“Thank you, Mr. Spencer.” Darcy allowed himself to breathe again. He kissed Georgiana’s forehead as she caressed his hand. “Without you . . . .” he whispered, but he did not finish his thought. Trancelike, he turned back into his room and closed the door. Georgiana knew, without being told, to order more hot water and bandages to be brought to her brother’s room.
Darcy set about the necessary charge of cleaning Elizabeth’s wounds. He placed a screen around the bed to protect her from the view of others. So fragile looking, he did not want to move her anymore than was necessary so he went to her room and found her sewing scissors and began to cut the clothes from Elizabeth’s body. He talked to her the whole time, describing what he was doing, telling her of his love, of her beauty, and of his sorrow for hurting her. He prayed out loud, thanking God for sparing her life.Then he used the warm water and gentle strokes of the cloth to bathe the dirt caked on her arms and legs. Finally, he dressed the wounds, which were deep enough for infection and needed attention. He doubled the counterpane over her body and then collapsed in the chair next to the bed. He took her limp hand in his and brushed the hair from her face.As he sat back in the chair, tears flowed freely down his cheeks, and the sobs finally smothered his chest. “Stay with me, Lizzy,” he whispered.
Exhausted, Darcy drifted in and out of sleep, but the dreams were filled with images of Elizabeth’s frail body lying on the rocky ledge and the anger on her face when she stormed from the room.When morning came again, Georgiana appeared to check on Elizabeth’s progress as well as that of her brother.
Rousing him by touching his shoulder, she said, “Fitzwilliam, you should get something to eat. I will sit with Elizabeth.”
“I cannot leave her, Georgiana. I hurt her—something I swore to God I would never do. I am the most wretched of men. It should be I lying there or worse.”
“She would not want that, Brother. Elizabeth loves you.”
“With her last words to me in this house she told me she never wanted to see me again. I cannot live without her.”
“Elizabeth did not mean what she said.You hurt her so she had to hurt you to be even; you were like children playing some game which neither of you could win. It was your name she called when the doctor was here; it is you she loves even now.You cannot help Elizabeth if you are unwell yourself. Please, Fitzwilliam, go downstairs and eat something.Then you can come back to tend to her.”
Darcy hesitatingly agreed, swearing to be gone no longer than ten minutes. Before he left the room, he adjusted the counterpane, knowing Elizabeth would be embarrassed if someone saw her undressed. Georgiana took his seat and Elizabeth’s hand; as he left, Darcy heard his sister talking softly to her, professing her affection for Elizabeth and begging her to come back to them.
He gulped down some hot rolls and butter, washing them down with some coffee, knowing anything more would hurt his stomach. Darcy just left the morning room to return to his chambers when he heard Georgiana calling him. “Fitzwilliam, come quick! Please hurry!”
Taking the stairs two and three at a time, he rounded the corner to find Georgiana on her way to find him.“She is awake. Elizabeth calls your name, Brother.”
In a fraction of a second, Darcy was kneeling beside the bed holding her hand and brushing the hair from her face. “Lizzy, I am here. I am here, Lizzy.”
Her eyes fluttered—opened and closed—but Elizabeth managed to say, “Fitzwilliam.” He kissed her hand.“You found me.”
“I love you, Lizzy. You are my life.Where you are, I will always —always come for you.”
The effort of her thoughts made it difficult for her to put the words together she wanted to say. “I love you, Mr. Darcy.” She attempted to smile. “I cannot sleep without you. I need to sleep, Fitzwilliam.”
“Shush, Lizzy, I am here.” He gingerly crawled in the bed beside her, fearing his touch might hurt her more. Elizabeth pulled his arm across her body and closed her eyes. He too closed his and dreamed as he always did—he dreamed of her. Georgiana, watching from the hall, pulled the door shut, knowing real love once more lived at Pemberley.
CHAPTER 23
“Till this moment I never knew myself.”
