Chapter Four #2
Darcy wanted to grin, but could only gape.
It should be no surprise to him that Elizabeth could put his sister so instantly at ease, even when she was not at her best. She had been in a precarious condition when he had found her; his carriage had just rounded the bend that would send them back to London when he saw her collapse.
Looking as though she was struggling to compose herself, Elizabeth adjusted her posture beneath the thick woolen blanket and inclined her head with gratitude as she said, “I must thank you for coming to my aid, Mr. Darcy. No doubt you thought me to be of a heartier constitution when last you were in Meryton.”
Her eyes twinkled with mirth as she poked fun at herself, and Darcy wished to respond with the sort of repartee that came so naturally to her, but Georgiana spoke first. “Oh yes, I have heard you are very fond of long walks. But, Will, Lizzy said that she fainted because she had just heard something horribly alarming! And she has offered to host us at Longbourn—the inn is full, they must have told you so—ought we not repay her kindness through whatever assistance may be possible?”
The carriage lurched into motion; he had instructed his valet, who was acting as coachman at present, to take them to Longbourn as the inn was indeed at capacity.
He had intended to return to the village after returning Elizabeth to her family and see if any servants might be hired for a night or two at Netherfield, as Bingley still held the lease, and he had no wish to return to London only to attempt the journey north again in a few days’ time.
“Of course,” he said automatically, his mind awhirl.
What could his sister have said to Elizabeth, to be looking so chagrined at discovering the lady’s identity?
It was bad enough she had revealed that he had told her of Elizabeth at all.
But his mortification was nothing compared to his curiosity- what was Elizabeth doing in Meryton at all?
“I was happy to be of service—that is, not happy to see you in such a dire situation as you were, but glad that I might be in a position to remedy any danger. I am surprised to find you here at all, and in such peril—I had expected your family to be traveling to Derbyshire with the Bingleys.”
Mrs. Annesley gave a gentle cough and then said, “Perhaps we may allow the young lady to explain herself.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied; her lips curved upward a little, though her brow furrowed.
“Indeed, I appreciate you all; I am grateful for the rescue and for your concern—and for the ride back to Longbourn. However, I fear you may not wish to involve yourselves in the dreadful mess I have found myself inveigled in.”
The blanket shifted, as if Elizabeth shuddered beneath it.
Or perhaps she had shivered. “Are you warm enough? I fear you will take a fever from such exposure to the cold,” Darcy said, leaning forward and beginning to extend his hand toward her before recollecting his manners.
“I inquired after the doctor but I was told he has travelled to visit some relations in Hampshire.”
“I am comfortable, only—well, I am terribly frightened and more than a little bit angry,” Elizabeth said, clearly wringing her hands with distress beneath the blanket. And how Darcy envied that blanket at present, for all the warmth and comfort it gave her.
“It is truly shocking!” Georgiana huffed in indignation before clamping her mouth shut and giving a look that indicated Elizabeth might proceed without further interruption.
Darcy studied the concern on his sister’s face, perceiving tender compassion and even affection in the look of solicitude she gave her new friend.
He had known Georgiana would instantly like Elizabeth.
The perilous circumstances were not at all how he had imagined their acquaintance beginning, but perhaps the urgency that hung in the air might expedite the intimacy he sensed was already developing between them.
Already Georgiana seemed more talkative than usual with a new acquaintance.
Knowing he would devote himself to solving whatever problem fate had presented her, Darcy fixed his attentive gaze on Elizabeth and gave her an encouraging nod.
For a moment she silently stared back, her eyes searching and her countenance utterly inscrutable.
Darcy struggled to decipher her sentiments, perceiving traces of confusion, amusement, and curiosity in her expressive eyes.
Her lips twitched upward for a moment and she gave a breathy laugh, her cheeks growing pink as she looked away, flustered by the wordless exchange.
“Forgive me—I fear I shall sound very silly—even in my own head it all sounds beyond credulity,” Elizabeth said.
She closed her eyes for a moment, letting out a sharp breath before she turned back to face him again, the words spilling out in a hasty shambles.
“This morning I overheard two officers speaking outside my window. They had come to Longbourn to do some sort of reconnaissance—they plan to return later and plunder the house for any valuables, and mean to do the same at Lucas Lodge and any other homes that may hold anything of value, if the families are away for Christmas.”