Page 27 of Until My Last Breath

He flinched when his eyes rested on her face. “Good God, I heard your husband was accidentally shot during a hunting party, but I was not expecting to have two patients. What happened to your face?”

Elizabeth ran to the mirror to check her appearance. The purple bruise on her cheek and the cut on the swollen lip were a frightening sight. “I had not noticed it was so bad.” She paused, just enough to think about what to say. “While attending to my husband, I… hit my face against the door of the carriage. It was a silly accident. But, please do not concern yourself with me. I am well.”

Dr Hayford approached, gently taking her chin. He gave her face agood look and frowned. Elizabeth held her breath while the doctor kept his eyes on her face, until he nodded. “Thank goodness it is not a nasty cut. Just put something cold on it, will you? Now let me see your husband. What an unfortunate event,” he said, turning from her.

Elizabeth released her breath slowly, looking at Brown, who had his hand on his hidden pistol. Fortunately, Dr Hayford seemed to be the kind of man who once focused on his own work would not pay attention to anything else.

“Yes, sir, very unfortunate indeed,” Elizabeth said, performing her role in the farce. But she had more important things to be concerned about. “Doctor, after the… incident,” she said looking back at Brown, “I tried to stop the bleeding, and as you can see, I tied it up with some bandages. I hope that was enough.”

Dr Hayford opened Mr Darcy’s shirt, and Elizabeth averted her eyes, trying to control her effusive blushing. She had done the same before, but this time the light was much better. She kept reminding herself that there was no reason to be embarrassed. God willing, she was going to marry Mr Darcy.

The doctor, however, contrary to what she had done before, could not work with his patient still wearing his shirt. And now, with some renewed alarm, she heard him ask, “Mrs Smith, would you mind giving me some help here? He seems to be unresponsive.” She gasped, widening her eyes. “I do not want to move him more than is necessary to remove his clothes. If you hold him, like this. Yes. Perfect.”

Elizabeth found herself in the most awkward situation ever. She was sitting on the bed, holding Mr Darcy by his undressed chest, while the doctor was pulling the shirt off by the sleeves.

“Elizabeth…” Darcy mumbled confused.

Moved by an array of feelings which she would not bother to understand in that moment, she just held him still, resting her head against his good shoulder while the doctor finished his task.

Dr Hayford huffed. “Thank you, Mrs Smith. Now let us lay him down again. Yes. Good.”

As soon as they had placed Darcy against the pillows, Elizabeth blushed effusively. She could barely believe her eyes, blinking a couple of times before turning. She had never seen an undressed man in her life, not even her father when they used to swim in a lake not too far from Meryton when she was still a child. But she had been to museums and seen some of those ancient Greek marble statues. If what they said about their singular masculine beauty was true, well, then Mr Darcy was indeed a very handsome man.

“Yes, you have done a good job, Mrs Smith. Essential, I would say, as you managed to stop his bleeding. Now, if you could continue holding his arms, I will start looking after this wound. Mr Brown, would you mind removing his boots? I want him to be as comfortable as possible. The poor fellow will feel a lot of pain from now on.”

Elizabeth quickly saw the opportunity. As soon as Brown moved from her side to the bottom of the bed, without taking her eyes from the evil man, Elizabeth noticed the doctor’s eyes on her. Her glance quickly shifted between the doctor and Brown; then, when Brown bent down to pull Darcy’s boots, Elizabeth looked at the doctor and silently mouthed, “help”. She immediately moved her eyes back to Brown, who fortunately missed the brief interaction.

She did not know if the doctor had understood her meaning. Hopefully, he would at least suspect that something was amiss.

But, if the doctor had understood her, he did not show it in any way, as he continued carefully removing his patient’s old bandages.

Darcy moaned and opened his eyes momentarily.

“It seems your husband is waking up, Mrs Smith. Well, who can sleep with such pain?” Dr Hayford asked, looking apologetically at Elizabeth. “However, for me it is better to assess my patient’s real condition before I determine the treatment. I advise you to be strong, please. If you think you cannot cope with witnessing his suffering, I do not mind you leaving the room. Mr Brown can certainly help me.”

Elizabeth did not need to look at Brown to respond. “Do not fret for me, Doctor. I will be fine. I cannot conceive the idea of leaving myhusband’s side in a moment like this.” It was a strange feeling to realise she really meant it. She would not leave Mr Darcy’s side, unless they dragged her from him.

“Very well,” replied the doctor. “As you wish. Let us start then. Would you have some towels and water, Mr Brown?”

From where he stood, Brown shouted somebody’s name and the person immediately entered the room with a jug and a washing bowl, and some clean towels. Brown obviously did not want to give her the chance to be alone with the doctor.

“What is your husband’s name, Mrs Smith?” Dr Hayford asked a little surprised with Brown’s consideration.

“Ah, um… William, sir. William Smith.”

“Some people in his state of consciousness react better when they are called by their Christian names,” the doctor said. “Would you mind calling him, Mrs Smith? He will be more responsive to a familiar voice.”

Elizabeth nodded. “William, dear,” she said, caressing his face. “Please, William, wake up…”

She smiled when Darcy opened his eyes, blinking a couple of times.

“Elizabeth…” he whispered, closing his eyes again.

“William, the doctor is here to see you,” she continued. “He needs to talk to you.” Elizabeth sighed in relief when he looked back at her with some understanding. “Dear, we are back at the cottage. Perhaps it will be difficult for you to remember, but you were shot while you and the others were hunting.” She hoped he would understand the hidden meaning behind her words. “We came back to the cottage as soon as possible and the doctor was called. He is here now.”

Darcy, more alert now, tried to sit up. His eyes found Brown — the man who had shot at Elizabeth. Rage filled his heart and he started panting while locking his gaze with the man.

Elizabeth cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “William, dear, look at me. You do not need to worry. Everything will be fine.”

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