Page 9 of Grief and Grievances
The doctor’s countenance brightened with relief as he clasped Darcy’s hand in gratitude. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for your understanding. I shall attend Rosings as soon as possible.”
As the doctor hurried away, Darcy allowed himself a moment to relish the warmth that bloomed within him at the knowledge that he had acted justly—and that Elizabeth bore witness to his decision. The admiration in her eyes stoked the flames of his affection, and he silently vowed to continue proving himself worthy of her regard.
The air hung thick with tension; a sombre atmosphere enveloped the group as they contemplated Anne’s fragile state. Elizabeth, ever attentive to the needs of others, approached Darcy with a resolute expression. “Mr. Darcy,” she began softly, “I would like to offer my assistance during Anne’s journey to Rosings. It would be best if someone were to support her head and ensure her comfort throughout the carriage ride.”
Darcy studied Elizabeth’s earnest visage, noting the genuine concern that shone in her eyes. He was struck by the intrinsic kindness she displayed even in the most trying of circumstances and could not help but feel his admiration for her grow. “Miss Bennet, your offer is most considerate, and I am grateful for your willingness to help. I believe your presence will indeed provide comfort to Anne,” he replied, the warmth in his voice evident.
“Mr. Darcy,” Charlotte Collins interjected, her voice level and pragmatic, “I believe it would be best if both Elizabeth and I were to accompany Anne in the carriage. Our smaller size would allow us to make better use of the limited space on the floor.”
“Indeed, Mrs. Collins,” Darcy replied, inclining his head in agreement. “Your suggestion is most sensible. I trust Miss Bennet’s nursing skills, having witnessed them firsthand at Netherfield.” His voice held a note of warmth that surprised even himself.
Elizabeth’s head jerked up and she gave him a startled look, as though taken aback by his observation. She offered a slight nod, her cheeks colouring beneath Darcy’s praise. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. We shall do our utmost to care for Anne. I promise you, she shall receive no less tender care from me than my own sister did.”
The two women, acting with haste tempered by gentleness, assisted one another in settling Anne onto the carriage floor, the blankets and cushions arranged around her to best effect to cushion her from any bumps the carriage might suffer during the journey. Their movements were practiced and efficient, their shared determination evident in the set of their jaws and the furrow of their brows. As they settled into position on either side of Anne, supporting her fragile form, Darcy could not help but marvel at the strength and resilience they displayed.
“Is there anything else you require, Mr. Darcy?” Charlotte asked, breaking through his reverie. Her eyes met his, steady and unwavering, while Elizabeth’s gaze remained fixed on Anne, her fingers deftly adjusting the makeshift cushion beneath her cousin’s head.
“Nothing further, Mrs. Collins. Ensure that Anne is as comfortable as possible, and please inform me of any changes in her condition,” Darcy requested. “My cousin and I will ride on the back of the carriage; if you need to stop for any reason, one of you knock loudly and we will hear you.”
“Of course,” Charlotte assured him, her expression resolute as she turned her attention back to Anne.
As the carriage door closed, sealing the trio within, Darcy found himself struggling to suppress a swell of emotion. The sight of Elizabeth and Charlotte, noble in their selfless actions and tender in their ministrations, stirred within him an overwhelming sense of gratitude and admiration. He knew that their presence would be a balm for Anne’s suffering, even as they bore witness to its progression.
“Come, cousin,” Darcy said, steeling himself against the weight of his thoughts. “We must make haste to Rosings.”
Together, the two men clambered onto the rear of the carriage, gripping the iron handholds tightly as they braced themselves for the bumpy ride ahead. The horses snorted uneasily, perhaps sensing the urgency and tension emanating from their passengers, and Darcy offered a silent prayer that they would bear them swiftly and safely to Rosings.
As the carriage lurched forward, Darcy’s mind raced with thoughts of Anne’s fragile state, of the doctor’s ominous expression, and of the tenuous thread upon which her life now hung. He clenched his jaw, willing himself to remain composed despite the mounting dread that threatened to engulf him.
“Steady there,” murmured Colonel Fitzwilliam, his grip tightening as the wheels jolted over an uneven patch of road. “We must trust in Miss Bennet and Mrs. Collins to see Anne through this ordeal.”
“Of course,” Darcy replied, his voice barely audible above the rumble of the carriage. “I have no doubt of their capabilities.” Yet even as he spoke these words of reassurance, the memory of Elizabeth’s deft hands and compassionate gaze haunted him, stirring a curious mixture of gratitude and longing within his breast.
“Still,” he continued, his voice strained but steadier now, “I cannot help but feel a deep sense of responsibility for what has befallen Anne. I should have been more attentive to her needs, more vigilant in ensuring her safety.”
“None of us could have foreseen this tragedy, Darcy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam replied gently, his eyes betraying a shared concern. “We must focus on the present and do what we can to support her through this difficult time.”
Darcy nodded, though his thoughts remained clouded with guilt and worry. He flinched at every bump the carriage encountered, each jarring motion a stark reminder of Anne’s precarious condition.
“Cousin,” he said suddenly, compelled to voice the thoughts that had been plaguing him since the doctor’s fateful, silent diagnosis. “Do you ever... do you ever wonder if we are truly equipped to shoulder the burdens of our station?”
“Every day, Darcy,” his cousin replied solemnly. “Every single day.”
“Then how,” Darcy asked, his voice wavering with emotion, “do we find the strength to carry on?”
“By leaning on those who share our struggles,” the Colonel answered, reaching out to grasp Darcy’s shoulder in a gesture of kinship. “And by remembering that even in our darkest moments, we are never truly alone.”
As the carriage continued its slow progress towards Rosings, Darcy took comfort in his cousin’s words, allowing them to buoy his spirits and fortify his resolve. He made a silent vow to see Anne through this ordeal, no matter the cost.
Chapter Five
Fromthecornerofhis eye, Darcy caught a blur of movement as Lady Catherine stormed out of Rosings, her face contorted with a mixture of panic and indignation. She appeared to be a force of nature in that instant, her voice thundering through the air as she shouted orders at the terrified servants scuttling about in an attempt to accommodate her demands.
“Summon the doctor immediately!” she commanded, her tone brooking no argument. “And see to it that my daughter’s room is prepared for her arrival!”
Darcy could not help but be struck by the tumultuous scene before him, so at odds with the usual decorum and order he had come to associate with his aunt’s grand estate. Inwardly, he sighed, knowing that though her intentions were to aid her injured daughter, Lady Catherine’s frantic manner only served to heighten the chaos of the situation.
“Ensure that Anne is made as comfortable as possible,” she continued, her gaze sweeping over the frightened faces of the staff. “I will not have her suffer any further indignities!”
