Beginning, Section II
Jump to new as of January 28, 2003
Jump to new as of May 26, 2003
With a gasp Elizabeth realised that the man on the bed was none other than the very person she had both longed and feared to see for a long time now, Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth new perfectly well that this was the moment she should turn around and go where she originally had been going, that is to the library, but she also knew that this might be her only change to ever see Mr. Darcy again.
Elizabeth looked behind her back. She could see the library's door, but there was no sign of Georgiana, nor was there anyone else in the corridor. Drawing a deep breath, Elizabeth cautiously took one step forward, telling herself she would only go a couple of steps closer, so that she could see Darcy's face, and then she would leave the room directly. That much, she was sure, she could do without any risk of getting caught.
Quietly Elizabeth took a couple of more steps and was soon fully inside the room and at a distance where it would be possible for her to see Mr. Darcy well enough as soon as she would be ready to lift her gaze. She felt ashamed at being, so totally uninvited, in a gentleman's bedroom, especially as the gentleman in question was there lying on his bed. But it was too late to turn back now. Her strong feeling of guilt and the fear of getting caught made Elizabeth once more look behind her to make sure nobody was coming. Then, after finding the corridor still empty, she slowly turned her head to finally inspect closer that beloved face she already had thought she would never see again.
What she could see was not very different from what Colonel Fitzwilliam, Doctor White and Georgiana already had witnessed before her. Darcy's face was pale and he looked very tired and worn out. But he did not seem to be in any way delirious. Instead, his eyes were firmly closed and it seemed like he was fast asleep.
For a while, all Elizabeth could do was stand still and watch the man with tears in her eyes. She had not expected to find him healthy after everything she had heard, but it still shocked her to see him so powerless. Georgiana's words, spoken to her only a couple of minutes earlier, returned now to Elizabeth mind, and with great regret she had to admit to herself that it was possible, even likely, that Georgiana's fears had not been exaggerated.
No, when Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy, she knew it was impossible to deny that he might indeed be dying; in fact he looked so pale, so quiet and so calm, that one might even have believed him to be dead already.
For a while Elizabeth remained in the room, trying to fight back her tears and to find again the hope she had still had in the morning, telling herself that a strong and healthy man like Mr. Darcy would not be so easily beaten by an illness, not if he fought against it. Then, realising she had already spent a good while there, she knew it was time to stick to her plan and leave, quietly, without anyone finding out she had ever been in Mr. Darcy's room. Still, at the same time, Elizabeth was unwilling to go because she was desperate to know for sure that Darcy at least at the moment was still alive and breathing.
A quick glance towards the corridor behind her assured Elizabeth that Georgiana was not yet coming. Perhaps it would be safe to stay a little while longer after all. Biting her lip, Elizabeth then moved a bit closer to the bed and would have proceeded even further, to make sure Mr. Darcy was still warm and breathing, had she not at that moment been startled by a groan that was made by the man himself.
Surprised, she stepped back, staring at him in joy and disbelief. But even though this sound clearly was enough evidence of the fact that Mr. Darcy indeed was still alive, Elizabeth only found it harder to leave the room now. Perhaps the man needed something, and there was nobody else around to help him. So she stood still, waiting for something to happen, and hoping and fearing that Mr. Darcy next would open his eyes. Hoping because that would the most promising sign she could think of, and fearing because it would not do if Mr. Darcy upon opening his eyes would find her, of all people, spying on him in his bedroom. No, the right way for him to wake up would be with Georgiana and Col. Fitzwilliam beside him, not her.
With that resolution made, Elizabeth decided it was time for her to be off. She would see to it that a servant would go to take care of Mr. Darcy if necessary, but she could not stay any longer herself. It had been wrong of her to come in the first place. Slowly, Elizabeth turned around, and was almost out of the door, when she heard Mr. Darcy's voice, weak and quiet, but still clearly audible for her:
"Water..." he groaned.
Elizabeth turned back to see if Mr. Darcy had woken up, but his eyes were still shut.
"Water..." she heard the voice, that had now gone almost desperate, again, and found herself unable to move out of the door without trying to ease his thirst.
Elizabeth's eyes wandered through the room, trying to find a solution, and finally she noticed a table, next to Darcy's bed, on which there was a glass full of water. For a while Elizabeth hesitated: should she go fetch Georgiana or a nurse to give Darcy water, or should she just give that to him by herself. Finally, Darcy's third plea for water settled it for her: she could not leave him alone so helpless, even for a short while, when she could just as well ease his suffering by helping him drink that water before she exited the room for good.
Having made up her mind, Elizabeth directly moved back to the room to Darcy's side, sat on a chair beside the bed, took the water-filled glass from the table, and carefully brought it to his lips. With great thirst, Darcy quickly swallowed the water, and before Elizabeth could even realise, the glass was empty.
While wondering whether Mr. Darcy was still thirsty, she could hear a quiet "Thank you" from the bed, but when she turned to look at the man, she saw that his eyes were still shut. Perhaps he was conscious, but was too tired to open his eyes.
Relieved that all had gone well, Elizabeth now stood up and was finally ready to leave, but when she made an attempt to move away from the bed, she saw Darcy lift his hand, as if trying to reach out for her and stop her from going. This attempt was soon followed by his words:
"Don't go, please! Don't leave me alone!"
Elizabeth was torn between her wish to stay and comfort him, and the need to go. She knew she had already stayed much longer than she should have, but at the same time she felt that she could not leave Darcy all alone when he was pleading her not to go, even if she had a reason to doubt that he would be wanting her to stay if he knew who she was.
Finally Elizabeth decided it would be better for her to leave and make someone else go to keep company for Mr. Darcy. She was not the right person to do it.
"Don't distress yourself", Elizabeth whispered reassuringly. "I may have to go now, but I will see to it that you will not have to stay alone for long, Sir."
Having said that, Elizabeth quickly fled the room before anything else could happen and prevent her from leaving. She made it to the corridor just in time to be there before Georgiana emerged from a nearby corner with a maid carrying the promised refreshments. But so quick had her escape been that she did not have time to notice how Darcy, at the sound of her voice, finally opened his eyes.
"I am so sorry to have kept you waiting!" Georgiana exclaimed immediately when she saw Elizabeth standing in the corridor, for she feared that her guest had already grown tired of waiting for her in the library. "I had to give Betty here orders of how to treat William, because the nurse we have had so far had to go to attend to a sick relative this morning." she explained, motioning towards the young servant girl beside her.
Well, that explains why Mr. Darcy was alone, Elizabeth thought, happy that everything was now settled and that she would not have to find anyone to look after Darcy after all. Then she turned her attention back to Georgiana and was quick to assure her that she had suffered no inconvenience during her absence.
"Please, do not distress yourself because of me", Elizabeth said. "Of course your brother's health is more important now than anything else. Besides," she added with a smile "I hardly even noticed the time passing. I wouldn't have minded even if you had stayed away a bit longer."
"You are very kind", Georgiana replied as she opened the door to the library and let Betty carry the refreshments in. Then she turned to Elizabeth and continued: "Shall we now go to have a moment of peace before I will show you the rest of the house? That is, if you still want to see it."
