“Mrs. Reynolds!” Joseph shouted, bringing her to a halt. “As soon as the wagon is ready, fetch me. I mean to go with them.” The housekeeper nodded and hurried away.
With that, Joseph Fitzwilliam was left alone. The thought of in what condition he would find his nephew, someone he loved like a son, caused his heart to ache. Closing his eyes, he dropped his head.
Not Fitzwilliam, Lord. Not now. Suddenly, he heard his father lecturing him on duty. This is no time to crumble. You must act like a man. Be strong!
His father had been right about that. He had to be strong for Olivia, but most especially for Elizabeth. Taking a deep breath, Joseph schooled his features to look more serene than he felt and headed toward the library.
“OH, UNCLE, YOU ARE here! Come and give me your opinion of—”
Elizabeth’s words hung in the air, for when the expression on her uncle’s face penetrated her senses, she was stricken mute.
Olivia turned to see what had silenced Elizabeth. Her husband’s face was gravely authoritative—an expression she had seen only twice. Trembling, she rose to go to her niece. She slid an arm around Elizabeth’s waist, and for a long moment, they stared at her husband.
Finally, he found his voice. “Elizabeth, would you join me on the sofa.”
Elizabeth’s eyes dilated with fear as she shook her head slowly left to right.
Then she whirled around, covered her face and began to cry. Olivia pulled her into her arms, whispering words of comfort.
At length, she managed to stop crying. Wiping her face with her hands, she faced her uncle. Joseph grasped her forearms gently, hoping he might be able to catch her if she fainted. “My dear, there has been an accident involving Fitzwilliam.”
Elizabeth’s face crumbled and she squeezed her eyes tight, trying not to cry again. It was fruitless. Tears seeped through her lashes and rolled down her face.
“Sergeant Thaggart’s troop found him lying in the road. He is alive, but unconscious.”
Elizabeth seemed befuddled, stammering, “He... he is alive?”
Her uncle nodded. “Yes, he is alive. Thaggart’s fellow soldiers are with him, awaiting the wagon from Pemberley. I am going with them to bring him home.”
“I must go to him!” She tried to move, but Joseph held her in place.
“Elizabeth,” he said as calmly as possible, “the house must be readied to receive Fitzwilliam. You are needed here.”
Olivia broke in. “He is right, my dear. We must have everything at hand—bandages and towels, boiling water, Mrs. Reynolds’ bag of remedies.”
“Stay here with Olivia, Elizabeth. I shall take good care of your husband for you.”
Grasping the lapels of his coat, she pleaded, “Promise me.”
“Anything in my power.”
“Tell Will that I love him. Even if... even if you think he cannot hear.” Her voice broke. “Tell him that I love him.”
It took all his strength not to cry along with Elizabeth as he wrapped his niece in his arms. Joseph held her tight for a moment, reassuring, “I promise.” Then drawing back, he kissed her forehead. “I shall bring him home to you.”
She nodded and he turned to go to Olivia. Embracing her, he whispered in her ear, “Be as strong as you can for Elizabeth. I love you.”
Just then, at the door, Thaggart cleared his throat. “Excuse me, sir, but the wagon is ready.”
“Let us be off then, Sergeant.”
In the foyer, Mr. Walker joined Mrs. Reynolds as they followed Olivia and Elizabeth onto the portico. All four stood in silent vigil until the wagon and the men were completely out of sight.
The night was eerily quiet as they remained in front of the house. Then in a voice filled with determination, Elizabeth said, “We have lots to get done before Will comes home, so we had better get started.”
As she disappeared back inside the house, Mr. Walker, Mrs. Reynolds and Olivia Fitzwilliam exchanged worried glances. Acknowledging each other’s fears without saying a word, they hurried after Elizabeth.
Chapter 36
Pemberley
After Joseph Fitzwilliam left to bring William home, Elizabeth went straightaway from frightened to resolute. Heading directly to the suite of rooms that she and William shared, she began to study the configuration of William’s bedroom and the door entering it from the hall. Abruptly, she ordered a maid to fetch four footmen and then headed to the sitting room.
