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Chapter 13

Reawakening from days of unconsciousness was just the beginning of a long recovery for Jeremy. For about a week after coming out of the coma, he was given massive doses of morphine to ease the pain and the only memories he had of the few times he was awake were of concerned faces looking down at him in a hazy cloud. Once he thought he had even seen the dear face of his sister staring at him and holding a bundle in her arms, but that as well was no more than a misty memory. Jeremy was aware that he was always surrounded by people but most of the times he was just too tired and too weak to open his eyes, and his senses never seemed to register their surroundings properly. He could hear, but he could not understand; he could feel people holding his hands, but he could not find the strength to return the pressure. Although Jeremy Philips was not in danger of dying anymore, he was still far from being alive.

After about two weeks, Gordon began to be more careful about the morphine dosage, as he was well aware that people could get addicted to that stuff. This however, increased his friend's lucidity, as well as his own sensibility to pain. Dr. Harrison had been right. Jeremy did pass a terrible time with his injured leg. In some parts it had been burnt very badly, and it was taking long to heal. There were times that it took all his strength not to scream out at the pain, and he made sure that any tears he helplessly shed were done either when he was alone or in the company of Gordon. Dr. Harrison checked him daily, but the bulk of the work - changing the bandages and disinfecting the wound -- was left in the young man's capable hands. He changed the bandages every few hours, and was pleased to see that, by the slow but gradual way the wounds were healing, Jeremy would probably regain full use of his leg, even though he would need to use crutches when lectures restarted in late September.

One evening in mid August, Gordon declared Jeremy fit enough to join the rest of the family in the drawing room. There he would be able to meet his loved ones without looking, as Gordon dubbed it "like a glassy eyed toad that has not yet got over being born". The future Dr. MacKay could not really be lauded for sympathy but Jeremy knew that if he was probably going to regain full use of his leg, it was only thanks to him. Gordon MacKay cared; he was often just too embarrassed to show it.

The two young men had decided to surprise the family and so Jeremy had to rely only on Gordon's help to go down the stairs. The descent was difficult and the two had to stop every couple of steps to give Jeremy a rest. He was adamant however, and refused Gordon's offer to get help from the other men in the house.

"I want to do this alone," he insisted through gritted teeth. "And you," he added pointing his index finger to his friend, "should eat more! How can you expect me to go down the stairs safely if I'm leaning on a weed?"

Gordon made a face and pretended to be affronted. "Maybe you should eat less! If you're not careful, you'll be as big as a closet in no time!"

His friend grunted disagreeably. "Or then again, I should do like you and empty my stomach every time I have direct contact with blood!" he quipped sarcastically.

MacKay had to laugh at that one. "Actually, seeing your ugly face makes that process so much easier," he replied in the same tone. "But anyway, I did improve on that count too!"

"Really?" asked Jeremy incredulously as they went down another couple of stairs.

"Sure, why look at the times I bandaged that horrid leg of yours without so much a reaction --" he suddenly stopped and stared at his friend quizzically. "Philips, just why are we discussing my intestinal functions?" They both paused for a second and burst out laughing, wondering at the sheer absurdity of their conversation. Gordon looked at his friend affectionately, once again breathing thank you to Whoever it was that gave him back to the world. "I'm glad you're back, Philips," he said. And he meant it.

Jeremy smiled at his friend. "I'm glad to be back, MacKay." And he meant it too.

"Are you sure that there is nothing you need, Jeremy dear?" asked his mother for the tenth time in as many minutes since he had been plopped down in to a huge armchair.

"No mother, I thank you," he answered demurely, with his most angelic smile. He would never admit it to anyone, but he just loved all the attention he was getting.

Knowing her brother a bit better than the rest and thus guessing at his thoughts, Julianne rolled her eyes slightly and gave him a knowing smile. What with his mother and Miss Darcy fawning all over him, Jeremy was certainly having a good time.

Not that she had anything to complain herself. Robert had not left her side for a whole two minutes since Angela was born, and Elizabeth and Darcy, as well as her parents were very eager to meet the latest addition to the family and to smile, cuddle and coo whenever possible. Even little Ben had forgotten his permanent attempt to have complete dominion over his parents' life in his bid to gain favour with the newborn. They had totally compensated him for their lack of attention in the crisis days and had showered him with their usual love ever since. Also, as his Mamma said, he was two years old now, and big boys like him are not unkind to poor tiny babies. All in all, Ben quite liked Angela, though in his mind he still questioned her utility. She was a little small, and all she did was cry and move her fingers every now and then, but still, he could not quite find it in his little, but generous, heart to make her cry.

