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Sally was there when it opened. Elizabeth heard the housekeeper’s words clearly.

“A son. Mrs. Bingley and the child are both well. Tell Mr. Bingley he may come upstairs; Mrs. Talbot will admit him in a few minutes. Then tell Mrs. Bennet the same good news, and that we shall call her in shortly.”

Sally put a hand against her mouth, nodded, and went quickly along the passage.

Reynolds closed the door without fastening it and returned to help Mrs. Talbot make Jane comfortable. Elizabeth moved aside while they settled the pillows. She stood near the window until her sister looked for her.

“Lizzy?”

“I am here.”

“Come and see him properly.”

Elizabeth returned to the bedside. Jane drew back the linen a little so she could see the whole of his face.

“Look at his mouth,” she said. “Just like Charles.”

“I think Charles will be pleased to be credited with any part of him.”

Jane smiled. It was a tired smile, tender and quite her own.

Elizabeth bent and kissed her cheek. Her sister’s skin was warm. The child stirred between them, making a small sound which brought both their eyes down at once.

For the first time all night, neither hurried to ask anybody whether something was wrong.

Chapter Fifty-Five

DARCY HEARD SALLY running before he saw her.

Charles was standing at the window. He had remarked upon the first light, then said nothing more. Darcy had been considering whether to ask him to sit again when the hurried steps sounded in the passage.

Both men reached the door together.

“A son, sir.” Sally stopped before Charles, breathless and smiling. “Mrs. Bingley and the child are both well.”

Charles stared at her.

“Both?”

“Yes, sir. Mrs. Talbot says you may come upstairs. She will admit you in a few minutes.”

He put a hand against the door frame. Darcy moved nearer, but Charles had already straightened.

“A son,” he said again.

Sally nodded. There were tears upon her cheeks, though she continued to smile. She remembered the rest of her errand and went to tell Mrs. Bennet before either gentleman could detain her with another question.

Charles turned toward Darcy.

For all the things they had found to say through the night, neither appeared able to find anything now. Darcy took his friend’s hand. Charles grasped it, pulled him into a brief embrace, and released him with an embarrassed laugh.

“I must go up.”

“Yes.”

“She said a few minutes.”

“They may have passed before we reach the door.”