by Erin Butler
While Elizabeth watched her friend Charlotte Lucas in the dance, she saw Mr. Bingley walk toward Mr. Darcy and overheard the following exchange.
Mr. Bingley, smiling and agreeable, said, “You had much better dance, Darcy. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner.”
“I certainly shall not,” Mr. Darcy said, raising his chin. “You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. Your sisters are engaged at the moment, so it cannot be done.”
“Well, Darcy, what do you say about this assembly? I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”
“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.
“Oh, she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But look, there is one of her sisters, sitting down, just behind you, who is very pretty, and I daresay, very agreeable. Do let me ask Miss Bennet to introduce you.”
Mr. Darcy barely looked Elizabeth’s way. “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me.”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped. How could a gentleman say such a thing? He had very proud manners, to be sure. Elizabeth hid a smile behind her hand as Mr. Darcy walked past her. Mr. Bingley had wasted no time in following Mr. Darcy’s commands and was already taken up again with her sister.
Elizabeth, still shocked that a gentleman would convey himself in such a manner, told Mary she needed to go outside for some air. Mary, oblivious as ever, nodded, and soon Elizabeth was at the door that exited to the small garden.
The garden was nothing like hers, for this one was ornamental in nature. It still gave her the same refuge. Not that Mr. Darcy’s statement pained her, for that was far from the truth. She was shocked that a gentleman, and Mr. Bingley’s friend no less, would act in such a manner, but his opinions did not grieve her. She did not wish to catch the fancy of a gentleman that proud and that disagreeable. She would be sure to relay the whole exchange to her friend Charlotte, and of course, Jane, when she saw them next. They would all have a good laugh.
She came around a corner and was about to enter back into the hall when she heard a pained cry. She strode to where the noise originated and happened upon the very man who had just been occupying her thoughts. “Mr. Darcy,” she said, curtseying. “May I be of assistance to you?”
Darcy was hanging on to a tree branch with his hand while one of his feet was in the air. He had tried to keep his countenance, but in doing so, placed his leg back on the ground and grimaced with the same yelp.
“You are hurt,” Elizabeth said. “I shall get your friends.”
“No,” Mr. Darcy demanded. “I am fine. Please, do not trouble yourself or them. I merely have a sore ankle from a riding incident earlier, that is all. It shall be right again in a couple minutes, and then I will be off again.”
She would have liked to have believed him, but sweat dotted his brow and he still stood with his leg in the air. It was no wonder why he wished not to dance this evening. Every step he took must put him in pain. “Let me walk you to a chair. You should not be standing on your leg if it hurts you that badly.”
“As I said, Miss…”
“Miss Bennet,” Elizabeth supplied.
“Miss Bennet, I will be well.”
He may have had an excuse for not dancing, but his pride was still apparent. Elizabeth turned and grabbed the first chair she could find just within the assembly room. She returned with it to the garden and placed it aside Mr. Darcy. “Sit,” she ordered. “I would not be a gentleman’s daughter if I left you in pain. Would you like me to look at it?” Mr. Darcy sat reluctantly, but gave her such an expression of distrust, that she felt as if she had to explain herself. “Excuse me, Mr. Darcy, I only ask because I have some knowledge of wounds and medicines. If it is swollen, we shall need to bring that down. Something cold will suffice.”
“Truly, I am quite well. Within half a minute, I shall return to the assembly. I beg you not to trouble yourself on my account. If it is not better by tomorrow, I shall call for a doctor. I wish to be left alone now, if you please.”
Mr. Darcy stood and bowed, then sat back in the chair again. Elizabeth, unable to hide her displeasure, stalked away. Upon entering the rooms, she found that the ball was ending and took a place next to her sister as their party said goodbye to those of Netherfield, apart from the proudest one who sulked in a chair in the garden.
