Page 156 of Obligation and Redemption
Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth,
a lovely deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts fill you at all times with delight;
be intoxicated always in her love.
Proverbs 5:18-19
Elizabeth was awakened about two hours later by the entrance of a small group of people from the main house. Darcy had lain down next to her, carefully putting his arm underneath her head while draping his other around her waist, resting his hand gently on the swell of her abdomen.
The Pemberley entourage walked in without knocking as Georgiana burst into the room anxious to see her brother well. Darcy jerked his body up, disoriented by the loud bluster, while Elizabeth ducked down trying to protect herself from Darcy’s hasty movement.
“Brother!” said Georgiana as she entered the darkened room. Then she looked down at the scene before her. She could not have missed the intimate attitude that she had witnessed, as her brother awoke with a start and came to his feet before her.
“Georgiana! You see that Elizabeth and I are safe.”
His sister looked back and forth to the room’s two inhabitants with equal parts outrage and relief displayed for all to see upon her countenance. “What is she doing here? Do you not remember that she left you?”
“Georgiana, hold your tongue!”
His sister pointed at Elizabeth in indignation. “She is the cause of all of your troubles, not me!”
Darcy took the few steps to his sister and, grabbing hold of her arm, led her out of the cabin. He turned to Janette and said, “Please help my wife change into clean clothes. I will be outside with the men.” He continued on with Georgiana as they stood several yards away from the group.
“Georgiana, what was that about? Can you not see that Elizabeth is unwell?”
“But, Brother, she is using you! Are you so blinded by lust that you cannot see that she is using you? That woman in there is in love with another man, and you know it, yet you take her back.”
“Enough! I do not know all that you have heard or what you think you know, but I can assure you that she is not interested in any other man, including Wickham, and I will have you keep quiet about any speculation that you might have on the matter. You are being watched by our servants, and I will not have you making a public spectacle.”
More quietly, but just as vehemently, she continued, “She has poisoned you against your family. Do you not see it? You have changed. I can see that you are more yielding to the weaknesses of others. You bring her into our lives – no not our lives, your life – and expect your family to accept her. Well, I will not. You may let her make a fool of you, but I will not help her!” Georgiana finished with great emotion, as she ran back to her own mount and rode off.
Up to this point, Darcy had not realised the emotional strain he had placed on his little sister.
However, he now saw his error in this and in many other ways; he had not actively brought the two women in his life together.
He expected Georgiana to now accept Elizabeth after he himself had perhaps unknowingly and unwittingly led Georgiana to believe the worse possible scenario.
After calming down, he walked over to his men to retrieve more food.
Darcy ate in silence as he awaited Elizabeth’s preparations.
When Janette appeared in the doorway, he re-entered their haven of the past two days.
Elizabeth was sitting on the floor by the fire wrapped in a shawl.
Darcy was adamant that she cover herself with his greatcoat as well.
Although she was not certain she needed it more than he, she was thankful for his thoughtful attentions.
“Elizabeth, my love, I am going to carry you out to the cart. Janette will ride with you while I am on horseback. I will never leave your side.”
“Do you expect danger on our way to the house, Darcy?” she said not in fear but mirth.
“My only concern is in being away from you any longer than I have to be. When we reach the house, a bath should be awaiting each of us, and I am afraid our time together will be less constant. Of course that may sound pleasing to you, but I hope for as much time as you will allow.” She smiled at his open words of affection.
“I look forward to your continuing to be my nurse, if you would wish it, but for both our sakes, we will leave the more unpleasant duties to my maid.”
He extinguished the fire and then glanced around the cabin to take in the memory of the location of their first declaration. Walking over to his wife he bent down, easily picking her up. He was still somewhat sore from the journey of two days past, but revelled in his lovely burden this day.
ALTHOUGH MUCH IMPROVED, Elizabeth still had the lingering effects of a fever.
Her body was sorely bruised and her ankle was still black and blue.
After arriving home to a subdued, but heartfelt, reception, her husband carried her to her chamber, so that she could take a bath and eat a hearty meal before she was relegated to her bed.
Darcy reluctantly left her in the care of Janette, who had been beaming since seeing her mistress for the first time.
Laura and Mrs. Reynolds had also been summoned to help transport Elizabeth to the copper tub and back, so Darcy had no charge left but to await her summons.
The doctor arrived about an hour after the Darcys.
Elizabeth had completed her bath and meal and was lying in bed when the man was escorted in by her maid to examine her.
When his examination was completed, he called in his patient’s husband, who had been waiting anxiously in the sitting room for a report.
The man told Darcy that Elizabeth was still feverish but not in any danger.
Her foot likely had no broken bones but was sorely bruised and sprained, and Elizabeth had to stay off of it for the following fortnight.
Darcy well remembered his own similar injury and thought that Elizabeth, like himself, would find two weeks a challenge to bear.
The doctor was also able to give his opinion on the baby.
Darcy learnt that the female body is very protective of the infant, and the baby, by God’s grace, likely knew nothing of the week’s trials.
A relieved Darcy walked the doctor out and then went to his study to await his sister while his wife was left in the capable hands of her maid.
Georgiana and he needed to talk, and without an audience.
Darcy still could not believe Georgiana’s response upon entering the cabin and her words before she had made her hasty exit.
After he was unable to find her elsewhere, he entered his study, asking Peters to send Georgiana in when she returned.
While there, he sent an express to his cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had remained in London, informing him of the events of the past week.
Darcy was happy to be able to assure his cousin that Wickham had no foundation for his claims and asked him to deliver that message post-haste to the miscreant, letting him know that he would receive nothing from Darcy, regardless of his threats.
Darcy had begun to worry when two hours later Georgiana had not yet arrived. Just as he was about to call for his horse, a light knock was heard on the door. “Enter.”
Georgiana slowly opened the door, looking fearful but resolute.
Darcy had spent most of his time waiting in contemplation about what he might say to his sister in order to put the past ungenerous thoughts behind them.
He had determined to be compassionate but firm; he could not abide his sister continuing her antagonistic words aimed at turning him against his wife.
He understood that Georgiana had been deceived yet again by Wickham, but once Georgiana learnt the truth, he would demand that she begin to show charity, if not true affection.
He knew in time, with an open mind, that Georgiana could not help but love Elizabeth, even as he did.
The conversation that took place between brother and sister left Georgiana in tears of anger and frustration.
She argued in support of the obvious conclusion – the one that held Darcy in chains for months – that Elizabeth had taken advantage of his kindness, that she had seen Darcy as a means to raise herself in society.
Everyone knew the truth of the matter, why could he not?
Georgiana was certain that Elizabeth had used her arts and allurements to take control of Darcy’s rational side.
Darcy was patient and unruffled, even in the face of her vehement arguments, for he too once believed as Georgiana, but he was determined that his sister show Elizabeth the respect due her as Mrs. Darcy and mistress of his estate.
Not having the energy to argue any more, he dismissed his sister and retired to his own room, hoping that Elizabeth might have requested him; however, he soon discovered that his wife had already fallen asleep.
Unable to stay away, he opened her chamber door and walked over to her bed.
The fire from the hearth was the only light, but it was bright enough that he could regard her face.
He sat on the side of the bed and took her hand in his own.
Much to his dismay, he noticed that her fever had returned.
He retrieved some water and a cloth from the washbasin and began the task of keeping her cool.
Elizabeth slept soundly during his ministrations, occasionally speaking in her sleep.
Darcy heard his own name, but she became more agitated as she began to speak his cousin’s name as well .