Chapter Twenty – Three: An Unbridled Heart

Darcy froze, the world around him narrowing to the sight of Elizabeth, her laughter ringing in the air, while she was too immersed in a conversation with a man a woman that he did not recognize. She still did not notice him yet. For a moment, all his carefully guarded pain, his guilt, and all of his endless remorse dissolved in the presence of her bright smile. But reality crashed back into him just as swiftly. The same woman whose tears had haunted him for months now stood before him, lighthearted and smiling warmly, while his own heart still bore the weight of their past encounter, her rejection, and her breakdown as she recalled memories that repulsed them both. Her words, 'The woman standing before you now will never forgive you', echoed in his thoughts, as his guilt reverberated to the surface.

He felt an ache deep within him, a yearning to be part of that laughter, to speak with her as freely as those people who were with her. Yet, the memory of her sobs, the coldness of her last words to him, struck harder. Did she still carry that anger in her heart? Could she ever look upon him without disdain? He blinked, once, then twice, unsure whether his eyes were deceiving him or not, whether she was truly within a small distance before him, or was he simply imagining her form. Had he conjured her out of the sheer force of his longing?

While he stood there, breathless, Bingley turned abruptly and he saw her. "Miss Elizabeth!" he said, as she turned and he bowed. "I never expected to see you here!"

Georgiana, who had been standing a few paces away, froze at the mention of Elizabeth's name, recalling a distant conversation with her brother. She turned quickly toward the figure her brother had been staring at. "Miss Elizabeth?" she repeated, her eyes reflecting a curious look.

Before anyone could react, Georgiana's feet fumbled, and she slipped. Time seemed to slow as she lost her balance and tumbled backward into the water. A loud splash echoed through the air, breaking the silence.

"Georgiana!" Darcy cried, rushing forward, his heart pounding furiously. Panic gripped him as he neared the water, but his feet halted at the edge. The lake was deep, too deep for someone like him. Gentry men, including himself, had never been taught how to swim, especially in deep waters. He looked around wildly, frantically scanning the scene for any sign of a fisherman or anyone who might know how to rescue her, but there was no one nearby.

Before he could form a coherent plan, a flurry of movement caught his eye. Elizabeth was shedding her coat, pulling off her shoes with swift, determined motions. Without hesitation, she ran past him, her bare feet pounding against the soil.

"No!" he called out instinctively, but she was already diving into the water. His heart hammered as he watched her disappear beneath the surface, his panic for Georgiana now mingling with his fear for Elizabeth.

Seconds felt like hours as Darcy stood paralyzed, his eyes fixed on the water's surface. Bingley and his sister were dumbfounded as they watched the absurd scene unfold before their eyes. They kept watching the surface silently as well, shackled by their own helplessness. The couple who was accompanying Elizabeth also lost their ability of speak, as their gazes got fixated on the water, desperately waiting for any movement. His breath hitched when Elizabeth finally reemerged, pulling Georgiana's limp form with her. She swam toward them, her movements steady despite the weight she was carrying.

Darcy rushed forward, desperate to take his sister from her arms. "Georgiana!" he cried, reaching for her, his hands trembling with fear. Elizabeth was helped out into land by the man accompanying her. Darcy stood, his unconscious sister cradled in his arms, and he ran towards their carriage, desperate to get her to Pemberley, and to have a physician examine her, when Elizabeth yelled for him, her voice cutting through the chaos.

"Wait!" she yelled, breathless from her exertion, but there was an undeniable urgency in her tone.

Darcy hesitated, confusion and panic warring within him. "We need to get her back to Pemberley!" he said, his voice tight with fear.

"Wait!" Elizabeth repeated, her voice firm. Darcy looked at her, his eyes scanned her bare feet as she rushed towards him, her white gown stained with blood, and his stomach twisted. The rocks beneath the water must have injured her.

"Lay her on the ground." She said, her eyes full of urgency and determination.

Darcy opened his mouth to protest, but something in her eyes made him pause. She seemed to know whatever it was that she wanted to do. Cautiously, he placed his sister gently on the ground, kneeling beside her. Elizabeth wasted no time to kneel beside her herself, and he noticed her flinch with pain when her knees touched the ground.

"Thank you for trusting me with this." She said, her tone softened, but her eyes frantic with worry and urgency to act.

Darcy, though bewildered, found himself nodding.

"Everyone else, turn around," Elizabeth instructed, her tone brooking no argument.

Darcy did not hesitate to gesture to Bingley, Miss Bingley, and the strangers who accompanied Elizabeth to comply. They did as she asked, though confusion was written all over their faces.

Elizabeth wasted no time. She tore at the buttons of Georgiana's coat, her movements swift and precise. With the coat loosened, she placed her ear against Georgiana's chest, listening intently, then she checked her breath, as Darcy watched in helpless silence.

"She is not breathing," Elizabeth announced grimly.

Darcy's heart dropped into his stomach. But Elizabeth did not falter. He could not comprehend what she did next, as she pressed her hands on Georgiana's chest, and began applying rhythmic pressure with sure and deliberate movements.

When no response came from Georgiana, Elizabeth added, "We need to get air into her lungs."

She glanced at him briefly before leaning down to press her mouth on Georgiana's. Darcy felt like the world was spinning out of control. What was she doing? None of this made sense. But his brain formulated the answer for him: she said that they needed to get air into his sister's lungs. She meant that literally, as she was unmistakably blowing air into Georgiana's mouth.

She repeated the chest compressions, then blew air into his sister's mouth again. Darcy stood frozen, his fear and his confusion paralyzing him. All he could do was watch in agonizing silence as Elizabeth worked desperately to save his sister's life.

