The doctor came quickly. The wait felt long to Kitty, but considering he had been woken past midnight and asked to come three miles he had made good time. He was an old man with white hair and he walked with a slight hunch. Despite looking feeble, he worked over Lord Matlock with expert hands. While they were waiting for the doctor Kitty and Mrs. Wells had washed Lord Matlock's head wound, removed his outer clothes and cut his left pant leg off. There was a large rip at the knee and it had taken no effort to complete the tear. They had found a bruised and swollen knee underneath.

The doctor examined the head wound first. Kitty had been worried because of the amount of blood, but the doctor assured her it was normal for head wounds to bleed profusely. He told her that her husband had a concussion and shock, and that his knee would be uncomfortable, but he thought nothing was torn or broken there. He continued with his diagnosis, "Probably just a serious sprain, he will certainly walk and even ride again, if he wakes up."

"What do you mean IF doctor?" Kitty interjected his diagnosis.

"He is badly concussed Lady Matlock. There is a good chance he will wake up tomorrow with a raging headache and a young man like him will be on his feet in no time. However with each day he stays unconscious there is increased risk."

"Increased risk of what sir?"

"Not waking up," the doctor replied gravely.

"I see," was all Kitty could respond with.

"It would be best if he were put to bed, kept warm and comfortable. I don't have to tell you to use the utmost care while moving him. Once settled in bed he should not be moved again."

"Of course, thank you doctor," Kitty said.

The doctor took his leave, promising to return in the morning to check on the patient. Mrs. Wells was dispatched to find some male servants to move Lord Matlock, and Kitty was left alone with her injured husband.

She spoke quietly to him, "Please wake up Julian. I love you Julian. Please, please wake up."

He lay still, his chest slowly moving up and down, his breath steady and strong. She watched him, mesmerized by his breathing until the servants came to move him upstairs. They completed the task as gently as possible. Kitty and Mrs. Wells undressed and dressed the Earl after a short debate. His valet, who would have been most helpful at this moment, had been given leave for the duration of the honeymoon. Kitty insisted she could ready him alone, but Mrs. Wells interjected and told her "I raised two sons and was married for fifteen years my lady. Helping an injured man will not offend me." It was thus settled and before long Lord Matlock was comfortably resting in bed. A small bandage adorned his head and his knee was propped up with a pillow. Kitty finally dismissed Mrs. Wells to bed. She lay down next to her husband with the intention of staying awake to watch over him but before long dozed off into a fitful sleep.

She was awoken by sun streaming in the window. Confused at first on being in Lord Matlock's room after a moment she remembered the events of the previous night and looked concernedly at the man next to her. He lay still unconscious with that same slow and steady breathing. She began to feel distraught. She had hoped he would wake by now. She stood and rang for a maid. Once the girl appeared she asked for tea and broth and something small for herself, as well as hot water and towels.

Kitty spent the morning watching over her husband, bathing his forehead and carefully protecting his injury there. The doctor came and went with instructions to call for him if Lord Matlock woke up or had any changes. After a while Mrs. Wells came and insisted Kitty take break.

Kitty argued at first but Mrs. Wells gently reminded her that perhaps she would like to write to Lady Maria and inform her of the accident. Of course! Kitty had been so focused on Lord Matlock she had not even considered informing his mother.

"Very well, I'll be in the library, I've left my writing things there."

Once in the library Kitty sunk into a comfortable chair and closed her eyes. She did not want to write this letter. Lady Maria had lost her husband and son only a year ago in a carriage accident. Kitty could not worry her with this now. The doctor seemed confident Lord Matlock would make a full recovery…if he woke up. She would wait until tomorrow. If his condition had not improved by then she would write to Lady Maria and ask her to come.

Kitty felt she must write to Mr. Darcy though to inform him of his cousin's state. She wondered how their discussion had gone the previous day. Had they argued? Was that why Lord Matlock had been riding so recklessly?

She reached for her writing things but could not find a pen. She walked to Lord Matlock's writing desk. It sat exactly as he had left it the morning before. Even the cap to the inkwell was off. She moved to replace it. His pen lay across the page having just finished a word. Expect. I do not expect. Her eyes flew to the top of the page and she read:

Mercy Manor

To My Aunt Lady Catherine,

On receipt of your last letter I find it necessary to respond and put your worries to rest.

I would not set Catherine aside for your fortune, or even that of a King. She is a kind, smart woman. We have been married less than two weeks and she is already a poised Countess. Her blood line may not be as rich as ours Aunt, but she is better for it. She has not a snobbish thought. She would not insult you as you have her – she says kind thanks to even the lowest servant. She is beautiful inside and out.

These are not the only reasons why I would not set her aside. The truth is Aunt, I truly love my wife Catherine and look forward to a long life with her. So you see? You need not worry any longer, as it will do you no good in your quest to insult me and my bride. I do not expect…

Kitty read the words again. Could he mean it? Or was he only trying to upset his aunt? Her heart soared with the possibility that the words he wrote were the truth. Surely he would not make up these feelings just to insult Lady Catherine.

She began to straighten his desk absentmindedly as she thought on the letter. I truly love my wife Catherine. She opened the top of the desk to put away the ink and to borrow a pen blade. She saw the ring box which had caused her so much heartache. She opened the box and admired the beautiful ring before slipping it on her finger, ignoring the inscription. She loved him, and he returned the feelings. She would wear this ring as a symbol of that love.

Then Kitty, sat down to do her first difficult duty as Lady Matlock. She would write to Mr. Darcy and inform him that his cousin had been badly injured - and she feared he may not wake up.