Falling for Elizabeth Bennet Page 5

  “Darcy, all joking aside, if you need me for anything, I am here for you.”

  Darcy turns to Richard. “I do not have anything to discuss yet, but I may need your counsel in the near future.”

  Richard slaps him on the back. “Darcy, go change so that we can make Georgie’s day.”

  The next morning, Darcy receives a reply from his physician indicating that he will be able to meet with him later that afternoon if that is convenient. Darcy sends a positive response. Darcy spends the morning going through his correspondence that has piled up while he has been in Hertfordshire while he waits for his appointment with his physician. Darcy is in the process of composing a letter to Mr. Bennet when Abbott, Darcy’s butler, announces that Mr. Anderson is here for his appointment. Darcy stands. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Anderson. I appreciate you being able to make time to see me. Please have a seat. May I offer you refreshments?”

  Mr. Anderson replies, “Mr. Darcy, it is my pleasure to assist you and your family in any way that I can. I would enjoy a cup of tea if it is not an inconvenience.”

  Darcy smiles as he opens the door and asks the waiting footman for a tea tray. Darcy returns to his seat. “Tea will be here in a few minutes. Would you like for me to wait until it arrives, or would you like for me to start my tale while we are waiting?” inquires Darcy.

  “Mr. Darcy, I am at your leisure. We can start, or we can wait. Whatever makes you most comfortable,” replies Mr. Anderson.

  Darcy sighs. “I guess I will go ahead and start, and when the tea arrives, it will give you a chance to think. I recently travelled to Hertfordshire with a friend of mine and made the acquaintance of a family. One of the family members is a young lady of marriageable age. This lady is not a classic beauty but has a happy personality and lively wit. I usually do not make new friends easily.” Darcy stops when he hears Mr. Anderson quietly laughing. Darcy grins at him. “Very well. I hardly ever make new friends. However, I had heard this beautiful laugh and found the source to be this ‘lady’ who I observed across the room. She was seated in a corner with no friends or family sitting with her. I asked my friend for an introduction and was surprised to find out that, when we were introduced to everyone in the room, her mother had excluded her in the introductions. After meeting the lady, it became clear that both the lady and her elder sister were uncomfortable with me making the lady’s acquaintance. I later watched her mother cause her to cry. In the end, in order to speak to the lady without her mother’s knowledge, I had to speak to her through an open window while she continued to stay seated inside. I arranged to meet with her the next morning, and it was then that she told me the reason why she was alone. The lady explained that she has falling sickness. I admit I was shocked and surprised, and she immediately took my reaction as a rejection until I explained I still wished to be her friend. The lady explained that her mother would not be happy about this, and with her father and elder sister’s help, we arranged meetings so that we could get to know one another better.” Darcy stops as the maid brings in the tea tray. Darcy looks at the maid. “Thank you, Annie. That will be all for now.” Darcy waits until the door is once again closed. “Sorry. Let me pour you some tea. Do you take milk or sugar?” When Mr. Anderson shakes his head no, Darcy hands Mr. Anderson his cup of tea and then pours his own, adding milk and a little sugar. Darcy looks down at his tea cup and resumes, “I have asked the lady’s father if his daughter had been able to see a Town physician, but the mother would not allow it—fear that the knowledge would get out and affect the family’s other daughters. What can you suggest to help someone with falling sickness?”

  Mr. Anderson looks at Darcy and says nothing for a few moments. Finally, Mr. Anderson replies, “Do you have any of the history for the lady? Since the mother is against the lady being treated in Town, I am guessing that nothing has been tried yet.”

  Darcy stands and crosses the room to stand at the window, gazing out as he replies, “Both the lady and her father have told me that she had her first spell around the time she was preparing to come out at age fifteen. It seems that so far her spells are around times of great stress in her life.”

  Mr. Anderson shifts uncomfortably on his seat, drawing Darcy’s attention. “Mr. Darcy, the mother’s attitude is not at all uncommon as she is unfortunately correct in how most people would probably treat the family if they knew. I do not agree with how the lady is being treated as there may be something that can be done for the lady. I would like your permission to talk with one of my colleagues, Mr. Miles, as he has more experience with patients with falling sickness. In the meantime, request as much detailed history on the patient, and I would suggest keeping the lady is a stress-free environment. I will visit Mr. Miles first thing in the morning.”

