by Erin Butler
“I do, Sir. I did not give it to you before only because I did not have the supply. Now that I have you should be better in no time. Did the sage take the sting out of the injury?”
“It did. The uncomfortable pain has returned, however.”
“That is what I thought,” Elizabeth said, nodding. “The yarrow will better treat the source of the injury and relieve the pain. I believe you will be pleased with it. I shall mix it up for you into a salve. Layer it on where your pain originates and then wrap it in an old cloth overnight. By the morning, it should be better. I still do not wish you to walk too much on it, however, though you will feel as if you can.”
“You sound like a true person of medicine.”
“I speak from experience, Sir.”
“I have no doubt.
They smiled at each other warmly. Elizabeth could not help the fast beating of her heart as Mr. Darcy stared at her. His eyes shone with something that looked a lot like admiration. It was clear to her he admired her mind, but it was as yet unclear whether it stopped there.
“Will you play for me?” he asked.
“As long as you keep your part of the bargain, I should be happy to.”
Elizabeth stood and made her way over to the piano in the corner of the room. It was the finest instrument she had ever played on. It was made of a beautiful dark wood. The legs were ornate, and the sheet music holder was intricately scalloped. Her sister, Mary, would enjoy playing on an instrument like this, and if Mr. Bingley had a ball as he planned, she may just get the chance.
Despite the nerves racing through her body, she pulled herself together enough to lay her hands on the keys and play. She even added a little extra passion for Miss Bingley’s sake. When she finished, the whole party applauded, but Mr. Darcy louder than all.
Less than a half hour later, she declared the need to check on Jane and then she would retire for the night. Just before leaving the room, she told Mr. Darcy she would leave his salve outside her door so he could pick it up on his way to bed. He thanked her most earnestly, and she went up the stairs quite happy as she could not seem to keep the smile from her face.
Chapter Nine
The next morning, Elizabeth was tending to Jane and therefore missed the main breakfast. She asked the servant who came to give the rest of the party her apologies, but to assure them that her sister was feeling better.
When the door closed, Jane woke. She had been sleeping soundly and Elizabeth had not wished to wake her since she was comfortable. “Elizabeth,” Jane said, smiling a little. It was an improvement on yesterday. “I awoke in the middle of the night and could not remember if I dreamt you were here or if you actually were here.”
Elizabeth sat on the edge of the bed and felt her sister’s forehead with the back of her hand. Luckily, her head was not near as hot as it had been the day before. “Of course, I am here, and should you ever need me in the middle of the night, my room is just there, on the other side of that wall.”
Jane followed her sister’s pointing finger and nodded. “I doubt I shall need you. I believe I am feeling a little better.”
“Agreed,” Elizabeth said. “Your fever has broken. You do not look so pale as you did yesterday.” She grabbed the bottle she mixed for her sister earlier from the table next to the bed. “I want you to take this.”
Jane did as she was told, her face only puckering a little at the taste. Elizabeth handed her a glass of water and Jane drank that down as well. “Thank you, Elizabeth. Did you find you enjoyed your company last night? I hope that Miss Bingley improved upon closer acquaintance.”
Sick, and still Jane had the sweetest temperament. She did not have the heart to tell her sister it was clear Miss Bingley wished her brother to marry Miss Darcy, and it was even more clear that Miss Bingley wished to secure Mr. Darcy for herself. Elizabeth was only a little satisfied that event could not occur for it looked as if Mr. Darcy did not care for her in that way.
“You look troubled, Lizzy. I do hope they were pleasant to you.”
Elizabeth chuckled and moved her sister’s hair out of her face. Always the worrier, she thought, sighing. “It went well. Truly. Mr. Darcy is interested in my medicinal pursuits so we passed quite a bit of time talking about that. Your Mr. Bingley was attentive. He feels your loss more than anyone, I believe.”