"Of course I do" Elizabeth smiled, and after stealing a quick glance towards a certain door that Betty now was opening, she followed Georgiana to the library.
Once inside, Elizabeth had to draw breath again. She had always thought her father's library to be quite considerable, but she had to admit that it was nothing compared to what she now could witness before her very eyes. The large room was full of books in different languages, all of them carefully organised, and on the walls she could see maps of various far-away lands she had never even dreamt of visiting. And, unlike her father's desk, Darcy's desk in front of the window was clean. There were no errant papers to be seen, only one lonely book lying there in front of the chair. Perhaps Mr. Darcy had been reading it the night before getting seriously ill.
Elizabeth leaned closer to see the name of the book: "Shakespeare's Sonnets", she whispered to herself, and she was just about to take the book in her hands to inspect it more closely, when she heard Georgiana's voice from the other end of the room:
"How do you like the library?" the girl inquired shyly.
"I like it very much" Elizabeth replied, putting down the book of sonnets and joining Georgiana at the table that had been laid for them. "I must confess I have never seen so many books in a one library."
"This is large", Georgiana agreed, "but it isn't as large as the one at Pemberley"
"I should have known" Elizabeth smiled. "But I never had the chance to see the library when we were visiting Pemberley." she added with a sigh.
"Perhaps you will get that opportunity some other time." Georgiana ventured to say with a blush. "I would be very happy to see you again at Pemberley some day."
Before Elizabeth had time say anything to this, the door was opened, and a servant that Elizabeth soon recognized to be Betty, entered the room hastily.
"Miss Georgiana, come quick!" she breathed.
"What is the matter?" Georgiana asked, worried. "Has something happened to my brother?"
"No, I mean yes." The girl replied. "He is awake, and he is asking for you."
Elizabeth sighed with relief and quietly sat down on the nearest chair to keep her emotions hidden, but Georgiana let out a cry of joy, and for a while she was speechless and unable to take any other action than to hug the maid and then sit down on a chair beside Elizabeth to draw breath. Then she blushed at her own behaviour and stood up again, twitching her handkerchief.
"Go to him" Elizabeth said with a small smile as soon as she felt she was in control of herself again. "Go to him while he is still awake."
Georgiana turned to look at Elizabeth, again blushing at her own behaviour. "I am sorry. I was so overwhelmed by this news that I almost forgot where I was. My brother hasn't even recognised me in a long time, and now he is awake and wants to see me."
"There is no need to apologise for your behaviour. Any loving sister would have behaved the same way." Elizabeth replied, smiling reassuringly. "Just go to your brother now."
"Of course", Georgiana replied, and was already on her way out when she suddenly turned back. "But what about you?" she asked, unwilling to leave her guest again.
"Don't worry about me. I have never had problems entertaining myself in a library." Elizabeth assured her.
"I am happy to hear it, but I promise I will only stay a while."
"No, stay as long as your brother needs you." Elizabeth insisted, for she did not want to be in the way. "Perhaps it is better if I leave now, so that you can spend time with him without having to worry about me."
"Oh no, this day would not be perfect if you had to leave because of such a happy event." Georgiana cried. "I know it is very selfish of me to ask you to stay while I can't spend all my time with you, but I would be more than happy if I could still find you here after having seen my brother. Then we could finally go see the house and get to know each other better."
"I could come some other time..." Elizabeth suggested, still not ready to give up. But Georgiana would hear none of it, and finally Elizabeth was obliged to promise that she would stay.
"Very well then" she sighed, and then added with a smile "I see you can be as stubborn as your brother when need to be."
Georgiana blushed with delight, and as soon as she had thanked Elizabeth for her decision to say, she exited the room and finally went to see her beloved brother.
Darcy looked around, trying to understand where he was and what had happened to him. The last thing he could remember for sure was a most uncomfortable pain in his head and some worried looking faces around him, but he had hardly any memory of whatever had taken place after that day. All he could remember of this period of time seemed to be a series of indistinct dreams, or nightmares, that had kept following one another with neither beginning nor end, except for one dream; the one which he had been dreaming just before waking up. He could still remember it as clearly as if he had just witnessed the scene before his very eyes instead of only dreaming it. It had seemed more real than any other dream he had ever had before.
He had been sleeping on the very same bed he was still lying on, and Elizabeth had come in to the room to nurse him, but just as he had gathered his strength to open his eyes she had vanished.
Just like it always happens in my dreams Darcy thought bitterly I should have known it was too good to be true.
Being now fully awake Darcy tried to get up, but found himself lacking the strength to do so. With a deep sigh he leaned back on his pillows as he realized that he must have been ill in bed for quite some time to be feeling so weak and powerless. Even the glass on the table beside him seemed to be too far to reach, but as it was almost empty anyway Darcy decided he would have no use of it, even if he was feeling slightly thirsty.
It would do better to try to relax and get some more sleep...if only he could forget that vexing dream. How was he to sleep when even now he thought he could hear that heavenly voice coming from the corridor or a room nearby? Of course she wasn't there for real, Darcy knew it to be impossible. It was probably only his illness that made him see and hear things that weren't. After all, the only place Elizabeth could ever be close to him was in his dreams, and that was the truth Darcy knew he would have to learn to accept.
Still Darcy could not stop his heart from taking an extra leap only a moment later, when the door to his room was suddenly opened. The visitor, however, was only a servant girl bringing him more cold water. Darcy knew he should have been thankful for this, but he couldn't help but feel a sinking feeling of disappointment; it had all been only his dreaming and imagination after all and he had been a fool to believe anything else even for the shortest of moments.
"Y-You're awake, Sir!" stammered the girl, who apparently had expected to find her master anything but conscious.
"Um...yes", replied Darcy, quite unsure of whether he actually was awake. That voice coming from somewhere outside of his room had sounded so real...
Darcy knew he must be going insane, but he also realised that it was perhaps better to appear as normal as it was possible after spending several days, maybe even weeks, ill in bed. It would not do to scare the servants, especially this young one who already seemed to be most frightened and uncomfortable in his company.
Therefore Darcy forced himself to push away all the disturbing thoughts as he repeated in a much firmer tone: "Yes, I am perfectly awake now."
"I am happy that you are so, Sir" the girl said as she curtsied "Is there anything I can do for you? I brought this water..."
"Thank you, that was very kind of you" Darcy replied hastily, as he, having now found himself able to think more clearly again, suddenly remembered his little sister: "Please tell me how is Miss Georgiana?"
"She is fine, I believe. She's entertaining a quest right now, but I shall fetch her at once if that is your wish."
"A guest?" Darcy was now all ears.
"A young lady, slightly older than Miss Georgiana"
Could it be...? Darcy thought. But no, he wouldn't make the same mistake again. It would be foolish to let his hopes rise again only so that they could be crushed once more. There was no way Elizabeth Bennet could be in that house. The visitor was most likely Caroline Bingley, and Darcy was definitely in no mood to hear anything about her. But he was longing to see Georgiana again:
"I do believe I know who you are talking of" Darcy sighed. "And I'm sure this person will do fine even if you do get Georgiana here for a while. I just want to see that she is really doing fine, and not burdening herself with too much worry."
"I shall fetch her at once, then" the girl curtsied again before hurrying out of the room.
