Page 21 of Roses from Pemberley
But Dr. Stephens only said, “Well then, I believe you should try, Mr. Darcy,”
They all looked at him expectantly.
I am sorry, Elizabeth,he thought to himself,I only hope you can forgive me for this.
“Very well,” he said. “I shall try.”
He followed Charlotte up the stairs again, and the maid, Mary, was tasked with bringing in another bowl of broth. He sat once more beside Elizabeth and tentatively took her hand.
“I do not wish to disturb her,” he said quietly to Charlotte without turning around.
“But I think you must try, Mr. Darcy,” she answered. “Only recall what the doctor said about Elizabeth needing fluids.”
He nodded, then slowly ran the fingertips of his free hand across her forehead. It was disturbingly hot.
“Elizabeth,” he said in a low voice. “Can you wake up? You need to drink something…”
He turned back to Charlotte, feeling exceedingly self-conscious. For who was he but the man whom Elizabeth had turned down only two days earlier? And now everyone knew of it. What right had he to even be here?
Charlotte, seeming to understand his hesitation, took a small step back and said, “I shall return shortly.”
She left the room.
Alone once more with Elizabeth, he felt slightly less embarrassed. “Elizabeth…” he began again. “You must drink something. Please, dearest…you must…”
*****
She was so tired. So thirsty. But she had not the will to move, let alone to drink. If only she could have turned her head, and buried her face in the snow. Perhaps some of it would melt on her lips. It did not even matter anymore how cold it was.
And then she heard his voice again. Low and soothing - a reminder of another life she used to live.
You must be so thirsty,he said.Allow me to help you. I shall lift you up. And bring a spoonful of nourishing broth to your lips. You only have to swallow, my love. Nothing more. It will be easy, will it not? To simply swallow…
She felt a hand go under her neck and shoulder, then his strong arm began to lift her up. A few seconds later, she sensed a warm spoon against her lips…and the smell of broth…
She could taste it now and realised that he was right. All she had to do was swallow. She swallowed that first spoonful and thought how delicious it was. Salty and flavourful. A few seconds later, she felt the spoon touch her lips again.
That’s it, darling. Only swallow. Delicious, is it not?
She revelled in the taste of the broth and the simultaneous sound of his voice. She felt soothed and cared for, and hoped he would not stop his ministrations. She could live forever listening to him, and being fed by him.
Eventually she was so full that she could eat no more, and so she turned her head slightly away. He seemed to understand this and stopped presenting her with broth. And yet his arm remained around her, and she was grateful for this. She was less cold now and the snow seemed to recede somewhat. She felt warmer inside, but could also feel his warmth against the left side of her face and upper body. She detected the scent of sandalwood, pine and lemon. He and this scent were now one and the same.
Perhaps the broth had given her some energy, for she was now able to press herself more firmly against him. She could almost feel herself smiling.
There, there, Elizabeth,his voice soothed,just lean into me. That's it, love. Rest now for a while. Then I shall give you something to drink.
More time went by, while she remained in the cocoon of sandalwood. She walked through a cool meadow high in the mountains. It was not Hertfordshire but some place further north. Perhaps it was the peaks of Derbyshire, a place she had only heard of. Darcy’s home.
She imagined walking through the high meadow with him, running her hands along the tops of the wildflowers, seeing his cravat loose about his neck, and feeling the tendrils of her own hair escaping their pins.
But she was becoming thirsty again from the long walk it took to get there. Her throat felt dry. And then she smelled it - the herb tea Jane used to make at home. Jasmine and honey, and even mint. It was an unusual mixture but she had always loved it.
She sat on the grass with Darcy and leaned against his chest.
You must be thirsty by now, love.
Yes, I am,she said to him, though her mouth did not move.
