Chapter three
i"Grow to my lip, thou sacred kiss, On which my soul's beloved swore That there should come a time of bliss, When she would mock my hopes no more; And fancy shall thy glow renew, In sighs at morn, and dreams at night, And none shall steal thy holy dew Till thou 'rt absolv'd by rapture's rite. Sweet hours that are to make me blest Oh! fly, like breezes, to the goal, And let my love, my more than soul, Come panting to this fever'd breast; And while in every glance I drink The rich o'erflowings of her mind, Oh! let her all impassion'd sink, In sweet abandonment resign'd, Blushing for all our struggles past, And murmuring 'I am thine at last!/i (Thomas More) "Bess, please send Aurelia for some water and a blanket. I'm not feeling well." Jane asked kindly. The girl with the unusual name was Bess' sixteen-year-old daughter, her only child. Despite her being born out of wedlock Jane had grown to love her like her own daughter. Bess, eternally grateful to Jane for not deserting her in her moment of disgrace, had vowed to look after Mrs. Bingley as long as she lived. Aurelia lived a simple life, Joanna Bingley being her only friend. Working as Joanna's maid was simple and comfortable because Joanna, being a tomboy and raised by two of the kindest souls in the land, didn't require her service a lot, she was decided to become as independent and strong as her beloved aunt Lizzy. "I'm coming, Mistress Jane!" she made her presence known. Mother and daughter carefully wrapped Jane in a blanket and carried her to a comfortable chair outside the flower-field. Just as Jane refreshed herself with a glass of water her husband returned home, Dr. Nelson was with him. "Thank you, my child. Charles, I'm so glad that you came. Did Dominic tell you?" Jane made an effort to get up to greet them but Bingley kept her in her chair with gentle force. "Tell me what?" Bingley was concerned. "That he caught a lot of fish!" Jane fibbed. "Dr. Nelson, excuse me for not greeting you until now. Welcome to Tysworth Hall." Kissing her hand affectionately the old doctor greeted his favourite patient warmly. "Mrs. Bingley, how are you doing today?" His concern was all too obvious. Jane shot a questioning glance at her husband, then she returned her attention to the doctor's question. Her shoulders slumped as she spoke. "To tell the truth, I'm feeling uncomfortable and sick at times." she revealed. "Then it'll be best to examine you just a little. Never fear, I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about!" "Very well then, Aurelia, would you help me to get inside?"
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"Alex! Alex! Look out there! I think it's..." Diana couldn't finish the sentence as she pushed her fiancé towards the upper part of the lake, which was nourished by a stream. The lifeless body of a little girl was floating in the water, her forehead was badly bruised. Seeing her fiancé transfixed to the ground as he kept staring at his sister Diana ripped of her shoes and petticoats and jumped into the cold water. Within instants she had grabbed Abby by the shoulders and carried her outside. The biting wind and the cold air made her shiver. "Alex! She's still breathing! But her hands..." Her voice broke off. Alex dashed towards her, his shock being finally over. "What about her hands?" His voice was shrill with fear. "They're frostbitten!" Darcy was just about to go back upstairs to comfort his wife as he heard his son calling his name in terror. As he glanced towards the door leading outside his eyes widened at what he saw. The doors flew open and a soaking Diana rushed in, How can she still be so beautiful, even when her appearance is ruffled like this?" was his first thought. Alex followed at her heels carrying the lifeless body of his daughter. Within a second Darcy bolted down the stairs he had just ascended and took Abby in his arms. "What happened? Why is she unconscious? Alex, I demand an explanation!" the worried father ordered sternly. Diana answered without being asked. "Mr. Darcy, we were playing hide and seek with her and when we couldn't find her for so long we grew worried and started to look everywhere. We finally found her in the lake, I pulled her out of the water." She beamed at him, brushing her moist locks out of her face. Darcy's dark eyes burned themselves into his son's bright ones even though he was responding to Diana. "Miss Diana, I don't know how much I can thank you for saving our Abigail. I'll carry her upstairs and have Mrs. Reynolds take care of the bruises. How did she get them anyway?" "We don't know." Diana touched his arm quietly. "I pray that she'll get well!" He placed his hand on hers on his arm and squeezed it. "You're freezing. It's urgent that you go and change. I'll take care of Abby." Darcy said turning back towards the stairs. "Mr. Darcy!" Diana called him back. "Yes?" "Her fingers... I'm sorry, but they're frostbitten!" Darcy's eyes once more flew to his son, the anger raging in them was now boundless. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________
Elizabeth woke up from her unusual nap and, for a moment, didn't remember why she was resting. But as the memories came back she felt her heart aching forcefully. Getting up from the bed she shared with her husband and, sometimes, with Abby, she put on a robe and decided to go downstairs to ask for the broth Mrs. Reynolds had prepared. Just as she was about to open the door her husband rushed in with Abby in his arms. His eyes said everything she needed to know.
