Unforgiving Temper

by Head, Gail

  “I see your point, sir,” Elizabeth brightened a little. “I suppose I shall have to sneak in the back way. If you insist on attaching yourself to me, then I shall do my best not to disgrace you – especially in front of Caroline Bingley!”

  “Elizabeth?”

  “Yes?” She looked up at him with such a mischievous look that he could not resist the sudden urge to kiss her once more. She willingly returned the kiss, only to pull back at the sound of approaching riders.

  “Darcy! Miss Bennet!” Bingley reined in his horse when he recognized the pair. The six men with him stopped as well, and he turned to the man beside him. “Kensington, would you be so good as to find Mr. Bennet and his party and let them know we have found Miss Bennet?”

  Turning his attention back to Darcy and Elizabeth, Bingley gave a great sigh. “Thank heavens we found you! Miss Lydia – er, Mrs. Wickham – came bursting into the house screaming for help. She was in a deplorable state, terrible bruises all over her and such. We had a devil of a time getting anything out of her. All we could make out was that Miss Bennet was in trouble and you were looking for her. What happened?”

  “It is a very long story, Charles. Right now, we have work to do. Wickham and Ann Younge are up the road,” Darcy announced grimly.

  “Wickham?!” Bingley exclaimed. “I thought we were rid of that blackguard.”

  “We are now,” Darcy answered tersely. “He is dead.” He looked to the men behind Bingley, pointing to one of them. “You there, be so good as to fetch the authorities and arrange to have the body taken in.”

  The man nodded and turned about to return to the village. Bingley and the remainder of his companions looked to Darcy for their orders.

  “You two in the back, there are a pair of frantic horses running about the countryside in broken traces. They will need to be caught and taken to Meryton. I imagine they are from somewhere else, but someone in the village should know where they belong.”

  “And you,” Darcy pointed to the two remaining men, “should notify someone to take care of what is left of the carriage and then fetch Mr. Jones and a stretcher for a woman who is badly injured. Tell him to be prepared for several injuries, including a broken leg, if I am not mistaken. She is about half a mile up the road from here. Let him know that the constable will be looking for her as well.”

  Elizabeth, who had been content to be silent as Darcy issued the flurry of orders, suddenly spoke up. “Mr. Roberts and Mr. Symms, I will amend those orders, if you please. You may fetch the stretcher and take Mrs. Younge to Meryton; but you will send Mr. Jones to Longbourn. Mr. Darcy has been shot and his wounds must be attended to first. Mr. Jones' assistant can see to Mrs. Younge for the time being.”

  “Eliz – um, Miss Bennet,” Darcy frowned in objection. “Denham can see to me. I really do not think that I need – ”

  “You most certainly do, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied firmly. “I will not have you neglected for the sake of a vicious, scheming woman like that.” She looked to the two men who were hesitating, unsure of what to do. “Well, what are you waiting for? Go on! And tell Mr. Jones to hurry.”

  Exchanging a look between themselves, the two farmers backed their horses and hurried off to carry out the modified instructions.

  “Now,” Elizabeth continued, “Mr. Bingley, would you be so kind as to accompany us home? I am certain everyone is awaiting news of us, and I would very much like to get into some clean clothes.”

  Darcy answered Bingley's curious look with an indulgent shrug of his shoulders. “The lady seems to know her mind.”

  “So it seems,” Bingley smiled knowingly. “But since you are not a member of the family – yet – shall I take Miss Bennet up with me for the journey back to Longbourn?”

  “I thank you, but no. I shall take her – that is, unless you have any objections, Miss Bennet?”

  “Why, no!” Elizabeth avoided Bingley's eyes as she stammered her reply. That is…well…I, uh…it is just that I am very dirty, Mr. Bingley; and Mr. Darcy has already suffered for it. I would not want to spoil your wedding clothes.”

  “There you have it,” Darcy grinned with satisfaction. “Come along then, Bingley, we have a wedding breakfast to finish!”

