A/N
OMG, so many of you expressed concern about poor Darcy being ticked off by Elizabeth if she discovered him in her bed that I wrote a special section for that! Frankly, I was going to start this chapter with the section where Darcy is talking to Mrs Webster …but your comments resulted in an additional section. Hope you all like it :-)
As before, thank you all for all the engagement with this story. Apart from my love for P&P what keeps me going with a story is the feedback/engagement with you all, and I do try to respond personally to your feedback. Paucity of time and my inhibitions in flooding your mentions may sometime prevent me from replying, but please know that I really appreciate the engagement. As usual request that if any of you notice any anachronistic language, regency faux pas, pls do take a minute out to share that.
To reader Lisa – I sent a PM to the ID you mentioned, but I think you did not get it. I would have loved for you to go through the chapters before I posted but it does not seem a possibility as of now. Anyway, am grateful for your help and hope you would keep pointing out any typos/mistakes etc. the way you have been doing!
PS: Do share your thoughts on interaction between Millie and D and D&E (Positive, negative all welcome.) Sometimes how you imagine an interaction is not really perceived as such by the readers.. that's why the request!
A Chance EncounterCopyright © 2021 by S. Neha
All rights reserved.
Chapter 6The next morning when Darcy woke up, he found his gaze resting on Elizabeth sleeping peacefully beside him, and a feeling of utter contentment stole over him. She was the most beautiful sight in the world to him, despite the bandage on her head and the blue shadows under her eyes! For a long while, he simply lay there gazing at her and smiling foolishly. Slowly, the recollection of the happenings of last night seeped into his consciousness, and he stretched out a hand to her forehead. Although she still felt warm to the touch, the fever appeared to have broken. "Thank God!" He muttered as he brushed the hair gently away from her forehead. Then immediately froze when she moved her head restlessly with a few mumbled words.
It was then that the reality of their situation came crashing in on him- that however respectable his actions and intentions, he was in bed with an unmarried woman. A woman, who, if she saw him now, would first break his head and ask any questions later! The alacrity with which he leapt out of the bed, thumped his pillow into shape, and lastly folded his blanket, was to be seen to be believed! He paused to take a breath when he was at a respectable distance from the bed. It was only when he stood looking down at a still sleeping Elizabeth and a slowly stirring Millie from his new position that he had the time to analyse his actions and laugh at them. 'You truly are in dire straits, Darcy!' He chuckled to himself as he made his way to the washstand behind the screen. But he already had a challenge on his hands in trying to change Elizabeth's mind about himself. No one could blame him if he had no desire to make his task more difficult by fostering any further misunderstandings between them!
~~~§~~~
Less than a quarter-hour later, he presented himself for breakfast downstairs. He found Mrs Webster already in the process of finishing hers, and he had worried that he might be disturbing their routine by turning up so early! He should have known; it was a farmer's house, after all.
"Good morning, Mrs Webster." He greeted the old lady and went to get a plate for himself.
"Good morning, Mr Fitzwilliam. How is Elizabeth today?" Mrs Webster inquired as he seated himself across from her.
"She is well and sleeping peacefully at the moment. You must allow me to thank you for all the care you have shown us, ma'am. Last night Elizabeth had a high fever, but a single dose of that miraculous powder you had sent was very effective in bringing it down."
Mrs Webster smiled happily. "There is no need to thank me, Mr Fitzwilliam. I am glad that I could be of service."
"Then I can only thank our good fortune that we found our way to you yesterday," Darcy replied, meaning every word.
There was silence for a while, then Mrs Webster asked after Millie. "I hope that sweet child had a peaceful night. I was quite worried that she might miss her grandmother and ask for her in the night."
Darcy shook his head sombrely. "Fortunately, she slept through the night. It is only now that she has started to stir a little."
Mrs Webster nodded, then called out to Martha, "Please go and check on the little one, Martha. We do not want her disturbing Elizabeth just yet."
