Page 42 of Miss Gardiner
Looking up, Gardiner asked, “Are you certain? There may be talk about the sudden death of a niece no one knew as here for many months.”
“Every family tragedy gets turned into rumours,” Darcy replied. “I care not for rumours when…a true friend is in pain.”
Gardiner nodded in understanding.
“And the babe?” Darcy asked cautiously.
“My son?”
“Yes sir.”
Gardiner took another swallow and said, “Edward Charles Gardiner was born last night.”
“Edward Charles?” asked Darcy, wondering at the name.
Gardiner did not look at Darcy when he replied, “His mother named the babe for his father.”
Startled with the realization of what Mr Gardiner was confining in him, Darcy asked, “Even after all this time?”
“According to Elizabeth, Jane’s dying breath was to declare her love for Charles Bingley. I must beg the Lord’s forgiveness, but I hope the man roasts in the everlasting fires of hell,”Gardiner swore.
“I…Mr Gardiner…”
The older man shook his head and said, “If Bingley were an honourable man, he would have married Jane. With his support and care, she would have more reason to live and might have survived…”
Darcy nodded and finished his brandy. “I believe we must return to the parlour. My sister and Miss Elizabeth will wonder at our continued absence.”
“Yes,” Gardiner said setting his glass down and leading Darcy back to the front of the house.
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After Mr Darcy promised to return tomorrow in time for the funeral, the Darcy carriage departed, and Uncle Gardiner assured himself that his wife and each of his children were well. Alone for a few moments, Elizabeth sat and wandered about in her thoughts. The delivery of Jane’s son–now Uncle Edward and Aunt Madeline’s son–left her with mixed emotions.
Her beloved sister died during the birth of her beautiful son. And the child’s cries elicited such strong emotions within her soul, she knew she would do anything necessary to protect him and give him a good life.
‘And Mr Darcy came and did not leave…he helped Uncle by escorting Jane’s…the coffin from the house,’Elizabeth thoughts raced.‘Jane…sweet Jane is…’
Minutes later, Uncle Gardiner returned to the parlour and sat beside Elizabeth, taking her hand in his and saying, “In a moment, I want you to go above stairs and visit with your aunt. The babe needs to feel Elizabeth’s touch and Aunt Madeline misses your presence.”
Blinking away tears and attempting a smile, Elizabeth said, “I shall spend the rest of the day with Charles and the other children.”
“I believe we shall call him ‘Charlie’ in the family.”
Now Elizabeth did smile as Uncle Gardiner said, “We must make certain the other children are not jealous of the attention the babe receives. I shall visit with them and Nanny as well.”
“That will be good.”
“Now, we must have an uncomfortable conversation,” Uncle Edward said. “I must write to Mr Bennet today. The news that Jane passed must be delivered to Longbourn as soon as possible. It would not do for your parents to read of Jane’s passing in the newspaper or hear it from anyone else.”
“What will you tell them? Charlie…”
“Later this week, I shall send a secondletter announcing the birth of my second son,” Mr Gardiner said. “In my first letter, I shall tell Mr Bennet that Jane Bennet died of a broken heart.”
“Mamma will wail, and demand father bring her body home,” worried Elizabeth.
Mr Gardiner shook his head, “My niece, ‘Jane Gardiner’ will be interred tomorrow and there will be no funeral in Meryton.”
Elizabeth wiped away her tears and followed her uncle above stairs and into the bedchamber where Aunt Madelineand the wet nurse cared for new-born Charlie.
