AN: Again, I must express my appreciation for all of the comments. I know that I can't please everyone, but even those comments have not been unkind. So on with the story.
Chapter 5
After the doctor had checked on his patient, he left Elizabeth and Georgiana in Mr. Darcy's room while he went to the room he had been assigned. He wished to write to a colleague of his, who specialised in head injuries.
Elizabeth sat in the chair nearest to Mr. Darcy, just watching him sleep. She knew that she should find some activity, much the same as Georgiana had done, who was busy with some needlework. However, her heart would not allow her to take her eyes from him. She thought of how handsome he had been before the injury, but she did not believe that he was any less handsome now. His face would likely be swollen for several more days. She only wished that she could do something useful to take away his pain.
As if he felt her gaze, he opened one eye and smiled. "You are here, my love."
Unable to stop herself, she returned his smile. "I am, sir. Do you wish to have some tea?"
"I do," he croaked out. "Possibly water first."
Upon hearing her brother's voice, Georgiana set aside her work and rang for a servant and watched while Elizabeth and Mrs. Whitehead helped him to sit up a little so that he could drink.
When the maid came to the door, Georgiana ordered tea, some chicken broth, and cake for the ladies.
"Georgiana, how are you faring?" Darcy asked when he heard her voice.
"I am well, Brother," was her answer.
"I am glad to hear it," he said with a sigh. "And is Richard taking care of any necessary business? You know that Elizabeth does not need to worry about correspondence and such, while I am an invalid."
"Richard is handling everything. Do not worry about that," Georgiana reassured him.
Soon, the maid appeared with the tea things. Setting it down upon the larger table, she curtseyed and exited the room.
Georgiana insisted upon pouring the tea and bringing it and the bowl of broth to the bedside. Elizabeth lifted the bowl and began to give him spoonfuls until the bowl was nearly empty.
"I am so glad that you ordered Cook's chicken broth. It is delicious as always." Darcy leaned his head back against the pillow. "I should like to have some tea now."
Smiling, Georgiana replied, "I sure Cook will be happy to hear your praise. She was eager to prepare several others of your favourites when I ask for the broth.
"I think it will not be long before you shall be able to eat solid foods," Elizabeth added hopefully.
Nurse Whitehead administered the draught the doctor prescribed as soon as he had drunk as much of the tea as he could. She then helped him to lie back down.
Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth to read to him. As she had a small volume of Shakespeare's sonnets in her pocket, she pulled it out and began. She had only just finished one of the poems before Darcy fell asleep.
Happy with the way he had eaten, Elizabeth asked for a cup of tea and a piece of cake from Georgiana.
"I could ask for more hot water if you wish," Georgiana whispered, unwilling to disturb her brother's slumber.
"That will not be necessary," Elizabeth answered quickly. "I am certain that it will be fine." At that, she took a sip and smiled. "It is perfect as I usually let my tea cool a bit before I drink it."
Once they finished their repast, and the things were cleared away, Georgiana excused herself to check on the menu for that evening.
Elizabeth wondered how Jane was faring and decided to find out while Mr. Darcy was sleeping. She did not wish to be absent from the room when he awoke again. As she was leaving the other nurse, a Mrs. Simons, came to relieve Mrs. Whitehead.
"I shall return once I see my sister," she informed both of the women, who nodded their understanding.
After searching for Jane in several of the public rooms and not finding her, Elizabeth was about to enquire of one of the footmen when Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped out of the study.
"Have you lost your way, Miss Elizabeth?" he teased.
"No," she responded with a smile. "However, I cannot find my sister."
"I believe she went to her room for a rest."
"I think that might be the best thing for her at the moment." Elizabeth sighed. "The death of Mr. Bingley was devastating to her. I only wish I could have softened the blow."
"I do not think there would have been any method that would have made the news easier to bear. Time will be the best healer." The colonel rubbed his chin. "How is my cousin?"
Elizabeth's countenance brightened. "He took more broth and tea and seemed to be in less pain."
