Unforgiving Temper (66 page)

“You are quite certain he is out of
danger?”

“Quite. He will sleep the rest of the day. I
have given him enough medicine to make certain of it. That is all
he needs now for a complete recovery. If you do not take care, you
will be my next patient!”

“I am quite well, Dr. Lawrence,
truly.”

“One might question that statement from the
looks of you. Two days with only what sleep you could manage in
that chair is not very healthy for even one as young as you. You
have been a tremendous help, especially in administering the
medicines; but now I am prescribing something for you – at least
eight solid hours of sleep.”

“Eight hours?! I really do not think that is
necessary.”

“Nevertheless, you will not be allowed back
in this room until I am certain you have had enough rest.” He cast
a meaningful glance to the valet. “Denham is very good at following
my orders.”

Seeing Denham's obliging bow at the implicit
orders, Elizabeth conceded defeat and allowed the doctor to usher
her toward the door.

“Remember, not a moment before I say. Shall I
give you something to help you sleep?”

“I thank you, no,” Elizabeth replied,
stifling a yawn. “I am quite sure I will have no trouble.”

Reaching the door, Dr. Lawrence opened
it and was startled to see Caroline Bingley bent over as if she had
been listening at the door.

“Dr. Lawrence, you surprised me! I hope
I did not disturb you. I was looking for my ruby pin. It seems to
have fallen from my dress and I thought it might have happened when
I was here earlier to check on Mr. Darcy. Have you seen
it?”

Lawrence listened to Miss Bingley's
feeble explanation with little sympathy. As far as he knew, there
was no connection between young Darcy and Mr. Bingley's
sister; but from the moment he arrived, the woman had been nothing
but a nuisance, devising every conceivable reason to be hovering at
Darcy's door, trying to gain admittance. It was bad enough that one
young woman's reputation was compromised, but then he was fairly
certain that Darcy would remedy Miss Bennet's dilemma as soon
as he was able.

“No, Miss Bingley, I have not noticed.
If you will excuse us, I am escorting Miss Bennet to her room
before she falls down from exhaustion.”

“I am so sorry to hear you are ill, Miss
Eliza! Pray, doctor, allow me to take her place at Mr. Darcy's
side. I would be happy to watch over him while she rests.”

“Thank you, but that will not be necessary.
Mr. Darcy is now out of danger and sleeping quite
soundly.”

“Why, that is wonderful news; but should he
be left alone? I can sit with him while you attend
Miss Bennet.”

“Again, that will not be necessary. Denham is
with him. That is enough.”

Elizabeth wavered a bit on his arm and he
considered his course of action. If he took Miss Bennet to her
room as planned, Miss Bingley would undoubtedly take advantage
of his absence and attempt to enter the room and perhaps even
disturb Darcy, which was something he could not allow.

“However, there is something you can do for
me that would be most helpful.”

“Why of course, Dr. Lawrence! Anything!
Anything at all!”

“I have just remembered that I have
additional instructions for Denham and Miss Bennet really must
get some rest before she collapses. Would you be so kind as to
escort Miss Bennet to her room?”

“Oh! Well…yes…I suppose I could,” Caroline
stammered weakly. “Are you certain I cannot be of more help?
Perhaps when I return I could do more?”

“No, no, that is quite enough, I assure you,”
Lawrence beamed gratefully as he handed Elizabeth over to Caroline.
“Once Miss Bennet is safely to her room, I am sure you will
want to continue the search for your pin. Perhaps you will have
better luck on the staircase. Jewelry is sometimes shaken loose as
one descends.”

Caroline's stilted smile did not hide her
obvious disappointment.

“The staircase? I had not thought of that.
That is a very good idea. Thank you, Doctor.”

Lawrence watched with satisfaction as the two
women made their way down the hallway. Because of Elizabeth's
injured foot, it took much longer than he was sure Caroline wanted,
but at last they turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

Once the ladies were gone, Lawrence stepped
back into Darcy's bedchamber. He had not deceived Miss Bingley
after all, for he did indeed have additional instructions for
Denham: to keep Miss Bingley out of Darcy's room at all
costs!

* * * *

Sitting across the desk from her husband of
three days, Jane let her needlework fall to her lap as sounds of a
heated exchange near the front door reverberated down the hallway.
She met Charles' puzzled frown with one of her own.

