Chapter 2

Darcy heard a faint noise next to him that began to grow louder as he became more aware of his surroundings. The voice grew louder and he recognized it as his sister reading from a book. His head was piercing with sharp pain and he could not recall why his head would hurt so much.

"Geo…" Darcy croaked, his mouth too dry to make more noise.

Georgiana jumped up from her reading. "William! I am so glad you are awake!" She began to cry. "I thought I was going to lose you, dear brother." She hugged him and helped him with a sip of water after sitting him up slightly.

Darcy smiled softly. "You will not lose me, sweetling. What has happened? Where am I?" He looked around and did not recognize the bedroom.

Georgiana gasped in shock. "You are in Hertfordshire, at Mr. Bingley's home, Netherfield. Do you not remember?"

"Hertfordshire? When did I get here? I was supposed to go to Bingley's new home after Michaelmas." Darcy asked in bewilderment.

"William, you arrived here five days ago. Today is the fourth of October. You travelled here on Monday and you had an accident on Tuesday morning. I was told that you went for a ride and came back with blood on your head then you lost consciousness and have been sleeping for three days. I must call for our doctor. Give me one minute, Brother." Georgiana informed him, then arose to talk to the footman outside the door.

After returning, she sat next to her brother's bed and held his hand. "Mr. Bingley was extremely concerned and sent me an express and I have been here since Tuesday evening. You have been very ill but I am so happy to see you awake." She began to cry again.

Darcy lay in confusion as he tried to recall the past week. He remembered clearly being at Darcy House and then nothing. He had a flash of memory of seeing a colossal tree swinging its branches and then looking into the most beautiful pair of eyes, but nothing else surfaced.

"Did you arrive here alone? Where is Mrs. Annesley?" Darcy asked in concern, his thoughts returning to the present and becoming anxious over his sister's safety and comfort above all else.

Georgiana smiled at her brother's care. "I am here with Mrs. Annesley and Richard, William. Richard took leave as soon as he heard the news and accompanied us here. Mrs. Annesley is resting and Richard has been sitting with you for hours but Mr. Bingley finally convinced him to play a game of billiards to take a break."

Darcy sighed in relief. "I am glad you did not arrive alone. We do not know where... he is located, and I do not wish for you to be alone. My head aches but I am feeling better," he reached for his sister's hand, "now that you are with me. I am glad Richard is here as well."

Then, there was a knock at the door and Georgiana answered it.

"Hey! Look who is finally awake!" Richard jovially remarked. "The doctor said you should awaken any time but of course you took your lazy time to take a very long nap."

In truth, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam had been seriously worried for his cousin. Being an army officer, he had seen a number of men severely wounded in the head, and some would either remain comatose until death overtook them, or their mind would become befuddled and debilitated, unable to function more than like a child.

Bingley laughed and commented, "Of course Darcy is not lazy! I have never seen him indolent in all the years I have known him!"

"Darcy, can you tell us what happened? Do you know where you are?" Richard asked carefully, seeing a slight haze in his cousin's eyes.

Darcy snorted, "I believe I earned a little sleep, Richard. I recall you being in bed for a fortnight when you returned from the continent."

Richard smiled in relief, hearing Darcy speak clearly and lucid, "Well, I was shot in the leg and could not walk so I had a perfect excuse! How are you feeling?"

"I am told I am at Netherfield but I do not remember arriving. Georgiana has been telling me that I had an accident on Tuesday after going riding but I do not recollect arriving in Hertfordshire in the first place. I only recall still being at Darcy House and it being still September." Darcy spoke slowly and drank a sip of wine that Georgiana offered.

Bingley spoke next to fill him in. "I saw you before your ride that morning, Darcy. You appeared quite upset about something but you did not say anything to me and then you left. Caroline was with us and served you a hot cup of coffee and you took off soon after. When you returned, you were barely holding on to your horse and had blood on your head. Your wound was oozing and you were unable to open your eyes. I had several men carry you in and you vomited twice then lost consciousness. I called for the surgeon who came to examine you within the hour and I sent off an express to Miss Darcy that same morning. The surgeon told me that your head wound needed stitches and looked over the rest of your body to find it sound."

Richard continued the story, "After Georgie and I arrived, it appeared that we could not awaken you, even with smelling salts, so we sent for your personal doctor to examine you. Hastings arrived the next day and found bruising on your hip and shoulder and he surmised that you fell off your horse and landed on the ground quite hard. He has gone into the local town here to see if anyone might have witnessed your injury perchance, and should return shortly."

Darcy closed his eyes and recalled a feminine voice speaking to him but he could not discern who she was or what had been said.

"Darcy! Are you well?" Bingley asked loudly.

"I will be fine as long as you do not shout, Charles." Darcy gruffly replied. "Could you please send in my valet? I would like to wash and change my clothes." He opened his eyes and turned to his family and friend. "Thank you for your care. Bingley, thank you for calling for my family. I am comforted to have them near me."

Bingley smiled broadly, "It is the least I could do, Darcy. I am glad to see you awaken. I will have the doctor examine you as soon as he returns."

Georgiana kissed her brother's cheek, "I will ask for a tray to be delivered. You must be famished. Some soup to start with, William. I will return soon."

Richard squeezed his cousin's hand, "See you in a bit. Rest, cousin."

The visitors quickly excused themselves for Darcy's ablutions and to call for nourishments to be delivered as quickly as possible.

As Wilkins, his valet, was helping him, Darcy thought of the blank memory of the past few days and most importantly, what might had happened after he arrived, up until his injury. There were about thirty-six hours of his life that he could not account for and it was maddening!