Eclipse

Chapter Five

 

After his late night, Darcy slept quite late the next morning and did not join the Bingleys for breakfast. When he did arise, the library and dining parlour were empty. As he strolled towards the stables hoping to have his thoughts to himself, a groom led Elizabeth's horse into the yard preparing to return him to Longbourn. When the groom saw him, he stopped and giving a short nod, prepared to mount. "Stop, I would like to have a look at the horse before you go." Darcy said. The groom held the calm horse while Darcy walked around admiring. The horse was clearly not as high bred as his, but for a country gentleman's family he was sufficient. His coloring looked remarkably like the great-grandsire of Darcy's own Cannon. He had seen the famous racehorse once as a small boy while on a visit with his father to the Cannons Park Stud at Stanmore in Middlesex. Even as an aged stallion, he had the gleam of combat in his eye and dared the young Darcy to come closer.

Though he was not dressed in his riding breeches, on a whim he wished to test the mount. Darcy took the reigns from the groom and mounted. He was a gentle horse and had to be urged repeatedly to break into a canter. He shook his head at the thought of Elizabeth racing through the forest. How had she gotten the horse to run that fast? He smiled at the memory of seeing her flustered as she had calmed her horse, but that was before Cannon had lunged at her, and she fell.

He brought her horse back to the groom, dismounted and watched as the groom left. He was followed by another mounted groom leading a second horse for the ride back. As he stood there, Bingley walked up behind him and in a friendly fashion slapped him on the shoulder, "Good morning, we missed you earlier. Miss Bennet joined us for breakfast, as her sister was still asleep. But there is good news, the doctor said she awoke during the night and should be much improved in a day or so."

"And her father?" asked Darcy, as they started back towards the house.

Bingley replied, "Mr. Bennet left for Longbourn at daybreak, and said he would return to collect his daughters. So we are to enjoy Miss Bennet's company for another day at least. I am only sorry that Miss Elizabeth Bennet will not be able to join us." At this last comment he chanced a glance at Darcy, but was disappointed as Darcy was calmly watching a carriage slowly travel towards them down the lane. "I expect that is Lady Lucas and her daughter to visit with my sisters."

Bingley and Darcy reached the carriage as it stopped and escorted the ladies into the house where they were shown to the waiting Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst in the morning parlour. After the ladies had greeted everyone and been seated, Bingley took his usual chair and Darcy moved to stand at the window. Miss Bingley started the conversation, "Ladies I am afraid I may have rather disturbing news, if you have not already heard of our visitor." At this Darcy looked up sharply at Miss Bingley, a movement that did not go unnoticed by Miss Lucas. "Our dear neighbor Miss Eliza Bennet, had a riding accident while out racing her horse through the forest yesterday. Mr. Darcy was forced to bring her to Netherfield, and she only awakened early this morning."

Both of them looked surprised, and Miss Lucas gasped, "Is she here still?"

Miss Bingley slowly unfolded her fan and said, "Yes, she is upstairs and I suppose her dear sister," at this she looked at Bingley, "is with her. To have them both as guests again with so short a time between visits..." She trailed off with a flick of her fan not noticing Darcy who turned again to the window to hide the look of unease that crossed his face. "I am sure we may visit her before you leave, if you wish."

The Lucases agreed, and refreshments were served. A maid was sent to inform the Bennets of visitors and after an appropriate time, the entire group reassembled in Miss Elizabeth Bennet's room. Miss Lucas rushed to her dear friend’s bedside and clasped her hand as Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst stood aloof at the end of the bed. Bingley slowly made his way to Miss Bennet's side to inquire about the health of her sister. Darcy stood in the doorway, wanting to enter, until Miss Bingley noticed his distance, "Mr. Darcy certainly you do not feel a victim in the accident and wish to refrain from seeing your aggressor."

Miss Lucas stepped back from the edge of the bed to allow others to visit and noticed Mr. Darcy's tense position as he replied, "No, but I thought your guest might not require so many visitors in such a small space and need a breath of air." With this, he turned and left. Elizabeth watched him go then turned her attention to Mr. Bingley who she thanked for again coming to the aide of her family.

