Chapter 20 Brought Low
Darcy remained just outside the bedchamber door and watched as Anne drew back the bedclothes and Richard laid Elizabeth upon the bed.
“Georgiana, hold her upon her side while I undo the buttons. Her clothing is damp.”
Darcy asked, “Anne, shall I send for her sister?”
“Yes, send for Mary. Inform her I shall prepare a room, so she may remain with us until Lizzy recovers.” She bent to the task of loosening Elizabeth’s boot strings.
He waited beyond the threshold until Richard emerged, and the two descended the stairs together.
“How do you fare, Darcy? Where did you pass the night?”
Though disguise of every sort was abhorrent to him, Darcy offered a prevarication. “I took shelter in an old shed for the night. I had not accounted for the flooding that would result from that storm.”
“Yes, the low ground on that side serves as a natural basin for the floodwaters.”
“And you? Where did you take shelter?”
“In the old caves where we once made camp as boys, the place Phillip favored.”
“I remember it well. Was it dry?”
“It lies deep enough to afford protection from wind and rain. I remained tolerably dry.”
“I shall send for Miss Bennet’s sister.” As Darcy moved toward the library, he questioned the butler. “Have you sent for the physician?”
“Yes, sir. Dr. Miller is at Westerham attending a confinement, but he will come to Rosings when it is concluded.”
Once the note was sent to Mrs. Collins, Darcy sat down to eat his breakfast in company with Richard and Georgiana. He asked, “How does Miss Bennet appear now, Georgie?”
“She is flushed, and her skin is hot and dry. Do you think she will die? Her cough sounds dreadful.”
“It is an inflammation of the lungs, my dear.” Seeing her distress at this revelation, he added in an effort to comfort her, “Some do succumb, but she is young. I trust she will recover.” But under his breath, he said, “I only hope the physician proves competent.”
At this point, Richard interjected. “Anne and Lady Catherine have had a severe quarrel. She lays the blame upon our aunt for Miss Bennet’s being caught in the storm, and now that she lies so ill, Anne feels it more keenly.
She spoke of leaving once Miss Bennet recovers and asked whether she might return with me to London and stay at Matlock House with my mother.
She desires a season in town, something Lady Catherine has never permitted. ”
“Will you take her with you?”
“Yes. I shall write to my mother. It will give her some occupation beyond contriving to marry us to the undeserving.”
Darcy gave a short laugh. “I had thought you and Anne would marry.”
Richard smiled. “We shall, though at present she holds me in disfavor for placing that farmer’s daughter before her. She exacts her revenge. It signifies nothing. My cousin loves me, and I have no fear she will choose another.”
“You ought to discourage Beaumont from visiting. There is no sense in raising his hopes.”
“Yes, I will,” Richard agreed.
Darcy said, “I bear the blame for this morass. I ought to have exercised greater restraint in front of my aunt. I knew better.”
“She possesses a jealous temper. We saw it in her treatment of Uncle Lewis. The poor gentleman could scarcely draw breath without her remarking upon it.”
“I cannot conceive how he endured it. I would have remained in London for most of the year, yet he did not. He loved his estate, and even our aunt could not drive him from it.”
“He would have done better to establish her in London for the season.”
“She would never have gone of her own will, and he shrank from contention. He never knew peace after he married our aunt. Poor Uncle Lewis, I held him in great regard.”
Anne entered then, and all turned toward her. She served herself and took a seat beside Richard.
“Annie, how is Miss Bennet?”
“She is very ill, Richard. I have sent the carriage for Mary.”
Darcy finished his breakfast. “I need air. What can be detaining Dr. Miller?” He made for the grove when he caught sight of the Rosings carriage. He turned back to welcome Mrs. Collins.
When the carriage drew up, all four relations stood waiting at the entrance.
Darcy handed Mrs. Collins down. “Ma’am, if there is anything you require, pray inform us.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She turned to Anne. “I shall need onions for a poultice and rags for the hot packs.”
“You shall have them within the hour.”
She addressed Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I require herbal syrups or tinctures. I do not know where they may be obtained.”
Anne spoke. “Fitzwilliam, there is an excellent apothecary in Westerham.”
“Mrs. Collins, what shall I procure for you?”
“Elecampane and elderberry syrup, or tinctures if they may be had. If not, horehound and coltsfoot will answer. Should neither syrup nor tincture be available, the dried herbs will suffice until the apothecary can send for them.”
“I shall go at once, Mrs. Collins.”
She opened her reticule.
“No, ma’am, that will not be necessary. My cousin will explain, but Lady Catherine bears responsibility for Miss Bennet’s illness, and I shall meet all expenses for her care on behalf of the family. Allow me to offer our apologies for what has occurred.”
