Chapter 4
“How are you, Aunt?”
“Oh dear, I feel quite foolish and undeservedly spoilt. Look at me — lying in the bed where a countess usually sleeps! I am not sure whether I should laugh or cry.”
“I am pleased to know you are comfortable. You do indeed deserve it.”
“I shall definitely laugh when my cousins arrive and find me here. I wonder if they have ever seen the inside of Pemberley.”
“Should they not have arrived by now?”
“It depends whether they were at home and if the carriage was available. Until then, we can only wait and enjoy being treated like royalty. After running around after children, I certainly know to appreciate it,” the lady joked.
Elizabeth smiled, walking around the room and stopping near the window, which offered a breathtaking view over the lake.
“The gardens cannot be seen from here,” she murmured.
“Lizzy, you are very thoughtful and quiet. And you argued about the notion of coming to Pemberley. Is there something that you wish to tell me?”
“No…I am only concerned over our predicament.”
“Mr. Darcy is nothing like you described him. Neither in appearance nor in manners, and your relationship with him is nothing like you led us to believe.”
“I described Mr. Darcy and my relationship with him based on my judgment at that time. While I discovered more of his positive traits of character when I was in Kent, I certainly did not expect such a warm reception when we met.”
“I shall only say one thing, Lizzy. Your opinion of Mr. Darcy might have been poor, but somehow, his opinion of you must be high — otherwise he would not have shown such attention to your relatives, who are so much below him in every respect.”
“My opinion of Mr. Darcy is not poor at present, Aunt. And I would not say you and my uncle are below anyone.”
“You are sweet, Lizzy, but I am sure you know I am right. As for your opinion, I am glad it changed. I can see nothing to fault in Mr. Darcy. His features are exceedingly handsome too.”
A knock on the door interrupted them, and a maid announced Dr Hodge. He was a gentleman likely of her father’s age, Elizabeth mused. He was voluble, speaking loudly and asking for privacy to examine the patient.
“I was told you are the cousin of Turner and Clarke. Well, well, what a surprise. You came all the way to Derbyshire to break your leg,” the doctor said, while Elizabeth moved to sit on a chair in the corner.
There was silence for a few moments while the doctor examined his patient. “Well, the good news is that there does not seem to be anything broken, but your leg is badly swollen, which is good and bad at the same time. You will have to rest for a few days. I shall give you a salve for the wound, and you must not put any weight on your leg until it is healed. Hopefully, you will not have to stay in bed too long.”
The doctor’s examination was shorter than his conversation, and when he finally left, Mrs. Gardiner remained with a large smile on her face.
“Well, Lizzy, you must find a way to amuse yourself without me. Your uncle will be a good enough companion, and hopefully my cousins too.”
“Do not worry for me, Aunt. Just be cautious and patient to ensure you get well.”
“I shall. In truth, staying in bed and sleeping for a few days is not a horrible prospect. I am happy that at least I had the chance to see Pemberley.”
Their conversation continued in the same light manner until the maid entered with a tray of refreshments.
“Do you know where my husband is?” Mrs. Gardiner enquired.
“Yes, ma’am. He is with the master, in the library. Tom took them some food there. And Mr. Turner and Mr. Clarke arrived — they are in the library too.”
“Oh, how lovely! I am glad to hear that. Could you please tell Mr. Gardiner to come to speak to me, when possible?”
“Of course, ma’am.”
Elizabeth found herself strangely torn between opposing feelings. She was relieved that they would finally reach their final destination of Lambton but regretted leaving Pemberley — or better said leaving Mr. Darcy without having the chance to talk to him. She wondered how it had happened that he was alone; where was his sister? Did he know anything about Mr. Bingley and his sisters? What about Colonel Fitzwilliam? And Lady Catherine de Bourgh — was she still insisting that he marry Miss de Bourgh? Would he?
She would certainly not dare ask Mr. Darcy any of those questions directly, but she hoped she might discover at least a few answers in one way or another. If she left Pemberley, she might waste such an opportunity.