  Darcy sets down his tea cup on his desk and crosses the room. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Anderson. I really appreciate your time. I will get the requested information and look forward to meeting with Mr. Miles at his earliest convenience.”

  Darcy escorts Mr. Anderson to the door. Once done, Darcy returns to his study to finish his letter to Mr. Bennet requesting a more in-depth background on Elizabeth and her spells so that he can pass the information along to Mr. Anderson so that the two physicians may consult. When his letter is done, Darcy finds Abbott and tells him, “Abbott, I need this sent out express right away. I am expecting an express in return. When the express arrives, please have someone bring it to me right away regardless of the time.”

  Abbott replies in a concerned manner, “Certainly, Mr. Darcy. Is everything well?”

  Darcy clasps Abbott on the shoulder. “Yes. I am trying to help out a friend.” Darcy returns to the window to gaze out as he wonders how Elizabeth is doing and how has she come to mean so much to him so quickly.

  The next afternoon, Darcy reflects on the visit from Mr. Miles regarding Elizabeth. Mr. Miles was able to come over first thing in the morning after having a brief consultation with Mr. Anderson. Darcy had gone over Elizabeth’s history without revealing her name. Darcy explained why no treatment was sought. Mr. Miles told Darcy that he believes that if the patient is removed to a less stressful environment it might help. Darcy explains that the lady often takes walks to escape the stress of home. Mr. Miles explains that this is good but it can also be bad for the lady for if she is alone when she has a spell she has no one to help her. Mr. Miles suggests that the lady have a puppy or dog to take on her walks with her as the animal could bring help. Darcy explains the problem of the mother and what suggestions does Mr. Miles have. Mr. Miles suggests the lady visit family in the country nowhere near home and to contact him if Darcy has any further questions. Darcy ponders on what Mr. Miles has said, and he wonders what he can do. Darcy decides to ask Bingley to come to Town for a few days, and Darcy quickly pens a quick note to Elizabeth’s father, advising Mr. Bennet what Mr. Miles has suggested. Darcy also asks if Mr. Bennet will allow him to give Elizabeth a puppy—it can be from his sister, Georgiana, for propriety’s sake, but it was truly at the physician’s suggestion. Darcy also advises Mr. Bennet that he has asked Bingley to come to town for a few days and that they should be back within the next week or two—hopefully in time for the next assembly.

  The following morning, Darcy is sitting in the music room, listening to Georgiana play, when Richard arrives. Richard sits next to Darcy as they listen to Georgiana finish her piece. Darcy and Richard clap when Georgiana finishes, and Darcy stands and asks, “Georgie, how would you like to come with me and visit Bingley and his sisters in Hertfordshire?” Georgiana opens her mouth to reply, but Darcy raises a hand to stop her. “Georgie, Bingley and I have made acquaintances with Bingley’s nearest neighbor—a family with five daughters, and I thought you might like to meet them.”

  Georgiana gasps and says, “William, is Miss Elizabeth one of the ladies in that family?”

  Richard turns and looks at Darcy at this but says nothing. Darcy ignores Richard. “Yes, Georgie. Miss Elizabeth is the second of the five sisters. I
need to speak with Richard, but we will be back to hear you play some more. You play beautifully.”

  Georgie smiles sweetly. “I would love to come with you and meet Miss Elizabeth and her sisters.”

  Darcy kisses Georgie on the forehead and watches as she bounces around the room, giving Richard a hug. Darcy motions for Richard to follow him.

  Darcy leads Richard to his study, opens the door, and motions for Richard to enter before him. Richard raises his brows when Darcy closes and locks the door behind them. Darcy sees the look on Richard’s face. “Richard, I trust my staff and my sister, but this is a subject that I am not ready for just anyone to hear yet. The subject that I wish to discuss is personal and sensitive.”

  Richard looks at Darcy and jokingly asks, “Do I need a stiff drink for this conversation?”

  Darcy looks Richard in the eye and replies, “Honestly, Richard, I do not know if you will need a drink or not.”

