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.
“And this is my good friend, Mr. Darcy.”
Elizabeth tentatively turned to him and looked down, her heart pounding. She winced as she noticed the mud that encased her shoes and left trails up her ankles up onto her petticoat. Being so anxious to get out and see Jane, she had carelessly skipped across a large field along the way and had landed in some fairly large mud puddles. She closed her eyes as she imagined how he would consider her in this state. It took all her strength to look upon him calmly when he was the last person she had expected to see, especially in such a dishevelled condition.
“A pleasure, Miss… Bennet,” Darcy quickly interjected, a nervous smile settling across his face, and he bowed. Elizabeth sensed his awkwardness as greatly as she felt her own.
Elizabeth discreetly curtseyed, feeling a sense of unsteadiness threaten to overwhelm her. She could not bring her mind to understand why he, of all people, would be here, of all places.
Caroline stood up and walked over to her as her gaze swept up and down her clothing. She obliged herself to take her hand. “Unfortunately, your sister did not sleep well, Miss Elizabeth. She is still very feverish and not able to leave her room. Mr. Jones has been sent for, and he should be here any moment.” She urgently turned Elizabeth toward the door. “Come, I will take you to her.”
Elizabeth was glad to be ushered out of the room. Her mind and heart swirled in conflicting sensations. As she followed Miss Bingley, she found it difficult to comprehend finding him here so close to her home. She barely returned to Longbourn last night with the Gardiners, had only just caught up with her family, had not even seen Jane, and now she encountered the man who had so frequently occupied her thoughts and settled into her heart these past several months.
Following Miss Bingley up the stairs, Elizabeth tried in vain to fathom his presence in this house. She concentrated on taking each step as Caroline Bingley guided her to her sister. She seemed to be chatting on about something, but Elizabeth was too unsettled to hear and appreciate her words.
When she walked into Jane’s room, her sister’s eyes were closed and she appeared asleep. Elizabeth was suddenly overwhelmed with how much she had missed Jane and how grateful she was to see her again.
She looked back to Miss Bingley and offered up a hurried thank you to her and asked to be alone. She sat down on Jane’s bed as the ache within gave way to a release of tears.
The stirring of the bed awakened Jane, and as she looked upon Elizabeth, she was not sure whether she was dreaming.
“Lizzy?”
“Yes, Jane. I am here. I have come home.”
Jane could not have been more delighted, and she joined her sister in a tearful reunion and fervent embrace.
“Oh, Lizzy! When did you return?”
“Just last night, Jane. Oh, it is so good to see you!” They clung to each other.
“I have felt so downcast, Lizzy, feeling sorry for myself. I wished so much that you were here, and now, here you are!”
“I am so sorry you are unwell, Jane. Are they treating you kindly?” She pulled away, looking closely at Jane’s face and noticing how tired and weak she appeared.
“Oh yes. They have been very kind.”
“I am glad.” Elizabeth took her hand and held it tightly, gaining a modicum of composure. “Mama told us last night about how you had taken ill, and about you and Mr. Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled. “She claims that he danced several dances with you at the Meryton Assembly, and spent almost his whole time with you at Lucas Lodge. Is this true, Jane, or just another one of Mother’s exaggerations?”
As she saw Jane blush, Elizabeth realized her mother was probably correct in her assessment of the attachment between Jane and this gentleman. “You know how Mama is.”
“So, tell me, Jane. What is your Charles Bingley like?” she asked as she drew out a handkerchief and wiped the tears from Jane’s eyes and then her own. “I only briefly met him downstairs.”
“Oh, Lizzy, he is not my Mr. Bingley!”
Elizabeth drew closer to her and whispered, “Is he everything a young man ought to be?”
Jane smiled. “He is, Lizzy. He is.”
Jane’s sigh gave Lizzy the deep conviction that Jane held him in the highest esteem.
“And do you think, dear Jane, that he shall pass my critical scrutiny when I get to know him better?”
Jane turned to her and grasped both her hands in hers. “I do hope so. He is extremely agreeable, is lively, and exhibits such pleasing manners.”
Elizabeth smiled. “That is all well and good, Jane. But do you think him handsome?”
Jane looked down and a blush tinged her cheeks. “Yes, Lizzy, I think him most handsome!”
