by Kay Mares
“Fitzwilliam. Fitzwilliam, it’s me Elizabeth. I want you to know so many need and depend on you. Your dear sister needs you to help her finish growing into a fine young lady; your tenants need your talents in the running of Pemberley, the residents of Lambton depend on your estate to thrive because it affects them as well. Your staff is concerned for you and want their Master to know health. Your cousin, the Colonel, is here and fears for you. Please come back to all those who need you so much.” As Elizabeth tells him these things, her eyes cloud with tears. She is struck full with how many depend on him for their livings and what his power is to do evil or good. He is too young for such a responsibility and yet he executes his role in life with justness and fairness. The tenants and staff all praised him, and his cousin and friend are most distressed over his misfortune. Darcy stills with Elizabeth’s declarations and to her delight, his eyes open. As she brushes his hair from his forehead and looks into those beautiful blue eyes, she sees he is conscious of her presence, and he asks her some very poignant questions.
“Do you need me Elizabeth? What of you and your desires? Tell me if you need me. Am I a fool to have such hope?” he whispers the words, but Lizzy hears them very clearly.
Overcome with emotion, she takes one of his hands in hers. “No, you are not a fool. I need you. Please come back. We all need you, but I need you the most of all,” Elizabeth pours her heart into her response. Darcy slips his eyes shut, but a slight smile plays on his lips and remains there as he drifts into his first deep restorative sleep since his accident. As he sleeps, Elizabeth whispers very softly, “I love you,” then she continues to wipe his face lovingly with the cool cloths. It seems as if the sweat from the fever has started to recede. Taking the nearby chair once more, Elizabeth holds his hand as she watches him rest.
Chapter 6
When the Colonel returns, it is to find a deeply resting Darcy and Elizabeth contenting herself with a book. Elizabeth smiles upon his entrance and gestures to the bed. The Colonel is pleased to see Darcy finally at peace. Barnabas also comes in and is greatly relieved to see his Master resting so. “You have given him hope,” the Colonel states. “I will sit with him tonight. Please enjoy some supper with your sister and a good night’s rest. I will summon you in the morning. I believe the surgeon is due then to check the wound; it would be prudent to allow the man his time.” Elizabeth curtsies to the Colonel and makes her excuses.
At supper, there is a lifting of some of the somber mood which has occupied the residents for the last few days. Mr. Darcy continues to find the rest he needs and Colonel Fitzwilliam sent word the fever seems to have abated. All find this news to be a great comfort but none as much as Elizabeth. Miss Bingley feels the need to weigh in with her own opinion regarding the attack.
“I just cannot fathom such evil as those who attacked you, Charles and dear Mr. Darcy, too. Were they not some sort of acquaintances of your family, Jane?” Miss Bingley intones as she looks down her nose at Jane.
Before Jane can respond, Charles does. “Caroline, it would do well to note these men were aware of us having a residence in the neighborhood. As such it is fortunate for you they found Darcy and me first instead of accosting you. People can be motivated to evil anywhere, Meryton holds no monopoly on this.” Charles squeezes Jane’s hand and nods respectfully to Elizabeth. Caroline pales, never expecting this sort of set back from her brother and it effectively silences her for the rest of the meal except to summon the staff for the next course.
The next morning finds Elizabeth strolling after breaking her fast. She decides to enjoy some of the outdoors while the weather is still moderate plus the immediate grounds about Netherfield are pleasant and diverting. Elizabeth encounters the surgeon on his way to attend Darcy, and she decides to question him about Darcy’s wound and recovery. “How is Mr. Darcy progressing?”
“I have been cleaning the wound repeatedly. Any fibers from Mr. Darcy’s clothing must be removed from the site. In an injury such as his, the ball will have carried anything from the outside into the wound. I have removed all foreign objects from his wound and cleaned it daily. While I am reluctant to cause him more bleeding, please understand the blood is the body’s natural way of cleansing an injury. I was dismayed he suffered a fever, but I have hopes it will soon abate, and Mr. Darcy will start to rebound. Mr. Darcy is a fortunate man in that the ball missed the major blood vessels and bones in the area; his shoulder muscle, however, is not without damage. ” The surgeon regards Elizabeth closely.
