Page 44 of The Cherry Trees of Rosings
“Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth startled.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was standing at the partially ajar door of the room, dressed in his nightclothes with a robe thrown on top. He was eyeing the room strangely. Warily. His shrewd eyes landed on hers.
“I could not sleep,” she said quickly, even as heat rushed to her cheeks.
“Is he here? Darcy?”
There was a hesitation in the Colonel’s voice. Like he did not wish to believe… but somehow did.What had Charlotte said to him?!
Elizabeth glanced at Mr. Darcy.
Their eyes held for a moment. She nodded.
“Ah, I see.”
Silence descended in the room as Colonel Fitzwilliam gingerly stepped in. As if he was afraid to set something off.
Elizabeth clutched the pages in her hands as she glanced between the cousins. One in flesh. The other in spirit.They both did not seem to know where to look.
“Would you like to visit Darcy right now?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. “Seeing as we are both awake.”
His eyes swept the room once more.
“I meant Darcy’s sick bed.”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said.
“No,” Mr. Darcy said.
She glared at him.
“Miss Bennet, please do not…” Mr. Darcy said. His eyes beseeched her.
She looked away.
“It is Miss Bennet now, is it?”
She set down the pages on the armchair and stood up. When she looked at him again, Mr. Darcy looked embarrassed.
“Elizabeth…”
She focused on Colonel Fitzwilliam instead. The man was scrutinizing the spot where Mr. Darcy stood.
“Lead the way, sir, if you please.”
Chapter 29:
Hands
It did not take them long to make their way to the room where Mr. Darcy was being housed.
It was on the first floor of the cottage. Easier to reach. But not in the way.
A young man opened the door when the Colonel knocked. He looked like he was in his early twenties, and had a distinct similarity in appearance to Mrs. Ronald. He gawked at them in surprise.
“Dennis, you can return at the strike of the hour. I shall be here until then,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said.