"You appear to be in somewhat of a hurry, Mr Fitzwilliam." Mrs Webster asked in amusement as she saw Darcy applying himself to his breakfast with a single-minded determination.
Darcy gave her a sheepish look, then smiled, "You are right, madam. I am in a hurry to reach The Red Lion and get Jones to send an express rider to my staff in London. I totally forgot to send a message to them yesterday, and they would all be very worried by now."
"Oh, of course. Now, I understand your impatience." Mrs Webster nodded then continued, "I will ask John to accompany you in our pony cart. He can help you get your things back here that much faster."
"I thank you, Mrs Webster. I am sure both the ladies upstairs would be very pleased to get back into their own raiment."
"Hmm... I do not know about Elizabeth, but little Millie is very impatient for a pink dress," Mrs webster replied with a grin.
Darcy smiled at her jest, then rose to excuse himself. At the door, he turned to address their hostess once again, "Ah… Mrs Webster, do you think a doctor should take a look at Elizabeth?" He asked hesitantly, then hurried to add, "Please do not think that I at all doubt your expertise. It is just that she suffered an injury to her head and…"
Mrs Webster started nodding before he could complete his thoughts. "I can appreciate your concern, Mr Fitzwilliam. Although I believe that your wife is on the mend, I also know that injuries to the head can be quite unpredictable. Frankly, it would also relieve me of a worry if our local physician, Mr Talbot, can confirm my prognosis. You may ask John to show you the way to Mr Talbot's house whenever you decide to visit him."
Darcy smiled in relief that Mrs Webster had not taken umbrage at his suggestion and took his leave of the good lady with an easy mind.
~~~§~~~
A few minutes later, Darcy rode out of the stables after asking John to follow him to The Red Lion in his pony cart. When he arrived at the inn, he found Smith standing outside, speaking to a burly looking man, who appeared to be some kind of workman from his clothes. 'Maybe it is the blacksmith. Smith would be keen to get his carriage repaired at the earliest.' He thought as he handed over the reins of Poseidon to the boy who came to lead him away.
"I would need about three days to repair that broken pile. If I start working on it this morning, then the earliest I can hand over the carriage to you is around noon of the day after the morrow…" The burly man was saying when Darcy made his way towards the two men. "… and let me warn you, it will cost you a pretty penny." The man added for good measure.
"How much?" Smith asked hesitantly. On hearing the answer, his face lost whatever colour it had. It was evident to any observant person that the poor man did not have sufficient money for the extensive repair work. Darcy, who had been meaning to ask his butler to send one of his carriages to transport them back to London, realized that a change of plans was imminent. 'And maybe it was for the best.' He thought with a sigh. He did not know when Miss Bennet would be fit to travel, and he also needed time to figure out what was troubling Mrs Webster. It was then quite convenient that he had a suitable justification for spending a day or two more at Mrs Webster's.
"I do not…" Smith had begun when Darcy interrupted him.
"How are you, Smith? I hope your shoulder is not troubling you anymore."
Smith doffed his cap. "I am well, sir, as is my shoulder." He replied with a wan smile, not entirely unhappy at being interrupted.
"So, when do you expect your carriage to be ready for our journey back to London?"
For a moment, the coachman appeared flummoxed, then he rallied. "Cooper here says he could repair it by the day after the morrow. But… I… I am yet to arrange for the ready and… and Cooper needs half of the payment upfront to start the repairs. So… I am sorry, sir, but I really cannot say when the carriage would be ready. It would be best if you look for some other means for your travel."
"How much?" Darcy asked the man being referred to as Cooper.
On receiving the same answer that had so thoroughly disconcerted the poor coachman only a few moments ago, Darcy offered a coin to the man and said, "I am hoping that you will deliver the carriage when you promised."
Mr Cooper pocketed the coin and smiled beatifically. "Do not worry, Guv, Cooper always keeps his word." He added rather grandly, and with, "I will get on with it then," he took his leave.
