Page 86 of Through the Eyes of Love

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September1815

“Mama, you face red!” Anna Darcy gently rubbed Elizabeth’s cheek.

“Yes, my love, my cheek is red. Is your face red?”

“No, me face no red.Youface red.”

The two-year-old’s father entered the nursery to hear the end of their conversation. “Little one, do you know why Mama’s cheek is red?”

“No Papa.”

“When I was looking for the most wonderful lady to bemywife andyourmama, I searched all over and when I found someone G-d thought was special enough to give a red cheek, Iknew Mama was the one I wanted.” Elizabeth’s heart still beat faster whenever her husband entered the room.

“Papa, you face bumpy, you face no red.”

“I met your Papa when his face was redandbumpy. I was looking for the best man in the whole world to marry me and when I saw your Papa, I knew I had found that man.” Elizabeth caressed her husband’s cheek as he kissed her hair and took their daughter from what was left of her lap.

“Thank you, my love. I find my back hurting more with this little one. Perhaps that means the baby will be a boy.”

“Me no want boy.”

“When the time comes, poppet, you will love the baby just as we love you.” Elizabeth said.

“Me love Mama and Papa and da new baby!” Anna placed her head on her father’s shoulder and was soon asleep.

As they walked towards their sitting room, Fitzwilliam asked, “If the babyisa boy, shall we name him Bennet for your father?”

“I know that is a tradition in your family but. . .but I cannot bring myself to name our son in his honour.”

“Are you certain? Your bitterness will diminish over time and this might be the only opportunity we have to give our child that name. If circumstances had not led you to Lambton, we might never have met.” After their marriage, they never spoke of her short time in service but Elizabeth still had the memories of the pain of having to find employment.

“I know, my love, and I have been thinking about it ever since I knew I was increasing. I believe I have come up with a solution—what about a girl’s name?”

“I have a sense you already have an idea in mind. I would love her to haveyourname.”

“What do you think about Madeline?”

“I would be delighted to have a daughter bearing the name of someone we both love. A second name?”

“Madeline Elizabeth has a nice ring to it.”

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Not long after their discussion,Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam welcomed a son, George Fitzwilliam Bennet Darcy, after his father and grandfathers. Elizabeth was not surprized to find that her mama was relieved to learn that Pemberley finally had an heir! Two years later, his brother, Alexander Richard Edward Darcy joined their family—of course he was to be her delight as much as the other two! She had not fallen with child again for five years when they were quite surprized to learn Elizabeth was once again increasing. Their daughter, Madeline Elizabeth, completed their family. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam were blessed.

* * *

Darcy’s sister’shand was eagerly sought by many of the wealthy young men of theton, but Georgiana was in no hurry to marry. She promised herself she would only marry a man who would love her as her brother loved Elizabeth—a gentleman who was kind and intelligent. Two years after her debut, she was having tea with Lady Matlock when she was introduced to the son of one of her uncle’s colleagues in the House of Lords. John Beecham, Viscount Harcourt, was immediately smitten with this charming young woman and soon asked for her brother’s permission to call on her. Darcy, being the protective brother he always had been, had the man and his family thoroughly investigated before he gave his approval.

Darcy found out that Harcourt had lost his mother when he was a young boy, and his father, Lord Riverton, married a woman much younger than himself. On John’s first visithome from Cambridge, his stepmother entered his bed chamber late one night and told him she preferred John’s bed to her husband’s. Young Harcourt sent her away in the strongest terms possible and never slept in the same house as Lady Riverton again. Darcy was enraged on the young man’s behalf—this reminded him too much of Lady Beatrice’s youthful indiscretions. When John and Georgiana married, they moved into Stockton Hall until such time as the viscount became Lord Riverton and his stepmother would be banished to the dower house.

As could be expected, there were frequent visits between the Harcourts’ home and Pemberley, and Darcy and John became as brothers should be. Shortly after Georgiana gave birth to her first child, Darcy and Elizabeth were her first visitors. As Elizabeth held her new niece in her arms, she asked, “And what is our sweet girl’s name?”

“Elizabeth Anne. We shall call her Beth to avoid any confusion.”

“Oh Georgie,” she replied with tears in her eyes. Darcy was standing beside his wife and was too emotional to speak.