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Doctor Jones arrived for his regular visit before Elizabeth awoke again.

He talked with Darcy and Jane before examining his patient.

Upon them acquainting him of her reaction, and Jane’s answering of the few questions Elizabeth asked, he determined it might be best to call in a doctor more familiar with head injuries, but for now he cautioned them not to speak of things that confused her and to let Mrs Darcy sleep as much as possible.

He quietly examined her and determined that physically she should be well enough to rise from the bed as she felt able, but absolutely nothing should be said that would upset her.

This would prove to be extremely difficult on Darcy, as he could no longer be at her side. Before the doctor left, he also cautioned Darcy again about taking care of himself during this time as well, and gave him encouragement that perhaps she would remember in time.

The next few days were tortuous for Darcy.

Elizabeth would wake for a few minutes at a time, and Jane had taken on most of the care for her sister, as anyone unfamiliar to Elizabeth made her wake in a state of agitation so intense that they feared for her safety.

The maids assigned to Mrs Darcy sat in the shadows of the room, and when she began to awaken, Mrs Bingley was called in for her care.

Mrs Reynolds was able to help with caring for Mrs Darcy when two people were needed, but it was clear Elizabeth did not wish even for her presence in the room.

It was exhausting for all.

The doctor more familiar with head injuries arrived from London within the week. They both talked with him before he was taken to see his newest patient.

Jane opened the door. She nodded to the maid who sat in the corner chair, dismissing the girl, and walked over to her sister’s bedside, sitting on the bed and taking her hand. “Lizzy? Are you awake?”

Elizabeth’s eyes opened slowly and she gave a small smile. “Jane. I hoped to see you again.”

Jane smiled. “You know I will always be here for you.” She turned her head, indicating the man who stood behind her. “Lizzy, we have called in another doctor to examine you.”

Elizabeth looked at the gentleman, then back to her sister, agitation growing in her eyes.

“Lizzy, I promise, all will be well. He is here to help.” At Elizabeth’s nod, Jane turned to the doctor. “Lizzy, this is Doctor Simpson.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” he said as he stepped up to her bedside. “Doctor Jones and your family,” he nodded at Jane, “have told me of your case and they felt you might benefit from my examining you as well. Will that suit you?”

Elizabeth was uncomfortable, but gave a small nod and, with Jane’s help, scooted up in the bed to lean her back against the headboard.

The doctor took out several odd-looking instruments and began poking this and prodding that on Elizabeth’s body, asking if she felt any pain as he went about his task. It was not until he got to her neck and head that she indicated any discomfort.

“Do you have a headache?” he asked.

“Always,” she answered. “Sometimes it hurts more than at other times, but it is a constant dull throbbing.”

He examined her head, turning it while asking how she felt. Finally he stepped back, saying, “I have heard from your family that you struggle to remember details of your life.”

Elizabeth nodded, her brow furrowing as she tried to think harder.

“Jane tells me I live at Pemberley, and that I am married. I cannot attest to it. Mr Darcy never looked at me with anything but derision in his eyes. I cannot fathom what has brought me to be married to him and living in Derbyshire.” Her voice lowered when she said, “I wish to go home to Longbourn.”

Jane reached for her sister’s fingers, squeezing them. “Lizzy, it is not possible to return to Longbourn. You must remain here at Pemberley.”

Elizabeth nodded, trying to stop the tears that had gathered in her eyes.

She did not know much information, but what little she did know confused her immensely.

“I do not understand why I cannot remember. Jane has told me such distressing things, and I cannot say any of it is familiar, no matter how hard I try to account for it.” She drew her fingers to her temples and began to rub them in tiny circles.

“I am sorry, but my headache is growing stronger.”

“Perhaps it is best you rest again,” the doctor said.

“I will leave some powder that will help with the headaches, but the best course of action will be for you to rest and not to strain yourself.” With that, he dug into his bag for the medicine packet, which Jane helped her take along with a glass of water, then the doctor left the room to speak with her caregivers in the hall.

“Mr Darcy, Mr and Mrs Bingley, I fear Mrs Darcy has suffered from swelling of her brain. As time goes on the swelling has receded, but it has affected her memory. The mind is such a strange and fickle master, and we do not yet know much about these types of injuries, but one thing we do know is that undue strain on the patient hinders their recovery.”

Darcy asked, “Will she remember?”

“In time, it is possible. Every patient is different. Mrs Darcy is a healthy young woman, and she has no other physical injuries, so I am hopeful that she will be well enough to return to a regular schedule. One cannot say whether she will ever fully regain those lost memories though.”

Jane’s eyes began to fill with tears and she pulled her handkerchief from her pocket, dabbing at them as her husband wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Darcy’s voice cracked with emotion when he asked, “What can we do? Anything – money is no object.”

The doctor nodded, “I understand Mr Darcy, but there is no amount of money that will fix this for your wife. She will have to come to terms on her own. She may well remember, but there is a greater chance that she will not. The best thing to do is to give her a calm and quiet environment in which to recover, and do not talk of things that upset her.”

Jane asked, “What should we do when she asks questions? She has been asking me for details, but Doctor Jones cautioned us not to answer, so I have been avoiding answering as much as possible.”

“Good advice for now. Mrs Darcy’s headaches will abate more as her brain recovers.

If she is able to handle the conversation, then answer whatever she desires to know, but I would not lay out her missing five years all at once, especially if there were factors that could cause her to retreat into her lost memories again.

Has she suffered from the death of a loved one during this time? ”

“Yes,” Darcy answered, “her father, as well as her sister and brother-in-law,” he looked over to Jane, adding, “although she does not remember them being married.”

“Then I caution you, sir, to not bring up anything that will cause her to grieve deeply. Remain on topics that will lead to her happiness, such as your love for her.”

Darcy looked to the floor, “The man she remembers me to be insulted her grievously and did not make a good impression upon her family nor her neighbours. I fear she hates me as much now as she did before I won her love.” He looked up, “Is it possible for her to love again?”

He reached out his hand, touching the gentleman’s arm, “Do not give up hope, sir. If she loved you before, then she can be compelled to love you again. You will just have to find ways to earn that love. Woo her as you did before.”

He gave a snort. “I did not do such a stellar job of it the first time.”

“Then consider this your second chance.” He picked up the bag that sat at his feet and pulled out a card with his details, holding it out to Darcy.

“I do not see a need for remaining in the area, so I will return to London. If you need me again, send for me, but the recovery of Mrs Darcy is in her own, and God’s, hands.

” With that, he bowed and left them in the hallway, following Mrs Reynolds down the stairs.

Jane reached her hand out to touch her brother-in-law’s arm. “She will come to love you again. I know it.”

Bingley smiled, agreeing with his wife, and adding, “This will give you a perfect opportunity to make a much better impression than you did the first time. I mean, did you not say that it was after she visited Pemberley that she began to change her feelings towards you? I have heard Lizzy say many times that Pemberley is what brings out your true self.”

Darcy sighed heavily. “I thank you – both of you.” He turned to walk back down the stairs.

“What will you do?” Bingley asked of his friend.

He turned to answer, “I shall do as the doctor suggested and try to woo my wife again. I just hope she is more receptive this time.”

“Ahh, yes, but this time you know her likes and dislikes so much better,” Bingley pointed out.

“That is true. Very true.” He turned and continued down the stairs to his study where he would write down his intentions.