Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple

by Brenda J. Webb

“Elizabeth?” Looking up from where she pushed the food about on her plate, she met her aunt’s gaze. “Mr. Camryn asked if you have no appetite, dear.”

  She tried to smile reassuringly at the physician. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Camryn, I did not hear you. I believe I am too tired to eat. Once I am able to sleep, I am sure my appetite will return.”

  From Camryn’s expression, he was not convinced. “Do you intend to visit your husband today?” he asked. “You have not seen him since... ” The sentence was left unfinished.

  “I will see him after everyone has retired. I wish to talk with him alone.”

  “After what happened last night, it would be wise if someone accompanied you. If you were to faint again with no one about to—”

  “I will not faint,” Elizabeth interrupted. Less adamantly, she added, “If it will ease your mind, Mrs. Reynolds can wait for me in the sitting room.”

  “If you are resolute to go in alone, I will not insist,” Mr. Camryn said, rising wearily from his seat. “I am going to retire now, but do not hesitate to wake me if I am needed. I do not think I have ever answered as many questions regarding a patient as I have today. The earl is certainly thorough.”

  “He has always been,” Joseph volunteered.

  With that, the physician excused himself and went directly to his room, leaving Joseph and Olivia alone with their niece.

  “Are you sure you do not want one of us to accompany you when you visit Fitzwilliam? Adams says he is short-tempered since his injury, and you do not need to be overly stressed, my dear,” Uncle Joseph said.

  “I appreciate your concern, but I must talk to Will alone. Please try to understand.”

  His eyes flicked to his wife before resting on her again. Then he sighed in resignation. “Of course.”

  Standing, he began to help Olivia from her chair. “It is time that we retire as well, for it has been a long and trying day. Nonetheless, please do not hesitate to send for us if we are needed.”

  “I promise I will.”

  After they exited the room, Elizabeth quit all pretence of eating and left the dining room. Walking into the foyer, she met Mrs. Reynolds, who was coming from the direction of the kitchen with a small tray containing a pot of tea and a china cup with some type of powder inside it.

  “Is that for Will?”

  “Yes, Mrs. Darcy. Mr. Camryn ordered this powder to be taken at night, and it is best ingested with tea. I thought a fresh pot might make it more palatable.”

  “Please, let me take it in to him. I wish to speak with him, and the tea will be my purpose for being there.”

  “I would be glad to accompany you. Mr. Darcy is not in a very good mood today, though one can hardly blame him, what with all he has borne and continues to bear.”

  “I have been forewarned, but I had rather you not. If you wish to wait in the sitting room until I come out, Mr. Camryn will be pleased. He wanted assurances that I would not faint again with no one about to notice except Will.”

  “I shall be pleased to do so, ma’am.”

  Before long, they stood at the door separating the sitting room from William’s bedroom. As Mrs. Reynolds handed her the tray, Elizabeth’s heart began to pound. Watching as the housekeeper’s hand inched toward the doorknob, she was taken aback when, out of the blue, a loud argument began behind the closed door. It seemed only a second before it flew open and Mr. Adams walked out. In his haste, he neglected to close the door securely.

  Noting that the door was still slightly ajar, Mrs. Reynolds whispered anxiously, “What has happened?”

  Looking a bit sheepish, Adams glanced nervously at the opening. “The more frustrated Mr. Darcy becomes, the more his temper flares. I merely offered to help him change his nightshirt and suddenly he was irate, declaring that he was not an invalid and ordering me out of his sight. Mr. Camryn said that this is to be expected, but it so unlike the master that I hardly knew how to react.”

  Before either woman could offer sympathy, he added. “Perhaps it is best if I give him some time alone, for I can certainly use a respite myself.”

  As he hurried away, Mrs. Reynolds asked Elizabeth, “Are you sure you want to go in by yourself?”

  Elizabeth straightened her shoulders. “I am. Please close the door behind me.” The elderly servant nodded and did as she was asked.

