Page 18 of Roses from Pemberley
“I came earlier,” she said in a low voice, “and so did the doctor.”
Darcy nodded but just looked at her.
“I asked him if we needed to use the ice bath again, but he said we should wait. And so we did. He shall be up soon, with another sedative that he is mixing in the kitchen.”
Charlotte stepped forward and felt Elizabeth’s forehead. “I think her fever is lower, but the doctor shall be the one to confirm this.” She gave Darcy a nod of thanks. “Perhaps you would like to go downstairs for a while, Mr. Darcy?”
He blinked and thought,No, I do not wish to leave.But he realised that Charlotte was actually telling him to go, not asking. So he gently lay Elizabeth back against her pillow and stood up.
He gave Mrs. Collins a brief smile which he thought was not quite a smile, then proceeded down the stairs.
CHAPTER 10 Afternoon in Hunsford
Darcy returned to the parlour and saw that Richard and Anne had now joined the party. It was then that Bingley suggested they take a short stroll in the gardens.
“It may do you some good, Miss Bennet,” he said, “to be out in the fresh air for a little while. And of course we would remain quite close to the house in case you are needed.”
“Perhaps itwoulddo you some good, Miss Bennet,” concurred the doctor, who came into the room once more, “for there is nothing more to be done at the moment. I have made Miss Elizabeth a sedative and shall now sit with her for a while. Thus, the rest of you may take a little air. I shall not hesitate to call if you are needed.” He looked at Darcy and added, “You must also go, Mr. Darcy.”
“Yes, thank you, Doctor,” said Jane, taking a glance at Bingley.
Once in the garden, Darcy allowed Bingley and Miss Bennet to wander off by themselves, thus leaving him with Anne and Richard.
“How is Miss Elizabeth?” asked Richard, seeing the look of anxiety on Darcy’s face.
“She is sleeping.”
“And?” asked Anne. “Will she be well?”
Darcy walked in silence, his two cousins flanking him from behind. He did not wish to give voice to all his fears and so said nothing. He noted once more the fineness of the day and it made him even heavier of heart.
“We have known for several days now you are in love with her,” said Anne. “Even before you told my mother…”
Darcy stopped and turned back to them. “How? How did you know?”
Richard shrugged. “Come now, Darcy, it wasn’t hard. First you wished to leave, then you wished to stay. Then you sent for your doctor in London. The only explanation was that you were in love with her. Of course, I told Anne about it. I hope you do not mind.”
Darcy closed his eyes tightly then said, “No, I do not mind. In fact nothing seems to matter anymore in light of the fact that Elizabeth is more likely to die than not…”
“What?” asked Richard. “It cannot be that bad.”
He looked soberly at his cousin. “I am afraid it can.” He walked on and recalled the night before. And then this morning. He wished to be by Elizabeth’s side but instead he was here, walking in the garden with Anne and Richard.
“And I know you were at the parsonage last night with Dr. Stephens,” said Richard, breaking into his thoughts.
“You seem to know everything,” murmured Darcy, gazing in the direction of the parsonage. “I do not even wish to ask how you found out.”
“It wasn’t hard, for I am a light sleeper.”
He laughed humourlessly but said nothing.
“So what happened last night?” asked Anne.
Darcy sat heavily on a nearby bench, feeling that his night without sleep was finally catching up to him. Slowly, and without leaving anything out, he told his cousins about what happened the night before. And then told them what the doctor had said about patients with similar fevers.”
“But you mustn’t believe everything he says,” said Richard.
“What do you mean? He is a medical man. If I cannot trust his opinion then who can I trust?”
