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He could feel Elizabeth smile against his chest. “I suppose that if we eat dinner, it will prove less of a scandal than staying hidden in my bedroom until tomorrow.”
William chuckled. “What happened to the prim and proper Miss Bennet I knew? She would never risk scandalising the entire house by suggesting such a thing.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Have you not heard? Miss Bennet married Mr. Darcy, and she believes that whatever happily married couples choose to do could never be thought scandalous.”
William tilted her chin up so that he could capture her lips with his, and after a very ardent kiss replied, “You will get no argument from me, Mrs. Darcy.”
Chapter 32
Pemberley
Nine months later
It was growing dark when Colonel Fitzwilliam dismounted at the bottom steps of Pemberley. Even though the sun had set, the day was still swelteringly hot and all he could think of was sinking into a cool tub of water to wash off the dust.
Handing the stallion’s reins to a groom who had appeared from out of nowhere, he said, “Be certain to take extra care of Wellington. I rode him hard to get here before it got full dark.” Richard ran a hand down the horse’s sweaty neck. “Walk him and then wash him down and give him extra feed.”
“Yes, sir.” With that, the groom disappeared around the side of the house with the horse.
The footman who usually guarded the front door at night had walked out onto the portico, so the colonel trotted up the steps to greet him. “Where is everyone, Holmes? Usually Mrs. Reynolds or Mr. Walker would have greeted me by now.”
“I believe they are otherwise occupied, sir.”
“Really? What could be more important?”
The footman looked about to make certain no one else was present. “If I had to guess, I would say the mistress is soon to deliver the heir to Pemberley, but do not reveal the source of your information. You know I am not to overhear or comment on anything the family discusses.”
Richard could not suppress a smile. “Yes, as if you have no ears … or eyes.”
Holmes nodded, quickly adding, “However, I wished to inform you of what is happening since you have walked right into the middle of it.”
“I appreciate your concern. So, tell me, what makes you think Mrs. Darcy is close to bearing their child? I understood it was not due for another fortnight or more.”
“Early this morning I overheard Mrs. Reynolds tell a footman to fetch Mr. Drummond right away.”
“Drummond? The local apothecary?”
“One and the same, sir.”
By then Richard and Holmes had passed through the front door where another footman rushed towards the colonel from the direction of the kitchen. He began shedding his greatcoat, hat and gloves and handing them to the newly arrived footman. Just as he finished, he caught sight of Mrs. Reynolds hurrying down the grand staircase.
Upon seeing him, her face fell. “Oh, Colonel Fitzwilliam!” she cried. “I was told someone had arrived, and I was hoping it was Mr. Drummond.”
“I am sorry to disappoint you,” Richard replied, wryly; however, the concern on the housekeeper’s face kept him from teasing her further. To keep what Holmes had related private, he asked, “Might I ask why you are expecting Mr. Drummond?”
“Mrs. Darcy has taken to childbed. Thus far, however, all I know of Mr. Drummond is that he is in Chesterfield delivering a child. His wife swore she would send him along the minute he returned to Lambton, but that promise was made early this morning.”
Richard let go a low whistle. “Knowing how Darcy worries, I fear for Drummond when he does deign to show up.”
“Exactly my thoughts on the matter. On the master’s behalf, however, I must say that he has been beside himself with worry for over a month now, so if he is frustrated, it is to be expected. Moreover, a local midwife, Mrs. Dunbar, has never learned to keep her opinions to herself when it comes to conversing with men in authority, like Mr. Darcy. Subsequently, they have clashed all day over what each believes is best for Mrs. Darcy.”
As a painful wail arose from somewhere upstairs, Richard suddenly recalled his other cousin. “Is Georgiana aware of what is happening? Surely it cannot be good for her equanimity to hear her sister suffering.”
“Thankfully, she is in Lambton. Early this morning, when Mrs. Wickham arrived to be with her sister, Mr. Darcy asked Miss Darcy to return in the carriage to watch Emma whilst Miss Catherine helps Mrs. Potter at the bakery. I believe everyone felt it best that those two should not be subjected to all that birthing a baby entails.”
Suddenly, another painful wail pierced the air, making Richard shudder involuntarily. “So, how is Mrs. Darcy faring?”
“It has been many years since a child was born at Pemberley, so I do not recall the details. All I have to go by is Mrs. Dunbar who assists Mr. Drummond, and she said the mistress is doing as well as can be expected.”
