Page 56 of The Engagement at Longbourn

“I am trying too.”

“I know.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

The First Walk

Dr. Morrison permitted Darcy to put weight upon his injured leg on the second Monday in January.

Darcy treated the announcement as though Parliament had restored a confiscated estate.

“You will use both crutches,” Dr. Morrison said.

“Yes.”

“You will not attempt stairs without assistance.”

“Yes.”

“You will walk only from the chair to the door and back today.”

Darcy’s expression changed. “No.”

Dr. Morrison folded his arms.

Darcy folded his.

Elizabeth, seated by the window, looked from one man to the other.

Richard murmured, “Ten guineas on Morrison.”

Elizabeth whispered, “I do not wager on certainties.”

Darcy heard them. “I am not an invalid.”

“You are a patient with a recently united tibia and a wound that nearly killed you,” Dr. Morrison replied. “If you wish to become an invalid permanently, ignore me.”

Darcy’s jaw tightened. Elizabeth looked down at her sewing.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said.

“No.”

“I have not asked anything.”

“You intend to enlist me against your physician.”

“I intended to ask whether you thought a turn in the corridor unreasonable.”

“I do.”

“Traitor.”

Richard laughed.

Darcy stood with assistance. The first moment of weight on the injured leg stripped all argument from him. His face went pale. Sweat appeared along his brow. Elizabeth was beside him before she thought. “Sit.”

“No.”