To Conquer Pride

by Jennifer Altman

  Before either of the women had a chance to answer, Mrs. Reynolds interrupted to inform the physician that Miss Darcy was ready for the examination to proceed. Grant nodded, moving to the bed and smiling down at his patient.

  “Miss Darcy, I am going to apply a small amount of pressure to your abdomen. Pray, let me know if anything I do causes an increase in pain.”

  Georgiana nodded her understanding, staring resolutely up at the silk canopy. Her countenance remained a mask of indifference until the doctor pressed down in one particular area, causing her to cry out in obvious distress. Removing his hands, Grant pulled on the hem of her gown, covering her exposed skin.

  “Forgive me, Miss Darcy. We are almost finished.” Sitting beside the bed, the physician reached for her hand. Turning it palm-side up, he carefully pressed his thumb against the inside of her wrist.

  “I noticed a beautiful pianoforte in the next room, Miss Darcy. Do you play?”

  Georgiana picked up her gaze, looking to Elizabeth for a moment before turning back to the physician. “Yes, sir. I do. That instrument was a gift from my…” Georgiana gasped. “…from my brother, several years ago.”

  “And do you favor a particular composer?” the physician inquired.

  “I… I am fond of Mozart. And Bach.”

  Grant smiled. “Ah. I am an admirer of Mozart as well. But I must confess to a preference for Beethoven. I had the privilege of hearing him play several years ago in Vienna and it was an unforgettable experience.” Releasing Georgiana’s wrist, he rested his palms on the edge of the mattress, leaning down to press one ear against her chest. Georgiana drew in an uneven breath at the unaccustomed proximity to a gentleman who was essentially a stranger.

  “I understand he is no longer performing, which is a shame,” Grant continued easily. “You may just breathe normally, Miss Darcy.” A moment later the doctor stood, tucking the covers beneath Georgiana’s chin and lifting his bag. “I thank you for your forbearance. If I might only ask you a few questions?”

  The doctor’s inquiries caused even Elizabeth to flush with embarrassment, but Georgiana answered everything that was asked of her with a sincerity and straightforwardness that belied her seventeen years.

  Finally, the interview was over and the doctor stood to leave. “I will only be a moment, Miss Darcy and then I will return with something that should help with the pain.”

  Georgiana nodded, and Elizabeth could not help but notice that the fear in the young girl’s eyes was replaced with something altogether different as she watched the physician quit the room.

  ***

  In the adjoining chamber, Darcy continued to pace across the carpet, his hands clenched as tightly as the knot that had taken hold inside his chest. When the door to his sister’s bedroom finally opened, it was all Darcy could do not to pounce on the young physician.

  “Well? How is she?” he demanded. “Have you determined what is the matter?”

  The doctor crossed the room with a measured stride, settling into a chair near the hearth and clasping his hands beneath his chin. He sat for several moments before answering. “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy, I wish I had better news. But I believe what is ailing your sister is of a serious nature. From my examination and what she has told me, I believe Miss Darcy is suffering from a blockage of some sort. Most likely a stone in her bladder. Needless to say, this can be extremely painful.”

  Nausea churned the contents of Darcy’s stomach and he quickly looked away. He would sooner walk through the fires of hell than have any suffering visited upon his sister. Turning back to face the physician, he struggled to compose his features. “Assuming you are correct, what can be done?”

  There was a long pause before the doctor answered. “The best prognosis would be for her to undergo a procedure to remove the stone.”

  “What type of procedure?” Darcy asked warily, his gaze narrowing.

  The physician’s eyes lowered briefly. “Not an easy one, I am afraid. I have a book at my residence detailing the technique. I shall send for it. But for now, I would like to give your sister something for the pain, if you will agree?”

  Darcy readily consented, concern for his sister momentarily driving all other thoughts from his mind.

  ***

  Grant looked on impassively as Darcy slammed the volume closed, his expression black with rage.

  “Have you taken leave of your senses? Do you honestly believe I would allow my sister to undergo such a vile method of treatment?” Surging to his feet, Darcy paced to the window of his study, attempting to regulate his breathing as fury roiled within his gut. Dear God! The drawings in that book would rival any of the lewd images he had seen bandied about at Eton or snickered over by the rogues and reprobates who frequented his clubs.

