Chapter 7 #2
Moments later, Elizabeth returned with a small tray with paper, pen, and ink. He tried to raise himself up against the pillows, but the pain was sharp, and he could not conceal another groan.
“Mr Darcy, you should not move!” Mr Jones interjected, hurrying to him to adjust his position.
“Mr Darcy, would you mind if I wrote the letter to Miss Darcy? You may dictate it, and I shall write it down, so we can send it immediately.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. That would be perfect. Please forgive my response. My brain must be addled by the accident.”
“Do not apologise, sir. I understand your concern for your sister. Please tell me what you want to write,” Elizabeth said. Then she sat on a chair at the small table close to the bed and waited. He struggled to gather his thoughts, while her closeness made him even dizzier.
Dearest Georgiana,
I am not writing this letter myself; the handwriting belongs to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who kindly offered to assist me. Please know I am well, and you have no reason to worry.
I am sorry you received such disturbing news, which I am sure hurt you more than it should. I did suffer an accident due to my lack of attention, and I have a few injuries that I am sure will heal soon.
Bingley asked for Dr Bates because he was worried for my wellbeing, which is much appreciated. If Dr Bates arrives, he might be helpful, but today I feel better already.
I shall write to you again in a few days, either myself or with help, with more news, which you must expect to be all good.
Hopefully, we shall see each other before long, as I plan to return to London as soon as possible.
Your beloved brother.
He dictated, Elizabeth wrote and sealed it, and a few minutes later, Stevens was prepared for the trip to London.
Elizabeth excused herself and left, but Bingley and Mr Jones remained, both obviously affected by his response to their actions.
He tried to apologise to them, and then, after Bingley left too, Darcy felt suddenly sleepy.
He tried to rest when a sudden realisation struck him harder and more painfully than his other wounds.
Georgiana would surely not stay at home and wait for news, knowing he was hurt. She was very likely on her way to Hertfordshire already, and there was nothing he could do to stop her. Furthermore, he would not be able to protect her from Wickham if she happened to meet that scoundrel.
Georgiana did not even know Wickham was in the area, so meeting him would cause her another shock.
He would have to ask Bingley to protect his sister, but such a request would cause more questions to arise than Darcy could answer.
Not to mention that Bingley’s sisters were another reason for distress for Georgiana.
Mr Jones poured him another cup of medicine, and he was about to refuse when he remembered Elizabeth’s bright little smile when she had made him promise to obey the doctor. He took a few sips of the bitter beverage, hoping it would help him to heal soon.
Of course, healing would mean he could return to Netherfield and then London, leaving Elizabeth behind, which increased his pain even more.
∞∞∞
The night of the accident, Elizabeth had slept little and agitatedly, and when she finally arose in the morning, she was still disquieted by her bold intrusion upon Mr Darcy.
She recollected the details of their previous conversations, from the first evening at the assembly to the previous night, when he had smiled and teased her, despite his pain.
She remembered small details like the locks of hair on his forehead, his neck revealed by the open shirt, the form of his jaw, and the particular expression in his eyes.
In the relative darkness of the room, lit only by a few candles and the fire, Elizabeth had seen Mr Darcy in a new light.
In the morning, Hill was busy making arrangements for breakfast for so many people. Therefore, when the medicine for Mr Darcy was mentioned, Elizabeth offered to take it; and Mr Bingley’s sudden appearance at that early hour offered her a companion to enter Mr Darcy’s chamber with.
She had hoped to find the gentleman awake and alert and to hear a favourable report from Mr Jones.
Her expectations were partially met as he received them in good spirits and even jested about keeping his promise to her.
She teased him back — perhaps a little too boldly, considering the state of his health.
What she did not expect was his strong — almost wild — response to the news that Mr Bingley had called for his doctor.
It was a natural and logical action, meant to protect him, which even Mr Darcy admitted eventually once he managed to control his anger.
Mr Darcy offered an explanation about his sister’s distress, which could be a real concern.
However, Mr Bingley was not to be blamed; he had done what anyone would do for a friend in a dire situation.
Mr Darcy did seem to be an affectionate and protective brother, though.
Since their parents had died when Miss Darcy must have been very young, he had probably been both a brother and a father to her.
It was no wonder brother and sister cared about each other so deeply.
All in all, Mr Darcy was, without doubt, a man difficult to understand and to truly know for anyone outside his close circle of family and friends.
At breakfast, with Mr Bingley, Mr Jones, and Mr Collins in attendance, they spoke of little else but Mr Darcy’s accident.
“Darcy’s horse arrived back at Netherfield’s stables,” Mr Bingley said. “The stallion is injured too — he has a strange wound on his back right leg, which is probably what scared him and caused him to throw Darcy.”
“Mr Darcy has a peculiar scratch too,” Mr Jones interjected. “As though something sharp hit his right temple. It is not deep, nor does it look dangerous, and it is unlikely to be the reason for his fall. Still, it is intriguing.”
“Perhaps we could take a look at the specific spot where you found Darcy,” Mr Bingley suggested. “We might find some clues about how the accident occurred.”
“That is an excellent idea,” Elizabeth admitted. “I shall gladly join you, sir. And I am sure Jane will come too.”
“Yes, yes, it is a good idea for Jane to go with you,” Mrs Bennet uttered. “But I hope you will wait till the rain stops.”
“Of course, madam,” Mr Bingley answered. “I would not want to put Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth in any danger. Until then, I shall wait here with you, if you do not mind.”
“Nothing would give us more pleasure, Mr Bingley,” Mrs Bennet said with much enthusiasm, while Jane only smiled and blushed.
“I shall ask Mr Darcy whether he approves of me writing to Lady Catherine de Bourgh,” Mr Collins said.
“You may ask, but I strongly suggest you not write a word until he agrees,” Mr Bingley said. “He was quite upset that I wrote to his doctor without asking permission.”
Mr Collins appeared disappointed but did not reply.
“So…is Mr Darcy any better?” Mrs Bennet enquired.
“He is not as bad as I feared,” Mr Jones answered. “I expect his doctor to arrive with medicine that will be more effective than mine.”
“So, Mr Bingley, I hope you will still host the ball,” Lydia said.
“We shall know for sure later today after Darcy’s physician examines him.”
“Papa, may we go to Meryton? I wish to visit Maria Lucas.”
“You may not. You only went to Meryton yesterday. You should try to stay at home and spend at least half an hour doing something to improve your mind,” her father responded.
Lydia tried to protest, but with strangers at the table and Mr Bennet’s severe countenance, she abandoned the attempt.
“Sir William invited me to Lucas Lodge to continue a discussion we began last night but was interrupted by the news of Mr Darcy’s accident,” Mr Collins said.
“I am tempted to go but feel I should stay here and wait for news about Mr Darcy. I cannot enjoy myself when I know he is fighting for his life.”
“Mr Collins, I advise you to go to Lucas Lodge and continue your conversation,” Mr Bennet said. “None of us can be of any use to Mr Darcy at present. If there is significant news, I promise to inform you immediately.”
“Thank you, Mr Bennet. You are exceedingly kind and considerate.”
“Mr Collins, you have spent quite a lot of time at Lucas Lodge lately,” Mrs Bennet interjected.
“Indeed,” Mr Collins replied. “I very much enjoy Sir William’s company, and I always feel welcome and well attended to at Lucas Lodge.”
At that, Mrs Bennet threw a glare at Elizabeth, who chose to disregard it. She could easily believe that Mr Collins and Sir William were well suited, and she pitied her friend Charlotte for being forced to bear their dull conversation.
As for herself, she could not be happier about Mr Collins’s absence.