Jane’s cheeks colored. The contrast between the rosy glow and her fair skin was more apparent than usual with the sickness still clinging to her. She should not tease her sister when she was sick, but she could not help it.
Jane frowned. “Oh Lizzy, he is not my Mr. Bingley. You must not say that.”
“I believe he will be,” Elizabeth stated. “He inquired after you several times and twice when I had not seen you since the last time he asked. He is a caring man. Your absence had him in quite a state.”
Jane smiled and changed her position in the bed. “What will you do today while I am still recovering?”
“I believe a walk around the Netherfield grounds are in order. There seems to be pretty walks everywhere you turn. I wish you could join me.”
Jane, already heavy with sleep, nodded slowly. “Perhaps tomorrow then.”
Elizabeth smiled, made sure her sister was tucked in comfortably, and stood. She checked her appearance in the mirror before leaving the room. After a quick stop to the kitchen to see what she could eat, she made her way outside. She had managed to avoid everyone so far today, and she was quite pleased with herself about that. She did not want to listen to Miss Bingley’s attempt at sounding worried for her sister.
If Jane heard her say that, she would tell her she was being unkind, but she half believed it to be true. She thought Jane to be little more than a play thing to help pass the sisters’ time in the country. Her brother, however, Elizabeth believed, felt differently.
Elizabeth started toward a row of trees on the side park. At the time her decision was made, Mr. Darcy came walking around the closest tree and spotted her. He hurried toward her and bowed. “Good morning, Miss Bennet. I am happy to see you this morning. How is your sister?”
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy. Jane is doing well. She is resting again, but I believe the worst of the illness has passed.”
“No doubt due to your excellent doctoring. Do you know how good my leg feels today? I am astonished. Not even a doctor has helped me recover so quickly, I assure you. You have quite a talent.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks blazed under his admiration. “I am happy to hear it, Sir. Do remember what I said about not walking too much.”
“I have just made my way out here. I like to walk in the mornings, but I will not push myself today under your orders.”
She chuckled in light of his teasing grin. “I did not know a person such as I could order you around, Mr. Darcy. That seems unlikely.”
His lips turned up at the corners. “Only when it is good for me do I listen to anything, and you, Miss Bennet, have done me a great service that I will not forget.”
He offered her his arm, and they turned toward the tree-lined park together. The breeze ruffled his coat and she could smell the salve she mixed together for him yesterday. She would have to make him more before the end of the day.
The sun shone down on him and she looked up. Mr. Darcy was quite handsome. As handsome a man as she ever saw. Fashionable, yet built with lean muscle instead of too slim or rotund. His eyes were a nut-colored brown and filled with life.
She looked away and shook her head at herself. How stupid it was to have such thoughts about Mr. Darcy. It was doubtful she would ever tempt him. Though he may enjoy her mind, they were plainly not equal in money, and to some great men, that was all that mattered.
“Look there,” Mr. Darcy said, pointing out toward the empty lawn. A rabbit and bunnies were hopping their way from feeding spot to feeding spot.
Elizabeth cooed at them. “What a very pretty sight for us this morning.
“I have seen the same family every morning since coming here. It reminds m
e of my home.”
“You are from Derbyshire, correct? I have heard lovely things about your county.”
Mr. Darcy glowed at the praise. “Perhaps I am biased, but I agree with you, Miss Bennet. Derbyshire is beautiful. Hertfordshire is lovely, too, but as you well know, one cannot help but think better of the place where they grew up. I am sure you would argue with me for the benefits of Hertfordshire, and I Derbyshire, and neither of us would be willing to give in to the other.”
“How quickly you have comprehended me, Mr. Darcy. I should be ashamed at being so transparent.”
“Not at all,” he said, chuckling. “I was speaking more to my own tendencies than yours. I can see that we, neither of us, would allow us to have our minds changed when we knew we were correct on a subject.”
“I wholly agree with you. Now, we shall go one more turn around the park and then you must return to sitting. I know I am correct so you may as well not fight me on it.”
