Darcy's Passions (5 page)

Descending from their carriage upon their return to Netherfield, the gentlemen learned Miss Bennet took ill during dinner. She, evidently, rode the family horse to Netherfield from her home at Longbourn three miles away, and the downpour soaked her
clothes. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst insisted she stay the night. “Caroline, how is Miss Bennet?” Bingley pleaded with his sister when she exited the lady's room.

“The apothecary has come and gone, Charles. Miss Bennet has a fever.We offered her accommodations for the evening,” his sister replied, a bit out of sorts with having to deal with this matter.

“Should we send to London for a physician?” Bingley said, pacing the floor.

“The lady has a cold. She will be better tomorrow. Sending for a physician would be preposterous for a cold! I warrant Miss Bennet will be better on the morrow, Charles.” The whole matter fatigued Caroline. Although not thoroughly content with the answer, Bingley did not press his sister further. He would wait until the morning to assess whether Miss Bennet needed something else.

Satisfied he could do nothing to relieve his friend's tumult and seeing no other need for his service, Darcy retired to his rooms. Sitting before the mirror in his dressing room, he spoke aloud to the image of the man he had become.“So, Miss Bennet is here and ill. How convenient for her! I wonder who planned such a foolish venture—Mrs. Bennet, of course; she arranged this all. She sent her daughter out in the rain to
snag
herself a husband. Can one image such a mother—such connections—poor Elizabeth?” As soon as he said her name, a reverie of images of the woman overcame his senses. Every time he thought he rid himself of his desire to see and talk to Elizabeth Bennet, reminders resurfaced.
Elizabeth would never agree to such a clearly manipulated plot as this one was,
he mused. Should he warn Bingley? His friend became more entangled each day; could he allow Bingley to create an alliance with such a family ? What was he thinking? He considered such an alliance himself on more than one occasion!
Elizabeth is still a Bennet
; he had to keep reminding himself of that fact and of the repugnance he felt for her connections.

Darcy undressed and prepared for bed. Leaning over to blow out the candle, another thought dawned on him. If Miss Bennet felt very ill, Elizabeth Bennet would probably come to Netherfield
to take care of her sister. Darcy groaned with the realization that in such a case, Elizabeth would be here in the house with him. He would be forced to spend more time with her.Was the groan from pain or pleasure with the thought? He was not sure. Letting out the breath he did not realize he held, he blew out the candle, closed his lids, and welcomed the portrait of Elizabeth Bennet to his sleep.

 

Jane Bennet's fever worsened. In the morning the Bingleys dispatched a note to Longbourn for they decided whether to secure a physician should be one belonging to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. Bingley realized the truth of the idea; he had no right to order a physician for Jane Bennet; yet, that fact did not soften his notice. A chaotic state overcame Bingley. “Please, you must calm down, Charles. Everything which can be done for Miss Bennet is being seen to.” Darcy wanted to allay his friend's apprehension.

“I know, Darcy, but I feel I should be doing more for her.” Bingley allowed his growing regard for Jane Bennet to show.

“Please, Charles, you are doing your best for Miss Bennet. She will recover soon; you will see. Let us join your family in the morning room.Your sisters are concerned for your well-being too.”

Darcy's words lessened Bingley's anxiety, and he allowed himself to set aside his misgivings and to be led to the morning room. Although the rainstorm ended, and the land dried out, remnants of the downpour remained. Darcy knew they could not ride out today, and he too remained in a state of disorder; a ride on Cerberus would do him well. So, there they sat, partaking of the morning repast, making niceties, and each of them lost in his thoughts. Bingley worried for Miss Bennet's well-being; Caroline and Louisa wanted to rid themselves of the duty of caring for someone they only pretended to admire; and Darcy needed to free himself of the unexplained energy which thoughts of Elizabeth created in him.