“Were you expecting anyone, dear?” she
asked.

“No, no one. Since our wedding plans were for
us to be gone a fortnight, I cannot imagine who would even think to
come calling.”

“Perhaps one of the neighbors inquiring after
Mr. Darcy?”

“If that were the case, my dear, there would
be no cause for the uproar their arrival seems to be causing.” More
argument was heard and Bingley rose to his feet. “Extraordinary! I
best go see what it is.”

Bingley had barely emerged from his study
before he came face to face with a very wroth Lady Catherine
de Bourgh.

“Where is he? Where is my nephew? I demand
you take me to him immediately!”

A flustered Wilson was doing his best to
curtail the zealous arrival of the unexpected guests; however, at
Bingley's appearance, the one visitor who was paying any attention
to the butler, broke off his inquiries and came forward. He was a
distinguished looking gentleman of considerable years, though not
as old as Lady Catherine. Bingley answered Wilson's anxious
look with an understanding nod of his head. He doubted the man had
ever witnessed the full force of rank and privilege being brought
to bear. Once the butler had made his retreat, Bingley turned his
full attention to the man now standing beside Lady Catherine.
Although he was prepared for a temperament very much like
Lady Catherine's, it was a pleasant surprise when the man
spoke.

“Please forgive our coming unannounced. I am
afraid it could not be helped. As you see, my sister is most
distressed by the news of our nephew's grave condition; and I must
confess that I am concerned as well.”

“We are wasting time!” Lady Catherine
snapped, peering at Charles. “I suppose you are the one in charge
here. Are you going to show us the way or not?”

With a quick sidelong glance to his sister,
Lord Matlock offered a short bow. “I take it you are Darcy's
friend, Charles Bingley?”

“Yes, sir, I am,” answered Bingley,
cautiously eyeing Lady Catherine. He had heard enough of
Darcy's family to know that they were used to having their wishes
carried out. However, this was
his
house, and he would not
have any more harm done to Darcy no matter how well-intended. “I am
sorry, but Darcy is not in any condition to receive visitors.”

“We are not visitors, we are family!” hissed
Lady Catherine.

Lord Matlock placed a restraining hand on his
sister's arm. “We have not been formally introduced, but I am
Darcy's uncle, Robert Fitzwilliam, and this is my sister,
Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Dr. Lawrence sent word before
he left London that Darcy had been injured. It is important that we
see him.”

“I regret I cannot take you to him at
present, Lord Matlock. He is finally sleeping and Dr. Lawrence
has ordered that he not be disturbed for the next several hours at
least. Once he is awake, I will be happy to do so. Shall you take
some refreshment while you wait?”

Angrily, Lady Catherine opened her mouth
to reply, but was prevented by Lord Matlock's swifter response. “We
shall be happy to accept, Mr. Bingley. I thank you for your
hospitality.”

Imparting another warning glance to his
sister, the earl offered his arm and turned to follow Charles to
the drawing room. They were settled comfortably and a tray was
ordered before Charles excused himself and went in search of his
wife. She was still in his study, sitting exactly where he had left
her.

“Jane, my dear, we have company. Darcy's
uncle, Lord Matlock, and aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh have
come.”

“Oh, my! And that was the commotion at the
door?”

“Yes, they are rather anxious over Darcy's
condition and wish to see him as soon as possible. I have offered
refreshments in the drawing room until the doctor deems it safe for
Darcy to receive them. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Of course they are welcome! They
must be beside themselves with worry. I shall ask Caroline if she
will join us. Perhaps some music will help calm their minds while
they wait.”

Charles smiled softly and pulled his dear,
sweet Jane into an embrace. “I thought the very same thing myself,
and have already sent for her. This certainly is not the honeymoon
I had intended for us, my love; but as soon as we are able, you
shall have all I promised and more!”

Returning his smile, Jane gently stroked his
cheek before bestowing a tender kiss to his lips. “I am content,
Charles. All that matters is that we are together, wherever we are.
What is important now is that Mr. Darcy get well – for
everyone's
sake!”

