Chapter 6 #2
Eventually, she returned following an alternate path, more difficult but significantly shorter.
Her attention was suddenly drawn by some whimpers, so weak that she at first missed them.
She looked around, and the whimpers increased.
It was surely the sound of an animal in pain, and she tried to locate it, not without fear, since it might have been a dangerous situation, and she had nothing with which to protect herself.
Her search was hard, since there were bushes and thorns, and the ground was slippery. She was even tempted to leave, but the whimpers broke her heart. Finally, her eyes alighted on an image that made her gasp in horror and sadness.
Hidden in the hollow of a tree, under some branches full of thorns, seemed to be a den.
Near it, a dog and two puppies were lying dead, having obviously been attacked by some wild animals.
The whimpers came from inside the hollow, and she tried to reach it, struggling to remove the branches around it.
It was a daunting task, as the wood was cold, wet, and dirty.
The thorns pricked her hands through her thin gloves, but she continued her efforts.
Her gown, her petticoat, and her shoes all became muddy, yet she did not give up until she gained access to the hollow.
With her heart racing, she took off her bonnet, then reached her gloved hands into the hollow. She gasped again when she felt something soft, but the whimpers increased.
Carefully she pulled her hands out, and with them came two puppies, as small as her palm.
Their eyes were closed, and they were thin and frozen, as well as dirty with mud and blood.
With care, she held them in her arms and used her bonnet to clean them.
Soon, the bonnet was wet and dirty, and she discarded it, together with her gloves, then she pulled up the hem of her dress and cleaned the puppies with that.
The whimpers only increased, so she held the animals close to her chest, determined to return home immediately before the wild animal that had killed the others returned.
She walked for a while, but with the puppies in her arms, the path she had taken was even more difficult.
A few drops of rain made things even worse, and she was still far away from Longbourn.
She walked until she reached a clearer path that led to the road, then the sound of hoofs made her stop.
She hoped it was someone she knew and who could take the puppies to Longbourn.
Her hopes turned into distress when the rider stopped near her and dismounted; the last man in the world she wished to see her in such a state approached, calling her name with worry, even panic.
“Miss Bennet? Dear Lord, what happened? You are hurt! Heavens, let me help you! Are you bleeding?”
“Mr Darcy, please…I am not hurt! I know I look miserable, but I found these puppies…they are barely alive, and I need to take them home to warm them as quickly as possible.”
She spoke quickly, and he stared at her, lost and bewildered.
“You are not hurt?”
“No, sir,” she said, indicating the puppies.
“Oh…” he said. After another moment of confusion, he hastily took off his hat, then he pulled off his neckcloth and put it inside the hat before holding it out to Elizabeth.
“You should put the puppies in here. They will be warmer than in your arms.”
She nodded and placed the small burdens into his hat, which he held in one hand. The whimpers increased for a few moments, then soothed.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“You are hurt,” he said, taking her right hand in his. Only then did she notice her bare fingers, red from the cold and from bleeding scratches.
“Your face is scratched, too,” he whispered.
“Oh…it is nothing, I assure you. Please take the puppies to Longbourn. Hill will take care of them until I arrive.”
“You want me to leave you here? In your situation? In the rain?”
“Of course. If you take the puppies, I shall be home in no time.”
“That is out of the question. You must ride my horse, or we shall walk together.”
She laughed nervously. “Your worry is appreciated, but I cannot ride your horse. I cannot ride any horse.”
“Then there are only two choices. We may either ride together or walk together,” he said decidedly. She stared at him in disbelief, blushing at the mere thought of riding with him. Surely he could not mean that! Yet, his expression was determined.
“There is no use in arguing further. Let us walk,” she eventually said. “We should make haste.”
Indeed, she hurried her pace, and he stepped by her side, with his horse following. He was carrying the hat with the puppies, who were still whining at times.
“You look very ill and very cold. You should take my coat,” he suggested.
“Absolutely not,” she replied. “Please do not insist. We shall be home soon, and your coat will only delay me.”
“As you wish,” he agreed, and they continued walking.
Eventually, they arrived. It was raining steadily, and the wind was blowing, but the danger had passed.
They hurried to the door and were about to enter when it opened, and in front of them stood the entire Bennet family, Mr Collins, Charlotte and Maria Lucas — all staring at them in complete bewilderment.
Mrs Bennet gasped, covering her mouth with her palm, while Lydia cried, “Dear Lord! Lizzy, what happened? Are you hurt?”
“I am not hurt. Forgive me. I must go and change,” she said, grabbing the hat from Mr Darcy and running up the stairs.
She heard Jane following her, asking again if she was hurt, and she denied it.
She entered her room and took out the puppies, putting them in a blanket by the fire. Only then did she glance at her reflection in the mirror. She was wearing no bonnet, her hair had escaped from its pins, her face was dirty with mud and traces of blood, and her clothes were dirty and ripped.
“Lizzy, what happened?” Jane whispered, caressing her face. “Oh dear, you are hurt — this is blood!”
“I am not hurt, Jane. Believe me! Help me change, and I shall explain everything. There is really no reason to worry. I merely found two puppies, which I tried to save. Please bring me some milk while I wash myself. And please calm Mama and Papa. I have already made a fool of myself in front of Mr Darcy. We do not need another spectacle.”