Suddenly, the door swung open; a servant announced, “Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” and she stood framed in the doorway. Her appearance took all of them by surprise. Mud steeped her petticoat, her hair windswept, and her clothes disheveled.The Bingley
party sat in shock—in momentary suspension—at an unannounced visit so early. Simultaneously, both Bingley and Darcy recovered; they sprang to their feet to acknowledge the entrance of a lady into the room. Mesmerized by her image, Darcy stood dumbfounded; in all his nightly musings, he never envisioned Elizabeth to look as such; she was lovelier than ever.

Bingley, thankfully, had the good sense to leave the table to approach her.“Miss Elizabeth,” he began,“please, join us.” She motioned his plea away.“You have come to see your sister. I am so glad to see you. Miss Bennet will benefit by having her loved ones close.”

Sarcastically, Caroline said,“Miss Elizabeth, did you walk here?”

“I did, Miss Bingley. I was worried about Jane,” Elizabeth reasoned.

“Three miles?” Louisa added incredulously.

Elizabeth smiled at their being astonished at her need to see Jane. “I believe so,” came her simple reply. Then turning to Mr. Bingley she asked, “Would it be too much trouble for me to see Jane?”

“We will have someone show you to Miss Bennet's room,” Bingley chimed in. “When you are able, please advise us on her condition; our apprehension grows. If Miss Bennet needs
anything,
we are your servants.” Bingley turned to the doorman and indicated for him to take Elizabeth to attend her sister. During this exchange, Darcy did not move; the picture of Elizabeth, which he would add to his mental gallery of her, amused him.

When she was safely out of earshot, Caroline could not contain her distaste for the display made by Elizabeth Bennet. “Did you ever?” she began, but Darcy cut her short by removing her immediate audience. “Bingley, it appears we will be unable to ride out today and look at more of your holdings, but we still may address expenses for the renovations you have considered.” Bingley looked relieved at the possibility. He needed to be away from his sisters and to contemplate what he should do in regard to Miss Bennet.They hurriedly retired to the study.

“Darcy, would it be inappropriate to bring a physician from London to attend to Miss Bennet?” Bingley began tentatively.

“It would be a break in propriety,” Darcy responded in a halting speech. “May I suggest if Miss Bennet's progress is delayed, her sister should also be given accommodations so she may attend to Jane Bennet. From what I observe of Miss Elizabeth, I find her to be very sensible. She would never allow decorum to get in the way of her sister's health; Miss Elizabeth would ask, maybe demand, you do more if need be.”

“Of course, why did I not think of that? When Miss Elizabeth joins us later, I will ask her to stay.Your good counsel never ceases to amaze me, Darcy.” As Darcy turned back to the plans for Netherfield, he wondered whether he did the correct thing.

At three in the afternoon, Elizabeth entered the sitting room; she attended Jane all day, with the occasional help of the ladies of the house.The apothecary declared Jane to have a violent cold and in need of more care, and Elizabeth hated to leave her sister, but she must return to Longbourn as evening approached. Wanting to be rid of the competition, Miss Bingley, graciously, offered Elizabeth her carriage, which she accepted reluctantly and then prepared to take her leave. Bingley and Darcy entered the room as this last exchange occurred; Bingley shot Darcy a sideways glance, and Darcy nodded his approval. Bingley's affirmation could not be questioned. “I will not hear of it, Miss Elizabeth; you must stay and tend your sister. Miss Bennet will recover much faster if you are in attendance.”

“Mr. Bingley,” Elizabeth nearly gushed, “your kindness is most appreciated. I desire to stay with Jane if your offer is sincere.”

“Then it is settled,” Bingley added quickly. “We will send a servant to Longbourn to acquaint your family with your stay and to bring back a supply of clothes for your needs.”

“I am in your debt, Mr. Bingley.” Elizabeth curtsied and happily returned to her sister's room. This satisfied Bingley, but if he took note of his sister's face at the time, he would have seen displeasure. Caroline wanted the Bennet family out of Netherfield as soon as
possible. She realized Charles favored Miss Bennet; she also recognized Darcy's growing interest in Elizabeth Bennet. She would need to be observant of the dynamics surrounding this household. Her plans for Charles's future and her plans for her future with Mr. Darcy were being challenged, and Miss Bingley never accepted defeat easily.