Leaning back in his bed Darcy watched the maid disappear behind the door, and once again he was captured by a memory of his dream; he felt like he had, only a moment before, seen Elizabeth disappearing from that door just like the servant girl had done.
Will she ever stop haunting me? he sighed to himself as he settled to wait for his sister.
Darcy did not have to wait for long. It was only minutes after the maid had left that Georgiana rushed in, letting out a cry of joy as she noticed that her brother was indeed awake and fully conscious. She then hurried over to take a seat beside the patient, and as she sat down she touched Darcy's forehead to find out that the fever almost gone. Georgiana sighed with relief and for a moment the two sat in silence inspecting one another's faces, both trying to find assurance that the other was doing well. Finally Darcy spoke:
"You look tired. Are you sure you are in health?"
But Georgiana would not reply. Suddenly her eyes were filled with tears and her voice failed her before she could answer, but she didn't really mind, because this time the tears were those of joy happiness, for having her brother back and for having someone to take care of her again. Darcy, however, grew worried.
"Hush now" he said as Georgiana finally laid her head on his shoulder and let all the tears she had been trying to hold back for so long flow "Everything is alright now. You will not have to take care of anything anymore."
"I know" Georgiana sighed, and looked up to smile at her brother reassuringly. "I know"
For a while Georgiana stayed still in her brother's embrace feeling safe and sound for the first time in many days. No words were necessary. They both knew everything would be better again from now on. Or almost everything, Darcy thought with at deep sigh as he thought of a certain young lady that he would probably never see again.
Finally Georgiana pulled away from her brother to have a better view of him again. Although clearly conscious and without fever, he still looked so pale, thin and fragile that Georgiana could not help but feel some of her former fears returning.
"Are you sure you are strong enough to sit up?" She asked cautiously. "Maybe you should lie back down and get some more sleep. Or should I fetch the doctor?"
"Please don't trouble yourself anymore, George" Darcy replied even though he realised she was right; He still wasn't feeling all that good. "I am feeling perfectly well", he lied in order to save Georgiana from any further distress. "It is you who should be having some rest rather than me."
"You know I cannot rest unless you do the same." She smiled. "Besides, I really think the doctor should examine you and say what he thinks of your recovery. I won't be able sleep properly before he has announced that you shall indeed be well again."
"Call the doctor then, if that is the only way to make you happy" Darcy sighed. "And in the meanwhile you should probably go back to your guest before she gets tired of waiting for you" he added and groaned inwardly as he pictured Caroline Bingley making the most of her time by planning what changes she would make in the house if she ever...But no, he did not even want to think of such a possibility. The mere thought of Caroline ever being the mistress of his house was enough to make Darcy feel even weaker than he already was.
Georgiana, however, got up quickly. She had almost forgotten about Elizabeth, and felt guilty for not remembering her dear guest and friend, who hopefully still was waiting for her in the library. But how did William know that she was there?
"You know about my guest?" Georgiana asked, curious
"Yes, the maid who I sent to fetch you told me you had a visitor."
"Oh" Georgiana said, wondering why William didn't show any more interest if he knew Elizabeth was visiting her. "Is there any regards you would like to send with me to her?" she then asked. "Or shall I just tell her that you are feeling better?"
"You can tell her what you wish" Darcy said, trying to find a more comfortable position in his bed for a nap. "Tell her that she can tell Charles that I am getting better and that I will write to him as soon as possible."
Charles? Georgiana thought puzzled. Why would Elizabeth be writing to Mr. Bingley? Or perhaps he meant that Elizabeth should write home to her family in Hertfordshire so that one of them could tell the news to Mr.Bingley? Georgiana could not quite understand the mind of her brother, but she hurried to reassure him:
"I will tell Miss Bennet that you are better, then" she said and when there was no answer, added: "I will go to her now if you want to have some sleep here."
"Do that, George" Darcy replied sleepily. "Go to you guest now if you must, and..." Suddenly Darcy came to a halt and was fully awake again, as something that Georgiana had just said reached his mind. "W-wait!" he exclaimed.
Georgiana, who had already stood up to go back to Elizabeth, sat down again a look of worry on her face. "What is the matter William?"
"D-Did you just say 'Miss Bennet'?" Darcy asked hastily. "I mean, is it not Miss Bingley who is visiting you right now?" he added as he noticed the quizzical look upon his sister's face.
"Miss Bingley?" Georgiana repeated, still looking puzzled. She was beginning to worry that the illness might somehow have affected her brother's brain. "Why would I invite Miss Bingley to keep me company? She did make a short visit the other day, but..."
"So, you are saying that it is not Miss Bingley who is waiting for you but Miss Bennet?" Darcy interrupted "Miss Elizabeth Bennet?"
"Why yes of course!" Georgiana exclaimed. No wonder William hadn't shown any interest in her guest if he had been under the impression that it was Miss Bingley. Georgiana couldn't blame him.
"I thought you knew." She then continued. "I mean, didn't you just say that you knew?"
"I just knew that you had a visitor" replied Darcy weakly "I could only assume her personality." He was beginning to feel hot and dizzy as his head was soon full of thoughts and questions:
Could it be that he had really seen Elizabeth in his room a while ago instead of just dreaming about her? Darcy still doubted it, but there was one thing he knew for sure: If Elizabeth was in the house, he would have to see her now, this instant, or he would go crazy. He tried to get out of his bed, but fell back. It was hopeless, he was still too weak.
"Are you alright?" Georgiana asked, her voice full of concern as she watched her brother. Not only was she worried about his sudden attempt to get up, but also because of the fact that this attempt had made him go all red and sweaty, and it had brought quite a feverish look upon his face again.
"I am fine" Darcy breathed, trying to calm down. "It is just that...I mean, I had no idea that Eliz...Miss Bennet was here. I should not have..."
"You should not have scared me like that" Georgiana finished the sentence as she poured him a glass of water. "Drink this", she continued, helping Darcy to a comfortable position to swallow the water "and promise me you won't try anything like that anymore. You are not strong enough to get up"
"I promise" Darcy sighed after drinking the water.
"So I can leave you now without having to worry about you doing something stupid again?"
"Yes," Darcy said promptly "I was just wondering if you could..." he hesitated.
"Yes?"
"I was just wondering if it would be very improper to bring Miss Bennet to my room? Only for a while?" Darcy bit his tongue. He knew he should not have said that. He knew perfectly well himself that the suggestion was improper. But he was desperate, desperate to see Elizabeth again.
"Well" Georgiana hesitated. She was more than willing to bring Elizabeth to her brother if that was his wish, but she was uncertain of how the lady in question would react to it. After all, it was quite unheard of that a young unmarried lady would visit a gentleman in his bedchamber, even if it was to happen in the man's sister's presence. "I suppose I could ask Miss Bennet, but..."
Darcy sighed. He understood it was probably better to wait until he was able to get out of his room himself:
"Maybe you should just go to keep her company now" Darcy forced himself to say "Forget what I just said"
"But I thought you wanted to see her?"
"Just tell her my regards" Darcy said with a sigh "And maybe, if she does not seem totally unwilling to see me, you could ask her to stop quickly by my door before leaving, so that I could at least have a glimpse of her."
"I will do that" Georgiana promised "I am sure she will have nothing against seeing you again."
