by Zoë Burton
Mr. Darcy Finds Love
By Zoe Burton
Mr. Darcy Finds Love
Zoe Burton
Published by Zoe Burton
© 2017 Zoe Burton
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews, without permission from its publisher and author.
Early drafts of this book were written and posted on fan fiction forums in September 2015 and October 2016.
Table of Contents
Mr. Darcy’s Love
The Essence of Love
About the Author
Connect with Zoe Burton
More by Zoe Burton
Mr. Darcy’s Love
By Zoe Burton
Acknowledgments
First, I thank Jesus Christ, my Savior and Guide, without whom this story would not have been told. I love you!
I also wish to thank my beta for this story, J. Dawn King, who did a fabulous job, and my writing buddies, Rose and Leenie, who continue to stretch me and keep me on the straight and narrow, writing-wise. You rock!
Chapter 1
Elizabeth Bennet was offended. Her new neighbor at Netherfield, Mr. Bingley, had brought his family and houseguest to the Meryton Assembly this evening, and the guest, a Mr. Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, had just now insulted her. Not handsome enough to tempt him, she thought. Just who does he think he is? Rather stuck on himself, isn’t he? He should look in a mirror to see how high in the air he puts his nose. How could he possibly see past the end of that appendage? If he is not careful, he might fall and trip and break it! Seeing her good friend, Charlotte Lucas, standing a short distance away from Mr. Darcy, on the other side, she rose from her seat to share both his words and her thoughts with her oldest companion. Laughing to herself at her own wit, she brushed past the object of her derision. She took no more than two steps beyond him when disaster struck in the form of Miss Amanda Jennings.
Miss Jennings was thirty and quite firmly on the shelf. She was the youngest of her parents’ seven children. Her birth had been a surprise to them. Her next oldest sibling, a brother currently serving in the Navy, was twelve years older. Her only sister had married long ago and had children of her own.
Miss Jennings’ parents tried to do their best by her. She had a come out ball and was presented to the monarch at seventeen. She danced and flirted and truly enjoyed every outing for several seasons. Many men caught her eye during that time, but for some reason, she did not catch theirs. As reality began to set in that she was likely to remain single forever, she began to fall into despair. To deal with it, she began to sip sherry every night. And, when there was an event to attend, Miss Jennings more than sipped. She often awoke the morning following a ball or other gathering with an aching head and heaving stomach.
On this particular night, she had been at the punch rather heavily. Since it had been several years since she had been invited by a gentleman to dance a reel, she tended to wander the edges of the dance lines, leaving her open to being bumped about. As she wandered past the tall man who was visiting the new occupant of Netherfield Park, she staggered too close to the dancers. One of the enthusiastic participants stepped back into her, sending her careening to the side. She fell, landing on something soft, before bouncing off to hit the floor with a thump. Dizzy at the suddenness of the motion, she closed her eyes and gave into the darkness at the edge of her vision.
~~~***~~~
Elizabeth did not know what hit her. She was walking past Mr. Darcy, smirking at her own joke when she was suddenly pushed from behind, landing in an awkward heap on the floor. Her head bounced off the hard wood, as her left arm twisted and slid painfully. Her body landed on top of it, pinning her damaged limb beneath her. She lay there, stunned, not even able to recognize the voice urgently calling her name and asking about her health.
Events seemed to happen in slow motion. Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy had watched in disbelief as the drunken woman had hurtled into Miss Elizabeth Bennet, knocking the young lady to the floor. His shock prevented him from moving at first, but when he realized Miss Elizabeth was herself unmoving, he rushed to her side. It was a stillness borne of injury. As he called her name, rolling her over so he could assess her condition, others began to gather; some to help Miss Elizabeth, others to take care of the cause of the accident. Darcy could see a lump forming on Elizabeth’s forehead, so he deduced she had struck it when she fell. Her eyes were open but unfocused.
