Page 4 of Superior Connections

“Y ou are lucky, Miss Lizzy. The sprain looks ugly but actually is superficial. The bleeding has stopped — it was just a scratch. I have placed a poultice on your ankle and bandaged it tightly. You should stay in bed for the rest of today and keep your foot raised and still. It might be swollen and blue for a few days, and you will not be able to dance much at the ball, but it should be fully recovered soon.”

“What a relief, Mr Jones!” Jane said.

“Here is some medicine for a fever, in case it is needed tonight. And Miss Lizzy should drink a few cups of this tea to prevent any complications from a cold. One cup now and another later. She might feel sleepy after it, but resting for a few hours is just what she needs. Knowing Miss Lizzy as I do, I expect no problems — if she listens to my advice!”

“We shall do everything you said. That I can promise,” Jane replied, and Elizabeth nodded.

She was just pondering that she had made a similar promise to Mr Darcy when Lydia burst into the room and informed her that Lady Rosseford was downstairs and was asking after her.

“I shall return to examine you tomorrow,” Mr Jones said before taking his leave.

Jane helped Elizabeth drink the first cup of tea, then to find a comfortable position against the pillows.

“I thank the Lord that you were not as badly injured as you looked, Lizzy,” Jane said, stroking her hair. “I was worried when you did not return — and so scared when I saw you!”

“I can imagine how awful I looked — covered in mud. Mr Darcy was probably appalled, especially since I ruined his clothes too, as well as his saddle. Oh, he bandaged my ankle with his neckcloth. Please be careful with it. It needs to be washed so I can return it in good condition.”

“I shall take care of it. Do not worry. Mr Darcy was exceedingly kind to you. He could have just fetched help, but he chose to bring you home instead. It really was very attentive of him. But I should have known. Mr Bingley told me that Mr Darcy is kind and generous and considerate, despite his appearance of pride and arrogance.”

“It is quite strange that a person’s appearance often does not match their true nature,” Elizabeth mused. “And yes, he was most kind and considerate to convey me home on his horse while he walked all the way. Especially considering that I refused his suggestion at first and declared I could return alone. He had to persuade me to accept.”

“My dear Lizzy, why did you do something so foolish?”

“Out of stubbornness, I assume. You know I have always disliked Mr Darcy’s disdainful manners. I know he disapproves of me and our entire family — in fact, the entire neighbourhood. And after Mr Wickham told me how cruelly Mr Darcy treated him, I wished to have nothing to do with such an unpleasant sort of man.”

“Lizzy, I do not doubt Mr Wickham’s story, but as I said before, he is a stranger to us, even more than Mr Darcy is. We know neither of them well enough to trust them.”

“You are right, as always. Mr Darcy suggested I should ask for evidence and request more details before I believe Mr Wickham’s tale.”

“Mr Darcy sounds reasonable. And today, his behaviour did not show any disapproval of you or our family. Quite the opposite.”

“I know. There is something peculiar about his change of manners.”

“Or perhaps we judged him too harshly. But we have time to discuss this later. You should try to sleep, Lizzy.”

“And you may go and greet Lady Rosseford. I know you are eager. I am too. Please convey to her my apologies for not being able to see her today.”

“Very well, dearest,” Jane said, placing a kiss on her cheek. “I shall return soon.”

“There is no hurry. I feel like I shall sleep for a while.”

Jane left, and Elizabeth pulled the sheets around herself, closing her eyes. The silence was most welcome, with only the sound of the fire burning steadily and the rain hitting the windowpanes. If not for Mr Darcy, she would probably still be struggling to make her way back to Longbourn.

She tried to sleep, but her mind and her senses were too restless. All sorts of details spun in her head — Mr Darcy’s throat revealed from under his neckcloth, his fingers brushing over hers when he pulled off her gloves and put his on her hands. The sensation of his gloves, previously warmed by his hands was also distracting, as well as his touch on her ankle when he took off her boot and bandaged the injury.

As she had never before experienced such intimate gestures from a man — even though each of those gestures had been for her benefit, Elizabeth assumed her distressing response was understandable.

