Assumed Engagement (7 page)

"Thank you, Mrs. Reynolds." Georgiana looked at
Elizabeth
for support.

Elizabeth
reassured her with, "We will be down immediately and discuss how this is to be done. Come, Georgiana."

They met downstairs and planned out two-hour intervals to stay with Mr. Darcy until a nurse returned. Even Mr.
Durnham
, Mr. Darcy's valet availed himself of some time. He had been principally staying in his quarters nursing his broken ankle, but now felt he could venture out on his crutches and help at this time.

Everyone but Jane, who still felt inadequate to place herself inside that room for any length of time, offered to sit with him.
Elizabeth
was to replace Georgiana from the eleven o'clock hour to one in the morning. She was to be replaced by
Durnham
, then Winston, and then Bingley after that.

The threesome visited in the sitting room, while Georgiana spent most of the evening in her brother's room.
Elizabeth
visited the
Pemberley
library and spent a good amount of time looking through the vast collection of books there. If she could have spent a year here, she would have barely touched the surface in reading the books she desired to.

She picked one up and brought it back to the sitting room to read. She noticed Jane and Charles were still very attentive to each other and
Elizabeth
smiled as she saw more regard on Jane's part than she had in the past. She was obviously taking
Elizabeth
's advice to heart.

Elizabeth
was soon involved in the book she was reading and was surprised at how quickly the time had passed when Georgiana came out and asked her if she could relieve her. Elizabeth could see the drawn look of fatigue on her face and encouraged her to get herself right to bed and try to get a good night's sleep. "Please do not worry about your brother tonight; he is in good hands."

Georgiana smiled and wished everyone a good night.

Elizabeth
picked up her book and set out for her two-hour sit with Mr. Darcy.

At first, she was content to just read silently from her book until she recalled the words of the doctor.
Try to stimulate his senses.
She decided to read aloud to him. She thought that would be easier than to try to carry on a one-sided conversation with him. This would be the next best thing.

Elizabeth
began reading. Occasionally she would glance over at him as she read and make some silly comment about the book, ask him whether he was enjoying the story or was he bored with it, or suggesting that perhaps he had already read it before himself.

After a while, he began to stir a bit. She noticed his breathing became more laboured. She put the book down and watched him. She saw that his face had become more flushed, he was perspiring heavily. She put her hand to his forehead. He was burning up! Since the accident he had been running a mild fever, but this appeared to be very high. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that it was ten minutes before one o’clock.
Durnham
should be coming soon. She would have him find someone to go for the doctor as soon as he came in.

Elizabeth
went over to the sink that was in a room adjoining the infirmary and filled a basin with water. She found some cloths and brought them over to the side of the bed where she dipped one into the water and wrung out as much water as she could. Taking the cool, damp cloth, she applied it to his forehead, face and neck. She knew that she needed to cool his body down from the outside, to try to lower the fever that was ravaging him on the inside. Concern gripped her, not knowing what brought on this sudden rise in temperature. She repeated this procedure over and over again.

Finally
Durnham
hobbled in on his crutches and
Elizabeth
quickly apprised him of the situation. "Please send someone to find the doctor and tell him that Mr. Darcy has a very high fever. If you are able, please return soon and help me with him."

"Should I summon Miss Darcy?"

"I do not want to wake Georgiana yet, as she needs her sleep. Let us wait a bit before we do that."

"I will fetch Winston, and then be back right away!"
Elizabeth
was grateful that he was able to use his crutches with ease.

She felt herself trembling as she applied the cloths, wondering if it was lowering his fever at all. Occasionally he thrashed about, startling
Elizabeth
with each violent movement. He began to moan, unintelligible sounds, but at least they were sounds. In her heart she hoped that this meant he was coming back to them, but she also knew it could just be the result of delirium from the high fever. His nightshirt was becoming soaked with the tremendous amount of perspiration.

"Please, Mr. Darcy, fight. Fight this. I know you can!"

She soon felt herself perspiring from all her hard efforts and pulled out her handkerchief from her pocket. She drew it across her face and forehead, breathing in the fragrance of the gardenia scent. It helped give her new strength. She set it down on his bed by the pillow as she continued to minister to him.

