Chapter 10

The next day, Elizabeth woke early - much earlier than the rest of the house - so she decided to walk the gardens before breakfast, but not before checking on her sister Jane. Elizabeth liked to walk, and would spend many hours outdoors, even if her mother disliked her habits; and so having a little over an hour to spare before breakfast, she decided to explore farther than the formal gardens. Just as she was about to turn back towards the house, she heard a horse nearing her. She waited to see who would be riding out so early, and was surprised to see Mr. Darcy approaching her on his steed.

Darcy was just as shocked to see Mrs. Harrington outdoors this early, and in the state she was in. Though she did look lovely in his eyes, her hair was braided to one side, and her dress was plain and worn. Darcy had been riding that morning in order to relieve some of the tension he felt that morning. He had dreamed of Mrs. Harrington for the first time, and was uncomfortable with the direction the dream had taken. His dream was very real; he almost felt as if she had indeed been in his arms during the night. Darcy stared at her with amusement, admiration, and desire; his face however, did not show much than an intense stare.

After a moment or two of awkward silence, Elizabeth greeted the attractive man. He replied with a "Good morning" and asked to join her walk back. Mr. Darcy dismounted his horse, and walked next to Elizabeth. She was searching for a topic of conversation in her mind, and he was trying not to show his feelings towards Elizabeth. Finally, she decided to ask about the book she saw him reading last; this conversation served well for Darcy, as it did not require discussion of his feelings.

Elizabeth felt uncomfortable with Mr. Darcy. She recalled the way he had looked at her the day before in the library, and did not like what she saw in his eyes. Though there was nothing that said he had bad intentions, she did not want to encourage any feelings he may have towards her, whether they may be good or bad. She believed that even if Mr. Darcy had some feelings for her, he was too proud, too important to pay his addresses to a widow who was not rich enough or connected enough to marry. She thought that perhaps he was more likely to want to take her as his mistress; then again she was not sure if he was the type of man to do that sort of thing.

As Darcy and Elizabeth neared Netherfield, the pair grew silent. Both were lost in their thoughts, not realizing the other was just as silent. Suddenly, Mr. Darcy asked, "Have you been in London much since your husband passed?"

"After he was buried, I came to Hertfordshire for the holidays, and returned for the season. I was not returning for the season, but I did not want to impose on my family. Then, I came back for a couple of months during the summer, returned to London, and now I am back. I always miss the country, and so I find myself returning often."

"You enjoy the outdoors then, Mrs. Harrington? I do as well, that is why I spend as much time as I can in Pemberley. I enjoy taking a ride every morning to enjoy nature, something I cannot do in London," said he as he smiled.

"Yes, I agree, Mr. Darcy. I cannot enjoy the air - the freedom - in a London Park as I do in the country. I hope to very soon take a cottage near here so that I may be close to my family without having to intrude upon them."

"Do you always wish to be in Hertfordshire?" asked Mr. Darcy, he looked away from Elizabeth as he waited for her answer.

"Since my family is in Hertfordshire, there is no need for me to be elsewhere - besides London - unless my sisters were to leave for another county. If Jane were to live in another, I may decide to move near her so that I can help teach her children how to play the pianoforte very ill!" said Elizabeth as she laughed.

"You do not plan to have your own children, Mrs. Harrington?"

"It is too late for that, sir, since my husband has left this world, and I do not plan to remarry," said Mrs. Harrington.

He looked at her with a serious countenance and asked, "What if you met someone who loved you very much. Would you not consider marrying him if he offered?"

Elizabeth frowned as she thought about what he said, and replied, "I cannot say for certain whether I would or would not, since I am not in that position and highly doubt I shall ever be; I believe now I would say no, unless I knew the gentleman's character well, and I would like to know his family before I decide to accept. I doubt there is a man who would have the patience to wait for me to assert myself of his character. Thank you for accompanying back to the house, Mr. Darcy. I am going to check on my sister before breakfast." She curtsied and climbed the stairs that led her to her sister.

