Chapter 16
Elizabeth jumped up from her bed when the wind rattled the windows and sunshine pierced through the closed curtains.
She was alone in the chamber and the late hour alarmed her.
She dressed carelessly and hurried downstairs but nobody was there.
Eventually, she discovered Mrs Bennet and Jane in the kitchen, talking to Hill.
“Good morning. I am afraid I overslept. How is everyone?”
“Do not worry, Lizzy, everything is fine. Dr. Cooper and Stevens are sleeping. Miss Darcy woke up an hour ago and she is with her brother. I am taking her something to eat,” Jane said.
“How is Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth asked.
“Dr. Cooper said he is the same, but is content that his state did not worsen in the night. Mr Jones came to enquire about him earlier,” Mrs Bennet replied. “Oh dear, I have never had such disruption at Longbourn. I hope everything is resolved soon. It is time for some relief.”
“I hope Papa and the girls had a pleasant night at Netherfield,” Jane said.
“Why would they not have? You would have had the same, if you were not too stubborn to go. Upon my word, Jane, sometimes you are more obstinate than Lizzy.”
“I am more useful here, Mama. I am sure you and Lizzy need my help.”
“We do not, I assure you. I would be most satisfied to know you are with Mr Bingley and that he has the chance to speak privately with you, if he chooses to do so.”
“I am sure Mr Bingley will find a way to speak privately to Jane, if he wishes to. Miss Darcy confessed to me last night that she believes Mr Bingley and Jane would be a perfect match. Apparently, she and Mr Bingley are good friends, and she is preoccupied with his future felicity in marriage,” Elizabeth declared, looking at her sister with a meaningful stare.
Jane paled, then coloured and her eyes widened in disbelief. Elizabeth smiled reassuringly.
“Did she say that?” Mrs Bennet cried. “Oh, what excellent character and superior education this young girl possesses! She is one of the most accomplished young ladies I have seen, I can tell you that. And so kindhearted! So wise, to know what is best for her friend! She takes after her brother in wisdom, of this I am certain. Except she is less proud and unpleasant. Oh, I am sure she will befriend you in the future, Jane! How fortunate that she came to Longbourn with Mr Bingley!”
“Mama, let us calm ourselves before Miss Darcy hears us again. Her visit to Longbourn is not quite so fortunate since her brother is so very ill,” Elizabeth tried to temper her mother, regretting her thoughtless lack of secrecy.
She should have known better and waited until she could tell Jane alone.
Now, the damage was done, and Mrs Bennet needed another powerful inducement to be stopped.
“I know that. But I am sure Mr Darcy will recover–he cannot possibly die from a trifling cold. Thank God Dr. Cooper was fetched. Poor Mr Jones looked so lost, so frightened at the notion of treating Mr Darcy! It was almost laughable! It was like he had never seen a cold before!”
“Mr Jones did his best! But yes, it is a great relief that Dr. Cooper is here,” Elizabeth admitted.
“It is so remarkable how many people are loyal to Mr Darcy, is it not? Mr Bingley, his sister, Dr. Cooper…and Stevens has barely left his side,” Jane spoke, slowly regaining her strength and her spirits. Her face was suddenly brighter and her eyes were gleaming with joy and happy tears.
“All of them speak highly of him,” Elizabeth agreed, blushing at her own feelings regarding the subject of the conversation.
“Well, I like him much better now than when we first met,” Mrs Bennet approved.
The conversation lasted for a little while, until Hill came in with a tray for Miss Darcy.
Elizabeth took it and Jane readily followed her. As soon as they were alone, Jane expressed her incredulous excitement.
“Dearest Lizzy, are you certain of what you said earlier?”
“Yes; more than certain. And now I wonder how it happened that we were both so silly as to give credit to Caroline Bingley and to doubt Mr Bingley’s honour.”
“We did no such thing!” Jane whispered. “I never doubted Mr Bingley’s character!”
“Yes you did, since you assumed he was trifling with you while he was promised to another. But all is well now; I hope you will learn your lesson from this and treat Caroline as she deserves.”
They knocked on the door and slowly entered. Miss Darcy was alone, sitting on the bed, holding her brother’s hand. He was resting on his back with several pillows propped behind him so he was almost sitting.
Georgiana smiled shyly at them; Elizabeth put the tray on the small table and sat on the other side.
“How is he?”