“I have known you since you were a babe. I have been a guest in your home many times so I feel I can share some things with you.” He pauses. “You have earned the regard of an honorable man. When I first attended to him, he was in obvious pain, but he would not cry out. His only concern was your safety and comfort. He asked me to check on you and to let him be aware of anything which would give you discomfort. He only rested easy the first night after I assured him a quick visit from you would do no harm. Since the fever has overtaken him, he has not had control of his facilities fully, but he calls for you. I do not know what has transpired between you both, but as a medical man, I cannot underestimate the value to a patient by being surrounded by those who care.” He pats Elizabeth on the arm, smiles and makes his way to the house.
It is in the garden she meets Colonel Fitzwilliam. He also thought to partake of the weather while the surgeon is attending Darcy’s wound. After greetings are exchanged, and the Colonel updates Elizabeth, he asks her permission to accompany her on her ramble. They soon fall into casual conversation as they slowly stroll.
“My cousin has known an untroubled sleep. I believe he will soon start to show improvement overall. I am pleased you were able to be his hope. It bodes well for his recovery.”
“Colonel, after you left, I took your advice to heart and only spoke what I felt. The rest is up to Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replies.
“Indeed Miss Elizabeth you are correct. I would imagine he will do what he knows to be right and what he feels must be done. As I told you before I was aware of his desires in coming here,” the Colonel chuckles a bit, “in fairness I feel as though I should tell you a little of Fitz’s nature to help you both navigate through the next few weeks.” Elizabeth nods her consent, and they continue their companionable walk. “Fitz will likely pummel me when he hears I have confided such in you but please do not judge him by that ridiculous brooding mien he sports. I keep telling him no one will like him if he does not stop that! However, he does so because he is somewhat shy. He has always been a serious, quiet sort of person much as he was as a child but he also is at times unsure of himself especially in social situations. This is not a flaw to which many men would readily admit and certainly never would my cousin, which is why I believe he will be most displeased with me for telling you. He has the weight of social obligations upon him because the better he conducts himself, the better it reflects upon Georgiana and her making a good match. So he has learned to become a most formidable person in that it repels unwanted suitors as well as protects him from the advances of the insincere ladies of the ton,” here the Colonel sighs. Some of Elizabeth’s musings about Darcy appear to be validated by the Colonel.
“When Fitz’s mother passed, Fitz’s father was consumed with grief,” the Colonel continues, “most would say Fitz’s parents had made a most suitable match as Lady Anne was from a titled, wealthy family and Gregory Darcy was from an ancient though untitled family. What most do not know is they married for love as well. Young Fitz saw what a marriage of partners could be as opposed to a marriage of convenience. He wants the same for himself. Finding such a woman among the ton has proven impossible.” Colonel Fitzwilliam falls silent.
“Thank you for sharing with me these insights. I confess I held some notion of these tendencies of Mr. Darcy since finally allowing myself to look at him without past prejudices. Please though, would you tell me more about him and yourself as children? I think you would have some most diverting memories to tell me?” E
lizabeth says with a blush.
“Well, I guess I should since it may seem as if I’m trying only to paint him in a softer light. Very well, will you be shocked if I tell you while he was a quiet, shy, serious type that he hid a sharp intellect and mischievous streak?” Elizabeth indicates she will not be shocked at all but is ready to hear of a young Darcy. The narratives will help her to understand the dichotomy of Fitzwilliam Darcy better.
“When we were young boys perhaps Fitz was around ten years of age, he was caught in a sudden downpour. I came over from Matlock drenched from the same downpour. Upon entering Pemberley’s foyer, I noted a puddle of water on the marble flooring. Fitz had come in ahead of me, changed and returned to greet me. Mrs. Reynolds and Lady Anne also came to the foyer and saw the water on the floor. They both began to scold me for a puddle, and Fitz stood there silently while letting me take the blame. Fitz sported a grin on his face. No real harm was done, but Fitz informed me,” and here Colonel Fitzwilliam did a perfect imitation of Darcy at his most haughty complete with the ‘look’ Darcy perfected, “’I let you take the blame in retaliation for the incident in which you caused me to be unhorsed and ruin one of my best shirts.’” Colonel Fitzwilliam laughs at the memory. “Yes he was upset with an earlier event in which he rode a horse whose temperament was beyond Fitz’s abilities, and he was subsequently launched!”
