Chapter 11

Elizabeth was admitted into a well-appointed guestroom by Mandy, a local girl whose parents were long time tenants of Netherfield. "Hello Mandy, I did not know you were working here."

"Yes, Miss. Mrs. Nichols recommended me to Mr. Bingley when the house was let."

"Well, I am assured that Jane was well looked if you are assigned to her. How does she fare?"

"She's had a rough night, fer sure. Been running both hot and cold. Poor thing couldn't get comfortable. She'd sleep some but a cough would wake her. Mr. Jones gave her a draught just an hour past and she's resting more quietly now."

"Well, I shall sit with her while you go down for some refreshments and rest. I would not want you to get sick yourself. Thank you for looking out for Jane."

"It was my pleasure, Miss. Miss Bennet was no trouble at all even in fever," replied the maid and turning to go, she continued to mumble "unlike some other residents of this house…no trouble at all."

After she was gone, Elizabeth went to Jane and confirmed that she was still asleep and though her face was flushed, her breathing wasn't labored. After replacing the rag on her forehead with a fresh one, she sat down beside her.

"Oh, Lizzy. You have come," whispered Jane some time later.

"Of course I have, silly. I came as soon as we received your note."

"I did not want to worry Mama and the others but I longed for your company, Lizzie. I can rest much easier now that you are beside me."

Just then came a knock and Caroline poked her head in and asked if she and Louise could join them. They proceeded to shower Jane with their affection and solicitude. To Elizabeth, Caroline seemed to have lost the pique she'd shown earlier and treated her in a friendly manner. Grateful for the kindness given to Jane, Elizabeth warmed towards them and a pleasant conversation ensued.

When they noticed Jane tiring, the hostesses made to excuse themselves. At the door, Caroline suggested, "Miss Eliza, Mr. Jones recommended that Jane not be moved until she is more recovered. Since you are such a great comfort to her, how would you like to stay here until she is well enough to return home?"

"Thank you Miss Bingley, that is very kind of you. I will gladly accept and if you can send a footman around in a few minutes, I will write a note asking my father and requesting some things from Longbourn."

The ladies left and Elizabeth felt very charitable with the both of them. Turning back to her sister, Elizabeth said, "now I want you to rest, Jane. I will be with you the whole time." Jane did rest and Elizabeth did not quit her room until it was time to dress for dinner. Her father's approval and her trunks were delivered in a timely manner and with the help of Mandy, Elizabeth felt she looked presentable enough to join the Netherfield residents.

At dinner, Mr. Bingley was enthusiastic in welcoming her to stay then asked after Jane. Elizabeth was sad to report that she was much the same. Jane's fever and cough persisted but together with Mr. Jones' draught and plenty of fluids and rest, she would soon improve. His sisters added their sympathy and well wishes and they continued to discuss their new home and how they found the neighborhood.

During this time, Mr. Darcy said not a word but seemed to look upon Elizabeth in disapproval. Elizabeth tried her best to ignore him but as the dinner wore on, she couldn't help getting annoyed at the scrutiny. She had not spoken to him since his first visit to Longbourn and she had long concluded that he continued in his censure of her from the assembly and he must feel that it was beneath him to give her any more notice. Rather than let his opinion intimidate her, she decided to face it head on. After all, she was going to be a guest under the same roof and she had the support of her new friends around her. Turning to him, she asked saucily, "Mr. Darcy, did I perchance put my dress on backwards or do I have something caught in my teeth? I wonder why you feel the need to look on me so critically."

Unused to being addressed so directly and with such impertinence, Darcy mumbled that her appearance was everything acceptable and looked down. He could not believe that despite everything he'd done to avoid her and to will his mind from thinking about her, that he had to endure residing in the same house and sleeping only a few yards away in the guest wing. Tonight she was wearing a deep green dress that set off the creamy perfection of her upper torso. Her hair was arranged high on her head to highlight her long graceful neck with a few stray curls that seemed to tickle her face as she spoke. He couldn't help listening to her lively, good-natured speech as she informed the Bingleys on their new neighbors and how endearingly she spoke about their goodness with some light-hearted folly thrown in. She certainly knew how to entertain and that playful throaty laugh was invoking some unwanted responses in him. It was taking all his energies not to touch her skin just to feel that spark again let alone throwing her over his shoulders and whisking her away to his room.

