Dr. Green spoke up, attempting to ease the tension in the room. "Miss Elizabeth has awakened. As far as I can tell, there should be a complete recovery for each of you but we must not force her to recall the accident."
Anne's blue eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she listened to the doctor. "I dreamed of it just now while I napped! She and I were together in my gig and I was bringing her here for some reason. I can't think why, though. But it is enough for now to know she is well. When might I see her?"
Lady Catherine began to argue and Mr. Darcy held up a hand. "Please Aunt Catherine, I am certain the doctor would rather we forego arguments and probing questions for now. In a few day's time, Anne may recall more about all that has happened."
Dr. Green shoved his handkerchief in his breeches pocket and spoke to Anne, ignoring her overbearing mother and thoughtful cousin. "You may see Miss Elizabeth when she is better, my dear. I have instructed one and all that she is to remain at Rosings until she is recovered. Do not worry."
Anne gave a brilliant smile to the man and realized the pain in her side had become bearable. "Thank you, doctor. I appreciate your kindness."
Dr. Green turned reluctantly from the beauty of Anne de Bourgh and nodded to Mr. Darcy and Lady Catherine. "I must go see to Miss Elizabeth and then I shall ride into Hunsford and speak with the apothecary to see if he has any medicine I do not. I'm afraid I left London in such a hurry that I did not think to stop and check my bag thoroughly."
Mr. Darcy bent and placed a light kiss on Anne's forehead. "Rest my dear. I promise I will come sit with you later. Aunt Margaret and Georgie are on their way now to be certain you are well."
Anne's smile gave him much happiness and he turned and gave a look to Lady Catherine. He hoped his eyes conveyed the seriousness of his attitude.
His aunt's expression was one of irritation at having to acquiesce to the doctor's orders. "Go Fitzwilliam, I promise not to upset my daughter with too many questions."
Mr. Darcy quit Anne's bedchamber and thought of visiting Miss Elizabeth. He did not know whether she would recall his terrible proposal and so he lingered in the hallway instead. He did wish for her to know that her sister Jane would arrive soon as the news was sure to cheer her.
Dr. Green was sitting in a chair beside her bed when Mr. Darcy looked into her room. He was speaking in a low voice. "Miss Elizabeth, how is your pain?"
Mr. Darcy listened intently at the door not wishing to interrupt the interview.
"Tis better, doctor. I am grateful for your remedy though it was terrible to drink with my tea."
Dr. Green leaned forward and took Elizabeth's hand in his. "I am sorry, my dear. I shall try to make it more palatable after my trip into Hunsford. Perhaps a taste of mint might do the trick?"
Mr. Darcy slowly crossed the space from the door to the bed and stood beside Dr. Green. "I must say it has been a wonderful morning though I would never think a lady injured could ever come to any good. Miss Elizabeth, I wanted to tell you that Miss Bennet shall arrive soon. Mrs. Collins wrote to her, and to your family, of the accident."
Elizabeth's face was still quite pale but Mr. Darcy's news brought a light to her eyes. "I am quite relieved to know it, Mr. Darcy, thank you. I hate to bother the staff of Rosings."
Dr. Green said his farewells assuring them he would return before dinner.
When he was gone, Mr. Darcy pulled a chair closer to Elizabeth's bedside while the maid remained in the room. The silence between them wore on Mr. Darcy but he would not ask the question he'd longed to ask since she had awakened.
Surely, he thought, if she remembered my proposal she would send me from this room.
Eventually Elizabeth bestowed a small smile on the man and sat up slowly as the maid rushed to position her pillows. "Are you sure you ought to sit up, Miss? Dr. Green did say that you were not to tire yourself."
Elizabeth thanked the maid for her concern. "Please, there is no cause for concern. The pain is not so bad now and I would not go against Dr. Green's wishes."
Mr. Darcy was pleased to see that the lady he knew to be most headstrong and obstinate was behaving with due caution, but he spoke to the maid to reassure her. "I shall sit with her for a while if you must tend Miss Anne. Aunt Catherine mentioned that she had sent the other maid away."
The young servant curtseyed and gave a start when Lady Catherine's voice boomed in the hallway. "Coming, your ladyship!"
Mr. Darcy stood and followed the servant taking pains to assure that the door of Elizabeth's bedroom remained open. There was little the staff of Rosings might say against him but he wanted Elizabeth to be certain of his intentions.
When he sat again, she looked at him with a bit of curiosity in her gaze. "Mr. Darcy, why do you sit with me if Miss Anne is not well? Both you and the doctor have said there was an accident but I cannot recall it no matter how I try."
Mr. Darcy hoped his expression did not betray his feelings. It seemed Miss Elizabeth did not recall that day either and he would not speak on his fears just yet. "My dear cousin is well attended, I assure you, though she wishes to see you. You must know that she was not injured as badly as yourself so that you do not worry for her."
