Darcy's Voyage: A tale of uncharted love on the open seas

by Kara Louise

  Jane meekly nodded. “But it had not begun to rain when I started out.”

  Her cloak had covered her for the most part, but because of the downpour, it had soaked through and she was quite cold and wet, looking somewhat like a lost puppy caught out in the rain.

  Louisa walked over to her. “Dear girl, let us see if we can get you into some dry clothes.”

  “I would not want to put you through any trouble.”

  “No trouble at all,” Miss Bingley offered, as she looked archly at her sister, wondering if any of the Bennets had any common sense.

  They escorted Jane upstairs and secured a change of clothes for her. They left her with a maid who helped her to dry off and change. While Jane was away doing this, the two ladies returned downstairs and commented to each other on her arrival and how appalled they were at her appearance. They were determined to find out what they could about her family in order to convince Charles how unsuitable she was for him.

  Caroline snickered at their plot. “Shhhh, here she comes,” she said when she heard footsteps approach.

  Jane joined the ladies, feeling very much more comfortable and grateful for the dry clothes, while at the same time suffering the initial effects of being out in the cold and rain. She felt slightly dizzy and the symptoms of a cold began to emerge.

  The three ladies proceeded to the dining room where a delicious hot meal awaited them. As much as Jane enjoyed it and looked forward to getting to know Charles’s sisters better, and as much as she applied herself to the two ladies’ questions and conversation, she found herself feeling increasingly poorly.

  “I understand, Miss Bennet,” Caroline Bingley addressed Jane in her most polite voice, “that Longbourn has been entailed away from the female line. Did I understand that correctly?”

  Jane brought her hand up to her head as she struggled to assuage her dizziness. “That is correct, Miss Bingley.”

  “And you have no brothers?”

  Jane took in a deep breath and brought both her hands up, laying them flat on the table as she felt herself begin to sway. “No, only four sisters.”

  “So this would mean, most unfortunately, that all of you would at some point be turned out of Longbourn. What a pity. That means that one of you must…” Suddenly Caroline stopped. “Excuse me, Miss Bennet, but you said you have four sisters. I believe we have only met three. Is there another ?” She turned and looked suspiciously at her sister, pinching her eyebrows heavy upon her eyes.

  “Yes, my next eldest sister has been away for the past several months.”

  “Miss Bennet, you say she has been away ?” Caroline then raised her eyebrows at Louisa with a look of disdainful interest. “And just where has she been and why has she been away?”

  Jane fought off another wave of dizziness as she answered Miss Bingley’s questions. “She left to go to America several months ago to visit my aunt and uncle who were there on business.”

  “Business?”

  “Yes. He is in trade in London and was making arrangements to do some exporting to America. As they were to be there for several months, my sister was able to join them.”

  “He is in trade, is he? And your sister went off to America, just like that?”

  Jane nodded, feeling a stronger and stronger sense of lightheadedness.

  “And your aunt and uncle… just where in London do they live?”

  “They live at Gracechurch Street.” When this last question was answered, Jane could no longer fight off the overpowering dizziness and she suddenly slumped down in the chair.

  The two women called immediately for help, and Jane was carried upstairs to a guestroom and secured in bed. It was determined that she had a cold and fever, and it was best not to move her. When Jane felt able, although still somewhat disconcerted, she scribbled a quick missive home letting them know she had taken ill, was in good hands, and would remain at Netherfield until she felt improved enough to return home.

  The ladies took turns up in Jane’s room for the remainder of the afternoon waiting on her and applying themselves to her care. The fever seemed to quickly grip her, and it was soon determined that they should send for Mr. Jones, the doctor. The only good Caroline could see in this was that it would provide an opportunity to show Mr. Darcy just how kind and caring she could be.

  ***

  The time the men spent visiting with the officers was entirely too short for Bingley, too stuffy for Hurst, and too disconcerting for Darcy. His heart was not in it, and while he normally enjoyed a good discussion with an officer, he could not concentrate. He sat and pretended to listen, all the while anxious to get back to Netherfield with the hope that he could have some opportunity to speak with Miss Bennet.

