Page 19 of A Good Memory is Unpardonable (Frolic and Romance #2)

Fitzwilliam Darcy to Colonel Fitzwilliam

12 June 1812

Dear Richard,

If our aunt carries her way, you will spend the winter in Kent rather than on the sunny shores of Portugal.

I had informed her of the folly of her intent this spring, but she is not to be dissuaded by such as I.

I shall let the war office disabuse her of her schemes.

Better yet, perhaps I shall pray that she succeeds against all reason, and you return home sooner than hoped.

You are correct that not all is as well here as might be expected.

Perhaps you did not note that my last letter came from London, not Derbyshire, so your reply was first diverted to Pemberley before finding its way here.

I would have vastly preferred to cripple myself in the country, where I can at least while away my recuperative hours near a window looking out on the meadow.

I suppose it is my good fortune to be in London, however, for I have had the king’s own surgeon called to consult on my progress.

It is slow, by the way, but I shall make a complete recovery before summer’s end.

I will confess to some setbacks, but on the whole, I should declare my present trials a mere inconvenience.

Indeed, my first reply to your letter was penned nearly as soon as I could sit erect, but as you guessed, I had suffered some illusion of privacy in those first few days.

I see that is not to be the case, since even your batman caught some rumour all the way from London.

Lord Matlock himself has waited on me in my sick room, so there is no hope of privacy.

I am assured that an investigation is now being made into the maintenance of the bridle paths around Hyde Park, to prevent such a slip as my horse had from bringing down any more society bucks.

We certainly cannot have the Season commence with an insufficiency of two-legged gentleman to escort this year’s fresh crop of debutantes to the balls.

I would not have you fret yourself over me, however, for Georgiana and I are in constant concern for you.

Are you truly safe? None can dispute your courage or your heart, but I am selfish enough to hope that no ailment or wound may touch you.

I am rather fond of you, you see, and moreover, Georgiana quite depends on your safe return to us.

I suppose it will do no harm to cheer on our aunt’s efforts to bring you back to English shores, even if it means a month in Kent for the both of us.

FD

Doctor Elton Carter to Doctor Bernard Fitzherbert

13 June 1812

My dear sir,

I am honoured by your recent letter regarding Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esquire. It was a great kindness of His Majesty to spare your services at the behest of Lord Matlock. I am greatly in your debt for your wisdom and experience in this case.

However, I do not believe the gentleman in question will submit to your recommendation of amputating the injured limb.

I have been acquainted with three generations of Darcys, and the present head of the family is no less rigidly stubborn than his grandsire, may God rest his soul.

While you and I are aware of the dangers presented by a compounded, twisting fracture such as Mr Darcy sustained, he makes light of his injuries and has adamantly refused the very same recommendation for more than ten days now.

I believe he is perfectly convinced that he will be walking by July and riding by September.

I appeal to your expertise. His fever is beginning to abate somewhat, which gives me hope for the best, but all reason and good sense advise me to remain cautious.

Is there not some further means of eliminating the risk of a blood infection?

And if the gentleman should survive this most trying period of his recovery, is there any hope that he may walk again?

My colleagues all assure me there is not, but I am hopeful that your greater knowledge might supersede theirs.

I remain yours most respectfully,

Doctor Elton Carter

Private Diary of Fitzwilliam Darcy

14 June 1812

One does not know boredom until one is forced to idleness. And one does not know sheer panic and despair until one has no control over his circumstances.

It is now sixteen days since the accident.

At first was only pain—pain everywhere, for I believe I have some cracked ribs and probably a sprain to my shoulder in addition to my leg.

But four days later came the fever. I fear I spent the better part of a week not in my senses.

Bless Mrs Carson, for she kept Georgiana blissfully unaware of the true nature of my condition.

To my knowledge, she believed I was merely sleeping each time she was turned away.

But I am not ignorant of the terror in Carter’s eyes each time he examines me.

Perhaps he is right to fear the worst, but I am not yet prepared to confess it.

I have tried to keep alert, lest he come at me with his instruments while I am incoherent.

I am still feverish, but no longer completely delirious.

I think that a hopeful sign, but Carter remains close-lipped.

I believe it was three days ago I could finally sit up over ten minutes together.

I have attended to my correspondence to the best of my ability, but a simple note to Bingley took me two days to compose.

This entry has taken a mere hour and a quarter, which is some improvement.

What I would give for some diversion! I believe it would liven my interest enough to keep my mind alert, but none of my usual pursuits can produce even a spark of energy. I take comfort in petting Harold and trying to find a position that does not hurt my ribs.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet to Mr George Darcy, Derby

7 May 1812

D ear Sir,

My name is Elizabeth Bennet, and I am writing to you regarding several books my father recently rediscovered in his collection.

I believe you must have a very fine shop, for the selections are all of the highest quality and in pristine condition.

He is greatly amused by one Roxana , though I am not entirely familiar with the plot of that particular novel.

I am an admirer of Fanny Burney’s books, Evelina and Camilla .

I do hope I have found the right person to write to.

There is some doubt, you see, for the mark on the inside flap of the books is very smudged, almost illegible.

However, after examining all of them together, taking into account their similarities, I believe I have pieced together your name and direction well enough to chance writing.

We think the books had all been originally from your warehouse, and my father thinks they came into our possession when he purchased them from a gentleman in reduced circumstances, whom he met in London several years ago.

My reason for writing is this. Our village of Meryton does have a bookshop, but the proprietor is exceedingly dull in what he will order.

This, combined with my father’s disdain for Town and his desire that not all the neighbours should know his every book purchase, has made it difficult to add to our modest collection.

I have been saving my pin money for a long while, and I am hoping to secure something novel and unusual to surprise my father on his birthday.

I believe you to have excellent taste, and if it is not too much trouble, I hope you can recommend something to a gentleman who has already read most of the popular novels.

I enclose a list of the books currently in our collection, with his favourites marked, so you may have some place to begin your recommendations.

I thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Elizabeth Bennet,

Longbourn

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