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The drapes in the master's chamber were drawn and all the silver candlesticks were lit when the group made their entrance. Mr. Morrisey, Darcy's valet, had just dressed his master in clean and presentable clothes and was awaiting for further orders either from Mrs. Darcy or Col. Fitzwilliam. However, the mistress had no other wish now, but see the master, and so she did, slowly approaching the bed where Darcy reposed, taking Georgiana with her.
Elizabeth could feel Georgiana's hand trembling when they stopped in the left side of the bed. She then held her sister's hand tight, as if reminding her that they should be strong, before releasing it. Georgiana did not move, so Elizabeth stepped forward and gazed at Darcy's face.
His face was paler now than earlier in the morning, accenting his dark eyebrows and eyelashes. Somewhat unsure of her actions, Elizabeth raised her right hand and caressed his face and arranged some rebellious locks over the pillow. Unexpectedly, Darcy moved his lips, but no sound came out. His instinctive reaction to her touch made her remove her right hand and put it together with the left one over her bosom. Unable to hold on her tears any longer, Elizabeth stepped back and allowed Georgiana to see her brother.
The colonel then led Elizabeth to an armchair that had been put next to the bed by one of the servants, and helped her to take a seat, while Georgiana remained next to her brother, holding his hand. Soon afterward, Dr. Pollock approached Elizabeth and the colonel to inform that he needed to go home in order to fetch some medicine as well as solve out some business. Before biding his adieu, he also confirmed that he should be back right after the luncheon.
Some minutes after the doctor had left, the colonel noticed that Georgiana was not feeling well at all and decided, together with Elizabeth, that the young lady should not stay there, at least not for now, considering which she had already confronted today. Georgiana resisted at first; still, upon admitting that she was truly feeling unwell, she finally agreed to go to her chamber.
After conducting Georgiana to her room, the colonel returned to Darcy's chamber only to make known that he also should leave now,
"I have some things to check, Elizabeth. When Darcy's coachman informed me about what had transpired on the road, I sent a man with a message to Mr. Wickham and his second, and left the Inn with two footmen to help Darcy. The messenger looked for me here two hours ago to tell me that no one was found at the settled place."
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, "Could it be that the messenger misunderstood the place or the time settled?"
"I doubt it. He has been working for me for many years and has never made a single mistake."
"Could I ask what do you intend to do, Colonel?"
"I have already sent this same man seeking at the inns where soldiers stay while in Town. If we do not find Mr. Wickham and his second, I shall have to send my servant to Hertfordshire and inquire after them."
"I thank you for your help, sir."
"Not at all." He bowed to her and were already leaving, when remembered something else, "Ah, do not worry about Darcy's relatives descending upon Town in order to see him. Much as I know my parents will chastise me for this, I shall only allow them to know about Darcy's condition if strictly necessary. Furthermore, they are in the North now, at the family's state, as well as Lady Catherine, who is in Kent and should not be 'disturbed', if you understand my meaning."
"Yes, I have already heard much of the lady to guess what you mean, sir." Elizabeth answered slightly amused and she mentally thanked the colonel for, at least momentarily, having relieved the weight she felt upon her shoulders. The colonel finally departed leaving Elizabeth, being helped by two maids, to tend Darcy.
Right after twelve noon, Darcy's quiet slumber was replaced by some agitation - he started to toss in the bed as well as call either his mother or father, crying that he had not punched George, who Elizabeth guessed that could only be George Wickham. Rather frightened, Elizabeth ordered a maid to fetch Dr. Pollock immediately.
Having just arrived from his home, the doctor was met by the maid when he was still taking off his coat in the parlour. He then hurried up to Mr. Darcy's room and examined the patient. After some moments, he calmed Elizabeth down by telling her that some delirious manifestations were already expected. With Elizabeth's help, he administered some medicine to the patient and remained in the room for awhile.
At a quarter to four, Georgiana's maid came to the room asking for the doctor's help, as it seemed the luncheon Miss Darcy had eaten was making her ill. The doctor went with the maid and returned forty minutes later. Elizabeth was restless pacing around the room. The doctor then related that Georgiana's illness was rather due to her nerves than the meal she had had at luncheon. He also told Elizabeth that he had forbidden Miss Darcy to come and see her brother, "She needs to rest and recover herself first, Mrs. Darcy. We can not risk having another sick person."
"I agree, Doctor. Still I do not know if not seeing her brother would not make her worse."
"I hope not, ma'am." Dr. Pollock bowed to the lady and left to his room to rest a little - Mrs. Darcy had ordered that one of the guest rooms were arranged for him.
Therewith, Elizabeth was alone with her husband anew. She took a seat in the comfortable armchair and took the book she had fetched in her chamber while Dr. Pollock was still examining Darcy. Nevertheless, the more she attempted to concentrate on the pages, the more she stopped the reading to check if Darcy was doing well.
As concentration seemed to be the last action she could do now, she ended up putting the book aside. At the same moment, Darcy tossed a little before sitting down and opening up his eyes. Elizabeth's heart filled up with hope, although it immediately withered away upon the realisation that he was not looking at her, but through her.
"Mother?" He inquired.
"No, Fitzwilliam. It is me, Elizabeth." She said softly.
"Mother?" He insisted. Elizabeth sighed. There was no point in arguing with him in such a state. She thus stood up and approached his bed in order to make him lie down again.
"She does not wish to dance with me, mother."
"Who does not wish to dance with you?" Elizabeth could not help asking.
"Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She has already refused me twice."
His strange confession startled Elizabeth. She tried to remember and he was right, she had refused him twice before dancing with him at the Netherfield Ball. She conceded that his calling his parents, Georgiana and even Wickham, but her name in delirium, had made her a little jealous. However, the fact of not dancing with her still being in his mind made her feel special. She smiled a little and told him, while arranging his covers, "Well, perhaps if you ask her again, she will concede you a dance."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I am." Elizabeth noticed he grew rather agitated and indicated he would sit down anew. Thereupon she exclaimed, "I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet, but I can not dance with you now. Would you remain still if I sang to you?"
Darcy laughed before answering, "I promise I shall."
Elizabeth's heart ached, because she knew he was not aware of his actions now. He was behaving like a boy and she should treat him as one. After having kissing him in his warm forehead, she climbed the bed by the right side, arranged herself over the pillows and put Darcy's head in her lap. It did not take him long to fall asleep listening to her song about Hope and Faith. Exhausted by the events of the day, Elizabeth also slept soon after her spouse.
