Elizabeth nodded.
At that moment a maid knocked and came in with fresh broth, so Elizabeth busied herself feeding her friend spoon after spoon, until Charlotte pushed her hand away.
“Enough... please. I feel bloated.”
“Oh Charlotte, half a cup of broth will not be sufficient to sustain you or your baby.”
“But it will have to do... for now. If I can hold this down, maybe I will be able to take a little more with each passing day until I fully recover.”
Elizabeth then adjusted the bed covers over her friend and kissing her forehead, said goodnight.
Charlotte fell asleep within seconds.
***
Elizabeth tossed and turned again for the second night in a row. Eventually she felt the sheer frustration of her predicament take hold and she threw the bedcovers away in utter disgust.
“This is insupportable! Something must be done.”
She got out of bed and quickly threw a bed jacket over her nightdress, “I must find a book to read, I simply refuse to spend another night in this miserable fashion.” She said as she turned the doorknob and walked out into the darkened corridor.
The library was on the ground floor among the public rooms. It was a long way from the guest wing. She went back into her room and lit a candle and returned to the corridor more determined than ever.
She found the library but to her surprise it was neither dark nor empty; Mr Darcy slept over his arm, his torso folded on top of the desk and there was a glass of brandy near his head, very near the edge of the desk. One false move from him and the glass and its content would topple onto the plush carpet.
She thought about abandoning her intention of finding a book, and return speedily to her room, but her heart betrayed her and she felt sorry for Mr Darcy, gazing upon the proud man sleeping seated at a desk.
She walked stealthily towards him and gently grabbed the glass to move it from the edge when he opened his eyes and looked directly into hers.
“Miss Bennet?” He sat up straight and attempted to rub his face and smooth his clothing adjusting his cravat which was wrapped around his neck like a scurf. He tried to rescue some of his dignity, though clumsily.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered, “I beg your pardon sir. I did not intent to disturb you. I... I simply moved the glass which was about to fall from the desk.”
“Ah...” He said, in a stupor.
“I will leave you alone sir, please accept my apologies.”
“Why are you apologising Miss Bennet, have you done anything to warrant it?”
Elizabeth frowned, “I disturbed you, sir... it was not my intention.”
“What was your intention?”
“I was looking... I mean, I wanted to find a book to help me fall asleep.”
“I see... I came here to also find a book as well but I found the brandy instead... I seem to find the brandy a lot more appealing these days than a book.” He said sadly.
She winced, “Mr Darcy, this may not be the right place or time, but I would like to apologise for my treatment of you yesterday.”
He looked at her dumbfounded.
“Will you forgive me?” She said
He shook his head as if awakening from a trance, “Do you mean it? Will you listen to me as I give you my reasons for... well... for meddling in other people’s business?”
She smiled, “Yes, sir I will.”
His face split up in a beautiful smile that Elizabeth had never seen before.Since when does he have dimples?
