Eclipse

Chapter Three

 

It was not long until another carriage hastily pulled into the courtyard and Mr. Bennet and Miss Jane Bennet were introduced into the library. Mr. Jones offered to take Miss Bennet to her sister and left Mr. Bennet to talk with the gentlemen. After all three had been refreshed and taken their seats, Darcy began his explanation of the events. Mr. Bennet murmured occasionally that he should not have let Miss Elizabeth ride as she wanted. Darcy offered that she seemed an excellent rider, but that it was an unfortunate accident. Mr. Bennet blanched obviously at the sight of the bloodied crop and Bingley could see the worry on Mr. Bennet’s face mirrored in that of Darcy’s. For quite a while they sat in silence each consoling his own thoughts.

Eventually Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst joined them for a short while before lunch was announced. By this time the doctor had rejoined them, and Bingley questioned him if Miss Bennet might join them, “No sir, I believe she will have a tray brought up so that she might stay by her sister’s side in case she awakens.” While the others retired to the dining-parlour, Darcy made his excuses and went to his room.

Upon entering he stripped off his riding clothes and washed his face in the basin. He then redressed in the clothes laid out for him, but did not rejoin the others. Instead he sat by the window, still holding the crop. His valet noticed and discreetly had a tray brought up and placed near his chair. Darcy did eventually eat, but very little. He knew he should rejoin the others, but his own thoughts were too forward in his mind for him to attend to the conversations of others at the moment. It was early afternoon when he finally descended the staircase.

He found Bingley, his two sisters, and Mr. Hurst in the drawing room. Miss Bingley walked towards him as he entered and placing her hand on his arm looked into his eyes and said, “Oh, Mr. Darcy! I do hope you were not injured yourself this morning. We have been so worried about you this afternoon when you did not join us,” here she looked to Mrs. Hurst for support, “I can not believe that foolish girl would risk her life and yours too.”

Darcy delivered Miss Bingley to the nearest chair, and turned to Bingley, “Mr. Bennet and the doctor?”

Bingley answered rather hurriedly to assure Darcy that there had been no change, “All is as you left it. Mr. Bennet has gone to give Miss Bennet a short respite. The doctor has retired to his room in case he should be needed at a later time.”

Darcy turned and walked to the window, “Bingley, I am sorry to inconvenience your family with the medical attention required of Miss Bennet.”

Miss Bingley replied, “I must say that it seems that the entire Bennet family has decided to move into Netherfield. I do hope we do not have to endure another visit from Mrs. Bennet and her brood.” With a glance a Darcy she added, “While I am sure Miss Eliza will recover, I do hope she will be able to attend the ball, as I have heard she is quite fond of dancing and should greatly enjoy the attentions of the red coated young men.”

Bingley continued the conversation, “I do believe Miss Bennet will recover. I find it very enduring that sisters are so fond of each other to come to each others’ aide so willingly.”

“But,” Miss Bingley answered, “their fondness can not be an exception, for I dearly love my own sister,” she paused to smile at Mrs. Hurst, "yet we shall soon be known as the local hospital if another Bennett sister chooses to recuperate here."

At this, Darcy turned from the window. He had not wanted to listen to their empty ramblings, but had been unable to remove their voices from his troubled thoughts. "I believe I am the reason Miss Elizabeth Bennet is upstairs unconscious. Were she less of a horseman, she might very well be in the church." With a final nod to Bingley, he left the room.

It was later that afternoon that Bingley saw Darcy coming from the stables and went to meet him at the door. To Bingley there was no look on Darcy's face to betray his emotions, but his step quickened when he saw Bingley. "There has been no change." said Bingley, "I believe my sisters will have their dinner in their rooms tonight. I have arranged a small meal to be served for us in the library. I do believe this is not a time to have our customary dinner in the dining parlour."

"Thank you good man," Darcy placed his hand on Bingley's shoulder as he entered the doorway. "I have been to the stables to see to Miss Bennet's horse. He was unhurt in the accident, and I hope it would not be forward of me to have a groom take him back to Longbourn."

"Certainly not," exclaimed Bingley, "Darcy you know you are to treat my home as your own. If there is anything you need, do not even ask, it shall be yours."

The library was quiet as the three men ate in silence. Bingley finally broke the strained silence by suggesting that "Mr. Bennet you should stay the night in case you are needed. I am sure Miss Bennet will be recovered by morning and will wish to see you. I will have word sent to Longbourn."

"I believe I will, Mr. Bingley, and thank you for your generosity. I feel as though my family has intruded on yours too much these past few weeks. Please forgive us, it was not intentional."

"No sir, I do not forgive you." At Bingley's reply, Darcy looked up somewhat startled. "Although the circumstances have not been at best, having your daughters as our guests has been most enjoyable." Bingley continued, "I, and I believe Darcy also, quite enjoyed Miss Elizabeth Bennet's conversations when she was here last. She brightened our evenings with her wit." At this Mr. Bennet only smiled, too tired and worried to say more about his darling Lizzy.

At the stroke of nine, the apothecary joined them for an after dinner brandy. He reported that the patient's health was as yet unchanged. The four men sat quietly each in his own thoughts. Bingley was reading A Memoir of the ‘Forty-Five by the Chevalier de Johnstone. Mr. Bennet and Mr. Jones were talking quietly and Darcy sat with his book partially open, but staring into the fire. Finally Mr. Jones announced that he would retire to his room for the evening, but to call him should the need arise. Mr. Bennet followed him, leaving Bingley and Darcy alone.

"Darcy, I have read stories of soldiers lying unconscious for days, and recovered quite easily." Bingley as always slightly nervous and eager, tried to encourage Darcy in conversation by indicating the book he was reading. "I am sure this will be a similar case."

Darcy smiled at this, "Perhaps you are correct, but soldiers are men.”

Bingley continued in hopes of rousing Darcy from his solicitude by talking of one of his favourite topics, horses. “It says here that the Duke of Cumberland was the commander at the Battle of Culloden in ’46. Is he not the same that bred one of your Cannon’s sires?” With only a nod from Darcy, he continued. “And it refers to him as ‘The Butcher.’ I would not think a Prince to be capable of such, but then it is only this man’s view, and he a Scot at that.” Bingley paused to read an interesting passage.

“It is late Bingley, I believe I shall sit a while longer by the fire. Please retire when you wish and I shall see you in the morning." Bingley nodded in agreement and seeing that his friend wished to be alone, he lay the book aside and left Darcy to his thoughts.

 

 

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

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