41. Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-One

September 1812 Pemberley, Derbyshire Jane

J ane cradled her son tenderly in her arms, his almost white-blond hair peeking out from his blanket. Her labor had been quick, and he had arrived after only a few hours. He is so small, she thought.

“Have you decided on a name?”

Jane looked up to see Elizabeth in the doorway. Her sister smiled gently, her hand resting on her own stomach. Jane wondered briefly when Elizabeth would announce her happy event. She could only hope her sister’s marriage would turn out better than her own brief one had been.

She was not blind to the tension that had previously existed between her sister and Mr. Darcy. Now, there were signs of new, happier emotions. The former always seemed to blush when her husband was near, and the latter seemed to be eagerly trying to court his wife. There were many little signs of affection. A touch at the small of Elizabeth’s back, or a tender kiss upon the back of her hand. Whatever the previous nature of their agreement, Elizabeth now naturally gravitated toward her husband and he to her whenever they were in company.

Mr. Collins had never exhibited those sentiments to Jane. Yes, he had kissed her, held her hand, and taken her arm, but never with the reverence-like tenderness Darcy showed Elizabeth. Jane often felt like an intruder when she witnessed these little signs of love and affection. Elizabeth may not yet realize that she loved her husband, but there were many small signs that she did.

In truth, Jane knew jealousy when comparing her dismal existence with Elizabeth’s more promising one. Before her son had been born, Jane had resigned herself to living off her sister’s generosity forever. But now, she had a clear path set before her. The babe, by rights, should be raised at Longbourn, and it fell to Jane to take control of the estate in trust for her infant son.

“His name is Henry,” she whispered, finally answering her sister. “It is a good, strong name.” It was also Mr. Bingley’s middle name, but she did not plan to tell Elizabeth that.

“I love it. May I hold him?” Elizabeth crossed the room, arms extending hopefully as she came close to where Jane sat.

Ever obliging, she handed her son to her younger sister. Henry fit so perfectly in Elizabeth’s arms, and Jane noted the hope in her sister’s eyes as she gazed at her nephew.

“I do hope you will agree to be his godmother,” she said tentatively. “Do you think Darcy would agree to be his godfather?”

“I am sure he would be delighted.” Elizabeth rocked the baby, cooing at him. “Will he have another godfather?”

“I thought to ask Uncle Gardiner.” Jane leaned back against the pillows on her bed and closed her eyes. She really was very tired. “Can you send him with the wet nurse?” she asked. “I believe I ought to close my eyes for a while.”

“I shall hold him until he hungers.”

Jane nodded, drifting off to sleep.

Henry grew rapidly, and after a month, he was awake more often and had even smiled once. Jane had not yet written to her mother to inform her of her grandson’s birth. She did not feel equal to bearing Mrs. Bennet’s effusions, and so, when she was finally strong enough, she wrote instead to her uncle Mr. Phillips.

Dear Uncle,

I write to inform you that the next heir of Longbourn made his appearance on September first and is happy and healthy. I have named him Henry.

I have not made plans to travel as of yet, however I wish to be apprised of Longbourn’s situation as soon as possible. Since it falls to me to protect my son’s interests, I formally request that all expenses outside of what is typical to maintain the house be approved by me before being dispensed. My mother and sisters may receive their pin money from the interest from Mrs. Bennet’s dowry. If they overspend, they are not to draw from Longbourn’s coffers.

I understand my father employed a steward before he passed on to his reward. Please forward me his direction so I can correspond with him directly about any of Longbourn’s business matters.

Though there has not yet been a plan formed for my return to Hertfordshire, I shall write to you immediately upon its conception.

All my love,

Jane Collins

She sent the letter before speaking to her sister. Though it was her duty to take control of Longbourn and her son’s inheritance, she felt great reluctance to return. What if Mr. Bingley is there? she wondered. It was silly to worry, for she would be in mourning for many months. She could not entertain suitors until a full year had passed.

Yet another matter concerned her. Jane had never been a forceful person, and the thought of wresting the management of Longbourn from her mother made her feel weary. An idea struck her, though, and she hastened to find Elizabeth.

“Good morning.” Elizabeth turned to greet her from her position at her writing table. “How are you, dearest?”

“I have written to Uncle Phillips informing him of Henry’s birth.” Jane sat next to her sister and clasped her hands tightly in her lap.

“And yet I sense something has distressed you.” Elizabeth put her pen down and turned, giving Jane her full attention.

“I have to go back.” Jane closed her eyes slowly and reopened them, hoping the distress in her eyes was adequately hidden. “I never thought I would return alone, widowed with an infant. What if I do not have the strength to stand against our mother and take my rightful place?”

