“Shall we get back to the Healer’s Hall, Bingley?” Lady Hazelmere put out her hand again to him. “Your legs must be getting tired by now.”
Bingley gave no sign of hearing her. Darcy was not sure if Bingley did not want to go back, or if he simply did not understand what she was saying. It could be a problem if Bingley took no notice of Lady Hazelmere and wandered wherever he wished. How much did he register of what was happening around him?
They would not know unless they tested it. “Come with me, Bingley. I will take you back to Healer’s Hall.”
Darcy began to walk to the door. To his delight, Bingley followed.
“He understands me.”
“It is too soon to tell. We will have to see if he can follow instructions. If it were a head injury, I would be able to give you more of an idea, though even head injuries do not follow a set path. In Mr. Bingley’s case I have no idea what to expect.”
Darcy began to walk in the direction of the Healer’s Hall and Bingley followed. Several people stopped to offer congratulations for his recovery, but then continued on their way as they discovered he did not seem to understand what they were saying.
Bingley followed Darcy until they reached Healer’s Hall, but he stopped at the door, even though Darcy went in.
“Come on, Bingley,” said Darcy, briskly. “You need to rest for a while. You can come and see me again later.”
But Bingley refused to go in.
“It is a good sign.” Lady Hazelmere gave Darcy an encouraging smile. “It means he knows where he is.”
“Yes, it is a very good sign, but how are we to convince him to stay in the Healer’s Hall?”
“Perhaps a change of scene will do him good. We can set him up in one of the bedchambers. The only problem is that someone will need to supervise him. We cannot have him wandering around everywhere. He might harm himself. Or he might even open the door and go astray in the countryside.”
Darcy thought of his own bedchamber, and Elizabeth’s upset at discovering Darcy did not want an adjoining room. Perhaps there was a good reason for it after all.
“We can set up a bed in my bedchamber. I cannot guarantee he will not leave when I am asleep, but I am not a deep sleeper.”
“Would you do that?” Lady Hazelmere brightened. “I confess I have been worried about it. I was considering assigning a footman to him, but everyone is occupied. We can take turns with him during the day, but at least we would not have to worry about the night.”
Darcy nodded. “Good. I will give the orders.”
“Thank you. That is one problem solved, at least. Now we will have to see where he wishes to go next.”
“Leave it to me, Lady Hazelmere. I have an idea where to take him. I will do my best to convince him to come back here afterwards. Meanwhile, you deserve a rest.”
“I could do with one. I will go and see if I can find a cup of tea somewhere. It is so hard to know where everything is. Everything keeps getting changed around.”
As she walked away, Darcy turned to his friend.
“Come Bingley. We will go and find Elizabeth. She will be delighted to see you up on your feet, walking around. What do you think?”
Bingley seemed happy enough to follow Darcy, who kept up a one-sided conversation until they reached the library.
Elizabeth was seated at a table that had been set up for her, surrounded by books as usual. Spotting Bingley behind Darcy, she jumped up and rushed over.
“Mr. Bingley!”
Darcy gave her a warning signal, and she stopped and looked at him with a question in her eyes.
“I think he understands some of the things we say,” said Darcy, by way of explanation.
“Well then.” Her voice had a brittle cheer to it. “Why don’t you both come and help me sort out some books?”
***
DARCY MANAGED TO LEAVEBingley with Elizabeth and hurried to attend the Council meeting. Naturally, Darcy was late, but at least he could give them the good news.