Smith, who had been watching the exchange in stunned silence, got back his voice then and exclaimed, "But, I really cannot take the money from you, sir!"
Darcy raised his brow at him and said dryly, "I am sorry, if you got the impression that I had given that money to you. It is a loan, my good man. A loan that I have offered in expectation of the service I require from you, and one that I fully expect you to pay me back within six months."
Smith stared at Darcy for a long while, finding it difficult to express his feelings. Swallowing hard, he finally came up with a week jest, "Then I will be reading the contract very carefully, sir."
"That is always a sound practice." Darcy smiled at him and added, "I'll bid you a good day then, and do send a word when the carriage is ready."
He started to go inside the inn but stopped when Smith called out to him. "Sir?"
Darcy turned to face him and was surprised to observe the sudden change in the man's countenance. He was mangling the cap in his hand and appeared embarrassed and uncomfortable.
"Yes?"
"Ah… Mr Jones told me that you and… and your family are staying with a Mrs Webster." The man stopped speaking and visibly gulped. Then straightened himself to look directly into Darcy's eyes and continued, "But I know that Miss Bennet is… is not married. So, I… I want to know if she and the little one are well?" Although the man spoke softly so as not to be overheard, there was determination in his voice even if he could not make himself clearly articulate his uneasiness.
His strength of character impressed Darcy. It also pleased him to acknowledge that Smith was trying to protect Elizabeth and Millie - despite the extreme disparity of power existing between him and Darcy. Although the coachman was now dependent on him for the payment of repair work on his carriage, he had dared to question him. The man deserved to be taken into confidence, Darcy concluded. To both their surprise, he found himself spilling out his feelings to a stranger- a coachman at that!
"Had Miss Bennet accepted my hand when I asked her, you would have met her today as my betrothed, or more probably, you would not have met her at all. Unfortunately, I bungled things and was refused… " Darcy paused and looked at Smith, who was staring at him in wide-eyed amazement. He could not decide whether the coachman was shocked at the tale being told to him or at the fact that it was being told at all! Shaking his head at the absurd situation, he forced himself to continue, "… and while I still remain desirous of the connection, I have no intention of forcing her hand. But considering how fragile a lady's reputation is in our society, that is what would have happened had I introduced her here in Bassingtonstoke as herself. That is why when Jones assumed that Millie and Miss Bennet were my family, not only did I not contradict him but decided to go along with the suggestion. I can assure you that she and Millie both are well and… " Darcy gave him a sardonic smile, "… not being forced to do anything against their will."
Smith continued to stare at him for a long searching moment, then smiled. "Then all I can do is wish you luck, Mr Fitzwilliam."
The strange manner in which Smith addressed him suddenly made Darcy recollect that he had already introduced himself to the coachman when he reset his shoulder yesterday, and the man knew his true identity! However, it now appeared that Smith had decided to trust him and go along with their subterfuge. He nodded in relief and parted with the coachman with a heartfelt, "Thank you, Smith. I definitely need it.
While entering the inn, he noticed that John had arrived and even now was overseeing the transfer of the luggage to his cart. 'Good. They would be free to visit Doctor Talbot and the vicar as soon as he finished writing the letter for Higgins.' He thought as he went inside the inn.
~~~§~~~
It was nearly noon when Darcy reached the farmhouse after finishing all the chores he had assigned himself. It was much later than he had expected to be away. The delay occurred because of what he had found when he reached the vicarage, and not a moment too soon! He had gone there to discuss the funeral arrangements of Mrs Dawson with the vicar. But when he reached there, he was shocked to find the said gentleman in the process to begin officiating over a pauper's funeral for the poor lady, complete with a common grave! The 'able-bodied' men that Jones had sent for the rescue had somehow not been very able in communicating the situation, and the vicar had understood the lady to be alone and unclaimed! It had taken Darcy all this time to get things sorted out.
