by John Edwards
“And I hope so too, sir.”
Just then her mother came into the room and took Mr. Darcy into the dining room to feed him. There she relaxed from the subject he had come to see her about, and instead she visited with him about other concerns, but his thoughts were never far away from Hertfordshire and a certain lady.
“It is a rare beautiful day for November and I am ready for our walk, Elizabeth. Shall we leave now?”
“Why yes we shall, and let me ask you William, do you take walks with the lady?”
“No, but she likes to walk.”
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy soon began their own walk. Her thoughts were to open his mind to being entirely civil with Miss Bennet. She thought he would best manage this by his meeting with her and joining her during one of her walks where he could apologize for his remarks and his ill actions at the assembly. Elizabeth knew he would stand to gain more of her favor if he complimented Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley’s situation, for she understood the best chance for Mr. Darcy to succeed with his new lady was presently tied to Mr. Bingley and Jane Bennet. She then told him these things and she thought to practice with him what he might say to Miss Bennet, but once he heard her recommendations he smiled at her and said he had it all in hand. Within minutes Mr. Darcy had said his goodbyes and continued on to his home in London.
That night he thought of all he had discussed earlier with Elizabeth and he knew himself to be totally wrong in all his actions. “What a fool I am.” thought he, as he tried to make out his bad manners that evening he first went to the assembly. He thought of the stares of the locals that he received, and knew that he had been discovered as a proud and arrogant man. There was no doubt that he was in the wrong, and it worked on him that he should be so haughty. Sure he was rich and his family was well respected in the highest society, but he knew they were no better than the country folks who lived near Miss Elizabeth Bennet. In many respects, he knew Miss Bennet’s friends and family to be better than his relations. His uncle had fathered another woman’s child and was also known to frequent other places where that kind of sport was made. Even some of his cousins were not averse to this kind of behavior, and he recalled overhearing his own father laughing about these matters with his uncle and some other men. Though he had not done these things himself, he recoiled at the thought that Elizabeth might think him to be this type of man. As he reflected on these things he vowed that night to change his ways. Of course, he hoped to receive Miss Bennet’s good opinion of himself, but he now more resolved to live such a life that all would favor him. His mother and father were dead and he was now his own man. There was nothing more to it; he would leave the next morning to return to Netherfield. After satisfying his mind, he now settled for a much needed sleep.
Early the next morning Mr. Darcy left on a fresh horse for Hertfordshire and Netherfield. The last two hours he was aware that the roads had become very muddy and so he figured that a rain of some significance had hit the area since he left. Finally he came into Meryton and took a break to rest his horse and himself. No sooner had he removed himself from the great beast when he noticed a man trying to free his cart, which had settled on its side in a low ditch. Several people were watching, but no one had come to help the man. Without a moment’s hesitation, Mr. Darcy walked over to the man and discovered the problem and suggested to the man that they offload most of the supplies the man had bought and then they could attempt to lift the cart out. Soon Mr. Darcy was joined by other men who had initially been watching. Within a few minutes the men had freed the wagon and Mr. Darcy and the others loaded the cart up and sent a very happy man on his way. Mr. Darcy felt a couple of happy slaps on his back and soon heard some townspeople whisper to one another, though he thought nothing about this until he realized that he was now implementing his plan to become a better man.
Minutes later as he approached Netherfield he noticed someone on the road and wondered who it might be, but as he drew nearer he discerned it was Elizabeth Bennet on one of her walks.
“Miss Bennet, you are out on one of your walks? I hope you are well today?”
“Thank you sir, but I am afraid that I am not very well, but I cannot complain.”
“What has happened, Miss Bennet? Please tell me. I have been away now for two days.”
“First my sister came to visit Mr. Bingley’s sisters yesterday, but she caught cold and became very sick last evening and she stayed here last night. Then this morning Mr. Bingley and the rest became ill. I suppose it is one of those things that strike fast, and when I arrived earlier today all were in their beds. They are resting now but I have agreed to watch over them and I have instructed the staff of those precautions that all should take. But sir, I feel that I may be getting sick too.”
Mr. Darcy looked at the woman and knew not what he should do, but he soon had his answer. Elizabeth walked to a nearby bench and soon bent over in a nasty bout of nausea that had her near pale as a ghost and her body shivering. Immediately he went to sit beside her and held her lightly to prevent her from falling as she surrendered to the nausea. Finally, she told him that she too had the same thing as the others and she tried to walk toward the house but was soon swept off her feet into the arms of this man who she clearly did not like.
Quickly he carried her into the house and took her upstairs to her room. He sought out the first servant available and asked her to help Elizabeth get dressed for bed and he generally asked the status of all in the house. Soon the housekeeper came to him and explained that nearly everyone in the house was sick. All that had eaten the mutton that had been served the last two days had come down sick. Elizabeth had eaten some earlier today.
