Page 16 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
“I mean more than that. He has gone beyond his duty. The man has a great attachment to you, Lizzy. I ask you again - what is the nature of your relationship with Mr Darcy?”
“Nothing! I…” Lizzy sighed, her fingers curling around the blankets covering her.
There was a knock at the door, and Lizzy sagged in relief.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Georgiana appeared in the doorway, a pile of books under the crook of her arm. “I thought you might want something to read. These are some of my favourites.”
“Oh! How thoughtful of you. Please, Miss Darcy, call me Lizzy if you wish.”
“Then you must call me Georgiana! How lovely,” she smiled, setting the books on the bedside table. “I am sorry I did not visit after breakfast, but my brother insists I have been neglecting my studies.”
“I am sorry if I have interrupted your schooling. I certainly would not wish my presence to cause such disruption.”
“No, not at all! It has been wonderful to have you as our guest. I wish only that more pleasant circumstances had brought you here.”
“I thank you and your brother for your hospitality. Which book should I read first?” Lizzy asked, reaching for the small pile.
Aunt Gardiner was looking at her pointedly, and Lizzy stubbornly ignored her.Georgiana picked up a slim, red volume. She opened the book and flicked through a few pages idly, before snapping it closed and handing it to Lizzy triumphantly.
“This, I think. But do not show it to Fitzwilliam! He does not share my taste in novels; he would find that one far too melodramatic. How are you feeling?”
“Bored. Terribly, terribly bored!”
“Has the surgeon or doctor said when you might walk again?” Georgiana asked gently. “I saw them both leaving this morning.”
“Weeks,” Lizzy sighed. “And my ankle may never be the same. The surgeon says the bones are healing well, though he believes I will use a cane for some time, if not the rest of my life.”
“I am sorry for it.”
“Thank you, you are most kind. But there is no use dwelling on that which cannot be changed. I am safe, and I am as well as I can be. I count my blessings every day that I survived.”
“Well, I shall see to it that we make your time with us as pleasant as possible. I wish you could walk a little more, so that you might enjoy the house. Perhaps we could ask someone to carry you!”
“I do not think I would like that. I could not ask anyone to perform such an arduous task!”
“It would not be so bad. If you sat on a chair, perhaps two footmen could lift it to keep you steady.”
The thought of wobbling around precariously on a chair in a house as fine as this made Lizzy smile. Georgiana meant well, but the idea did not appeal at all - even if it meant that she would be able to see more than these four walls. She would simply have to remain here until such a time as she could hobble with the aid of a stick.
“Perhaps. I am content enough with the few steps I take each day for now. I hope tobe able to sit comfortably in the window seat soon. The view is very inviting indeed. I am sure the books will be better enjoyed in that little paradise.”
“It really is wonderful. I know that my brother is very fond of this room; he would have put you here on purpose, I’ve no doubt.”
“It was the closest to the front door,” Aunt Gardiner interjected, perhaps sensing Lizzy’s discomfort that Mr Darcy might have taken her comfort and pleasure into account even in such a grave situation. “I believe that was Mr Darcy’s deciding factor.”
“Oh. It is, you are right. Yes, that does make sense. I cannot wait until you are stronger, Miss Elizabeth. It is marvellous to picnic by the pond, though the ducks try and steal as much bread as they can. And the gardens! It is June, and they are in full bloom. They shall still be very pleasant in July, of course, when I am determined we shall stroll together.”
Lizzy did not say that such a goal seemed unlikely for the next month; instead, she allowed herself to indulge in Georgiana’s youthful optimism.
“Then I cannot wait. It shall give me something to look forward to. Have you been there, Aunt?”
“No, dear.”
“Have you seen much of Pemberley?”Lizzy asked again. “You spoke so fondly of it.”
“No. I fear I have not the strength to stray far beyond my own bedroom door and yours.”
Miss Georgiana’s brow furrowed, and she looked between the two women with concern. She looked younger even than her tender age, a lost little girl who did not know what to say. Lizzy knew that Mr Darcy had done his best to shield her from hardship, and there was no doubt that Miss Georgiana had never seen physical harm in this manner. Lizzy barely knew what to do herself, and in that moment she felt just as young as Miss Georgiana.
