“Good God, Lizzy, what has happened?”
Elizabeth looked up and swiftly drew away from Mr. Darcy as her aunt hurried into the room. He stood, andElizabeth did the same, but with such haste that she felt dizzy, her footing fumbled, and she shambled backward to recover herself.
“Elizabeth!” Mr. Darcy reached out to steady her, but she had staggered beyond his reach.
“I heard shouting – Lizzy, dearest, you are not at all well,” Mrs. Gardiner cried. “This is why I tried to insist you rest yourself.”
“What can I do?” Mr. Darcy began to pace. “This is alarming indeed; may I get you some wine perhaps, or anything you require for your relief?”
He had still been clutching the horrid letter of Lydia’s folly in his hand, and let it now fall from his grasp. Elizabeth watched it land on the carpet and swayed with another wave of dizziness. She looked back at Mr. Darcy, tears pouring down her face at his kindness, which she had done little to deserve.
And then the room spun wildly, her limbs all beyond her control, and Elizabeth heard him cry out as if from a terrible distance before everything faded away.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hertfordshire
Mr. Bingley’s grand fete began so merrily that the entire affair promised to be a great triumph. All of Meryton had been invited for the ice-skating portion in the early afternoon, including his very well-pleased tenant farmers.
It was a clear day and the sun was out, but the shallow pond on Mr. Bingley’s estate was well-frozen, and dozens of skaters were making merry together there. Beside the pond, the snow had been cleared away for a large canvas tent to be erected. Inside the tent, there was refreshments and seating for those who did not wish to skate, and fires in two large braziers just outside the tent provided ample warmth.
Elinor was among those who were content to sit and observe the frivolity, and there was certainly enough of it to keep her mind agreeably engaged. Lady Rebecca sat with her for a while, though she was obliged to greet guests as they arrived, she always made her way back to Elinor with a ready jape.
The pair of them were sitting together enjoying some hot cocoa when Mrs. Dashwood arrived with Meg and Julia. Elinorwas instantly alarmed that the Bennets did not accompany her mother.
Margaret and Julia made haste in donning their skates and joining in the fun, while Marianne and Mr. Bingley skated over to greet Mrs. Dashwood. Their affable host ensured they were all swiftly served hot cocoa, and Marianne began to assault their mother with questions at once. “Where is Aunt Fanny, and Kitty, and Mary? And are Jane and Lizzy not expected? I had even hoped my uncle would come – we worked so hard on the arrangements, and it is jolly good fun!”
“We received some distressing news at Longbourn this morning,” Mrs. Dashwood said, eyeing Mr. Bingley and Lady Rebecca warily. “And some good news… and then more bad news.”
“What is it? You can tell us in front of Lady Rebecca and Mr. Bingley; our friend will surely be discreet, if you think it necessary.”
Elinor smiled tightly at Marianne, not sure if her sister’s faith in their friends was wise. “I hope it is nothing too serious.”
“They ought to know that Jane and Elizabeth are still in London and will not be home in time for the party after all. Jane fell ill; we received a letter from Mrs. Gardiner yesterday afternoon,” Mrs. Dashwood said.
“My elder brother also sent word,” Lady Rebecca said. She raised a brow at Elinor as she added, “I have heard there was some unfortunate incident involving your friend Mr. Ferrars; Miss Bennet took a severe chill after quarreling with him in the street.”
“That is not like Jane,” Marianne gasped.
“Nor Edward – Mr. Ferrars,” Elinor murmured.
Lady Rebecca gave a dramatic roll of her eyes at this. “Well, Charles, what a pity, indeed! I am sure my relations willbe missed, and you must have wished to make an impression on Miss Bennet.”
“Hmm? Oh, uh… I am very sorry she is ill.” But Mr. Bingley seemed entirely preoccupied with making sure Marianne did not teeter on her skates as she shambled off the ice and onto the packed snow outside the tent. “I may have to entreat Miss Marianne for an extra song during the musical portion of the day, for I had quite depended on Miss Elizabeth delighting us.”
Lady Rebecca smirked at him before turning to Mrs. Dashwood. “But is it very dire? The Bennets must be in some distress over it, to stay at home and forswear the day’s festivities.”
“We pray she will recover,” Mrs. Dashwood said, watching Mr. Bingley and Marianne with interest. Elinor and Lady Rebecca had been chiefly occupied in doing the same since breakfast, and they shared a private smile.
Marianne still clung to Mr. Bingley to steady herself, and her face turned serious. “But there is more bad news? Surely Jane’s illness is not what merits discretion, though I am very sorry for her. But I am sure I cannot bear to hear any worse, on such a day as this.”
“Nor I,” Mr. Bingley said. “But if it is a matter in which I may be of assistance….”
“Bah! Off with you,” Lady Rebecca chided, waving her hand dismissively. “Let us serious ladies speak.”
Elinor smiled indulgently at her sister, amazed by the contrast of Marianne’s initial reaction to Mr. Bingley, and their present camaraderie. “Might we have the good news, Mamma?”
Mrs. Dashwood’s entire demeanor instantly altered, as if she had been lit from within. “It is a miracle. I received a letter this morning from a solicitor in London. He is employed by agentleman who wishes to remain anonymous – the very same gentlemen we all thought the worst of not a week ago – the gentleman who won Norland Park from my step-son in that horrid card game.”
