“But what if…” Darcy broke off when her fingers touched his mouth.

Elizabeth easily traced his upper lip. “No, what ifs, Fitzwilliam. We’ll all say our prayers and then leave the rest in God’s hands.”

Predictably, Darcy bit back his response. Elizabeth smiled knowingly. Her husband objected to her involvement, but he’d allow her to make her own decisions, as well as her own mistakes. It was one of the qualities for which she most admired him. It was how Elizabeth knew her husband would be an excellent father. Their children would know love with no censure. “I’ll be close. Please take care.” He bent to kiss her temple. “I love you.”

“And I you.” Then he was gone. Taking a deep breath, Elizabeth turned to face the Josephs. “Let’s place you in a position to deliver this child.”

Mr. Joseph looked perplexed. “What do you mean, ‘position’?”

Elizabeth laughed lightly. “Men are so incompetent in these matters,” she said with a wink. “Did you think Mrs. Joseph would simply leisurely lie in this bed and your child would make an appearance in its own good time?”

Mr. Joseph stammered, “I… I’d not thought… thought much on it. What must Mary and I do?”

“You’re about to learn that men are not truly the stronger sex,” Elizabeth teased.

“Absolutely,” Mary added. “No man would tolerate such changes to his body.” She lovingly spread her fingers across her abdomen’s expanse.

The ladies would’ve continued their teasing, but when another pain racked Mary, Elizabeth moved everything to the floor before the hearth. She placed bowls of water, soap, several piles of clean rags, Darcy’s razor, and two leather cords nearby. On the table, she’d positioned more water, cloths, and towels.

“What do you require of me, Mrs. Darcy?” Joseph asked anxiously.

“First, I need for you to remove your boots, coat, waistcoat, and cravat. If you wish to change your clothes, this would be the time. Likely, anything you have on shall be ruined by the time we finish.”

Joseph nodded and disappeared behind the screens. Looking very relaxed, a few minutes later, he reappeared. “I’m at your disposal, Mrs. Darcy,” he said with an embarrassed shrug.

“Let’s assist Mary to a place before the fire.”

The man easily lifted his wife from the bed. “Then what?” he asked as he placed Mary on the feather-stuffed mattress.

“You will sit on the floor and place Mary on your lap.”

The woman looked up suddenly. “Are you certain, Mrs. Darcy?”

Elizabeth laughed nervously. “Not really. But one cannot exist in a house with four sisters and numerous aunts without hearing stories of delivering children. I assisted my sister Jane recently, but Mrs. Bingley had a birthing chair available. We’ve no such convenience so I am relying on instinct and on bits of information I learned when I eavesdropped on my mother and Aunt Philips, as well as my Biblical studies.”

Elizabeth’s words stunned Joseph. “The Bible?”

“Saying she delivered Jane on her knees, my mother once complained about the pampering of women today. So, I assumed it’s possible for a woman to deliver upon her knees. Then I thought of Rachel in Genesis,” Elizabeth explained.

Mr. Joseph nodded. “When Rachel plans to have a child through her maid, she is desperate. She would use Biliah as a surrogate. ‘Here is my maid Biliah,’” he recited the words. “‘Go into her that she may bear upon my knees, and even I may have children through her.’”

“We cannot expect Mary to suffer childbirth’s pains on her knees, but we need to elevate her. So, Mr. Joseph, you will be our Rachel and hold your wife on your lap. Mary, you will be our Biliah and bring forth our Christmas baby.”

As Elizabeth finished her explanation, Mary contracted in pain, clawing at her husband’s arm. Without another word, Mr. Joseph lifted her to his lap, placing her back along his chest. “I have you,” he cooed and eased her head to rest on his shoulder. “Our child is coming, Mary. We will see it through together.”

Unceremoniously, Elizabeth eased Mary’s legs apart. “This shan’t be comfortable, but we’re not the first women to deliver a child under less than pristine conditions,” she said as much to herself as to Mrs. Joseph.

“How much longer?” Mary gasped as she fought for breath.

“An hour. Maybe two,” Elizabeth said with more confidence than she actually possessed. Reaching for the hem of Mary’s gown, Elizabeth said tentatively, “This shall be the first of the uncomfortable situations. I must take a look to see if the child is prepared for his entrance into the world.”

Closing her eyes tightly in apparent embarrassment, Mary nodded her agreement, and Elizabeth did what she thought never to do: look upon another woman’s nakedness. Surprisingly, it wasn’t as repulsive as she had expected. She couldn’t say she felt comfortable with the experience, but she no longer saw life through the eyes of a naive girl. Elizabeth knew the marriage bed’s pleasures, and she realized God had made women for this purpose. The Lord had designed a woman’s body to carry a child to term. Mary was the vessel. That’s how Elizabeth would view this experience. “You’ve begun to open for the child,” she said matter-of-factly.

Mr. Joseph stroked his wife’s hair. “I’m so proud of you, Mary. You’ve not complained or fussed through this. I’d have you safe. Earlier, Mrs. Darcy told you to vent your pain. From now on, I expect you to scream your beautiful head off. No more holding it in. I’m capable of loving a woman who sheds a few tears.You don’t need to be strong for me.” He rocked her easily.

Mrs. Joseph squeezed his hand. “They’ll hear me in Newcastle.” Turning to Elizabeth, who sat relaxed at her feet, Mary said, “Tell me about your Mr. Darcy. What type of man has won your heart, Elizabeth?”

Chapter 9

“Did i see Lady Catherine leaving my brother’s study?” Georgiana asked Edward when she cornered him in the upper hall.

Edward’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, Her Ladyship sought me out as I used Fitz’s desk to write and frank my letter to the Earl and my report to the general.”

Georgiana frowned back. “May I ask Her Ladyship’s purpose? I worry our aunt intends some mischief.”

“I cannot speak to Lady Catherine’s Pemberley mission. I’ve spoken to her firmly regarding her family responsibility, but no one can hope to know Her Ladyship’s frame of mind.” Edward sighed in exasperation. “That wasn’t our aunt’s objective today,” he continued. “Today, Lady Catherine expressed her concern regarding your presentation.”

“You’ve been on English soil for less than six and thirty hours, and our aunt bothers you with such details,” Georgiana said incredulously. “Sometimes…” she groaned.

Edward caressed her cheek. “Sometimes what, Love?”

“Sometimes, I wish people would allow me to choose my own future.” Georgiana resisted the urge to stomp her foot in frustration. “At the moment, I wish Lady Catherine had never come to Derby for the festive days.”

Edward scowled deeply. “I wouldn’t have you upset, Georgie. I’ve informed Her Ladyship that Darcy will address your needs when the time proves necessary. Either Mrs. Darcy or my mother will serve as your sponsor.”

She knew she should express her gratitude for his advocacy, but Georgiana had never wanted a Season. She wanted the man standing before her. Tears misted her eyes. “I thank you for your attempt to stifle our aunt’s maneuverings.”