Chapter 3
Chapter Three
Darcy had not expected it to be so difficult to find a moment to speak with Elizabeth.
Since their time together on the balcony, they had not exchanged more than passing greetings at the various dinners where they were both present.
He did not understand why she had been so upset with him.
Granted, she had thought he had left without a word and purposely excluded her from seeing the museum exhibit, but even after she had accepted that he had no fault there, she still kept her distance.
Did he have to start over again to win her friendship?
Elizabeth had been open but stiff as she spoke to him.
She seemed uncomfortable in his presence and did not wish to accept his assistance in returning to London.
He needed to speak with her further. That was why he had arrived so long before his friend’s wedding, taking the chance on leaving his sister in London with her companion and their aunt and uncle.
He had thought it would be easier to find time alone with Elizabeth. Was she avoiding him?
He thought back over the past three weeks.
He had never reached her in time to escort her to dinner.
She had always been surrounded by cousins or friends before he could partner her at a card table.
She always took someone with her when she played the pianoforte, so he could not turn her pages.
When he had called at Longbourn, she had kept herself occupied elsewhere or intent on conversations with others.
He had seen Elizabeth at church the morning before but again had no chance for conversation; she had hurried into her family’s carriage after he thought he had caught her eye.
He had not considered it possible, but she must be evading him purposely.
What had changed since June? Darcy had been ready to propose to her before he had been required to rush to Ramsgate.
Then he could not return to Elizabeth because his sister needed him.
He had written to Mr. Gardiner explaining that he was detained but would see him and his family at Bingley’s wedding.
Should he have been more open? He could not explain in a letter how his sister had suffered over the summer.
Whatever his mistakes, he could no longer wait to speak to Elizabeth.
It was too early yet to call at Longbourn, so he sought solace in a ride through the fields of Netherfield Park.
Neptune sensed his anxiety and was skittish as they set out that cold morning, but they soon settled into a fluid rhythm.
After he had been riding for about half an hour, Darcy pulled up short on Neptune’s reigns when he heard a woman’s weak scream to his left, through the woods.
Bounding in that direction, he saw the figure flailing about in a stream that must be near frozen in the November chill.
She appeared to be alone, and surveying the area to determine the best way to help her, he noted a collapsed bridge near the woman.
By the time he reached her and slid from his horse, she was nearly to the bank.
He rushed forward to help her up the muddy slope and was shocked when she tilted her head.
“Elizabeth!”
All other conversation was forestalled, however, as he noted her trembling form.
Water dripped from her thick dark hair where it hung all around her, and her drenched gown and pelisse clung to her shivering body.
As soon as she was safely on firm ground, he shrugged out of his greatcoat and wrapped it around her.
Elizabeth pulled the coat tightly to herself and stumbled as she took a step forward.
“Forgive me,” Darcy said, bending to place an arm under her knees to sweep her up and carry her to his horse. Elizabeth’s lack of protest alarmed him even as he was grateful she allowed him to carry her. He looked at her pale face.
“May I ride behind you? I wish to get you to safety as quickly as possible.”
She nodded weakly and began coughing.
Darcy rubbed her back gently and held her closer to his chest to try to warm her.
As soon as her breathing steadied, he settled her on his horse before quickly mounting behind her.
He wrapped his coat fully around her. How long had she been in the cold water before he reached her?
It could not have been more than a few minutes, yet she was so cold.
Perhaps she had been chilled already, as she had walked far from home.
Though still on Longbourn lands, she was much closer to Netherfield House than to her own, which is why he did not hesitate to take her to Bingley’s rented estate.
“Elizabeth, are you well?” Of course she was not well. He pushed Neptune to go faster even as he tightened his grip around Elizabeth, who had not answered his feeble query with her blue lips. “Elizabeth? Please, please, God. Do not let her die.”
He pulled her wet face to his warmer neck, as he could do little else to help her before they reached the house.
Had she hit her head when she had fallen?
Why was she unconscious? Then it struck him.
He had not heard a crack of wood or a splash of water.
He had not seen her fall. She may have been in the water far longer than he had thought.
But she had managed to pull herself nearly out of the water.
He looked over all he could see of her from this position and noted her gown was ripped at the bottom and her leg had a bleeding gash.