Chapter Four
Unlike Elizabeth, Jane had the best ball of her life. She was much admired by Mr. Bingley and his sisters. Mrs. Bennet would hardly talk of any other subject except for Jane and those at Netherfield. Elizabeth felt Jane’s joy and quieted her own annoyances of the night. In the following days when they were alone, Jane expressed how much she enjoyed herself, and Elizabeth thought her sister was in a fair way in love with their endearing neighbor, though she did not believe her sister saw it yet.
They walked with their younger sisters to Meryton more often, and Elizabeth was too keen to not understand whom Jane sought. Elizabeth, too, was looking for someone. It was in her disposition to pity those who were injured. Perhaps that was why she took to gardening and using plants the way she did. She hoped, as often as Jane did, that Bingley would be in town—and that perhaps Mr. Darcy had accompanied him. If he did, she would inquire after his injured leg once and for all, whether he wished her to or not.
Though he said he would call a doctor, she had seen enough of his character to believe he would not. Insufferable. She never understood why some would stay in pain when there were options to be considered. No one needed suffer stomach pains when chamomile was at hand. Though, some did just that. Was there something to be proved when acting in such a way?
Each journey into Meryton, the sisters’ wishes went unfulfilled. They saw nothing of Mr. Darcy or Mr. Bingley until the party at Lucas Lodge. The women of Longbourn looked on the occasion with much excitement. Even Mr. Bennet himself seemed in spirits as they arrived at their friends’ house. Mary took to the piano right away to play the music she had been working on for the past week. Jane settled into easy conversation with Mr. Bingley and those of the Netherfield party while Elizabeth sat next to her dear friend Charlotte Lucas.
Charlotte inclined her head toward Jane and Mr. Bingley. “I see that he continues his attentions toward your sister.”
Elizabeth smiled, noticing again Jane’s glow as they spoke together across the room. “Let us hope that he will continue still. It is obvious that Jane enjoys his company.”
“And I see that Mr. Darcy is still as unfavorable as ever. One wonders why he goes out into society if he only aims to be displeased with everything.”
Elizabeth, unsure if any at Meryton had gotten a true likeness to Mr. Darcy’s character, felt the need to say something about Mr. Darcy’s injury.
“Hurt his foot, you say? You think that is why he behaved in such an abominable manner at the ball? I suppose it could be.”
“He still may have too much pride, but one cannot blame him for not standing up with any other lady in the room. It could also explain away the uneasy look upon his face all night. Perhaps we have not seen the real Mr. Darcy.”
“Perhaps not if what you say is true. We will only truly know if we learn of the recovery of his injury.”
Elizabeth nodded. She enjoyed speaking to Charlotte about such topics. She was sensible, and above all, Elizabeth liked sensible. “I aim to find out tonight.”
Charlotte sipped her tea and raised her eyebrows at her friend. “Mr. Darcy looks at you a great deal, Lizzy. I daresay you will get your chance by the end of the night.”
“I do not know why he would care to look at me unless he wants to scare me into silence. He did not like that I knew of his injury.” Elizabeth squeezed the sage-filled satchel she brought with her from home. If Mr. Darcy
was still in pain tonight, she would give it to him. If he appeared recovered, she would trouble herself about it no more.
She had been staring at him all evening, too, trying to see if his injury still pained him. Since he stood in the corner above a half hour and had not moved, Elizabeth could make no determination as of yet. How odious it was to be always watching a man who did nothing? When she could take it no longer, she excused herself from Charlotte and made her way toward Mr. Darcy.
He bowed, and she curtsied. She looked around to make sure their exchange wouldn’t reach the ears of others. “Excuse me, Sir. I came to inquire after your injury. Does your leg still pain you?”
Mr. Darcy’s lips pulled into a small smile. His eyes shone at her as he took her in. “It is kind of you to ask. It bothers me a little, I’m afraid, but I do believe it is recovering. Not as fast as I would like, but when one is injured, one never recovers as fast as they would like.”
“That is very true. Did you call for a doctor? Or are you leaving your recovery up to chance?”
