Chapter 6: Beloved sisters

Darcy had never taken Miss Bingley to task before. He had long waited for Bingley to correct his sister in her actions. But now he thought Bingley would never rise to the task. Seeing the room stunned by his censure of Miss Bingley, he rose and left the room.

Elizabeth was standing outside the dining room, dumbstruck, after what she had heard.

She was hesitant to enter the dining room. She wanted to leave upstairs. Just as she was contemplating, the door opened and she came face to face with a visibly irritated Darcy.

"Miss Elizabeth"

"Mr. Darcy."

Both of them stared at each other. Darcy realized that Elizabeth had heard the conversation between him and Miss Bingley. Before he could speak to her, they both heard Miss Bingley yelling inside the dining room about Elizabeth and Jane.

Darcy said, "Miss Elizabeth I assume you heard my conversation with Miss Bingley. I apologize for what you may have heard. I am planning to take lunch in my room. I think it would be best if you could avoid being in the company of Miss Bingley at present. If it is alright with you, I could ask for a tray to be sent to your room as well."

Elizabeth blinked.

There was some change in Darcy's demeanor. His eyes showed care and concern. She wanted to thank him for defending her and Jane, but she could not mouth the words.

She merely said, "Yes Mr. Darcy. I would be happy to have a tray sent to my room."

They could hear Mr. Bingley and Miss Bingley still arguing inside.

"Miss Elizabeth, may I walk you back to your room?", Darcy asked offering his arm.

Elizabeth accepted without a word and they walked upstairs. Darcy walked her to her room, bowed and left.

Elizabeth couldn't comprehend what had happened. I accused the man of not being a be gentleman just a few hours ago. He should not even want to be in the same room as me. But he argued with Miss Bingley on my behalf. How could he? His sister is to come to stay here. Wouldn't he want us to leave so that she need not get acquainted with the lower circles? Or did he truly want to be friends with me, liking me?

Elizabeth could not make anything of Darcy. She remembered Charlotte hinting to her that Mr. Darcy looked at her with a great deal of admiration. Elizabeth had brushed it aside saying he was just scrutinizing her. Darcy was a puzzle to her.

Now his sister is coming to stay. Wonder if she would be just as unsettling as him. She thought.

She wanted Jane to get well soon so that they could leave, without getting insulted by Miss Bingley again.

Jane's condition worsened in the night and Elizabeth was very concerned. She nursed her sister throughout the night hoping her fever would break. In the early hours her fever broke and Elizabeth was relieved. As the sun's rays entered the room, Elizabeth left to her room to catch a few hours of sleep. Her stomach grumbled. She wanted to go to the breakfast parlor and eat. But she felt embarrassed to go down so early and help herself. Suddenly she heard a voice calling her. She turned and faced Darcy, who had apparently returned from his ride.

"Miss Elizabeth is your sister feeling better?"

"Yes Mr. Darcy. Her fever broke sometime back and she is resting."

"Bingley said Dr. James would visit today. Miss Elizabeth I can offer to call for my London physician if you feel comfortable about it."

Elizabeth raised her eyebrows.

"I am not doubting the credibility of Dr. James. I am merely suggesting that if he requires more assistance, I could call my physician."

Elizabeth felt embarrassed when Darcy tried to explain himself in such a manner. She realized she had accustomed herself to think the worst of him and his actions, and never saw anything he said in good light.

"I thank you for your kind offer, Mr. Darcy. Hopefully Jane should progress now. But I will consider your offer if I feel it is required." She smiled.

Darcy noticed her smile. This was a different one from her teasing smiles, it was genuine and kind. He noticed her tired eyes.

He knew she must be starved. She had pushed the food around her plate hardly eating anything the previous night.

"Miss Elizabeth you must be hungry, I can ask my valet to send a word to the kitchen if you would like to eat something."

"Mr. Darcy how do you know that I am hungry?"

"You hardly ate any dinner madam. You must be." He smiled knowingly.

Elizabeth gasped. She had never noticed his handsome smile before.

"Yes Sir. I believe so. Jane has hardly spoken more than a few words to me in the past two days. She has not eaten anything. I have never seen her sick as such. It worries me to a great extent. My appetite is sometimes tied to my feelings." She smiled again.

Darcy walked a few steps closer to her.

"Miss Elizabeth, I understand you love your sister very much. I would be in the same state as you if my beloved sister fell sick. I can understand your concerns. But do you wish to drain yourself of energy when she needs you the most? If she wakes up to find you exhausted, wouldn't she be distressed? I recommend you to eat and get some sleep madam. The maid would be able to take care of her in the meantime."

Elizabeth was touched by Darcy's words of comfort. She looked at the warmth in his eyes and her heart fluttered. She blushed and looked down.

"Yes Mr. Darcy, I will eat and try to get some sleep. Thank you."

"I will see to it that you get some refreshments immediately." He bowed and left her.

Elizabeth returned to her room and as Darcy had promised, she received a hot breakfast tray, which she ate hungrily. Her thoughts were circling around him.

