Page 75 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

E lizabeth left her husband’s room as carefully as she entered and went to see Georgiana.

“William is home. He is sleeping,” Elizabeth said. “He will join us for dinner later.”

“Is everything well?” Georgiana inquired, hopeful.

“We clarified the misunderstanding. I did not say anything about your confession, but I believe it must be done tomorrow.”

“Yes…perhaps… Would you mind speaking to him? It is just that…”

“I will tell him what happened. But afterward, you will have to talk to him too.”

“Yes, I know… I am just afraid he will believe I am ungrateful and disrespectful.”

“That will not happen. His affection for you is admirable, which is why he might be too protective sometimes. I expect many handsome young men to fight for your attention once you are out. You must be aware that your brother will find faults in each of them.”

Georgiana smiled bitterly. “I shall never be in love again… It hurts so much. I am just happy that you are here, Elizabeth. And I hope you are happy with us too.”

“I am happy,” Elizabeth answered in a trembling voice. “Now let us prepare for dinner.”

An hour later, the ladies were surprised at the appearance of Colonel Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth invited him to join them for dinner, and he accepted. Shortly, Darcy entered, pale and wearing traces of exhaustion. He glanced at his wife then greeted his cousin.

“I was away from Town two days,” said the colonel. “I just came to see you a few minutes, and Mrs Darcy invited me to stay for dinner.”

“Then surely you cannot refuse Mrs Darcy,” he said smiling, glancing at his wife once again. “I am glad to see you, Robert.”

Darcy offered his arm to his wife. She took it but did not meet his eyes as they walked to the dining room. Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, and the colonel followed them.

The dinner was a mostly quiet affair. Darcy seemed preoccupied, glancing from his wife to his sister—and also very hungry as the Colonel observed.

They were on the third course when a footman announced a messenger asking for Mrs Darcy. The master of the house asked the man in then took the letter from him.

“It is from Miss Bennet,” he said, handing it to his wife. “It was sent express and might require an answer,” Darcy said.

Elizabeth excused herself and hurried to the drawing room, opening the letter.

With each word, her eyes shadowed with tears and her trembling hands barely held the paper.

Gathering her strength, she ran back, her expression so devastated that Darcy panicked, helping her to sit as she started to cry.

“My father fell in the back garden early in the morning. They found him after some time, and they could not make him speak… Jane said he was alive but not conscious. My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are there too, and they fetched Mr Jones, but I cannot think of what might happen. Oh, dear Lord, he might not recover or he might already be…”Her cries broke Darcy’s heart.

He embraced her, allowing her tears to fall on his shirt while he gently kissed her hair.

Then suddenly he withdrew from her, still caressing her hands.

“I will send for Dr. Taylor, and as soon as he arrives, we will leave for Longbourn. Hopefully, we will be there in the morning.”

Elizabeth looked at him as though she could not understand his words. Then she wiped her tears, whispered a “thank you,” and ran from the room. Georgiana hastily followed.

“Do you want me to go with you?” the colonel asked.

“No, I do not believe it will be needed. If anyone can truly help, it will be Dr. Taylor. I would rather have you here, taking care of Georgiana. I have not had time to speak to you, but an unpleasant event occurred today that I want to avoid.”

“James told me. I will be in town a few more days, and if I have to leave, Maryanne and my mother will visit Georgiana daily. You must not worry. Go with your wife.”

“Very well. I shall send you a note as soon as I have further news.”

Doctor Taylor arrived in less than an hour, and their journey began without delay. It started to snow steadily, and the carriage was chilly, the blankets wrapped around them doing little against the sharp cold.

Elizabeth did not allow her mind to think, nor did she attempt to keep track of the time passing.

They stopped at an inn to change horses and have a hot drink.

Then the carriage resumed its slow progress.

While she tried to peer through the darkness, Elizabeth recollected the journey she had taken ten days before.

Back then, she felt worried, sad, and a little frightened of what she would find at the end of the road, but it could not compare to the worry and fear that gripped her now.

The mere thought that she might never see her father again was as sharp as a knife in her chest. She sensed her husband’s arm circling her shoulders and gently pulling her to him. She resisted only an instant then leant her head on his chest and closed her eyes.

