The rest of the evening brought her little amusement. She was teazed by Mr. Collins, who continued most perseveringly by her side, and though he could not prevail with her to dance with him again, put it out of her power to dance with others. In vain did she entreat him to stand up with somebody else, and offer to introduce him to any young lady in the room. He assured her that as to dancing, he was perfectly indifferent to it; that his chief object was by delicate attentions to recommend himself to her, and that he should therefore make a point of remaining close to her the whole evening. There was no arguing upon such a project. She owed her greatest relief to her friend Miss Lucas, who often joined them, and good naturedly engaged Mr. Collins's conversation to herself.
She was at least free from the offence of Mr. Darcy's farther notice; though often standing within a very short distance of her, quite disengaged, he never came near enough to speak. She felt it to be the probable consequence of her allusions to Mr. Wickham, and rejoiced in it.
The Longbourn party were the last of all the company to depart; and by a manœuvre of Mrs. Bennet had to wait for their carriages a quarter of an hour after every body else was gone, which gave them time to see how heartily they were wished away by some of the family.
Jane Austen. PrideandPrejudice_ .AnnotatedandRestoredto1813EgertonFirstEdition (Kindle Locations 1621-1630). Kindle Edition.
Chapter 1Mr. Darcy knew he should walk away. The evening was nearing an end. Half of the guests had already departed. The three gentlemen who had come from London had already retired for the evening so that they could leave with Bingley in the morning.
Mrs. Bennet laughed, once more telling some busybody about her superb matchmaking skills. He would roll his eyes, but he could also see how embarrassed Miss Elizabeth appeared, and she did not deserve his censure. To live with such a family would be absurd. As much as he admired Elizabeth Bennet and enjoyed watching her move about the room and talk or dance, he knew he would never marry her. He could not become part of the Bennet family, required to take them in when Mr. Bennet finally passed away.
The door shut on the last guests except for the Bennets. Their carriage had been called, but it was delayed. Everyone was standing at the entrance. Mrs. Bennet was talking to the youngest two girls about all the dances and lace on dresses. Miss Bingley stood with Mrs. Hurst, yawning and refusing to be polite hosts. He could hardly blame them. The sun would rise soon, and everyone had already left. Miss Bennet spoke softly with Mr. Bingley. She softly chuckled at something Bingley had said. He would need to talk to Bingley. Her laughs did not reach her eyes, and she seemed to enjoy his presence as much as any other man her mother had chosen for her to marry. He would not see his friend in a loveless marriage. Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary stood together looking tired and bored, though Elizabeth seemed to still be watching everyone, and giving a bold eye to Miss Bingley for being such a rude host. Mr. Collins was still speaking, though it was not entirely clear to whom he was speaking for it was clear that not a soul was listening.
Taking one last look as Elizabeth suddenly laughed and whispered something to Mary, Mr. Darcy turned and strode up the stairs, determined he would forget this foolish infatuation the moment he returned to London. His determination lasted until he opened the door to his sitting room, where there was a yelp of surprise from a maid tending to the fire and a furry blur dashed across the room and out the door, before he registered that his cat had escaped from the bed chamber.
The maid must have left the door to his bedroom open, for that was where the cat should have been. He knew he had to act fast. Bingley was allergic and struggled to breathe when he got too close. He had promised Bingley the beast would stay in his rooms.
There was not time to scold the maid, not that it would matter. It was an honest mistake. He shut the door and hurried back down the stairs to hear a shriek as Mr. Bennet announced the carriage had arrived. Everyone moved at once, and Mr. Darcy had no idea where to look. As the bustle cleared, Mr. Bingley was kneeling beside Miss Bennet who was clutching her ankle in pain as her family looked around.
Miss Bingley looked startled that one could be injured at Netherfield. She stood beside her sister, apparently hoping the family would leave as the carriage was waiting for them. This was going to be a nightmare. Over the din of all the Bennets speaking, Mr. Bingley loudly asked Miss Bennet why she fell.
"I believed I tripped as something ran under my skirts."
Mr. Darcy swore under his breath. "Are you injured?" He asked. Her health was paramount to finding the cat.
"My ankle hurts, but I believe I can stand." She held out her hands for assistance, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley helped her to a standing pose which did not last long once she put weight on her ankle. With a cry of pain, she began to fall again, but Mr. Bingley stepped in and supported her weight with an arm around her waist. "I suppose it is worse than I thought. What tripped me?"
