Author's note: Obviously I am not a doctor, but I tried to do some research to see what kind of medical knowledge they would have back then and this was the result. As always...If you don't like it...Don't read it! For those that enjoy, please know that I love the positive reviews and kind words. More is coming!


Chapter 9

The feel on the morning sun on his face startled Mr. Darcy awake the next morning as the shades on his windows were drawn open. Realizing that he had slept for far longer than he intending he quickly jumped out of bed.

"How is Miss Bennet?" he asked as his valet, Oliver, rushed to help him dress. "Has Richard arrived yet from town?"

"I have heard of no change in Miss Bennet's condition, sir. Dr. Thomas is with her now. I assumed that you would wish to speak with him immediately upon his arrival," Oliver remarked as he held up a choice of jackets. "Colonel Fitzwilliam has not arrived, but his rooms have been prepared."

Mr. Darcy clasped Oliver's shoulder appreciatively, took a brief glance in the full-length mirror and walked briskly out of his suite and down to the guest rooms where Elizabeth was laying. He was anxious to be able to speak with Dr. Thomas directly and hear what he thought about her condition.

When he arrived at her room, he found Georgianna waiting outside pacing back and forth. Upon spotting him she rushed to him and wrapped her arms around him like she used to do when she was a child.

"How is she?" Mr. Darcy asked to the head at his chest.

Georgianna pulled away with a sigh and said, "I don't know. Dr. Thomas is still with her. They wouldn't let me stay."

"I'm sure they had their reas-" he began as the bedroom door opened and Dr. Thomas and Mrs. Reynolds emerged.

"Ah Mr. Darcy, you've returned from London," Dr. Thomas exclaimed upon seeing him. "I'm sorry it was under such circumstances."

Mr. Darcy nodded solemnly trying not to allow too many emotions to show through to the man. "Shall we head downstairs? I would like to know more about Miss Bennett's condition."

"Of course."

Mr. Darcy had never noticed the enormity of his manor before as he did now as it seemingly took forever to get to the formal sitting room. By the time that they arrived and were settled, his nerves were completely on edge. He was grateful that Dr. Thomas declined his obligatory offer for refreshments and was able to get right to the business at hand.

"You will be pleased to know, sir, that the young Miss Bennett is showing marked improvement from whence I first arrived. The swelling in her face has receded enough for me to determine that the bone in her cheek is indeed fractured, but the fracture is a minor one and should not cause any lasting damage. Unfortunately, her lower jaw was also dislocated, which again will heal, but will need much more care in assuring that it heals properly. This will mean that it will need to be mostly immobilized and when she awakens, she will need to consume only liquids or very soft foods for some time," Dr. Thomas explained.

"Why hasn't she awoken yet?" Mr. Darcy asked with a small crack in his voice.

Dr. Thomas sighed a small sigh before replying, "I would imagine that would be due to the blow to her head. I believe she was experiencing swelling of her brain which would cause her not to be conscious until the swelling had receded. However, I don't expect for her to remain asleep for much longer. She was showing signs of responsiveness as I examined her earlier."

"What should we do for her when she does wake?" Georgianna asked from behind where Mr. Darcy sat.

"Try to keep her comfortable. She will be in a great deal of pain. I will leave behind a drought that can be used to help for pain, but that will likely make her sleep more. If possible, try to get her to consume some broth or tea while she is awake in order to help her restore some energy for her body to heal," Dr. Thomas.

Oddly, all this news came as a bit of a shock to Mr. Darcy who had simply been thinking that having Elizabeth awaken would bring about the end of his suffering. He had never considered that it would, in fact, be the beginning of a new form of torture for her. This wasn't something that she was going to recover quickly from, and it wasn't going to be easy for her.

The thought of her continued pain and suffering reignited his anger and he found that he could no longer sit still. He rose abruptly from his chair and made his way to the window, barely hearing his sister inquiring after him worriedly. He fumed to himself as she gracefully picked up the role of hostess to Dr. Thomas, apologized for her brother and walked him out of the room.

By the time Georgianna had returned, Mr. Darcy's anger had dissipated into helplessness and despair. Without turning to acknowledge her he said, "Why did I allow this to happen Georgie?"

"Oh brother, you can't possibly blame yourself," she said as she came to stand at his side. "I can't believe that anyone could have predicated that things would have taken this path."

"If I had behaved in a more gentleman-like manner, perhaps I could have at least been here to protect her," Mr. Darcy scoffed almost under his breath.

Georgianna stared at her brother in amazed recognition. "You care for her that deeply?"

He dropped his head into hands and said, "More than I ever thought was possible."

"She's going to be well again, Will. You heard Dr. Thomas," she replied softly.

Mr. Darcy looked up and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. I had told you that I had met her previously in Meryton with Charles?" She nodded. "What I failed to tell you, was that had I acted abominably and offended her greatly. I'm afraid she despises me. She made that quite clear to me when we had met again at Rosings." His head snapped up as he heard a giggle escape from his sister. "Pray girl what could you possibly find amusing?!" he asked in alarm.

"I'm sorry," she said with an amused grin displaying that she was clearly not apologetic. "I just cannot imagine anyone bold enough to express their displeasure with you in anyway."

At this even Mr. Darcy had to offer a slight grin. "She is clearly not just anyone."

"I do not think she despises you, dear brother," Georgianna continued. "If that were true, I would have detected some trace of those feelings when she and her relations came for dinner."

"None of that matters now," Mr. Darcy said with a sigh trying not to place any hope in what his sister had said. "If I could but see her well and happy again that should be more than I would deserve even if she hated me."

"Then let's go check on her and assure that she gets to healing properly," Georgianna said as Mrs. Reynolds entered the room to announce breakfast. "Dr. Thomas said that she could awaken at any time."

"And I will be by her side when she does," Mr. Darcy vowed solemnly.