“Miss Elizabeth?” No response. “Miss Elizabeth? Can you hear me?” He watched her eyes blink slowly before she first moaned, then attempted to lift her head. “No, no. Do not move. Your family will be here soon to care for you. Rest.” He looked up, trying to see who amongst those gathered might be related to her, when Bingley and the eldest Miss Bennet made their way through the crowd. He heard the blonde beauty exclaim her sister’s name then watched her drop unceremoniously to the floor to chafe Miss Elizabeth’s hands.
“Bingley,” Darcy called to gain his friend’s attention. “Perhaps you might find Miss Elizabeth’s parents.”
“Capital idea, Darcy! I shall do so now.” Mr. Bingley was as good as his words. He rushed away immediately to locate Mr. and Mrs. Bennet.
Turning to Jane, Darcy asked, “Is there somewhere we might take your sister for some privacy?”
Worriedly, Jane responded, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for your consideration. There is a small room across the hall and down a bit that contains a settee she could recline on. Lizzy will be terribly embarrassed to be exposed like this.”
Nodding, Darcy replied, “Do you think she would mind being carried? She is not lucid enough to walk on her own yet, nor is she answering our queries. I would be happy to transport her to the room you mentioned.”
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, that is very kind of you,” Jane responded. She was worried about appearances, but her sister’s health was far more important at the moment. With her as chaperone and her parents soon to be joining them, she could see that his suggestion was the best option. “On Lizzy’s behalf, I give you permission to do so.”
Immediately, Darcy carefully lifted Miss Elizabeth off the floor and rose with her in his arms. He carried her easily, as her form was light and pleasant. Darcy followed Miss Bennet down the hallway, pausing at the threshold of the room to look down at his burden. He was struck by her eyes and how much dimmer they were at this moment than they had been just a few minutes ago. He began to regret his impulsive words to Bingley, words that rejected her as a dance partner. Such behavior was beneath him, and if his mother were alive and in attendance, she would be beyond disappointed with him.
Moving inside the sitting room, Darcy gently laid Miss Elizabeth on the settee, stepping back to allow her sister space to tend her. He looked around, and seeing a chair nearby, dragged it over for Miss Bennet to sit on. It was at this point that Mr. Bennet entered the room.
Walking quickly to Jane’s side, her father demanded, “What has happened?”
“I do not know, Papa. There was a commotion behind the dancers, and everyone began to congregate there. When I heard Lizzy’s name, I rushed into the crowd and found her lying on the floor, with Mr. Darcy kneeling beside her.”
Mr. Bennet had noticed that gentleman in the room when he entered, and now stood straight and turned to him. “Mr. Darcy,” he greeted, bowing. “Can you tell me what happened to my daughter?”
“Yes, sir, I can. Miss Elizabeth had just walked past me when she was crashed into by another lady. I have not been introduced to this other woman, so I do not know her name, but she is just a little taller than Miss Elizabeth and wore a cap.”
“A cap, you say?” At Darcy’s nod, Mr. Bennet cont
inued. “So she was married or a spinster. That narrows it down very little, I’m afraid. Unless you happened to notice her age?”
“No, sir, but she was wearing a drab color…a shade of green. Olive green, I would say.”
“Miss Jennings! I am sure of it! Did she stagger, that you saw?”
“I am afraid I did not see her movements before the accident, but I do recall hearing that name—Jennings—exclaimed as I knelt beside your daughter.”
“Miss Jennings,” Bennet spat in disgust. “Always in her cups. Now it comes back to haunt us all for allowing it.” He thanked Mr. Darcy, adding, “Your quick action to remove my Lizzy to a quieter place, away from prying eyes is greatly appreciated, sir.”
“If I may, sir, I should like to call on Miss Elizabeth tomorrow or the day after and check on her.”
“You would be quite welcome, Mr. Darcy.” Bowing, the men separated, Bennet to tend his second eldest child and Darcy to return to the ballroom, thinking about all that had occurred in this short time period. As he entered, he was accosted by Miss Caroline Bingley, his friend’s unmarried sister.
