Page 18 of Mr Darcy’s Worth: Three Pride and Prejudice Variations

The next day, immediately after breakfast, Dr Harris returned with two other gentlemen who appeared to be about his age, and he introduced them as esteemed and experienced physicians.

The three of them spent half an hour with Anne, then returned with a report not much different from the previous one.

“Dr Harris,” Darcy said, “you treated my dear mother for years, till the end. Do you think Anne might have inherited her illness?”

“We cannot be certain yet, sir. This is what I have been debating with my colleagues. We need more time to observe her. In the meantime, we would like to give her some medicine that we have used in similar cases and observe her progress. We are all in agreement that Miss de Bourgh should remain in town. We also noticed her pale complexion. Has she not been taken to the sea? The summer sun and some sea bathing might be an excellent remedy for her.”

“I do not believe my cousin has been to the seaside in the last ten years. I do not remember any such discussion.”

“This is one of our recommendations for the future.”

“I shall insist it be followed, Doctor. I shall write to my aunt and uncle to come and discuss the best solution for Anne. Could she be moved to my uncle’s house? It is a short distance from here.”

“I see no danger in her making such an insignificant journey,” the doctor agreed. “But no farther.”

“Of course.”

“If you wish me to,” Dr Harris continued, “I shall speak to Lady Catherine myself. Perhaps my direct opinion would be of some use. And I may answer her questions, if there are any.”

The other two doctors declined any invitation for refreshments and left. Georgiana went to Anne, while Darcy penned a quick note to Lord Matlock.

“Dr Harris, I must apologise beforehand for whatever Lady Catherine might say. I expect she will be strongly opposed to Anne remaining in London and will probably question your advice and expertise. Please do not take offence.”

“I shall not — I have seen too much to be easily cowed,” the doctor replied.

Darcy was proved right when his aunt arrived. She was accompanied by Lord and Lady Matlock, for which Darcy was grateful. The earl was likely the only man in the world who, as an elder brother, could keep Lady Catherine under some control.

Darcy invited them in, but Lady Catherine was anxious to see her daughter.

“We are in a hurry to leave for Kent,” she said.

“I am afraid that is impossible, Aunt,” Darcy answered. “Dr Harris will explain the situation to you.”

“Darcy, you cannot tell me what is impossible!” the lady said angrily. “Unless you have decided to marry Anne, you have no right to any opinion in regard to her!”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Catherine, do not speak of this marriage foolishness again!” the earl cried. “Let us show some decorum in front of Dr Harris!”

“Dr Harris is nothing to me. I have a doctor who has treated Anne since she was very young.”

“Not very successfully, I may say,” the earl continued.

“I shall not criticise my colleague in Kent,” Dr Harris intervened. “We are still uncertain of the nature of Miss de Bourgh’s illness, which is why I insist on her staying under our supervision for another fortnight. Nobody would be happier than me to see her improve enough to travel safely.”

“This is absurd! She cannot stay in Darcy’s house by herself. And I have no intention of staying here! In truth, one might already consider that Anne’s reputation has been ruined by sleeping under Darcy’s roof!”

“Doctor, do you have any medicine for a sudden headache?” the earl asked with sharp mockery, rolling his eyes at his sister.

“I am aware of the delicate situation,” Darcy said. “This is why I suggest Anne moves in with you and my aunt, Uncle. I believe everyone will be content with such an arrangement.”

“Certainly not me!” Lady Catherine declared.

“But I believe that Anne would be,” Darcy responded. He turned to Lady Matlock. “Aunt, please be so kind as to speak to Anne. Georgiana is with her now.”

“ I shall speak to my daughter — nobody else!” Lady Catherine shouted.

“Honoria will join you,” the earl declared. “Unless you prefer it to be me.”

Eventually, the two ladies went to Anne, while Darcy, his uncle, and the doctor continued conversing over a drink.

Around noon, despite Lady Catherine’s opposition and complaints, Anne was moved to the Matlocks’ house. Dr Harris assisted them and examined the patient again once she was comfortably accommodated in her new apartment.

“I hope Anne will improve soon,” Georgiana said. “I am so sad for her. I cannot but think…I remember when Mama was ill…”

“We shall do everything possible for her recovery, my dear, I assure you. And let us hope her illness is of a different nature.”

“I cannot understand why Lady Catherine is so strongly opposed to something that is for Anne’s benefit.”

“Lady Catherine always wishes to have her own way, and she can rarely see when she is wrong,” Darcy replied. Then he paused for a moment before continuing, “I fear I have been the same for a long time.”

“You? Never!” the girl exclaimed. “How can you even say so?”

“I cherish your trust in me, but your sisterly love makes you partial.” Darcy smiled bitterly. “Neither my manners nor my behaviour have been without fault, especially among strangers.”

“I find that hard to believe! You are always so kind, generous, and compassionate to everyone. You always provide help when it is needed.”