Darcy stared after her. He had no idea what induced him to inquire of her thoughts on remarrying, especially since he already knew most of it; nonetheless, he wanted to hear if she would consider marrying for love. He tried to convince himself that he had asked only because he was curious, not because he had any designs on her. He decided he must avoid her and suppress his feelings so that she would not have any expectations of him.

Elizabeth thought the conversation that they had very strange. She decided not to give him any more thought, and entered her sister's room. She saw Jane was still comfortably sleeping, so she went to dress herself. When she returned to her sister, Elizabeth saw she was awake. She fed Jane some soup when it was brought for the invalid, and when Jane finished, Elizabeth left to break her fast.

For the rest of the day, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy did not see each other, much to the relief of both. Darcy was busy helping Bingley, and Elizabeth was taking care of her sister. Though Mr. Bingley had ordered his staff to pay every possible attention to the sick lady and her sister, Jane was for the worse after dinner. After being informed of Jane's condition, Mr. Bingley immediately suggested sending an express to a London physician, but was convinced by Elizabeth to send for Mr. Jones if Jane was not better the next morning.

The next morning, Mrs. Bennet accompanied by her two youngest girls, arrived to Netherfield by request of Elizabeth. She wanted her mother to form her own judgment on Jane's condition. Mr. Jones arrived at the same time, and both agreed that Jane must not be moved from Netherfield. If Mrs. Bennet would have found Jane's illness dangerous, she would have been miserable; but since this was not the case, she did not wish her lovely daughter to recover soon, for if she did she would leave Netherfield.

When Mrs. Bennet and her three daughters joined the rest of the household, she informed Mr. Bingley of Jane's condition and that they may have to trespass a little longer than they had thought.

"Yes of course, she must not be removed," said Mr. Bingley. "My sister, I am sure, will not hear of her removal."

"You may depend upon it madam," said Miss Bingley with cold civility, "that Miss Bennet shall receive every possible attention while she remains with us."*

Mrs. Bennet profusely thanked Mr. and Miss Bingley on their kindness and complimented everything around her, until the younger of the two sisters who had accompanied their mother, asked Mr. Bingley about the ball he promised to give.

"I assure that I mean to keep my promise, Miss Lydia. However, I should like to have it after your sister is recovered, and when she is, you may name the day of the ball."

Lydia declared herself perfectly satisfied. Shortly after this, Mrs. Bennet and the youngest two left Netherfield. Elizabeth was so mortified at the behavior of her relations, that she immediately left the breakfast parlor to return to Jane.

The Bingley sisters instantly began abusing the Bennets and their atrocious manners. Mr. Darcy could not be prevailed on to join their censure of Mrs. Harrington, in spite of Miss Bingley's insistent remarks aimed at him.

That evening was much the same as the others. Mr. Darcy requested of Mrs. Harrington and Miss Bingley for some music, and after Miss Bingley rushed to the instrument, she remembered her manners and offered Mrs. Harrington to lead the way; and on receiving a polite no, Miss Bingley sat down and began to play for the assembled.

Mrs. Hurst sang with her sister; and while they were thus employed, Elizabeth noticed that Mr. Darcy's eyes were often fixed on her. After finishing some Italian songs, Miss Bingley began to play a lively Scotch air; and soon afterwards Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth to say, -

"Do not you feel a great inclination, Mrs. Harrington, to seize such an opportunity of dancing a reel?"

She looked up at him with a smile, but did not reply. When he saw that she did not reply immediately, he repeated the question.

"I heard you the first time, Mr. Darcy, but I could not determine what to say in reply. I know how much you dislike dancing, and so I believe you wanted me to say 'Yes' so that you may have the pleasure of despising my taste; but since I have found you out, I shall thank you, but I am not at all inclined to dance a reel. Now despise me if you dare."

"Indeed I do not dare."

He looked at her with an intense stare, that made her almost tremble with - well, she knew not what it made her feel. She was afraid that she may start to think well of Mr. Darcy, and she was very set against him from the beginning! Afraid of her changing opinion, she bid the group goodnight and left to return to her dearest sister.

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