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Colonel Fitzwilliam hesitated, uncertain how much to reveal. “She is... a dear friend of the family. She is equally relieved now that you have awakened.”

Darcy furrowed his brow. “I know not why. I am sure I have never met her. Nevertheless, please convey to her my regards. I am grateful for her concern.”

“I shall. Now rest, Darcy. There will be time enough for other talk when you are stronger.”

The colonel took his leave, deeply troubled by Darcy’s memory loss. He was just as concerned about how Lady Catherine would react once she discovered the truth. Knowing her fervent desire to see her daughter engaged to Darcy, he dreaded the daunting challenge of managing her reaction to the mistaken belief concerning her daughter’s supposed engagement. Determined to protect this delicate misunderstanding from Lady Catherine for as long as possible, he resolved to keep Darcy’s misconceptions concealed from his aunt until everything sorted itself out.

Elizabeth felt quite out of place. Though her harsh feelings for Mr. Darcy had softened since the evening of his proposal, it was painfully clear he did not remember her or their tumultuous past. She thought back to the harsh words they had exchanged and wondered if Mr. Darcy’s memory loss might be fate’s way of offering them a clean slate.

By now, Elizabeth had retreated to a quiet sitting room down the hall. Her mind was awash with emotions: regret over their past misunderstandings, sadness about Mr. Darcy’s plight, and uneasiness at the pretense the cousins had proposed.

Sometimes,she reflected, one must forego the luxury of truth to serve a greater good. This is one of those instances.

After some time alone, Elizabeth heard footsteps approaching. She looked up to see Colonel Fitzwilliam entering the room.

“There you are, Miss Bennet,” he said kindly. “I thought you might have returned to the parsonage. How are you managing?”

“As well as can be expected under the circumstances,” Elizabeth replied, carefully pondering her next words. “Sir, there is something both you and Miss de Bourgh should understand about my relationship with Mr. Darcy.”

Before she could continue, the colonel interrupted, “Please know, you are under no obligation to divulge the intimate details of your situation with my cousin—details best kept between the two of you. Your presence by his side tells me all I need to know. I dare say you are like his guardian angel, watching over him.”

Elizabeth blushed at the compliment but quickly composed herself. “You give me too much credit,” she responded gently. “My only wish is for Mr. Darcy’s health and happiness.”

She took a deep breath before continuing, “Mr. Darcy and I have a complicated history, as I alluded to before. We did not part on the best of terms when last we met. I cannot, in good conscience, allow any misconceptions about our relationship to persist, but I will remain by his side to support him through this recovery.”

“That is all I ask of you, Miss Bennet,” the colonel replied, his voice sincere. “I honestly believe any sacrifice on your part and mine and Anne’s will be well worth the ensuing reward.”