Darcy and Fitzwilliam: A Tale of a Gentleman and an Officer

“Mr. Darcy, thank heavens you’ve returned, sir!” The poor old retainer was gasping for breath. Darcy had reached the gate and could see curtains from neighboring homes being pulled back and people gazing out. He pushed his way past several gentlemen who had crossed the street, curious as to what was wrong.

“We have several footmen out trying to find a doctor, sir. Please do not be alarmed.”

Darcy charged up the front steps two at a time and grabbed his butler by the shoulders. “What in bloody hell do you mean? Where is Doctor Baire? Where are the other doctors? Where is the midwife? Have you not tried to find the midwife? Who is with Mrs. Darcy?”

Darcy had just walked, actually run, into his worst nightmare.

“We have at least five footmen out searching, sir.” Winters’s voice shook. “I am certain it won’t be long.” Although he was attempting to look confident, Darcy could see the fear in the old man’s eyes.

“Darcy!” He heard Fitzwilliam’s voice from inside and ran instinctively toward it, quickly seeing him at the doorway of the smaller ladies’ parlor. He held a sleeping child in his arms.

“Who’s with her?” Darcy’s breathing was uneven.

“Amanda and Mrs. Winters, and her maid, I think.”

Darcy was at the top of the stairs before he could finish.

***

“Stop pushing now, Elizabeth. I am going to feel your stomach again.”

Darcy looked uneasily at the figure lying on the bed, nearly hidden by Mrs. Winters and the maid as they crisscrossed his view. Cara ran around to the other side of the bed, and he then saw his Lizzy being held in a half-sitting position against another maid, his wife’s fingers clutching desperately at the covers beneath her. Amanda turned toward him slightly as she sat down on a stool placed between Lizzy’s legs.

It was the sight of blood smeared across Amanda’s apron that finally shocked Darcy back to his senses, roused him from his frozen stance in the doorway, and propelled him swiftly into the room.

“What the devil is going on here, Elizabeth?” An anxious-looking Darcy walked quickly to the side of the bed. “You are not due to deliver for another four weeks.” With that futile objection voiced, he pulled the maid from behind his wife to take her place, supporting Lizzy’s back. Kissing her neck and cheek, he tightened his arms around her.

“Are you all right?” he whispered into her hair. “Please be all right.” He pressed his eyes closed to compose his escalating emotions and prayed that the good Lord would spare him from having a heart attack until he knew his wife was safe.

Amanda gave him a sympathetic look. “Evidently someone failed to inform the baby of the delivery date. I assure you, Mr. Darcy, your child is coming now.”

“William, please calm yourself.” Elizabeth could feel his pounding heart beneath her cheek. She looked up at him, tears streaming down her face. “I only thank God you are finally here. I love you, William, remember that, whatever happens. Please forgive me.”

He did not like her words. Frightened by what they implied, he roughly kissed her mouth then pulled her firmly back against himself and closed his eyes to fight off his own stinging tears. “Nothing to forgive,” he finally managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. “Love you so much, Lizzy.”

“Did you know that Fitzwilliam and Amanda were coming here this evening?” When he did not respond immediately, she shook her finger at him. “You must tell me things like this, William. I haven’t even prepared a room for them.”

“I could not, Elizabeth.” In his concern for her, he actually had forgotten about Fitzwilliam’s escape, but that was something he would never admit. “Fitz swore me to secrecy. Besides, I…” He looked on in terror as her face began to contort, a sudden scream erupting from her as she stared straight at him. Her hands were clutching and tearing at the sheets. It was a mind-numbing scream. It was ear-deafening. He shook his head at the ringing in his brain.

“Elizabeth, please be sensible. He made me swear.” He realized she was not angry with him, only in the midst of a labor pain, when she squeezed his hands until his fingers nearly popped like little balloons. He tried not to flinch until she relaxed her hold.

“Is everything all right?” he asked Amanda, dreading the response. “Is this normal?”

“Everything appears to be fine, Mr. Darcy. Although she has had a rather rough time of it, she is a strong and brave young woman. I am very proud to call her Cousin. All right, now push again, Elizabeth; we shall soon see the crown hopefully.”

Lizzy began crying and laughing, eager that the end might be within sight. She weakly pressed her head against Darcy’s chest. “Amanda and I have progressed to using our Christian names. We feel we are quite well acquainted by now.” She inhaled raggedly. “Well, here we go again.” She began once more to push and cry and grunt and swear with pain.

***