Page 4

As Miss Elizabeth led Miss Bennet from Netherfield on foot, Darcy and Bingley stared in consternation. The day’s outcome was not auspicious.

Darcy, for his part, had taken Mrs Bennet’s measure. He knew in his bones the matron would be livid at her plans being disrupted, and Miss Elizabeth would bear the brunt of it. He had little evidence to back up his supposition, but it seemed all but certain.

Bingley vacillated between the acute feeling of loss from one of his angels walking away (the first to do so), and the shame of knowing the entire neighbourhood would be acutely aware that a sick woman rode home with her sister on foot just to escape his hospitality.

He wondered if he would ever be able to hold his head up in the local society again.

He also wondered how he might reel Caroline in. She would no doubt consider the day’s activities a great triumph, and her behaviour would only get worse. He had no idea what to do about it.

Darcy was startled out of his funk when the groom, who the Bennets knew (naturally), appeared leading their horses.

“Begging your pardon… I thought you might wish to—”

Bingley finally came out of his own funk to see the young man was obviously nervous about his reaction, but not as petrified as he might have assumed. Perhaps, Simon did not need the job as bad as all that, or maybe he planned to give his notice since Netherfield did not seem especially hospitable.

At the very least, Bingley owed him something for his courage and thoughtfulness. “I thank you, Simon. You did the right thing.”

Simon gave his forelock a tug and turned to go.

Darcy asked, “I believe you know the Bennet sisters well.”

“I do,” he replied suspiciously.

“If you had any advice, I would be very happy to hear it.”

“Not my place, sir.”

“I know, but I would appreciate it nonetheless.”

When Simon looked at him, Darcy nodded. It would be unfair and uncouth to give the appearance of bribing the young man, but a few extra shillings falling from the sky never hurt anyone. At the very least, he had to reassure the young man that there would be no retribution.

“Stay back, but not too far.”

“How far?”

“Close enough to watch their safety… not close enough to speak.”

Darcy nodded, walked over to his horse, and slipped Simon a crown, which was all he had in his pocket. Both knew it was far too much by more than triple, but Darcy hoped the groom would have sense enough to put it to good use quietly.

They took the horses out at a trot, but not too quickly. They were tracking two ladies on foot, where they knew their destination, and there was only one road. Army scouts they were not.

~~~~~

As they left the gates of Netherfield, Darcy yelled, “Blast!” and smacked his forehead with the palm of his hand.

“I suppose you worked out the only handsome girl in the room, ” Bingley said with a wicked grin since misery loves company.

“I suppose either Miss Elizabeth heard me, or someone else did and reported it.”

Bingley frowned. “You were not exactly discreet. I would wager Miss Elizabeth heard you herself, and that was the best part of that diatribe. I am surprised she even talks to you.”

Darcy nodded in chagrin. “I am as well. Tell me honestly… am I always like that?”

“Much of the time,” Bingley said with a sigh. “It must be difficult being hunted for sport, but if you want my honest opinion… well… you bring half of your troubles on yourself. You should certainly take full ownership of that little gem.”

“We seem to be a right pair of lunkheads. I never expected to be put in my place by a pair of country maidens.”

Bingley snorted. “Lady Catherine will be thrilled.”

Darcy laughed along since he was always up for gallows humour. “Her sister, on the other hand, would be most disappointed.”

“Her sister?” Bingley asked, not exactly in top mental form.

“My mother.”

~~~~~

A quarter-hour later, the men walked their horses around a corner, guessing they were close to the ladies.

Darcy reached over to hold up Bingley when he saw the Bennet horse halted.

They crawled along slowly and quietly, trying not to be seen.

Their observations were not the least bit favourable.

The horse was standing next to a fence, which Miss Elizabeth had climbed to hold her sister as she vomited onto the lane.

Bingley whispered, “Should we offer assistance?”

“No… I suspect Miss Elizabeth knows we are here, but she would not dream of making Miss Bennet’s day even worse. Allow her the respect of knowing what she is about. We have embarrassed them and ourselves enough for one day.”

They sat there in consternation for another five minutes until Miss Bennet improved.

Miss Elizabeth never looked back, but Darcy had a feeling she knew exactly where they were.

He had no idea if following them would give them a tiny sliver of forgiveness or a few more entries in her brown book.

All he knew was he had no real choice. The opportunity to behave in a gentlemanlike manner had come and gone, so the best he could hope for was to not make things worse.

Ensuring their safe return to Longbourn was the very least part of their duty.

After five minutes or so, Miss Elizabeth wiped Miss Bennet’s mouth with a handkerchief and kissed her brow.

Ignoring both decorum and her nemeses completely, she climbed astride behind Miss Bennet and walked on, an action that Darcy assumed must be acutely uncomfortable—both painful and embarrassing.

The ladies continued for a hundred yards then kicked into a slow trot.

Progress was much faster, and another twenty minutes brought them to Longbourn.

~~~~~

Darcy watched as the ladies approached, but instead of going in the front drive, they walked a narrow trail that circled the house to approach from the rear.

He assumed it was a stratagem to avoid Mrs Bennet for a few minutes, and admitted it was a good scheme.

He had done the same thing himself many times he remembered fondly.

That thought made him realise with a frown that his sister had not.

He wondered if that had anything to do with her na?ve acceptance of a rogue’s romantic notions, but deferred thinking about it for a while.

He shook off the recollection as he finally saw Miss Elizabeth approach a mounting block and waved Bingley to a stop.

The two men waited, barely in sight of the ladies, not hiding. but not blatant either.

Miss Elizabeth dismounted first, then they watched in consternation as she had to practically drag Miss Bennet off the horse. The elder was looking the worse for wear and never even glanced their way.

Miss Elizabeth helped her from the mounting block, then dragged her arm over her shoulder, grabbed her waist, and half-carried her across the yard.

Just before the pair reached what he presumed was a servant’s entrance or kitchen door, she looked directly at him for a moment. He reached up to tip his hat before remembering they left Netherfield without it, so he touched his forehead and gave a respectful bow.

She frowned at him for a moment, but as he sat in stony silence watching her intently, the last thing she did before entering the house was a small semi-curtsey with a bow of her head. He had no idea if she was being polite, giving him a message, or simply stumbling on the stairs.

~~~~~

Once the ladies entered Longbourn, Darcy said, “Time to go.”

Bingley nodded, and they walked the horses carefully around the path back to the drive When they reached it, Bingley looked over to his friend in a manner that suggested a race.

Darcy thought it a fine idea, or at least not terrible (which would be an improvement for the day they were having).

They leaned forward and wiggled around to ensure their saddles were well set.

As they prepared to race, Bingley observed, “Well, that was a right cockup. What should we do?”

Darcy leaned down a bit in preparation for the race, then stared intently at his friend,

“You can do as you choose, Bingley. As for myself… I intend to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet! ”

Then he kicked his horse into a run and the race was on.