Page 10 of Saved By Mr. Darcy
Her eyes grew glassy, and when he pressed his hand to her forehead he could feel the burn of fever there. Though she was awake, she was certainly not well. He moved his hand away, instead gently pressing on her shoulder to guide her back to the pillows. She sank back at his touch, her eyes closing. Her hand rose, searching for his own in her delirium. He watched, dumbstruck, as her fingers entwined with his. She held his hand tight to her chest, a sweet smile spreading over her face.
“A dream,” she mumbled, before sleep consumed her once more.
Chapter Four
The next week brought with it fleeting moments of consciousness for Miss Elizabeth, but none lasted longer than a minute or two. The doctor had decided that perhaps this was for the best; her body needed to heal. He instructed that laudanum was to be given twice a day when she woke. Darcy privately thought that this would only serve to drug her into a state that resembled sleep, rather than encouraging true rest. But he was no doctor, and he would not impede her recovery with his interference.
Around the second evening, he had begun to sit by her door in the night, hoping desperately for some improvement. He could not settle, his own bedchamber feeling like a prison. He longed to be close to her. Darcy was unaware, but the entire household had noticed his odd behaviour, as too had Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
“There must be some fondness there,” Mrs Gardiner said softly to her husband over a private breakfast. “I have never seen such devotion from a man.”
“I shall not take offence to that, wife. Really, it is unusual. Perhaps Lizzy was embarrassed to tell us the truth - and my sister would certainly welcome a betrothal.”
“You think they are secretly engaged? I do not believe Mr Darcy is capable of that. The man is the very picture of honour.”
“Perhaps there was some whispered discussion between the pair; you know how young folk can be. But what is the use of speculation? Lizzy would soundly correct us, I am sure, for making assumptions on matters we do not know.”
“Poor fellow. Lizzy would run rings around him.”
“I thought there was something there,” Mrs Gardiner continued. “When she spoke of him, before…before. What is that saying?Methinks the lady doth protest too much!”
She laughed, though that laugh quickly gave way to a sob. She missed her niece greatly; missed her laugh, her easy charm, her bright conversation. Hour after hour passed and nothing changed. The fear grew larger every day that she would slip away from them - that this sleep would be eternal.
“There is a letter for you, Mr Gardiner.”
“Thank you.”
My dear brother,
How awful the news! I have taken to my bed and I cannot rouse myself. My head, my heart, my nerves, thinking of Lizzy so gravely ill!
I cannot bear the thought of any more harm coming to my family. I will certainly not put Jane or myself on a wretched wagon to befall the same fate! Lizzy will be quite alright there; Mr Darcy is a man of means, and as it was his wretched beasts that did this, he owes a responsibility to our Lizzy. Please bid Madeline to take care of Lizzy as she would her own children.
Yours,
“She has not even signed her name!” Mr Gardiner exclaimed. “Such nerves that she cannot even finish a letter! We are the ones who have suffered, Madeline! We are the ones…”
“Hush, my love. Pass the letter to me.”
Mrs Gardiner read the letter, her eyes growing wide. Her lips pressed together as she tried to swallow her disdain for her husband’s sister.
“She will not even send Jane! It would lift Lizzy’s spirits so, and her wretched mother is so selfishly minded that she will not spare a thought for her child. We have travelled in carriages for many years without an issue; I cannot help but feel if this were Jane, bless her soul, Lizzy would be placed on the first coach North without thought.”
“Calm yourself, dearest. It will not do for you to get so upset. We will care for Lizzy, as long as we might. When she is awake, we will move her from here. We cannot impose on Mr Darcy for much longer.”
“It is no imposition,” a sharp voice interrupted. They both turned to see Mr Darcy standing in the doorway, his arms stiff by his side. For a man who owned such a grand house, it was peculiar that he seemed naturally inclined to ask permission before entering. Both Gardiners rose, and he walked over to the table. “Please, forgive my intrusion. I heard there was a letter from Hertfordshire, and I came to enquire after what I might do to aid the eldest Miss Bennet’s journey.”
Mr Gardiner slumped back in his chair, defeated, and held out the letter. Mr Darcy took it, his eyes scanning over the words before handing it back silently.
“She is not coming. As you can see, my sister has forbidden any of the family from coach travel, lest another accident occur. We will leave this place, take Lizzy to the inn until she has recovered.”
“You are welcome guests in my home, all of you,” he said stiffly, his eyes not quite meeting theirs. “I am sorry if I have done something to make you feel that you cannot stay.”
“Not at all,” Mrs Gardiner said at once. “You have shown us great kindness. We are down in spirits, that is all. I must admit I was hoping that we may return to London once Jane arrived and Lizzy was more settled.”
Mr Darcy’s expression did not change. Mr Gardiner glanced at his wife, unsurprised to see tears forming in her eyes. Mr Darcy offered only two words.
“I see.”
