A/N: HEY!!!!! Sry it took sooo loong to get this one out, had a big project to work on. But it's out!!!! R+R!
When Fitzwilliam awoke the sun was just coming up over the trees. Rubbing his eyes, he stood and went to the window. The light was blinding, but once he became accustomed to it, the grounds looked beautiful. He rested his head against the window pane, feeling the cool glass on his forehead. A small hiccup was issued from behind him, and Fitzwilliam turned to gaze at the small figure lying in bed.
It was almost noon and the light fell across her pillow, illuminating her sleeping countenance. Elizabeth's hair was in disarray, it had just started to come loose from its plait. Her lips formed the tiniest of smiles; Fitzwilliam hoped it was for him, if indeed she was thinking of him.
He felt irresistibly drawn to her. Sitting on the bed, he ran his thumb up and down her cheek bone. It struck him that Mrs. Reynolds still had not heard what happened that day. Indubitably, she knew of her present condition, but the events surrounding her injury must be a mystery. Fitzwilliam was not looking forward to discussing with her this particular event, it seemed almost a fantasy to him, a long-ago event. Mentally dragging himself away from Elizabeth's bedside, he went to seek Mrs. Reynolds. She would undoubtedly be surprised and some what shocked at what had come about, but this was nothing to be helped. Wishing for strength, Fitzwilliam prepared himself to speak aloud what had haunted his dreams these past nights.
Peeking into the kitchen, a place he did not often occupy, Fitzwilliam scanned the room for Mrs. Reynolds's familiar form. Seeing no one, he took a turn around the hallway before nearly running into Mrs. Reynolds.
"Mr. Darcy! Do you require my assistance?" Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed, hesitantly casting him a concerned glance.
"You wished to know of what happened the other day." Mr. Darcy replied nearly deadpan, any attempt at politeness would have been futile. This was not held against him by the recipients of his grim mood. Rather, they felt for him. He was so obviously injured by the events of late, that they did not disturb him, catering, unseen, to all his needs. Fitzwilliam took no visible note of their kindness.
"Well, Mr. Darcy," said Mrs. Reynolds maternally. "You need not speak it aloud if you would rather. I should not like to inconvenience you."
"No, you need to know, and I am sure wish to as well." All the kindly housekeeper could do in response to this was stutter. Fitzwilliam took her silence for granted.
"Let us retire to the study, if you will, Mrs. Reynolds. I do not wish to be overheard. Sit, please. We were riding in the carriage, and had just finished arguing. About what, I do not recollect. It can be of no importance. We heard the wheel knocking against the carriage…" Fitzwilliam continued his narrative uninterrupted, some thing Mrs. Reynolds worked hard at to ensure. She was shocked immensely at how easily it all came about. She would order all the carriages checked for defects, they certainly didn't want another incident like this.
"…so we ended up here. I feel very certain in the assumption that you know the events from hitherto and after." Fitzwilliam finished, slumping his shoulders ever-so slightly.
"Yes, and it plagues me. O my, Mr. Darcy! If it is of some comfort to you, I have noticed Mrs. Darcy to be improving; why just five minutes ago she was tapping her finger on the comforter. Really, this state will not last long, and then she shall be up and on her feet. But, my I suggest something, Mr. Darcy?"
"You do not require my permission to suggest some thing to me. Pray what is your advice?" Fitzwilliam tilted his head a small degree to the side, and looked at his housekeeper with a combination of quizzicality and expectancy. Mrs. Reynolds took this as an improvement to the grim, mourning Fitzwilliam she had seen lately. Fidgeting with her wedding ring, she replied-
"I would suggest you send for a more acclaimed doctor, perhaps one with more experience with, with conditions like the one that ails Mrs. Darcy. His conjecture would perchance be more accurate." Mrs. Reynolds was very careful in her avoidance of mentioning the true name of Mrs. Darcy's condition. She was not certain of his reaction if it was specified directly.
Fitzwilliam hardly required a moment to think it over. "Do you know of any such physician? I should like to know where to locate such a person."
Mrs. Reynolds' countenance light up at the thought of it. "Why yes, Mr. Darcy, I do. My brother-in-law is a very well-to-do doctor who has traveled all over studying the condition. If any one, he could certainly help. Do you wish for me to contact him?" This time Mrs. Reynolds evasively did not name the word aloud. She beamed at the fact of it.
"Yes, if you will. If he accepts, tell him to be here as quick as he possibly can. I cannot endure this anticipation any longer." With this final comment, he curtly turned on his heel and, running his hands through his hair, left the room.
A/N: so, so? tell me wat u think. and if you have any ideas about what i should write next, check out my profile page!!!!!!!!please, send me a Personal Message and tell me which one!!!! i'm dying here!!!
Yea, so, please? puppy dog eyes yea, if not, thanx for reading...