Elizabeth wrapped her arms tightly about herself at this news attempting to supply herself some comfort. "I am relieved to know it. Miss Anne is the last person who ought to have been in an accident. I fear my part in the terrible event," here she paused and gulped hard.
"Mr. Darcy, you may leave me if you wish. You must have business to attend."
Mr. Darcy's heart ached as he watched Miss Elizabeth's attempt at bravery in the face of her confusion. "I would not have you sit here alone until Mrs. Collins or Miss Bennet arrives. It does not seem proper nor kind. As for the accident, I only know that my cousin went out in her gig and did not return. When Richard found her, you were there too. It seems her horse was spooked and you were both thrown from the gig."
Elizabeth's left brow arched at his words. She seemed to contemplate his words for some time before speaking again. "What must Mr. Collins think of my being nursed back to health at Rosings? Surely I must return to the parsonage soon?"
"Dr. Green shall remain at Rosings for a time at my request. With you and Anne in this wing of the house, it makes his job much easier." Mr. Darcy was quite proud of himself for delivering such a logical explanation that the lady could not easily refuse the hospitality of Rosings.
Elizabeth had not thought her injuries to be serious enough to warrant remaining at Rosings, though her head ached fiercely when she first awoke. The medicine Dr. Green had provided certainly helped but she could not say she felt well. "If you are certain Lady Catherine does not mind, then I shall follow the doctor's orders though I abhor the thought of being a burden to anyone."
Mr. Darcy gazed intently at Elizabeth and fought the urge to take her hand. In spite of her harsh estimation of his character only a few days before, he meant to show her a better side of himself before she might remember all that had passed between them. "Tis not a burden to care for an injured guest for such an estate as Rosings. My aunt is not the most accommodating in her manner, which I am certain you gathered yourself since coming to Kent, but she has been greatly worried for her daughter and so we must forgive her lack of civility."
Smoothing the linen of her borrowed gown, Elizabeth lowered her lashes. "Of course, I imagine she is terribly anxious with Anne in such a state. I must confess that I am most uncomfortable that I cannot recall that day. It leaves me with a terrible feeling I cannot explain but I am most grateful for Dr. Green's presence and the kindness of your family, Mr. Darcy. I am certain my cousin has made my thanks for me while I was unable."
"Indeed, Mr. Collins is always eager to be certain my aunt knows of his great and lasting appreciation for her benevolence. You must not worry, Miss Elizabeth. In time, your memory may return but until then, you must think only of things that give you peace. Your sister shall make that task easier I hope." Mr. Darcy's eyes were soft with kindness and Elizabeth found relief in his presence. She forced a smile and decided to speak of her silly cousin instead of dwelling on her situation.
"Mr. Collins is a pompous, self-important fellow and as such, a perfect parson for Lady Catherine if you don't mind my saying. Surprisingly, he and Charlotte have made a harmonious marriage that I find gives me much happiness to know after having refused the man," Elizabeth stopped abruptly and covered her mouth, her eyes begging forgiveness.
Mr. Darcy took her hand and gently pulled it from her face. "Do not fear, Miss Elizabeth, you may speak freely with me. I do understand your sentiment for Mr. Collins is not a man one would think of as being a fine husband upon making his acquaintance. But, as they say, reason and love keep little company."
Elizabeth's eyes caught Mr. Darcy's mirth and she squeezed his hand. "Quoting Shakespeare, sir? Are you quite the romantic at heart then? I would hope it to be so for a gentleman must have a bit of poetry in his soul to draw a lady's interest."
Mr. Darcy was surprised by Elizabeth's admission. Only days before she scorned him, but today she seemed to say that she admired him or could admire him. His heart lifted at this notion and he returned the squeeze she had given. "I would count myself most fortunate to have your good opinion Miss Elizabeth. There have been moments in the past where I fear I may have drawn your interest for all the wrong reasons."
Elizabeth's brow arched quizzically and she gave a small laugh. "Perhaps the past should stay where it is, Mr. Darcy. People themselves alter so much that there is something new to be observed in them for ever."
Mr. Darcy kept hold of her hand and was delighted by her sentiment. The accident had been a terrible thing but now his true love sat before him smiling and happy to be in his company. It was enough for the day. "And that is a wonderful thought, Miss Elizabeth. One I shall try to recall when I am exasperated with my Aunt Catherine."
Before Elizabeth might make an answer, Charlotte Collins appeared at the door. "Lizzy, the servant sent to the cottage said you were awake but I feared it might not be true. I have come to sit with you until Jane arrives."
Mr. Darcy stood and pushed the chair away from the bed. "Mrs. Collins, Miss Elizabeth was awakened this morning by Dr. Green and his smelling salts. Better news we could not have!"
Charlotte gave Mr. Darcy a curtsey and stood beside him as they both turned to gaze at Elizabeth. "I am quite thankful to Dr. Green. Is he about? I wish to speak with him."
