Elizabeth almost laughed.The last thing she worried about was her hair.
When she woke again the light outside was dim and fading.Occasional carriages still rolled along the street outside the window outside her door.A different servant than Becky sat by her bed, boredly waving a ribbon in front of her own nose and watching it flutter.The young woman blushed and put the silk piece away as soon as she saw Elizabeth’s eyes open and on her.
“Good evening, ma’am.”The servant stood and curtsied.“Do you need anything?”
This time Elizabeth could sit up easily, though she still felt achy and weak.“A glass of water, if you please.”
The servant poured and handed her the cup, and she drank it down quickly.She felt much better than she had even this morning, though she was still dizzy if she tried to stand up.She realized she was very hungry, and asked the servant if some food might be sent up for her.Perhaps gruel, since she felt steady enough to take that in addition to the meat broth of this morning.
The servant bowed and left her, after opening the curtains at Elizabeth’s direction.
Elizabeth stood up and managed to walk to the window.She stared out, shivering.
There was a flurry of snow outside, and the garden square Darcy’s house sat around was decked in five or six inches of a white blanket.
With a knock the door opened and Becky and Mr.Darcy came in.Mr.Darcy blushed at seeing her standing in the voluminous wool nightgown that was a little too big for Elizabeth, and he stepped back muttering apologies.
Becky carried a tray up with the requested porridge and another hot bottle of soup.“Well, ma’am.You look better.”
Elizabeth laughed and gestured to the door Darcy had escaped through.“The poor dear.Were my clothes cleaned, and is there any chance I can change into something with which I might properly accept a visitor?”
“Yes, certainly.From something Mr.Darcy said, I believe he has a matter of some importance to speak to you upon.”
“I can imagine.”Elizabeth shivered.She remembered a hanging she once saw.
No such anxiety until it was absolutely necessary.That would not be helpful.“But first dinner.Porridge, my… well not myfavorite.”
“Was the doctor’s order.”Becky laughed.“You are a fine lady, ma’am.Expect you eat ragout, and white soup for every dinner.”
“For dinner?For breakfast I say.”
Elizabeth sat back in the armchair, and fed herself first from the gruel, and then from the soup.But again she was only able to eat a surprisingly small amount before she felt quite full and unable to consume another bite.
Becky had busied herself pulling several articles of clothing that were definitelynotthe dress Elizabeth had arrived at Darcy house in from the closet, and laying them on the bed as Elizabeth ate.
Elizabeth asked her as she did so, “So are you married?”
“Was, my poor dear, he died, and with something of a debt.Left just me and my daughter alone.Just three months ago he died, he did.Still cry about him every day.I’d left service with Lady Monroe to marry him.Brought him a tidy sum of my savings as a dowry too.Poor man could not stop from gambling.Don’t blame him for it — he was the sweetest man in the world.But just goes to show.A woman should not trust her money to a man.”Becky laughed.“Wish we’d had one of those settlements you quality always use.But God I loved him.Loved him heart and soul.The Darcys were kind enough to give me a place, with no significant responsibilities in my mourning period.My mother was the lady’s maid of Lady Anne.The master’s mother.She was a fine lady.A fine, fine lady.Most aristocratic featured beauty in theton, but always a kind word to a child like me.And she doted on our present Mr.Darcy.He’s a fine man too.”
“The very best.”
“Don’t forget that, Mrs.Benoit.We all care for him.”
Elizabeth smiled.“Even to the point of being suspicious of strangers who do not remember their own marriages.”
“Not too suspicious!”Becky laughed.“So don’t go telling the master any of that.Besides Joseph, that is Mr.Darcy’s gentleman, he says he remembers you from when Mr.Darcy met you, and that he always believed you were good quality and better than just a decent sort.Won’t say the slightest more of course, and none of us would expect him to, but that settled some nerves.That it did.It is strange doings.”
Elizabeth finished the food and pushed it away.“I’d imagined I’d be much hungrier.”
“It’s the illness.You’ll be hungry again in an hour or two, I suspect, if you haven’t eaten much for a few days your stomach forgets a bit how to eat a large meal.Let me help you to dress and ready, ma’am.”
“Miss Bennet.”
“What?”Becky tilted her head as she helped Elizabeth to stand.
“Miss Bennet is my name.A secret shared too far is no good, but you already know enough to sell me out.And… I’d prefer to trust those who Mr.Darcy trusts.”
“Well that’s touching,Mrs.Benoit.I am touched.”The woman smiled at her.“But I am quite sure you have only forgotten your marriage, some damage from your illness, I dare say, though it is clear all yourotherfaculties are intact, because else Mr.Darcy would not have told us all that you are Mrs.Benoit.”
