Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Darcy found some comfort in knowing Matthew guarded Elizabeth’s bedchamber all day and Dinah slept in her dressing room at night.
When he had written to Gardiner, he had told him of the possibility that someone had been trying to harm Elizabeth.
The circumstances of the broken bridge did not point to anyone in particular being targeted, but Mr. Bennet’s odd reaction—invoking his sister’s name—which he had refused to elaborate on later even to Bingley, concerned Darcy.
Darcy had taken Gardiner and Matthew out to see the bridge soon after their arrival.
Bingley had since ordered the bridge rebuilt, but first Darcy had ensured Elizabeth’s uncle and footman understood Elizabeth may still be in danger.
He had offered to send for additional men from London to protect her, but Gardiner had not thought it necessary.
They had agreed with Mr. Bennet’s command not to speak to Elizabeth of the potential threat, at least not until she was fully healthy.
It seemed she was finally close to recovery.
Mrs. Gardiner’s report this afternoon had been promising, so Darcy had high hopes of being able to see Elizabeth this evening.
He should plan what to say to her, in case she did not allow him much time.
A proposal of marriage was foremost on his mind, but he should ease into that subject after so long apart.
He did not remember ever before being so nervous to talk to Elizabeth.
She did not seem angry, exactly, but he did not know why she had refused to speak to him during the weeks before her illness.
What he really needed was to get her alone for a walk outside, but she was not strong enough for that yet.
“I’m right glad to see you, Miss Lizzy.”
Elizabeth smiled more than she had in weeks to see her trusty friend Matthew waiting outside her bedchamber to help her downstairs that evening.
She had had Dinah’s comforting presence for several days as she woke weakly for brief periods and had been used to her care before she realized she had been without it.
“I have missed you, Matthew. Thank you for coming.”
A shadow passed over his face. “I only wish I had come last month. Surely then you wouldn’t have been ill.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Are you suggesting you are a better apothecary than Mr. Jones or would have done a better job helping me out of the stream than Mr. Darcy?”
Matthew reddened. “Sorry, Miss. I’m not suggestin’ anythin’ of the kind. Only, if I’d been walkin’ with you as I shoulda’ done…”
“Thank you for your concern, Matthew, but you must not blame yourself in the least. And as you see, no harm done.”
“Mr. Darcy said your leg was hurt, too.”
“Was it? I did not even know. It must have been nothing much and healed before I was aware of it. See, no reason for regret.” Elizabeth would check her legs after dinner, but she could not feel anything wrong with them.
She began to walk down the hall and stumbled slightly, but it was from general weakness, not a leg injury.
“Are you certain you’re well enough to come down tonight, Miss? Should you return to your bed?”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and pulled back her shoulders.
“I have been in bed long enough. If you will lend me your arm, I will be well.”
Darcy stood as Matthew escorted Elizabeth into the drawing room.
She looked pale and thinner—no, her cheeks were now a rosy pink, and he smiled to see her walking toward him.
Was that Matthew’s doing or hers? Matthew knew him best of the party, and he would not be surprised if the footman thought Elizabeth would wish to speak to him.
He liked that man more and more. He stepped toward them to relieve him of his burden.
He nodded to Matthew appreciatively and offered Elizabeth his own arm, which she took with only slight hesitation.
“Thank you, Matthew.” Elizabeth spoke softly, but her voice was music to his ears.
She no longer coughed, and he looked down at her, so improved from the last time he had seen her a week and a half ago.
He realized he should say something to that effect, but others approached before he could form the words.
“Miss Elizabeth, you are very welcome. Jane has kept us apprised of your recovery, but it is so good to finally have you joining us.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley.” She looked around at everyone else assembled, Miss Bennet, Miss Bingley, the Hursts, and then her eyes stopped on a woman who must be unknown to her.
“Miss Elizabeth, do you know Mrs. Pumphrey? Your Uncle Bennet brought her here as a chaperone when you were…injured.”
“Hello, Mrs. Pumphrey.”
She sounded tired already, so as soon as the greetings were completed, Darcy led her to a settee and sat beside her, while the others took seats throughout the room to await their summons for dinner.
