Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple

by Brenda J. Webb

  “I am beginning to worry about Mrs. Darcy’s health,” the physician said quietly, walking toward them. “She must be made to see reason.”

  “Let me try,” Olivia answered. Going to her niece, she reached over and shook her shoulder gently. “Elizabeth, wake up.”

  Instantly, she sat up straight. “Wha... what? Is it Will?” Upon comprehending that he was no different than before, she looked about self-consciously. “I... I must have just fallen asleep.”

  “That is why I woke you, dearest,” Olivia said. “You need to rest in your own bed. Taking naps will not replace restorative sleep.”

  “But I need—”

  “You need to rest,” Olivia interrupted her tenderly, placing a hand over her niece’s. “Your uncle and I insist.”

  Elizabeth’s heart fluttered with a vague terror. Glancing from Mr. Camryn, his arms folded and his face gravely authoritative, to the concerned mien of her uncle, she realised that to argue was futile; thus, leaning over to kiss William, Elizabeth whispered in his ear that she loved him, before standing unsteadily and allowing Olivia to guide her from the room.

  Once Elizabeth was gone, the physician slid aside the chair she had been sitting in and sat down on the edge of the bed. He proceeded to listen to William’s heart then pulled the covers down past the broken ribs that he had wrapped earlier so that he could press on his abdomen. Camryn continued to press across and down the abdomen, frowned perplexedly and covered William again.

  “Is there no change?” Joseph Fitzwilliam asked, his voice sounding despondent for the first time.

  “None visible to the eye,” Camryn said, rising to his feet. “There is nothing I can do here, so I shall retire. Please wake me if there is any change.”

  When he got to the door, Georgiana was about to enter. She was followed by Mrs. Reynolds and Olivia, who had left Elizabeth in the capable hands of Mrs. O’Reilly. The maid’s health had improved dramatically with the help of Mrs. Reynolds’ draughts, and she had insisted on returning to her position to help her mistress.

  “Is my brother... ” One look at Camryn’s face answered Georgiana’s question, so her voice trailed off.

  “I am sorry, Miss Darcy. There has been no change.”

  Just as she had nodded in silent acceptance, a loud moan filled the air. Realising what it meant, Mrs. Reynolds raced to fetch Elizabeth, while Camryn rushed to the bed with Georgiana on his heels. Olivia went to her husband, who had hurriedly grabbed a chamber candlestick and was holding it over William in order for the physician to have a better view.

  “Mr. Darcy!” Mr. Camryn cried, his voice sounding almost frantic in its fervour. “Mr. Darcy, can you hear me?”

  William’s head began to roll side to side, so the physician grabbed the bottle of smelling salts still on the table, uncapped it, and held it under his nose, which wrinkled in protest. A raspy voice pleaded, “Stop!”

  Mr. Camryn could not hold back a wide smile. In fact, his entire body seemed to uncoil with relief. Putting aside the salts, he said, “Can you open your eyes?”

  William obliged, though just as quickly he closed them again. “Too bright,” he murmured. As Camryn motioned for Joseph to move the candle aside, William croaked, “Water.”

  “Of course, you must be parched.” Camryn motioned for Georgiana to pour a glass of water from the pitcher by the bed. While she did, he added, “We must lift you in order for you to drink. Your body will be quite sore, and you may experience pain on your left side, for I believe two ribs are broken. Tell me if you experience sharp pains elsewhere.”

  William did not cry out, but gritted his teeth as he was lifted and again afterward, when they placed several pillows behind his back. As soon as he was sitting upright, Camryn took the glass of water from Georgiana and held it for him to take several swallows.

  “More?”

  William shook his head and lay back against the pillows.

  “We have moved the candle so that the room is not as bright. Will you try to open your eyes now?” They flickered open and Camryn held up two fingers right in front of his face. “How many fingers do you see?”

  “Four... three?” William murmured. “It is a blur.”

  “That is not uncommon with a head injury. It should disappear with time.”

  William’s voice full of confusion when he repeated, “Head injury?”

  “You do not remember what happened?”

  “No.”