Darcy's Dream
It had been the same dream again and again for the last hours.* For countless times, he was in Ramsgate and searching for a lady who needed help. He thought it was Georgiana at first, but he later found out that the lady he should rescue from Wickham was Elizabeth. He finally met them, shot the bastard and took her away with him to a cottage, which suddenly turned into his chamber at Pemberley. They shared an unforgettable moment there until Jane Bennet's arrival - Jane then told Elizabeth how Darcy had been responsible for Bingley leaving the former. Upon hearing this, Elizabeth abandoned him to go away with Wickham, leaving Darcy miserable.However, this last time Darcy perceived some differences in the dream: to start with, Elizabeth was wearing her wedding gown when he met her under Wickham's power. Then, after shooting Wickham, Darcy remained a long time on the beach just looking at his old friend. Actually, he wished to leave and take Elizabeth with him, but a horrible pain in his shoulder prevented him from doing so, and he was forced to bear Wickham's odious gaze at him.
Finally, Darcy broke the trance he seemed to be under and then, lifting Elizabeth in his arms, he took her to the cottage. Upon opening the door, differently from the previous times, the cottage changed into Elizabeth's chamber in Town and she was now wearing the same night-gown from their honeymoon. Instead of putting her in the bed, he woke her by kissing her ardently. They were so engaged at the time Jane Bennet arrived.
Likewise in the original dream, Elizabeth disappeared right after having heard about his interference upon Bingley and her sister's affair. Darcy fell on the ground, feeling the insistent pain in the shoulder again. Being surrounded by Jane and Bingley snickering at him, he felt suffocated and ran outside the cottage.
Darcy met Elizabeth, wearing again her wedding gown, on the beach. Just as he reached her, Wickham pulled her away and took her with him into the sea. He followed them with difficulty, since every time the tides reached him, he felt as though his stomach was being tightened. Debilitated by the strange sensation as well as by the pain in his shoulder, Wickham had a good advantage over him.
Exhaustion subdued him though, and a high tide pushed him to the shore. The increasing pain was prostrating him and he felt himself sinking in the wet sand. Like the sound of the tides hitting the rocks, he could listen to Wickham's derisive voice, "She will never be completely yours!" repeating this ad infinitum.
"No!" He cried back. "You are lying! You are lying! She is mine!" He grew desolate, "Elizabeth! Elizabeth!"
Darcy's cries woke Elizabeth. She opened her eyelids and saw him sitting down. Grabbing him by his right shoulder, she was able to lie him down on the soft mattress. Upon arranging his head in the pillow, she noticed that his hair was dripping with sweat. Likewise his hair, her muslin was wet where his head had reposed. Elizabeth then touched his forehead and cried in horror, "Lord, his forehead is burning!"
She strode across the chamber, attempting to call the maid who should be sitting outside the chamber, stumbling over a nearby table. A silver tray with dinner for Elizabeth, which had been positioned there by a maid while the mistress slept, was knocked over. The noise of the china crashing to the ground, caught Col. Fitzwilliam's and Dr. Pollock's attention, who were talking outside the room. The gentlemen immediately entered the chamber.
"His temperature, Doctor... His temperature!" Elizabeth grabbed the sleeve of the doctor's coat.
"We shall see it now." The doctor took Darcy's pulse and concluded, "Weak and fast." The heat was emanating from Darcy. "It was what I feared." He shook his head and thought for some seconds. Afterwards, he left the chamber in order to fetch his box in the guests' room, returning quickly. Turning to Elizabeth, who was shocked sitting in the armchair, he said, "I shall increase the dose of the medicine I am giving him, ma'am."
Elizabeth only nodded her consent. The colonel also said nothing, standing immobile next to the bed. Some minutes ticked by before he moved - he looked at his watch, A quarter past seven. Col. Fitzwilliam remained some time looking at the watch attached to his waistcoat by a silver chair. Darcy had given him that watch on his twentieth birthday. The colonel gulped. He had already seen men dying of the most horrible ways, including some of his friends, still the feeling of seeing the fever consume his cousin and best friend was unique and perchance more horrifying.
The three of them spent the next two hours in constant vigil, yet nothing changed. Darcy had a tormented slumber, tossing around and moaning. Elizabeth gave him some water often, but in fact he drank just a little from which she put in his lips. At Mrs. Hart's insistence, the dinner was served at ten. Only the gentlemen left the chamber - Elizabeth decided to have her meal in his spouse's room, and even so, only ate a little.
The high fever persisted all night long, only decreasing a little the following morning. Feeling somewhat relieved, Elizabeth ended up sleeping in the armchair. The sight of Darcy looking at her was the first thing she saw when she woke up. She ran to his side and took his hand between hers.
"Liz..." He groaned with difficulty.
"Shh, rest my dear. You are very weak."
"It was... It was Wickham."
"We shall talk about this later. Do not distress yourself now." Elizabeth was torn between believing him or not, as she did not know whether Darcy was lucid - he had talked so much about his family and Wickham during his delirium that anything was possible.
"He shot me but he was killed by a man who took his body away, Liz." Darcy brought himself to say.
"Shh! Come, you should drink some water." She helped him with the liquid which he drank avidly. Soon after, he lay down again and continued looking at her. It hurt Elizabeth to see his dark eyes, formerly a tempest over a revolted ocean, now changed into a dim pond. She proceeded holding his hand till the moment he slept. Slowly, she then released his hand and came back to the armchair.
Georgiana visited her brother an hour after luncheon. Elizabeth told her about everything, but the high fever that had subdued Darcy in the previous night. The young lady spent a long time there, gazing at Darcy and waiting for him to wake. Eventually, as her strength seemed to be abandoning her, she was taken to her room by Mrs. Hart.
Sometimes in alternate times, the colonel and Dr. Pollock came to the chamber too. Col. Fitzwilliam had even attempted to talk about Wickham's and his second's disappearance, a matter which was worrying him, still Elizabeth did not wish to discuss it, "I beg your pardon, but my mind and my feelings are completely turned to your cousin's recovery, Colonel. Everything else may wait. Besides, I trust you and I know you will solve this matter in the best way possible."
The colonel accepted her wish. Before leaving to pursue the matter, he told her though, "I notice that your feelings concerning my cousin seem to have improved lately. I am glad of it."
Elizabeth felt herself grew red and answered nothing, still the colour of her face confirmed the colonel's suspicion.
