Rocks in the Stream

by Lewis Whelchel

  David averted his eyes from Miss Bennet when he saw her tears. “You do not really believe she is on a path between here and Meryton, do you?”

  Jane stared at him. It was difficult to admit what she had begun to fear. “No, I do not, but I do not know what else to do.”

  * * * * *

  UPON HIS ARRIVAL AT NETHERFIELD, Mr. Manning, the Bingleys’ physician from Town, was taken upstairs to see his patient. Later, he joined the party in the drawing room.

  “I have completed my examination of the young woman. She appears to be in good health except for a slight injury to her ankle and a bump on the side of her head. She has suffered a concussion, which explains why she is unconscious. I expect that she will wake up any minute. Please do not let her remain alone under any circumstances, for she will not know where she is and probably will not remember falling. The shock of finding herself alone in a strange place will be very distressing to her. I have seen many such cases,” Mr. Manning reassured, “and there is every reason to expect a satisfactory outcome.”

  “And what if she does not wake up right away?” asked Miss Bingley. Having this person in her home was quite an inconvenience.

  “She may become a little dehydrated, but there is no immediate danger.” In all his years attending the Bingley family, Mr. Manning had grown to dislike Miss Bingley very much and to distrust her motives.

  Darcy looked at the floor and shook his head as he slid his hand into his pocket and fingered the purple ribbon.

  “I have taken a room at the inn and will return again tomorrow to examine her.” Mr. Manning had gathered up his belongings and was heading to the door when Darcy detained him.

  “May I visit the young lady?”

  “Mr. Darcy, really!” scolded Miss Bingley.

  “I see no reason why not. Please speak softly around her,” cautioned Mr. Manning. “She will have quite a headache when she wakes up.”

  * * * * *

  DARCY KNOCKED ON HER DOOR and waited anxiously. Was she awake, and if not, when would she awaken? What was her name? From where had she come? Darcy knew he would not be able to rest until these questions were answered.

  He was relieved to hear footsteps approaching and then finally a hand on the doorknob. The door opened slowly as the maid was being most cautious not to disturb the sleeping patient.

  “May I help . . . sir?” Anne whispered. She had thought that perhaps Mrs. Thomas had returned and was completely unprepared to meet a gentleman.

  “I am Mr. Darcy, a guest of Mr. Bingley. I assisted in bringing the young lady here today. Mr. Manning said I may visit her.”

  Although hesitant about allowing a gentleman to enter the young lady’s bedchamber, she was asleep, and as Anne would remain with them, there was really no harm to it.

  “Please come in, Mr. Darcy. My name is Anne, and I will attend the young lady while she remains at Netherfield.”

  “Thank you, Anne.”

  Darcy slowly approached the slight figure in the bed. Her hair had been let down around her face and shoulders. It was dark, curly and luxuriant, magnifying the brilliancy of her fair skin. Anne must have cared for her for she looked remarkably well. Mr. Manning had bandaged the wound on her head, and that was the only evidence that she had been injured. As Darcy looked at her, he recognized an air of intelligence about her even while asleep and the faintest hint of a smile graced her lips.

  “Who are you?” he asked the sleeping figure. “I am sorry this happened. Bingley and I are grateful that we came upon you when we did. I shudder to think what might have happened had we not.” Anne looked up as Darcy walked around to the other side of her bed.

  “Do you know who she is, Mr. Darcy?” asked Anne in a surprised voice. He was talking to her in a familiar manner.

  “I . . . no, I have never seen her before.”

  Anne returned to her work, and Darcy returned his attention to the young woman.

  “Mr. Manning, Bingley’s physician, has told us that you have suffered a concussion but expects that you will be well and should wake up soon.” He stood over her, unable to take his eyes off her. “I am so sorry,” he whispered. All the horror of what might have been flashed through his mind, forcing him to turn away from her.

  He moved to the foot of the bed and looked at her once again. “I will come back in the morning. Good night.”

  The same need to protect her flooded once again through his body. Finally able to tear his eyes away from her, he turned to Anne.

