Chapter 14 Shifting

Longbourne's infirmary was on the bottom floor. Grandmother Bennet had survived a terrible fire as a child so she was well aware of the importance of being able to get everyone out of the house quickly including the infirm. She, also, had insisted the nursery was on the bottom floor. That was to the noisy feet of children from above her head. She suffered from headaches, too.

Although Mary was not a Bennet, she was very proud of the Grandmother she had adopted as her own. Food from the kitchen reached the sick room fresh, hot, and enjoyable. She had a fondness for fresh bread so it was a pleasure to be able to smell it baking. She had begun to think perhaps she should make this her regular room, removing only when someone else needed the area. Since most of her family was seldom sick, except Catherine, she would not have to give it up too often. It was, also, twice the size of her room.

Today, really was the first time she felt uncomfortable in this room. But she was sure she could deal with this crazy Colonel who had invaded her new favorite space. Then again, whenever they were together something interesting always happened. Not good, just interesting. She wondered at the possibilities.

Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam felt like a fool. He did not know what he was going to say to Miss Mary. He just knew he had to see her. They were not exactly on friendly terms, but that did not change the fact that he was sure he loved her.

He walked down the hall from Mr. Bennet's study. He passed the three Bennet sisters who stood in the little room to the right and curtsied as he passed. He returned those with a bow, then immediately kept walking. His mission was to see Miss Mary.

The butler stopped in front of a door toward the back of the house. He knew it was near the kitchen as he could smell food cooking. It surprised him to note his stomach make a remarkable protest as the butler, spoke to Mrs. Bennet, who gave him a knowing look. She curtsied before saying, "You have been given special permission, please use it wisely."

What that meant, he was not sure but he agreed to it. Shaking his head in the affirmative, he was led into the room.

Elizabeth was the first person he saw. She bowed her head. He looked further into the room to find Miss Mary. Her arm was wrapped from her fingers to her shoulder. Then, it looked as if her arm had been tied to her body. He knew the purpose was to keep her arm from moving until he healed. Again, the guilt from Darcy and his foolishness felt unbearable. At that moment, he thought Mr. Gardiner should hit him again.

"Ladies"

"Colonel Fitzwilliam"

"Good morning… I want to apologize for what happened…" Whatever else he was going to say was lost when Miss Mary said, "Colonel please help me take a drink of water. I am so thirsty."

Richard looked for a glass or cup with water or a basin to put water into. He found one next to Mary on the bed next to her good arm, but out of reach. He walked to her side and handed her the cup.

"Thank you. Now could you pull my pillow up, it is in the wrong position for me to eat. The cook will bring our breakfast shortly and I don't want to have to be moved by her if I do not have to. She is short and can not help me much. Come help me please and you will see what I mean."

Richard obediantly walked to the bed. Sure enough Mary's pillow was sitting at an odd angle. It did not allow enough support on her back to sit comfortably. So, Richard helped set her pillow to her liking.

About the time the pillows were set, food trays were being brought in. Richard watched as Elizabeth set her pillow in a comfortable position and took her tray. Mary's tray was larger. It was set to the side out of her reach. When the cook left, Richard wondered how Mary would maneuver. She in turn looked in anticipation at him.

"I am sure you know that all that food is not just for me Colonel. You have not broken your fast, have you?" Richard smiled and shook his head in the negative.

"Then I shall share this meal with you, but you must hand me a little at a time, so I can eat, too. Does that sound like a good plan to you, Colonel?"

"So, we will take care of one another. We will be satisfied, correct?"

"Yes, Colonel, I believe we will." Richard took Mary's glass and handed her a muffin.

"Do you think that same plan could be extended? Could such a plan work for say two people who want to save their reputations? Or, could such a plan work for people who care or even want to love one another? Could such a plan work, do you think?

Mary studied the Colonel's face. What she saw was impressive. He was handsome. Meryton had a lot of handsome men in it so that was not something that impressed her. It pleased her but it did not impress her.

His eyes caught her attention. There was warmth in them. Could he truly care for her? One time he thought she was a maid, but even then, he was not mean or unkind.

Richard at the other muffin. Then, he handed her a towel to wipe her hands. He began wiping her hand with the towel when he realized it was near impossible to do so with one hand. He then took the bowl of porridge from the table. As he looked at Mary, he stirred to cool the porridge. He then began to feed her.

At first, Mary was not sure what he was doing, but she knew she could not manage to eat without assistance. Who had decided they needed to eat together? Someone had deliberately made Richard take responsibility for her being able to break her fast.

What she could not figure out was why he was willing to do it. Not only willing, but he seemed to be enjoying it. She looked over at Elizabeth who quickly diverted her eyes. The Colonel continued feeding her until all the porridge was gone. He then gave her something to drink. Mary kept looking at the smile plastered on his face. She watched as he cut meat for her and them himself.

When they finished eating, Mary said, "You did an excellent job helping me. I appreciate it. That is better than any apology you could give. So, I want you to know you are forgiven."

"Thank you." Richard was thanking the little lady next to him for forgiving him. She just had to agree to marry him now. "Miss Mary, did you really like the way I helped you just now?"

"Yes, I truly did. I did not think you would be willing to lower yourself to do something like that. It truly was helpful."

"Good. I am glad. Now, let us have some conversation. You are a direct person. You are also very intelligent."

"With the exception of leaving a dinner party in the middle of the night to walk home, I usually think clearly.."

"Like with the exception of following ladies in the middle of the night with the mistaken idea of protecting them, I too usually act rationally. What I would like to know is… may I officially court you. I want you to get to know me before you agree to anything else."

"I can agree to that, but how do you suppose that can happen with the current situation?"

"Well you see I am very good at feeding people with only one useful arm. I have been told I am truly helpful. I would love to show you regularly. Can I do that?"

Mary looked at Richard with wonder. "Yes, Colonel, I think I can agree to that. I know what must happen, but thank you for making me feel as if I have a choice."

Richard did just a bit of a little body dance. The dance extended from his head to his feet. It only lasted a few seconds, but it elicited a chuckle from Mary. Across the room, Elizabeth let out a wail and was bent at the waste laughing.

Mary looked from Richard to her and back. Richard looked a little sheepish so Mary said to Elizabeth, "Wait to Mr. Darcy comes. You will see him in this room, and I will chaperone. Do not forget it."

After apologizing, Elizabeth immediately quieted.

It was Richard's turn to laugh. I am fine, Mary. You do not have to be too hard on her. I do not think she meant to be mean. "I think you and I are going to get along well." Richard began cleaning the area around Mary's bed so that the tray could be removed.

"By-the-by, my family will be coming here to meet you. I want you to know them and experience how they will treat you as my … as the woman I am officially courting. Will you agree to this? "

"I believe I will. Will each of them feed me a meal?"

"My mother will insist on it, but I do not believe I will give up my rights to anyone else, especially my brother." Smiling a very wide smile Richard said, "The tray is ready for the maid. I can take it to the kitchen or would you rather I leave it?"

"I am tempted to say take it, but it would be best to let the maid pick it up when they have made a place for it in the kitchen. They have both of our trays to clean. This one is especially large. It might be more in the way than a help."

"I am going to see your father… stop at Mr. Bennet's study before I leave. I have, also, been away too long. Darcy will think I fell off my horse. I will not come when comes to see Ms. Elizabeth. This will be the only time I give him the privilege."

Richard took his leave of the ladies and went to Mr. Bennet's study. How he wished he could kiss her goodbye. Maybe soon he would be able to do just that.