There was a knock on the door, and the butler came staidly in, followed by Tommy, Becky, Davie and the remaining two members of the brood, two five year old girls called Grace and Susie. After looking hopefully at Darcy and receiving an approving nod in return, they all rushed to greet and hug Jeremy, who was staring at them in amazement. "What are you doing here?" he asked.

Davie grinned. "Mr. Darcy was very kind. He let us stay." He replied affably.

The children stayed with their friend for about an hour, before Darcy reminded them tactfully that they should be in bed. Tommy and the rest weren't really quite accustomed to an organized life style, but seeing that they had decent meals everyday and a bed to sleep in every night, that had not intention of complaining. To say the truth, Darcy was very worried about the children's future. He did not want to turn them back out on the street, and he definitely refused to employ them as he thought it was inhuman to turn a group of children, the eldest being twelve, into servants. On the other hand, he couldn't adopt them either; how would they feel in the future when Ben would inherit Pemberley and its surrounding lands and they would be left with nothing? And anyway, he could never really love them as much as he did Ben or any other children he and Elizabeth would have. Darcy could not see a way out for now, and was resolved to talk it over with Elizabeth before taking any rash decisions that could affect the lives of so many.

"I think it's time for Angie to get some sleep too," said Julianne, yawning, as Elizabeth got up to carry Ben to bed. "You're sleepy aren't you my honey baby?" she told Angela, who seemed to be wide-awake, and added to the question a tirade of coos and incoherent baby talk.

"Are you sure it's Angela who needs her sleep and not her mother?" asked Jeremy.

"It's her mother. Definitely," agreed his sister laughing.

The baby started fussing and Robert sprang up to hold her in his arms. "There, there Angie," he cooed as he rocked her gently. "Papi is here now -and little Angie will stop crying now, won't she Yes she will, oh yes she will!"

Everyone laughed on hearing this. "Papi?? Just what kind of madness is this?" groaned Jeremy. "Give me that child! Maybe she can hear some English spoken as it should for once!" Robert handed his daughter reluctantly to her uncle, who smiled back smugly. "Just you see," he challenged. He looked down at his niece and smiled politely at her. "Hello Angela," he began formally. She opened her blue eyes wide and wrapped her little hands around Jeremy's finger, making his insides melt with overwhelming love. The young uncle smiled sheepishly and looked at his sister. "To hell with English!" he cried and turned back to the baby. "And who is this pretty baby?" he cooed. "It's Angie! Oh yes she is! Yes she is!"

Georgiana was walking alone in the garden, which was situated at the back of the house, enjoying a rare moment of solitude in a house that was full of guests and relatives. She had always enjoyed the well-tended garden of the Townhouse, because of its colourful contrast to the dull, grey atmosphere of London. This morning the outing to the garden was further endeared but the fact that she was eagerly waiting for Jeremy, who had promised her that he would meet her in the morning. Her brother, Robert and Mr. Philips had gone to the club, where Mr. Philips was hoping to meet other barristers that might be in some way or other, be of some help to his son. Georgiana wondered how anyone could really think ill of the Bennets and the Philipses. Granted, Mrs. Bennet and her sister could be rather demanding at times, but they were also very good women, who wanted nothing but the best for their children, though, she had to admit, they wanted to achieve this "best" in rather unorthodox methods. Whatever their faults however, Georgiana wanted nothing in her life but to marry her beloved Jeremy and be a full member of the family.

Georgiana heard a noise behind her and she turned eagerly around, expecting it to be her fiancé. To her disappointment, the intruders were only Elizabeth and Julianne, who had taken the children out for some fresh air. She smiled cordially at them, and went to sit down on a stone bench that was situated in front of the stone fountain, to wait patiently in some shade. Soon after, she heard a sharp sound and a stifled laugh.

"MacKay, if you have nothing better to do than to laugh at my misfortunes kindly disappear from my view!" said the voice Georgiana had come to know and love so well.

"Come on Philips, you really are getting touchy!" replied the irreprehensible Gordon. "Seeing you totter along in those crutches is rather funny, you have to admit."

Jeremy caught sight of Georgiana who was smiling shyly at them and turned to his friend with a large grin. "Go away now," he ordered.

"Shouldn't I assist you the bench?" asked his friend innocently.

"You have assisted me long enough. Now go. Join your fiancée, and save her from the clutches of my mother." That was enough for Gordon, who with a polite nod and a "so long Miss Darcy!" hurried inside to be with his Kitty.