  “Please send me word, no matter the hour, if her condition changes or if she should wake up.” Although he spoke gently, Anne knew she had just received a command.

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy.”

  * * * * *

  JANE WAS SITTING BEHIND HER father’s desk in the library, trying to busy herself with anything to keep her mind off Elizabeth, when she was accosted by her mother who came bustling into the room.

  “Oh, Jane, why did you not tell me that Lizzy was missing?” complained Mrs. Bennet, who had just begun to realize that Elizabeth might not be coming back.

  “Mama, I —”

  “Now it is dark, and no one has found her, and I am sure she is dead!”

  “Mama! Please do not say such things. We must hope for the best.”

  Jane moved around the desk to where her mother stood and held her in her arms, taking no delight in witnessing her mother’s tears.

  In as soothing a voice as she could muster, Jane said, “Lizzy is a strong girl. At first light, they will go in search of her again. Colonel Forster has promised the support of the regiment. I am sure she will be found unharmed.”

  Unable to speak further, Mrs. Bennet slipped out of the library and up to her room. This time there were no cries for Hill to attend her. Mrs. Bennet was in pain for the loss of her daughter.

  Jane wished she felt as certain as she had sounded. Weakened from constant worry and upset, a sudden feeling of despair overtook her, and she collapsed into a chair in front of the desk. Giving vent to her feelings, she dropped her head on folded arms and wept. She would never forgive herself for not going out with Lizzy that morning.

  * * * * *

  JANE AND LIZZY LOOKED AT each other and smiled as they ambled together across the lawn past the swing to the edge of a very small rise in the ground. They each took three steps then dropped to their knees and rolled the rest of the way down the little hill, landing on top of each other in a pile of blonde and brown curls, bonnets, and flying skirts. Their laughter filled the air.

  Little Mary, who had been watching them with a puzzled look, came over and asked, “Lizzy, what are you doing?”

  “We are falling,” she answered with a grin. “Do you want to fall, too?”

  “No, I think I will sit inside.”

  Jane and Lizzy watched Mary walk toward the house. They held each other’s hands as they climbed to the top of the hill.

  “Ready, Jane?” asked Lizzy. Jane nodded, and away they went down the hill again.

  As Jane awakened, her face felt warm, a welcome change as she had been so cold. When she opened her eyes, she was blinded by a shaft of sunlight burning through the window. This was odd, she thought, because her room was on the west side of the house. As her blurry eyes adjusted to the light, she slowly began to recognize her surroundings and realized she had fallen asleep at her father’s desk.

  Falling.

  She had dreamt about one of the many times she and Lizzy had rolled down the hill behind the house. Had Lizzy fallen? Where was she? Was there someone to take care of her, or was she all alone?

  Jane’s eyes burned, so she went up to her room to seek the relief of cool water and a soft cloth. While there, she would take a moment to pray for Lizzy.

  * * * * *

  SHORTLY AFTER BREAKFAST, COLONEL FORSTER and Sir William Lucas called at Longbourn. Mrs. Hill showed them into the drawing room and then went to the library to let Jane know she had visitors.

  The gentlemen stood when Jane entered the room.<
br />
  “Miss Bennet, I have come to let you know that training exercises for the regiment have been cancelled for the day and that all the men and officers will be searching the area around Meryton for your sister,” Colonel Forster informed her. “I am deeply grieved. This must have been a horrible night for you. Please be assured that we are doing everything in our power to find her.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. Your concern and assistance on Elizabeth’s behalf means so much to us all.” Jane would not cry! She would not!

  “Have you any idea at all where she might have gone, which paths she might have taken on her walk, or how far she would go?” asked the Colonel.

  “Elizabeth loves being out of doors, and it was such a beautiful day yesterday. She had invited me to go with her.” Jane paused. “Do you not see that this is my fault?” she cried in frustration. “I should never have let her go alone!” Jane’s eyes filled with tears.

  “Miss Bennet,” Sir William soothed, “it is well known that Miss Elizabeth is an independent young woman who loves to explore the countryside. This unfortunate event is not your fault. You could not have foreseen it. And if you had been able to, of course you would have done something to prevent it.”

