Netherfield Park Quarantined (26 page)

A letter arrived announcing the wedding date for Bingley and Jane.
They had set the date for March first, and they asked Darcy and Elizabeth to
stand up with them. Bingley also asked his friend and future brother in law to
begin a search of potential estates in the area near Pemberley which were for
sale. Though he was pleased with Netherfield, the nearness to his future in
laws, especially Mrs Bennet, was beginning to wear on his nerves. Bingley
also knew how close Jane and Elizabeth had always been, and felt it would be
more comfortable to live near her favorite sister and his best friend.

~~ ** ~~

Near the middle of February, Elizabeth was finally convinced she was
with child. She had thought she was, and had confirmed the symptoms she
was discovering with Mrs Reynolds. The babe’s existence would be known for
certain once the quickening had happened, and Elizabeth decided to wait until
she felt it before announcing to her husband. Mrs Reynolds agreed with
Elizabeth, Darcy would be a nervous father in waiting and would be
overprotective of his beloved wife.

Feeling the fluttering in her abdomen, Elizabeth was thrilled with the
movement of the babe inside her. She hurried downstairs and to her
husband’s study. As she reached the door, she knocked before opening it, not
waiting for the call for her to enter. Darcy was seated at his desk, working on
his ledger, and looked up to see his wife enter the room.

“Dearest, is everything well?” He asked as he stood up and began to
walk towards her.

 

“Everything is wonderful, William. So very…” Suddenly, the world
began to spin and then, everything went black.

Fortunately, Darcy was near enough to stretch out his arms to catch his
wife’s limp body, keeping her from striking the ground. Frantically, Darcy
called out for Mrs Reynolds to come and for someone to send for the physician
in Lambton. He placed Elizabeth on the sofa, lifting her hand to place the palm
against his cheek.

“Lizzy, my love, please do not leave me. Please, dearest, you must be
well.” Darcy choked out the words as he attempted to keep tears from flowing
freely down his cheeks.

Mrs Reynolds hurried into the study, nearly breathless. “Master
William, what has happened?”

“My wife came in quickly and appeared to be excited about something,
and suddenly, she collapsed. I am not sure what happened. I sent a footman
to Lambton for Mr Walsh. Has she shown any signs of being ill? Have I missed
something?”

Knowing her Mistress’s suspicions of her condition, Mrs Reynolds could
only assume the fainting was related to being with child. “I am sure she will
be fine, Master William. Perhaps she did not eat enough at breakfast. You
were already in your study when your wife came down to eat. She has been
busy preparing for your departure to her sister’s wedding. I am sure between
being busy and not eating enough, she just became faint. Mr Walsh will most
likely find she needs to relax and eat better meals.”

“She has never been so fragile, not since I have known her.” Darcy
stated, his eyes could not look anywhere but at his beautiful wife. “She is a
strong lady, the only time I have seen her ill was in Ireland. Not even during
the epidemic at Netherfield did she become ill. Something must be seriously
wrong with her. I pray she will not leave me, she is my life.”

After what seemed like hours, but was only half of one, Mr Walsh
arrived. “Mr Darcy, it is a pleasure to see you. I was told your wife has taken
ill.”

“My wife came hurrying into this very room, and then, suddenly, she
fainted in my arms. She has not opened her eyes since.” Darcy stated,
remaining at her side.

“Well, my dear boy, I am sure it is not anything serious. Ladies can be
quite delicate at times. Now, scoot from this room so I may examine her. Mrs
Reynolds, would you remain with me?”

Darcy was reluctant to remove from the room, but finally did as he was
told by the physician he had known all of his life. He paced in the hallway
outside his study, never stepping more than a few steps past the door.

When the door opened, Mr Walsh stepped out, shaking his head. “My
dear boy, your life will never be the same again. You must see that she eats
properly, and rests whenever needed. Mrs Darcy will become fatigued much
easier for the next six months or so.”

His heart nearly shattered as Darcy listened to the physician’s words.
“Six months? Is that all the time we will have?”

