Georgiana giggled softly, “This is our first time, but my brother does on occasion make a habit of rescuing people.”
Darcy narrowed his eyes at his sister. “However, this time it was my sister who was the rescuer. She noticed you and raised concerns.” He settled his gaze on Elizabeth, noticing her brown eyes looking even larger against the sudden pallor of her complexion.
“Mrs Carrington, are you unwell?”
She did not respond, her breathing hitched, then she let out a long slow breath.
“Mrs Carrington?” He took one of her hands in his and patted the top of it a few times.
The look she turned on him was full of fear. “I… I believe I am well.” She flushed. “A little uncomfortable, is all.” She concluded with a whisper; her eyes darted to and away from Georgiana.
“Brother?” Georgiana was glancing between them.
“It is well, Georgie.” Darcy laid the hand he was holding on the table and stood. “I shall just step out for a minute or two.”
He walked swiftly to the door but looked back before exiting. Catching his sister’s eye, he gave her a reassuring smile and a nod towards their guest. She nodded back and moved her chair a little closer to Elizabeth, who was still breathing too quickly.
He sought out the innkeeper to inquire after a midwife in the area.
“Nay, sir. Our little town does not ’ave a midwife. But me wife, sir, she knows about the business of babes.”
“If it is not too much to ask, might your wife be available to meet with Mrs Carrington? She seems… uncomfortable.” Darcy’s ears tinged red. “I will pay for a room so they may meet privately.”
The innkeeper swept his gaze around the large, busy room. “Aye. She’ll take a look at the missus. I’ll send ’er in soon’s I see ’er.”
Darcy reversed his steps to the private room. He knocked and entered to find Elizabeth pacing the length of the floor, both of her hands on either side of her extended middle. Georgiana was still sitting by the table, her face pale, one hand at her throat.
“Mrs Carrington?” She looked his way but did not cease pacing.
“There is no midwife, but the innkeeper’s wife, I am informed, knows a thing or two about the ‘business of babes’. She will join us here shortly.”
She shook her head. “No, no… This cannot be happening. It is too soon. I… I was assured I had a few more weeks. I was to be at Longbourn,” her voice rose in pitch.
“Madam, we do not know yet what, if anything, is happening. You and the good wife will meet privately and hopefully, she will allay your fears.”
Elizabeth’s breathing was coming in short puffs, and he did not know how he could calm her in her present condition. As a gentleman it was unfathomable to him to stand idly by and not beof assistance, yet the impropriety of it held him back from offering any further comfort. He found it quite impossible to turn his back on this woman.
He strode over to place himself in her path, “Mrs Carrington, look at me.” She was shaking her head.
He took hold of her hands and gripped them tightly, “Look at me.”
She raised her face to his and he met her gaze calmly. “You shall be fine. It may or may not be your time, but anything you require, will be made available.”
“I hoped to be back at Longbourn in time,” came out from between her trembling lips.
Darcy assisted her towards a chair close to Georgiana. “Pray, be seated and try to slow your breathing.”
Just then a sharp rap sounded on the door and a cheerful, pink cheeked face peered in.
“Mr Darcy, sir? This be the young missus?
Darcy straightened and motioned to the seated women, “This is Mrs Carrington and my sister, Miss Darcy.”
“Mrs Carrington, I am Mrs Hobbs. How near your confinement are ye?”
The younger woman blushed and lowered her head. “I have still three or four weeks to go, according to a midwife I met with. I thought I had enough time to make it to my destination.”
“Well, let’s get you someplace private like, and see what’s what. Come along, dearie. I birthed dozens of babes all over this area, an’ I ain’t lost one yet.”