  With a shake of his head, Bingley willingly complied, falling in with Darcy as they turned toward Longbourn. Elizabeth was now uncharacteristically quiet within his arms, Bingley had the good sense not to fill the silence with senseless chatter, and Darcy spent the time contemplating the morning and the interview he intended to have with Elizabeth's father at the earliest possible opportunity.

  * * * *

  “I tell you, Mr. Bennet, I do not know what to make of it at all!”

  The shrill, piercing voice rising from Longbourn's dining room made Elizabeth pause on the staircase with an urge to return to her room until her mother was finished breakfasting. From the sound of it, there was yet another lecture awaiting her on the lack of proper manners exhibited at Jane's wedding celebration.

  “My dear Mrs. Bennet, I daresay it does little good to make yourself anxious over what is done. Our girls are back with us safe and sound and Wickham can do no more harm.”

  Her father's reassuring voice pulled Elizabeth forward again and she continued her painfully slow descent. Between Wickham's brutal treatment and Darcy's perilous rescue the day before, it seemed as if every part of her had been stretched, twisted, or pulled in some fashion. Adding to her overall discomfort was a fierce pain in her foot whenever she happened to take a wrong step. At last reaching the bottom of the stairs, she took a fortifying breath and stepped gingerly toward the dinning room, but halted again when she heard Darcy's name spoken.

  “Thanks to Mr. Darcy, we were spared the pain of losing them both. It is unthinkable what might have happened if not for his quick actions and level head. Would that there were more men like him.”

  “I suppose you are right,” Mrs. Bennet agreed grudgingly. “As proud and disagreeable as that man is, we shall have to express our gratitude somehow; though he was a lot of trouble, you know – and on Jane's wedding day too! I should think he would have the good sense to bring Lizzy home and leave without causing all that commotion.”

  “The man was faint from loss of blood. You can hardly blame him for toppling from his horse. John and Bingley were right to bring him in. Perhaps our guests would have had less knowledge of the affair had they not been alerted by your fervent display of emotions.”

  “What did you expect when Hill told me she could not keep the table filled because the man was bleeding all over the kitchen? I hope you noticed Mr. Jones' manner when he finally arrived. He had absolutely no thought for our dear girls who had suffered most terribly – especially poor Lydia! It is a very good thing she was already tucked safely into bed. His only concern was for Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy! The whole kitchen was turned topsy-turvy just to patch him up, and the mess he made! Well, I cannot begin to tell you! It was all I could do to get a basin of warm water sent up to Lizzy.”

  “Far be it from me to dispute the importance of an injured foot over that of a bullet wound; but I am certain that Mr. Darcy's injuries were far from trivial. Indeed, what is a little chaos and confusion in our kitchen when the man risked life and limb to save our Lizzy?”

  Still standing in the hallway, Elizabeth smiled warmly at her father's words. Although the physical effects of his devastating stroke were still marked by a severe limp and a slight paralysis of his right side, his speech was recovered enough to dispense his characteristic wit. For the most part, he was himself once again. Pushing open the door, she answered him with great affection in her voice.

  “Indeed, Father, Mr. Darcy risked a great deal yesterday and we owe him much!”

  Her mother's peevish glare was not unexpected. “Well, Elizabeth! Look at you all dressed up in your best blue dress and your hair done up. I cannot imagine why you would trouble yourself after yesterday. Jane's wedding day was completely ruined and the gossip is starting all over agai
n – just when people were beginning to forget. You do your sisters a great injustice, you know.”

  Elizabeth blushed slightly as she took a seat next to her father. “I simply had a new dress and wanted to wear it. I see no harm in that.”

  Mr. Bennet gazed closely at Elizabeth and she smiled warmly, hoping her efforts to appear calm and collected were enough to hide her real discomfort from his probing eyes. He had suffered enough and she was determined not to excite him before anything was certain.

  “You are looking very pretty this morning, Lizzy,” he said at last. “I had thought you would be a little worse for the wear after all that has happened. But you are quite right about Mr. Darcy; we owe him a very great deal for you and your sister's safe return.”

  “Even so,” Mrs. Bennet grumbled from the other end of the table, “he is a proud man. I venture to say he will expect a very great deal in the way of showing our appreciation; although I cannot think what we should do that will satisfy him.”

