The first night of him spending within Elizabeth's chamber, was spent in small passing conversation with Mr. Bennet. Darcy found the gentlemen to be well read and a skilled warrior. He quickly discovered that Elizabeth had inherited her fathers love of books and disposition in the art of war. The each gentleman came from a different background of training, each one could respect the others opinion of their arts. Their conversations came to a halt as night hours ticked by and both gentlemen drifted off to sleep. During the course of his journey, Darcy had slept ill, and though he found himself able to drift off with ease, he often awoke during the night to check on Elizabeth's state, ensuring her wounds were kept clean, her bandages changed often, and a cool cloth to keep her fever down.
The days that passed were far from different for Mr. Darcy. Though his partner often altered between Mr. Bennet, Miss Jane, and his sister, Darcy was a constant in Elizabeth's room. His time with Miss Jane often coincided with his sisters time, allowing him to view Miss Bennet's character with his sister. He found he was more than pleased that the two got along so well and often wondered if Georgiana had the opportunity to get along as well with Elizabeth.
One particular day brought Georgiana with a tray. Mr. Bennet and her brother had spent their time with Elizabeth. Since his visit, Georgiana had made his excuses of fatigue and business to prevent her aunt from discovering the truth. Georgiana entered the room with a brief knock. She turned the handle and entered the room. She was quickly greeted with a smile from Mr. Bennet. Before she could speak, Mr. Bennet gestured for her to be silent and made a motion across the room.
Georgiana looked and found herself unable to resist a small smile. Her brother, though fervent in his vigil, had succumbed to sleep, his half finished book still pressed against his chest. Quietly, Georgiana set the tray down. "How long has it been since he last slept?"
"He slept a quarter of an hour before noon today." informed Mr. Bennet. "I suspect he kept his vigilant watch during the night hours again. The young man will wear himself out before Elizabeth wakes."
Georgiana hummed in acknowledgement. She fetched an unused blanket from the truck, one that was often used during the night, and gently draped it over her brother. "He worries for Miss Elizabeth."
Mr. Bennet nodded. "So he does."
It was above an hour when Darcy awoke again. He quickly discovered the blanket over himself and found his sister in Mr. Bennet's place, embroidering. Darcy drew the blanket from his body and rose from his chair. His body was stiff from his constant sitting and disuse. He walked to Georgiana's chair and placed a kiss upon her head. "Thank you." He continued to the basin and proceeded to wash his face.
"How fairs Miss Elizabeth?" spoke Georgiana.
Darcy dried his face and hands before returning to his seat. "Her fever has not risen higher." Though that was not the best of news, having her fever remain at it current level was not the worst. He looked down at Elizabeth's sleeping face. She looked so much at peace, ignorant to the worries of her family. She looked far improved from his first sighting. In fact, she looked remarkably well. Reaching out, Darcy removed the cloth, which was in need of changing, and let his hand lay upon her forehead. No longer did immense heat radiate off her skin. He drew his attention to her wounds and carefully unwrapped one of her hands. The skin was no longer inflamed and sickly.
"Fitzwilliam?" asked Georgiana.
Darcy looked to his sister. "Her fever has broken."
A bright smile emerged from Georgiana. "Truly?"
"You had best send for her family. I suspect she will awake soon." His relief was short lived. If her fever had broken, the chances of Elizabeth waking were greater. Darcy could not risk her waking to find him in her room. Darcy straightened from the bedside. He gathered his coat, long discarded during his first night, and book. He could not leave any hint at his presence in this room.
"Brother?" questioned Georgiana.
Darcy met his sisters uncertain gaze. "I must depart. No must know of my part in helping Miss Bennet. Not even Miss Bennet."
"Is that not fair to you?" questioned Georgiana.
