“Then if it is God’s will, what more may I say.” She sighed but was not so easily convinced.
“May we go tell the others, Elizabeth? I must say the words out loud to verify the knowledge of what you say to be true.”
“Then say the words to me, Fitzwilliam. I need to hear the joy in your voice.”
Uncharacteristically, Darcy sank to his knees in front of her and placed a gentle kiss on her stomach and lightly stroked her abdomen.“Our child grows within you, Elizabeth.” He looked up into her face.
She briefly held his head to her stomach, and then she pulled him to her.“I do so dearly love you, Fitzwilliam.”
He took her hand and kissed the palm.“This kiss belongs to our child.” He placed her hand on her abdomen and cupped her hand with his.They stood that way for a long time, looking deeply into each other’s eyes.
He said at last,“We should go.”
“If we must.” She was hesitant to leave so he held her tightly once again. Eventually, she took his arm tentatively and raised her chin.“Let us go, my Love.”
Going down the steps, he could not take his eyes off her face; Elizabeth was so beautiful, and she loved him. Darcy’s heart could hold no more happiness. “Are you ready?” he asked, kissing her cheek tenderly. She nodded her agreement as his eyes searched her face. When they came to the drawing room, he reached out to open the door with his free hand. It reminded him of the first time he walked her back to the Parsonage at Rosings.“I love you, Elizabeth,” he whispered. Her eyes sparkled up at him.
When the door opened, all eyes fell on them, and silence filled the room. Darcy heard her sigh deeply, and he pulled her to him. “Elizabeth and I have something to share with all of you.” Elizabeth heard Jane gasp and saw her Aunt Gardiner start to cry. “We will be parents in late July.” Darcy’s voice was shaky as if he could not believe the words himself. There was dead silence for a few infinite seconds, and then all in the room started to rush forward to congratulate them. Darcy instinctively shoved Elizabeth behind him to protect her; then he put his hand out to stop their progress. “Gentlemen, it seems Mrs. Darcy is having trouble stomaching the smell of our cigar smoke so although this is an unusual request, I am asking each of you to go to your rooms and change before you extend your congratulations.”
Mr. Gardiner started to laugh as he turned to his wife.“It is just like you and the smell of flowers.” He caressed his wife’s cheek andthen chuckled again as he headed for the stairs. “Come, gentlemen,” he said,“in this room I am the only one with experience in this area; trust me, a woman is a delicate creature, but we cannot live without them.” The other men looked confused, but they too started to leave.
Mr. Ashford had no change of clothing so he seemed befuddled as to what to do; Bingley took note of the situation.“Come, Mr. Ashford, I am sure I have something you may borrow for the evening.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley, I should probably take my leave.”
“Nonsense, Mr. Ashford, we now have something to celebrate; plus the snow comes down again.You should stay,” Jane offered.
“Yes,” Darcy added. “I will have Mrs. Reynolds show you to rooms for the evening.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” the man looked a bit uncomfortable.
Once the men left the room, Darcy stepped aside to let the women surround Elizabeth. Jane was the first to reach her sister. “Elizabeth, I am overwhelmed with happiness.You and Mr. Darcy are so blessed to have each other; why did you not tell me? Your countenance shows such contentment!”
Kitty and Georgiana followed her closely; both hugged their respective siblings.“I will be an aunt,” Kitty squealed.
“We will both be aunts,” Georgiana chimed in. Georgiana hugged Elizabeth for a long time. “From the first day I met you at the Royal Crown, I knew you would bring happiness to Pemberley. I love you, Elizabeth.”
“I love you too, Georgiana.”Then Elizabeth hugged Kitty again. “Kitty, would you stay at Pemberley to help Georgiana and me prepare for this child? I will write Mama tomorrow if you agree.”
“Of course, Elizabeth.” Kitty hugged her sister warmly.
Anne came forward to offer her congratulations. “I apologize for the offense earlier, Anne. I wanted to tell Fitzwilliam tonight, but your announcement of a June wedding created a problem. I did not know how to respond without exposing the news.”
“Fret not, Elizabeth. Fitzwilliam’s face tells me how much heloves you.That is all I could ask for my cousin.”
Finally, her Aunt Gardiner made her way to the arms of the happy couple.“All is well, Lizzy?”
“It is not as I planned, but Fitzwilliam is happy.”
“Life is rarely as we plan, Lizzy.You and Mr. Darcy are meant to be together. I knew that from the moment I met him in August. You will live a life of which others may only dream.You found a great love, Elizabeth.”
“I have, have I not?To think I once refused him, and now I cannot breathe without him. Fitzwilliam will have an heir for Pemberley.”
Darcy came over to join them, not able to be away from Elizabeth any longer. “Mr. Darcy, thank you for giving our Lizzy the life she deserves.You have a love, which will transcend time. ” Elizabeth hugged Darcy as her aunt addressed her husband.
When the gentlemen returned, they too offered their congratulations, but naturally Bingley, Edward, and Mr. Gardiner showed their excitement the most. “I remember when you were a mere babe yourself, Lizzy.” Her uncle hugged her and offered Darcy his hand.
Edward accepted Elizabeth’s apology, offered her a kiss on the cheek, and embraced his cousin with true felt admiration. “Lady Catherine will be most displeased,” he whispered to Darcy.
