Page 114 of The Secret Diary of Anne de Bourgh

We had time to talk of Bramley, and of how soon we might go there, though I told him at once that I would not leave Elizabeth before the baby came.

He assured me that he had no intention of asking it.

As it happened, she did not keep us waiting very much longer.

Darcy came to find us. He glanced at our joined hands, and I saw his expression alter, but whatever he might have said was put aside when he told us that Elizabeth’s pains had begun. He had sent for Jane and Mrs Gardiner.

I rose at once. Richard kept my hand only long enough to kiss it before letting me go.

Elizabeth was walking slowly about her room when I reached her. She looked at my face, then at Richard, who had accompanied me as far as the door.

“Oh, Anne,” she said, and held out her hands.

I went to her. I could not think how to begin explaining, but she embraced me and said that she was very glad.

Then she stopped speaking and held my arm rather firmly until the pain had passed.

I forgot my own news for a little while.

Jane and Mrs Gardiner arrived, and they knew what ought to be done, even though Jane has no children yet herself. I discovered that helping chiefly consisted of doing as I was asked and not asking unnecessary questions. I fetched things, held things, and sat beside Elizabeth when she wished it.

Once, I asked whether I was in the way.

“Not at all,” she said. “Stay, Anne. Please.”

So I stayed.

I was frightened at times. I did not like seeing her in pain, and there were moments when I wished I could do something more useful than hold her hand. Mrs Gardiner remained so composed that I took courage from her, and Jane seemed always to know when her sister wished for a word of encouragement and when she wished everybody would be quiet.

I went downstairs once to tell Darcy how she was getting on. Richard was with him, and Charles had come too. Georgiana was playing for them, and Kitty attempting to keep them amused with entertaining stories, but I am quite sure Darcy heard none of it.

Darcy rose before I had reached the door. He asked several questions, only some of which I could answer, then thanked me as though I had brought him something very precious, even though I could only really tell him that Mrs Gardiner was confident things were progressing as they ought.

Richard walked back to the stairs with me.

“How are you, dearest?”

“I am very well.” I glanced towards the landing above us. “Only I wish it were over for her.”

“So do we all.”

He kissed my forehead, and I went back upstairs feeling better able to be of use.

It was a very long night. Georgiana and Kitty had both been sent to bed the next time I went downstairs to update Darcy, and Charles had gone home. Richard remained with Darcy, and said quietly to me that he would not leave him alone. The clock struck midnight as I made my way back up the stairs, but I did not feel tired. Elizabeth was working much harder than I, and if she could bear it, I certainly could.

The newest Darcy was born three hours later, in the early hours of Christmas morning.

I heard him before I saw him. I had not understood how much happiness there could be in so indignant a little noise.

Elizabeth began to cry, and then Jane was crying too, though both were smiling. I found that I was doing the same.

I ran downstairs to fetch Darcy. I do not think I shall ever forget his face when he first looked upon Elizabeth and their son.

There was very little sleep for anybody before morning. Mrs Gardiner eventually sent me to bed, and I was tired enough to obey her without argument, though I lay awake for some time thinking of everything which had happened.

When I woke, I had to remind myself that none of it had been a dream.

Richard was waiting when I came downstairs. He stood as soon as he saw me, and I went to him without considering whether anybody might be watching.