“I shall leave you then. Pray, inform me if you have any need. Have you sufficient elecampane syrup?”
“Yes, sir. Dr. Miller has provided all that Lizzy requires. Mr. Darcy, he assures me her lungs have shown improvement.”
Anne came near with the willow bark tea and offered it to Elizabeth. She struggled to rise, and before he considered the impropriety, Mr. Darcy stepped forward and supported her back and shoulders with one arm as he raised her. She did not appear aware of his assistance. She took the cup and drank.
“The tea does not appear hot, cousin. I see no steam.”
“Fitzwilliam, she must take it all at once, for she tires easily. She has asked that it be served tepid, so we prepare it in advance and let it sit until she needs it.”
“I understand.”
When she finished drinking, he eased her back upon the pillows, then withdrew from the room.
Alone in the hall, a powerful feeling overcame him, a fear of loss. Tears rose at the thought that he might lose her. He must act. He could not stand by while she declined from this illness.
He hastened down the stairs and called to the butler. “Drake, send for the physician. I fear Miss Bennet requires his care.”
“Yes, sir, at once.”
Chapter 22: Struck Down
Georgiana was at the pianoforte when Lady Catherine entered the room. She cast her gaze about her.
“Where is Anne?”
“She sits with Miss Bennet.”
“Richard, have her come down at once. She will take the inflammation herself. Anne is too delicate to withstand such an illness. If Miss Bennet, who is strong, has been laid low, it may carry my daughter away.”
Darcy entered the room.
“My cousin remains in the chamber, but she does not attend the patient. Mrs. Collins performs all that Miss Bennet requires.”
“And how do you know this, nephew?”
Richard said, “Our cousin keeps us informed of Miss Elizabeth’s condition, Aunt. Shall I call her down, that you may see for yourself she remains well?”
“Ring the bell, Richard. Ask Drake to send for my daughter. I shall judge for myself how she goes on.”
She turned upon Darcy with displeasure. “I place the blame for this illness upon you, Fitzwilliam. You encouraged that woman with your marked attentions. I can plainly see that you have fallen prey to her arts and allurements. And do not suppose I failed to observe the manner in which you regarded her. You seated yourself so near as to invite her to reciprocate.”
Georgiana ceased her playing.
“Do not distress yourself, Georgie. Lady Catherine is only offering her opinion. There is nothing between Miss Bennetand me, Aunt, so you need not persist in this manner. You are making us all uncomfortable.”
Anne had come down and now stood at the entrance to the drawing room. “Mamma, pray, this does not serve us. We already feel great concern for Elizabeth’s health. You need not increase our distress with unfounded accusations against Fitzwilliam.”
Lady Catherine turned upon her daughter and pointed an accusing finger. “As for you, I observed how you regarded your cousin. Do not present me with that innocent air. I saw how you looked at him, and he at you.”
Color rose in Anne’s cheeks. She glanced toward Richard and found him smiling. She relaxed. And then a laugh escaped her.
“How did I look at my cousin, mamma? Did I gaze upon him with longing, or with hunger?”
Lady Catherine recoiled. “Anne. You forget yourself. How dare you address your mother so?”
“I shall tell you how I looked at him. I wished him to ask me to marry him. That, mamma, is how a woman looks when she loves a man.”
Richard’s smile widened. He rose and went to her side.
