A/N: So, this chapter wrote itself...in a total different direction than what I had originally intended. Can't decide if that's a good or bad thing yet. I just took the characters in the direction they were asking to go.
I've had a couple questions asking about what happened in the room between Mr. Bennet and Darcy. This story follows Elizabeth. So, unless she was in the room or told about it, it won't be in the story. I think it's important that the reader only have the information that Elizabeth has, that way you can take the journey with her. Maybe after the story is finished, I'll write some 'missing scenes'.
And, another HUGE thank you for the amazing reviews. I am truly grateful...and I hope you enjoy the latest installment!
Elizabeth woke to a sensation of warmth – too much warmth. She felt beads of perspiration upon her face. She tried to release herself form the heat but was impeded by the layers of blankets upon the bed. Opening her eyes, she noticed the blazing fire to be the only light in the room. How long had she slept? She turned her head and found Jane sitting in a chair next to her bed.
"Jane?" she whispered. Her sister didn't move. "Jane?" she tried again. Still nothing. Finally, she managed to release one of her hands from the mountain of covers. She gave her sister a soft touch on the knee.
Jane's eyes fluttered at the contact. "Lizzy?" she murmured. Elizabeth gave her sister another little tap. Jane bolted up at the contact. "Lizzy! You're awake. How are you feeling? Is it warm enough? I can fetch you another blanket, if you need."
Still feeling somewhat tired, Elizabeth gave her sister an attempt at a chuckle. "No, Jane, I thank you. I'm actually quite warm. I would be most grateful if you could help me remove some of the blankets I already have."
Jane immediately went into action, removing all but one of the blankets from her sister. Elizabeth protested, saying it was too hot even for the one, but her remarks fell on deaf ears. Realizing that no amount of complaining was going to move her sister, Elizabeth settled for an extra pillow to help prop her up against the headboard. "Comfortable?"
"Yes, thank you. What time is it?"
"It's after ten." Her sister paused. "What happened, Lizzy? I know you were upset about what happened with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins. But, I thought you had more sense than to disappear into a rainstorm for three hours."
"Three hours? Jane I was but a couple miles from the house, maybe closer."
"Could you not see the storm coming?"
"Yes but Mr. Collins made me so angry. It could have been a blizzard and, I daresay, I still would have gone on my walk."
"Tell me what happened, dearest."
She did. She told her of their father's clear anger at her for her dishonesty with Mr. Darcy. She told her of her run in with their mother and sisters at the bottom of the stairs. How she had tried to stop them from sealing her future but to no avail. Her anger rose as she retold the chastisement she received from Mr. Collins and her decision to go for a walk through an incoming storm. "I was so angry with him. He could have told me the sky was blue and I'd have still argued as to it's being yellow. But, I still don't understand. I remember walking and finding cover under a tree but that could not have been more than half an hour, yet you maintain I was absent for much longer."
Jane reached out to hold her sister's hand, giving it a small squeeze. "We were all so worried when it began to storm. Mr. Collins maintained that you'd gone for a walk but, we were hoping, that maybe he'd gotten it wrong – that perhaps you'd gone with Mama. We were prepared to wait for her return but when the storm took a turn for the worse, Mr. Darcy and Papa became more and more agitated. Mr. Darcy took off in search of you. Mama arrived just as he brought you home. You can imagine her reaction. She'd just announced you were to wed and you came home, dead to the world."
Elizabeth gave a soft smile. "Yes, I can imagine such a scene." Sobering, she turned her gaze on her hands. "Mr. Darcy found me?"
Not used to seeing her sister so tentative in her reactions, Jane gave her hand another squeeze. "He was quite agitated. I'm sure Mr. Collins was worried he would wear a hole in the carpet with all his pacing. Mr. Darcy can be quite intimidating when he's worried. Seeing Mr. Darcy donning his great coat to go in search of you, Mr. Collins made to stop him. If only you could have seen the talk your fiancé gave to him."
Not noticing Jane's slip of his title, Elizabeth gave her first real laugh. "I should have loved to have witnessed such a scene. No doubt, Mr. Collins will be dreading the next post from Lady Catherine!"
