Page 8

The day ran over late into the night, with no return of the gentlemen.

Jane kept to her sister’s room and heard several updates from Mrs Reynolds about the fire.

It was no shock when the morning brought the three back to Pemberley, all covered in soot and in need of a good bath.

After they were cleaned up and Darcy was back at Elizabeth’s side, Jane gave him the details he desired from their previous day. He was encouraged with her progress.

The two were talking when they heard a groan of “Water…” from the bed. They both rushed over to Elizabeth’s side.

“Oh, Lizzy, it is good to hear your voice,” Jane said as she held a cup up to her lips, Darcy helping her to sit up just enough to not spill the liquid everywhere. After she had drained nearly the whole glass, Jane placed it back on the side table and helped Elizabeth lie back.

The cold liquid sliding down her throat was just what Elizabeth needed.

She drank until she could no longer, then she let the two help her down once again to rest on the soft pillow below her head.

She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath.

The pain in her throat was starting to subside. “Thank you,” she croaked out.

“Just rest,” she heard a male voice say.

Her eyes shot open and she turned to see the man sitting next to her bedside.

Mr Darcy! What is he doing at my bedside again!

Her eyes indicated the unease she felt at seeing him.

“Who…? What…?” Her body stiffened and she pulled her hand away from where he held it.

She tried to move further away from him, but her body was too heavy to listen to what her brain tried to tell it to do. She began to shake with fright.

She was clearly agitated, so Darcy let go of her hand, though he wished to still hold it in his grasp. The look of terror in her eyes told him that something was clearly very wrong, so he stepped back from the bedside.

“Lizzy… shhh… Lizzy, look at me,” Jane said. Her sister’s calming voice from the other side of the bed made her turn her head that direction. “Lizzy, we know you have many ques tions, but it is best if you just relax. We promise we will answer everything when you are feeling better.”

She let her body react to Jane’s calming words and felt herself sink into the softness around her.

Darcy could not help but feel a pang radiate through his chest at the reaction she gave when she saw him at her side.

He did not know why she reacted as she did, but he knew she would need as much rest as possible, so he stepped away saying, “I will call for Mrs Reynolds.” Darcy turned and left the room.

Soon the housekeeper joined Jane and the two were able to help Elizabeth into a new nightgown and help her sit up a little in the bed.

Her head did not hurt as much today as it had, and she was able to remain awake for a longer period of time.

She was settled again when a knock came at the door.

Mrs Reynolds opened it to find Darcy waiting in the hallway, and she left as he entered.

He looked over to her bed and when her eyes opened, he tried to smile to reassure her, but she began to become agitated once again, so he remained beside the door and indicated that Jane come to him. “What do you think is wrong?” he asked quietly.

“I know not. She hardly spoke yesterday when she awoke.” She placed her hand gently on his arm, saying, “Perhaps it is best if you leave her care to me for now, and we will see how she progresses today. Perhaps soon she will be able to talk to us and we can better determine what could be upsetting her so.”

His eyes were dark with emotion as he looked back at his wife.

“I do not wish to leave her side, but it is clear she is not comfortable with my presence.” He looked back at Jane.

“You must promise you will keep me informed of everything.” At her nod, he sighed deeply.

“I will be in my study if you need me… or, if you need anything at all… just let me know what Elizabeth needs.”

She gave a short nod. “All will be well. You will see.”

Darcy left the room and Jane returned to her sister’s bedside. “Lizzy,” she said when she sat on the chair. “Lizzy?” She lifted her sister’s hand in her own.

Elizabeth’s eyes opened and focused on her sister’s lovely face. “Jane!” Her voice was weak, but the love she felt for her eldest sister was clearly present in her tone. Her mind began to question once again, so she asked, “Why was Mr Darcy here?”

“Mr Darcy?” Jane questioned at such an odd form of wording. “You mean Fitzwilliam?”

Her eyes shut once more as she tried to figure out what to say. “Fitzwilliam Darcy… of Pemberley.”

“Yes,” Jane said softly. “Fitzwilliam Darcy – and we are here at Pemberley.”

Elizabeth’s eyes opened again, indicating her agitation as she looked all around the room. Her fingers tightened around Jane’s. “Where? Where am I?”

“You are in your bedchamber at Pemberley.” Jane indicated the room. “You have been here in this bed for nearly a month now. We were not sure you would come back to us, but you have.” Tears pricked at her eyes.