  Richard sits and watches his cousin twist his signet ring around on his finger as Darcy paces in front of his desk. After a few minutes of silence, Richard says, “Darcy, whatever it is that you need to discuss, I promise that it will not leave this room. I can be serious, and I can tell that something is weighing on your mind.”

  Darcy takes a deep breath and says, “Apologies, Richard. I just did not know where to begin. As I am sure you have figured out, I recently made the acquaintance of a Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Hertfordshire. Elizabeth—apologies, Richard, but she has been Elizabeth to me for a while already—is a lovely lady who I befriended when I met her at a local assembly. Her mother does not want her mixing with society but will not allow her to stay at home with her father either. Elizabeth is smart, witty, and lively with laughter dancing in her hazel eyes. The five sisters are devoted to one another—the younger sisters are a little silly, but they are only about Georgie’s age, and they are not vulgar. Bingley and I have been meeting the elder two Bennet sisters along with their father to do estate management with Bingley, and then their father allows us the opportunity to get to know one another. I have actually enjoyed myself.” Richard sits in stunned silence as he listens to his normally shy cousin speak of a woman with fine eyes and bright laughter. Looking up at Darcy, Richard exclaims, “Darcy, this is wonderful! I have never seen you so animated about a woman before. I am happy for you. Have you asked her father for a courtship yet?”

  Darcy sighs. “No, Richard.”

  Richard looks at him in confusion and asks, “Why not, Darcy? Any woman would be thrilled for a chance at a courtship.”

  Darcy looks down. “Richard, it is more complicated than that. What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room. You cannot tell anyone.”

  Richard looks up at Darcy in alarm. “Darcy! What is wrong?”

  Darcy watches Richard’s face closely as he says, “Elizabeth has falling sickness. I found her sitting in a corner by herself at an assembly where her mother was trying to get me interested in Elizabeth’s sisters. I came to Town to see what I could do to help Elizabeth. Mrs. Bennet will not allow Elizabeth to see a Town physician for fear of people finding out the truth. I also needed time away from Elizabeth to analyze what I feel for her.”

  Richard is stunned by what Darcy has just told him. Richard watches Darcy, who is nervously twisting his signet ring around his finger. Richard looks at Darcy and asks, “Darcy, how do you feel about Miss Elizabeth?”

  Darcy looks at Richard and is relieved to see no judgment of his admission and tells his cousin, “I love her, Richard. I am afraid. How can I ask her to take on my life and my responsibilities when the one thing the physician suggests is a life with reduced stress? I would be bringing her even more stress.”

  Richard stands and crosses to where Darcy is. “Darcy, why do you hesitate? You are your own man, and you can marry where you choose. You have servants to help you, and Miss Elizabeth does not have to do anything that you both decide she cannot handle.”

  Darcy faces Richard. “Richard, you are more of a brother than a cousin to me, and I value your opinion. I want to know that I have your support should Elizabeth agree to marry me.”

  Richard clasps Darcy on the shoulder. “Darcy, if I had a chance for happiness, I would grab it with both hands, and I would not worry about family or society. Just be aware of what could happen to Miss Elizabeth were anyone to find out. People with falling sickness tend to get locked up, and that is not something you would want to have happen.” Richard studies Darcy as he nods his understanding. Richard is curious and asks, “Darcy, is Miss Elizabeth worth everything you will sacrifice for her?”

  Darcy gives Richard a small smile. “Yes, Richard. Elizabeth is worth everything. I do not believe that I am giving up anything but rather gaining a precious gift. Why not join Georgie and I when we travel to Hertfordshire, and you can meet her for yourself. This way, you can give me your honest thoughts about her.”

  Richard looks at Darcy. “I will need to request leave, but let me know when you have your travel plans arranged, and I will join you and Georgie. I have to meet the woman who has caused my somber cousin to grin like an idiot.”

  Darcy laughs and suggests they rejoin Georgiana.

  Chapter 5

  Two days later, Darcy is in his study when Bingley is announced. Darcy stands. “Bingley! Welcome. Thank you for coming. I hope that your family is well.”

  Bingley grins at Darcy. “Darcy! I am glad to see you. You know that I am happy to help you after all the help you have given me over the years.”

