Thank you for the reviews. For those wondering about Mr. Darcy being in the room during the one exam - I know it is against propriety, but my view is that at present he is currently in charge of her care. The doctor is an army man and for him the patient comes before propriety and the strictures of society. Also it is fiction so I can do what I want. :) For those that have favorited this story - thank you I am honored. Here's the next chapter.
Just before six the next morning Mr. Darcy woke. Once dressed he moved down the hall. It was Mrs. Taylor in Elizabeth's room this morning. The lady agreed to step out into the sitting room with the stipulation that the door be left ajar. Mr. Darcy simply nodded. Once Mrs. Taylor departed he took a seat beside the bed.
"Good morning, Elizabeth." he said quietly. "I am merely waiting for news from Bingley. I confessed to him my interference and told him your sister was in London. I have never seen him face a confrontation with such determination, especially a confrontation with his sister. He was not looking forward to the event, I am sure, but he did not hesitate to return home meaning to speak to his sister as soon as she returned home. I believe his sisters will be greatly surprised by his steadfastness in this situation. I only hope you can now forgive me my interference."
Elizabeth's finger twitched.
"I could offer you everything I own, everything money could buy but I know that means nothing to you. I wish to be a man you could love, the only man you love. I will do anything you ask to gain your good opinion, Elizabeth." He paused for a moment. "I shall do my best at making a favorable impression with your relations when we meet. Do remember though that I am still in need of practice. I hope when you awaken you will consent to assisting me. Who better to learn from than a master such as yourself."
Another twitch.
He glanced at the door then lifted her hand. Gently he placed a kiss on her palm.
"I hope you will also forgive me the liberties I have taken with your person. I cannot resist showing you my admiration even if you cannot witness it." Her finger twitched. "I wish you could speak to me now. Even if it was only to chastise me for my actions. I would gladly face a scolding for the joy a few stolen kisses have brought me."
He kissed her palm again. A creak was heard in the direction of the door.
"Mr. Darcy, sir, you are not imposing upon my patient, are you?" Mrs. Taylor asked quietly.
He laid her hand gently back on the bed.
"I take your silence for admission, Master William."
"I have apologized and asked forgiveness."
"By all the accounts I have heard she is a kind woman so I am sure you will be granted forgiveness."
Elizabeth's finger twitched.
"I have had a tray sent to your study." Mrs. Taylor continued. "If you insist on working so early you must eat something."
"Thank you Mrs. Taylor."
"You are welcome, sir. Off you go now before your coffee cools too much. Miss Elizabeth needs her medicine and a new poultice for her back."
Mr. Darcy nodded and left.
"That man is besot." Mrs. Taylor said once the door shut. She glanced at the lady on the bed. "I do hope you can handle his intensity. Men such as him do not feel lightly. He needs someone who can make him smile, someone to bring him out of the darkness he imposes on himself. If he cares so much for you though I cannot doubt your ability."
One of the other maids entered and the two soon set to work on the poultice for Elizabeth's back. Once it was completed Mrs. Taylor left the maid to watch over Elizabeth while she went to attend her other duties.
Georgiana woke later than was normal for her. She looked out the window in her bedroom and saw the rain drizzling. She called her maid to assist her in dressing. As her maid styled her hair Georgiana's eyes settled on a letter on her vanity. She stared at it for several long moments. Her eyes widened as an idea occurred to her. Her maid finished and left. Georgiana hurried to Elizabeth's room. Once being admitted she asked for a few minutes of privacy. The maid left and Georgiana hurried to the bed.
"Miss Elizabeth, are you awake?" the young girl asked quickly.
A finger twitch confirmed the Elizabeth was indeed awake.
"I have not been able to speak to my brother yet. I only woke a short time ago. I blame the rain as I usually awake when the sun enters my room. I do apologize. I did have an idea that might help us find your family. I know my brother believes Mr. Bingley will succeed in getting the address from his sister but I had a terrible nightmare last night that Miss Bingley gave him the wrong address. They went to the address and all manner of terrible things happened."
She paused a moment.
"I know such things are unlikely to happen but I thought it might be better to have something besides Miss Bingley's word as proof."
Elizabeth showed her agreement.
"This morning I noticed a letter on my vanity. It was from my brother when he was away. It made me think. William said you and Miss Bennet are very close so it is likely she wrote you from London while you were in Kent."
A twitch.
"I knew it. If all your things are in the trunk then the letters should be as well."
Another twitch.
"The letters will have the address of where she is staying in London. May I search your trunk for them."
Elizabeth consented and Georgiana hurried into the dressing room where Elizabeth's trunk had been placed. She searched among the clothing. At the bottom of the trunk she found a box. Opening it she found only hair pins and a few pieces of jewelry. Placing it back in the trunk the young girl returned to the search. After several minutes she had found nothing. Glancing up she noticed a pocket attached to the trunk's lid. It was closed with a simple white ribbon allowing it to blend into the trunk's lid. Georgiana pulled the ribbon undoing the bow. Reaching inside the pocket her hand met papers. Pulling them out she looked them over. A squeal of joy escaped her. She rushed back to the bed.
"I found them, Miss Elizabeth." she said laying the envelopes on the bed. "This one says Jane Bennet. That is your sister, correct?"
Elizabeth's finger moved in reply.
"There is another from the same address. Marian Gardiner. Is that your relation in London?"
Elizabeth confirmed it was.
"So your uncle's name is Gardiner?" A twitch. "His address is sixty-three Gracechurch Street."
Another twitch.
"I will tell my brother at once."
Georgiana took the letters and rushed from the room. It was not long before a heavy knocking was once again heard on Elizabeth's door. Georgiana returned and she was not alone.
I hope you enjoyed this. Up next, the return of Mr. Bingley.