I wish I could be so sure Darcy thought before saying aloud: "I hope you are right. Just don't let me keep you any longer. Miss Bennet is waiting for you."
"I will be back soon" Georgiana smiled "And I will bring Miss Bennet with me."
With that, Georgiana stood up again and left the room, leaving Darcy to his thoughts and visions of Elizabeth.
In the library Elizabeth was spending her time pacing about the room in distress, her mind wandering in the part of the house where she knew Mr. Darcy to be. How would he react to finding out that she was in his house, not uninvited, but still probably most unwelcome to the master of the house himself? Elizabeth did not fear that Mr. Darcy would have her thrown out; she knew he was too much a gentleman to do so, but it most likely would not be any good for his recovery to have to worry about his sister having visitors that he could not approve of, visitors that were connected to Mr. Wickham.
Elizabeth sighed. It had been wrong of her to come, but she could not bring herself to regret it. She had had wonderful time with Georgiana and she had been one of the first ones to know that Mr. Darcy was awake and doing a good recovery. She had been dying to be near Mr. Darcy and to know as much of his condition as possible, and in that respect this visit had been an answer to all of her dreams. But now, waiting alone in the library, Elizabeth was beginning to regret the promise she had given to Georgiana that she would stay and wait for her while she visited for her brother.
If Mr. Darcy did not want her in the house, he would probably let Georgiana know about it, and that would leave the poor girl in an awkward position where she would not know what to do with her guest. To avoid such a situation Elizabeth was more than willing to leave before Georgiana could return, but still a little part in her heart resisted: What if Mr. Darcy did not mind her being there? What if he still, even if he himself could never again consider a marriage to her, was not against his sister having her as a friend?
I wish I knew what he is thinking right now Elizabeth sighed, and sat down How does he feel now that he has found out I am here. Angry? Happy? Totally indifferent?
Elizabeth shuddered. She felt uncomfortable to even think of Mr. Darcy as being totally indifferent towards her. Anger at least was a feeling, but what if Mr. Darcy didn't feel anything about her anymore? It was hard to decide which would feel worse: to be despised by Mr. Darcy or to mean absolutely nothing to him. But whatever Mr. Darcy's feelings were, they were hardly in any way favourable to her, and Elizabeth was beginning to believe that she did not even wish to know more. She would have to go.
After making her decision Elizabeth stood up and hurried out of the room. She felt bad breaking the promise she had given to Georgiana, but she assured herself that her going away would make things easier for her hostess as well if Mr. Darcy wanted her to be gone.
"Where are you going Miss Bennet?" Elizabeth heard a voice from behind her. She turned back to see the same maid that had come to fetch Georgiana for Mr Darcy earlier.
"Please tell Miss Darcy my excuses" Elizabeth said hastily, trying to remember the way out of the house "Tell her that I had to leave."
"Yes, ma'am" said the maid as she curtsied. "Shall I see you out?"
"Please, do. I'm afraid I'm quite lost" Elizabeth said, forcing a smile to her face.
The girl did as she was told, and Elizabeth soon found herself in the hall she had been marvelling at earlier that day. She was all ready to get out as quickly as possible. There was only one problem: having left so hurriedly she had not given any thought to how exactly she was going to get back to Gracechurch Street. No carriage had been ordered, and she wasn't familiar enough with London to walk back even if it hadn't been improper for a young lady like her to walk around the town unescorted.
However, before Elizabeth could reach any decision on how she could leave with as little ado as possible, she saw the front door open and a familiar figure enter the house. It was Colonel Fitzwilliam.
For a moment both Elizabeth and Colonel Fitzwilliam stood still, staring at each other, the first almost in horror and the latter simply in much surprise. It was the Colonel who spoke first:
"Miss Bennet!" He cried in surprise "I can scarcely believe my good fortune in finding you here!"
"Colonel Fitzwilliam", Elizabeth managed to utter, while wondering how she was to escape now without attracting too much attention.
"I am coming directly from the Gracechurch Street where - I was informed - you have been staying with your aunt and uncle." Continued the Colonel, not noticing Elizabeth's discomfort "It was my intention to call on you this morning, but I found none of the family at home."
Elizabeth looked at the Colonel in astonishment. It was amazing enough that he had chosen to call on her even though their short acquaintance in Kent many months ago would by no means have required any such attentions. But that he had come so shortly after arriving to the town himself, his hands probably full of all kinds of things to settle even without his cousin's illness, made it all even more astonishing. The Colonel's attention seemed particularly strange now that Wickham's marriage to one of her sisters had been made public. Shouldn't he too as Georgiana's guardian be avoiding her rather than seeking her company? After all, he too had to feel that any connection to such a family might be unwise for the sake of Georgiana.
The Colonel noticed Elizabeth's puzzled expression and, understanding some of the reasons for her astonishment, hastened to explain himself:
"I was talking to Georgiana the other day and she spoke very fondly of you and your aunt and uncle, and while I encouraged her to call on you, it occurred to me that it might not be so bad if I were to renew my acquaintance to you as well." He said with a smile. "After all, I am Georgiana's guardian and I feel I should be at least acquainted with the people she spends time with."
The Colonel grinned and offered his arm to Elizabeth "So, now that I have seen you are still the amiable young woman I remembered you to be, shall we go find our hostess?"
Elizabeth could only assume that the Colonel had not read the wedding announcements of his newspapers, but that was hardly enough to make her feel any better. Sooner or later he too would find out, and she had no wish to be around when that happened. Elizabeth felt she had already caused enough harm to the family and she knew that she should leave before upsetting any more people that had been so pleasant to her.
"I am sorry", Elizabeth therefore replied, without taking the offered arm. "But I was actually just leaving."
"Leaving? But it is still early, you must only have arrived!" The Colonel exclaimed sounding severely disappointed. He had been entertaining great hopes of brining Elizabeth to his delirious cousin like he had promised, and much sooner and with less effort than he had ever dared to hope.
"Yes, I am indeed leaving", replied Elizabeth now with more determination. And to get Colonel Fitzwilliam's mind elsewhere, she continued: "Perhaps you have not yet heard, but your cousin has woken up and Miss Darcy is with him right now."
"Indeed?" The disappointment in the Colonel's expression soon gave way to delight.
"So, I thought it would be better for me to leave now before intruding any more on such happy family event." Elizabeth then added to make her point clear.
"But that is nonsense, Miss Bennet, if you allow me to say so" exclaimed the Colonel after recovering from this new pleasant surprise. "I dare say my cousin's friends have been quite as worried of him as have his family members, and therefore I cannot see why a friend could not stay to enjoy as well as any member of the family."
"I am afraid I have not much claim to Mr. Darcy's friendship." Elizabeth replied quietly "I am sure he would rather not have me here intruding."
"Oh no, I assure you that you are indeed mistaken, madam" the Colonel insisted, remembering all too well how desperately his cousin had been calling for her in his delirium. "I know my cousin would be more than delighted to see you here. Indeed, he will be most severely disappointed if he does not meet you while you are visiting his house."
If you only knew everything sighed Elizabeth. She was close to tears, thinking of how accurate the Colonel's description of Mr. Darcy's reaction to her presence would have been only a few weeks ago, before Lydia's elopement. But now everything was different and no respectable man would ever again want anything to do with anyone of her family, Mr. Darcy least of all.
