Chapter 35
Once Lady Anne was satisfied that Elizabeth was as comfortable as possible, she left her under the care of Mandy and Mrs Reynolds, going straight to meet with her son and nephew in the study.
“Dr Holler has just left us mother,” Darcy said still red in the face, anger boiling up inside him. “He confirmed what he has already told you, that the cut in Miss Bennet’s face was consistent with a strike from a riding crop or another weapon of similar characteristics.”
Lady Anne nodded, equally angry, “where was Elizabeth found?” She asked with a clipped voice.
“She was found by the south border just outside the tree line between our lands and the Buchanans’.”
“So it seems that Elizabeth may have wandered into the Buchanans’ land, obviously by accident, because she would not know exactly where the border is.”
“I suppose that is correct.” Darcy said grimly.
“First of all, William, tomorrow we shall get a team to start working on a proper fence between the two estates. A tall wall made of large stones would be ideal but anything at this point is better than nothing.”
Darcy agreed.
“Second, I have no doubt whatsoever that Julia is responsible for this outrage and I must therefore pay her a little visit, a call which is already overdue.”
“I agree, Mother,” Darcy nodded, “that this has Julia’s signature all over it. But you will not be visiting the Buchanans alone.” He glared at his mother, “I will be paying a visit to Mr Buchanan tomorrow and I would like if you and Richard would consent to accompany me.”
“I will.” Richard said firmly and promptly.
“I will also.” His mother accepted. “However, I hope Elizabeth will be able to talk a little in the morning and give us an account of what happened.”
“That would be wise,” Richard said, “if we could walk in there with a little more proof rather than just a suspicion.”
“I will spend the night with Elizabeth and should she awake, I will gently ask her for an account of the events.” Lady Anne's voice shook.
The two cousins nodded in agreement and parted each to their rooms.
Dinner was sent in trays to the different bedchambers and the mood in the great estate remained sober for the rest of the night.
***
Darcy was fuming!
But his fury would have to wait. For now all his energy went into praying, begging God on his knees for the recovery of the woman who held his heart in her hands.
Should Elizabeth die from this tragedy, he would die with her in all but name. Though his heart might continue to beat, he would exist only as an empty shell.
He tossed and turned all night. Several times he got up to knock on her door to hear news which never seemed to be better, giving him no respite whatsoever.
In the wee hours of the morning he could hear her thrashing on her bed. Overwrought, he demanded to speak with his mother, or he would enter the room and propriety be damned.
Once she came to the door he asked desperately what he might do, grabbing her hand and begging her for an occupation lest he might run mad.
Seeing the agony on her son’s face, Lady Anne charged him with going to the village and fetching the doctor once again.
At length the doctor arrived and immediately applied leeches, while Elizabeth went from hot and feverish to deathly pale. She looked shrunken and small among the white bed sheets, with the black, shiny and slimy creatures sucking her life force from her.
After about three quarters of an hour, the blood-sucking worms started to fall off, having had their fill. The doctor nodded his head, satisfied that he had done all he could; he then gave his patient another dose of laudanum and left the house.
Once Lady Anne found herself alone with Elizabeth she grabbed her hand and cried hot tears, bathing the young woman’s hand,
“Oh Elizabeth, fight; please darling, come back to us.” Her anguished cry was heard only by the walls of the quiet chamber as she laid her head on Elizabeth’s lap.
“Elizabeth, do not give up, fight with all you have, do not let her win.” The lady cried, “William will probably never love again if he loses you. It took him so long to embrace his love for you… he has been in love with you since Meryton and only his stupidity and stubbornness held him back.” She wiped her tears just to have new ones wet her face,
“I have watched the two of you burn for each other for months and wondered what exactly it would take to shake you out of your own foolishness. But I never expected that it would be your very life.” She touched Elizabeth’s face with tears blurring her vision.
“Now that he has finally embraced his love for you, you need to come back. Please darling, I love you like a daughter. I need you, Georgiana needs you but most importantly, William needs you.” The tears intensified into sobs, “please do not leave us.” She whispered brokenly and fell into a fitful sleep with her head still resting on Elizabeth’s lap.
The next morning, Lady Anne sent a message to both Darcy and Richard, asking them to wait for her until the following day, before carrying out the planned visit to the Buchanan's. She would not leave Elizabeth’s side until she saw improvements.
Her vigil paid off in the end as Elizabeth recovered some of her colour at the end of the second day and took a little willow bark tea, before falling into a more restful sleep.
By the morning of the third day Elizabeth opened her eyes and smiled at Lady Anne. She could not stare at the bright sunny light streaming through the windows so the curtains were promptly shut and the candles removed to the far corners of the room.
Though she was still sleepy and confused, most likely because of the laudanum but also the lump on her head, she did managed to say two words before she fell asleep again: 'William and Julia'.
Lady Anne had her proof!