Why is he so charming and kind suddenly? Is it a part of an act to impress me and then mock me later? No, no I cannot accuse him of such cruelty. There was warmth and admiration in his eyes. Perhaps he never looked at me to criticize, what if it had been admiration?

Her mind worked relentlessly spinning questions she didn't know the answer for. Before long, she was asleep.

Miss Bingley woke up that day with determination. She was still angry with Darcy for insulting her so. But she thought he must have been in one of his moods. She often saw him moody or dull faced. That mood won't upset me once I become the mistress of Pemberley. She thought.

Miss Bingley saw that Darcy was attracted to Elizabeth. But she was not concerned. He could never offer for her, with her low status and lack of dowry. All I need to do is get that poor Georgiana to warm up to me, he will immediately see me as the sister she needs and offer for me. She smiled.

Georgiana and Richard started for Netherfield early that day. Georgiana smiled to herself as she saw the beautiful country of Hertfordshire rolling by.

She was happy to be with her brother and was eager to meet Miss Elizabeth.

She knew her brother was impressed with Elizabeth. He had written to Georgiana about her performance at the pianoforte. He had also mentioned how she had walked three miles to see her sick sister. Georgiana was impressed as well. She longed to have a sister like Elizabeth. When the carriage stopped at Netherfield she was excited beyond measure.

Georgiana hugged Darcy as soon as she saw her. Darcy was happy to see her smiling face. Georgiana searched for Elizabeth. Miss Bingley was hovering over Georgiana.

"Miss Darcy, I longed to see you. How delightful you look. Now that you have come, I will be in better spirits in this boring country. Please come and break your fast with us." Miss Bingley almost dragged Georgiana into the breakfast parlor. Richard winked at Darcy.

"The weather is pleasant here Darcy, I can't say the same about the feathers." Darcy smirked. Richard always called Miss Bingley as "feathers." It never favored her appearance. Darcy wondered why she wore them at all.

Breakfast was a subdued affair. Darcy knew Elizabeth would not join them. He longed for Georgiana to meet her. Miss Bingley wanted to engage Georgiana immediately and asked her to join her in playing the pianoforte. Let me praise her till she turns all pink. She thought.

Darcy immediately intervened seeing Georgiana was dreading to be in the company of Miss Bingley.

"Miss Bingley, Georgiana would play later in the day. As of now we would be going for a walk. Thank you."

"Oh! What a delightful proposition. I will join you and show you the gardens."

Darcy was irritated, he wanted to be alone with Georgiana. Mr. Bingley sensed his unease.

"Caroline, I think Darcy would have many things to discuss with his sister. You need not accompany them. Please talk to the housekeeper and check if the rooms have been prepared for Miss Darcy and the colonel."

Before Miss Bingley could protest, Darcy walked outside with Georgiana.

Once they were outside, Darcy wanted to enquire about Georgiana's wellbeing.

"Georgi, I am glad you are here. How have you been?"

"William am happy to be here too. It is such a beautiful change from town. I have been well William."

Darcy looked at Georgiana's face and pondered. He had forgiven her long ago and had told her so many times. But she continued to suffer from guilt, he wondered why? Elizabeth had told him his words were inclined to be misunderstood. She had not seen anything positive about him. He wondered if Georgiana felt the same about his demeanor. She might have easily misunderstood his anger towards Wickham as anger against her.

Darcy resolved never to keep people doubting his good actions or intentions anymore.

"Georgiana we must speak about Ramsgate. And this is the last time I will speak about this, unless you wish it. You must understand that I love you very much. Your actions were disappointing to me, but I am not angry at you. You were innocent and he manipulated you. I also want to apologize, if I have been distant from you. It is not that I am angry at you, I am angry at myself for not protecting you from such evilness."

Georgiana was shocked.

"William how can you apologize to me when all the fault lies on me? I don't deserve such a loving brother. I have caused you so much pain. So, you are not angry at me? I thought you were so distant from me because you could not look past what I did?"

"Georgiana believe me, I am not angry at you at all. I will not be distant from you anymore, I promise."

Georgiana smiled at him with genuine warmth. Darcy realized that not only Elizabeth, but his sister who knew him since her birth misunderstood his intentions and actions. He hoped he could make up to all those he had hurt.

"Brother how is Miss Bennet? Has her health improved? Has Miss Elizabeth left Netherfield already?"

Darcy smiled. He understood how eager Georgiana was to meet Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth is still here. Her sister is still unwell and may stay here for some more days."

"Why didn't she join us for breakfast brother?"

"She must be resting. I believe she had a restless night tending to her sister."

"Oh! I long to meet her brother, I don't want to be in the company of Miss Bingley all the time."

"I understand sweetling, don't worry."

They walked indoors.

Georgiana wondered when she would be able to meet Elizabeth. As they entered the drawing room, Georgiana saw a beautiful woman conversing with her cousin. Elizabeth was laughing at something the colonel had said.

Darcy never knew he had a particular feeling inside him all his life, called "jealously". Yes, never.