After what felt like an eternity, Georgiana suddenly sputtered, water spilling from her lips as she gasped for air. He took her into his arms immediately, as she coughed and cried, her sobs shaking her small frame as she clung to him, burying her face in his chest.

"Georgie," he whispered, hugging her fiercely, kissing her forehead repeatedly, his heart pounding with overwhelming emotion. "You are safe. You are safe now."

Darcy cradled Georgiana against his chest, as she continued sobbing, though no longer hysterically. Her sobs shifted into a quieter rhythm now, but each cry twisted his heart. But at least, he was relieved that his sister was safe. She was alive, thanks to Elizabeth. His mind, still grappling with how close he came to losing her, to fathom how did Elizabeth know how to swim in deep waters with such practiced movements, or how did she know which movements she should perform to resuscitate his sister to life.

"Shhh, it is okay now. You are safe," came Elizabeth's gentle voice as her hands settled on Georgiana's shoulder.

Darcy looked up, startled. Elizabeth was still kneeling beside them, as Georgiana was still cradled into his embrace. Then, she turned to the woman that was accompanying her, "Aunt Gardiner, could you pass me my coat, please?"

Her aunt, Darcy thought. Then, the man must be her uncle. He was somehow relieved by this.

Mrs. Gardiner, who had been standing a few steps away in shock, hurried forward, handing over the coat Elizabeth had shed before plunging into the lake. Elizabeth took it and carefully draped it around Georgiana's trembling shoulders. Her knees, injured from the sharp rocks beneath the water, continued bleeding on her gown as she still knelt on the ground, but she ignored the pain.

"Shhh," she murmured again, her voice soothing. "It is alright now. You are safe, Miss Darcy. It was just a terrible nightmare, but it is over now."

Georgiana turned her tear-streaked face to Elizabeth, her eyes wide with fear and confusion. Darcy watched, spellbound, as Elizabeth adjusted the coat more securely around his sister's shoulders, her fingers deftly trying to close the buttons, all while speaking to Georgiana in a calming, steady tone.

"You are safe now Miss Darcy," she repeated. "Listen to me. You have to go home now, but promise me you will do something for me, okay?"

Georgiana looked at her hesitantly, her face pale, her breath still coming in shaky gulps.

Elizabeth cupped Georgiana's cheeks, smiling slightly. "When you get home," she continued softly, "take off all your wet clothes and have a nice warm bath. Dry your hair thoroughly and sit by the fireplace. Drink warm cups of tea, then go to bed, and sleep. Trust me, you will feel much better tomorrow. Can you promise me that?"

Georgiana nodded, but she remained silent, her shock probably hindering her from forming any response. Darcy, still holding Georgiana, found himself unable to look away from Elizabeth. He could not tear his eyes from the way she knelt beside his sister, ignoring her own injuries, her hands trembling as she tended to Georgiana. He noticed the blood seeping through her gown, but she showed no hesitation, as she focused on Georgiana.

"Can you arrange for soup or broth for dinner? Having a warm nutritious meal would help her recover." Elizabeth asked, turning to Darcy.

For a moment, Darcy just stared at her, too stunned to respond. Her request was so calm, so practical, after everything that had just transpired. He nodded quickly, as his mind still swirled in an attempt to understand how she remained so composed, so gentle, despite the ordeal they had just endured. He wanted to reach out, to offer her comfort, but the memory of her pushing him away, yelling 'do not touch me,' flashed through his mind, and he hesitated.

He noticed that she was trembling slightly as well. She was probably cold, he surmised. He wanted to take off his coat immediately and to give it to her. But he hesitated. How would she receive the gesture? Would she reject it? He thought about suggesting that she at least takes her coat back, and he will give his coat instead to Georgiana. But he hesitated again. This gesture can be misinterpreted easily as him being uncomfortable with her coat on his sister's shoulder.

Just as Darcy wrestled with his indecision, Bingley stepped forward. Without a word, he removed his own coat and draped it over Elizabeth's trembling shoulders. She glanced up at him in surprise, her face pale and weary, but she offered him a grateful smile. Darcy could not help feeing a pang of jealousy, though he knew Bingley's gesture was simply one of kindness. Yet, he wanted to be the one to bring her warmth and comfort.

Then, he suddenly remembered that he did not thank her yet. "Miss Elizabeth," he began, his voice shaking slightly, "I do not know how to thank you. I …" The words failed him. There was no expression in the English language that could possibly convey the depth of the gratitude that overwhelmed him.

"There is no need to thank me Mr. Darcy. I am glad that Miss Darcy is safe."

Before he could respond, Mr. Gardiner approached them, offering his hand to his niece. She took his arm and he helped her stand up, the spot of blood on her dress grew larger.

"Excuse me, sir," he said gently, "but we really must get our niece back to the inn. She needs rest."

"How will you get back? Do you have a carriage nearby?"

Elizabeth nodded as she steadied herself, her aunt fastening the buttons of the coat Bingley laid on her shoulders.

"Where are you staying?" His voice betrayed his exasperation to see her again.

Mr. Gardiner eyed him for a while, scrutinizing him thoroughly as to detect anything he would not approve of. After what felt like hours to Darcy, he responded. "We are staying at the Rose and Crown at Lambton."

Darcy gave a small nod, as he recognized the name of the inn. He would make sure they had everything they needed, even if Elizabeth would never ask him directly. For now, he needed to tend to his sister. After that, he would go to thank her properly.

After bows and curtsies were exchanged, Mrs. Gardiner looped her arm through Elizabeth's, steadying her as they began to leave.