Eclipse

Chapter Four

 

Jane Bennet had sat by her sister's bedside all afternoon with only a short break. For most of the time she had been alone with Elizabeth. Occasionally the housekeeper would peek in to see if there was any change or send a maid. The doctor had been a few times, but still no change. Jane had stayed strong, until her father had entered. At this she had started to weep, "She lies there as if dead."

Mr. Bennet had petted the blonde curls on his shoulder as Jane wept. "No daughter, do not say such things. She is just asleep and will wake soon." He had then sat in Jane's place while she went out, but his words had choked his throat, and he prayed that they would be so.

It was now very late. Jane had moved from her chair to lie on the bed next to Elizabeth. Jane held onto Elizabeth's cool hand and slept fitfully, straining even in her sleep to hear signs of awakening. She awoke very late to someone gently nudging her shoulder and whispering, "Jane, wake up. Jane, I have such a headache. I hate to wake you dear sister, but would you please get me a tonic."

At this Jane sat straight up and looked around, "Lizzy? Lizzy, are you awake?"

Lizzy replied, "Yes, Jane. I am sorry to wake you, but my head..." She was suddenly enveloped in Jane's hugging arms, "Oh Lizzy, you are well again." Jane released her and carried a candle to the fireplace to light it. At this Lizzy tried to sit up, but the pain in her head and flashing stars before her eyes caused her to ease back onto the pillows.

Jane came back to the bedside. As Lizzy gazed around the lightened room she realized they were not at home. "Jane where are we?"

"Oh Lizzy," Jane clasped Lizzy's hand in her own, "do you not remember? We are at Netherfield."

"Netherfield..." began Lizzy, "but why are we not at home?"

"You were riding that horse, and had an accident with Mr. Darcy." At this Lizzy winced, but Jane continued, "He carried you here,” then added in a whisper, “in his arms.” before continuing, “I know it seems so impolite to impose on Mr. Bingley again, but we had no choice as he said Netherfield was nearer. They sent for us after bringing you here and fetching the doctor. Oh, Mr. Jones, I must send for him." with that Jane hurried to the door and sent the maid.

Lizzy carefully ran her fingers over the knot on her forehead and grimaced again. Yes, she remembered the accident, and that she had been racing through the forest like a fool. Oh what Mr. Darcy must think of her impudence. Jane said he had even carried her. Lizzy could not bear to think on the matter further and slid under the covers, even as she pulled them up over her aching head.

The maid hurried to the library to fetch the doctor. When she had been sent to Miss Bennet's room, all the gentlemen had been in the library. She slowly opened the door and crept in. It was very late, but the fire was still burning quite high. She saw a figure reclining on the settee and recognized Mr. Darcy when she got closer. He had an arm thrown over his face and his hand resting around a half-empty glass on the floor. "Oh, the poor sir has drunk himself to sleep," she thought. She reached for a blanket and moved behind the settee to drape it across him. As she did so, his hand grabbed her wrist, "Elizabeth."

The maid jumped. He was looking at her now, "Mr. Darcy, I’m sorry to wake ye, sir."

His grip tightened, "Is there any news?" The maid looked at her wrist and then back at Mr. Darcy. Realizing he must be hurting her he let go. "My apologies, has there been any change then?"

The maid smiled, "Why aye, Mr. Darcy, she’s awake. I came to find th' doctor, but I canna see he's not here. I shall send to his room." She bobbed a quick curtsy and fled.

 

 

The maid returned to Miss Bennet’s room after waking the doctor. Jane noticed her quietly return to the bedside, and that she was rubbing her wrists. “Mary, you must be tired, have a seat by the fire and rest until the doctor comes. Have you hurt yourself?” Jane nodded indicating her wrists.

“No mum, th' feeling’s coming back now. He didna mean to.” Mary replied as she moved towards the fire.

“Mary,” Jane queried in a shocked tone, “who did not mean to? Has someone hurt you?” Jane could not imagine there being anyone employed at Netherfield with such a character as to hurt the servant maids.

Mary turned and in a lowered voice, “Mr. Darcy, mum.” At this Elizabeth eyes opened, she had not been asleep, only resting until the doctor should visit. But Mary continued in a hurried voice, “I went ta fetch the doctor in the library, that’s where they’d been. Only he was gone and Mr. Darcy was by himself. Poor man, I thought he had drunk himself to sleep. So I went to cover him with a blanket and he grabbed my arm. ‘Elizabeth’ he says. And I’m so scared all I can do is stare at him. ‘Is there news?’ he says. And so, I told him I came to fetch th’ doctor and that yon Miss is awake.” She took a breath and added, “He wasna in his cups though, just waiting ye ken, quite like.”

“Thank you Mary," Jane muttered as she looked at Lizzy, and then in a lower voice, “He never went to his room, but stayed up?”

Elizabeth’s voice was still a little hoarse from her long slumber, “Oh, I am sure it was not because of thoughts of my health that kept him from his room. It was more likely to be the worried thoughts of the impropriety of carrying my unconscious form across the countryside.”

“I am not so sure…” Jane started to answer but the door opened and the doctor arrived at last.

 

 

Darcy sat up on the edge of the settee his face in his hands after the maid had fled the room. He remained like this for several minutes feeling the relief flood over him. She was awake. She may still be hurt, but she was awake. He finished his drink in one swift movement and stood, straightening his attire. He could not go to her room, but he could meet the doctor in the hallway. He realized this was not quite proper to be roaming the house at this late hour, but at this particular time he did not care. Besides there was no one awake at this time that mattered in society anyway.

Darcy stood in the hall and waited until he heard the doctor leaving Elizabeth’s room then he swiftly took the stairs and met him. The doctor was a little surprised to find Mr. Darcy waiting for him, but realized he must be worried about the Miss. “Uh, Mr. Darcy, have you come to find out the latest on my patient?” He smiled.

Darcy was not so genial, “Yes, has she recovered?”

The doctor continued in his best professional voice, “She is awake at last. Her head still bears a lump, but she has requested a small meal be brought up. Her head swims when she tries to rise, but I believe that within a day or so she will be quite recovered enough to return home. I hope this will be acceptable for her host? She was very adamant about not imposing on the good graciousness of Netherfield any longer than medically necessary.”

Darcy could not help but smile himself, “That is welcome news Doctor. Thank you and I believe I can speak for Mr. Bingley when I say that the Miss Bennets are very welcome guests.” They parted and the doctor returned to his room. Darcy was not quite ready to retire. He was exhausted, but instead walked to the large window overlooking the gardens.

The full moon was low in the sky and dawn would not be long. He pulled from his pocket the small glove. It was soft, tan calfskin of good quality. The seams were darkened from use, so she must ride often, he thought. He stroked it with his fingertips very gently as if it were still occupied. Finally he turned and made his way down the hall to his room, only pausing once outside her door to listen. He heard the soft rustle of fabric, the murmur of feminine voices and the tinking of china as Elizabeth was nourished by her sister. He sighed and continued on.

 

 

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

We do appreciate your feedback.
Comment on the story here!