Mr. Darcy quickly concluded his letter to his aunt. Seeking out Mrs. Reynolds, he requested that it was sent via express as soon as possible. He then returned to Elizabeth to find that Mrs. Gardiner had dropped to sleep, next to her niece's bedside. Before he woke her, he went to arrange that a bed chamber be set up for her. He hoped that since Caroline and the Hursts were departing in the morning, he would be able to convince the Bennet and Gardiner party to stay in the main house. His staff were as helpful and efficient as ever and he was quickly able to return to the room. As he entered the room, he shut the door with a little more force than before to stir Mrs. Gardiner. She sat up startled and realised that she had fallen asleep.
"Mr. Darcy, I do apologise, I did not mean to fall asleep."
"Not at all," he replied kindly, "it has been a very trying day. I hope you do not mind but I have asked my maids to set up a bedroom for you – you need your rest."
"Thank you, sir that is very kind of you, but I cannot leave Lizzy."
Understanding what Mrs. Gardiner was implying, he continued, "Mrs. Reynolds has already offered to take your place in the room, I will not be alone with Miss. Bennet for a moment. I would not dream of putting her propriety at stake."
Mrs. Gardiner smiled at the Master of Pemberley, "that is very kind. Are you quite sure Mrs. Reynolds will be comfortable enough?"
Mr. Darcy chuckled gently, "she assures me that she will be very comfortable. You will soon learn that Mrs. Reynolds is as stubborn as myself. Please get some rest, when Miss. Bennet awakes, she will need you to be well. I will send for you if her condition alters."
The tempt of a night's sleep being more that Mrs. Gardiner could turn down, she thanked Mr. Darcy. A few moments later, Mrs. Reynolds entered the room and the chaperones swapped positions for the night.
When Lucy had left, Mrs. Reynolds spoke, "Master, can I not convince you to get some sleep, I will watch over Miss. Bennet. I will send for you if anything changes."
"No thank you," Darcy replied kindly yet firmly.
And so, a comfortable silence fell upon the room. Mrs. Reynolds took up some needlework in the corner, as Darcy remained at Elizabeth's side. In the early hours of the morning, he must have fallen to sleep as the next thing he knew, Mrs. Reynolds was offering him a cup of tea.
"The doctor is here to check on Miss. Elizabeth, go and get some refreshment while he is here. I will stay with her," she smiled warmly at the man she had known for over twenty years.
Reluctantly, Darcy stood and stretched his back. He knew his housekeeper was speaking sense. He followed her advice and vacated the room.
Doctor Stone called in on Darcy in the breakfast room as soon as he had finished his observations. Mr. Darcy immediately jumped up, eager for any news or information.
"Mr. Darcy, Miss. Bennet is stable, and I am confident that she will regain consciousness. Continue the care you are giving her. There is little more I can do until she wakes."
"Thank you doctor, I will see you out."
Frustrated that the doctor was unable to give him any more information, Darcy went back up to Elizabeth, he found both Mrs. Reynolds and Mrs. Gardiner with her. As much as he did not wish to be away from Elizabeth, the look that both his housekeeper and Mrs. Gardiner gave him, told him that his appearance was not at the same standard as usual. He rubbed his hand over his day-old stubble.
"I will go and get washed and dressed. I do not want Miss. Bennet to see me like this. I will not be long," he explained to the two ladies.
"Take as long as you need sir, we will both remain here until your return," Mrs Reynolds replied.
As Darcy climbed out of the bath, he wrapped his robe around him and glanced outside, he could see his sister waving Miss. Bingley and the Hursts off in their carriage. As the master of the house, it was a job he should be doing but after his conversation with Louisa the previous evening, he resigned that his sister was better suited for the role at that moment.
As soon as he could, Darcy retook up his vigil at Elizabeth's side, Mrs. Reynolds had returned to her duties and Mrs. Gardiner was writing some correspondence by the window. The peaceful atmosphere of the house, now that Caroline had left, was calming and made an already exhausted Darcy grow weary. His eyes shut and his head drooped.
Suddenly there was a slight movement from the bed, it was enough for Darcy to become wide awake again in an instant. Elizabeth seemed to be waking up. The movement so slight that Mrs. Gardiner had not been distracted from her writing. Darcy, however watched intently as Elizabeth's eyes fluttered open very slowly. After a minute or so, she turned her head slightly. As she focused on Mr. Darcy, her look of confusion turned to one of warmth and love.
"Mr. Darcy," she croaked, "where am I?"