 

It was half past six before Elizabeth joined the party again, having been summoned to dinner.“I am afraid, Mr. Bingley, I cannot give you a favorable response to your inquiry. My sister shows no improvement.”

“That is dreadful to hear, Miss Elizabeth,” Caroline intoned, although she quickly returned to the needlework she held in her hand.

During dinner Darcy hoped for an opportunity to speak with Elizabeth, but Caroline strategically placed her next to Mr. Hurst. Darcy made conversation with Caroline. He split his attention, however, hoping for
gems
of Elizabeth's conversation, which he could use later.

 

Elizabeth returned to her sister's care after dinner, and Miss Bingley immediately began to abuse her. “Miss Elizabeth's manners, I find, are very bad indeed; they are a mixture of pride and impertinence. Did you notice, Louisa, she cannot hold a civil conversation; she has no style, no taste, and no beauty of which to speak. Country ideas of such appealing qualities must be far below those of refined societies.” Darcy shuddered listening to her crassness; he wondered at how little he knew about Miss Bingley. He once found her to be dignified.
When was that exactly?

Louisa Hurst joined in her sister's aspersion of Elizabeth Bennet. “She has nothing, in short, to recommend her, but being an excellent walker. I shall never forget her appearance this morning. She really looked almost wild.”

Caroline cackled, “She did, indeed, Louisa. I could hardly keep my countenance.Very nonsensical to come at all! Why must
she
be
scampering about the country because her sister had a cold? Her hair so untidy, so blowsy!”

“Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud!”

Bingley came to Elizabeth's defense.“I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room this morning. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.”
Bless him,
thought Darcy.
Maybe he will be able to handle Caroline some day after all.

Caroline turned her attention to Darcy. “You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure, and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see
your
sister make such an exhibition.To walk three miles or four miles, or five miles, or whatever it is, above her ankles in dirt and alone, quite alone—what can she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.”

Caroline's references to the boorish behavior of the locals wore on Darcy's patience.“Her sister was ill; it shows an affection for her sister that is very pleasing.”

“Mr. Darcy, you must agree, however, that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes
.
” Caroline's voice displayed her desperation.

“Again you are mistaken, Miss Bingley. They were brightened by the exercise.”

Darcy hoped his comment would stifle Miss Bingley's censure of Elizabeth, but it did not. “Did you know, Louisa, the Bennet family has an uncle who is a country attorney and an uncle who owns a warehouse in Cheapside?”

“I do not understand all this emphasis on material wealth when one judges a person's merit; even if the Bennets had enough uncles to fill
all
Cheapside, it would not make them one jot less agreeable.” Bingley felt the need to defend his preference for Jane Bennet.

“Unfortunately, Bingley, other people will judge differently. It must very materially lessen their chance of marrying men of any consideration in the world.” He hated to say it, but the facts were
true. Men of fine society would not consider the Bennet sisters as probable mates, and although he found Elizabeth Bennet to be more than appealing, he knew he could not marry her.

Darcy's speech gave the Bingley sisters
permission
to continue their condemnation of the Bennet family's vulgar relations. Bingley, on the other hand, made no answer; he wanted to change the subject, but the reality of the situation did not allow him to open up another avenue of defense. Darcy, too, could not shake the uneasiness he felt each time Caroline mentioned Elizabeth in a negative light.

 

Eventually, the sisters ceased their
humorous
attack and removed to Miss Bennet's room for an update on Jane Bennet's condition. It was late in the evening before Elizabeth, however, rejoined the Bingley household.The party sat at loo when she returned; Darcy anxiously observed her again. During the day he decided he once more desired Elizabeth's company. Plus, he reasoned having her here would give him some time to really get to know Elizabeth Bennet. He had no one with whom he must share her responses. Darcy looked forward to once again engaging her in a verbal battle. Elizabeth would see him differently; she would increase her regard for Fitzwilliam Darcy. That idea played to Darcy's sense of pride; what woman would not desire his attention? No one Darcy met before refused his consideration.