Chapter 14 #3
“Move him? Absolutely not until he is fully conscious and I can evaluate more precisely the extent of his wounds,” Dr. Cooper replied.
“I will release Mr Jones from his duty; he may return home and I will ask for his assistance if needed. I will remain here as long as Darcy stays. If you would be so kind as to accommodate me, I would greatly appreciate it. Any chamber will suffice. And Stevens needs a place to sleep–a sofa will do. He will serve as my valet, too, since I did not bring my own.”
Dr. Cooper was obviously accustomed to giving orders and being obeyed. There was a certain arrogance in his manners, born from his professional expertise or perhaps just a trait of his character. He was not being insolent, just expressing his needs, and he expected them to be fulfilled.
Mr Bennet exchanged a brief look with his wife, then he cleared his voice.
“Dr. Cooper, we will do the best we can to make everyone comfortable, for Mr Darcy’s benefit.
We can certainly bring in a sofa for Stevens.
As for the rooms, Mrs Bennet gave hers to Mr Darcy, so he did not need to be carried upstairs.
We have a rather large guest room which is fortunately empty since my cousin Mr Collins left yesterday, but he could return at any time.
Miss Darcy wishes to remain here too, and I suspect Mrs Annesley will join her.
In my daughters’ chambers, there is not enough room for another person.
So I would appreciate it if you might discuss and decide the best way of solving this situation. ”
“Oh, I do not want to disturb you, nor to bother anyone! I will sleep on a chair. And Mrs Annesley can go to Netherfield,” Miss Darcy responded.
“My dear, this is ridiculous and unwise,” Dr. Cooper declared in a tone that proved his relationship with the Darcys was beyond that of just their doctor.
“You cannot sleep on a chair, and you have no business being here all the time. Quite the contrary. There are some procedures I will perform that forbid the presence of a lady, sister or not, so you will be more of a bother to us than a help. I need to be here to heal him. Anyone else is of little use presently. Therefore, I will take the guest room evidently, and you will all go to Netherfield and return to visit your brother when you wish. It is as simple as that.”
“Dr. Cooper, I am not leaving William,” Georgiana responded with a severity that surprised the others.
“Well, then you may stay on the chair till morning and that surely will defeat your stubbornness,” the doctor ended rather rudely. Elizabeth glanced at Jane, then she addressed Georgiana, trying to end the embarrassing dispute.
“Miss Darcy, you may stay with Jane and me for now. It is a small room, but you will still be able to rest. And we shall make further arrangements according to Mr Darcy’s progress. If this is acceptable to you...”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. It is very considerate and generous.”
Bingley suddenly stepped forward, serious, solemn and obviously embarrassed.
“Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, I have a suggestion, and I pray that you will not take any offence at it. I truly believe it is the best way for everyone.”
“What is your suggestion, Mr Bingley?” Mrs Bennet asked, intrigued.
“Due to your generosity, we have Longbourn full of people and Netherfield, which is three times larger, empty. Would you not consider that part of the family who need not be here all the time could move to Netherfield for a few days? And I would be happy to invite Mr and Mrs Gardiner when they arrive, as well as Mr Collins if he happens to return.”
Bingley stared at them hopefully, while the Bennets remained silent in astonishment. Jane blushed, then turned pale, and Mrs Bennet seemed to struggle to breathe.
“We cannot ask your family to move to accommodate us,” Miss Darcy replied, outraged by such a notion. “That would be an abuse of your kindness!”
“No, no indeed–that would be a wonderful solution,” Mrs Bennet finally burst out. “The girls can move to Netherfield–all of them–with Mr Bennet, to chaperone them. My dear, you may stay in the library all the time. Jane, Lizzy, girls–go and pack! I will remain here to take care of everything!”
“Mama, we should discuss this and decide later,” Elizabeth intervened and Jane desperately supported her sister.
“It is a generous proposal, but we need a little time to examine it,” Mr Bennet answered, stopping his wife’s effusions.
“Well, I need someone to show me to the guest room, so I can settle and return to Darcy,” Dr. Cooper said, with little concern for the apparently distressing situation he was leaving behind.
“And I am going to stay with my brother,” Miss Darcy added, addressing the Bennets. “Please think only of your family’s comfort. You have already done so much for us, please do not trouble yourself even more.”
She then excused herself and left, while Elizabeth hesitated, not knowing whether to follow her or to remain with her family.
“Mr Bingley, you and Mrs Annesley should go to Netherfield, arrange everything to your liking and return later for dinner. In the meantime, we will make a decision and let you know,” Mr Bennet suggested.
“Very well, sir. Please take into consideration that you will have everything you need at Netherfield. You may consider yourself at home, just as if you were at Longbourn.”
After Mr Bingley, Mrs Annesley, Mr Jones and Peter had departed, the Bennets remained in the drawing room, and the noisy disputes began.
In only a few hours, so many things occurred that it seemed a week had passed. The circumstances were thoroughly analysed, but an agreement was not easy to reach.
“I do not understand why we keep arguing in vain! The girls should go to Netherfield!” Mrs Bennet declared. “And you, Mr Bennet, should join them to avoid any gossip, since Jane and Mr Bingley are not married yet!”
“Mama, you keep talking about a marriage that might well never happen. Please stop, before we are all embarrassed and hurt,” Jane pleaded.
“You are so silly and absurd, Jane! How can you not see that he has done everything for you?”
“No, he has not, Mama. He did it to create the best circumstances possible regarding his friend's situation.”
“Well, say it as you like, you will go to Netherfield, Jane! And take your sisters with you!”
“Mama, I am not going,” Elizabeth interjected severely. “We cannot leave Miss Darcy alone here, without anyone of her own age. I will take care of her since you have so many things to worry about! I am decided, so let us not discuss this further.”
“I want to go! I have never lived in such a large house!” Lydia said.
“I want to go too,” Kitty supported her.
“I would love a chance to explore the library,” Mary declared.
“Very well. Lizzy and your mother will stay at home, and the rest of us will move to Netherfield for a few days,” Mr Bennet decided.
“Mama, if they leave, there will be plenty of rooms available. I want to stay too. Please do not force me to go; it would deeply pain me. I would feel ridiculous, like I am chasing Mr Bingley. Please do not embarrass me in this way!” Jane pleaded, now tearful.
The argument began again, even more heated, and not even Mr Bennet was able to reach a truce between the ladies.
So caught up were they in the dispute, that neither noticed Miss Darcy standing in the doorway, watching them.
“Please do not force Miss Bennet to do anything against her will. And I beg you, do not argue because of me,” Georgiana whispered, stepping forward.
Silence fell upon the room, and the Bennets looked at each other, under Georgiana’s tormented blue gaze, mortified at being caught in such an awkward conversation.
Finally taking his role as the master of the house seriously, Mr Bennet took charge of the situation decidedly.
“You are right, Jane. There will be plenty of rooms if we leave. Girls, this is the first time you will go somewhere with only your father,” Mr Bennet addressed his youngest three daughters, with a smile.
“Gather your things but only the useful ones. Mrs Bennet, please make sure we have a healthy dinner tonight, as we are all tired and hungry. And now excuse me, I will be in my library for a few hours.”