Page 11 of To Go Against Her Heart
“Mr. Darcy requested us to bring this, madam. Do you need anything else?” the maid asked after placing the tray in her room.
“Thank you! I do not,” she said, wondering why he had sent her the food. Surprisingly, she was hungry and understood the need to keep herself healthy for Jane’s sake. She devoured a portion of the breakfast and attempted to offer her sister some broth.
“I wish I had never allowed you to leave the house on a horseback,” she cried as Jane refused to eat anything.
After about an hour, Elizabeth decided to head downstairs. The entire household was present in the drawing room, and she immediately sensed hostility from Miss Bingley. However, her brother’s concern for Jane warmed her heart.
“Do not be alarmed by your sister’s health, Miss Elizabeth. The apothecary saw her yesterday, but I will send for him now as I understand her condition has not improved. I invite you to stay with us; I am certain Miss Bennet will recover better under your care.”
“You are very kind, sir. I thank you,” Elizabeth said gratefully, as she struggled with the thought of leaving her sister and returning to Longbourn. Darcy observed her keenly and could sense that she was extremely worried and concerned for her sister and was unable to understand the pressing need he felt to comfort her. Within a few minutes, she excused herself and leftthem. Darcy knew Miss Bingley would not favor her stay and left the room, not wanting to hear her rants. He had to run some errands in the village, but he stopped when he noticed Elizabeth near the stairs.
As much as he longed to speak with her, he did not wish to cause her discomfort, and so he took a few steps away. But when he heard her call out, he turned around.
In truth, Elizabeth had halted to speak with him, and she had no idea what had convinced her to do so.
“Mr. Darcy, thank you for sending breakfast this morning,” she said, witnessing his surprise.
“I trust your sister will soon be on the mend,” he replied, nodding. Neither of them said anything for a few seconds.
Their awkward silence was interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth took the chance to leave upstairs.
As Darcy rode to Meryton, one question lingered in his mind.
Has she forgiven me?
***
Have I forgiven him?
Elizabeth sat in Jane’s room, deep in thought. The apothecary had visited some time ago and assured her that Jane would recover within a few days. Yet, seeing her sister suffer was deeply distressing for Elizabeth. Mr. Bingley had been a most attentive host and sent a servant to Longbourn to bring Elizabeth’s clothes for her stay. She had written to her father about Jane’s condition and assured him she was better, not wanting to scare her family.
Her thoughts circled back to Darcy as she passed stressful moments in her sister’s room.
Jane and Charlotte might be right. Could he have considered what I said and changed his behavior? It seems impossible for him to have taken my words so seriously. The man is a puzzle.
It was even more puzzling for her to understand why she had taken the effort to thank him for such a simple act of hospitalityon his behalf. She chose to stay in Jane’s room for dinner and felt helpless seeing her sister’s state.
Meanwhile, Miss Bingley seethed with rage that Darcy should have shown preference for a mere country girl and defended her against Miss Bingley’s reproach. With Elizabeth to remain at Netherfield, she understood the obligation to maintain civility, particularly in Darcy’s company. She was mildly relieved by Elizabeth’s absence until the evening.
However, Elizabeth felt compelled to join the family before supper, believing it was uncivil to join them merely for the meal. She composed herself as she entered the drawing room, where Miss Bingley and her sister sat, looking bored. They enquired after Jane, and Elizabeth could sense that they were genuinely concerned about her sister. The men joined them later, and Mr. Bingley hoped to hear that Jane was on the mend. He was disappointed when she informed him of her condition.
“I am sorry to hear that, Miss Elizabeth. Please do not hesitate if there is any other way in which we may aid her recovery.”
After a formal question regarding Jane’s health, Darcy stationed himself away from the party, and Elizabeth assumed he was writing a letter. The rest of them settled down to play cards, and Elizabeth declined their invitation politely and immersed herself in a book.
“You prefer reading to cards, Miss Elizabeth, which seems a surprising choice indeed for a young lady,” Mr. Hurst remarked.
“Miss Eliza is a great reader and does not take pleasure in anything else,” Miss Bingley declared.
“I do not deserve such praise nor such censure. I am not a great reader and enjoy several other pursuits,” she said with a smile.
“I surmise walking is one of them,” Miss Bingley mentioned with a tone of sarcasm.
“It is; I particularly enjoy my walks.”
“It might be a favorable past time for you, Miss Eliza. I assume there is nothing much to occupy oneself in the country. But you see, in our society in town, women occupy themselves in better ways and are very accomplished.”
“And may I dare to ask in what ways?” Elizabeth challenged.