He wished she could tell him what had happened.
As they neared Netherfield, he called out to a groom to steady his horse as he shifted down to the ground while maintaining his hold on Elizabeth’s still form. He ran to the front door as it opened to a surprised footman.
“Go for the doctor, quickly! Take my horse,” he demanded. “Mrs. Nicholls! Mrs. Nicholls!” He called to the housekeeper even before he passed through the door, and she was in the hall when he entered. “Miss Elizabeth needs a room.”
“Yes, sir, come this way,” she responded with efficiency at the same time another footman rushed out dressed for the cold morning.
As Darcy followed Mrs. Nicholls to the nearest room in the guest wing, he was vaguely aware of her issuing orders for hot water, clean cloths, and maids to attend her.
“Darcy, what is happening? Are you well?” Bingley came around the corner, clearly having just awoken.
“Miss Elizabeth fell in the stream and has lost consciousness.” Darcy was surprised at how calm he sounded when he felt anything but. “I would be obliged if you could send word to Longbourn. Her uncle should be informed.”
“Of course. I will go myself…if you think we can spare a quarter of an hour for me to dress properly.”
“Yes, yes. Thank you, Bingley.” Darcy entered the guest room and placed Elizabeth on the bed as directed. When he made no move to leave the room but only stared at the woman he loved, Mrs. Nicholls quietly intruded on his thoughts.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Betsy and I will see to Miss Elizabeth now.”
“Of course. Forgive me.” As he caught a last glimpse of Elizabeth before the door was shut in his face, he hurriedly begged, “Alert me if I can be of any assistance at all.” He leaned against the wall and nearly slumped to the floor outside her room to wait, but his valet approached from his bedchamber two doors down across the passageway.
“Sir, let me help you change into dry clothes.”
Darcy had not noticed, but naturally, he was wet and muddy himself. He allowed his man’s ministrations, which included a bath and then hot tea by the fire in his bedchamber, before he returned to Elizabeth’s room, where a chair now sat outside her door. He sank into it gratefully and waited.
Mr. Jones, the local apothecary, arrived before Mr. Bingley had returned with Mr. Bennet and both Miss Bennet and Miss Mary in his carriage. The man was still with Elizabeth when the group ascended the stairs and gathered around Darcy, who stood as they approached.
“How is she?” Mr. Bennet asked.
“Mr. Jones has been with her for some time, but he has not yet reported on her condition. She…she was unconscious when I last saw her.” Darcy struggled to compose himself. “Perhaps Miss Bennet or Miss Mary will be allowed entrance—”
Before any decision could be made, Mr. Jones emerged from Elizabeth’s bedchamber, closing the door securely behind him. The man looked steadily at Mr. Bennet as he gave his assessment.
“She is awake but weak.”
Darcy exhaled deeply in relief.
“We are attempting to warm her, as she is still too cold,” the apothecary continued. “She should not be overly excited, but I will allow visitors briefly. She will need her rest to recover.”
“Thank you, Jones,” Mr. Bennet said. “Jane, Mary, will you join me?”
Darcy had known he would not be allowed to see Elizabeth until she emerged from her chamber, but it was still a blow keenly felt.
Bingley excused himself to speak with Mrs. Nicholls about rooms for Miss Bennet and Mr. Bennet.
It was a moment too long before Darcy thought to tell him his housekeeper was in the room with Elizabeth, and Bingley had departed.
Darcy swallowed and turned to the medical man once the others had disappeared behind the door, once again closed to him.
“I, too, thank you for your prompt attendance, Mr. Jones. If anything at all can be done that is in my power…If my physician in town could be of service, please allow me to send for him.”
“A generous offer, Mr. Darcy, but a physician could do little, in this case, that Mrs. Nicholls and her maids cannot do. They have my instructions and will watch Miss Elizabeth’s progress.”
“Then she will recover fully?” Darcy asked anxiously.
“With proper rest and nourishment, and if the cold does not seep into her lungs or lead to fever, then she should be up again in a few days. She is very weak at present, however,” Mr. Jones said.
“I see. And she has all she needs? As far as her comfort is concerned?” Darcy needed some way to help her.