Elizabeth leaned over and hugged her. “Good! Then I give you leave to like him!” The two women laughed, Elizabeth grateful for the diversion from her thoughts.
Jane, fighting fatigue and the effects of her illness, inquired of her sister, “I am so anxious to hear about your trip. Will the Gardiners be at Longbourn very long?”
“They had to depart this morning. Mr. Gardiner is needed back at his business in a few days. They asked me to send you their love and were so sorry to have missed you. And as for the trip, it was wonderful, but we have plenty of time to talk about it when you are feeling better.”
Jane smiled and closed her eyes.
“I fear I have made you weary, dear Jane, but answer me one more question if you will.” Elizabeth took in a deep breath and took one of Jane’s hands in her own. “What do you know of Mr. Bingley’s friend, Mr. Darcy?”
“Hmmm,” Jane sighed. “I am afraid I do not know much. I met him just once at Lucas Lodge the other night. He danced one set with me. He seems very kind, but quiet. He kept pretty much to himself the whole evening, except when in Miss Bingley’s company. I did see him dance once with Miss Bingley, but none other.”
Elizabeth’s brows pinched together. “That is Caroline Bingley?”
Jane nodded. “Why do you ask?”
“He… he seems familiar, that is all.”
“Mr. Bingley said Mr. Darcy just returned from America as you did. Perhaps you saw him over there.”
“Perhaps.”
Elizabeth set her mind to straightening out the blankets as Jane closed her eyes. Elizabeth thought it best to postpone further conversation. Jane quickly fell asleep, and Elizabeth stood up and walked to the window. Looking out on the furthest horizon, she contemplated with great pain what this would mean, being again in the presence of Mr. Darcy, in this same house with him, along with Caroline Bingley.
***
After Caroline returned from taking Elizabeth to Jane, Mr. Jones arrived, and she took him to attend to her, while Bingley anxiously awaited downstairs for him to return with news of her condition.
Mr. Jones spent a good half hour with her, and when he returned, he confirmed that she had caught a violent cold and advised that she remain in bed. Her feverish symptoms had increased, and Bingley was concerned. It was only through Elizabeth’s reassurance that she would stay by her sister’s side throughout the day that he decided to go ahead with his plans and spend the day out on the grounds hunting with the other gentlemen.
Returning to the breakfast parlour after the men set out, Caroline could not wait to make her feelings about Miss Elizabeth known to her sister.
“Did you notice, Louisa, how Miss Elizabeth simply gaped at Mr. Darcy when she walked in this morning? I found it positively shocking!”
“She did seem quite overt in her admiration.”
“I do not know if I like her, Louisa, or like her being here! If she went to America for the reason I suspect, who is to say what she will do to try to capture Mr. Darcy’s attention!”
Louisa was not quite as sure as her sister that there had ever been any impropriety on Miss Elizabeth’s part, but nevertheless she nodded in agreement.
Caroline felt strongly that it would be her sole responsibility, and in Mr. Darcy’s best interest, to keep an eye on this fourth sister who was most decidedly deficient in manners, shirking all propriety, and more than likely eager to employ some improper enticements against him.
The day warmed up nicely for the men to go out hunting, but the woods and fields abounded in mud. This would not usually be enough to discourage men who are ardent hunters, but Bingley was surprised to see that Darcy’s heart was not in it. Whereas he normally took down two or three birds quite easily, today he had not hit one. It appeared to Bingley that Darcy’s steadiness was not quite what it usually was. Much to Hurst’s disappointment, Bingley decided to call it an afternoon with a good three hours still remaining of daylight.
As the men returned to the house, Darcy walked with determined strides, propelled by the anxious hope of seeing Elizabeth again soon. He knew it had been her unexpected appearance this morning that had so disconcerted him both in the breakfast parlour and while out on the grounds. He was anxious to get back, anxious to know what she was thinking about him being there, and anxious to talk to her.
When the men walked in, they discovered Elizabeth speaking with Caroline about arrangements for her to take the carriage home.
Darcy caught Elizabeth’s eye as he walked in and, feeling a little more disposed to encounter her, allowed a heartfelt smile to grace his lips as he nodded at Elizabeth. As she attended to Caroline’s conversation, she perceived his tender acknowledgement of her and a warm smile crept across her face.
