A/N: My apologies for the delay, work is picking up once more and I'm moving in three weeks. Do enjoy! I've tried something different to differentiate the point of views, I hope it shows up this time. also let me know what you guys think to include the point of views of the help. ^_^
4- Dreams and reactions
Despite beautiful days, joyous occasions and true contentment, all are aware, be they an urchin, a lord or a king, when tragedy strikes, it reminds all if its oft times cruel impartiality; there are no favorites, none can escape what has been spun for them. It seemed absurd to Thomas Bennet that such a notion could be true, that such circumstances could occur and set the calm waters of his peaceful existence awhirl in such a way. The sky remained a clear blue, the sparrows went about their day, the clouds floated about unconcerned, the wind danced across the fields and meadows and the tenant's younger offspring, played rowdily by the brook. How could the day go on as though his dear child had not been struck down?
He recalled vividly the gentleman who had borne an unconscious and evidently injured Elizabeth into Longbourn. He had been perusing the paper as per usual surrounded by his sleepy children and his lady when a knock sounded, more of a strange thump, and Mrs. Hill had gone to answer. Before Mrs. Bennet could voice her curiosity as to who might be calling at such an early hour, the anguished outburst of Mrs. Hill silenced her.
'Miss Lizzy!' gasped said lady as she assessed the situation, in the next moment she called loudly 'Bartholomew! Fetch the Doc 'ere this minute!' she ushered the gentleman bearing Lizzy inside as Mr. Bennet appeared in the entrance hall, having rushed out of his seat at Mrs. Hills initial cry. The sound of a door slamming open from the depths of the kitchens followed closely by that of galloping hooves indicated Mr. Hill had departed for the doctor with all due haste.
Bartholomew Hill, having recognized the tone of urgency in his wife's voice, his Millie never called him Bartholomew unless there was trouble after all, hoped all would be well as he left Longbourn behind and made for Meryton.
Aware only of the fact that his beloved daughter was injured and being held in the arms of a complete stranger, Mr. Bennet reacted accordingly. He marched up to his daughter and lifted her unconscious form from the arms that held her. He glanced up towards the man in front of him and his gaze was alive both with worry and authority. In the depth of the stranger's eyes he noted guarded concern, the lines across the stranger's furrowed brow and the downward turn of his lips pointed to responsibility and guilt. Mr. Bennet's eyes narrowed.
'Show him to my study' his glance flicked to Mrs. Hill, she had not worked at Longbourn all these long years without having learnt to interpret her patrons requests and his gazes. She nodded in acknowledgement wondering if the gentleman realized he was not to leave until the master spoke to him.
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Mrs. Bennet stood still in shock, attempting futilely to calm herself. Her Elizabeth, her little Lizzy who was always bursting with energy and curiosity was not well. Frances Bennet realized a fit of nerves would not be recommended at the moment, it would take valuable resources needed for her sweet Lizzy's care, however her heart was accelerating and her breathing was becoming erratic despite her best efforts. Her thoughts were overlapping too quickly for her to follow in her current state,
'Mama' she glanced to her right, Jane stood there looking calm and unruffled; a little worried perhaps, if the creases of her eyebrows were anything to judge by. Her eldest daughter's presence calmed her enough to begin slowing her breathing as she focused her attention on Jane. Her dear Jane's eyes held hers gently, she could just make out her husbands footsteps as he settled their second eldest daughter in the chambers she shared with dear Jane.
'Mary, would you play Mama's favorite sonata, while I call for chamomile tea?' She laid a gentle hand on her mama's arm guiding her to the parlor as she glanced to her younger sisters. They were all wide eyed and worried, Mary's features were more solemn as she acquiesced, prodding her two youngest sisters ahead and urging them to keep any topics light in an hushed whisper. Kitty and Lydia's nods were subdued, comprehending their Mama was very near succumbing to one of her anxiety attacks. They recalled a time when their Mama's nerves were constantly plaguing her and were beginning to cause her fainting spells.
Papa had brought her to town and the physician had listened to Mrs. Bennet describe her ailments before consulting with some colleagues on new therapies, instead of simply prescribing smelling salts. He considered it primordial to keep Mrs. Bennet from having any repeated episodes such as she had described to him. They seemed to be affecting her blood circulation to her brain and if such a spell came upon his patient without warning, the injuries could become quite severe. The therapies had been implemented, at first they had seemed to show little progress, over some time however they had helped and relieved much of their mama's anxiety and the fainting spells had ceased.
