“I do not want to marry ‘anyone.’ I wish to marry you. That is all I have desired for many months now. I have dreamed about showing Pemberley to you. I have imagined walking with you on the paths through the gardens and sitting with you beside the stream that meanders near the house. I want to share the place that is my life’s blood. I believe you will come to love it as much as I do.”
She looked confused. “You must forgive me, but I believe my injury and the laudanum have affected my brain. You are telling me you have admired me for a long time?”
Darcy nodded. “Almost since we first met.”
“I do not know what to say. How can that be? We have hardly spoken except to argue. You even said I was not handsome enough to tempt you.”
Darcy winced. “I have long owed you an apology for that remark.”
Elizabeth tried to scoot up higher on the pillows, but even the slightest movement made her wince in pain.
“Let me assist you,” Darcy said, but when he reached out to help her, she waved him away.
Feeling more uncertain than ever, he took her hand again and was relieved that at least she did not pull it away. “What can I say or do to sway you?” He wanted to hear her response and yet dreaded it at the same time. What if she would not agree? How would he bear it?
“You place a great deal of importance on your family. I have heard the way you speak of Georgiana and have seen how gently you treat her, but there is so much tension and misunderstanding between you and your brother.”
“I care very much for Theo, but we have had our difficulties and misunderstandings. We are just…different.” She certainly knew some of the complications, but there was so much that was broken between him and Theo.
“I know your brother cares deeply for you,” she said.
Darcy’s frowned. “He told you this?” If this were true, then she had certainly had rather intimate conversations with Theo. He was still not completely convinced she did not hold his brother in special regard.
“I had a difficult time convincing him that he should attempt to mend things between you, so we struck a bargain.”
“A bargain?”
“Yes, he promised to talk with you if I would give you another chance to show me a better side of yourself—better than my impressions from when we met in Hertfordshire. I did not fully understand him then, but his meaning is much clearer to me now.”
“But I never told him of my feelings for you.”
“Apparently, you do not give Theo enough credit. He knows you well.”
“And you agreed to this?”
Her eyes closed again. She seemed to be tiring. “Yes, another chance. It seemed simple enough at the time.”
“So now you are asking me to do the same for him.”
“That is what I wish,” she said, her voice was becoming almost a whisper.
“What if he and I cannot resolve things? Our problems are complicated and of long standing.”
“You must try. You are a man of your word, and if you promise to try, then I know you will give your best effort.”
“And if I agree?”
“Then I will agree to your plan.”
“I cannot tell you how delighted I am, dearest Elizabeth,” said Darcy, fervently. “The first step is to remove you from this house and take you to London, where Mr. Cox will be close at hand.”
“Not Mr. Cox,” said Elizabeth, with a grimace. “I do not think I can endure another exposure to his charming manners.”
“He means well,” said Darcy, pressing her hand reassuringly. Her eyelids drooped.
Darcy sat for a few moments holding her hand before he realized she had fallen asleep again. A feeling of hope took root in his heart. Raising her hand to his lips, he kissed it as if to seal their bargain.
*****
Darcy emerged from the room with a sense of purpose. His feet felt light, his heart soaring. He ordered the housekeeper to watch over Elizabeth and ensure no one disturbed her, including Lady Catherine. The housekeeper balked, but he gave her a look of such hauteur that he had her scurrying to obey.
It was only upon ordering his carriage to be brought about he discovered it had only just returned from Town. Normally, his brother taking it without permission, even though now safely restored to him, would have incensed him but it seemed even Theo’s behavior could not disturb his present elation. He spent the next few hours sorting whatever must be dealt with, including riding over personally to the parsonage to request that Elizabeth’s trunks be packed and ready to follow them to London.
“What, are you leaving so soon, Cousin?” said Anne, as his cases were carried down the stairs. “Surely Miss Bennet is not well enough to travel?”
“My fiancée,” said Darcy, deliberately enunciating the words, “needs to be safe from the reach of your mother and her concoctions.”
Anne gave a whoop of joy.
“Then I have succeeded!” To his absolute astonishment, she threw her arms around him and planted a noisy kiss on his cheek. “And to think that I was instrumental in your happiness!”
“Thank you,” said Darcy, grinning suddenly as he realized he had much to celebrate. “Though I do not much approve of your methods. You must promise never to repeat such a thing with either Georgiana or Theo.”
“I will promise no such thing,” said Anne, running up the stairs and laughing like a giddy young girl and not at all like a woman of eight and twenty.
There was still Georgiana to alert about their departure. He regretted having to rush her, but he could not travel with Elizabeth without a chaperone, even if they were engaged.
He expected to find his sister in bed, exhausted after the long night’s vigil, but she was fully dressed in a fresh set of clothes.
“Well,” she said, her eyes full of expectation. “May I finally congratulate you on your engagement?”
Darcy tried hard to stay serious but a broad smile broke out of its own volition.
“You may.”
She grinned with pleasure and clapped her hands in a surprising similarity to Anne and, for the first time, Darcy realized a family resemblance.
“I am so happy for you!” she said. “I am certain you are perfectly matched. I am glad you were able to talk Miss Bennet into it.”