Mr. Darcy straightened his coat. "He has gone into Hunsford. I am certain you will see him later. He has said we must not expect much from Miss Elizabeth at present as to how the accident occurred. It is best to allow her to recall it naturally to avoid upset and frustration."
Charlotte sat beside Elizabeth and took her hand. "Of course. That is not important at the moment. We must simply provide company and comfort so she may return to good health."
Mr. Darcy was satisfied that Mrs. Collins understood his meaning and turned to quit the room. Elizabeth called to him before he might go. "Mr. Darcy, I am grateful for your company and assurance. You cannot know how you have settled my nerves."
Charlotte turned and looked at Mr. Darcy wondering what had passed between her friend and the proud, handsome man. Before he might go, she stood and walked with him to the door. "Lizzy, I would speak with Mr. Darcy in the hall about Miss Anne for a moment."
Elizabeth nodded and turned to the maid who had come in behind Charlotte and now held a cup of broth for her. The young servant had scurried down to the kitchen after attending Miss Anne and Elizabeth was happy for the comforting aroma of the broth.
Mr. Darcy waited while Charlotte stepped into the hallway before following after her. He glanced to Miss Elizabeth's bed and was pleased to see that she was taking spoonfuls of broth. He knew she would be well soon and his joy at that prospect fought with the fear that she would recall her dislike of him before he might have a chance to change her mind.
Charlotte took his arm and walked a few steps down the hallway. "Mr. Darcy, I must tell you now before Lady Catherine appears that Elizabeth told me of her terrible refusal of your proposal. Before Miss Anne arrived at the cottage that night, Elizabeth knew she had been wrong and was to come to Rosings the next morning to make her apologies. You must not think she was pleased with herself."
Mr. Darcy tried to hide the relief that coursed through his body at these words. "I thank you, Mrs. Collins, for that information. Since it appears Miss Elizabeth does not yet recall much of the accident nor the events of that day, knowing that she does not hate me lifts a burden."
Charlotte meant to say more but Lady Catherine's voice near her daughter's door caused Charlotte to curtsey quickly and hurry back inside Elizabeth's room.
Mr. Darcy moved toward the door to Anne's room in order to keep his aunt from knowing he had just left Miss Elizabeth's room. She met him in a most agitated manner. "Fitzwilliam, my Anne does not seem to understand I must know the reason for her flight from Rosings the other night. Surely you might make her understand that we must know?"
Aggravated that his aunt had ignored Dr. Green's directive, Mr. Darcy gave Lady Catherine a stern gaze. "You must not press her, Aunt Catherine. Dr. Green warned you against it did he not?"
The woman gave an exasperated sigh. "I do not care what Dr. Green thinks, Fitzwilliam. I am her mother and as such I know her far better than anyone."
"Be that as it may, she is in pain. You heard her say she dreamed of the accident. I am certain she is only frightened to contemplate that night too deeply at present. Why is it so important that you know all about the accident?" He asked, hoping his aunt would reveal her motive.
"I told you before, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is the cause for my Anne's foolish errand that night. I am certain of it. I will not suffer her presence at Rosings once I have the truth of the matter. Since Miss Elizabeth is awake, she shall tell me what I wish to know!" Lady Catherine turned toward Elizabeth's door and Mr. Darcy grabbed her shoulder before he might stop himself.
"There is no need for such theatrics! Miss Elizabeth cannot recall a thing from that night and I won't have you interrogating her as though she is some criminal!"
Lady Catherine pulled free of her nephew's grasp and drew up to her full height. Her expression was one of disdain but there was a hint of curiosity in her tone. "How would you know what she might recall, Fitzwilliam? Surely you have not been sitting by her side all this time?"
Mr. Darcy would not deny his visit. "I sat with her until Mrs. Collins came. 'Tis cruel to leave her all alone in her condition."
Lady Catherine was not appeased. "Mark my words, Fitzwilliam. I will not tolerate such a horrible young woman in my house a moment longer than necessary. Your concern for her is appalling seeing you are promised to my Anne."
Moving to stand between his aunt and Elizabeth's door, Mr. Darcy spoke his mind without attempt to temper his words. "My kindness to a lady of my acquaintance is all that is proper. My only concern is that she is restored to good health."
Lying so to his aunt gave a sting to his conscious, for his concern was that he might start anew with Miss Elizabeth and gain her approval especially after the news Charlotte Collins had shared with him. But his meddlesome aunt would not be so easily deterred.
"I meant what I said, Fitzwilliam. Once the young lady is recovered, she will leave Rosings. In the meantime, you must give your attention to Anne for she is to be your wife one day. The staff will gossip if you are often in the room of our guest."
With that, Lady Catherine led him inside Anne's suite of rooms to be certain he did her bidding.