It was another four and twenty hours before Darcy emerged from the room again. Elizabeth was alert and wanted something to eat.“I lay awake beside her for hours, Georgiana, just watching the breath slide in and out of Elizabeth’s body,” he told his sister when she came to his room. “I made a pact with God—give me Elizabeth, and he could have everything else.The money—the house—it all means nothing without her.”
“God wants you and Elizabeth together, Brother. He has plans for you.” His sister’s sage-like words brought him comfort.
Later that day, he gently carried Elizabeth to his tub and bathed her more thoroughly than he had while still wrapped in the counterpane of his bed. She winced as the hot water seeped into the many cuts and scratches on her arms and legs, and he cautiously touched her sensitive skin. Elizabeth so filled his life, Darcy never allowed himself to see her as a woman in need of protection. In fact, he viewed her often as his protector from the grief he experienced in his life. He came so close to losing her. Luck had once been his—he found her when he needed Elizabeth in his life. What if she turned from him now? What if his pride pushed her away? He always observed her strength—her resolve. Foolishly, he never saw Elizabeth as someone he needed to not only protect from the world, but also from himself. She gave him her heart completely, and he nearly destroyed her. Miserable, he dutifully washed the curves of her body with the sponge, thinking she was vulnerable—vulnerable only to his censure. His pride would hurt her no more. Finishing, he helped her dress and carried her back to her bed.“If you are not careful, Mr. Darcy,” she teased,“you will put Hannah out of a job.” Her arms embraced his neck once again, and she rested her head on his shoulder.
“I would gladly spend the rest of my life tending to you, Lizzy.” Darcy kissed her cheek as she again buried her face into his chest. When he laid her back on the pillow, she pulled him to her and kissed him tenderly. “Please, Fitzwilliam.”
“Elizabeth, I do not want to hurt you.”
“You have never hurt me in this bed. I need to know you still love me. I cannot live without you, Fitzwilliam.”
“Elizabeth, do what you want. I never meant to question you. I built up a picture of this perfect house—this perfect marriage—a perfect wife.” He sobbed as she cradled his head to her abdomen.“I planned everything; except you had ideas I did not plan; I controlled everything for so long, I have difficulty allowing anyone else their due. You did not deserve my wrath. I do not want to destroy your love for me, Elizabeth. Can you love me again as you did before?”
“A few foolish words cannot destroy us, my Love. Do you know what I thought as I lay on that ledge? I thought: Fitzwilliam loves me. He will come for me. That is all I kept thinking—despite what I said when I stormed out of this house, I knew you still loved me, and I knew I loved you. Please come to me in our bed, Fitzwilliam.”
He began to kiss her stomach and then moved up her body. By the time Darcy got to her lips, Elizabeth’s body rose to meet his.“I love you, Lizzy.”
Darcy was out of the house when Mr. Spencer called to check on Mrs. Darcy’s progress. Propped up on the pillows of her bed, she happily greeted the physician. “Mrs. Darcy, your husband would make an excellent nurse. His care for your well-being was exactly what you needed.”
Elizabeth remembered Darcy’s passionate kiss before he left and knew what she needed from him, but she had another more pressing question for the doctor. “Mr. Spencer, did the fall hurt my baby?”
“So, you did realize you were with child? These great men are concerned with their heirs; and when Mr. Darcy did not ask about the child when I was here the other day, I knew he did not know, but you could not tell me if you had knowledge of it. I did not tell him for he was too distraught over your health. He would allow no one else to tend to you, Mrs. Dar
cy.”
“When I realized I was falling, I tried to protect the child. I grabbed at every rock and branch to slow down my descent. Please tell me I have not hurt it.”
“The three days we waited should be enough time for the injury to show if the fall hurt the child, but I would like to wait at least two more weeks before we can be sure.These types of injuries are sometimes slow to surface.”
“I do not want Mr. Darcy to know until we are sure, Mr. Spencer. If there is a chance I will lose this child as a result of my fall, I wish to spare him knowledge of wanting it and then losing it. It would be best he had no time to dream of its life here at Pemberley. His nature is not one to forgive his part in my accident; you must know of his self-reproach.”The doctor nodded his head.“My husband plans a New Year’s celebration with family and friends. I wish to tell him then.We will be married two months by that time. From my last catamenia, I suspect the child came from our first few nights together. Is that possible, Mr. Spencer?”
