Page 30 of The Bennet Heir

Chapter Twenty-Nine

F or the Bennets who remained at Longbourn, life soon settled into a comfortable routine after Elizabeth’s departure. Jane naturally stepped into many of her stepsister’s former responsibilities, assisting the tenants with kindness. Mary and Kitty, under Charlotte’s patient guidance, also took an active interest in the estate’s affairs.

With their mother gone, Jane’s relationship with her sisters still at Longbourn deepened. In recent years, she had spent little time with them due to their mother’s dislike of the family residing there. Now, free from Fanny Bennet’s interference, they grew closer, strengthening their bond through shared responsibilities and quiet companionship.

Charlotte’s condition had been briefly mentioned during the infamous dinner party, but amidst so many shocking revelations, most had overlooked it. In the following days, however, the news spread throughout Meryton. Fanny Bennet, upon hearing it while still confined to her cell, flew into yet another fit of nerves—one that sorely tested the patience of both her gaoler and her unfortunate companion.

Most in Meryton, however, received the announcement with great delight. The assurance that another generation of Bennets would inherit Longbourn was met with approval. While the village was not entirely dependent on the estate, it remained a mainstay of the area, and its continued stewardship provided a welcome sense of stability.

In light of recent events, Bennet and Mr. Philips met to draft a new will for the disposition of Longbourn. The revised terms allowed a daughter to inherit in the absence of a son, with the estate held in trust for the next male heir of the following generation. The only condition was that any future master of Longbourn must take the Bennet name.

This will also ensured Charlotte and any future children would be provided for in the event of Bennet’s death. His investments with Gardiner had prospered, and with Elizabeth now married, adjustments were needed to account for her changed circumstances. The future of Longbourn—and its rightful heirs—was now secured.

The Darcys returned to Netherfield in March; the house had been thoroughly cleaned, and it felt more comfortable with each passing day of their visit. The estate was quieter than it had been during their first stay, and the proposed renovations to the master’s suite had been completed. Georgiana accompanied them on this visit and was pleased to meet Elizabeth’s sisters and make them her own.

Now heavily pregnant, Charlotte had asked Elizabeth to be with her for the birth. The request filled Elizabeth with both excitement and trepidation. She had never attended a birth before, and though she was eager to support her friend, she was uncertain what to expect. Moreover, Elizabeth had been married for nearly six months, and while her monthly courses had usually been regular, she had missed her last two entirely. With the advice she had received from her grandmother, Aunt Gardiner, and Charlotte, Elizabeth had begun to suspect that she herself might be with child.

On the day after they arrived at Netherfield, the Darcys visited Longbourn. After Georgiana’s introduction to Elizabeth’s sisters, the women separated into groups of older and younger. Mary and Kitty had been exchanging letters with Georgiana throughout the winter months, and they did not need much time to feel comfortable with each other.

Once the younger girls were deep in their own conversation, Charlotte, Jane, and Elizabeth had the opportunity to speak more candidly. “I am glad you are here,” Charlotte said to Elizabeth, her voice a little strained from the discomfort that accompanied her advanced condition. “I have been nervous these past few days now that my time is nearly upon me.”

Elizabeth offered her a comforting smile. “You will be well, Charlotte. You are strong, and you are not alone. Have you seen the midwife recently?”

Charlotte nodded though she seemed unconvinced. “Still, it is a comfort to have you here. My mother has visited daily as well, but I am glad to have you with me.”

“And I am pleased to be with you, my dear sister,” Elizabeth replied. “Now, tell me whatever I have not yet heard.”

While the women spoke, Bennet and Darcy were in his study discussing other matters related to the business of Longbourn, Netherfield, and Pemberley.

In the early hours of one morning, a se’nnight after the Darcys’ arrival in the area, a note was dispatched to Netherfield requesting the presence of Darcy and Elizabeth. Darcy went to Bennet’s study while Elizabeth hurried upstairs to her sister’s room.

After what felt like an eternity, Charlotte gave birth to a healthy son. The moment was both a relief and a joy, and Elizabeth felt an overwhelming sense of pride for her friend.

Charlotte, exhausted but radiant, gazed at her newborn son with a look of pure adoration. “He is perfect,” she whispered, her voice full of emotion.

Elizabeth smiled, gently holding the baby in her arms. “He certainly is. I am so happy for you, Charlotte. What will you call him?”

Charlotte merely smiled. “I will let your brother tell you,” she said. “Will you please ask him to come here?”

Elizabeth did as she was bid. When she appeared in the door to the study, Bennet stared at her for a moment before seeming to understand her words. “Charlotte is well, as is the babe. Go, she is asking for you.”

Finally, the words seemed to penetrate the fog in his mind, and he rose from his seat, darting past her and up the stairs.

Darcy, who had stood at her entrance, took a step towards his wife. “Are you well, my love?”

She went directly into his open arms and hugged him tightly about the waist. “I am,” she replied. “I will not say that being in that room, seeing my friend in pain, was easy, but the reward is well worth it.”

“Your brother has been a wreck,” Darcy chuckled. “I think I understand both his worry and his delight in knowing that she and the child are well.”

“You will know even better in about seven months, my love,” Elizabeth said, her voice muffled slightly by where she was pressed against his chest.

Darcy stiffened, pulling back after a moment to look her in the eyes. “Are you… do you mean that you…” he stammered, looking down at her still-flat stomach. He moved one hand to touch her there. “Are you with child, Elizabeth?”

She smiled up at him. “I suspect that I am. I have not yet felt the quickening, but I have several symptoms and believe it will not be long,” she replied, her smile brilliant. “I confess to some small amount of nervousness, having watched Charlotte endure the ordeal, but the contentment that spread across her face when she held her son in her arms,” Elizabeth sighed, “I will treasure that feeling when it comes.”

Darcy said nothing more, simply pulling her tightly into his embrace. They stayed like that for several moments. “Elizabeth, my dear, sweet Elizabeth,” he whispered. “You have already given me so much, and now you will give me our child. I could not love you more, my darling, than I do now. But I know that is a lie, for I would have said the same an hour ago—and yet, I love you so much more now than I did then.”

With those words, he kissed her deeply and passionately, pulling her closer as if trying to merge their very souls. For several long moments, the rest of the world ceased to exist. The room around them faded into nothingness, and only the feel of each other’s touch remained.