The evening proved to be a momentous occasion as Elizabeth's afternoon interview with Mr. Jones granted her permission to take her meal and entertainment downstairs, provided she was carried and did not bear weight on the affected limb. Radiating with glee, Elizabeth asked Jane to attend her in appearing especially elegant. In her gaiety, she was heedless of her older sister's guilt ridden face.
A knock on the door startled them and a very gallant Mr. Darcy, their afternoon partner in crime most days, bowed with a smile.
"Miss Bennet, I heard the good news and am come to offer my services to your charge."
Jane smiled as the manners of Mr. Darcy had increased her estimation of the man, and she pleasantly nodded. As Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth sitting on the bench in front of the looking glass, she turned so that he might spy the most pleasing dark curl resting against the nape of her neck. His breath caught as he came closer and Elizabeth turned a most violent shade of red, but surreptitiously watched his handsome form in the mirror's reflection.
"Miss Elizabeth," he greeted, with another bow. She gazed up at him and smiled her approval as she extended her arms to ease his task. He lifted her gently, mindful to keep his arm beneath her knees and endure his wandering thoughts. She giggled as he gallantly gave a rapid twirl to face the open door.
"Forgive me, I am reminded of my sister and the few times I've carried her across water or mud." His deep baritone was cause for Lizzie's breath to catch. She felt the vibrations in her own chest and blushed prettily.
"You are forgiven, Mr. Darcy. If you would be so kind to pause a moment. Jane? My slippers?"
Elizabeth's sister quickly produced the slippers and scurried around to place them upon Lizzie's feet. Jane Bennet's efficiency gave Darcy only the briefest glance of his charge's stockinged feet causing him to inhale sharply. Such an intake caused Elizabeth to search his face, raising a quizzical brow. The moment was disturbed however by the sudden appearance of Mr. Bingley in the doorway.
"Confound it, Darcy, must you always usurp me in attending our guests? I have just fetched a footman, but it would appear arrangements have been made." Mr. Bingley's voice rose in treble as he marveled at the marked preference his friend would give to Miss Elizabeth. Again, Elizabeth's cheeks began to burn and she struggled to speak but Darcy interrupted, answering his friend's query.
"It is only fitting, Charles, that I bear the burden of my foolhardy actions that injured our dear friend. Carrying Miss Elizabeth is a penance, nothing more." The droll voice Darcy used to parry matchmaking Mamas and their ilk returned and Elizabeth became indignant. Crossing her arms, she suddenly became heavier in his arms, vexed that it was too late to demand a footman attend her without causing an even larger scene.
"Mr. Bingley, shall we start our journey? I know my sister is most eager to escape this room for the first time in a spell."
"Certainly, certainly!" Mr. Bingley brightened and offered his arm to Jane. Inhaling the familiar scent of Jane's rose water, all thoughts of Mr. Darcy and his troubles escaped Bingley's attention until they reached the bottom of the stairs and his sister Caroline, standing outside the dining room white as a sheet.
The two couples refrained from conversation as they passed their hostess to find the dining room perfectly set for a most elegant dinner. Charles Bingley smiled as he led Jane to her seat on his right, so occupied with her beauty in the dim candlelight that Darcy had to clear his throat and call out to attract his attention.
"Oh, how deuced of me." Bingley apologized and pulled out the chair for Miss Elizabeth so that Mr. Darcy could place her gently in her seat. Although his arms tingled from the extended exercise, Darcy could not help the slight pressure as he lowered her. He assumed it was imperceptible as Elizabeth began talking with Jane and altogether ignored him. With no further service required, he left her next to Jane, on the opposite side of the table.
"By the by, thank you Mr. Darcy for seeing me safely downstairs. I confess I was becoming a tad addled remaining only in one attitude." She spoke but did not meet his eyes, instead focusing on her glass of wine.
Caroline Bingley glided into the room with her head held high, yet her attitude quickly soured as she had to wait for a footman to step forward and pull out her chair beside Mr. Darcy. She was unaccustomed to being ignored and privately vowed that she would not allow Mr. Darcy to cast her aside over the crass charms of a country miss.
"If you are addled, we ought to call Mr. Jones. Perhaps your head injury was more serious than we presumed, Miss Eliza."
Elizabeth stared at Caroline with her quizzical brow, wondering why the woman was set on disliking her so. Instead, the jubilation of being out of her sick room returned and Elizabeth ignored the unpleasant attempt to draw her into an argument. "Miss Bingley, you've set a splendid table. I truly appreciate your kindness my first evening dining out of my room."
Mr. Darcy choked on his wine, but soon recovered. He gave a rare dimpled smile in Elizabeth's direction, though she still would not meet his eye. He was most impressed that his Elizabeth refused to sink to Caroline's level. Turning his sterling silver knife over next to his place setting, he frowned. Had his mind truly just called her his Elizabeth? He was in grave danger of raising her expectations if he did not check his behavior. The last thing he could do at this moment was offer for any woman.
"Mr. Bingley, I do not see Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Ought we not wait for them?" Elizabeth asked as the first course was served.