Now, as he entered the house, he decided to carry Millie's small trunk with him. The lonely funeral that he had attended with only the vicar, John and himself as attendees had left him with a strange sadness and his heart ached for the innocent child who had suffered a loss she was too young to comprehend. He brought in the trunk with the hope that Millie would be pleased to see her things!
In the parlour he found Mrs Webster busy with an account book and Millie was seated near her playing with some old wooden toys. While he had been gone, Martha appeared to have dressed the child back into her own clothes from yesterday. The old lady looked up as Darcy entered the room, "Ah, you are back, Mr Fitzwilliam - much later than I expected you. I hope you were successful in your endeavours?"
"Yes, ma'am, I got done all that I had wanted. Doctor Talbot had a few patients with him when I visited. He has promised to attend us here within an hour."
Mrs Webster nodded in satisfaction. "That is good. Elizabeth had woken up soon after you went out. After breakfast, she elected to sit near the window and enjoy the beauty of our humble gardens. Unfortunately, the aftereffects of yesterday's accident soon made themselves felt, and I believe she is resting now."
Before Darcy could react to this piece of information, Millie came toddling up to him and chirped happily after one look at her small trunk, "Dolly! Millie's dolly!"
Darcy smiled at the child's unadulterated pleasure, then addressed Mrs Webster, "Well, ma'am, pink dress or no, the poppet does seem happy to see her things. I will take her to the room and see if I can unite her with this… er… dolly."
Mrs Webster waved them off with a smile.
~~~§~~~
When he entered the room with an excited Millie tagging behind, he found that Elizabeth was indeed sleeping. Miming the child to keep quiet, he placed the trunk on a table and opened it. The meagre number of dresses, along with a few tattered toys that were inside, again pricked at his heart. He was trying to find the all-important dolly when he felt a tug at his right hand. The child was too excited to wait patiently and indicated that she be picked up! Darcy complied with a grin, and immediately dolly was identified as a doll made of cloth, wearing a faded red dress and hair that had been golden at some point in time. Once she had the doll in her hand, Millie's eyes fell on that much talked about pink dress. This led to a battle of wills between the child and the man.
"Millie's pink dress!" He was informed.
"Ah, yes, it is very pretty, just like Millie," Darcy replied with a smile.
"Millie want." With a sigh, he picked the dress and handed it to the child.
"Put on." Came the imperious demand next.
"But you are already wearing such a beautiful green dress." Darcy tried his hand at some flattery, unsuccessfully.
"Millie want pink dress!" There was no softening of expression.
"Very well, poppet. When Martha comes here, we will ask her to change your dress." He hedged.
"Na…ow!" Came the whispered but adamant response. Unfortunately, it was followed by a trembling in her lower lip, and the violet eyes started shimmering with unshed tears. The already unequal battle was thus lost very precipitately. Darcy tried telling himself that he did not want Millie to throw a tantrum and disturb Miss Bennet, but the truth was, that for some reason the child tugged at his heartstrings, and he found it difficult to say no to her.
With a deep sigh, he sat down in the easy chair and took the dress from her. "All right, my girl, let us get you into the pink dress." He said as he lowered the child to the floor.
When he unfolded the dress, a pink ribbon fell from it. With a joyful cry of, "Wibbon!" Millie bent to pick it up.
A few minutes later, the little girl was finally garbed in her favourite dress. She laughed and twirled around happily. Darcy also chuckled along with her and sat back with a relieved sigh. Alas, too soon!
"Wibbon." The child offered it to him. Darcy smilingly shook his head and said, "You keep it with you, child."
In response, he was offered an exasperated look and the ribbon once again. "Put wibbon in Millie's hair."
If nothing, Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley was a quick learner. Immediately realising the futility of starting an argument, he took the proffered ribbon and turned the child around. Martha had neatly dressed Millie's hair in a single braid and threaded it with a green ribbon. Trying the quick and efficient approach, he swiftly knotted the pink ribbon on top of the green one.
