Chapter Two- You Found Me

Lizzy looked up through her tear-filled eyes and saw that it was him; Mr. Darcy. He knelt beside her and looked her up and down in shock. She looked back at his handsome face, confused and upset, but relieved he was here. They made eye contact and he pulled her gently into his arms, causing Elizabeth to break down against his strong body. As soon as she smelt him and felt his warm arms around her she felt safe and starting crying with relief and shock over what had happened.

He rubbed his hand up and down her back, resting his head against hers. "Thank god," she said shakily against him. "If you hadn't come…"

"It's all right," he whispered, hushing her. "You're safe."

Lizzy couldn't do anything but grip onto Darcy's shirt and cry, her body cold and shaking. She had never been so terrified in her life. Darcy stroked her hair as he repeated words of comfort. Darcy stood carefully, still holding Lizzy close. She was shaky on her feet, so Darcy made her hold onto his horse's saddle while he climbed onto his horse. He then leaned over and lifted her onto the horse in front of him, sitting side-saddle and facing him.

"Hold onto me," he said softly. "So you don't fall off."

So Lizzy wrapped her shaky arms around him and pressed her face against his chest. He put his arms around her and grasped the reigns, motioning for the horse to start trotting. It was not long before the horse was galloping down the road back to Pemberly; Darcy tightened his grip around Elizabeth, who kept her arms around him.

Once Lizzy had overcome the initial shock, she felt embarrassment and humiliation sweep through her, now only because of their current situation, but how he must have found her. Her hair had been pulled out, her dress was torn, and she dreaded to think how her face looked after crying. Not to mention what he must think of what he found when he reached her, what he had protected her from. She shuddered and moved her face from his chest to see where they were. They were riding down the main garden, and approaching the stairs of the large house. She did her best to compose herself, but she was still shaking and trying not to cry.

Darcy pulled the horse to a halt and looked at Lizzy, gently running his hand through her hair. The gentle caress caused fresh tears to fall from her eyes and he quickly put down his arm and dismounted before helping her down, carrying her in his arms towards the front doors with a fast stride. The butler who opened the door for him was shocked.

"Master…" he began, sounding surprised, but Darcy interrupted.

"Miss Bennet took a fall on her way home; call Mrs. Reynolds and send for the doctor."

"No," Lizzy said shakily, pulled away from Darcy. "I'm fine. Please don't call the doctor."

"It's all right," Darcy replied hastily. "You are stressed from your fall. I would trust my doctor with anything; you'll be well taken care of."

The look in his eyes made her feel secure, so she put her trust in him and said nothing more on the subject. Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper, arrived quickly and led them upstairs to one of the made up guest rooms. Lizzy kept her face close to Darcy; she was embarrassed to be seen like this. Plus, his body's warmth gave her comfort.

"Mrs. Reynolds, can you go get some brandy and tea, and then a spare nightgown for Miss Bennet?" Mr. Darcy asked when they entered the room.

"Of course, Master," she replied. She left, and Darcy turned and walked over to the bed, hesitantly placing Lizzy on it. He pulled away once she was seated and she awkwardly wiped her eyes and tried to smooth her ripped dress, looking anywhere but at him. She could feel his eyes on her and all she wanted to do was cry and go back to his arms. But propriety stopped her and she struggled to compose herself.

They stayed in an awkward silence, Lizzy distracted by the feeling returning to her body. Her cheek was burning in pain, and her whole body was starting to feel bumps and bruises from her attack. She winced as she tried to brush her hair out of her face and hit her bruised cheek.

"Are you all right?" Darcy said swiftly, kneeling in front of her. She moved her hair and looked down into the soft blue eyes of the man who had saved her, feeling something she couldn't describe as he reached for her hand and stroked it gently, avoiding the bruises on her wrist. She was ready to give in to temptation and throw herself into his comforting arms so she would feel safe again, but Mrs. Reynolds knocked on the door and entered, causing Darcy to stand and move away from Lizzy.

The housekeeper offered Lizzy a glass of brandy, which the young woman drank hesitantly, enjoying the warmth it created.