Jeremy limped unsteadily towards Georgiana, who could hardly hide her amusement at seeing his faltering progress in his affiliation with crutches. He finally reached the bench and sat down thankfully. "It must have taken me all morning to reach this garden," he complained breathlessly. "These wooden sticks were certainly not a good idea!" Georgiana sat down beside him and gave him a sympathetic peck on the cheek. "Only that?" he asked disappointed.

"Jeremy, I'm not really at ease when I have your sister and cousin spying on us so evidently," replied Georgiana with an impish grin.

Her fiancé thought for a second and grinned back, apparently pleased with himself. "We'll see about that," he began menacingly, and raised his voice to gain Julianne's attention. "Ju? Don't you think the sun is too bright for Angie?"

Julianne looked doubtfully at the sky above. "Do you really think so?" she asked suspiciously.

"No not really," her brother answered honestly. "But I would like to spend some time with Miss Darcy and you and our cousin are in the way!"

Georgiana blushed scarlet at this honest confession, but Julianne and Elizabeth only laughed and walked towards them to continue the diverting charade. "Do you actually think we should keep them unchaperoned, Lizzy?" asked Julianne slyly. "What would Mr. Darcy say?"

"He would be very annoyed, cousin. I think we all know him very well by now, don't we?" she replied, glancing mischievously at her bashful sister-in-law. "But he need not really know," she added with a knowing smile.

"You were always my favourite cousin, Lizzy," said Jeremy coyly.

"Make sure you remember that!" she called out gaily as she led her son inside, followed closely by Julianne, who was giggling helplessly.

"Desperate means for desperate measures," quoted Jeremy as the now relaxed Georgiana cuddled in his arms.

"That was really bad," she answered, though she did not look very remorseful.

"Yes, but I missed you in these last days, and I didn't want two very inquisitive ladies to know that," replied her fiancé, giving her a loving kiss.

"I was so worried about you," whispered Georgiana, her eyes clouding over at the memory. "When I think that you could have been killed in that fire - I don't know what I could have ever done without you."

"I was lucky," replied Jeremy seriously. "Certainly much more fortunate than Mrs. Bailey." His shut his eyes tightly as tears of grief threatened to overflow. "I feel so guilty, Georgiana. She cared so much about me, and I wasn't even able to save her life."

His fiancée turned his face round so that she could face him. "Jeremy, you were the only one from all the people who lived with her to have actually tried to save her life. It is they who should feel guilty and not you!" she told him earnestly. "There was nothing you could have done at that point, Mrs. Bailey was beyond rescue."

Jeremy seemed a little relieved when he heard Georgiana's words, but he was far from being happy. "I still miss her though," he confessed candidly. "I used to visit her every week, and I would just sit there and talk about you for hours. She so wished to come to our wedding, now she's gone."

The mention of their impending marriage gave Georgiana a sense of satisfaction and happiness that she could not quite explain to anyone, though anyone who married for real love could understand her feelings perfectly. While Jeremy rambled on, her mind was caught up in the visions of the Lambton church being decorated with sprigs and flowers, though she wondered which ones would be available. I guess it depends on the month, she chastised herself mentally. What would be best? Spring or autumn? Winter weather was unpredictable, and summer -

"Georgiana? Dearest?"

"Yes!"

"I lost you didn't I?" asked Jeremy, grinning.

Georgiana looked down and cleared her throat. "I was just thinking about - I mean I was listening but - well I was planning our wedding day."

Her fiancé shook his head in disbelief before he smiled at her tenderly and their lips met once again in a warm kiss.

"Mr. Philips?" Georgiana practically jumped in Jeremy's arms as he turned to glower at the embarrassed butler.

"What?!"

"There is a Mr. Morris to see you, Sir. He is Mrs. Bailey's solicitor."

"To see me? Why?" asked Jeremy, puzzled. The butler could offer no other explanation and asked whether he could lead Mr. Morris into the library, since the Master was not in. Jeremy did not know what authority, if any, he held in the house and looked at Georgiana helplessly. She took matters in her own hands and told the grave man that Mr. Philips would join Mr. Morris in a matter of minutes.

"Matter of minutes? It will take me all morning to reach the library!" exclaimed the interested party as soon as the butler had left.

"What do you think Mr. Morris wants?" asked Georgiana. "Do you think that Mrs. Bailey could have left you some property?"