“It is quite common, Mrs. Darcy, especially for young, healthy girls as yourself.Would you allow me to examine you now, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Could we pretend you need to check my injuries again in two weeks, Mr. Spencer?” She asked in a conspiratorial tone.
“I delivered both Mr. Darcy and his sister; that was the last of the joy this house saw. After Lady Anne’s death, a veil hung over Pemberley; both husband and son loved her too much to let joy back into their lives. There has been too much death and not enough life in this house; I will help you keep your secret, Mrs. Darcy, until the new year if you promise to limit your walks to the flat land for the time being.”
“Gladly, Mr. Spencer—gladly.” Elizabeth’s hand instinctively rested on her stomach. After Mr. Spencer left, Elizabeth wondered at his words. Obviously, what she once thought to be Darcy’s contempt for others was, actually, his sorrow at having no one to whom to turn to for love. Georgiana was too young, and Mr. Darcy grieved for his wife. No one helped Fitzwilliam to deal with his own pain. As she lay back across the bed, nursing her wounds, she rued the day she thought him to have improper pride. She would make sure he never felt alone again; Elizabeth would always be there for him.
Since the time Elizabeth swore Mr. Spencer to secrecy a week passed; everything turned snowy and white at Pemberley, and a level of normalcy returned to its halls. She walked carefully, avoiding slippery paths; Darcy guarded every move she made, but she enjoyed the extra attention and allowed him to indulge his concerns. There were still eleven days to the celebration she and Georgiana planned, and many little details needed addressing. She was at the desk in Darcy’s study when Mrs. Reynolds entered.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Darcy, a Mr. Chadwick Harrison is asking for Mr. Darcy.”
“Show him in, Mrs. Reynolds.”
“Mrs. Darcy, thank you for seeing me.” He made the obligatory bow. Elizabeth automatically sized him up—proper gentleman in dress—too young to look so serious—pleasant countenance otherwise—a bit unsure of his welcome at Pemberley—old money but new ideas.
“Mr. Harrison, you must excuse my manners. I had a nasty fall last week, and my ankle will not support my weight for more than a few minutes at a time. I just returned from a short walk, and my ankle will not tolerate my rising to my feet again so soon.”
“That is quite all right, Mrs. Darcy,” he nodded to her.
“Please have a seat, Mr. Harrison. My husband will return shortly. May I be of service to you in the meantime?”
He took the seat she offered. “I heard Mr. Darcy recently married. May I offer my congratulations?”
“Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Do you know my husband well?”
“In reality, I have not seen Mr. Darcy since I was about the age of three and ten; Mr. Darcy, I believe, was off at the university in those days. My late father owns an estate in Dove Dale; I recently returned from the Americas to assume my rightful position as his heir.”
“Were you in the Americas for an extended time, Mr. Harrison?”
“For a little over a year, Mrs. Darcy—we had property in sugar-cane, but my family and I objected to the conditions of the workers. I sold the property to small farmers to break up the slave trade.”
Speaking his political stance to a perfect stranger shocked Elizabeth, but before she had a chance to respond, Georgiana entered the room. “Elizabeth, the baskets for the meals arrived,” she stopped short when she saw the stranger in her brother’s study.
Georgiana blushed, and her beauty froze Mr. Harrison in place. Elizabeth took in their first impressions with great interest before she made the proper introductions. “Mr. Harrison, may I present my husband’s sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
Harrison bowed to her, but his eyes never left Georgiana’s face. “Miss Darcy, it is good to see you again.”
“I am afraid, Mr. Harrison, you have the advantage. I do not recall our meeting before today.”
Harrison chuckled. “I do not doubt it, Miss Darcy, you were a precocious child of seven or eight years, and I came to Pemberley with my parents Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison.” Harrison felt a strange sensual awareness as he looked at Georgiana Darcy, and he could not force his eyes from her countenance.