Elizabeth giggles at the thought of Mr. Darcy setting up the Colonel in such a way. She enjoys the Colonel’s imitation thoroughly. “I must say that is very amusing and I figured the two of you enjoyed baiting one another. However, I feel as though there is more to the horse story than you are letting me know, Colonel?” Elizabeth stops to caress the petals of a beautiful red flower along the path. As she turns her attention back to the Colonel, he responds.
“Absolutely not. I told you the story as it happened. You may feel free to verify it with Fitz. But don’t trust his rendition Miss Elizabeth, he can be quite diabolical!” The gleam in the Colonel’s eyes is evident.
“Come now Colonel, diabolical? That’s a strong word to describe a beloved relative,” Elizabeth laughs. They resumed their stroll as the Colonel began another narrative.
“Since you are unsure of Fitz’s diabolical nature, I shall tell you he still retains it by illustrating this next story. We were at a formal ball at a friend’s estate. There the ladies allowed the gentlemen to fill in their names on the ladies’ dance cards. Unbeknownst to me, Fitz had filled my name in twice on a particular lady’s dance card. Imagine my surprise and mortification when my eldest brother confronts me after my second dance with the lady to inform me I am wooing the lady he plans to begin courting! As Colin, my brother, continues to berate me for my lack of decency, I see Fitz as haughty as ever with a slight upturn to the corner of his mouth. He was enjoying the spectacle of his own creating!” Again the Colonel assumes Darcy’s aloof mannerisms and speaking voice. “’ I had nothing at all to do with it as you stated a desire to dance all the sets and gave me leave to secure partners for you. How was I to know your brother had designs on that lady?’” Elizabeth would not have thought Mr. Darcy capable of such maneuvering and voices this to the Colonel. “Fitz was most amused by the small scandal this caused and told me he was settling an old score regarding dancing partners. He rattled on about some other dance in which I supposedly set him up with questionable women. I do not know what he accuses,” Colonel Fitzwilliam declares. Elizabeth suspects the Colonel left many of the details out of the stories in the hopes she will question Darcy about them.
“To answer more questions about Darcy’s youth, I can say he was a good brother to Georgiana, kind, never demanding of the servants and he truly had and still does have a big heart. Darcy loves completely and protects those he loves. He and I are more than cousins; I count him my best friend. All through childhood he was a constant companion. Loyal, honest and true. I could not have asked for anyone better to grow up with. It pains me to see him go through life alone when I know the good man he is and the losses he has suffered. I believe some of Fitz’s youth was robbed from him due to Lady Anne’s illness and death then the unfortunate death of his father. He assumed too much responsibility too early. It would have crushed a lesser man.”
As their ramble comes to a close, Elizabeth is enthralled to hear of a young Darcy who fixed broken toys for his sister, read to her, comforted her, and gently guided her after the death of their mother. His tenderhearted ways touch Elizabeth as she imagines she would do the same for any of her sisters. There is more depth to Fitzwilliam Darcy than she ever could have imagined. But perhaps the most shocking revelation is when the Colonel tells Elizabeth about Darcy’s primitive stick figures which he would sketch just to make others laugh. Elizabeth would never have dreamed that the stuffy Mr. Darcy could engage in such silliness.
They return to Darcy’s room to a most welcome site. Darcy is awake, shaved, bathed and while still abed he consumed some tea and toast without any ill effects. “Fitz! You are back among the living!!” the Colonel cries. “Miss Elizabeth and I enjoyed a ramble around the garden while you were attended to by the surgeon.” Darcy regards the Colonel warily. Elizabeth wonders at his response, but soon she understands why Darcy is eyeing the Colonel so. “I have regaled her with tales of our youth.” To this, one of Darcy’s brows raises and his lips pursed. “I have told her of our riding adventures in addition to some balls we attended,” the Colonel beams. Darcy rolls his eyes heavenward in silent supplication while Elizabeth stifles a giggle. “Furthermore Fitz, I enlightened her as to your true and amiable nature.” Darcy now rubs his face with his hands and lets out a deep sigh.