“She does. She is being well cared for now. Your coming when you did certainly saved her life. Miss Elizabeth was able to tell me the bridge she crossed must have had a loose plank, as she stepped and fell into the freezing water. The young lady did not hit her head, fortunately, but the broken pieces of the bridge caught on her gown and cut her leg superficially, and it took her some time to free herself to escape the water. She said she did not have the strength left by then to climb the bank so called for help. Miss Elizabeth told me when she saw you approach, she knew she would live.”
Darcy realized his breaths had become shallow as he listened to Elizabeth’s tale and worked to steady himself.
“Are you well, sir?” Mr. Jones asked. “Did you also get a soaking?”
“I am well, thank you. I barely stepped into the stream to help Miss Elizabeth.”
“Very good. I will return to check on her this evening or sooner if I am summoned.”
Mr. Darcy bowed and watched him go, then said a prayer of gratitude that Elizabeth had awoken and a plea that she would regain her strength.
He resumed his seat beside the door but could not stay for long.
He must do something. He paced the passageway long enough for Mrs. Nicholls to emerge and another maid to leave and return.
Finally, with nothing better to claim his time, he determined to investigate the bridge.
Darcy had been at the site of Elizabeth’s mishap for nearly an hour when two others appeared.
“Mr. Bennet, Bingley! This is a surprise. How is Miss Elizabeth?”
“She is sleeping under the watchful eyes of her cousins,” Mr. Bennet said. “I understand I have you to thank for saving her life.”
“I do not know what I would have done—that is, I am grateful I was close enough to hear when she called out,” Darcy said.
“As am I. I thank you,” Mr. Bennet said wearily. “As I have discussed with Bingley, I will arrange for a woman from the village to join us at Netherfield to chaperone, as I will not be able to be present all the time. I will then take Mary back to Longbourn but will myself return this evening.”
Darcy nodded. He understood Mr. Bennet’s precautions.
With Bingley and Miss Bennet engaged and Darcy and Miss Elizabeth single, at least one chaperone would be required.
He hoped Mr. Bennet did not think he had to protect Miss Elizabeth from himself, however.
Darcy knew what propriety demanded and would not cross the threshold to her bedchamber no matter how much he wished he could.
He longed for a single glimpse of her open eyes to assure himself she was no longer unconscious.
Yet he knew the reports of others would have to suffice.
“Did Miss Elizabeth tell you any more about what happened here?” Darcy asked, sweeping his arm to encompass the slow-moving water and the detritus of the broken bridge.
“She expressed surprise at a loose plank, as she had walked this bridge many times in the past weeks and had noticed nothing unsound on those mornings,” Mr. Bennet said. “Have you found anything to provide greater insight?”
Darcy showed the men all the pieces of the bridge he had managed to pull to the grassy bank. He had dressed to walk into the water this time, but he would need to return to the house soon to change again and warm himself.
“One loose plank would likely cause Miss Elizabeth to fall or even break her leg, but it would be unlikely to cause the complete collapse of the bridge,” Darcy began.
“I did not note it before, as I was focused on helping Miss Elizabeth, but you can see the intact part of the bridge is no longer passable.”
“This does not make sense,” Mr. Bennet said. “Though it is small, it has always been sturdy, and I myself rode my horse over this bridge a few weeks ago. It was sound then. Have either of you been on it more recently?”
“I walked across it two days ago,” Bingley said. “I noticed no issues at that time.”
“Look here, if you will,” Darcy said, calling the other men’s attention to some markings on some of the boards on the bank. “Does it not look as though these have been deliberately cut?”
“My dear Susannah! What does this mean?” Mr. Bennet’s face went white, and Darcy and Bingley each held an arm to steady him.
“Who is Susannah, sir?” Bingley asked.
“What? Susannah? She was my sister, Elizabeth’s mother.” Mr. Bennet recovered himself and inspected each piece of wood before saying he would seek a chaperone.
Darcy and Bingley shared a glance before following him back to the house, where the carriage awaited.
What was Mr. Bennet thinking? It looked as though someone had damaged the bridge purposefully.
Was it an attempt to harm a specific person?
These were Longbourn lands but so close to Netherfield that many people occasionally used the bridge, though perhaps none so often lately as Elizabeth.
Had she been the target? Why would someone try to hurt her?