Free Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise Page B

shock. She could neither move nor could she utter a sound. She looked down, unable to meet the stern gaze of her brother, but knew, from the tone of his voice that he was very angry.
    She began shaking and was only able to utter a meek, "I do not understand. You wrote to me…"
    "Unfortunately, I did." This was taking more strength than he had, but he had to finish. He took a few more breaths and summoned what little strength he had left. "She refused my offer of marriage!"
    A sudden look of alarm spread across Georgiana’s face. She brought her hands to her face and he heard a smothered, "No!" as she pulled farther away from him. "That cannot be! Why did she not tell me? I do not understand!"
    Georgiana, gasping and dissolving in sobs, turned and fled from the room, almost colliding with Durnham as she ran out the door. Darcy watched in horror as his beloved sister, who had been so grieved over his condition and so grateful for his recovery, was now in a state of anguish and utter shock.
    Durnham rushed in and asked if anything was the matter.
    "Get one of the maids and have her see to Miss Darcy; make sure she is all right. Then come back immediately. I have some questions."
    His heart pounded, both from the exertion of these last few minutes and his confused emotions. Why had Elizabeth come? Why was she here? What was he missing? He could not get his mind to come up with any logical answers. Think, man! Even if Georgiana had a misunderstanding about whether or not they were engaged, Elizabeth certainly did not. He shook his head, trying to sort things out; his brain refused to cooperate.
    He brought his hand to his forehead and rubbed it. This was no good! He turned his head to the side, and suddenly caught a scent that drew him back to recollections of last night. The heat, the cold, the voices, the scent ! His hand slowly reached back as if searching for something, behind his head, under the pillow. He felt something and pulled it out.
    It was an embroidered handkerchief. He looked at the colourful embroidery that occupied one corner and his heart stopped as he noticed the initials, EB . He brought it to his nose and breathed in the gardenia scent. He recalled the vision of the woman in the night, the fine eyes. As the vague memories became clearer, he now knew they were of Elizabeth .
    He began to dwell on the fact that Elizabeth had been walking the halls of Pemberley these last few days. She had eaten in his dining room; sat in his sitting room. Had she taken her early morning walks out in the grounds of Pemberley ? How many times in the previous months had he imagined her thus, and now, while he had been completely oblivious, she had been there.  But why?
    He had more questions than answers and was anxious for Durnham to return. As he heard him hurry back down the hall, Darcy stuffed the handkerchief back under the pillow.
    "I have sent Mrs. Reynolds to look after Miss Darcy, Sir."
    "Thank you." Darcy took a deep breath. " Durnham , was Miss Bennet standing over here last night?" he asked pointing to the left side of the bed.
    "Miss Elizabeth Bennet was. She spent most of the time with you last night doing all she could to bring down your fever. I came in to assist, but she did most of the work. She certainly seemed to know what to do!"
    Darcy tried to think of what else to ask, but he was not sure that Durnham would have any answers. He need not have worried, though, because Durnham immediately continued, "She has been most helpful to Miss Darcy. She is certainly strong. She came right in and was not at all dismayed at your appearance when she first saw you. You looked quite a fright! Almost looked dead! Poor Miss Jane Bennet , as well as Mr. Bingley, struggled with composure at seeing you!"
    Darcy's eyes slowly turned to Durnham . "Miss Jane Bennet and Bingley are both here?" Durnham nodded.
    Realization suddenly hit Darcy. He took a deep breath as he finally was able to formulate a reason for Elizabeth ’s