Chapter Twenty #3
“How very good of you,” Mrs. Jennings crooned. “Perhaps in the morning we shall have better tidings to report, eh Lizzy?”
Elizabeth gave a curt nod of her head. “Yes, thank you.” When she finally looked over at Darcy, she gave him a brief, strained smile; his heart felt as if it were twisting in his chest, that he could offer her no further succor at such a moment, but he departed the house determined that a physician for Miss Bennet would be found.
Even if his cousin was to have the credit of it, he would make sure Miss Bennet was given the very best care, which in turn must be a balm to Elizabeth.
The next morning, Richard departed Matlock House alone, and heartily sorry that his relations and their friends should miss Bingley’s elaborate fete at Netherfield.
He provided Darcy with some information he had received from one of his contacts, an intelligence officer they had both known since their youth.
“Matthews has tracked Wickham down as far as Hampshire,” Richard told him. “Coincidentally, the previous colonel of the regiment, Forster, has recently inherited an estate in Hampshire.”
Darcy felt a megrim coming on at the thought of what havoc his nemesis was wreaking on the unsuspecting populace of that county.
“Do you suppose this Forster would harbor Wickham as a fugitive? He has always been uncommonly adept at recommending himself to his betters, and those who ought to know better.”
Richard gave him a wry smile. “There had been chatter amongst my officers in Meryton that it is Forster’s wife who ought to know better, if you take my meaning.
But I have told Matthews that she may perhaps be prevailed upon to give him quarter.
It is a damned shame we cannot hunt the bastard down ourselves.
I must accompany my replacement to Meryton before my duty to His Majesty’s army is complete, but you may yet have the pleasure, Darcy.
Matthews will send word when he hears anything useful. ”
After Darcy bid his cousin farewell, he paid a call he was sure would bring him little joy.
He had spent hours pondering the situation the previous evening and could conceive no solution that entirely pleased him; in the matter of Edward Ferrars, Darcy was resolved to act as he ought to have done some weeks ago.
He had offered his friend the use of Darcy House when Edward returned from Kent the day before; he had hoped at the time that his friend’s need for the place would be of short duration. After hearing of Edward’s behavior to Miss Bennet, Darcy felt far less generous.
He did not trouble himself with civilities, though Edward presumed Darcy had come to inquire after his trip to Rosings. “I would speak to you about a matter of urgency,” Darcy said.
Edward’s demeanor instantly altered as he comprehended Darcy’s displeasure. “What has happened?”
“That is precisely what I wish to know. I should like to hear your account of your meeting with Jane Bennet yesterday, for I have already heard one telling of it in Berkeley Street.”
Edward sneezed and furrowed his brow. “I do regret how I spoke to her. It was beneath me, utterly uncouth and unpardonable. I ought to thank you for sparing me your cousin’s reprimand.”
Darcy thought his friend seemed far too cavalier, despite his claims of remorse. Whatever regrets Edward had, they were not enough. “My cousin was nearly encouraging Miss Elizabeth to shoot you!”
Edward’s eyes went wide; if there was one woman in the world whose threats of violence ought not be dismissed, it was Elizabeth Bennet.
Darcy was almost proud of the fear this inspired in his wretched friend.
He waited, allowing his face to betray a modicum of impatience to hear Edward explain himself.
“I let my desperation get the better of me,” Edward sighed, his posture slouching. “I meant no offense to Bellamy; I do genuinely think them ill-suited, though I am hardly impartial.”
“And you felt compelled to detain her in the freezing rain to impart these opinions? She has taken ill, Edward – I fear it is quite serious.”
“Good God! I never thought of that.”
“Obviously, you thought only of yourself,” Darcy said sternly.
“I have never known you to be selfish and mercurial, but these past few weeks it has been difficult to defend your character to those who have perceived your myriad failings. Miss Bennet never gave you any encouragement – anybody could see she barely tolerated you. I cannot think why you have pursued her so doggedly, but it has certainly been to her detriment.”
“I am heartily sorry she has taken ill; I am utterly to blame.” Edward hung his head and sighed. “I ought never have pursued her; I certainly never shall again. Still, ‘tis a pity.”
“It is a terrible shame,” Darcy said through gritted teeth.
