Page 4 of Penned By Mr Darcy
Lizzy leant over, kissing her sister on the cheek. Her skin was flushed with heat, the scent of illness about her. She really had been cruel to tease Jane, for her sister disliked jests at her expense even when she was well, let alone when she was suffering as she presently was.
“Sleep well,” Lizzy said, standing up.
Jane’s eyes had already closed.
∞∞∞
As she made her way to the dining room for lunch, Lizzy once again became conscious of her appearance. She had made no effort to amend the damage from her muddy walk, save the removal of her coat which lay draped over a chair in Jane’s bedchamber. She glanced down; the worst of it, thank goodness, had been on her pelisse, but there was still a good amount on her skirt. Her hair, now that she had removed her bonnet, was surely beyond redemption. She paused, glancing towards her reflection in a mirror. She carded a finger half-heartedly through her curls, trying to smooth them down, with very little success.
Suddenly, there was another figure in the mirror. Tall, elegant, and foreboding.
Lizzy jumped, turning to Mr Darcy standing behind her. He bowed his head in greeting.
“Miss Elizabeth.”
“Mr Darcy. Forgive me; you startled me.”
“It was not my intention.”
Silence fell heavily upon them. Lizzy wracked her mind for something to say to the man. He made no effort to moveaway, nor did he offer anything by way of conversation himself. Instead, the pair stayed locked in an awkward encounter, until the sound of the luncheon gong made them both flinch.
“I understand you are to join us.”
“Yes. Mr Bingley extended the invitation.”
“I see.”
“I am to stay for as long as my sister is unwell,” Lizzy told him as they walked.
“Oh.”
She did not miss the note of irritation in his voice, her shoulders tightening at the implied slight. Such incivility! Even if a houseguest was unwelcome, one must still pretend to be delighted. It was a simple matter of etiquette. What sort of a gentleman could not even feign enthusiasm at the presence of a lady?
She made no reply; her tongue had already got her in trouble once this afternoon, and she supposed she must endeavour to be civil to Mr Darcy – even ifheevidently had no such intention. They walked in silence together to the dining room. Mr Bingley, his sisters and Mr Hurst had already taken their seats. Only two were empty, next to one another.
“There you are, Darcy. And Miss Elizabeth! How pleased we are that you could join us.”
“I thank you for the invitation.”
“But Miss Elizabeth! What has happened to you?!” gasped Mrs Hurst, gesturing in horror to Elizabeth’s skirts. “Did you take a fall?”
Elizabeth bit her tongue, dutifully looking down at her skirts and keeping her face steady as she acknowledged the mess ofher hem. It was far better than it could have been, at least; she had come back from outings with mud splattered as far as her elbows. Today she was positively clean in comparison.
“No, I assure you I succeeded in remaining quite upright for the entirety of my walk here. The roads are a little muddy after the rain, that is all.”
“Walk!” cried Caroline Bingley, “Why, there must be at least twenty miles between Netherfield and Meryton!”
“Only three, and a very pleasant three at that.”
“I am sure,” Caroline replied tightly. “Would you care to borrow something of mine?”
Lizzy hesitated, glancing up at the servant who had pulled out her chair for her. He stared ahead impassively, and Lizzy dared not look at the other people around the table.
“Nonsense!” Mr Bingley said at last. “A little mud never hurt anyone. You make it sound as though she bathed in the stuff, Caroline. You are right, Miss Elizabeth; walking is most beneficial exercise.”
The matter settled, Elizabeth sank into the proffered chair. Mr Darcy, satisfied that all the woman were now seated, moved to his chair beside her. She was glad only that he was not opposite her; one was not truly expected to speak with the person beside them, and so they could continue being cold towards one another without causing offence.
Luncheon was served promptly, and Lizzy was quickly distracted from the charged atmosphere by the sumptuous repast placed upon the table before her.
