The Ashes of Longbourn (40 page)

             
The last months had Elizabeth’s appetite for her husband’s affections growing beyond what they had previously known.  She was nearly insatiable in her need to have him.  Fortunately, her husband was more than willing to be of aid to his beloved wife.  When she had grown too large to be comfortable in their “marital duties”, he found other ways to bring her pleasure. 

             
As the day came closer to the birth of their child, Elizabeth looked back on the months since coming to Pemberley.  Each morning, after they woke, Darcy would speak to her growing belly.  He spoke of his family history, of their home, and of the love he had for his beloved Elizabeth.  At the end of each of his talks, he would tell his unborn child how dearly he loved her, for Darcy was certain that it was a daughter, and place a kiss for her on her mother’s swell.  Elizabeth would listen to her husband’s chats, while running her fingers through his dark and unruly curls.

             
She also remembered the look on Darcy’s face the first time he felt the babe move inside her.  He could not move from where he was, he wished to continue feeling the kicks and stretches that his child was making.  The funniest day, though, was the day that he had caressed his wife’s breast a little harder than he had thought, and her milk came from the nipple.  Having never seen such before, Darcy was amazed at this revelation of just how the nourishment for a babe came from a woman’s breast.  He knew, from reading, what would happen, but had never seen milk coming from a woman. 

             
They had discussed hiring a wet nurse, for that was standard practice in high society.  Darcy was concerned for his wife’s health if she were to nurse the babe, if she had to be up throughout the night and not rest properly.  Elizabeth informed him that her mother had nursed all five of the Bennet daughters, with no adverse effects to her health.

             
“It is natural for a mother to nurse her babe, William.  It may not be fashionable, for many wealthy women would not wish to be inconvenienced by having to be at the babe’s beck and call.”

             
Reluctantly, Darcy agreed to allow his wife to try nursing, though if he felt that she was overtaxing herself, he would hire a wet nurse.  It was agreed upon, as Elizabeth knew that she would be well enough to tend to her child.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
As the days came closer to the birth of Darcy and Elizabeth’s babe, an express came from Longbourn.   Darcy read it out to everyone.

            
 
My dear cousins,

             
Richard and I needed to inform you that last week, we noticed that the headstone on the grave of Mr Thomas Bennet had fallen over and needed to be repaired.  It was when Richard began moving it to put it back in place; I noticed that there was something sticking out of the ground that looked like a large metal lock box. 

             
When we were able to break the lock and open the box, we were amazed to discover well over forty thousand pounds stuffed into the box.  The only answer we are able to determine is that it is the missing money that Anne and Mr Storm took from the de Bourgh estate.

             
We sent word to Matlock House, and Richard’s parents came to Longbourn as quickly as they could.  It was decided to take a vote from all of the remaining members of the Fitzwilliam family as to what to do with the funds. I told Richard it should be set aside to take care of Anne de Bourgh, but my husband said that her care was already coverd, as Lord Matlock had a trust made and the interest would cover her care.

             
Express messages were sent to Matthew and Frannie, and to you.  Please send word as to how you think the funds should be used.  Lord Matlock has done a thorough search and there are no other descendants of the de Bourgh family, so no one after Anne to inherit.

             
We are also looking forward to the news of the baby soon.  Please make sure that an express is sent as soon as possible after the birth.

             
With love from both of us,

             
Richard and Charlotte Fitzwilliam

              Elizabeth smiled at the news.  “I think that the funds should be used to add to Richard and Charlotte’s future.  Perhaps the money could be placed in an investment or something of that sort.”

             
“I was thinking something similar.  Bingley, did you not say that there was a parcel of land that was near the west side of Longbourn that was for sale?  Adding to the lands of the estate would add to their future income.”

             
Bingley nodded his head. “Mr Jennings was telling me about it.  And the price is about right from what I remember.  I had thought about it, until I spoke with Jane about finding an estate closer to Pemberley.”

             
Darcy took hold of his wife’s hand and lifted it to his lips.  “What do you say, Lizzy? Shall we send our vote to either purchase the lands or invest the funds for Richard and Charlotte?”

             
Nodding her head, Elizabeth agreed.  “I think that it is the most appropriate.  Consider it as a settlement from the man who tormented Charlotte’s life.”

             
Later on, the Darcys learned that it had been unanimously decided that the funds be used to increase the annual income of Richard and Charlotte.  The parcel of land was purchased and added two thousand per annum to their income.  With their new home finally completed, the couple was settled into a very happy life.

             
                                          ~~ ** ~~

             
The next day was stormy, as rain poured from the sky and the great house rumbled from the sounds of thunder.  Lightning danced across the sky.  In the afternoon, there was a bout of hail that rained down on the land.

             
Later the day would be remembered as very humorous, but at the time it was far from it. 

             
Elizabeth had become accustomed to taking her afternoon nap on the sofa in her husband’s study.  Darcy enjoyed watching her peaceful slumber and also felt more comfortable to be near her at all times.  Mrs Reynolds had just brought in a pot of tea and some biscuits when a lightning bolt struck a tree near the west side of the house, splitting the tree in half and knocking part of it into the house, the room next to Darcy’s study.  With a scream, Elizabeth woke and sat straight up. 

             
“What happened?  Are you well?” she asked her husband.

