"Do you think the crutches will serve?" asked Mr. Darcy with some hesitation.
"Yes, I believe so," Lord Barlow replied, looking at the makeshift crutches in his hands. "We must return to Meryton as soon as possible," he continued. "There are the ladies to consider, and I cannot manage this journey without assistance. I shall feel much better when I can have my leg tended to by an actual surgeon, and though the pain is excruciating, the crutches will aid us in getting there faster."
Mr. Darcy gave him a nod of understanding and a smile of reassurance before helping him to his feet. "Let's go then," he declared, as they began their slow and difficult journey back to Meryton.
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley walking beside Lord Barlow, offering him their support, as neither had complete trust in the crutches. The cobbled streets were uneven and slick, and the men had to be careful with each step they took. Lydia and Kitty trailed behind Sarah and Elizabeth, their guilty consciences weighing heavily on their shoulders. They did not know how their actions would have led to such an explosive situation. Neither of them could believe what had happened, and they had a hard time accepting that they were responsible for it. Both of them were deep in thought, silently blaming themselves and vowing to never let something like this happen again.
As he strode before his men, Colonel Fitzwilliam's gaze continuedly swept the area. He moved stealthily, at times vanishing into the shadows, only to reappear moments later. His presence exuded a sense of purpose and leadership, as his men followed him with unwavering trust. Every now and then, they heard his voice ringing out, commanding someone to stay back.
The group trudged on, passing by unfamiliar sights and sounds that filled Elizabeth and her sisters with trepidation; buildings that were half-burnt, carts and carts of goods that were carelessly strewn across the streets, and people who seemed to be living in poverty. They followed the serpentine trail that wound its way through the labyrinthine backstreets and hidden alleys, their senses alert as they deftly manoeuvred through the maze-like passages, weaving their way between buildings and shaded corners. With each turn, they were exposed to more and more of this strange new world, one that they had never seen before. Lydia and Kitty would often pause to take in the scenery, before being reminded to keep moving.
Once, Lord Barlow's crutches unexpectedly gave out, causing him to lose his balance and almost fall backward. The sudden fear that gripped the group was palpable, but Lydia raced to his side and caught him just in time. The incident left everyone on edge, and they realised just how much danger they were in. It was a relief when they finally reached the inn where they had left their horses and found a carriage to take them back to Meryton.
Colonel Fitzwilliam would remain behind with his men, citing his duty to continue to lead them.
The journey home was not without its difficulties; the roads were full of potholes and ruts, and the stretches of gravel made the ride increasingly bumpy. Lord Barlow's broken leg, coupled with the jarring motions of the carriage, made the ride excruciatingly painful for him, and he was often forced to bite his lip to keep from crying out in pain. By the time the carriage reached its destination, Lord Barlow was exhausted and relieved to be able to finally rest his aching bones. The group arrived back in Meryton exhausted, but relieved to be back in familiar territory.
As the carriage pulled up to Netherfield, Jane rushed out of the house with an uncharacteristic display of feeling. Elizabeth barely had time to step out before Jane enveloped her in a tight embrace, her usually restrained nature forgotten in the moment.
"I was so worried about you," Jane exclaimed, her eyes shining with emotion.
"We were quite well," said Elizabeth reassuringly.
"Mother and Father have been here," said Jane. But before she could say more, another person alighted from the carriage and she broke off her speech and ran to her younger sisters.
"You are well? Oh! How we have worried for you!" she exclaimed as she looked her youngest sisters over.
Lydia fell into Jane's arms, weeping with relief as all her worries and fears melted away, while Kitty clung tightly to Elizabeth.
"It was so dreadful, Jane," said Lydia. "I was so foolish."
"Hush, child," said Jane comfortingly. "Let us get you inside."
Jane had been relieved to see that everyone else had already alighted safely from the carriage, and her heart quickened as she caught the eye of her betrothed, Mr. Bingley. He gave her a soft smile, his brown eyes twinkling, and then made a slight gesture, as if he was telling her to look after her young sisters first. His own elder sister, Mrs. Hurst, was standing near him, her gaze fixed on him as she inspected him for any signs of injury, sure that he must have come to some harm during the journey. Jane could see the concern etched on Mrs. Hurst's face, and for a moment she felt a deep pang of sympathy for the woman, for she knew that Mrs. Hurst truly cared for her brother's well-being.
As the group made their way back into the warmth of Netherfield, Lord Barlow's broken leg was attended to by the doctor, who declared that he would need to rest for several weeks in order to heal properly. The rest of the party gathered in the drawing-room, where Caroline Bingley continued to fuss over everyone, insisting that they all take tea and rest. Elizabeth recounted the events of the past few days, detailing the riots in Halling and Lord Barlow's bravery in defending Lydia and Kitty. She was quite impressed with the level of courage he had displayed, and remarked that if it were not for his bravery, the two girls may not have made it back safely.
