by J Dawn King
“Yes, my Lord.”
The butler apparently saw to his tasks with thorough diligence as the sound of footsteps again descended the stairs. Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam were followed by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Introductions were quickly made and Miss Bingley stepped in front of Elizabeth to demand that Mrs. Nicholls show the Matlock family their rooms.
“Miss Bingley,” Lady Matlock interrupted the long string of commands with a lift of her forehead and an impervious tone. “Thank you, however, Miss Bennet has already seen to our needs.” At that she swept her skirt aside and moved past Miss Bingley, following the housekeeper up the stairs to the guest rooms on the second floor. Her husband and son followed behind. As the family walked down the hallway, they saw Darcy’s footman standing outside a bedroom door alongside a washstand with a stack of clean linens folded and placed neatly alongside. She gave a quick nod; all is as it should be.
Georgiana, shy in the company of the Bingley sisters, felt the power that her relatives reflected missing at their departure. Elizabeth sensed her discomfort and hurried to her side, putting her arm through her friend’s. Elizabeth spoke up, “Gentlemen, Lord Matlock has asked that we gather to discuss yesterday’s events. The family will be down shortly. Might we meet in the drawing room, Mr. Bingley?”
“Certainly, Miss Elizabeth,” Turning to his sister he added, “Caroline, would you order tea?”
Miss Caroline Bingley was quite put out. She left London and came to this country estate only because Mr. Darcy would be here and she saw it as one step closer to becoming Mistress of Pemberley. Now, this country nobody was usurping her position as hostess. Something would have to be done, and quickly, before Miss Elizabeth Bennet ingratiated herself into the Fitzwilliam family further. A few moments later, when Mrs. Nicholls returned to the main floor, Caroline ordered tea, only to find out that Elizabeth had already taken care of it. She gave a very unladylike stomp of her slippered foot and turned and went back upstairs. Her elder sister, Mrs. Hurst, watched the scene play out and was secretly amused. It was time that her little sister quit thinking so highly of herself.
Elizabeth asked Colonel Fitzwilliam how Mr. Darcy was when he left him and was told that he was hot, bored, and cranky. Just then, Lord and Lady Matlock and Viscount Stanley entered the drawing room. All, with the exception of Lord Matlock, took their seat.
“Before I go upstairs and see my nephew, I would like to know what happened. Richard?” Everyone gathered listened closely as the Colonel related the events as he knew them and as had been explained to him by both Georgiana and Elizabeth. Both Lady Matlock and the Colonel’s brother asked questions when an item needed clarifying. When it was retold with as much clarity as possible, Lord Matlock turned to Elizabeth.
“Now, young lady, please tell us how you came to be involved in these events.” His focus on Elizabeth was intense.
“I was leaving my family’s home, Longbourn, for the Inn in Meryton to purchase a ticket for my return trip to London when the Darcys and Mr. Bingley came upon me. I had just been introduced by a close friend to Mr. Wickham. After confronting Mr. Wickham, Mr. and Miss Darcy escorted me to the Inn while they returned here to Netherfield Park to retrieve their carriage. As soon as they returned to Meryton, I joined them in the coach and we rode for a short while toward London when we were stopped by Mr. Wickham. I have had the benefit of some medical training and had my apothecary case with me, so I returned to Netherfield Park with the Darcys. It was with Mr. Darcy’s permission that I tried to repair as much of the damage as possible and administered medications both for pain and for infection. I only wish I knew more of what to do in these situations, my Lord.”
“I am not criticizing you in the least, Miss Bennet.” He paused as if considering how to phrase his next statement. “It is just that it is a rare occurrence when a gently-born lady can be so valuable in such circumstances. I am grateful you were here, as Richard said in his letter, that there is not a physician in the area and Darcy’s surgeon was unavailable as well.”