“Where did you disappear to, Mr. Darcy?” she asked with a flirtatious smile. “You have missed the excitement!”
“Have I? What excitement was that?”
“Why, one of these darling creatures was inebriated and staggered into one of the Bennet ladies, who promptly sprawled herself all over the floor in a very unladylike manner.” She sniffed. “The residents here are all quite common.”
Darcy held in a sigh at Miss Bingley’s distorted view of the event. It was a habit of hers, a particularly unattractive one, to either twist events to fit her perspective or ignore the facts to suit her purposes. She was even known to make up her own facts, in the absence of any real ones. He knew she was not that different from any other woman of the society he inhabited. He also suspected she had set her cap at him, but this and other of her characteristics ensured he would never offer for her. He suppressed a shudder at the thought of being tied to a shrew like her for the rest of his life. Though he knew it was likely a useless venture, he attempted to correct her understanding of the accident involving Miss Elizabeth.
“Actually, Miss Bennet was not sprawled. She was completely covered, to her ankles, and may have a serious injury. It really is not a basis for humor, Miss Bingley.” He finished his speech with a glare at his companion. He bowed to her before turning on his heel and walking away, leaving her with a quizzical expression.
As he walked away, Darcy worked to keep his annoyance under good regulation. He wondered if he was ever going to find a woman with accomplishments and intelligence who was also kind and sweet-tempered. Miss Elizabeth’s face flashed across his mind.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Elizabeth awoke in pain. Between her arm and her head, she was certain something was going to fall off before too much longer. She tried to move, to roll over to her side in an attempt to find a more comfortable position, moaning as she did. The noise awoke Jane, who immediately asked how she was feeling.
“Like I was thrown from a horse. What happened to me?”
“Do you not remember? I explained it to you three times last night,” Jane asked worriedly.
Furrowing her brow and searching her memory, Elizabeth could not for the life of her remember what happened to her arm. The last thing she could recall was the Bingley party being introduced to theirs. “I am sorry, Jane, truly. I cannot think what it was.”
Patiently, her sister related the story once again. This continued memory loss concerned her. She would be sure to mention it to Papa and to Mr. Jones, the apothecary, when he stopped to check on Lizzy.
“Mr. Darcy carried me?” Elizabeth was mortified at the thought.
“Yes, but it was better that he did than for you to lay there for all of Meryton to see. Do you not agree?”
Reluctantly, she admitted that to be the case. After a few more questions, she was getting tired once more. Jane helped her sit up and take a cup of willow bark tea, settled her back against the pillows, and left her to rest, shutting the door quietly behind her.
Later in the morning, when she next awoke, Mr. Jones was examining her arm.
“Ah, Sleeping Beauty awakes! How are you feeling, my dear?” Mr. Jones had been the apothecary in Meryton since long before the Bennet girls were born and had been taking care of them since their respective deliveries. He was quite fond of them, especially the eldest two.
“I have felt better, sir.”
Mr. Jones chuckled. “I should imagine so! ‘Tis not every evening a young lady is mown over as though she were a field of hay!” After the laughter caused by this statement had died down, he continued, “How badly does it hurt? Are you able to move it at all?”
Gingerly, Elizabeth moved her arm up and down. When he asked permission, she allowed the apothecary to manipulate it himself to get a better idea of the precise range of motion she had.
“Well, my dear, we established last night that the limb is not broken. There is some bruising, as is to be expected after a fall such as the one you took. It must be rested while it heals, so no sewing or tree-climbing for a while; fair enough?” At her nod, he added, “I am very serious, Miss Elizabeth. To begin to use it before it is ready could result in a permanent injury. I am certain you would rather your freedom be limited for a short while now than for the rest of your life.”
“Yes, sir,” Elizabeth sighed. She so hated to be restricted in any manner, but could see the sense in his words.