If the afternoon passed by smoothly, the same could not be stated about the evening. Darcy's temperature increased anew and quickly. Initially, he sat down many times and talked about incoherent things, such as gypsies and Resurrectionists.
Around midnight, he became frighteningly mute, the only indication that he was still alive was his constant tossing and moaning. Although the doctor was visibly exhausted, he became rather alert - his green eyes darkened and there were drops of sweat in his forehead. He seemed to be expecting the worst.
Then it came. Darcy opened up his eyes but what Elizabeth, who was positioned in the doctor's left side, saw make her shiver - due to the fever, his eyes were rotating. Elizabeth fell crying on the ground and was assisted by the colonel, who raise her and put her in the armchair.
"Colonel! We need some warm water quickly!" Colonel Fitzwilliam promptly ordered some water that was brought upstairs by a battalion of servants. With the colonel's and Elizabeth's (who had just recovered her strength) assistance, the doctor used some pieces of cloth and the water to attempt to lower Darcy's temperature by "bathing" him. Between his teeth, the doctor kept saying to his patient, "Do not dare to leave us, sir! Do not!"
For interminable minutes, the only sound heard was Elizabeth's light sobbing. At last, their effort seemed to have succeeded and Darcy's temperature had a slight decrease. The danger was still there, though - if the fever was not extinguished, Darcy would not survive. And the three of them were very aware of it.
However, the hours passed by without a positive alteration. The doctor's hope began to vanish as well as the colonel's. Only Elizabeth persisted. She did not know how or why, still she felt that Darcy would react. It was with such a thought that she finally slept, giving herself away to fatigue.
Elizabeth's Dream
Jane and Elizabeth were children again and were spending some time at the Gardiners' in London. Their aunt had taken them to a beautiful park, Jane wearing a pale blue gown, while Elizabeth had chosen a cream muslin. In that park, the two girls found a hidden door. Upon opening the door, Jane and Elizabeth met a room filled with all kinds of toys. The two of them chose two porcelain dolls and began to play.
Suddenly, the door was open and two boys entered the room. The fair one with blue eyes saw Jane and came to her side to play with her. Nonetheless, the dark boy ignored Elizabeth and sat on a corner, playing with a lead soldier. After some time, the dark boy finally decided to approach Elizabeth, but she poked her tongue at him, took his soldier and flew over the room, which much irritated the proud boy. She was happy for being able to show that she was better than him.
Jane's cries called Elizabeth's attention, and for having losing her concentration, she fell on the ground, hurting her leg. However, she did not have time to worry about it, as the fair boy was escaping the room with Jane's doll. Upon trying to chase the fair boy, the dark one, for being taller and stronger, dominated her and they both fell on the ground. She was going to hit him in the face, but stopped on hearing his exquisite voice, "Were you not an early riser?"
Elizabeth almost took a fall from the armchair. Alarmed, she opened her eyes and held her breath. The question she had heard in her dream was repeated by the person in front of her,
"Were you not an early riser, Mrs. Darcy?" Darcy's voice was somewhat rough.
She rubbed her eyes, still the vision was there: he was reclined in one of the pillows, staring at her intensively. Actually, Elizabeth did not wish to know whether was reality or not - she jumped from the armchair and embraced him, crying over his chest, while he caressed her dark locks.
*Chapter 18B
Darcy's bedchamber 12th of December, 1811
Elizabeth did not know how long they had remained embraced, life flowing between them, as if keeping the death from their door. She could feel that Darcy was still a little warm, yet it was nothing if compared to his temperature last night. She noticed amazed that it was already clear outside by the faint sunlight, which was forcing its way through the gap in the drapes. She must have slept as a result of the extenuating night. The doctor and the colonel must be in slumber as well, as the chamber was completely quiet now, but the sound of Darcy's loud breath.
Raising her head a little, Elizabeth looked at Darcy's ashen face. How he had grown haggard upon the last two days - there were two shadows under his eyes, his face looked thinner and his lips were parched. Although they were still rather dim, his eyes seemed to have recovered part of his sparkling manner when he gazed down at her and smiled. She grinned back at him and finally brought herself to ask, "Are you feeling well, Fitzwilliam?"
"I am still a little dizzy. And my left shoulder aches." He used his head to point out his left side.
Elizabeth grinned, "Oh, I believe it could not be different. You were slightly wounded in the knee too, still the wound in your shoulder was of a very serious nature. The doctor said you are a lucky man - some inches lower and we would not be babbling now." Upon thinking of it, she shivered.
Darcy noticed that the sadness had descended upon her and he then touched her face lightly, endeavouring to rub out her dark thoughts, "I think I prefer to be here, 'babbling' with you, ma'am. It is something I still can bear." They laughed a little and Elizabeth was able to overcome the bad recent memories, at least for awhile. "However, all this chatter made me very thirsty indeed!" Darcy complained.
"Oh, what I was thinking of! Of course you must be thirsty, your temperature was very high during the night, Fitzwilliam." She moved towards the night stand, filled up a goblet with water and offered it to Darcy, helping him to sit down. As he drank the liquid in long gulps, Elizabeth stated, "As a matter of fact, you have been feverish since you were brought home. Nonetheless, the nights were the worse time we had to face, since you seemed to be a burning flame, whilst you only had deliriums during the day."
"Hmm, I wonder if I gave you much trouble." Having satiated his thirst, Darcy gave the crystal glass to Elizabeth and reclined over the pillows. "I know I am not the best of the patients."
"You are not indeed! You sometimes made us very desperate!" She pouted a little, only to laugh right after upon recollecting some of Darcy's fits of deliriums. Darcy raised his eyebrows inquiringly and she had to explain, "I must confess that some moments of my tending you while you had hallucinations were priceless - they would be passive of chuckling, if you were not in serious danger, sir."
"What do you mean?" His curiosity was now higher than the pain in his shoulder.
Elizabeth gazed at him for some moments before smiling mischievously, "Not now, sir. You have left me in suspense for two days, thus you can wait for some hours." Then, in a rather serious tone, she proceeded, "Actually, I shall call the doctor now - I should have done it just as soon as you opened up your eyes, still I could not help being egotistic and wishing to have some private minutes with you before anybody else."
Perchance for the first time in his life Darcy did not know what to reply - the fever which had almost killed him, Elizabeth's tenderness and her candid confession had left him somewhat confused. Still he was contented for realising how much she had missed him and cared about. Soon after she left to fetch the doctor, Darcy closed his eyes to savour the happiness, in spite of the pain and dizziness which insisted on subjugating him.