"Done." He smiled at Millie in relief. The child gave him a suspicious look, caught hold of her braid and inspected it. The look of extreme disappointment he was given after the inspection made him feel as insignificant as an insect on the ground.
"Only… pink… wibbon." He was told slowly and clearly and then presented with the child's back again.
'Exchanging one ribbon for another should not be such a difficult endeavour,' He mumbled as he gingerly loosened the offending green ribbon. Unfortunately, his fingers felt like thumbs around the unfamiliar task, and a few of the knots from the braid came loose before he could tie it again with the replacement. Swearing under his breath he desperately applied himself to recapturing the pattern.
That was the reason when Miss Elizabeth Bennet woke up for the second time that day, her eyes were subjected to such an unusual vision that she closed them once again on the assumption that the injury to her head was making her see illusions! After all, it really could not be that Mr Darcy, sitting in an easy chair at the foot of her bed, was expertly braiding Millie's hair with a pink ribbon dangling from the pocket of his coat! Taking a few deep breaths, she counted to ten. Then she carefully opened her eyes once again, but the vision had not disappeared. Although, there were some subtle changes in the image. The braiding was complete, and instead of dangling from his coat, the ribbon was now being threaded around the braid. As she continued to stare in bemusement, the task was soon accomplished.
"It is really done now, poppet." Mr Darcy said with a relieved smile. By way of response Millie inspected her braid and then smiled delightedly at the man. "Done." She repeated, then kissed Mr Darcy smack on his cheek, who smiled widely in return.
The enchanting exchange warmed Elizabeth's heart, and she too lay there smiling until a nagging thought entered her head. Mr Darcy appeared entirely too proficient in braiding a woman's hair. It was quite a strange 'talent' for a man to have! 'Where had he learnt it and why? With whom? Was he like any other dissolute man of the nobility?' Strangely till now, she had always thought him to be quite cold and fastidious. 'But what could one really know about someone from afar?' She mused. Somehow the thought that Mr Darcy was a man of loose morals disturbed her greatly. Why should she be worried about the morals of a man she had rejected so categorically only days ago was a question she shied away from. She must have made some movement because Millie turned to look at her suddenly.
"Beth!" She cried and came hurrying towards her. "Look! Pink dress." She said and twirled around.
"Yes, sweetheart. It is very beautiful." Elizabeth smiled at her. Satisfied, Millie skipped away to play with her dolly.
"How are you feeling, Miss Bennet? I hope we did not disturb your rest."
"Not at all, Mr Darcy. I have had sufficient rest and am feeling quite well presently." There was a moment's awkward silence which Elizabeth hurried to break. "You went out quite early this morning?"
"Yes, I wanted to send a message to my staff explaining my absence. I also wanted to request the doctor to come and examine you."
"Oh, but what is the need for a doctor? I already feel quite well and believe Mrs Webster's treatment to be quite sufficient. If a doctor visits here, she might feel upset that…"
"Please do not worry, Miss Bennet. It was Mrs Webster who said that head injuries can be unpredictable and that it will relieve her mind if a doctor confirms her diagnosis."
"Oh! In that case…" Elizabeth shrugged, giving up the argument.
"We also bought your things from the Red Lion. In case you want something from your trunk, you can now ask Martha. As you can see, Millie here has already donned her favourite dress." Darcy said and wondered if she also had a favourite gown. If he remembered correctly, she did favour a bright yellow gown both in Meryton and at Rosings. The gown did suit her very well, and her eyes appeared more luminous than ever when she put it on. His pleasant musings were interrupted by Elizabeth clearing her throat.
"I think you would make a very efficient abigail, Mr Darcy. I saw how expertly you braided Millie's hair." Unfortunately, the disturbing thought had continued to nag at Elizabeth.
"Ah, yes, the child absolutely refused to wait for Martha to come and change her dress. And once her dress was changed, nothing would do for her but to put a matching ribbon!" Darcy smiled as he turned to shut the lid on Millie's trunk.