  Behind him, Grant spoke, cutting into Darcy’s thoughts. “I know it can appear quite shocking. But I assure you it is a practice that has been used effectively for well over a hundred years, and to be—”

  “I do not care if it has been performed on the Prince Regent himself!” Darcy growled, yanking out his chair and throwing himself into it. “And who would carry out such an operation? You? It is completely indecent!”

  Grant had the courtesy to flush, but when he spoke, his voice was calm. “I am a trained surgeon, sir. I have performed this procedure dozens of times.”

  “On women? On unmarried young girls, for God’s sake?”

  “Yes, sir.” Grant paused for a moment before continuing, “Mr. Darcy, I understand your concern. Truly. But if we do not operate…” he stopped there, but his meaning was clear.

  Darcy rubbed a hand across his face, playing for time. “And if you do operate? Can you guarantee that she will recover?”

  “No, sir. As I am sure you are aware, I cannot.”

  Darcy stood again, moving to the window. “And these other patients… the ones on whom you have performed this procedure. Have they all survived?”

  Grant hesitated a moment too long.

  “I want another opinion,” Darcy snapped. “Where the devil is Prescott? He has been attending Georgiana since her birth.”

  “He is with a patient in Chesterfield. Even if we sent for him now, he would not arrive for several days.”

  Darcy returned to his seat, pulling out pen and paper. “Do you have his direction?” When Grant nodded Darcy began to write. “Good. And if he cannot come, I will send for my London physician.”

  Grant leaned back in his seat, tenting his fingers. “As you wish. But I will remind you that should my diagnosis be confirmed, neither of them would be qualified to operate.”

  Darcy’s fingers tightened around his quill. He did not know what the answer was. What he did know was that no young, single gentleman would perform such an operation on his sister if Darcy could in any way avoid it. “We shall deal with that issue once they have made a diagnosis,” he said through gritted teeth.

  Grant remained silent as Darcy wrote, waiting patiently while the butler was summoned to dispatch the letters. When the door had closed again, Grant continued, “Mr. Darcy, I am happy to wait for the arrival of one of your own physicians, but I hope you will allow me to remain in residence. I would like to be here should my assistance be required.”

  Darcy’s stomach clenched but he eventually offered the surgeon a grim nod. “You may stay.”

  “Thank you. And, in the meantime, there is one other thing I should like to try.”

  Darcy’s brow lowered, and Grant smiled. “You needn’t worry; it will not require a knife. And in truth, I do not believe it will be successful. Still, if we are to wait…”

  “What is it? I will agree to anything if we might avoid the type of operation you are suggesting.”

  “Well, we might try flushing the stone. Barley water or birch leaf tea may be beneficial, and I have heard of some herbs that might be used.”

  “Anything. Just tell me what you require and I shall see that you have it.”

  Grant nodded. “I will speak with your h
ousekeeper, but I do not wish to raise your hopes, Mr. Darcy. I still believe surgery to be the best way.”

  “Thank you,” Darcy choked out. “My sister means the world to me. If there is anything you can do to relieve her suffering, I will be forever in your debt.”

  The physician stood. “Very well, Mr. Darcy. Let us go and see what might be accomplished.”

  Chapter 20

  DARCY ENTERED HIS sister’s bedchamber to find Georgiana in a deep slumber, clearly still under the influence of the laudanum she had been given earlier by Grant. Beside the bed, Elizabeth sat quietly, an open book resting in her lap. On the far side of the room, one of Pemberley’s chamber maids was laying a fire, though the air was still warm.

  Elizabeth looked up when Darcy approached, closing her book and setting it on a table near the bed. With a start, Darcy recognized it as the volume he had given her last winter. An unexpected warmth coursed through his veins as he crossed to her chair. “It is good of you to sit with her, Miss Bennet.”

  Elizabeth smiled up at him. “I am happy to do it.” After a slight pause she added, “Has the doctor left, sir?”

