Page 1 of Penned by Mr Darcy (…By Mr Darcy #3)

Elizabeth

E lizabeth Bennet was beloved by all who knew her. There were countless reasons for such regard.

Her smile, for one. Her face, handsome as it was, was enhanced as it lit up with a smile that was brilliant and unguarded, always reaching her eyes.

Her wit, too, was greatly admired, for it was as sharp as a blade but never cruel in its intention.

And, perhaps most cherished of all by those who were named amongst her friends, was her loyalty: steadfast, unshakable, and as natural to her as breath.

It was this loyalty that saw her traipsing through the muddy fields of Hertfordshire as she walked from Longbourn to Netherfield.

Word had reached their family that morning of Jane’s sudden and debilitating illness, and Lizzy had not hesitated to set out at once to ensure that her sister had all that she needed.

The roads were too muddy for a horse and carriage, and Lizzy had no desire to be pushing stuck wheels out of the mud.

The day itself was fresh and bright, the rain of yesterday evidenced only in the puddles it had left behind.

In truth, such a walk was very welcome indeed. The three miles that lay between Longbourn and Netherfield were easy, the land flat and the views pleasant. Had her mind not been consumed with worry for her sister’s condition, she would have happily taken her time and savoured the exercise.

But there was no time for dawdling. Jane had done her best to make her illness sound trifling, but Lizzy saw through her easily.

Her sister rarely complained, and even to make mention of any sickness was unusual in itself.

If she admitted to being ill at all, Lizzy knew Jane must feel very bad indeed.

By the time Netherfield came into view, Lizzy realised that her old and dependable boots did in fact have a hole in them, for the sole of her foot was cold and sodden.

The hem of her blue dress had become brown, the mud dotting her skirt reaching up to almost her waist. She could not help but to laugh at herself; Netherfield had surely never seen such a dishevelled visitor.

Before she could hope to fix her appearance, she was alerted to someone calling her name.

“Miss Elizabeth!”

Mr Bingley walked towards her, and she went to meet him halfway. He greeted her with a deep bow, and when he rose she could see that his disposition was far from the cheerful man she had seen at the Meryton Assembly.

“Good morning, Mr Bingley. Or I suppose it must be afternoon by now.”

“Just gone noon. I am very glad you are here, Miss Elizabeth. Very glad indeed.”

Her heart fell.

“What has happened? Has she worsened?”

“Not since this morning, no. However, I am sorry to say that she is very ill indeed. I saw her this morning – just for a moment through the door. She has no colour about her face at all. The doctor believes it to be the beginnings of winter fever.”

“You are certain it as serious as that?” Lizzy asked, her throat tight with sudden panic. “It is just a cold from the rain. She said as much in her letter.”

“Miss Bennet is very stoic, I am certain. She apologised to me most profusely for her presence here, can you believe that? Apologised! If I had known Caroline had invited her for dinner, I would have made certain to send my carriage for her to assure her comfort. Really, this whole thing is entirely my fault.”

“You did not know that she had been invited for dinner?”

“No, I am afraid I did not. Darcy, Hurst and I were to dine with Sir William Lucas, and we left before the rain set in.”

“I see.”

“She must stay as long as she needs to recover, of course,” Mr Bingley continued. “I insist.”

“Really, that is most generous of you, but Longbourn is an easy journey by carriage. We must allow a few hours for the road to dry, but then we shall be on our way and we may leave you in peace.”

Mr Bingley shook his head.

“Please, Miss Elizabeth, I must ask that you do not. This whole thing could have been avoided if I had just sent the carriage for her, and thus I feel I must insist she is not moved. The doctor said it was best she remains here, and I would be loath to ignore his advice.”

“But…”

“And, of course, you must stay as well. I know that the two of you are very close, and I am sure you wish to nurse her yourself.”

“Truly?”

“Yes. It is quite settled. I will send my man to Longbourn for your things. Of course, you will be our guest, Miss Elizabeth, and must join us whenever you are able to.”

“This is most kind of you, Mr Bingley. I am sure we are very fortunate to consider you a friend to our family.”

Mr Bingley’s face broke into a smile, and he nodded his head.

As he began to quicken his pace towards the house, his bouncing curls and bright eyes rather reminded Lizzy of an eager puppy.

A spaniel, perhaps. They fell into conversation as they walked, Mr Bingley’s warmth a balm to her worried mind.

“How have you been, Miss Elizabeth?”