“Indeed,” Darcy intones gravely, “I am in your debt it seems. May I remind you not to call me Fitz?” Darcy levels his intimidating stare at the Colonel who only widens his smile.
“Come, come, Fitz, is that any way to be after the worry you put us through? I know you’re on the road to recovery as evidenced by your gratitude and sunny disposition.” Elizabeth for her part cannot believe anyone would dare to speak to Darcy as such, but then again she has been made aware of the close relationship between these two. As she studies Darcy’s reaction, Darcy narrows his eyes and sizes up the Colonel.
“Henry, I would be most grateful to you if you could see your way to penning a note to Georgiana explaining my situation and lack of correspondence. I know I can trust your good sense not to alarm her but to ease any concerns she may have had. I would be most pleased if you could accomplish this in short order when you are finished having your sport with me. Believe me when I tell you I will remember this exchange and will be most willing to express my gratitude as well as grace you with my sunny disposition as soon as I am able,” Darcy smoothly intones. At the finish, he locks his fingers together and presses his hands to his lips and pierces his cousin with a knowing look. If Darcy wasn’t in a bed, Elizabeth is sure this gesture could render most men nonplussed.
The Colonel is unshaken of course. “Very well Fitz, I will leave you and Miss Elizabeth and attend to the task. Perhaps you would be up to a game of chess later? Check!” The Colonel quits the room and sends the maid back in.
Elizabeth kept her mirth in but enjoys the exchange nevertheless. Darcy still keeps his hands to his lips while staring off into the room. Elizabeth studies him surreptitiously. He is pale, and his eyes are clear but a little troubled. He seems to have overcome the fever and other than some discomfort when he repositions himself; he does not show any lingering effects of his illness. Soon though he turns his eyes to Lizzy and immediately she sees the softening of his features and the warmth in his eyes. “I suppose Henry has told you of my diabolical ways?” Darcy nods as Lizzy confirms his statement. “Which story do you wish to hear first, the dance or the horse? You do realize he hoped you would ask, so I will just spare you the embarrassment of trying to work it into a conversation.”
With a twinkle in her eye, Elizabeth asks to hear the horse story first. Darcy’s mouth turns up into a grin. “Very
well, I am sure Henry told you that I most cruelly allowed him to take the blame for a puddle in the foyer at Pemberley and I whined about an unfortunate fall in the mud, ruining a good shirt while riding a horse beyond my capabilities? Yes? That the puddle incident was in response to scolding I received over the shirt and mud? I believe that’s about the extent of his story, lacking in detail but long in injustice.” Elizabeth waits in anticipation for Darcy to continue. “What he did not tell you was he brought over a most contentious filly with an awful habit of locking all four legs when confronted with any sort of wet, muddy terrain. Henry knew this of the horse; I did not.” Darcy shakes his head with a small smile playing on his lips.
“He suggested we go for a ride and sweetened the deal by saying the horses were saddled and ready to go, all we needed to do was hop on. I took him at his word figuring a ride would be pleasant as we were due to have company and I would be pressed into acting the part of a young gentleman during the visit. I further deduced I need not change as Henry and I agreed to a short ride so we could return in plenty of time to greet our guests. As soon as I swung up into the saddle, Henry spurred his mount forward, and I followed on the green filly. She gathered speed as we raced towards a creek.”
Elizabeth is anxious to hear the rest of the story, but Darcy is interrupted when Barnabas seeks permission to enter. Darcy and Elizabeth watch as he sets a small tray on the nearby table. He offers Lizzy some refreshments which she gratefully accepts then he turns his attention to Darcy. “I have your medicines, Sir.” He states as he looks pointedly at Darcy. Barnabas continues, in the very proper and dry manner of an upper servant, “I would suggest, Sir, this time you actually finish all the concoctions which the good doctor has made up for you. It is my firm belief that doing so will aid in your complete recovery.” Barnabas makes no moves to vacate the room as Darcy grimaces at the various liquids. Barnabas lifts one brow as he watches Darcy consume the medicinal fluids then Barnabas peers into the cups to make sure the contents are emptied. Afterward, he excuses himself with the proper bows and to Lizzy’s amazement, Barnabas winks at her. When the valet leaves, Darcy sports a chastised grin on his face as he picks up his story.