Darcy felt a stab of uncertainty. Perhaps he should take Georgiana into his confidence. After all, he could not be sure Elizabeth would not wish to leave him despite all his efforts, and he did not want Georgiana to be disappointed.
He tried to think it through, but he was too tired.
“I have asked the maid to pack my case. It is ready to be taken downstairs. When did you plan to set out?”
“How did you know—?”
“Brother, I knew you would not wish to spend another day under our aunt’s roof,” she said.
He felt a lump rise to his throat. “Thank you,” he said, feeling humbled by his sister’s perception.
*****
As the carriage began to move, Darcy heard a shout from the house. He groaned. It was undoubtedly Lady Catherine, about to cause a scene. He had not taken leave of his aunt.
His first reaction was to ask the coachman to speed up, but years of good manners drilled into him intervened. Besides, he did not really wish to slink away like a coward, as if his departure was caused by something he had done.
With a sharp rap of the stick, he ordered the coachman to stop and braced himself for the inevitable.
However, it was not Lady Catherine who came into view but Anne, who ran down the steps and approached the carriage.
Darcy felt guilty at once. After years of never taking leave of his cousin because she was too sickly, he had not thought to seek Anne out again to say a formal farewell.
He opened the carriage door, ready to apologize.
“I am coming with you,” said she, stepping into the carriage without so much as a by your leave, and before Darcy could react, Anne had reached over and pulled the carriage door shut.
“I do not think you should leave without informing your mother,” he said sternly, striving to take control of the situation. “Besides, you need a maid. And what about your clothes?”
Anne gave a rather unladylike snort. “I do not believe you waited to take your leave of Mama! Besides, you really have a very poor idea of me, Cousin, if you think me unable to make arrangements to attend to my own comfort. The maid and the travelling cases will follow behind in the Rosings carriage. Richard says he will be soon after then; he has no intention of remaining behind.”
Darcy swallowed hard and blinked at her.
“Shall I give the order for the coachman to set out? You cannot imagine how impatient I am to get away from this house. I have spent so many miserable years here that I can scarcely endure a moment longer. Now that I am free of my medication, I intend to enjoy my life to the full.”
Darcy shuddered at the idea of this newly reborn Anne being let loose on London society. After so many years of inhibition and isolation, she had hardly more knowledge of proper behavior than a child. He was also uncertain about the prospect of sharing a carriage with such an unpredictable person when he was concerned for Elizabeth’s welfare. It would be crowded with Elizabeth half-lying on one seat and three of them sharing the other.
“Anne,” said Darcy, “I do hope you realize we are departing for Town because of Miss Bennet’s health. Her condition is deteriorating. Your mother has been dosing her with the same medicine as you.”
Anne leaned forward to take a closer look at Elizabeth.
“She looks very flushed. Do you think she is in danger?”
“I certainly hope not,” said Darcy, refusing to consider the possibility.
“Perhaps it is only in contrast with her pallor yesterday,” said Georgiana.
Anne put a hand to Elizabeth’s forehead. “Miss Bennet is hot,” she proclaimed. “She is developing a fever.”
“That cannot be,” said Darcy, seized now with a feeling of dread. “Mr. Cox assured me she would recover quickly.”
“Then you must trust in his judgment,” said Georgiana quickly, trying to catch Anne’s eye to prevent her saying anything more.
“I do not trust in the judgment of any doctors,” Anne muttered.
“Let us hope it is only a temporary setback,” said Georgiana, soothingly.
It soon became apparent, however, that Elizabeth’s condition was worsening. Her fever grew, as did her restlessness, and Darcy observed her every movement with desperate anxiety. He urged the coachman to hurry so many times the other two occupants of the carriage were soon clinging to their seats. He paced the courtyard of the inn when they were forced to stop to change horses. He refused all food and drink.
CHAPTER 12
When they arrived at the Gardiners’ home in Cheapside, Darcy told his sister and cousin to remain in the carriage and insisted on carrying Elizabeth into the house himself, and set off up the stairs, ignoring the protests of her uncle and aunt who did not know what to make of the arrogant stranger who had invaded their home and demanded a chamber for their niece.
Thankfully, once over the shock of Elizabeth’s sudden arrival, Jane Bennet quickly made the introductions as Darcy lay Elizabeth carefully onto the bed indicated by her aunt. With one lingering serious look at her, he turned and left, intent upon finding Mr. Cox without delay and thus taking Georgiana and Anne along with him.
Mr. Cox did not appreciate having his dinner interrupted, especially as he had company, and refused at first to accompany Darcy.
“She ought not to have developed a fever,” said the doctor, severely. “If she has, it was no doubt caused by removing the bandages. Or by being jolted about in a carriage.”
Darcy paled at the doctor’s words. Elizabeth had torn at her bandages while under the influence of his aunt’s medicine. It had to be that. Darcy would not forgive himself if he had contributed to Elizabeth’s danger by moving her so quickly.
Mr. Cox, perhaps seeing from Darcy’s expression that matters were indeed serious, took his leave of his guests and went upstairs to bring his instruments while Darcy walked up and down impatiently in front of the house.
