Free Pride, Prejudice & Secrets by C.P. Odom

attempt to dissuade me; you know I am being a terrible patient.”
    “You are not doing all that badly, Eliza, now that you will admit to being sick.”
    “Yes, I remember too well.” Elizabeth looked down at Darcy’s folded note on the bedside table, and her face showed her dismay as the memory of the previous day’s events flooded through her.
    How am I to repair what I have done to myself? she thought desperately. I must do something, yet Darcy is gone and has likely already seen my father; I cannot believe Papa could do other than give his consent. And Colonel Fitzwilliam is already informed, and Darcy will now tell his sister and likely the rest of his family and friends. It is customary to wait at least a short period in case one or other of the couple changes their mind, but I know Fitzwilliam Darcy well enough to be certain nothing could make him cry off this marriage. But what do I do? I cannot marry the man! The mere thought is intolerable! But how do I avoid this quandary? Why, oh why did I fall ill at such a time? It is all my fault; I should have had the wit to remain upstairs!
    But Charlotte misinterpreted Elizabeth’s expression as indicating physical distress and urged her to return to bed, feeling Elizabeth’s cheek and forehead.
    “Your fever is still present but is definitely lessened.” She spoke with certainty, and Elizabeth had to believe her. Charlotte had helped nurse her brothers and sisters, so her knowledge was far greater than Elizabeth’s.
    “Now,” Charlotte said briskly, “would you like some broth? The cook can prepare it quickly.”
    Elizabeth considered the question for a moment before shaking her head. “I think not, Charlotte. I am not hungry at all and would prefer to go back to sleep. But I would like some more lemonade before I do so.”
    Charlotte nodded in agreement and summoned a servant to refill the pitcher. While they awaited her return, Charlotte was silent though Elizabeth could see that some matter was bothering her.
    She looks…well, almost ashamed , Elizabeth thought. Why should that be?
    Finally, after the lemonade was delivered, Elizabeth sighed and said, “It is perfectly obvious you have something on your mind, Charlotte. After our long friendship, should you not just go ahead and tell me what concerns you so?”
    Charlotte looked up sharply then smiled. “I have never been able to fool you, have I, Eliza?” But, despite her words, she could not speak for some moments until she finally squared her shoulders and faced her friend. “This is most embarrassing, and it pains me to say it, but it seems Lady Catherine was most desirous that you should leave the Parsonage as soon as possible.”
    On seeing Elizabeth’s eyebrows raised in query, Charlotte threw up her hands in dismay.
    “It is no use; I shall have to tell you everything, no matter the embarrassment. You may not be aware of it, but Mr. Darcy could not call on you today because he was obliged to depart Rosings very early this morning.”
    Elizabeth nodded her understanding, and Charlotte continued. “But it is the reason for his leaving — and the reaction of her ladyship — that is most distressing. I have learned from Mr. Collins that she…she does not look upon his future marriage favourably.”
    “He mentioned that in his note, but I cannot see why you should be embarrassed about any of this. Neither you nor my cousin is involved and cannot be responsible for Lady Catherine’s reactions — even if they are, as seems likely, rather intemperate.”
    “Evidently, Mr. Darcy and her ladyship had quite a row last night, and he departed quite hastily. But it seems she also vented a portion of her ire in your direction…and ordered my husband to evict you from this house forthwith.”
    Charlotte held up her hand at Elizabeth’s sudden look of alarm. “Do not trouble yourself, Eliza; you shall not leave until you are recovered. My husband told Lady Catherine that such conduct toward anyone,