  “Well, I am confident we can find something that will satisfy even the likes of Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Bennet replied dryly before turning back to Elizabeth. “How is your foot? Does it give you much trouble?”

  “It is tolerable, sir, I thank you. Mr. Jones left a salve that has done wonders. If I am careful when I step, it is hardly noticeable.”

  “Still, you should be a little more sensible,” replied Mrs. Bennet stiffly. “In my day, a young lady who had suffered such a distressing ordeal would have the good sense to stay in bed a day or two at the very least! To show such resilience and fortitude is not flattering to your femininity, my dear. Young men are not looking for an equal. They are looking for a young lady of gentle breeding.”

  Elizabeth exchanged a patient look with her father before turning to her mother. “I thank you for the concern, Mama; heaven knows I have been sorely lacking in that quarter of late; however, I refuse to submit to hours of boredom in my room simply for the sake of appearing frail and helpless – which I am not. I am sorry to disappoint you, but it cannot be helped.” Elizabeth gave her mother a solicitous grin. “The day promises to be beautiful and it would seem a shame to waste it in gloomy solitude. Do you not think so, Father?”

  “I suppose so, Lizzy.” Mr. Bennet looked again to his daughter, his interest suddenly deepening. “You seem uncommonly pleased with everything and everyone this morning. Would you care to illuminate us as to the reason for this unusually benevolent humor?”

  Trying to moderate her excitement at the expected outcome of Darcy's visit, Elizabeth only smiled. “Well, sir, I cannot say at present, but I am expecting a visitor very soon and I believe I may be at liberty to explain myself in a little while.”

  “Is that so?” Mr. Bennet pursed his lips thoughtfully. “May I ask who is the visitor?”

  Mrs. Hill entered at that moment, bearing a tray with a letter on it. Stopping at Elizabeth's side, she offered the note which was addressed in Jane's delicate hand. Elizabeth took up the letter and broke the seal. She scanned the words quickly at first, expecting a tender expression of sisterly concern for her ordeal. Jane had always been the worrier, trying to make everyone comfortable and happy. But as Elizabeth read on, her mind began to comprehend that the words written were not concern for her own welfare, but Darcy's! She stared at the letter in dismay. It cannot be true! It cannot!

  “Lizzy?! What is it? What has happened?”

  She heard her father's voice, calling to her from what seemed a great distance but could not answer. Frozen by the shock that ripped through her, she could not move. She felt the letter slide from her hand as her father took it and read the awful words for himself. She was grateful that he did not read them aloud. It would be too much to hear them spoken.

  “What is it, Mr. Bennet? I must know what is going on!”

  The sound of her mother's hasty rise finally spurred Elizabeth to action. To have her mother dissect every word and its meaning was unthinkable. Snatching the letter back from her father, Elizabeth folded it into her lap and out of Mrs. Bennet's reach. Jane's frightful words begging her to come to Netherfield at once brought her to her feet. There was not a moment to lose!

  “Father, I must go at once.”

  “Go? Where?” Mrs. Bennet cried, staring in astonishment at Elizabeth's near panic.

  His wife's pressing inquiries fell on deaf ears. Mr. Bennet was staring at his daughter. “Do you think it wise, Lizzy? You yourself are not completely well – as much as you would like me to think you are. Perhaps we can send Mary or Kitty if Jane is in need of help.”

  “No, Father! I must go!” Elizabeth gripped the back of her chair to support herself. “I do not need the carriage. It will take too long in any case. May I take Nell instead? John can have her saddled in a few minutes.”

  “I really think it best you wait another day – regain some of your strength before you expose yourself.”

  “I cannot wait another day or another hour! If need be, I shall walk. It is but three miles.”

  “Walk?!” Mrs. Bennet cried out. “Three miles? Mr. Bennet, I demand to know what is going on this minute!”

  “As you see, Lizzy is quite determined to go to Netherfield. Our dear Jane has her hands quite full her very first day as mistress – Mr. Darcy has taken a turn for the worse.”

