The Darcys and the Sirens' Songs by Glenna Mason

Author:Glenna Mason [Mason, Glenna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-04-19T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TEN

At 10 a.m. May the twentieth, Georgiana sent word for Dr. Alan Ramsey to come to Stone Bridge Cottage. He arrived promptly and agreed that she was in the first stages of labor. Doc explained that most infants took their time coming, but not all. He asked Georgiana to send for him when the pains got closer and more severe. He, after all, lived ten minutes away by horseback.

So it was that Bruce sent word to Pemberley that the baby was imminent, but perhaps hours in the future. Remembering Elizabeth’s timing with the birth of Tommy, the Darcys decided to ride to the cottage in two or three hours. They estimated that would allow them to reach the Lawtons at least two hours before the birth, hours which might be filled with intense pain. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam wanted to be with Georgiana and Brice when the worst began.

So after two hours, Elizabeth became anxious, gathered up Tommy and his nurse and insisted that they leave for Kympton. The Darcys walked hand in hand to the stable, where they had two horses hitched to a sizable curricle. Elizabeth would drive them to the Lawtons. The nurse arrived with the baby. Just as the curricle left the stable yard, a rider appeared at the top of the hill. It was Mr. Barkley.

“Oh, no!” Darcy said, frightened.

Elizabeth clicked her tongue and swatted the mares with the reins. The conveyance took off toward Barkley. A thought spun through Darcy’s troubled conscious: the last time Barkley headed down the road at break neck speed, about a year ago, Bruce was being held at gunpoint by Captain Luke Denny.

The carriage met Barkley about half way up the hill. “You’re an uncle and an aunt,” Barkley said quickly, aware of their frightened expressions. Noticing Tommy, he added, “And a cousin.”

“Hallelujah!” Darcy said, relieved. “I’d invite you in for a drink, but we were just heading over to hold Georgiana’s hand.”

“Apparently it was a speedy delivery,” Elizabeth commented.

“I’ll say. Doc barely got there,” Barkley answered.

“Want to ride back with us in the curricle?”

“No, thank you. I’d like to go on down to Pemberley and let Mrs. Helene and Mr. Johnson know our news. I’ll stop by the stables on the way to the house and tell Barnes and Larson our little secret.”

“Please do. Mr. Larson recently left for his wedding parties, but Barnes is still here. He can inform the outside staff. Mrs. Helene will let the inside workers know,” Elizabeth said.

“Oh, and Barkley,” Darcy said,” please ask Mr. Johnson to go to the cellar and break out the ale and distribute it inside and out. You and Johnson and Barnes and Celeste and our lovely Mrs. Helene can imbibe champagne. It is already iced for the celebration.”

“I shall and thank you, Darcy.”

“Let’s go, Elizabeth. You did pack two bottles of champagne, didn’t you?”

”Of course,” she answered, as she again swatted the mares with the reins. The mares trotted off up the hill, as Barkley cantered on down the hill.

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