Mrs. Reynolds had all the Christmas plans in hand, Lizzy only required to assist minimally and proffer input. They discussed the packages for the tenant families, the staff and tenant feast, any additional gifts Lizzy wanted purchased, the menu, and a few other incidentals. There truly was very little for her to address, Lizzy abundantly thankful as she vastly preferred devoting all attention to her precious baby.

Physically she rejuvenated rapidly. The occasionally intense cramps, a result so George informed her, of her womb returning to a pre-pregnant condition lessened daily and were gone by the end of the second week. She did nap most every day with Alexander snuggled against her breast after nursing primarily because it was so wonderfully joyous to do so. Her weariness was essentially gone within days to be replaced by the vigor of youth. The tenderness to her bottom persisted for quite a while, as did the scant discharge from her feminine area, but that too receded. She adjusted to some of the changes in her body: the large and cumbersome breasts that leaked milk frequently, and the wider hips that required several chemises to be altered. More problematic, from an egotistical standpoint, was the extra flesh over her abdomen.

Eventually this would disappear, Lizzy as svelte as always, but since this was a future development, she lamented this alteration to her physique. Logically she knew that her expectations were presumptuous and apprehensions irrational. Her emotions were perhaps minutely a result of personal vanity, but primarily were for her husband. This too she rationally knew to be absurd as Darcy had proven time and again that his love and desire for her was not dependent on her shape. Nonetheless, her unease and embarrassment continued, Lizzy thankful that for now her moderately pendulous belly was hidden from view under a corset and gown.

“Enter,” Darcy declared in response to the knock on his study door. The minor quantity of business that arose during the winter months had accumulated in a pile on his desk over the past week and a half, Darcy finally taking the precious time away from his wife and son to execute his duty as the Master of Pemberley. As important as the tedious issues were, he nevertheless was thrilled to see his wife and son cross the threshold.

“Forgive me, William, for disturbing you, but I have the final batch of announcements to post.”

“I shall forgive you, beloved, if you kiss me and then hand me our son. Come to your father, my precious boy. There's my big strong lad. What are you and your beautiful mother up to? Hmm?”

Alexander was awake, bright blue eyes studying his father with an infantile hint of amusement. Darcy held him balanced on both broad hands, neck well supported as he made silly faces and conversed with the innate baby talk tonality that all parents seemed to possess. The baby squirmed and erratically swung his extremities, lips puckered, and stare riveted on his adoring father.

“Who loves you best? Your mama and papa do, yes, that's who! Give your father a kiss, milk lips. Ouch! Must you grab my hair each time?”

“Perhaps he is subtly enlightening you to the fact that you need your hair trimmed.”

“Is your father a shaggy hound, wee one? Or is your grip just so strong you cannot prevent grasping anything in your reach? I think it the latter, yes I do, my sturdy little man, I do.” Darcy buried his mouth and nose into Alexander's stubby neck, tickling and blowing as the amused newborn wiggled and burbled, nearly giggling.

Lizzy sat and watched her silly spouse play the child with Alexander, heart swelling with fresh rivers of joy. The infant's moments of wakefulness were minimal and seized upon wholeheartedly. Despite her familiarity with Darcy's humor and private frivolity, it still surprised her to observe how nonsensical he was with their firstborn. He would likely be mortified if a servant entered the room, or even many of their family and friends, but the delightful displays of merriment sprung from an inner fount of happiness that he could not contain. To say that marriage and now fatherhood had drastically affected the personality of the stoic Mr. Darcy would be a monumental understatement.

“I received a letter from Charlotte,” she interrupted his jollities, Darcy lifting to meet her eyes with a wince as Alexander had a grip on his hair.

“You are smiling so it must be pleasant news.” He untangled the tiny fingers from his locks, transferring Alexander into his arms for sedate stroking.

“She has safely delivered, over a month ago now.”

“Why the delay in writing? All went well, I trust?”

Lizzy nodded. “Mr. Collins, if you believe it, is the father of twins! Two girls! Charlotte writes that the birth was long, two babies being utterly unsuspected.” Lizzy shook her head, eyes mildly glazed. “I cannot fathom having to birth two. Poor Charlotte. Be that as it may, she says the recovery was swift. The eldest daughter weighed over seven pounds and was perfectly healthy. The second was barely five pounds and rather sickly, hence the delay in notifying friends. Apparently she was slow to grow and they all worried, but eventually she caught on to nursing and is improving. They feel she is out of danger. Listen to this: Lady Catherine insisted on employing a wet nurse to augment the increased demands of two babies! Paid for it herself! Your aunt can surprise me yet.”

Darcy smiled with some surprise evident on his visage as well. “That is marvelous news. I do hope they encounter no further distress.” He gazed lovingly upon his son, embraced so closely to his beating heart, speaking in a coarse whisper, “Nothing could be worse than losing a child, unless it is losing a beloved wife. Neither event would I wish upon my worst enemy.”

Drawing Alexander's face near, Darcy bestowed numerous soft kisses, the babe calming until the tip of Darcy's nose brushed over pink lips. Instantly he opened wide, rooting for a meal. When that was not immediately forthcoming a loud bellow was emitted, the once placid face screwed in consternation.

