Page 120 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Truly, Miss Bennet has been quite worried.” Her eyes softened as she held his gaze. “And I have been longing to go riding with you here at your home, so you can show me all your favorite places and prove to me the claims you made in London of being a fine horsewoman in the country.”

She laughed, and his heart swelled.

“If you are not ready for horses yet, perhaps you will walk with me when you are a little stronger. I will not ask you to go so far as Oakham Mount until I am sure of your complete return to health, but the garden has some decent autumn blooms.”

Elizabeth was still smiling, and she nodded. She had barely spoken, and he suddenly wondered if she was less recovered than he had thought.

“Is your throat still rough from the stream water?”

“No.” Still, she looked down and cleared her throat delicately. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for saving my life and then for sending for the Gardiners and Dinah and Matthew. It is a great comfort to me to have them all here.”

Darcy pushed away his fear for the reason he had thought Matthew should come.

“I would do anything to bring you comfort. Only say the word.”

Elizabeth looked surprised. Had he said too much? No. He had decided in June to court her properly, had he not? Her cheeks blushed prettily again, reminding him by the contrast that she was indeed still pale. Before they could say more, dinner was called, and he carefully escorted her into the dining room. He sat between her and Mrs. Hurst, but the general conversation at the table turned to weddings. He would find the topic far more agreeable if his own nuptials were in discussion. How soon could he secure Elizabeth as his betrothed? He caught himself looking at her with longing more than once, but he did not think she had caught him. She, too, was interested in the wedding planning.

This was not going well. Whatever had happened to Elizabeth guarding her heart? She began to think it was not a voluntary action. She lay in bed that night frustrated with herself, knowing she could not resist letting Mr. Darcy consume her again. This was not like her brief, shallow interest in Mr. Wickham. Not at all. With him, she had felt overwhelmed, confused, attracted, giddy, and a little bit silly. She had never cared when he had been away from her and had sometimes wished to be away from Mr. Wickham when they were together. She had never had to hold her hands tightly together to prevent herself from touching his arm or his jaw or his soft, wavy hair. Mr. Wickham did not even have soft, wavy hair.

Clearly, she was as much in love with Mr. Darcy as she had ever been. She had thought she had overcome these feelings when he had left her so heartlessly again. Why was she softening toward him already? Why did he seem so sincere? What was he trying to do? If he had been a man like Mr. Wickham, she would have suspected he wished to seduce her before abandoning her again or even make her his mistress because they got along so well. But Mr. Darcy was not that kind of man at all.

Was it possible he cared for her? Was he fighting his feelings for her as she was fighting hers for him? He had to know as well as she did that nothing could come of it. Rather than turning away spitefully as Mr. Cage had done, Mr. Darcy continued to be friendly, knowing that was all they could ever have. No, Mr. Darcy could have no idea of anything but friendship with her. Any other interest on his part would make no sense.

She could not allow her imagination to get away from her. Her future was set. She was nearly ready to be a governess now, but her uncles may expect her to wait until she was of age. After her cousins’ nuptials, she intended to speak to Uncle Bennet.

The next day, Elizabeth was surprised she did not wake until almost noon. Her legs ached, and she could scarcely sit up in her bed. She had checked both legs the night before for the injury Matthew had mentioned but found only the remnants of a scratch. This achiness in her limbs was nothing but her illness holding tight. She groaned, knowing she would not be able to return to Longbourn today. She was glad she had finished all the tasks Jane and Mary had requested of her for their wedding day. At least she would not be missed at Longbourn.

In truth, she was happy to stay close to Mr. Darcy, but then she remembered why that was a terrible idea. Impending heartbreak. But wait, had she not already decided she would be heartbroken whether she spent time with him or not? She felt awful at present, but perhaps in a couple of hours, she could go downstairs. For now, she asked Dinah to send a message to her aunt requesting a visit from her cousins. Maybe Mary would come, as well.

Darcy was worried when he saw Mrs. Gardiner and her children arrive to visit Elizabeth in her bedchamber instead of seeing her coming down. He had thought she had planned to depart today. As enchanted as he was to have her remain close to him and his protection, her health must have taken a turn for the worse.

About a half hour after Mrs. Gardiner, her four children, and Miss Mary had gone up to see her, Darcy went to talk to Matthew at her door.

The footman bowed as he approached.

“Matthew, is Miss Elizabeth worse today?”

“Not as well as yesterday, sir. Dinah was with her earlier, and Miss slept quite late and awoke feeling weaker again. Dinah says she’ll try to help Miss Lizzy walk around her room later if she’s better.”

“But her fever has not returned?”

“No, sir. Miss Lizzy told Dinah she musta’ done too much last evenin’, goin’ down for dinner. It’s a shame. She’s not one to like bein’ alone so much, and she’s not so tired today, Dinah says, only weak, so it’s good her cousins came to cheer her.”

Darcy nodded and considered what else could help her. He heard laughter from inside Elizabeth’s room, and he was glad the Gardiner children entertained their cousin.

“Do you think she would like the ladies to dine with her in her sitting room this evening? Would you ask Dinah before I suggest it to them?”

“A fine idea, Mr. Darcy. Dinah will be along shortly, and I’ll mention it.”

Darcy nodded but did not depart. After a few moments, he continued with a conversation he should have initiated the day before.

“Matthew, you are familiar with Longbourn and its residents from previous visits?”

“No, sir. Dinah and I always have holidays whenever Miss Lizzy comes here. She usually comes only a week or two. We’ve met Miss Bennet in London and saw Mr. Bennet there a couple o’ times and then here at Netherfield some. I saw Miss Mary today, as well. I ain’t seen the house, sir.”

“I understand. Once Miss Elizabeth returns to Longbourn, we must continue to ensure her safety. You and Dinah will be able to move freely throughout the house. May I charge you with the task of verifying nobody has access to her who does not wish her well?”

Matthew stood taller. “Yes, sir. You told Mr. Gardiner you could bring more men from London?”