Page 68 of A Different Impression

With evident impatience, he capped the bottle and set it and the lap desk safely upon the floor.

“There. Now, will you please explain?”

Elizabeth could no longer restrain her grin. “William, have you noticed that I have not had my courses since before Christmas?”

His brow furrowed. “I had not given the matter any thought.”

“The absence of my courses, combined with the nausea and fatigue, suggests that I am carrying our child.” She glanced towards Mrs Stewart for confirmation before adding, “He—or she—will probably be born sometime in September.”

For a moment, William simply stared at her.

“A child?” he repeated. “Our child? You are carrying our child?”

Then understanding reached him. His entire expression transformed, and the unguarded joy upon his face made Elizabeth’s own happiness swell until she could scarcely contain it.

He caught her in his arms and lifted her from the bed. A brief wave of dizziness made her cling to his shoulders, and he immediately lowered her again, his hands remaining protectively at her waist.

“Forgive me, my love. Are you well?”

“I am perfectly well,” she assured him, laughing through the sudden tears in her eyes.

His joy could no longer be restrained. He drew her close and captured her mouth in a passionate kiss.

Only when they parted did Elizabeth notice that Mrs Stewart had discreetly withdrawn, leaving them alone with their joyful news.

CHAPTER 29

A Most Distracting Evening

Afew weeks before Easter, Darcy House was fuller than Darcy could ever remember it being. Anne, Georgiana, and Kitty had joined Elizabeth, Jane, and Charlotte in residence, and the once-quiet townhouse now seemed filled with feminine voices, music, and frequent laughter. To Darcy’s surprise, he found that he rather liked it.

His principal concern remained Elizabeth. Her nausea had eased somewhat under Mrs Stewart’s care, but she still tired easily and required more sleep than usual. Their hopes for a child remained secret, although Darcy suspected that Miss Lucas had begun to draw her own conclusions. He watched Elizabeth closely without attempting to restrict her, a balance he found increasingly difficult to maintain.

Elizabeth nevertheless threw herself into preparing the ladies for the Season. Fashion plates, fabric samples, and parcels appeared to have taken possession of the morning room, whilst visits to the modiste occupied several afternoons each week. Georgiana and Kitty required fewer and less elaborate gowns because neither would come out that spring, but Anne, Jane, and Charlotte all needed suitable wardrobes for the events they intended to attend.

Darcy had repeatedly warned Elizabeth against exhausting herself, but she was determined not to allow her condition to prevent her from enjoying their time in London, much to his displeasure. Fortunately, Lady Matlock accompanied the ladies on most of their expeditions and ensured that Elizabeth rested whenever necessary. Elizabeth had also confided her suspicions to the modiste, who discreetly allowed sufficient room in her new gowns for the changes the coming months might bring.

Charlotte had initially resisted Anne’s determination to purchase several gowns for her, but Elizabeth and Lady Matlock had eventually persuaded her to accept. Darcy knew this because his wife had laughingly recounted every stage of the argument to him that evening, including Anne’s blunt declaration that she could not be expected to attend the Season with a companion who refused to dress properly for it.

Lady Matlock also reported that the ladies’ public appearances together had quieted the lingering rumours of an intended match between Darcy and Anne. Anyone who saw Elizabeth and his cousin shopping and conversing with evident affection could hardly continue to believe that either woman considered the other a disappointed rival.

By the night of their first visit to the theatre that Season, each of the ladies attending was suitably—and, in Darcy’s opinion, magnificently—attired.

Darcy had briefly considered asking Bingley to accompany them, but his friend’s continued silence had become troubling. Several letters remained unanswered, and Bingley appeared to be neither at Netherfield nor readily found in Town. Darcy had left his card at the Hursts’ townhouse and could do little more until Bingley chose to respond.

Reluctant to escort his wife and three unmarried ladies without assistance, Darcy instead persuaded Richard to join them. His cousin readily agreed, declaring himself perfectly willing to squire any number of attractive women about Town.

When Richard arrived at Darcy House that evening, however, his customary ease deserted him as the introductions were accomplished.

Richard’s gaze passed over the assembled ladies. Anne looked healthier than she had in years, her fashionable gown lending colour and vitality to her appearance, whilst Jane was as lovely as ever. When his attention reached Charlotte, however, his steps faltered. For several seconds, he appeared to forget that a greeting was expected of him.

Darcy suppressed a smile and nudged his cousin’s arm.

“Good evening,” Richard said at last, bowing to the ladies, although his gaze remained fixed upon Miss Lucas.

The ladies returned his greeting, but Richard continued to stand awkwardly in the centre of the room. Darcy felt some sympathy for him, although not enough to prevent him from deriving considerable amusement from the scene.

Elizabeth caught Darcy’s eye and winked, her lips pressed together as though suppressing her own laughter. She then rescued Richard by inviting everyone to sit and offering refreshments. They had only a few minutes before their departure, and the carriage was announced before Richard had entirely recovered his composure.