“Well, what are you waiting for?” said Mr. Cox. “Are we to hang about until she grows too sick for help or shall we do something about it?”
Despite the urgency of the situation, however, Mr. Cox did insist on dropping off Anne and Georgiana at the Darcy townhouse before proceeding to the Gardiners, muttering that he did not need a whole gaggle of women watching him as he dealt with his patient.
*****
By the time Darcy had returned with Mr. Cox, the Gardiners had realized Elizabeth required immediate attention. If they were taken aback with Mr. Cox’s rough manners, they showed no sign of it. Mr. Darcy had already demonstrated sufficient concern over Elizabeth and her state of health; it was unlikely the gentleman would go to the trouble of bringing along a medical man who did not know his profession.
Mrs. Gardiner led the way back up the stairs to the chamber where Elizabeth lay, and Darcy’s heart contracted as he saw the change that had occurred in her over the course of the last few hours.
Despite what Anne had said about doctors, he was forced to put his hopes in Mr. Cox. He had no choice in the matter, not if Elizabeth was to survive.
*****
Mr. Cox bent over his patient, shaking his head and making disapproving noises. He examined the bandages with a frown and began to peel off the layers, muttering under his breath. He had to tug to remove the last layer. With a frown, he bent down to examine the wound closely, then straightened. “Who, may I ask, did that?” he asked in a savage voice.
“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Gardiner.
“I left the wound clean and open. Someone has closed it against my express orders.” He pointed to the layers of stained cloth he had removed. “And those are not my bandages.”
Fury rose in Darcy’s chest. “It must be Lady Catherine’s doing. She must have brought in her own doctor to attend Elizabeth. He must have interfered with the wound. How dare she?”
“How dare she indeed! This is why she is so ill. Can you not see how red and swollen it is become?”
Even if he had known, Darcy was uncertain what he could have done about it. With sick foreboding, he asked, “Is there anything you can do to help her?”
“Hmph. I will try, but I make no promises. She may be too far gone.”
Jane let out a small sob as Mrs. Gardiner turned her face away, her hand covering her mouth.
Darcy’s mouth was dry. “I pray you, do everything within your power for her.”
“I always do,” snapped Mr. Cox. “You there, woman—I will need some clean cloths. And open the windows.”
“But it is chilly out,” said Mrs. Gardiner.
“Just do it!” The doctor pulled a scalpel from his bag. “Darcy, hold her arm. Even unconscious, she may attempt to move away from a painful stimulus.”
“I have it.” If Mr. Cox asked him to pull the moon out of the sky to make Elizabeth better, he would die trying. Holding her arm was simple.
Mr. Cox made a quick incision, causing a moan to escape Elizabeth. No sign of opening her eyes, though. Blood welled on her shoulder, followed by purulent yellow secretion oozing out.
Then the smell hit Darcy, the vile reek of putrefaction. Without thought he brought his arm up to cover his face. Jane fished desperately for her pocket and extracted a handkerchief, but Mrs. Gardiner gagged and stepped backwards.
“Hence the open windows,” said Mr. Cox icily. He seemed unmoved by the overpowering odor. “This is why deep wounds should not be closed. It must drain for a time, then I will clean it out.” He wiped off the scalpel on a rag, then glared at Darcy. “And this time, no one is to remove that ribbon!”
“You may be certain of it.” If it took posting armed guards over Elizabeth’s unconscious body, that ribbon would stay in place. He would never forgive Lady Catherine for the damage she had inflicted. And if Elizabeth died
…he could not bear to think of it.
Both Jane and Mrs. Gardiner had regained their aplomb and as Jane took her sister’s nearest hand in her own, the lady stepped forward to wipe away the secretions. “Will it hurt her if I put my vinaigrette by her face?”
Mr. Cox’s expression softened momentarily. “It is unlikely to make a difference, but it will cause no harm. Perhaps you should make use of it yourself instead.”
Darcy could see the tears welling in Mrs. Gardiner’s eyes as she shook her head and tucked a silver vinaigrette next to Elizabeth.
“She is young and healthy, and the wound has not had long to fester, so she stands a good chance of recovering.”
A good chance was not good enough.
*****
“William?”
Hearing Elizabeth call out his name in her fevered state set Darcy’s heart racing. Her pale face was in contrast to her fever brightened cheeks, while her hair formed a halo of dark, damp curls spreading out in disarray over the white of the bed linens. Even in this state, she looked beautiful to him. Although he knew he should not, that propriety forbade it, he kissed her hand and put it to his cheek. It was so small, so soft as he cradled it in his own.
“I am here.” I am here, my love, he thought. Her fingers fluttered against his cheek as light as the wings of a butterfly as if she had recognized his voice. “Please, Elizabeth, what do you need?” he asked.
Her eyes still closed, she whispered, “Theo.”
That one word jolted through him. She did not want him after all; she wanted his brother. Darcy tried to push away the hurt he felt, even as he recalled the promise he had made to himself. Well, if that was what he could do for her, then so be it. He would bring Theo here to comfort her.
“You wish for me to bring Theo here?”
Her eyes opened just slightly, and she shook her head. “Promise me.”
The Darcy Brothers Page 22