CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

 

 

Elizabeth sat in her beloved’s room over the next few days while Darcy slowly and painfully recovered. For the most part, he slept as his body healed itself from the atrocity of being torn apart and then being stitched back together—and recovering from an extraordinary journey.

Captain Miller once came to re-sew stitches which had pulled loose when Darcy moved too quickly in bed. Elizabeth was thankful that Darcy appeared impervious to those attentions from the militia physician, and slept through the episode. Mr. Jones continued to attend Darcy with his medical bag of draughts. Between his two caretakers, Darcy’s dressings were changed, any fever was staved off, and his health slowly improved.

Mr. Bingley allowed Elizabeth every freedom she required. Bingley was also a distracted man as he now had his own happiness to consider. It was as though Bingley and Elizabeth had exchanged residences. He spent a great deal of time at Longbourn, while she kept a vigil with either Mrs. Nicholls (Mr. Bingley’s housekeeper) or Mrs. Hill as her companion at Netherfield. Her stepmother was now required to chaperone Jane and Mr. Bingley during their courtship.

Perhaps the neighbors talked about the Bennet family. They were indeed blessed to have secured two such illustrious gentlemen for their daughters. Maybe there was a stigma attached to their name, because of the duel, and with Elizabeth’s daily visits to Netherfield while Mr. Darcy recovered. While Mr. Bennet had been an indolent father, he had been one concerned with propriety, but these circumstances were unprecedented.

The new Mrs. Bennet was not one for gossip. She neither sought out news nor did she have it brought to her (unlike the former Mrs. Bennet, who had received it regularly in the form of her sister, Mrs. Phillips). The family pursued only what was essential in the days following Elizabeth’s and Jane’s engagements, without considering their neighbor’s approbation.

Darcy began to recover enough that he could remain awake for extended periods during the day. Darcy and Elizabeth would talk whenever he was awake. They never discussed their journey, the sacrifice his father had made, that beast which had been encountered, or their meeting with Mr. Wickham. Their conversations were only about the future and the time they had been blessed with. It was a precious gift and not one to be wasted. They spoke about all of their dreams of their future life together. Darcy tired quickly, and he and Elizabeth often sat without speaking while Darcy rested, or while she read to him. They passed the days quietly as lovers do, spending as much time with each other as possible.

Though they wished to marry immediately, there proved two obstacles (despite having that special license). Darcy and Elizabeth both possessed a desire for Georgiana to be present when they wed. And Reverend White felt strongly that a man ought to be able to stand at his own wedding, which Darcy was unable to do. The clergyman refused to perform the ceremony despite a request (sent through Bingley) to the vicarage to do the honors each morning.

***

On Friday, many events interrupted what had become a routine of slow recovery.

Reverend White came to Longbourn ostensibly to discuss posting the banns for Jane and Mr. Bingley. Instead, the clergyman met with Mrs. Bennet and reviewed local gossip about Elizabeth. Elizabeth’s stepmother had to sit and listen to quite an earful from Rev. White about the immoral and licentious behavior that her husband’s second daughter was displaying by calling at a gentleman’s house. Mrs. Bennet sent him packing by pointing out his refusal to perform a wedding despite being solicited to do so every day that week.

Mrs. Phillips felt compelled to call at Longbourn that morning as well. She brought tales of the same sort as reported by Rev. White. Aunt Phillips came gleefully as though to gloat over her sister’s replacement having failed to keep her stepdaughters in-line. For once, however, Mrs. Phillips did not find that her nieces shared in her pleasure. All of them were excited at the prospect of Elizabeth marrying Mr. Darcy and did not find amusement by laughing at their sister as the rest of the Meryton neighbors seemed to be doing. Aunt Phillips did not stay long.

Elizabeth found the gentleness of Darcy’s sickroom and the tenor of her days changed when Colonel Fitzwilliam brought Georgiana Darcy to Netherfield Hall.

Elizabeth did not hear the commotion downstairs as they arrived; she was only made aware of their presence at the Hall when there was a knock at the door, and figures burst in. Elizabeth stood in surprise as Miss Darcy came through the doorway, followed by the colonel. At first, Elizabeth had an image of a proud noblewoman who resented Elizabeth—both as a lover and a caretaker to her brother. But Elizabeth watched as Georgiana glanced from Elizabeth to Darcy, who was sleeping. She could then see tears in Miss Darcy’s eyes, and anxiety and worry which creased that young face.