Elizabeth
knew that she had to get him out of his nightshirt and begin applying the cool cloths to his chest and arms. She tried to remain composed as she reached for the shirt that was clinging to his chest. As she reached for the top button, her fingers intermingled with the curly hair on his chest, and she nervously pulled them back. Shaking, she forced herself to reach out for the button again and struggled to keep her mind focused on the simple task of unbuttoning a button. Finally she took a deep breath, and despite her blush, accomplished her task. The first button was undone.

The next two buttons were just as difficult, but
Elizabeth
determined to accomplish it without so much a flinch. As she pulled back his shirt, she let out a gasp as she gazed down at his masculine chest. She watched his chest rise and fall, and with each breath she took in a breath of her own, as if to encourage him to continue breathing and to help ease the laboured effort each breath required.

Durnham
returned within five minutes and informed her that Winston was now on his way to find the doctor. He asked what he could do to help.

"Take some cloths and dip them in the water. Wring them of all the excess water and then apply it to his face and neck, chest and arms."

With an even greater struggle now, she dipped the cloth back in the water and applied it to his chest and arms. 
Durnham
looked up and obviously noticed the strain on her face. "Are you sure, Miss, that we should not get anyone else to help? You look a little unstable yourself."

"No, I am quite well," she lied.

They spent about a half hour dipping, wringing, and applying the cloths to Darcy. His thrashing diminished slightly and
Elizabeth
put her hand again to his forehead and was relieved to find that his fever had diminished.

Elizabeth
relaxed a bit, standing at his side. How she wished the doctor would come, but at least she felt that he was now out of immediate danger. She closed her eyes for a moment; feeling the effects of exhaustion.

When she opened them, she found herself gazing with much incredulity at Darcy. His eyes were fluttering. She stood transfixed as she watched him slowly, but deliberately, open his eyes. His eyes were glazed, looking at her, through her, she could not determine whether there had been any recognition in them. During these moments her heart literally stopped. She wanted to jump, shout, scream, but nothing came.

But just as suddenly, his eyes closed.

"Mr. Darcy! Come back. I know you are in there!
Durnham
, did you see that? He opened his eyes!"

"I did Miss Elizabeth. I think he may be well on his way back to us!"

"Mr.
Durnham
, please stay here. I think I must get Georgiana now!"

Elizabeth
ran through the house. It was now close to three o’clock; she had spent almost four hours with him. She knew Georgiana needed more sleep, but felt she had to give her this encouraging news. She climbed the stairs two at a time, came to Georgiana's room and knocked excitedly at the door.

Chapter 5

T
he first thing that Darcy became aware of was how hot he was. He felt as though he was burning up! He did not know where he was, but wherever it was, it was as hot as a fiery furnace. He tried to get away from the heat that flooded his body, but he could not escape. He tried to move, but his body would not obey any commands.

He suddenly felt himself being drawn... he did not know to where. All he needed to do -- wanted to do -- was give in and his torment would cease. Or did he just want to give up? It would be easier, he felt, to resign himself to those forces that were at work against his body; to let himself be taken to… where? He was not sure.

His mind was hazy, not even allowing him to grasp who he was. He only knew he was somewhere in the depths of this body, and although he had no particulars, he felt that he had nothing waiting for him at the other side. He knew that to pull himself back up in that direction would require more of an intense struggle. Was there anything for him there? Was it worth the fight or should he just give in? All he knew was that he wanted relief from this heat.

Suddenly he was aware of something cool being wiped across his head, face, and neck. What a contrast this cool touch was to the burning sensation that racked his body! It was a very gentle touch, bringing much needed relief. He wanted to cry out for it to continue. He did not want it to stop! It soothed him to his innermost being.

He did not understand why he could not command his body to move, or his voice to speak out, or his eyes to open. The cooling touch continued and he felt strengthened in his ever weakened bones and muscles. They still would not submit to his wishes, however.

