Page 28 of A Maid of No Consequence (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
THE TWO COUSINS
C ollective gasps were heard throughout the room. Darcy could not believe the words he let escape in the heat of anger. Nodding to his wide-eyed sister and Bingley, he strode from the room, seeking solace outside in the garden.
Outside, there were signs of an early autumn, as a cool morning breeze was causing leaves to loosen from trees; it was scant relief from the burn of his fury. He sat on a bench, his bare head in his hands. At length, the chill calmed him and allowed his racing mind to still.
He loved Elizabeth, now more than ever, and it was time everyone knew. But most of all, she had a right to know. Even if she rejected him, he needed to tell her what she meant to him. Much as he desperately wished to return to Pemberley and see her, he could not leave Georgiana, not now.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up to see Fitzwilliam striding through the garden from the direction of the stables. His cousin came to a halt when he saw him. “Darcy? What do you do out here?”
“I made an utter fool of myself indoors and thought the outdoors a better alternative.”
Fitzwilliam laughed. “That cannot be true! You are always proper and polite. It is your lowly soldier of a cousin who is the fool in the family, or have you not heard?”
His attempts to lighten the mood failed but Darcy offered him a weak smile. “Where have you been?”
“I took a vigorous morning ride, hoping to clear my mind for the many decisions ahead. For Anne’s sake, I must resign my commission.
I will not be an absent husband, or if we are blessed, an inattentive father.
” He sighed. “All I have known these many years is the military, and I fear it has hardened me. How do I become the man Anne needs me to become? A husband, overseeing my wife’s estate and fortune?
I have no idea what I am doing, only that I love Anne to distraction. ”
“You have secured her affections, and she loves you. The rest will come.” Seeing his cousin’s demeanour, Darcy perceived Fitzwilliam had more to say. “Are you having second thoughts on marriage?”
“No! Of course not.” Fitzwilliam pulled off his gloves and ran a hand over his face. “I only wish to be a better man for Anne. I have never been a husband before, nor lived a quiet life centred on domestic concerns.”
Darcy put his hand on his cousin’s shoulder. “Remove Lady Catherine to the dowager cottage, determine whether her steward is a man you can trust, and enjoy your wife. You and Anne will be very happy, and Rosings’ tenants and servants will be even happier to have a new master and mistress. ”
“Sir!”
Darcy turned round. A footman was approaching, panting for breath. “What is it, Hanson?” he demanded.
“Sir, I was sent to tell you Mrs Bingley has been taken to her bed. It is her time, sir.”
It was a long, worrisome twelve hours, marked by pacing, innumerable cups of tea, and a few disinterested attempts at billiards, when word finally came that Bingley was needed in his wife’s chamber.
The three men looked at each other before Bingley hurried from the room.
Darcy’s heart was in his throat as he and Fitzwilliam waited, impatiently.
Bingley was merciful and came to them half an hour later with a beaming grin and a swaddled baby in his arms. Two maids followed behind him—one holding a second swaddled bundle. There was a moment of astonished silence while Darcy and Fitzwilliam comprehended what they saw.
Twins?
“May I present Henry William and Eleanor Rose Bingley,” the new father announced in an effervescent manner.
The maid stepped forwards and handed a bewildered Fitzwilliam his new cousin, Eleanor.
Bingley, a little less assuredly, lifted Henry into his uncle’s arms. Darcy found his stomach had done a complete somersault, and suddenly his hands seemed much too large, and far too clumsy, to hold the tiny creature.
He spoke softly, not wanting to disturb the precious bundle. “How is my sister?”
“She is well. Very, very, tired, but well. And surprised, as you can imagine, that there are two! I can hardly believe it myself!”
Darcy had known Bingley to be amiable and easily given over to merriment, but this was by far the widest smile he had ever seen on his face. And for good reason.
Darcy stared down at his nephew in his arms, noting the tiny cleft in his chin and familiar scowl on his small face. Already besotted with the bundle he was holding, he looked over at the little girl in Fitzwilliam’s arms and smiled at the blonde fluff of hair atop Eleanor’s.
“Bingley, they are perfect. You and my sister have made the most beautiful children I have ever seen.”
The men handed the children to the waiting maids, who left to return them to their mother’s rooms. Bingley, who was bouncing on his toes in eagerness to join his wife and children, said, “I hope to meet you both in the study later, for a well-deserved celebration with the best brandy I can find.”
“I believe we have just seen two tiny miracles,” Fitzwilliam murmured as the door closed behind the new father.
“I cannot disagree with you.”
His cousin yawned. “I will see Georgiana in the morning, and then I am off to Matlock. If my aunt and Anne are no longer there, as I suspect, I shall go on to Rosings. There is much Anne and I must discuss which could not be managed through letters.” And then, as if it had just occurred to him, he added, “Will you stand up with me, Darcy?”
Darcy clasped his cousin’s shoulder.“It would be my utmost honour and privilege.”
Then, feeling the fatigue of so many hours spent in worry and anticipation, Darcy sank into a chair as Fitzwilliam sauntered off.
He fought for nearly an hour to stay awake, finally closing his eyes just as a knock on the door alerted him that his sister wished to see him.
A maid led him to his sister’s chamber, where a weary-looking Bingley quietly opened the door to reveal Georgiana, sound asleep in the bed.
“I will only be a moment,” Darcy whispered. “It is very late and undoubtedly you wish to sleep as well.”
“Of course. She was asking for you earlier.”
“Was she?” He smiled. Seeing his young sister exhausted from childbirth, yet looking so beautiful—beatific was the word that came to mind—warmed his heart. He walked slowly towards the bed, stopping at her side, bending down and kissed her gently on the forehead.
In a hoarse voice, and without opening her eyes, Georgiana said, “Did you see how perfect my children are?”
Darcy let out a soft chuckle, and squeezed her hand. “I did indeed. You have worked hard for these children, and have done marvellously, my dear sister.”
A baby whimpered softly. He turned to see the new brother and sister snuggled in one cradle; Henry’s fist clasped by his slightly—by a mere few minutes—younger sister.
“Rest now, Georgiana. You deserve it.”
She nodded quietly. “I believe I shall sleep a week.” Her lips curved up slightly, and she allowed herself a small grin, before drifting off.