Several days had passed without word from the Bannett family. Charles Bingley, ever the upstanding gentleman, wished to give Jane some time to consider her feelings towards him before sending a letter, inviting her to Netherfield Park for supper. If he was too hasty in his regard, than it is possible that his advance would scare Jane away. Darcy doubted anything would deter Mrs Bennett from securing a wondrous match for her eldest daughter, whether that daughter held feelings for the man or not, though he suspected the five young Bennett girls were used to getting what they wanted.
"Darcy, she is to be here any minute! How do I look?" Charles stood opposite his younger sister, who had been attempting to settle her brother enough to straighten the lining of his coat. "Is it too pretentious?"
"Perhaps something a little more casual, since this is a home served dinner of little importance," Darcy stated matter of fact.
Caroline stepped back to inspect her brother's attire, though nodded along with Darcy's words. "You do not wish to come on too strong and risk frightening the girl. Remember, these people are not like us. They are not used to such extravagant dinings or hosts."
"I believe I would be feeling less nervous if I had invited the entire Bennett family," Charles mused.
The prospect of seeing Miss Elizabeth once more was tempting, however, Darcy steeled himself against the thought, knowing that only one thing had drawn him to her. It would be careless of him to approach her again on the slight chance it would give her the wrong impression; that she would assume it was his attempt at showing infatuation.
A butler soon announced the arrival of Jane Bennett, on horseback no doubt, alone and in the freezing rain. Charles and Caroline whisked her away inside, drying her off in front of the fire before serving their guest dinner. Darcy watched on, not daring to interrupt his dear friend in his pursuit of happiness. Caroline, too, left them alone once Jane was comfortable, no longer shaking from the cold.
The similarities between the two sisters was minimal, and yet Darcy's eyes trailed up and down Jane Bennett from his position on the chaise. Her blond hair was darker by the flickering light of the fireplace, with shadows cast across her alabaster skin. Where Miss Elizabeth had been slightly tanned, her other sisters, having seen them at the ball days ago, were as white as freshly fallen snow. The rest of the girls carried their heads high, giving the appearance of an airy disposition, though Miss Elizabeth had been shorter, less caring about what those around her were thinking. Darcy had to make a conscious attempt to stop comparing the two sisters, knowing he was treading on dangerous grounds with his constant thoughts of Miss Elizabeth.
Dinner went over quite well considering how their evening began. Caroline and Jane got along surprising well, even with the young Miss Bingley's complantative attitude and noticeably rude remarks. Charles's conversations were centered around Jane's family, what she likes to do in her spare time, and the level of schooling her Governess had completed with them.
Jane took a second to respond to each question, politely setting her fork to the side before speaking. "Reading is one of my favourite things to do, though my sister and I have read every book in our house twice over. I also sing on occasion."
"You sing?" Charles asked, eyes wide in wonder. "You will have to perform for us sometime."
"Of course."
"The library here at Netherfield is extensive, and filled with dusty books which do not see many readers. I know Mr Darcy cannot read them all, though he tries," teased Caroline, smirking at the proud man from across the table. Jane was watching Miss Bingley with a kind gaze as she continued speaking. "You and your sister are welcome to it whenever you please."
It was easy to see the happiness in Miss Bennett's eyes upon hearing Caroline's words. "You mean it? Though I am not as quick of a reader as Elizabeth, nor can I recite as many poems, it would be amazing to see such a library."
Seeming smug with herself, Caroline went on to say, "Then it is settled."
Miss Bennett began sneezing closer to the end of their evening, when they had all retired to the drawing room for some tea. Charles was immediately beyond himself with worry, ordering the butlers to make up a room and to fetch a maid to assist Miss Bennett. It surprised even Charles when his sister offered a nightgown of her own to Jane, stating that her clothes were too soiled from the horse ride in the rain to be of any comfort whilst sleeping. Caroline Bingley was not usually one to allow others to use her clothing or touch her possessions, though neither gentleman voiced their concerns at the oddity of it.