He then became aware of voices. His mind faltered and could not discern what was being said. He recognized that the voices were hushed, somewhat intense. He knew words were being spoken, but he was unable to comprehend them. He struggled to understand, but to no avail. One voice was low and abrupt, the other voice gentle and soothing. He felt drawn to the gentle voice, feeling strengthened merely by the sound of it. Was he being strengthened enough, however, to fight what was so forcefully trying to pull him down?

Unexpectedly, there was something else. It was very faint, but what was it? A scent -- some kind of flower. He tried to move his face toward it, but any attempt was futile; the scent was still off in the distance. For some reason he associated the scent with the gentle voice. He made an effort to take in a deep breath. Yes! He was able to inhale more deeply, but knew not from where it came.

The coolness being applied to his face and neck suddenly moved to his chest and arms. He felt it begin to win the war against the heat in his body. It seemed to pull him closer to the voice; further away from the dark depths in which he had been dwelling. Suddenly he was able to recognize some words, "fever… strength… Darcy."

"Darcy!" That was who he was! But Darcy who? How he wished he could think! Why was everything such an effort? Darcy… William… Fitzwilliam! That was it! That was who he was! Fitzwilliam Richard Darcy! Then there was that voice again; the cool touch, and that faint scent which seemed to linger around him.

If only he could see what was going on. If only he could discern who these people were, where he was, and why he was this way. Still nothing seemed to obey his command, except an occasional deep breath as he searched for that gardenia! That is what it is! A gardenia scent!

Now if his mind only helped him recall how to open his eyes, move his hand, open his mouth to speak. He knew he had to keep trying. As hard as he concentrated, he wondered if perhaps this was just a dream. Maybe he had died. Was this what it was like to be dead? No. He forced himself to rivet his attention on the array of senses he was experiencing. To him, they confirmed this was real and not a dream… and definitely not death. He felt continually strengthened by them.

As he fought against the continual pull to let himself be drawn back into the abyss, he became aware of something new. He found the muscles that controlled his eyelids. He put every ounce of strength into opening them. They fluttered and finally he succeeded in getting them open. When he opened them, it was to a vision more enchanting than anything he could imagine. Was she an angel? Her eyes… so fine.

He only had the strength to keep them open for a moment, and uncontrollably they closed on him. But he knew now that he had won the battle. There was no longer any force pulling him down. He would come out of this struggle.

This vision -- it was familiar --  yet not. He knew she was the source of the voice, the touch, and the scent. He was quite certain that he knew her. His mind would not yet let him remember presently, but he was confident it would come to him. With this knowledge and assurance, he rested and fell into a real sleep, as he had not slept in five days.

*~*~*

"Georgiana, come quick! I think your brother is waking up!"

When Georgiana realized what
Elizabeth
was saying, she quickly jumped out of bed and put on a robe.

"Heavens! Can it be true? What happened?" she asked ecstatically as she made her way to the door.

"He opened his eyes! He actually opened his eyes!"
Elizabeth
related.

"Is he now awake?" she asked.

"No, but I believe he is in a real sleep; not unconscious as he was."

They rushed back to the room and found him sleeping. There was a look of peace on his face that had not been present before. Elizabeth and
Durnham
informed Georgiana of their evening spent bringing down his fever. She was at first upset that they did not waken her earlier, but was later glad to have been spared the distress it most likely would have caused her.

They all waited in his room standing around him; Bingley finally joining them as he woke up from the commotion. Winston finally returned with the doctor, who was encouraged by what happened and gave much praise to Elizabeth and
Durnham
for their help in bringing down his fever. He had been prevented from coming any sooner, as he had not been able to leave his patient in town until now.

Their eyes were all on Darcy, anxious for another sign of life. The doctor checked his breathing, his temperature, and his heartbeat, announcing that they were all strong and improved. After examining him, he felt it was safe to leave him. He gave strict instructions that when he awakened, he was not to be allowed to overexert himself. He would continue to need plenty of rest.

"Let him eat and drink what he wants, however just a little at first," the doctor advised them. "Keep him as calm and relaxed as possible."

He then informed Georgiana that he was required to leave, but would return later in the day. When he left the house the sun was coming up over the horizon.

