Page 86 of A Different Impression

During the following weeks, Darcy and Elizabeth discussed the birth and upbringing of this child and any others with whom they might be blessed. Elizabeth wanted Lady Matlock and Mrs Gardiner with her during her labour and for a short time afterwards. She was equally determined to nurse their children herself, despite the practice being unfashionable amongst women of their station. Knowing how much it meant to her, Darcy agreed that they would engage a wet nurse only if Elizabeth or the child required one.

Elizabeth wrote to both ladies, inviting them to Pemberley for her lying-in, which was expected to begin in September. With considerable amusement, she told Darcy that she had warned them he might require their assistance as much as she did, since he intended to defy convention and remain beside her throughout her labour.

Mrs Reynolds was ecstatic upon learning of Elizabeth’s condition and soon watched her mistress nearly as closely as Darcy did. Elizabeth frequently accused them both of smothering her, although the housekeeper proved more willing than Darcy to retreat when requested. His own vigilance occasionally provoked an argument, and more than one disagreement ended with Elizabeth in tears she attributed to her condition.

The rapid changes in her spirits disconcerted Darcy. He rarely knew whether she required reassurance, solitude, or simply his arms around her. Having cautiously sought Lady Matlock’s advice, Darcy was assured that such changes were common and that patience was the best response.

One such storm followed the arrival of letters from Jane and Charlotte announcing their engagements and the dates of their weddings. Elizabeth first wept with joy over their happiness and then with sorrow because she could not safely undertake the journey to Hertfordshire.

When she realised Darcy would not attend without her, she urged him to go, but he refused to leave her so near her confinement. Instead, he suggested inviting both couples to Pemberley for Christmas—or sooner, if she preferred.

His proposal caused her to cry again. For one helpless moment, Darcy was tempted to throw up his hands; instead, he drew her into his arms.

“I am so sorry, Will,” she sobbed. “I am—I am completely irrational. I must be driving you mad.”

He stroked her hair. “I love you, Elizabeth. You may weep as much as you need while carrying our child. We shall endure this together, and I shall do whatever I can to ease it.”

She clung to him until her tears subsided and, exhausted, fell asleep in his arms. Darcy looked down at her, bewildered and off balance but desperately in love with both his wife and the child she carried.

“You bewilder me at times, my love,” he murmured, brushing a curl from her cheek, “but I suspect these emotions bewilder you even more.”

Seven months earlier, on their wedding day, Darcy had believed it impossible that he could ever love her more. He knew better now.

“Sleep, my dearest,” he whispered. “Perhaps the world will appear kinder when you wake.”

By late July, letters from Hertfordshire and Kent were arriving at Pemberley with increasing frequency, allowing Darcy and Elizabeth to follow the preparations for both weddings from afar.

Richard’s correspondence concerned business almost as often as his approaching marriage. By the beginning of August, he had made considerable progress towards expanding the horse-breeding enterprise. With Darcy’s approval and Anne’s consent to the use of the Rosings stables, he had purchased a stallion and half a dozen mares of excellent bloodlines. He had also engaged a former cavalry officer to assist with the daily management of the horses.

The additional help allowed Richard to advance the wedding by several weeks, and the ceremony took place at the beginning of August. Although Darcy regretted being unable to witness his cousin’s marriage to Miss Lucas, Richard’s account of the day left him in no doubt of the couple’s happiness. The newly married Fitzwilliams removed directly to Kent afterwards and promised to visit Pemberley at Christmas.

News of Jane’s wedding preparations proved considerably less tranquil. Elizabeth shared each of her sister’s letters with Darcy, whilst Bingley wrote to him separately. From their combined accounts, Darcy learnt that Mrs Bennet had insisted upon involving herself in nearly every decision. Jane had permitted it at first, but after a week of her mother’s raptures and ever-expanding plans, she had begun to regret her compliance.

Bingley refused Mrs Bennet’s demand that the wedding be delayed for several months, whilst Mr Bennet opposed his wife’s determination to accompany Jane to London for an elaborate trousseau. Jane already possessed the gowns purchased for her during the spring and required only a few additional articles. She therefore spent no more than a se’nnight in Town under Mrs Gardiner’s guidance, whilst her mother remained at the dower house.

Darcy was relieved to observe, through Bingley’s letters, that his friend no longer retreated whenever Mrs Bennet expressed her displeasure. Nevertheless, Jane’s continued reluctance to oppose her mother concerned Elizabeth.

“She fears disappointing Mama even when Mama’s demands make her unhappy,” Elizabeth told him after receiving another letter. “Unless Jane learns to speak plainly now, Mama will attempt to govern her household after the marriage.”

“Bingley appears determined not to permit that,” Darcy reassured her. “He has already prevailed regarding the wedding date and the trousseau. I believe he will support Jane until she learns to withstand her mother herself.”

Mrs Gardiner’s arrival at Longbourn a fortnight before the wedding proved decisive. Jane later wrote that her aunt had persuaded her that yielding upon every point was neither kindness nor filial duty. Although confronting Mrs Bennet had been difficult, Jane had finally insisted that the arrangements reflect her own wishes and those of her betrothed.

Elizabeth wept upon reading that account, although on this occasion Darcy understood that her tears arose entirely from pride in her sister.

The letters that reached Pemberley shortly after the wedding reported that both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast had been far less grand than Mrs Bennet desired. Jane assured Elizabeth, however, that everything had suited her and Bingley perfectly. More importantly, Darcy thought, Jane had discovered that she could oppose her mother and survive the resulting displeasure—an ability she would undoubtedly require so long as she and Bingley remained at Netherfield.

Bingley’s correspondence also informed Darcy that he had finally written to Mrs Hurst explaining the circumstances surrounding Caroline’s disappearance. Louisa’s first reply had apparently been scathing, condemning her brother for his long silence and his failure to seek assistance. Darcy could hardly disagree with her. Further letters, it seemed, had gradually repaired the breach between brother and sister, although the Hursts declined the wedding invitation and instead invited Bingley and his new wife to visit them in the new year. Both siblings remained resolved that Caroline would never again be permitted to disrupt their households.

After their wedding, the Bingleys travelled south to the sea and visited Richard and Charlotte in Kent upon their return. They remained at Netherfield for only a few days before departing north to Scarborough, where Bingley wished to introduce Jane to several members of his extended family.

Their return journey brought them to Pemberley. Darcy was immediately struck by the change in Jane. Her manner remained gentle, but she appeared more assured, particularly when speaking of the decisions she and Bingley had made together. Bingley, too, seemed steadier than the amiable but easily influenced young man Darcy had first befriended.

Watching the couple together, Darcy felt increasingly confident that they would be happy. Their courtship had begun with difficulties neither had handled perfectly, but both appeared to have learnt from them. Bingley had acquired greater resolution, whilst Jane had begun to understand that kindness did not require the surrender of every preference.

Elizabeth’s delight in her sister’s happiness was unmistakable. As Darcy watched the two women walking together through Pemberley’s gardens, he found himself grateful that Jane and Bingley’s journey had brought them there. He and Elizabeth had been unable to attend either wedding, but Pemberley was becoming a place to which those they loved would return.

CHAPTER 36