Chapter 14
During the night, Elizabeth woke with a fever, and she admitted that her chest was hurting too.
Most likely, her ribs had also been bruised, though not as badly as Jane’s.
Still, she confessed her discomfort to her uncle, who scolded her for not resting enough, then gave her some medicine that ensured her a reasonably good rest.
In the morning, she joined the family for breakfast, and Dr Gardiner offered details about his patients’ progress.
Afterwards, each found a way to employ their time; Mr Darcy, Mr Bingley, and Mr Hurst went for a ride, while Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst retired to the music room. Neither invited Elizabeth to join them, and she felt relieved to be disregarded.
Whilst her uncle attended to Felton, Elizabeth went to Jane, spending an hour with her as they awaited their mother’s visit.
They prayed she might arrive while the gentlemen were out and the Bingley sisters were otherwise engaged.
The fewer people their mother met, the fewer chances for embarrassment would occur.
When Jane fell asleep, Elizabeth moved to the library to choose a book.
Her uncle forbade her from walking outside the house, so reading remained her only diversion.
It was her first time in the large library, and Elizabeth took a moment to admire it.
There were many volumes — plenty to choose from.
She took one and settled in an armchair by the window, opening the curtains widely to enjoy the sunlight.
Her eyes fell on a piece of paper lying on the table in front of her chair, and she could not help herself leaning forwards and peering at the words.
Dearest Georgiana,
I vowed to write daily, but yesterday something prevented me from keeping that promise. Before I provide you with any details, I must assure you there is no need to be concerned, as everything will turn out reasonably well in the end.
To answer your previous questions, yes, I have begun to read the book you enjoyed so much, and yes, Miss Elizabeth Bennet is well, though she was part of the event I am about to relate to you.
The letter ended there, and she assumed Mr Darcy would return soon to finish it.
She sighed and glanced about. This must be the place where Mr Darcy usually sat; those were his papers, his pen.
A book was lying open on a corner of the table, and Elizabeth could not help touching it.
It was called ‘Sense and Sensibility’, and the author was simply ‘A Lady’.
She turned it over carefully, leafing through a few pages, but stronger than her interest in the book was her awareness that Mr Darcy had recently held it in his hands.
It seemed Miss Georgiana Darcy had enquired about her. But why such interest?
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of the door opening and someone calling her name. She lifted her eyes to see Mr Darcy, watching her. She startled, hurried to stand, and in her agitation, she dropped the book.
“Oh, I am sorry…I apologise…” she mumbled, kneeling down to retrieve it.
The sharp pain in her leg and chest was less distressing than her embarrassment, which only increased when he knelt next to her in the narrow space.
He tried to help her, their bodies touching and fingers brushing over each other.
Finally, they both stood. She was holding the book and handed it to him.
“I apologise for intruding… I came to find a book…this one…and I sat on this chair and saw this open book… I was curious about it…”
“Miss Bennet, please do not apologise. Why would you?” he asked with a friendly smile. “This is a newly published book. My sister and aunt have enjoyed it already, and Georgiana strongly recommended it to me. I began a letter to her last night, but I did not manage to finish it.”
“I see… I hope Miss Darcy is in good health?”
“She is.”
“How lovely that you keep a regular correspondence. Very few brothers are so attentive to their sisters.”
“Very few brothers are so fortunate as to have a wonderful sister like Georgiana,” he replied, his voice even warmer.
“You mentioned you spent the summer in Ramsgate, if I remember?”
His countenance darkened briefly.
“Georgiana did…with her former companion. I only visited her for a few days, and we returned to London together.”
“I see…”
“Miss Bennet, since we have a private moment, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your assistance three years ago?”
“You may, sir, but you do not have to,” she answered lightly. “If you do, I must thank you, too, for saving me when I foolishly swam too far out in the sea.”
“But the circumstances were not similar. I am sure you would have succeeded in reaching the shore by yourself eventually, but I might have bled to death without you. I am certainly in your debt.”
“Then let us conclude you have thanked me and be done with it. What better thanks for a girl who loves swimming than a bathing machine? There is absolutely no debt remaining, I assure you.”
She noticed her tone was teasing, and she blushed. He smiled, and a glimmer of joy appeared in his dark eyes.
“Very well. I assume you have not told your father about our past adventures. Dr Gardiner mentioned you wished to keep it a secret.”
“You are correct. I might tell my father, but as I am sure you noticed, my mother is easily impressed. Besides, I wonder what Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst would have to say if they heard such stories.”
“While you are entitled to your concern about your mother’s response, I rarely, if ever, take into consideration what Bingley’s sisters might say or do. The secret is safe with me if you wish it.”
“Thank you. I am glad we had this conversation, Mr Darcy.”
“Likewise, Miss Bennet. I hope we shall have more such opportunities during your stay at Netherfield. And I still hope to see Oakham Mount one day soon.”
Her cheeks heated again.
“Unfortunately, I cannot promise to guide you up there, sir. My uncle insists I am not allowed to do anything strenuous for at least two months, and I must obey.”
“Are you in pain?” he asked, his voice now heavy with concern.
“A little. My ribs are painful at times…”
“And your leg?” He lowered his eyes, and his gaze seemed to burn her.
“The leg is better. There is a little discomfort but no more bleeding. It will heal soon.”
“I am glad to hear it. I hope you remember your promise of eating more. If not, I look forward to scolding you about it a hundred times.”
His smile broadened, and so did hers; their eyes met and locked for longer than before.