"Darcy! How good to see you hale and hearty!" Darcy opened his eyelids to see the colonel coming cheerfully towards him. Darcy grabbed his cousin's hand and said,
"Well, I guess I am better now."
"You scared us last night, cousin." The colonel said in a confessional tone. "We thought you would never recover."
"Did you think you would get rid of me so easily? Come, Fitzwilliam. You know me very well to know that I have no intention to leave you in peace at least in the following fifty years." Darcy laughed a little till he noticed the tall gentleman standing at the bottom of the canopy next to Elizabeth. The colonel saw the direction of his gaze and stated,
"Darcy, this is Dr. Christopher Pollock. He found you hurt on the road to Kent and has been tending you since then. If you are here making sport of us, you owe it to the Doctor."
"Delighted to make your acquaintance, Doctor. And I believe I must thank you too." Darcy was waiting to meet Dr. Wyndham, after all the old doctor had assisted his family since his grandfather's illness. However, if this doctor had saved his life, he would be thankful to him forever. Perchance a new doctor would be welcomed to the Darcys - Darcy and Dr. Wyndham seemed not to agree on the diagnosis anymore. Moreover, the old doctor was now more interested in spending his time with his grandchildren in the North than assisting his patients in Town.
"I am very pleased to finally talk to you, Mr. Darcy. And there is no need to thank me, though." Darcy almost burst out laughing at the doctor's Scottish accent, for reminding him of a nice fellow he had met in Edinburgh once. Only the fear that he could be misunderstood as "in delirium" again made him control himself. The doctor proceeded unaware of his patient's amusement. "I see your condition has amazingly improved since our last 'meeting' three hours ago, sir. However, you still need to rest, thus I am forced to end this lively conversation ."
The colonel and Elizabeth attempted to protest, but they were silenced by Darcy, who said, "I concede I am rather light-headed, thus I have to agree with the doctor." He looked guiltily at his wife and cousin, "Oh, I know you must be very curious to know what happened - to condense along story into brief words, I was shot by a man, apparently a gypsy (although I could not surely state this), who wished to rob me."
"Could I not stay to take care of my husband, Doctor? I shall remain very quiet and not disturb him at all." Elizabeth inquired sheepishly.
"I am afraid not, Mrs. Darcy. You have not slept well, if slept at all, for the last days. Therefore you also need to repose. If everything progresses well, Mr. Darcy will be allowed to receive visitors - I mean, the closest relatives, after tea time." The doctor's was grinning, yet his tone was firm. Elizabeth and Col. Fitzwilliam could do nothing, but abide to Dr. Pollock's rules. They hence departed from the bedchamber after biding their adieu, leaving Darcy to be examined by the doctor and thereafter rest.
Elizabeth only went to her chamber after having told the good tidings to Georgiana and to Mrs. Hart, who immediately informed the other servants of Mr. Darcy's recovery. The young lady, who had been unwell, seemed to reanimate almost instantly. She cried for a long time in Elizabeth's arms, thanking her brother's wife for having been so kind to Darcy and to herself. Finally, having recomposed herself, Georgiana declared she would like to see him. Elizabeth told her about the doctor's advice though, and the young lady agreed to wait a little more to see her beloved brother.
Although she believed that she would only 'take a snap', Elizabeth actually slept the whole morning, wakening up a quarter past two in the afternoon. She was a little lost at first, unable to decide whether the events of the last days had been only a dream or not. The mist that had descended upon her thoughts slowly vanished while she concentrated on getting dressed with the help of her maid. After having had a light meal, Elizabeth paid a visit to Georgiana. However, she found that the young lady was deep in slumber, probably still under the effect of the illness that had distressed her, hence she thought it better allow her sister to repose now.
Finally, Elizabeth followed to Darcy's bedchamber. How different his room looked now - the curtains were still drawn off, yet the oppressive ominous feeling which had surrounded the chamber for the last two days had vanished, being replaced by a certain air of positive anticipation. Although the duel had not taken place yet, she felt that the matter would probably be solved in a different way.
She padded across the room, afraid of disturbing her husband if he were asleep, silently stopping at the bottom of the canopy. Dr. Pollock, who was sitting in the armchair positioned near the bed, immediately rose and with a sign, indicated that he would be leaving but she could stay. She smiled thankfully and waited till the doctor had closed the door to move around the bed and approach Darcy's left side. Instinctively, Elizabeth inclined her head and lightly kissed Darcy's forehead. Hardly had she spun around to take a seat and she heard his voice,
"I am not a child to be kissed in the forehead, Mrs. Darcy." She turned around anew and gazed at him. He then proceeded in a very inviting mode, "My lips are still parched and in need of being tended." Elizabeth blushed but lowered her head down, kissing him tenderly, still shyly. Darcy noticed she would move back, hence he moved his right hand and immersed it into the mass of her silky dark hair knotted in the back of her head, pushing her to him. His dry lips then captured the softness of hers, attempting to satiate what neither water nor wine would be able to.
What meant to be a common kiss became an ardent one, because it released all the repressed feelings they both had lived: pain, loneliness, fear of the death and longing. The blessing of life was back and thus it should be celebrated. When they finally broke apart, they remained silent for some minutes, both still amazed by the strength of their own feelings.
Eventually, Elizabeth broke the spell and, endeavouring to conceal her confusion, she teased him, "You may not be a child anymore, Mr. Darcy. Still, you called your parents' name uncountable times."
"Did I?" Darcy was rather embarrassed.
Elizabeth giggled a little, "Not to mention that you once thought I was your mother and..." She stopped her speech only to raise the suspense and made Darcy still more curious. Her expectations were not frustrated - a single look at Darcy's face could grasp all the gentleman's anxiety and anticipation.
"Lord, what else could I have done?" He gulped.
"Well, you asked her why a certain lady had refused to stand up with you twice." Her tone was half amusement, half wonder.
"I..." Darcy interrupted himself as he realised he was stepping on thin ice. He did not know whether she was telling the truth or using some piece of information she had somehow obtained to gather the missing parts and finally solve that "enigma" game she had invented. He thus decided to be cautious, "Pray enlighten me, Mrs. Darcy. What was my mother's advice?"
"Oh, she said that if you attempted a third time, your effort would be well rewarded."
