“Anne?” Darcy asked, glancing at his aunt. Without waiting for an answer, he hurried out, with Georgiana and Lady Catherine following him.
“Oh, I am sure it is nothing! Anne faints all the time,” he heard his aunt declaring, and rage overwhelmed him, joining his worry. What on earth had Lady Catherine done at Longbourn? Perhaps delivered a letter from Mrs. Collins? But why was she in Hertfordshire at all? She had no business there!
He finally arrived at the carriage and found Anne lying on the floor, her eyes closed. He touched her hand and called to her, but no answer came, so he swept her into his arms and carried her into the house.
“Which guest room is ready?” he called to his housekeeper, who was gazing at him, her forehead creased with worry.
“All of them, sir,” Mrs. Gibbs replied.
“Send for Doctor Harris now, and ask him to come this instant,” he shouted while climbing the stairs. His cousin was unconscious, but he felt she was breathing regularly. He did not stop until he entered a guest room and placed her on the bed.
“Darcy, I am glad you are so worried for Anne, but there is no need,” Lady Catherine said. “It might be a weakness due to the time we have spent on the road. We have barely had time to eat anything since we left Rosings.”
His aunt’s indifference enraged Darcy, but he managed to control his anger. Anne looked extremely pale and likely thinner than he had ever seen her. He observed Georgiana at the door, staring at him.
“My dear, call for two maids to sit with Anne. And send someone to fetch Lord and Lady Matlock — I am sure they would like to know what is happening.”
“Darcy, for God’s sake, stop!” Lady Catherine cried. “Look, Anne is already recovering, she needs no doctor!”
“Anne, can you hear me?” Darcy whispered, and the young woman nodded, opening her eyes.
“Yes…I am sorry…all is well,” she answered in a small voice.
“You do not look well, Anne. I have sent for the doctor. Doctor Harris has been treating our family since my infancy. You may remember him. He should be here soon. Until then, we shall take care of you. You should just rest…”
The two maids he had requested appeared in the doorframe, the housekeeper behind them.
“I have brought some herbal tea, sir.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gibbs. Please be sure Anne is comfortable before the doctor arrives.”
“She does not need a doctor!” Lady Catherine interjected again. “What she needs is for you to keep your promise and marry her — as you should have done a long time ago!”
Darcy breathed deeply to stop himself from voicing the retort on his lips.
“Lady Catherine, I shall not indulge in such a ridiculous conversation at such a time. You might not be worried, but I am, and since Anne is in my house, I shall not allow her to leave before Doctor Harris examines her and approves of her being moved. Until then, we shall allow her to rest, and we shall continue our discussions in the library.”