“Pemberley?” Elizabeth’s confusion did not abate. “Why am I at Pemberley?”

“It is your home,” Jane answered.

“My home? No… no, my home is Longbourn!” She began to become agitated.

Jane squeezed her hand to calm her down. “Longbourn has not been your home for well upon five years now. You live here at Pemberley. Do you not remember?”

“Remember… remember… I do not know.” She looked around the room curiously. “Why was Mr Darcy in my room?”

Jane was starting to realize that her sister’s memory was clearly affected. “Lizzy, Mr Darcy is your husband.”

Her eyes shot open wide and turned back to Jane. “Mr Darcy!? NO! No… he dislikes me! I am not tolerable enough to dance… I would not marry such a prideful, arrogant…”

“Lizzy, shhhh. You must relax.” Jane began to smooth out the sheet and blanket laid over her sister’s body.

“It is time you rest. I will be here when you wake again. I promise I will not leave your side. All your questions will be answered in time. Just rest.” She drew her fingers through Elizabeth’s hair, helping her relax, and within minutes her sister was sleeping, though not as peacefully as she had been before.

When she was certain Elizabeth was asleep, Jane went over to the desk and pulled out a piece of paper, dipping the quill into the ink before she scrawled out a note for her brother-in-law.

She waved it to dry the ink, then folded it and went to the door, where she found a footman standing at the ready in the hall.

She gave him the note to deliver to the master, then returned to her chair beside Elizabeth’s bed.

“Sir, a note has been sent down,” the footman said when his knock was answered by the master.

Darcy took the note and nodded his thanks, then went to sit at his desk as he opened it .

Fitzwilliam,

She is confused about being here at Pemberley, and indicated she thought her home was Longbourn.

She acted as if she did not remember marrying you, and even brought up the insult you gave upon your first meeting at the Assembly.

I think her memory is affected. Perhaps it would be best if we call in a doctor from London.

She is resting now. I will try to see what she remembers next time she is awake.

~J

He read the note over several times. Her memory is affected… the words kept rolling around in his mind. He had prayed so long for her to return to him, and now she did not seem to remember even being married. His heart broke at such knowledge.

Darcy pulled out two pieces of paper. He quickly wrote a note back to Jane on one piece of paper, and addressed the second to Doctor Jones. He hoped there was something the good doctor could do for his wife

It was several more hours before Elizabeth awoke again. Jane called for some broth, and she helped her sister sip, hoping it would help strengthen Elizabeth’s frail body.

When she was sufficiently satiated and sat back down in the fresh linens of the bed, Jane brought up the subject most on her mind since their earlier conversation.

“Lizzy, I do not wish to distress you, but you did not seem to remember some things earlier. Do you remember being here at Pemberley?”

Elizabeth slowly nodded. “You said so.”

“Yes, I did. But do you remember coming to Pemberley?”

She thought before answering, “No.”

“Do you remember an accident?”

She shook her head, “No. Is that what has caused my injuries?”

“Yes. You were thrown from the cart when you were helping deliver some baskets to the tenants,” Jane explained.

She shook her head. “I do not remember anything of the sort. ”

“What is your latest memory?”

Elizabeth closed her eyes as she thought. “I do not know.” She began to tear up. “Oh, Jane! I do not know! Why can I not remember?”

Jane reached for her sister’s handkerchief on the side table and dried her cheeks. “Shhh, everything will be well Lizzy. I am sure you will remember with time.”

When she had calmed, Elizabeth asked, “Mr Darcy? Am I truly married to Mr Darcy?” At Jane’s nod, she said, “How could that be? He has never indicated he cared for me.”

“Lizzy, he loves you dearly. I would say he loves you more than Charles loves me, but that might give you pause about my own felicity.”

“Charles?” she questioned.

Jane blushed, “You truly do not remember? You and I have been married these last five years – you to Fitzwilliam Darcy and me to Charles Bingley.”

The information seemed foreign to her still and her head began to pound again, but she had to ask, “What about Mama? Papa?”

Jane saw the ashen look upon her sister’s face. “Lizzy, perhaps it is best if you rest for now. That is enough to ponder. Just rest,” she reached over and squeezed her fingers, then smiled when Elizabeth closed her eyes and was soon asleep.