I do not own anything! I just borrowed! :)

A Woman in Good Health

A Pride and Prejudice Fanfic

Elizabeth Darcy (nee Bennett) had always possessed a remarkable constitution.

From the time she was a child, her frocks always held evidence of her outdoor misadventures. Never one to allow rain, mud or another weather related inconvenience prevent her excursions, she had delighted in her play whatever the condition. It was only at the request of her mother that she would find her way back indoors.

"You'll be the death of me Lizzie! Look at you petticoats, child! Why you can scarcely see the cloth under the collection of mud! You will need to mind how you look if you wish to be married someday!"

At the young age of 7, Elizabeth couldn't understand the dilemma. Surely her mama would not marry her off before she had come out into society! She immediately searched out her father and he put her fears to rest. He in fact encouraged her in her exercise, despite her mother's shrieks of disapproval at discovering their understanding.

She had faithfully nursed both her mother and sisters when they fell ill. Most recently, it had been her much loved sister, Jane, who had required her careful attention. Having caught a chill when travelling to Netherfield for tea, she had become an overnight guest until she recovered.

Elizabeth herself, though having walked the miles in the damp air, her hem dipping into the heavy mud, had remained as healthy as when she had departed home. Of course, her appearance had shocked members of the party. Bingley alone had seen past the soiled hemline of her gown and admired her reasons for arriving in such a state.

She had not succumbed to the illness Jane had, nor the frequent attack of nerves her mother so suffered from when, months later, Lydia shocked their family by running away with Wickham.

Yes, Elizabeth Darcy's health was not of a delicate nature.

Until now.

Still in her nightgown, she sat at her vanity. Dark hair recently released from its braid lay in waves against her back, waiting to be dressed. But her thoughts were not on completing her toilette.

Instead, they were on the discovery she had just made. Dizzy spells, continued exhaustion, and a not unladylike increase in appetite. No, it was no chill she suffered from now.

Her hands smoothed the fabric at her middle, rubbing gently. She knew now from where the symptoms originated and as she accepted the significance of her situation, tears soon followed.

It was in this instant that her husband knocked at the door of their shared bedchamber. He saw the moisture on her cheeks and quickly made his way to her side, concern evident in his gaze. He relaxed a little at her smile.

"My dearest Elizabeth," he said softly. "Of what can you be thinking to cause such a collection of emotion? Tears and smiles are seldom found together. Are you well?"

She squeezed Darcy's proffered hand gently and leaned to rest her head against his. "I assure you Fitzwilliam, I am quite well. I was only in contemplation as to a certain matter."

"And what, pray tell, might that be?"

She felt her smile widen and her joy couldn't be restrained any longer. "I was considering which room would best suit the establishing of a nursery."