“Please, Lord Matlock, do not praise me overmuch, for your very own niece was of tremendous value yesterday during the surgery. She labored alongside your son and Mr. Darcy’s valet in caring for him on and off throughout the night as well. I realize that skills such as nursing and patient care are not the usual accomplishments a lady possesses, however, I believe it is because we are country born and bred that gives us exposure to some rather unusual accomplishments.”
At this, Lady Matlock chuckled. She needed to get to know this young woman better, as she seemed to have formed an attachment to Georgiana. Both her sons were gazing at Miss Bennet with interest and she wondered how her nephew responded to her as well. She would have to keep a close eye on this situation.
A soft knock on the drawing room door brought a serving maid with the tea. Behind her came Mrs. Nicholls, checking to see if anything else was needed. Behind Mrs. Nicholls followed Mr. Burton with a message from Mr. Darcy’s valet. Mr. Darcy’s temperature was on the rise again and his valet was requesting Miss Elizabeth’s care. She immediately returned upstairs to Mr. Darcy’s bed chamber, closely followed by the gentlemen in the room. All but Mr. Bingley, who stayed behind to be of assistance to the ladies.
Gabriel was now on duty outside the door. When he saw Miss Elizabeth hurrying down the hallway, he again was grateful that she was caring for his master. The four stopped and washed before Gabriel opened the door and they entered the room. The curtains were pulled back allowing what sun was available in mid-November to shine through. The window was open, letting in a stiff breeze, and Mr. Darcy was soaked, with beads of perspiration covering his brow and his upper lip. He was writhing in bed, exceedingly uncomfortable and in pain.
“What has happened, Parker?” She went to Mr. Darcy’s side and put her hand on his arm to try to still him. At her voice and touch he quieted. “Please, close the window Parker, and ask Gabriel to request Mr. Darcy’s bath be filled with as cool of water as possible. I will mix some more of the medicine and, if you would help me Colonel Fitzwilliam, we will try to get it into him as we did before.” The Colonel moved to the other side of the bed and he asked his father to take Elizabeth’s place while she mixed the powders. They raised Darcy close to a sitting position as she sat on the bed next to him with her cup and spoon. Mr. Darcy’s restlessness caused her to spill some of the liquid. She put the spoon back in the cup and reached her hand up to the side of his face, speaking to him gently. As she told him what her purpose was and he felt the touch of her hand, he calmed and was able to take the bitter fluid. He lay back and the men stepped away while she explained to Mr. Darcy that she needed to check his wound.
Quickly, she rounded the bed and again touched his arm. Mr. Darcy lay still as she pulled the bandage away and cleansed the wound. She then softly wiped his face with a cool wet towel over and over as Mr. Bingley’s servants brought the water to the bathing tub. Nobody in the room spoke while Elizabeth soothed Mr. Darcy. Lord Matlock watched as Darcy lifted his right hand and held Elizabeth’s wrist, holding her hand to his cheek. Darcy’s eyes were still closed, but it appeared that her touch was healing him more than the powders.
Elizabeth explained to Mr. Darcy what was to happen and that she needed to step out of the room until he was returned to his bed. Turning to Lord Matlock, she could see the worry on his face and those of his sons. The area around the wound had been reddened but there were no red streaks moving up or down his arm. Looking Lord Matlock in the eye, she determinedly reassured him, “He WILL NOT lose his arm or his life.”
She then gave instructions to Parker loud enough for all the men to hear and left the room, again reminding Parker that Mr. Darcy would need clean bedclothes and a clean nightshirt when he returned.
Once out in the hallway, she called a maid to strip the soaked bedding and replace it with clean linens; also, to quickly tidy the room, removing any trays, replacing them with more tea and cool water. Then she paced; and worried. She wis
hed she had more skill; that she knew more. If wanting something would make it happen, then her words to Lord Matlock would be true. However, wanting was rarely enough. She prayed, and hoped others were doing so as well.