He marked her concern and added, “You have nothing to fear for your sister, nor for your husband’s position as rector. Miss Bennet has shown every kindness and propriety, and we owe her a debt for the care she extended to Anne’s dear companion, and to Anne herself.”
Mrs. Collins said with a look of relief, “Thank you, sir, for your assurance.”
She turned to her friend. “Miss Anne, may I go up to Lizzy?”
“Yes, of course. Come.” Georgiana followed behind.
Richard clapped Darcy upon the shoulder. “I will join you. There is a pastry cook in Westerham who makes excellent puddings. We may bring some back with us. Perhaps Miss Elizabeth may be persuaded to eat.”
“Mary, will you join us at dinner?” Anne entered the bed chamber quietly.
Steam from the hot pack curled the tendrils of hair at Mary’s temples.
“Lizzy requires my attention, Annie. Pray make my excuses. I shall come down after dinner to the drawing room, if you will send Sarah up to sit with my sister.”
“Yes, and she will do so gladly, for she loves Lizzy as much as I do. I shall send up a tray. Cook has prepared a chicken broth for Lizzy.”
“Thank you, Annie. You are very kind. I shall add thyme to her broth. She will take it more easily than as a tea.”
“Have you sufficient honey, Mary? It appears you have hardly any left.”
“I have enough for tonight, but if you would send more in the morning. It has eased her cough, though I have used it by the tablespoon.”
“Yes, her cough alarms me. It lies deep in her chest. We have received a note from Dr. Miller. He will come to Rosings as soon as he has prepared saline draughts and willow bark powder for her fever.”
“Thank you, Annie. I am concerned that I may have forgotten some treatment. Lizzy is very ill, and I fear for her. But if the physician is competent…”
Darcy paced the full length of the library. “Richard, I only pray that Mrs. Collins proves equal to the task of nursing.”
“I believe she is. Did you meet with any difficulty in procuring the herbs she requested?”
“None. The apothecary’s shop was well supplied. He inquired whether we treated an inflammation of the lungs. I must have shown surprise, for he laughed and said elecampane and horehound serve as effective expectorants.”
“Then you have your answer. Mrs. Collins is capable, and you need not concern yourself to such a degree. Darcy, I perceived you had formed an attachment to Miss Bennet. Had you not been so unguarded before our aunt, I believe your lady would have been spared the censure.”
“It is too late for regret, Richard. What remains is for me to ensure she receives the best care.”
“Do you intend to marry her?”
Darcy did not answer at once. “I offered her marriage, Richard. The truth is, we passed the night together, and she begged me to leave her behind this morning and return later, to avoid suspicion. She said she has always wished to marry for love.”
Richard raised a brow. “Love? I would swear that lady already loves you.”
Hope stirred in Darcy’s eyes. “I believed so as well. Why would she refuse my offer, especially after we spent the night together?”
“Because she knows that you are a gentleman and would not take advantage of her. Unless the circumstance becomes known, you may both go your separate ways. She does not wish to compel you. She speaks of marrying for love. She already loves you, but have you made your own feelings clear?”
Darcy fell into thought. “I do not know.”
“I think not, Darcy. I regret to say it, but you are more guarded than most and not easily read. I know you from childhood and can discern your feelings, but I doubt she has any notion of them.”
“I cannot dispute the truth of what you say. She seeks to spare me from being bound to a marriage I do not desire. Yet I do desire it, Richard. I wish to marry her. I have never felt thus for any woman, and I do not expect I shall meet another who can equal her.”
Richard lifted a brow. “There is Anne.”
Darcy allowed a brief smile. “Yes, my cousin also possesses many excellent qualities.”
“What do you intend to do?”
“I know not. I have not the talent some possess of conversing easily with those I esteem.”
“Cousin, admit it. You do not have the talent to converse with most people. You are reserved to a fault. Yet you need not display ready wit or clever address. You need only show yourself attentive. Offer a smile now and then, and a compliment when it presents itself. She will understand in time. If you wish to hasten matters, you may offer to read to her while she recovers and walk with her when she regains her strength. You might even share something of your feelings.”
“And if she does not return them?”
“We have already settled that she does. I believe she loves you, Darcy, though she restrains herself, as propriety demands. She cannot share her heart until you make your intentions known.”
“There is truth in what you say. I shall do as you advise, though I do not yet know how I shall bring myself to speak and make my feelings known.”
“Then practice.”
“You show me no mercy, Richard.”
“It is time someone took you in hand. Will you allow a lady of such merit to slip away for want of effort?”
“No. I shall not. Thank you for your candor, and I apologize for my complaint.”