"I wonder that you do not scold them, Miss Eliza," said Miss Bingley. "They acted quite foolishly, endangering their lives, reputations, and those of others."
"There is no need to scold them, Miss Bingley," said Elizabeth. "They have learned their lesson and are quite contrite. Lord Barlow's broken leg is a testament to the danger they put themselves in."
Caroline Bingley continued to express her mock concern, but Elizabeth could see through her façade. She knew that Caroline was more concerned with her own reputation than the safety of others. In her attempt to seem concerned, she made sure to make a show of it in front of the right people, but the insincerity of her words was transparent.
Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, was genuinely concerned for the safety of his friend and his family. He didn't broadcast his feelings as Caroline had done, but he made sure to check on those he cared for. Elizabeth admired him for his loyalty and kindness, and appreciated his quiet, but meaningful actions. She could see the true compassion he had for his friends and family, and it made her heart swell with affection for him.
A note had earlier been dispatched to Longbourn, relating that they all were safe and well and a servant arrived, interrupting their calm with the reply from Mrs. Bennet. She was adamant that the doctor should inspect them all, and that they should remain the night at Netherfield, for it was far too late to be travelling in these uncertain times. After such a long and arduous day, it was the least they deserved. Elizabeth was certain that her mother was not purely concerned with their health, but wished them to remain longer in the company of the gentlemen. Despite her mother's true motives, Elizabeth was grateful for the reprieve from their journey back to Longbourn.
The doctor agreed with Mrs. Bennet and proceeded to examine each member of the group individually. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, being the gentlemen they were, insisted on letting everyone else go first. Miss Bingley couldn't help but fawn over Mr. Darcy's selflessness, pestering him with constant questions and offers of assistance. Her constant fussing was starting to become a bit of a nuisance.
"Miss Bingley," said Mr. Darcy sharply, as he was entirely fed up with her antics. "I appreciate your concern, but I do not require your assistance. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself."
Caroline was taken aback by his sudden outburst, but she quickly composed herself. "I did not mean to offend you, Mr. Darcy. I am simply worried about everyone's well-being."
Mr. Darcy, however, was not done with her yet. "Furthermore," he continued, "I find it quite distasteful that you are more concerned with my well-being than that of your own brother, who is also in the room."
Caroline was embarrassed by Mr. Darcy's reprimand and could hardly bring herself to meet his or her brother's gaze. However, Mr. Bingley, who was always quick to forgive and forget, tried to lighten the mood. "Well, Caroline," he said with a smile, "I suppose you assumed my dear Jane would see to my needs. Already she is quite the wife." Mr. Bingley smiled at Jane, who was sitting beside him and working at embroidering a gift for her mother's upcoming birthday.
The doctor soon interrupted, entering the room with Lydia and Sarah. The doctor glanced at the two girls before speaking in a grave tone. He informed them that Lydia was in a state of shock from the events of the day. He told them that he would need to observe her closely for the next few hours to ensure her well-being.
Everyone in the room was silent. Elizabeth moved over to Lydia's side, taking her hand and squeezing it reassuringly. Jane looked over at her sister with a grateful smile. She knew that Elizabeth had been through a lot that day, yet she still managed to stay strong for the family. Elizabeth had faced the ordeal with courage, and Jane was immensely proud of her.
The doctor then examined Elizabeth and Kitty, both of whom were uninjured. Kitty was not so affected by the ordeal as Lydia, but often she did not feel so deeply as her sister. His attention then shifted to the gentlemen. He checked their faces and hands for any sign of injury, but upon closer inspection, he discovered a deep cut on Darcy's thigh that he had not even noticed. The doctor was concerned about the potential for further blood loss, and he recommended that he receive stitches immediately. He consented, and the doctor quickly set about stitching the wound. When he was finished, the doctor applied a bandage to the area and gave Darcy instructions on how to care for the wound in the coming days. As he sat there, watching the doctor move on to examine Mr. Bingley, he couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that they had all made it out of the ordeal relatively unscathed.
When he returned to the drawing-room, he noticed Elizabeth watching him intently. He could see the worry in her eyes, and he knew that she must have been concerned for his well-being. She smiled at him warmly, and he felt a sense of joy at the thought that she truly cared for him. As they all settled into the drawing-room, sipping tea and discussing the events of the day, he wondered if he read her aright. He knew he had nearly lost all the progress he had made when he had insulted her family, but he hoped that this incident would show her that he was not the same man she had once thought him to be. He will do whatever it took to prove to her that he was a changed man, one who was worthy of her love and respect. As he sat there, with Elizabeth by his side, he knew that he had a long road ahead of him, but he was willing to take it one step at a time. For now, he was content to just be near her and to bask in the warmth of her presence.