"Who taught you to braid women's hair like that?" The question was out before Elizabeth could think better of it, and she closed her eyes in mortification. 'Oh, God, she really did not ask him that!' She thought, blushing profusely, but the ensuing silence told her that she had, indeed.
Something in her tone puzzled Darcy enough to turn and look at her sharply. He stared at her closed eyes and blushing countenance in surprise. 'What on earth was the matter with her?' He wondered in bemusement. Then he pondered on what she had asked him. 'Braiding women's hair! Wait! Did she really believe him to have learnt such a thing from his…" Darcy's mouth dropped open as he finally understood what she was suspecting. For a moment, he was deeply offended at her vile suspicions. She was suspecting him of immoral behaviour! He, who was known in his circle for holding himself to the strictest code of morality. He opened his mouth to tell her exactly what he thought of such presumption when he paused and reflected once again on her question. 'Was there just a tiny bit of jealousy that he heard in her tone?' Although he could not be sure, he suspected it strongly. 'Maybe there was hope for him yet!'He thought gleefully, his anger evaporating.
He stared down at the mysterious pattern on Millie's trunk and replied, "Braiding? Oh, I love braiding hair. There is something about the feel of silken hair running through my fingers that I cannot describe. Be it golden hair or red, I like them all, but dark chocolate ones are my favourite!" He sighed dramatically and continued, "And if a young lady looks at you just so and request specially for your assistance. What is a man to do?"
Darcy peeked at her and nearly laughed aloud at the comical dismay and outrage visible on her face.
'What is he saying! The immoral cad! He is talking so shamelessly about his affairs of the heart! Golden hair and red hair indeed!' Hurting with something that she could not identify as jealousy, Elizabeth stared at him in speechless outrage.
Darcy then turned to look at her directly, "Georgie did always insist that I help her braid the hair of her dolls. There was the red-haired Sarah and the golden-haired Peggy. And just like our Millie here, the ribbons were always to match the dresses! It seems there is something else that I have remembered after all these years!" He said with a completely straight face.
Elizabeth stared in amazement as her brain slowly processed what he had said. 'He used to braid the hair of his sister's dolls, and she suspected him of…. And like a fool, she had even let him know about her stupid suspicions!' The unholy gleein his eyes told her that he had caught on to her. "Oh, Lord! What must he think of her." She thought miserably.
"Mr Darcy. I…"She came to an abrupt halt. 'How does one apologise for something that has not been said, had not been acknowledged, but the other person knows that it was meant!" Elizabeth wondered wildly as she stared at him in consternation.
Darcy gazed at her embarrassed countenance, and despite his amusement, felt compelled to help her out of it. "Doctor Talbot would soon be here, Miss Bennet. I will go and send Martha to you if you need any help." When she nodded, he bowed and turned to go.
At the door, he called, "Miss Bennet?"
She raised her brow in enquiry, and he replied, "This morning, I also went to meet the vicar." He gave a quick glance at Millie, then added, "Our friend is resting finally. I will tell you more later." When she nodded her understanding, he went out with another bow.
"Mr Darcy?" Elizabeth called urgently. Suddenly it became imperative that she did not let him leave without apologising for her insulting faux-pas. He turned to look at her. "I am sorry." She said simply, hoping fervently that he would understand and… not ask her the reason.
He did because he said softly, "Please forget it, Miss Bennet." Then he gave a sudden mischievous grin and added, "If Richard ever comes to know that someone suspected me of being such a Don Juan, he will laugh his guts off." When she blanched at his statement he continued, "But I think I would let it remain a secret between us." He smiled at her broadly, forcing her to share in his amusement. Despite her embarrassment, she could appreciate the ridiculousness of the whole situation and smiled back at him.
As she watched his retreating back, she wondered at the feeling of relief that flowed through her on finding that her suspicions were so absurd.
~~~§~~~