“Miss Darcy…Georgiana,” ventured Elizabeth, “he is well and truly recovered.” Elizabeth sought to assure her new sister. Darcy had weeks of recovery ahead of him, but she knew he was safe.

“Truly?” cried the young woman, who kept her gaze on her brother’s face. Elizabeth could feel Georgiana’s grief; it was the fear of losing this most precious relation. Fitzwilliam Darcy was probably the most important thing in Miss Darcy’s life. After all, Georgiana had never known her mother and had still been in the schoolroom when her father had died. Fitzwilliam Darcy was her whole world.

Elizabeth came over to place a tentative hand on Georgiana’s arm. “He has improved greatly since Colonel Fitzwilliam left. He is out of danger,” Elizabeth assured the young woman. She then found herself on the receiving end of a bone-crushing hug.

“Elizabeth,” whispered Georgiana. It was a tentative, trial whisper as the young woman attempted Elizabeth’s name for the first time. Elizabeth returned the hug with equal ardor.

“I’ll see to trunks,” noted the colonel, who watched and listened, but did not join in. “I will, perhaps, see you at tea.” Fitzwilliam nodded to Elizabeth and his charge and took himself out.

Elizabeth drew Georgiana closer to the bed. The young woman remained standing until Elizabeth gently pushed on her shoulders and encouraged Miss Darcy to sit next to her brother. Elizabeth wondered if such familiarity was not known to Georgiana—to sit by her brother’s side on his sickbed. To sit close enough that Georgiana might touch him. Elizabeth leaned over and reached for a lock of his hair, sweeping it off of his forehead, that gesture, soft and delicate, woke him.

“Georgiana!” Darcy cried with obvious happiness. “You’ve come!” His sister dared then to finally reach out and touch him, though it was merely to lay a hand on an arm which lay beneath blankets.

“Fitzwilliam!” exclaimed his sister as she burst into tears.

Elizabeth knelt beside her and placed an arm around Georgiana’s back.

Darcy attempted to sit up in bed, but his struggles shortened his sister’s tears.

“No, I am not upset. I am happy,” insisted Georgiana.

“Happy tears?” asked Darcy as he settled back on his pillows, grimacing a little. Elizabeth hoped that Georgiana missed the moment of pain.

“Happy…mostly. I had to see and speak to you. To be sure,” explained his sister.

“I am well enough,” Darcy assured her. “This is Elizabeth. She has agreed to be my wife.”

It seemed folly to formally greet each other when Elizabeth already had her arm wrapped around Georgiana’s waist.

“I approve,” nodded Georgiana whose tears began to fall again.

“Come,” said Elizabeth. “You and I need tea and a long talk.” Elizabeth stood to ring.

“What about me?” asked Darcy.

“You have had my full attention all week. I have two to care for now,” was Elizabeth’s reply. “Colonel Fitzwilliam has surely seen to the trunks by now. Even if he hasn’t, I can send him in to visit with you. For your sister and I need to become better acquainted.”

***

Georgiana embraced Elizabeth as a new sister; embraced her with gratitude for the care Elizabeth had given her brother, embraced her because of Georgiana’s own desire to have a sister, and embraced the love Elizabeth gave willingly and freely to Miss Darcy in return. Elizabeth was intelligent and playful and inspiring to Georgiana, who found her a unique companion. Elizabeth’s personality was a contrast to the somewhat restrained young woman Georgiana had been instructed to be. Miss Darcy found Elizabeth refreshing, even a little alarming at times; they got along splendidly.

Georgiana did not appear shocked or concerned about the impropriety of Elizabeth caring for her brother when they had not yet been joined in matrimony. But with Georgiana’s presence, and the colonel’s return, that ceremony finally took place the next morning.

It was a small ceremony, held at Netherfield Hall in front of family and one friend. Elizabeth’s father, stepmother, and sisters came from Longbourn and stood with Mr. Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana Darcy as Reverend White performed the rights. Despite the clergyman’s insistence earlier in the week that a groom must stand for his wedding, Rev. White allowed Mr. Darcy to sit during the ceremony (though two footmen had been required to carry him downstairs) as Fitzwilliam Darcy was joined in marriage to Elizabeth Bennet in the best drawing-room at Netherfield Hall.