The butler had attempted to contact the local doctor, but he was not expected to be back in Meryton before the morrow at the earliest. Basically, two maid servants, Mrs. Anderson who was the housekeeper, Mr. Higgins who was the butler, and Mr. Darcy were not sick and could look after the others. Mr. Darcy immediately went into action as he met with those that were not sick and worked out a plan to care for the others. He asked that he be updated often as to the status of those sick and he thanked them for their support. With Mrs. Anderson, he walked the house and they decided which patients needed what and how badly they needed it. Soon Mrs. Anderson understood that Mr. Darcy did not distinguish between the master and his guests and the servants. Priorities were based on who was the sickest. Perhaps he showed some partiality toward a certain young lady but it was not detected by the others. Mr. Darcy then penned a letter to his town home and sent it off by express post within the hour after he arrived.
That night he did not sleep as he attended to those that were sick. No job was below him as he emptied bed pans and sickness buckets, just like the others, and even joined in to help the maids with washing clothes and the like. Mrs. Anderson had never seen anything like it before. Mr. Darcy visited all the people and tried to get them to drink water and he washed and dried off their bodies where they were cold one minute and hot the next. He learnt their names and when he next entered the room he greeted them as a friend. This went on all night and he did not stop but to sit near Elizabeth for brief minutes whilst she slept or when she needed help.
Mr. Darcy was hopeful that Mr. Bingley and his guests would soon be better, but they were not. Even so, he took turns visiting them and told them they would soon be better but it was a great effort to get any of them to drink any liquids, and they would nearly faint after a sip and a bite of cracker, such was their state. Even so, he made his rounds and got after everyone until he finally heard a noise downstairs. With eyes barely open, he saw that his coach had arrived from London and he next saw his cook, two maids and his personal doctor arrive. Soon he met with them and Mrs. Anderson, as the others were taking a much needed rest.
After he explained the situation to Doctor Wallace, the doctor soon set him down and prescribed for him to get some rest. Though he fought the idea he knew he must try to sleep, but Elizabeth had been put in his room when he was in London, so
there was no place for him to rest except downstairs. Now Mrs. Anderson spoke to Mr. Darcy’s maid and soon they had set up a bed for him in a corner of his old room. They draped curtains around his bed to provide privacy for himself but he did not realize where he was going so settled on the bed made for him and soon fell into a deep sleep.
After nearly three hours sleep he heard someone in his room, and it was a woman’s voice that kept repeating the words, “I did not know! I did not know!” Was he dreaming? No, he was awake, but did not understand why these privacy curtains were around his bed. Suddenly he heard a noise and looked up as Mr. Wallace entered with a maid. He gave a look to Mr. Darcy and put a finger to his mouth to signal him to be quiet.
“Sally, this lady is on fire. I need to get her cooled down right away. She has lost all color and is as sick or more so than any person in this house. Hurry back with some cool water and some wash clothes and bring me some water for her to drink and a few crackers. I must get her to drink some water.”
The business the previous night was over. Mr. Darcy’s brain only now engaged. He was in the same room as Elizabeth and the doctor was very worried for her recovery. Immediately, Mr. Darcy sprang from his bed only to trip and fall against the privacy barrier which of course came down on top of him leaving him exposed and nearly naked.
“This will not do Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Wallace said as another voice spoke. “Is Mr. Darcy here in my room?”
“Why yes, but as you can see he was separated from you and the door was ajar, so all is well.”
“He must leave this room or I shall have to. He knows that I do not like him, so I must leave now.” Elizabeth tried to get up but was so weak she could not. Instead, she overheard Mr. Darcy tell the doctor, “Mr. Wallace, you be sure to take care of that one. She is much too feisty for me. I shall go to the study downstairs. He then went to Elizabeth’s side and told her that she would soon be better and that Mr. Wallace had come from London to tend to all who were sick. With one final look, he said, “Miss Bennet, I will be in the study and please send word if you need anything.”
It was near three hours later that Mrs. Anderson came into the study and greeted Mr. Darcy. “Sir, I must thank you for all you have done. Mr. Bingley and his guests are slowly improving, and Mr. Wallace tells me that all the others are slowly recovering as well. Miss Elizabeth asked me about yourself and I told her what you had done. She was so overcome with fever and sickness that she was unaware of all you had done and did not remember you carrying her into the house, nor anything else. Still, she is very sick but now she is upset that she said some things to you. I believe she is more sick than the rest. You may wish to see to her.”
“Do we have anything we can give her to eat or drink? Doctor Wallace insists on her drinking and eating whenever she can.”
“He has been successful in getting her to drink some water and eat some crackers. Your job sir is to go to her.”
“Yes, I shall go now, and thank you.” Mrs. Anderson gave the great man a wink and he nodded with a smile as he went away.
A knock and soon another brought a hushed, “Come in,” from Elizabeth.
“I hope you are better, Miss Bennet. We have been very worried about you.”
“I suppose that I will survive, but I should inquire about yourself. I have heard it all from Mrs. Anderson. She sings your praise sir. You took full charge and did a wonderful job and she told me that you worked throughout the night and treated all that were sick the same, with no regard if they were rich or poor and she said no task was beneath you. I am ashamed of what I said to you.”
“Miss Bennet, I am so very glad that you are doing better. I wish I could command you all to be instantly well, but I cannot. Doctor Wallace has said you will be slow to fully recover, but you are indeed a little better. All of you people here getting well brings me much joy. Now, I want you to rest and if I can get you anything, please ask the maid to send for me. You need to get better so I can someday join you on one of your favorite walks near here. I should like that very much.”
