Page 38 of Miss Gardiner
Banks led the two women down the hallway, passed the door to Mr Darcy’s office, and into the parlour where Mr Darcy waited with his sister for their guests to arrive.
When the door opened, Georgiana rose and hurried across the room to embrace Elizabeth and exclaim, “You once told me my life sounded like an adventure in a novel, but you have been on an adventure as well. Pretending to be ‘Miss Gardiner’ for many weeks last year! You must tell me all!”
“Georgiana, remember you are hostess,” Mr Darcy prompted, and Georgiana blushed but turned immediately to Mrs Gardiner. She paused again seeing the woman’s dress; while obviously with child, the woman’s gown was ill-fitted and the hem in front rose three inches off the floor revealing the toes of Mrs Gardiner’s shoes; something never seen in polite society.
But Miss Darcy recovered, smiled and said, “Madam, forgive my poor manners. I can only excuse my lapse to the excitement of finally seeing my friend again.”
“I certainly understand, Miss Darcy,”
Now Georgiana curtsied and said, “Mrs Gardiner, welcome to our home. I hope to see more of you and your family.”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy,” Aunt Gardiner replied. “We have enjoyed your brother’s visits to our home and hope to see more of you.”
When Mr Darcy and Miss Elizabeth were distracted at the pianoforte, Georgiana asked, “Mrs Gardiner, may I ask when your babe will be born?”
“We expect the babe will be born in June.”
“Next month?” Georgiana asked excitedly.
Mrs Gardiner smiled and said, “Yes, Miss Darcy.”
“I have only ever seen babies when they are one or two years,” Georgiana said.
“Then when the babe arrives, your brother must bring you to Gracechurch Street to see how small a newborn is. Once a babe is born, the only things they do are sleep and eat. Thus, they grow very quickly into large babies.”
“Thank you, Mrs Gardiner.”
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth walked back to the sofas where he asked, “What have you been discussing with Mrs Gardiner, Georgiana?”
“Miss Darcy wanted to come and see the babe after he is born. She has no reference for how small a new-born babe is,” explained Mrs Gardiner.
“I remember the day you were born,” Darcy told his sister with a smile as he recalled her birth. He held his two hands together and said, “You did not fill my hands, and I was only thirteen years at the time.”
“I remember my youngest cousins when they were born and they were very small indeed,” Elizabeth shared. “Much like the baby dolls they sell in the mercantile.”
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It was two more weeks before the babe decided to be born. Jane woke uncomfortable and unable to eat or drink anything. Aunt Gardiner came and sat with her niece for most of the morning, while Elizabeth was sent to the nursery to aid Nanny with lessons and playtime. At lunch, Aunt Gardiner sent Alice for the midwife.
Uncle Gardiner remained at his office next door and Cook promised to keep hot, clean water ready for the birth. When Elizabeth returned to the chamber she shared with Jane, and let Aunt Gardiner leave for a few minutes, Jane took her sister’s hand and told her, “Lizzy, I love you. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”
“Of course, Jane,” Elizabeth said before kissing Jane’s head. “I love you too.”
For a minute, Jane grimaced as pain gripped her, and she attempted to rise from the chair.
“Do you need to stand?”
Shaking her head, Jane took several rapid, light breaths and said, “I am trying to find a different position but the pain passes. Is the midwife here?”
“Any time now,” Elizabeth assured her sister.
“Lizzy…I love this babe,” murmured Jane to which Elizabeth nodded without replying, simply holding Jane’s hand. “And I still love Charles.”
Another painful muscle spasm took hold just then and Jane cried out, “Charles! Why did you leave me?”
Jane’s grip on her sister’s hands grew painful for several seconds but then she released Elizabeth’s hand and panted once more.
Aunt Gardiner and the midwife arrived and for the next half hour, Elizabeth followed direction from the midwife. The bed was stripped, and new linens laid. Alice arrived with the first of several pails of hot water that were poured into a large bowl and several pitchers.