Still Elizabeth forced herself to smile before speaking again: "You are too kind Colonel Fitzwilliam, but I really feel I must go."
"Is the carriage already waiting for you?" asked the Colonel, not yet ready to give in.
Elizabeth blushed: "It is not actually" she replied not a little embarrassed. "It was never ordered."
"In that case I must insist that you stay", said the Colonel, smiling almost triumphantly. "You cannot walk out alone, and I cannot come to escort you before I have seen my cousin."
Elizabeth sighed as she realised that there was nothing she could do. Her only consolation was that at least the Colonel now should know that she had tried to leave, and therefore was not willfully intruding, even if it would soon turn out that she was no longer a welcome guest to the house.
"Shall we go to find Georgiana then?" asked the Colonel, offering his arm anew as he noticed the resigned look on Elizabeth's face.
This time Elizabeth took the offered arm and with a sigh she followed Colonel Fitzwilliam back to the house, wondering how much more she would have to bear before the visit would be over.
In the meanwhile Georgiana had made her way back to the library only to find it deserted and so, after learning from a maid that her guest had indeed left the house, she decided to go directly back to her brother to inform him that he would not have the chance to see Elizabeth after all.
Georgiana sighed as she thought of the task that lay ahead of her. She had wished to bring happiness and health back to her brother's face before the day was over, but now it seemed she would only be able to increase his pain. And at the same time it wasn't even only her brother that she felt sorry for, as she couldn't help but pity herself as well. She had left Elizabeth all alone for so long that it was no wonder she had left. Georgiana was certain she had now spoiled the new friendship she had been so happy about, and that Elizabeth now had every right to think of her as a bad hostess and as someone who she did not wish to befriend with.
Georgiana sighed once more when she reached Darcy's door and knocked, but then tried to obtain a happier face before entering the room. She found her brother sitting up in his bed as straight as he could, trying to arrange his messy hair that had not been combed or washed in days. Georgiana's heart sank as she thought of the disappointment she would now have to bring to him.
"Well?" Darcy asked trying to sound as indifferent and casual as possible.
Georgiana could not find words to break the news to her brother, but she did not need to. The look on her face was enough to tell the man the unpleasant truth:
"I should have known" Darcy said quietly after seeing Georgiana's expression. "She has no wish to see me."
"Oh no!" Georgiana cried, finding her voice again. "She has left and it is all my fault, because I made her wait for so long. She was already gone when I returned. If she had been there I am sure she would have had no objection to seeing you."
Darcy only shook his head.
"Do not blame yourself, dearest", he then said with a sound of bitterness in his voice. "She would not have left had she not wanted to avoid me. I am sure the only reason Miss Bennet left is that she heard that I was awake, and did not want to run the risk of seeing me. It was foolish of me to hope for anything else."
"But I am sure that-"Georgiana began, but was interrupted by her brother.
"Please, don't trouble yourself on this matter, you have already had enough to worry about. Just leave me alone for a moment."
"If you wish" Georgiana sighed miserably "But if there is anything at all I can do for you..."
"Thank you, George, but there's nothing you can do to help me right now" Darcy replied quietly "Solitude is the only thing I need."
"Very well, I will leave you for now, but I will come back to see you later, and I'm hoping to bring the doctor here too as soon as he is available." Georgiana said resignedly "You are still unwell, and like it or not, I am still worried about you."
"I know, and I appreciate it." Darcy sighed "I just need some time for myself now."
Georgiana only nodded to this and, with one more worried look at her brother, she left, shaking her head. Once out of the room, Georgiana sighed in desperation. For a moment she even contemplated on going right after Elizabeth to make sure that their friendship was not permanently damaged and that she would return some other day to finish her visit. This idea however Georgiana soon had to abandon, because not only was it too daring a thing for her to do, but also because she suddenly realised, and had to admit herself, that she was not feeling at all well.
Georgiana took in a deep breath and tried to push the unpleasant feeling inside of her aside. She realised she would have to go the kitchen to inform the cooks and servants that there would be no visitors attending the dinner after all, and therefore there was no need for any special menu. However, Georgiana could only make half of the way towards the kitchens before she suddenly felt the ground under her feet disappear while everything around her went black.
She thought she could hear a voice or two as if they were coming from a great distance, but little by little they too seemed to disappear, and soon she was totally unconscious, surrounded by darkness.
"Georgiana!" cried Colonel Fitzwilliam as he rushed towards his cousin.
There was no answer.
"Miss Darcy!" tried Elizabeth as she too hurried over to the girl. "Georgiana!"
But Georgiana remained unconscious.
Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had found their young hostess just in time to see her lose balance and faint. But they had come too late to stop her from falling and hitting the floor with a thump that made both of the viewers flinch. For a second both Elizabeth and the Colonel stood petrified, then they both hurried over to Georgiana to see what had befallen her.
"Someone has to call the doctor!" Elizabeth voiced the thought that had already crossed also Fitzwilliam's mind.
"Yes!" The Colonel breathed, trying to bring life to his young cousin by rubbing her hands, and as the first servant came around the corner to see what had happened, he stopped the maid and gave orders to send for the doctor immediately.
"What is wrong with Miss Georgiana?" asked the servant in horror as she saw her mistress lying on the floor.
"I wish I knew", sighed the Colonel. "But you must hurry now. Send Thomas to fetch the doctor and tell the good housekeeper, Mrs. Stanley, that she is needed in Miss Georgiana's rooms immediately. I shall carry my cousin there myself."
"At once, sir!" The girl hurried off after a quick curtsey.
Colonel Fitzwilliam then gently lifted Georgiana off the floor and carried her through the house with Elizabeth leading the way and opening doors before him until they finally reached Georgiana's own bedchamber. There the Colonel put the girl down on her bed as gently as he could before falling on a nearby chair. He seemed to be at loss as to what to do next.
"Can we do nothing but wait for the doctor now?" he asked, looking at Elizabeth hopelessly.
"We should probably get some water and a wet cloth to be put on her forehead." Elizabeth said, touching Georgiana's face as she spoke. She frowned: "Strange."
The Colonel looked at Elizabeth, now puzzled: "What is strange?"
"I thought it looked like Miss Darcy might have caught her brother's illness, but she does not feel feverish at all. Her forehead is quite cool."
"That is good news then, is it not? But what is wrong with her then?" The Colonel was uncertain of whether he should feel relieved that Georgiana had no fever or even more worried, because there now did not seem to be any apparent reason for his cousin's sudden lose of consciousness.
Elizabeth knew not how to answer. She didn't wish to raise the Colonel's hopes too much before the doctor had seen Georgiana, but she had no wish to make him more uncomfortable either. Elizabeth was, however, saved from the trouble of making a reply as the housekeeper, having heard the news of Miss Georgiana's illness, rushed in at the very moment.
"Poor Miss Georgiana!" cried the good lady upon her entrance, making it impossible for Elizabeth to utter a word even if she had been able to tell the Colonel the nature of Georgiana's illness. "First the master and now dear Miss Darcy!" Mrs. Stanley went on, "What will become of us if we lose them both?"