Darcy departed the room before Georgiana could question him further. Georgiana knew if his attachment to Elizabeth Bennet, and Darcy was aware of Georgiana's approval of the lady. however, Darcy had not revealed to his sister of his disastrous proposal in Hunsford some months back. Nor would she be made privy to such knowledge. When the time was right, Darcy would inform his sister that the attachment was nothing more than an infatuation, one that he would easily recover from. Though he doubted that his sister would believe such a statement. She was a clever young lady. But it was best to keep her from the bitterness that was Darcy's failing in securing his own happiness. He moved through the halls, knowing each turn by heart until he reached his own chambers. Not once since his arrival had he stepped into them, but now he did. For one night, he would sleep in his bed and not in the chair.
Darcy seated himself on the bed. His body was exhausted, his emotions drained. Yet he could not deny the gladness he felt. How could he refuse the swelling gladness knowing that Elizabeth would live. She would wake and grow strong. Her whit would strike with such fury and her sword would soon follow. She would return home to Longbourn and protect the people of Meryton. And she would, undoubtedly, marry.
Drained of his control, Darcy allowed the tears to fall. There was no strength left in him to hold them at bay any longer. His clenched one fist while the other hand roamed through his hair. The tears fell silently to the floor. Each one filled with the emotions Darcy had bottled within himself for far too long. The sting of rejection. The admiration of witnessing her skills. The pleasure of seeing her in the In-Between. The relief of hearing her breathing. The fear of witnessing her plummet into the canal. The fear of death taking her. Each one fell from his drained body until exhaustion overtook him.
The following morning, found Mr. Darcy in an unmistakable ill-humor. Though he had slept a great deal more than he had throughout his stay at Rosing's, he found it impossible to lift his spirits. Now that he was certain of Elizabeth's Bennet's survival, he had to depart Rosin's, that day. The longer he remained whilst she recovered, the greater the risk became of her catching hint that he had been within her chambers. though he had sworn his secrecy to her father, and all that were present swore the same, if Elizabeth leaned the truth, she would feel herself bound to him. And though nothing would give Darcy more pleasure than have her hand, he would sooner die than force into such an agreement when she wanted nothing to do with him. No, it was best to do the honorable thing for the both and depart. He could live himself knowing that she would survive and return to protect her home in Longbourn and the people of Meryton. It was there that caused his ill-humor. He would not be privileged to witness her again. He was to bow out of her life silently and not dwell on her again.
Perhaps it was his ill-humor that fueled his motions that day. As the hour of his departure arrived, Darcy found himself journeying through the halls of the estate one final time, making his way toward the stables. He had had numerous missives from his steward. Upon his arrival, Darcy had every reason to believe he would have very little time to dwell on anything but ensuring Pemberly's further safety. So full were his thoughts, that Darcy remained unaware of his aunt's presence behind him, until she was upon him.
"Nephew!" called Lady Catherine.
Darcy's steps ceased quickly and turned his body toward his aunt. He was surprised to find her so close without his knowledge of her approached. He mentally berated his distracted mind. Had his aunt been an undead, he may have lost his life.
"You have been quire scarce during your stay at Rosing's." noted she.
Darcy gave a curt nod. "My apologies aunt. I had not expected the magnitude of fatigue that consumed me."
Lady Catherine arched one of her brows as she stared at her nephew. "Is it fatigue that has kept you away, or the lure of a bed bound young lady?"
Darcy felt his eyes narrow at her words, but he would give nothing.
"A report of an alarming nature as reached me." began his aunt. "That during the duration of your stay, you have occupied Miss Bennet's chambers."
Darcy remained stiff through his response. "Miss Bennet's was declining. I sought to improve her health."
"An unmarried man in the chambers of an unmarried woman within the walls of my own estate." spat Catherine. Her voice raised to a higher volume. Her temper threatened to unleash its full force on him, which Darcy did not fear. His own could match hers. "And my own nephew, no less. Have you such little regard of propriety that is due in society, or the dishonor you have put upon all of us? By your unnecessary impulsive actions, you have entangled yourself to that trollop!"