  Entering noiselessly, the bedroom was brighter than Elizabeth expected, for more than one candle was burning. William stood in his nightshirt and robe at the end of the bed, his back to her. He appeared to be clinging to the bedpost for support, so she became alarmed. Setting the tray down on the dresser more soundly than she intended, the dishes rattled, alerting him to her presence. He reacted immediately.

  “I told you to leave me alone for the night.”

  “I am not Mr. Adams. It is I, Will.”

  William’s head swung around. It was evident that he had to squint in order to focus. “I apologise, madam.”

  “Elizabeth. Call me Elizabeth, please. And you need not apologise. I should have announced myself when I came into the room. It is just... you were angry, and I was not sure if my presence would be welcome.”

  He said nothing in reply, and the silence stretched on uncomfortably. As a result, Elizabeth busied herself by pouring tea in the cup and mixing it with the powder.

  “I brought the powder that Mr. Camryn ordered for you at night. Mrs. Reynolds thought that some fresh tea might make it taste a little better, so she sent that as well.”

  “I do not think it possible to make it palatable.”

  Smiling at this pronouncement, she turned to face him. “Do you wish to climb back into bed before you take this?”

  “I am tired of lying in bed, but when I stand, the room starts to spin. I have a constant headache, which lying about all day exacerbates.”

  “This powder is designed to help the headache, I am sure, but it will not do for you to hold a hot drink whilst standing. Would you like to sit in the chair next to the bed until you finish the tea?”

  He did not answer or make any attempt to move. Elizabeth was beginning to wonder if he was going to ignore her when he spoke again. “On which side is the chair?”

  She set the cup down and rushed to take his arm so that she could guide him. “It is on the side where you sleep. I had it moved next to the bed so I could sit there when I stayed overnight.”

  He made no objections as she guided him to the chair. Afterward, she retrieved the cup of tea, saying, “Be careful” as she handed it to him. Taking the cup, his hands trembled slightly, so she clasped his with her own.

  “That is not necessary. I am perfectly able to hold the cup without spilling it.”

  Instantly, Elizabeth’s hands dropped to her side, though she did not step away. After he had drunk the last drop, she took the cup and placed it on the tray. By the time she returned to William, his head had fallen back against the cushioned chair and his eyes were closed. Taking the opportunity to study the face she loved so dearly, her heart wrenched with longing.

  “Do you... I mean to say... is all memory of me still lost?”

  A deep intake of breath indicated that William had heard, though he did not answer immediately. At length he opened his eyes. “I am sorry, but I do not remember anything about you.”

  Her heart filled with speechless sorrow, and it was all she could do to murmur, “I see.”

  “I wish I could say that I do, but that would not be true. Still, you should know that I am grateful. Adams has told me how well you have cared for me since my accident.”

  “I took care of you because I love you, Will. If the circumstances were reversed, I am certain that you would have done the same for me.”

  He frowned, pinching the bridge of his nose as if that would dispatch his headache. “I cannot recall anyone ever calling me by that name.”

  A huge lump filled her throat. “That is why I chose to call you that.”

  “Your name is Elizabeth?” She nodded. “Did I call you Lizzy o
r perhaps Eliza?”

  “No, you preferred Elizabeth.”

  He seemed to think about that several seconds before speaking again. “I am sorry for any pain my circumstances have caused you. However, I hope that you realise it may be some time before I recall the entirety of... of our relationship.”

  “What happened was not your fault, so please do not think you owe me an apology. I am well aware that it may take weeks or months for your memory to return. I shall try hard to be patient.” William nodded, and she smiled wanly. “What you drank is supposed to make you very sleepy, so you really should get back into bed.”

  “No!” he answered, standing unsteadily once more. His reply was so abrupt that Elizabeth flinched, though he did not notice. “When I wish to go to bed, I shall, and I will not need anyone to tell me when or to help me.”

  Tears threatening, Elizabeth swallowed hard. “Then I shall leave you. Good night, Will.”

  “Good night, madam.”

  Entering the sitting room, the sight of Mrs. Reynolds’ hopeful face caused her tightly held emotions to fall apart, and she began to weep; however, when the housekeeper tried to console her, Elizabeth refused.