  “Thank you, Sir William,” sniffed Jane. “You are right. My crying does no good.” She went to a chair and sat down.

  “Lizzy’s favorite walk is to Oakham Mount, and she would also go to Netherfield Park to visit with the gardener, but I am certain she would not have gone there because the new tenants were to move in yesterday. I believe she knew that. She enjoyed solitary, secluded places.”

  “I have the farmers searching all the main pathways between their farms and Longbourn village, and the area around Meryton is being searched by the regiment,” said Sir William. “I will send you word throughout the day.”

  “Thank you, gentlemen.”

  “We will do all in our power. I wish I could offer you better news,” said the Colonel. “Good day, Miss Bennet.”

  Chapter 2

  THE MORNING OF THE NEXT day found Bingley and his friend downstairs early for breakfast. As they were standing together at the sideboard filling their plates, Darcy decided to ask one of the nagging questions that had been weighing heavily on his mind.

  “Who do you think she is, Bingley?”

  “I cannot imagine. She seems finely dressed. Perhaps she is some gentleman’s daughter out on an errand,” said Bingley thoughtfully, “but it is odd that she should be out alone.”

  “Yes, it is.” This misfortune further confirmed to him that young ladies should not be out unaccompanied. It did not occur to him to examine whether young men were less likely to suffer from accidents than young women were.

  Darcy pulled the purple ribbon from his pocket and held it up to the light, thinking about its owner. His reflections, while mostly pleasant, were tinged with apprehension. While it was truly unfortunate that she had been injured, he was grateful that she was safe at Netherfield. He hoped that she would soon wake up and that he could become acquainted with her.

  “What do you have there, Mr. Darcy?” asked Miss Bingley as she entered the room.

  Darcy colored and quickly placed the ribbon in his pocket. “Something I found, that is all.” He rapidly changed the topic of conversation. “And how are you this morning, Miss Bingley?”

  “I survived my first night in this lonely house. Charles, why did you have to bring us all the way out here?”

  “You are welcome to return to London anytime you wish. I like it here.” He took his plate to the table and began to eat.

  “Any news of the little creature you found, Mr. Darcy?” asked Miss Bingley. She was standing close to Darcy at the sideboard pouring tea. “It is such an inconvenience to be troubled by sick people.”

  “I have not seen her yet this morning.”

  “Yet? Do you mean you intend to see her?” Miss Bingley was jealous of the attention this mysterious nobody was receiving from Mr. Darcy, attention that she felt rightfully belonged to her.

  “Yes, I will look in on her throughout the day to ensure that she is receiving careful attention.”

  “Is not that Mr. Manning’s purpose in being here this morning?”

  “The young lady is injured, and I intend to do all in my power to assist in her recovery,” he said firmly. Miss Bingley had made no effort to hide her feelings, and Darcy’s patience with his friend’s sister was becoming strained.

  “You are too kind, I am sure,” replied Miss Bingley coolly.

  “What shall we do about her, Darcy?” Bingley felt responsible for her health and safety as she was under his roof. Not knowing who she was or from whence she came was unnerving. He wished he had Darcy’s ability to remain calm.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, she must have a family who is worried about her.”

  “I have no idea from which direction she came . . . ”

  Darcy was interrupted by the appearance of Mr. Manning, just down from examining his patient.

  “How is she, Mr. Manning?” asked Darcy. Miss Bingley looked at Darcy with a frown.

  “The injury to her head is healing, but she has developed a slight fever, a result of the concussion. If it increases in severity, she will need to be kept cool with compresses. Right now, though, she seems to be resting quietly. Anne is taking very good care of her. I have given her instructions, and she seems quite capable.”

  * * * * *

  DARCY KNEW THAT MR. MANNING was the Bingleys’ physician, and therefore had no doubt that the young woman was receiving the best care possible, but he wanted to be absolutely certain that the good doctor’s opinion was correct. At least, that is what he told himself.

