Page 47 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Precisely,” Miss Elizabeth said, nodding toward the perfect spot where a side table sat beside one end of a pink floral sofa, and another low table sat between that sofa and another plain rose-colored one.

They approached the spot with purpose, Fitz leading the ladies so he would be ready to hand them into their seats. He turned when he arrived at the sofa. Georgiana put her hand in his, about to sit in the middle of the sofa, when a startled exclamation drew their attention.

“Goodness!” Lizzy cried, her arms rotating like a whirligig. She felt the cat between her feet. “Basile!”

The gray cat howled and raced toward Miss Bingley. Miss Darcy reached out to catch Lizzy before she fell to the floor. However, Lizzy had no luck, falling away from her. She fell in an ignominious heap at Miss Darcy’s feet. Just as she fell to the floor, Lizzy struck her head a glancing blow against the end table next to the sofa.

“Miss Elizabeth!” Miss Darcy cried, crouching next to her.

Lizzy stared bleary-eyed at her, groaning a little.

Mr. Darcy swiftly joined his sister and together they managed to lift Lizzy into a sitting position. Her head lolled against Mr. Darcy’s chest, and she moaned, putting her hand up to gingerly touch the sore spot. She could hear his racing heart beneath her cheek.

“Oh, my head,” she said quietly.

“Lie still for a moment,” Mr. Darcy ordered. “Catch your breath. Did you trip over that dratted cat? I saw him racing toward Miss Bingley.” Mr. Darcy sounded angry.

“I should have…watched where I was going,” Lizzy said, taking a shaky breath and straightening away from the comfort of Mr. Darcy’s chest in spite of his order to lie still. She smiled at Miss Bingley, who had hurried over to see what had befallen one of her guests. Mr. Bingley joined her, Jane at his side. Charlotte hovered nearby. Lizzy shook herself and sucked in a reviving breath. “I am perfectly all right, now. Pray help me stand.”

By this time her other three sisters had come to flutter around them. Her mother pushed through the gathered well-wishers.

“Goodness. I knew animals would be the death of you one day, Lizzy. Mr. Darcy, kindly set my daughter on the sofa and fetch her some sweet tea. Thank you.”

“Directly, ma’am,” he said, lifting his charge so she stood, pivoting them, and letting her settle gently on the cushions at one end of the sofa. “There you are,” he said softly, patting her shoulder. He left, then, to bring her a cup of tea.

“Excuse me, please,” Jane said, pushing past everyone to sit right next to Lizzy. “How are you, dearest?”

Lizzy pushed her hair back into place, saying, “I am perfectly well, Jane. Everyone,” she added, smiling around at the other guests, her hosts, Charlotte, and her family. “Please do not be concerned. This is not the first time I have fallen over an animal. The chickens get under feet and our goats delight in butting me into the dirt.”

Miss Bingley’s guests chuckled and separated to find their own seats. Miss Darcy sat next to Jane. Charlotte managed to find a place across from them on another sofa. Lizzy glanced across the room to where Miss Bingley stood directing the footman.

Why does she look so annoyed? Does she think I fell on purpose? Or, is she merely upset that I disrupted the harmony of her party? Perhaps that is it. What I would really like to know is why Basile tripped me?

Lizzy smiled reassuringly around her, patting Jane’s hand where it rested on her arm. “There, there, Jane dear. I am perfectly all right—except for making an absolute cake of myself.”

“You did no such thing. You did, however, hit your head,” Jane reminded her, sounding stern and gentle at the same time.

“I did,” Lizzy admitted, gingerly touching the sore spot. She frowned and whispered, “I wonder why Basile decided to trip me?”

“Surely, you do not think the cat could do anything so deliberate?” Jane asked, her eyebrows high.

Lydia and Kitty plopped themselves down upon the sofa opposite Lizzy and Jane, beside Charlotte. Mary soon joined them, though she had to sit on a chair placed orthogonally to them. Their mother had found a place next to Lady Lucas. Maria also sat near to her mother.

“Hello,” Lizzy said, smiling at them and ignoring Jane’s question. The cat tripped me on purpose, but how do I explain how I know that? She focused on her younger sisters, instead. “Are you having a pleasant time?”

Lydia snorted slightly. “Your meaning is perfectly clear. Are we behaving ourselves, you ask?”

“Is that what I meant to say?” Lizzy shrugged. “You may as well tell me if you are.”

Kitty rolled her eyes and sighed. She leaned forward and whispered, “We have been perfectly polite, even though this is the dullest party I have ever been to. I swear, your fall will prove to be the most excitement we are likely to have this afternoon.”

Lizzy’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Why, you are welcome.”

“I appreciate the effort you have taken to moderate your voice,” Jane said, her tone sympathetic. “Miss Georgiana Darcy,” she said to the young woman on the other side of her, “These are my two other sisters, Kitty and Lydia Bennet. Mary, you have already met. And this is our dear friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas.”

“I am delighted to make your acquaintance,” Miss Darcy said prettily.

“As am I,” Charlotte said earnestly. “I must introduce you to my younger sister, Maria, and my mother, Lady Lucas.”