Page 8 of Bitten By Mr. Darcy
Elizabeth resolved that she would simply stay close to her sister and try to keep her from harming herself, and that she would wait until Jane woke. For Jane must eventually wake. Then they would make their way back home and they would all have a laugh about it in the morning.
They walked and walked, however, and Jane didn’t wake.
Eventually, Elizabeth realized they were going back to Netherfield.
The estate was all lit up, even this late at night. Lamps shone at the windows and Elizabeth could see movement inside, people going to and fro in front of the windows.
A servant met them at the door. “Curious house, this, and curious way of conducting visitation,” muttered the servant. “But if they are all up all night, why not have visitors in the night too, I suppose. I shan’t even inquire, not with the salary I am being given. Paid too much to ask questions, I am.” Raising his voice, the servant said to Elizabeth and Jane, “This way, ladies.”
Elizabeth and Jane both had skirts that were soaked at the ends, with mud inches thick on the hems.
They were taken into a sitting room where Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Hurst, and both of the Bingley sisters were at cards.
“Damnation, Caroline, what have you done?” exploded Bingley when he saw them.
Caroline Bingley threw back her head and laughed.
“Why isshehere?” said Mr. Darcy, glaring at Elizabeth.
Caroline turned to look back at Elizabeth. “Oh, dear, I have no notion. She should not be here. It should only be the other one. I put a little suggestion in earlier tonight, you see. I thought we could all send her back before morning, have her climb back in bed with no memory of it. We haven’t had playthings in ever so long, really, and yousaidI could play, Charles.”
“I said you could invite her to dinner!” said Mr. Bingley, coming over to look at Jane, turning her face this way and that. “Did you drink from her, Caroline?”
Drink from her? Elizabeth furrowed her brow. Hadn’t someone else said something about drinking at one point? She could not quite remember, but she thought…
“No, that was to be now,” said Caroline. “Though Louisa wished to.”
“Well, she is rather luscious,” said Louisa. “I thought you could marry this one, because everyone in this little town thinks you wish to marry her, Charles, and wouldn’t that be a bit of fun.” She patted her husband’s knee. “She could keep John company. I’m sure he misses having other humans around.”
Other humans? Elizabeth took Jane’s hand. “Come, dearest. Let us go.”
“Whyareyou here?” said Caroline, walking across the room toward Elizabeth. “Did you see her leave?”
“I saw her get out of bed,” said Elizabeth. “We share a room.”
“Ah,” said Caroline.
“Would you get her out of the room, Caroline?” said Mr. Darcy. “I can smell her from here.”
Caroline smirked at Elizabeth and Jane both.
“We are going to have to go back to London!” cried Mr. Bingley. “I think you’re ruining this on purpose, Caroline, that’s what I think.”
“We’ll charm them both,” said Caroline. “Let’s send word back that the eldest is sick and the other is staying to nurse her back to health. We can keep them days, maybe, have a great deal of fun with them both.”
“Why would she come here in the middle of the night?” said Mr. Bingley.
“I don’t think it’s wise to have my sirensong under the same roof as me,” said Mr. Darcy, who sounded furious.
His what? And why did Elizabeth like being his? She felt something tingle at her neck and she covered the spot with one hand, gazing at him.
“I shall go now,” said Caroline, “and charm the family, make them all think that the eldest stayed overnight because of illness. They’ll never even remember that she came home at all.”
“Only if you take Miss Elizabeth, too,” said Mr. Darcy.
“How many times have we charmed that one?” said Mr. Bingley.
“I’m not going anywhere without Jane,” said Elizabeth stoutly. She tugged on her sister’s hand again. “Jane, my darling, we are leaving right now.” She pulled hard, but Jane didn’tmove, simply stared off into the distance, her eyes unfocused. Elizabeth let out a cry of dismay.
