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that, she left to check on her other guest.

Chapter 3
    When Elizabeth awoke the next morning, she felt much improved. After falling asleep the previous afternoon, she had only woken once to find Penny sitting nearby. Much of the previous evening was a blur, but she did recall that the maid had curtsied quickly and left through the dressing room door. A few minutes later, Mrs. Carroll came to her bedside and, with matronly persuasiveness, requested that she eat. Although she had little appetite, she consented to the oddly compelling woman, and a series of servants entered with tray after tray of food.
    When the servants left, Elizabeth had exclaimed, “Mrs. Carroll, certainly you do not expect me to consume all of that?”
    The housekeeper laughed and shook her head. “I should think not! I simply did not know your preferences.” She paused then continued, “I was not sure whether Master Darcy would know them either.”
    Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed unconsciously. “I do not believe Mr. Darcy would notice my preferences.”
    “Ah, well then, shall I help you dress?” So this is how it stands then! I wonder what Miss Bennet would think if she knew that the majority of these dishes were chosen specifically for her by the master. “Here you are, miss; now I must have you eat something.”
    Elizabeth smiled genuinely, eyeing the generous spread. “You have done well ma’am! Nearly everything here is a favorite of mine.”
    “Yes, well, how lucky for me,” she returned with a wry smile.
    Elizabeth had not been hungry before, but seeing all the delightful foods, her appetite returned; having gone a long day without anything more than tea, she was grateful for this bounty. Afterwards, she was very nearly forced back to bed by Mrs. Carroll. In the darkened room, with a full stomach and a heavy heart, Elizabeth soon fell easily back to sleep.
    She woke the next day, stretched her limbs and smiled to herself at the thought of Mr. Darcy’s housekeeper. The image of Mrs. Carroll managing him in the same motherly way as she had Elizabeth was almost comical. When she returned from the necessity closet, Mrs. Carroll was there fluffing her pillows. Elizabeth chuckled then stopped herself. She was surprised at the lightness she felt compared to the day before. A full night of rest did her body and soul much good — as did the insistent machinations of the lady before her.
    “I could get used to this kind of treatment, Mrs. Carroll,” she warned with mock gravity.
    The woman turned and looked at the young woman. She looked rested — not quite happy but less sad. Satisfied with her progress, Mrs. Carroll said, “It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet. Shall you dress today?”
    As Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak, Penny quietly entered with a breakfast tray, curtsied and left just as swiftly. Elizabeth nodded to the housekeeper and teased, “I shall be useless when I return home, Mrs. Carroll.” She walked over to the tray and lifted up the lid of one of the dishes.
    The warm rolls and eggs smelled heavenly, and she breathed deeply before sitting down. She watched Mrs. Carroll pour her some tea and accepted it gratefully. Elizabeth was wary of venturing from her room as she knew not how to look at Mr. Darcy after all he had done. Her determined dislike of the man was taking a decided step in the opposite direction.
    As she picked up a sweet roll, she tried to steady her voice. “And has the rest of the household risen?”
    Mrs. Carroll spoke over her shoulder as she set Elizabeth’s toilette items in an orderly fashion on the dressing table. “Mr. and Miss Darcy are at Sunday services, and Miss Lucas keeps to her bed.”
    “Oh!” Elizabeth looked towards the windows as Mrs. Carroll pulled the drapes open to reveal the sun was already quite high in the sky. “I had not realized it was so late.”
    “Phooey!” The housekeeper waved her hand dismissively. “What would you like today?”
    Elizabeth decided that a book might be