"Does he still ...?" He did not finish his question.
"Yes, he still thinks I am his wife," Elizabeth answered.
Unable to think of anything to say to that, the colonel offered, "Would you like me to ring for tea?"
"No thank you, I had tea with Georgiana just before I left Mr. Darcy's room. I shall return as I only wished to see how my sister fared." She curtseyed and left.
The evening was a quiet one. Elizabeth had gone to the dining room for dinner, but Jane had taken a tray in her room. The conversation at the table was a bit stilted because of the ever present worry about Mr. Darcy.
Having little appetite, Elizabeth ate what she could and excused herself soon after the last course was served. She hurried up the stairs. All she wished for was to be with Mr. Darcy and to see him recover. Of course, she wanted him to return to his right mind, but she could not help but relish the dream world his injured mind had created. I find it is my fondest wish to marry Mr. Darcy, but will he still desire it once he is whole again? She sighed repentantly at her selfish thoughts. I should be ashamed of myself. He must get well. I shall work my hardest to see that it happens, whether or not he will want to marry me then.
Shaking her head to clear it of worry, Elizabeth knocked softly, and the door was quickly opened by Mrs. Simons.
"I am glad you are here." Mrs. Simons's voice bespoke relief. "Mr. Darcy has become restless."
Elizabeth hastened to sit at his bedside. "Mr. Darcy, why do you thrash about so? You could hurt yourself."
Darcy opened his eyes and relief showed on his face. "I dreamed you were gone. There was a terrible crash. I heard you scream, but I could not reach you."
"I am here and unharmed," she soothed. "I do not plan to go anywhere until you are well."
Darcy reached for her hand with his uninjured one. Clasping it gently, he lifted it to his lips and kissed it.
A current, one of pleasure, flowed from Elizabeth's hand to her heart. The feel of his soft lips and the roughness of his beard were unlike anything she had ever experienced. She savoured the sensation, unwilling to pull her hand from his.
"I love you, my lovely Elizabeth," he whispered.
First, Elizabeth glanced to see if the nurse was watching. She saw that Mrs. Simons was busy reading. Leaning closer to Darcy, Elizabeth answered softly, "I love you, too."
"Will you read to me again?" Darcy asked, resting back against the pillows. "I never tire of hearing your voice."
"I think it is only tolerable," she teased as she picked up the book from the table.
"You will never let me forget that statement, will you?"
"It is useful at times such as these." Elizabeth grinned and began to read.
The following morning Jane went to Elizabeth's room, but a passing maid told her that her sister had been summoned to Mr. Darcy's side quite early, and that she had ordered a breakfast tray.
Jane decided to go to the breakfast room to join the others. Once she arrived she found only the colonel who stood at her entrance.
"Good morning, Miss Bennet, I trust you slept well."
"Good morning Colonel Fitzwilliam." Jane hesitated before answering truthfully, "I did not rest well, but I did sleep."
"Perhaps you would like some breakfast," he offered, motioning toward the sideboard. "Please be seated. I will get it for you."
As Jane sat, a footman brought her some tea. She watched as the colonel selected items for her plate.
"Is Miss Darcy not going to join us?"
Returning to the table with his selections, the colonel placed the plate in front of her. "She does not usually arise this early. I predict it will be about an hour before she comes down for breakfast."
A brief smile crossed Jane's face. "In this she reminds me of my two youngest sisters. They are always the last to wake."
The two ate in silence for several minutes. Jane was surprised that she had any appetite at all, but she soon had eaten over half of her food.
"I appreciate your choices for me," she complimented. "When you presented the plate, I did not think I could manage much more than a bite or two, but the food is so delicious that my appetite has returned."
Fitzwilliam nodded his acknowledgement of her praise. "I am happy you are eating. I had heard you ate little last evening."
"My grief stole my appetite." She looked up and caught his eye before picking up her fork to take another small bite. "You told me last night that you understood how I felt, when I mentioned my anger. Do you wish to elaborate?"
