AN - Well, I must say that was an amazing response to the last chapter. Thank you all for reading, reviewing, Fav'ing and following. You have no idea how it has made my fingers, quite literally itch to finish this story. In fact, I have only the last chapter to write. I'm going to attempt to finish and polish this story over the next few days. It will be 10 chapters long and about twenty thousand words.
With a deep sigh of regret, Lizzy looked toward Netherfield. The weak sun shone in the early morning sky, signalling the start of yet another day. It would be sometime before she could make her way down to the house and her sister Jane. The Bingley's, Elizabeth suspected, kept town hours which meant they would scares break their fast before midday. Lizzy knew many of the most junior servants had been hired from among the local populace and would give her a report on her sister's health if approached.
At nine, Lizzy spied Mr. Darcy coming from the direction of the stables. Mounted atop his horse, the gentleman cantered across the fields between her position and Netherfield. He, at least, appeared to be more in tune with the country. Taking the chance, she began to walk in the direction of the house. A wisp of smoke began in the kitchen chimney, growing as the maids stoked the great fires into life. It signalled the waking of the estate. As she ventured closer, Elizabeth rounded a bushy hedge, only to come upon Mr. Darcy returning from his morning exercise.
"Miss Bennet," he said, somewhat astonished to find a young woman wandering about the country side, quite alone and well before anyone ought to make a social call.
"Mr. Darcy, I have come to enquire after my sister," Lizzy stated, arching an eyebrow. When the man continued to glare at her, her courage rose to the challenge. "I understand it is impolitic to visit both unannounced and at such an hour, however it cannot be helped. Jane is very dear to me as we are the closest of sisters. Do I ask too much for you to take me to her?"
Sweeping his hand before him, Darcy allowed the young woman to precede him. Surprisingly, Miss Bennet did not turn and request directions to the house. She seemed to know the layout of Netherfield's gardens well enough to go in the direction of the forecourt. Sure footed, her pace quick, Darcy found himself increasing his stride to remain at her side.
"Are you acquainted with the estate," Darcy asked as they drew near the house.
"Jane and I spent many hours at Netherfield as children," she answered, unwilling to give the man more information after his comments at the Meryton Assembly.
Suspecting Miss Elizabeth to be withholding her true association, Darcy continued a step behind and to her left. She did not pause in her journey to the entry hall. "What is the distance between Longbourn and Netherfield?" he asked without warning.
"Three miles, if you travel through town," Lizzy answered automatically. Understanding she had said too much, Elizabeth did not wish to call attention to her slip. "My father's estate is one mile from Meryton in a northerly direction. Netherfield is two miles to the west and south. There are fine roads on which to travel should you choose."
"But you do not, Miss Bennet," Darcy said, noticing the mud at least six inches deep on her gown. It gave an indication as to the method of the young woman's journey.
"No," Lizzy replied, rolling her eyes. "I enjoy the solitude to be found walking in the country side with only God's creatures for company."
"And the distance, should you come across the fields?" Darcy requested, his brow furrowed at the thought of a gentleman's daughter allowed to travel so far without a chaperone.
"Four miles," Elizabeth offered in a soft tone. "Oakham Mount is situated almost at the half way point. I enjoy walking and take in the vista as often as possible."
"I have oft ridden the fence line between the estates," Darcy stated, hoping to elongate the conversation.
"Then you should have observed the paths connecting them," her impertinent side getting the better, Lizzy could not help teasing the stoic gentleman. "It is a somewhat less acceptable method of traversing the distance, is it not, Mr. Darcy? Most especially for a young woman?"
Clamping down on a retort, he did not say another word until they entered the house. Darcy enjoyed being thus challenged but refused to display his pleasure at the woman's humour. Aware of the danger this particular young lady presented with her fine eyes and impertinent opinions, Darcy knew he must guard his heart against feeling more than he should. Never had Darcy encounter a situation in which he felt so uneasy, or experienced the wit of a capable opponent. Miss Elizabeth Bennet did not fawn, or agree, or attempt to please like other young ladies of his acquaintance. No, Miss Elizabeth Bennet seemed almost at odds with any opinion he might voice.
