His morning began as bleakly as every other morning since Aunt Catherine informed him that no one at the parsonage asked about his recovery. No one wondered if he still lived. When Richard and Georgiana left for a ride after breaking their fast, he tried to be happy to see his sister’s smiling face, but he was miserable. And now that Elizabeth was here? A ray of hope stood in front of him. He desperately needed her. Thus, he would do everything in his power to make sure that she never left.
“Might I introduce you to my favorite relatives?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
She turned, wrapping both hands in the crook of his arm, providing stability.
“Uncle and Aunt Gardiner, this is Mr. Darcy, master of Pemberley. However, he is so much more than that. You see, what you do not know is that Mr. Darcy saved my life in late November of this last year. I slipped and fell while I was a very long distance from Netherfield Park. He found me unconscious, carried me back to the house, and arranged for my care.”
“I did nothing that any gentleman would not do.”
She peered up at him through those thick lashes. “Do not be modest, sir. You are my hero. This can be said of no other man, so you should enjoy the praise.”
Her smile lit his heart on fire. He completely forgot that his housekeeper and her relatives were in the room.
“Would you be agreeable to staying as a guest at Pemberley, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner?”
Once they agreed, he said, “My cousin is here, who Miss Bennet already knows. My sister came from London to provide care. Will you allow me, or do I ask too much to introduce Georgiana to you?”
She looked to her uncle, who nodded. “We would be delighted. To both.”
Darcy felt like the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders.
“Mrs. Reynolds, please put Miss Bennet in the blue guest suite and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner in the yellow chambers next to her. The rooms further down the hall can be prepared for the Bingleys’ arrival on the morrow.”
“Yes, sir.” Darcy’s housekeeper said to Mr. Gardiner, “If you are staying at Lambton’s inn, I will send someone to settle your account and gather your belongings. I do understand if this is something you would like to do yourself. However, it truly is no imposition.”
Mrs. Gardiner replied, “We shall remain with our niece, then.”
“Tea shall be served momentarily.” Mrs. Reynolds closed the door behind her. Whatever moved her to bring Elizabeth to him, Darcy had not a clue. However, he would double his housekeeper’s monthly salary for her diligence.
Without a word, Elizabeth handed him the cane next to where he had been sitting. Gritting his teeth, Darcy attempted to be as smooth as possible when moving to the sofa. Putting all his weight on his good leg, he moved the canes forward before taking a tentative step. His movements were as slow as a tortoise and as ungainly as a duck on land.
Once he was seated, which was another exercise in excruciating difficulty, Elizabeth placed the canes on the other side of her, out of his sight.
“Can we speak of your injury, sir?” Elizabeth asked. Even though it was the last thing he wanted to discuss, did she not know that she could say or do anything she wanted?
“The damage to the kneecap and the tendons surrounding the knee was extensive. My aunt’s surgeon attempted to amputate. My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, never left my side until he could move me to London away from the man. Needless to say, the journey was challenging. My physician was singularly unqualified to treat this sort of injury. My cousin turned tothe surgeon who served in his regiment. With his help and laudanum, the doctor put as much back in place as possible. Where my aunt’s doctor said I would lose my leg, my cousin’s surgeon said I would always have a limp along with a measure of discomfort. As you can see, I kept my leg.”
“Is there anything else that can be done?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“When the pain and swelling get too bad, ice is applied to the area. I am to move it as much as possible to keep it from stiffening. I will say that, so far, this treatment is working. For the first three months, I wore a splint to keep my leg immobilized. At the same time, the doctor had me move and stretch my muscles. Now, I have a brace for support and use these canes to be mobile. He estimates that it could be six months to a year before I am able to put my full weight on my leg without it causing further damage.”
“Do you have restrictions, then?” Mr. Gardiner asked.
“I am to avoid climbing stairs, bending deeply, and any activities that place a strain on my knee.”
“Then we are not taxing you?” Elizabeth asked.
“Never!” Darcy sat back on the sofa, stretching his mangled leg in front of him. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, your niece told you that I was her hero. What she failed to mention was how dutifully she cared for me after my fall. If anyone is a hero, it is Miss Bennet.”
The rosy hue of her cheeks added to her beauty.
She peered up at him. Her eyes were limpid pools that he would gladly drown in.
“Sir, do you not recall why you were on that rickety bridge in the first place? It was to rescue me from my impulsive decision to cross. Do not be modest. My dearest family can bear the truth.”
“I would much rather bear the pain than have you suffer.”