Mr. Darcy laughed freely at this, but did acquiesce to Elizabeth’s request. They made one more turn about the park, spotting more than a few wildlife creatures, and then returned to the house.
For her sake, though she told herself it was unwise, she could not stop herself from admiring Mr. Darcy in every single way. He was truly a great man.
Chapter Ten
The rest of the day at Netherfield, which had started so promising, proceeded downhill as soon as Miss Bingley entered the picture. She accosted Mr. Darcy when they entered Netherfield from their walk and had yet to release her hooks in him. She was there while he wrote to his sister, at tea commanding the conversation about the happenings in London, and then afterward, Mr. Darcy had escaped to his room and Elizabeth had not seen him since.
The only instance which soothed her was when Mr. Bingley accompanied her to Jane’s room to check on her. They sat for a while talking. Jane was able to sit in bed due to the pillows Elizabeth placed behind her back and head. He stayed and laughed with them until it was plain Jane was tiring. He excused himself, exclaiming he was so happy to see her recovery, and then left the two sisters there together.
Elizabeth raised her eyebrows at Jane. “Was I not correct this morning, sister? I believe he is becoming closer and closer to becoming your Mr. Bingley.”
Unable not to feel such a thought deep inside her, Jane smiled. “I do believe I like him very much. More than any other man I have ever known. He is just what a gentleman ought to be, friendly, kind, amusing. He speaks with passion.”
Elizabeth was so happy for her sister. She could sense Mr. Bingley felt the same way, though he knew he did not receive any encouragement from his sisters. If this were to happen, it would have to be all Mr. Bingley. She believed he had the fortitude to do it, too. They would just have to sit back and wait to see if the happy event would take place.
“Did you see Mr. Darcy this morning?” Jane asked.
“I did. We took a turn in the park together after I left you earlier.”
“You know, I overheard Charlotte tell you Mr. Darcy looks at you a great deal and from the smile on your face, I wonder if he is being attentive toward you. Is there something you are not telling me? I knew you disliked him at first, but perhaps your thoughts have changed on the subject.”
Elizabeth leaned back in her chair and sighed. She did not know how much of her feelings to share with her sister. Since nothing was sure to come out of it, she did not wish Jane to worry over her, which she would do if she thought her heart were broken. “He is increasing in my estimation. I suppose everyone can have a bad day. It is too bad it occurred during the ball at Meryton for now the whole town dislikes him for his pride. I have seen no such pride since coming here. He is polite and talkative.”
“Quite changed them from the assembly rooms? I knew it would be that way. If Mr. Bingley thinks highly of him, I was sure Mr. Darcy could not be the man everyone thought him to be.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Of course, you are right. Mr. Bingley, being the sensible man that he is, would know his oldest friend’s character better than the rest of Meryton.”
“That is just what I think. The next time we will all be together again will be quite different.”
“Maybe half the town will be in love with Mr. Darcy rather than Mr. Bingley. Perhaps Mr. Bingley will have made a choice by then.”
“Lizzy,” Jane scolded. “We do not know Mr. Bingley’s intentions, so it is not right to speak of them.”
Elizabeth apologized even though she was sure she did know where Mr. Bingley’s intentions lied. If Miss Bingley kept herself out of the business, they would have cause for great happiness soon.
“Do be serious when I ask you about Mr. Darcy, though. Do you like him? I wish that I were better and could see you with him.”
Elizabeth could not outright lie to her sister when asked such a question so direct. She fretted over her lower lip worrying how to word the answer. “I do like him,” she said, finally. “He is an honorable gentleman with good sense and a great mind.”
“He is handsome, too.”
“He is handsome,” she agreed, but gave no other remark.
For some time, Jane seemed satisfied with the answer and they spoke no more about it until within another conversation all together, Jane said, “I believe you are too hard on yourself sometimes, Lizzy. You should give yourself leave to like someone if you truly do. I know you will hate the thought, but sometimes you must leave sense out of it. Especially in matters of the heart, sense can be a detriment.”