'Shall we wait for Papa in the sitting room?' asked Jane gently once she had settled Mrs. Bennet, carefully avoiding any mention of Elizabeth or the impending arrival of the physician 'I'll just go see about the tea' Mrs. Bennet nodded slightly while Kitty and Lidia settled on either side of her and began quietly describing their plans for the upcoming days. Mary weaved a peaceful melody in the background; further calming Mrs. Bennet's ruffled nerves.
Mary was perfectly positioned at the instrument to see anyone riding up the drive as well as having an unimpeded view of the entryway. She was thus alone in witnessing her sister Jane hurry up the stairs discretely once she'd dispatched the maid for the chamomile tea. She allowed herself to shut her eyes as she sent a prayer skyward Lord, spare our Lizzy if you may, her laughter should not be silenced just yet.
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Fitzwilliam Edmund Darcy was extremely inconvenienced, he had been dismissed by the master of the estate, if such a title could indeed be attributed to such a paltry holding, it was minuscule, most likely worth less than three thousand a year. How officious of the help to insist I remain here in this grossly undersized study, while Miss Bennet needs urgent care. Shouting across the household! How primitive! She certainly would have been evicted from Pemberly. Mr. Darcy thoughts became more ominous by the minute. He had at least insisted to speak directly to Mr. Bennet, he was after all; aware of how the incident had occurred. The woman, whom he must assume was a trusted servant despite her uncouth bellowing, had at the very least taken the time to offer him refreshments and to listen attentively as he cautioned her quickly on a possible twisted ankle and a recently relocated shoulder.
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Mrs. Hills eyebrows had risen and her lips had thinned slightly as she had listened, but she nodded to the gentleman before bobbing a curtsy and heading to the kitchen for some cool water, if there were any, to be sent upstairs as soon as may be as well as some tea for the gentleman demanding to be let out of the study. Once in the kitchen she saw Becky putting a tray together for Mrs. Bennet and the youngest daughters. Lifting it with the ease of long service, she turned back towards the sitting room, 'Aft'r you've seen to th'cool water and bandages, send refr'shment to th' study an' make sure Mr. Bennet knows not't'move th'ankle an' shoulder'
Leaving the tray with the ladies in the sitting room and a quiet thank you from Miss Mary, Millie Hill made her way above stairs, hoping her Bartholomew would be arriving any minute with the doc in tow.
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Laughter resounded across the meadow and she hastened towards it. She wondered where she was precisely, although her surroundings seemed familiar, everything was just slightly different. Somehow it brought to mind a painting of a wooded forest that had been smudged here and there, thus preventing full awareness of where she was to enlighten her. She could just make out the meadow through the sunlit beams and the trees at the edge of the copse she found herself in.
She hesitated at the edge of the copse fearfully, a paralyzing fear struck her and she could move no further, would she forever remain wandering in these strange surroundings? She felt as though she'd been wandering the same paths for a very long while, her family would worry if she did not return soon. The meadow was there just ahead and her family beyond it, she must get back to them, she simply must! Thunder rumbled in the distance as she took a step towards her family and she hastily retreated, there was imminent danger in the thunder, in another time, in another place, the thunder had caused her harm. Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible if she remained in the copse after all, it was cool under the sheltering canopy of these oaks and she was feeling increasingly warm.
Yes, I will remain right here until the thunder as well as this strange heat recede once more. A gentle breeze blew across the meadow gently lifting her curls and cooling her further. She shut her eyes and reclined onto the soft moss pillows behind her. I'll just rest a little, Mama won't miss me just yet.
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Fitzwilliam Darcy stepped into the room the bellowing servant guided him to once he had followed her up the stairs. He'd heard a calm melody playing from another part of the house, however apart from noting the rendition was flawless, he'd hurried past the sound hoping to be shown into the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet once more.
'Mr. Bennet sir,' the voice startled Fitzwilliam out of his thoughts and he focused on his surroundings once more. Miss Elizabeth was settled in a bed by the window, she looked flushed despite the breeze blowing into the room and the wet cloth being wiped across her brow by a young lady. The young lady reminded him sharply of his sister with her blond locks, her eyes were blue instead of deep grey, they were peaceful and held a strange calm within them even though they were troubled with concern at the moment. She would not be uneasy were the household to collapse, she would hold to her purpose with calm efficiency, was his assessment. His gaze sharpened on the bed as the unconscious lady shifted restlessly, where is that incompetent with the physician! I should have insisted on riding out myself.
