Free Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise Page A

merely a blur. He was barely able to lift it for lack of strength, and he became very dizzy as he did so. He was still not able to find the muscles that would allow him to speak. All he could do was moan.
    To Georgiana, his waking was wonderful indeed! She wanted to inform everyone that he had awakened, but she did not want to leave his side. She would wait until someone came by and give them the grand news.
    Suddenly a mumbled voice came from his lips. " Wha … happened?"
    "You were in an accident. Do you not remember? Your carriage rolled over. You have been unconscious for five days!" She went on to acquaint him with the details of the mishap. His eyes often looked clouded over and confused. He found it difficult to concentrate, and his mind was not fully working. It was a struggle for him to follow her lengthy story.
    He closed his eyes and focused all his effort on moving his hand over to Georgiana's and placed it upon hers. He wanted to squeeze it in reassurance, but had to settle for letting it rest on hers. He took in some deep breaths to give him some strength before he added, " Durnham , Winston?"
    "They are both well. They were able to jump from the carriage before it rolled. Mr. Winston only sustained some minor bruises; Mr. Durnham , however, broke his ankle."
    Darcy shook his head slightly. He began grasping more and more that his sister said, but had questions he could not find the wherewithal to formulate. Georgiana sensed that he wanted to know more, but did not know what more to tell him.
    She sat with him in silence for a while, filled with utter joy in having him back. She held his hand even tighter, as if trying to pass some of her strength on to him. She wanted to tell him so much, but knew she should do so a little at a time.
    Finally she said, "You gave us quite a scare last night. Your fever was terribly high. Normally we have had either the doctor or his nurse at your side, but last night we had neither due to a medical urgency in Lambton. Fortunately, Miss Bennet was by your side and she was instrumental in helping lower your temperature."
    Darcy opened his eyes and looked at Georgiana bewildered. Darcy suddenly had a moment's recollection of a hazy dream. Was it from last night? The heat, the voices, a face. Had that been Elizabeth ? What would she be doing here? No, she could not be here. When they had last parted it had not been on good terms at all! She had turned down his proposal and had most decidedly made her case against him. His mind must still not be lucid. He must have misunderstood her.
    "Who…?"
    "Miss Bennet … Miss Elizabeth Bennet . She and Mr. Durnham both were with you most of last night…" She stopped as she saw Darcy's eyes darken, as if he was trying to comprehend something. "What is it?"
    He looked up at Georgiana, trying to sort out what she was saying. Finally with every attempt to draw from his reserve of strength he asked, "What is… she doing here?"
    The look on his face caused Georgiana to withdraw sharply from him. Her hands began to shake and she pulled them from his. Elizabeth had told her, ‘You do not have to worry about disappointing your brother.’ Why then, was she now feeling such great apprehension? The look on his face imparted something that very much alarmed her.
    Georgiana guardedly continued, "After your accident… I immediately wrote to Miss Bennet . I thought she ought to know."
    "Miss Bennet ? Why…?"
    The tone of his voice caused a feeling of great dread to come upon the young girl. Georgiana felt anxieties arise in her that she had not experienced in well over a year. She could not determine the reason behind it, but she felt almost faint.
    Georgiana moistened her mouth which was now very dry. "I felt she needed to know because the two of you are engaged."
    Darcy abruptly turned his head away from Georgiana. His words came out slow, deliberate, and with great effort. "Miss Bennet and I are not engaged!"
    Georgiana's hands went to her mouth in