"Well rewarded indeed!" He playfully mocked. "I believe that my mother should not know this lady at all, otherwise she would be aware that the lady in question would torture me with questions about my character instead of only dancing with me." Darcy still remembered their dance at the Netherfield ball - he had been absolutely mesmerized by her proximity, the touch of her hands and arms, their bodies slightly meeting each other during the twists of the country dance. He had then attempted to relish in the sensations, but she had prevented him from doing so by asking impertinent questions that, he somewhat jealously conjectured, had been incited by Wickham.
Upon also recollecting the ball, Elizabeth flushed anew, as she could not help feeling ashamed of how she had abused Darcy on that occasion because of Wickham's false words about the former. She lowered her eyes and stated, "Perhaps the lady was not aware of your real character at that time." Moving her hand to straighten a fold of Darcy's cover, she continued, "Nor she could conceive what your true feelings were concerning her."
Her comment made Darcy stiffen. Unable to conclude if the truth about his feelings should be told now, he only took her hand between his and drove it to his lips. Raising his head, he gazed at his wife and decided that he could risk a question, "And does the lady now have notion of my feelings concerning her, Mrs. Darcy?"
Elizabeth held her breath. His eyes were not dim anymore, still she was afraid that hers might be too clear, revealing things she was not sure if she should. Her hesitation lasted for a moment - a knock on the door stopped her though.
Darcy inaudibly cursed, but answered loudly, "Come in!"
Col. Fitzwilliam made his entrance and approached Darcy's canopy with a smile in his lips. Although Darcy was happy for seeing his cousin, he could not avoid desiring to wring the colonel's neck - he could not have had a worse sense of timing indeed. Upon perceiving that he had interrupted something, the colonel stated, "I... Hmm, I can return later."
However Darcy wished to dismiss his cousin and continue the pleasant conversation with Elizabeth alone, he knew that the matter they needed to discuss could not be postponed any longer. Therefore, he said, "No, stay Fitzwilliam, please." The colonel and Elizabeth then took a seat next to the bed to listen to Darcy's accounts on what Dr. Pollock had said about his health: the wound in the knee was doing fine and, if Darcy's general state improved, he would be allowed to walk, with the help of a stick, after Monday. His shoulder inspired more attention, though. Still, if his temperature did not increase anew, there would be no risk any longer, as the lesion had started to heal.
After some light talk, Darcy started, "Well, I believe you may be wondering about what transpired two days ago. It was not a gypsy who attacked me, but Wickham."
"Wickham!" Elizabeth and the colonel exclaimed in unison.
"Exactly. He disguised himself as a gypsy and blocked the road with a mule. Tom, the coachman had to stop and I alighted to see what was happening. I was shot when I was entering the carriage anew." Darcy then related his 'meeting' with Wickham and the latter's sordid plan to kill him, Darcy, in order to blackmail the Darcys, the Fitzwilliams and Lady Catherine.
"But how did he intend to do this?" The colonel inquired.
"Yes, Darcy. I can not comprehend why and how Mr. Wickham would kill you and blackmail all of us. It does not make sense at all." Elizabeth was visibly confused.
"By leaving my body in a nearby gypsy camp - he would spread the news that Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had been killed by the father of his gypsy 'mistress', if our families did not pay what he would ask to buy his silence."
Needless to say that Darcy's interlocutors were aghast. Col. Fitzwilliam finally asked, "Gypsies? But how did such an idea come to him?"
Darcy coloured a little, "Do you remember when we escaped to that gypsy camp near your father's estate?"
It was the colonel's turn to become red before grinning, "Wickham seems to have a wonderful memory."
"You are not absolutely right, cousin. Actually, Wickham did not forget this story because he did not take part in it, as your brother did not allow him to go with us."
Elizabeth looked from a gentleman to the other vainly attempting to understand their talk. Far from succeeding, she decided to ask, " What exactly happened in that gypsy camp some years ago, sirs?"
The two gentlemen looked at her bashfully, but only the colonel replied, "My elder brother, Darcy and I wanted to... Ahn, to see the young ladies who lived there."
"I see." It was Elizabeth's only comment. Who had not committed some foolish things when young?
Recovering from his initial uneasiness, the colonel stated, " What a strange story Wickham would make up - it sounds like a cheap novel."
"You should as soon 'congratulate' the author - if you ever come to find him. In hell, perchance?" Darcy bitterly retorted.
"What do you mean, Darcy?" Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, not wishing her suspicion to be true. "Did you...?" Her meaning was implied.
"No, I did not. Another person did it just one second before Wickham could have hit me with the mortal shot. A man who called himself 'Oldie John' saved my life. Apparently, he had been following Wickham for a long time because the scoundrel had seduced and abandoned the poor man's daughter some time ago." Darcy explained.
"But Dr. Pollock told me that he found only you in that place. Where was Wickham then?" The colonel was intrigued.
"Oldie John took Wickham away with him."
"The man might be deranged. He killed a man and took the body with him!" The colonel could not help exclaiming.
"I believe the old man could not be sane, still he did not abandon Wickham's body because, according to what I heard from the place where I was lying (I pretended I was unconscious), he was planning to 'sell' Wickham to Resurrectionists."
Col. Fitzwilliam made a face upon hearing that but said nothing. The silence was broken by Elizabeth's question, "Resurrectionists?"
"People whose way of earning their living consists in stealing corpses to sell to the Medical schools." Darcy would rather not to talk about these things in front of Elizabeth, yet he knew that it would be impossible to conceal the truth from her.
"Oh, Lord!" Elizabeth wished she were not shocked by what she had just heard, but she was. "We need to find his body and the man who killed him, otherwise my husband may be accused of Mr. Wickham's disappearance."
"I suppose this is impossible now, Elizabeth. Even if we found Oldie John, there would not be a way to 'recognise' Wickham. It is too late. Besides, for everybody else, I was robbed by a gypsy." Darcy concluded.
"And what about Mr. Wickham's second? Lieutenant Denny Carter knew about the duel. The colonel said that he was not at the settled place for the duel, Darcy." Elizabeth was exasperated.
"I have already sent a servant to Hertfordshire to inquire after the lieutenant. We must have an answer till Sunday, Darcy. Only after that we should be able to determine what to do with the information we have got." The colonel clarified.
Darcy and the colonel actually knew that few could be done. Moreover, they would not wish to have the man who had saved Darcy's life be arrested and hung, still they could not state that openly to Elizabeth. In the future, they should invent something to relief the lady's conscience. And perhaps theirs.
