2
"I have perused the letter of reference and recommendation from Lord Penrose, highly commending you for the work you did with his son… correcting his speech difficulties and some problems with his behavior. My hope and question is that you can do the same with my niece."
Elizabeth nodded. "That will be my hope also, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I do have several questions. To begin with… why I am speaking to an uncle and not a parent. Secondly, how old is the girl and how long has she been impaired in her speech, and perhaps behavior?"
The Colonel nodded. "Reasonable questions. Firstly, her parents died years ago and her brother, my cousin, and I were given responsibility to see her to her maturity. Next, I am speaking instead of my cousin for he has disappeared, leaving me with her responsibility. A responsibility I more than willingly accept," he added hastily. "As to the age of the 'girl'," he hesitated a moment, "Georgiana, at her last naming day, was twenty years old."
Elizabeth's eyebrows rose, reflecting her surprise at this answer. "That is unexpected and most unusual and it raises many questions." She leaned slightly forward in her chair. "Since she has reached her maturity, how is it you are acting for her? Why is she not here representing herself?" After a moment, she added, "Also, has she had these impediments from childhood? If so, I would also like to know what other treatments have been employed, and who were the professionals who have been involved before me."
The Colonel nodded his approval of the questions. The desire for more information reflected the logic of a military mind like his own. The more information, the better the chance of finding correct solutions to a problem. He cleared his throat. "The impediments began with the disappearance of her brother two years ago. Up to that time she seemed a happy young woman, rejoicing in her youth and her love of music, expressed both through the playing of several instruments and in the vocal arts."
He hesitated a moment, shaking his head and a sad expression clouded his features. "When her brother, who was most dear to her, left, leaving her in charge of the estate (under the day to day administration of the steward, of course), her personality suffered. She became fearful, stuttering and stammering… avoiding any contacts with those outside her immediate circle of family and staff. Physicians were consulted. Medicaments were tried. All to no avail. She does not leave the premises. She is, in effect, a prisoner in her own home." His face contracted in pain.
"I am here at Pemberley as often as I can be… at least once a week… but after resigning my commission I have been responsible for the estate of my father's sister at Rosings in Kent. I divide my time as best I can," he said, (Elizabeth detected a tinge of guilt in his tone), "but I confess when I heard of your success with similar cases, and also of your proficiency in the musical arts of pianoforte and singing, it struck me that you might be an ideal both as a companion and a healer." Now his voice registered both a plea for help as well as some assurance that this woman could prove the answer to a huge familial problem. Elizabeth mulled for a moment, ordering the sequence of the many questions his revelations raised.
"You said 'her brother 'left'," she began, "but you also later said 'he disappeared'. I think more information might be helpful to comprehend the origins of her problems. If I understand correctly, it seems he waited til she had reached her majority before he left. Why did he leave? How did he disappear?"
Again the Colonel winced as though in pain. "It was because of me," he all but croaked in a husky voice. "I had been captured by Boney's men and was being held for ransom. It was irregular but it was clear to some of his officers that Boney was lost and many were seeking ways to find funds with which to begin lives after the wars were ended. My family was negotiating the ransom. Unfortunately, there was not enough communication with my cousin, Darcy… Georgianna's brother, my brother, too, really," he muttered. "He thought my family was hesitating to pay the large ransom and so he took it upon himself to sail to France and bring me home."
The Colonel looked away, unable to hide his grief. "Because of the failure of communication, Darcy was not aware I was already on a ship home while he was on a ship sailing into the unknown. After his ship landed and he disembarked, all communication with him was lost. It has been almost two years and we have had no word… not of his death, not of a demand for another ransom." He shook his head and sighed. "Like so many military situations, lack of proper communication leads to the loss of the battle and to destruction."
Elizabeth sat for a few moments. She had more questions, but perhaps they could wait until after she had met her new charge, or patient. It might not be clear for a while just what was going to be required of her. "I would like to meet Miss Georgiana Darcy now; then perhaps we can have a later meeting to discuss my first impressions." The Colonel rose, nodding, and moved away from the desk. He crossed towards the door and Elizabeth followed. Opening it, the Colonel glanced briefly outside in both directions, then stood away and gestured Lizzy to proceed him. She was half amused at the combination of the military man and the gentleman. He would not wave her through until first he made certain there was no threat of attack. She considered his actions to be a reflection of years of rigid training, both in uniform and at Eton!