Chapter 9

D r Bates’s entrance took Darcy by surprise and confirmed his worst fears. Georgiana had come too, after travelling since dawn. She was now waiting in the Bennets’ drawing room, where her timidity and restrained nature would have to endure a room full of strangers and where the youngest sisters might mention Wickham’s name at any time.

“Mr Darcy! I have known you since you were an infant, and I can hardly remember another instance when I have seen you lying in bed,” Dr Bates said after the introduction to the apothecary.

“Dr Bates. Thank you so much for coming. Your effort is greatly appreciated. And I do hope this will be the last time you see me abed, for many years at least. I feel terrible not moving for so long.”

“Well, I am glad Mr Jones managed to keep you still because you do look quite terrible. Let me see what the damage is.”

Darcy bore Dr Bates’s thorough and painful examination impatiently. At times, he let out a few moans and observed the doctor shaking his head in displeasure.

“So? Can I move to Netherfield? I have already burdened the Bennets enough, and now there are even more people invading their home and disturbing their peace.”

“You were right to send for me, Mr Jones,” Dr Bates finally said. “Your conclusions were also correct. There are several bruised ribs, which need time and rest to heal. Thankfully, nothing seems broken. He has caught a cold, and the fever might still increase. The protuberance on the top of the head is the most worrisome, but I have brought something for it, and I shall watch it closely for a few days.”

“Will you not return to London?” Darcy enquired. “I assumed you would return tomorrow, and I was about to ask you to take my sister with you.”

“Not at all. I shall stay for a few days — possibly even a week. I have already discussed it with Miss Darcy. You may be more ill than you feel you are, sir.”

“What about your business in London? Your other patients?”

“Do not worry — everything is well taken care of. I have the feeling you are trying to send me away, Mr Darcy. Does my presence here displease you?”

“Of course not! Quite the contrary — I am deeply grateful to you. I just feel uncomfortable that I have caused so much trouble to so many people for a mere silly accident.”

“Then it is settled — I shall leave when the time is right. I shall end my examination for now so your sister might come and see you. She was deeply worried — and rightfully so.”

“Thank you. I am eager to see her too.”

“We shall arrange your pillows so you can sit up. Just please avoid any strain or abrupt movements.”

“Of course.”

“What intrigues me exceedingly is the bruise on your temple. It looks superficial, but I am curious about it.”

“I wondered about it too,” Mr Jones said. “If Mr Darcy hit the top of his head on a branch — hence the swelling and the loss of his hat — what could have caused that clean, sharp bruise on his temple?”

“It looks almost like…” Dr Bates said, examining it closely, “like an abrasion from a missed shot. Like a bullet that just grazed the skin.”

“I really could not say. I have never seen such a mark before,” Mr Jones said. “I have seen some gunshot wounds — most of them deadly — but nothing of this kind.”

“I spent enough time in the army to see all sorts of wounds caused by all sorts of weapons,” Dr Bates said. “But I might be wrong — I cannot imagine anyone shooting pistols around Mr Darcy here in Hertfordshire.”

Darcy forced a smile despite the tightness in his chest; the impression of a scheme he refused to even imagine was taking shape in his mind. He felt bewildered, whilst his panic in regard to Georgiana increased. If such a plot had been conceived, if Wickham was directly involved in his accident, if he had tried to shoot him, that was proof the villain was desperate and prepared to do anything.

After the failed elopement Wickham had attempted to trick Georgiana into, their cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam had suggested that the scoundrel would never cease his devious actions. The colonel had spoken half in jest, but to Darcy, such a notion was unthinkable. And yet, there was now further evidence to support his cousin’s statement.

“Mr Darcy?”

“Yes? Forgive me, I did not hear you.”

“We shall send Miss Darcy in now, so you may talk. And we could move you to Netherfield in two days if you continue to improve.”

“Two days at Longbourn? More disturbance for the Bennets? Can it not be done sooner? Bingley’s ball is planned for two days’ time, and the house will already be in uproar. Dr Bates, you must find another way.”

“Mr Darcy, I insist that you cannot be moved sooner. If your ribs suffer further injury, there is no way they can be repaired, and your life would be in great danger. Truly great danger, sir.”

“Very well, I shall do as you wish. Just please do not tell my sister anything that might scare her more.”

“It is not as I wish, Mr Darcy, but as it must be done for your benefit,” the doctor said with vexation.

“I understand that, Dr Bates. I am sorry if it sounded otherwise,” Darcy agreed. He had no choice but to obey.

