"Then let us do so without further delay."
The carriage was turned with considerable difficulty and guided back along the road until they found the narrow lane. It wound between overgrown hedgerows before dipping into a shallow hollow sheltered by trees. The inn sat low and sturdy against the storm, warm light glowing from its windows and smoke curling steadily from its chimney.
Darcy had never in his life been so pleased by the sight of a building.
The track down to it was little better than mud. Twice the wheels slipped and once the horses struggled badly enough that Burke climbed down to help the coachman. Inside the carriage Elizabeth remained wrapped in blankets, her head resting against the corner of the squabs.
Darcy told himself it was good that she was sleeping. After all, she had spent hours alone in a broken carriage and had been visibly exhausted when they found her. But the nearer they drew to the inn, the more uneasy he became. She had not stirred once. Not even when the carriage lurched violently through a rut.
By the time the inn yard came into view, an uneasy feeling had settled somewhere deep in Darcy's stomach. The carriage rolled to a halt and he put a hand on her shoulder. She was freezing, despite the blankets. "Miss Elizabeth?"
There was no response. Darcy leaned forward and shook her less gently. "Miss Elizabeth!"
She remained motionless and for the first time since he was a child he felt profound fear. He threw himself across the carriage and crouched beside her. In the dim lantern light her face appeared alarmingly pale. A damp curl had fallen across her cheek but she made no attempt to brush it away. He grasped her hand and attempted to warm it between his own.
"Burke."
His valet appeared immediately at the door. "What is it?"
"She will not wake," he said in a small voice that did not feel like his own.
Burke's expression changed at once. He climbed into the carriage and bent over her, pressing two fingers against her wrist. For several seconds neither man spoke. Then Burke let out a slow breath.
"Her pulse is there."
Darcy realised he had been holding his own breath.
"But she's cold, sir. Far too cold. We need to get her inside. Now."
Darcy did not wait for further instruction.
He slipped an arm beneath Elizabeth's shoulders and another beneath her knees and lifted her from the seat. She did not stir. Her head fell heavily against his shoulder and remained there.The distance between the carriage and the inn door was perhaps fifteen yards. It felt like miles.
Rain lashed against his face and soaked through his coat, but he scarcely noticed. Elizabeth remained motionless in his arms, her skin frighteningly cold against his neck. By the time he reached the door, every last shred of composure had deserted him. He kicked it open so violently that it slammed back against the wall.
The noise silenced the room at once and every head turned towards him.
Darcy scarcely saw them. "Help me!" The words rang through the taproom, but no one moved.
"Help me," he shouted again, louder this time. "For the love of God, somebody help me!"
Chapter Seven
Asmall plump woman came out from behind the bar and spoke gently but firmly. "Now then, sir," she said, taking in the situation at a glance. "I am Mrs Goose and I run this establishment with my husband. Oh dear, your wife looks very unwell indeed. Let us get her dry and warm before we do anything else."
"Martha," she shouted. "A bath in the green room as quick as you please."
A maid bobbed a curtsy and rushed through a door at the back of the room.
"This way, sir, if you please," said Mrs Goose beckoning Darcy to follow her through a passageway and up a narrow staircase. His arms burned, but he cradled Elizabeth tightly.
"Here now, the green room. You are lucky sir, this is the last room I have available with this weather. Now just put… forgive me, your name, sir?
"Darcy," he said cradling Elizabeth’s head under his chin.
"Well you just lay, Mrs Darcy here, sir, and me and Martha will set her to rights while you warm yourself downstairs."
"She is not…" he began, but Mrs Goose shooed him away. "This is no place for a gentleman, sir. Not while we are getting her out of those wet things. Downstairs with you. I shall send word the moment she is fit to be seen."