CHAPTER TEN
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
By the next morning, Mr. Darcy’s fever was down. The cool bath had accomplished much good, however, he slept fitfully through the night. Parker and Elizabeth still took turns trying to coax him to drink and Elizabeth cared for his bandages. The maid, Sarah, who stayed in the room any time Elizabeth entered, also did not sleep. The bruising on Mr. Darcy’s arm was still various purple hues, but the stitches were holding and the skin surrounding them was pink. A healthy sign indicating there was minimal poison behind the bullet holes. Elizabeth knew, without looking, that the shadows under her eyes were most likely similar in color to Mr. Darcy’s bruises and mirrored those under Parker’s eyes. Still, she was pleased to care for this good man.
At dawn, Mr. Darcy started to stir and Elizabeth rose from his bedside chair to fill his cup with water.
“Thirsty,” Mr. Darcy whispered. She took the cup to him and, putting her arm behind his shoulders, she helped lift him so he could drink. Elizabeth was pleased when he drank the cup dry and asked for more. She no longer felt uncomfortable with such contact, but hoped he was not aware of her pounding heart or the blush that would arise each time she came into such close proximity. Finally, after he drank his fill, he laid back on his pillows. The single candle flickering from his bedside table highlighted the strong features on his face. Elizabeth again thought what a handsome man he is.
“Elizabeth, how is Georgiana faring?” Elizabeth was taken aback at his use of her Christian name. It must have been his exhaustion that caused him to overlook proper address, as he had always been most duty-bound in her presence. The maid, Sarah, who was seated on a chair in the far corner and was busy, tending to some sewing, would not have heard Mr. Darcy’s slip as the volume of his voice was low. No ruin would come to Elizabeth’s reputation from that slight indiscretion.
“She is tired and worried, but she is well. You will be pleased at the tender care she has provided you. Often, she and Colonel Fitzwilliam have sat with you and you seem comforted when she strokes your brow with a cool cloth. Truthfully, sir, my efforts with your surgery and care would have been much more difficult without her help.” Leaning forward in the chair, she smiled at Mr. Darcy. “Do you recall the conversation we had while in company with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst about the definition of an accomplished woman, Mr. Darcy?”
“I do. It was when you were here, at Netherfield Park, with your sister, Miss Bennet.” He recalled. “If I remember correctly, Miss Bingley said that an accomplished woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, all the modern languages, to deserve the word; and she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.”
“Well done, Mr. Darcy. Certainly your sister qualified as an accomplished young woman before these events. However, now, in addition to the qualities listed by Miss Bingley, she can add nursing, preparing bandages, and caring for a patient. All skills that prove much more useful than knitting a purse or painting a table, do you not think?”
Mr. Darcy smiled at the thought. Then his brow furrowed again, “But, Miss Elizabeth, what she saw…..what she witnessed with Wickham, surely, it has been difficult to overcome seeing such violence and knowing the person responsible.”
It warmed Elizabeth’s heart to realize that while everyone in residence at Netherfield Park was concerned about Mr. Darcy, he had been concerned about his little sister.
“Mr. Darcy, you need to know that both the Colonel and I have spent hours upon hours sitting with Georgiana, and we have encouraged her to pour her heart out on this matter. It should relieve you to know that, because she was witness to Mr. Wickham’s vile intentions, she has been able to look back at the events at Ramsgate with a much more mature attitude. It is unfortunate that the innocent need to learn to be wary. Georgiana will come through this experience with knowledge of the motives of men, will not be gullible, nor will she trust easily. For a person of our sex, this is a protection. Ignorance can only lead to folly.” Pausing to get her thoughts in order, Elizabeth continued, “Mr. Darcy, the willingness and diligence you and the Colonel both show in protecting Georgiana is truly admirable. She is not unappreciative of what you are trying to do for her behalf. She has mentioned to me that she realizes that it is done from the deepest love and affection. However, in less than two years, she will be out in society. Mr. Darcy, I am sure you are aware of how vicious some of the ladies of the ton are and how manipulative some of the men can be, especially to a beautiful young woman who is in possession of a large fortune and good family connections. She would be like a lamb amidst wolves. This way, she will go into her debut better prepared to determine who would or would not be a proper companion for her, both as friends, and eventually, to marry. Do you not agree?”
