The Road to Pemberley (31 page)

Denton wanted to tell her of his own love, yell from the top of Pemberley for all to hear that she had another option in this world—him. Conrad wished he were a firstborn son. Were he, he would have the fortune and then be able to recommend himself to a woman of Miss Bennet's quality.

Denton bit back the words of his heart. Instead, he said, “Why, Miss Bennet? Why do you believe you forfeited your happiness such that you are now punished with the prospect of a loveless marriage?”

“When I should have been spending my time becoming a woman worthy of a good man, I did not take the opportunity to do so. Instead, I indulged in flirtations with officers and whiled away my days dreaming of men in regimentals. I was most likely passed up by men of quality because they saw me for who I was then, a girl with nothing of value in my head. Now those decent men are all taken.”

“I wouldn't worry on that account. I believe a man in uniform makes many a girl lightheaded. My own sister wed an army man, and they have been happily married for years now. I sometimes wish I had chosen the military route; then I would have had sweet angels like you batting their eyes at me. But, in truth, such a life would not have worked. Fighting requires a great deal too much fearlessness for me. I prefer the church—taking care of the people here and standing up for a sermon once a week.”

“I grant you that standing up in front of a church full of people takes a different sort of courage than facing an opposing army—but it is courage, nonetheless. I, for one, would never be able to mount the nerve to do what you do every Sunday.”

“I cannot believe that! Miss Speaks-Her-Mind Bennet couldn't get up and talk in front of people. Utter hogwash.”

“I am in earnest, sir. I could never do it.”

“Then you do not know yourself.”

“And you presume to know me better?”

Denton nodded.

“Then speak on, man.”

“You, Miss Bennet, are beautiful without knowing it. Those you love, you love deeply. Those you do not know, you think well of. You approach everything—whether it is delivering food to the poor, or going for a walk—as a grand adventure, which, in turn, makes those around you savor life all the more. You are quick to laugh, and quicker to forgive offenses. You speak what you think, which few women do. It is an utterly refreshing and truthful way to be. All in all, Miss Bennet, I find you are a young woman full of potential.”

“Ha, potential! That means that I might never become who I am supposed to be.”

“True. But take heart, Miss Bennet. You possess your own brand of courage, one that will not let you rest until you become that woman.”

“Have you such faith in me?”

“You inspire it without knowing.”

Elizabeth thrashed about in her bed, her hands trying to push away the layers of blankets piled on her. “So hot. Too hot,” she mumbled in her delirium.

Darcy hovered over her, his brow knitted with worry as Dr. Wendington forced the bedding back over Lizzy. “It is imperative that all these covers stay on her.”

Standing a few feet back, Kitty looked from her sister to the roaring fire. Kitty's own back was damp from the heat, so it was no wonder that poor, feverish Lizzy was suffering.

Their mama had never prescribed such measures whenever the girls had come down with fevers. No, Mama had always cracked the
window to let fresh air fill the room and had sent them to bed with a wet cloth draped over their eyes to help induce sleep.

“She is not getting better. Nothing you are doing is working!” Darcy boomed at Wendington.

The doctor stammered, “Mr. Dar-Darcy, all that can be done for Mrs. Darcy is being done. A fever is the body's attempt to stay alive. The only way to balance her humors is to sweat the fever out with fire, hot liquids, and blankets.”

“But we are losing her!” Darcy's agonized voice rang painfully in Kitty's ears.

“Then Mr. Darcy, please relent and allow me to bleed her.”

Darcy shoved Wendington away from Elizabeth's bedside. “You
will not
bleed her!” He ground out each word with force.

Kitty stepped forward and touched her fingertips to Lizzy's cheek. “She is so hot. Much too hot. We need to cool her down. She is so uncomfortable. Mr. Darcy, have mercy and let her be at ease.”

Darcy turned his head slowly and regarded Kitty, his eyes vacant. “How?” he whispered.

“My mama says that when a fever comes, a body just wants to rest, so give it whatever it wants. Lizzy wants to be cooled down. Douse the fire for one, her body is hot enough without it. Throw open the windows. We will pour cool liquids down her throat. Order cold water up and let us bathe her skin.”

“Absolutely not!” The doctor's eyes blazed. “You foolish girl! Do you presume to know more than a man of medicine? Your treatment would cause Mrs. Darcy certain and quick death.” The man turned his back on Kitty and addressed the master of the house. “Mr. Darcy, I understand that you are greatly grieved and that you want what is best for Mrs. Darcy. I must bleed her immediately.”

Anger flickered in Darcy's eyes and he exploded. “Do you really believe you understand? My entire reason for existing hangs in the
balance, and you say you understand. You would have to kill me before I let you bleed her. Butcher! You are dismissed. Leave us; there is nothing left for you to accomplish here. If my wife is to die, she will do so in comfort.”

