Chapter 11
On the morrow Lizzy rose early, not expecting the Netherfield party to be awake. She thought to walk to Longbourn, jumping the stream as she had done many times as a girl. Jane was not such a great walker as her, but Lizzy felt sure she could make it across and have a horse sent for Jane.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Elizabeth halted on hearing Mr Darcy call out her name from the door of what she assumed to be the breakfast room. “You are breaking your fast early this morning.” Elizabeth had intended to simply skip out the door and head off. She supposed having something to eat before her trek would be sensible. She turned towards the breakfast room and Mr Darcy stepped back allow her entrance. She took eggs and toast from the counter. She took the seat she judged to be as far from Mr Darcy as possible without being obvious.
“I am generally an early riser,” she explained, feeling that she could not remain in complete silence.
“You will want one of the footmen to get a message to Longbourn and have some clothing sent to you,” he suggested. Apparently noting her attired in the same dress as she had worn when he had returned the evening before.
“Indeed no,” Elizabeth responded. “It is but two miles to Longbourn over the fields. I will walk back and have a horse sent over for my sister.” Mr Darcy looked shocked at this plan.
“Walk? The bridge is down. There is no way across,” he emphasised.
“Oh, I have jumped the stream many times in my childhood,” she gave an arch smile as a look of horror crossed his face. She did not think the ladies he was used to would consider jumping a stream. “I feel confident that I can jump it now that I am full grown.” She said this but in fact she was not totally confident. Not that she could not make the jump. Just note in her light dress and slippers. She thought mayhap should could borrow some walking shoes from one the Netherfield servants.
“The stream has burst its banks,” he said. “It would be dangerous to attempt.”
“Nevertheless,” Elizabeth replied.
“Very well,” Mr Darcy responded. “I will accompany you,” he said, adding “with a footman.” This addition made another smile briefly touch her face. Did he think she would take the opportunity to compromise him? He need not worry for Elizabeth felt sure that he was the last man she could ever be prevailed upon to marry.
Seeming to catch something of her thoughts. Mr Darcy continued. “That way if you are satisfied, which I am sure you will be, that you will not be able to jump the stream. The footman can cross and bring back clothing for yourself and Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth felt she had no good reason to counter this plan, so she nodded her assent.
Elizabeth was glad she had waited to borrow walking shoes. Elizabeth had told Mr Darcy that she would enquire with one the servants. He had been appalled by the suggestion. And instead a servant had been set to acquire a pair from Mrs Hurst’s ladies maid. She had not thought either of those ladies would have been happy with this. But as they had not yet arisen from the beds. Elizabeth was sure they would never know.However, she was glad of them now, for her evening slipper would not have survived the trip from the house to the stream.
She stared at the stream. It was raging. Her lips twisted in consternation. She went to the very edge of the bank. Or rather what remained of the bank. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Mr Darcy’s hand reach towards her, as if to pull her back. But he dropped his hand before touching her.
She could not jump. She looked down at her skirts. Had she been alone she might have lifted them and attempted to wade across. But in truth, even she might have still refrained from so unladylike behaviour. She looked back at Mr Darcy a deep frown on her face.
“I suppose my sister and I will need to impose on Mr Bingley’s hospitality for a little longer.”
Mr Darcy nodded to this.
“Tom,” he called to the footman.
Elizabeth had to own that she was surprised at him knowing the man’s name. Without any further instruction the footman stepped forward.
She knew Tom because he was a local so before he entered the stream she instructed. “Tom, you will make sure to pass to my father that Mary should gather the clothing for my sister and I?” she asked.
“Aye Miss,” Tom confirmed.
“I think we should return to the house,” Mr Darcy suggested, pointing an arm to lead her in that direction. Elizabeth nodded.
On returning to the house they found the rest of the Netherfield Park, save for her sister were ensconced in the breakfast room. Elizabeth was glad she had taken the time to remove the walking shoes and change back into her own slippers. Her appearance created a great deal of surprise, arriving as she did with Mr Darcy in tow. She explained thatshe had broken her fast earlier that morning and that Mr Darcy had accompanied her to inspect the stream. She explained to Mr Bingley that it was not possible for her and her sister to pass over the stream. Therefore, they would need to remain in his home until the stream cleared. Mr Bingley looked shocked at the suggestion she even considered venturing to cross the stream. He assured her that they were most welcome. A sentiment repeated by his sisters when Bingley sent them a stern look. Elizabeth bowed and excused herself to join her sister upstairs.
The door had not fully closed behind her. This meant she overhead Miss Bingley’s pronouncement. “Miss Elizabeth looks almost wild,” she intoned. “Her hair,” she said.
“She did indeed,” Louisa replied. I could hardly keep my countenance. Very nonsensical to be scampering about the country, trying to return to her home in such ghastly weather.”
“Yes, and her petticoat; I hope you saw her petticoat, six inches deep in mud, I am absolutely certain,” Miss Bingley pointed out.
“Your picture may be very exact, Caroline,” said Mr Bingley; “but this was all lost upon me. I thought Miss Elizabeth Bennet looked remarkably well when she came into the room. Her dirty petticoat quite escaped my notice.”
“You observed it, Mr. Darcy, I am sure,” said Miss Bingley; “and I am inclined to think that you would not wish to see your sister make such an exhibition.”
Certainly not.”
“To think to walk two miles, to Longbourn, above her ankles in dirt, and alone, quite alone! what could she mean by it? It seems to me to show an abominable sort of conceited independence, a most country-town indifference to decorum.”
“I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,” observed Miss Bingley, in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”
“Not at all,” he replied: “they were brightened by the exercise.”
And Elizabeth blushing furiously, walked away. Unsure what the make of the pronouncement. She pushed the thought away to go and join Jane.