After their visit, the Lucases were escorted to their waiting carriage by Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet who detoured through the gardens before re-entering the house. Mr. Darcy watched them from an upstairs window, though his thoughts were of Elizabeth and his glimpse of her lying in her sickbed. Her hair had been hastily gathered up with several loose tendrils teasing her neck. She was pale, and the purplish lump was clearly visible on her temple, but she had been breathtaking as she had smiled at her visitors. He shook his head, it could not be. With these dark thoughts, he turned and walked away.

 

 

Chapter Six

 

At dinner that evening, Miss Jane Bennet joined their company. She informed the small gathering that her sister felt well enough to be left alone, and that they should surely leave upon the morrow. “I believe my sister and I should trouble you no further after tomorrow morning. If we could but have a message delivered to our home?” She glanced at Bingley as she said this, and Darcy noticed she rarely met anyone’s eye, let alone Bingley’s. She was at all times polite, but aloof.

To the vexation of certain others in their small company, Bingley urged Miss Bennet to reconsider her decision, “Are you quite certain Miss Bennet is well enough to withstand what will be a most jarring carriage ride in her delicate state? We are very happy to accommodate you as guests for as much time as may be required.” At this last statement, Bingley looked at his sisters who had conveniently walked to the other side of the room to admire a vase of flowers. He then looked at Darcy who was sitting by the fire reading one of his books. He did not notice Darcy’s hands tighten on the book as he overheard their conversation.

Miss Bennet smiled, “I will relay your invitation to my sister, but I am afraid she was most adamant about not intruding on your retreat any longer than necessary. She bade me extend her gratitude to you, Mr. Bingley, for your kind thoughtfulness and friendship.” While Jane was shyly avoiding Mr. Bingley’s gaze, she did notice Mr. Darcy paying more attention to their conversation than was at first noticeable. He seemed to be reading his book, but she noticed his hands clutching at it every time Lizzy’s name was mentioned.

After dinner, the evening passed in much the same way. Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet sat near each other talking quietly, and as Darcy had always noticed, Bingley was the more energetic of the conversationalists. Miss Bingley attempted to rouse Darcy to join in a game of whist with the Hursts, but he refused being too engrossed in reading his borrowed Johnstone. Miss Bingley was too polite to remark on why she thought he might have refused, as Miss Bennet was in their presence.

At last Mr. Darcy came to sit near Miss Bennet and Mr. Bingley. He did not offer any comments but sat toying with the book. Hesitantly, Jane offered her gratitude, “Mr. Darcy,” at this he did look at her with a smile that masked his face and she continued, “I do not believe I have thanked you properly for taking such great care with my dear sister. I have heard how you carried her some distance while she was hurt. I would not like to think what could have happened had you not been there. She and I both earnestly thank you. I am afraid she is still not feeling like herself and must rely on me to show you her gratitude.”

This was the longest speech Darcy had ever heard from Miss Bennet. She had turned from Bingley and now sat facing him. Inclining his head he said, “I am ever you and your sister’s servant ma’am.” He noticed her hands lying folded in her lap and thought how much Elizabeth’s hand must be like her sister’s, so small and white, the irregular blue veins lying across the delicate bones under the ivory skin.

At nine o’clock Miss Bennet excused herself and retired to her room that she shared with her sister. Bingley walked her to the stairs and watched her ascend. Mrs. Hurst remarked to Bingley as he rejoined them, “That Jane Bennet is a lovely girl, so sweet.”

Bingley agreed as he sat down across from Darcy, but Miss Bingley had different thoughts, “I suppose she is a nice country sort, but she would never do in society.” She looked to Darcy for help, and continued, “Louisa, do you remember when Miss Eliza appeared after walking to Netherfield, and this time she has taken a tumble. I wonder what circumstances will find her appearing on our doorstep next? Why she is liable to be in rags.” She laughed and Mrs. Hurst joined. Mr Hurst had fallen asleep as usual over his port.

At this last remark, Mr. Darcy closed his book with some force and stood. He looked coolly at the heads of the sisters bent in mirth, but did not offer a rebuttal to their observations. Darcy fully regained of his composure begged leave of Bingley, and without a backward glance retired for the night.

 

 

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