Mr. Darcy calmly asked if anyone had seen a cat. Mr. Bingley looked astonished as everyone else looked around confused. "You said he would stay in your chambers."
"Yes, well. A maid seems to have left a door open as I was entering, and the rascal made his escape. Miss Bennet should be moved to a sofa. Can you manage Bingley, or shall I?"
Mr. Bingley rose to the challenge, lifting Jane with a minor grunt. Kitty and Lydia chuckled as Bingley walked gingerly into the parlor where a soft settee was sitting by a ready fire. Mr. Darcy watched with disgust as Mr. Bingley struggled to put Jane down decently as her dress kept getting caught on his sleeve, but he then turned around to look for his cat.
"Mr. Darcy." He heard Elizabeth say behind him, and he turned to see her holding his cat who looked mighty pleased with himself as he purred.
"Be careful, Miss Elizabeth. Pudding has a nasty temper. My sister and I are all that can manage him, which is why he came with me here, despite Bingley's aversion to cats."
"Yes, I can see he is quite the menace." She laughed lightly as Pudding looked straight at Mr. Darcy and then nuzzled his head under Elizabeth's chin.
Miss Bingley looked on in disgust. "I shall help you, Mr. Darcy. Cats are very fond of me." She moved to take Pudding, but the cat hissed and swatted at Miss Bingley's hand which she quickly drew away.
"I suppose there is some truth to your words, Mr. Darcy." Mr. Bingley sneezed in the other room. "Perhaps you ought to return him to his shelter, Mr. Darcy." The cat nuzzled into her arms once again, but she pulled him away and handed him off. Their hands met as Mr. Darcy grabbed the cat who clearly wanted to stay with Elizabeth.
Giving Pudding a final scratch on the head, she turned to join Jane and the others. At Mr. Bingley's second sneeze, Mr. Darcy realized he was staring again and turned to return Pudding upstairs. Ensuring that all the doors were firmly shut and the maid had departed, he returned to the parlor to find nothing had changed. Everyone was talking over everyone else.
Mr. Darcy knew he had to speak up or this would last past dawn. "Has Mr. Jones been sent for?" He asked as clearly as he could.
The room silenced. Bingley rose from his chair. "Yes, I shall send someone."
Jane exclaimed from her seat by the fire. "No, we cannot bother him. Miss Lucas told me that her tenant, Mrs. Laughingdale, had gone into labor just before nightfall. She had been feeling so poorly lately. If he is not assisting the midwife, he is likely too tired. I do not think it is too badly injured. We ought to leave."
Mr. Darcy moved forward. "If it is broken, a ride in a carriage could damage it beyond repair. It is kind of you to think of the apothecary's needs. May I inspect your ankle? My sister has often had injuries due to weak ankles and I have some minor experience with tending to her."
Jane looked to Mr. Bennet, who shrugged noncommittally. "Very well, Mr. Darcy. If you think I am good for a ride in a carriage, I shall trust your judgement. Mr. Bingley speaks so well of you I cannot find fault with your offer."
Mr. Darcy moved slowly to the settee and kneeled in front of Jane's feet. Elizabeth moved forward to help remove Jane's slipper for Mr. Darcy's inspection. He felt the swelling, gently massaging a few places and listening to her reactions. She hissed when he began to turn it slightly, and he stopped. "There could be a break. I believe you had best remain here for tonight. I can wrap it for you if Mrs. Nichols can bring some towels."
Mrs. Bennet shrieked and fled the room, yelling for Mrs. Nichols and exclaiming that her nerves would never recover if Jane never walked again.
Mr. Bennet sighed. "We cannot all stay here, so I shall escort my daughters home. I put my daughter into your care, sir." He turned to Mr. Bingley, who blushed at the thought of Jane being under his protection always.
"Miss Bennet shall want for nothing material, but would she not be more comfortable if Miss Elizabeth stayed with her again?"
"You think of everything. Yes, Lizzy will be a far better nursemaid than her mother. I shall take Mrs. Bennet and the rest of my girls home immediately."
Mary stepped forward and offered to pack a trunk for Elizabeth and Jane.
