Mary smiled. “I understand. I know my sister very well, and I would not have you be in trouble with her on my account.”
Susan crossed the room, and as she opened the door, Mary glimpsed Georgianna sitting in the hallway. She looks quite tired. How could I behave in such a manner towards her? She has always been kind to me, and this is how I repay her. I am certain she was simply enjoying her lesson with a master. She had no way of knowing it was time for my lesson. I am thoroughly ashamed of myself.
Georgiana stood, speaking quietly to Susan, and Susan left the door open.
The young lady walked to the open door. “May I come in, dearest?” she asked quietly.
Mary nodded, put her finger to her lips, and looked toward Elizabeth, still asleep on the sofa.
Georgiana crossed the room silently, stood by the bed, and patted Mary’s hand.
“Georgiana?” Elizabeth sat up and rubbed her eyes.
“I tried not to wake you, Lizzy, but I could wait no longer to see with my own eyes that Mary was recovering,” the young woman replied. “I was unable to sleep, so I sat outside the room.”
Tears ran down Mary’s face. “I am sorry to have caused all this trouble,” she whispered in low raspy tones. She put her hand to her throat.
“Do you see how much we all love you, my dear?” asked Elizabeth, rising and going to her sister’s side. “I suppose Susan has gone to fetch our breakfast. She was supposed to awaken me.”
“I asked her not to, Lizzy.” Mary said softly, taking her hand.
Georgiana opened the curtains. “’Tis a lovely morning, and I think we would enjoy the sunlight after the cold rain yesterday and the day before. Shall we have our breakfast together in here?”
After Elizabeth and Mary agreed, Georgiana rang the bell for Mrs. Mills. When the housekeeper arrived, Georgiana gave her instructions, and the lady hurried downstairs to oversee the preparations.
Before long, Susan returned. In her absence, the staff had moved the couch, set up a table, and filled it with the family’s favorite breakfast foods.
Elizabeth and Georgiana helped Mary to sit up against several pillows, and Mrs. Mills placed a bed tray over her lap.
Susan busied herself pouring tea for the ladies. She took a cup to Mary and put it on her tray. “Nice and hot, Miss Mary, with some honey in it. I hope it will make your poor throat better. Would you like some milk porridge? I know just how you like it.”
Mary soon realized she was not yet completely well. Her head and throat hurt, she felt weak, and she had no appetite, but she wished to please those for whom she had caused so much worry and extra work, so she nodded and attempted to smile.
A familiar, pleasant voice sounded at the open door. “Good morning. What have we here? Far too many people, I fear. Though I know you all mean well, perhaps Miss Georgiana, Mrs. Darcy, and I could help Miss Bennet? My patient still needs her rest. She is still ill, though she will not complain.”
Mary’s face flushed red with her faint memories of the previous day. Did I really think he was an angel? What was I about? What must Mr. Beckett think of me?
As the servants left the room, the doctor looked at Mary and arched an eyebrow. He crossed the room in a few long strides, placed his bag on the floor, and stood beside her bed.
“I presume you just awakened, yet you already look tired again. Have we been overdoing it a bit this morning, my dear? You felt better so you thought you were well?” he asked kindly.
Elizabeth moved to stand beside him. “I fear you are right, and all of this bustle,” she said, glancing behind her, “is mostly my fault.”
“No, Elizabeth, I was the one who suggested having breakfast together. You shall not take the blame for it,” said Georgiana from Mr. Beckett’s other side.
The doctor held up his hand. “I feel certain that all was done from a place of the deepest affection for my patient, and knowing her tendency to undervalue her worth, I would venture to say she did not tell you she felt unwell. While I am pleased for Miss Mary to know how highly she is held in regard by her family and everyone else at Darcy House, we all must remember that she is not yet fully recovered. Perhaps we could make a schedule for today? One guest at a time? I have no objection to my patient having company, for I would rather she would not be alone, even while she sleeps.”
“The idea is a sound one, but I must insist that you put my name on that schedule as well,” said Mr. Darcy, from the doorway. “I have not yet seen my wife’s sister for myself, and that is a matter of great concern to me. When Elizabeth suggested that Mary come to London, I wrote to her father asking that he allow her to visit with us. I told him that I regard her as quite my own sister and would treat her as such. What must he think? I shall have to write him today to apprise him of her progress and take full responsibility for her present condition.”
Elizabeth cleared her throat and walked to her husband. She took his arm, speaking softly. “My dear Mr. Darcy, you have never neglected your duties in reference to my sister in any way. I know you sent an express the day before yesterday as soon as Mr. Beckett examined her. I confess I am surprised my father was able to convince Mama to stay home. He must have great trust in your excellent judgment. You know I had an express from him yesterday. He awaits another report from you before deciding whether his presence is required or not.”
Smiling down at her, he put his hand over hers. “Thank you, wife. Now I must satisfy my own mind that Mary is better before I compose my letter.”
Together they walked to the young lady’s bedside, going to the opposite side to face the doctor and Georgianna.
Darcy looked down at Mary, turning his wedding ring on his finger. “I would have come to see you for myself sooner, Mary, but I was convinced by Mr. Beckett and Elizabeth that I should wait until you felt better. This morning, I decided I would see you for myself. Thaddeus is the best doctor I know, and I trust him implicitly, but if you are no better, perhaps we should call in other doctors to confer with Thaddeus and employ a nurse.”
The doctor raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips. “Darcy, I have rarely seen you so undone. Miss Mary is better, but it will take time for her to fully recover. She is conscious, her colour has improved, she is eating a bit, and though I have yet to listen to her heart and check her fever this morning, I am optimistic that her heartbeat has returned to normal, and her temperature has declined.”
“Is there any reason you cannot check her heart and her fever now?” asked Darcy, continuing to twist his ring.
“Of course, I can. I came here for that express purpose, and I shall do so immediately.”
The doctor retrieved his bag and put it on the table by the bed. In a few moments, his examination was complete, and he turned to Darcy, smiling. “It is as I thought. Though Miss Mary must remain in bed to rest for another day, she is on the mend. Her temperature is nearly normal, and her heartbeat is strong. Tomorrow, she can get up and walk a bit with assistance, if she continues to improve. Darcy, I think you may stop abusing your finger now. May I have a cup of your excellent tea, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Please, allow me,” said Georgianna, turning to the cart behind her. “Cream and sugar?”
“Just a teaspoon of sugar, thank you,” he answered. “No cream. Now, Darcy, you may relax and send your good news to Mr. Bennet. Is that not right, Miss Mary?” He sipped his hot tea and smiled.
She looked up at him and nodded. Please, please, do not have Papa and Mama come here.
“Your tea is cold, dear,” said Elizabeth, gazing down at her sister. “Shall I get you a fresh cup with honey? It would help your throat.”