Georgiana's entrance into Darcy's chamber brought an end to the gentlemen's apprehension. The young lady forgot the rules of propriety and threw herself in her brother's arm, crying for a long time. "Oh brother, now nice is to see you well again!" the young lady finally brought herself to say.
"Elizabeth told me you have been unwell, dear." Darcy was worried.
Georgiana smiled at him, "I am feeling better now upon seeing you well too."
The rest of the afternoon was then spent in pleasant talk, interrupted only by Dr. Pollock's arrival, a sign that the 'visitors' should leave.
Darcy gradually recovered with Elizabeth and Georgiana by his side. The two of them spent all the time they could spare from their duty to stay with him. Their efforts were rewarded when, according to what the doctor had predicted, Darcy could walk again after Monday. He did not like having to use a stick to help him though, still the doctor insisted upon it, threatening his patient with confinement to bed anew.
On December 18th, Dr. Pollock considered that Darcy was healed. Immediately, Darcy started the preparative for a trip to Pemberley. The Darcys should leave on the twentieth, as he wish to spend Christmas with his family in his state. The doctor initially disapproved the idea, but finally agreed with it after Darcy had given his word that he would not ride. After the doctor had taken his leave, Darcy went to the music room to inform Elizabeth and Georgiana about his plans. Georgiana kissed her brother and quickly left the room in order to 'pack her trunks', as she said.
Elizabeth became happy too, although she was rather distressed inside - she had just received a missive from Jane acquainting her with the good health of everyone in Longbourn as well as talking about the Gardiners' imminent visit to celebrate Christmas. Despite Jane's efforts, Elizabeth had noticed that her sister was out of spirit when she rapidly mentioned that she had not received any news from Miss Bingley nor from her brother. Poor Jane, she must be suffering because of Mr. Bingley's 'disappearance'.
As the Gardiners would be leaving to Longbourn on the following day, Elizabeth resolved that she would visit her aunt today, so that she could ask the lady's help. Thinking so, she interrupted her spouse, who was cheerfully playing the pianoforte keys like a young boy, to tell him, "Fitzwilliam, before leaving to Pemberley, I would like to visit my Aunt Gardiner, who leaves in Cheapside. As the Gardiners will be travelling to my parents' house tomorrow, I believe I should visit my Aunt as soon as possible."
Darcy's jaw became rigid and he stood up abruptly. He had absolutely forgotten about her family, he should have already talked to her about them before. He knew he should endure her parents and sisters, but he would not tolerate her relatives. And his wife being seen wandering around Cheapside - no, that was unbearable. He would tell her about how inconvenient her relatives could be in her new life, therefore all relations should be severed and he was sure she would understand. But not now - he would not spoil now the happiness they have been sharing for the last days. Consequently, he only stated, "I would rather you would not, Liz."
Elizabeth stared at him, "Why not, Fitzwilliam?"
Darcy coughed, "We have not received anyone here yet, nor paid visits either. As a matter of fact, we are known to be already out of the city. Some people may feel slighted if they knew that you were seen visiting someone in Cheapside, Liz."
Elizabeth did not like his answer, as she felt he was not telling the truth. "It is not 'someone', she is my aunt, Fitzwilliam. Moreover, it would not be a 'social visit'. I would like to see her because I am worried about my sister Jane."
Leaving the piano behind, Darcy faltered towards his wife and took her hand, kissing it. "Could you not send a message by a servant? We shall departing for Pemberley in two days and there are so many things to organize. If your sister Jane is unwell, we could arrange to stop in Meryton and visit your family before travelling home." Darcy shivered upon thinking of meeting Mrs. Bennet so early, still he would be resigned to it.
Feeling confused, and somewhat upset with his refusal, Elizabeth mumbled, "Oh, it is nothing concerning her health." She did not wish to tell him the reasons for her sister's distress, as she still did not feel comfortable to share with her husband her inner worries. After all, the affair also involved Darcy's best friend and Elizabeth could not have figured out yet what was Darcy's opinion about the matter. She sighed deeply before conceding, "I shall send my aunt a note then, Fitzwilliam."
Darcy lightly kissed her lips and murmured, "Well done, Liz." Elizabeth was not happy though and this incident would make her wonder for awhile.
Later a note was then written and sent to Mrs. Gardiner, asking her to help Jane through such a difficult moment - Elizabeth knew how her mother should be torturing her older sister, by accusing her of being unable to "secure" a suitor's interest. Even later, a missive was painfully composed - it was a letter of regret, apology and confession. It was a letter from Darcy to Bingley, which the former handed in to his butler before leaving to Pemberley on December 20th.
"This letter must be given to Mr. Bingley only It should be put in his hands as soon as the gentleman arrives in Town, Walton." Darcy said in a confiding tone. The butler bowed to the master, who quickly entered the carriage, taking a seat at Elizabeth's side. He then smiled at her before kissing her lips. He felt relieved now and want to share his happiness with her. "We are going home, Liz." Darcy whispered in her ears. And I hope Bingley will go home too!
Pemberley December, 1811
The Darcys arrived at Pemberley on December 23rd. The huge estate had surprised Elizabeth with its size and beauty. Although the first snow had already fallen, spreading a white mantle over the woods, Elizabeth still could imagine how enchanting the estate should be during the warm months. As soon as Pemberley House could be seen, Darcy had asked the coachman to stop the carriage so that Elizabeth could have a better view of the building.
Her reaction did not frustrate him - she was evidently touched by the imposing stone building lying loftily on rising ground, surrounded by woody hills and having in front of it the icy stream reflecting the windows. Darcy had proudly listened to her praise upon how the natural beauty of the estate had been maintained for over the years.
Inside the house, the new mistress was welcomed by Mrs. Reynolds, the housekeeper (a thin woman in her late fifties, with witty eyes and a friendly smile) and the servants queued in the entrance. After the introductions, Darcy led Elizabeth to their chambers. There, she noticed that there was a resemblance between Pemberley House and the house in Town concerning the disposition of the rooms. However, the rooms here were larger and the decoration seemed less austere - it was still as elegant as the Town House, though. Elizabeth knew she would have much to explore in the following weeks.