“It seemed so expedient, when first I met her. She reminds me of Elinor – having thoroughly rejected me is just one more merit they have in common,” Edward said bitterly.
“I never imagined any young lady my mother could approve of would be so artless and amiable. Neither did I ever suppose I should have the slightest interest in having a country estate – nothing like Norland, to be sure. But to hear her speak of Longbourn, small and quaint, and a large family who are actually fond of one another, a home full of real affection… Miss Bennet’s charms were impossibly tempting. ”
“I had always thought you disposed to the quiet, humble life of a country vicar. What of your meeting with Lady Catherine?”
Edward eyed Darcy warily. “Your aunt was generous, and I believe she approved of me – or perhaps it is nearer the truth to say she seemed pleased by the opportunity to aid and improve me through her influence. I am grateful, of course, though it would be wrong of me to proceed without giving further consideration to my doubts before I am in her debt forever.”
Darcy laughed bitterly at Edward’s roundabout way of hinting that he had received the usual imperious treatment his aunt was wont to bestow in her constant quest to be lauded for her usefulness and benevolence.
“I comprehend your hesitation – I have known my aunt all my life, after all. But what is the alternative? You have had little success in wooing an heiress, and I fear I cannot house you indefinitely. After yesterday….”
Edward held up a hand to stop him, and Darcy breathed a small sigh of relief that he would not be obliged to turn his friend out, no matter how deserved a consequence it might be.
“I intend to quit Darcy House. I have had an invitation from my uncle, Lord Avery; he is my mother’s brother, and would see us reconciled.
John and Fanny have fallen from her favor since losing Norland, and Robert displeased her by fumbling his courtship with Miss Morton when his dalliance with Lucy was discovered.
Since her apoplexy, Mother has not been well, and she may be willing to make amends if I devote myself to her recovery, for my brother and sister certainly shall not. ”
Darcy could neither dissuade his friend from going to the aid of his ailing mother, nor respect Edward’s motives in doing so. He merely wished him well, and extracted one final promise that the ladies of Berkeley Street were safe from Edward henceforth.
When he returned to Matlock House, Georgiana and the countess expressed a wish to call in Berkeley Street and ask after Miss Bennet, for they had been away from home when Darcy and Phillip paid their call the day before.
Both gentlemen accompanied the ladies, and they were received by Mrs. Gardiner, who appeared anxious and exhausted as she called for tea.
“It is very good of you to call again,” she said, waiting for her guests to be seated before sinking heavily onto a sofa.
When the tea was brought in, Phillip gestured for Mrs. Gardiner to remain seated and he poured the tea for her. “How is Miss Bennet? Has Doctor Post come again today? I suppose Miss Elizabeth must be with her – has she no fear of contagion?”
“Elizabeth will not leave Jane’s side, but the footmen moved a large sofa into the room and I have insisted that Lizzy rest herself, for she was up all night. Jane is much worse than yesterday, and the doctor fears she is in danger if her fever does not break.”
Georgiana and Lady Matilda exclaimed their shock and sympathy, while Phillip gently took the teacup from Mrs. Gardiner as it clattered in the saucer.
Darcy glanced toward the corridor beyond the open parlor doors, and the stairs that led to Elizabeth, desperately wishing he could go to her.
Instead, he asked, “Where is Mrs. Jennings?”
“She is taking Lucy Steele home to Longstaple, if her uncle will have her back. I suppose you have heard….”
Phillip merely nodded, though the countess agreed more emphatically. Darcy scowled and shook his head. “Mrs. Jennings has abandoned you at such a time? For the sake of a young lady who disgraced herself?”
Mrs. Gardiner smiled tightly. “She did not disgrace herself, Mr. Darcy.”
Lady Matilda harrumphed in agreement. “Her uncle ought to call Robert Ferrars out! And I suppose Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley turned their backs on their new friend?”
“They were never her friends; they only wished to remind Jane how little they cared for her.” Elizabeth stepped into the parlor, and Darcy stared as if he had conjured her merely by thinking of how desperately he wished to see her.
But he could take no pleasure in the sight of her, for it was evident that she was quite unfit for company.
She wore the same gown as he had seen her in yesterday, and it was wrinkled and rumpled, as if she had slumbered in it.