"I'll go greet the doctor," Darcy said awkwardly, causing Lizzy to look back up at him. She didn't want him to go, but knew she had no choice, so turned away so he wouldn't see her get emotional. He closed the door behind him and Lizzy looked up to see Mrs. Reynolds looking down at her pitifully.

"What have you done, Miss Bennet?" she said sadly. "That dress is ruined." Lizzy stood and helped the older woman remove it, noticing how the woman was closely examining her body as she went to put on the spare nightgown. Lizzy hoped that the bruising on her leg and hip would be evidence enough that she had taken a fall.

The nightgown was clearly very expensive; Lizzy wondered if it was one of Miss Georgiana's. It had sleeves down the elbow, and the fairly low neck was lined with handmade lace. It was an ivory colour and the fabric felt very soft against her skin.

Mrs. Reynolds helped Elizabeth into bed and poured her a cup of tea, which she drank heartily. There was a knock at the door and Mrs. Reynolds opened it. Mr Darcy and another man, who looked to be in his late fifties, with greying hair, walked over to her. Lizzy was sitting up and put her cup of tea down when the older man reached out his hand to shake hers. She shook hands with him as Mr Darcy said, "This is Dr. Laurence, my personal physician."

"It's a pleasure, Miss Bennet, despite the circumstances," Dr. Laurence said warmly.

Elizabeth smiled back and replied, "Good Evening, sir."

Darcy and Mrs. Reynolds left while the doctor examined her. He asked her to tell him the truth about her accident. Lizzy retold the horrifying incident to him, crying softly by the time she was finished. The doctor was patient, considerate and very kind to her. When he had finished, he left Lizzy to rest, disappearing out the door. Lizzy lay down in the large and comfortable bed, feeling slightly relieved at having told someone about her ordeal. It was as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

She heard the door open and looked up and saw that Darcy was half inside the room, but had turned back to the doctor who was still in the hall.

"So there is no serious injury?" he said.

"No," the doctor replied with confidence. "She will be fine within a week, I'm sure. I'll come and check on her every day, as you requested."

"Thank you, doctor." Mr. Darcy replied. He hesitated then added, "I trust you will keep the nature of Miss Bennet's accident to yourself. We have to remember her reputation is at stake."

"Of course, Mr. Darcy," Dr. Laurence replied. "I shall speak of it to no one."

The two men shook hands, and Darcy turned to walked into the room, looking at Elizabeth will a kind expression. She smiled nervously at him as he made his way over to her. "How are you feeling?" Darcy asked softly.

"Much better, thank you," she replied warmly, trying her best to look happy. She looked down as her smile faltered. "Thank you," she repeated.

"What for?" he asked.

She looked up at him. "For everything. After how I've treated you, I don't deserve all that you've done for me."

Under normal circumstances, Darcy would never had presumed to make Elizabeth Bennet be quiet. But these were hardly normal circumstances. He put a finger to her lips, and she didn't continue.

"There is nothing to thank me for, Miss Elizabeth. If I had been more insistent maybe this would never have happened," he said with a note of shame in his voice.

Lizzy look at him earnestly and replied, "Don't blame yourself. We both know nothing you could have said would have convinced me not to go."

Darcy smiled at her comment and nodded. They kept eye contact for a moment and the space between them seemed to get smaller. He reached over and brushed her hair off her face. She felt herself blush, and saw Darcy also redden, moving his hand down and quickly apologising. He went to stand, but Lizzy swiftly reached out and grabbed his hand. She was immediately embarrassed; she hadn't meant to do that.

He looked at her with surprise and she felt her face get even warmer. "Could you…" she began. She closed her eyes in embarrassment. When she opened them the look on his face gave her the courage to finish her sentence. "Could you stay? Until I fall asleep?"

Mr. Darcy looked pleasantly surprise and nodded with a smile. Lizzy kept hold on his hand and lay down against the pillows, closing her eyes. As long as she held onto his hand, she couldn't think about anything but him. Lizzy relaxed as she felt sleep claim her.