  When they finally arrived back at Netherfield through the rain and increasing cold, they were welcomed at the door by Miss Bingley, who had been keeping an eye open for their return. She excitedly began to tell them how Miss Bennet had unexpectedly taken ill, was going to remain at Netherfield until she was feeling improved, and that she had been doing all she could to make her more comfortable. While her words spoke of her concern for Jane, her focused attention on Darcy reflected her true interest in her desire for his good opinion.

  Bingley quickly removed his coat and shook off the water, handing it to a servant, with a look of alarm. “Miss Bennet has taken ill? Say it is not true!”

  “She certainly is most unwell. I believed her to be too ill to travel back home and have put her up in a guestroom. I have dispatched a note from her to her family at Longbourn.”

  “Good, good.” Bingley rubbed his hands nervously together. “She is being well taken care of, then?”

  Caroline smiled sweetly. “We are doing all we can for her. Louisa is up with her now if you would like to see how she is faring. She is upstairs, the second room on the left.”

  Bingley took the stairs two at a time toward the room where his poor, sweet Jane was ailing.

  Darcy handed off his coat and was removing his gloves as he began to walk toward the stairs himself.

  Not wishing him to leave so soon, Miss Bingley asked, “Did you enjoy your time with the officers, sir?”

  “They are an excellent group of men,” Darcy replied. Her question did bring him to a halt. He turned and asked her, “Just how seriously ill is Miss Bennet?”

  “I believe it to be only a trifling cold and fever. We have called for Mr. Jones and he will be here in the morning. I have done all I can for her to make her comfortable. She has been most grateful for my attentiveness toward her.”

  “I am glad to hear that.”

  Caroline smiled triumphantly. But she found it beyond her patience to continue talking to him about Miss Bennet and turned the conversation to her concern for him. “Mr. Darcy, you must take care not to come down with a cold, as well, having been out in the rain as you were.”

  Darcy looked at her and smiled. “You are so right, Miss Bingley, and I appreciate your concern. If you will excuse me, then, I shall retire to my room to change.”

  Bowing, he turned and walked away, leaving Caroline appreciating his compliment, but vexed at his leaving her side.

  Darcy went upstairs, passing the room where Jane was resting, and heard Bingley giving her words of encouragement as well as regret that she had taken ill. His room was a little farther down and on the right. As he entered it, another tremor of hope filled him that with Miss Bennet being in their midst for a while, he might just have the opportunity to talk with her and perhaps something about Elizabeth might come up in the conversation.

  How he would love to hear anything about her. What was she was like growing up? What are her likes and dislikes? What dreams and aspirations does she have?

  He chuckled at himself. He was being ridiculous. He could not, in all propriety, carry on a conversation with Miss Bennet about her sister without good reason and without raising suspicion. He smiled as he considered that even one little morsel of information about Elizabeth would satisfy him until he was abl
e to see her again.

  ***

  That night, after Jane had been settled into bed for the evening and had fallen asleep, the ladies eagerly made their way to the drawing room to spend their time in a much more agreeable fashion. Darcy walked in and found them with Mr. Hurst and Bingley at cards.

  “Would you care to join us, sir?” asked Miss Bingley.

  “No thank you. I should prefer to read.”

  Miss Bingley tried to engage Mr. Darcy in conversation again, but to no avail. She talked of the book he was reading, the excellence of Pemberley, and his influence in making Pemberley such an elegant place, but nothing seemed to capture his interest.

  Caroline was left with no alternative but to turn her attention back to the card game.

  When two games of cards had been completed, Bingley was the first to excuse himself for the night. He stood up from the table and stretched. “As we will be having some sport in the morning, I believe I shall turn in now if you do not mind.”

  “Good night, Charles.” Darcy looked up from his book.