The colonel turned his chair toward Jane, and leaning forward, he placed his forearms on his knees.
"I hope what I have to tell you will help, although it is not the same as your own situation," he said cautiously. "I had a brother Robert who was two years younger than me. We were close and had a great deal of fun together growing up. I suppose his one fault was he was very competitive. He always tried to find ways to outdo me."
One summer, we were riding across one of our fields at Matlock, when we approached a hedge. I had been there many times while he had not. Robert decided to challenge me to race to the hedge and jump it. I told him that it was too dangerous to attempt. I knew full well what was on the other side. Laughing, he must have thought I was joking. He urged his horse into a gallop and vaulted over the bush."
A look of deep sadness stole over his face as the colonel stopped to swallow against the lump in his throat. His voice thick was suppressed emotion, he said, "I will never forget the horse's scream and sound of them both landing on the other side. I got to the other side as quickly as I could, but I was too late. My brother was dead, lying half under the horse.
"As horrified as I was, my first reaction was anger. Why did he not listen to me? Why did he have to be so foolhardy?"
"Oh how awful for you!" Jane cried as she laid her hand on his. Tears formed while she tried to think of something to say.
"It was a bad time for my whole family, but it took me a long while to stop feeling guilt and anger. The heavy sorrow softened as time went by, and I finally was able to rid myself of the other emotions. I still miss him very much, but not as acutely as before." He sighed and leaned back, breaking their contact.
"Thank you for sharing your story." She gazed directly into his eyes, hoping to convey her empathy. "It does help to know that someone else has felt similarly as I do. Also, it gives me hope that one day, these feelings will fade."
"I am happy to have been able to help you," he said softly. "If you feel the need to talk, I want you to feel free to come to me at any time."
"Thank you, Colonel," she replied. "I will remember your offer, but now I should see if I can be of assistance to my sister. Please excuse me." She stood and curtseyed before she left the breakfast room.
Colonel Fitzwilliam watched as she walked out the door. Her grace and beauty pulled at his heart as no other woman had ever done before. He shook his head as he remembered the reality of the situation. Miss Bennet was still grieving her lost love, and from what Darcy had told him, there was likely little dowry. His financial state of affairs was such as to make it impossible to ever make an offer to a lady such as her. Shaking his head, he determined to be her friend and put any romantic ideas out of his mind.
At Longbourn, the morning started out typically. Mr. Bennet rose earlier than the rest of the family and sat at the breakfast table, drinking tea and reading the post. He was very surprised to receive a thick missive from his brother Gardiner, especially since they had left only two days ago.
Swiftly breaking the seal, he read the first page.
Dear Bennet,
I know this letter will come as a shock, but I am enclosing a marriage settlement from Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. However, before I explain this, I must give you sad news. The evening two days before Christmastide while on their way home after a concert, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr. Darcy were in a terrible carriage accident. The two Bingleys were killed and Mr. Darcy seriously injured.
Mr. Bennet looked away from the page, his heart heavy for the grief his Jane must be suffering. He was grateful that she was with her sister and the Gardiners, and not at home. His wife would not be the best comforter.
Wondering about the mention of a marriage settlement, he read the rest of the letter. He could hardly believe what he was reading. His Lizzy agreed to marry a man who might die or be crippled for the rest of his life. He did not think she even liked the man, but she had accepted his proxy proposal. It is madness! How can I agree to this?
Once in his office and reading over the letter once more, slowly this time, Bennet saw that Lizzy was going to help the Darcys and had agreed to become engaged so as to do it with the least amount of scandal. He sighed as he realised there was little he could do at this moment. If she was at home, he might be able to talk her out of the scheme, but she was in London at the Darcys' home. A trip to Town was out of the question. If he told his wife the reason, she would give him no peace until he agreed to the engagement. She would also wish to go with him, so as to help Elizabeth with her trousseau. No, I must not breathe a word of this to Mrs. Bennet. With the option of breaking the engagement if one or the other wishes it, I will sign this thing once I have read it, and hope for the best.