'Mr. Darcy' Fitzwilliam's gaze turned towards the voice and he noted the fierce scowl upon the visage he looked upon. 'I need to know exactly what happened to my daughter and why she is laying unconscious, feverish and with considerable injuries in her bed when she was simply heading on her usual morning walk no more than two hours ago.' The tone of voice was carefully controlled and William could hear the grief and anger lacing it. He wondered if the gentleman would believe him and what consequences would befall him. His own guilt over the morning's events were already eating away at his consciousness and further burdening his thoughts.
'My daughter's life and her reputation are both in jeopardy and I will have answers!' what little control Mr. Bennet had managed to maintain was fraying around the edges. From the corner of his eye he noted the young lady laid a fresh cloth on Miss Elizabeth's brow before making her way across the room towards Mr. Bennet. 'Papa, Lizzy is safe, with us, please do not distress yourself further' the voice was soft and had a visible effect on Mr. Bennet. He nodded to her and she returned to Miss Bennet's side. Sisters , of course, realization dawned.
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Fitzwilliam had just concluded his narrative when they heard footsteps on the stairs, a moment later the door was opened to admit Mr. Hew, he was an older gentleman and showed signs of his profession. The dark circles beneath his eyes bore witness to his having assisted with a difficult birthing just last night. Mr. Hew made for the bed quickly, even as he directed a query towards Mr. Bennet.
'I presume this gentleman is the one Bartholomew spoke of?' at Mr. Bennet's nod he continued 'What happened sir? Please be brief.' In as few words as possible Mr. Darcy told of the mornings events once more. Mr. Hew nodded absently, even as Jane helped him with Elizabeth's shoelaces.
'Miss Jane, her brow if you please' Cornelius Hew used a pair of scissors to cut away the boot around the swollen ankle, it was alarmingly blue and was most likely causing the fever he felt burning across Miss Elizabeth's body.
'Thomas, are you master enough of yourself to help keep your daughter still?' When no answer came he glanced over to see a pale faced Mr. Bennet, he was leaning against the other bed and starring at the sight of his daughter's strangely bent and swollen right ankle. He glanced to Mrs. Hill, who immediately reached out and helped Mr. Bennet from the room.
'Sir, I shall require your assistance' he threw over his shoulder to the other gentleman. He heard footsteps and saw the gentleman position himself across from Jane and himself.
'This will be painful and she will feel it even though she is unconscious. She is a strong young lady and will try to fight what I do, she must be kept still so as not to cause herself further injury'. He glanced to Miss Jane and the gentleman, both nodded in understanding.
'Very well, hold her, but make sure to tell me if her breathing becomes erratic.' When both nodded once more he began setting the ankle.
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Mrs. Long hurried into Mrs. Phillips parlor, she knew what she'd seen, and those Bennets would be brought down, she would see to it. That Elizabeth Bennet had been completely without a chaperonne once again and what was more, she had been in an unknown gentleman's arms. Ooh this is perfect! Their own aunt will spread the gossip of their downfall. No one will overlook my daughters in favor of the famed Bennet sister's beauty any longer. That Elizabeth has been compromised and I will see to it the neighborhood knows all about it.
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Thomas Bennet reclined in the chair in his study trying to ignore the sounds of pain filtering from his daughter's chambers. Thankfully, Fanny is sufficiently distracted and Mary has increased the volume of her playing, please let it be over soon, Lizzy is so giving she deserves better for her kindness than pain. He reviewed the tale told by the gentleman, all should be well, it had been a simple accident, there should be no further repercussions, no one would have witnessed it out by Oakham mount as they were. With that thought to calm him, Mr. Bennet allowed himself to pour a small brandy to help soothe his concerns.
A/N: Please, please, please review, flowers die when you don't review. Plus, I love the feedback :D I would also like to thank everyone who reviewed my last chapter, it means the world to me. I'd also like to thank everyone who is following the story and everyone who added it as a favorite! I really, really appreciate it! I'll try to get chapter 5 up as soon as may be!