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A dark mist obscured her way. It clung to her, sapping her strength and leaving her confused.

She did not have time to be confused. She had to save Mr. Darcy from Lieutenant Wickham.

When she tripped, she heard a soft groan and saw it was Mr. Darcy.

She felt her heart break as she collapsed beside him, her despair palpable at the sight of his broken and bleeding form.

It was too late; Wickham had shot Mr. Darcy in the back.

She felt the warmth of the blood on her hands as she desperately tried to locate the source and stop it.

She could smell the coppery scent of his blood as it pooled around them, filling the small depression they were in.

With a shudder, she rolled Mr. Darcy over and saw the agony in his eyes.

His labored breathing was raspy and punctuated by the sound of wet coughs spitting up blood.

Knowing that there was nothing she could do, she drew his broken form into her arms, holding him close.

He worked to say something, striving to get the words to cross his bloody lips.

“Why… You could have stopped him… Why didn’t you stop him, Elizabeth?

” His accusations sent a chill through Elizabeth’s body, making her stomach lurch.

When Mr. Darcy’s breath ceased, she sobbed despairingly. He died believing the worst of her.

Elizabeth’s fear deepened when she realized the sticky, crimson pool that was slowly spreading around him had no end.

She felt like she was being suffocated by the sheer volume of Mr. Darcy’s blood.

She felt the blood engulf her, warm and sticky as it crept up her body.

A scream escaped her mouth and took her breath with it.

A soothing murmur entered her mind, and she jolted out of the horrible world around her. Jane’s soothing voice called to her. “Lizzie, you must wake up. Come on, darling, open your eyes.” Jane smoothed Elizabeth’s hair back from her face, getting the curls away from her eyes.

“Oh, Jane, I am so thankful you are here. I was having such a dream.” Elizabeth shuddered, then tried to sit up, only to grimace, fully feeling her injuries at the abrupt movement.

“Of course I am here. I could not let you suffer here on your own. You are going to have to accept help, or you are going to hurt yourself. Would you like to sit up?” Jane helped Elizabeth sit up and rearranged her pillows so she was more comfortable.

“Mama would have liked to come, but Papa was in one of his moods and told her she could visit in a few days.”

Elizabeth hated to be the one in need of help. “I hope she does not worry overmuch. I am mostly fine.” She knew it was an untruth when the swelling in her face prevented her from smiling.

Jane tried to maintain her serenity for her sister’s sake, but it was difficult.

Between Elizabeth’s broken arm and her face darkening as they spoke, Jane found herself becoming upset.

“What happened? Mr. Bingley did not go into detail when he spoke of you falling at Oakham Mount.” She kept her hands occupied, trying to smooth the blankets around her beloved sister.

Elizabeth could recognize her sister’s mannerisms and knew she was upset. “Kiernan and I were on our walk when we spotted Lieutenant Wickham trying to shoot Mr. Darcy. I could not stand by to see him harm Mr. Darcy and, in trying to stop him, he knocked me off the edge.”

“Goodness, I never suspected he had that level of wickedness within him. What could have prompted him to do such an act?” Jane gasped.

“I think he had imbibed a great deal of alcohol, but his actions are still unpardonable,” she replied, remembering just how the alcohol had influenced him. “How long can you stay?”

Jane could not avoid the dreamy smile that graced her face as she spoke. “Mr. Bingley invited me to stay until you return to Longbourn. He was sweet about trying to reassure Mama that she could visit as much as she wanted to check on you.”

Elizabeth sighed in relief. “Though both Miss Georgiana and Mrs. Ansley were very considerate and helpful, it is ever so soothing knowing you are here. As nice as it is to have them caring for me, it is never the same as having your sister with you.” Elizabeth would feel better with Jane helping her, as well as her healthful teas.

A soft knock at the door had them both turning to greet the visitor.

Georgiana’s blonde head peeked around the door.

“I wondered if you would be awake. How are you feeling, Miss Elizabeth?” she inquired.

The lady was looking rather worse. Her bruises had darkened, but Georgiana hoped she did not suffer too badly.