Darcy forced himself not to move when Elizabeth finally fell asleep. His own fatigue vanished, and his pain on seeing her distress was stronger than his own fatigue. The frozen roads were very poor, and the horses continued at a slow pace. They had to stop again at an inn to change horses.

It was a late, sunny, and cold morning when they arrived at Longbourn. Elizabeth jumped from the carriage and, without waiting for the gentlemen, hurried through the door.

A moment later, the mistress of the house appeared, greeting both gentlemen with great effusion.

“Mr Darcy! What a happy moment to see you again so soon! You heard about Mr Bennet? What a tragedy indeed! I could not sleep the entire night, my heart is beating wildly, and I cannot breathe well, nor eat nor sleep! What a relief that you brought Dr. Taylor too! Oh, please do come in. You must be hungry and tired…”

“I should see Mr Bennet at once,” Dr. Taylor said, and Jane showed him inside.

The house was more crowded than Darcy remembered: four Miss Bennets, the Gardiners, their four children, and a very troubled Mrs Bennet. Mr Gardiner offered him a drink, expressing their gratitude for bringing Elizabeth and Dr. Taylor. Darcy rejected any thanks and enjoyed the brandy.

Half an hour later, Dr. Taylor entered the drawing room and said the patient was resting.

“May I see him?” asked Elizabeth impatiently.

“He should sleep a little, Mrs Darcy. He seems to be well at present, but I wish to observe him closely a few more days. He is feverish, which is expected since he fell on frozen ground. What worries me is that he seems not to remember what happened before and after his fall. I am not certain whether this occurred because he injured his head during the fall or suffered an apoplexy which caused his present state of confusion.”

“Do you think his life might still be in danger? What do you mean ‘an apoplexy’? He has been very healthy all his life. What might have caused such a thing?” Elizabeth asked anxiously.

“It might be caused either by heart failure or a great distress of some kind. I shall take care of his fever for now and give him some herbs to strengthen his mind and his body. I hope it will be helpful.”

“But—does he remember me?”

“He certainly does—quite vividly. He scolded all three of us for coming from London for a ‘mere fall,’ as he called it. You may expect some harsh censure when you first visit him.”

Elizabeth laughed through her tears and thanked the doctor. Then she excused herself and went to the other ladies. A few minutes later, Dr. Taylor was required by Mrs Bennet, asking his advice about her nerves.

Elizabeth and her aunt approached Darcy and Mr Gardiner. With obvious distress, her cheeks crimson, Elizabeth spoke in a low voice to prevent the others from hearing.

“William, we have a delicate problem.” Darcy looked puzzled, and Elizabeth continued, choosing her words carefully.

“Longbourn has one large guest room—which is already occupied by Mr Collins, who arrived yesterday—and one smaller one, which will be offered to Dr. Taylor. The only available room would be my old chamber, but it is quite small.”

Elizabeth noticed a slight colour on Darcy’s face as he averted his eyes for a moment.

“I sent John to the inn as soon as you arrived, but they only have two small rooms available, which will be suitable for your servants,” Mrs Gardiner added. “And I thought about asking Mr Collins to move to Lucas Lodge, but I fear we will be unsuccessful.”

Darcy nodded. “I suggest not even attempting to convince him. I do not want to give him the satisfaction of refusing us. I plan to speak to him as little as possible. I am very tired, and I fear I will not be able to bear Mr Collins.”

“I think it would be best for us all to return to London today. That way, two more rooms will become available,” Mrs Gardiner offered.

“Please stay. Your presence is valuable for the family. We will find a way to accommodate ourselves in Elizabeth’s room for a few days.” And a few nights , his mind cried in warning. “Could we please eat something? And a glass of brandy would be an excellent addition.”

Mr and Mrs Gardiner hurried to comply with his wishes. When they were alone, Elizabeth, red-faced and distressed, whispered to her husband, “My room is quite small, considering what you are accustomed to…and there is only one bed…” Her embarrassment deepened as she spoke.

“I imagined that. Do not worry. I may sleep in the library on the couch.”

“I am afraid it will not be possible. Our couch is very small, unlike the one in your library.”

“You did not express yourself properly, Mrs Darcy. You should have said ‘my father’s couch is very small, unlike the one in our library.’”

She smiled, pleased by his censure. “You are correct, of course. But the fact remains…”