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Downstairs, Mrs. Reynolds was trying to soothe a crying Millie. Evan immediately took charge of the child and his whispers of comfort immediately calmed her and she fell asleep in his arms. Meanwhile, he had found Georgiana with Mr. Woodwright, a physician newly settled in Lambton, in this very room with Elizabeth—she lying unaware of the drama surrounding her. As he entered, Georgiana was explaining Elizabeth’s history to the man.

As it turned out, Mr. Woodwright was well versed in head injuries, as his father had been an associate of Mr. Towson before his death. William was immediately impressed by the tall, thin, red-haired man. Learning of his connections with Towson, William’s hope rose, only to be dashed with his analysis—this new injury could be the last straw, assuring she would never recover her right mind.

He explained that while the small knot on the back of her head would normally heal with no further complications, adding that insult to her previous injuries made the outcome uncertain, and the fact that she had not awakened since she fainted was not a good sign. It was with a comforting pat on William’s back that he returned to his office, promising to return every day. The physician had been as good as his word, coming early the next two mornings to find no change in her condition.

At his departure, Georgiana had been inconsolable. Even as William held her and assured her that she had done nothing wrong, she insisted that her impulse to come to Pemberley without notice had caused the tragedy. He tried to reason with her, pointing out that there was no way she could have known this would happen and that Pemberley was still her home, so she did not have to give notice of her visits.

Nevertheless, William understood Georgiana’s guilt. He was filled with guilt, too. He had promised to protect Elizabeth, and she had received this injury while under his watch. He wondered what the Bingleys would say. How would he tell Jane?

He groaned. This was the first time he had thought of Elizabeth’s sister. In Charles’ last letter, he disclosed that Jane was with child again. She had been planning to visit Elizabeth just as soon as William thought it was advisable, but her doctor had put her on bed rest because of complications with her pregnancy. Her distress over Elizabeth was likely exacerbating her problems, and William had tried to keep his subsequent letter cheerful and positive, short of deceiving them as to the progress of her sister’s recovery.

He rubbed his head for a moment as another headache threatened. Suddenly the door opened and a maid came in with a tray of hot tea. Agatha bobbed, setting the tray on a nearby table and reaching into her pocket to produce a packet of powders.

“Begging your pardon, sir, but Mrs. Reynolds asked me to bring this to you when you relieved Mrs. Drury. The powders relieve headaches.”

William chuckled as he took the proffered packet. “Thank you. Please inform Mrs. Reynolds that she is indeed a mind reader.” The young maid unsuccessfully tried to suppress a chuckle and bobbed slightly askew before exiting the room.

“Kind, thoughtful woman,” William said, shaking his head in awe.

~~~*~~~

Several minutes later, his headache abating, William gave his full attention to Elizabeth. It was time to begin practicing what Mr. Towson had preached. Nervous as a schoolboy, he moved to sit on the edge of the bed, taking her small hands in his.

He drank in her appearance—dark brows and long lashes contrasted against her pale complexion. Her ebony tresses, now wildly out of control, were spread out like silk on the pillow. He could not suppress a smile. God help him, he did not think he could ever look at her without smiling. Even as she lay unaware, her presence here brought tears of joy, and he found himself struggling for control. If only the Elizabeth he loved would return, he would grant her anything within his power.

He took a ragged breath. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.

Leaning in close to her, he picked up one dark tendril lying across her shoulder and caressed it. With great difficulty, he forced his eyes to her motionless face, swallowed hard, and compelled his voice to steady.

“I love you, Elizabeth Bennet. I think I have loved you from the first moment that I saw you. Do you remember the night that I walked into the assembly at Meryton and the entire crowd parted like the Red Sea?” He tried to chuckle, but it sounded joyless.

“I could hear their whispers—single ...ten thousand a year ...half of Derbyshire. But I knew there was no way I could avoid the gauntlet, and my heart beat furiously as I began to walk in my eyes focused straight ahead.”

He smiled down at her now and brushed a stray curl from her forehead. “I swear that only the grace of God allowed me, from the corner of my eye, to catch sight of a slip of a girl with ebony eyes and a head full of chocolate curls. When your eyes locked with mine, it felt as if a fire ignited within me. Did you feel it as well, my love?”

He ran the back of his hand across her cheek. “If only I had known then what I know now, I would never have denied the connection and turned away.” He took a deep breath.

“If it were possible, I would apologise for my actions. I was angry with Charles for trying to force me to dance, and I took it out on the people there—on you, especially. The insult you heard, ‘tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me,’ was uttered without thought and was utterly false.” He quieted, contemplating his next confession.

“Of a truth, from the moment I saw you, Elizabeth, I was drawn like a moth to a flame, and it frightened me. I had been hiding behind this mask for so long ...” His voice trailed off as he cocked his head towards her, as if expecting her to say something. The slow rise and fall of her chest was his only answer.

“It took years, but I am now acutely aware of all that my mask accomplished. Yes, it often kept me from the schemes of those who would use me for their own reasons, but it also kept me from those for whom I truly might have cared.” He clasped her hand, placing a soft kiss on the palm, then held it to his cheek.

“I pray that when you awaken, and I have no doubt that you will, that you remember our time together. That is all I ask. If you remember Pemberley, you will remember how much I love you.” He leaned in to place a chaste kiss on her forehead.

“I will spend the rest of my life loving you, if only you will stay with me. Please, Elizabeth.”

~~~*~~~

It was early evening when Elizabeth became aware of her surroundings. First, she was conscious of the unique feel of satin sheets and pillows. Then heavy-lidded eyes opened to scan an elegantly appointed room. The walls were covered with images of delicate flowers, gossamer curtains hung at the windows. The canopy above the intricately carved bed seemed vaguely familiar. A soft snore revealed a woman sleeping in a large chair nearby, and though she recognised her, Elizabeth could not quite remember her name.

She started to rise, but a sharp pain in her head and neck made it impossible, so she gave up the attempt. A great weariness washed over her, and she closed her eyes, preferring the twilight realm where she no longer felt anything. It could have been minutes or hours afterward that a deep baritone voice awakened her once more. He spoke so softly that it was difficult to make out every word, but some of his declarations seeped into her consciousness before she slid back into the darkness.

...Of a truth, from the moment I saw you, Elizabeth, I was drawn like a moth to a flame, and it frightened me. I had been hiding behind this mask for so long...

...I will spend the rest of my life loving you, if only you will stay with me. Please, Elizabeth.

~~~*~~~