Previously: Elizabeth and Hastings discuss Darcy's staring problem. Darcy falls ill when he's caught in the rain and Hastings finds Darcy's sketches of Elizabeth.
"Whatever are you talking about, Hastings?" Darcy muttered and turned on his other side. "As you can see, I'm still sick. I lack the energy to tolerate your antics."
Hastings smiled internally, but his face only revealed curiosity. "Tell me, Fitzwilliam; are you in love with Miss Bingley?"
Darcy chortled, but there was no humor in it. He turned to face Hastings again and with a mocking tone, asked "Are you ill as well, Hastings? How did you come to that conclusion?"
Hastings's voice indicated innocence, but his face radiated with trouble. "I noticed you have been acting peculiar lately. I thought maybe it had to do with a woman. Now let's see…" Here Hastings brought the sketchbook from behind his back and tapped his chin thoughtfully with it, tactfully ignoring Darcy's comically large eyes. "It can't be Jane. Even though I've only seen her once, she seems too complaisant and serene for a man such as you. That and Bingley is enamored with her. Who else can it be?" Hastings opened the sketchbook to reveal the last picture. "Oh. Who is this here? I did not realize you have taken a wife! She does look rather familiar… I feel as if I have seen her before."
Darcy launched himself at Hastings with the intent to grab his sketchbook, but Hastings, anticipating it, danced out of his reach and Darcy fell on the floor.
"That's not mine!"
"You signed your name at the bottom, Fitzwilliam."
"Uhh… I-"
"Come, Fitzwilliam, let us discuss this sensibly. Sit down now."
Darcy sat back down on his bed and Hastings pulled up a chair. Darcy's face struggled to adopt an indifferent facade, and Hastings smiled reassuringly, which was very deceptive of him because he intended to make Darcy squirm as much as possible. The idea of Darcy in love was too novel to ignore.
"Now tell me, how long have you been in love with Miss Elizabeth?"
"I am not. I only sketched her because she makes for an interesting subject."
Hastings arched an eyebrow and asked sweetly, "Is that why you labeled her 'Mrs. Darcy'?"
Hastings was delighted when Darcy squirmed. "It's only an infatuation. It will go away."
Hastings nodded his head slowly, as if in thought. "Do you honestly believe that?"
"Her family is completely unsuitable and marrying her would be degrading."
"So you do not have any designs to marry Miss Elizabeth?"
"Of course not."
Hastings consulted his own feelings and those of his friend before he spoke so that his plan would not have any complications. Elizabeth, even though she was clever and beautiful, did not incite any passion in him. He felt affection for her, certainly, but it was similar to what he felt when he thought of Claire. Elizabeth was like a sibling to him and he was positive she felt the same way about him. She was always completely honest with him and liked his company well enough, but her tone and smiles never conveyed any admiration or love, and Hastings had vowed long ago to only enter the noose of matrimony for love. This was a romantic notion, but Hastings had seen too many unhappy marriages in his life to have any other view. But Darcy did not know any of this and his jealousy would blind him to reason. What fun!
Now Hastings contemplated Darcy's feelings. It was obvious that he was desperately in love, no matter what he had tried convincing himself. He had drawn a picture of her in bed, for goodness sake. This fact in itself was astonishing, as Hastings had known Darcy for over a decade and had never seen him look twice at a woman. His argument against matrimony with Elizabeth was not sound, for she was a gentleman's daughter and she would not be quitting the sphere she was raised in when she married him. It's not as if he had fallen in love with a servant; it was just his pride talking, and Hastings knew that he could overcome that eventually. Her liveliness would help lighten his somber manner, and since Hastings was well acquainted with Darcy's character, he knew Darcy would be a good husband because of his generous and kind nature.
Hastings knew he had to tread carefully. He did not want to leave Darcy completely without hope, which would happen if Hastings lied and said he was enamored with Elizabeth. Darcy wouldn't woo Elizabeth if he had all these reservations, especially if it meant injuring a friend he believed to be in love. Yet Hastings couldn't admit that he had no intention to marry Elizabeth; after all, he had to force Darcy's hand somehow.
Satisfied with his plan, Hastings set it into motion.
Hastings faked an expression of relief and said, "I am very glad to hear that your infatuation will not last long and you have no intention of asking for her hand."
"You are?" Darcy asked with an alarmed expression which Hastings had to restrain himself from laughing at.
"Yes, I am. You see, Fitzwilliam, my parents were not in love when they married."
"No?"
"No. Yet their marriage had the strongest foundation due to their mutual respect and their unbreakable friendship. Do you see where I'm going with this?"
Darcy suspected the direction of the conversation but denied it out of terror.
"No."
