Chapter 37
Thirty-Seven
A MORE WEIGHTY ACCUSATION
The incline where Georgiana had fallen was incredibly steep, and required her brother and Mr Hill to fashion a sort of rope with vines and green willow branches and Darcy’s neckcloth so that Darcy could make his way down to her.
She had injured her ankle, and could not bear weight upon it, but with her brother’s help, and Mr Hill and Mr Bingley gripping and steadying the ‘rope’, they managed to bring her up again.
“It was so, so stupid,” Georgiana admitted, once she was safely at the top.
“Instead of going to Oakham Mount, I decided to explore in a different direction. All I managed to do was to get myself lost! I dismounted to climb a boulder for a better view and to regain my bearings. As I climbed back down, I lost my footing, slipped and took a tumble, twisting my ankle on the way down. I was desperate to get up the hill and rejoin Neddy—I thought, if only I could get back to Mabel, I could drag myself back into the saddle. I have been at it all morning, only making it as far as you found me. At one point, Neddy must have climbed down off Mabel’s back, because I saw him peer down at me.
I urged him to stay with Mabel, and after a few minutes, he disappeared.
I have been beside myself with worry. I am so sorry, Elizabeth, that I failed him this way.
” The tears she had recently managed to dry, reappeared.
“I am grateful that you were not injured more than you were,” Elizabeth reassured.
“It was Neddy who brought us to you,” Jane explained. “He knew right where you were, and led the way.”
“You are so quick-witted, Neddy,” Georgiana said. “Thank you!”
“Tuck-a, tuck-a!” Neddy replied, obviously entranced with the vine rope.
“But where is Mabel?” Elizabeth wondered. “Neddy was alone when he reached Fox Hollow, and we have not seen the horse.”
“I reckon she is returned to the Netherfield stables by now,” Darcy speculated. “Edward, let us have that rope, will you?”
Darcy and Mr Hill were fashioning a litter from saplings, the vine rope, and Darcy’s greatcoat.
Elizabeth donated her wool wrap and Jane, her pelisse, to the cause.
When completed, Darcy placed Georgiana carefully on it, he and Mr Hill lifted her, and they all trooped back to Fox Hollow—a much quicker journey returning than coming, as they followed the wider, more travelled track back, instead of Neddy’s more circuitous route.
About half the way to his home, Neddy lifted his arms to Elizabeth and she picked him up, fully intending to carry him the rest of the way.
But Darcy asked Mr Bingley to take his end of the litter, and took Neddy from her.
Neddy offered no protest, but laid his head upon Darcy’s shoulder and went promptly to sleep.
“Well,” Elizabeth said, “we have finally discovered a means of exhausting him. Several miles of wilderness walking is all that it takes.”
Darcy smiled, rubbing the boy’s back affectionately.
“I cannot think of another three-year-old child who would have been as useful as he was today. Who knows how long it might have taken us to find my sister, especially since we would have looked first in a wholly wrong direction? It is a miracle, he is a miracle, if you ask me.”
Elizabeth gave in to temptation, leaning into him for a fleeting moment. As she did so, he bent to briefly press his cheek to the top of her head. However, at the same instant, Mr Bingley happened to glance their way. She saw his eyes widen before he looked away.
She looked up at her betrothed. “Mr Bingley appears to have received something of a shock. Perhaps we ought to make an announcement so that he does not draw incorrect conclusions.”
Darcy glanced at his friend and smiled. “By the way, all,” he said, in a carrying voice. “Miss Elizabeth has done me the very great honour of accepting my hand in marriage. You may be the first to congratulate us.”
Georgiana grew so excited that she nearly fell out of the litter. “Oh, my brother, you have made the very best of choices, of a wonderful wife for you and a sister for me!”
“I am relieved you think so,” Darcy said, grinning at his sister, while Mr Bingley seconded her sentiments. Even Mr Hill, not prone to approval in general, granted them a smile.
“I am glad for you, for you both,” Jane put in.
“Congratulations, Mr Darcy, on choosing a person so utterly loyal to those she loves—a woman of great strength of character and personal courage. She will be missed.” Elizabeth saw, in her sister’s eyes, what she thought it meant for her own life; well, she hoped Mr Darcy would not mind if she brought Jane with her, but of course she had not had time to ask.
It was not until they were nearly to Fox Hollow’s doorstep that they realised it had not been empty while they were away; two men emerged, who had plainly been awaiting their return.
“Look at them, Sir William!” Mr Philips cried, pointing rudely at Jane and Elizabeth, who were in the front of the procession.
“They look like trollops!” When he caught sight of Darcy right behind them, cravat-less and holding Neddy, he turned bright red in absolute fury.
“Well, it seems we now know what activities they engage in, when not in company with respectable folk.”
“Now, then, Philips,” Sir William said soothingly, not quite so ready to accuse one of the most affluent, highborn gentlemen he had ever met. “I said we would come out and discuss this with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, and that is what we will do. I am certain they have an explanation.”
“Here is your explanation,” Mr Philips spat.
“You can see what is happening. They are obviously using Fox Hollow to indulge in lascivious goings-on! Elizabeth has already corrupted her elder sister, and is harming the child’s morals in the process!
He should be returned to his mother at once, and you ought to support me in my suit to assume immediate guardianship when I take it to Chancery. ”
Darcy turned a glare on Mr Philips that would have served as a warning to someone less stupid. Sir William took an actual step back. At the same time, Mr Hill and Mr Bingley came into sight with their burden.
“As you can see, Lucas,” Darcy growled, “my sister has been injured. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, who, by the way, has agreed to marry me, accompanied Bingley and me, because their young brother is the only one who witnessed Miss Darcy’s accident.
Thankfully, he led us directly to her. We are hardly returned from her rescue, which has been a strenuous venture for us all.
Now, what is this about a discussion you wished to have, and can it wait until after my sister has been seen by Mr Jones? ”