My Dearest Mr. Darcy: An Amazing Journey Into Love Everlasting (50 page)

"Elizabeth?" he whispered, voice husky and barely audible. No answer was forthcoming; in fact, she did not move. Alarm bells began to toll in his fogged mind and with a jolt he was wide awake. He sat up further, impervious to the blast of cold hitting his unclothed torso, "Elizabeth," spoken much stronger.

No reply. Nothing. That was it! In a flash he was out of the bed and to her side, nakedness inconsequential. He knelt before her, hands on her knees, but she seemed unaware of his presence. She sat rigid, hands pressed flat on her thighs, eyes closed as she inhaled and exhaled with a steady rhythm. Her face was calm with a tiny crease between her flawless brows the only apparent indication of some sort of distress.

"Elizabeth! Speak to me!" He nearly screamed it, fingers digging into her knees. Elizabeth shook her head imperceptibly, continuing her deep breathing, and ignoring him. Just as he was about to shake her or run yelling from the room for assistance, she inhaled hugely, releasing the air with a rush.

Then she opened her eyes, staring directly into his troubled gaze a foot away. Her eyes sparkled happily, readily seen in the gloom, with faint hints of anxiety and pain evident. She reached up and ran her fingers through his hair, Darcy paralyzed with a host of emotions all warring for dominance and none prevailing.

"Are you prepared to be a father, Fitzwilliam? I do hope so as I am nearly certain today will be the day."

L
IZZY CONTINUED TO RUFFLE through his thick hair, mussing it up even further as she smiled tenderly at the dazed expression on his face. He stared fixedly as the words rushed through his brain. A split second of panic was quickly stifled, Darcy instantly on the alert and fully in control.

He nodded once, bruising grip loosening from her knees. When he spoke, Lizzy was surprised at the command and calm in his tone. "I shall inform Uncle George. Wait here."

As if she planned on dashing off somewhere! Lizzy laughed, grasping his hand. "Dearest, put on your robe and slippers as you are shivering and turning blue. Then please stoke the fire. It is not yet dawn and by all accounts I will be at this for hours and hours, so there is no reason to wake the good doctor yet. Sit with me here, please? I want this time alone with you before all the craziness ensues."

He nodded again, face serious, but rose and did as she bid. The robe was a brilliant idea as he realized he was quite cold once the immediate terror passed. In minutes he had a fire blazing and retrieved a blanket to place around them. He nestled next to his wife, drawing her legs over his lap and covering with a second blanket, just as another contraction consumed her. Remembering to breathe regularly as George had shown her, she leaned into Darcy's inner shoulder and submitted to the necessary pain.

He hugged her closely, laying a palm onto her belly as his eyebrows shot upward at the extreme rigidity felt. He quickly learned that the muscles would relax imperceptibly seconds before the pain itself lessened. It was like a wave: starting high above her navel and traveling downward until the entire bulge was firm as a rock, the tapering occurring in like manner.

"It is logical, if you think on it," he said. "The muscles are attempting to push him out."

"Shame he does not readily comply," Lizzy responded with asperity. "If I was being shoved so forcefully, I would gladly leave the environment of hostility!"

Darcy laughed. "Well, there is more to it than that! Patience, my love, all will occur in its proper timing." To which declaration Lizzy gifted him with a snort of disgust and withering glare.

Unconsciously he assumed the pattern of rhythmic respirations Lizzy utilized to maintain her serenity, unaware he was doing so until she exhaled finally as the contraction ebbed. Her belly resumed its usual softness, the baby quiet. He kissed the top of her head, pulling her closer to his body.

"Is the pain so terrible?" His voice trembled somewhat, but not as greatly as expected.

"Not as of yet. It is tolerable although I am quite sure it will intensify as time marches on. Pity, otherwise it would be an easy process." She sighed, leaning her head back to see his face. "Can you believe we are going to see our son, William? I am so excited!"

He bent to kiss her lips, cupping her face gently. "I love you, Elizabeth, so utterly. You have made me the happiest of men. My wife, mother of my child." He again kissed her briefly and then placed her head against his shoulder. "When did your pains start?"

"I think I dreamt through the first few of them but woke around two. I lay in your embrace for a time, thinking them just the usual pains, but they seemed stronger, more focused. And they did not stop. After an hour I moved here. I did not want to wake you."

"You should have," he scolded lightly.

"To what purpose? Other than keeping me company and warm, there is naught for you to do. I reckoned you needed your sleep so as to be rested for later when I truly need you. Right now... wait." She gripped the fingers laced through hers on her shoulder, cadenced breathing initiated as another contraction began.

Therein started an arrangement that would continue until dawn was well past. They would speak softly of a myriad of topics designed to fill the five to eight minutes between each pain. Darcy held her in his arms, breathing as she did, softly caressing and kissing ceaselessly, murmuring words of encouragement, and never leaving except to add a log now and again. Lizzy dozed on occasion during the pause, supported by her husband's firm chest, and snuggly warm under the blanket and with fire roaring. If it were not for the unrelenting pains, it would have been a delightful, almost romantic interlude.

The sun rose gradually, faint twinges through the thick winter curtains signifying the start of a new day. "A day we will remember with clarity for the rest of our lives," Darcy whispered into her hair, Lizzy chuckling.

"I suppose there will be moments I will wish to forget but likely shall not." She paused, glancing at him with a serious expression. "William, promise me you will keep me awake and focused no matter what I say. I want to see our son the second he is born and remember the wonder of it. Promise?"

"I promise."

By seven o'clock Lizzy's methodically occurring contractions continued every several minutes without fail but had not increased in power. She sighed as the latest contraction waned, shifting on the pillow behind her aching back. Darcy smoothed the hair from her face, observing closely for any overt signs of distress. Lizzy smiled, eyes closing as she drew his fingers to her lips.