“You are stronger than you think, Jane.”

She shook her head. “And yet I am afraid. Will you—would it be too much to ask for you to come with me? Not just you! You and Darcy, of course. Having my dearest sister by my side would give me pleasure and comfort, and your husband’s expertise with estate management would be a boon. He could teach me…” She trailed off, waiting anxiously for her sister’s reply.

Elizabeth did not speak for several long moments. Finally, she sighed. “I shall ask him, but I cannot anticipate how he will respond. We are becoming more comfortable in each other’s presence after… well, that is best left alone.”

“I am not blind to what I ask. Mr. Darcy does not approve of our family, and surely, he will find it a great trial to be constantly in our mother’s company. She will be furious when I remove her from the mistress’s chambers, and he would witness it. No, I ought not to have asked. I am sorry.”

She started to stand but Elizabeth laid her hand on her arm to stop her. “Wait, Jane. That is not what I meant. I shall ask him. I know it would be difficult, but I will not abandon you.” Elizabeth stood and hugged her sister. “He believed you to be a fortune hunter, you know.”

“His discomfort around me has been obvious. I am glad he has started to call me Jane instead of Mrs. Collins. ” She smiled, pulling out of her sister’s hug and squeezing her hand. “I am not yet brave enough to be so informal with him.”

“Yes, I believe he grows more comfortable around you.”

“Then perhaps it would be best if I left. You deserve a chance to better know your husband now that your previous disagreements have been resolved. At least, I assume they have.” She looked at Elizabeth expectantly.

Her sister sighed and sank back into her chair, gesturing for Jane to do the same. “They have,” she confessed. “I was dreadfully wrong about Mr. Wickham. He is worse than a thief—he is a libertine. The stories my husband had to tell do not bear repeating. And we spoke about how he separated you from Mr. Bingley, about why I married him… but things are still awkward.”

“Exposing him to our mother and younger sisters will not be beneficial.” Jane spoke cautiously. She still hoped her sister and brother-in-law would accompany her, but she did not want to put undue stress on their fledgling romance.

“My husband is an honorable man. I shall present your case to him and let Mr. Darcy decide for himself.” Elizabeth nodded resolutely and stood again. “I shall find him now, if you will excuse me.”

Jane nodded but stayed where she sat. She hoped Mr. Darcy would agree to the journey. She desperately needed her sister during this tumultuous time, and her brother-in-law’s expertise.

Elizabeth

She checked the study and the library but could not locate her husband. He had nothing scheduled outside Pemberley today, and he had informed her he would be conducting business from home for the day. Yet, he was nowhere to be found.

Luncheon would not be served for another hour or so. Where could he be? she wondered. The enormous manor meant there were any number of places that her husband could be, and she did not wish to wander all over in search of him. Abandoning the search, she returned to her chamber, only to find him there, attempting to surprise her with a vase full of flowers from Pemberley’s garden.

“What is this?” she asked pleasantly. He jumped, almost dropping the vase of flowers he held as he turned to face her.

“It was meant to be a surprise.” He frowned playfully. “Now you have ruined it.”

“My apologies, good sir. Since I did not know you would be procuring flowers, I am now surprised, and you have been successful in your endeavors.” She smiled and came toward him, taking the vase and putting it on her dressing table. She leaned in and breathed in the scent of the flowers. “They smell heavenly. Thank you.” She straightened and turned to him, wrapping her arms around him and leaning against his chest. His arms came around her, and he stroked her back. After a few moments, she pulled away and took his hand, leading him to their shared sitting room.

“I have something to ask you,” she said. They settled on the settee, and she leaned against him, entwining her fingers with his.

“You may have anything you desire.”

She could hear the teasing in his voice but cautioned him anyway. “Be careful, sir, else you find yourself agreeing to something you will later regret.”

“Is it all that serious?” He seemed more attentive now, and she felt his lips press into her hair.

“Jane asks that we accompany her to Hertfordshire when she returns. She feels… unprepared for the task before her.”

Her husband did not speak. She felt his body tense against hers and her heart fell. It was too much to ask.

“Does Jane worry that she will not be able to take care of Longbourn alone?” he asked quietly.

“There are many things. She is concerned that she is not prepared to manage the estate in her son’s place. Unlike me, she did not learn both the man and the woman’s duties in taking care of Longbourn. My father was not an attentive master, but he did teach me how to handle everything.” Elizabeth sighed. “She is also worried about my mother.”

“Ah.”