  “No. No. I am well, truly, I am. It is just so painful when he talks to me as though I am a stranger.” She sniffled, using her hands to wipe the tears covering her cheeks and tried to smile. “Thank you for waiting up for me, Mrs. Reynolds. Please go to bed, for I know you must be as exhausted as I am.”

  “I shall as soon as Mr. Adams takes my place. He should be here shortly.”

  With mixed emotions, Mrs. Reynolds watched as her mistress entered the door leading to her bedroom. Part of her longed to go after Elizabeth and comfort her; the other knew that she was right. If she was going to survive this situation, she had to be strong.

  Suddenly, Adams came into the room, and they exchanged a few words. Then she went across the hall to the blue room, where she had slept since Mr. Darcy’s injury.

  LONDON

  Gracechurch Street

  The Gardiners’ residence

  Edward Gardiner and his wife sat in the small, fenced garden at the rear of their house, taking tea. Madeline’s ankles swelled almost every day now, and their physician had advised that she forego any travel and keep her feet elevated as much as possible; thus, instead of trips to Colette’s Confectionary in the afternoons, Edward would stop to buy some of her favourite items and bring them home. Afterwards, they would enjoy them in their garden while the maid stayed with the children.

  As Edward reached for another biscuit, he noticed that his wife’s expression had darkened as she read a letter she had received just moments before.

  “What has you frowning, my dear?”

  “My aunt writes to say that Fitzwilliam has met with a terrible accident.”

  “But we have heard nothing of an accident from Elizabeth?”

  “No, but we could not expect her to write if his condition is critical.”

  “Tell me what she said.”

  After she related all that her aunt knew of the situation, they both sat in stunned silence. Finally, Madeline murmured, “I must go to her.”

  “No! Travelling could harm you and the baby. I shall go instead.”

  “But you have two shipments coming—one next week and one the week after. And with Mr. Clive off sick, there is no one to run the warehouse while you are away.”

  The reminder of his warehouse foreman’s illness made Edward’s frown deepen. He had other employees, but none capable of managing the warehouse like Mr. Clive.

  “Then I shall send an express to Thomas. I know that he will leave for Pemberley the moment he learns of it. In fact, if he has already, it is likely that he is on his way as we speak.”

  “That is an excellent idea. Elizabeth needs her father. And Mr. Bingley will likely want to monitor the progress of his friend.”

  “You are right.” Edward stood up. “Relax as much as possible, dear, while I write a short letter. I wish to post it today.”

  ON THE ROAD TO PEMBERLEY

  Pausing at a stream along the highway to water his horse, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam dropped to his knees beside the creature. Filling his hat from the stream, he poured the contents over his head and shivered as the water ran down his neck. Maybe that will keep me alert.

  Colonel Franklin had unexpectedly returned to his job, prompting General Lassiter to approve Richard’s request for a four-week leave. He was to take it before reporting to General Grier in York; thus, heading to Derbyshire sooner than expected, he encountered Colonel North at a post stop a day’s ride from London. After hearing of his cousin’s injury, nothing would do but to return to Pemberley faster than ever before. Riding as far as possible, daybreak to dark, he would accomplish his goal if the weather held.

  Rocking back on his heels to allow Titan a few more minutes of rest, Richard tried to recall the last time he had been this fatigued, concluding that it was during his last campaign on foreign soil. Since being promoted to colonel, most of his time had been spent traversing the countryside as liaison for one general or another or escorting new recruits. Darcy had often teased him about his undemanding job, and the memory of it made him smile. In truth, these had been the most effortless years of his tenure in His Majesty’s service, though he would never admit that to his cousin. Unbidden, an image of William lying near death came to mind and his smile vanished. Standing, he replaced his hat.

  “Come, Titan. I promise you will rest for several weeks once we get to Pemberley, but today we must ride again as though our lives depend on it.”

  Mounting the stallion with the effortlessness of someone accustomed to being in the saddle, he kicked the animal into a trot and then in another hundred feet, urged him into a gallop.

