daughter agreed that it may be so.
They commended Becky's generous impulse, but it was Cassy who suggested that Jessica in her present condition would be unlikely to become involved, for purely practical reasons.
"With her child due within the next few days, Jessica's ability to assist her mother might be limited, she certainly cannot travel to Lambton," she explained. "Would it not be better to ask my son Darcy, who regularly visits his aunt Emily and may well be able to persuade her to accept the money? There is no doubt at all that she will need it."
"And would I be able to meet Mr Darcy Gardiner tomorrow?" asked Becky, knowing time was short. She had plans to return to Kent not long afterwards.
"Certainly," Cassy replied, "I shall send word to him and ask him to call on you here during the day."
"And will he agree to help, do you think?" Becky asked.
Cassandra was certain her son would be willing, but added a word of caution.
"Darcy is scrupulously honest and may feel he has to reveal to Emily the source of the money," then seeing the anxiety upon Becky's face, added, "but that will not matter a great deal if she will accept it and use it to pay her bills. I am confident Darcy will be happy to help; he is well aware of Emily's financial difficulties and has helped her on previous occasions.
"If anyone can persuade her to accept it, Darcy can."
The gentlemen entered the room, and the conversation changed to matters they had been discussing over port. Richard and Julian had almost succeeded in convincing Mr Darcy of the need to have the history of the Pemberley estate recorded for posterity.
"There is so much material scattered around the place, in the library, at the parish church, in diaries, notebooks, and personal letters and documents, which must be of great interest, yet no one has attempted to put it together for the future," said Julian, appealing to the ladies to use their persuasive powers to convince Mr Darcy it was a worthy and important task.
Richard Gardiner agreed. "It is absolutely imperative that the story of this great estate and its people should be documented," he declared, and Becky was happy to lend them her support, while Elizabeth rang the bell to order more coffee.
But all was forgotten when Jessica's maid appeared, breathless from having run all the way to say in an anguished voice, "Mrs Darcy, ma'am, it's Miss Jessica--I beg pardon, I mean Mrs Julian Darcy, ma'am, she says we must get the doctor at once--it's the baby, ma'am."
Everyone turned to Doctor Gardiner while Julian ran out of the room and up the stairs in seconds.
Cassandra had rushed to her husband's side, and he followed Julian immediately, giving instructions to the maid as he went.
Cassy went with him; she wanted to be with her young sister-in-law and brother at this moment, while Becky, Elizabeth, and Mr Darcy were left looking anxiously at one another, knowing there was little they could do but wait.
On the morrow, Becky wrote to her sister Catherine:
The birth of Julian and Jessica's daughter in the small hours of this morning, only days after the funeral of Reverend Courtney, has helped lift the melancholy mood that had descended over Pemberley and has given everyone a new and happier subject for conversation.
She is to be named Marianne, which is a pretty name and even better, one that has especially pleased Mr Darcy, because it includes within it his mother's name, Anne.
Lizzie is ecstatic, as might be expected; there has not been a child
born at Pemberley since my dear grandson Anthony, who I must say is growing into a very fine lad indeed. Cassy has spared no effort in her care of the boy.
Meanwhile, Jessica and Julian seem truly devoted to one another and I wish them every happiness in the future. It is an indication of Julian's contentment that he appears not to miss his scientific work at all, while he spends a great deal of his time around his wife and new baby daughter. My business here is concluded,
They commended Becky's generous impulse, but it was Cassy who suggested that Jessica in her present condition would be unlikely to become involved, for purely practical reasons.
"With her child due within the next few days, Jessica's ability to assist her mother might be limited, she certainly cannot travel to Lambton," she explained. "Would it not be better to ask my son Darcy, who regularly visits his aunt Emily and may well be able to persuade her to accept the money? There is no doubt at all that she will need it."
"And would I be able to meet Mr Darcy Gardiner tomorrow?" asked Becky, knowing time was short. She had plans to return to Kent not long afterwards.
"Certainly," Cassy replied, "I shall send word to him and ask him to call on you here during the day."
"And will he agree to help, do you think?" Becky asked.
Cassandra was certain her son would be willing, but added a word of caution.
"Darcy is scrupulously honest and may feel he has to reveal to Emily the source of the money," then seeing the anxiety upon Becky's face, added, "but that will not matter a great deal if she will accept it and use it to pay her bills. I am confident Darcy will be happy to help; he is well aware of Emily's financial difficulties and has helped her on previous occasions.
"If anyone can persuade her to accept it, Darcy can."
The gentlemen entered the room, and the conversation changed to matters they had been discussing over port. Richard and Julian had almost succeeded in convincing Mr Darcy of the need to have the history of the Pemberley estate recorded for posterity.
"There is so much material scattered around the place, in the library, at the parish church, in diaries, notebooks, and personal letters and documents, which must be of great interest, yet no one has attempted to put it together for the future," said Julian, appealing to the ladies to use their persuasive powers to convince Mr Darcy it was a worthy and important task.
Richard Gardiner agreed. "It is absolutely imperative that the story of this great estate and its people should be documented," he declared, and Becky was happy to lend them her support, while Elizabeth rang the bell to order more coffee.
But all was forgotten when Jessica's maid appeared, breathless from having run all the way to say in an anguished voice, "Mrs Darcy, ma'am, it's Miss Jessica--I beg pardon, I mean Mrs Julian Darcy, ma'am, she says we must get the doctor at once--it's the baby, ma'am."
Everyone turned to Doctor Gardiner while Julian ran out of the room and up the stairs in seconds.
Cassandra had rushed to her husband's side, and he followed Julian immediately, giving instructions to the maid as he went.
Cassy went with him; she wanted to be with her young sister-in-law and brother at this moment, while Becky, Elizabeth, and Mr Darcy were left looking anxiously at one another, knowing there was little they could do but wait.
On the morrow, Becky wrote to her sister Catherine:
The birth of Julian and Jessica's daughter in the small hours of this morning, only days after the funeral of Reverend Courtney, has helped lift the melancholy mood that had descended over Pemberley and has given everyone a new and happier subject for conversation.
She is to be named Marianne, which is a pretty name and even better, one that has especially pleased Mr Darcy, because it includes within it his mother's name, Anne.
Lizzie is ecstatic, as might be expected; there has not been a child
born at Pemberley since my dear grandson Anthony, who I must say is growing into a very fine lad indeed. Cassy has spared no effort in her care of the boy.
Meanwhile, Jessica and Julian seem truly devoted to one another and I wish them every happiness in the future. It is an indication of Julian's contentment that he appears not to miss his scientific work at all, while he spends a great deal of his time around his wife and new baby daughter. My business here is concluded,
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