There was no wedding breakfast. The Bennets returned to Longbourn, and a small trunk of Elizabeth’s clothes was left at Netherfield. Elizabeth moved into the rooms which she had formerly occupied when caring for Jane, but which were also across from her husband’s. He slowly recovered from his wounds under her careful ministrations.

***

Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to his general in London while Georgiana remained at Netherfield. Elizabeth, being a married woman, could chaperone her sister-in-law. Elizabeth and Georgiana tended Darcy as he slowly recovered.

Love was a powerful physic. Darcy often commented over the weeks (as his health improved, and as he regained functions) that the most significant part of his recovery was Elizabeth’s love. Darcy went from not being able to sit up in bed without hands pulling him up and propping a pillow behind him, to being able to push himself up. Small increments of recovery. Darcy increased his movement and was soon moving in bed and then proceeding with assistance to take tentative steps in his room as he slowly recovered his strength. Elizabeth, if not by his side, was nearby and encouraging.

His sister’s love did wonders for him as well. And seeing a bond form between Georgiana and his wife was exactly what Darcy wished for. It had the benefit of helping Georgiana bloom. She too needed healing, in a way, from her trials at George Wickham’s hands.

Elizabeth and Darcy did not share with Georgiana about their experiences of the other world or Wickham’s ultimate fate. Darcy told Elizabeth about that final battle—how he and Fitzwilliam had made it home, with Wickham swallowed up and sunk to the depths of Hell. But neither felt that Georgiana should know. Whenever the subject of the duel came up, it was enough to plunge Georgiana into a depression. Miss Darcy felt responsible for her brother’s near-death injuries.

Elizabeth decided the best way to dissuade Georgiana from feeling melancholy was to take an active part in caring for her brother. Georgiana became Darcy’s shadow, encouraging him to leave his bed and take tentative steps in an effort to recover his health. There might always be a strong footman nearby, but Georgiana led the way in guiding her brother back to health, all the while healing her own spirits.

***

Darcy recovered enough that by the time Bingley and Jane’s wedding day arrived, he was able to attend. So too was Miss Bingley able to share in her brother’s joy. Rumors were that Caroline Bingley had adopted the role of grieving lover—that tragedy had torn Mr. Darcy from her, only for her to discover that he had survived his wounds and married another within days of his miraculous recovery.

Perhaps Miss Bingley had been putting out erroneous stories about her lost love—Darcy—when Caroline had fled in grief and tears to London. It added to Miss Bingley’s mortification to discover that a month after Darcy’s recovery, he had color in his cheeks and was able to walk on his own two feet (though with a cane to steady himself) beside Bingley in St. Albans’ church as Darcy supported his most loyal friend. Perhaps Caroline was merely mortified at having to address Elizabeth as Mrs. Darcy.

Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana were to remain (with Bingley’s wishes) at Netherfield Hall, for Darcy was still not recovered enough to travel to his own home. Miss Bingley returned to London with the Hursts right after her brother’s wedding. Charles and Jane left for a wedding tour.

Darcy and Elizabeth spoke about how much their love had grown in proportion since coming through their ordeal. Such an experience was one which could not but change a person. Elizabeth thought about how her friend Charlotte had once mentioned that fact, that experiences in life changed a person. Charlotte had been speaking specifically about the loss to Elizabeth of her mother. But still, to have gone where so few living people had traveled and to also have returned was still so unbelievable. Who knew how many, how few actually, had been able to return from the brink of death.

There were stories of miraculous recoveries. And perhaps such tales involved something similar to Darcy’s redemption, that a sacrifice had been made, or a penance paid by someone out of a deep and profound love. But they were grateful for every minute given to them by Mr. Darcy the father’s sacrifice.

***

Some days, Elizabeth was less pensive and serious, and felt playful as they sat and talked, and as Darcy recovered his strength. One day Elizabeth tackled and teased him about the fact that he had once accused her of only coming to London to find a husband.

“What have you to say about that now, Mr. Darcy? For it seems to be exactly what has happened. I have found a husband. I warned you then that I wished for you to find a bride that I might tease you about it. And I accused you of coming to London to do the exact same thing.”

“Perhaps, Mrs. Darcy, I did.” He had recovered enough that Darcy could move about Netherfield Hall reasonably well with his cane. They had just returned from a short walk in the gardens. The weather had not been cooperative.

“You did not come to London merely for the ‘delights of the Season’?” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh, but I did!” Darcy asserted. “I maintain I found the ultimate delight!” His lips found hers. “You.”