Chapter Three
Elizabeth gained consciousness feeling the warmth of the morning sun on her face. She didn't open her eyes, just lied on her back and moaned quietly in pain. She opened her eyes and they focused on the ivory curtains of the four-poster bed, causing the memories of last night to come flooding back to her. The shock made Lizzy gasp and sit upright in bed as the fear she has felt overcame her. She was immediately calmed by the voice of her aunt, who appeared at her side with an arm around Lizzy's shoulders.
"It's alright dear," the older woman said soothingly as Lizzy immediately composed herself.
"I'm fine Aunt," Lizzy said and Mrs. Gardiner pulled away. Lizzy ran her hands through her hair and felt her Aunt's worried eyes on her. She met her eyes and smiled.
"You poor thing," Mrs. Gardiner said. "Getting lost in the woods."
Lizzy felt her stomach tense as she wondered exactly what her Aunt knew. "How did you find out about what happened?"
"Well we were concerned when you didn't returned, once it got dark I was thinking of sending a servant from the inn to go looking for you. But then Mr. Darcy appeared at our room and informed us of what happened."
"Mr. Darcy came himself?" Lizzy felt a wave of guilt as she wondered how much the poor man had slept last night.
"Yes, dear" her Aunt replied. "He told us he'd found you and that we were welcome to come to Pemberly to stay."
Lizzy looked around the room, wondering how she could possibly make it up to Mr. Darcy. "So we are all staying here?" she asked in a whisper.
Mrs. Gardiner nodded. "We weren't sure how long it would take you to recover. Not only the fall, but the doctor was worried you would catch a cold, apparently you were like ice when Mr. Darcy found you."
Lizzy pulled back the ivory quilts and swung her legs around to get out of bed. But the pain in her hip and leg caused her to cry out and stop her movements.
"Lizzy," her Aunt scolded and pushed her back into the bed. "You're hurt, you need rest."
"It's rude to stay in bed when you're a guest," Lizzy hissed back in embarrassment.
"I'm more than confident that he will be understanding."
Mrs. Gardiner then helped her niece put a dressing gown on, brushed her hair and generally make Lizzy feel more presentable. A knock at the door made Lizzy self conscious; she held her dressing gown tight around her body as her Aunt opened the door. It was the housekeeper Mrs. Jenkins, bringing them breakfast on a tray. She set in down on the bed and asked Lizzy if there was anything she needed. She thanked her and said she was feeling better and the housekeeper left.
Mrs. Gardiner poured them tea and served them toast. Lizzy ate quietly, listening to her Aunt chatter away about how beautiful Pemberly was, how grand the rooms were and how generous Mr. Darcy has been. Lizzy couldn't get him off her mind, the way he'd come to her rescue, how secure she'd felt when she was with him. She was feeling so much more for him, which warmed her and terrified her. She looked out the window which overlooked the splendid lake, thinking what Mr. Darcy must think of her now.
"I've been so stupid," she whispered to herself by accident.
"I'm sorry dear?" Lizzy looked at her confused Aunt and forced a smile.
"Nothing," Lizzy said, "Just thinking to myself."
Mrs. Gardiner placed a hand over her nieces. "Don't make yourself uneasy Lizzy. You've got nothing to feel guilty for."
Her Aunt picked up the tray and walked out the room, not hearing Lizzy whisper to herself. "If only that were true."
Fitzwilliam sat at his desk and dismissed his steward after they had finished sorting out some estate matters. He was quite tired, even after he brought the Gardiner's to Pemberly and got them sorted out in their rooms, he found it impossible to sleep. The thought of what could have happened to Elizabeth had he not decided to go for a ride, just made him feel nauseous. He'd tossed and turned till dawn before he's gone for a dawn walk. He'd then tried to throw myself into his estate business with his steward, but it still hadn't distracted him for long.
Fitzwilliam stood and walked over to one of the bookshelves, looking through the volumes to see if he could see anything that might distract him for Miss Bennett. He left the library and paced the hall towards his favourite sitting room, frustrated with his own fastidiousness. His favourite dog Cooper was soon following him down the hallway, as though he could feel his master's uneasiness. He patted the dark brown gundog on the head and walked into the room, seeing Mr. Gardener sitting on one of the sofa's reading the newspaper.
"Good morning," the older man said cheerfully.
"Good morning Mr. Gardiner," Darcy said politely and sat on the opposite sofa, Cooper sat at his master's feet. "Have you seen Miss Bennett this morning?"
"No," Mr. Gardiner replied. "Actually to Mrs. Gardiner she's feeling a lot better but she can't get out of bed due to her hip injury."
Fitzwilliam swallowed as his stomach tightened. "I'll ask Dr. Laurence to come back to make sure she is alright."
"I'm most grateful, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Gardiner said.
"Please it's the least I can do."
The main oak doors were swung open and Georgiana walked into the sitting room. "Fitzwilliam," she said hurriedly, sitting on the arm of the sofa. "Come with me to Miss Elizabeth's room."