  “You were thrown from a horse and hit your head on a large rock.” William seemed to consider that, so Camryn continued. “Can you lift your left arm?” William grimaced as he tried. “Can you tell me whether it is your arm or your shoulder that hurt the most when you raised it?”

  “I... I am not sure.”

  “Try the right arm.” This time there was no corresponding grimace of pain as he complied. “What of your legs? Can you pull your knees up?” The effort produced more groans.

  “That is enough for the time being. Now, do you know who I am?”

  With a bit of annoyance, William said, “I would know your voice even if I could not see you.”

  “Then indulge me. What is my name?”

  “Camryn.”

  The physician pulled Georgiana forward, though he held a finger to his lips indicating she should not speak. “And who is this?”

  William’s eyes squinted. “My sister... Georgiana.”

  Feeling much relieved at this point, Camryn motioned Joseph and Olivia closer. “And do you recognise these two people?”

  The longer William studied the couple, the more the level of anxiety in the room accelerated. Consequently, there was a common sigh of relief when he finally answered, “My aunt and uncle.”

  His next words, however, brought quite the opposite reaction. “I thought you were in Ireland.”

  Joseph looked surreptitiously at the others, before answering. “Olivia and I have been your guests at Pemberley for the last two months, Fitzwilliam.”

  “You have?”

  Concerns for William’s memory skyrocketed from the moment Elizabeth rushed into the room. Going straight to the end of the bed, her eyes filled with tears, she tented her hands over her mouth and stared unbelievingly, unable to speak. When at last she recovered, she hurried to sit on the bed next to William and reached for his hand.

  “Oh, Will! Thank God, you are awake!” she sobbed. Then she began to place kisses over the back of his hand.

  It was evident to all but Elizabeth that William regarded her with a perplexed expression. However, after she began to kiss his hand, that expression promptly changed to one of alarm.

  “Do... do I know you, madam?”

  After the initial gasps of disbelief, the silence in the room was deafening. As for Elizabeth, she stared at him, blinking uncomprehendingly, until the truth sank in. Then she collapsed onto the bed next to him.

  Camryn hurried to Elizabeth, immediately taking her pulse. Then he announced what everyone already knew. “The stress was too much. She has fainted. We must get her to her bedroom. Please ring for a footman.”

  Joseph began gathering Elizabeth in his arms. “That will not be necessary.”

  As he carried his niece to the door, Camryn added, “Cool her forehead with a dampened washcloth. I shall be there shortly.”

  As Elizabeth was taken away, Olivia and Mrs. Reynolds hastened to follow. However, upon overhearing her nephew ask Georgiana a question, Olivia motioned for Mrs. Reynolds to go on, and she stepped back into the room.

  “Who... who is she?” William asked, his eyes searching his sister’s for the truth.

  “No one of great import,” Georgiana said matter-of-factly. “You need not concern yourself over her. You must use all your energy to get well.”

  The physician started to object, but before he could, Olivia stepped out of the shadows. “Georgiana!”

  Whirling around to see her aunt, Georgiana lifted her chin in defiance. “Brother needs to focus on his recovery. He should not worry
over what he cannot remember.”

  “At the expense of his wife’s health?” Mr. Camryn said crossly. “The Fitzwilliam Darcy I know would never approve of such a thing.”

  Georgiana turned on him. “It seems that you, too, are determined to put my sister’s welfare ahead of my brother’s.” Then she addressed William. “You will never know how relieved I am that you are awake, Brother. Some thought that they were in charge the moment you were injured.” She leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead. “For now, I shall leave you to rest; however, you and I must talk tomorrow.”

  After Georgiana left the room, William said disbelievingly, “A wife? I cannot possibly have a wife.”

  Olivia stepped closer. “Oh, but you do, Fitzwilliam. You were married six weeks ago, right after Joseph and I came to Pemberley.”

  Mr. Camryn reached out to lay a comforting hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Darcy, there is not a lot known about memory loss from head injuries; however, it appears that you do remember things in your past, just not the last few weeks or so. From what I have read, that is a good indicator that you will gain your memory completely at some point in the future. Most cases that I have studied involved a gradual process but, in a few instances, something triggered recollection all at once. The brain is a complex and awesome creation, and I am confident that your memory will eventually be restored completely.”

