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“Is this a permanent condition?”
“Not necessarily. However, it is impossible to say when Mr. Darcy might fully regain his memory. Therefore, I would caution you to be patient with your cousin until he can remember certain aspects of his past or, in this case, people on his own. Otherwise, there is the risk of further traumatizing him.
“I can tell by the looks on your faces that you care about Mr. Darcy’s well-being and want him to recover fully. Not just from his physical ailments but his mental affliction as well, which means a great deal of patience on everyone’s part is called for.”
“What are you saying, Dr. Hamilton? Are you saying that if one of us takes it upon ourselves to tell him the truth, it might cause him immeasurable harm?”
“I am afraid that is exactly what I am saying. This is a delicate situation indeed.”
“My cousin thinks we are engaged to be married. I do not know how to go along with such a scheme.” Anne threw a glance in Elizabeth’s direction. “I am sorry that my cousin has no memory of the relationship the two of you share. I can only imagine how difficult all this must be for you—hearing that after remaining close by his side all this time.”
Anne continued, “No doubt, my mother will be delighted to learn that Cousin Fitzwilliam believes the two of us are engaged to be married, for it is her favorite wish even though it is the last thing in the world that my cousin and I wish for ourselves.” She covered Elizabeth’s hand with hers. “Both of us wish to marry for love, despite our family’s expectations and the expectation of society in general, to make the most advantageous matches.”
“I cannot stress enough the importance of your doing nothing to disabuse Mr. Darcy of his version of the truth. It is imperative he recovers the gaps in his memory on his own. There must be a reason his mind has created this false narrative for himself.”
“I ... we all understand, Dr. Hamilton. Fear not, everything that can be done will be done to facilitate Darcy’s complete recovery,” said the colonel.
Anne said, “Indeed, whatever is required of us. You have our assurances.”
Dr. Hamilton said, “That is a good plan. Now, if the three of you will pardon me, I should like to look in on Mr. Darcy again before attending to other matters. I shall let him know you all are waiting to see him.”
He rose to leave. Elizabeth followed him to the door. “Please, Dr. Hamilton, if you could be so kind as to offer any specific advice on how to manage the situation with Mr. Darcy.”
“There is this bit of advice I can think of that might be helpful. Show him kindness and care for him. That is what he needs most. Be gentle when you speak to him and avoid the topic of his memory loss altogether. To speak of it could prove more detrimental than helpful.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Thank you, Doctor.”
The physician smiled kindly at Elizabeth. “I am certain everything will work out in the end. Good day.”
The colonel bowed to the physician as he left. Then he looked at Elizabeth and Anne. “Our course of action is clear. We must all play along, for now, and hope that in time all will be resolved.”
Elizabeth smiled sadly. “Yes, that seems to be all we can do. For the time being, at least.”
Anne nodded. “I am sorry for what you must be suffering, Miss Bennet, and I thank you for your courage and understanding during all of this.”
She turned and faced the colonel. “Surely you must know this plan of ours, though vital for our cousin’s recovery, goes against my very principles.”
He nodded sympathetically. “I understand your reservations. This is a delicate situation. We must proceed with caution so as not to cause Darcy any further distress.”
Speaking to Elizabeth, he said, “And you, Miss Bennet, I cannot imagine what you must be feeling right now. Darcy cares for you deeply. That much is certain. We will find a way to help him remember.”
Elizabeth managed to smile weakly. “I confess I am quite shaken by it all. I did not realize Mr. Darcy’s true worth until I read his letter. And now, to have him look at me with no recognition in his eyes...” Her voice trailed off as she swallowed, unsure if the unease she felt was due to the pain of being forgotten or the confusion of emotions she could not yet name.
Doctor Hamilton returned to the sitting room. “Mr. Darcy is resting comfortably for the moment,” he reported. “I recommend limiting visits to just a few minutes at a time until he gains more strength.”
Anne nodded. “Of course. We do not wish to tax him.”
“I shall visit with him first,” the colonel said. “Considering our close intimacy as cousins indeed akin to brothers, my presence should not overly distress him.”
The others agreed, and Colonel Fitzwilliam made his way to Darcy’s apartment. He found him propped against several pillows, his face pale and drawn.
“Darcy, it is good to see you awakened,” he said, taking a seat beside the bed.
“I confess I feel quite battered and fatigued. But the physician has been quite reassuring regarding my prognosis.”
“Your constitution has always been robust. You shall be up and about in no time at all.”
Darcy nodded, then looked at his cousin curiously. “You have yet to explain the presence of that young woman earlier. Is she a particular acquaintance of yours?”