“Yes, now that your wife has felt the quickening, I believe she is a little
over three months along. Do not fear. My own wife stated she felt like time
flew by, and yet, it seemed to take forever before she was able to hold our son
in her arms.”

Finally, the elderly man’s words sunk into Darcy’s mind. A babe was
coming. Elizabeth had felt the quickening. In six months, he would be holding
his child in his arms. A sudden shout of joy was heard throughout the house.

Darcy rushed into the study, and seeing his wife was awake and smiling,
he scooped her into his arms and twirled about. “I am going to be a father?” He
asked her. Seeing her eyes sparkling as she nodded her head, Darcy began
placing gentle kisses all over his wife’s head and neck. “I AM GOING TO BE A
FATHER!” He shouted to the world.

All the while, Mrs Reynolds and other members of the household staff
gathered, watching with joy, as the news of the future generation of Darcys
was proclaimed by the soon to be father. Everyone was pleased, as this gave
Pemberley yet another generation of Darcys to care for the estate.

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

 

Chapter 21

The Darcy family arrived at Netherfield a few days before the wedding
of Charles Bingley and Jane Bennet. They would stay at Netherfield until after
the wedding breakfast, when they would leave for London. Darcy had decided
to spend a fortnight in Town, shopping for items for redecorating the nursery
and to prepare for the baby.

As her husband rambled on of all the items they would have to shop for,
Elizabeth began to laugh. “William, I have never seen a man who was so
excited in the preparations for a baby. How is it you know what the babe will
require?”

“I have spent many years raising Georgiana, and I did spend a great
many hours in the nursery when she was a baby.” Darcy stated proudly.
When his wife gave him a look with an arched eyebrow, Darcy blushed lightly
as he confessed. “I spoke with Mrs Reynolds and had her make a list of most
of the items which will be needed for a babe. It has been a long time since
there was a new Darcy babe, so I am sure that we will need many new items.
And, I am sure, there are many new items for babies. I intend to check them all
out, and find what we will wish to have for our child. And I intend to have a
physician living at Pemberley when you go into your confinement. The
midwife is fine, but I wish to have a physician there just in case he is needed.”

“William, my mother birthed five daughters with no problems. My
Grandma Gardiner gave birth to three children with no problems. I come from
hardy stock, birthing children is not a problem in my family.”

“Please, my love, remember that this child is part Darcy. My mother had
a difficult time with childbirth. Mother had five miscarriages between my
birth and Georgiana’s. Her mother lost six babies between the three children
she was able to carry. My father’s mother could not conceive again after
giving birth to my father. The birth of Georgiana ultimately caused my
mother’s death, as her body was so weak from previously losing a babe and
she never recovered. I will not take chances with your health. Everything I
can do to prevent harm to you and my child, I will do. You, my beautiful,
delightful, impertinent wife, are my world. Do not think for a moment I will
give you up easily.”

“I will allow you to be a crazy father, so long as you do not insist on such
things as an Egyptian throne chair to have me carried about from room to
room.” Elizabeth smiled.

Laughing, Darcy nodded his head. “I will cancel the Egyptian throne
chair order. I know I will be insane with worry at times, all I can ask is for you
to be patient with me.”

~~ ** ~~

The journey from Pemberley to Netherfield was long and tedious. Darcy
insisted on taking an extra day in the journey, wishing to allow his wife time
to rest every step of the way. His fussing over her comfort was already
beginning to ruffle her feathers.

Arriving at Netherfield, Bingley welcomed his guests enthusiastically.
“It is such a pleasure to have you here. I hope your journey was pleasant.”

Elizabeth smiled at her soon to be brother. “It was fine. And now, we
are here to enjoy the celebrations for you and my sister. I am so thrilled that
you will soon be my brother. Jane deserves to have such a fine husband, who
loves her.”

“She is truly an angel. I cannot wait to be able to claim her as my wife.”
Bingley said with a smile that grew as he thought of Jane.

 

Darcy was having a difficult time not laughing at his friend. “Well,
Bingley, shall we go inside or stand out here for the rest of the day?”

