He straightened. “Is there anything more we may do, ma’am?
“No, sir. I am grateful for your assistance. I have only to administer the willow bark tea and attempt to feed her some broth. I thank you both for all you have done for my sister.”
Darcy bowed. “I shall send the carriage at eight in the morning. Send your letter down with Sarah, and I will see it delivered.”
“Thank you, sir.”
When the two cousins withdrew, Mary wept. She wept as she administered the tea with the toddy lifter. She wept as she fedElizabeth the broth. When Elizabeth had taken two cups of tea and one of broth, Mary drew herself up at the foot of the bed and fell asleep.
She heard tapping at the door, and Mary woke. The letter. She had not written it. Sleep had overcome her.
“Come in.”
Sarah entered.
“Oh dear, I fell asleep. I shall have the letter ready in five minutes.”
“Take your time, Mrs. Collins. The carriage is not yet prepared.”
Mary wrote a brief explanatory note and requested that Jane be sent. She sealed it and placed it in Sarah’s hand, then returned to Elizabeth’s side.
“Lizzy, my dear, you must wake.”
Elizabeth turned, and a cough seized her. Mary brought a cup of tepid willow bark tea.
“Here, drink this.”
Elizabeth pushed herself up, took the cup, and drained it.
“More.”
Mary smiled. “You are awake and able to drink. Wait, I shall bring more.”
She poured another cup and offered it. Elizabeth drank all the tea.
“I cannot breathe.”
“Dr. Miller says your lungs are inflamed. Here, Lizzy, take a tincture of elecampane. It will loosen the phlegm and ease your breathing.”
Elizabeth watched Mary as she drew up the tincture, then asked, “In water, please.”
She took the draught, lay back, and was soon asleep.
Mary was setting the room in order when a tap sounded at the door, and Anne entered.
“Fitzwilliam has come for the treatment.”
He looked toward Elizabeth with concern. “Has she woken? Does she speak?”
Mary smiled. “Yes, sir. She woke about two hours ago and took her willow bark tea, nearly two cups, and the herbal draught. She tires easily, let me rouse her for the treatment.”
Mary went to the bedside. “Lizzy, wake up. Can you hear me?”
“Yes.” It was little more than a whisper.
“Turn to your side. Mr. Darcy is here to give you a treatment.”
“Mr. Darcy?”