The Festive Season and the following days were then spent by the couple in becoming better acquainted with each other. Since the duel had drastically abbreviated the period before the wedding as well as the honeymoon, their actual "courtship" was taking its course now - lazy afternoons spent either in Darcy's library (where Darcy and Elizabeth discovered some mutual tastes beyond loving Shakespeare, but some differences of opinion were also found) or in the music room, with Georgiana occasionally joining them in the pianoforte.
The difference between the two houses which Elizabeth had observed at her arrival at the estate seemed to influence his owner as well - if Darcy had shown a facet in London that had been hidden till then, the enhancement of his "new" side was patent at Pemberley. Elizabeth still became amazed at her husband's playful and teasing disposition while dealing with her. Not to mention the fondness displayed by him in the intimate moments.
He still grew silent spending a long time discreetly observing her, yet she did not feel bothered by his steady gaze anymore. Contrarily, she could not help feeling now somewhat proud of engaging the attention of such a man. As a matter of fact, everything seemed perfect, but for two aspects: Darcy did not speak openly about his feelings towards her - although his actions spoke louder than words, Elizabeth sometimes grew frustrated for not hearing the words that not only would put her at ease, but would also allow her to confess herself, since Darcy delicately changed the subject whenever she attempted to do it.
Furthermore, another avoidable matter was concerning her family and relatives - it seemed it was a taboo, because every opportunity she grabbed to mention either how much she missed them or her plans to meet them in the future, her husband would steer the conversation to the kind of parties, or dinner parties, they should have to give in Town next Season, despite his dislike of entertaining at all.
In his turn, Darcy was more than content with Elizabeth. She was precious - she was quickly learning how to fulfill her duty as the mistress of Pemberley; her relationship with Georgiana grew fonder; and her witty remarks on everything, from domestic affairs to politics, made him proud of having given her his heart and name. He knew that, with his discreet guidance and the right, appropriate company (which meant maintain her distant from her awful relations, with exception of her eldest sister) she would be the perfect lady , one that Society would not forget so easily.
Above all, Darcy was delighted at how Elizabeth's feelings concerning him had improved, and the moments alone with her were the ones which he craved for more during the day. He was aware that she was attached to him in a great degree, still he did not feel confident enough to open his heart to her as well as allow her to do it likewise - Darcy was somewhat afraid that Elizabeth could still be acting moved rather by friendship than love, he thus preferred to wait a little more. They had lived well thus far and he did not wish to ruin what they had built.
For both Darcy and Elizabeth, these days after the "duel" (which had never taken place) would be remembered as "the quiet, happy moments" of discovery and growing attachment before the upheaval.
Pemberley January 19th, 1812
Elizabeth was attempting to remain quiet in her bed to no avail. She had already read, fallen asleep, read again, still nothing seemed to satisfy her. Impatiently throwing the covers away, she stood up and moved towards her drawers in order to pick up the carved box she used to keep the correspondence from people she cherished. She knew she had promised to Georgiana and Mrs. Reynolds she would remain still in her bed waiting for the apothecary, yet she was not seriously ill - the indisposition she had been feeling for two days might be nothing, but something she had eaten and must have not agreed with her.
However, Georgiana had insisted upon calling the local apothecary - the young lady was rather distressed since her sister's condition had seemed not to improve after two days and the Cook's herbal tea. Elizabeth had only agreed with the apothecary's visit after Georgiana had said that she would send Darcy an express (he had been away on business in the north of Derbyshire for three days), asking him to come back quickly because of Elizabeth's health. Thus, here was Elizabeth now, waiting for the medical visit in a restless manner.
Having grabbed the correspondence box, Elizabeth walked towards her vanity and took a seat in front of it. She averted her eyes from the image in the mirror, as she knew she would see a somewhat pale lady. Instead, she opened the carved box, which had been one of Darcy's Christmas gifts to her, and chose Jane's last two letters.
In the first, dated from January the 5th, Jane, who had been with the Gardiners in London for a week, described the visit she had paid to Caroline Bingley on the previous day. Miss Bingley, who seemed to be rather out of spirits, had chastised Jane for not having written to her informing of her trip to Town, thing which Jane had actually done. Elizabeth doubted that the lady had not received her sister's letter, and she had talked about this in her answer to Jane. Still, Elizabeth knew that her sister's goodness would prevent her from thinking so meanly of Miss Bingley.
Her sister could not meet Mr. Bingley on that occasion, though. According to his sister's accounts, he was out of Town spending some time with a friend, Mr. Ronald Jerrold and his family, in the gentleman's estate. Miss Bingley had also made known that her brother seemed to be enjoying very much the company of Miss Evelise Jerrold (a very sweet and accomplished lady, in Miss Bingley's words), and he had no wish to return to Town so soon.
It had been the second letter from Jane, written on the 14th, which had fretted Elizabeth, though. The missive was about Miss Bingley calling on Jane at the Gardiners' on the 13th. After the visit, Jane stated she could not ignore any longer the fact that Caroline Bingley had no wish to continue pursuing the acquaintance. Moreover, the information provided by the lady annihilated all hope Jane (and Elizabeth as well) could still have about Mr. Bingley's attachment to her - according to Miss Bingley, her brother had been in Town for 3 days, but totally enthralled by the Jerrolds' attentions. She had also added in a tone of confidence that the announcement of engagement between Mr. Bingley and Miss Jerrold was expected very soon.
Sighing, Elizabeth folded the missives anew and put them back into the box. Well, at least Jane would not be fooled by Caroline Bingley anymore. But about Mr. Bingley... I am disappointed with him - I have not thought him capable of such a thing. I was so confident of his devotion to Jane. She stared at the box for some moments, as if searching for a sign that could explain Mr. Bingley's behaviour.
She was happy that Jane was with the Gardiners, otherwise her sister could even become more distressed at Longbourn. Their aunt would know how to cheer Jane up and help her forget Mr. Bingley (Elizabeth was convinced that her mother would behave in an opposite manner). Even so, she could help feeling unsettled herself - she longed to be with Jane and support her. Besides, she missed their long talks about everything and everyone. Elizabeth had not told yet how her feelings for Darcy had drastically changed, for instance, as she did not wish to do it by mail.
Elizabeth was still wondering about her sister's future when she heard steps in the long corridor outside. She immediately closed the box and ran through the chamber to the bed, where she had only time to cover herself before hearing the knock on the door. "Come in!" She answered quickly, trying to control her still altered breath.