Miss Bingley spoke in her most accommodating voice. “I am sure, Miss Elizabeth, that your sister will fare most adequately here for the night. Perhaps by tomorrow she will be ready to return home. There is really no need for you to remain here; you just barely returned home yourself. I am sure you are anxious to spend some time with your family.”
“I admit I worry too much,” Elizabeth replied. “I am sure she will do quite well without me.” Although Elizabeth wished to remain with her sister and her sister desired the same, she wondered whether Darcy would prefer she not remain here for the night, and the sisters unquestionably seemed disinclined to extend the invitation.
“Now there is no need to worry, Miss Elizabeth. She is in very good hands. We will take exceedingly good care of her.”
Darcy’s voice interrupted their discussion. “Perhaps Miss Elizabeth prefers to remain here at Netherfield for the night with her sister. If that is acceptable to you of course, Miss Bingley.”
Both women looked at Darcy in surprise.
“I would not wish to impose,” Elizabeth offered nervously.
Caroline waved her hands in artificial protest. “Why, Miss Elizabeth, it would not be an imposition! I was just about to suggest that myself!”
Elizabeth looked suspiciously back at Miss Bingley. “That is very kind of you. If you do not mind, I shall return to Jane and inform her of my staying. I appreciate this immensely. Thank you. Please advise me when supper is served.”
“Yes, well, it is no trouble. I shall dispatch a note to Longbourn; acquaint them with your stay and ask for some clothes to be sent over for you.”
“You are too kind, Miss Bingley.”
Elizabeth promptly returned to Jane, and Caroline was more than pleased that Darcy witnessed her close attention to this matter, sending the note and asking for a change of clothes.
Darcy took the opportunity while Elizabeth was with Jane to go up to his room and clean up in a hot bath. When his bath was prepared, he slipped in, leaning his head back as he finally had the freedom to dwell on Elizabeth. Not that he had neglected to think of her today. But he had been engaged in other things that required his attention, and although he knew his success out hunting today had been gravely affected by unremitting thoughts of her, he now enjoyed the prospect of giving her his undivided attention.
He certainly had noticed her awkwardness in encountering him this morning. He was taken by surprise, as well. He wondered, however, whether she was angry or pleased in seeing him here. But there was something that pressed on him even more. What would be her response to the news that he had not annulled their marriage?
Pulling himself out from the bath and wrapping himself in a towel, he walked over to the window and looked out, watching as rain began to pelt the glass again. It ran down in rivulets, blurring the view beyond. He thought of the storm on the ship and how pleasant it had been to have Elizabeth in his arms that night. Would he ever have that opportunity again?
After he dressed, Darcy stood before the mirror, looking at his reflection, wondering if the clothing Durnham laid out for him after the bath would be the best in which to see Elizabeth tonight. Taking his hand and running it through his hair, he realized he had not concerned himself with his appearance since that last day on the ship.
***
Elizabeth returned to Jane, surprised, yet pleased that Darcy suggested that she stay. Certainly he must feel the awkwardness of this situation. Jane was asleep when she entered the room, and she sat down quietly in a chair next to the bed. She was grateful that he was not against her remaining at Netherfield. She felt, however, that Caroline Bingley was not happy with her staying on.
Caroline! Just the thought of her made Elizabeth recoil. If there was something between them, what did he see in her? She was certainly not the sort of woman Elizabeth would have imagined for him. She recalled the looks Miss Bingley had given her at different times throughout the day. Although her words were polite and caring, there was little substance behind them. In fact, she felt that although her words said one thing, her feelings were actually the opposite.
She had the impression that Miss Bingley felt intruded upon by her presence and was impatient for her to leave. She closed her eyes. Please do not let me find out she has secured William’s love and admiration! Anyone but her!
Just before dinner, her clothes arrived with the servant who was sent to Longbourn. She quickly changed and made sure Jane had all she needed before going downstairs to join the others.
As she came to the dining room, she was joined by Miss Bingley. The gentlemen were already there and seated, and they stood when the ladies entered. Miss Bingley quickly made her way to Darcy’s side, and Elizabeth was left to sit at the far side of Mr. Hurst.