Aghast, the doctor gathered his things and left the room.

Darcy turned and caught up both of Kitty's hands. “Instruct me, Sister; tell me what we should do for Elizabeth.”

Her back aching from kneeling on the ground all night, Kitty was holding Elizabeth's hand when her sister's eyes fluttered open. Kitty put her hand to Lizzy's forehead—cool and dry. The fever had broken.

“Good morning, Sister.” Kitty whispered.

“I do not ache anymore.” Lizzy's voice was raspy.

Kitty smiled. “You are out of danger. Let me wake your husband.” She nodded her head toward the chair Darcy was sleeping in. His lips, even in slumber, formed a grim line, and deep, dark circles were evident under his eyes. She knew exhaustion must show in her own face as well.

Kitty and Darcy had spent the entire night awake, removing cloths from Elizabeth's brow the moment they became warm and replacing them with cold ones, bathing her skin to bring down the temperature, and spooning cold water down her throat. Near four in the morning, Kitty had told Darcy he was no help to her because growing weariness made him clumsy. He had fought her, but in the end had collapsed into the chair beside the bed, where he still remained.

Crawling toward the chair, Kitty laid her hand on his forearm and whispered, “Mr. Darcy, wake up. Your wife wishes to see you.”

His eyes snapped open and he almost tripped over Kitty in an effort to get to the bed, where Lizzy regarded him with bright eyes.

Darcy laughed and gathered his wife in his arms. “You are well, aren't you?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“I can tell just by looking at you! I thought I had lost you and didn't know how I could live, but you are well and I love you more than ever. I will let you rest, my Wife, so you can regain your strength.”

Smiling, Darcy clapped Kitty on the back, as if she were a schoolfellow. “Well done, Kitty! It looks as though your mama has some sense in her head, after all.”

“Indeed, sir, it is there, just deeply buried behind all the shiny things that so easily distract her,” Kitty said and grinned at him.

Taking a seat by Lizzy, Darcy took his wife's hand, and then his face became somber. “Forgive me. I should not have said that about Mrs. Bennet. Please do me the favor of never repeating it.”

Kitty pretended to lock a bolt over her mouth and nodded. “Your words will die with me, Mr. Darcy.”

“Then, Sister, I pray that you will have to hold my secret a very many years.”

Lord Chalmer crossed the room when Kitty entered. It was a good thing Mrs. Darcy had recovered, because if she had not, then marrying Miss Bennet would be pointless. Darcy would have had no reason to care about Catherine Bennet's welfare if they were no longer related. He would have no temptation to pay all of Albert's debts—and now, more than ever, Albert sorely needed those debts paid.

“My dear Miss Bennet, may I say how much joy it gives me to wish you well now that your sister is mending.” Albert took up Kitty's hands in his own. He thought back to the day she had caught
him with Alice, and he knew he had made a right brumblebroth of his courtship with her. But he would right it now, assure her of his love and remind her how much pin money he could afford her once they were wed. And if that didn't work, he could always carry her off to Scotland by force and marry her there, where the laws were loose.

She seemed to hesitate as she bit her lower lip. That was all right with Chalmer; better a quiet wife than one who would challenge him at every turn.

He pulled himself up to his full height and began: “Miss Bennet, I need only your consent and I will ride today to acquire a special license for us to marry. Now that your sister is in good health, I believe our wedding should not be delayed another day longer.”

He felt her try to remove her hands from his grasp, but he didn't allow it. A woman needed to learn to be obedient to her husband, and the child might as well get her first lesson now.

“Please, Lord Chalmer, let go. I cannot believe a word you say. You do not wish to wed me, not truly. I do not understand why you press your suit.” She inched toward the door, but he moved and slammed it shut.

Enough of these niceties! There are ways…things I could do to her to make her wed me and ensure that Darcy forces a marriage as well.
The thought spurred him to act.

“Kitty, I have tried to reason with you, but enough is enough. I am through with reasoning, because you are beyond it.” He grabbed her wrist and dragged her across the room, tossing her bodily onto the couch. As he came down upon her, she screamed.

“Shut up.” He yanked the edge of her dress down off her shoulder. She was a pretty little thing, so the act wouldn't be odious. “Because you will not relent, I will simply have to take you.” He kissed her collarbone, at the same time securing her flailing arms.
“You see, Darcy has all the money in the world, and I need it, and I need you to secure it for me.”

“Help!” Kitty shouted at such a decibel that he released her for a moment to cover his ears. She pushed against him and made to run, but he was quicker, and grabbed her hair, yanking her backward.

The ruckus distracted him, so he did not hear the door erupt open, nor did he know that Darcy was charging across the room until the man jerked him back with impressive force and threw Albert down to the ground. Darcy moved and stood between Albert and Kitty, becoming a formidable shield.