Chapter 8
Mrs Phillips arrived before breakfast, causing an early upheaval in the family. She came to see her sister, Mrs Bennet, and to enquire after Elizabeth, hardly breathing from panic.
As she had long been awake, Elizabeth noticed her aunt’s arrival and ran downstairs, worried that something terrible had occurred. She stopped in the hall, eavesdropping by the door, when she heard Mrs Phillips’s cries of despair and her mother’s worrisome responses.
“Dear sister, what happened to Lizzy? I barely slept last night. Mr Phillips was told by Sir William that she had been found injured in the wood. Covered in blood! Who did such a thing to her? Will she recover?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes, ire mixing with annoyance.
“Oh, nonsense, Sister!” Mrs Bennet replied. “Come and sit, and I shall order some tea. Will you stay for breakfast?”
“No, no, I must return home soon. I just came to see what had happened! So, there was nothing?”
“There was something, but you should know Sir William and Lady Lucas know nothing, as much as they claim to be titled people! I wonder who spread such a report! It must have been Charlotte or Maria or Mr Collins. What a tedious man. If I did not know he wishes to marry Lizzy, I would not even speak to him!”
“Do not speak so loudly. He might hear you. Is he not here?”
“No…apparently he had some business in Meryton early this morning, though I cannot imagine what that might be. He is such a hateful man!”
“So, what happened? Is Lizzy injured?”
“In some way…not much…she wandered through the fields — you know she does that all the time! Even the admiral has scolded her for that silly habit. She found some dead dogs and two barely alive puppies, and she brought them home. She dirtied her gowns and scratched her hands and face rescuing them. Just before the ball! Imagine! How can she appear in such a state at Netherfield? Mr Collins was rather appalled seeing her. I fear he might not propose to her after that.”
“So, she is injured? Why did they say she was covered in blood? Was she not?”
“She was. Mr Darcy looked appalled too when he brought her home, although he tried to excuse what he had seen. I can only imagine what he thought, seeing her in such a dreadful state. It is no wonder he refused to dance with her. For some strange reason, he called her adventure ‘commendable’. Perhaps because she saved his uncle, the admiral. Do you know Mr Darcy is the grandson and the nephew of earls?”
Mrs Bennet was babbling, and Elizabeth’s impulse was to stop the maddening exchange, but she felt tired and was loath to be caught in the middle of it.
“So, Lizzy was in the woods with Mr Darcy? And he brought her home?”
“Yes. He said he found her and escorted her home. Last night he even found a dog to feed the puppies. I cannot imagine what happened to him to show such sudden amiability to Lizzy. It must be because of his uncle, the admiral.”
“Mr Darcy walking alone with Lizzy? This is hard to imagine… Very peculiar.”
“Well, who knows what is in the mind of a man like Mr Darcy. He either refuses to dance with her or acts like a friend. He seemed very friendly to Mr Bennet too — what do you say? He never spoke a word to Mr Bennet until the admiral came.”
“Very strange indeed, Sister. One might say that a man who walks with a young woman in a secluded place might like her…even more than he should…”
“Oh, that cannot be in Mr Darcy’s case. He is cold and haughty and ruins everybody’s disposition,” Mrs Bennet replied.
“Who knows, Sister. Who can read his mind? Such rich and important people are not like the rest of us, I tell you,” Mrs Phillips uttered.
“Speaking of important and rich people, the admiral seemed to really like Lizzy. I even thought he might propose to her. He must be in his fifties, but he is still like a young man. Can you imagine what that would mean for me?”
Elizabeth gasped in horror, and she made her presence known by crying, “Mama! How dare you say such things? What is wrong with you? Can you not understand the harm you may cause to our family by spreading such nonsense? What if the admiral hears such reports? I would die of shame!”
Elizabeth was so outraged that she could not even mind her words and had to fight tears of frustration.
“Oh, calm down, Lizzy. You are too sensitive and too careless when it comes to your actions,” Mrs Bennet responded. “I can say whatever I want to my sister. You should instead worry about dying of shame when the admiral hears from Mr Darcy about your appearance.”
“Lizzy, you look truly terrible! Oh dear!” Mrs Phillips said. “Look — three scratches on your face and two on your neck. They will look dreadful in your ball gown!”
