“Has he done something to fall out of your favor?”
Lizzy bit her lip. “I have had time to think about his actions. Divulging his most intimate secrets to me seems in poor taste.”
“This change had nothing to do with the news my mother sent of his betrothal to Mary King?” Charlotte asked.
Lizzy shook her head, her brown curls bouncing. “It may but not for the reasons you imagine.” At Charlotte’s raised brow, Elizabeth said, “I worry Mary King does not have the true measure of the man.”
“And you do?”
She shrugged. “I believe my opinion was once colored by a misconception.”
“And now it is not?”
“My opinions are based on the injured gentleman in the other room. Our interactions since his arrival, my visits, and conversations with his cousin forced me to reevaluate my previous opinion. I foundmyselflacking.”
“Truly?” Charlotte raised her brow. “With all the love and admiration I can muster, Lizzy, I never believed I would hear that come from you.”
“Nor did I. At least on this score.”
The air hung heavy with unasked questions and hidden truths.
Charlotte stood. “Very well. Get some rest. I fear Lady Catherine will visit again to test our mettle and the health of your patient.” She walked to the door and turned before stepping into the corridor. “I am impressed by your ability to change your opinion, Lizzy. I have known you many years and find your beliefs unvarying once they are decided. I see that your service to Mr. Darcy has changed you.”
Elizabeth smiled at her friend as the door closed. She rolled over and looked out the window at the moon.Yes. Yes. It has only been my taking care of him.She pulled the blanket up to her chin before closing her eyes.It has nothing to do with the dreams which have plagued me every night since I discovered him injured in the woods.
No. Nothing at all.
The shadows of the room stretched with the flickering of the firelight. Darcy rolled over uncertain of which world hewas inhabiting. It only took a second for him to realize the truth when he heard Richard’s voice.
“You are awake again, Darce. Shall I get you something to drink? Brandy?”
“In my present state, I believe something weaker would be a better choice.”
Richard snickered and poured him a glass of water from the pitcher, then brought it to him, holding it to his lips. After Darcy drank, he set it on the table next to the bed.
“How long was I unconscious?”
“Why do you look at me so?” Richard asked, ignoring the question.
Darcy was silent and then, “I am only out of sorts.”
“You stare at me as if I am a phantom.”
Darcy remained silent, his emotions too raw to reply before saying, “My dreams have been affected by my head injury. I do not understand the circumstances which led me here.”
“Hmm…” Richard studied him then replied, “You have been unconscious for a little over a week.”
“How did I come to the parsonage?”
“Miss Bennet found you. You had fallen from Ulys—”
“Fallen from Ulysses? Are you mad?”
Richard Fitzwilliam shook his head. “I am not. No one was more surprised than me but that is the truth of it. You had fallen from Ulysses and hit your head on a large stone.”
Darcy allowed this information to roll around in his mind.
“Does that sit well with you?”