“Now, you hit your head rather forcefully. Last evening, you repeatedly asked us what happened, and you did not know where you were. Your father tells me your sister had to tell you all over again this morning. Can you relate to me what she told you?”
For a second, Elizabeth froze, thinking to herself, what happened? But then her sister’s voice echoed in her memory, and she was able to recall what Jane had related to her. She faithfully recited it all to Mr. Jones and her father, feeling relief that she was able to do so.
The men, too, were grateful. Had her memory not returned, it would have indicated a far more serious injury. They could rest easy now knowing she would probably return to herself in due time.
“I am happy you have retained what you were told for this long. I am certain that you will be completely well soon. I prescribe copious amounts of rest, and willow bark in your tea if your pain becomes unbearable. I know what your next question will be, Miss Elizabeth,” he continued with a twinkle in his eye, “and I do not require you to rest in your chambers. You may join your family whenever you feel well enough; however, I insist that you remain stationary and that you use a sling to immobilize the limb. No walks through the countryside, am I clear?”
“Yes, sir. I am happy enough to be allowed out of my chambers. I will consent to the rest of your constraints without complaint.”
“Then Lizzy,” Mr. Bennet began, “if you are up to it, Mr. Darcy sent a note over this morning. He wishes to visit and ascertain your good health for himself.”
Elizabeth was surprised by this information. From what she could recall, he had seemed quite severe when he was introduced to her family. However, Jane had shared that he was quite gentle with her, and he was the one who initiated the move from the ballroom to the sitting room, to give her privacy. It spoke well of him that he was so thoughtful and solicitous.
“I should like to thank him, Papa. I will come down for a little bit, if you will send word that he has arrived.”
“Very good, my dear. I will escort the doctor out and ask Jane and the maid to help you dress.”
“Thank you, both of you.” She smiled at them in turn, and when they had left the room, she relaxed into the pillows to wait. She began to reflect on the events of the night before as she knew them and to ponder Mr. Darcy and his character. She remembered nothing beyond being introduced along with her family. She recalled his seriousness at that time, but that was all. Well, she thought, her head beginning to ac
he from the exercise, I shall find out soon enough what he is like.
Not long after, Jane and Sarah, the maid, entered the room, followed by the footman with a shallow bathtub and a bucket of hot water. While they waited for the remaining water, Jane brushed Elizabeth’s hair out and Sarah began laying out clothing. An hour later, Elizabeth was clean and sitting in front of the fire, hair dried and styled. She was taking a moment to rest before going down to the drawing room, for she had received word that Mr. Darcy was come to visit.
“Lizzy,” Jane asked, “are you ready? Are you certain you wish to do this?”
Nodding, Elizabeth replied, “Yes, I am as ready as I am going to be, I think. I am a little lightheaded, though, so please walk beside me as we navigate the staircase.”
“I will not leave your side.”
With those words, Jane helped her sister stand and led her carefully downstairs.
In the drawing room, Mr. Darcy patiently waited. He had been surprised to arrive and find the majority of the family from home, but Mr. Bennet had assured him that it was for the best. Not only did his second daughter require rest, but Mrs. Bennet need not know of his visit, for she would likely make him uncomfortable by attempting to match him up with one of the girls. Darcy appreciated his host’s thoughtfulness, though he did wonder why the man would hesitate over such a thing. Did he not want his children to marry?
Presently, Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth arrived, followed soon after by Mr. Bennet. Darcy was struck by how pale Miss Elizabeth was, and how she leaned on her sister’s arm. The sparkle was back in her eyes, though a little dimmer than the first time he saw her. Darcy could not explain why that concerned him, but it did. He wanted to see her personality shine brightly again.
Once greetings and introductions were complete, for Elizabeth and Jane had not formally been introduced to him the night before, Mr. Darcy turned to the lady he was here to visit to ask, “How are you feeling, Miss Elizabeth, after your accident?”