“That is my last concern, Aunt Phillips. For heaven’s sake, stop talking such nonsense which will only expose our family to ridicule!
I saved two puppies, that is all. I am not intending to marry anyone — clergyman or admiral — and I shall not even attend the ball, so there is no need to worry about my scratches. This is all outrageous and ridiculous!”
Her mother and her aunt looked stunned by such an offensive outburst, but she could not care less.
Mr Bennet and the rest of the family appeared, drawn by the loud voices, their confusion apparent.
“What on earth is this scandal before breakfast?” Mr Bennet asked. “Sister Phillips, what brought you here at this early hour?”
“Nothing is happening, Papa. Only nonsense, as usual,” Elizabeth replied. “I shall be in my room. I do not feel well enough for company.” She tried to leave the room when she almost bumped into John, the manservant, who was holding a note. In the hall, she spotted another man waiting.
“This was brought for Mr Bennet,” John said. “From the admiral and Mr Bingley, I was told.”
Mrs Bennet gasped with apparent joy, while Mr Bennet took the note. Although curious, Elizabeth left hastily and slammed the door of her chamber so hard that she was sure it resounded throughout the entire house.
She felt the need to cry in frustration, but she resisted.
Her mother was driving her to the edge of her patience, and regardless of her efforts, Mrs Bennet followed her impulses, disregarding common sense and decorum.
There was nothing to be done. Unlike other times, she found she was bothered by the notion that either the admiral or Mr Darcy thought ill of her or of her family.
Her mother’s ridiculous assumption that the admiral might have an interest in her was completely outrageous and could damage even Jane’s relationship with Mr Bingley.
Yet, Mrs Bennet refused to see reality, and her father was content to make sport of his wife instead of censuring the breaches of decorum.
“Lizzy, may I come in?” she heard Jane’s timid voice.
“Yes, of course.” Elizabeth tried to compose herself so her sister would not see how disquieted she was.
“I am sorry you are upset, Lizzy. Please do not mind Mama. You know she wishes the best for us.”
“She might, Jane, but wishing the best might cause us the worst. I cannot remain silent to such nonsense! I hope you do not mind, but I have a headache and would rather rest.”
“Oh…I am so sorry to hear that. Papa has received a letter from the admiral. He has invited all of us for tea at Netherfield.”
Elizabeth arched her eyebrow. “All of us? Today? All of a sudden? What is the occasion?”
“We do not know…the note only mentions drinks. Mama is thrilled beyond reason, and she assumes more than there is. And the note mentioned that you are welcome to see the puppies if you want.”
“Oh yes, I would like that very much! What did Papa say? Shall we go? Though I wonder how much Mr Bingley’s sisters approve of such an invitation. Or Mr Darcy…”
“Please come and speak to Papa. He will decide. And please try not to argue with Mama any further.”
“I shall try. Has Aunt Phillips left?”
“Yes. Come, I shall meet you in the drawing room.”
A few minutes later, after changing her gown, arranging her hair, and placing a scarf to cover her throat, Elizabeth went to join her family.
Mr Bennet glanced at her while speaking to his wife and his other daughters.
“I see no reason to all go for a short, sudden visit. I cannot refuse the admiral, but I shall not stay more than an hour. Lizzy should come too, to see the puppies, since she was mentioned in the note, and her presence is likely desired. I cannot take her alone, so another one of you should come. Three of us will be more than enough.”
“Well, I shall not insist on this visit,” Mrs Bennet said. “Mr Bingley’s sisters are not pleasant company, and I do not wish to see them. Since you are determined to take Lizzy, Jane should go. I am sure her presence is the most desired.”
“Then it is settled,” Mr Bennet approved. “To Netherfield we shall go and return soon. If Mr Collins returns, do not tell him where we are!”
∞∞∞
An hour later, the three of them arrived at Netherfield and were received by a happy and nervous Mr Bingley. His sisters — much to Elizabeth’s surprise — were there too, and they offered a polite, though distant, welcome.
“My dear Eliza, what happened to you?” Miss Bingley exclaimed. “Oh dear, what are those marks on your face? You look truly ill!”
“I had a small accident, Miss Bingley. It is nothing to worry about, but I thank you for your concern.”
“Scratches or not, I believe Miss Elizabeth looks lovely,” the admiral interjected. “In fact, you all look lovely, ladies. I understand Miss Elizabeth’s marks are proof of her bravery.”