Mr. Bingley blushed again, "Miss Bennet is fortunate to have such a caring family." His smile faltered as he looked over at his own sisters who were standing apart from the rest, bored and wishing they could retire. "Caroline, what room shall we put Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth in. Surely, we still have plenty of rooms ready."
"Of course! The yellow room is ready, and it is connected to the blue room for Miss Elizabeth."
Mr. Bennet finally shepherded his charges out the door. Lydia and Kitty were reenacting the scene with shrieks and giggles. Mrs. Bennet was crying that her dear Jane would never walk again. Mary looked relieved to be able to do her part for her sisters.
Mr. Bingley stepped forward to lift Jane, but Mr. Darcy intervened as he was closer and had just finished wrapping the ankle. He lifted her as though she were light as a feather, and she put her arms around his neck to steady herself. He really was a good foot taller than Bingley. Bingley looked put out, but he quickly maneuvered so that he could ensure that he opened all the necessary doors to get Jane to the yellow room. Elizabeth, Mrs. Hurst, and Miss Bingley followed behind.
Elizabeth was astonished to see the difference between the two men. She wished to always hate Mr. Darcy for his unkind words and his treatment of Wickham, but she also had to admit that he was very fit and handsome, and he had been very sensible and kind to Jane. Despite his vehemence against the Bennets, he clearly knew when to do the right thing. She was too tired to link this with Wickham's unflattering words.
When they entered the yellow room, they were hit with a blast of cold air. A maid must have left the window open. Elizabeth hurried across the room to shut it. "When the maid comes to light the fire, the cold shall dissipate quickly." She turned to see her audience staring at her questioningly. Squaring her shoulders, she added, "It makes no sense to heat a room that is not in use, and the maids have done a good job of cleaning. This room is fine, if you can set her on the bed, I can take care of her from here, Mr. Darcy." She walked over to the bed and pulled the cover down so that Jane would not have to shift under the covers herself.
Mr. Darcy set her down gently. He clearly had not considered having a woman in his arms a difficulty. "Very well. We had best be going." He turned Mr. Bingley around and marched them out of the room before Mr. Bingley could protest or delay. Seeing Miss Elizabeth care for her sister had made Mr. Darcy long to be with her and have her care for him. He could not allow such thoughts. They began speaking in the hall, but it was too distant to be of much use. Miss Elizabeth thought she heard Mr. Bingley say that he would send a note to Mr. Jones to come as soon as he had rested.
Miss Bingley promised a maid would come quickly to light the fire and her lady's maid would come as soon as she could to help them change for bed. She then promptly left with Mrs. Hurst and shut the door. Elizabeth blew out a breath of relief to be alone with her sister.
"This is not the ending to the ball I had expected." Jane said mildly.
Elizabeth laughed openly. "No, I expect not. Come, let us prepare for bed. I assume Miss Bingley's lady's maid will be occupied for some time." She helped Jane sit up and they shuffled her around so that her dress could be removed without having to stand. Mr. Darcy had done a good job of tying the towel so that minor movements did not jostle or hurt too much. While Elizabeth was brushing Jane's hair, the maid entered to light the fire.
Jane smiled at her in recognition. "Margaret! I am so happy to see you. I remember last summer you spoke of wishing to take work. I hope you are liking your position here."
Margaret smiled back. "Yes, Miss Jane. I am glad to be helping my ma by working. I was so tired of caring for my sisters. Thankfully, Janie is old enough to help with the others." She quickly turned and returned to her task of lighting the fire.
It would be some time before it was lit enough to feel warm in the room, so Elizabeth made sure that Jane was tucked in tightly before she sat on the bed so that Jane could undo the buttons of her dress. Before Margaret left, she offered to bring more blankets, which Elizabeth gladly accepted. She also helped Elizabeth pull the window and bed curtains shut so that their body heat would remain in the bed with them.
Half an hour later, Miss Bingley's lady's maid entered to find both ladies fast asleep. She smiled in relief that her night was finally over.
AN: Well, here is my new story. I think it will be fun. I hope that your holidays are happy and healthy. I will be on vacation the next 2 weeks (heading to Brazil for some much needed family love), and I hope to have time to write as well, though I will prefer to be out and exploring. Those of you who know me know that this story will get finished, but will take time. I am a full time teacher, mother, and writer. It is a lot to juggle, and I often get swamped.