“I cannot detect any broken bones, Miss Bennet, but there is definitely some damage,” he said when he was done with his examination. “Keep your foot elevated as much as possible until the swelling goes down. Same with your hand. Don’t use either more than absolutely necessary. Once the swelling is gone, you can increase your activity as long as the pain does not increase too badly.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jones,” said Jane.
She leaned her head back as the apothecary left. Then her mother began her unceasing complaints that were meant to be sympathy. Jane closed her eyes and let the sound simply wash over her. Instead of listening, she filled her mind with the memory of how Mr. Masters’ greatcoat surrounded her with his warmth and his scent, protecting her and comforting her like nothing in her life ever had.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth once again sat in the window seat. Once again, her attention was drawn when an extremely elegant, large carriage pulled up to the door. But this time, there was no mystery as to who the guest might be.
For a week now, Mr. Darcy had called at Longbourn every single day except Sunday. Each time he brough Miss Darcy and Mr. Masters. Elizabeth suspected that Miss Darcy came, simply because she longed for friendship, and Mr. Darcy had made his own motivations quite clear to Elizabeth. Mr. Masters’ motivations, however, were less clear.
Elizabeth glanced over at Jane, whose swollen foot was propped up on a stool with a blanket covering it for modesty. She was holding a book awkwardly in her left hand while her right hand lay useless on a pillow at her side.
Perhaps, Mr. Masters’ motivations weren’t that much of a mystery. Elizabeth remembered quite clearly how wildly worried he was when he carried Jane inside just yesterday after her fall. Despite the fact that there was nothing else he could do for her after setting her down in a chair, he hovered over her uselessly until Mama asked him to go fetch Mr. Jones.
She wished she could give her sister some comfort or even company, but when she had tried earlier, Jane had shooed her away. Though her manner and words were as mild as always, Elizabeth got the distinct impression that Jane simply wished tobe alone in her pain. This made her wonder whether Jane would accept Mr. Masters’ attention when he arrived.
Elizabeth didn’t have to wonder for long. As soon as their guests were announced, Jane’s face brightened, and she looked toward the door expectantly. Elizabeth was glad to see Jane so happy, but she simply could not understand how her sister’s affections had shifted from Mr. Bingley to Mr. Masters so quickly. She had thought her oldest sister to be more steady, more constant than that.
She had little time to wonder, though, since Mr. Darcy claimed her attention almost immediately while his sister joined Lydia and Kitty.
“Good morning,” said Mr. Darcy. “I hope you’re well this morning.”
Elizabeth smiled at him just a little. She still was not certain she liked the man, but she had to admit that his present persona was far more appealing that his previous. They had been in company together twice more since the Gouldings’ dinner party, and each time, he had spent the majority of his attention on her neighbors, though he had saved his last fifteen minutes for her on both occasions.
Between those parties and his daily visits, Elizabeth had become used to his presence. His conversation was pleasant, and she had begun to suspect that the man was fiercely intelligent. No matter what she wished to speak of, he seemed to have some knowledge of it and was able to converse intelligently, even when she spoke of the completely feminine art of trimming a bonnet.
His extensive knowledge on every subject made her wonder what he knew that was so far removed from her own life that she didn’t even know how to ask about it. Would he know howcotton mills worked? Would he have enough knowledge to build or repair a carriage?
Elizabeth replied to his initial greeting by saying, “You have asked after my health every time we have met. There must be some other way of beginning a conversation.”
“Perhaps there is,” said Mr. Darcy, “but when I say I hope you are well, I am not just referring to your physical health. I hope you are energetic, happy, confident, and many other things. It is a genuine wish. But if you would rather I say something else, perhaps you can offer a suggestion.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “To be honest, I cannot think of anything better,” she said. “I suppose all greetings in the English language are mere platitudes, meaningless nonsense whose only purpose is to ease us into the act of conversing.”
“Well, then, if you require no meaningless platitude, what meaningful thing would you like to discuss today?” he asked.
“I did have something on my mind,” she answered, “though it is a delicate subject. I suppose I was picking on your manner of greeting simply to avoid bringing it up, but it is something that must be discussed today.”
Mr. Darcy’s face grew concerned. “What is it?” he asked.
“My mother,” said Elizabeth. She glanced over at said lady and noticed that she was watching Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy carefully. “It took a little longer than I expected, but Mama has begun to suspect that there is something between us. She asked me about you yesterday, and if you continue to single me out in this way, she will gradually begin to treat you the same way she used to treat Mr. Bingley.”
“You mean, she will tell the neighborhood I am violently in love with you and will spread the news that we will be engaged any day now?” asked Mr. Darcy. When Elizabeth felt shametinge her cheeks pink with embarrassment, Mr. Darcy added. “I have every respect for your mother. She is only doing what most mothers I have encountered do. Though she may not always behave as you might wish, she seems to have her children’s best interest at heart.”
Elizabeth felt wonder causing her to stare at the man next to her. “You do not mind?” she asked.
“I do not mind if the world knows I love you,” he said. “And I would rejoice if we could be engaged any day now, but the timing for that is up to you.”
Elizabeth did not know how to respond to such a bald declaration of his feelings while they were sitting in a parlor full of others. She stood and said, “Mama, would you mind greatly if Mr. Darcy and I take a walk? I believe some fresh air and exercise would do me good.”
Mama eyed both her and Mr. Darcy carefully before responding. “Of course you may,” she said. “But please stay near the house since none of your sisters can be spared as chaperone.”
“Thank you, Mama,” said Elizabeth. Then, to Mr. Darcy she said, “Let me just fetch my cloak.”
Once they were outside and they were walking rather briskly through the garden, Elizabeth said, “You are very direct, Mr. Darcy. Not only that, but your declarations come out at the most surprising times. I never know how to respond to you.”
“You are referring to how I said that I love you and that I would rejoice if we were engaged?”