“I am afraid to answer you truthfully after such a question. My answer will not satisfy you, Miss Bennet. I have it on good authority I should have accepted your help at the ball the other evening. I am also afraid that I was in a bit of a distemper due to my situation. My apologies for how I came across.”
Elizabeth took a step back. He was all politeness, and no faulty pride at all. “An apology is unnecessary, Mr. Darcy. However, speaking to your injury, I have brought you something that might help.” She handed the satchel to him. “That is sage from my garden. If you stir it in hot water and soak your leg in it, I believe it will help. If it does not, you will have to let me know so I can try something different. I would try it on you now if I could, but somehow I do not think you would agree to such a plan.”
Mr. Darcy smiled and placed the satchel in his pocket. “You may have me figured out already, Miss Bennet. Thank you,” he said, his eyes exploring her own. “Sincerely. Your interest in medicine seems to go beyond those of other women I have met with. That is to say, I do not know of many gentlewomen who would seek out a man who abused them to give them aid. What is it about the topic that captures you so?”
Elizabeth thought for a moment. No one had ever asked her that question before, not even a member of her own family. “Part of it, I think,” she paused to gather the correct words. “Is that there is always something more to learn. I have read many books on the topic and have found that I learn something new at every turn. Then, of course, there is my own experimentation. I believe I have found the best recipe for fever when my mother was ill last Spring. I am very proud of that. Then, there is the feeling of helping someone in their time of need. Whether they want to be helped or not,” she added.
Mr. Darcy laughed. “I am very glad you are persistent. I should be happy to test out your sage if it adds to your own experimentation on the topic.”
“And to your recovery. I would like to hear your thoughts on how it worked, but I am most interested in seeing you without pain, Sir.”
“I am feeling more recovered by the moment, I assure you, Miss Bennet. Perhaps I may even be recovered well enough to ask for a dance with you tonight.”
“I would not hear of it until you are back to normal. You should not have danced at all at the assembly. It is possible you hurt yourself even more severely because of it.”
“I cannot account for my pride.”
“Pride,” a voice declared behind Mr. Darcy. “Surely you do not have any improper pride, Mr. Darcy. Why say such an abominable thing?” Mr. Darcy’s jaw ticked as Miss Bingley moved into view. She nodded slightly toward Elizabeth. “Oh, Miss Bennet. I am sorry I have interrupted your conversation.”
“Not at all,” Elizabeth said, as Caroline Bingley looked down her nose at her. “I was about to go ask Lady Lucas about her garden, so you were not interrupting a thing.”
She curtsied and spun around to seek out Lady Lucas. Elizabeth had wanted to inquire after the garden, but she would not have found it to be so demanding if Miss Bingley had not entered their conversation. She despised the woman.
After Elizabeth was gone, Miss Bingley smirked. “I believe I can tell where your mind is.”
Barely listening to his friend’s sister, he watched as Elizabeth’s fine figure walked away from him.
“You are thinking how insupportable it would be to spend many evenings like this.”
“Not at all,” Darcy said. “My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the pleasure which a pair of fine eyes on the face of a pretty woman can bestow.”
Miss Bingley, too keen for her own good when it came to Mr. Darcy, followed his stare. Noticing it landed on one Miss Elizabeth Bennet, she said, “I am all astonishment.”
The rest of the evening passed remarkably well for Miss Bennet. She once again was pleased with her conversation with Mr. Darcy. He asked her to dance, but she declined thoughtfully, telling him she did not wish him to risk his leg on her account. She played the piano forte for the party and noticed the astonishment of Mr. Darcy’s eyes as she finished the last measure. And, once she had learned that Lady Lucas’s barley was also looking a little worse for the wear, she counted the whole evening as a success.
Chapter Five
The next morning at breakfast, they were all surprised to find a letter for Jane that had come from Miss Bingley. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst asked Jane to dinner, as the gentleman were to dine with the officers of the regiment that had lately been quartered at Meryton. Though Mrs. Bennet exclaimed that it was unfortunate Mr. Bingley would not be there, she advised her older daughter to go and make what she could of it.