At least, Darcy considered, if I were to make such a lady an offer, she would only accept for herself and not the whims of a mother determined to procure her own comfort. I shall have to watch the events that unfold at Netherfield over the next day's very carefully. I feel sure, Miss Elizabeth will manage to secure an invitation to remain while her sister is ill. Such displays an affection that is pleasing, and gives me the opportunity to determine if my superstition in regard to Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth could be correct.
While approaching the house, one of the newly hired footmen opened the door. He had noticed Mr. Darcy and a young lady hurrying toward the entrance. Observing a flash of recognition and expression of concern on the servant's countenance, Darcy recalled the young man had recently been hired from Meryton. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, it would seem, was not only well known in the county, but well respected at every level of society.
"Miss Bennet's room," the footman announced, although he had not questioned the young woman's reason for visiting before acceptable hours, "is on the second level in the west wing, Miss Elizabeth. Shall I request one of the maids to show you?"
"Thank you," Lizzy gave a nod of thanks. Before the young man would scurry away, Elizabeth could no longer hold in her question. "Peters, pray tell me, is my sister well."
Eyes darting to Mr. Darcy, who continued to stand silently at her side, he answered nervously, "I do not know, Miss Elizabeth. I am not bid to enter that part of the house and Miss Bennet's maid has not yet come below stairs. I am sure…"
"Who is my sister's maid?" Elizabeth smiled gently at the nervous servant.
"Sarah Bartley, Ma'am," he stammered, eyes darting to the gentleman stoically standing at Miss Elizabeth's elbow.
"Jane is in excellent hands, then. Thank you," Lizzy's smile increased with this news. "Please do not let me detain you, Peters. I should not like the master to think you in dereliction of your duties."
"You are acquainted," Darcy could not keep the contempt from his tone once the footman bowed low and hurried away to find a maid.
"To some extent," Elizabeth sighed, wondering just how long she would be forced to endure the insufferable man's company. "Meryton is a small town, Mr. Darcy. Even tenant's children require employment, and many choose to remain close if at all possible. Without new situations opening, they would be required to move to a large city and work in a factory. I am sure, Mr. Bartley is just as pleased as Mr. Peters, that his youngest is now in service but a few miles from her family."
"I have lost many tenants to the lure of employment in the mines and workshops," Darcy said a little sadly. "It is most unfortunate they exchange fertile land and the surrounds of nature for overcrowded, unclean accommodation in the cities, toiling from sun up to sun down. The grass is not always greener elsewhere!"
"Is the life of a servant any brighter," Lizzy challenged, her eyebrow rising. "What do Sarah and Peters have but hours of work so another may live comfortably."
Before the gentleman could respond, a maid approached. Curtseying, she offered to take Miss Elizabeth to her sister. For her part, Lizzy was too eager to see Jane to guard her actions. She did not realise her steps preceded those of the young girl supposedly leading her. The action gave away her familiarly within Netherfield House.
Mr. Darcy stood like a sentinel in the entry, observing Miss Elizabeth's every action, his expression guarded while his mind became ever more suspicious. Even with her petticoat and gown covered liberally in mud, she cut a fine figure taking the long staircase one riser at a time. Once again, her morning gown might not be as fashionable as those worn by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, yet he could discern the quality of the garment. He rather enjoyed the luxury of being able to afford clothing and furnishings made from finest materials.
Darcy could not help but think Miss Elizabeth was intimately acquainted with the interior of Netherfield, more so than a neighbour or infrequent visitor ought to be. In fact, her dress and manners fitted with the increased prosperity of Netherfield rather well. Darcy imagined Miss Elizabeth Bennet as the Mistress of a small country estate such as this, more easily than he ought. Somehow, she appeared to fit Netherfield well. After his conversation with Bingley last night, he determined to find out the association, for it might place quite a different light on Miss Elizabeth Bennet's future prospects.