"My sister and brother are dining with the Livingstons, as both women are in the family way. I'm sure if Louisa knew it was to be such a grand evening for you, Miss Eliza, she never would have made such plans." Caroline answered before her brother could collect his thoughts since Elizabeth's direct question interrupted his observations of Jane.
"The Livingstons are a good family. We've dined with them often in the past," Jane said sweetly to cover her sister's reaction to Caroline's continued impertinence.
"Indeed, their cook makes the most delicious meat pie." Elizabeth smiled as she took a second bite of the very same dish. Caroline gasped at the direct set down, but Bingley only laughed.
"Yes, well we leasing neighbors are at a disadvantage to attract the best help in the area, being so newly settled." Bingley winked at Elizabeth as she patted her mouth with her napkin to hide her own glee.
"And how long do you plan to remain settled in the area, Mr. Bingley? Are you considering placing an offer to purchase Netherfield?"
"Er. . . no. . . that is, not yet." Charles looked frantically to Darcy who was not minding the conversation, merely his dinner plate. "I planned to lease for a year and see how suited we are to this fine estate."
"Mmm. I suppose that might be seen as wise or as unreliable. But, I am inclined to view it as very wise since you are such a kind-hearted man, I could never see you intentionally playing on the hopes of another."
"Lizzie!" Jane exclaimed, surprised her younger sister would be so brazen. However, Jane was so distracted by Elizabeth, she missed that for the first time that evening her sister was making solid eye contact with Mr. Darcy. The gentleman did not return her glare, but instead broke her heart by revealing the great sadness behind his actions.
"No, Miss Bennet, I do not believe Miss Elizabeth was attempting to be rude. She paid me a compliment." The affable Charles Bingley raised his glass in Elizabeth's direction and she struggled to react. Quickly, she raised her glass and offered him a warm smile as she endeavored to sort out her feelings towards Mr. Darcy. Something about the man both delighted and frightened her.
"Indeed, you are the best addition to our neighborhood." Elizabeth smiled as she managed to exclude his family.
"Hear, hear," Darcy's baritone joined in while Caroline Bingley sulked for the rest of dinner.
After three courses, Elizabeth grimaced as her ankle was beginning to throb. Darcy noticed right away she was uncomfortable and asked if she wished to retire.
"No, no thank you, sir, I fear I just need to prop up my ankle." She motioned for a footman to lift her and the man standing behind her chair hastened to assist. "I believe I will simply make my way to a sofa where I might place my foot on a pillow and I shall be right as rain."
"Well, as you are making alliterative jests, I shall trust your judgment."
"And I hope you always shall!" She retorted with cheek just as the footman lifted her. Jane motioned to be excused as well, and followed her sister into the drawing room. She was hopeful she could help preserve Elizabeth's modesty before the gentlemen joined them.
"As we have guests ferried in and out of the dinning room this evening, perhaps you and Mr. Darcy will join us ladies and forgo your port?" Caroline suggested as she made a point to wait for Mr. Darcy's escort to the drawing room. Neither Darcy nor Bingley needed an invitation to look in on the lovely Bennet sisters.
Darcy humored Caroline, but was unhappy to see that Miss Elizabeth had been arranged on a far sofa away from the card tables and seating for the evening. However, he was arrested by the sight of her forlorn gaze at the moonlit gardens and remembered that her sister Jane often described Elizabeth as nymph-like in her daily rambles in the countryside. Had he been cooped up indoors for a month, he too might appear trapped.
"Darcy! Bring Caroline over here, I've heard of this card game many times. We are going to play Consequences!"
"Charles, don't be droll. I've never heard of such a game and it sounds positively silly."
Jane reddened but began to deal the cards.
"You are mistaken, Miss Bingley, the game is assuredly illuminating." Mr. Darcy said, escorting Caroline to the seat across from him.
"Will not Miss Eliza be disappointed? Perhaps we ought wait until she may be able to join us."
"Oh, do not delay on my account! I play cards aplenty each afternoon when Mr. Darcy visits. I am content to simply observe!" Elizabeth called from her far corner of the room, showing she could hear them quite clearly.
Stuck, Caroline attempted a smile that was more a grimace as Jane explained the rules. Predictably, Charles took to the game like fish to water, and it was Jane who took the first round. Thankfully, Darcy did not play any queens as those were divided between the Bingley siblings, with Charles complimenting Jane, who appreciated it, and Caroline complimenting him, which he did not appreciate. Before they started another round, Darcy checked on Elizabeth and chuckled to see the lady curled up sound asleep against the arm of the sofa. He gently touched Miss Bennet's elbow and motioned towards her sister with a nod.
"The evening was more taxing than we had thought. I'll find a footman." Jane started, but Darcy held up his hand.
"It would be my pleasure to carry her up. If a footman fell and further injured her, I would feel to blame. Would you join me?"
