Page 12 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
He did not like conversing about such things in front of Miss Elizabeth. He wondered if she could hear them in her sleep - and if so, she would surely be scolding him soundly in her dreams.
“Hush.”
Georgiana was not one to take such instruction. She knew him far too well, perhaps better than he even knew himself. Sheseemed to detect the slightest shift in his mood, the smallest change in temperament. It was almost eerie, for he lacked that same delicate understanding in her regard. Perhaps if he had been more attentive, more perceptive, he might have protected her from Wickham.
Must he fail every woman in his life?
Miss Elizabeth had been injured on his land. This was his fault, however much those around him may try to convince him otherwise.
“You must tell her. I am sure she can hear us. Talk to her; such affection would surely lift her spirits, even in slumber. There is not a woman alive who would not like to hear words of tenderness, I am sure.”
“She knows,” he muttered softly. “I have told her already. And she rejected me, most soundly. She wants no words of tenderness from me, she was quite clear in that. I care now only for her welfare.”
“I am sorry for it. Perhaps she would change her mind, when she knows of the consideration you have paid her.”
“I have not done this for that. I have no wish to bribe her into loving me; my care is not some debt to be repaid. I offer it without expectation.”
“I did not mean to offend you, brother,” Georgiana sighed, worry etched on her face as she took assessment of him. She reminded him so much of their mother. “You look tired. Will you not rest?”
“I cannot.”
“You are exhausted.”
Before he could argue, there was a sharp intake of breath that did not come from either of them. They both looked towards the bed in alarm. Miss Elizabeth’s eyes were closed, but her body moved as she squirmed in place. Darcy watched with bated breath as she shifted and turned to her side. And then, her eyes opened. There was a clarity there that had been absent, her eyes darting around the room as she took in her surroundings.
“Oh!” she exclaimed in surprise. “Where am I?”
“Miss Bennet! You are awake! Oh, I am so glad. Do not be alarmed, you are…”
“Georgiana,” Darcy interrupted. “Hush. Let Miss Bennet adjust, do not bombard her.”
“Mr Darcy!” Miss Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice hoarse and thick with sleep. “What…Oh! The carriage! Where are my aunt and uncle? I do not…Where am I, please?”
“You are at Pemberley. Your aunt and uncle are nearby; we will send for them at once. If you’ll excuse me, I…”
“How long have I been asleep?” Miss Elizabeth interrupted.
“A week!” Georgiana supplied, reaching out and taking Miss Elizabeth’s hand,
“Forgive me, I am just so pleased that you are awake again! I am Georgiana. I have heard so very much about you this past week that I feel as if I know you. Your aunt sings your praises, and I know that a woman as wonderful as her could not help but be right!”
“Your sister,” Miss Elizabeth murmured, her gaze glancing towards Darcy. “It is a pleasure, Miss Darcy.”
“Call me Georgiana! Brother, we must fetch the Gardiners!” Georgiana leapt from her seat, letting go of Miss Elizabeth’s hand as abruptly as she had taken it. “Come, brother, they will be so pleased!”
She ran from the bedside and headed through the door without a backwards glance. Darcy found that he was rooted to the spot, unable to take a single step. He was unable to do anything at all but stare down at Miss Elizabeth. This was the most lucid she had been in her time here, and he could only hope that this was to be a permanent change in her condition.
“I am pleased you are awake,” he said quietly. “Very pleased indeed. If you’ll excuse me.”
“Of course. Thank you, Mr Darcy.”
He bowed his head in farewell, lingering a moment before leaving the room.
The doctor was sent for at once. He arrived promptly, his assistant in tow. Both seemed pleased to see Miss Elizabeth awake and propped against the pillows. Her aunt and uncle sat at her bedside, her aunt clinging to her hand as the doctor made polite, cordial conversation.
Mr Darcy left them, and for the first time in a week he exited the front door of Pemberley. The bright sunlight caught him by surprise. He should have expected it, for of course he had seen the blue sky and green grass from the windows of the house. Being outside now felt entirely new, a world away from his self-imposed imprisonment as he had stayed as close to Miss Elizabeth’s side as possible. He breathed in deeply, closing his eyes as the sun warmed his face.
She would want to leave, he did not doubt that. Surely she would be furious with him for keeping her here, for allowing her to come to such harm. He could see some twisted image of her berating him when he closed his eyes, all illusions that perhaps, just perhaps, they could come to some happier agreement gone.