That single word told Elizabeth that her husband understood. “My sister wishes to do right by her son, and she can only do that if she is in complete control of the estate. My mother will not relinquish her role as mistress of Longbourn easily.” She stroked the back of his hand with her free one, tracing little circles all over.

“That is distracting, my dear,” he teased.

“Perhaps that is my design—to confuse you so that you bend to my every whim.” She turned to look at him, winking.

“It is working.” He smiled and leaned down, claiming her lips with his own. They spent several minutes in pleasant distraction before returning to their conversation.

“I am not unaware that staying in close proximity with my mother and younger sisters will be a sore trial,” Elizabeth confessed. “Yet, I cannot bring myself to deny Jane. The last nine months of her life have been difficult and now she asks for my assistance. How could I refuse?”

Darcy sat silently, his arm around Elizabeth and his fingers running up and down her arm. Finally, he spoke. “You were right to call me proud and arrogant. I thought myself above your family, above all the denizens of Meryton. I confess, I do not anticipate being subjected to… we hardly need to discuss that again. But I will do my duty and stand by your sister. If I can help her in any manner, it is my privilege to do so. I only ask for your patience. I may not be my best self.”

Elizabeth’s heart swelled as she gazed at him. “I could ask nothing more,” she said quietly. This man I could easily fall in love with, she thought to herself. Why, then, have I not succumbed to that happy state?

“We could speak to Mr. Bingley about staying at Netherfield Park,” she offered.

Darcy shook his head. “I would rather be at Longbourn. There is no telling what state we might find the books in, and it would be easier for Jane if we were present for any questions.” He fell quiet for a moment before changing the subject.

“Has a date for departure been set yet?” He continued to stroke her arm, sending pleasant sensations from her head to her toes.

“No. Henry is only a month old, and Jane has not yet been churched. I imagine she will wish to wait for another thirty days.”

“Perhaps after the harvest has been completed?”

She nodded. “I shall discuss it with Jane.” Impulsively, she sat higher and pressed her lips to his. “Thank you,” she said fervently.

He returned her kiss with one of his own, his eyes twinkling happily when he pulled away. “All will be well,” he promised, kissing her once more.

Yes, she thought. Yes, it will.

Elizabeth hastened to find Jane. Her sister had returned to her room and sat by an open window with Henry cradled in her arms.

“I must thank you for securing a wet nurse,” Jane said as Elizabeth approached. “Mrs. Moore says she will come to Hertfordshire. She has no family in Derbyshire and wishes for a change of scenery.”

“It was my pleasure.” Elizabeth leaned against the windowsill, her eyes on Henry. Thoughts of her own situation rose, and her hand came to her stomach.

“Have you told your husband your suspicions?” Jane’s question came unexpectedly, but Elizabeth remembered the conversation about their conjectures.

“I have not,” she confessed. “I have yet to feel the quickening but have reason to believe I am with child.”

Jane nodded. “Best wait if you are concerned. What is the result of your conversation with Mr. Darcy, if I might be bold enough to enquire? I confess, I am anxious about my future.”

“My husband has agreed that we may accompany you to Longbourn to ease your transition.” Elizabeth smiled and Jane gasped in happiness.

“I am so relieved! The worry has consumed me.”

“Have you any thoughts about a date for our departure? We would not wish to leave before you are ready.”

Jane considered for a moment before replying. “Perhaps November?” she asked. “I feel as though I need more time to recover. And Henry is still so small!” She tenderly caressed her son’s head.

“He looks very like you; do you not agree?” Elizabeth asked.

Jane nodded. “He does, though I believe his ears are very like his father’s.”

“I confess, I had not noticed.” Elizabeth shrugged. Ears were not something she readily paid attention to. Will my child have my ears? She raised a hand and traced one of her own, lost in thought.

“Lizzy?” Jane’s touch brought her back to reality. “Is November too soon?”

“Forgive me for being distracted, dearest. Yes, November will be fine. Mr. Darcy will have completed the harvest and winter preparations and will be at his leisure. I shall inform him of your desires.”

“Thank you.” Jane squeezed her sister’s hand and smiled.

The month of October passed quicker than Elizabeth thought it would. She occupied herself with household matters while her husband managed the final stages of the harvest. They did not attend the yearly harvest dance given their mourning, but they sent baskets of goods in their place. Before she knew it, their trunks were packed and secured to the back of a carriage, and they were ready to depart.

Darcy and Elizabeth rode with Jane and Henry in one carriage. Mrs. Moore, Smith, Darcy’s valet, and the other servants traveled in another. Their progress was slow with frequent stops, and with every mile that they drew closer to Longbourn, Jane became more reserved. After a leisurely five-day journey, the carriages entered Meryton.