Her sickness only grew by morning, and Charles made the decision to write to the Bennett family, notifying them of Jane's condition and assuring them that she is welcomed to stay at Netherfield for as long as her recovery would take. Darcy stayed out of sight for most of the days, not wishing to see his dear friend fawning over Miss Bennett. Caroline, for the most part, followed the same suit, though she did on occasion take food to Miss Bennett's room. She would remain in there for some time, talking about Lord only knows what, emerging once more when Charles wished to visit Jane. Other times Caroline was puttering around the house, keeping Darcy company, though he would never admit her presence was, at times, suffocating.
Early into the morning, three days after Jane Bennett had taken ill, a butler announced the arrival of a Miss Bennett, not stopping to wait for an answer before allowing the woman into the sitting room. Darcy stood and locked eyes with Miss Elizabeth, paying no mind to anything else in the room. Her hair was frizzy from the chilled morning air, falling in soft waves across her shoulders and down her back. There was no visible blush or rouse on her lips, meaning she did not seem to mind coming to Netherfield Park as anything more than what she is. Other ladies of marritable age would never allow themselves to be so natural.
"Did you walk here?" Caroline scoffed at Darcy's side.
Miss Elizabeth leveled her gaze unflinchingly with the callous woman. "I did."
Darcy felt the loss of her eyes, and spoke without thinking, wishing to have them return to meet his own. "Have you been well, Miss Elizabeth?"
"Yes. I am sorry to impose so early, though I worry for my sister, Jane." Her round eyes once more flickered to where Darcy stood. "May I visit with her?"
"Of course you may," he replied.
All three occupants of Netherfield waited close to an hour for Miss Elizabeth to reamerge from the room her sister had been giving for the duration of her stay. It was no surprise to anyone other than Miss Elizabeth when Caroline excused herself to be the next to check in on Jane, who cast a questioning gaze in Darcy's direction. Caroline was anything other than sociable or pleasent during their ball over two weeks ago now, so no doubt her unusual fixation on tending to the eldest Miss Bennett seemed strange to Miss Elizabeth as well.
Miss Elizabeth agreed to stay for tea, breaking the silence a few minutes later by saying, "My sister informed me of your offer to allow her - and myself - access to your library, Mr Bingley."
Charles set his tea aside. "Uh, yes, well it was my sister who initially made the offer, however, I do concur. Please use it to your disposal."
"You're a very sweet man, Mr Bingley," she said with a kind smile. "To take care of Jane when she is not your responsibility is extremely kind. How fortunate she is to have met such a caring soul."
"You flatter me, Miss Elizabeth," he said with a blush forming across his nose.
Darcy sat quiet through their exchange, noting how genuine her words were, with no hint of flirting or alterior motive hidden within. Her love for her sister was admirable. The bottom of her dress was still stained with mud, her shoes in much the same condition, but it didn't seem to bother her in the slightest. The walk from her house in Longbourn to the extensive Estate on which Netherfield Park rested was at least three miles - just over an hour. Many would not walk that distance of their own accord. Darcy remembered the first evening they had met, and her keenness when she spoke of walking home that night. Miss Elizabeth liked to be out of doors it would seem. Perhaps this was the cause behind her sun kissed skin.
"If it is no trouble," Miss Elizabeth began, "I would like to see the library before I depart."
"Absolutely! I am needed in the study for some personal matters, though I am positive Mr Darcy will be delighted to assist," Mr Bingley gushed.
Darcy raised an eyebrow at his closest friend, though said to Miss Elizabeth, "Certainly."
The two of them soon wondered the corridors of Netherfield Park alone. Darcy was relieved when Miss Elizabeth did not attempt to fill the silence with useless chit chat, however, it was not an uncomfortable quietness. There was something relaxing about walking beside her in utter silence. He glanced down at her face to see that she was deep in thought as they pushed through the double doors that led into the tremendous library.
Standing aside, he watched closely as she walked about the open floor, tilting her head back to view where the shelves connected with the high ceiling. A ladder with small wheels inserted onto a metal rail had been added to the library so books higher up could also be enjoyed. A lone chaise lounge sat beneath the only window in the room, perfectly positioned in the sunlight, ready for a reader to take their place solemnly. Darcy was the only one who ever came into this room, using the stories and narratives hidden within as an escape from reality.