“I shall try to keep my part of the deal more diligently from now on. But in all earnest, Mr Darcy, speaking of thanks, we all owe you. I am well aware that it was you who made all the arrangements for the three of us to be properly taken care of. I do not doubt Mr Bingley is kind and generous and probably would have done the same, but it was you who managed the difficult circumstances.”
“Not at all, Miss Bennet — you did that. You ran through the storm to fetch help for your sister and the coachman. Despite your own pain and discomfort, you told us what to do, and we only followed your lead. I shall not deny how deeply I admire your strength and determination, and I hope you do not mind if I mention it in my letter to Georgiana.”
“You give me too much credit, sir.”
“And you me, Miss Bennet.”
“So, we have reached the same conclusion — we should avoid any thanks or mention of gratitude from now on, to prevent an argument,” she said. Their smiles and gazes met and held again.
“I am ready to keep such an agreement, but I hope you will allow me to mention my admiration from time to time.”
She was uncertain whether he was still joking, so she replied in a jesting tone, “What woman would not want to be admired, whether she deserves it or not? So please do not hesitate to do so, Mr Darcy. If I become vain, it will be mostly your fault.”
“I shall take the risk, Miss Bennet.”
“Well then…I should leave now and allow you to finish your letter.”
“I have plenty of time to complete it. If you are interested in reading this book, I would be happy to lend it to you.”
“Have you finished it?”
“Not yet…but you may read it while you are still at Netherfield, and I shall finish it afterwards.”
“Thank you. That would be lovely,” she replied. He handed her the book, and she took it, her fingers touching his for an instant.
Elizabeth was about to leave the library when Mr Darcy’s valet entered; seeing them together, he took a step back.
“I am sorry to intrude…I was just…Mr Darcy, your bath is ready, as you requested.”
“Ah, yes…” he said, somehow uneasy, then bowed to Elizabeth and left in a hurry.
She remained behind, staring at the door, holding the book.
After a moment’s consideration, she closed the library door, put another log on the fire, and resumed her place in the large armchair, opening the book.
So captivated was she to read about the Dashwood sisters’ ordeal that she was entirely unaware of the time until she heard loud voices she easily recognised.
With the book gripped tightly, she hurried out, but neither her leg nor her chest was happy with her effort. Eventually, she entered the drawing room where her mother and father were talking to Mr Bingley.
“My dear sir, how can we thank you for your kindness to my poor Jane? How generous and considerate of you to keep her at Netherfield! And all the others, of course! You must come to dinner as soon as Jane is recovered so that we can thank you properly.”
“Mrs Bennet, I assure you there is no need for any thanks,” Mr Bingley replied in a steady tone. “We all pray to see Miss Bennet completely recovered — and the servant, of course. May I offer you anything? Some tea, perhaps?”
“You are very kind. Maybe later. I just want to see my daughter now. Poor, sweet Jane. She is the most beautiful and the sweetest girl in all of Hertfordshire! Everybody admires her! I am sure I shall not be able to bear seeing her suffering in bed!”
“Mama, please calm down for a moment,” Elizabeth begged. “I shall take you to Jane, but she might be asleep. It would be better to send for Uncle Gardiner and ask him.”
“I do not need to ask my brother whether I can see my daughter, Lizzy! I am going to Jane now. Will you join me, Mr Bennet?”
“No, madam. I saw Jane yesterday, and I think one disturbance will already be too much for her. I trust my brother Gardiner is taking good care of her.”
“Oh well, as you wish. It is this way, is it not?”
“Yes, Mama. I shall accompany you. Just please slow down a moment. I am in a little pain. There — on the right. Just wait for me a moment.”
“You slow down, Lizzy. Do not worry — I shall find it myself. Your father told me which room it is,” she said, striding on ahead while Elizabeth tried to catch her breath.
A moment later, she panicked and cried out, “Mama, wait! Not in there!” She broke into a run, despite the pain, but she could not catch her mother in time.
Mrs Bennet stopped in front of Mr Darcy’s door and pushed it open, then let out a cry.
Before she closed it again, Elizabeth just glimpsed, past her mother’s shoulder, Mr Darcy naked except for a towel wrapped round his waist, water dripping from his hair, staring at them, his eyes and mouth open wide in utter shock.
Flushed and breathless, Elizabeth pressed her palm over her chest, and the pain increased. Her mother, somewhat distracted too, finally chose the correct door to Jane’s room and entered. Dr Gardiner was there, preparing Jane some herbal tea.
“So this is your chamber, Jane dearest,” Mrs Bennet said. “So elegant and charming! Silly me — I first opened Mr Darcy’s door! I might have disturbed him. He seemed to have just taken a bath.”
Dr Gardiner frowned and looked at Elizabeth, whose head was spinning.
“What do you mean, Sister? You walked in on Mr Darcy? In his apartment?”
“Yes, Brother,” the lady answered. “It was an honest mistake, and you must blame Mr Bennet for it. He told me it was the second room after Lizzy’s.”
“I remember he said it was the second door on the corridor, immediately after Lizzy’s,” Dr Gardiner snapped.
“How could I have known? It is his fault that he did not lock his door. Besides, he was wearing a towel, so I did not see much. He is a handsome man, though, I shall grant him that,” she concluded.
“My dear Jane. Tell me how you are. Mr Bingley was so worried about you. This accident was such a fortunate opportunity for you to gain his attention and his affection!”
“Mama!” Jane cried with reproach, while Elizabeth and her uncle looked at each other, dumbfounded and helpless.