Chapter 3
Jane's fever worsened in the following days, and Elizabeth felt justified remaining in her room except for tedious meals. Mr. Darcy and Miss Bingley seemingly ignored her after asking after Jane, and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst followed their lead. She enjoyed eating quietly as she watched Miss Bingley attempt to flirt with Mr. Darcy while he repeatedly rebuffed her advances with a practiced calm that forced Elizabeth to hide her smile in her napkin more than the meal itself deemed necessary.
After Jane's fever broke on the fourth day, Elizabeth felt she could escape into the outdoors. It was a particularly lovely winter day. The snow had not yet arrived, but the sun was shining in all its glory, creating a deceptively warm atmosphere. Elizabeth pulled her pelisse over her arms and snuck out the kitchen before breakfast was served with some fresh rolls in her pocket. As soon as she was clear of the formal gardens, she broke out into a run and did not stop until she was thoroughly out of breath in the middle of a forest. She leaned against a tree, closed her eyes, and savored the cold, fresh air. She had never enjoyed being stuck indoors, much less being stuck with an invalid, even one so sweet as Jane. Her legs were burning from overexertion after such a long lack of use. She smiled in ecstasy. She felt free again. Once her breath had calmed, she moved back onto the path and followed it further from the house. After a mile or so through the forest, she approached a field that had been sitting fallow for almost as long as Elizabeth could remember. Weeds dotted the grassy fields, some as tall as her short frame. The grass itself was almost just as high. The tenants on this side of Netherfield, far from Longbourn, had abandoned their homes after a long period of neglect. She knew if she continued on the path to the tenant homes, she would find roofs caved in. While she wished Bingley would become the permanent estate owner, it was too much to hope that he would invest so much money on improvements he would not see a return on before his lease was up. With a sigh, she began to cross the field, finding a path pushed down by deer. The smell of dew on the grass heads distracted her from noticing a stallion and rider jump over the rock fence and speed towards her. Noticing she would likely not be visible, she moved to the side of another rock fence and watched Mr. Darcy pass.
She paused as he rode past and quietly admired his form. She had always enjoyed looking at him from a distance. Even on the first night, she had been pleasantly surprised to find him so handsome. If he had turned out to be amiable, she might have been in danger of falling for him. Alas, it was not to be, but hidden in the grass, she took a moment to appreciate the sight he made. She had never seen such a good horseman. Her father was comfortable on a mare, and she had seen him jump fences when she was younger, though he had not attempted such a feat for some time. Jane and Kitty enjoyed riding Nellie, though she was quite docile and would never attempt a jump. Mr. Darcy looked truly alive with the horse. She almost envisioned him breathing in time with the spirited stallion, such was their synchronicity.
After turning the horse around, he sped towards the fence again. Elizabeth concluded that this was his normal route, for it was dangerous to jump in a new area where you do not know the terrain. She could not fault him for his choices. Mr. Darcy was spirited, but not reckless. While she would not have considered his manner spirited, he definitely fit the mold of a responsible brother, friend, and master of an estate.
He turned and made the jump five more times before he noticed her presence. Slowing to a walk, he moved towards her and tipped his hat in greeting. Elizabeth curtseyed to return the quiet greeting. He continued to stare at her, and she decided she had no need for his awkward derision of her person. With a huff, she bade him a good day, turned and walked over to a style, moving on with her walk in another field. She did not turn back to see Mr. Darcy watch her until she was out of sight.
Returning from her walk, she quickly changed into her day dress, checked to see that Jane was still sleeping, and then returned downstairs to join the others in the breakfast parlor. Mr. Darcy and the Hursts were sitting together quietly, so she prepared her plate from the sideboard, requested a cup of chocolate, and took a seat beside Mrs. Hurst and joined the party, eating quietly. She was nearly halfway through her plate when Miss Bingley joined them. She began citing her raptures of the glorious morning, followed by a hiss when she noticed the food had cooled. She then quickly shouted a few orders to the footmen standing ready along the wall to return the cold repast and prepare a new batch of confections be brought with a hot cup of coffee.
"I adore fresh coffee in the morning. Nothing else will do. Don't you agree, Mr. Darcy?" She moved her half-filled plate to sit beside him as he stated that he could enjoy just about any warm beverage after a cold ride.
Elizabeth took a sip of her chocolate to hide her slight smile. She enjoyed watching the banter between Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy. It was odd to her that a woman could be so oblivious to how obnoxious she was to the person she was trying to attract. Then again, Mr. Collins seemed oblivious to her disinterest, but she had always thought Miss Bingley to be cleverer than Mr. Collins.
Eventually, Mr. Darcy tired of his cold responses and announced his intention to retire to the library to work on his correspondence. After all, he had planned to return sooner to London, but Mr. Bingley had changed those plans. Now, his solicitor needed to change appointments and manage some meetings without his input. He caught Elizabeth's eye for a moment, and his half smile told her that he had already arranged everything with his solicitor and was giving a flimsy excuse that he thought would be boring enough not to be disturbed.
"Of course, Mr. Darcy, you are always so busy. I shall ensure no one disturbs you and a tea service is at your disposal when you require refreshment. I am always aware of my duties, and I should be an excellent mistress of an even grander estate than Netherfield someday."
Mr. Darcy's half smile died a sudden death at this pronouncement. Without acknowledging his hostess, he quit the room.