“Bravery is too strong a word.” Elizabeth smiled. “If you do not mind, could I see the puppies now?”
“Darcy’s servant should know about them,” the admiral answered.
“I would be glad to escort you, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr Darcy unexpectedly offered. “The quickest way would be through the servants’ wing.”
“What puppies?” Miss Bingley asked. “Where is Mr Darcy going with Eliza? To the servants’ wing? Why?”
“I shall explain it to you,” Mr Bingley offered, while Elizabeth followed Mr Darcy along the hall. She felt slightly disconcerted by the idea of going somewhere with only Mr Darcy.
At the stairs, he stopped, looking at her. “I shall lead the way.”
“Very well, sir. Have you seen the puppies yourself?”
“Yes…I admit I was curious…and worried.”
“You are very kind, sir,” she said, and he turned to glance at her.
“Since you do not approve of the word bravery, I do not approve of kindness in regard to the same matter,” he said with a little smile. She found nothing to reply, only noticing how much the smile changed his countenance.
Once they were downstairs, Darcy led her to a room with several windows and filled with various supplies.
In a corner, there was a shelter filled with straw.
Elizabeth approached carefully and saw a mother dog lying down with three puppies gambolling around her.
She leant closer and recognised the two little puppies she had rescued, tucked against the mother dog’s belly, struggling to suckle a little milk.
“This is Dolly. She had three puppies of her own and she seems to have adopted these two. The moment she was given the puppies, she was also offered good food, which I think eased her acceptance.”
“Dolly is such a pretty girl,” Elizabeth said. “Would it help if I took all of them to Longbourn and took care of them?”
“Not at all. Dolly’s owner works at the stables, and his wife is a maid. They check on the dogs regularly. They are taken care of in the best possible way, I assure you.”
“Thank you, sir,” she repeated. “You are very kind indeed.”
“Then I dare say you were brave,” he jested, and she laughed.
“Let us not argue over whose behaviour was more heroic. It is fortunate the puppies are alive and were provided with the best care in order to survive. And that was your doing, sir, as much as you wish to deny it.”
They were in a room of supplies, in the servants’ wing, with lots of voices around them, but still, they were alone, talking over a subject of mutual interest, even teasing each other.
A maid entered, gasped at seeing them, and quickly excused herself, disappearing into another room.
“We should leave before we disturb the household’s activity,” Mr Darcy suggested. “I promise to let you know if there is any news. As soon as they grow stronger, you should come and visit again,” he offered.
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. I trust they will be well taken care of, under your supervision.”
“Do not thank me, Miss Bennet. After all, I feel they belong to me as much as they belong to you. We could say we share the puppies,” he said, attempting a joke.
For some reason, both of their countenances changed colour, as if touched by the same sort of feeling aroused by his mere statement.
“The scratches are still visible,” he said, and she felt his gaze on her face, on her throat, and lowering to her hands. She felt more anxiety and tried to conceal it with jest.
“I know they are visible. And I know I look very ill — my mother mentions it at least twenty times a day.”
“I did not say you looked ill. Quite the opposite,” he said, then paused while she watched him in confusion. His voice was hoarse and serious, and his expression was different in a way she could not define.
“I just hope they are not painful,” he continued.
“Oh no, not really. Mr Jones’s cream was helpful,” she replied, feeling herself flush.
“I am glad to hear that. You did not catch a cold, I hope?”
“No. Thank you for asking. You are very kind to enquire. I hope your hat and neckcloth were cleaned?”
“No…they are in the shelter. Look. I allowed the puppies to use them.”
He smiled, and dimples appeared in his cheeks. She stared at him for another moment, troubled by a sudden quivering; then she leant forwards to take a better look at the dogs and finally turned her eyes back to him.
“That was very kind of you, Mr Darcy. You must allow the person with whom you share the puppies to show you some gratitude,” she joked, and he replied with another smile.
“I would gladly allow you to do whatever you want, Miss Bennet, since I doubt that I could win any argument with you.”
He was joking — teasing her — and his friendly countenance was just as disquieting as his proud and arrogant one, though in a different way.
“We should return to the others. I hope you approve of how the puppies are being cared for,” Mr Darcy said.
“Very much so, sir. Yes, you must return before others wonder about our absence.”