"Please, madam" said the Colonel, suddenly being reminded of the incapacity of this particular housekeeper to attend the sick. How he now wished that they were at Pemberley where Mrs. Reynolds would know exactly what to do. "I don't think that-"
"Somebody ought to see to it that water will be brought to Miss Darcy." Elizabeth hastened to help the Colonel. "And someone should also go to wait for the doctor so that he can be brought here immediately when he arrives."
The Colonel looked at Elizabeth gratefully, then he turned to the housekeeper to give her the orders and to assure her that this was indeed the best way she could be of help at the moment. And so Mrs. Stanley left, still weeping about the sad fate of her master and dear Miss Georgiana on her way out.
It was not long after this, although the wait seemed long enough for the Colonel to start pacing about the room impatiently, than the doctor arrived. With a deepest look of concern his eyes wandered from the unconscious Georgiana to Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had stopped pacing the moment the doctor had entered.
"Doctor White!" exclaimed the Colonel "I was beginning to fear you would be too busy to come!"
"I came as quickly as I could." Replied the doctor "I was indeed shocked to hear the news about Miss. Darcy." He moved towards Georgiana's bed and looked at the patient with a frown. "What happened?"
"I wish I knew", sighed the Colonel. "Miss Bennet and I were in the search of Miss Darcy and we found her only in time to see her fall. If anything alarming took place already before that, I cannot tell."
"Miss Bennet?" The doctor repeated, and it was only now that he noticed Elizabeth standing in one shadowy corner of the room. He wondered where he had heard that name before.
Elizabeth stepped forward as she heard her name spoken, and the Colonel hastened to make the introduction:
"Doctor White, may I introduce you Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a friend of both Mr. And Miss Darcy" he explained, motioning towards Elizabeth, while the lady in question, before giving a polite curtsy, slightly shook her head at this too optimistic view of her relationship to Mr. Darcy. "Miss Bennet", continued the Colonel without noticing the movement of Elizabeth's head. "This is doctor White. He has served the family well for many years now."
"It's a pleasure to meet you doctor White" said Elizabeth "But, please, don't let me keep you any longer. I believe Miss Georgiana is in more need of your attention right now."
"It is a pleasure indeed, Miss Bennet! And you are absolutely right too." exclaimed the doctor, happy to find this new acquaintance in possession of more common sense than the Caroline Bingley he had been introduced to only a few days before. "If you excuse me, I will examine Miss Darcy immediately."
Nothing more was said as the doctor then turned his full attention to his patient; he was trying her pulse, looking into her eyes, listening to her breathing and trying to determine her temperature. Finally he turned away from the bed to face Elizabeth and the Colonel, who had both been watching his work from a distance in silence.
"Well?" inquired the Colonel
"I believe I have good news," replied the doctor "Miss Darcy has not caught the fever."
Both Elizabeth and the Colonel sighed in relief.
"But", continued the doctor. "I'm afraid Miss Darcy is suffering from much stress and exhaustion, and she needs to stay in bed and rest for at least two days, preferably a week. She will probably sleep now until tomorrow morning, but even if she wakes up then feeling somewhat refreshed, I suggest that she would not be allowed to leave her room for a while, at least not for a long time. And she definitely should not do anything exhausting in a while."
"I understand", said Colonel Fitzwilliam. He was relieved, but not altogether comfortable. "I wish I could keep her company myself throughout her recovery, but I am not sure how much longer I can stay away from my regiment. I fear there will be no-one left in the house but the servants to take care of my both cousins."
"How soon are you planning to leave?" asked doctor.
"I had thought to go tomorrow, but now it seems impossible. I cannot leave Georgiana alone in the house. She would not stay in bed but would insist on being allowed to tend to her brother...Yet, my regiment needs me and I am not sure if I can prolong my visit." The Colonel started pacing around the room again, trying to think of some conclusion. Then he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Elizabeth.
"Miss Bennet?" He began, but then shook his head. "No, I cannot ask it of you. You are Miss Darcy's guest, I do not wish to trouble you..."
"What do you mean, Sir?" Elizabeth asked, misinterpreting his words. "Please, if I am intruding, I beg you to say so. I can leave at once if that is your wish."
"Oh no, Miss Bennet, you have quite mistaken my meaning" The Colonel cried. "I was actually thinking how fortunate it would be if you could stay here to keep Georgiana company. But I cannot ask it of you. I understand you have come to London to enjoy yourself, not to attend the sick."
Elizabeth hesitated. She wanted nothing more than to stay in the house and she would be more than pleased to help Georgiana during her recovery, but the thought of Mr. Darcy lying in his bed only a few corridors away was most disturbing, especially if he was now awake and making a recovery. He might start asking the servants about how things were in the house and he would then inevitably find out about her presence as well. Yet, this was perhaps the only favour he could do to the family to which she and her entire family were so much in debt...
"Miss Bennet?" said the Colonel inquiringly after a long silence. "Please tell me I have not frightened you. Indeed I am not asking you to stay here against your will."
Elizabeth realised she would have to say something and so she made a quick conclusion. She would stay to attend to Georgiana and try her best to stay out of the way of Mr. Darcy. It was out of question that she would leave her new friend all alone in the great house. If Mr. Darcy would soon recover well enough to keep company to his sister then she would leave immediately and return to Hertfordshire and never meet anyone of the name Darcy again. But before that, Georgiana needed her.
"I was merely pondering your words, Sir." Elizabeth finally replied. "And I have decided to write to my aunt and uncle to inform them that I will be staying here for a day or two. Perhaps my aunt can come to visit tomorrow as she too has made the acquaintance of Miss Darcy."
The Colonel's countenance brightened. "Miss Bennet, I cannot even begin to tell you how grateful I am!", he exclaimed, grabbing her hand and placing a quick kiss on it. Then he recollected himself and turned to the doctor. "I wish to thank you as well, Sir."
"Not at all, I am only doing my job, and it isn't done yet." replied Doctor White with a smile. "I believe I should check the other patient as well, now that I am here."
"Indeed, I had almost forgotten about Darcy." sighed the Colonel. "If you do not mind", he continued, turning to Elizabeth. "I will now go to see my other cousin. Georgiana needs rest now and I feel there is little anyone can do for her before she wakes up. I am afraid I will have to go out in business after seeing Darcy and I would gladly deliver your letter to your aunt and uncle if you can finish it by then. "
Elizabeth nodded and promised that she would write the letter immediately. So, as the Colonel and the doctor exited the room, she sat down and took the quill and the piece of paper that could be found from Georgiana's desk. The letter was short and informative and Elizabeth was soon finished with it. While waiting for the Colonel to return she had plenty of time to start thinking of what she had committed herself to:
Her mind soon wandered back to the dark room she had visited only a while ago. She thought about Mr. Darcy and once again wondered what his reaction would be if he knew about her presence. She longed to meet him and talk to him, yet she feared it all the same. Elizabeth was just trying to determine whether she could better bear cold civility or open anger from Mr. Darcy as Colonel Fitzwilliam unexpectedly returned. She had not noticed the passing of the time.
Elizabeth looked up and saw a smile playing on the Colonel's lips.
"There you are, Miss Bennet", he said with a continuous smile. "I trust you have finished your letter."