  Chapter 40

  Longbourn

  Early mornings at Longbourn had always been ruled by peace and quiet. It was then that Mrs. Bennet, Lydia and Kitty stayed abed far longer than the rest of the family, providing a welcome reprieve from their boisterousness and nerves. Being Mr. Bennet’s favourite time of day, it always brought to mind his favourite daughter. For the greater part of her life, he would meet Lizzy in the kitchen upon waking, and, whilst Mrs. Hill busily prepared food, each would grab a roll and a piece of ham and steal off to sit together on a bench in the garden. There they would watch the sun rise, often sitting in pleasant companionship for long periods without speaking. Then while Lizzy took a walk about the countryside, Mr. Bennet would contemplate all he wished to discuss with those who managed Longbourn’s stables, game and gardens. Since her marriage, Thomas still visited the garden most mornings, though now he mostly mulled over his daughter’s new life. Had he done the right thing in persuading her to accept Mr. Darcy instead of Mr. Collins? Was she happy?

  Regrettably, his routine had changed today out of necessity. Having twisted his knee the day before by leaping from the carriage to help a groom control an unruly horse, he could no longer walk. No bones had been broken, though his knee swelled so severely that donning his breeches was now impossible. Thus, he was reduced to wearing his nightshirt and robe all day long and keeping his leg elevated. In a stroke of genius, however, Mr. Bennet had insisted on being carried to the sofa in his study instead of to his bedroom, thus eliminating the need to go up and down the stairs. It also allowed him to avoid his wife and youngest girls by simply shutting the door, as was his habit.

  “An express has just arrived, sir. The messenger is in the kitchen having something to eat.”

  Mrs. Hill’s voice brought Mr. Bennet from his thoughts, and he found her coming towards him. Always anxious to receive a letter by so expensive a method, he winced as he took it and then glanced at the return address.

  “It is from my Brother Gardiner.” Suddenly remembering, he added, “If my wife did not see the express rider arrive, please do not mention it to her.”

  “As you wish, sir. Should I wait in case you wish to reply straightaway?”

  “That would b
e wise.”

  Breaking the seal, he quickly scanned Edward Gardiner’s note regarding his new son. Alas, his present condition would make it impossible for him to travel, but he had no doubt that Fanny would insist on going straight to Pemberley if she learned of the situation, with or without him. Suddenly Bingley came to mind.

  “Bring me paper and pen from my desk, please. I shall send a note to Netherfield, asking Mr. Bingley to attend me as soon as possible.”

  As Mrs. Hill went toward the desk, a shrill voice could be heard coming from upstairs. Fanny was awake and calling for Lydia.

  “Mrs. Hill?” The servant stopped. “Mrs. Bennet does not need to know that I have sent for Mr. Bingley. If I am fortunate, she will have left for Meryton before he arrives. In any case, have someone watch the front, and when he comes, send him directly to me.”

  Mrs. Hill handed him the paper and pen. “Yes, sir.”

  As he watched the servant leave the room, his thoughts flew to Darcy. I hope Gardiner is mistaken, and Mr. Darcy’s injury has been blown out of proportion.

  SOMEWHERE BETWEEN MONTHAVEN and Pemberley

  When Georgiana arrived at the meeting place she and Lord Attaway had used before, he was nowhere to be seen. Dismounting her horse, she tied him to the fence and with great frustration sank down on the grass under the huge tree that marked the spot. A half-hour later, her voice was full of hard-held temper as she declared out loud, “Is everyone destined to disappoint me?”

  “Am I included in their number?”

  Georgiana’s head swung around. Attaway was walking toward her, leading his horse.

  “My animal is favouring his right leg, so I walked him the last half-mile. Unfortunately, I shall have to walk him back to Monthaven as well. You should be grateful that I kept our appointment at all.”

  As he tied his horse to a low-hanging limb, Georgiana lifted her chin coldly. Then standing to her feet, she said, “Horses are replaceable. You should have ridden him rather than make me wait.”