Mrs. Reynolds then entered the chamber followed by a short man in his early fifties, who was promptly introduced as Mr. Lodge, the local apothecary. Introductions made, Mrs. Reynolds left Elizabeth alone with Mr. Lodge. The apothecary first asked Elizabeth some questions and then examined her. After some minutes deliberating, he finally spoke,
"Mrs. Darcy..." He stopped and raised his eyebrows.
"Well?" She repeated his action, still her eyebrows were higher than his.
"I would like to inform that you, ma'am, will be the mother of a beautiful baby - of course, judging by your handsome countenance as well as Mr. Darcy's, if you allow me the impertinence." Mr. Lodge was half happy, half amusement, because out of all the other diagnosis he had to give, this was the one he enjoyed doing most, even if some parents did not seem glad upon receiving the news.
Elizabeth's eyebrows raised higher and she gaped at the apothecary for some seconds. She had missed her last period, still it had seemed logical, since she had never had regular ones. Furthermore, she had thought impossible to have conceived in such a short time. Blushing upon thinking of her naïveté, she then forced herself to face Mr. Lodge and ask, "When is the baby due?"
"To early September. Congratulations, Mrs. Darcy."
"Thank you." She was still feeling a little uneasy. After some deliberating, she inquired, "Could I ask you a favour, sir?"
Mr. Lodge made a small reverence by lowering his head and replied, "I am at your service, ma'am."
"Could you not tell anyone about my condition? I mean, I would like Mr. Darcy to be the first to know about it." Oh, how it is difficult to talk about something so privy with a stranger!
The apothecary grinned, "As you wish, ma'am."
Elizabeth nodded her hear head thankfully. A child... A combination of fear and happiness came upon her. Fear because in spite of the good moments shared with Darcy till now, the columns to support their marriage had not been built yet - there were still so much to be said and settled. She therefore did not know where a child would fit into this state of things. At least she knew that Darcy should be glad for having an heir - which gentleman in his position would not be?
On the other hand, she was delighted. As a matter of fact, she had never been very fond of children, still to think about the little one growing inside of her made her smile like a fool. Needless to say that she hardly listened to the apothecary's instructions for her ("Stay in bed for the day", for example) - the maternal and instinctive feelings had already conquered her.
Eventually, Mr. Lodge bid his adieu and Elizabeth could be left to ponder on the new event till a quarter of hour later, when a timid knock on the door interrupted her reverie. The door was then open and Georgiana made her entrance.
"Elizabeth? I was wondering if you were asleep." Georgiana smiled a little and sat down on the bed, next to Elizabeth.
"Not yet, but if I remain still more five minutes, I am sure I shall sleep like a baby and snore like an old matron." Georgiana laughed at it, but Elizabeth could perceive that her sister was still very anxious. Taking pity on her, she said, " Do not distress yourself any longer, dearest." She then took Georgiana's hand and held it tight, "As I had told you, it was something I ate, nothing to worry about." No indeed, my dear! How will you like to be an aunt?Elizabeth laughed inwardly.
Georgiana grinned before adding, "But Mr. Lodge said you should repose today."
"And I shall do it, even if I do not agree with it. It is only to please you, Georgie." Having said so, Elizabeth embraced her sister and they laughed again, both of them blissful, although for different reasons at the moment.
Pemberley January 20th, 1812
Elizabeth had been in the morning room answering letters for two hours. She stopped writing and then rotated her head so that she could alleviate the tension in the back of her neck a little. Feeling rather better, she ran her eyes around the room, which had been one of Lady Anne's favourites, according to Mrs. Reynolds. It was here that Darcy's mother used to spend her mornings taking care of the correspondence as well as other duties. Elizabeth had thus decided to maintain the tradition and use it as the "Mistress' room" as well.
The room was decorated in pale lavender and the sketches painted by Lady Anne, picturing the Earl of Matlock's estate and Pemberley, gave to it a delicate air. Near the right window was positioned a table where some small portraits were displayed. Darcy had told her that they were of Lady Anne's children and her nephews and niece - here was Darcy at 13, handsome as ever; a young colonel and his flamboyant smile; the colonel's elder brother, darker than him and looking to be very haughty; a light brown-haired girl, whom Elizabeth judged to be Anne de Bourgh; and a blonde little girl, with sweet eyes, who could only be Georgiana.
Being a very acute observer, Elizabeth had perceived that, although there were one or two portraits of Wickham in the rooms that had belonged to the late Mr. Darcy, she had not seen a single one in Lady Anne's. Perchance either the lady did not approve of the steward's son being around the house so much, or she had noticed the real character of Mr. George Darcy's protégé and wished to maintain at least representations of him away. Mothers have good instincts as far as their children are concerned, and Lady Anne must have been aware of the competition between her son and Wickham.
Upon noticing which she had just thought, Elizabeth laughed loud and caressed her flat stomach that would become enormous in few months, "Can you see what you have already done to me, little one?" She whispered. "I am already elaborating on maternal feelings!" She then closed her eyes and allowed herself to be involved by the melody coming from the music room - she had purposely left the door open in order to listen to Georgiana practicing a new piece by Beethoven in the adjoining music room.
Her thoughts moved from the child to Darcy, from Darcy to the child anew. She was missing her husband. He would be back that night, yet after having known about the child, she could not help feeling anxious to tell him about it. Besides, she was somewhat worried about his health, as she was still impressed by the bad moments Darcy had faced after being shot. It would take months before she could think of it without feeling a cold sensation running through her spine.
At last Elizabeth brought herself back to reality and opened her eyelashes - there was still a missive to be read and answered. She grinned. After more than a month, the Darcys were still receiving letters congratulating them on their marriage. Although it was addressed to "Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy", this last one might not be different. Sighing, she broke the seal and grew suspicious when she saw that there were three sheets of letter-paper written quite through. She then read the papers over quickly and came to the last sheet, which actually was an attached document. She was mortified.
"No, it can not be true. I must have misread something." The pounding of her heart was now covering the notes coming from the music room. Breathing deeply, she threw herself over the pages again and avidly perused them. The truth was there, told and documented by a person who had lived it.
Still wishing to be mistaken, Elizabeth came back to the second page and then read and re-read some of its lines. After some moments, the lines started to become a unique stain, her heart and the music striking her head, forcing her to put the papers aside. She endeavoured to stand up, but her head span and she then sat down anew. The music was now so distant, her heart so weak and the objects in the room were only shadows - she knew she would faint, still that horrible line did not leave her mind:
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and I married in Gretna Green on the 8th of April, 1806.