She laughed lightly. “Jane anticipated my prior purpose, but I have another matter to discuss with you.” She fidgeted, her mind occupied by her father’s habitual indifference for his daughters—an indifference that troubled her more than ever, with the militia soon to be stationed in Meryton for the winter.
“I am concerned for Kitty and Lydia,” she finally said. “The militia—”
“Oh, you must not worry about them!” Mr. Bennet chuckled. “Gracious, Lizzy, there is no cause for concern. Your sisters have nothing to tempt a man to marry them beyond their charms. No one in his right mind would look on them in that light.”
“But what of less honorable intentions, sir?” she asked hesitantly. “Not every officer in the militia conducts himself as a gentleman ought. Some are eager to feign affection and offer the world, making extravagant promises, and then leave a young lady compromised and disgraced. A moment’s carelessness may cost a girl her future.”
Elizabeth prayed he would understand. He had once been a young man himself.
Mr. Bennet frowned and folded his hands across his chest. “You make a fair point. I shall have to consider the matter. It would cause undue havoc to declare your sisters no longer out, but perhaps a few restrictions would serve them well. I shall see to it, Lizzy. You have my word.”
It was more than she had hoped. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. Disinterested Mr. Bennet might be, but he still loved his daughters dearly.
“Thank you, Papa.” Rising, she bent to kiss his cheek before leaving the room.
Feeling lighter than she had in days, her spirits buoyed by this success and her earlier exchange with Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth was firmly of a mind to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
I do hope I am present when Mama sees the carriage waiting in the drive,she thought in amusement.Yes, it will be a sight to see.
Chapter Eight
November 12, 1811
Netherfield Park
Darcy
Darcy’sthoughtswereelsewhereas the gentlemen returned from dining with the officers. The weather had turned as expected, and rain lashed the carriage windows. He watched streams of water race down the glass as he pictured a pair of fine eyes dancing with merriment. That morning’s encounter with Elizabeth on Oakham Mount had left him unusually unsettled. His decision to pursue her in earnest had consumed him, yet he remained uncertain how best to proceed. How did a man properly court a woman of worth? He longed to do it aright but having never attempted such a pursuit before, he felt decidedly at sea.
“Ho there!” Bingley’s sudden exclamation drew Darcy’s attention, and he looked up to see what had prompted it. A carriage lay mired in the muddy drive of Netherfield; it appeared the driver had ventured too near the edge and become stuck. “That is Mr. Bennet’s carriage,” Bingley observed, his face lighting with anticipation. “Perhaps…”
Their own carriage navigated around the stranded conveyance and came to a halt beneath the portico. Bingley was the first to disembark and ascend the stairs to the house, followed by Hurst. Darcy came last, silently hoping to find Elizabeth inside. He was disappointed to discover only Miss Bennet. Bingley, however, looked delighted to see his ‘angelic beauty’, and turned quickly in her direction.
“I had no notion you meant to call today!” he exclaimed, greeting her with unfeigned joy. “We saw your carriage outside.” He took the seat next to Miss Bennet and leaned forward in anticipation of her reply.
“Yes, I had just set out for home when the carriage wheel…well, you saw it,” Miss Bennet replied, her smile as serene and guileless as ever. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst exchanged pointed glances. No doubt, they believed the entire event had been orchestrated.
“You must stay the night!” Bingley declared. “It is nearly dark—far too late to send you back to Longbourn. I trust your horses are safe in the stables?” He looked thoroughly pleased with the situation.
Miss Bennet confirmed that her father’s coachman had led the horses to the stables, and that her maid and footman had been received in the servants’ quarters. To Darcy’s eyes, she looked fatigued, though she bore it with composure as she spoke quietly with Bingley. He was eager to seek respite in his chambers, though propriety demanded he remain with the party. Supperwould be in a few hours, after which he might plead exhaustion and excuse himself for the night.
Miss Bingley kept close to Miss Bennet throughout the evening. Bingley had no further opportunity to speak with his lady love, causing a scowl to linger on his brow until the hour grew late. By the hour of nine, Miss Bennet’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes glassy. Darcy began to suspect she had taken ill. Before he could draw Bingley’s attention to it, she swooned in her chair beside Mrs. Hurst.
“Miss Bennet!” Bingley cried, leaping to his feet and rushing to her side. He placed a hand to her forehead. “She is very warm,” he murmured. “We must get her upstairs.”
“I shall call a footman,” said Miss Bingley, a note of urgency in her tone.
“Do not be ridiculous,” Bingley snapped, lifting Miss Bennet into his arms. “I have two perfectly sound limbs. Louisa, come with me.” Mrs. Hurst rose at once without comment, casting a sharp glance at her sister before following him from the room.
Miss Bingley stepped closer to Darcy and hissed, “This is surely a ploy to thrust herself into my brother’s notice. If their driver were competent, the carriage would not have become stuck.”
Darcy frowned but gave no immediate reply. He did not believe Miss Bennet capable of such calculation. “I think you do the lady an injustice,” he said at last. “She seemed truly unwell. I hope her malady is of short duration.”
Miss Bingley huffed but said no more. Hurst, oblivious to the commotion, snored in his corner. When Bingley and Mrs. Hurst returned, he roused with a start, blinking in confusion.
“A note has been sent to Longbourn regarding Miss Bennet’s need to stay,” Mrs. Hurst informed her brother. “We shall send another in the morning.”
“But what of the apothecary? Ought we not to send for him?” Bingley ran a hand through his hair, looking more distressed now than he had at the moment of Miss Bennet’s collapse. He paced the room in evident agitation.