"William!" Her eyes widened. Running after him she followed him to their bed where he had laid down Abby and started to undress her. It was like a punch in the stomach to the young mother to see her little girl like this. Two bad bruises were on her forehead, her entire body was shivering and she was soaking wet. Once again she repeated her husband's name.
"William! What happened?" Elizabeth rushed to a drawer to fetch a warm nightgown and a thick blanket.
"She fell into the lake while playing hide and seek. Diana pulled her out. Dear Lord, Elizabeth, look at her fingers!"
"Frostbite!" Elizabeth's heart hammered in her chest. "She must have been floating in the lake for hours!"
"Wrap her in this blanket and lay her in front of the fire. I'll go and send for the doctor. Lizzy, there are other ways to treat frostbite than..." He was choking on the words.
"You must not even ithink/i that! Abby will be fine!"
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"Good God, Diana, what am I to do? I am to blame for this!" Alex was distraught.
"You're inot/i to blame! Not more than I anyway!" Diana's words were kind but her voice adamant. "You don't know father as I do. I've never seen him look at me with so much hatred in his eyes!" Alex's shoulders slumped as he spoke. "It was the fear speaking, at he's mad at himself that he couldn't protect the girl. Avoid him for a while, give him time to think. I promise you that all will be well." She clasped his hands in hers and kissed him. "Are you sure?" He asked like the child he still was in his heart. "Yes, I am. Now go upstairs and rest. I'll be up later." Her eyes followed him as he ascended the stairs. When he was out of sight she sighed heavily and followed him to change her dress. *** When she came downstairs about twenty minutes later she almost bumped into Mrs. Reynolds. "I'm sorry, Miss. I just came from the Master..." "Where is he, Mrs. Reynolds?" Diana glowed at her. "He's in the library. I couldn't even get him to drink some tea. Oh, it's dreadful!" Mrs. Reynolds gazed down at the tray in her hands. "Give me that tray, I'll get it to him." Diana offered. "But he already refused..." "Trust me!" Diana smiled. "I'll get him to drink the tea." After a moment of hesitation Mrs. Reynolds handed the tray over to Diana. After the old woman was out of sight Diana put aside the tray and picked up the second letter Elizabeth had dropped previously. Reading it she found nothing interesting in it and hid it in her dress. Finally she took a deep breath, grabbed the tray and knocked at the door of the library. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________ Finally Dr. Nelson had finished his examination but the look he gave the concerned couple wasn't too encouraging. "Mrs. Bingley, it's certain beyond the shade of a doubt that you're with child. And that you're healthy. The baby is about two months along. You'll need complete rest, no lifting, no running and no excitement. There is your age and the former miscarriage to consider. Will you promise me to be most careful and to get help as soon as possible?" The Bingleys nodded in agreement, beaming at each other. "I'll leave you now but I'll be back in a week to check on you. No, thanks, I'll see myself out." "Oh Charles, isn't this just delightful?" Bingley had not seen his wife as happy ever since she had given birth to Joanna. And while the happy parents couldn't believe God's kindness to bless them with another baby the letter Charles had brought for Jane remained unopened and uncared for. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________ "Enter!" His voice sounded bitter to her ears. Putting down the tray quietly she approached his chair from behind. It was clear that he was thinking that she was Mrs. Reynolds trying to serve him her tea again. His entire body was tense and he looked even more severe. Silently she placed one of her hands on his shoulder and awaited his reaction. Darcy had been sent out by the doctor to await the result of the examination of his daughter and the library was just the right refuge for him. Suddenly he smelled a sweet scent and felt a soothing, yet stirring presence in the room. He barely tensed when he felt her hand. "When will you finally forgive yourself?" Diana's voice was husky and strong at the same time.
