Chapter 4: Elucidation

He did not know how long he sat holding her hand, trying to pass on some of his life to her, that she might wake sooner. He was startled out of his reverie by a sharp knock on the door. Reluctantly, he released her hand and laid it gently on the bed. The lack of physical contact pained him for when he held her, he was reassured of her constancy. Without wanting to compromise her, there was little that he could do to help her, save to explain to the very confused Dr Parker the reason for his summons to Pemberley.

It took a few false starts, but with hesitancy, Mr Darcy explained as much as he could about Elizabeth's predicament. From the uncertainty of how and where she had hit her head, to how long she had remained submerged, to her disconcerting lack of consciousness and her unsettling stillness since being removed from the river; he tried to recall anything that may aid the good doctor.

"Thank you Mr Darcy, that will be sufficient," he smiled, trying to comfort the worried man before him, "why don't you step outside whilst I conduct my examination. It will not do to have an audience. I will try my best to be as quick and as thorough as possible, though it may be that there is very little you or I can do to help her. Thank you, sir."

Darcy thanked the doctor and grudgingly departed his rooms, to be met by two very nervous relatives. After greeting them both most formally, he sought to give them any comfort he could in such a situation.

"I took the liberty of checking your niece's pulse, and it seemed to me to be quite steady," he imparted, and both of the Gardiners sighed in relief. They looked at one another, conversing silently, and Mr Darcy envied the solace they were able to find in each other.

Mr Darcy paced outside the chambers, awaiting the return of Dr Parker. The doctor had been resident in Lambton for years and Darcy remembered many a time when he had come to the aid of the family. Recalling a particularly violent set-to with a horse when he was only a boy, Darcy thanked his lucky stars that Elizabeth didn't have to have sutures. He didn't think he could bear to see her in such agony as he remembered feeling. Though he was completely confident of Dr Parker's abilities, and very grateful to have him here, he was still anxious to have his Elizabeth well. This waiting would be the death of him. Why wasn't she waking?

The door opened a fraction and Darcy abruptly stopped his pacing, turning to face the movement.

"Sir, she is still sleeping," the Doctor began, "though this is neither good nor bad. I have checked her pulse and breathing, which are both steady and promising. She will likely make a full recovery but I have no way of telling whether that will be today or in a month's time" he continued, "or at all," he added quietly. "The injury to her head is my main concern, though there is no external bleeding, so there is very little we can do to help her. I will leave some pain relief and instructions of how to use it in order that, should she wake up before I return tomorrow, you will be fit to administer the drug without my assistance. Ensure that you take pains to keep her warm, and to avoid jostling her. Should she become conscious, it is important that she is not moved until we have ascertained her mental state. I do hope that, for all your sakes," he looked pointedly at Mr Darcy, "she makes a full and expeditious recovery."

The three in the hallway spoke of their gratitude to Dr Parker for his service, before Darcy left the Gardiners to attend to their niece in private. He showed the doctor to the door and went in search of his sister.

Walking along the long, graceful hallways, Darcy reflected upon how different circumstances were to those of yesterday. He had then entertained hopes that his Elizabeth may one day return his continued admiration. Certainly, she was no longer viewing him with such open animosity as she had harboured over the disastrous Easter in Hunsford. He rather thought that she was beginning to enjoy his company. He dare not allow himself to hope, for he knew how fruitless that had been last time, and how fruitless it was with her in this current state. He sighed and continued walking.

A melancholy had settled upon Pemberley. It was as if the House itself sensed the despair of its Master, and the very walls of the great House were in sympathy.

...

The Gardiners entered Mr Darcy's private chambers with heavy hearts. Upon seeing their small niece lying inert on the bed, Mrs Gardiner began to sob quietly. Mr Gardiner gently supported her by the waist and led her to the seat by Lizzy's bedside.

"How kind of Mr Darcy to provide for our Lizzy in such comfort," he said quietly, as if reluctant to disturb the still silence. He spoke as if talking about a mundane topic, such as the weather, in order to avoid the enormity of the situation.

"Yes," Mrs Gardiner replied in a contemplative fashion, "I think he likes her very much," she added. It had become apparent in the small time that they had stayed in Lambton that Mr Darcy was not, as Lizzy had previously led them to believe, a proud, arrogant fellow. He had been nothing short of a gentleman, welcoming them into his home, and company, with such zeal. How was this man so different to the man of rumour that they had heard of from the society of Meryton? Mrs Gardiner thought that it may have a lot to do with her niece.

"I concur," her husband replied, "what a fine fellow." They talked amiably about Mr Darcy's many merits if only to avoid the uncomfortable topic of what on Earth they were to write to Mr Bennet. Surely such devastating news could not be withheld, though both of the Gardiners were reluctant to cause such distress when they both knew that little could be done or said. What could they tell poor Mr Bennet, that his favourite daughter had taken a fall and might not wake up? That she could make a full recovery but she may not? How was one to explain such uncertainty?

...

Mr Darcy was conversing quietly with his sister in the refuge of his library. Georgiana looked upon him with childlike innocence as he related the little consolation that the doctor had been able to give them.

"So you see my dear," he told her, "she may wake up, she may not." His voice broke and he looked to the window to collect himself. "She may return to her earlier nature, she may not. There is nothing either you or I can do now but wait and pray." He buried his head in his hands, exhausted. Georgiana nodded solemnly and went to stand behind his chair, reaching her arms around his broad shoulders in a gesture of familial affection and comfort.

"Fitzwilliam," she ventured. He remained silent and still. "Fitzwilliam, please. Look at me," she said, moving to stand once more in front of him. Her brother looked up. His anguish was clear on his face and she put a hand on his arm as if to steady him. "You must not act so defeated, she will be fine. Were you not saying only yesterday that she was the most courageous women of all your acquaintance? She will fight this brother."

It was exactly what he needed to hear. She saw the shift of his countenance and let out a sigh of relief.

"May I see her now brother," she ventured, "her aunt and uncle would likely want to send correspondence to Longbourn, maybe you could help them?" He chuckled, a low, hollow sound. It was nothing like the open, carefree laughter of the past days when he had been laughing with Elizabeth, but it was a start. Offering his arm, he led her to his chambers.

...

Knocking softly on the door, the Darcys entered the master's chambers, where they were greeted by the Gardiners. Mr Darcy's anxious gaze fell straight upon Elizabeth. His lips pressed into a tight line and his face retained his practiced air of unaffectedness. He was finding it hard to sustain such a façade at the sight of his Elizabeth so still on his bed. How he had imagined her there so many times, though never quite like this. It was his fervent wish that she may remain there upon feeling better.

"Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner," he bowed and they returned the gesture. Formality out of the way, he proceeded, "how is she?" His worry was palpable to those in the room.

"No different, I'm afraid sir," Mr Gardiner replied. The slump in Mr Darcy's shoulders was just detectable to those surrounding him. He loves her very much, thought Mr Gardiner. Hurry along with your recovery my dear, he aimed at Lizzy. Georgiana gently squeezed the arm which she was still holding. Darcy smiled and cleared his throat.

Georgiana invited the Gardiners to accompany Mr Darcy to the green drawing room, where there was the appropriate equipment to send an express to Mr Bennet at Longbourn. The two reluctantly but gratefully accepted this proposition and promptly exited the room, leaving Georgiana to tend to her new friend.

...