Chapter 7
Elizabeth could not be certain how long they rode through the rain.
All she knew and all she wished was that the peaceful happiness around her would never end.
Yet end it did; the horses stopped, and she was pulled away from him—from the warmth and security of his arms—and down from the horse.
She heard Mrs Reynolds give quick orders as two maids accompanied her upstairs in a great hurry.
In a few minutes, she was inside a room, and before she could recover completely, she was undressed and in a tub of hot water; one of the maids handed her a cup of tea. Elizabeth inquired after Miss Darcy and Lady Cassandra. On being told they were both very well, she sighed in relief.
As she slid deeper into the tub, her thoughts went to Georgiana.
The recollection of their conversation was still vivid; her regretful torment over the effects of her refusal on both Darcys was matched only by her worry over Georgiana’s present state.
She wondered how the girl would behave now that she knew the truth.
Would she still consider her a friend? Just before the storm, they had been affable enough, yet Elizabeth knew that her young friend might reconsider their talk in the days that followed, and she might change her opinion completely.
However, not for a moment did she regret having confessed the truth; it was unbearable that Georgiana had suffered and blamed herself unjustly all those months.
The maid invited her out of the bath. A friendly fire warmed the room, and though she was no longer cold, she climbed into bed, pulling the covers around her.
She heard a knock at the door, and there was barely time to issue an invitation before Lady Cassandra barged into the room, followed closely by another maid.
“Miss Bennet, I hope you are well.”
“Yes, your ladyship, I am very well, thank you. I was told that Georgiana is well, too?”
“Yes she is; I just saw her. She inquired after you, but we convinced her to have hot tea and remain in bed for another hour, as should you. Darcy decided to delay dinner so both of you could rest a little if you feel inclined to join us.”
“Mr Darcy has been most considerate, but I will not be able to join you for dinner; my…my clothes are unwearable, and I do not have others.”
“Yes, I thought as much. In fact, I would have found it quite strange if you had dresses to change into here at Pemberley, especially in this room, which is part of the family wing.” She laughed, obviously amused by the idea, while Elizabeth’s cheeks coloured.
“That is precisely why I take the liberty of offering to lend you some of my nightgowns and dresses, so you may choose an appropriate one for tonight.”
Elizabeth could not hide her surprise at this unexpected civility as the maid placed three dresses on the bed. For a moment, she considered refusing but instantly realised the absurdity of such behaviour.
“Thank you, your ladyship; that is very kind and considerate of you. I will accept with pleasure, though I have to confess it is difficult to decide. All three are beautiful.”
“Yes, they are, but I would suggest the pale pink one. I believe it would fit you quite well.”
Elizabeth was not sure whether she should be amused or offended by her ladyship’s attitude; she wisely decided to incline toward amusement.
She turned to the aforementioned gown as the maid spread it over the bed so she could better admire it. To Elizabeth, the dresses would have been more fitting for a ball; however, to avoid a new debate, she accepted it with as much politeness as gratitude.
Her ladyship looked pleased. “I shall leave you now so you may prepare yourself. My maid will help you with your hair. ’Til later, Miss Bennet,” she said, not even waiting for a reply.
Elizabeth sighed and rolled her eyes, shaking her head in mock exasperation.
She felt treated like a child in a manner that blended her mother’s style with that of Lady Catherine.
The combination sounded so diverting that she began to laugh, wondering what Lady Cassandra would say if she voiced the thought aloud.
In less than half an hour, Elizabeth was dressed and her hair masterfully arranged. Though she knew that dinner would be served later, Elizabeth had no patience for remaining within her room. The rain was still striking wildly on her windows, and she moved closer to look outside.
The sound of the storm brought to her mind the memories—embarrassing and impossible to reveal—of her ride with Mr Darcy.
Now that the danger was past and she did not need his protective care any longer, his gestures, his mere closeness, and his strong body near hers aroused different feelings: feelings she had never experienced before, feelings similar to that quivering sensation she had experienced when he touched her hand—yet more compelling and frightening.
His hands had pressed against her back, around her waist, and against her legs to prevent her from falling from the bareback horse, his wet shirt unable to diminish the warmth of his body, his thighs trapping her in their grasp —
The sudden opening of the door startled her as Lady Cassandra entered impetuously and then stopped and searched her face. “Miss Bennet, are you well? You look a little flushed; I hope you are not feverish.”