When Olivia enquired about the need for footmen, Elizabeth explained, “Mrs. Reynolds mentioned that a stretcher was made from one of the cots in the servants’ quarters. Short of moving William’s huge bed and wardrobe, it will never fit through the hall door. All that is left is to manoeuvre through the sitting room, and if we go through there, it will be easier if several pieces of furniture are removed.”
Though still concerned by her niece’s sudden change of character, Olivia was impressed that she was able to think at all under the circumstances. Nonetheless, scarcely had she time to consider anything her niece had said before the footmen rushed into the room, and Elizabeth began pointing to the pieces she wanted removed. Then she gave orders to remove the door between the sitting room and bedroom from its hinges. Next, she sent a maid to fetch bandages of various sizes from their supply. Another maid was asked to bring extra towels and to make sure that Mrs. Lantrip had been instructed to heat water.
Disturbed by the racket, Georgiana stomped from her bedroom and, seeing Mrs. Reynolds, demanded to know the cause of the upheaval in the family quarters. Mrs. Reynolds patiently explained all that had happened. Flushed with a suffusion that crimsoned her whole countenance, Georgiana would not let an opportunity pass to undermine her brother’s wife. Entering the sitting room where Elizabeth and Olivia were busy working, she made her views known.
“I do not see why it was necessary to disrupt the entire house by moving furniture at a time like this. After all, Pemberley has ample guest rooms with beds much smaller than Brother’s. Any of those rooms could easily accommodate a stretcher.”
Half choked by rising anger, Elizabeth turned to face her, the calm mask of moments before replaced by an expression of inflexible authority. It caused all those witness to the scene to exchange nervous glances.
“When my husband wakes from this terrible ordeal, he is going to be lying in his own bed, in his own bedroom. I do not have the time or inclination to argue with you today of all days, Georgiana, so please stay out of the way or, better still, go back to your room. I will have someone notify you when Will is brought home.”
Having said that, Elizabeth walked into William’s bedroom with an armload of towels a maid had just brought up. Georgiana looked about the room, and finding no sympathy in the faces of her aunt, Mrs. Reynolds or any of the servants, she marched out. Going down the hall, she shouted, “Send for me the minute my brother is home.”
Everyone was now on pins and needles, watching Elizabeth cope by keeping up a tumult of activity—none more so than Olivia. Thus, when a maid whispered to her that Mr. Camryn, the local physician, was downstairs, Olivia quietly hurried to meet him. He was already on the first steps of the grand staircase when she arrived at the top of the landing. Going swiftly down the stairs, she met him halfway.
“Mr. Camryn, thank you for coming so swiftly.”
“I could do no less for Mr. Darcy, Mrs. Fitzwilliam. He is not only a patient of mine, but a good friend. I am heartsick to hear of his misfortune.”
“We all are. He has not been returned to the house as of yet but should be here at any moment. I hoped to speak to you before you talk to my niece.”
Olivia proceeded to quickly tell him of her worries about Elizabeth’s frame of mind. After she was done, he began to reassure her. “In my profession, I have witnessed many a woman in these same circumstances. To all appearances, they seem strong, but inwardly, they are falling to pieces. If I feel it is warranted, I shall not hesitate to prepare something for Mrs. Darcy’s nerves.”
“There
is something else you should know.” Olivia looked around surreptitiously, continuing in a low voice, “I swore I would tell no one, so please keep this in strictest confidence. Even my nephew is not aware of what I am going to say.”
“I understand completely.”
“Only days ago, Elizabeth confided in me that she may be with child. It is only the first signs, mind you, nothing definite. Still—”
“I am pleased that you told me,” Camryn interrupted. “Though I would usually prescribe a few drops of laudanum in these circumstances that is out of the question if she may be with child. Perhaps a strong chamomile tea and a headache powder would have the desired effect.”
All of a sudden, Mr. Walker appeared at the foot of the stairs. “The wagon has returned.” Then he rushed toward the front door.
“Please ask Mrs. Reynolds to prepare the tea, just in case. I must see to Mr. Darcy.”
