Page 13 of Obligation and Redemption

Darcy’s arduous move to Netherfield left him exhausted and uncomfortable upon his arrival.

He had not sat up for that long since his injury occurred, and he found that this made him lightheaded and nauseated.

He was able to keep the contents of his stomach down by sheer willpower.

Darcy was determined to enter the house upright by leaning on his friend, but the energy consumed by such a task was nearly too much to bear, and he, in humility, had to allow Bingley’s footmen to support him on either side as he gained the steps to the front entrance.

Miss Bingley presented herself at the door of the house, determined to be useful to the man whom she hoped to marry; nevertheless, her efforts were quite lost on him, as he had striven to shut out of his mind all of the bustle going on around him.

He was a tall, well-formed man, which had always worked to his advantage; however, these attributes only made the task of assisting him into the manor and up the flight of stairs to the guest wing more laborious for Bingley’s men.

With the help of one other footman, Nelson was able to get Darcy into the bath, which to Darcy’s relief, Miss Bingley had ordered drawn – an occasion for him to relent that her desire to impress sometimes had its advantages.

After soaking in the warm, sudsy water for half an hour, he was ready to put on a soft sleeping shirt and climb into the downy comfort of the poster bed.

Only one hour was needed to transport him to Netherfield; nevertheless, that hour came at a price.

Darcy knew that the move would likely set him back, but he could not have spent another day in that oppressive cabin or lament the change in location.

Darcy’s fever did return, but not to the previous extent.

He continued to eat little, despite the variety of food ordered for him by his faithful hostess.

As Darcy focused on his recovery, his friend continued to make social calls throughout the neighbourhood.

Darcy had asked Bingley to keep his ears open to any gossip, not expecting to hear any, but wanting the solace that would only come in knowing that word of his trials had not been laid open to public scrutiny.

What Bingley heard, however, would bring Darcy anything but solace.

THE DAY AFTER DARCY’S RETURN to Netherfield, Bingley rode out to Meryton with his sister, Caroline, hoping to encounter Miss Bennet.

Not seeing her upon first entering the town, he set off on his own, while Caroline and a maid went to the butcher and then the baker to personally check on the orders for the following fortnight.

She did not want any detail to go amiss while Mr. Darcy was in residence.

Mr. Bingley was greeted by the local townsfolk with the kindest of courtesies, and he was pleased to have taken a home in such an agreeable area of the country.

Mrs. Philips, the sister of Mrs. Bennet, spied Mr. Bingley strolling down the walkway of Meryton, and quickly came out to the street to pay her respects.

Mrs. Philips was much like her elder sister by way of her mouth leading before her mind could catch up; howbeit, when it came to local news, she was as shrewd as any Londoner.

“Mr. Bingley, how nice it is to see you on this fine day. We have missed seeing you and your friend this week.”

With a bow and a congenial smile, Bingley replied, “Madam, a pleasure to see you as well. We have been rather distracted as of late, but I could not help but make time to come visit with my new friends in Meryton, such as yourself.”

“You would not be looking for anyone in particular would you?”

With uncharacteristic shyness, he replied that he was pleased to see any of his new acquaintances.

“I have seen several local people out shopping today, as the weather is so fine. Why I just saw my nieces not fifteen minutes ago walk past this very spot and enter into the milliner’s.

” Bingley could no more stop his eyes light up and a smile spread across his face than he could stop breathing, as he turned his head towards the milliners.

So Mrs. Philips had guessed correctly about the direction Bingley’s heart was following.

Jane Bennet was a lovely girl; how could Mr. Bingley help but fall for her?

Upon seeing Mr. Bingley’s distracted gaze, and after gaining this bit of insight, she moved on to the next topic on her mind, the one that most held her curiosity.

“It is a pity that my niece, Elizabeth, was unable to join her sisters today. Of course, she has been quite ill these past few days. Getting caught out in the rain does not do anyone any good. What she was doing out all alone, I am sure I do not know. But it is a good thing she was out, for what would have happened to Mr. Darcy!”

