Chapter Text
Rain was a cruel and relentless mistress, bringing with it the most miserable and lingering colds. Elodie Bennet mused over this as she watched the downpour through the window, wondering if her mother had known the risks all along.
Even if she had, it hadn't been enough to dissuade Mrs. Bennet from sending Jane out into the storm with only a thin shawl for protection.
"Mamma, you are the most evil creature I've met in my life!" Elodie burst out as the family prepared for bed that night, her thoughts consumed with worry for her elder sister.
Mrs. Bennet, her hands planted firmly on her ample hips, shot her daughter a sharp glare—a silent challenge to test her patience further.
Two days passed in anxious silence before the Bennets received word from Jane.
The message arrived in the form of a meticulously folded letter, its contents conveying the unfortunate news that Jane had indeed fallen ill after being caught in the rain.
She was now confined to a bed at Netherfield, at the insistent request of Mr. Bingley.
Mrs. Bennet was delighted by this turn of events. Now, she reasoned, Mr. Bingley would have ample opportunity to fall even more deeply in love with Jane.
Elodie, however, felt nothing but concern for her sister. The thought of Jane lying ill in a strange house must have been utterly uncomfortable for her.
"I think I ought to go to Netherfield and check on Jane's well-being for myself." Elodie said to her mother as they stood in the kitchen. Elizabeth invited herself to go as well, for she was very close to Jane.
Mrs. Bennet agreed to her decision but warned them not to bring her eldest home early.
With that, the sisters set out on foot, walking the miles to Netherfield. Their journey was lightened by lively conversation, laughter spilling out as they navigated through the mud and tall grass.
"Do you think Janey fancies Mr. Bingley? Or do you think she's just doing it to please mamma?" Elodie asked as she hoisted Elizabeth over a fence.
Elizabeth, with a sudden hard glaze to her eyes, nodded her head sharply. "I would say she does like him. Though, I cannot know for sure as she is very evasive about her feelings."
Elodie nodded in understanding and continued walking, loosening her hair from its usual bun. She relished the warmth of the sun on her face, the warm April breeze playing with the strands of her hair as it brushed against her cheeks.
As their sights finally set on Netherfield, Elodie's heart began to beat faster.
The meticulously kept gardens alone hinted at the immense value of the property. Inside those grand walls was her sister, lying ill in the home of a man who had the power to change their family's fortunes forever.
A pang of guilt struck Elodie for viewing Mr. Bingley primarily as a solution to their financial woes, but how could she not? Especially when her mother's ambitions had so thoroughly colored her own thoughts.
Elizabeth, with a determined set to her dark brows, strode purposefully up to the door, and Elodie hurried to keep pace as they ascended the steps.
It was as if someone had anticipated their arrival, for a servant was already standing at the door, wearing a less-than-enthusiastic smile.
"We're here to see our sister, Jane Bennet. We are Elodie and Elizabeth." Elodie said with a slight pant.
The butler nodded and opened the door, ushering the two sisters inside. "I shall make it known that you are here. Please wait until I call for you." Elodie sighed, watching as he disappeared into what seemed to be the drawing room.
"Miss Elodie Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet." the servant announced as he returned, gesturing for them to enter. Elodie shared a brief glance with Elizabeth before stepping into the room, her sister close behind.
Caroline Bingley visibly stiffened upon hearing their names. Internally, she could only think how she might escape this intolerable family once and for all.
Mr. Darcy, who had been seated, immediately rose and offered a formal bow. Caroline's gaze flickered to him, something unspoken passing beneath her composed exterior before a cat-like smile curled her lips.
"Ah, yes." She drawled. "The Bennet sisters." Elodie felt a wave of unease wash over her as their eyes locked, both women unyielding in their silent standoff. But as Caroline's gaze swept down from Elodie's face to her attire, her mouth fell open in astonishment.
The sight was almost enough to make Elodie laugh out loud, had she not been so mortified.
"My, have you walked all the way here?" She gasped.
Elodie and Elizabeth, having not noticed nor cared before, silently swore as they saw their skirts coated in at least three inches of dried mud.
Oh, how embarrassed mamma would be if she saw how they presented themselves in front of such prominent people like the Bingleys.
"Yes," Elodie breathed, hoping to diffuse the tense air. She suddenly became conscious of the slight sheen of sweat on her forehead. "It was but a few miles."
