Page 4 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
Mr Bennet looked at the gentleman—to whom he had barely spoken a few words since they first met—standing near his daughter who was dressed in his coat. His jacket and trousers were wet and dirty.
“Mr Darcy, I am not certain how this all happened, but please allow me to thank you. And please enter. You both look very cold—”
“Sir, I believe Miss Elizabeth should immediately be taken care of. I am afraid she is in great danger of falling ill. She has spent quite some time in this cold weather. Perhaps a doctor should be fetched.” He addressed Jane, who had removed his coat from Elizabeth’s shoulders and taken her sister’s trembling hands.
“Yes, we shall do that…thank you, sir,” Jane whispered.
As she was pushed forward by her worried sister, Elizabeth barely managed to thank Mr Darcy, who bowed silently. Climbing the stairs, she turned her head and briefly met his stern gaze. He looked no different from the man she had known the last two months.
With all the ladies departed, the gentlemen remained in the main hall, facing each other, equally uncomfortable with the disturbing situation. Finally, Mr Bennet spoke.
“Mr Darcy, I shall send my servant to Netherfield at once to fetch you dry clothes. In the meantime, I can offer you a warm robe and a glass of my brandy. It is the least I can do since you do not wish to accept my gratitude for your generous assistance to my daughter.”
Darcy hesitated a moment, glancing at the door through which Elizabeth had disappeared. He considered that he had never visited Longbourn before, nor had he ever wished to until that day. Perhaps he could delay a few minutes.
“That seems a good arrangement, sir. And a glass of brandy would be just fine, thank you,” he finally accepted.
His host gave instructions to a servant, then Darcy followed him into another room where Mr Bennet filled two glasses.
“You have a handsome library here, Mr Bennet,” Darcy said approvingly.
“It is a small room and there are not as many volumes as I would wish to have. But the library is my favourite place in the house,” Mr Bennet answered.
“Mine too.” Mr Darcy looked around, his eyes perusing each book.
“I imagine your library is much larger, though.” To his surprise, Mr Bennet noticed a smile twisting Darcy’s lips.
“It is larger, but when we speak of libraries, it is not the size of the room but the quality of the books that makes the difference. I recognise a few exceptional volumes on your shelves.”
“You have an excellent eye, sir. I confess to being very proud of each of them. More brandy?” Mr Bennet offered and filled his guest’s glass again.
“I dare presume that Miss Elizabeth inherited her passion for books from you,” Darcy said.
“She has, and that makes me exceedingly happy. Although—may I dare ask—when did you notice Lizzy’s passion for books? I am only curious as I know you and Lizzy are not particular friends,” Mr Bennet inquired in jest, and his guest’s countenance changed.
“I had the pleasure of spending time in Miss Elizabeth’s company when she stayed at Netherfield…I hope Miss Bennet has sent for the doctor?”
“I am sure she has. Mr Jones—the apothecary—should be here any moment now. I thank you for your concern and for everything you have done for my Lizzy today.”
“It was a fortunate coincidence which took me to that path—and in truth, it was Lucky who drew my attention. Unfortunately, by the time I met her, she had already stood quite a while in the freezing weather. That is why I insisted she ride back to Longbourn.”
“Lizzy rode? That is astonishing. I know she is not fond of riding.”
“No, not quite… I offered her my horse, but she refused, so we rode together. I apologise—I admit that was not the best nor the most proper solution, but I was afraid any delay might affect Miss Elizabeth’s health.”
“Sir, you are surely not apologising! Can you imagine that I care about propriety when my daughter’s life is involved? I believe your decision was the correct one.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Mrs Bennet’s voice in another room, and Mr Bennet smiled, emptied his second glass of brandy, and filled it again.
“I should apologise for exposing you to the madness of our house—which is today even worse than usual. Mr Collins proposed to Lizzy earlier today. She must have been very distressed to allow such an accident to occur. I do not remember her ever falling before.”
Darcy stiffened and frowned. “Miss Elizabeth will marry Mr Collins?”
“Marry him? No indeed!” Mr Bennet laughed.
“Poor Mr Collins, he is not unkind in his judgment. As he will inherit Longbourn after my death, he thought it his duty to propose to one of my daughters. First I thought he would propose to Jane, but I guess he noticed that her attention was otherwise engaged, so he proposed to Lizzy—what a joke!”
“So…Miss Elizabeth refused him?” Darcy inquired then suddenly realised the impropriety of his question and apologised. However, the brandy, as well as the relief of having his daughter back home, had made Mr Bennet more inclined than ever to make fun.
“Of course, she refused him! That is precisely why my wife is so troubled. She still believes she can convince Lizzy to accept, and she expected me to force her. As if I were the kind of man to force my daughters to do anything… I cannot even force Mary to stop singing, as you saw last night. Besides, I doubt anyone could force my Lizzy to do anything against her will. I was concerned that she might consider sacrificing herself for the family’s safety as my wife insisted.
But fortunately, my daughter is as bright as I expected her to be. ”
“Indeed, Miss Elizabeth seems to be a very bright and decided lady,” Darcy said seriously, glancing through the window.
The last hour seemed unreal. He was prepared for a peaceful day spent on the road to London, and things had turned out utterly different.
If only Bingley had been ready on time. That thought, however, made him shiver.
If he had gone early as he planned, what would have happened to her?
She would have walked back home eventually, but at what cost?
“Should I call for some refreshment, Mr Darcy? You must be hungry.”
“Not at all, sir. In fact, I will leave as soon as your servant arrives. Bingley must be waiting for me. We shall leave for London today. I only took a short ride before our departure.”
“Truly? Then it was an extraordinarily fortunate coincidence that you happened upon Lizzy—a coincidence for which we must be even more grateful. And will you return to Hertfordshire? Mr Bingley told me last night that he planned to stay in Town only briefly. ”
“I could not say for sure… There are several aspects that must be taken under consideration. Besides, I am not certain of my own plans yet.”
“I see… I hope to have the pleasure of meeting you again soon, Mr Darcy.”
The servant finally arrived from Netherfield, and Darcy hurried to change in the guest room.
He felt torn between his eagerness to finally leave Longbourn and his worry at not knowing whether Elizabeth was well.
However, he had not much time to consider as the servant informed him that Mr Bingley was ready to leave and only awaited his arrival.
He returned to the library to take his farewell. Despite everything, he had truly enjoyed the short conversation with Mr Bennet, and he slightly regretted that he had not attempted to deepen his acquaintance with the gentleman during his stay in Hertfordshire.
In the main hall, the apothecary greeted them with an exuberance that disconcerted Darcy.
“Sir, what a story I have heard! So you saved poor Miss Lizzy—what a sweet girl! I have known her since she was an infant. I must go and see her. I hope to give you a favourable report. She must be truly ill since you had to carry her in your arms, I was told.”
“Mr Jones, I would expect you to examine the patient before speculating about her illness,” Darcy answered severely. “Gossip and time-wasting are not useful in situations like this.”
Mr Jones frowned and babbled an excuse, hurrying upstairs followed by Jane. A moment before he left the house, Mr Darcy turned to his host.
“Mr Bennet, if you have time, I would appreciate it if you would send me a letter to let me know that Miss Elizabeth is well. If necessary, I can easily arrange for my doctor to examine her. London is only a few hours away, and my carriage could bring him in no time.”
“It will be my pleasure to write you, sir. And I shall remember your generous offer, though I truly hope it will not be needed. Have a safe ride home…to London, I mean. And please convey my best wishes to Mr Bingley.”
“I will. Good day, Mr Bennet.”