Page 12 of Roses from Pemberley
“So do you plan on staying, Mr. Bingley?” asked Lady Catherine.
“Yes, if you will have me, My Lady.”
“Yes, certainly, Mr. Bingley. For you would at least contribute to the mealtime conversations as Darcy…” here she looked reproachfully at him, “has been rather unsociable of late.”
“I apologise, Aunt,” said Darcy, “but my mind has been occupied...”
“And what is it that has occupied you?”
“I have been worried about Miss Elizabeth Bennet. You see, she is quite ill.”
“Yes, I heard something about it from Mr. Collins. But I did not know she was so ill. For he told me it was just a slight cold.”
“It is not just a cold,” said Darcy.
Lady Catherine looked suspiciously at him. “And? What business is it of yours?”
“Well theywereacquainted back in Hertfordshire,” interposed Richard.
“You might even say they are friends,” added Anne.
“And is that all it is, Darcy?” asked Lady Catherine. “That you are simply friends?”
“Not precisely,” answered Darcy.
“So, what then?”
It was then that Mr. Cullen entered and announced, “Dr. Stephens to see Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy stood up for the second time that night but, instead of leaving without a word of explanation to Lady Catherine, said, “I have invited Dr. Stephens to examine Miss Elizabeth, Aunt.”
“Oh, have you?” asked Lady Catherine, now looking more suspicious.
“Of course, he did,” said Richard, as Darcy pulled out a chair and motioned for the doctor to sit down. “And I do not blame him. He was only being helpful to his…friend…”
“Richard,” said Darcy, stopping him from giving further explanations, “I appreciate what you are trying to do but it is not necessary. He turned to Lady Catherine and continued, “I am in love with Miss Elizabeth and sent for the doctor because I could not rest until I knew she would be well.”
“I knew it!” said Lady Catherine. “I knew you had feelings for her. I could tell by the way you looked at her while she played the pianoforte. You were completely besotted!”
“Yes, yes. I fully admit it, now. But can we please just listen to what the doctor has to say?” begged Darcy.
“But, what about your marriage to Anne?”
“As Anne told you before,” said Darcy with exasperation, “she and I shall never marry, for we do not love each other.”
“But…”
“You may as well give up on the idea, Aunt Catherine,” said Richard, attempting once more to be of assistance, “It shall save you a great deal of grief in the long run.”
“But my sister and I had hoped…”
“No, Aunt,” said Darcy, “my mother may haveentertainedsuch a notion when I was very young, but in the end she told me that I should marry for love. You must accept it.”
Lady Catherine stared at him for a while but could not seem to think of anything else to say.
“I believe we have already discussed this subject nauseam,” said Anne, finally speaking then turning towards the doctor. “Will you tell us, sir, how fares Miss Elizabeth?”
“Well,” said he, “her fever is still high and she remains incoherent. But I have given her a sedative which allows for restful sleep. Furthermore, her sister has been useful in applying a eucalyptus paste which I predict will improve her breathing. Thus, for now it is simply a matter of waiting.”
