Elizabeth hesitated, then nodded. “Normally I would argue you with you, sir, and declare my intention to go for a walk to restore my spirits… but I am afraid I am quite fatigued and must agree with you.”
Dr. Adams hesitated slightly. “I could also bleed you,” he added. “It would help purge the drug from your system.”
Elizabeth visibly blanched, which the physician observed with mild amusement.
“To be perfectly honest,” he said with a gentle smile, “I have found frequent bleedings often produce more weakness than improvement.”
Darcy looked grateful for that opinion.
“However,” the doctor continued, “if tomorrow you continue to feel as weak—or should your condition worsen—then we may consider it.”
Elizabeth nodded quickly. “I will follow your instructions.”
“Very good,” the doctor said, closing his notebook and returning it to his pocket. “Rest will do far more good than anything else I might prescribe today.”
“Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth said.
Dr. Adams nodded, then turned his attention to Darcy. “Now, I believe there is still one more patient left for me to see?”
Darcy nodded and led the physician down the corridor toward Lady Catherine’s chambers. As they approached, the sharp, unmistakable tones of Lady Catherine de Bourgh could already be heard through the door.
“…perfectly ridiculous notion!” she was declaring. “Summoning a physician for a mere faint! I assure you, I am of a much stronger constitution than that.”
Darcy knocked softly and pushed the door open. Lady Catherine was sitting upright in the bed, propped against a formidable arrangement of pillows. A small crystal bottle of smelling salts rested on the bedside table. Lady Anne stood nearby with quiet concern, while Richard leaned casually against the mantel, doing his best to look both respectful and entertained at once.
The moment Lady Catherine saw Darcy enter with the physician, she drew herself up even straighter.
“There is no need whatsoever to have summoned Mr. Adams,” she announced in a tone that suggested the entire matter had been grossly exaggerated by lesser minds. “I assure you I am perfectly recovered.”
Richard stepped forward with an easy smile. “Naturally, Aunt Catherine. But since the poor man has already been dragged all the way here, it would be rather uncharitable not to allow him to justify the journey.”
Lady Catherine sniffed. “I require no justification for my health, Colonel.”
Richard clasped his hands behind his back and leaned forward slightly, his tone coaxing. “Then consider it an act of mercy for the rest of us. If the doctor confirms you are perfectly well, we shall all be able to stop worrying.”
Lady Catherine looked unimpressed. “I have never in my life required reassurance regarding my constitution.”
There was a brief pause.
Then Lady Anne stepped quietly closer to the bed. “Please, Cathy.”
The effect was immediate.
Lady Catherine turned toward her younger sister, and though her expression remained stern, something softened just enough to break the stalemate.
“Oh, very well,” she said with a heavy sigh. “If it will end this absurd fuss.”
Dr. Adams stepped forward and took her wrist. After a brief examination he nodded respectfully. “Your heart rate is excellent, madam. I see no cause for concern.”
Lady Catherine lifted her chin triumphantly. “Of course it is.”
The doctor closed his case. “I would merely recommend a short period of rest.”
“That will not be necessary,” she replied briskly.
Nevertheless, she settled back slightly against the pillows.
Then she waved one hand dismissively toward the gathered company. “I require a little time to myself.”
