Page 19 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“I hope that your stay at Pemberley will not be unpleasant for you. When you wish to compose another letter, I shall be happy to serve as your scribe.”
She smiled softly, sniffing. Her leg ached as sorely as her heart. She had never felt such fatigue in her life, every inch of her impossibly tired. Her body felt heavy, her sorrow weighing her down further.
“If you’ll excuse me, Mr Darcy. I think I will rest.”
He nodded, bowing his head before leaving without another word. Lizzy closed her eyes, hoping that she would wake up from this terrible dream.
Chapter Six
Mr Darcy was unsurprised that Mr Gardiner came to his study that evening. The man had a slumped posture, his face drawn.It might have been said that he had recovered from the worst of his injuries - or at least claimed to - but the man did not look well. Mr Gardiner was undoubtedly haunted by what had happened, however much he tried to hide behind joviality.
“Mr Darcy,” he said with a nod. “I wish to speak to you, if you have the time.”
“Of course.”
“I have come to ask for your assistance in travelling to London. As quickly as you are able to make the arrangements.”
“You wish to leave?”
“Yes. Madeline needs to be at home, with our children. I worry for her. She has grown worse with each day. I want to take her home.”
“Of course. I shall see everything is prepared for your journey. Will tomorrow suffice?”
The man sighed with relief, nodding profusely.
“It will more than suffice. Thank you.”
“And what of Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked. “She cannot travel.”
“If you are certain in your offer that she may remain here, then we shall leave her in your care. We will call in at Longbourn before London, to take some rest and ask my sister to reconsider. I hope that we might send Jane north with your carriage.”
“Of course.”
“Now, I know that we leave Lizzy without a chaperone...”
“Mrs Annesley is more than prepared to chaperone. I have spoken with her already.”
“I hope it will not be for long. I am sure, with some convincing, my sister will let go of her notions.”
“I will see that Miss Elizabeth is well taken care of in your absence. The doctor tells me that she makes a good recovery, and that the bones are healing satisfactorily.”
“You have been too good to us, sir. The endless visits from the doctor, the surgeon, the…”
“It is nothing,” Darcy interrupted, stopping Mr Gardiner before he could take inventory of all that Darcy had done these past weeks. “You need not mention it.”
“I wonder, sir, if I might ask you an impertinent question.”
“Oh?”
“What is your attachment to my niece?”
“Mr Gardiner, I…”
“Now, now, Mr Darcy, I am not accusing you of anything. There is no need to panic. You are an honourable man and I trust you implicitly with Lizzy’s wellbeing. I trust Mrs Annesley also. I just wish to know if there is an arrangement between the two of you.”
“No. No, there is not.”
“Would you wish there to be one?”