Dr Bates and his late father, who had also been a physician, had been treating the Darcys and Fitzwilliams for longer than Darcy could remember. Dr Bates’s experience and knowledge was among the best in England and beyond. He had also spent several years in the army, tending to injured soldiers in the worst possible circumstances. There were few wounds and diseases Dr Bates had not seen or treated. Therefore, any recommendation was well grounded and admitted no contradiction.

Dr Bates and Mr Jones left Darcy’s room; minutes later, a gentle knock on the door followed, and Georgiana entered. To his equal surprise and pleasure, behind his sister was Elizabeth.

“Dear brother!” Georgiana whispered and ran to him. She leant over the bed to embrace him gently. Over his sister’s shoulder, he saw Elizabeth looking at them. She then nodded and closed the door, allowing them privacy.

“How are you feeling, Brother? Are you in pain?”

“Quite well, truly. Dr Bates says I must stay in bed for a few more days, but you have no reason to worry. You should not have come for a mere accident.”

“Not have come? Would you not have come to see me if I had an accident?”

“Of course I would, but—”

“Brother, I am not a child any longer.”

“No, you are not,” he replied affectionately. “You look tired. And pale.”

“So do you.” She smiled. “But you look better than I expected.”

“So, tell me, how are you? Have you met the entire Bennet family? What do you think of them?”

“Yes. They have all been very kind to me. Mrs Bennet says I am too thin, and she insists I must eat.” She smiled again.

“Does she? I absolutely agree with her — which is quite unexpected.”

“Miss Elizabeth brought me here, to your room. She is lovely.”

“I know they might be a little overwhelming, but Mrs Bennet and Miss Elizabeth found me and saved me.”

“I know, Brother. Mr Bingley told me, and I have thanked them already. I do not find them overwhelming when I know what they have done for you.”

“My dear, there is another matter we must discuss. It is the reason I wish you had not come. George Wickham is here.”

His sister’s face paled immediately.

“What do you mean, here?”

“He is in Meryton. Apparently, he has begun a new career as a militia officer and joined the regiment stationed here a week ago.”

“Oh…”

“Yes, it is just an unfortunate coincidence.”

“Have you spoken to him?”

“Briefly. Nothing of consequence. Considering you have no business in Meryton, I do not expect you will see him. But he is quite friendly with the Bennet family, and you might hear his name mentioned.”

“Oh…do the Bennet family know about…? Or Mr Bingley and his sisters?”

“Of course not. But I did mention to Mr Bennet that Wickham is not a man to be trusted. I think he believed me.”

“Brother, I wish to speak to no one else and see no one else but you. I shall stay here until you are fully recovered.”

Her love and concern melted Darcy’s heart.

“Dearest, you cannot stay here. This is another matter we must discuss, which I am afraid will distress you. There is no room here for more guests. Dr Bates will need a room, there is a cousin who occupies another chamber, and Mr Bennet has already given me his. We are intruding and disrupting their comfort.”

“I see…”

“Please do not be upset. You will be well attended to at Netherfield. There is a ball planned for the day after tomorrow, but that will not bother you.”

“May I come and sit with you during the ball, Brother?”

“Perhaps. My main concern is to know you are safe. If you are, I shall be content.”

“Very well, Brother. I shall do as you wish.”

Another knock at the door interrupted them, and Bingley entered, apologising for intruding.

“Forgive me. There is something I wish to agree with you. Dr Bates told us you must remain here for a few more days. Since rooms are scarce, I invited all the Miss Bennets to stay at Netherfield for the next three days. And Georgiana and Mrs Annesley, of course.”

“That is an excellent idea, Bingley. Did they agree?”

“Yes. And, since Dr Bates said you are improving, I am considering still holding the ball. Would you mind?”

“Not at all. It is your house, your ball, your decision. I am quite relieved I have an excuse not to attend it.”

“I imagined as much,” Bingley said with a large smile and obvious relief.

“Bingley, there is something important I must ask you. Please take care that George Wickham is never in company with Georgiana. He has been so disrespectful to our entire family that his presence is undesirable to us.”

“Of course. I have invited all the officers to the ball, but I shall revoke his invitation.”

“You do not have to do that,” Georgiana said. “If you reject his presence, there will be rumours. Please do not alter your plans. I shall not be anywhere in sight during the ball, so it does not matter who attends.”

“I agree with Georgiana. Let us keep the matter of my past dealings with Wickham private. I hope we shall not have to deal with him for too much longer.”

“Excellent. So we are all in agreement. We shall stay for two hours or so and then will all move to Netherfield.”

With that, Bingley left and allowed the brother and sister to spend more time alone. Darcy was given more medicine, he ate some soup, then he finally fell asleep. The rest of the party moved to Netherfield when the darkness slowly obscured the daylight.