After about a week, Elizabeth began to adjust to living without Jane. It helped that Jane was not far away, and Elizabeth could visit whenever she wanted. However, life at Longbourn was dull without Jane to laugh with, even with Mary's improved mood.
Mr. John Davis returned to his parish, but he promised to return soon. His stated purpose was to visit his cousins at Netherfield, but everyone was well aware the real attraction for him was Miss Mary Bennet. Elizabeth had not imagined she might be the last of the Bennet sisters to marry, but it was beginning to seem like more of a possibility with each passing day.
Mr. Darcy remained at Netherfield, but Elizabeth had seen very little of him since Bingley and Jane's wedding. She was therefore surprised when she glanced out the window and saw him striding towards the front door. She could not imagine what his purpose might be. She stopped in front of a mirror to inspect her hair and straighten the bodice of her dress, and she arrived in the foyer just as Darcy knocked on the door.
"Mr. Darcy. It is good to see you."
"And you as well, Miss Bennet."
They looked at one another for a moment.
"Might I come in?" he asked.
"Oh, certainly. Pardon me. Do come in. I will ring for tea."
She showed him into a sitting room.
"I will call my mother and my sister."
"Actually, it is you I intended to speak to."
"I? What is it I can do for you, Mr. Darcy?"
He momentarily lost what he was about to say as he imagined all the ways he could answer that question.
"I know our relationship has not always been agreeable, and I take complete responsibility for that. Please allow me to apologize for the way have treated you."
"Mr. Darcy, there is no need. Although I agree things might not have begun well, I very much appreciate the information you gave me during our time in Kent. You were not obligated to do so, and it is clear your intention was to keep me from making a mistake."
He glanced at her. He had not realized she felt so warmly about his actions when he was at Rosings, and it gave him courage for what he planned to ask her.
"I would do anything to protect you," he said, softly.
She looked at him, surprised by the tender direction of the conversation. Perhaps her recent dreams were not so unlikely.
The warmth of her eyes further bolstered his courage.
"Miss Bennet, I am aware this is very sudden, and I would entirely understand if you need time to consider what I am about to ask."
Elizabeth felt light-headed. Could Mr. Darcy honestly be preparing to propose to her?
Suddenly the door to the sitting room flew open, and a servant from Netherfield rushed in.
"Begging your pardon Miss Bennet, Mr. Darcy. This letter arrived shortly after you left, sir, and the messenger stated the letter contains information that is urgent and of the utmost importance. The sender requested you read it immediately."
Darcy was on his feet, striding over to take the letter. He broke the seal and read it.
"Your intrusion is most improper, but I shall ignore it due to the severity of this letter," he said to the servant. "Return to Netherfield at once and tell my valet to prepare to leave immediately."
"Yes, sir," the servant said, and rushed out as quickly as he entered.
"My dear Miss Bennet," Darcy said. "I would like to say nothing could tear me from this conversation, but this letter intimates there is a crisis to which I must personally attend. I do hope you will be willing to resume this conversation later."
Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "Of course, Mr. Darcy. I look forward to your return."
"As do I," he said, giving her a small smile. "Once again, I do apologize for my swift departure. I hope to speak with you again very soon."
He bowed, turned, and was gone.
"Hurry back," Elizabeth whispered at his back.
Darcy rode his horse hard on his way to Rosings. The letter than he received from his aunt was vague, but it seemed there was an emergency of some sort. His aunt wrote:
Your presence is needed urgently at Rosings. There has been an unexpected turn of events which could potentially cause much pain for our family. However, this unfortunate circumstance could yet be avoided, and your prompt attention could provide the assistance we need. Please hurry, as I am unsure how much time is left to prevent this tragedy.
Darcy's first thought was that his aunt or his cousin was ill. However, he could not envision a situation in which his presence could improve their health. Multiple possibilities played themselves out in his head as he rode. He had never received a letter such as this from his aunt. She did not tend to urgency in such a way, and that only contributed to his concern over the reason for the letter. He knew continuing to speculate would be of limited usefulness, and so he instead drove his horse faster, pushing to get to Rosings as soon as possible and provide whatever assistance he could to forestall the approaching catastrophe.
Elizabeth was unsure how to proceed after Mr. Darcy's departure. Her first task was decided for her, however: Mrs. Bennet came to see who had recently arrived.
"Mr. Darcy?" Mrs. Bennet said, her brow furrowing. "But what on earth would that unpleasant man want here?"
"I am unsure. He was called away before he could tell me the purpose for his visit."
"Well, there is nothing he could have said that would affect us. I know he is a friend of my dear Mr. Bingley, but Mr. Darcy has never proven himself a friend to us."
Elizabeth said nothing to contradict her mother, although she knew Mr. Darcy had helped the Bennets more than any of them aside from her might ever realize. She desperately hoped he returned to her as quickly as he could.