Page 9 of Through the Eyes of Love

Elizabeth bobbed her head. She could not agree more.

* * *

The Roseand Crown Inn

Ten days after the fire

As if waking from a deep sleep, Darcy became aware of his surroundings. Doors were opening and closing, and people spoke in hushed voices. As he slowly gained consciousness, thethrobbing in his head became unbearable. Could he move? No, it was too painful, and he groaned. A man rushed to his side.

“Mr. Darcy, can you hear me? It is Mr. Pauling from London. How do you feel?”

His physician was here? “Pauling,” Darcy mumbled. “What are you doing in Derbyshire?”

“You were seriously injured by the fire at Pemberley. Do you remember being trapped beneath a burning beam?” A burning what? His response was a mere moan. “Your valet and footmen were outside when they heard the crash and rushed in to lift the timber from you and bring you to safety.”

“I have a terrific headache.” He paused as he became more aware of his discomfort. “My face feels as if it is on fire.” His eyes were fully open and he stared at his body. “Why are my hands and leg bandaged?” He attempted to sit, but cried out in agony and fell back onto his pillows. “Why do I have so much pain?”

“Your head hurts because it was hit by the falling beam, but that will clear up in time. The embers from the timber have scorched the side of your face and there are minor burns on your arms and hands. Your leg took most of the weight of the falling timber. The bones were not broken, but the burning wood caused significant damage to your thigh muscles. Your upper leg is splinted and wrapped so it can heal properly. There is a poultice on your face which will help the burns heal and I hope, prevent them from becoming infected.”

“It hurts to talk.”

“You inhaled a great deal of smoke before you were rescued but that, too, will improve in time.”

“Anything else? I am scarred for life, cannot walk, and can barely speak. You should have let me die!” His raspy and weak voice was still overheard by everyone in the room.

Mrs. Reynolds rushed to his side with tears in her eyes. “Pray do not say that, sir. We are all here to help you, and you will getwell and walk again. We are all so grateful no one perished in the fire.”

“I am tired and wish to sleep.” He raised his voice as much as he was able and added, “Leave me alone, all of you.”

* * *

When he next awakened,his steward was speaking to Mrs. Reynolds in a soft voice.

Darcy asked, “Bethel, how is Pemberley? Were you able to put out the fire?”

“The servants and tenants filled bucket after bucket from the lake but to no avail; the fire was too extensive. Sir, most of the manor house was destroyed. The flames spread quickly from the house and destroyed many of the crops and orchards. The livestock are alive because they ran from the flames. Thanks to the direction of the wind, the stables were not touched, and none of the horses or carriages were damaged.”

“That is all I need to know.”

The thought of everything he once held dear being gone was more than he could bear. He closed his eyes and prayed he was having a nightmare.

Over the following two weeks, less and less laudanum was required to ease Darcy’s pain. His arms and hands healed sufficiently for a few of the bandages to be removed.

“Do you feel well enough to deal with your pain without medication?” asked Mr. Pauling. He dipped his chin, and the physician smiled. “I am pleased your recovery is progressing faster than I had expected.”

Later that day, Georgiana came to his chambers while he rested.

“Come in. Mr. Darcy is recovering well, and Mr. Pauling has just returned to examine him,” said Mrs. Reynolds.

He was in no mood to console his sister but had no choice but to see her. Darcy was burnt and bandaged, and his sister began to cry as she rushed to his side.

“I am so relieved to see you. I have been so alarmed.”

“Miss Darcy, I was about to remove the poultice from your brother’s face. Pray wait with Mrs. Reynolds,” the physician said.

Georgiana squeezed Darcy’s hand and walked to the other side of the room. Although he loved her, he was relieved she was no longer nearby.

“I must return to London soon, but before you awakened, Mr. Barton, the local apothecary, was here to see you. I have given him and Mrs. Reynolds specific instructions on how to treat your face and leg. I am pleased that your voice sounds better as well.” The physician carefully removed the dressing and examined Darcy’s face. “I see no indication of infection, which is a good sign.”