  The truth was that he just wanted to see her again. He left the breakfast room, and when he was out of sight of the others, he hastened down the hall to the staircase, took the stairs two at a time to the next floor, and hurried to her room. He paused outside the door to catch his breath. Being a strong and healthy man, he knew that his run up the stairs was not the reason for his shortness of breath. Inhaling deeply, he knocked on the door, which the maid presently opened.

  “Good morning, Mr. Darcy. Would you like to see our patient, sir?”

  “Yes, if I may.”

  “Please, come in.”

  Showing less enthusiasm than he felt, Darcy walked silently into the room and stood between the young lady and the window so he could see her clearly in the light. She was really quite pretty. Anne must have brushed and arranged her hair. It had an attractive, healthy luster to it, and it had been styled to flow to one side of her face. Her hands were folded at her waist outside the blankets. Her fingers were very delicate and smooth, unused to hard, physical labor. Bingley was right: This was a gentleman’s daughter. But what kind of gentleman would allow his daughter to walk about the countryside unattended?

  Strangely, that thought was appealing to him — a young woman willing to defy convention, who enjoyed being outside and did not need or want a constant attendant, a woman who enjoyed solitude and quiet. What a tragedy it would be if she did not wake up.

  “Good morning,” said Darcy to the sleeping young woman. “We have all been worried about you. Even Miss Bingley asked about you.” He chuckled. “I wish you could tell me your name so I could send word to your family. They must be very anxious about you. I am also quite concerned about you, and I do not even know who you are.”

  * * * * *

  MRS. HILL KNEW WHERE TO find Miss Bennet and so immediately went to the library. Jane had been making a note in her pocketbook.

  “Yes, Hill?”

  “David is waiting in the breakfast room and would like to see you. He says he has a message from Colonel Forster. Shall I bring him to you?”

  “No, thank you. Tell him I will join him there.”

  Mrs. Hill curtsied and left.

  Jane slowly rose and followed Hill. It was late in the morning, and Elizabeth should have been back by now if she had been lost
in the dark.

  Lost.

  Elizabeth had been wandering around the countryside from almost the moment she could walk. She never became lost.

  * * * * *

  JANE FELT MARY’S EYES REST heavily on her as she entered the breakfast room, but all her attention was focused on David and his news, be it good or bad. Everything might depend on what he had to say.

  “Jane . . . ” began Mary as soon as Jane entered the room.

  Jane closed her eyes and summoned all her patience. “Please, Mary, I must speak with David.”

  “But —”

  “Please!” Jane turned to David, looking at him expectantly.

  “Miss Bennet, Sir William Lucas and Colonel Forster asked me to tell you that there is nothing new to report in the search for Miss Elizabeth. I am very sorry.”

  This was a message he had not wanted to carry, but it was his responsibility, and he would fulfill his duty. The Bennets had been very good to him and his family, and he would do all he could to return the favor of their kindness, even if it meant being the messenger of ill tidings.

  Jane felt herself close to tears. “Thank you.” David made a slight bow and left the room.

  Then Jane turned to Mary. “Please forgive me, Mary. What can I do for you?”

  “I just wanted to know if you knew where Lizzy was.”

  “I do not know where she is, but she will be fine; she must be fine. Have faith.”

  Mary felt the pain in her heart increase. “I do not think I treated Lizzy as well as I ought to have done. I used to ignore her when she would speak to me about my playing or suggest I change my hair. I always felt that I knew best and that I was better than she. Lizzy is always so happy all the time, and I can never understand it. Nothing ever makes her angry, and look at me; I am either impatient with her or I ignore her.” Mary started to cry.

  Jane gave her a hug. “Mary, dear, we are all different. Because you do not like the things Lizzy likes does not mean you do not love her, or she you. Do not distress yourself.”

  Mary spoke through her tears. “I am horrified at how Kitty and Lydia seem unaffected. They have not pronounced a word of concern for Lizzy. All they talk about is going into Meryton tomorrow when the officers are back at their camp. How can they say they love her and behave like that?”