  Actually, Camryn was not certain, but he felt it best to always give his patients hope. “First, it is imperative that you get on your feet so pneumonia does not set in. To that end, you shall begin an exercise routine in the morning. Tonight, however, you should take some nourishment and continue to rest. A light broth would do well, in addition to plenty of liquids, so I shall send Mrs. Reynolds to the kitchen to procure that whilst I check on Mrs. Darcy.”

  At the bedroom door, the physician stopped to look back. He found William still observing him with a puzzled expression. “Try not to worry, if possible. That will only hinder your recovery, my friend.” With those few words, he went to check on Elizabeth.

  Olivia moved to stand by the bed. She longed to push a stray lock of hair from William’s eyes but hesitated, unsure if he remembered how close they had become of late. “Oh, Fitzwilliam, you will never know how pleased I am to see you awake. Your uncle and I love you very much, and you gave us quite a scare.”

  It became apparent that his mind was elsewhere when he asked, “Was I... was I happy with—” His puzzled expression left Olivia to conclude that he did not remember Elizabeth’s name.

  “Elizabeth?” she said. William nodded. “Oh, yes, dear. Both of you were deliriously happy.”

  “Then why is Georgiana so dismissive of her?”

  “When we arrived, you told us that Georgiana has been at odds with you over many things.”

  A heavy sigh escaped, as he said, “That much I do remember.”

  “Good. You will do well to keep that in mind if she talks ill of Elizabeth. She was against your marriage from the start and still is. Joseph and Richard will verify that.”

  William’s voice had grown much weaker. “Richard? Is he here?”

  “No. But he has been sent word of your injury, and I would not be surprised if he arrives at any moment.”

  William’s eyes closed. “I am so weary.”

  “I know you are, dearest. Why not rest until the broth is brought up?”

  His breathing got slower and steadier until he nodded off to sleep. At that point, Joseph returned, so she crossed the room to speak quietly to him.

  “Is Elizabeth well? Should I go to her?”

  “I do not think it necessary, Livy. She woke and is as well as can be expected after the shock. Just before I left, Mrs. O’Reilly was preparing a powder in a cup of tea—something Camryn ordered. The maid and Mrs. Reynolds plan to take turns staying with her tonight.”

  “My heart breaks for her,” Olivia said, her voice cracking as she dabbed at her eyes with a handkerchief.

  Joseph pulled his wife into his arms. “Now, Livy, she is in good hands.”

  “You are right.” She sniffled, resting her head on his chest. “Are you planning to stay with Fitzwilliam?”

  “No. Mr. Adams intends to watch our nephew tonight.”

  “That is for the best, I think. I fear that we shall both need clear heads if Georgiana continues to scheme tomorrow.”

  Joseph’s brows knit. “Scheme? What has she done?”

  Just then Mr. Adams returned, and they left him to his charge while they went on to their suite. As they did, Olivia quietly related what had happened after he left the room.

  At their bedroom door, he escorted her inside before replying, “I see why you fear Georgiana. We must all be vigilant, so I shall seek Mrs. Reynolds’ and Mr. Adams’ help in keeping an eye on her.” He began to fret. “If only Richard were here. He could speak for Elizabeth, for Fitzwilliam trusts him implicitly.”

  “I have a feeling that he will be here sooner than we ever thought possible.”

  “Would to God that your intuition is right.”

  Olivia reached out to take both his hands. “Let us pray, then, that it is.”

  THE NEXT DAY

  The morning found the master fully awake, though still extremely confused, dizzy and unable to remember anything of the last few months. He consumed a meal of soft eggs and another cup of broth, despite complaints of occasional nausea. Later, he was helped to his feet and walked about his bedroom with the aid of a footman—howbeit, very unsteadily.

  While most everyone was thrilled with his progress, Elizabeth was another matter. Still asleep, no doubt as a result of the powder the physician had ordered the night before, her sitting room had filled with concerned servants and family as the day progressed. They had been talking in hushed tones as Mr. Camryn entered the room. Instantly, he addressed Mrs. O’Reilly.

