I stopped. “A rather strange way you have of passing messages. You could have asked my uncle to convey your offer last evening.”
“But I needed to speak withyou,and you alone. No one knows Miss Lucas as you do. No one could weigh the benefits of accepting or declining such an offer quite so faithfully. You do realize that if he examines her, he may have only sad news—it may shatter what little hope she has left.”
I nodded. “I know that, and she understands. She would like to see him. It is worth at least a try, is it not?”
His lips thinned into a tight smile. “I think so.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment, until my stomach began to quiver with the curious heat of his look. Until I had to suck in a breath and look down at my shoes, for fear I would turn to a blushing, blubbering puddle at his feet.
“Well, then.” He coughed. “I will see to the arrangements. You can expect us tomorrow by ten, Miss Elizabeth.” He lifted his hat. “I will bid you a good day, and… a Merry Christmas with your family.”
My heart hammered in my chest. Good heavens, he was almost delicious enough to eat. But I only gave him a little smile and dipped my head in reply. “The same to you and Miss Darcy.”
He smiled and stepped back, and it was then that I saw the horse tied at the carriage post only a few feet away. He had not driven in his carriage, but ridden horseback? Well! Of course, he would have given his coachman the day off. That was… rather sweet, actually. I watched him unhook the rein and swing into the saddle. He turned his horse to give me one last farewell, but I held my hand up to stop him.
“Wait, sir! I…”
He hesitated, lowering his hand on the reins and leaning forward in interest. “Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
The breath died in my throat as my hand dropped. “You forgot your book. The one you sent over with the message.”
A strange smile warmed his face. “That was a gift, Miss Elizabeth. I understand you admired it excessively.”
“Well, yes, I did but… how did you know?”
He rested his hand on the pommel of his saddle. “You do not think that outing to the market was only for Georgiana’s benefit, do you?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I do not… Sir, I cannot understand your meaning.”
“Enjoy it, Miss Elizabeth. Read it as well and often as you like, and multiply the pleasure by sharing it with someone dear to you.” He lifted his hat one last time. “Until tomorrow.”
18
26 December
Ipacedthelengthof Charlotte’s bedroom, my hands wringing together as I anxiously awaited Mr. Darcy’s arrival. Each tick of the clock seemed to echo the beat of my own heart. Rather than looking better today, as she usually did after a day of rest, her condition had worsened overnight. The pallor of her cheeks and the listlessness with which she moved haunted me—I could not bear the thought of losing her.
“Dearest Lizzy,” said Charlotte, watching me from her seat near the window. “Pray, do sit down. Your restlessness is enough to wear one out.”
“Forgive me, Charlotte,” I replied, my voice tight with anxiety. “I cannot help it.”
“Well, you cannot pace me into good health,” she murmured, with a touch of her old tartness. “Sit down before you make me dizzy trying to watch you.”
There was a knock at the door, then Aunt Gardiner put her head inside. “Lizzy, Miss Lucas, are you quite ready? Mr. Darcy has arrived, along with his physician. Shall I have them come up?”
I glanced at Charlotte. She clutched the blankets at her chin and nodded. I moved to wait for them at the door, and a moment later Mr. Darcy stood in the hall, tall and imposing, beside an older gentleman carrying a worn leather bag.
“Miss Bennet,” Darcy greeted me with a bow. “May I present Doctor Abernathy, a highly esteemed physician I have known for many years?”
“Doctor,” I acknowledged, extending my hand to him. “We are most obliged for your assistance.” I opened the door, careful to block Mr. Darcy’s view of Charlotte for propriety’s sake. “This is my friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas.”
The doctor bowed. “Miss Lucas. Are you comfortable being examined alone, or would you prefer to have your friend with you?”
Charlotte’s eyes passed over me. Comfortable or not, I knew what she would say, because she did not want me to worry. But she surprised me. “Would you stay, Lizzy? I would prefer to have you here.”
I glanced at Mr. Darcy, still standing in the hall. “Thank you,” I whispered to him.
“You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth. I will wait downstairs.”
DoctorAbernathywasatall man with a shock of white hair and a broad chest, and he exuded an air of authority that lent a certain gravity to the proceedings. His eyes, keen and intelligent, were fixed upon Charlotte with unwavering focus, as though he could discern the secrets of her very soul.