“Nothing has changed,” Georgiana answered. “I tried to give him a little of this medicine, but I mostly spilt it on myself,” she murmured, showing her wet, soiled dress.
“Let me help you to try again,” Elizabeth offered.
She took the teaspoon and the cup with the medicine, poured a bit and tried to place it between Darcy’s lips.
They were tight together and, after a moment of hesitation, Elizabeth gently parted them with her fingers, carefully placing the tip of the teaspoon inside, allowing the medicine to slip into his mouth.
He gulped and they looked at each other with contentment.
Elizabeth repeated the gesture, then she brushed a drop of medicine from the corner of his mouth with her thumb.
Darcy moved his head and moaned; the three girls gasped and gathered closer, calling his name.
∞∞∞
The dark hole that had kept him prisoner became larger and at times he felt he could escape.
Glimpses of light broke inside more often and the sounds around him were a regular companion.
He forced himself to stay alert to catch any sign that Elizabeth was nearby and his endeavour was rewarded again.
This time, as if in answer to his hopes, she was so close that he sensed her body touching his.
She asked him something and he would readily obey, but could not hear her request clearly.
But then, a shiver shook him when her fingers pressed against his lips.
Every fibre of his body stirred under her touch and his lips parted at her gentle demand.
If only he could raise his hand enough to touch her too.
Or to gently pull her closer to him and taste her lips with his own.
He was thirsty, but he knew her flavour would be enough to satiate him.
If only he could move… he struggled, but to no avail.
He tried to speak, but his dry lips betrayed him again.
He heard her calling him and had at least the comfort of knowing she had not left him alone in the darkness.
∞∞∞
“He is still not answering…I wonder if he can hear us,” Miss Darcy said, disappointed and tearful.
“I am sure he will answer soon,” Jane attempted to comfort Georgiana.
“I am sure too,” Elizabeth smiled warmly. “Miss Darcy, perhaps we should change your gown now that we have succeeded with the medicine?”
“My gown? Oh, yes,” the girl replied, absently.
“I will be happy to assist you,” Jane offered and Georgiana reluctantly accepted.
When the door closed behind them, Elizabeth realised she should not be alone with Darcy. But she heartily enjoyed the moment of solitude.
With increasing curiosity, she looked at him; his face was slightly coloured, which she found to be a significant improvement. As his body was elevated slightly with pillows, he appeared to be sitting up, ready to talk to her.
She noticed the lock of hair on his forehead and temples, the sideburns, the long lashes, the lips pressed together…
she did not allow her eyes to leave his face.
She took the liberty of admiring his fine features, wondering about this complicated man’s true nature.
Such a mix of arrogance and kindness, rudeness and gentleness, disdain and generosity, indifference and courage, all in one handsome package so hard to unwrap.
So much had changed in only a fortnight, and it was all related to him. He was so deeply connected to their lives now that Elizabeth dreaded to consider what might happen if he should leave.
The revelation about his interest in her was still overwhelming; what his thoughts and intentions might be, she still did not dare consider thoroughly. She was fearful and desirous at the same time of discovering more about him. But for the moment, she only wished him to be healthy again.
His fever seemed lower and that had to be a good sign.
Elizabeth put another log on the fire and pulled the curtain open wider.
Perhaps more light would benefit him. She returned to sit on the side of the bed and took his hand.
It felt cool enough. She touched his forehead and it was rather cold too.
Blushing, she made a wild decision and slowly leaned towards him, pressing her lips to his temple, just as her mother had demonstrated.
It felt normal, and she breathed in relief: at least the danger of fever seemed gone.
She smiled at him and brushed a lock of hair from his forehead.
And only then did she notice Miss Darcy standing in the doorway, gazing at her in surprise.
Elizabeth almost jumped to her feet, brushing her gown hastily.
“His fever is gone,” she said, abashed and nervous. “My mother taught me to check for fever by touching the temple with the lips. She said it is the most accurate observation.”
She kept blushing, averting her eyes, pacing around, undecided if she should stay or leave.
“This is happy news indeed,” Georgiana said lightly, with a puzzled expression that Elizabeth did not miss.
“Did he say anything else?” Georgiana asked.
“No.”
“I hope he will soon. Mr Bingley has arrived with your father and sisters. Mrs Bennet said breakfast will be ready soon,” Georgiana continued in a light voice.
Slowly, Elizabeth gained some composure. “Oh, have they? I will go and greet them. May I bring you anything?”