Then he saw her. Elizabeth swayed on the steps, her face pale with worry, and Darcy was immediately on his feet and moving in her direction. He caught her just as she lurched forward. “I have you,” he whispered close to her ear, and she sank into his embrace. “What is it?” He braced her stance with his body.

“I cannot do it,” she rasped.

“Do what?” he demanded. Elizabeth buried her face in his chest. “Tell me,” he said authoritatively.

Elizabeth looked at him, and Darcy recognized her fear. “Mrs. Joseph’s baby… I cannot deliver her baby.”

“Of course not,” Darcy began, but then what his wife really meant became clearer. “Do you mean to say that Mrs. Joseph is…?” He couldn’t say the words.

“Yes.” Elizabeth disengaged herself from his embrace.“I was in the room with Jane, but I know nothing beyond comforting my sister.”

Darcy took a deep breath. “First, let’s send Joseph to sit with his wife, and then you and I will speak to the Washingtons. Surely, there’s someone in the area who can serve as a midwife.”

“Do you think so?”

Elizabeth’s voice asked for reassurance, but Darcy held his own doubts. The nearest village was some fifteen miles away. “One thing at a time. Mrs. Joseph needs her husband. Stay here, and let me bring the man to us.”

Darcy left her on the steps and returned to the common room. No one below could observe her at the bend in the stairs. Leaning over Mr. Joseph, Darcy whispered, “Come with me.”

Joseph looked up in surprise.“Is something astray?” the man hissed.

“Just come,” Darcy insisted and turned to leave. He didn’t look back to see Joseph scramble to his feet.

Darcy returned to where Elizabeth waited. Turning, he braced her as Mr. Joseph joined them. “What has happened? Where is Mary?” Joseph demanded.

“You should go to her,” Elizabeth said softly. “Your child shall make an appearance in a few hours.”

Joseph looked like he might faint, but he bolted up the stairs, taking the last six steps two at a time.



“Southland, just the man I wanted to find,” Edward declared as he entered the library. Neither of them addressed their previous conversation. The colonel knew the man would act professionally. He didn’t have to guard against Southland’s maneuverings.

The lieutenant scrambled to his feet and came to attention. “I apologize, Sir. I should’ve informed you of my whereabouts.”

“We’re not on the front, Lieutenant,” Edward assured. “I simply require your assistance in arranging an entertainment.”

“I’m at your disposal, Sir.” The man remained in formal stance.

Edward’s eyebrow rose in amusement. “Then I can count on you to coordinate filling the bird bath.”

Southland flustered, “If that… if that’s what you require, Sir.”

Edward fought the desire to smile. “We should recruit Mr. Manneville to our efforts.”

“I assure you, Colonel, I need no assistance in filling a birdbath.”

Edward laughed easily. “Wait until you see it, Southland. You may have second thoughts.



“That cannot be,” Darcy protested.

“We’re fifteen miles south of Harrogate. Not close to Skipton or Bradford — at least, not under these conditions,” Mr. Washington explained. “The few area farms depend on each other for these needs.”

Elizabeth’s concern rose quickly. “What is Mrs. Joseph to do? Surely, someone in the neighborhood could assist us.”

“We’ve had no need of such services,” Mrs. Washington admitted sheepishly. “God never saw fit to bless Mr. Washington and me with our own children, and Nan be too young to be having her own brood. The girl need be taking a husband first.”

“But you know something of what a woman must go through. You can assist Mrs. Joseph with the delivery?” Elizabeth pleaded.

“I’m afraid not, Mrs. Darcy. I know nothing of birthing babies.”

Chapter 8

“So this is the birdbath.” Manneville smirked.