“Are you fatigued? Would you like me to request a tray for you to dine here?” He spoke in hushed tones so as not to call attention to her state.
Elizabeth smiled, but something in it appeared sad. “I will rest here a moment, and then I think I will be able to make my way to the dining room…with your assistance?”
He could not help the smile that spread across his face. Was she really going to speak to him again? And not only because her footman had mistakenly given her into his care?
This was his chance to talk with her, but he had never settled on what he wanted to say.
It was as though he had not really believed this moment would come.
And now he was left with nothing in his head but how stunningly beautiful she was.
Her eyes were a little tired, but her pink cheeks and full lips were as tempting as ever.
He pulled his gaze from her mouth and breathed deeply, but that only gave him an added measure of her intoxicating scent.
He closed his eyes for a moment to ground himself, but they startled open when he felt Elizabeth’s hand on his forearm.
“Are you well, Mr. Darcy? Did you also fall ill when you rescued me from the stream?”
He swallowed at her concern and the warmth of her gloved hand on his sleeve. He shook his head, searching for words but thinking only of holding her cold, wet form close to his chest.
“I was so worried about you, Eliz—Miss Elizabeth. We were all so worried. We have been anxious for your recovery.”
She gave him a small but sincere smile and then looked around the room again.
He followed her gaze. Mrs. Pumphrey sat close to Bingley and Miss Bennet but also kept an eye on him and Elizabeth, not far away.
The Hursts and Miss Bingley were closer to that trio than to him and Elizabeth, but Darcy could tell they were speaking of the only subject they had entertained since their arrival, Miss Bingley’s spring wedding.
He had not heard Bingley’s sister ask after the wedding happening next week, but perhaps she had while he was away from their company.
Darcy realized all at once that nobody else in the room acted particularly as though they had been anxious for her recovery, though he knew Miss Bennet had been, at least. He looked back to Miss Elizabeth just as she looked at him with a chuckle.
Was she thinking the same as he had? He chuckled, too.
“Truly, Miss Bennet has been quite worried.” Her eyes softened as she held his gaze. “And I have been longing to go riding with you here at your home, so you can show me all your favorite places and prove to me the claims you made in London of being a fine horsewoman in the country.”
She laughed, and his heart swelled.
“If you are not ready for horses yet, perhaps you will walk with me when you are a little stronger. I will not ask you to go so far as Oakham Mount until I am sure of your complete return to health, but the garden has some decent autumn blooms.”
Elizabeth was still smiling, and she nodded. She had barely spoken, and he suddenly wondered if she was less recovered than he had thought.
“Is your throat still rough from the stream water?”
“No.” Still, she looked down and cleared her throat delicately. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for saving my life and then for sending for the Gardiners and Dinah and Matthew. It is a great comfort to me to have them all here.”
Darcy pushed away his fear for the reason he had thought Matthew should come.
“I would do anything to bring you comfort. Only say the word.”
Elizabeth looked surprised. Had he said too much?
No. He had decided in June to court her properly, had he not?
Her cheeks blushed prettily again, reminding him by the contrast that she was indeed still pale.
Before they could say more, dinner was called, and he carefully escorted her into the dining room.
He sat between her and Mrs. Hurst, but the general conversation at the table turned to weddings.
He would find the topic far more agreeable if his own nuptials were in discussion.
How soon could he secure Elizabeth as his betrothed?
He caught himself looking at her with longing more than once, but he did not think she had caught him.
She, too, was interested in the wedding planning.
This was not going well. Whatever had happened to Elizabeth guarding her heart?
She began to think it was not a voluntary action.
She lay in bed that night frustrated with herself, knowing she could not resist letting Mr. Darcy consume her again.
This was not like her brief, shallow interest in Mr. Wickham.
Not at all. With him, she had felt overwhelmed, confused, attracted, giddy, and a little bit silly.
She had never cared when he had been away from her and had sometimes wished to be away from Mr. Wickham when they were together.
She had never had to hold her hands tightly together to prevent herself from touching his arm or his jaw or his soft, wavy hair.
Mr. Wickham did not even have soft, wavy hair.