Elizabeth
suddenly felt all the weight of fatigue upon her, having been up all night, and announced that she would try and get a little sleep. Everyone else felt similarly and decided to retire except Georgiana, who remained by her brother's side. She would not chance missing any developing improvement in him.

Georgiana eventually fell asleep, as well, with her head coming to rest on the edge of her brother's bed, but she slept lightly.

The servants were just beginning to move about and begin preparations for a new day when Georgiana was awakened by some rustling. She lifted her head promptly and looked toward her brother. He was stirring a little. Her heart quickened as she gently called out his name. "Fitzwilliam…William. Can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?"

She watched in awe as his eyes flickered and opened. Initially, it seemed they were not able to focus, but she was greatly encouraged. "Oh, William, you are back! Can you hear me?"

He nodded weakly. Georgiana threw herself across him and hugged him, breaking down in joyful tears. "I have been so worried about you! I was so afraid you would never come back to us!"

Darcy tried to lift his head to look at his sister, but she was merely a blur. He was barely able to lift it for lack of strength, and he became very dizzy as he did so. He was still not able to find the muscles that would allow him to speak. All he could do was moan.

To Georgiana, his waking was wonderful indeed! She wanted to inform everyone that he had awakened, but she did not want to leave his side. She would wait until someone came by and give them the grand news.

Suddenly a mumbled voice came from his lips. "
Wha
… happened?"

"You were in an accident. Do you not remember? Your carriage rolled over. You have been unconscious for five days!" She went on to acquaint him with the details of the mishap. His eyes often looked clouded over and confused. He found it difficult to concentrate, and his mind was not fully working. It was a struggle for him to follow her lengthy story.

He closed his eyes and focused all his effort on moving his hand over to Georgiana's and placed it upon hers. He wanted to squeeze it in reassurance, but had to settle for letting it rest on hers. He took in some deep breaths to give him some strength before he added, "
Durnham
, Winston?"

"They are both well. They were able to jump from the carriage before it rolled. Mr. Winston only sustained some minor bruises; Mr.
Durnham
, however, broke his ankle."

Darcy shook his head slightly. He began grasping more and more that his sister said, but had questions he could not find the wherewithal to formulate. Georgiana sensed that he wanted to know more, but did not know what more to tell him.

She sat with him in silence for a while, filled with utter joy in having him back. She held his hand even tighter, as if trying to pass some of her strength on to him. She wanted to tell him so much, but knew she should do so a little at a time.

Finally she said, "You gave us quite a scare last night. Your fever was terribly high. Normally we have had either the doctor or his nurse at your side, but last night we had neither due to a medical urgency in Lambton. Fortunately, Miss
Bennet
was by your side and she was instrumental in helping lower your temperature."

Darcy opened his eyes and looked at Georgiana bewildered. Darcy suddenly had a moment's recollection of a hazy dream.
Was it from last night?
The heat, the voices, a face. Had that been
Elizabeth
? What would she be doing here? No, she could not be here.
When they had last parted it had not been on good terms at all! She had turned down his proposal and had most decidedly made her case against him. His mind must still not be lucid. He must have misunderstood her.

"Who…?"

"Miss
Bennet
… Miss Elizabeth
Bennet
. She and Mr.
Durnham
both were with you most of last night…" She stopped as she saw Darcy's eyes darken, as if he was trying to comprehend something. "What is it?"

He looked up at Georgiana, trying to sort out what she was saying. Finally with every attempt to draw from his reserve of strength he asked, "What is…
she
doing here?"

The look on his face caused Georgiana to withdraw sharply from him. Her hands began to shake and she pulled them from his.
Elizabeth
had told her, ‘You do not have to worry about disappointing your brother.’ Why then, was she now feeling such great apprehension? The look on his face imparted something that very much alarmed her.

Georgiana guardedly continued, "After your accident… I immediately wrote to Miss
Bennet
. I thought she ought to know."

"Miss
Bennet
? Why…?"

The tone of his voice caused a feeling of great dread to come upon the young girl. Georgiana felt anxieties arise in her that she had not experienced in well over a year. She could not determine the reason behind it, but she felt almost faint.

Georgiana moistened her mouth which was now very dry. "I felt she needed to know because the two of you are engaged."