"I have" replied Elizabeth, standing up and holding out the letter to the Colonel. There was a short silence as Fitzwilliam took the letter and put it in his pocket. Then he spoke again:
"As you know, I was seeing my cousin just now."
Elizabeth nodded.
"I was very pleased to see him finally awake and fully conscious", Colonel Fitzwilliam continued. "The doctor agreed with me that Darcy seems to be making a good recovery. Even the fever is almost gone now."
"I am very glad to hear it." Elizabeth replied whole heartedly, for she was indeed relieved.
"I had to tell him of course about Georgiana." The Colonel continued after noticing that Elizabeth was not going to say anything more. "I did not wish to trouble him too much, so I did not mention that she passed out, I only told him that Georgiana is tired and the doctor recommended that she stay in bed for a while. Dare I ask you to stick to this same story when you meet Darcy?"
"Of course I will if that is your wish." Elizabeth replied, blushing slightly at the thought of meeting the man in question. "But I find it very unlikely that I should be meeting Mr. Darcy at all as he is still confined to his rooms, is he not?"
"Indeed he is, at least for now. But, you see, I had to tell him that you are going to stay here to keep company to Georgiana and Darcy expressed his wish to meet you."
Elizabeth felt all the colour suddenly leaving her face. This was not what she had expected. Why would Mr. Darcy want to meet her? Did he want to tell her personally that her presence in the house was not requested or could it be that he, after everything, would still...But no, Elizabeth did not allow her imagination to go any further. After all, it had failed her before.
"I -I am not sure if that would be altogether appropriate..." Elizabeth managed to say, although a voice inside of her head was nagging that it hadn't seemed too inappropriate only a couple of hours earlier to visit the room.
"The doctor said he might allow Mr. Darcy to sit for a while in the parlour tomorrow, if his recovery goes on as he is hoping it will, and perhaps Georgiana could sit up for a while as well. In fact, I was thinking we might all have a cup of tea together before I will have to leave the town. Surely that would not be inappropriate."
"I had no idea Mr. Darcy was recovering so quickly. I must confess I was expecting him to stay in bed for a week at least. I understood he was very ill indeed only a day or two before."
"He was" Colonel Fitzwilliam replied gravely. "We were all worried, but he is a strong and generally healthy man, and the doctor seems convinced that now that the fever finally seems to be defeated his recovery will be quick." The Colonel then paused and after a while he bowed with a smile. "Now, Miss Bennet, if you will excuse me. I have this letter to deliver and some other business to attend to. But before I go, allow me to once again express my gratitude to you. When I leave tomorrow, I know my cousin (the Colonel nodded towards Georgiana, who was sleeping peacefully in her bed) will be in good hands, thanks to you, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth could only nod and mutter some polite words in return. She didn't feel like she was deserving of all the praise.
Colonel Fitzwilliam then left and Elizabeth took a seat beside Georgiana's bed. She scarcely knew what to think of Darcy's wish to meet her and she had no idea how she could behave in her normal manner the next day if Mr. Darcy would indeed be capable of joining them for tea.
The next morning found Darcy in considerably good spirits and health. After finding out about the possibility of meeting Elizabeth the next day he had resolved to do whatever he could to be in good enough a shape to be able to leave his rooms when the time would came. He had even forced himself to eat a good dinner, despite the fact that his appetite was almost non-existent.
Once fully awake, Darcy slowly began to pull himself to sit up. Perhaps the solid food had had its effects, since the action now felt a good deal easier than it had the day before. Now he only needed to get up on his feet. Darcy took a deep breath and then made an effort to stand up. The first attempt failed as he fell back on the bed, but Darcy was not ready to give up so easily, not now that so much was at stake. Gritting his teeth, he made another attempt, this time with better success. He was feeling dizzy and his legs were shaking, but he was standing on them nevertheless.
After a while Darcy ventured to take a few steps forward, then a couple of steps more, and a few more, until he finally reached a chair at the other end of the room. He heaved a huge sigh as he sat down on the chair and then buried his face in his hands, feeling hopeless. How could he face Elizabeth if taking only a few steps was so hard? He had barely moved, yet he already was sweaty.
At that moment, before Darcy could fall any deeper into his self pity, there was a knock on the door and he could see Colonel Fitzwilliam entering, followed by Doctor White. They both stopped abruptly as they noticed that the bed was empty and that Mr. Darcy himself was sitting on a chair several feet away from it.
"Darcy!", cried the Colonel. "What are you doing out of your bed?"
"Good morning to you too, cousin." Darcy retorted dryly and then, turning to the doctor, continued more politely: "Good morning Doctor White."
"Good morning, Mr. Darcy", replied the doctor, bowing. "I'm most delighted to find you feeling so much better today."
"Thank you, sir, I..."
"But Darcy, are you sure you are feeling well enough to get up already?" interjected the Colonel, who still seemed to have problems believing his own eyes.
"I seem to remember that you suggested it yourself only yesterday." Darcy replied. "I thought you mention something about tea with Miss Ben...with Georgiana and her guest."
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled. He had clearly underestimated the healing power of a certain lady, even if she had not yet even approached the patient.
"I believe I did", he admitted. "But I thought you would wait for someone to come and support you. Don't forget you have been bound to a bed for a long time."
Darcy frowned.
"You thought I would walk supported, like an invalid, in front of Miss ... all the servants? I could just as well go in a wheel chair!", he cried. Then he paused, calming down. "Forgive me, Richard," he continued after taking a breath. "I know you mean well, I'm just a little worried about ... getting up again and being in front of everybody."
"There is no need to apologise, cousin." The Colonel said, grinning. "I am only happy to see you getting back to your old cranky self again."
"How is Georgiana?" Darcy asked, ignoring the Colonel's remark. "You told me yesterday she was very tired."
"She will be fine" interjected the doctor. "She has been worried about you and exhausted herself, but seeing you on your feet again will certainly make her better in no time. Besides, she is in good hands now. We left her to have breakfast with Miss Bennet."
"And..." Darcy hesitated. "How is ... Miss Bennet? I hope she is not over-extending herself?"
"Oh no, not at all." Doctor White assured his patient. "She is as healthy a lady as I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. Indeed, if more people were like her I daresay I would soon be out of business."
"And she is getting very well along with Georgiana", cut in the Colonel. "Upon my word, I have never seen Georgiana behaving so freely with anyone else. They both seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves when we left them only minutes ago."
Darcy took in this piece of news with much satisfaction. He had always hoped to be able to bring about a friendship between Elizabeth and his sister as he was certain of the good influence Miss Bennet could have on Georgiana. Besides, this way he could keep Elizabeth at least a part of his life, even if she would never be entirely his. The fact that all this now seemed to be happening even without his assistance, filled Darcy's mind with content.
Therefore he smiled as he replied: "I am very happy to hear it ... happy for Georgiana, that is" he added when he noticed the look on his cousin's face. "It is good for her to have a friend close to her own age."
"Indeed I agree with you, Darcy" the Colonel only said, exchanging a knowing look with Doctor White. "So, what do you say, cousin?", he then continued. "Will you get dressed and try taking a stroll around the house?"
