Page 19 of A Most Beloved Sister
“Please make sure Mr. Bennet receives this directly. Do not leave it with anyone else, not even my mother.”
He gave her a knowing look. “Right away, Miss Elizabeth.”
His formal bow was followed by a quick wink, and he immediately left for the servants’ staircase. Elizabeth watched as her note with the abhorrent news left her possession.
Suddenly, she felt as if she couldn’t breathe.
In a panic, she dashed for Netherfield’s front door. Down the steps her feet flew, and she walked as quickly as she could until she was out of sight behind the trees.
Then she ran.
The house slippers she wore did little to protect her feet from the sticks and stones, but she was unaware of the pain. All she could think about was losing Jane, and the ache in her heart pushed her farther and faster, desperate to get away from the terrible truth.
Jane was going to die.
Elizabeth’s lungs burned in her chest, but she kept going. Eventually, she collapsed, her legs unable to carry her any farther. Her gasps for breath mingled in the misty air around her, and she began to sob.
“Miss Elizabeth!”
The voice darted through her consciousness like an arrow, piercing the black void that surrounded her. She lifted her head and, through the fog of her mind, saw Darcy above her on a horse.
“Good God! Are you injured? What happened?”
Before she could catch her breath to reply, he swiftly dismounted and came to her side.
“What happened?” he repeated. He immediately followed with more questions. “Did someone hurt you? Were you chased? Are you ill?”
She took long, jagged breaths before finally managing to say, “No, no one hurt me. I am well. Please, leave me be.”
He stared at her. “As much as I hesitate to disagree with a lady, I cannot leave you alone in your present condition. Truly, you are very ill.”
She looked up at him with scorn. “If you must know, I am only dealing with some dreadful news from Mr. Jones. Although, it may be welcome news to you.”
Darcy’s brow furrowed, and she continued. “Mr. Jones fears my sister may not have much longer left to live.”
Elizabeth’s voice cracked on the last word, and she buried her face in her hands.
There was silence; then Darcy said, “I do not welcome this news at all. Indeed, I am quite grieved and shocked. But is it certain, absolutely certain?”
“As certain as Mr. Jones can be,” Elizabeth replied. “As you have guessed, Mr. Darcy, my sister is… unique. There is not much that is known about her condition.”
Darcy pressed his lips together and looked into the distance. After several moments of silence, Elizabeth spoke again, bitterness dripping from every word.
“Now that you know the whole of it, Mr. Darcy, I once again request to be left alone. I am uninjured, and no one has importuned me either. So please, leave me be.”
Elizabeth began to rise to her feet, but the abuse she had put them through in her run finally permeated the numbness. Letting out a cry of pain, she took a few hobbling steps as her weight pushed the pebbles of the path deep into the cuts and bruises.
Strong arms wrapped themselves around her from behind. Before she could protest, Darcy swept her off her feet and lifted her onto the horse as if she weighed nothing.
“Mr. Darcy!” she cried in indignation.
“You will never make it to Netherfield with your feet in that state,” he responded firmly. “You should not have worn house slippers if you were going to take a run.”
Outraged, she opened her mouth to retort, but suddenly the horse was walking, following behind its master. She clung tight to the saddle horn as Darcy used the reins to guide them back towards the manor.
The silence between them was deafening.
Chapter 6