What troubled her the most was the recollection of being carried in Mr Darcy’s arms — twice. She had never pictured herself in such a situation, with any man, not even with her future husband. That Mr Darcy had held her, had carried her from the carriage to the house and then upstairs, was simply inconceivable. And even more unbelievable was the fact he had offered and then insisted on doing it.

Would he have done so with any other woman he had found in similar distress? Very unlikely. Besides, he had already admitted that, if someone else had been in her position, he would have simply fetched help. If she added this to his confession of admiration, her turmoil was complete.

That Mr Darcy was a better man than she had judged him to be, she could accept. That Mr Wickham may prove to be less than she had believed, she could also accept.

But the notion that Mr Darcy held her in some special regard, which induced him to care for her, to protect her, and to hold her in his arms for no other reason than mere concern for her safety, was frightening to even consider. No, she could not allow her thoughts to wander down that path.

A man like Mr Darcy would hardly speak to anyone outside his circle of family and friends; he would certainly not bestow his admiration and affection upon someone so far beneath him. Why would she even think he might? It was absurd; it was impossible. It was preposterous! Mr Darcy could not have anything other than friendly feelings for her, and those were probably only due to Mr Bingley’s admiration for Jane.

Maybe Mr Bingley did intend to propose to Jane, and Mr Darcy wished to make amends for his past rudeness towards the Bennets. Yes, that must be it. There could be no other explanation. And Mr Darcy’s feelings, whatever they were, should not be Elizabeth’s concern. She was grateful to him, and she would thank him again when they next met. And that was all.

Her reasoning struggled to overcome the random thoughts that tried to invade her mind and open the path for other speculations. She had little success, since, when she fell asleep a while later, it was with the feeling of being warm and safe and dreaming she was in Mr Darcy’s arms.

She woke abruptly, feeling sweaty and flushed, and realised somebody was knocking on the door.

She invited them in, expecting her sisters or mother, and was shocked when Jane and her father entered together with a lady. Lady Rosseford, no doubt. Elizabeth immediately tried to rise for the guest, but her movements were clumsy.

“My dear, stay still. I just came for a moment to make your acquaintance,” the lady said. “I know you are injured and must keep to your bed.”

“Aunt, this is my second daughter, Elizabeth. Lizzy, this is my aunt, Lady Rosseford,” Mr Bennet said.

“It is a pleasure and an honour to meet your ladyship,” Elizabeth said.

“Likewise, my dear. But I hope you will not be so formal with me. Mr Collins almost killed me with his ceremonious manners.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I dare say there is no chance of finding my manners similar to Mr Collins’s.”

“What a relief it is to hear that.”

“Aunt, would you like to sit?” Mr Bennet enquired, placing a chair next to the bed.

“I would, if you are sure I am not bothering you, Elizabeth. Or is it Lizzy?”

“Whatever your ladyship prefers. And you are not bothering me at all. I am truly happy you are here.”

“Good.” The lady sat, and so did Mr Bennet and Jane, while Elizabeth gazed at Lady Rosseford with great interest. Her handsome features concealed her true age, and her fashionable clothes matched her natural elegance, all adding to her look of confidence and completing an impressive portrait.

“So, Lizzy, I hear you have had quite a day. I met Mr Darcy earlier. He looked deplorable, and I must know the details about how he ended up that way.”

“Are you acquainted with Mr Darcy?”

“No. I knew his parents and grandfather quite well, though. Excellent people and with a great sense of fashion, which the young Darcy does not seem to have inherited.”

The lady laughed, and the others smiled.

“I have known Mr Darcy for more than a month, and his appearance is always impeccable,” Elizabeth answered. “Too much so at times. I cannot amuse myself at his expense, since he willingly ruined his clothes for my comfort.”

“Well, that sounds intriguing and precisely what I am curious to find out.”

“I am curious too, Lizzy,” Mr Bennet said. “I think we have a little bit of time. Your mother is supervising dinner, your sisters are busy with the presents they have just received, and Mr Collins is writing to Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Who, by the way, happens to be Mr Darcy’s aunt.”

