This is a little one off I am writing. Altogether around 10 chapters. Let me know what you think. I introduce a Dr. Berger to compete with Darcy instead of Wickham. He provides a nice distraction for Caroline Bingley as well. My German is atrocious but I added a little dialect for fun. Louisa emerges as an interesting voice. Here you go.
Prologue
Jane and Elizabeth had been at Netherfield nearly three days but instead of rallying, Jane languished. Doctor Eames had been called for but he was out of the county, so his assistant, the handsome, young Doctor Christoph Berger was enthusiastically sent for by Miss Caroline Bingley.
"Caroline, did not Dr. Berger confess an attraction to Miss Elizabeth Bennett when last we danced?" All eyes at the breakfast table looked up. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy's lip twitched.
"Worry not," Louisa grinned "Miss Eliza is safely upstairs." She reached her long silver spoon into the jam pot and spread the sticky goo on her muffin with a self satisfied sigh.
"My goodness, Louisa, I am surprised at your lack of candor!" Charles was appalled.
Giggling, Caroline coyly replied to her sister "Why yes, Louisa, I do believe I remembered hearing what a light and graceful figure she made on the dance floor. I believe I even recall a flash of passion in his eye."
With that Mr. Darcy abruptly rose from his chair. The angry scraping of wood on parquet sent a shiver up the spine of the women and caused the other men in the room to stand to attention.
"Will there be sport?" His voice was sterner than usual.
"I daresay." Louisa whispered to Caroline with one eyebrow cocked in amusement.
Chapter 1
When Elizabeth Bennett finally rose after a long and fitful night of attending her sister, Jane, Dr. Berger was already coaxing a smile from his patient. Eliza stood quietly by the open door, unwilling to enter. Dr. Berger was reputed to be the handsomest man in all of Hertfordshire and she had been aware of his attention toward her at the last assembly. He held Jane's limp arm tenderly and took her pulse.
Dr. Berger had only arrived from Germany that last year and was still honing his medical skills. The town needed a young physician as Dr. Eames was quite elderly and very hard of hearing. Meryton was delighted with the innovative and intelligent young physician and Elizabeth found his company quite agreeable. She pondered how Dr. Berger could have such thick blond hair and didn't hear Mr. Darcy as he came down the hall.
Darcy stopped short, taking in the sight of Elizabeth Bennett from behind. Her carelessly braided hair cascaded down her back to the waist of her green muslin gown signifying a trying evening of caretaking. But it was the way her dress fit around her hips that accelerated his breath.
She slipped her head into the sick room, greeted Dr. Berger with an enthusiastic hand and asked their maid, Betsy, if here was anything she could get for her before she took over care of the patient. As Elizabeth gently closed the door and turned around, she was stunned to find Darcy right behind her and let out a gasp of shock.
"Mr. Darcy! You frightened me." She began to giggle at her racing heart. She lightly laid her hand upon her heaving chest and leaned against the wall for support.
"I do apologize, Miss Elizabeth." She detected a gleam of humor in his eye. "I was just coming to see how Miss Bennett was faring. Is she on the mend? Are you going down for breakfast?"
"Yes and yes." Elizabeth smiled, "I wanted to make sure someone brought up tea and toast for Betsy. Jane had a fitful night and we took turns attending to her."
"Allow me to escort you?" he offered his arm. Seeing the fun in the offer and knowing he would expect her to refuse, she accepted.
She began to realize what a state she must be in and asked to stop when they reached the large mirror at the end of the hall. "Excuse me, Mr. Darcy. I will need to put my hair up very quickly."
Not knowing what to do he bowed slightly and allowed her to fish the hoop and pin out of her pocket. He could feel his heart begin to race as he watched her twist her hair quickly into a low bun and attach the fastener. Her figure stood at best advantage with her hands in her hair.
He felt that embarrassing tightening in his breeches so he looked away and held his hands to keep himself from pulling up behind her, nuzzling her newly revealed neck and pulling her into his aching body. A few stray tendrils escaped her effort but she didn't bother to mind them. "Ready." She turned and retook his arm.
She marveled at the cut of his suit. Was it silk? She wasn't wearing her gloves and holding Mr. Darcy's arm with her bare hand felt a little naughty. His height and strength were not lost on many people, particularly the ladies of the Ton. She could tell he was in top physical condition as his breeches fit exceedingly well and his calves were larger than most men of her acquaintance.
She was also aware that he was a favorite in the London ballrooms and had often read his name in Aunt Gardiner's society paper connected to the beautiful daughter of one or another wealthy peer. It seemed odd that she would encounter him in Meryton let alone be led to breakfast by him. Mr. Darcy was the most famous bachelor in England.
They descended the first staircase gracefully but when they turned the corner they froze.
The tall gilded mirror on the landing reflected a couple perfectly complimented to one another. They stood, side by side, like man and wife. Whether their shock was due to never having been caught with a member of the opposite sex going to the breakfast room at such an early hour or because they sensed something long lost was found, was unknown. Both had striking black hair and dark brown almond shaped eyes with hints of gold and although her skin was creamier, their cheeks both burned with the blush of recognition. They were obviously physically well suited.