Elizabeth needed to take another sip of her chocolate not to laugh again. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst departed quickly after Mr. Darcy, stating that Mr. Hurst desired to walk in the garden to stretch his muscles. Elizabeth nearly laughed through her chocolate at the thought of Mr. Hurst desiring exercise.
As the door shut, Elizabeth realized that she was alone with Miss Bingley again. She set her cup down and began to truly tackle her breakfast, knowing Miss Bingley would likely ignore her as there was no one to impress.
To her astonishment, Miss Bingley collected her cup and plate and moved to sit beside her.
"Eliza, I know we have not been on the best of terms, but you should know that I have your best interests at heart."
Elizabeth tried really hard to keep a straight face. When she felt master of her emotions, she looked back at Miss Bingley, only to see she was being serious. "I would expect nothing less, Caro." Elizabeth shot back before she lost her composure again.
"I never liked that appellation." Miss Bingley said in disgust.
"And I never gave you leave to call me Eliza. Only my dearest friend is allowed to use that name. Perhaps we shall grow closer over the coming weeks, but I doubt you shall supplant someone so artless and kind as Miss Lucas." Elizabeth smiled gently before she returned her attention to her chocolate. "You were saying that you needed to confide in me. I am all eagerness to learn what the great Caroline Bingley thinks a country nobody ought to know."
Miss Bingley observed Miss Elizabeth for a moment before deciding it did not matter if Elizabeth was teasing her or not. She took a deep breath and declared, "Mr. Darcy will never marry you."
It was an unfortunate coincidence that Elizabeth had chosen that moment to sip her chocolate. As she snorted in laughter, the chocolate squirted all over and made quite a mess, causing a sting in Elizabeth's nose that killed the rest of her laughter. Footmen were summoned and napkins doused in water were used to clean their gowns and the table as quickly as possible.
After ten minutes, they had regained enough solitude for Elizabeth to say, "Thank you for the warning. I should be happy if I never have to endure a proposal from him. Could you really imagine spending night after night sitting beside him reading, not a sound in the room but the crackling of the fireplace. Every time he looked at me, he would wonder what ever had come over him as I am such a disappointment. We would make each other miserable. No, I am happy to say he would never actually consider me as a future wife. And, if he did, I should be obliged to refuse him. Have no fear that I am your competition, Miss Bingley."
Miss Bingley stared at Elizabeth as though she had grown two heads. "You cannot be serious, Miss Elizabeth. Your house is entailed, and your father is getting older. You have no dowry. Your connections are meager. Your beauty is limited and likely to begin to decline in a few years, sooner if you insist on getting so much sun from your rambles. You read and are very intelligent, but have you no care for your future? A match with Mr. Darcy would set you up for life."
"While I might have all the money that I would need to purchase any material item I desire from such a marriage, it would never buy the most important item. I cannot marry without a deep abiding love that can only come from true respect."
Miss Bingley was at a loss for words. She had envisioned this conversation very differently. "Your mother…"
"My mother wishes the best for us and knows that can only come from a marriage with someone well off. She also does not wish for us to be miserable. Has she even once attempted to throw any of us at Mr. Darcy?"
Miss Bingley looked at the carpet as she reviewed her memories. "No, I suppose she has not. But he looks at you a great deal! And he danced with you at my ball!"
Elizabeth put down her cup. Miss Bingley was whining with such vigor; she knew it was unwise to drink any more. Besides, it had cooled more than she liked. "Indeed, he did ask me to dance, and I noticed his staring. However, he also declared me tolerable but not handsome enough to dance with. I assume it was a friend who dared him to dance with me, or he was remarkably bored. He certainly did not appear pleased with my company during the dance or during any of our conversations. No, I do not believe you could really count me as your competition."
"How vulgar to refer to this as a competition!" Miss Bingley nearly snorted in disdain.
"Then we understand each other." Elizabeth took a small sip of her cold chocolate and pushed it away. A glance at her plate showed her that she had eaten everything she desired and was left with nothing appealing. "I shall go for a walk. I hope we can be friendly enough. If my sister and your brother do end up together, we shall be sisters. You ought not to consider me your adversary. If you feel that Mr. Darcy seeks me out, then perhaps you should be learning from my example what intrigues him. After all, I believe we can both agree that your flirting only brings him pain. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day, Miss Bingley. I shall be spending the afternoon with Jane." At the door she turned around, "If you think of it, I am certain Jane shall enjoy a warm repast in an hour. She has been so tired, and now that her fever is gone, she will be wishing to recuperate her strength." She shut the door behind her before Miss Bingley could counter her statements.
AN: Sorry for the delay. I am terribly behind in grading and lesson planning. Life has its ways. My mother in law, whom I have cared for for the past 10-15 years with a terminal illness and only recently put into an assisted living place passed away at the end of January, after week long stint in the hospital where all I could do was hold her hand. I am sad to loose such a wonderful person. I am relieved she is no longer suffering. I know she is in a better place now. I have been strong for my husband and other in laws, which are all autistic and hard to keep calm when all in the same room especially since none of them know when they are rude. Thankfully, this time they did not say it was not my place to be there as I am not blood related (they have in the past). They thanked me for all the time I put into her care, which was touching. I had never watched someone die before, and I hope all your loved ones have a more peaceful end.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have the next chapter in my head. Many thanks to Cheryl, my fabulous beta reader.