"As you have seen for yourself, Miss Elizabeth and I have formed a very powerful friendship and I respect her; I believe she respects me also. As a result, I have started considering-"
"You haven't met her family yet! Their total lack of decorum invites censure from the whole neighborhood. You wouldn't want to marry into that." Darcy's voice had an undertone to it that was akin to pleading and he almost clasped his hands together in front of him.
"We all have embarrassing relatives! You've met my cousin, and you certainly can't talk. Must I remind you that I've met your aunt? She lectured me about how to pack-"
"But-"
"Let me finish, Darcy. As I was saying before, I believe that Miss Elizabeth will make an excellent wife and mother. She's intelligent, amiable, and will make a wonderful Mrs. Hastings! However, I will have to wait a couple of months until she is comfortable with the idea. From our previous conversations I surmise that she is the type of woman who would only marry for love, and I want to give her time to grow accustomed to the idea of a marriage based on friendship. If she finds love, I wish her all the happiness in the world; she's by no means replaceable, but I can always search for another companion. If not, I will simply ask her for her hand and hopes she agrees." Hastings paused and looked to his friend, who had turned an ugly shade of green during his speech, and asked as if he needed reassurance, "Do you believe this is a good idea?"
Darcy glumly tried to reconcile with this news, and started by nodding his head.
Hastings faked happiness, but felt a stab of guilt as he looked at his saddened friend. The guilt was quickly assuaged when the thought "I'm doing this for you" crossed his mind. Darcy would thank him one day.
"Good, good. Now, if there is a chance that Miss Elizabeth will be my future wife, I want you to be friendly to her. You could start by apologizing; she heard your insult at the assembly."
Darcy arched an eyebrow in confusion and Hastings sighed in exasperation and said, "You called her 'tolerable.'"
Darcy paled. "She heard that?"
"Yes."
"I will apologize, of course."
"Swell. Now, I will go visit will my possible future bride! Try and get better. I believe Charles requested that Mr. Jones see you this morning." With that, Hastings patted Darcy on the back and left the room, surreptitiously taking the sketchbook with him in the process.
Hastings wishes for his health were for naught, for as soon as Darcy pictured Elizabeth round with Hastings's child, his nausea returned.
Hastings was disappointed that Darcy did not confess to the depth of his feelings, but was positive that everything would come to a neat conclusion. He would see to that.
Mr. Jones exited Darcy's bedchambers and met Charles, Caroline, James, and Elizabeth in the drawing room. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were still sleeping.
"How are they, Mr. Jones?" The genuine concern was evident when Bingley spoke, and Elizabeth again wondered how Darcy and Bingley managed to be friends with their opposing personalities.
"Miss Bennet is well enough to be moved, although it wouldn't hurt if she stayed here for a couple more days; I believe it's going to rain again today, and I don't want her to fall ill again. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, is feverish, has a headache and a cough, and I recommended bed rest for at least a week. He seems very stubborn; he kept insisting he was perfectly well and mentioned taking care of something important. I asked him if there was somebody who could come and comfort him… He mentioned his sister?"
"Yes, but I'm sure he wouldn't want to worry her."
"He said something along that line. I shall leave that to his discretion. He just needs plenty of fluids and he should be well in no time."
"Thank you. Eric here will show you out."
When Mr. Jones exited the room, Caroline quickly turned to Bingley. "Charles, I sent an express to Georgiana describing the situation last night."
"Why?" Charles asked this question despite the fact that he already knew the answer. Like Jane, Bingley was never suspicious about people's actions, but he knew Caroline. She had assumed that if she could gain Georgiana's esteem, then Darcy would begin to consider her as a suitable wife.
Caroline's innocent tone did not fool Bingley. "I thought I was helping."
"If Darcy is upset-"
"I'm sure it's fine, Charles." And with that, Caroline left the room.
Elizabeth addressed Bingley. "Sir, both my sister and I are very appreciative of your hospitality, and we shan't impose any longer. I shall send a message to my mother to ask for our carriage."
"Nonsense," Bingley cried, "did not you hear what Mr. Jones said? Miss Bennet needs a few more days of rest. I wouldn't think of moving here in her condition."
"Mr. Bingley, Mr. Jones said that is safe to move Jane. The bed rest was only recommended."
"I wouldn't want her to relapse because we moved her too early. You two must stay until Tuesday, as previously planned."
Hastings interrupted before Elizabeth could protest. "I agree with Charles. You wouldn't want to risk your sister's health, would you?"
"Most certainly not! But I hate imposing-"
"It's no imposition at all!"
"I'll discuss it with Jane. I can't withstand both of your protestations."
Bingley was nodding his head as Caroline walked briskly back into the room with a letter in her hand. "Charles, have the servants prepare a guest room."
"Why?"
"Miss Darcy is coming to Netherfield."
Author's Note: thank you all who have reviewed! Please continue to do so :)