Caroline, knowing why and how hard he was looking, smirked but came to his aid. "Do not mind, Mr. Darcy. If it were not for his deep friendship with my brother, he would not speak to us at all. We must accept him as he is. It is a great condescension of his part to help Charles at this time and we are thankful." It would not do Caroline's plan any good for Eliza to dislike Darcy. The stupid girl could not know all the dangers associated with falling into the arms of the known player. Better to let her think herself in love and off for some adventure.

"Yes," continued Bingley trying to be helpful, "Darcy is rather shy in mixed company but hopefully he will be more amiable as he gets to know you. In the meantime, he is an avid observer and you should not be frightened by his looks."

Elizabeth accepted this explanation with a nod but vowed to not let herself feel cowed by his presence. Dinner was soon over and Elizabeth made her excuses to return to Jane for the rest of the evening.

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The next morning Elizabeth woke to discover that the rain, which had started just as Jane's fever broke, continued unabated. She wanted to go for a quick ride as Poseidon was still at Netherfield but decided to search for some reading materials instead. Now that Jane was on the mend, she would need something to prevent her from doing too much too soon. She quickly got dressed and headed to the library but as she passed by the ballroom doors, she heard the unmistakable sounds of fencing. Curious to see who would engage in such activity so early, she quietly opened the door and peeked in. What she saw took her breath away: for there was Mr. Darcy and his footman? bare-chested with sweat glistening. While the footman was big and burly, Mr. Darcy's chest and stomach were cut with hard, well-defined muscles that clenched enticingly with each movement. She had never seen an unclothed man before and was surprised to see a v-shaped pattern starting at his lower torso and disappearing into his tight breeches.

Having fenced some with her father, she knew that the two combatants were highly skilled. Their hands were so quick, she could barely follow the movements and their constant footwork left her in awe. Just then, Mr. Darcy spun and faced away from her and she noticed the ugly patchwork of scars in his back. She couldn't help the sharp intake of breath and fearing that she'd be discovered, she quickly closed the door and ran into the library. It took several minutes in the cold room for her breathing to slow and her overheated body to cool while she absorbed everything she'd seen. She knew he was fit from the first moment she'd seen him but her imagination did not do justice to his sculpted form. That he could move with such precision and force made her quiver anew. Then the image of his back came to mind and she shivered in sudden coldness. She could not imagine how he got those scars nor how painful it must have been and still continues to be. Tears came unbidden. They did not look to be fresh scars but that only meant it occurred in childhood. Didn't she hear that he lost his mother early on and was completely orphaned just as he reached adulthood? Were the incidents connected? Do the scars still caused him suffering? Is that why he flinched at the assembly? Her heart went out to him and she didn't know what to make of her other thoughts and feelings.

She heard the door across the hall open and she quickly ran behind a bookcase just as the door to the library opened and someone call out a greeting. She held her breath and willed herself not to move. She was too embarrassed to be caught in this state. The intruder soon went away and Elizabeth took the opportunity to grabbed two books and after determining that no one was about, ran back to her room.

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Darcy sat in his cold bath, determined to get himself under control. He did not sleep well the night before knowing that the saucy little vixen was sleeping just a few doors down. Throughout the night, he imagined her petite but well developed form languidly occupying a large bed similar to his. She would of course sleep in the nude with her silky hair cascading around her. Those enticing imaginings were hard to ignore but he would not let himself find any physical release as it went against his self-imposed rules. It was too dangerous to act on thoughts about a gentlewoman. It did not help to recall her words at dinner as it gave way to fantasies of occupying that pert little mouth in more wicked ways than food and conversation.

No, he wouldn't allow himself any relief, which was why he requested the grueling workout and the cold bath. He wondered why she gave such open, kind-hearted attentions to the others, even Caroline Bingley, when all he got was her impertinence. Didn't she realize who he was and how much power he wielded? Oh, what he wouldn't give to have her in his power. Maybe he could arrange something with her. After all, Caroline said that she didn't plan on marrying. Or maybe it was just a ploy of hers. Miss Elizabeth seemed too innocent and sheltered to want anything but what was expected of her. He got out of the warmed water and without drying off, he forced himself to do sit-ups on the hard wet floor until the pain from the impact on his back finally drove away his lusty thoughts.