As they entered the house, Bingley informed his friend and future sister
of the invitation for them to dine at Longbourn that evening. “Mrs Bennet has
prepared a delightful meal, I am certain, and is excited to have you both there.
She has been singing your praises, telling everyone how she knew you were
meant to be a couple and that she had encouraged the relationship from the
start.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “Some things never change. Mamma is eager
to claim credit when none is due her. Well, let her crow her joy. It is better
than incurring her wrath for my not having married Mr Collins, as she had
wished.”

“Speaking of Mr Collins, I was chatting with Mr Bennet the other day
with regards to the entail. He told me that now, with no male heirs, he is
planning to work on breaking the entail. He has contacted a solicitor in Town
to begin working on the matter.”

Darcy smiled. “I referred him to my solicitor. I believe it will be simple
enough, as there are no heirs, to break the entail. My solicitor has stated he
feels there should be no impediments to the situation.”

“William, why did you not speak of this to me? Mamma must be thrilled
with such news.” Elizabeth was excited for her family.

 

“We were hoping to wait until it was settled before announcing the
matter. Leave it to Bingley to ruin the surprise.”

 

Elizabeth embraced her husband. “Thank you, William, for assisting my
family. You are truly a wonderful man.”

“If you must thank me, do so only for yourself. I believe I only assisted
your father to bring you pleasure.” Darcy brought his wife’s hand to his lips
and placed a gentle kiss on each of her knuckles.

“Well, I am certain you are both quite ready to see your rooms and
refresh yourselves. I have ordered water to be heated for baths, if you desire
them. We are expected at Longbourn at seven, so you may rest if you wish.”

“We appreciate you generosity, Charles. You are truly a good friend, and
soon to be an important member of our family.” Elizabeth smiled at him.
“Come, William, let us refresh ourselves.”

~~ ** ~~

As Darcy handed his wife down from the carriage, moments after
arriving at Longbourn, Mr and Mrs Bennet were at hand to welcome the
couple, as well as Bingley.

“Lizzy, you look quite fetching.” Mrs Bennet exclaimed. “Is this gown
one of the new fashions in Town?”

“I am not sure what the fashion about Town is at the moment, as I had
this gown made in Lambton, which is the village where Aunt Gardiner grew
up. It is only a few miles from Pemberley, and the dressmaker is very
talented.” Elizabeth stated, clearly not wishing to discuss the advantages that
her husband’s wealth had brought to her. “Where is Jane?”

“She is assisting Kitty at the moment, but she will be down shortly.
Now, Lizzy, your father has stated you are to be in Town after the wedding. It
would be fitting for you to take Kitty and Lydia with you, so that you can take
them to the finest modistes London has to offer. How can they catch proper
husbands if you do not assist, by seeing they are properly attired and
escorting them to balls where they can meet young men of fortune?”

“Mamma, such conversation is inappropriate. We are preparing for Jane
to marry, should not your thoughts be towards the preparations for the
wedding which is only days away? Kitty and Lydia are still quite young, and
there is no rush for them to marry.”

“It is best they find husbands as soon as they can. What if your father is
unable to break the entail? What will happen to us then? No, I insist on your
taking your sisters to Town and assist them by placing them where they can
meet young men of society.” Mrs Bennet was adamant, not once caring how
inappropriate she was being.

“No, Mamma, I will not be taking my sisters to Town with me when we
leave, after Jane’s wedding. I will not force my husband to suffer such a
matchmaking ordeal. What is wrong with the environment here in this
neighborhood? I met William here, as Jane met Charles. Can you not be
pleased with such wonderful matches that were made here, near our home?”

Mrs Bennet was becoming quite put out. “But how often are young men,
such as Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy, to come to our neighborhood? And poor
Lydia, with her blindness, how is she to capture someone who will take
proper care of my poor girl? No, she must travel to London with you and you
must do your duty to your family.”

“Mrs Bennet, I wish to have a word with you in my study.” Mr Bennet
stated clearly.

 

“I am speaking with our daughter, Mr Bennet. I will speak with you
later.”

“No, Mrs Bennet, you will speak with me immediately or you will go to
your rooms and remain there the rest of the evening.” Mr Bennet was
displeased with his wife’s behavior.