“I cannot think of all this now,” Lady Rosseford replied. “I need a few days to rest and clear my mind. But I can tell you young Collins is very much like his father. Archibald Bennet — your second cousin, Thomas — changed his name to Archibald Collins to please his protector.”

“He did?” Elizabeth enquired. “I always wondered why, if he is related to Papa through the male line, he had a different name.”

“Archibald changed his name and inherited a sum of ten thousand pounds, which he lost in some disastrous investments. I cannot imagine why he believed he was clever enough for business.”

“Well, Mr Collins is very pleased with himself. I assume he inherited this unjustified confidence from his father,” Mr Bennet responded.

“So, Lizzy, I am waiting for your story,” the lady said. Elizabeth was half amused, half nervous. Her great-aunt seemed a real force, accustomed to having her way and eager for all her requests to be satisfied.

“In fact, the story is quite simple. I am afraid your ladyship will be disappointed. I went for a walk, as I have done most days since I was a child. I was careless and caught my foot between two tree stumps. I had to kneel in the mud to try to release it. I sustained a small scratch and sprained my ankle. Mr Darcy was out riding, and he found me. He was kind enough to bring me home on his horse, but while he was helping me, his clothes became muddied too. That is all.”

“Indeed, it is not as dramatic as I expected. Your mother and sisters told me all about Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy. I hope for an entertaining dinner tomorrow.”

“Dinner?” Elizabeth enquired, puzzled.

“Yes. Our aunt suggested inviting Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley to dinner tomorrow. They both accepted,” Mr Bennet explained.

Elizabeth was so surprised that she needed a moment to compose herself. The sudden warmth and nervousness that enveloped her were vexing and distressing.

“We hope you will be able to join us,” Mr Bennet said. “I asked Mr Jones, and he said we could bring you down and put a stool under the table to keep your foot elevated.”

“I hope so too.”

“Now we must leave you, Lizzy. We must prepare for dinner and allow my aunt to rest a little.”

“Of course. I am so grateful you came to see me,” Elizabeth repeated.

“It was a pleasure, my dear. I look forward to you healing, so we can spend more time together and know each other as a family. I am sorry I let twenty years pass.”

“You were abroad most of that time, Aunt,” Mr Bennet answered. “From Hertfordshire to Ireland or India, the distance is not convenient for frequent visits.”

“I cannot argue with that. But now I am here, and I shall certainly not leave the country again. I am counting on you girls to help me settle and make a comfortable home, both here and in London.”

“You have a house in London?” Jane enquired.

“I do. I recently sold my previous London home and purchased another overlooking Hyde Park.”

“There cannot be anything lovelier than a house close to Hyde Park,” Elizabeth said.

“Well then, you will certainly love this one. The view is wonderful, but most of the rooms need decorating. The existing servants have been kept on, and the housekeeper seems quite efficient. I am pleased with the progress and with the house itself. Your uncle found it and completed the transaction.”

Elizabeth looked at her father, who explained. “My brother Gardiner has been taking care of my aunt’s affairs in London for the last two years, since she decided to return home.”

“Did your ladyship say something about a second house? Here?” Jane enquired.

“Ah, yes. Did your father not tell you?”

“Not yet,” Mr Bennet responded. “I have learnt that secrets are rarely kept in our house, and by this time, the whole of Meryton would have known. But it is safe enough to tell Lizzy and Jane.”

“I have purchased Stoke Park,” Lady Rosseford said, much to the sisters’ amazement.

“Stoke Park?” Jane repeated.

“Yes. I wanted a house close to Longbourn, and your father recommended it to me.”

“The house is the most beautiful around here. And the park is impressive,” Elizabeth said.

“Excellent. I hear there is much work to be done on it, and it requires the employment of a whole household of servants. I am waiting for your uncle and aunt to arrive and help me to decide whether we can find the right people in the neighbourhood or whether we need to search farther afield.”

“How extraordinary!” Jane said. “I mean, this is happy news indeed.”

“I would hope so. As I said, I am counting on you girls to help me. But it might take a while, and until then, you will have to put up with me here, at Longbourn.”

“We are happy to have you here, Aunt,” Mr Bennet said. “I hope you will feel at home.”