~~P&P~~
Fitzwilliam was just leaving his study to go check on his wife before supper when he heard a bloodcurdling scream his heart sank, that was Georgiana, he ran so fast he was in front of the music room doors before he even fully processed where the scream had come from. Out of the corner of his eye as he opened the door he saw Mrs. Reynolds and a few other servants making there way towards him. The fact that he beat them when he was on the other side of the house when he heard the scream was testimony to the fear and adrenaline coursing through his veins. Taking a deep breath in an attempt to prepare himself for what he would encounter he entered the music room.
He saw Georgiana kneeling on the floor but could not see what she was looking at "Georgie?" he inquired softly. She whipped around and he saw pure fear in her eyes but when he saw blood on her hands he ran towards her but as he got closer and was able to see what or who she was kneeling over he slid to his knees as well unable to stand, having to crawl the last five feet to reach his beloved.
He ran his hands over Elizabeth's face until they settled on her neck to feel her pulse, when he felt it he was able to remember how to breath and let out the breath he had been holding. He saw that the blood seemed to have come from a gash on her forehead and did a quick survey for any other injuries. He felt crippled with fear and could not process what he should do next, luckily Mrs. Reynolds kneeled down beside him just then and took charge. "I sent Jake for the doctor sir, he is the fastest ridder I have ever seen, the doctor should be here within the hour," she said. "Perhaps we should move Mrs. Darcy to her rooms where she would be more comfortable and her lady's maid can get her ready for the doctor," she suggested when he made no reply.
Without a word he scooped Elizabeth into his arms and rose to carry her to her room, he shot a look at the footman who had moved to assist him with her that had the man scrambling out of his way.
Mrs. Reynolds gave instructions to one of the maids to look after Georgiana who looked like she was in shock and then she rushed ahead of Fitzwilliam to open the bedroom door and turn down the bed covers so he could lay her down. She had tears in her eyes as she looked at the man who she had practically raised, his soul seemed paralyzed with fear and he had dropped to his knees as soon as he had laid her on the bed and was holding her hand as if it were his own lifeline. She knew in that moment that he would never be able to live without his wife, they were true soul mates. She prayed that Mrs. Darcy would be fine, not only because she was growing to love the young woman but for the man she considered a son as well. Seeing both Laney and Sara enter the room she gave them instructions to ready a wash basin and rags and bring Mrs. Darcy's nightgown then turned to her master. "Sir." When there was no answer she tried again "Mr. Darcy," and again more forcefully "MR. DARCY." He was too focused on Elizabeth and had shut out everything and everyone but her, she saw tear marks on his cheeks and could hear him begging her to open her eyes. "Fitzwilliam," she called quite loudly. That seemed to do the trick, he turned to look at her, "Forgive my impertinence sir. I have tried several times to get your attention without success I thought, correctly, that your christian name may reach you," she apologized and justified at the same time.
Fitzwilliam just stared at her, actually it felt like he was staring through her, he did not seem angry just completely and utterly defeated. "She will be alright sir, the doctor is on his way," she tried to reassure placing a hand on his arm in comfort as she spoke.
"Excuse me mam, I have the smelling salts should we try them" Laney questioned.
"No, I think that it is best if we wait for the doctor because of the head wound, but we should get it cleaned and get her changed. Sir perhaps you should go check on Miss, Darcy, she finished turning back to Mr. Darcy.
"No!" he replied a little to forcefully. "I cant leave her," he continued in nearly a whisper.
"Sir, all we can do while we wait is get everything set up so that when the doctor does get here he can do his job without delay, and that means getting Mrs. Darcy changed and settled and finding out what happened. Miss. Darcy seemed to be in shock, sir, I doubt anyone but you could get through to her right now and the doctor will need to know if Mrs. Darcy lost consciousness before or after hitting her head," Mrs. Reynolds explained.
"What do you mean, before or after" Mr Darcy asked.
"Well if she tripped and fell and hit her head then lost consciousness, that means her condition is entirely related to the head wound, but if she passed out and hit her head as she fell, that would suggest another issue, she has been feeling unwell lately," Mrs. Reynolds explained, although she had her own suspicions about the underlying cause but wouldn't dare mention it to Mr. Darcy when he was already this distraught. "Please go speak to your sister, guarantee the information will be most beneficial to the doctor, and I will personally come get you if Mrs. Darcy starts to stir."
Fitzwilliam dropped his head in defeat, Mrs. Reynolds had given him something productive to do to help Elizabeth and that was the only way he was able to force his feet to leave her side. Even with his task to motivate him he still felt as if he was leaving half of himself, he had to lean on the bed to help bring himself to stand then bent down and kissed Elizabeth on the lips, he heard an intake of breath from one of the maids but he didn't really care about propriety at the moment. With feet that felt like lead he turned and set off to find Georgiana without looking back because he knew if he did he would loose all rationale and glue himself to her side again.