By the time they rejoined Darcy's relations,
Caroline had already arrived and was taking the opportunity to
astound their esteemed guests with an impressive display at the
pianoforte. Lord Matlock seemed to appreciate her efforts, but
Lady Catherine did not, making it abundantly clear that she
was displeased with everyone and everything about her. Her peevish
expression brought to Charles' mind a picture of one of his
cousin's small daughters who pouted mightily when she could not
have her own way.

More than once, Charles and Jane exchanged
perplexed glances as the afternoon passed in a succession of failed
efforts to entertain their guests. After Caroline had tired of
playing, an attempt was made to carry a conversation, but the
weather was unremarkable and Charles' endeavor to find any subject
of common interest was eventually abandoned. In desperation, it was
decided to bring out the table for cards, which proved to be no
more successful than any of the other diverting activities that had
been tried. It seemed there was nothing that would pacify her
ladyship's ill humor.

Late in the day, the doctor finally appeared
with a report on Darcy, announcing that he was awake, but very
weak. The news was welcomed with audible sighs of relief all
around. It was only when the doctor added that visitors to the sick
room would not be allowed until after the patient had had something
to eat and Denham had an opportunity to attend him that there was a
resurgence of petulance from Lady Catherine. She was in the
midst of voicing her displeasure when Elizabeth quietly entered the
room.

Stopping just inside the door, Elizabeth saw
Mr. Bingley struggling valiantly to converse with
Lady Catherine de Bourgh and another gentleman who bore a
striking resemblance to Colonel Fitzwilliam. It was not difficult
for Elizabeth to deduce that the older man was Mr. Darcy's
uncle, the Earl of Matlock. Although it was a moment before the
others in the room noticed her presence, Lady Catherine's
response was immediate.

“How dare you show your face here!” she cried
at the sight of Elizabeth. “You stupid, insolent girl! You have
nearly killed Darcy!”

Elizabeth's shoulders squared as she came
under the Earl's somber examination. “Is this the one, then?” he
asked without taking his eyes off of her.

“Of course it is!” Lady Catherine
retorted. “Can you not see her scheming, deceitful nature? It is
quite evident.”

“I do not believe you have met my wife's
sister, my lord,” Bingley quickly interjected before
Lady Catherine could say any more. “May I present
Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn. Miss Bennet, this is
the Earl of Matlock, Darcy's uncle, and I believe you are already
acquainted with his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Not wishing to aggravate the situation,
Elizabeth made a concerted effort to display a pleasant expression
as she made her curtsey. “Lord Matlock, Lady Catherine. I am
pleased to make your acquaintance, sir. Your nephew speaks very
highly of you. Have you come to see him?”

Lady Catherine did not wait for her
brother to respond. “You know perfectly well why we have come,
Miss Bennet; though I do not see that it is any business of
yours!”

“Oh, but it is, your ladyship!” All eyes
turned to Caroline, whose insincere smile glittered with malice. “I
have nothing but praises for Miss Bennet. Did you not know she
has taken it upon herself to assist Dr. Lawrence in
Mr. Darcy's care? Yes, she has been quite devoted – in his
room night and day for two whole days without a single thought of
her reputation, or his.”

Lady Catherine fairly sprang from her
chair. “You impudent chit! You presume to wait upon my nephew in
his sick bed? This is not to be borne! It is evident you have no
feelings for the scandal you brought upon our family and continue
to do so, but it shall not be tolerated. I forbid it! You have done
enough damage. If not for you, Darcy would be in Kent, even now,
fulfilling his duty to his family!”

Frowning at Caroline's disclosure, Lord
Matlock rose from his seat as well. “Miss Bennet has not
breached the bounds of propriety, has she?”

Looking nervously to Elizabeth, Bingley
quickly answered. “Well, you see – there are extenuating
circumstances that I am not at liberty to disclose at the moment;
but Miss Bennet has been – ”

“Thank you for rising to my defense,
Mr. Bingley, but I believe his lordship deserves the truth. As
soon as I discovered Mr. Darcy's health was in grave danger, I
came to Netherfield. I do not deny I have been assisting
Dr. Lawrence these past two days. I do not regret it for one
moment, and I intend to continue. Say what you will, my lord, but I
shall not be dissuaded. I shall not leave Mr. Darcy's side
until he himself tells me to do so.”