Finally, Mr. Bennet decided to sign the document. His dilemma was how to do it without his wife or daughters discovering it. He could lock it in his desk, but Mrs. Bennet had an extra key. Deciding that the only way to keep it private would be for him to send it back directly to his brother Gardiner. Perhaps he could return it to Mr. Darcy's home or to his solicitor. The Gracechurch Street warehouse also had a secure vault.
Sighing at the knowledge that he had to write a letter of explanation to his brother-in-law and one to Elizabeth, he pulled out the needed supplies and went to work. An hour later, he had produced the needed missives and had sealed them.
"I shall go to Meryton and post them myself," he whispered to himself as he rose from his desk and stretched. "I will send them by express. It will serve Edward right for giving me such news."
As he left the house, Mr. Bennet was able to avoid seeing his family. He had only to inform Hill that he was going to ride into the village on business and would return before dinner.
The next several days were exhausting for Elizabeth. She was unable to sleep through the night because of Mr. Darcy's constant need for her reassuring presence. Added to the lack of rest, her appetite suffered as well.
Both Jane and Georgiana began to worry for Elizabeth's well-being. Jane tried to entice her sister to eat by informing the cook of Lizzy's favourite dishes. This was only slightly successful.
They insisted that she take breaks from sitting with Darcy, again with limited success. It was not until they spoke with Dr. Pritchard that they were able to get her to get more rest and eat more. He told her that he would forbid her entrance to Mr. Darcy's room, if she did not eat more and rest some during the day while Georgiana or Jane watched over the patient.
After the first time that Mr. Darcy awoke when Jane and Georgiana stayed with him, he seemed confused. He could tell that Elizabeth's sister was quite downcast, but he did not know how to ask what was wrong. Knowing Jane as he did, she would likely tell him that nothing was bothering her, other than his state of health. Then and there, he determined to ask Elizabeth what had caused her sister to be despondent.
Thus that evening when Elizabeth arrived and after he had greeted her, Darcy asked, "Why is Jane so sad, and why is Bingley not with her? I have just realized that he has not been here. I fully expected him to come with his wife."
Speechless, Elizabeth merely stared at him for several moments, wondering what would be the proper thing to say. He does not know that Mr. Bingley is dead, and he thinks that Jane and Bingley were married. Dr. Pritchard says that we should not tell him the truth, but I cannot lie about a thing like that.
"What is it, my love," Darcy asked tenderly, after taking her hand with his free one. "Has something happened to Bingley?"
Elizabeth could not meet his gaze. She chose to tell him part of the truth, hoping that it was a good idea. Glancing up at him, she explained, "Bingley is not here because he perished in an accident."
Tears stung her eyes as she watched Mr. Darcy blanch. "I do not remember this. It must have happened some time ago, as Jane is not wearing mourning dress."
"It did indeed, but I am afraid that I have gone against Dr. Pritchard's orders in telling you this."
Blinking rapidly, Darcy stroked her hand as he swallowed the lump in his throat. "It is extremely hard to hear, but I imagine that I would have created a great deal of pain for your sister if I had asked after him."
She nodded quickly.
"If Pritchard reprimands you, tell me so that I can explain why you did it."
Unable to restrain herself, Elizabeth lifted his hand to her lips. "I am so sorry that you have suffered the loss of such a friend."
"I am so happy that I did not lose you. I would be devastated as would the rest of our family." He caressed her cheek.
"I must ask a favour of you."
"Anything, dearest."
"After this, I beg you to accept the fact that since you have lost the memory of many things, I will not entertain any more questions. The doctor wants you to regain your memory naturally for fear that some of the answers might have a detrimental effect on your health. Please promise you will do this for me."
Heaving out a deep breath, Darcy agreed. "It shall be difficult for me, but I trust you completely, and I know that Dr. Pritchard is the best physician in Town."