As her eyes combed the grandeur of the drawing room, they caught onto Mr. Darcy's, who stared at her with a hidden emotion buried deep beneath his eyes.
Had he been watching her this entire time? Elodie found it hard to believe that Mr. Darcy, who seemed to find fault in everything, could be interested in her.
Yet, as he studied the way the sunlight from the tall windows cast delicate shadows across her face, highlighting her piercing eyes and high cheekbones, Mr. Darcy couldn't help but admire her.
"Well!" Mr. Bingley chirped as he stood up from his chair like a spring. "The sun has done you both a great service! You look positively radiant! Are you here to see your sister?"
Elizabeth nodded her head swiftly, growing uncomfortable with the pleasantries. "Of course. We received her letter just this morning during breakfast."
Elodie broke her silent stand-off with Mr. Darcy to offer a quaint smile to Charles Bingley. "We couldn't bare to be apart from our dear Jane any longer."
Charles folded his arms behind his back at her response and smiled the largest smile she had ever witnessed.
"Then, by all means, I shall not keep you from her. Mr. Greene, if you would kindly show these respectable women to Jane's room." Jane's room.
The phrase made Elodie pause. It was strange to think that this could become Jane's home if she were to marry Mr. Bingley. Even if he was only renting it now, he might decide that he liked it well enough to stay.
Mr. Darcy bowed once again as the two made their way out of the room. Elodie gave an unpolished curtsy in response, her foot accidentally stepping onto the hem of her skirt.
Caroline suppressed a chuckle, the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement.
Elodie kept her head low as her cheeks burned with the familiar, fiery feeling of embarrassment. Of course, she had to be clumsy at the most inopportune time.
Without another word, she followed Mr. Greene and Elizabeth up a beautiful flight of marble stairs, leading to "Jane's room."
______
"I should've pulled you right off of that saddle. Truly, I am the most horrid sister." It had been merely an hour or two after Elodie and Elizabeth had arrived at Netherfield, and the second eldest had never felt so guilty in her entire life once she saw the sickly state her sister was in.
Well, the only time she'd felt worse was when she'd accidentally run over a younger Elizabeth while riding the plow horse.
Despite Jane's pale face and dark under-eye, she still managed to be effortlessly pretty. It had been a trait Elodie was always envious of.
Within the past hour, Mr. Bingley—having finished his breakfast— had come into the room to check on Jane's well-being thrice, a worried crease between his brow.
"I do not think mamma would've let you. I have no doubt that she planned this whole thing." Elodie smiled weakly as Jane gripped her hand and squeezed it comfortingly.
"Yes, I believe that you are right, though I still cannot fathom why she would do such a thing." Elodie complained between sour chuckles.
Elizabeth, who had resorted to reading her book aloud to Jane, was interrupted by a firm series of knocks unleashed upon the door. Elodie inwardly groaned, assuming it to be another candid visit from their most attentive host.
She was surprised, however, when she opened the door and found Mr. Darcy on the other side. His presence almost immediately thickened the air.
She dipped into a curtsy and then moved aside to allow him to enter the room.
"Mr. Darcy! What brings you here?" Jane said brightly, discreetly moving the duvet to cover more of her nightgown.
Mr. Darcy regarded Elodie a moment before folding his hands behind his back. "I came here on Mr. Bingley's behalf to inform Miss Elodie and Miss Elizabeth that they are welcome to stay until you are well."
A heavy silence filled the room before Jane thanked him and asked him to relay her gratitude to Mr. Bingley.
He gave a curt nod and moved into the hallway. Elodie frowned and followed after him, calling out his name and watching as he stiffened his spine before turning to face her. "Yes, Miss Bennet?"
Elodie avoided his strong gaze, appalled with herself that she would willingly converse with this intolerable man who had verbally abused her pride.
"I would like to apologize for my improper comment towards you at the ball. You had no ill intent toward me. I am still learning to control myself when it comes to my opinion."
Mr. Darcy's eyes searched Elodie's, and she began to grow apprehensive. If he brushed her off, she would feel even more ashamed of herself. But unlike what she thought would happen, he merely bowed with that same stiff spine. "I accept your apology, Miss Bennet. I hope you can enjoy your stay here as I have."
As he walked down the hallway, which seemed much longer than before, Elodie found she couldn't get her feet to move.
She had not expected such a passive remark from Mr. Darcy, nor had she expected him to accept her apology so hastily. For once, a man had left her particularly speechless.
END OF CHAPTER III.