Georgiana blushed and did not answer so Elizabeth added her insights.“As you can easily see, Mr. Harrison, my sister is no longer precocious or a child.”
Harrison realized his impropriety. “Forgive me, Miss Darcy, although I am no longer that skinny youth, it did not occur to me you would change so much.”
Recovering graciously, Georgiana said, “Have a seat, Mr. Harrison,” she came to join them.“You say our parents were acquaintances? How well do you remember my parents?”
“I am afraid I have only childhood memories of coming to Pemberley. It overwhelmed me then as I must admit it does now.” His words talked of the house, but Elizabeth suspected his eyes spoke only of Georgiana.
If Georgiana realized the implications of his words, she did not indicate it in her demeanor. Of course, Elizabeth was aware of how easily the Darcys hid their true feelings so she watched this scene play out with interest.
“May I have some tea brought in?” Georgiana offered.
“Of course, Georgiana. Let us have some tea and get to know Mr. Harrison while we wait for Fitzwilliam’s return.” Elizabeth, like her father, played to such amusements.
How easily Georgiana conversed with Chadwick Harrison entertained Elizabeth. He traveled the world, and Georgiana had questions about the world. In between his anecdotes, Elizabeth ascertained Mr. Harrison sought Darcy’s advice on his estate. Darcy assumed control of Pemberley at about the same age, as is Mr. Harrison now. Harrison could seek the advice of some of his closer neighbors, but all those estates had elderly owners, and many were in decline. Darcy had a reputation for innovation, and Pemberley had not been, reportedly, impacted by the draw of the larger cities. Chadwick Harrison wanted Darcy’s insights.
When Darcy strode into his study, he did not expect the mirth and laughter borne into the hallway. Elizabeth and Georgiana engaged in an animated conversation with a young gentleman. He stepped to Elizabeth’s side and leaned down to kiss her hand, a symbol of his claim on her in case the stranger had other thoughts.
“Fitzwilliam, we are so pleased you finally returned. We entertain Mr. Harrison.” Elizabeth gifted her husband with a broad smile.
“I see, Elizabeth.” His voice held some hesitation.
“Mr. Darcy,” Harrison rose to his feet and made his bow,“I am Chadwick Harrison; my parents are Mr. and Mrs. James Harrison of Hines Park.”
“Of course, Mr. Harrison, our parents were acquaintances. I offer my condolences on your father’s passing.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am apologetic for intruding on your time. I came here today to leave my card and request a date when we might talk.”
“Mr. Harrison seeks your advice, Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth added, “on the running of Hines Park.”
“I would be happy to spe
ak to Mr. Harrison today if you ladies will allow me to reclaim my study.” He spoke to them all but looked only at Elizabeth.
“Obviously, I can go nowhere by myself; Mr. Spencer ordered me off my feet. Do you believe I might prevail upon you for assistance?” Their playful teasing returned to their conversation in the past week.
“Come, Mrs. Darcy,” he laughed as he swept her in his arms.
“Ask Mr. Harrison to stay for dinner, Fitzwilliam.” She looked back at Harrison and Georgiana as Darcy carried her toward the door.“Georgiana and I want to hear more of his stories.”
Darcy half turned to his visitor.“I will return in a few minutes, Mr. Harrison, once my new wife has her amusements at my expense.” Darcy pulled her to his chest as he carried her from the room, and she rewarded him with a kiss on the neck.
Georgiana stood to make her exit. “We hope you will stay for dinner, Mr. Harrison.”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy, I can think of nothing more pleasurable.”
Chadwick Harrison quickly became a favorite at Pemberley. He rode the estate with Darcy in the morning, walked the grounds with Georgiana in the afternoon, and dined with all the Darcys in the evening. They asked him to leave his lodgings at the Royal Crown in Lambton and stay with them at Pemberley through New Year’s.
“We are expecting my eldest sister and her husband, as well as Kitty, one of my younger sisters. Jane and I shared our wedding day. Her husband Charles Bingley is Fitzwilliam’s best friend,” Elizabeth added during dinner.
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