Page 34 of Affectations of Candour

“Blasted gnats!” he swore, heedless of the ladies present.

Mr Darcy manoeuvred his punt into place beside his other boat, and the two gunwales lightly touched. Putting down his pole, he opened the box and took something from it. “Come and stand at the till, Miss Bennet, where you may use this spyglass to have a closer look. I shall see about fuelling the brazier with aromatic cedar and herbs. Smoke should keep the insects at bay.”

From the next punt came a strident, querulous voice. “Now Miss Bennet is in my way, and I cannot see the otters,” complained Miss Wright. “Mr Darcy, I am coming over.”

Disregarding the commotion as the gentleman helped the disgruntled lady aboard, Elizabeth smiled at the antics of the playful river otters.

Then Hector yelped in pain.

“Oh no!”

Was that Miss Darcy’s or Miss Wright’s cry of dismay? Elizabeth placed the spyglass upon the thwart.

Thump! Something or someone hit her from behind.

“Miss Bennet!” cried Mr Darcy.

She fell forwards with a splash, gulping and thrashing in the greenish water as she hit the muddy bottom of the mere. A thick layer of sediment began rising through the decaying vegetation all about her, and everything turned brown.

From above, came a second splash, quickly followed by a third.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Teeth were clenched round her wrist. A pike? Something had snaked about her waist. Oh dear God, a lamprey! Stifling a scream, Elizabeth struggled against whatever was holding her but realised that she was being pulled upwards through the murk.

Surfacing, coughing, she tried to clear and fill her lungs at the same time. While being moved towards the punt, she became aware that the sleeve at her wrist was held between Hector’s teeth and that the arm about her waist belonged to Mr Darcy. Other arms, Miss Darcy’s, reached for her, pulling Elizabeth aboard. Wide-eyed, Miss Wright stood aside, both hands covering her mouth.

Landing on hands and knees in a drenched heap, Elizabeth shivered, whether from coldness or from shock, she knew not which.

Hector scrambled on board, repeatedly shook, sprayed mud and water everywhere, then dropped heavily to the deck to lick a paw.

Mr Darcy’s shadow fell over Elizabeth. He was dripping wet, shirt sleeves plastered to his arms. “Miss Bennet, we must get you wrapped in blankets and warmed by the sun. Please allow me to help you.”

“No, Brother. I shall do it.”

“I am well.” Elizabeth spoke through chattering teeth. “Though the same cannot be said of my sister Kitty’s gown.”

Gently, Miss Darcy helped her to stand and move to the cushioned seat. “Here, we shall wrap you in these sun-warmed blankets. Then you must lie down.”

“Truly, I am well. I was only in the water for a matter of—what?—seconds?”

“Yes. My brother and Hector immediately jumped in after you, but you are soaked to the skin.” Miss Darcy eased Elizabeth down to recline upon the thwart and placed cushions beneath her head.

Beckoning for Mr Baker to draw his punt near, Mr Darcy called to the factotum in the other boat. “Come aboard, Tom. I have a task for you. Miss Margaret, additional blankets from over there, if you please.”

“I do not understand.” Elizabeth shivered. “Whatever happened? Why did I go into the water? It all happened so quickly.”

Miss Wright cautiously approached. “I tripped over Hector and forcefully bumped into you. Were you not so slight, you might have been able to stand your ground and not have gone over the side. Fortunately for you, the water here is only a couple of feet deep.” She turned to Mr Darcy. “And what a hero you were, sir. How brave you were to save Miss Bennet from such an insignificant depth.”

“It was at least six feet, madam. And a person can drown in shallow water.”

“I saw the whole thing, and it could easily have been prevented.” Miss Darcy placed a third blanket over Elizabeth. “Hector was trying to move out of your way, Miss Wright. If you had not stepped upon his paw⁠—”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake! Other than Miss Bennet being a little wet, no harm has been done. She is well. She said so herself. So, when the Bakers’ boat comes alongside, Miss Bennet will transfer over to it, and I shall stay here. Thea will sit with our father and Meg in the servant’s boat. Then Mr Baker and his lot can go directly to Cliff House where the dear girl may take to her bed and recover from that little dip of hers.”

“Indeed.” Mr Wright stood beside Miss Margaret, who agreed with him while passing a few blankets to Tom. The factotum then deftly stepped from one punt to the other.

“Kindly make a pot of tea on the brazier, Tom, then bring a mugful to Miss Bennet.” Mr Darcy knelt near Elizabeth’s feet and asked permission to remove her waterlogged boots.