Elizabeth's world began to spin. She could hear her heart beating quickly and loudly as if echoing through her temples. Her head became light and her breath irregular. She could feel the staircase twisting beneath her slippers. Darcy caught her just as she fell and called for the footman at the bottom of the stairs to help him settle her back in her room. Betsy rushed in and began to administer the smelling salts. Elizabeth gained consciousness suddenly and immediately fell back on her pillow her hand covering her eyes. Darcy watched anxiously from the hall.
"Please tell Mr. Darcy I am not feeling myself and must rest." Her voice didn't sound like hers. Who was saying those words, she wondered, then she lost consciousness.
"Yes, ma'am." whispered the exhausted Betsy as she rose to refill the water pitcher.
"Not to worry Betsy," Darcy reassured her as she entered the hall "We will find you a replacement for the next few shifts. Why not visit Mrs. McClure and see if she can help you to a bite to eat, then get some sleep while I speak with the Doctor."
"Yes sir, thank you sir but my duty is to serve my mistresses and Miss Elizabeth needs me." Grateful for his understanding she bowed and slipped below stairs, immediately.
Dr. Berger and Mr. Darcy conferred about the incident and Dr. Berger gave Elizabeth a rather awkward exam. Mr. Darcy saw the way he looked at Elizabeth and the way he blushed when he took her arm to feel the delicate pulse on the insider of her wrist. Darcy even thought he noticed him shift in his seat uncomfortably, which sent a tsunami of jealousy through him. Nothing escaped him.
Elizabeth opened her eyes and rubbed her head. "Am I alright?" Her pale visage only accentuated the dark fullness of her lips. Her voice was soft.
Dr. Berger smiled a brilliant white toothy grin. "I believe tsoh. I tsink some tea and a slice of toast vis jam might be in order. Vee cahn't have you coming down vis Miss Jane's ailment, now cahn ve?"
He looked down at her with mock approbation and fluffed her pillow to make her comfortable. His bedside manner was impeccable.
He whispered into her ear "Just rest, have zum food and zee how you veel in a vew hours." His blue eyes were mesmerizing her until an unruly lock of blond curl covered one of them. She shivered at the warmth of his breath on her cheek. His nearness was stirring desires deep inside of her. Mr. Darcy coughed loudly.
She bolted up, "I am worried about Jane. Who will care for her? I have to..." Elizabeth started getting out of bed.
"Please no. Miss Eliza." Darcy finally stepped in. "I am sure Miss Bingley can sit with Jane." He didn't like how close in proximity the good doctor and Elizabeth had come and he felt compelled to intervene.
"Capital idea, Mr. Darcy, I vill stay nearby as long as I can but Mrs. Hartford is expecting her baby any day." Miss Bingley was called and she, Dr. Berger and Mr. Bingley enjoyed the afternoon with a steadily improving Jane.
Darcy felt a strong need to stay with Elizabeth but he was not on such familiar terms with her. He had kept a distance and knew he should continue to do so. He could not close his eyes without seeing her face in the mirror and imagining the softness of her skin under his fingers. He needed to get back to Pemberley as soon as he could.
After a hot, unsettled night of inappropriate dreams, Darcy's steward packed and readied for their long trip back North. Darcy despised the idea of leaving Miss Elizabeth Bennett in the care of the dashing doctor, but he also knew staying could give his feelings for her away and he needed to kill them. There were more estimable connections to be made which would elevate his sisters prospects. The Duchess of Devonshire's daughter was coming of age and even his own cousin, Anne De Bourg had property and rank.
"Sir." his manservant handed him an envelope.
"What is this?"
"The ladies maid handed it to me saying the Bennett sisters wanted to make sure they thanked you for your kindness."
"That is admirable. I will take my leave of them now. Hold the carriage."
Darcy stood before Jane Bennett's room and took a deep breath, then knocked. A much stronger Miss Eliza called, "Come in." It was music to his ears. He stepped into the doorway. His broad shoulders nearly filled the narrow frame. Jane Bennett was sitting up and was looking much more herself. Eliza was up and about with colour back in her cheeks. Her fainting spell was determined to be fatigue and hunger but Darcy suspected there was an element of something else to blame.
"The doctor says I am out of danger and need only build up my strength and we will head home. Isn't that wonderful news?" Jane was charming and Bingley was beaming by her side.
Elizabeth reached out her hand to bring him into the room. It was an intimate request he guessed she made unthinking of his reaction. His hand joined hers eagerly. She released him to a chair by the side of the bed and stood by his arm, her hand on the back of the chair. It seemed an almost possessive posture but Darcy didn't care. It suited him, fine.
"I am on my way home, today." Darcy spoke kindly to Jane, "I only wish it were your turn. I am back to Derbyshire for my sister's sixteenth birthday."
"We will follow him in a few days." Miss Bingley crowed "I so long to see Georgiana."
"If all goes well with my convalescence, we are to Bath with our Father." said Elizabeth. "He feels the waters can only improve Jane's health." She smiled maternally at her elder sister and moved to sit on the bed next to her and squeezing her hand.
Mr. Darcy took Eliza's free hand and planted a small kiss upon it, inhaling her scent surreptitiously. Then he kissed Caroline and Louisa's hands, careful not to make eye contact. He bowed before Jane and Bingley then took his leave.
Elizabeth couldn't help glance out the window as his carriage wound out of the courtyard and off down the massive drive. Her heart felt a pang of loss that confused her.