  The card game came to an end with Bingley’s departure, and if Darcy had not been so engrossed in his book, he may have planned a little more shrewdly and taken his leave when Bingley did. But as he did not, he unwittingly found himself again in the midst of a conversation about the unsuitability of Miss Bennet, or at least the unsuitability of the Bennet family.

  “Mr. Darcy, you would have been appalled at the state in which Miss Bennet arrived today. She was completely soaked from the rain.” She leaned toward Darcy as she said, “She had actually ridden on horseback all the way here! Can you imagine?”

  “Perhaps that was her only source of transportation.”

  “But certainly you see how imprudent it was! And now look at the result! How long will she have to remain here?” Caroline looked to Mrs. Hurst, who gave her an affirming nod. “I find this whole situation with Charles and this Bennet family highly disconcerting!”

  “Charles is an adult. I am sure he is perfectly capable of deciding what is best.”

  She remained quiet but for only a few moments. “Mr. Darcy, you would not believe what else we discovered today about her family!”

  Darcy cringed, but politely asked, “And what was that?”

  “Well, first of all, their home has been entailed away from the female line and that makes it absolutely imperative that one of the daughters marry well. You must see that her interest in Charles is solely to ensure that her sisters and mother will one day be well taken care of!”

  “I do not see that at all.”

  “Oh, come, Mr. Darcy. Have you ever seen in Miss Bennet any evidence of strong attachment?”

  Darcy closed his book. “I have not had the opportunity to see them together enough to make that sort of judgment. There is nothing in her demeanour to suggest she has mercenary motives for marrying.” Although he had been of the same opinion before he knew who she was, he would never admit that to Miss Bingley. He felt until he knew more, he would give her the benefit of the doubt.

  “But there is something else we discovered just today.”

  “And what is that?” Darcy’s impatience had just about reached its limit.

  “That she has another sister who has been in America these past few months.”

  Darcy’s heart lurched. Catching himself, he replied, “Does she?”

  Caroline stood up from the table and began to walk around. “Are not three Bennet sisters enough? Now we find out she has four !” The contempt in her voice did not go unnoticed. “Exactly what could this other sister have been doing in America? What reason could there be for anyone to go over there?”

  “Excuse me?” Darcy asked.

  “Oh, except for you, Mr. Darcy, who had to go over there to return with your sister. How kind of you that was!”

  “Did she say anything else about her?”

  “Anything else?” Caroline mulled over his question. “Only that she expected her home any day now.”

  Darcy eyed Miss Bingley with suspicion. She did not seem to be finished with her scrutiny of this unknown fourth sister.

  “If you ask me,” she said in a hushed whisper, “the only reason I can fathom for a young, single woman to travel to America and back to visit an aunt and uncle, would be to take care of some impropriety on her part.”

  Louisa again nodded her agreement.

  “It would not surprise me if she found herself in a most unseemly way and travelled abroad so no one here would find out she was…”

  “Miss Bingley!” Darcy stood up, affronted at her insinuations against Elizabeth.

  She looked up at him in surprise, silenced by his anger.

  Darcy took in a breath as he attempted to calm himself. “Miss Bingley, you have no reason and no right to assume any such thing, and I, for one, will not allow you to spread rumours of that nature.”

  A wave of regret crossed her face. She regretted that she had caused him such indignation and that it was directed toward her. “I am sorry, Mr. Darcy. It was… it was… thoughtless of me.” She had never seen such a look of anger on his face before, and could not, for the life of her, understand why he was so determined to defend Miss Bennet’s family.

  Darcy stood up abruptly. “If you will excuse me…” Without saying any more, he left the room.

  ***

  The next morning the sun broke through the lingering clouds, and the kind of freshness that only a recent rain can produce filled the air.

  Darcy awoke eager to engage in a day of hunting. He loved the thrill of the hunt, the challenge and skill that was required, and being out-of-doors.

