Chapter 50 #2
Clearly, she was as much in love with Mr. Darcy as she had ever been.
She had thought she had overcome these feelings when he had left her so heartlessly again.
Why was she softening toward him already?
Why did he seem so sincere? What was he trying to do?
If he had been a man like Mr. Wickham, she would have suspected he wished to seduce her before abandoning her again or even make her his mistress because they got along so well.
But Mr. Darcy was not that kind of man at all.
Was it possible he cared for her? Was he fighting his feelings for her as she was fighting hers for him?
He had to know as well as she did that nothing could come of it.
Rather than turning away spitefully as Mr. Cage had done, Mr. Darcy continued to be friendly, knowing that was all they could ever have.
No, Mr. Darcy could have no idea of anything but friendship with her.
Any other interest on his part would make no sense.
She could not allow her imagination to get away from her. Her future was set. She was nearly ready to be a governess now, but her uncles may expect her to wait until she was of age. After her cousins’ nuptials, she intended to speak to Uncle Bennet.
The next day, Elizabeth was surprised she did not wake until almost noon.
Her legs ached, and she could scarcely sit up in her bed.
She had checked both legs the night before for the injury Matthew had mentioned but found only the remnants of a scratch.
This achiness in her limbs was nothing but her illness holding tight.
She groaned, knowing she would not be able to return to Longbourn today.
She was glad she had finished all the tasks Jane and Mary had requested of her for their wedding day.
At least she would not be missed at Longbourn.
In truth, she was happy to stay close to Mr. Darcy, but then she remembered why that was a terrible idea.
Impending heartbreak. But wait, had she not already decided she would be heartbroken whether she spent time with him or not?
She felt awful at present, but perhaps in a couple of hours, she could go downstairs.
For now, she asked Dinah to send a message to her aunt requesting a visit from her cousins. Maybe Mary would come, as well.
Darcy was worried when he saw Mrs. Gardiner and her children arrive to visit Elizabeth in her bedchamber instead of seeing her coming down.
He had thought she had planned to depart today.
As enchanted as he was to have her remain close to him and his protection, her health must have taken a turn for the worse.
About a half hour after Mrs. Gardiner, her four children, and Miss Mary had gone up to see her, Darcy went to talk to Matthew at her door.
The footman bowed as he approached.
“Matthew, is Miss Elizabeth worse today?”
“Not as well as yesterday, sir. Dinah was with her earlier, and Miss slept quite late and awoke feeling weaker again. Dinah says she’ll try to help Miss Lizzy walk around her room later if she’s better.”
“But her fever has not returned?”
“No, sir. Miss Lizzy told Dinah she musta’ done too much last evenin’, goin’ down for dinner. It’s a shame. She’s not one to like bein’ alone so much, and she’s not so tired today, Dinah says, only weak, so it’s good her cousins came to cheer her.”
Darcy nodded and considered what else could help her. He heard laughter from inside Elizabeth’s room, and he was glad the Gardiner children entertained their cousin.
“Do you think she would like the ladies to dine with her in her sitting room this evening? Would you ask Dinah before I suggest it to them?”
“A fine idea, Mr. Darcy. Dinah will be along shortly, and I’ll mention it.”
Darcy nodded but did not depart. After a few moments, he continued with a conversation he should have initiated the day before.
“Matthew, you are familiar with Longbourn and its residents from previous visits?”
“No, sir. Dinah and I always have holidays whenever Miss Lizzy comes here. She usually comes only a week or two. We’ve met Miss Bennet in London and saw Mr. Bennet there a couple o’ times and then here at Netherfield some. I saw Miss Mary today, as well. I ain’t seen the house, sir.”
“I understand. Once Miss Elizabeth returns to Longbourn, we must continue to ensure her safety. You and Dinah will be able to move freely throughout the house. May I charge you with the task of verifying nobody has access to her who does not wish her well?”
Matthew stood taller. “Yes, sir. You told Mr. Gardiner you could bring more men from London?”
“I can. I will check in with you once you all move to Longbourn. If you think more men will be helpful, I will send for them.”
The footman nodded but began to look concerned.
“What is it, Matthew?”
“I don’t know what I should look for, sir. I will stay close to Miss Lizzy, at least in the next room, like here. And when she feels like walkin’ outside again, I will be with her. But what else should we do, sir?”
“Find out all the ways in and out of the house. Are the doors and windows locked at night? Miss Elizabeth told me you were suspicious of Wickham—” Darcy paused at the look of fury that briefly overtook Matthew’s face. “Trust your judgment, and alert me of anything that seems wrong.”
“Very well, sir.”
Darcy was concerned about Mrs. Bennet, but she could not have been the one to cut the planks of the bridge. He had observed her after the assembly ball and thought she was vulgar and cruel but not someone who would attempt murder.
“Can you also be sure Dinah sleeps close to Miss Elizabeth at Longbourn? I feel I should send for my men now, so they can at least watch the house at night even if Mr. Bennet objects to anyone being inside.”
“Dinah cares for Miss, too. We will both do everythin’ we can to keep her safe.”
“I have every faith in you, Matthew. I will check in with you once you are settled at Longbourn, but send me a message if you need me for any reason or discover anything of interest.”
“Yes, sir.”
As Darcy walked back to his own bedchamber, he smiled at Matthew’s pride in his new assignment.
Darcy had begun to appreciate him at the beginning of the year, before he knew his name, but now he had become a perfect ally.
Once he made Elizabeth his wife, he hoped Matthew and Dinah would both be willing to move to Pemberley with them.
Given their devotion to their mistress, he suspected it would be easier to convince them than Elizabeth to make the move.
She had sat with him only briefly after dinner the night before, though it had likely been too long, given how she was feeling now, but she had softened toward him. He prayed she would be open to talking with him again when she emerged from her bedchamber.