Mrs. Whitehead came to the foot of the bed. "Pardon me for intruding, but I could not but overhear your conversation. While I do not like that you have been told about Mr. Bingley, it has been done and likely for the best. I shall not inform the good doctor, as he might forbid your lady from attending you. That, I believe would be worse for you, sir."
"Thank you, Mrs. Whitehead," Darcy said. "I agree with your assessment. I do not think I could survive without my wife's presence and care."
A day later, Mr. Gardiner called at Darcy House. Elizabeth had rested for several hours and was just leaving her chambers when a maid informed her of the visitor.
"Uncle, I am happy to see you. I hope that my aunt and cousins are well," Elizabeth greeted Mr Gardiner with a kiss on the cheek.
"They are all well, though missing their favourite cousins. I hope that Mr. Darcy is recovering, he stated with a smile. "I have brought letters from Longbourn. There is one for you from your father and one for Jane from your mother."
"I believe he is doing fairly well, although his memory has not returned."
As she took the letters from her uncle, Elizabeth could not keep the eagerness from her voice. "Did my father sign the papers you sent him?"
"He did, and sent them back by express, asking that I put to them somewhere safe. I believe that the colonel will be able give them either to Mr. Darcy's solicitor or keep this copy safely here. Apparently, he was afraid that your mother might read them. You would have no way of backing out of the engagement if she knew."
Elizabeth wished to tell her uncle that she would never wish to break the engagement, but she was aware Mr. Darcy might do so once he regained his memory.
"Mama would start to plan the wedding and have the church reserved."
Chuckling softly, Gardiner agreed, "She would indeed."
They visited for a while before her uncle left for Gracechurch Street.
Knowing that Jane had gone with Georgiana as Miss Darcy wished to shop for new gloves that morning, Elizabeth left her sister's letter on the front entry table with the rest of the correspondence.
Later that afternoon, Jane and Georgiana returned to Darcy House in better spirits. Both young ladies had felt the benefit of the outing. As they were helped with removing their outerwear, Jane spotted her letter on the small table.
"It seems that my mother has written to me," she said as she examined the missive. "My uncle must have sent it here, for the direction is for Gracechurch Street."
"I shall go to look in on my brother. You may use the library to read your letter, if you wish." Georgiana smiled at her new friend and added, "I truly enjoyed our outing, Thank you for agreeing to accompany me."
"You are most welcome as I feel refreshed by it," Jane said as she turned toward the library. "Excuse me, for I shall go read my letter now."
When she entered the library, Jane found the colonel reading some correspondence.
When Colonel Fitzwilliam looked up, he smiled. Jane curtseyed and said, "I hope I am not disturbing you. I came here to read a letter from Longbourn."
"Please make yourself comfortable, Miss Bennet," he answered swiftly. "You will not disturb my reading of business letters."
They sat in silence for several minutes before Jane sighed.
Glancing up, the colonel asked, "Is something amiss?"
"Only that my mother asks if I have had an opportunity to see the Bingleys." A frown creased her brow. "I would have thought that by now my father would have told her what happened. I do not wish to be the one to give her the news."
"Would it be advisable to merely say that you have not?"
Biting her lower lip, Jane sat pondering her answer to her mother. "I suppose I could do that once, but it will not stop the inquiries."
"Perhaps, your uncle might be of assistance."
"That is possible," she replied thoughtfully. "If he visited Longbourn, he could encourage my father to do it, or even tell my mother himself."
"If you would allow me, I will contact Mr. Gardiner and explain the situation."
Colonel Fitzwilliam could not fight his reaction to the blush that stained Jane's cheeks when she expressed her gratitude. "It is no trouble, Miss Bennet. I am at your service."
As the young lady returned to her letter, Fitzwilliam admired her lovely countenance. Longing as he had never known it, welled up within him. What am I thinking? She is grieving her lost love. Besides even if she was not, I have nothing to offer her. Put her out of your mind, man!