon as he could rise.”
“Thereupon I think you will agree Georgiana was neither seduced nor over-powered.”
In all the ill-humour of a humbling defeat, he stretched out upon the bed with her, and groused, “I shall never agree with that. I may not argue against it, but I most certainly will not agree.”
It took Elizabeth some cajoling, some teasing, some encouragement, but eventually Darcy gave up the business of duelling Fitzwilliam. That misguided venture joined Elizabeth’s scheming revenge of Charles Bingley’s infidelity and was filed away under abandoned reprisals.
Perchance it was the rapidity of tumultuous events, or maybe Mrs. Reynolds’ age simply told her it was time to rest, but sometime during that night her heart seized.
Paralysed upon one side, she lay helpless in bed until the other servants became alarmed by her absence from duty at dawn. Mr. Darcy was called and the doctor fetched, but few held out hope of her recovery. Dr. Upchurch again came to impart ill-tidings, proclaiming her failing heart would cease directly.
Elizabeth insisted she be allowed downstairs to sit with the old woman, though Darcy argued against it. Knowing she was determined, he picked her up and carried her himself, though Cressida whined and circled his legs as he traversed the stairs, nearly causing additional catastrophe. (Troilus’s absence declared his fate, thus Elizabeth was spared explaining to Darcy the exact circumstances of his demise.) Darcy could not bring himself to scold the dog and merely called for a servant to corral the widowed hound until he got Elizabeth safely to Mrs. Reynolds’s bedside.
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