"Certainly, Richard, if you are ready to accompany me." Darcy replied, getting up and feeling the dizziness return. "Um..." he hesitated. ""Perhaps, we could take a couple of rounds just around the room at first."
The Colonel readily agreed and so the servant was called to bring Mr. Darcy his clothes and, as the doctor insisted, a good, healthy breakfast to help him gain back his former strength.
In the meanwhile, Elizabeth and Georgiana were finishing their breakfast in Georgiana's private chamber. Miss Darcy was sitting on her bed, for the doctor had not yet given her the permission to get up, and Elizabeth had taken a seat near the bed so that she could keep Georgiana company. A small table had been brought in for them to enjoy their breakfast there.
"I am so happy, Elizabeth, that you decided to stay here with us" Georgiana said, pushing aside her empty plate. "I was so afraid you were going to leave and never come back again."
Elizabeth blushed slightly as she remembered how she had tried to flee the house the day before.
"I am sorry I gave you that impression." She said, shaking her head. "I should have realised how much you were going through and tried to comfort you instead of adding to the trouble."
"Oh no!" Georgiana insisted. "You were not causing any trouble. I had never been happier than when you accepted my invitation to come to visit me. I was so delighted to have you as my guest!"
"You are too good, Georgiana." Elizabeth only said. "I have done little to deserve you good opinion."
"For me it would be enough to know that you have my brother's high regard." Georgiana replied earnestly, causing Elizabeth to blush and look away. "And the little time I have had to bestow my own opinion, nothing has spoken against what William has said about you. You truly are the sweetest, most agreeable person I have ever met."
Elizabeth's blush only deepened as she heard the words of praise that she felt were so undeserved.
"Has your brother really said that of me?" she asked, starting to pick on her food again, as if she was more interested in the fried egg that was on her plate than what Mr. Darcy had said about her.
"Among other things, yes" Georgiana replied, pretending she had not noticed Elizabeth's discomfort. "He speaks of you like he has never spoken of any other lady before."
That was surely before he heard of Lydia eloping with Mr. Wickham, Elizabeth told herself, trying to calm down, but her heart wasn't as easily set to rest as was her brain. She found herself hoping against any reason that at least some of Darcy's feelings for her would have lasted through the shameful affair of Lydia and Wickham and that even if he no longer wished to marry her, he might still think she could be worthy enough to keep company to his sister. That way she could at least remain a part of his life, even if they would never be together.
"Your brother is very kind." Elizabeth finally forced herself to reply, when Georgiana was clearly expecting her to say something.
"Indeed he is" Georgiana agreed. Then she looked down and continued quietly: "I have never been so relieved I my life than I was yesterday when I heard of the progress he had made in his recovery."
"I can easily believe that" Elizabeth replied, placing her hand on Georgiana's shoulder. "I know how very fond you are of your brother."
This eventually lead the conversation to the suggestion Colonel Fitzwilliam had made to Elizabeth the day before - he had repeated it this morning to both of the ladies - about all of them having tea together that afternoon. Georgiana was absolutely delighted of the idea, while Elizabeth was unable to decide whether she more feared or was looking forward to the occasion.
"Do you think my brother will be well enough to join us?" Georgiana asked anxiously. "I so wanted to go to see him again this morning, but the doctor will not let me."
" I am sure he is fine." Elizabeth assured the girl, setting her own hopes and fears aside. "Someone would already have informed us if there had been a turn to the worse again. You do remember how optimistic the doctor was yesterday?"
"I know, but I have been so worried for so long that I no longer take anything for granted."
Elizabeth felt sympathetic for her young friend. She remembered well how she herself had felt when she had learnt of Mr. Darcy's illness. She could only assume that Georgiana's suffering had been even worse, as it was her beloved brother, her closest living relative, that had taken ill.
"Everything will get better now." Elizabeth soothed her. "I am sure of it."
"I know" Georgiana replied, pressing Elizabeth's hand gratefully. "I know. Everything has been so much better now that you have arrived."
They continued their conversation for a while longer, both beginning to feel increasing admiration and affection for the other as they talked. Georgiana had never believed she could ever find such a dear friend as she now had found in Miss Bennet and Elizabeth was delighted of all the sweetness and intelligence she could see were hidden beneath Georgiana's exterior shyness. Their conversation only came to a halt when the entrance of a servant girl interrupted them.
The maid curtsied as she entered, then she approached the ladies:
"I bring a message from the doctor." The girl spoke. "He has to go to see another patient, but he said Miss Georgiana should take some rest now if she wishes to get up in the afternoon. Those were his words."
"Thank you Patsy" Georgiana replied, smiling kindly at the girl. "I will do as he says."
The maid curtsied. Then she proceeded to gather the remains of the breakfast onto a large tray before hurrying off with her load.
As soon as the girl was gone, Georgiana turned to Elizabeth again.
"Perhaps I should follow the doctor's orders", she said, sounding apologetic. "I hate to even think of leaving you all by yourself in this great house, but I would so much wish to be able to join you all for the tea then later."
"Of course you must take you rest!" Elizabeth insisted, smiling reassuringly at her young hostess. "I am here to take care of you, not the other way around. If the doctor says you must sleep, then you will sleep, and I will see to it myself."
"But what will you do while I am asleep?"
"With your permission, I will go and find myself a book from the library."
"Of course." Georgiana agreed enthusiastically. "And the servants will show you around the house if you wish. There is so much you still haven't seen."
"Thank you, but I will be quite satisfied to spend the morning in peace and quiet." Elizabeth laughed. "I'm sure you will want to show me everything yourself as soon as you are feeling better."
Georgiana blushed. "You are right, of course", she admitted. "But I would not have your pleasure delayed just on my account. If I am not well enough to give you the tour, then someone else must."
"I am in no hurry." Elizabeth replied smilingly as she stood up. "Now, I absolutely insist that you stop worrying about me and start concentrating on yourself. Sleep well. I will be in my room, if you need anything." The servants had prepared Elizabeth her own room near Miss Darcy's chambers as soon as her staying had been confirmed.
"Thank you, Elizabeth" Georgiana said quietly before lying down on her bed.
Elizabeth stood by the door for while, watching Georgiana fall into sleep. Then she quietly exited the room and set out to find the library again.
It took Elizabeth longer than she had expected to find her way through the house, but eventually she sighed in relief as the rooms were beginning to look more familiar again. Finally she entered the passage where she had found Mr. Darcy's room the day before and she knew that the library was nearby. Elizabeth noted, with relief, that the door to the master's bedroom was now closed and the master himself was most likely sleeping soundly inside of the room. Undoubtedly the doctor would have given Mr. Darcy the same directions as he had given to Miss Darcy, and so they would now both be resting in their respective rooms.
At long last Elizabeth arrived to the door she knew to be the one leading to the library. She quietly pushed it open and entered the vast room, but before she could reach the shelves she realized that she was not alone in the room. Holding her breath, Elizabeth looked around and she immediately spotted a dark figure sitting on a large armchair, staring out of the window. The man turned around as he became aware of her presence.
For a while the two of them stared at each other, then Elizabeth became the first to find her voice:
"M - Mr. Darcy!" she stammered in shock. Elizabeth wished she could just grab the nearest book and run away, but instead, she found herself unable to move.