Her thick, dark hair was pulled back in a simple braid down her back, a halo of frizz and small tendrils of hair escaping and curling outward.
Her face was red from weeping, and Darcy longed to take her in his arms and offer what comfort he could.
Mrs. Gardiner merely leveled a stern grimace at her niece, looking too tired to do more than this. “Lizzy, dear….”
Georgiana extended a hand, beckoning to Elizabeth, who took a seat beside her; she clutched Georgiana’s hand with a sad smile while the viscount poured her a cup of tea.
“Thank you. You are very good to call again,” Elizabeth said, her eyes shifting from Phillip to Darcy.
She made a strange expression, as if in physical pain; Darcy was confused, until Mrs. Gardiner gently chastised her niece.
“Lizzy, you are too exhausted to even smile properly – you ought to go back upstairs, dearest.”
“I heard you all and thought it would be pleasing to see my friends. Forgive me for expressing it so poorly,” Elizabeth said with just a trace of her usual mirth. “Besides, if anybody is besmirching certain persons, I shall always….”
The rest of her quip was lost as she yawned, loudly indecorously, her body tilting to one side.
Georgiana took Elizabeth’s teacup and set it aside as the countess discreetly gave Elizabeth’s arm a tug to pull her upright.
Elizabeth gave a little shake of her head and blinked rapidly, offering Darcy another strange smile as she met his eye.
“Anyhow, it is a comfort to see you, at such an awful time.”
“Then our purpose in calling has been achieved,” Phillip said, resting a hand on his heart. He stood and bowed to the ladies and then gestured to his relations. “Darcy, Tilly, Gigi – we ought not trespass any longer.”
Darcy rose from his seat and took a few steps closer to Elizabeth, whose unfocused gaze was still fixed on him.
She had not worked herself into such a state when her sister fell ill at Netherfield, and Darcy worried this must signify that Miss Bennet was in grave danger.
“If there is anything, anything at all that can be done for your comfort and aid, I beg you would ask it of us.”
“Indeed; we are at your service, at any hour,” Phillip agreed. His hand briefly extended toward the ladies before he tucked it behind his back and gave another slight bow.
Mrs. Gardiner looked skeptically at Elizabeth. “Colonel Brandon called this morning and offered to fetch Jane’s mother, but….”
“Oh, please, no….” Elizabeth yawned again and gave another rapid shake of her head to rouse herself. “It is perhaps a blessing that the Palmers would do nothing for Lucy, and Mrs. Jennings was obliged to go….”
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Gardiner screwed up her face and then gave a rueful laugh before murmuring her apologies to her guests. “She is very tired – I think she only means to say she desires some quiet and rest.”
Elizabeth grumbled, then nodded. “But you will come again tomorrow? Your concern is so very… handsome….” She yawned a third time and slumped into her aunt’s embrace.
Darcy quelled a laugh in his throat and nodded, and he briefly clasped her hand in his own. “We shall, Miss Elizabeth, but only if you promise to rest yourself. I am certain she would ask it of you if she could.”
Her fingers curled around his for a moment as she attempted a sleepy smile. “I should promise you anything,” she murmured. Nobody else appeared to hear this but her aunt, whose eyes widened as she looked over at Darcy.
“And you must turn us away, if we are an incumbrance tomorrow, dear Mrs. Gardiner,” Phillip drawled.
Darcy glowered at his cousin, while Georgiana and Lady Matilda effusively assured Mrs. Gardiner there was no need to apologize for Elizabeth’s drowsy display, though the good lady continued to do so.
Lady Matilda and Georgiana continued their tender assurances and promises of fervent prayers until Darcy and the viscount led them from the house, and the plight of Mrs. Gardiner remained a topic of worried conversation at Matlock House for much of the day.
Scarcely a single waking hour passed that Darcy did not think of Elizabeth and whisper a prayer for the recovery of her sister.
All the while, he tormented himself for the folly of attempting to repress his feelings in Hertfordshire.
He had not known then that Elizabeth Bennet was destined to beguile his every waking thought, to better him as man, and to belong already to his beloved family.
Had he only realized then the inevitability of her hold on his heart, he might now have the right to offer her every comfort of a husband to a wife at a time of crisis.
Instead, he could only pass a restless night dreaming of such privileges as these.