She had barely been seated when Bingley asked about Jane.
“Tell me, Miss Elizabeth. Is Miss Bennet any better?”
“I am afraid not. She seems quite taken down by this cold and fever.”
“I am so sorry! What a shame. But I know she is most grateful that you are here with her!”
Elizabeth smiled and could not prevent her eyes from travelling to Mr. Darcy.
The two sisters expressed several times how much they were grieved to hear this, how shocking it was to have a bad cold, and how excessively they disliked being ill themselves. With that, they changed the subject, and Miss Bingley continually redirected the conversation to Darcy.
Elizabeth was aware of the difference between Bingley’s show of concern for Jane and his sisters’ concern. His anxiety for Jane was evident, and his attentions to her most pleasing. His sisters’ concern, however, displayed merely a façade and was not indicative of their true feelings.
Elizabeth’s dinner partner, Mr. Hurst, seemed not at all inclined to engage in conversation, and as Miss Bingley was so wholly engrossed by Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth sat at the table eating silently, wishing all the while she did not have to witness such a display of enticing conversation and manner that Miss Bingley directed toward him.
Darcy made several unsuccessful attempts to entertain a conversation with Elizabeth. Each time he did, Miss Bingley quite determinedly steered it away from her. Elizabeth was seated too far away to attempt much of anything else. It was all he could do to simply look across the table, past Mr. Hurst, and set his eyes upon that face he had longed to behold for so many months. He would have to wait for a more suitable time.
As Miss Bingley continued her monologue with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth believed it to be a good time to excuse herself politely to return to her sister. She quickly left the room, prohibiting herself from taking one last look at him before she exited.
Miss Bingley began abusing her as soon as she was gone. Her manners were pronounced very bad indeed, a mixture of pride and impertinence; she had no conversation, no style, no taste, no beauty, and her appearance that morning had been almost wild.
“This was all lost upon me,” Bingley cried. “I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. I was simply pleased to finally make her acquaintance.”
“You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley, “and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.”
“Certainly not.”
“What could she mean by walking three miles in dirt? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country town indifference to decorum.”
Darcy stood up and walked to the window, looking out as he fought the rising tide of angry words he wished to lash out in Elizabeth’s defence. But from years of discipline, he was able to reply coolly, “As much as you find her behaviour offensive, I found her devotion to her sister, whom she had not seen in several months, very engaging, and the result of her exercise to be a most brilliant complexion.”
“I agree!” exclaimed Bingley. “I could not have stated it better!”
The two sisters continued, however, to disparage the Bennets, their low connections, and their uncle in trade near Cheapside.
“If they had uncles enough to fill all Cheapside,” cried Bingley, “it would not make them one jot less agreeable.”
Darcy moved to the door. “I, for one, have had enough of this attack on Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and the rest of the family. They are both fine ladies, and who their family connections are, how they choose to travel around the neighbourhood, and even their decided lack of fashion are not enough to convince me of any poor manners or lack of anything to recommend them. If you will excuse me…”
Caroline Bingley was left with a most nagging, distressful thought that somehow Mr. Darcy had come under the spell of the Bennets, just as her brother unfortunately had.
***
Darcy returned to his room and remained there as long as he felt that propriety allowed him. Just the thought that Elizabeth was down the hall from him was both a great source of joy and temptation to him. How much he wanted to walk down there now, confess his love, take her in his arms, tell her they were still married, and carry her back to Pemberley… to London… or to his room.
At length he determined he ought to join the others downstairs. He had finished his book and decided he would stop by Bingley’s library first.
It was true that Bingley’s library was only a tenth of what Pemberley’s was, but he was confident he would be able to find a book he would enjoy reading. He walked around the room, looking up and down the shelves, picking up a book here and there. He pulled a book from the shelf, noticing the title, smiled, and then placed it back where it had been. He walked to the far wall and stood reading the titles when he heard someone walk in.
He turned and saw that it was Elizabeth. She stepped in and walked toward the wall on the opposite side of the room.
Not wanting to startle her, he whispered softly, “Elizabeth.”
She turned quickly and in response to seeing him, she cried out, “William! I mean… Mr. Darcy.”