“I might be compassionate and generous as I have the means to be so. I am not sure I am kind, though, and I certainly am not considerate enough.”

“I think you are truly the best man that ever was!”

“That is because you, my dear, are kind and generous and considerate,” he replied with an affectionate smile. “I am grateful for your love, and I wish I deserved it.”

“Surely you do. Everyone who knows you shares the same opinion.”

“Not quite. Miss Elizabeth expressed as much clearly and deservedly. I am ashamed to admit that I almost ruined Bingley’s chance of happiness due to my arrogant assumption that I know what is best for him — just as Lady Catherine is doing now with Anne.”

“So that was the subject of the quarrels you mentioned you had with Miss Bennet.”

“That and much more. I might tell you something in regard to Miss Bennet that you will find appalling and will prove that your brother has plenty of faults.”

“Do tell me! But I am sure I shall not find it appalling if it is related to you.”

“I first met her at a ball last autumn. I was in no disposition for dancing, but Bingley insisted on me joining him. I was tired and rather annoyed — and my manners certainly showed as much. Bingley pointed out Miss Elizabeth as a potential partner, and I told him that she was not handsome enough to tempt me. I am afraid she might have heard me…”

The girl’s eyes opened wide; her disbelief so complete that it made Darcy laugh.

“You do look appalled,” he jested. “And rightfully so.”

“Poor Miss Elizabeth — she must have been so offended!”

“If she truly heard me, she had good reason for her resentment towards me. Though, in all honesty, I had barely looked at her that evening.”

“I understand why you were in no disposition for balls last autumn…after my foolishness in Ramsgate…after I upset you so deeply…”

“You did not upset me, my dear. Wickham did, last summer and this summer. I know you are still hurt by his betrayal, but he is not worthy of a single thought of yours.”

The girl paused for a few moments, then said, “Fitzwilliam, Miss Elizabeth is very pretty, is she not?”

“She is, my dear. She is one of the most handsome women of my acquaintance.”

“I believe so too. And her manners are very pleasant and kind.”

Darcy smiled again, mostly to himself. He wished to add that Elizabeth was pleasant and kind to those who deserved it.

He had also seen another side of her, less sweet but equally enchanting and appealing.

However, to his sister, he said nothing more.

Many of his thoughts regarding Elizabeth made him smile, but he would never share them with Georgiana.

***

Later that afternoon, Darcy was surprised to receive a letter from Longbourn. He picked it up eagerly, his heart racing.

He went to his room to read it undisturbed, opening it with trembling fingers.

Mr. Darcy,

To say I was surprised by your letter would be an understatement, especially considering we have never spoken directly.

It was very considerate of you to worry about your aunt’s visit. I confess I remained in my library throughout.

I understand the purpose of Lady Catherine’s call was to speak to my daughter Elizabeth, a conversation which I was told was hardly a pleasure for either party.

Since my daughter provided me with no details of that conversation, I simply conveyed to her your apologies, and she asked me to reply that they were absolutely not necessary.

My daughter has asked me to inform you that she never assumed Lady Catherine de Bourgh had your approval for that particular conversation, and she will be delighted to discuss the matter with you at length when you next meet.

I also look forward to finally meeting you in a proper manner, and perhaps you will do me the honour of joining me for a drink.

Although I too believe your apologies are unnecessary, I am sure I must — and I shall — express my thanks and gratitude for your assistance in finding my daughter Lydia and her unworthy husband.

My brother refused to give me any details about the nature of your involvement, but he indicated that the fugitives would not have been found so quickly without your help.

I thank you and remain in your debt for that.

Thomas Bennet

The letter gave Darcy equal joy and distress. The few words passed on from Elizabeth showed that she did not hold any grudge and that she was eager to meet him again. As prudent as he was in making assumptions, there could not be any other interpretation.

Mr. Bennet’s tone was quick and pleasant, revealing a man with a love for reading, writing, and probably making sport of others.

But the reference to his involvement in Wickham’s story was worrisome, and he hoped the Gardiners had not revealed the secret.

The last thing he wanted was for Elizabeth’s true feelings for him to be altered by an unwanted sense of gratitude.

He took up a pen and wrote back.

Mr. Bennet,

Not speaking to you directly is one of the things I regret not having done during my stay in Hertfordshire last autumn.

From what Mr. Gardiner related to me, I am sure we would have had enough pleasant subjects for conversation.

I hope for such an opportunity when I visit Bingley in less than a fortnight.

With your approval, I shall call on Longbourn upon my arrival, and I would be delighted to have a drink with you.

Please convey to Miss Elizabeth and your entire family my best regards.

F Darcy.

The particular mention of Elizabeth was a little daring and slightly improper, but he chose to accept the risk, praying that she would understand.

There were ten days until he would see her again, and he wondered how he could bear it.

If not for the situation with Anne, he would have travelled to Netherfield earlier.

But the worry for his cousin and the sense that he had to be around his family in those difficult moments were enough to diminish his eagerness.