"I'm sure you're correct," Jane laughed back before turning serious again. "Mr. Darcy waited out side your door forever, until Mama made him go downstairs and sit in front of the fire. After all, it just wouldn't do for the groom to die before the wedding. Which reminds me, if you are alright on you own for a moment, I need to let him know that you are up and out of danger."
Elizabeth was dumb founded. "He's still here? I assumed he had returned to Netherfield hours ago."
"He was quite adamant about staying. Mama offered to prepare a room for him but he refused to contemplate retiring for the night until he knew you were past the worst." Jane paused for a moment. Elizabeth could tell her sister was working up the courage to tell her something that she might not want to hear. Jane was always so good. Always trying to find the nicest way to convey a thought. "I know you don't want to hear it, Lizzy. But, he really does seem to love you. No matter his faults and errors, seeing him today, I have no doubt that he will take good care of you. His mind dwelt on little else but you today. He is a dedicated man, willing to stand up for his convictions." Her eyes began to water as she spoke.
Elizabeth turned her hand so she could hold her sister's hand in hers. "Why do I get the feeling that we're not just talking about Mr. Darcy anymore?" She couldn't bear to see Jane so despondent.
"I just…I know you don't love him and for that I cannot fault you. But, I cannot help but think how lucky your are to have a man who won't let the opinions of others sway him." Elizabeth had to take several deep breaths in order to hide her anger. Hurting Jane was one of the many reasons she had no desire to wed the man. But, it wouldn't do to hurt Jane anymore with that knowledge. Jane continued, "I just ask, for your future happiness, that you talk to him. After all he's done for you, I'm sure he would be willing to do all in his power to increase your opinion of him. I'm sure there's some explanation for his behavior here and towards Wickham. I beg you to give him a chance. In some respects, you are very fortunate." At that she wiped away any remaining vestiges of tears and stood. "Now, I'm going to go let him know you're alright so that he can get some sleep. I'll return shortly."
Elizabeth closed her eyes upon Jane's departure. Her sister was right, in some regards. Mr. Darcy, it appeared, not only took good care of her but also stood up for her. But, still, Jane didn't' know what she asked. Give a chance to the man that ruined her sister's happiness? It seemed impossible. Yet, she felt she should give some credence to her sister's words. She had a made a point, Bingley hadn't stood up for her. What would Mr. Darcy have done were he in the same position as Bingley? She didn't have to ponder the answer; she knew already. He wouldn't have been so easily changed. He would have stood by her.
Was that quality worth overlooking his manipulation of Bingley? She wondered if it was. After all, she now realized, some of the fault must lie with Mr. Bingley himself. He should have been more resolute. If he truly loved her sister, he should have been willing to stand up for her. How was it that with each passing moment her life got more confusing? It appeared as if nothing was as it should be.
A soft knock came from the door and Jane peaked her head in. "Lizzy, Mr. Darcy has a request of you. He would like to see you for a moment." Elizabeth started. It was highly inappropriate for him to be in her room. She knew not what to do.
"Miss Elizabeth," his voice called softly from the dark behind her sister. "I realize that it is an uncommon request. I just would like," there he paused. "I should like to see for myself that you are okay. Your sister has promised to stay in the room."
Even when he'd been comforting her, he'd never sounded so tired, so worried. She couldn't say no. "It's all right, Jane. Let him in."
Jane opened the door and made her way to a chair across the room by the fire. A book seemed to materialize out of nowhere. Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy tentatively made his way into the room. His demeanor reminded her of how he had acted at the assembly all those months ago. Could it be? Could he have just been uncomfortable that night? He had made mention of his behavior amongst strangers at Rosings. Had he always been thus? Had she just misread him in this for all these months? Was it possible that her newfound knowledge of him had opened her eyes to the truth?
"You need not be afraid, Mr. Darcy. I promise, I will not bite," she joked.
It took a moment for him to recognize her humor before he smiled. "Of course, not. I've just realized the inappropriateness of my request. I just knew that I wouldn't be able to sleep without seeing you."