  “Did the powder help Mrs. Darcy sleep?”

  The maid nodded. “She did not move from one position all night.”

  “Have you tried to rouse her this morning?”

  “No, sir. Usually, she hears me when I go into her dressing room to prepare for the day and she rises. Today she did not.”

  “Well, she should have awakened by now,” Camryn declared gravely. “I fear that Mrs. Darcy must be roused, so I can determine her condition.”

  Everyone followed him into the room, standing inconspicuously out of sight, as he began to wake her. “Mrs. Darcy?” Camryn said, shaking her shoulder.

  As Elizabeth began to rouse, her expression went from lethargic to puzzled, but in an instant, she recognised the physician. His presence brought back the events of the previous night, and Elizabeth’s eyes filled with tears as her lips quivered. Olivia hurried to her side.

  Sitting on the bed, Olivia smoothed a few unruly curls from her face saying, “Dearest, everything is going to be well—mark my words. Fitzwilliam is awake and will soon regain all his memory. Just give him time.”

  Elizabeth nodded, wiping tears from her face with the backs of her hands. Then with great effort to calm herself, she said, “I... I have to believe that, otherwise... ” The sentence hung unfinished.

  “Mrs. Darcy,” Camryn broke in. “I know that you do not wish to create more problems for your family by getting sick, so I have several requests to make of you.”

  She studied him now, wide-eyed as a child. It reminded him of how young Elizabeth actually was, and he could not suppress a small smile. “I ask that you keep to your regular schedule of rising and sleeping. Eat, even if you do not feel hungry, and take a walk around the grounds every day. I have been told how much you love to walk, and you need to keep up your spirits by doing the things you love. Will you try to do that?”

  “Yes, of course.”

  He patted her hand. “Excellent. I shall leave so that you may dress and eat. Whilst you do, I shall see how your husband is faring, now that I have him on his feet.”

  “On his feet? Is Will strong enough for that?”


  “He is doing remarkably well, considering how severe his injury was, and it is important to get him out of bed. The blurry vision still exists, but I expect it to dissipate in time. When I left him this morning, he was walking with the help of a footman. Of course, he was very unhappy that he could not walk unaided, and I tried to explain that his balance would improve as his vision does, but he was not convinced. You have a very stubborn husband, Mrs. Darcy.”

  For the first time in days, Elizabeth’s frown softened to a quivering smile. “I cannot disagree with you on that point, Mr. Camryn.”

  “Not if you want to maintain your integrity,” Camryn teased. “Now, I shall be off.”

  Camryn encountered Joseph near the door. “Mr. Fitzwilliam, can you spare me a few minutes of your time?” Joseph nodded and, with a tender smile for his wife and then his niece, he followed the physician. They were several feet down the main hallway before Camryn spoke.

  “Is there a room on this floor where we may have a private word?”

  “Certainly,” Joseph answered, stopping abruptly to open a guest bedroom door. He motioned Camryn to go ahead and, following, closed the door soundly.

  The physician wasted no time. “I have to call on a few of my other patients today. I will return this evening, or sooner, if I am needed. I shall leave a list with Mrs. Reynolds of whom I plan to visit so that you may locate me.”

  “That is kind of you. I can only imagine how many people rely on your expertise. I wish you to know that I—nay, all of us— realise that Fitzwilliam’s condition has occupied most of your time lately, and we appreciate your dedication to his recovery.”

  “As well as being a friend, Mr. Darcy has been a great help to me in constructing a building for my practice, so no praise is necessary. If I can help him in any manner, I feel it a privilege to do so.”

  “Still, I wanted to make clear our gratitude. Call on your other patients with our heart-felt thanks. We will see after Fitzwilliam whilst you are elsewhere.”

  Camryn’s expression became more sombre. “There is another reason I wanted to talk with you alone. If Mr. Darcy does not remember his wife, it may prove awkward for her to help with his recovery. He may be uncomfortable with her presence. Therefore, I feel I must rely on you and the others to note his symptoms and to send for me if certain ones appear.”