“Apparently he is tired of me. Nourishment takes precedence over play or adoration, so it seems.” He carried the upset babe to Lizzy, already drawing the shawl across her chest while releasing buttons. The process of positioning and latching was now accomplished rapidly, Alexander's cries stifled instantly as his mouth became active in pleasanter pursuits.

Darcy encircled his wife's shoulders, securing the shawl for privacy although no one would enter his study unannounced. He kissed Lizzy's temple, caressing Alexander's leg while he nursed. Never tiring of these moments of felicity, Darcy happily eschewed the work on his desk. Stacks of parchment, receipts, and invoices would regenerate no matter how diligently he applied himself; however, these precious interludes were a one-time experience to be savored. Yes, Alexander would eat again in a few hours and so on, but each day he matured in subtle ways, vague evolutions that meant he would never be quite the same. They may be blessed with a dozen children, each precious, but all unique in their personalities and actions. Darcy and Lizzy wanted to wholly absorb each minute with Alexander to be treasured in their memories and hearts for all eternity.

Darcy sighed, resting his head against Lizzy's. “I rather envy Mr. Collins, shocking as that is to confess. I would not be averse to spoiling two babies. Perhaps we can arrange something for the next pregnancy,” he grinned.

Lizzy chucked. “Very sweet, but personally I prefer one baby at a time. And let us allow my bum to heal before we start planning further pregnancies. Unless, that is, we can figure a way for you to incubate one of them!”

Darcy laughed. “I am quite certain every woman on down through the endless ages has prayed for that miracle. Alas, the Almighty had a different plan. Very well then, one at a time is adequate, especially if they are all as adorable as our Alexander.” He clasped one foot, toes automatically curling around the tip of Darcy's thumb where it pressed lightly the length of the sole. Alexander shoved against the pressure, causing his father to smile at his strength. The occupied infant opened one eye, shifted slightly, and momentarily lost his grip on the nipple. After a frantic search the nipple was found, Alexander casting a baleful glance at Darcy before attending to the serious business of eating.

“You of all people should know better than to disturb a Darcy while dining,” Lizzy teased.

“Point well taken. Forgive me, my son.” He bent to softly kiss the baby's downy cheek, planted a second kiss onto the beautiful flesh of his wife's breast followed by several others winding up her chest until reaching her lips.

The kiss was long, gentle, soothing, and loving rather than passionate. Darcy withdrew mere inches to gaze into Lizzy's sparkling eyes, hand and fingers stroking over her jaw and cheek. “I love you, Elizabeth, unbelievably so. You are beautiful and extraordinarily desirable to me. I know we cannot make love yet, but I do hope you understand my yearning for you is unabated. I will wait as patiently as you need, but when we can be together again, I will love you hard with all my soul pouring into yours. Nothing, not time or even Alexander, can usurp your place in my life. You are my heartbeat and breath, my beloved, precious wife.”

They kissed again. Tenderness transmuting to urgency; passion growing as the kiss deepened; waves of desire swept through them both leaving them breathless. Lizzy moaned, hands gripping Alexander tightly, the infant oblivious as he ate. Darcy pulled away, his arousal well advanced, meeting Lizzy's glazed eyes with his own.

“Fitzwilliam,” she whispered, as she always did when overcome by desire.

Darcy smiled beatifically. “Soon, my lover, soon. Anticipation is sweet, and believe me, my expectations are high so therefore it will be sweet indeed. I can promise you this, my soul.” He kissed her again, temperately as passion was cooled, lingering teasingly over her lips before traveling along her jaw to then bury his face with a contented sigh into the delicate angle where slender neck met dainty shoulder. 

Acknowledgments

This third novel of the Darcy Saga series is dedicated to my father, Edward Hudson, and my mother, Marge Shelly, who passed away in September. Naturally my existence is a reality due to their existence, but my thanks is for more than that. These two people have been a constant bedrock throughout my life no matter what tribulations troubled their own lives. Dad, I love you. Mom, I love you, miss you, and will never forget all you taught me. Next time I see you we will be free of all cares as we dance in Heaven!

Some special thanks: Deb Werksman for your patience, support, and friendship. Danielle Jackson for being utterly adorable and the best publicist on the planet. Simone van Lingen for your devoted friendship and for discovering Sourcebooks. Vee Stojcevski for your Aussie humor, proofreading skills, and being my #1 TSBO devotee. My husband and kids for loving me throughout the craziness. And above all, to my Lord and God for ceaseless inspiration.

Finally, and with all my heart, a huge thank you to my readers for taking this journey with me and the Darcys. The ride is just beginning! 

About the Author

Sharon Lathan is a native Californian currently residing amid the orchards, corn, cotton, and cows in the sunny San Joaquin Valley. She divides her time between being a homemaker nurturing her own Mr. Darcy and two teenage children and working as a registered nurse in a neonatal ICU. Throw in the cat, dog, and a ton of fish to complete the picture. When not at the hospital or attending to the often dreary tasks of homemaking, she is generally found reposing in her comfy recliner with her faithful laptop. For more information about Sharon and The Darcy Saga series, visit her website at: www.darcysaga.net.