Darcy frowned at his sister. "Georgiana, you know perfectly well that going into a lady's bedroom is completely inappropriate."
Last night he's ignored all propriety to take care of Elizabeth, as he's watched her sleep he couldn't help but that that despite the circumstances he'd found himself wanting to hold her hand and watch her sleep for the rest of his life. Elizabeth was such a strong, independent woman. Seeing her vulnerable and frightened made him feel somewhere he'd seen a part of her no one else had.
Georgiana frowned and pouted her lip. "Please brother, I know she wants to see you, and her Aunt will be in the room."
"No Georgiana," Darcy insisted with an apologetic look at Mr. Gardiner.
Mr. Gardiner chuckled and said, "Why don't Mr. Darcy and I go shooting while you go sit with Elizabeth Miss Darcy."
"So it's alright if I go see her?" she asked, looking at Fitzwilliam.
"You have my permission, Georgiana, just remember she is unwell and needs to rest." Darcy replied, more than aware of his sister's exuberance.
Georgiana kissed her older brother's cheek and left the room, leaving Darcy and Mr. Gardiner to plan their shooting.
Fitzwilliam did end up in Elizabeth's room, but not till after they had returned from their shooting in the late afternoon. The two gentlemen entered the parlour and saw Georgiana playing the grand piano and Mrs. Gardiner was doing some embroidery by the bay window. Mr. Gardiner walked over to his wife and sat next to her. "How is Elizabeth?"
"She's sleeping now," Mrs. Gardiner replied with a smile. "She was reading to Georgiana for a couple of hours."
Darcy looked at his sister reprehensibly, who continued to play the piano innocently.
He then looked at his pocket watch and saw it was almost four o'clock. "Dr. Laurence will be arriving soon." he remarked.
Mrs. Gardiner put her embroidery on the table and stood, "I better go rouse Lizzy. Mr. Darcy would you accompany me? In this large house I've found I've almost lost my way twice since staying here."
Darcy thought it was odd that Mrs. Gardiner asked him to show her to Elizabeth's room. There was something in her manner when she asked and a look in her hair that made him ponder that there was an alternative reason for her request.
He led her up out of the parlour to the main hall and walked with her up the grand staircase towards the east wing in silence.
Mrs. Gardiner broke the silence. "We are most grateful for your kindness Mr. Darcy."
"Please Mrs. Gardiner, your thanks is not necessary." Mr. Darcy insisted. "Anyone would have done that same." Except the two good for nothing cowards who she first confronted, he thought to himself and clenched his fist in silent fury.
The continued in silence until the reached Elizabeth's room and Darcy paused, uncomfortable about how to continue. Mrs. Gardiner appeared not to notice and just quietly opened the door and walked in, leaving it wide open. A momentary lapse in concentration sent Darcy peering into the room to see Elizabeth. She was lying on her side with her back facing the door, appearing to be sleeping soundly.
Mrs. Gardiner sat down and called out her name. She sighed and rolled onto her back, his breath caught in his chest at the sight of her and he left the room. He leant against the wall next to the door, unable to get the image out of his mind. She was so beautiful as she turned to face his direction, her hair down around her shoulders, her face relaxed and content. But it was completely unnecessary from him to see her in that position now she no longer needed him.
"Mr. Darcy," Mrs. Gardiner's voice called out to him and he turned a walk carefully into the room.
Elizabeth was sitting up in the bed wearing a dressing gown over the thin ivory nightgown. I felt a jolt of pain as I saw the bruise over her cheek and jaw, but she looked calm as she smiled politely at me. Her warm brown eyes were so inviting I had to force myself to break away from them to look at Mrs. Gardiner.
"Is there some way of checking the Inn at Lampton for any letters?" she asked politely.
Elizabeth continued on behalf of her Aunt. "I'm expecting a letter from Jane."
"I see," Mr. Darcy replied. "I will send a stable boy to the village in the morning."
"Thank you," Elizabeth replied.
A knock at the door turned his attention away from Miss Bennett and Dr. Laurence walked into the room. "Good Evening Doctor," Darcy said, reaching out and shaking his hand.
"Mr. Darcy," the Doctor returned and turned to Elizabeth. "And how are you feeling Miss Bennett?"
"Much better thank you," Elizabeth answered a little nervously.
"We will leave you to it, Doctor," Mrs. Gardiner said and walked out the door, followed by Darcy. He shut the door, his hand lingering for a moment, not wishing to be parted from Elizabeth Bennett.
A/N: First of all, I'm really sorry it's taken so long to add to this. I wont bore you with the busy details of my life but I've really wanted to get back into this. So I hope you enjoy this chapter, it's not a great chapter, it's really setting things up for the next chapter, which I promise will be better. Reviews always encourage me (and nag me!) to write more faster. Any suggestions about incorporating the original plot into my story would be appreciated. As well as original ideas and comments! Thanks! xxx