Lizzy smiled at her sister. She was wiser than anyone gave her credit for.
Elizabeth went down to dinner in good spirits, furthered by the attentions of Mr. Darcy and the inevitable questions asked by the rest of the party regarding her sister’s health. She was able to answer those favorably and ask Mr. Bingley to give his opinion on the matter for he had seen her as well. This seemed to vex Miss Bingley, for she countered with a cursory apology that she was not able to attend to her dear friend Jane today as she was too caught up in house business. By house business, Elizabeth could only assume she meant securing Mr. Darcy, but she kept her thoughts on the matter to herself.
The dinner was fine and passed by quickly. The party was then broken up in the drawing room to those who wished to play at cards and those who did not. Mr. Darcy and herself read while Miss Bingley, though playing, used every instance she could find to ask Mr. Darcy some question or another. She spoke to Mr. Darcy so much that Elizabeth had a hard time reading her own book and highly doubted Mr. Darcy had read much of his either. Soon, Elizabeth set the book aside and strolled about the room. Mr. Darcy, she noticed, had also set his book aside to watch her.
“An accomplished woman, you know,” Miss Bingley said, “are hard to find these days. Of course, there are the natural abilities that everyone looks for, drawing, playing, singing, sewing, but there is much more. The manner of their talking, dress, even walking can prove a lot about a woman’s attributes.”
Elizabeth held her tongue. Though she knew not how, she was sure the remark was intended for her. She could not disagree with all the statement, but she did not agree with it either.
“I would say there are not half a dozen women who I would count as truly accomplished,” Mr. Darcy said.
Mrs. Hurst agreed. “Quite so.”
Mr. Bingley frowned. “I think all young women are accomplished in some way. They certainly are proficient in more activities than I am.”
Elizabeth vowed to stay out of the conversation all together. She returned to her book and read the same sentence again and again while they discussed the topic.
“To add to Miss Bingley’s list, I would require one activity of my own to be thought of as a truly accomplished woman. She must add something yet more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks burned. Her head still down, she did not dare look up. She imagined that if she did Miss Bingley must be extremely agitated by her presence and she was
unsure of what Mr. Darcy’s face might hold. It scared her, and excited her at the same time, to think Mr. Darcy may have praised her in front of everyone.
“To be sure,” Miss Bingley said, her voice sharp.
A little later, Elizabeth excused herself for the night early. She was lucky to have her sister as an excuse, but since Mr. Darcy’s remark, the tension in the drawing room was thick.
Mr. Darcy protested her leaving. “But I have not heard you play today, Miss Bennet. You know, I was a little scared to hear you play at first for I knew you spent a great deal of time studying medicine so how were you to also be a good at the piano? You proved me wrong. I do not think I have heard prettier playing by anyone in my acquaintance.”
Miss Bingley, no doubt hearing the exchange, begged Mr. Darcy for his attention, even leaving the game and coming forward with some excuse or another as to how he was most desperately needed at the table. Elizabeth was not that sorry to see him go. She did not have a decent response for him, therefore, would rather have kept quiet. With the rest of the party now occupied, she slipped from the room and checked on Jane.
She woke her up to give her more rosemary, and then made Mr. Darcy another salve, which she left just outside her room. Perhaps he would see it on the way to his when he retired for the night. Just as she closed the door, she heard steps come up the stairs. They stopped just outside her doorway. A slight knock on her door and Elizabeth’s stomach flipped. “Yes,” she called out in a whisper.
“Thank you, Miss Bennet, for the salve,” Mr. Darcy whispered back. There was a pause before he started again. “I hope I did not embarrass you before. I find I am not usually in company with someone who has a mind such as yours and my mouth ran away with itself. If I injured you, I apologize for that was not my intention.”