Camryn hurried after the butler, while Olivia hastily returned upstairs. The very second she told her niece that William was downstairs, Elizabeth’s self-possessed facade crumbled. Dashing from the room, she ran down the hall, slowing down only when she went down the stairs. Then she crossed the foyer at her former furious pace.
By the time Olivia and Mrs. Reynolds caught up with her on the portico, Elizabeth was frozen in place, stricken to the soul. Both hands covered her mouth, while her eyes, wide as saucers, locked on the bed of the wagon and Mr. Camryn, who was bent over her husband’s unresponsive body.
Olivia whispered Mr. Camryn’s orders to the housekeeper. As the long-time servant left to instruct Mrs. Lantrip to make the drink, Olivia went to her niece.
“Elizabeth, dear, why do you not come inside?” she said, sliding an arm around her waist. “Let them get Fitzwilliam into the house.”
Elizabeth did not budge, and only when the men began sliding the stretcher toward the end of the wagon did she speak. “Please, be careful!”
By then Joseph had joined his wife and niece. Receiving a pointed look from his wife, he said, “Perhaps we should all step back into the house.”
The men were already beginning up the steps with William, and Elizabeth declared, “I must show them the way.” Stepping in front of the stretcher, she added, “Please, follow me.”
She led the way, leaving the Fitzwilliams to watch apprehensively. When the groom slapped the reins, urging the horses back to the stables, they both startled. And, after the wagon had rumbled around the corner of the house, they were left in an eerie silence.
“How is he truly, Joseph? Do not spare me the truth.”
Shaking his head forlornly, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves. “It does not look good, Livy. Apparently Fitzwilliam fell from his horse, taking a hard blow to the back of the head. There is a knot the size of a large egg at the base of his skull. I have been at his side the entire time, and he has shown no signs of regaining consciousness.”
Olivia sobbed and he pulled her into his embrace, patting her back. After a spell of crying, she sniffled, pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and dried her eyes. “I cannot let Elizabeth see me like this.” Once she was satisfied that she could continue, she said, “Do you think it an accident?”
“No. The soldiers clearly heard a gunshot, but Fitzwilliam’s pistol was never fired. It was found on the ground several feet away. Also, the tip of his stallion’s ear was bleeding, and I agree with Thaggart that he was likely nicked by a bullet meant for our nephew. Someone suggested that a hunter’s shot might have gone astray, but the distance from the woods to where Fitzwilliam was found is too great a distance. No bullet would carry that far, let alone penetrate the rock on either side.”
“What do you think happened?”
“Colonel North believes that whoever shot at Fitzwilliam did not have good aim, thus he hit Zeus. The stallion reared, throwing him to the ground, and that is when he hit his head. I concur with his opinion. Most likely, the blackguard would have finished him off if the troops had not come through the pass so close behind our nephew.”
“Thank God that Colonel North was there.”
“The Lord was certainly gracious in that regard.”
“I cannot imagine anyone wanting to hurt Fitzwilliam. And knowing it was deliberate will devastate Elizabeth even more.”
“It is hard to comprehend such evil. And I have to wonder if we should wait to tell Elizabeth it was no accident until she is better able to deal with the news. In any case, locating the culprit is secondary to seeing after Fitzwilliam’s wellbeing at this point.”
“Of course it is.”
“There is one other thing. While I think Mr. Camryn an excellent physician, I want to suggest that we ask Fitzwilliam’s physician in London, to attend him, too. I believe he said his name is Graham.”
“That is an excellent idea. I think Elizabeth will feel better knowing that more than one doctor is attending him. I am sure Mrs. Reynolds knows the man and we should ask Elizabeth if she wants you to notify him, for she has more than enough concerns at present.”
“That is not unexpected under the circumstances. Come, love, we need to go inside, as I wish to hear everything Mr. Camryn has to say.”
UPSTAIRS, ELIZABETH guided the men to the sitting room as if in a daze. Seeing William lying flat on his back in the wagon with his clothes dishevelled and his boots removed had driven home to her the truth of what had happened. Her once vibrant husband looked so vulnerable, and it had taken all her strength not to collapse then and there.