"I have no idea, my dear," he replied. "But all I know is that if it is so I will just -"

"Refuse Sir??" Mr. Morris was stunned. "Why would you do that Mr. Philips? Mrs. Bailey has left you her fortune, her country estate and the London house, or at least what is left of it," he added, trying hard to make the young man see his point.

"I was not related to Mrs. Bailey in anyway, Mr. Morris. I can't take everything from her!"

The solicitor gave Jeremy a long stare, which he transferred to Georgiana, who had accompanied him to the library. "Miss Darcy, would you mind leaving Mr. Philips and I to discuss some business affairs for a minute?"

"No," replied Jeremy firmly. "She is my fiancée and there need be no secrets between us."

"Very well," said Mr. Morris, letting out a long, restrained sigh. "Let's put things in their right perspective, Sir. Mrs. Bailey's will is perfectly clear, and there is no doubt about it. You are her sole heir, and therefore the owner of all her property, which transfer could take place immediately, as long as you respect certain wishes of the deceased."

"Which are?" he asked, furious that his friend was being immediately relegated to the term "deceased".

"That you give employment to all the servants that had been serving the late Mrs. Bailey faithfully for many years, and other little details about the tenants which will of course be discussed in due time." Jeremy made no answer, but just stared at him dazedly. Mr. Morris took that as a direct encouragement. "Now Sir, do we have an agreement?"

Gordon and Kitty had taken Tommy and the rest to the park and were now on their way back when they saw Jeremy standing thoughtfully in front of the rubble that was, till a few weeks back, a stately mansion that had been the home of the Baileys for many generations. They went up to him, and he slowly and detachedly told the story of the meeting with Mr. Morris.

To say the least, all were astonished at their friend's sudden fortune, and even Gordon refrained from making any of his usual sarcastic remarks. Tommy wasn't quite sure that he was happy for Jeremy, afraid that he was now going to leave them in favour of becoming one of the gentry.

"What are you going to do with the money?" he asked in a strangled voice.

Jeremy didn't answer for a few moments, but just kept staring at the crumbling building. He sighed and smiled sadly at the young boy. "Tommy," he began slowly. "I think I'm going to give you a home."

Conclusion

Well, this is it then! Thank you to all those who read this story till the end, and I'm so pleased that you liked it :). The sequel called "The Son and Heir" will deal mostly with Ben and Angela. I'm posting it at the BoI, but I think I'll start posting it here too...

Jeremy Philips grew to be one of the most famous barristers in the country, sought after by rich and poor alike and admired for his sound principles and honest integrity. By the insistence of his brother-in-law, he did keep the estate in the country, much to the relief of his wife, the former Georgiana Darcy, who after two years of married felicity, was expecting the couple's first child, and could thus pass her confinement away from Town and not even a day's journey away from her brother and his family. Jeremy was also to be one of England's youngest judges, and much to the chagrin of Miss Bingley, Pemberley did have a portrait of a Mr. Philips, with the picture of his wife on one side, and of Darcy's "uncle, the Judge" on the other.

Gordon did become Dr. Harrison's assistant, and was rewarded with the happiness and fulfillment that only the achievement of one's true vocation can give. There were instances when he felt that he had failed in his duties, and that it had been all a mistake, but deep down in his heart he knew that he had always been destined to save lives, and to give the ill an new hope, and that was something that nothing could ever change. His wife Catherine knew perfectly well that besides herself, and their children, medicine was the one thing that could make Gordon happy, and was well reconciled with that, although this had caused some tension in the first months of their union. One incident that was never quite forgotten by the MacKays was their wedding day, in which Gordon had failed to turn up on time at the altar, only to be found in the Churchyard bandaging the grazed knee of the Collinses' youngest son. In time, Gordon and Kitty decided to leave for Scotland, where he would be able to start a practice all of his own. They were surprisingly accompanied by Tommy, who was in time to become Dr. MacKay's assistant, and who would dedicate his life to setting up a hospital that would take decent care of the homeless and poor.

Whoever knew Sir Jeremy Philips would say that he was a generous, upstanding, successful man who had achieved his lifelong ambition through hard work and good will, and who totally deserved the honour that the Prince had given him with his knighthood. There were those, however, who also knew Jerry, the loving father and adoring husband, the daily visitor to the orphanage who was just as ready to scold as he was to love, and who wept unashamedly for every young life that had come to an abrupt end due to years of hardship. Those who knew both sides of him would swear that Sir Philips was an honourable man, but Jerry...well, for them, Jerry was and will always be the Real Gentleman.