“And I you,” he said softly.They continued to speak in whispers. He cupped her chin in his palm and slid his hand down her slender neck. “How did you know I waited outside the door?” He smiled lovingly at her.
Elizabeth shrugged nonchalantly. “You’re not the type to spend your time drinking away the hours. Nor are you of the nature to desert a person for whom you care,” she declared. Elizabeth traced his mouth with her fingertips. “And I’m vain enough to believe I claim your affections.”
“Not vanity, my love.” Darcy kissed her fingertips.
Elizabeth smiled easily. “I knew you’d be near if I needed you.” She went on her tiptoes to brush his lips with hers. “How did you know what to do to start the baby’s breathing? When I attended Jane, the midwife rubbed the twins’ backs.”
“Do you not recall that Georgiana came early?”
“Now, I do, but I don’t understand the significance. Surely, no one permitted you access to the birthing room.”
“Although I wasn’t there, my parents often reminisced over Georgiana’s worldly entrance. Despite warnings from the previous Countess about his inappropriate actions, my father insisted on being with Mother. The midwife threatened to do away with him.” This story was a pleasant memory for her husband, and Elizabeth delighted in his relaxed countenance.
“With Georgiana’s early entrance, they were all caught unawares. My sister’s delivery was reputedly a speedy one. Small and lithe as she is, Georgiana’s only complication was her resistance to taking her first breath. The midwife pronounced her dead, but father would hear none of it. He willed Georgiana to life. He rubbed her chest and, literally, blew into her mouth and nose — saying later that her first breath smelled of the brandy he had downed to shore up his nerves.”
“Amazing,” Elizabeth said.
“Anyway, I’ve heard the tale over and over. Georgiana loved to hear Father tell it, and he embellished the fact to his daughter’s delight; but, when I took Joseph’s child in my hands, I did what my father had done. It seemed the most prudent action.”
“God works in the oddest ways,” Elizabeth declared. “If not for my ready acquaintance with Mrs. Joseph, she’d have been on her knees giving birth in a stable. If not for your family history, the Josephs’ son might have followed the way of so many children born too early.”
Darcy caught her hand and brought it to rest over his heart. “I cannot conceive of another angel as beautiful as you, my love.”
“Would you see to the boy while I help Mrs. Joseph? She has yet to pass the birth.” It was not a conversation women normally had with men, but somehow for Elizabeth, it seemed right. When she delivered their child, Darcy would be by her side. As his father had attended Lady Anne, Darcy would attend her. She had no doubt of that fact. Unlike other men who waited downstairs, smoking cigars and drinking toasts, Darcy would be her partner, and if their child suffered, it was his able hands she wanted caressing the baby.
“As you wish. I’ll wait here.” Elizabeth nodded and started away, but Darcy caught her arm. “What of the cord?” he whispered.
Elizabeth patted his hand. It was reassuring to know that even her confident husband held the occasional doubt. “The blood has likely drained from the opening. Cut it again to three to four inches in length. Leave the tie in place. It will dry up and fall away in a few days. This is normal.”
“And the part attached to the mother?” he asked with curious embarrassment.
“Mrs. Joseph’s body shall expel what remains of the child’s sack within the next hour, and then she can begin to heal.”
Elizabeth watched as he puzzled over what she had said. “Really? I never knew. This is not part of a university education,” he mused.
“Neither is it conversation unmarried women share.” Her eyes danced in amusement. “I’m sure none would consider marriage such a delightful solution if she possessed knowledge of childbirth’s physical pain.”
Darcy’s eyebrow rose in question. “I imagine it might make it more difficult to convince some women,” he taunted. “Luckily, you’re not of the nature to refuse a man’s suit nor to shrug away a challenge.”
“Of course, not, Mr. Darcy.” She offered a soft smirk. “I’m of the most amiable nature.”
“And I’m blessed for it. Blessed indeed.”
Anne looked up as Southland entered the room. She had heard the rumors. The servants knew everything. Her companion and her cousin had each spoken to the lieutenant about their brief encounter yesterday. Anne didn’t know the content of those conversations, but she suspected that her loved ones had warned the lieutenant from her. Men of lesser connections had been sent packing, and she knew the procedure. Unfortunately, her few suitors had abandoned her early on. Now, at the age of seven and twenty, she was quite clearly on the shelf. But Anne had resolved that if Southland showed any interest, she would seize the opportunity.
“Lieutenant,” she smiled brightly. “It’s delightful to have your company. Come and join me for tea.”
The man bowed and came forward. “Thank you, Miss De Bourgh.” He glanced about the room. “Should I send for a maid or your companion?”
Anne narrowed her eyes. “That won’t be necessary, Lieutenant. I’d hate to worry Mrs. Jenkinson.The weather has taken her energy. Besides, the door remains open.”
“If you’re certain, Miss De Bourgh.” He seated himself across from her, but he remained uncomfortable.
Anne spoke with the barest bit of irony in her tone. “I’m far from being a green girl, Lieutenant. I may converse with a gentleman without causing a scandal.” She took a closer look at the man: Broad shoulders. Muscular chest. Several inches shorter than her cousin — an important fact for a woman of her height. Slim hips and firm thighs. Strong chin. Nose a bit too large. Dark lashes. Hairline high on his forehead. Dark hair with flecks of gold from sun exposure. Not handsome, but a most captivating countenance. An infectious, cheeky grin. Anne forced herself to smile as she handed him the teacup.
The lieutenant blinked quickly. “I never meant an offense, Miss De Bourgh. I recognize you’re a lady of quality. I’d want no mark on your reputation.”
“No offense taken, Lieutenant, but a reputation requires a certain amount of popular favor and influence.Admittedly, my family’s good name gives me an unearned distinction; yet, we both are aware of my insignificance. Please, Sir. I don’t wish to speak crudely, but I’d ask for honesty between us.” Anne felt her lower lip tremble and her eyes mist with tears, but she continued on. It had been more than five years since any man had sought her company and more than eight since a man had proclaimed his affection for her. If by any chance the lieutenant found her interesting, Anne wouldn’t shun his attentions, but she would instead embrace them on her terms. Her mother had sequestered her away, so the lieutenant was likely her last prospect. “I’d like to have your acquaintance, Sir. Is that what you wish also?” Having said the words she had practiced all morning, Anne immediately dropped her eyes. The effort to be bold had taken its toll on her. Her hands shook, and greyness crowded her vision. She fought for a calming breath.
“Miss De Bourgh?” The lieutenant’s voice expressed his concern. When she did not look at him, the man was on his knees before her. Gently, he took the cup and saucer from her grasp. “Let me assist you,” he said softly. “Please, Miss De Bourgh.” Urgency laced his words as he caught her hand in his. “If my presence upsets you, I’ll make my departure, but I’d see you well first.”
Anne gulped for air. “I… I don’t want you to depart.”
His large hands held hers tightly. The gentleman leaned in and whispered in her ear. “I would remain if that’s your wish.”
Slowly, she made herself look at him. His closeness warmed her in ways she’d never experienced. “Then I wasn’t mistaken.You wish my acquaintance?”
Southland’s lips twitched. “I suspect either the colonel or your companion has spoken of their objections.”
“Neither,” she said quickly.
Disbelief shaped his lips. “I’d have difficulty believing that no one has warned you from me. I’ve no title, and I’m likely never to earn one.”
