“As I said, it greatly depends on the bullet’s composition. In fortunate cases, it passes through and out of the body. That was what I sought the first night when I repeatedly asked you to move him so I could examine his back—”
“There was no wound to show the bullet had left his body,” Elizabeth interjected, her voice laden with the pain she could no longer contain. Until that moment, she had understood that his condition was grave, even critical. But she had not dared to imagine there might be no hope.
“Yes, it does not,” the physician said. “But even when the bullet does not leave the body, several possibilities exist. It depends on whether the bullet remains intact or in fragments…within the body. Unfortunately, we cannot yet determine MrDarcy’s case. For now the bullet has not struck anything vital and has settled in a harmless location, given he is still alive after four days, yet it might pose a danger in time and with movement. That is why I must insist that Mr Darcy remain still and generally avoid any agitation. He is extraordinary—full of courage and determination.”
He sighed, the sound heavy with pain, and their shared suffering merged into one for a few moments.
“He is a remarkable man. I have rarely seen so much unselfishness and such a strong will… We must take great care of him,” the physician continued, and both women nodded in agreement.
“He is waiting for you, Miss Bennet. He told me you were coming. Your presence will surely bring him relief.”
She wondered how Mr Darcy had presented her and who he had said she was. But it was obvious he believed she was coming. Instead of infuriating her, it only surprised her how well he knew her.
The physician departed, promising to return in a few hours.
She needed to speak to Mr Darcy, and for the first time since learning of the terrible news, she realised that she would soon come face-to-face with the man who had not looked back after giving her that farewell letter. He had left Kent just as agitated as she had remained behind. But then she recalled the pain in her heart, which she had not known how to interpret, although his pain had been even greater—because he had loved her.
“Now I am ready to see your brother,” Elizabeth said. She made no effort to hide her profound emotions—a mixture of compassion and care but also a hint of fear as she did not know how she would respond seeing that man who had been the epitome of an active gentleman but was now confined to a bed,not to mention the situation itself, entering the bedroom of a gentleman.
“Do not worry,” Georgiana said, taking her arm. “He is not so changed, and I am sure he will make every effort not to put you in an embarrassing situation.”
And a few moments later, she opened the door of his chamber on the second floor.
Chapter 16
“Miss Bennet has arrived, my dear,” Georgiana said. Elizabeth entered the room, her heart pounding wildly, almost leaping from her chest. No effort she made could render her calm, yet she hoped her face betrayed nothing.
“Miss Bennet, welcome. Thank you for coming,” Darcy said as Elizabeth approached him. Propped up against several large pillows, he seemed almost the man she remembered, looking and behaving exactly how Georgiana and the physician had described.
“Mr Darcy!” she responded, attempting to smile, though she was certain her face conveyed only concern.
At their entrance, his valet rose and retreated silently after Darcy introduced him to Elizabeth.
At last, they faced one another, yet how different this meeting was from all the others. Although tragedy and pain lingered between them, they seemed eager to meet, as though they had always been friends. That was how Elizabeth felt; on hisface, she could discern a faint smile drowned in relief—mainly because of her arrival.
“Forgive my unshaven face, but these oppressors surrounding me have refused to shave me—”
“Do not expect me to take your side,” Elizabeth interjected with sudden inspiration, precisely striking the tone Darcy needed after days spent among suppressed tears and solemn faces.
He smiled faintly, a smile unlike any she had seen before, and said, “Thank you for coming,” again, this time in a tone had nothing formal in it, only his contentment at her arrival.
“We can talk in the morning.” Elizabeth attempted to postpone the conversation, not for her own peace of mind but because she feared he was too tired.
“My dear Miss Bennet, we must speak tonight—now,” he said.
Elizabeth inclined her head slightly, acquiescing to his words, and seated herself in the armchair near his bed, which he had indicated with a slight gesture.
“Georgiana, please leave us,” Darcy continued.
“No, please, no!” his sister implored, but he gave only a tiny nod, and she withdrew. A wave of pain washed over Elizabeth’s heart as she imagined how difficult it must be for Georgiana to leave him.
“Thank you for coming,” he said again.
“You have already said that…twice,” Elizabeth replied, suddenly deciding to speak to him as though this were a typical visit and he was in full health. She understood how difficult it must be for him to endure his present state.
“Then thank you for treating me as if nothing is amiss.”
“For that, you may indeed thank me, for it is extraordinarily difficult to do,” she said. He smiled once more, and as she gazed at him intently, she thought that the beardsuited him. He did not look like an unkempt invalid but rather an eccentric gentleman.
