Chapter Three

Lizzie and Darcy are sitting in the drawing room at Pemberley. Darcy turns smiling “Lizzie, I cannot tell you how relieved I am that we will be staying at Netherfield. Your mother and I do seem to rub one another up the wrong way. I am not sure I could live under the same roof as her for any length of time at all.”

“Oh Darcy, I do believe you are right. Mama is not as fond of you as I would like. But I do believe that given time, she will see your kindness and care for others, and then she too will fall in love with you just as I did.” Lizzie smiles as she remembers their first meetings.

“Yes, when we met, we did not see to eye at all, you captured my heart. I have never been as happy as I am in our marriage, and now you are pregnant, I feel even happier. I had never believed this sense of fulfilment possible.”

“ I do believe we are both becoming very sentimental as a result of our good news. It is not just our good news either Darcy. Jane is pregnant too! She has told not told Mama yet or anyone except myself and Bingley. I believe she wants to keep it a secret until our visit.” Lizzie glows with happiness.

“Bingley and I were the best of friends, and now our children will not be just friends but cousins. This is wonderful Bingley will make such a good father. He is so caring and attentive to everyone. You must send them my congratulations.”

“It is already done. Jane told me something else in her letter too. Apparently, Kitty supposes herself to be in love with a Mr Charles Finch. Papa has been very cautious regarding the courtship. He still feels to blame for what happened with Wickham.” Lizzie looks sad and regretful when she thinks of her fathers worry.

“Wickham was and still is an absolute scoundrel. I am glad your father has learned to be cautious of suitors, something needs to be learnt from that incident.” Darcy’s face becomes more serious as he remembers Wickham.

“I agree with you my parents afforded Lydia and Kitty too much freedom in the past, and were often too trusting of others. Lydia’s experience was a painful lesson for Mama and Papa, but they have learned from it.”

“I expect your father has begun enquiries into Mr Finch’s character?”

“Yes, he through Mr Bingley, who has written several letters and found Mr Finch to be a good sort of fellow.”

Darcy looks thoughtful “Lizzie, I hope you don’t mind but I feel I should double check this gentleman’s character. Mr Bingley can be quite naïve and easily led. I just want to make sure your family are caused no more upset. Both you and Jane do not need to be upset at this time. It is not good for pregnant women to worry. Let me make enquiries. I am sure Bingley is right, but just in case.” Darcy sits down at his desk and begins writing.

“Once again you remind me why I love you. You care for so many people, and go out of your way to help them.” Lizzie smiles and looks lovingly at her husband.



Dear Mrs Bennet,

Mr Gardiner and I, will indeed come to visit you at Longbourn. Mr Gardiner feels it would be prudent for us to stay at Netherfield and has written to Mr Bingley to ask him if he will accommodate us for our visit. I am sure he will as he is a very caring and kind man.

I cannot believe Lizzie is having her first child. It seems like only yesterday, that she was a little girl and I was meeting her for the first time before she ran off to play hoop. I always felt especially fond of Elizabeth as she was the first person I meet when I was introduced to the family and I felt uncommonly nervous that day. We are both so happy for her!

I look forward to seeing you soon,


Mrs Gardiner