Now it feels selfish to have enjoyed this space without sharing it's magnificent stories. Miss Elizabeth's joyous reaction to the library was contagious, so much so that Darcy found himself gently smiling as the girl sauntered about, picking out books at random. That is when he noticed something amiss.
"Your hand has healed," he pointed out abruptly, breaking the whimsical silence that had fallen upon the room.
She glanced down at her palm briefly. "Oh, yes. That reminds me!"
Placing her hoard of books on a nearby table, she strolled forward, reaching for something tucked away inside her skirt pocket. The white fabric of Darcy's handkerchief, made from the finest of silks, was stained slightly, appearing a shade of pink in the light. His initials could be seen stitched into one of the corners, though he did not remember ever seeing it there before.
Miss Elizabeth looked sheepish at his questioning gaze, holding the fabric out until he carefully took it from her. "I tried to wash all of the blood away. Your generosity that night remained with me, so I sought to thank you in whatever way I could."
That explains the beautiful hand stitching in the corner. Darcy folded the fabric and tucked it inside his coat pocket. "It is most appreciated. Is your hand causing you any trouble?"
"Not at all. Thanks to you, it healed perfectly. My grip is just as strong as it has ever been." Glancing over her shoulder, a playful smile curling her lips, she said, "Watch me prove it to you."
Bounding over to the ladder mounted to the shelves, Miss Elizabeth began hastily climbing, kicking her thick skirts out of the way on her mission to reach the top. Darcy saw the misstep the lady took in an attempt to not step on the fabrics of her dress. Her foot slipped off of the rail, and with no tight hold to keep her steady, the air soon filled with her small cry for help as she plummeted downwards.
Darcy stood beneath her a moment before she would have hit the ground. She landed in his arms with a gasp as the air was forcefully knocked out of her lungs. Miss Elizabeth fit against his chest perfectly, and she soon brought her head to rest on his shoulder, eyes closed and breathing steady. Realisation dawned on him instantly; the young lady had fallen unconscious. Whether it was from the fall or her body hitting his own, Darcy knew her mind had experienced too much fright.
With delicate, steady movements, he lowered her onto the chaise, propping a pillow under her neck for comfort. The sun shining against her skin made the blue veins along her neck and temple more pronounced. Darcy brushed the remaining tendrils of dark hair away from her shoulder, ogling the magnificent structure of her jaw, how soft the skin along her neck looked in the light. Suddenly, without warning, the memory of how Miss Elizabeth's sweet blood had smelt viciously assaulted his mind. Darcy choose to stay crouched beside where the girl lay, watching closely as her chest rose and fell with each breathe.
"Darcy, are you - ." Charles Bingley stopped short upon seeing the sight before him.
"Close the door," Darcy immediately instructed.
After doing so, Charles slowly walked over to where Miss Elizabeth laid. "What happened? Did you...?"
"No," he said softly, knowing all too well what his friend did not have the courage to ask. "You know I would never - could never - do such a thing."
"Is she alright, then? How did she end up in this state, Darcy?" Charles asked, knowing better than to question his friends honesty.
"She fell from the ladder. I barely caught her in time, though the scare proved too much for her." He crouched back down once more, gently moving her arm so it rested on her stomach. "I will watch her until she wakes, then escort her home."
If Charles had any reservations about allowing Darcy to stay with Miss Elizabeth, alone, he did not voice them. Instead, he opted for, "Then I shall give you some privacy."
"Thank you."
He was alone with Miss Elizabeth once more. The sun moved lower in the sky, the trees on the Estate growing long enough to reach the window in which the young lady slept beneath. Darcy watched as her brightened skin darkened once more, the luscious blue veins beneath becoming hidden under sun tanned flesh. Laying motionless, hair cascading around her soft face like deep, dark waters of the ocean, barely moving except for the occasional intake of air, it was was all to easy for Darcy to imagine what Miss Elizabeth would look like upon death.
A not so unthinkable notion given his unrelenting desire to be next to her.