He cleared his throat nervously. “Yes, well, it would seem that… that Mr Collins and Mr Darcy had both taken an interest in you?”
Her faced flushed crimson. That seemed to be her lot today, to find herself perpetually embarrassed and the situation spiralling out of control. “Yes, sir, that is true,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mr Jones patted her shoulder kindly. “Child, I have known you all your life. I have tended your ailments and mended your skinned knees. I knew you were not happy to have Mr Collins’ company at such a time, as he is such a tactless fellow, and you had enough to concern you. I feared Mr Collins would have something of this sort in mind, but I had no idea that you and Mr Darcy.…”
Elizabeth laughed at this. “Neither did I! I assure you, Mr Jones, what he said this morning came as much as a shock to myself as everyone else. What could have brought that man here, I wonder? If he fancied that he was helping me, he could not have been more mistaken. Arrogant, headstrong man! Had we not been in company when Mr Collins spoke, it might all have been forgotten, and I would not now appear to be engaged to Mr Darcy!”
He smiled sheepishly. “I am afraid, Miss Elizabeth, that you have me to thank for the gentlemen’s interference. I spoke with Mr Bingley this morning after I left you, hoping he could simply check in on your family, and of course, Mr Darcy was with him. I wished you and your sisters not to be alone and friendless with Mr Collins making himself comfortable here. I knew he was not entirely welcomed by you, and we feared he might become somewhat overbearing while your father is incapacitated.”
“‘We?’ Tell me, Mr Jones, are there others conspiring to come to my aid? I do hope not, as I really do not think I can bear any more assistance from my neighbours.”
“No, my dear, no,” he chuckled self-deprecatingly. “I spoke with Mr and Mrs Hill. I should not have, I know, and I beg you would not be put out with them on my account, but they shared my concerns for your family’s protection. I am truly sorry, Miss Elizabeth, if my actions have caused you further distress. I did not mean any such result.” His kindly greying face drooped with remorse.
She sighed in resignation. She knew her father’s old friend had spoken the truth and that he had involved Mr Bingley, and by extension Mr Darcy with the very best of intentions. She could not blame him for having done what he could. She was too emotionally exhausted at this point for anger or tears. What she needed most was some time alone to reflect, and of course, for her father to waken. She did not want to talk about Mr Darcy or Mr Collins any more at present. “What are we to do for Papa?”
His expression cleared, replaced by his professional mien. “Yes, well, I will go place the leeches. I also have a compound I would like to try, one I normally administer for headaches, but I hope it will relieve the abundance of swelling to the head. I, uh… yes, if you will excuse me, Miss Elizabeth.” Jones gathered his collection of items and awkwardly stepped around her to the door.
Elizabeth began to follow him up the stairs when the front bell rang. Shrugging apologetically to Mr Jones, she changed direction to the drawing-room to receive their caller.
Mrs Hill came in a moment later with a stout-looking woman, somewhere past middle age, with a perfectly starched work dress and a friendly weather-worn face. She dropped a deferential curtsey, then introduced herself boldly. “My name is Mrs Cooper. My husband is the doctor in Hatfield. He’s away at present, attending courses in London. We’re not expecting him back for a few days yet, but I’m to understand you need an experienced nurse.”
“Uhm…” Elizabeth stammered. “Yes, indeed, perhaps we could use a nurse, but… how did you come to know of it?”
“Oh, the gentleman from Netherfield sent word first thing this morning,” she replied tidily.
“Mr Bingley? That was very thoughtful. He must have sent for you before he even came to us?” Elizabeth was grateful for her neighbour’s consideration, but she was not certain the estate could comfortably pay for the potentially indefinite hire of a nurse. She and her sisters had intended to take on the burden themselves.
“No, Miss, the name on the note was not Bingley. I have it…” the woman’s brow furrowed as she peered into her reticule. “Here it is,” she presented the pressed paper into Elizabeth’s hand.
Elizabeth unfolded the note and read. Her eyebrows rose precipitously. The note was from Mr Darcy. She had never before seen his crisp, precise handwriting, once so admired by Miss Bingley. He had written for the assistance of a doctor as well as a trained nurse, and the note mentioned enclosed payment for their services.
Furthermore, it promised that the writer of the note would guarantee generous remuneration for whatever treatment was necessary until the patient should recover.What could have induced him to take such trouble on himself?She wavered between gratitude for his consideration and resentment for his officiousness.
“I see,” she murmured, handing the note back. For the space of a heartbeat, she considered sending the woman away, then thought better of it. Though she did not like indebting herself to Mr Darcy, it was her father’s health at stake. For him, she would brave anything and anyone. “Follow me, please. The apothecary is here. Perhaps he can help you settle in. May I offer you any refreshment?”
Mrs Cooper shone a motherly smile back at her. “No, thank ye, Miss. I’ll be comfortable enough for now. I brought my own little tidbits.”
Elizabeth started up the stairs with Mrs Cooper in tow when the bell rang again. She groaned in exasperation.Does everyone want to visit today?Becoming testy, she resolutely completed her climb toward her father’s room, intending to let someone else receive the next caller. At the top of the stairs, her mother pressed by her, fluttering back down the stairs behind them.
“Jane! Oh, Jane, dear, he is come back! Oh, where is that girl? Lizzy, find Jane and send her down! Oh, Mr Bingley, how pleased we are to see you again so soon!”
Elizabeth shook her head as her mother’s voice drifted up from the direction of the open drawing-room doors. Her mother must have been lurking by her upstairs window like some powdered vulture in a lace cap.
Showing Mrs Cooper into her father’s room, she made the necessary introductions and asked Jane to come down at her mother’s request. When all was done, she retreated behind her own locked door for some desperately needed time to herself.
BingleyremainedwiththeBennet family as long as he decently could that day. His dear Jane seemed well pleased with his companionship, as Miss Elizabeth had made herself scarce for the rest of the afternoon. He had hoped to have a chance to speak with the latter, but she studiously avoided any chance at more than the most perfunctory of greetings.
When he finally did take his leave, the early winter sunset was aflame in the sky. He was grateful the weather had remained tolerable for the day, and he absolutely revelled in the beauty of the Hertfordshire countryside as his horse ambled casually homeward. His thoughts were with the sweetest blonde-haired angel he had ever laid eyes upon. His heart and mind were firmly and finally made up. Miss Jane Bennet was the only woman for him.
He handed his horse off to his coachman and stopped apprehensively before his own door. He doffed his hat and ran his fingers nervously through his unruly mop of hair. Caroline would be watching for his return. Dear heavens, what sort of scene awaited him?
He sighed and resigned himself to his fate. Darcy ought to have come back; perhaps she had exhausted her grievances upon him already. In a way, he hoped so—Darcy was a grown man and rightfully should defend his own actions. The way his friend had looked at Longbourn though… Bingley had never seen him appear so fragile.
“Charles! Where have you been? I have waited tea for hours!” Caroline’s harried visage greeted him with his first steps into the house. “Come! Sit down,” she ordered. She led him to the family sitting room, where Louisa and Mr Hurst lounged idly, the latter just beginning to snore.
Caroline virtually pushed him into a chair and, with a stern expression, commanded a frightened maid to serve him his tea. He smiled gratefully, relieving some of the maid’s jitters, but the girl was clearly terrified of Caroline.
“Where is Mr Darcy?” Caroline wondered aloud. “Charles, did you neglect to tell him you were returning? I do hope some harm has not befallen him!”