i"Grow to my lip, thou sacred kiss, On which my soul's beloved swore That there should come a time of bliss, When she would mock my hopes no more; And fancy shall thy glow renew, In sighs at morn, and dreams at night, And none shall steal thy holy dew Till thou 'rt absolv'd by rapture's rite. Sweet hours that are to make me blest Oh! fly, like breezes, to the goal, And let my love, my more than soul, Come panting to this fever'd breast; And while in every glance I drink The rich o'erflowings of her mind, Oh! let her all impassion'd sink, In sweet abandonment resign'd, Blushing for all our struggles past, And murmuring 'I am thine at last!/i (Thomas More) "Bess, please send Aurelia for some water and a blanket. I'm not feeling well." Jane asked kindly. The girl with the unusual name was Bess' sixteen-year-old daughter, her only child. Despite her being born out of wedlock Jane had grown to love her like her own daughter. Bess, eternally grateful to Jane for not deserting her in her moment of disgrace, had vowed to look after Mrs. Bingley as long as she lived. Aurelia lived a simple life, Joanna Bingley being her only friend. Working as Joanna's maid was simple and comfortable because Joanna, being a tomboy and raised by two of the kindest souls in the land, didn't require her service a lot, she was decided to become as independent and strong as her beloved aunt Lizzy. "I'm coming, Mistress Jane!" she made her presence known. Mother and daughter carefully wrapped Jane in a blanket and carried her to a comfortable chair outside the flower-field. Just as Jane refreshed herself with a glass of water her husband returned home, Dr. Nelson was with him. "Thank you, my child. Charles, I'm so glad that you came. Did Dominic tell you?" Jane made an effort to get up to greet them but Bingley kept her in her chair with gentle force. "Tell me what?" Bingley was concerned. "That he caught a lot of fish!" Jane fibbed. "Dr. Nelson, excuse me for not greeting you until now. Welcome to Tysworth Hall." Kissing her hand affectionately the old doctor greeted his favourite patient warmly. "Mrs. Bingley, how are you doing today?" His concern was all too obvious. Jane shot a questioning glance at her husband, then she returned her attention to the doctor's question. Her shoulders slumped as she spoke. "To tell the truth, I'm feeling uncomfortable and sick at times." she revealed. "Then it'll be best to examine you just a little. Never fear, I'm sure that it's nothing to worry about!" "Very well then, Aurelia, would you help me to get inside?"
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"Alex! Alex! Look out there! I think it's..." Diana couldn't finish the sentence as she pushed her fiancé towards the upper part of the lake, which was nourished by a stream. The lifeless body of a little girl was floating in the water, her forehead was badly bruised. Seeing her fiancé transfixed to the ground as he kept staring at his sister Diana ripped of her shoes and petticoats and jumped into the cold water. Within instants she had grabbed Abby by the shoulders and carried her outside. The biting wind and the cold air made her shiver. "Alex! She's still breathing! But her hands..." Her voice broke off. Alex dashed towards her, his shock being finally over. "What about her hands?" His voice was shrill with fear. "They're frostbitten!" Darcy was just about to go back upstairs to comfort his wife as he heard his son calling his name in terror. As he glanced towards the door leading outside his eyes widened at what he saw. The doors flew open and a soaking Diana rushed in, How can she still be so beautiful, even when her appearance is ruffled like this?" was his first thought. Alex followed at her heels carrying the lifeless body of his daughter. Within a second Darcy bolted down the stairs he had just ascended and took Abby in his arms. "What happened? Why is she unconscious? Alex, I demand an explanation!" the worried father ordered sternly. Diana answered without being asked. "Mr. Darcy, we were playing hide and seek with her and when we couldn't find her for so long we grew worried and started to look everywhere. We finally found her in the lake, I pulled her out of the water." She beamed at him, brushing her moist locks out of her face. Darcy's dark eyes burned themselves into his son's bright ones even though he was responding to Diana. "Miss Diana, I don't know how much I can thank you for saving our Abigail. I'll carry her upstairs and have Mrs. Reynolds take care of the bruises. How did she get them anyway?" "We don't know." Diana touched his arm quietly. "I pray that she'll get well!" He placed his hand on hers on his arm and squeezed it. "You're freezing. It's urgent that you go and change. I'll take care of Abby." Darcy said turning back towards the stairs. "Mr. Darcy!" Diana called him back. "Yes?" "Her fingers... I'm sorry, but they're frostbitten!" Darcy's eyes once more flew to his son, the anger raging in them was now boundless. ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________
Elizabeth woke up from her unusual nap and, for a moment, didn't remember why she was resting. But as the memories came back she felt her heart aching forcefully. Getting up from the bed she shared with her husband and, sometimes, with Abby, she put on a robe and decided to go downstairs to ask for the broth Mrs. Reynolds had prepared. Just as she was about to open the door her husband rushed in with Abby in his arms. His eyes said everything she needed to know.