  Chapter 33

  Elizabeth urged Nell up the drive to Netherfield's front door, her mind racing frantically at the possibilities of what she would find there. This morning's venture was the antithesis of her previous day's ride back to Longbourn nestled in Darcy's arms.

  The feel of his kiss still lingering on her lips, she would have been content to stay that way forever. Once they had reached home, however, everything quickly escalated into a flurry of frenzied activity. She had been handed down and whisked away by her mother and Hill. Her last view of Mr. Darcy had been of him sitting atop his horse following her departure with a tender, concerned smile. It was not until much later that she learned Mr. Darcy had fallen unconscious from his horse and had to be carried into the house. The extent of his injuries had been a surprise, but Mr. Jones had given every expectation that Darcy would mend quickly. There was no thought that he had been mortally wounded.

  Reaching Netherfield's steps, Elizabeth's mind was brought back to the present. She hurriedly dismounted and handed the reins to the waiting footman. Rushing to the door, she lifted the heavy knocker twice in succession and then waited impatiently for Wilson to open the door.

  “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Bingley is expecting you,” the butler greeted her kindly.

  Before Elizabeth could reply, a familiar voice sounded from somewhere behind him.

  “My dear Eliza! I shall call you that now for we are sisters, are we not?” Caroline Bingley's honeyed words grated on Elizabeth. “And as your new sister, I must tell you that you are not looking well at all. You should be home resting after your terrible ordeal. I see that you have come on horseback. Wilson, do have the carriage brought round so that Miss Bennet can have a comfortable ride home.”

  “Please do not, Wilson. I am not leaving.”

  “But my dear, there is no need to exert yourself so. There will be sufficient opportunity for visits once you are fully recovered. I would be happy to let Charles and Jane know you called.”

  “This is not a social call, Miss Bingley. Jane has sent for me and I will see her. Wilson, please let the mistress of the house know that I am here.”

  Caroline's façade slipped a little as the butler turned away. “Really, I see no need for your help. She has me, after all. What can you do that I cannot?”

  Without answering, Elizabeth removed her coat and handed it to the footman along with her bonnet and gloves. Her silence only fanned the flames of Caroline's resentment. When the footman had gone, she turned on Elizabeth.

  “Just because he saved you from Wickham does not mean you can lay claim on him. Once he is well again, he will return to his own world. Something you know nothing of! If you truly want what is best for
him, you would not –”

  “Lizzy!” Jane's relieved cry cut off the rest of Caroline's words, but Elizabeth already knew what they were. She did not belong in Mr. Darcy's world of wealth and high society. Her lowly connections would only hold him back. She did not believe he felt the same; but even if he did, that was something she would face later. For now, Darcy was dangerously ill and the only thing she cared about was seeing him well again.

  Jane rushed to Elizabeth, embracing her tightly. “I am so glad you are here at last. Come, let me tell you everything before I go back.” Pulling Elizabeth toward the sitting room, Jane looked back to Caroline who was following closely. “Caroline, would you be so good as to tell Mrs. Middleton that Mr. Jones needs another basin of cool water and some clean bandages?”

  By the look of astonishment on Caroline's face, it was evident she had not yet made the change from mistress of Netherfield to dependent relation and guest. After an awkward moment of gaping, she snapped her mouth shut and silently marched off in the direction of the kitchens.

  Once they reached the sitting room, Jane sat close and began relating the disturbing details of Darcy's condition, making Elizabeth's heart grow heavier with each passing minute. When Jane was finished, Elizabeth wrapped her arms tightly around herself trying to contain the panic and helplessness that was threatening to escape.

  “Mr. Jones said that everything was going to be all right! He gave every assurance that there was nothing to worry about! This is unforgiveable!”

  “He is only an apothecary, Lizzy, not a doctor or surgeon. You cannot expect him to know everything.”

  “But surely he could have done more!”

  “He did his best. He has little experience with gunshot wounds. Mr. Denham has gone to London to fetch Mr. Darcy's physician. We are hoping they will be back by this evening. In the meantime, we can only try to keep the fever down and wait. I sent for you because I thought you would want to be here in case he…in case things got very bad.”