  Darcy asks, “Bingley, how are the Bennets?”

  Bingley laughs. “The Bennets are fine, and Miss Elizabeth is well. I believe she might be missing you, but they are all well. My sister, Caroline, on the other hand, cannot wait to leave Hertfordshire and come back to Town. I did not have a chance to call on Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth before I left. I asked one of the maids to deliver a note to Miss Bennet so that the ladies know that I came to town to assist you.”

  Darcy looks at his friend. “Bingley, I really appreciate you coming. I need some assistance.”

  Bingley is used to his friend’s serious nature, but Darcy’s tone is more somber than usual. Bingley says, “Darcy, I am always happy to help. Ask me anything, and if I can help, I will do so.”

  Darcy sighs. “Bingley, would it be possible for Georgiana and Richard to join us when we return from Town?”

  Bingley smiles. “Darcy, of course your family is welcome. Although Colonel Fitzwilliam may want to be afraid of Caroline—she might try to compromise him!”

  Darcy’s lips twitch in a small smile. “I will have to tell Richard you said that. Thank you, Bingley.”

  Taking a breath, Darcy asks, “Bingley, do you know anyone who might have puppies to sell?” Bingley looks at Darcy in surprise. Darcy explains, “The puppy is not for me—it is for a lady.”

  Bingley looks at his friend in confusion. He cannot figure out why Darcy would need his help with something like this and asks, “Darcy, is the puppy for Miss Darcy?”

  Darcy shakes his head no. Darcy explains, “Bingley, the puppy is for a special lady. I am still trying to work out how I can give her the puppy.”

  Bingley grins at Darcy, “Miss Elizabeth will love the gift.”

  Darcy sighs. “Yes, Bingley. The puppy is for Miss Elizabeth.”

  Bingley laughs outright at his friend’s tone. “Darcy, you have been more open and outgoing than normal, and you look like a man who is falling in love.”

  Darcy looks over his shoulder at his friend, saying, “I came to Town to sort out my feelings and start putting some affairs in order. Bingley, what kind of puppy would you suggest for Miss Elizabeth? I do not want to go to any of the normal society breeders as that would arouse suspicions that I would like to avoid.”

  Darcy and Bingley spend the next few minutes discussing various breeds of dogs, but none of the breeds are what Darcy is looking for. Suddenly Bingley looks at Darcy and asks, “Darcy, you have an estate in Scotland, do you not? M
ight you find what you are looking for there?”

  Darcy replies, “Charles—that is brilliant. I cannot believe that I did not think of that. I will send an express to my steward there. Bingley, I hope you will have dinner with me, and if you do not have lodging already, please stay with Georgie and me. I have business to conduct this afternoon, but you are welcome to join me.”

  Bingley asks, “What business? I do not wish to impose.”

  Darcy offers Bingley a small rueful smile. “I am stopping by my solicitor’s office to draft a settlement and also request a special license.”

  Bingley is surprised with the grin on his friend’s face. “Darcy, I cannot believe how fast you are moving.”

  Darcy, seeing the smile on Bingley’s face, asks, “Bingley, how are things going with Miss Bennet?” Darcy laughs at the look on Bingley’s face. “Who is in love now?”

  Bingley laughs and says, “I admit it, Darcy. When I am with Miss Bennet, I feel like I could do anything.”

  Darcy asks, “Bingley, are you going to ask Mr. Bennet for a courtship?”

  Bingley replies, “Yes. I was actually going to ask when I received your letter requesting my assistance.”

  Darcy exhales loudly. “Bingley, I am so sorry.”

  Bingley waves him off.

  Darcy says, “Bingley, come with me this afternoon. This will help you get an idea of what you might want to prepare when you draw up your own settlement for Miss Bennet.”

  Bingley agrees, and they make plans to depart in a quarter hour.

  Darcy and Bingley spend over an hour with Darcy’s solicitor. Darcy tells his solicitor what he wants for Elizabeth and makes suggestions to Bingley. Bingley asks questions of Darcy and the solicitor. In the end, both men draft settlements, and the solicitor promises to have the paperwork ready within the week. Next they stop by a jeweler. The jeweler comes over.