“No, no—I am well, thank you. I was only deep in thought and did not hear your ladyship entering—
“Oh, I am sorry. I did knock, you know.”
“I am certain you did, Lady Cassandra. Please forgive me for my lack of attention. I am ready to go downstairs, but I was wondering about Georgiana. Is she still in her room, do you know?”
“Yes, she is still in bed. I am afraid she will catch a cold, and we tried to convince her to stay in her room, but she seemed determined to join us for dinner. Perhaps you will be more successful in changing her mind.”
“I shall try, but I am inclined to believe that Miss Darcy can be very determined when she chooses.” Elizabeth was not at all certain how much Miss Darcy would welcome her interference.
With no little surprise, Elizabeth discovered that Miss Darcy’s apartment was only two doors from her room in “the family wing” she remembered as she felt her cheeks burning again.
Miss Darcy was already awake and dressed. At Elizabeth’s entrance, she dismissed the servant and invited her in. After a moment of awkward silence, Miss Darcy moved closer to Elizabeth and took her hand daringly, though her trembling voice betrayed her distress. “Elizabeth, thank you.”
“Why do you thank me, Georgiana? I have done nothing except take advantage of your servants and Lady Cassandra’s new dress.”
“I remember perfectly well how you took care of me, Elizabeth, how you tried to protect me from the hail…and all that after I had been so impolite to you. I spoke harshly, and yet you answered me kindly—
“Georgiana, there is nothing for which you need thank me. I beg you; let us not talk of it ever again. As for your being impolite to me, let me assure you that I treasure every moment we spend together. I am happy and relieved that we talked—that you trusted me enough to have such a conversation.”
Miss Darcy attempted to answer, but Elizabeth tightened the grip on her hands and shook her head. “Dearest, your hands are warm; you seem to have a little fever. Should you not stay in bed tonight?”
“You and Cassandra are plotting against me, I am certain of it. But I assure you I feel very well indeed, and I want to join you downstairs. I promise I will drink at least two more cups of Mrs Reynolds’ miraculous tea—just in case.
Is that acceptable?” After a few more minutes of negotiation, Miss Darcy won, but only after she promised that, as soon as she felt tired, she would retire with no thought of her duties as hostess.
∞∞∞
“Well, I would not be surprised if dear Georgiana had caught a cold. I tried to warn you earlier today, but of course nobody listened. Eliza Bennet is well accustomed to walking, and of course, she gave no consideration to Georgiana’s delicate constitution.
She dragged her through the storm, exposing her to danger—
Mr Bingley tried to make his sister see reason. “Oh come now, Caroline, that is absurd! Surely, Miss Bennet did not drag Miss Darcy through the storm! From what she told us this morning, it was Miss Darcy who fixed their plans. How could either of them know a storm would come?”
They had gathered in the parlour—both Bingley siblings and Mr Hurst—for more than an hour, waiting for their hosts to join them, when a servant had informed them about the extraordinary escapade of Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet.
“Of course it was Eliza’s fault; I have not the smallest doubt. I have been an intimate friend of dear Georgiana for many years and never have ventured out through the woods with her in the middle of a rainstorm. So it must be Eliza Bennet’s doing.”
“In fact, Mr Bingley is correct. Miss Bennet did not drag anyone anywhere. Quite the contrary,” Lady Cassandra interrupted; she had entered unnoticed and now was walking impetuously through the parlour, her appearance as perfect and impressive as ever.
“In fact, it was I who ‘dragged’ Georgiana out of the storm, and Darcy was the one who ‘dragged’ Miss Bennet. I wonder how they managed it all that way, completely soaked, riding together bareback on Darcy’s horse.
It must have been a daunting task for both of them,” she concluded, taking a seat on the couch and asking Mr Bingley for a glass of wine.
As Lady Cassandra enjoyed her wine, Miss Bingley was still not recovered enough to voice a reply. For some minutes, she could only swallow convulsively and stare at her ladyship.
“Lady Cassandra, I am afraid I do not understand; how is it possible that Mr Darcy rode together with Miss Bennet? This cannot be borne! I have never heard of anything more improper in my life!” she finally cried.