Whoops, thought I'd posted this yesterday. Sorry!...
Chapter 21
Darcy looked across the room at Elizabeth, she was pale and thin and yet her air was one of determination and resolve. He admired the strong look of determination about her and he wished to rush to her side and grab her hand, ask how she did and how she was up and dressed. As usual he was frozen, this time he was frozen in shock.
"Miss Elizabeth!" Bingley cried "how lovely to see you, I can see that you are well!"
Lizzie smiled at his falsehood, she knew she looked like she was still ill, but it was kind of him to say so.
"I am feeling much better sir, I understand I have you to thank for bringing me home expeditiously"
"Think nothing of it" Bingley said gallantly
Her eyes moved to Darcy, who managed to snap himself out of his shock. He moved to her side, after greeting the rest of the room.
"Miss Elizabeth, it is wonderful to see you looking so well."
She blushed "I am looking barely tolerable as you are well aware."
Darcy drew a sharp intake of breath, that turn of phrase seemed so familiar, and yet he knew he had never uttered those words.
"I meant to say that you are looking much better"
Elizabeth gave him a quizzical look and he realised she may not be aware he had seen her while she was ill. She would likely not wish to be made aware of this so instead he said.
He cleared his throat, why was this conversation going wrong? "I uh, I understood you were quite unwell, I am certain you are looking much recovered, we are" and he looked straight at her "all of us are very relieved to see you up and about"
She smiled timidly at him. "I thank you for your concern sir."
It was then that the doctor was announced and Elizabeth consented to retire to be examined.
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The doctors report was, predictably, favourable. Although he was quite stern that Elizabeth should not be allowed in the drawing room for at least a few more days. Elizabeth bargained for just one more and he reluctantly agreed to two as long as there was no return of the fever.
Darcy waited for the opinion of the doctor and was relieved she was out of danger, but grieved to hear he would not see her for another two days. He remained as long as Bingley, who managed to spend some time with Jane, now that Elizabeth was out of danger. He distracted Mrs Bennet for a time and challenged Mr Bennet to chess, merely enjoying the family home now that Elizabeth was better.
Elizabeth, for her part, felt suffocated that she had to remain upstairs. Kitty and Lydia joined her and read or gossiped, which relieved the boredom, but she could not help but yearn to be downstairs and speak to Mr Darcy.
Given that Darcy was not engaged to a Bennet lady it was acceptable for him not to visit daily. He managed to fill the next day with work and correspondence, but he knew he would have to travel to Longborn on the next day. He contented himself with a letter to Georgiana.
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Darcy visited with Bingley on the following day. He doubted Miss Elizabeth would be in the drawing room, given the doctors orders, but he could not help but hope. On his arrival she was indeed absent, along with the two younger Bennet girls who were visiting Mrs Forster. He was unsure how the visit would go and after Bingley and Jane segregated themselves in a corner and so he decided to seek out Mr Bennet.
A knock on the study door did not elicit an expected command to enter but the man himself opened the door.
"Ah, Mr Darcy, I suppose I should not be surprised, the drawing room is not to your taste today?"
Darcy half smiled "I was hoping for a game of chess sir?"
Mr Bennet stood in the part opened door and thought for a moment. Darcy could not help the frown that flickered across his face, Mr Bennet was being quite rude not inviting him in.
"I suppose I could count on your secrecy"
He opened the door to reveal Elizabeth, well bundled, sat near the fire a book on her lap
"Miss Elizabeth" he exclaimed, striding in to the room.
She smiled sheepishly at him "The doctor said I should not come down to the drawing room for two days, he said naught about the library"
Her eyes sparkled in amusement and Darcy could not help but return the smile.
"Are you well enough?"
"To sit here rather than sitting in my room, I assure you sir the decoration has no ill effect on my physical self but quite a positive one on my mental self"
"I am certain you are correct"
"You came for a game of chess?" Elizabeth nodded in the direction of the chess board.
"Unfortunately young man" Mr Bennet cut in "I have some pressing business to attend to. My daughter will play you if you chose, but you must make allowances for her ill health"
Darcy bowed in Elizabeth's direction "perhaps I should give you my queen?"
Elizabeth mouth twitched in amusement "I do not believe that will be necessary."
Darcy moved the chess board closer to her and they began to play, Darcy only paying half his attention to the board, more enchanted by the way a curl would move in the draft or how the flames danced in her eyes.
"We should have some conversation Mr Darcy, a very little will suffice"
Darcy chuckled "How fares Mr and Mrs Gardiner? I have not seen them of late"
Elizabeth smiled "They returned to London, they were advised to by the apothecary for the safety of their children. I would not wish to put my dear nieces and nephews in danger"
Darcy frowned "Would your aunt not have been of comfort to you?"
She smiled "I am more comforted knowing they have all remained well. I am well taken care of here, as you can see"
Darcy smiled
"I believe that is check mate"
His smile slipped away and he stared agog at the board, it was indeed check mate. How had that occurred?
He looked up in to the laughing eyes of Elizabeth and he felt himself drowning in them. He glanced at Mr Bennet who was studiously not paying any attention.
"Miss Elizabeth" his voice was lowered, intimate even and it sent a shiver straight through her "allow me to apologise for my part in your illness"
She leaned forward, rearranging the pieces to their original positions, eyes fastened on the board.
"Please Mr Darcy, you owe no apology for my foolish actions"
"I would beg to differ, but I do not wish to argue, I must also apologise for the.." He paused and took a deep breath "the words I spoke to you were unpardonable and I cannot think of them without abhorrence. Please Miss Elizabeth, you must forgive me and allow us to start afresh"
Elizabeth flicked her eyes to her father, he was not paying any attention, or at least appeared to not be.
"I do not wish to start afresh sir"
Darcys face fell, his heart stopping beating.
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm.
"I wish to have our discussion again, a more reasonable version of the one we shall not speak of. I do not wish for us to begin again, I am in too far to wish to go back"
Hope soared within him.
"Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you!"
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A/N - so he's started well, do you think he'll get the rest right? ;)