"I'm sure you can be forgiven your indiscretion this one time, sir. Plus, the door is open and Jane here is a most dutiful chaperone."
"I thank you for your understanding," he said, somewhat awkwardly taking the seat Jane had vacated earlier. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm much better. I hear I have you to thank for my dashing rescue."
She saw him blush for the first time. He was quite adorable when he did so. "I was quite worried, you know? I left my interview with your father in search of you, only to be told you'd left for a walk. I know you enjoy the outdoors but I also know you to be thoughtful. I was concerned about what would have transpired to cause you to head out into a thunderstorm."
"I ran into Mama after I left my father's room. Then Mr. Collins had some choice words to share with me. I knew going out not to be one of the smartest choices I had ever made, but I had to get away in order to clear my head. I confess, I'd made it a lot further than I'd originally planned."
Mr. Darcy gave her a small smile as tentatively reached out to place his hand on top of hers where it rested on the bed. She wanted to pull her hand away but couldn't bring herself to do so. After all, he had just saved her life. "I have no doubt that Mr. Collins would be enough to push the most level headed person to extreme measures. I hope you gave no credence to any of his words. I know not what he said to you but I know what he imparted to me. If it were in my power, I would send him from the house."
Elizabeth chuckled. "Believe me, my wishes perfectly align with yours!"
Mr. Darcy sobered, giving her hand a gentle press. "When I found you, my heart almost stopped, I'm sure. You looked so peaceful under the tree, like you could have been sleeping or…" he stopped to take a deep breath. "Or like you could have entered your final rest. When I could tell that you were still breathing, I acted. It's much colder in Derbyshire, so I knew what to do but, still, the fear was there that I might never see your eyes again. I know not how I carried you all the way to Longbourn. I just knew that I had to get you home, in front of a fire. I have never been so relieved as when your sister told me you were awake and well."
Elizabeth was moved. She had never heard him speak so much in one setting. In fact, she was pretty sure that he'd just spoken more in the last ten minutes than in the entirety of their acquaintance previous to this evening. He'd spoken with such feeling. She hadn't thought him capable of such. In that moment, she made a choice. She would give this man a chance. While she didn't appear to have much say in whether or not the marriage would take place any longer, she did have a choice as to what type of marriage it would be.
She turned her hand over and gave his hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry for giving you such a fright. While I cannot promise to never walk in the rain again, I can promise to never do so without my gloves and pelisse. Mayhap tomorrow, if it is sunny, we can go for a walk. The thought of the sun on my skin sounds quite wonderful."
His eyes lit up. "I should like that very much." He turned to her sister. "Perhaps, Miss Bennet, you would like to join us on the excursion. I fear I shall need your help in keeping your sister from pushing herself too far, " he joked.
Jane gave a laugh. "I think it should take all of the soldiers in His Majesty's army to do so!"
Elizabeth playfully pulled her hand from Mr. Darcy's grasp. "I am shocked that you two think so little of me. It would take two such armies to stop me from enjoying the outdoors!"
After their laughter died down, Mr. Darcy again reached for Elizabeth's hand. He bestowed a small kiss upon it and, releasing it, stood. "Well, I suppose I should allow you to get some rest after today's ordeal. Not to mention, your mother has prepared a guest room for me and would, I imagine, be quite remiss, if I declined to use it. I wish you both a good night." He gave a bow and quitted the room.
Elizabeth noticed her sister beginning to stand. "Are you to leave me, too?"
"Some of us haven't been sleeping all day, Lizzy, " she teased. "I shall need my rest if I'm to keep up on a walk with you." She came to the bed and gave her sister a hug. "I'm glad to see you being kind to Mr. Darcy. I know you two can find happiness, if you just give him a chance."
"I've decided I will. That is why I suggested the walk tomorrow. For, the truth is, I don't really know him at all. I need to get to know him so that I can figure out what my feelings actually are."
Opening the door that Mr. Darcy had closed as he left, Jane turned to her sister. "That sounds like the most sensible thing you've said since you returned home. Feel better, Lizzy. I'll see you in the morning." With that, she exited, leaving Elizabeth alone to try and sort out her thoughts.