  At the mention of Grant, Darcy grimaced. When he spoke again, his words were clipped. “No. Mrs. Reynolds is preparing a room. I have sent for my own physician and for my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, who is Georgiana’s second guardian. But Grant will stay until we can determine what is to be done.”

  “I see.” Slowly, Elizabeth stood. “Forgive me, I do not wish to intrude on your time with your sister.”

  Darcy’s gaze flicked to the maid who was just finishing up at the hearth. “Miss Bennet… There is something I had hoped to speak with you about. If I might request another moment of your time?”

  “Of course. Perhaps we might step into the sitting room? I am certain we will hear your sister if she wakes.”

  Darcy nodded gratefully and gestured for her to precede him, after ensuring the maid would stay until he returned.

  Entering the parlor, Elizabeth settled comfortably onto the sofa and Darcy took a chair several feet away, glancing absentmindedly out the window. Somehow the plan that had seemed so reasonable only a few moments ago now felt arrogant and ill-conceived, and Darcy’s resolve wavered.

  “You wished to ask me something, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth finally prompted when the silence had stretched out for longer than was comfortable.

  Shifting his gaze to Elizabeth’s face, Darcy smiled, releasing a heavy sigh. “In truth, I have no right to ask anything of you, Miss Bennet. You have already been far more gracious than I have any call to expect. It is just that my sister is not accustomed to being on her own, especially when she is unwell. Normally her companion, Mrs. Annesley, occupies the chamber on the other side of this sitting room, but now… well. Of course, Georgiana is attended at all times,” he hastened to add, “but a maid or a nurse is not the same as… That is…”

  Elizabeth listened to Darcy’s halting speech, her lips lifting slightly at the corners. “Mr. Darcy, are you asking me if I would be willing to move into the room adjacent to your sister’s?”

  Darcy nodded self-consciously, his gaze briefly dropping to the carpet. “I know you are only to remain at Pemberley a few more days, and naturally, you would not have to do anything for her care. But I believe my sister would be happy to have the companionship of another lady close to her own age, and I know she has come to view you as a friend…” his voice tapered off as Elizabeth’s smile grew.

  “I would be only too happy to oblige you, sir.”

  Darcy felt his shoulders relax as an unexpected lightness filled his body—like a hot air balloon cut free of its moorings. “Truly? It would not be an inconvenience?” When Elizabeth shook her head, he continued, “Of course I will speak with your aunt and uncle to be certain they have no objections.”

  Elizabeth answered with a wave of her hand. “I am certain they will not. But you may do so if it would put your mind at ease.”

  Darcy climbed to his feet, and Elizabeth followed.

  And for the first time in the past four and twenty hours Darcy felt that perhaps in time, all might yet be well.

  ***

  That night’s meal was a quiet affair. Darcy joined his guests, but remained mostly silent, staring down the table to where Elizabeth was deep in conversation with Grant. A frown pulled at Darcy’s lips as he pushed the food around his plate, drinking more wine than was customary. When the last course had finally been consumed, the doctor returned upstairs to check on his patient, and the rest of the party adjourned to the sitting room. Within a half an hour’s time, however, Darcy excused himself.

  Crossing into Georgiana’s chambers, he found his sister awake, propped against her pillows.

  Grant sat in a chair beside her bed, speaking softly, but upon Darcy’s entrance the physician clambered to his feet.

  “I beg your pardon,” Darcy said stiffly, halting inside the door. “I hope I am not disturbing your work.”

  “No, not at all. I have just brought your sister some more tonic. But I will leave Miss Darcy to rest.”

  Darcy nodded and Grant bowed before quitting the room.

  Excusing Georgiana’s maid, Darcy crossed to his sister’s bed, taking the seat Grant had vacated. “How are you feeling?” he asked gently.

  Georgiana attempted a smile, but Darcy could see that her eyes were fogged with pain. “I am well. That is… I am not feeling any worse than I did before.”

  Turning away, Darcy struggled to tamp down the torrent of emotions that coursed through him. His gaze settled on the tray that rested upon a nearby table and he looked back at his sister. “Sweetling, you have hardly touched your supper. Can I have Mrs. Reynolds bring you something else? Some broth, perhaps?”