“Mr. Darcy, after what you have done, I fear the entire household of Netherfield would be asking to join us, for we all are indebted to you.”
“Remember, Miss Bennet, have the maid get me if you wish anything.”
No sooner had he said these things but he left the room and Elizabeth thought of what had transpired and she softly cried.
CHAPTER 17
NEW FEELINGS
Jane Bennet was the first to recover but she did not get too close to any others in the house due to her cold. As she could not help anyone, she returned to Longbourn the next day. Mr. Wallace stayed another three days looking after everyone, and he enjoyed his stay and the people he helped, but none more so than Elizabeth. He found her lively and spirited enough and wondered if someday someone could bottle up that personality and sell it. Only once before had he met such a lady and he certainly noticed the chemistry between Mr. Darcy and the lady. Doctor Wallace had known Mr. Darcy all his life and also knew Mrs. Winstead. “Another Elizabeth,” he said, as he shook his head as he left Elizabeth Bennet’s room, but she heard it all and tried to understand the meaning.
Elizabeth finally went home and was met by her mother and her sisters and Jane who hoped to discover all that had passed at Netherfield, but Elizabeth was too smart for this questioning and excused herself to go to her own room and rest in her own bed, but there was to be no sleep this soon. Her mother came in and was very excited. “Lizzy, you should know there are many people speaking well about Mr. Darcy.”
“I should imagine they are. It was very impressive what he did for all of us at Netherfield.”
“Oh Lizzy, I know of that, I am speaking of his helping a man in Meryton. Many people recognized him from the dance at the assembly. He may have acted proud that night but he was just the opposite in Meryton.”
“I have not heard of this so pray tell me what he did so different.”
“It was just before he arrived back at Netherfield. He stopped briefly in Meryton and there he helped a man whose cart had slid sideways into a ditch. Apparently he helped the man first off load a heavy cargo to lighten his load, then he and some other men helped lift the cart up onto the road. Then he reloaded the man’s cart and the man was able to leave. He was dressed as a gentleman but he went out of his way to help a man very much beneath him and a complete stranger at that. Perhaps we were all too quick to judge him to be so proud and disagreeable.”
“Yes, that may be possible, but to what do you credit such a change in his behavior? I can safety say that I cannot make it out at all.”
“And neither can I Lizzy. Once these people heard what he had done to help all that were sick, his stock has risen very fast indeed. Why, Mrs. Phillips has heard that several ladies are seeking to introduce their daughters to Mr. Darcy.”
“Then they would be wise to do so, mother. He may have done these things but he so deeply offended me at the assembly that I could never forgive him.”
Elizabeth knew this was a falsehood but her saying it immediately produced the response she hoped for as her mother responded, “You are hopeless, Lizzy. You fail to see an opportunity when it is dropped in your lap. Now we shall be removed from Longbourn after your father dies and we will all be left to starve in the hedgerows and it will all be your fault.” Her mother then left and slammed the door on the way outside.
Elizabeth willed herself to get better and two days later she went outside for a walk. She went on her usual rounds but something was missing and she could not figure out what it was. Then she stopped in her tracks as it hit her, that she had expected she might walk with Mr. Darcy, but this was odd. Had she not told the doctor that she hated Mr. Darcy? And then, there was the doctor mentioning “another Elizabeth.” Who is this other Elizabeth?
Mr. Darcy had gone to London and would not return for another three days, but Elizabeth kept up her walking. She was nearly fully recovered, except for a creeping disappointment each day she did
not see a certain gentleman while she walked.
One day she and her sisters were visiting Meryton and happened upon some of the officers that were camped nearby. Elizabeth had met some of the officers earlier but this day she met another man, a Mr. Wickham, who had just joined the regiment. Mr. Wickham cut a dashing figure and possessed an outgoing personality that attracted her sisters and herself to him, and she believed him to be a rightly good gentleman. She was impressed with his countenance and his social standing and with the due diligence he used in attending to her every word. Such manners Elizabeth had not seen often and she was sure she had never met such a fine man. While still talking with the officers, she looked up to see Mr. Bingley ride up with Mr. Darcy behind him but soon Mr. Darcy halted and, giving a stare at Mr. Wickham, then he turned his horse away and rode in the other direction. This slight went unnoticed by the others as Jane was now preoccupied with Mr. Bingley and her younger sisters were both too foolish around the officers to consider anything but how fine they looked in their red coats, but to Elizabeth and Mr. Wickham, there was a message that Mr. Darcy had just sent to Mr. Wickham, and it was not a friendly one.
Now Elizabeth was upset again. Having been willing until that moment to forgive Mr. Darcy for his behavior earlier, now she considered that he did have a cruel streak and she planned to hear more from the new gentleman regarding Mr. Darcy. Soon the officers left, but Lydia, the youngest sister, invited Mr. Wickham to a small party that her aunt, Mrs. Phillips, was hosting that next evening. As Elizabeth watched the officers leave, she held out the wish to learn as much as she could from Mr. Wickham regarding Mr. Darcy.