Jane’s smile was wan but genuine. “I am improving already, from having you here.” She paused. “Lizzy, I will admit to some frustration since it is irritating to be so close to Mr. Bingley and be unable to see him properly. He has been so attentive. At his request, his housekeeper, Mrs. Nicholls, waits upon me constantly. I am… I am treated with generosity.” She gestured toward the table next to her bed. “I could never possibly enjoy this many sweetmeats or tea.”
Jane’s expression turned sly. “Mr. Darcy has also been solicitous about my welfare. Apparently, he is about yours as well since I heard his voice in the corridor before you entered.”
Elizabeth’s hands stilled on the cloth. “He politely showed me to your room.”
Jane reached for Elizabeth’s hand. “No, it was so much more than that. I heard him speak your name, and I heard him offer to provide whatever you need for your comfort and my care. The way he watches you in a room full of people…” She broke off, coughing into her handkerchief. When she recovered enough to continue, her voice was rougher. “I have witnessed this myself. Miss Bingley fairly bristles when he is near you, which happens whether we are at Lucas Lodge or elsewhere.”
Heat crept into Elizabeth’s cheeks. “He is being courteous.”
“Lizzy.” Jane squeezed her fingers. “I have eyes. So does everyone else in Meryton. Mr. Darcy has been seeking your company for weeks now. Why do you resist seeing what is so plain to everyone else?”
“Because…” Elizabeth stopped, her feelings in a tangle. “Because he insulted me, Jane. Quite deliberately.”Good heavens!Could she not think of another reply? She had been over her ire for weeks.
“Lizzy,” Jane continued. “He has spent considerable time making amends. He recognized his faults and is striving to be a better man. Is that not the most admirable quality a gentleman could possess?”
Unable to argue with such gentle wisdom, Elizabeth worried her bottom lip with her teeth. “Jane, I…”
“You should not spend all your time in this room with me, Lizzy. I need rest to recover properly, which I cannot do if you hover. You should go down to the others. Spend time in company.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest, but Jane’s knowing grin stopped her.
“Lizzy, if Mama has her way, she would have me languish here for weeks to secure Mr. Bingley’s attachment.”
Despite herself, Elizabeth laughed. “She would, would she not?”
“With that said, I have no wish to be ill a moment longer than necessary.” Jane grew serious. “Please, dearest, for both our sakes, allow yourself to see what I already see.”
“And what is that?”
“That, like Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy is an admirable man.” Jane was earnest. “We are very fortunate, I think, to have such gentlemen in Meryton. Do not let pride or past hurts blind you to what might be right in front of you, Sister. You have too much to lose if you do.”
Jane’s words settled over her like a warm cloth. Perhaps she was correct. Perhaps it was time to open her eyes and see Mr. Darcy for the man he truly was.
“Rest now,” Elizabeth said, kissing Jane’s forehead. “I will wait until you sleep before I attend my hosts.”
Preparing to leave the room, her thoughts were not on her sister at all. Instead, they were on a certain artist who might possibly be in some quiet corner of Netherfield, bent over a desk with ink-stained fingers, thinking of her.
She rather hoped he was.
Elizabeth joinedthe others in the drawing room after Jane had fallen asleep peacefully. The moment she entered, Mr. Darcy’s eyes found her. He stood near the fireplace, but his attention was entirely on her approach.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Bingley rose immediately, his smile warm. “I trust Miss Bennet is resting comfortably?”
“She is, thank you. Now that her fever has broken, I believe she will return to good health soon.”
“Excellent news!” Mr. Bingley beamed. “I am hoping you choose to remain to care for your sister. If you both stay atNetherfield for at least a few more days, you can see to her recovery. Your presence much improves the house.”
“How kind you are, sir,” Elizabeth said, taking the seat he offered near the fire, which happened to be adjacent to where Mr. Darcy stood.
Miss Bingley’s voice pierced the quiet of the room. “Miss Eliza, I was quite shocked to see the state of your petticoat. Six inches deep in mud! I cannot imagine walking three miles through such conditions. But then, you country girls are so much hardier than London ladies.”
The insult was thinly veiled, and everyone in the room heard it.
Before Elizabeth could respond, Mr. Darcy said, “I find it admirable when a person acts decisively in service of those they love, without regard for personal comfort or appearance. This demonstrates a strength of character that is far more valuable than any amount of delicacy.”
His eyes never left Elizabeth’s face as he spoke.
Miss Bingley’s expression soured. “Oh, I am certain you are right, Mr. Darcy. You always are. Though I do think there is something to be said about maintaining proper standards of…”