Jane nodded and followed as Mr. Darcy carried her sister up the stairs. Halfway up, Elizabeth woke with a start, but smelling the familiar scent of musk and sandalwood, settled her chin further into Mr. Darcy's chest. With the softest of whispers, he heard her sigh. "I do not understand you, Mr. Darcy."
Keeping his silence, Darcy carried Elizabeth to her bedroom. He placed her just on the edge of the bed as she was now fully awake. He bowed to Miss Bennet and left the room without a word, not trusting himself to confess all with just the slightest encouragement. But what would she think of him, a man with a wayward sister and one he was unable to find himself? She would hate him, and that he could not abide, even if he were unable to offer her more.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, he found Bingley pacing the floor. "Charles? I assure you, Miss Bennet is fine and plans to rejoin us as soon as her sister is settled."
"Of course, this just arrived for you." Charles held out an express. Hands shaking, Darcy took the missive and inhaled deeply. He ripped the wax seal and unfolded the paper, but kept his eyes shut. What if it was bad news? What if she was gone forever?
"Well man, open your eyes. You can't read omnisciently, not even the illustrious Darcy." Bingley laughed, not knowing how grave Darcy's situation had become. That Darcy received express mailings regularly had trained Bingley to not always think the worst.
Before Darcy could read his letter, he glanced around, realizing a modicum of privacy was necessary. "Charles, perhaps we ought to take our port now as we await Miss Bennet."
Confused, Bingley escorted his friend to the sparse library that he was using as a study since the actual study of Netherfield was still decorated in grotesque medieval furnishings. The fire was near spent as the servants knew of the delay for the gentlemen. Bingley marched forward to address the embers. Partly playing the pleasant host and partly giving his friend some privacy, Charles jumped when Darcy yelled out.
"Praise the Lord, he found her!"
"Darcy! A care to the wits of those around you!"
Darcy rushed forward to shake Bingley's hand. "He found her! I must away at once!"
"It's close on the middle of the night!"
Darcy leaned forward to peer at the same large moon Elizabeth had enjoyed earlier. "And the moon is brighter than the sun. I shall be fine. Call on me in London."
"But it's quite cold!"
Darcy waved an arm and hurried out of the library, absent-mindedly laying the letter on the desk as he began to prepare to hasten his departure. Bingley stood in the library positively confused at his friend's actions when Caroline Bingley slithered her way into the room. She made a beeline for the open letter lying on the desk and began reading it before her brother might intervene.
"Caroline! That belongs to Darcy!"
"What? Oh, I had no idea," she said with a fake sense of surprise. She handed the letter to Charles. "It appears our Mr. Darcy carried a secret all this time. What a scandal!"
Charles read the letter himself and his mouth dropped in horror. Georgiana Darcy had run away with the steward's son? No, Charles could not believe it, Darcy was so careful and attentive to his sister! Charles shook his head, seeing a devilish grin on his own sister's face.
"Caroline, no! I know that look you and Louisa get, and so help me, if word of this leaves this room I shall know it was you and I will cut you off. Every penny!" Charles turned away from his sister in disgust and cast the offending letter to the flames.
"Charles! I am shocked you would think so meanly of me! I was only thinking about how now, more than ever, we must show our support of the Darcy family. Why, we should hurry to London right away!"
Charles rubbed his chin as he considered his sister's plea. He couldn't confess that leaving now would take him away from Jane and that was the last thing he wished to do when he planned to approach her father once Miss Elizabeth was well to ask for a courtship. "Have you forgotten our guests?"
"Oh please, if she can be carried down to dinner, she can ride home in a carriage." Caroline found a chair and sat down, beginning her first pantomimes of feeling a headache coming on. "This county is so very dreary, Charles."
A knock on the library door startled the Bingleys and Jane Bennet tentatively entered. Bingley reddened, but Jane seemed not to notice as she gave Caroline a stern scowl. "I apologize for interrupting, I only wished to bid you a good night. I believe my sister and I will return home tomorrow and wished to thank you for your hospitality."
"Wait, what? Surely Miss Elizabeth is not well enough to travel Miss Bennet? Please say you will stay at least another week?" Mr. Bingley hurried forward to address Jane directly, but she only softened her expression for the poor man. After witnessing Caroline Bingley's open rudeness to Elizabeth and hearing that Mr. Darcy was to soon leave, Jane was certain the best place for Elizabeth to recuperate was Longbourn.
"I'm afraid it's my sister's wishes, Mr. Bingley. She and my father are very close and she misses him most dearly. I know you understand." Jane gently placed a hand on Mr. Bingely's arm, before curtsying. "I wish you both a good evening."
Bingley stared at the door for a few moments after Jane had made her exit. He finally gave attention to Caroline and reminded her that he was the youngest sibling of the family and keen on getting his way. "Are you happy now Caroline? Our friends are leaving. And we are staying, and that's final." Charles Bingley bowed to his sister and retired for the evening. On the way, he found his butler Mr. Higgins and gave strict instructions for the stable not to saddle Mr. Darcy's horse until dawn. He cared not what his friend or Caroline planned, but tomorrow he would be refreshed and escort the Bennet sisters home.