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“Oh dear. Well, I expect my return to health shall put an end to their drivelling.”

“Yes, madam.”

“Rollo…um…the raven is agitated as though he wants to convey a message.”

Mrs. Reynolds patted my hand. “You need not fret, madam. We cannot hope to understand the behaviour of such feral creatures.” She stood and took cautious steps towards Rollo. “I shall not harm the bird, but I mean to shut the window lest it raises a clatter again and disturbs the master.” She reached for the sash and froze, her sight locked upon the outer ledge. “No, it cannot be. I do not believe this!”

My raven friend bobbed his head and backed away as Mrs. Reynolds leaned forwards and gathered what appeared to be a small pile of twigs from the sill. With a nod of his head, Rollo flew off. She returned to me and opened her hand to reveal a cluster of long, narrow grey strips.

“What is that?”

A grin overspread her countenance. “This is white willow bark—the same medication Mr. Darcy sent three of our grooms across the country to find!” She rang the servant’s bell. ”I shall use this to prepare a draught for you at once! Stone will sit with you while I am gone.” She hied from the room.

I rubbed my upper arms, now covered with goose-skin. My goodness! Somehow, Rollo had found white willow bark from a healthy tree and brought it here for me. How could he have known I needed it?

Fitzwilliam turned over and emitted a low murmur as his arm dropped across my waist. I grinned at him. He would be pleased to hear of Rollo’s ingenuity.

Darcy

I flinched, and my eyes flew open, my heart racing. Torturous images of my wife—frail, suffering from throes, and delirious with fever—had dominated my horrendous dream. “Elizabeth.” My voice had a gruff sound.

A petite hand brushed the stray curls from my face. In the flickering candlelight, Elizabeth presented a gossamer vision of loveliness. She sat propped against pillows, an open book in her lap. “I am glad you slept, my love. You needed the rest.”

My eyes skimmed the room to find us alone. “But you—are you recovered?” My hand entwined with hers as I took in her bright irises, robust complexion, and beaming visage.

“Yes, I am myself again. Rollo brought me another gift whilst you dozed. Luckily, I found this second one to be more appetizing than the first.”

I rose to sit beside her, and my respiration calmed. I should ask my minx of a wife to elucidate her cryptic statement later—my profound relief at her apparent recovery rendered the explanation superfluous. At present, I resolved to luxuriate in her nearness and ideate a silent prayer for her continued good health.

Chapter 5: Self-Appointed Guardians

Saturday, 4 June 1814

Elizabeth

Fitzwilliam, Georgiana, and I ambled towards the stables for our planned tour on horseback through the eastern side of the estate.

In the months since Miss Talbot’s hurried marriage to Mr. Crawford, Mr. Benjamin York had become a frequent visitor at Pemberley. At first, he came to seek Fitzwilliam’s advice with regards to a firearm he considered purchasing from the gunsmith in Buxton.

On a subsequent visit, he challenged my husband to a game of billiards, which drew Georgiana’s attention. Although my sister had declared herself to be immune to the young man’s charms, she excelled at the activity and could not resist the opportunity to observe the game and proclaim a desire to play against the winner. Although she did not win her subsequent game with Fitzwilliam, it seemed her skills at the sport drew Mr. Benjamin York’s admiration. Over the next few weeks, the two formed a friendship. If Georgiana felt more than a platonic attachment to him, she would not yet admit it.

As we approached the three horses, already saddled, bridled, and tethered to the hitching rail, Rollo and Rachel appeared in the distance, flying in our direction. The pair soared above us, demonstrating their spins and gliding upside-down.

My husband gestured to them, eying his sister. “They love to show off for us.”

She followed their movements with a slack jaw. “I never imagined ravens could be so joyous and playful!”

“They truly are.” I removed a small piece of carrot from my pocket and fed it to Penny. “We have seen them drop twigs or other small objects from the air and then dive down to retrieve the items before they hit the ground.”

The two birds came down to roost upon the rail, greeting us with their croaks. Rollo uttered, “Good day” several times as well.

Fitzwilliam beheld me. “Elizabeth, would you like to demonstrate Rachel’s latest trick for our sister?”

“Yes, I shall make an attempt.” Over the past few weeks, I had been encouraging a particular behaviour with promising results. I held out my arm before Rachel. “Come, girl.” After a brief hesitation, she hopped on to my forearm. “Very good. You are a clever one.” When she stretched her black head towards me, I stroked the feathers atop her head. She made a few popping sounds that I took to be signs of contentment.

“That is amazing, Lizzy!” My sister used a quiet, reverent tone. “Have you tried this with Rollo as well?”

“Yes, but thus far, he has only stayed upon my arm for brief moments.” I brought Rachel back to the post, and she hopped back upon it. I moved my arm before Rollo. “Well, my boy, shall you come to me?” Rollo jumped to my wrist, walked to my shoulder, then jumped back to the post. “As you can see, he is not quite as comfortable remaining on my arm.” I removed a handful of shelled walnuts from my pocket and placed them atop the post. Both ravens hopped to the treats and gobbled them up.