Charlotte’s eyes brightened. “Why, yes. Light pastries, teas, a little porridge…”
He peeked under her eyelids again, examining her color. “When was the last time you ate a hearty dish of beef or stewed greens?”
“Oh! A month at least. I think it was just before the Netherfield Ball. We have attended so many parties, and I’ve had bits here and there, but… Doctor, is it possible?”
“Possible,” he repeated. “Not certain. But if you have faith in the effort, it just might prove the answer.”
She turned to me, her eyes desperately seeking better assurance. “Charlotte, my dear,” I implored gently, “let us at least give the doctor’s advice a fair trial. What have we to lose by attempting such a remedy?”
She regarded me with a mixture of gratitude and trepidation. “Very well, Elizabeth. For you, I shall try.”
“So,thereishopefor her?” Mr. Darcy almost caught my hand in eagerness when I went below to share with everyone what the doctor had told Charlotte. “She can be helped?”
How could I have ever thought him cold and unfeeling? He looked as urgent as I felt, and a hopeful glow had kindled in his eyes the moment I came into the room and offered a reserved smile.
“The doctor believes so. He is not certain, of course, but he has given me a list of foods he desires for her to eat. She may not like some of them, but it is a chance, at least.”
“And Miss Lucas, is she encouraged?”
“Yes. Mr. Darcy, I cannot express the my gratitude. Your kindness has provided us with a glimmer of hope.”
“It was your diligence and care that made the difference, Miss Elizabeth. I would have known nothing without seeing that.”
My cheeks heated. The warmth of such a compliment—and the way his eyes remained steadily on me, as if willing me tofeelhis words, not just hear them. I could scarcely look up at him.
We waited a moment with my aunt and Jane for the doctor to come below, and he came into the drawing room to speak with us all. “Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet, I cannot emphasize enough the urgent nature of Miss Lucas’s condition. I daresay she might not have lasted another week, without some intervention.”
I stiffened, and sensed Mr. Darcy closing in behind me. “It was that bad! Oh, Doctor, should we write to her mother?”
He made a quelling gesture. “I only say this to state the importance of the proper foods for her. If I am right, you ought to begin seeing an almost immediate improvement in her color.”
“How immediate?” Aunt Gardiner asked.
The doctor shrugged. “A few days. A few weeks. I am almost certain of my diagnosis. What remains to be seen is how her body will make use of the hearty foods you will be giving her. How much she can eat, can she keep it down, and how badly off is she to begin with? I have no way of being certain of any of that without the benefit of time.”
“Of course, Doctor,” I agreed at once.
“And I must emphasize that there are no guarantees. This can be a stubborn affliction. I told Miss Lucas of a success, but I have seen… failures, as well. Little is truly known about this condition, and we would do well to remain vigilant.”
“We most certainly will, Doctor,” my aunt promised. “Lizzy, let me see that list. I will have a word with Sarah at once.” She was off to the kitchen immediately, and Jane showed Doctor Abernathy to the door.
That left me behind, with Mr. Darcy.
I was too embarrassed to look at him fully. He was too… oh, too curious in the way he was regarding me, his gaze steady and his posture looking as if he meant to reach for my hand again. But he refrained—almost as if he were holding his breath and waiting for me to say or do something to grant him leave to… to… I know not what.
“I cannot thank you enough,” I told him softly as we approached the door.
“You already said that. Let us dispense with gratitude, Miss Elizabeth. Would you have done less if you thought you knew of a way to help someone?”
I shook my head.
He grunted and jerked his head toward the stair. “Please keep me informed. I can have Abernathy here again within the hour, if needed. And… pray, tell Miss Lucas that it is a blessing to think she may soon be on her feet again.”
“I will.”
He turned to go, then stopped, gazing down at me. “I will see you again soon, Miss Elizabeth.”
This time, I smiled in earnest. “I hope so, Mr. Darcy.”
