Page 89 of A Different Impression

Darcy kissed her forehead. “Yes, we are, dearest.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Twins—one boy and one girl. I cannot believe how blessed we are.”

“Nor can I,” he whispered, pressing his cheek to hers.

As dawn softened the darkness beyond the windows, Darcy held his wife and children close. Soon, their family would clamour for admittance, and the ordinary bustle of Pemberley would resume. For now, he allowed himself to think of nothing beyond his wife and the two children entrusted to their care.

When Darcy woke later that morning, he discovered Elizabeth had already left their bed. He found her in the adjoining nursery, seated in a rocking chair with Roseanna at her breast and young William sleeping nearby. Every protective instinct urged him to carry her back to bed, but the stubborn set of her jaw warned him that any attempt would provoke an argument. He settled instead for ensuring that she did not overtax herself and that she had plenty to eat and drink.

Mrs Reynolds had already secured the assistance of a temporary wet nurse from the village. Neither Darcy nor Elizabeth had expected the child to arrive that night—or that there would be two.

Georgiana and Kitty were admitted to the nursery later that morning and appeared delighted to find both Elizabeth and Darcy there.

“Lizzy,” Kitty cried reproachfully, “Lady Matlock said you should not yet be out of bed.”

“Kitty, you know there is very little that could persuade me to remain abed for days upon end, particularly when I have these two remarkable babes to tend,” Elizabeth replied. “I certainly shall not remain there for a month. William will ensure that I rest and do not overtax myself. Aunt Gardiner was on her feet the day after her last confinement, and I shall be perfectly well.”

Darcy refrained from observing that he had not yet agreed to any such arrangement. He had no intention of confining Elizabeth to her bed unnecessarily, but neither would he permit her confidence to exceed her strength. She did not yet know it, but she would be watched carefully.

“What are their names, William?” Georgiana asked. “Two babies! We could hardly believe it when we heard.”

Darcy held his daughter whilst Elizabeth cradled their son. “This lovely young lady is Roseanna Elizabeth, and the handsome fellow in Elizabeth’s arms is William James Alexander. Would you like to hold them?”

At their eager nods, Darcy placed Roseanna carefully in Kitty’s arms. He then took William from Elizabeth and entrusted him to Georgiana.

“I remember holding you when you were this small, Georgie,” he said affectionately. “You were tiny, but remarkably noisy.” He smiled at the memory. “Just as with these two, I loved you from the moment I saw you.”

He returned to Elizabeth and rested a hand upon her shoulder before bending closer.

“As I loved you almost from the first,” he murmured for her ears alone. “It required me a day or two to recognise the feeling for what it was, but I love you more now than ever. I am grateful beyond expression for you and for the children we have been given.”

Elizabeth squeezed his hand. “I love you too, William.”

Together, they watched their sisters admire the infants and laughed when the girls attempted to exchange them without assistance. After a moment of confusion, Darcy rescued William from Georgiana and passed him to Kitty once she had surrendered Roseanna to Georgiana.

Anne joined them a few minutes later.

“I could scarcely believe Aunt Susan when she told me you had delivered twins, Lizzy!” she exclaimed upon entering.

Both infants startled in their aunts’ arms.

“Oh, I do apologise,” Anne said more quietly as she moved nearer to the infants.

Kitty soon soothed William, but Roseanna began to cry in Georgiana’s arms despite her best efforts.

“Let me take her, Georgie,” Elizabeth said gently. “I intended to feed her before you arrived, and I doubt she will be satisfied until I do.”

“Should we leave?” Georgiana asked, looking uncertain.

“No,” Elizabeth said, her tone matter-of-fact. “Give me only a moment to settle her. You are welcome to remain if you are comfortable.”

Darcy accepted Roseanna from Georgiana and placed her in Elizabeth’s arms. He then held up a blanket to shield his wife from view whilst introducing Anne to William and explaining the names they had chosen. The soft smile Elizabeth gave him suggested that she understood and appreciated his effort to preserve her modesty.

Once Roseanna had settled at her breast, Elizabeth indicated that Darcy might move. He sat close enough that their shoulders touched.

Darcy became aware of the three young ladies watching them. Georgiana and Kitty wore similarly wistful expressions, whilst Anne regarded Roseanna with quiet affection.

“Rosings will be safe in her hands one day,” Anne said softly.