Mr. Darcy pondered this before answering. “I do agree, Miss Elizabeth. My Georgie is growing up and I have to allow her to do so. I only wish….I only wish that she had not had to see this dark side of life. She deserves a happy life with only the best of people surrounding her with no difficulties in her future.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, that would be a terrible life!” Elizabeth was emphatic.
“What could you possibly mean by that?”
“Think, Mr. Darcy, how much you personally enjoy overcoming challenges, learning new techniques for doing things, or moving obstacles by using your intelligence and wit. Would not life be a bore if all went well? With challenges comes the opportunity to grow and learn. Is not that truly what you want for your sister? To have a full life where she can feel a sense of accomplishment with a well-made decision or a task well done, especially if it challenged her to step beyond what she thought she was capable of?”
“But, what of failures? She should not have to feel the burden or displeasure with herself for not being able to always make things right.”
“Mr. Darcy, do not failures motivate you to learn more or try harder the next time? It is part of life as an imperfect human to fail. Learning to overcome these failures can be a source of inner peace and happiness.” Without thinking, Elizabeth reached over and took his hand. “Please, sir, if you want your sister to have a happy, full life, you will allow her to make mistakes and to grow from those mistakes. It is part of being an adult, is it not?”
“You are correct, Miss Elizabeth. That is exactly what I want for my sister.” Elizabeth could see that he was getting tired and needed to rest. She realized that she still had hold of his hand and released it from her grip. He, however, grasped her hand tighter. “I am pleased that you are here, Miss Elizabeth, and that we have been able to get reacquainted. I am sorry that we interrupted your trip to London.”
“Please think no more of it, sir. I am certain that my uncle and aunt were expecting me to stay for a while at Longbourn and did not expect my sudden return.”
“Elizabeth,” he squeezed her hand tighter. This conversation was rejuvenating to Darcy. His body was weak, certainly, but his mind was clear of the laudanum he had been given and he longed to get to know this woman better. “Please, share your burden with me.” And she did. She told of her four siblings that she had lost and how devastated she had been when her father and mother placed the blame on her. She told of how disappointed she was in her eldest sister for putting the wrong opinions of her parents before her own happiness and how she had wanted Jane to stay longer at Netherfield Park to complete her recovery before returning to Longbourn. She also told Mr. Darcy how surprised she was at Jane’s reaction to sweet, kind Mr. Bingley. Mr. Darcy returned the favor by talking at length of his relationship with George Wickham and with their father. He explained to her how devastated Mr. and Mrs. Wickham were to see how their son was turning out.
The Wickhams, who not long after they received George into their home, were blessed with a daughter of their own, were both appalled at their son’s conduct. Not being able to watch George’s rebelliousness under the influence of George Darcy, they moved along with their daughter to Ireland, leaving their son behind. Darcy also spoke of how challenging it had been to become master of Pemberley and all the other holdings at two and twenty years of age, plus assume guardianship of his sister at the same time. He spoke of the loss of his beloved mother, how she had tried to shield him from the neglect of his father and the jealousy of his older brother. He also talked of his position in society and how awkward he was in social gatherings. They came to know each other’s circumstances and the seeds of deep respect were beginning to grow. A close bond was forming with a bright future ahead of them, if they could get past their current difficulties.
Finally, Mr. Darcy slept, continuing to hold Elizabeth’s hand. At a tap on the outside of the door, she let go, instantly feeling the loss.
At Parker’s return, Elizabeth left to change into fresh clothing and partake of a small meal. She reflected on all she and Mr. Darcy spoke of with one another. How good it felt to share her innermost feelings, concerns, and disappointments with someone who equally shared his own in return. She knew from watching him around the Bingley sisters how reticent and quiet he was, so it was surprising to hear him speak so openly with her.