Chapter 9 #3
He was also aware that it was his duty to warn her about Wickham.
As discreetly as possible and without many details.
She needed to know he was not to be trusted.
Darcy secretly planned to take a ride early in the morning, if the weather allowed it, in the hope she would go for her usual walk.
Unwilling to leave everything in the hands of fate, he intended to mention to Elizabeth his hope for a short private meeting before his departure, to discuss something involving her family.
After all, they had met before in similar circumstances, and it could have happened again at any time.
Equally important, he planned to dance at least one set with her. Perhaps even the first one, if she did not oppose it. Any set she preferred would do for him, he thought, delighted at the mere notion of holding her hand.
After a strong coffee, the pain diminished slightly, but the tiredness overwhelmed him. He could barely move and any noise, any voice, disturbed him as much as too much light.
He spent most of the time in bed, while Stevens packed his luggage. It was decided he would leave the next morning, straight after breakfast.
“Darcy, may I come in?” Bingley asked, standing in the doorway. “Forgive me, I did knock.”
“Do come in; I did not hear you.”
“What are you doing in bed?” Bingley enquired with deep concern. “Darcy, you truly look very ill. I will send for the apothecary.”
Darcy shot him a sharp glare. “Do not be ridiculous. I am fine, only a headache. And I have been sleeping terribly lately.”
“You keep saying that… but you have headaches, and you look either pale or flushed, and you have stayed in bed during the day more than I have ever known you do since we first met. I am very worried! I am sure you have a bad cold!”
“Either way, the apothecary cannot help much. He will come to the ball later, I assume. But I cannot bother people on the day of the ball for a trifling cold.”
“So what? Will you come to the ball as you are?”
“If you will allow me,” Darcy joked.
“I will order some soup and some tea right now! And tomorrow, once we arrive in London, you will see your doctor. You must promise me that!”
“I promise I will see Dr. Cooper. And yes, I would like some soup. And some tea, if you insist.”
“I do insist! So, I came to talk to you about a very delicate matter. Sir William’s barouche needs time to be fixed. Until then, I have offered him my carriage. He insists he needs one and he was truly vexed about his being broken.”
“I imagined as much,” Darcy replied.
“So, you will have to bear us all the way back to London. I tried to purchase another one, but I could not find anything appropriate at such short notice. So, we will have to travel in your carriage. All of us,” Bingley explained, slightly uneasy.
“Of course,” Darcy responded. Then, a moment later, he startled.
“I actually planned to ride… You may take the carriage and the luggage.”
“Ride?” Bingley cried angrily. “Have you lost your mind? You cannot ride!”
“But I cannot travel with your sister for so many hours either,” Darcy mused to himself.
“Come now, Bingley! Take the carriage. You are four, I am alone. I might even catch you on the road. If I am tired, I will stop and sleep at an inn. I will meet you the day after tomorrow in town–come and have dinner with me and Georgiana.”
“But Darcy!”
“Bingley, you are doing me a favour, trust me. Let us not have a debate in front of your sisters. I shall talk more with Stevens about the travelling arrangements.”
“Very well. I know I cannot win an argument with you.”
“Very wise decision,” Darcy laughed. “By the way, did you invite Wickham to the ball?”
“I invited all the officers. Should I ask him to leave?”
“Dear Lord, no. You must not start a scandal. Leave him be. If I ignored him at the cottage, I can surely do so in a ballroom. Now be so kind as to send me that soup and let me sleep a little.”
Bingley did as requested, leaving the chamber with increasing worry.
He could see Darcy was not well, and his decision to ride was frightening, even though he knew Darcy had done it before, even over longer distances.
He was determined to open the debate again later and to make Darcy see reason, eventually.
∞∞∞
Late in the afternoon, after some rest, more tea and soup, Darcy’s state improved.
He felt much better and was pleased with his resolution.
He had planned everything carefully, and nothing could go wrong.
When he joined Bingley downstairs, dressed for the ball, Darcy looked like his usual self and Bingley was happy to see him thus.
They had no time for much conversation, as the Bennets' carriage–which Bingley had been expecting for a long time–arrived.
Bingley almost ran outside to greet them, much to his sisters’ disapproval.
Less voluble but equally nervous and eager, Darcy followed him at a steady pace and arrived at the carriage as the ladies descended.
Just in time to be bewitched by Elizabeth’s beautiful face, brightened by her sparkling eyes.
And the smile she offered him was the best medicine for any illness that had troubled him these past few days.