Bingley quickly shifted his astonished eyes from the milliners to Mrs. Philips. “What would have happened to Mr. Darcy?” Bingley hesitantly replied, as he dared not say anything to confirm or deny the exclamation.

“Of course. He may have been out in the cold rain for hours before you found him, if you found him. I daresay, he would have been in a sorry state, if he survived at all.”

“I am afraid that you have the advantage over me, madam.” Bingley had singularly lost all interest in the lovely Miss Bennet, as he scrambled to discern what she knew, and therefore, what the town was saying, for in the short time he had been in Hertfordshire, he had determined that she was the notorious town gossip.

“Sir, surely you know, for Mr. Darcy is your guest. I heard it from Mrs. Bennet, who heard it straight from Lizzy. She did no less than rescue him and save his life. Mrs. Bennet had been worried to a frenzy about Lizzy, as she had set out at first light and had not been seen until her father brought her home in such a state! He had found her you see at the folly on the Longbourn property, soaked through. She has been sick in bed since that night, feverish and unable to eat or drink. She put her own life in danger trying to save him, I am certain.”

Bingley just stared at her. What folly? Her story makes no sense.

She continued, “The folly is such a romantic location on the estate. I know of at least two couples to get engaged there, including Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, and now this! How charming!”

Bingley knew he had to intervene but knew not what to say.

The less said the better, but how was he to counter her story without giving away the truth of it?

“Darcy has not been to the folly. In fact I had no idea there was one at Longbourn. It must be on the other side of the estate from Netherfield is it not?”

“Of course it is, and a lovely location at that, perfect for a rendezvous.” She winked at him as if they were in on a great secret.

“Madam, Mr. Darcy was not at a folly, I can assure you.” That was the truth.

“Well, where is he now? I heard he was ill at Netherfield, just like our Lizzy is at Longbourn. They were found at the same time. You cannot deny that can you, sir?”

“Mr. Darcy is the best person to account for himself on that day, but he is not here. He remains my guest and friend, and as such, I feel as though I cannot discuss his happenings in good conscience. ”

“Of course you are astute in these matters. I only meant to warn you of what the neighbours are hearing, and more importantly, what they are spreading. I would never have said anything to you, if you were not the personal friend of Mr. Darcy. You know, he could do a lot worse than our Lizzy. She will give him no cause to repine. The Bennet girls are the jewels of the county, they are, and mark my words, Mr. Darcy will find that she is up to the challenge. He is a rather stern fellow for her, but she will laugh it out of him.” She continued on in this vein, sniggering as she went.

This is altogether horrible. What will I say to Darcy?

He had to try to quench her tongue before they were overheard.

Talking as softly as he could, hoping she would follow suit, Bingley said, “Mrs. Philips, surely you cannot believe that Mr. Darcy will offer for Miss Elizabeth? Why, he barely knows her, and as I have said, they were not at the folly together on that day. Now I ask that you please not spread rumours that have no foundation and that can have such a devastating effect on the Bennets, as well as my friend.”

She looked at him as if he had grown horns. “Of course Lizzy was with him. She said so herself.”

“She told you this?” He could not believe Miss Elizabeth would have actually let this get out.

She seemed so sincere in her dislike of his friend.

He understood why; Darcy had been a beast since he had joined him in Hertfordshire, standing aloof and haughty.

Bingley knew this was just one side of the multifaceted man, but still, the good people of Meryton did not know.

Darcy had actually offended Miss Elizabeth at the assembly not a fortnight ago, and Bingley was certain, based on her expression at the time, that she had overheard the insult.

“As I was saying, she told her mother while her mother was caring for her, as she was rather feverish, but her point was clear. She said that she saved Mr. Darcy in the rain and had to marry him. Now she was gone all day, and I suppose he was missing as well. At least that is what I had heard that day. Miss Bingley had sent a messenger into town asking if anyone had seen him, and that he had been absent since early that morning, just like our Lizzy.”

Trying to change her mind would be futile. He had to get back to Darcy and get direction from him. “I will get to the bottom of these rumours; you can be certain of that, but I can assure you that Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy are not engaged and have no plans to become so.”