"Stay." She heard her husband say. “Please. That is, if the physician here doesn’t mind."
The man in question nodded his approval. "Not at all. In fact, it may be helpful to have you present."
She settled into the chair near Fitzwilliam's desk while the physician conducted his examination—checking pulse and breathing, asking about headaches and dizziness, testing reflexes and responses. Her husband answered each question patiently.
"And your memory?" Dr Newport asked, making notes in a small leather-bound journal. "Any improvement since my last visit?"
"Yes. Considerable improvement, actually."
"Excellent. Can you describe the nature of this improvement? Are we speaking of vague impressions still, or actual recovery of specific memories?"
"The latter." Fitzwilliam's fingers drummed against the arm of his chair. Was it a nervous gesture? She couldn’t tell."Events that were previously hazy or absent entirely are now... clear."
"Can you give me an example? Something specific that you could not recall before but can now remember in detail?"
Fitzwilliam was quiet for a moment, his expression turning inward as he searched through his recovered recollections. "The assembly at Meryton. When I first arrived in Hertfordshire with Bingley. I could not remember the general facts of it prior—where we visited, the various people I met. Those details were missing."
"And now?"
"Now I remember it clearly." His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he continued. "Bingley was insisting that I dance. I remember standing near the wall, observing the company with what I now recognise as insufferable disdain. And I remember..." He paused, his gaze moving to Elizabeth. “…meeting Mrs Darcy—Miss Elizabeth Bennet, as she was then."
Elizabeth felt her pulse quicken. He remembered. This was the moment she had been dreading, the return of the proud, disagreeable gentleman who had dismissed her so thoroughly.
"Fascinating," Dr Newport murmured, scribbling in his journal. "And other memories? Beyond that specific event?"
"Many." Fitzwilliam's expression shifted, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "I recall meeting Miss Rochford and the dance we shared afterwards. And the correspondence that occurred when I returned to Pemberley due to the mine accident. That is all.”
Elizabeth's hands clenched in her lap. This was it—the moment when he would realise the depth of the deception,connecting the discrepancy between the letters and Cassandra's character.
Dr Newport appeared oblivious to the undercurrent of tension in the room. "This is remarkable progress, Mr Darcy. Truly remarkable. The fact that you are recovering not just fragments but detailed portions of your memory suggests your injury was less severe than we initially feared. With continued rest and care, I expect a full recovery."
"That is good news indeed," her husband said, but his attention remained fixed on Elizabeth.
After several more questions and examinations, Dr Newport pronounced himself satisfied and prepared to depart. "I shall return in a fortnight unless you have need of me sooner. Continue as you have been—avoid excessive strain, get adequate rest, and do not hesitate to send for me if you experience any concerning symptoms."
Once the physician had departed, silence settled over the study. She remained in her chair, her heart pounding, waiting for him to speak. When he did, his voice was soft, almost hesitant.
"Elizabeth, I owe you an apology."
She looked up, startled. "An apology? Whatever for?"
"For my behaviour at that assembly. For my rudeness." He rose from his chair and crossed to stand before her, close enough that she had to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. "I remember what I said about you that night. The words I spoke to Bingley when he suggested I dance with you. They were... unforgivable."
"That I was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you? It’s all forgotten.”
“It was arrogant and cruel, and you did not deserve such treatment."
The irony of the situation was not lost on her. She was the one who had wronged him deeply. And here he was apologising to her. “Of course I forgive you. That was months ago, and you have been nothing but kind to me since."
“I now remember spending the day after the assembly thinking about you and being irritated that I found you attractive despite my initial assessment. It made me irritated to learn that you were intelligent, witty and absolutely nothing like the practised society ladies I was accustomed to.”
He shook his head, his expression rueful. “While I’m sure Miss Rochford is a decent lady, I let myself be guided towards someone I did not truly want because it seemed easier than pursuing what I did want."
“Which was?” She barely dared to breathe.
“You. I wasted so much time. Time we could have spent actually getting to know one another and building something important. I apologise for that too."
Elizabeth stared at him, her mind reeling. "You are not upset with me?"