Darcy smiled, slowly taking a step toward her, aware only of how beautiful she looked to him. “Do you recall how much I wanted you to call me William or even Fitzwilliam when we were on the ship? Yet you rarely did.”
Elizabeth looked down, feeling quite shaken. He took another step, bridging some of the distance between them.
“As much as I enjoy hearing you call me by my given name, I think it would be prudent if you do not call me that while you are here. It might cause some scandalous conjecture by one Caroline Bingley.”
Elizabeth saw him smile, and his gaze was intent upon her face as he took yet another step toward her. She wondered if he was teasing her, warning her, or simply stating the truth. Her mind refused to comprehend any rational thought.
Finding it difficult to look upon him standing so close to her, she turned toward the bookshelf, as if to study the titles. “I must admit I was surprised to see you here. I had no idea you were at Netherfield.”
“You had no way of knowing I would be here.”
Elizabeth looked down suddenly. She took in a deep breath as her fingers tightly gripped the muslin on her dress once she noticed she had come completely under his shadow, his tall frame blocking the candlelight in the room.
Sensing the distress she was feeling, he calmly and deliberately told her, “I beg you not to feel uneasy. I only recently discovered you lived so close to my friend Bingley and that you were Miss Jane Bennet’s sister, so I was a little better prepared to see you.” He took another step toward her so that now, if he wanted to, he could easily reach out and take her hand. “Although since I was unaware of when you would return home, your appearance this morning took me by surprise as well.”
They stood in silence for what seemed an eternity.
When Elizabeth did not seem inclined to respond, Darcy said to her, “You left our cabin that last night on the ship and did not return. You got off the ship the next morning without saying goodbye. Why?”
Elizabeth closed her eyes and her heart skipped a beat. Did she just imagine that his soft voice seemed tinged with a bit of sadness? She knew not how to answer him and turned briefly back toward him, needing to take a deep breath and gather her thoughts.
“And you conveniently neglected to tell me that you were the owner of Pemberley’s Promise .”
Elizabeth heard him breathe in deeply. “Yes, that is true.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened as he saw Elizabeth’s turmoil. There was so much he wanted to say, and did not even know where to begin.
“How did you find out…?”
He was interrupted by the sound of very determined strides walking in, and Elizabeth, still reeling from the encounter, only vaguely noticed a dash of orange come toward them. A very audible groan escaped from Darcy as he took a quick step away from Elizabeth, but she took no notice.
“Ah, there you are, Mr. Darcy!” Caroline’s eyes flashed like daggers at Elizabeth, noticing how close they were standing to each other, and the fact that they were alone together in the library. She was sure she had arrived just in time to rescue Darcy from a most indelicate situation.
Elizabeth watched Caroline sidle up next to him and slip her hand snugly inside his arm. She kept her gaze upon Elizabeth, who was suffering the effects of being either quite pale from alarm or quite red from confusion.
“Come, Mr. Darcy,” Caroline adamantly insisted. “We are waiting for you to join us in the drawing room.” She turned to Elizabeth. “You may come along as well, if you like, Miss Bennet.”
Not wishing to provide Miss Bingley with any further fodder to kindle her speculations and gossip about Elizabeth, Darcy quickly said to her, “Miss Bennet, that book I recommended is on the second shelf there.”
Elizabeth looked at him with a perplexed look across her face. He simply pointed to the bookshelf behind her and said, “It is the one with the black cover and gold filigree writing. Second shelf, behind you. I think you will enjoy it.”
Elizabeth watched him walk out with Caroline still possessively holding his arm. She closed her eyes as she considered how quickly he had reassured Charles’s sister that their conversation in the library had been solely for the purpose of finding a book.
She turned slowly back to the shelf, her heart beginning to feel the slightest tear in the realization he did not wish Caroline to get the wrong impression.
Her eyes drifted to the second shelf as he had mentioned and was surprised when she did see a black book with gold filigree writing.
Absently she pulled it off the shelf. Hmmm. Richard III. I read that a couple of years ago , she said to herself, as she opened it. Upon looking at the first line of the book, she gasped.
Now is the winter of our discontent; made glorious summer by this sun of York.
She turned back to the now empty door and then looked back down at the book in her hands, the same one she had been reading two years ago in the carriage when she first met him. And now her heart leapt. Certainly he could not remember! Could he?