“Tolerable, given I fell off a cliff. Now that I am no longer jostling around and my arm is more secure, it is a bearable ache.” Elizabeth was finding her damaged face annoying, as her customary smiles were becoming painful.

Georgiana could not help but giggle at her comment.

“Would you feel up to eating anything? I am sure you need to keep your strength. I have arrived to inform Miss Bennet that dinner is about to be served, and if you will not be joining us, I can have it brought to you.” She blushed at her presumption.

She was not nearly as bad as her brother when talking with new people, but she did often regret how she spoke.

Already knowing that her sister would forgo eating downstairs to stay with her, Elizabeth spoke up.

“Please go down to dinner, Jane. That way, you can entertain me with its description when you return. I can manage on my own. If I may just have some broth and bread sent up, I am not sure I could manage more. It is a good thing it was my left arm that broke, so I will at least be able to feed myself.” Elizabeth once again caught herself trying to smile.

She hoped she would not lose her humor waiting for her bruise to improve.

Jane looked worriedly across the table at Mrs. Hurst. She seemed positively green. Every course of the meal had thick sauces and strong flavors which did not seem to agree with her. The poor thing needed a much plainer fare.

“Louisa, you did not even touch your squab. Really, your manners have fallen off since coming to the back of beyond,” Caroline needled her sister while stabbing at the meat on her plate.

Jane signaled a maid and spoke with her briefly about bringing ginger tea and plain bread to Mrs. Hurst. It was not strictly her place, but she could not watch someone suffer when she could do something.

She took a small bite of her meal, and when she tasted the bitterness of the sauce, she wrinkled her nose.

She enjoyed a much plainer meal even if it was not a popular viewpoint of the ton.

As Caroline scanned down the table, she felt her heart flutter when Mr. Darcy looked up at her.

“How was your sister when you left her, Miss Bennet?” She prompted the conversation she had been wanting to bring about.

Caroline was always enthusiastic to prove her superiority in front of eligible gentlemen.

Jane put on her serene smile, almost grateful she had so much experience doing so.

“She was doing reasonably well. She said that her arm feels better now that the splint is on it. Though I suspect it will be some time before she is pain free, she has always been one to push forward despite any impediment.” The recollection of the fierce, dark bruise that had stretched from Elizabeth’s eyebrow to her jaw disturbed Jane.

“Yes, I have often found Miss Elizabeth too forward. Needing to be rescued was a lot, but allowing herself to be seen in such a state was simply too much. Louisa, you were not there to witness it, but her hair was down, and it was full of leaves. I have seen nothing so disgraceful.” Caroline smiled to herself, happy that she offered such a set down, but then realized the room had gone silent.

Jane preferred to interact with those around her with a gracious heart.

However, Caroline acted with malicious intent, and Jane protected those she loved.

“I beg your pardon, but I cannot but correct your mistaken presumptions. My sister became wounded while trying to help one of your guests and the gentlemen brought her here to receive succor. Any lady of the house would be honor-bound to provide that care without the added burden of any cutting remarks or insolent thoughts. You should also be concerned with the care of your guests and family. However, you have left off that responsibility in favor of trying to impress Mr. Darcy. Abandoning your good sister to suffer this presumptuous meal when I am sure everyone would have been happy with something simpler. But maybe I am being too critical. As someone born apart from the landed gentry and part of a family in trade, you may not know how to act with civility and propriety. In case you did not know, your actions here are the definition of disgraceful, not those of my sister.” Jane threw down her gauntlet with a small smile, her blue eyes unyielding.

Too often she had to act with restraint around her father, but she was determined not to allow insults to stand here.

Caroline’s anger swept away her usual inhibitions, and she acted without considering how it would appear to Mr. Darcy.

“How dare you speak so? I received my education at an esteemed seminary in London. Charles, do something! I cannot stand to be forced to deal with the Bennets. I am certain that Miss Elizabeth is not so sickly that we could not send them back to their miserable abode.” Caroline stood and furiously slammed her hands against the table, rattling the plates and causing her wine glass to topple over.