Page 20 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
He flinched, the directness of Mr Gardiner’s question unexpected. It lacked refinement, and at first he wished to make some cold remark about the impropriety. However, he had formed an unexpected friendship with the man and knew that he meant no harm.
“I care only for Miss Elizabeth’s continued recovery. She was hurt on my land. I treat her as I would any other acquaintance who needed my assistance.”
“Very well, then. I have your word that Mrs Annesley will chaperone her?”
“Yes.”
Darcy extended his hand, and Mr Gardiner shook it heartily.
He was not present when Miss Elizabeth was informed of her aunt and uncle’s departure, nor was he witness to their goodbye. He saw Mrs Gardiner wiping her eyes as the pair left the Blue Room, sniffing heavily as she trudged towards the front door. He helped the pair into their carriage, noting the grey countenances of the couple as they entered. It could not be an easy thing to travel by coach once again after such a harrowing experience. But they said nothing of their discomfort, waving goodbye.
Darcy stood on the steps of Pemberley, accompanied by Georgiana waving madly, until the carriage had vanished out of sight.
“Poor Lizzy,” Georgiana sighed heavily.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy corrected.
“Poor Miss Elizabeth. She will miss her aunt and uncle so! We must make sure that she is entertained, and distracted from the pain. You know she has stopped taking the laudanum?”
“I did not.”
“She did not like the way it altered her mind. So now she has nothing to ease the discomfort she feels. I fear she must be in great pain, though she is far too brave to make that known. What does she like, brother? What are her interests?”
“She is fond of reading, as you know. Walking. She loves to walk most of all.”
He thought of Miss Elizabeth arriving at Netherfield by foot, hair wild and free, her skirts dishevelled and laced with mud. How happy she had looked, her cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling. She had been so beautiful that day, enchanting him. How he wished he might turn back time. He would change so many things. It was no good to make idle wishes, for nothing could be changed.
“The poor thing,” Georgiana’s voice snapped him out of his daydream. “I cannot imagine if I broke my fingers and could not play.”
“When she is permitted to, I will see that we aid her in moving around the house. She herself plays well, and may play duets with you if she feels well enough.”
“I have been describing the library to her. I cannot wait for her to be able to see it for herself. I have selected her books I think she will enjoy. Perhaps you could choose some for her too, for you know her far better than I do. Is she a fine dancer, brother? I would wager she is, for she has very graceful movements and a naturally fine posture, even restricted as she is.”
“Yes.”
“Did you dance with her?” Georgiana asked. “I know you are not much for dancing, but surely you would have danced with someone as wonderful as Miss Elizabeth!
“One dance at Bingley’s ball.”
“Oh, I wish I could have been there!”
Darcy was surprised by that; Georgiana had not expressed any wishes to attend public engagements. Indeed, she had barely left Pemberley since the terrible business with Wickham. He could only hope that time had healed her, and the hopeful, bright young girl he knew had returned.
“When you are out, I will dance with you.”
“I shall be honoured. Oh, I shall worry for them until we have heard they have made it safely to London. They will write and tell us, won’t they?”
“Yes.”
“How I hope the carriage returns with Lizzy’s sister safely inside.”
“We will see.”
He retreated to his study after the Gardiners’ departure. Miss Elizabeth would no doubt be upset by the absence of her family,and he was certain his presence would make things worse. To see him would only serve to remind her that she was trapped here with a man she loathed. He had a pile of correspondence to see to, including several letters from Mr and Miss Bingley, enquiring after the urgency of the cancellation of his visit.
He had told no one of Miss Elizabeth’s presence at Pemberley. He did not doubt that Longbourn would be abuzz with news of Miss Elizabeth’s accident, prominent as her family were within that small town. Charles and his sisters were currently in residence in London, and such small-town gossip stood little chance of spreading to theton.
He was sure if he told Charles of what had happened, Caroline Bingley would have made some excuse or other to travel to see her dear friendEliza. Or, perhaps, Mr and Mrs Collins would wish to visit if the news spread as far as Kent.