For her part, Lizzy did not give Mr. Darcy a second thought from the moment she commenced climbing the stairs. At the top of the main staircase, she hesitated not a moment before turning to the guest wing on the west side of the house. Along the other hall were the master and mistress's chambers and other lesser bedrooms for the use of immediate family. The nursery occupied the top floor on that side with the servant's accommodations in the attic space.
Sighing, Elizabeth took in the changes to the hall as she approached Jane's door. Little had been done to this part of the house in many years. Why the original designer chose to place the master's suit on the other side, Lizzy could not fathom. The view from the north-west, across the fields to Oakham Mount must surely be one of the best in the county. It only improved from the corner sitting room, and the attached bed chamber on the floor above.
That though brought a smile, for Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would never know of the fine prospect if they did not trouble themselves to inspect it directly. Surely the self-absorbed, fashionable ladies, who despised the country, would not rouse themselves beyond the family wing. For a moment, she wondered if, perhaps, Mr. Darcy inhabited the rooms as there were, in her humble opinion, the best in the entire house.
It would be just like Miss Bingley, Lizzy could not help the amused chuckle escaping, to assign such to her guest due to their size alone. I wonder what Mr. Darcy thinks of our quaint landscape? He is, after all, the Master of a large estate. Surely, he would appreciate the view across much of Netherfield's arable land.
Determined to forget her past associations with this house, Lizzy knocked on the door before her. On entering Jane's chamber, she found her sister lying within the finely appointed room, her pale skin contrasted the rosiness of her heated cheeks. A touch from the back of Elizabeth's hand on Jane's forehead foretold of a developing fever. Unwilling to be separated, Lizzy pulled a chair beside the bed and began her vigil.
"Sarah," she called to the tired looking maid, "I shall sit with my sister. Please go to your bed and rest. I will have someone call you to resume your duties when I am ready to return to Longbourn. Do not fear," Elizabeth reassured, "should Miss Bingley or Mrs. Hurst come, I shall ensure them I insisted, so you might sit with my sister again tonight."
The girl, hardly older than Kitty sighed with relief. Her movements bespoke her fatigue. Surely, she should have been relieved of her care well before daybreak, which did not speak well of Miss Bingley management. Shaking her head, Lizzy returned her attention to Jane.
At length, and when breakfast was over the Bennet sisters were joined by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. For her part and initially shocked, Elizabeth began to like them when witnessing the affection and solicitude they showed Jane. Neither woman took themselves far from the sick room, speaking in soft whispers when Miss Bennet drifted into slumber. Smiling at their conversation, Elizabeth knew Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst would never become her particular friends. They were women strong in the belief of their own fashion and accomplishment, the former only interested in capturing a husband.
The day passed rapidly. Then the clock struck three and the sun set all too soon. Elizabeth felt she should go if she were to make it to Longbourn before full dark. Miss Bingley, looking to her sister, offered their visitor the carriage. While they had enjoyed Miss Eliza's company, neither wished for yet another guest to invade their home for an infinite period.
"Thank you," Elizabeth demurred, still unsettled at the thought of leaving a most beloved sister. The look enough, she knew Miss Bingley did not wish to host her for any length of time.
"Must you go," Jane said, her tone concerned at the parting.
"Would you rather Miss Eliza remain?" Caroline asked. Her tone light, it belayed the flash of irritation in her eye.
"I should be very grateful," Jane replied.
"And I," Elizabeth smiled.
Thus, Miss Bingley was required to extend the offer of her chase and four to a chamber. A servant was dispatched to Longbourn for Miss Bennet and Miss Eliza's clothing, along with a note to Mr. Bennet explaining the situation. At five, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst retreated to dress for dinner while Lizzy and Jane were finally left alone. It would be sometime before their trunks arrived, giving the sisters a moment to remember their past association with Netherfield House.
If some of this and the preceding chapters feel disjointed, I have attempted to incorporate Miss Jane Austen's work (but not more than ten percent of the original). I wanted to remain faithful to the book as much as possible, while adding my own plot line. Anyone intimately acquainted with Pride and Prejudice will pick the sentences used. I hope this does not detract from the quality of the work.
Finally, does this chapter increase you understanding? Or are you still trying to make the hints add up. Either way, I'd love to hear you thoughts.