A Baby at Pemberley by Abbey North

A Baby at Pemberley by Abbey North

Author:Abbey North [North, Abbey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-04-03T04:00:00+00:00


3

“Such a clever girl,” praised Lizzy from her perch on the Persian rug in the nursery. Lydia grinned and babbled at her, displaying the two bottom teeth sprouting through as she sat up for the first time without assistance. She had been an early teether, and now she was an early sitter. Only four months, little Lydia was thriving.

“She is a clever one,” said Catherine, the wet nurse, as she passed Lydia a small wooden toy. The baby grasped it in her chubby fist, trying to bring it to her mouth. “I suspect her mother must have been a precocious one as well.”

“Her talents were more in personality than learned accomplishments, but she was certainly vibrant.” Lizzy shifted on the floor, finding the position she was currently in put too much strain on her pelvic muscles.

Sitting upright helped, relieving the ache in her lower stomach. She tried not to panic at every twinge, but she was still relieved when the pain immediately subsided at the shift in position. Only a couple of months along herself, it was difficult to relax and try not to overanalyze every ache and pain after having miscarried her previous pregnancy.

“You look like you could use some rest, Mrs. Darcy. I can certainly see to Lydia for the afternoon. She shall be wanting her nap soon enough.”

Lizzy knew that meant little Lydia would also be wanting to nurse first, so she nodded as she got to her feet. “Thank you, Catherine. I believe I shall have a nap of my own.”

Catherine smiled. “I still remember those days, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. Some say the last bit of the pregnancy is the worst, but I always found the first part the most physically draining.”

“I am sure.” She knew Catherine had four children, and her fifth child had been a stillborn. Catherine had been a wet nurse for the last two years, so perhaps she’d had time to recover from that loss, but there was still lingering sadness in her eyes. Lizzy could well imagine how painful it must be, since thinking about her lost child even now, months later, could trigger tears, though she usually managed to blink them back.

She left the nursery and walked down the hall, heading to the stairs. Her intent was to climb to the next floor to go to the suite she shared with Fitzwilliam, but the sound of raised voices caught her attention, and she detoured downstairs instead.

She could hear vicious rowing, so she rushed to Fitzwilliam’s study, throwing open the door without knocking or waiting for permission to enter. She froze in shock and disgust of the sight of Wickham standing before Fitzwilliam, who was not backing down. They had clearly been shouting at each other, and seeing the man made her blood run cold.

His countenance changed, becoming one of playful welcome when he saw her. “Lizzy, dear sister, you look well.”

She ignored his words as she walked into the room, coming to stand beside her husband. Fitzwilliam’s body language made it obvious he wanted her to leave, but he didn’t push her away or tell her to go.



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