Darcy jet his jaw, clenching his teeth. Though he wished nothing more than to put his aunts opinions to rest, it would do no one any good to lose his temper. It could possibly do worse for the Bennet's. "There was proper chaperones-"
"Chaperones!" cried Lady Catherine. "Chaperones! Have you taken leave of your senses, nephew? Those people could easily throw you to the fire of impropriety and demand to do the honorable things by marry that little chit."
"I'll ask you to mind your words, aunt." stated Darcy, though his tempter was rising dangerously high.
His aunt, however, did not heed his words. She began pacing about the hallway, no longer caring how her voice raised throughout the walls. "To act in such a disreputable way not only blackens your name, but will no doubt drag Anne's name down with it. Your actions will have drastic repercussions in combination of your lack of action to your family duty! You have endangered your own reputation for this pretentious upstart of a girl. One who is far less than your own equal, so far below your own sphere.""
"The family is highly respectable and of genteel rank." replied Darcy. "I'll ask once more, to mind your words."
That statement took notice by his aunt. She ceased her pacing and turned toward him. Her remaining eye narrowed on him. "So it is true. You've fallen for her arts and allurements." She strode toward him until there was little space between them. You've given in to a pretty face and skills that are hardly suitable for your own good. You are so taken that she has made you forget what you own to your family."
His anger finally reached his breaking point. Taking his sword from its sheath, Darcy lifted the blade toward his Aunt. An act which was considered to act against England. Lady's Catherine's eye grew wide in astonishment. "Tell me, Lady Catherine, do we speak of the same woman in our conversation. Is not Elizabeth Bennet, the very same young lady who bested your proxy Wilhelm? A warrior skilled my the Chinese deadly arts, bested one of your finest men, without a weapon to be had."
Lady Catherine was silent.
"I am aware of your visit to Longbourn, Aunt. As am I aware of the reason behind it." stated Darcy.
"Then you know I went for the sole purpose of defending your honor." claimed Lady Catherine. "Honor that you seem to be pleased to toss into the gutters for the sake of a country chit of a girl, than to do you family duty and marry Anne."
Darcy sheathed his katana and stalked down the hall. He needn't glance back to know his aunt was following him. "Let me be rightly understood, whatever fantasy you have pertaining to myself and Anne are nothing more than that. When I chose to marry, it will be by my choice, not that of yours."
"You cannot ignore your duty forever, nephew!" informed Lady Catherine. "For too long you have done just that. your duty to the crown not with standing, they could hardly do anything without you, but the canal now holds firm you cannot refuse any longer. You cannot deny the duty to your estate and to your own sister-"
"And you believe that Anne is capable of that?" demanded Darcy, ceasing his steps and turning to his aunt again. "My cousin, who can hardly maintain a hold of a rifle, defend the grounds of my home and defend the life of my sister."
"This matter was the greatest wish of your mother-"
"Enough!" demanded Darcy, raising his hand to silence her. "I will say this but once, should you ever assert yourself into my affairs, I will sever all ties to you. And what hope will your daughter have then?"
Lady Catherine's face quickly reddened with rage. "You wouldn't dare!"
"You have insulted the name of a respectable young woman and attempted to manipulate my affairs for the future." stated Darcy. "And I will have no more. Know your boundaries, aunt, or you will no family connections to fall back on."
Lady Catherine sternly glared at her nephew. "When you have come to your senses, nephew, do not expect a gracious welcome."
Darcy said nothing more to his aunt as he turned from her. He strode through the hall with more determination then he ever felt possible. If he had not been set of departing for Elizabeth's sake, then he certainly felt to do so for his own. He had ignored his aunt's fantasy to linger long enough and now he faced with the turmoil of what her wishes had brought about. In a way, he wondered if this was what crossed Mr. Bennet's mind when he ignored to properly address his younger daughters in their behavior. Perhaps the gentlemen were not unlike after all. They both Elizabeth's best interest at heart.
