Darcy Unmasked by Jane Grix

Author:Jane Grix
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical romance, pride and prejudice, sweet romance, pemberley, jane austen fan fiction, pride and prejudice variations, darcy and elizabeth, jane austen alternative universe, rated pg romance
Publisher: Jane Grix

CHAPTER NINE

Darcy knew he was dying. He could see the fear in Georgiana’s face, although she would not mention it directly. After two weeks of improvement, in mid-January he had taken a turn for the worse. His wounds were now an angry red. He’d lost strength, was in great pain, and no longer left his bed. Dr. Harris came almost daily to bleed him or give him new pills. It took almost all his effort to speak.

Dr. Harris had called in another doctor, a consultant from Harley Street who attended the Prince Regent. But since the Regent was not exactly the picture of health these days, Darcy thought it might have been better to see whom Gentleman Jackson recommended. But regardless of all the medical attention, he was not recovering. “Gut shots are always precarious,” Dr. Harris said.

“What day is it?” Darcy asked and learned that it was the day that Bingley planned to marry Jane Bennet.

He swore. He had looked forward to the day and had planned to attend, but his health would not permit it.

He wanted to see Elizabeth Bennet again and sorrowed that it was not possible. He regretted that he hadn’t been more forthcoming when they were in the grounds at Netherfield. He should have told her who he was and expressed his love and admiration.

All his concern about her ill-bred family and low connections seemed foolish now. What did they matter?

He knew now that he would not marry. He would not have an heir.

The weight of responsibility he felt for his numerous tenants, his army of servants, and his distant relatives was gradually slipping away. He was Darcy of Pemberley, but for how long?

He reviewed his will and wrote a detailed letter to be given to his distant cousin who would inherit Pemberley. Colonel Fitzwilliam would care for Georgiana. She would live with his uncle, the Earl of Matlock. In time, she would get married and have children that he would never see.

There was nothing more he could do.

He sighed. He thought of his parents and wondered if he would see them in heaven. If he went to heaven. Lying down for hours, reviewing his life had made him realize how flawed he was. He had been taught good principles, but over the years he had become selfish and overbearing, caring for none beyond his own family circle.

If he was wrong, and he had the good fortune to live, he was determined to be a better man, to treat every person with more consideration and respect.

He would pattern himself more after his father. John Darcy had been an amiable, benevolent man. His mother Lady Anne had also been kind and loving. He remembered her reading to him when he was young. She loved books and had listened to all his childish interests. In hindsight, he thought that she might have been too proud of him, letting him think that he could do nothing wrong. She didn’t check his behavior and he’d grown to manhood, thinking that he was superior.

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