“Very well, thank you. I hope you are still enjoying your time at Netherfield, and that you have not grown weary of our small town.”

“Not at all, not at all! It is most diverting. The sport is fine, and the company even better. Do you know, I could quite see myself staying here.”

“For the winter?”

“And longer still. I confess, I find myself quite content to remain here for some time.”

She smiled, certain that his happiness at remaining in Hertfordshire was connected to the pretty young lady currently in residence at his home.

Oh, however much Lizzy disliked her mother’s matchmaking, there was no denying that such forced proximity could do nothing but make Mr Bingley’s affection for dear Jane even stronger.

She followed Mr Bingley into the house, seeing nobody else as he guided her to the first floor.

He spoke the entire way, but Lizzy scarcely heard him as she admired the grand staircase and hallways that lead to Jane’s room.

She had not yet had the privilege of being a guest at Netherfield, and even if unpleasant circumstances had brought her here, she would do her very best to enjoy her stay.

“She is in here,” Mr Bingley said eventually, coming to a stop. “There is an empty bedroom just next door that I will see appointed for your use.”

“That is very kind, but I am sure there is no need. I have always shared with my sister.”

“Well, should you need it, it is at your disposal. Might I say good afternoon to Miss Bennet?”

Lizzy glanced at the door, hearing no sound coming from within. She looked back at Bingley, who stared at her with hopeful eyes. A spaniel, she confirmed. A King Charles Cavalier, with eyes begging for scraps.

“Allow me a moment with her first, to make sure she is able to receive a visitor.”

Lizzy opened the door a crack and slipped inside, shutting it firmly behind her.

Jane lay on the bed, her eyes closed. Her pale blonde hair was loose, fanning around her and giving her quite the celestial appearance.

As Mr Bingley had described, she was pale indeed, lacking the usual rosiness she carried about her cheeks.

At the sound of the door closing, her eyes fluttered open.

“Lizzy,” she said softly, a small smile crossing her lips. “I am glad to see you.”

“I came as soon as I received your note. Oh, you poor lamb! You look dreadful!”

“Thank you,” she said, a glint of amusement in her eyes. She chuckled, but such a small movement soon gave way to a hacking cough.

“I am sorry! You were quite well when you ventured out yesterday. How has this happened so quickly?”

“I do not know,” she said when the coughing ceased. “But I must return home at once. I have been a terrible imposition, and…”

“Mr Bingley will not hear of it. He has already instructed me that we are both to stay until you are well.”

“But that might take days. Truly, I think…”

“He wishes to see you. He is out of his mind with worry. Might he come and give you his good wishes before he wears a hole into the carpet with his pacing?”

“You must not tease! I look terrible, you said it yourself. How can I allow him to see me like this?”

“He will think of nothing but his concern and affection for you. A moment, let me tame your hair, and we will allow him a glimpse of you from the doorway.”

“Lizzy! What would our mother say?”

“Our mother would be thrilled, do not pretend! There!.Are you ready?”

“I suppose I must thank him properly,” she said. “But only for a moment, and then I must rest. Yes?”

“Of course.”

Lizzy rose from the bed and walked to the door. With a final glance to her sister, she opened the door. As she had expected, Mr Bingley was indeed pacing the length of the corridor. When he caught her staring at him, her amusement barely suppressed, his pale cheeks tinged with red.

“Mr Bingley. You may come in, for a moment.”

He nodded, coming to her side in a moment. Lizzy pretended not to notice as he passed a hand over his hair, and she turned her head to bite back a laugh.

“Good afternoon, Mr Bingley,” Jane said with a smile. “I am so sorry to be such a burden upon your household.”

“It is no bother! No bother at all!” he said quickly, still rooted in place by the door. “How are you feeling?”

“Quite well, I thank you.”

“Jane never likes to complain,” Lizzy said. “Do not listen to a word she says.”

“You are very brave, Miss Bennet. Very brave indeed. Please, if you require anything at all for your comfort whilst you are here, you must simply ask.”

“You are very kind.”

The blush on Mr Bingley’s cheeks intensified, and Lizzy could hardly contain her laughter as she looked between the hopeless pair. Both gazing upon the other with clear adoration, and both equally ignorant of the other’s regard.

“Miss Elizabeth, I do hope you will join us for lunch?”

“I should probably…”

“You must be hungry, Lizzy,” Jane said. “All I wish to do is sleep, I will be no company at all.”

Mr Bingley’s glance back towards Jane, something wistful about his face, did not escape Lizzy’s attention.