"William!" Her eyes widened. Running after him she followed him to their bed where he had laid down Abby and started to undress her. It was like a punch in the stomach to the young mother to see her little girl like this. Two bad bruises were on her forehead, her entire body was shivering and she was soaking wet. Once again she repeated her husband's name.
"William! What happened?" Elizabeth rushed to a drawer to fetch a warm nightgown and a thick blanket.
"She fell into the lake while playing hide and seek. Diana pulled her out. Dear Lord, Elizabeth, look at her fingers!"
"Frostbite!" Elizabeth's heart hammered in her chest. "She must have been floating in the lake for hours!"
"Wrap her in this blanket and lay her in front of the fire. I'll go and send for the doctor. Lizzy, there are other ways to treat frostbite than..." He was choking on the words.
"You must not even ithink/i that! Abby will be fine!"
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"Good God, Diana, what am I to do? I am to blame for this!" Alex was distraught.
"You're inot/i to blame! Not more than I anyway!" Diana's words were kind but her voice adamant. "You don't know father as I do. I've never seen him look at me with so much hatred in his eyes!" Alex's shoulders slumped as he spoke. "It was the fear speaking, at he's mad at himself that he couldn't protect the girl. Avoid him for a while, give him time to think. I promise you that all will be well." She clasped his hands in hers and kissed him. "Are you sure?" He asked like the child he still was in his heart. "Yes, I am. Now go upstairs and rest. I'll be up later." Her eyes followed him as he ascended the stairs. When he was out of sight she sighed heavily and followed him to change her dress. *** When she came downstairs about twenty minutes later she almost bumped into Mrs. Reynolds. "I'm sorry, Miss. I just came from the Master..." "Where is he, Mrs. Reynolds?" Diana glowed at her. "He's in the library. I couldn't even get him to drink some tea. Oh, it's dreadful!" Mrs. Reynolds gazed down at the tray in her hands. "Give me that tray, I'll get it to him." Diana offered. "But he already refused..." "Trust me!" Diana smiled. "I'll get him to drink the tea." After a moment of hesitation Mrs. Reynolds handed the tray over to Diana. After the old woman was out of sight Diana put aside the tray and picked up the second letter Elizabeth had dropped previously. Reading it she found nothing interesting in it and hid it in her dress. Finally she took a deep breath, grabbed the tray and knocked at the door of the library. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________ Finally Dr. Nelson had finished his examination but the look he gave the concerned couple wasn't too encouraging. "Mrs. Bingley, it's certain beyond the shade of a doubt that you're with child. And that you're healthy. The baby is about two months along. You'll need complete rest, no lifting, no running and no excitement. There is your age and the former miscarriage to consider. Will you promise me to be most careful and to get help as soon as possible?" The Bingleys nodded in agreement, beaming at each other. "I'll leave you now but I'll be back in a week to check on you. No, thanks, I'll see myself out." "Oh Charles, isn't this just delightful?" Bingley had not seen his wife as happy ever since she had given birth to Joanna. And while the happy parents couldn't believe God's kindness to bless them with another baby the letter Charles had brought for Jane remained unopened and uncared for. ____________________________________________________________________________ ______________ "Enter!" His voice sounded bitter to her ears. Putting down the tray quietly she approached his chair from behind. It was clear that he was thinking that she was Mrs. Reynolds trying to serve him her tea again. His entire body was tense and he looked even more severe. Silently she placed one of her hands on his shoulder and awaited his reaction. Darcy had been sent out by the doctor to await the result of the examination of his daughter and the library was just the right refuge for him. Suddenly he smelled a sweet scent and felt a soothing, yet stirring presence in the room. He barely tensed when he felt her hand. "When will you finally forgive yourself?" Diana's voice was husky and strong at the same time.