             
“The storm, lightning must have downed a tree.  I believe it struck the house, but I cannot tell for certain.” Darcy said as he hurriedly sat down beside her.  “Someone will come to tell us if there is any damage.”

             
“No, William, you should go make sure that no one was injured.  I am fine.  Please, make sure that everyone is well.”

             
Darcy made his way to the door, but when he tried to open it, the door was stuck.  “Something is wrong.  The locking mechanism on the door is jammed.  I cannot open the door.”

             
Just then, his heart nearly stopped as he heard his wife cry out in pain.  “Lizzy, what is it?  What happened?”

             
“My water has broken.  The pain in my lower back is terrible.”

             
Panic began to settle in around Darcy.  How could this be happening? He knew nothing about delivering a baby, and there was no way to get the door open to find assistance. 

             
“Dearest, you must hold on until I can find a way to get the midwife here to you.  You can wait for a few hours, can you not?”

             
Another pain tore through Elizabeth. She reached out and grabbed hold of his hand, squeezing it as hard as she could.  Once the pain began to subside, she spoke.  “I am sure that I could wait a few hours, but I do not believe your child wishes to delay.”  Another pain began to increase in intensity.  She had not admitted to herself, let alone her husband, that she had felt light pains throughout the day, but she thought they were natural aches and pains such as she had been feeling for months.  Now the babe was making a determined effort to be born.

             
Darcy was petrified. So many things raced through his mind. What if something went wrong? What if Elizabeth and the babe died because there was no one to help with the delivery?  What would he do without them?  Finally, he made up his mind to do the best that he could, searching through his mind to all the books that he had read recently about the birthing of babies.  “My love, I need to find some items in my desk.  I will not be long, please be strong while I retrieve them.”

             
Elizabeth nodded her head and released her grip on his hand.  Darcy ran to his desk, pulling out some string and a sharp knife. He then grabbed a bottle of brandy from the sideboard, and carried everything back to the floor near the sofa.  He helped his wife to the floor, placing pillows behind her head and grabbing hold of the blanket from the back of the sofa.

             
As the next pain struck, Darcy eased his wife’s legs open so he could see what was happening.  He was shocked when he saw the top of the baby’s head, with dark chocolate hair.  “Bloody Hell, the babe is coming.  I can see the head.”

             
Another pain took hold quickly, and Elizabeth felt the need to bear down.  Pushing with all her might, Elizabeth was able to force the infant from inside her.  Darcy was not certain that he was doing anything correctly, and he prayed that his child and his wife survived. As the babe was being expelled, Darcy helped to ease the shoulders out.  Once they were free, the rest of the babe slipped out easily. Kneeling on the floor, with the newborn babe in his hands, bloody fluid covering its body; Darcy was in shock. 

             
“William, the umbilical cord needs to be tied off and cut.  You need to tie off the cord.”

             
Finally Darcy was able to clear his mind and realize what was happening.  He did as he was told, remembering what he had read in the books. He used the brandy to sterile the cord and knife he brought from his desk. Once he had accomplished cutting the cord, he turned the babe over, its chest against one of his hands as he patted the babe on the back to dislodge anything in its mouth.  A cry rang out from the slippery infant.

             
Darcy turned the babe over and smiled as he placed her on the blanket and attempted to clean her with his handkerchief.  “I was correct, my love.  A daughter, just as I predicted.”

             
When Darcy looked at his wife, he was frightened by what he saw.  Elizabeth was cringing in pain.  Confused, Darcy thought that his wife was dying before him and he did not know what to do about it.

             
A moment later, he realized that there was another small head, more dark brown hair, attempting to escape from his wife’s body.  Twins.  Quickly, Darcy covered his daughter with the blanket and returned to assist the second child enter the world.  He followed the same steps that he had made with his daughter, tying off the cord and cutting it, turning the infant over and patting its back.  It took a few moments before the squeal of the babe pierced the room.  Placing the second babe on the blanket, he set upon the cleaning as best he could. 

             
He assisted his wife in passing the afterbirth and had done what he could to clean her up.  Finally he could hear people outside the door, calling to him, asking if they were harmed.

             
Darcy went to the door and hollered to his staff that they were well, though he had just delivered his children.  There was shouting back to him that the workers would find a way to reach them and evacuate them from the room.  He returned to his wife and babes, wrapping them in his embrace.

             
The footmen had gone to the wood shed and returned with two axes.  They ended up having to chop the door down to be able to make entry to the room.  Mrs Reynolds and Jane Bingley quickly ran into the room and to the family sitting on the floor. 

             
“My goodness, twins.  This is wonderful news.  Are you all well?” Mrs Reynolds asked, her nervousness was obvious as she fussed over Elizabeth and the babes.  “I sent Drew to fetch the surgeon; he was down the hall, tending to a maid who was struck by some wood when the tree broke through the wall.  She received a nasty cut on her leg and he was stitching up the wound.”

             
“We are well, Mrs Reynolds.  Well, we could use a good, hot bath and a long nap, and then we will be perfect.” Darcy said.

             
“You delivered the babes, Master William?  You have always become so queasy at the sight of blood.  This is truly a day of miracles.”

             
Looking at Elizabeth, Darcy blushed at his wife learning this flaw in his character.  “I have never been comfortable around blood, which caused a great deal of teasing from Richard over the years.  But, for some reason, today I was able to handle my dislike and put your need for help as the priority.”