  As he prepared to go downstairs, his thoughts went to Miss Bennet. Perhaps if she was feeling improved, she would join them for breakfast. Then he might have a chance to subtly bring up the subject of Elizabeth. He was unsettled by Caroline’s inclination to jump to the most abhorrent conclusions about the Bennets.

  Joining the others downstairs in the breakfast parlour, he was disappointed to find Miss Bennet missing. He greeted the others and inquired after her.

  “Has anyone seen after Miss Bennet this morning?”

  Caroline answered. “Yes, I stopped by her room this morning to see how she was faring. Apparently she did not sleep well at all. She is very feverish and drowsy. All she wants to do is sleep, which is perhaps the best thing for her.”

  “I am sorry to hear that she is feeling so poorly.” Darcy was served a plate of sliced ham topped with eggs and poured a cup of coffee. “It is probably wise that she not be moved just yet.”

  The conversation around the table remained on Miss Bennet, spurred on by Bingley’s continued interest and concern for her. Darcy noticed the spiteful looks between Caroline and Louisa, which spoke much louder than any of their words, and yet were a truer indication to him that they had heard enough of Miss Bennet and their concern for her comfort was merely an outward show.

  When he had finished eating, Darcy walked over to the window with his coffee, glancing outside as he took the last sips from the cup. Hurst was anxious to get out on the grounds and begin hunting, but Bingley desired to wait for Mr. Jones to come so he could ascertain how Miss Bennet was faring. Mr. Jones was expected at any moment, and Bingley had to repeat to Hurst several times that he would be the poorest sportsman if he set out before hearing something of her condition.

  The door to the parlour opened and a servant stepped in. “A visitor for Miss Bennet.” He stepped aside to allow the visitor to step in.

  As Darcy was just bringing his cup of coffee up to take a sip, he looked up and suddenly froze in his movement. There, appearing in the doorway with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise, stood Elizabeth!

  The clanging of Darcy’s coffee cup back into his saucer brought all eyes to himself, including the woman at the door. She turned her head and their eyes instantly met; Elizabeth’s cheeks overspread with the deepest blush. Her mouth dropped in shock and surprise, and, wit
hout thinking, she cried out, “Will…” The rest of his name was swallowed under her breath as she realized what she was about to say.

  Elizabeth was rendered immoveable from surprise, and Darcy took a step toward her, propelled, not by perfect composure, but by perfect astonishment and overwhelming pleasure at seeing her. Elizabeth paled, feeling quite close to fainting, wondering if the man she saw before her was a vision. In a final steeling of her nerves, she turned back to the others in the room and asked in a trembling voice that betrayed her discomfiture, “Will… will someone be so kind as to tell me how my sister is?”

  Chapter 19

  Silence settled upon the group in the breakfast parlour as all eyes turned upon the lady at the door. Darcy was rendered mute just by the beautiful, long-awaited sight of her; Bingley was in awe of this fourth sister of Jane’s about whom he had heard so much; and his sisters could not believe her appearance. The state of the lady before them rivalled her sister’s appearance the day previous. Mr. Hurst was, of course, completely absorbed with the plates of food before him.

  Darcy was grateful the eyes were no longer turned to him, as the blood had all but drained from his face, and he took the cup and saucer in both hands to prevent them from shaking and rattling the china.

  Bingley, after being momentarily stunned, jumped up and rushed over to her, introducing himself. “Good morning! I am Charles Bingley!”

  “I am Jane’s sister, Elizabeth Bennet.”

  “I have heard so much about you! It is good to finally meet you!”

  “Thank you,” Elizabeth said softly, her voice still quavering, stealing a nervous, questioning glance at Darcy.

  “And this is my sister, Caroline Bingley, and my other sister Louisa Hurst, and her husband Mr. Hurst.” Everyone nodded in acknowledgement.

  Elizabeth’s gaze was directed at the lady dressed in a most abhorrent orange. Caroline! The name William had called out the night of the storm. Upon scrutiny of the table she could readily see that the empty place beside hers was where he had been seated. A stiffening chill coursed through her as she wondered just what sort of relationship the two had.