"Perhaps it is time to inform the household of what is transpiring. Jane needs to be sent for and Mrs. Reynolds will be seriously vexed if not involved from the outset."

Darcy frowned. "Do you feel it imminent, love?"

"Unfortunately, no. However, I do want to hear what my physician thinks. And I am thirsty." Darcy rose, settling her as comfortably as possible on the sofa, and crossed to his dressing room where he knew Samuel would be busily preparing his clothing and bath for the day.

"Samuel, please ask the nearest footman to inform Dr. Darcy that Mrs. Darcy is having the baby. It is not emergent, but we request his company once he is dressed. Then can you inform Mrs. Reynolds? I will need her here as soon as possible. Thank you." Samuel left the room with a brisk nod, Darcy standing in the middle for a minute. He took several deep breaths, allowing a wash of tremors to cascade through his veins. He closed his eyes, sending a prayer for strength heavenward.
One second at a time, Darcy,
he commanded himself,
be strong for her and do not let her sense your anxiety!

Entering the room some ten minutes later, Darcy was again in charge of his emotions. Lizzy was reclining as he left her and immediately he noted that she was experiencing another pain, the furrows between her brows present and lips pursed as she concentrated on breathing. He knelt beside the sofa, taking her hand for tender stroking. She released the cleansing exhalation, squeezing his hand and smiling weakly. "I am so thirsty."

"Mrs. Reynolds should be here any... See, any minute." He stood to answer the knock at the door, greeting Mrs. Reynolds with a giddy smile. "Mrs. Reynolds, my wife seems determined to present me with our child today. Has Dr. Darcy been sent for? Excellent. First, will you notify Mr. Thurber to send one of the grooms to Hasberry for the Bingleys? I will pen a note to deliver. Secondly, ask the kitchen for a tray and tea, perhaps some juice as well. Let me think... what else?"

"Shall I inform Miss Darcy?"

"If she is awake, yes please. She can keep Mrs. Darcy company as soon as she wishes to. Whatever else you deem sensible; I trust your judgment at this juncture superior to mine. Oh, coffee, please."

She curtsied and left, passing George Darcy in the sitting room. He approached with casual strides, tea cup in one hand and muffin in the other, dressed in a flowing garment of canary yellow with green edging.

"I was informed that babies are birthing hereabouts? Elizabeth! You are still pregnant!" He stopped abruptly on the threshold, feigning shock.

"Yes, Uncle, we thought we would wait for you. Now that you have arrived, perhaps you can work your magic and speed the process along?"

"Alas, my dear niece, magic does not reside in these hands. Only staggering expertise and superior knowledge. William, you do intend on dressing and shaving? Your baby's eyesight will suffer if greeted by such a frightful vision."

"And your brash appearance is benign?" Elizabeth interjected.

"Babies love bright colors. Stimulates the retina." He had crossed to the fireside chair positioned across from Lizzy, sitting and extending long legs nonchalantly as he bit into the muffin. "So," he resumed while chewing, "tell me how we are faring, dear."

Lizzy launched into a briefly detailed synopsis of her contraction history while Darcy stood nearby, not sure whether he was calmed or irritated by his uncle's blase attitude. Luckily he had no time to figure it out as another pain began, Darcy swiftly kneeling at his wife's side to assist and comfort. George ate in silence while Darcy stroked Lizzy's forehead and murmured soft encouragement until the pain passed, leaning for a brushing kiss.

He sat back on his heels, yet holding Lizzy's hand, and turned to his placidly masticating uncle. "What is the plan, Dr. Darcy? What is your professional opinion?"

"Elizabeth, I fear you are yet in the early stages of labor. I could examine you, but it is not necessary. Trust me when I tell you that you will know when the labor is causing changes and nearing completion. The truth is, as we have spoken previously, the birth course will be set by the baby and internal forces. However, there are some actions that may affect the outcome."

He sat up briskly, suddenly alert and businesslike. "Here is the plan. William, you will freshen up and dress, then go have a full breakfast..."

"You were serious about that?"

"Absolutely. Well, not about the baby's eyesight part, but you do need to take a few minutes for yourself."

"I am not leaving my wife!"

"Dearest, I think your uncle is right about this. No, listen. I will need you more later, and you need to be fresh and energized. Food is essential for you as you get grumpy when hungry." She smiled tenderly, caressing the hand clasped in hers. "And only I am allowed to become grumpy today."

"I will not leave her, William, and Mrs. Reynolds should return momentarily. We will call you if needed, but trust me in that nothing will change in the following hour, sorry, Elizabeth."

"Write to Jane and Charles, beloved, and take care of yourself. I will be fine." She halted as another pain enveloped her. Darcy assumed his role as comforter.

George rose to answer the knock on the sitting room door, revealing a tray-encumbered Mrs. Reynolds trailed by three equally laden maids. "Well, well!" He declared with a broad grin and snatched a blackberry tart, biting hugely. "Mmmmm... Oh my, this is heavenly." He sighed, eyes closed in ecstasy. "Mrs. Langton is a gift from God."

"I believe these were for Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, Dr. Darcy," Mrs. Reynolds said with a smile, "but by all means, help yourself."

"Thank you, madam. Actually, the father-to-be is ordered to break his fast with his sister, and none of these delicious edibles are appropriate for Mrs. Darcy. She is restricted to liquids and perhaps fruits, if she can tolerate. Anything heavy will induce nausea." He turned to one of the maids. "Miss, we will require a steady influx of hot, sweet tea and juices." He continued his orders for the kitchen then enlightened the housekeeper on the current status of her Mistress.