Suddenly, Mr. Camryn’s raised voice coming from inside the bedroom forced her thoughts back to the present. “Hold steady, men! Good, now slide him onto the bed gently... gently.”
After the men with the stretcher reverently filed past her, Elizabeth walked into the bedroom, followed shortly by her aunt and uncle, Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Adams, Darcy’s valet, and Georgiana, who had been summoned when the wagon arrived. Mr. Camryn seemed oblivious to the growing number, as he was totally focused on his patient, but once he stopped to take in the scene, his worried gaze settled on Elizabeth.
“I would like Mrs. Reynolds to stay, for I may need to borrow a few items from her bag. Mr. Adams, I could use your help in cutting Mr. Darcy’s clothes from his body. If everyone else will be good enough to wait in the sitting room, I will come in and give you my opinion of Mr. Darcy’s condition once I have finished my examination.”
“I will not.” Every eye turned to Elizabeth. Though it was obvious that she was trembling, her expression was unyielding.
“I assure you it will only take a short while, Mrs. Darcy.”
“This is my husband, Mr. Camryn. I will stay.”
The physician’s chest deflated wearily as a loud sigh escaped. “Very well.”
Though the Fitzwilliams started to leave, Georgiana did not move. Instead her expression stiffened into obstinacy. “He is my brother. I have as much right to stay as Elizabeth!”
At the end of his patience, Joseph Fitzwilliam took his niece by the elbow. “You will wait with us, Georgiana.” None too gently, he ushered her from the room.
After they were gone, the physician addressed the housekeeper, “Mrs. Reynolds, do you have two pairs of sharp scissors?”
“I have only one in my bag,” Mrs. Reynolds said, extracting a pair from it without delay.
“I keep a pair in Mr. Darcy’s dressing room,” Mr. Adams said. Instantly he disappeared into the adjoining room and, just as quickly, reappeared holding up another pair of scissors.
“Good! We dare not risk bending his arms or legs until we know for certain if bones are broken. So, let us get started. We shall remove his coat, waistcoat and shirt first. I shall begin on this side, if you will do the other.”
Physician and valet worked swiftly, and soon William was naked from the waist up. Camryn began the examination by feeling along the length of both arms and legs. Seemingly satisfied, he manipulated William’s neck before running his fingers over every inch of his head, front and back.
�
�There is a lump, but, thank God, his neck is not broken. Help me turn him slightly, Mr. Adams. Lift him just enough so that I can accomplish what I must.” The valet rolled William toward himself. “That is good. Hold him steady.”
The physician peered under William’s back, looking for wounds whilst running his fingers over the area. Then he manipulated his shoulder blade and the ribcage before saying, “Now, the other side.”
Repeating his actions on the left side, Camryn was soon finished. Rubbing his chin in reflection, he said, “Mrs. Reynolds, I assume you have smelling salts. May I borrow them, please? I left mine at a patient’s cottage yesterday and have not had time to retrieve them or prepare more.”
The housekeeper immediately handed a brown bottle to the physician. A pungent smell filled the room when he removed the stopper. Holding it under William’s nose, he waved it slowly back and forth several times, but there was no response. New tears rushed to Elizabeth’s eyes and they were shining when he turned to face her.
“The good news is that I see no open wounds, Mrs. Darcy. Two, possibly three, ribs are cracked on the left, which would likely mean he hit the ground on that side. He will no doubt have bruises there, as well as along his left shoulder and arm. In fact, they are forming already. I could detect no other fractures, but small fractures are impossible to detect by manipulation. If Mr. Darcy was awake, he could direct us to any breaks simply because of the pain.”
“Do you—When might he wake?” Elizabeth stammered.
The physician glanced at Mrs. Reynolds, who moved to stand beside her.
“Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing when your husband will regain consciousness. I am certain that he has suffered a concussion because he is unconscious, but concussions and their symptoms vary widely according to severity. At this point, I can say only that the injury to his head is my paramount concern.”
Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple Page 60