Eclipse

Chapter Two

 

Instinct took over when thought could not and before her mount could flee, Darcy chased him down and caught him, led him back and dismounting, tied him to a nearby tree. He then raced to Miss Bennet. She was sitting up, thankfully, and he knelt by her side.

“Miss Bennet, are you hurt?” and after a moment’s hesitation, “again?” He controlled his urge to smile with a stern look.

He carefully supported her elbow to assist her in rising, whereupon she turned on him reproachfully, “Are you mad? What sort of gentleman allows his horse to attack another?”

He could see that she was infuriated and embarrassed at falling in so unlady-like a manner, but her temper was a surprise to him. While still keeping a firm grip on her elbow, he turned so that she could smooth her skirts privately, so as not to embarrass her further. “I did not allow my horse to attack yours. I am not sure why Cannon bit your horse. Please forgive him. I will of course see that you arrive home safely.” He had looked forward to meeting her again after what he considered their pleasant time at Netherfield while her sister was recuperating. He was actually anticipating seeing her at the Ball and for once, receiving a dance, but to encounter her in such a fashion, not to mention the accident, Darcy was quite disconcerted. As usual, he hid behind an impassive facade.

She turned and without glancing at him, started to her horse, “If you will help me mount I am quite capable of returning home unassisted. I do not wish to keep you from your morning ride, as the weather is nice this time of day.”

In two strides he caught up to her. Focusing on her remark of the weather as an offer of civility, he offered his reply. “It is a fine morning for riding. I prefer the mists…” She had stopped and was holding her head with one gloved hand. “Miss Bennet?” She took one more step and slowly sank to the ground. As her riding bonnet fell back he noticed the thin rivulet of blood oozing from her hair near her brow.

Darcy stared. Then knelt by her side and not quite knowing what to do, loosened the strings on her bonnet. He removed the glove from one of her slender hands and gently patted it, while trying to decide what to do. It looked so frail and limp in his large, gloved hands. The normally stoic Darcy was at a momentary loss. If ladies ever fell during a hunt, there were other ladies present and servants nearby to tend for her. Even when his sister had fallen while learning to ride, there had been others to care for her, but that had been different owing to the familiarness of family. But, in this case, there was no one, and propriety made it very awkward indeed. “Netherfield is at least a mile, and Longbourn possibly two…” he muttered to himself as he continued to try and rouse her. They would go to Netherfield.

She was surprisingly light as he gently picked her up and calling to his horse, he mounted. He cradled her in his arms while Cannon walked the mile to Netherfield. About half way there, she seemed to awaken and began talking, but not apparently to him. “Jane, you will not believe me, the luck of it…Mr. Darcy,” He smiled as she mumbled, “at least I am tolerable, although not handsome enough…” his smile faded, “not in a humour… me slighted?...” she trailed off, “not enough partners for the others…” Darcy winced, so she had heard him that night after all.

When he rode into the courtyard, the footmen rushed out to hold his horse as usual, but faltered when they saw Miss Bennet. “Fetch the apothecary and the housekeeper.” He did not have to repeat himself. He eased down from the horse and carried Miss Bennet up the stairs. Mrs. Nichols, the housekeeper, met him at the door with Finley, the butler, who offered to take his burden. “I will carry her,” Darcy shook them off and followed Mrs. Nichols to a guestroom upstairs. He gently laid the still unconscious Miss Bennet down on the bed and stepped back. “Someone is gone to fetch the apothecary. I will see that her family is informed.” With that he turned to go as Bingley rushed into the room.

“Darcy, I heard there was an accident.” Bingley stopped as he saw Miss Elizabeth Bennet lying on the bed with blood on her temple. “Darcy?”

Darcy once again composed in his usual state, took Bingley by the arm and they left the room, “We did not see one another while riding and our horses collided. I have sent for the doctor. Let us wait in the library.” Bingley followed him still shocked at the sight of the lady.

As they entered the library, Darcy turned to one of the servants, “Send someone to Longbourn and inform them that Miss Elizabeth Bennet has had an accident, but that she is being cared for at Netherfield. They are to send someone at once.” Darcy then instructed him to send a groom after Miss Bennet’s horse, which was still tied to a tree. Turning he saw that Bingley had poured each of them a measure of whisky. He related the details of the accident to Bingley, omitting Miss Bennet’s unconscious confession as they sat by the fire. “I am sorry I did not beg your leave to bring her here.” Darcy finished.

“Think nothing of it. She is in need of immediate medical care, and Netherfield was the logical choice.” There was a sound of crunching gravel and a coach pulled into the yard. They heard the apothecary enter the hall, Mrs. Nichols greet him and then guide him to the patient. As the sound of their passing faded up the stairs, Darcy was quiet in concerned thought. Bingley noticing did not offer further conversation.

Darcy was thinking of Elizabeth’s words. Apparently she had been deeply offended by his comments at the Meryton dance. That would explain much of her behavior towards him. She was ever cordial, but he now saw that her impertinence held something deeper. He thought of the day she had appeared at Netherfield to attend to her ailing sister, her untidy appearance, and he frowned to himself, “...scampering about the country,” Miss Bingley had been correct. Elizabeth did seem a bit wild. He would never allow his sister to ride unattended about the countryside. Yet, her vigor was enchanting.

A discreet cough, and Mr. Jones was announced to the library. “Please sir, have some refreshment,” Bingley waived a hand and a glass was poured for the doctor and handed to him as he sat. “Now tell us of the condition of Miss Bennet.”

The little man rearranged his spectacles and peered over them at the two gentlemen awaiting his professional opinion. “The lady has suffered a head wound, and is still asleep. I have left instructions to keep her quiet should she wake. I will of course stay here as long as you think I am necessary.”

Bingley looked at Darcy, who only waived a hand in acquiesce. “Thank you,” acknowledged Bingley of the offer, “you may stay as long as Miss Bennet requires your assistance.”

There was a motion at the door and Bingley looked up to see a servant entering the room, while hovering in the doorway was a groom. “Sir, a groom has brought back the lady’s horse, but he has other news that may be of interest.” Darcy stood and walked towards the groom, who took this as his cue to enter the library. The groom held out a riding crop, “Sir, we found this by th’ horse. We thought it might be th’ lady’s. There’s blood…” He did not finish. Darcy had grasped the crop and stood staring at the blood on the end of the handle. Bingley and the doctor were at his side immediately.

“She hit her head with the crop...” The words were barely audible, but Bingley noticed Darcy had gone white as he said them.

 

 

This story is written by Cristal, and she owns full © copyrights to it.

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