Doctors and Discussions:

Darcy instructed the drivers to drive as fast as they could, while still allowing Mrs. Collins to be comfortable. When Georgiana waived him down he quickly dismounted and soaked the cravat in water. Wanting to keep her propriety he allowed his sister to apply it to her neck. Placing something of his on her neck would have been too much of a temptation for him; he knew she shouldn't be a temptation, there were too many reasons for her to avoid his affection. She was married and even if her husband was dead (which he very well could be) she would be in mourning. Even if she never loved the man, society would expect her to mourn, not pursue a very eligible bachelor.

As they approached the park, Darcy noticed another carriage in front of the main house, presumably the doctor's. When he entered, he found the house to be in uproar. His aunt was yelling,

"Fitzwilliam where is Darcy?"

"He is coming with Georgiana and her companion as I have said." His cousin turned around and saw his own disheveled appearance.

"Darcy, the doctor just arrived he would like us to bring Mrs. Collins into a room prior to him seeing her. He wants her to be in a place that she can remain as quickly as may be. Aunt Catherine has offered up a room, but it is far from the entrance, I fear it may be difficult for Mrs. Collins to get up the stairs."

"I will take her, at present she is no condition to walk." He retreated from the room and returned to the carriage.

"Mrs. Collins, we have a doctor come to see you, I will need to carry you up the stairs. May I have your consent to do so?" Her features had significantly paled as she forced a subtle nod. He picked her up as gently as may be, walked into the house and up the stairs. While holding her he kept his mind in check Fitzwilliam, you are helping her, nothing more. This means nothing, she means nothing to you. He followed the servant to the quarters for Mrs. Collins and laid her in the bed. The doctor was in the room already.

"Mr. Darcy, I will assess her and give you any notice of Mrs. Collins' health shortly."

"I thank you for your help Mr. Price, it is greatly appreciated." With this Darcy walked out of the room, instructing a maid to go in and be of any help to the physician as may be needed. About a half hour later, the doctor found Mr. Darcy and explained to him her current state.

"Mr. Darcy, at present, she is stable. Do not allow her to sleep for another two hours, your quick thinking concerning her staying awake may have saved her life. She was indeed in a severe state of shock and still is. I pray tomorrow after she receives rest, she may return to her usual self."

"On behalf of all of us at Rosings, I thank you and your assistance today it was very much appreciated. If Mrs. Collins were able to, I can assure you she would be offering her gratitude as well."

"Indeed it is nothing sir, I am simply performing my tasks as well as I am able. If her condition changes at all, I have been given a room down the hall. I request that I be notified immediately. Whom should I apply to see that this is taken care of?"

"Her Ladyship was kind enough to offer her abigail to be of service this evening. She will be staying with Mrs. Collins all night." That must be nice...Stop it Fitzwilliam. You are better than this. You must be a gentleman.

"Thank you sir, I shall speak with her momentarily. If you will excuse me?" Darcy simply nodded his head, turned his head towards the closed door which held the greatest of all treasures in the world to him. How he longed to be at her side. To comfort her, to be of any assistance. But instead, here he was staring at a door. Blast propriety! Instead of conforming to the expectations and rules of society he brought his hand to the door and knocked. After hearing a reply to enter, he saw his Elizabeth, laying in bed, exhaustion and stress had encompassed her.

"Mr. Darcy...I...I need to thank you…" Whilst hearing her struggle he interrupted her.

"Mrs. Collins, I am sorry what has happened today, but I am glad I was able to be of use to you." Glad, really. Her husband might have just died, now is NOT the time! She seemed quite unphased by his comment at all. "Mrs. Collins" he continued "would it help if I were to read allowed to you? I understand you happen to enjoy literature, I could find your favourite book in the library and read from it if you would like?"

"Mr. Darcy, if it is not too much trouble, I would appreciate that greatly."

"It is no trouble at all madam." With this he inquired after what she would like him to select from the shelves. She replied that of late she had been reading a great deal of Shakespeare and would appreciate if he could read to her from "Romeo and Juliet"

He questioned her reasoning in choice of novel. He wondered at that rather than Macbeth or Hamlet. He thought she would appreciate an intellectual discussion. Deciding to break his reverie,

"Mrs. Collins, what are your particular thoughts on this play?"

"Mr. Darcy, as many find this to be a tragedy I find humor in the outcome."

"How so, pray explain to me your thoughts. Indeed it is quite different that what most would openly acknowledge. Even than what I myself would claim of the ending."

"The two lovers wanted to act like adults, yet they were not willing to speak to their families. Acting in a childlike manner, they withheld the truth. Instead of making sure Juliet was truly dead, Romeo acts as a blatant fool and commits the greatest atrocity one can. I cannot condone their behavior, only learn from it and wish not to act so myself."

"Mrs. Collins, do you believe love to be man's greatest treasure or fault?"

"I believe love to be the greatest gift we could be given. But we must understand the distinction between love and lust. Lust is what these characters portrayed. Hasty decisions were caused from in the moment impulses, sir. If they were to have known each other longer or acted in a way a lady and gentleman ought, than perhaps I could empathize more with the lovers. But am unable to do so at present."

"May I inquire after your thoughts towards Paris madam?"

"I relate with Paris in regards to his sense of duty and obligation to his family. And your thoughts Mr. Darcy?

"I find it quite saddening indeed. But at the end of the play, instead of living his own life, finding his own love, he defends the woman with whom he felt attraction to, despite her lack of feelings in return. He dies defending her honor."

"I often wonder what happens to those other characters following the fallout of a novel. Particularly those not central to the plot, there will always be those in our lives who we brush to the sides, their lives still deserved to be told. Wouldn't you agree?"

"Indeed I do, pray tell, what then madam would you believe to be the sequel to Romeo and Juliet?" after thinking but a moment she replied.

"I believe many would hope for the Capulets and Montagues to settle their differences and learn to accept one another, yet I find more comfort in knowing that Romeo and Juliet's actions changed nothing. They made their own choices. I would also find comfort in the nurse falling in love with the prince. I think they would make a fair pairing." She said with a laugh, he joined her.

There they remained in a state of contentment. Darcy checked his father's watch and explained to her that she was now of time to sleep, according to doctor's orders. He called for the abigail to sit with Elizabeth. She thanked him for his services and he bid her goodnight.