When Jane inquired after the family carriage, Mrs. Bennet was quick to say they could not spare it, and fixing her husband with a most alarming look, Mr. Bennet confirmed his wife’s statement. Jane would have to ride to Netherfield on her own. Since the skies had been darkening all morning, Jane looked uneasy about the scheme, but she was a dutiful daughter and said nothing more on the subject.
Once Jane left, however, the skies opened in torrents of rain. Mrs. Bennet looked pleased with herself, though Elizabeth was uneasy with worry. It was impossible her sister had missed the rain, she only wished that she would not develop a cold because of being stuck out in it. What a thing to have happened on such a nice occasion as to be asked to Netherfield.
Rain drops fragmented the windowpane in front of Elizabeth as she stared out her bedroom window. The ground was soaked through and puddles had formed in the road. She wished very much that Jane would have missed the worst of it. Perhaps even now, she was warmed by a fire at Netherfield, for though she felt as if Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst did not care for the rest of the Bennet family, they at least cared for Jane. For Elizabeth, that was enough for her to feel calm about the matter. If something were to happen to Jane, they would at least take the utmost care of her.
Later that evening, a letter was dispatched from Netherfield to Longbourn. Elizabeth ran downstairs as soon as she saw the horse gallop toward the front door. She whipped the door open and stared into the wet face of a young man. He bowed, “Miss, I have a note from Netherfield for Mr. Bennet.”
Elizabeth took the letter. “I shall give it to him directly. Thank you.”
She hurried with the letter into her father’s office and waited as he read. Her father took his glasses off and laid them out on the desk before speaking. “I am afraid Jane has fell ill with a cold. They have dispatched for the doctor and she is to stay there until she is better.”
Elizabeth sat in the chair opposite him and worried over her lip. “Tomorrow I shall set out for Netherfield myself. All alone in an unfamiliar house? I know Jane would wish me with her.”
“Then, I shall order the carriage for you right after breakfast.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No need, Father. I have a few plants I should like to pick on the way. As long as it is not raining, I should be fine.”
“If it is
not raining then. If it is, you shall go in the carriage. I will not have another daughter taken sick due to journeying to Netherfield. I suppose I should go tell your mother what has become of her eldest on her orders. What do you think she should say to that, Lizzy? Her wish has been granted and Jane is staying the night for a chance to speak with Mr. Bingley? It is too bad this trifling cold has got in the way.”
Elizabeth’s stomach churned. She usually enjoyed her father’s pointing out of insensibilities, but as this was concerning Jane’s health, she did not wish to make a joke of it. She excused herself and instead went to her room to put together a bag to take with her in the morning. She would need her thyme, and basil. As she was thinking of the different ailments Jane could have, she decided to take everything she possessed because she did not know what her sister’s symptoms were. Before she left in the morning, she would have to pick some rosemary, and would also have to look out for some yarrow on her journey. That was for Mr. Darcy in case his pain had yet to leave him.
Chapter Six
The morning came and Mr. Bennet announced that Lizzy would be off to Netherfield after breakfast. Mrs. Bennet declared that it could not be so for she had much better go to Meryton with her sisters. Since the militia had come into town, it was like having a few dozen Mr. Bingley’s close at hand, though not as rich. Elizabeth liked the soldiers just fine, but she would not leave her sister at Netherfield just to flirt with the officers as her mother would have her do. It would be insupportable.
Lydia and Kitty, however, determined that they would walk with Lizzy to Meryton and no further. Encouraged by Mrs. Bennet, they would visit their Aunt Phillips in hopes to see some of the officers. Elizabeth, vexed by the whole thing, looked at her father for help in the matter. He, however, was engrossed in his meal and would not look up no matter how much his daughter stared at him. The whole affair made Elizabeth uneasy, but was happy at least that she had one sensible sister who would come to her aid if she fell sick in an unfamiliar house.
