Page 5 of The Engagement at Longbourn

He saw Mrs. Bennet.

He saw Mr. Bennet. Then he looked at Elizabeth and murmured, with perfect solemnity, “I believe your mother is displeased with me.”

Elizabeth laughed before she could stop herself.

His mouth curved faintly.

Then he fainted again.

CHAPTER THREE

Longbourn in Alarm

Longbourn had known illnesses, quarrels, nerves, broken crockery, visits from relations, and one memorable incident involving Lydia, a borrowed pony, and a fishpond.

It had never before contained Fitzwilliam Darcy unconscious in the best guest chamber while half the household ran for hot water. Mr. Bennet took command because someone had to. “Mrs. Bennet, if you continue standing in the passage, no one can pass.”

“Oh! Mr. Bennet, do not speak to me as though I am the difficulty! That poor man may die under our roof!”

“A possibility not improved by blocking the stairs.”

Mrs. Bennet moved at once. “Jane, fetch the clean linen from the upper press. Mary, tell Cook we shall require broth. Kitty, stop crying.”

“I am not crying.”

“You are squeaking.”

“I always squeak when I am frightened.”

“Then be frightened quietly.”

“Lydia!” Mrs. Bennet turned. “Where is Lydia?” Lydia appeared at the top of the stairs carrying three blankets and wearing no cap.

“La! Mama, I am here. Hill said he was bleeding everywhere, but he is not, not everywhere at least, and I told Sarah to heat more bricks because gentlemen always get cold after bleeding. Denny said so after Lieutenant Sanderson cut his hand on a sabre.”

Mr. Bennet stared at his youngest daughter. “For once, Lydia, your military education may prove useful.”

She beamed. Mr. Jones arrived twenty minutes later, his small gig driven at a pace that horrified his horse. The local apothecary was a square, capable man with thinning hair and no reverence for rank when rank was bleeding on his sheets. He examined Darcy’s leg in silence, then asked Elizabeth how the accident had happened. “A fox frightened the horse, I think. He was alone when I found him.”

“Was he conscious?”

“Sometimes.”

“Speaking sensibly?”

Elizabeth hesitated.

Jane looked at her. Elizabeth said, “Not consistently.”

Mr. Jones lifted his eyes briefly, then returned to the injury. The break was below the knee. The bone had pierced the flesh and then slipped back beneath it when Darcy had been moved. The wound was contaminated with mud and cloth. Mr. Jones’s face became grave. “I can clean it. I can slow the bleeding. I will not set this alone.”

Mr. Bennet’s expression changed. “Who do you require?”

“Dr. Garrison in St. Albans. He has treated compound fractures after coaching accidents and has a steadier hand than any man nearer.”

“How soon?”

“If we send a fast rider, three hours. Perhaps less if the roads favour him.”