The suggestion to stop earlier than planned proved a prudent one. Mr Spiggs the coachman had done his very best to provide a smooth journey but Darcy's body had reached its limit. His leg was sore from the constant rocking of the carriage. Shifting in his seat, he attempted to loosen his back, stiff from holding his body still for so long. A throbbing sensation was flowing most uncomfortably in his injured hand and up through his arm. He had reached the point where nothing but fresh air and bed rest would give him relief.
Mercifully, the carriage slowed outside a small, respectable-looking inn. Darcy did not recognise it but Elizabeth did.
"Why, it is Mr and Mrs Opposite's inn!" She gave a sleepy laugh as she peered out the carriage. Some of her natural colour had return to her cheeks and she looked a deal better for her rest.
"That cannot be their true name!" Darcy raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"No my love, that is only our little name for them." She chuckled. "You will see why in an instant."
Mr Spiggs went inside and the proprietors came out to see the carriage. Darcy immediately understood Elizabeth's joke. The couple before him were the utter opposite of one another. Where the woman was excessively tall, the man was incredibly short. Where he was plump, she was slim. And where he was silent, she filled any and every gap in the conversation with endless silly prattle. Darcy grit his teeth. He had never been one to converse with the ridiculous but Elizabeth seemed to thrive upon it. "Bear up my love. Keep in mind she does a lovely breakfast if you feel your patience flag."
Darcy flashed her a gleaming smile. "As long as the beds here are well turned out, I shall be happy." She smiled back. It appeared that they had reached an unspoken truce after all that had happened in the carriage.
"Mr and Mrs Darcy! Well I never! It has been such a long time since we had the honour. Why I was speaking to Lady Heffron the other day- she is a very dear guest and regularly graces us with her presence and she informed me that poor Mr Darcy had a most unfortunate accident. These young men do insist on riding out in all weather I said to her and it was most gratifying her hear her ladyship to be in agreement." She paused, suddenly mindful that she might just have insulted possibly the richest men ever to stay at - and indeed return to - her fine establishment.
"Goodness Mr Darcy, I did not mean to imply you were careless in any way rather that it takes a man of great sporting vigour and fortitude to ride out whenever he so chooses, indeed many young men of our acquaintances enjoy a good ride thereabouts, do they not Mr Mulroney?" She did not wait for her husband to answer as she continued her breathless chitchatting. Sensing that food and a soft bed were fast slipping out of reach, Darcy impatiently put up his hand to interject, "Yes Madam, you are quite correct." Mrs Mulroney did not seem to take offence - or notice - of his curt tone. Elizabeth, however, sensed that Darcy had expended all reserve of civility in the journey and could not be trusted to socialise entirety unsupervised.
"Perhaps Mrs Mulroney, you have a manservant, or similar, that could help assist my husband from the carriage? I believe he is in dreadful need of some rest and I have reminded him of your delicious breakfasts." At this, Mrs Mulroney verily burst with pride and bobbed her head up and down in delight at Elizabeth's compliment. "Of course, of course. It would be a pleasure - nay an honour - to assist you in any way that we are able to." She flapped and clucked as her monosyllabic husband helped Darcy from the carriage.
"We shall put you our very best apartments you can be sure of it sir. Such lovely views along the estuary! It will please me greatly for you to grace them again." Elizabeth smiled at the woman. "I thank you but there is no need to prepare them. We are unable to accept your generous offer." When Mrs Mulroney started to protest, Elizabeth simply shook her head. "I am afraid a room on the ground floor would be preferable. Mr Darcy is to rest his leg and therefore we must stay on a lower level to avoid the stairs. It is the doctor's request rather than our own."
"Oh but Mrs Darcy! A woman of an elevated standing such as yourself must surely be accustomed to only the very best. You surely must desire to stay in our superior rooms."
"No indeed." Elizabeth's eye caught Darcy's and twinkled mischievously. "I wish for quite the opposite." You little minx! Darcy stifled a laugh. He could do nothing but acquiesce with Elizabeth's request.
And so it was thanks to Elizabeth's powers of persuasion that Darcy found himself enjoying a first- rate dinner in second-rate room. How many times have I passed this inn on my way to and from Pemberley and not taken a second look? He certainly never would have thought to stop anywhere but the best available. You would have thought it beneath you to stay here, let alone return, Darcy mused to himself. Yet it is surprisingly pleasant, he thought, looking about at the dark-panelled room with its heavy oak furniture and light, cosy furnishings and eiderdown. It was small but the bed was large and seemed comfortable enough. It appeared as though he and Elizabeth would be sharing it tonight. A wave of nervous energy flowed through him. He had no recollection of what it would be like to spend the night alone in bed with a woman. He had been raised to treat the opposite sex with the utmost respect. For many years, Darcy studiously kept the majority of his female acquaintances at arm's length. Paying a woman for any length of time raised expectations from them and Darcy had never found any woman worth his interest. Elizabeth must have caught your notice. You have a child together and you only need to talk to her to know she is warm-blooded. He blushed. What was he thinking? She good as admitted that she knew the cause of his injuries but would not tell him more. Richard had not thought it wise to speak to him either - what did that mean? He sighed. It was immensely difficult, incapacitated as has was with so many thoughts crashing around in his head.