/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Nine

Her senses came back to her in degrees. First, she hurt the soft, murmuring of voices in the background. Then, she could taste the bitter dryness on her tongue. Finally, her vision came back to her, slowly. Elizabeth groaned slightly. It was too bright in the room, sending bright rays of needle-sharp pain coursing through her head.

"Welcome back, Mrs. Darcy," a stranger's voice said. "By the way things were gone for heaven; we thought that you were lost to the world. Apparently God had other plans for you."

Elizabeth passed a hand over her face, trying to stem the pain her head was emitting. "What has happened? Where am I?"

"I am afraid that you have passed out along the road, or so your husband has told you. He has traveled quite a distance to get you some medical attention. I do believe you have given everyone quite a scare," the man said, appearing suddenly at her bedside. "You are back in Meryton. Luckily the two of you didn't travel too far out of town, or I'm afraid you would have been lost."

Elizabeth glanced up at the man. He was quite young, much to her surprise, and rather handsome at that. Not quite as handsome as her Mr. Darcy, but handsome enough to catch her attention, if only for a moment. She wondered how the people of Meryton had allowed such a young whelp to practice here in town, but didn't question it, as he had saved her life.

"I have such a headache," Elizabeth exclaimed.

"I am afraid that is to be expected, madam. And unfortunately, I do not have anything to stem the pain. I was just traveling through, on my way to visit some family members just a few miles from here," the man said. "But I am afraid, even if I had all the proper equipment with me, I wouldn't give it to you. It might hurt the child."

Elizabeth sat up straight, her eyes widening in surprise. "A child? You cannot possibly mean that I am—"

"Pregnant? Yes," the man smiled gently. "And you are very lucky that the child is still around. By your husband's account, you have been highly stressed and it probably caused the poor dear to go summersaults inside you, reminding you calm yourself quickly."

Elizabeth leaned back into the pillows. This couldn't be happening. She, Elizabeth Darcy, pregnant? She didn't have time to take care of a child. At least, not yet. She wanted to do so many things, accomplish so much, before even considering having a child. But unfortunately, fate had other plans in this area. Or so it seemed to her.

"Does my husband know about…this?" Elizabeth asked, struggling to regain her composure, what little of it she had left.

The man smiled rather bemusedly and shook his head. "No, indeed, he doesn't. I only told him that you were rather ill, but it would pass. I thought you might have wanted to tell him the happy news yourself."

"Happy news to whom, we shall soon find out," Elizabeth muttered under her breath.

"What was that you said, my dear?" the man asked gently, a little confused, and Elizabeth shook her head. She didn't want this man to know her misgivings. Any other woman would be delighted to have found out that she was with child. To be otherwise would resort into being committed to the asylum.

"Nothing really. It has been a long day and everything has been a bit overwhelming. I am a little tired," Elizabeth admitted, slightly annoyed and perturbed that he used the phrase 'my dear'

The doctor looked down at her kindly. "Of course, madam. Shall I tell your husband that you are sleeping and wishes to have a chat later?"

Elizabeth nodded. "That sounds best."

The doctor bowed slightly. "As you will, madam." Without another word, he left the room, closing the door behind him.

Elizabeth felt herself falling back into unconsciousness. Before completely succumbing to sleep, she wondered how on earth she was going to tell her husband about the baby. And what all of this meant for the uncertain future.

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Author's Note: Chapter Nine for everybody! I hope that those of you who celebrate Christmas have had a wonderful holiday and now you look to the New Year with great anticipation! I have to apologize once again for the belated and rather slow updates. I find myself to be in the midst of being busy once again as well as being slightly blocked in the writing arena. Do forgive me. I will start updating as soon as I can, but please don't be offended if it doesn't happen immediately as school is reopening in about a week and I probably won't have time for anything else.

Nonetheless, I hope you enjoyed the chapter, and I'll update as soon as I can.