  Georgiana shook her head. “I am not hungry.” After swallowing a few sips of the herbal remedy left by Grant, she directed her attention back to her brother.

  “William, as you are here, there is something I wished to speak to you about.”

  “Of course. Anything.”

  Georgiana bit her lip, her gaze briefly darting across the chamber. “It is to do with Miss Bennet,” she finally began.

  Darcy started. “Miss Bennet? Are you not pleased she has agreed to take the chamber next door? You must forgive me if I have overstepped in offering it to her, I only thought…”

  “Oh, no! It is not that. I am very happy to have the company.”

  Darcy relaxed slightly in his chair as Georgiana stared across the room. “William… Are you… That is, are you fond of Miss Bennet?” Darcy’s eyebrows dipped but Georgiana hurried on, “It is only that I have never seen you show a preference for any young lady before, but when you look at her… well, I have seen the way you look at her,” she said softly, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

  Darcy tugged at his cravat, his throat constricting uncomfortably. Although a part of him wished to share his feelings with his sister, it would not do to give Georgiana false hope.

  “I think Miss Bennet is a fine young lady, but there is no attachment between us, if that is what you are asking.”

  “Oh.”

  Georgiana lowered her lashes and Darcy reached out, stroking her hand. “Georgie, do not distress yourself on my account. You must only concentrate on getting well.”

  To his surprise, a single tear slipped down his sister’s cheek. “I know. I had only hoped…”

  “Hoped what, dearest? Pray, tell me what has you so upset?”

  Georgiana drew an uneven breath. “It is just that if anything were to happen to me, I would not wish for you to be alone, and I thought, Miss Bennet…”

  Darcy quickly stood, moving to sit at the edge of his sister’s bed. “Georgiana, nothing is going to happen to you. I will not allow it.”

  His sister smiled up at him with tear-filled eyes. “There are some things even you cannot control, Fitzwilliam. And if the worst should happen…”

  “Shh. I will not have you speaking that way,” Darcy answered, but h
e could feel his chest constricting painfully. His sister’s eyelids fluttered and Darcy stood. “You are tired. I will send for your maid to come sit with you.”

  Georgiana sank back against her pillows. “William, will you not play something for me before you go?”

  “Of course, if you wish it. Although it has been some months since I practiced, so you will have to forgive any flaws in the execution.”

  Georgiana smiled sleepily. “You always play beautifully,” she said softly, sliding deeper beneath the counterpane.

  Darcy crossed to the outer chamber, settling himself onto the piano bench. Raising the cover, he ran his fingers lightly over the keys. “Is there anything in particular you would like to hear?”

  Georgiana started to shake her head, but suddenly stopped. “Could you play something by Beethoven?”

  Darcy turned to study his sister through the open door. He did not generally play works by that particular composer and did not know any pieces by heart, but he was happy to attempt it if it would raise his sister’s spirits. Lifting the stack of sheet music, he shuffled through the pages until he came upon Beethoven’s Sonata “Quasi una fantasia.” He studied the notes for a minute, then propped the music on the stand and began to play.

  ***

  Elizabeth slipped out of the Gardiners’ apartment, turning in the opposite direction and padding down the corridor to Pemberley’s family wing. Entering her bedchamber, she made her way to the dressing table, settling upon the padded seat. Catching a reflection of her surroundings in the mirrored glass, Elizabeth smiled. While nowhere near as grand as the apartment she had previously occupied, the room was still significantly larger than the bedchamber she had shared with Jane at Longbourn. Like all the rooms at Pemberley, it was decorated with an understated elegance, the emphasis on comfort over fashion. Turning her attention to her own image in the glass, she slowly began removing the pins from her hair, allowing it to tumble around her shoulders. Hoping her aunt and sister had finished readying for the night, Elizabeth moved in the direction of the bell-pull. She would need her aunt’s maid to assist her in removing her gown. But she had only made it midway across the carpet when she was surprised to hear the soft strains of the pianoforte drifting in from the adjoining chamber. Georgiana must be feeling better, she thought, stopping mid-stride, her hand poised to pull the satin cord.