Matches Made at Netherfield by Burton Zoe

Author:Burton, Zoe [Burton, Zoe]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Zoe Burton
Published: 2016-12-23T00:00:00+00:00

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Darcy had also risen late. Though not his wont to sleep past sunrise, even after a ball, the events of the previous night had left him drained, resulting in a deeper than usual slumber. He spent the first part of his day in correspondence, including a letter to his attorney in regards to Elizabeth’s settlement. With that complete, he sought out information on his betrothed’s condition and then went for a long ride to clear his mind.

Chapter 7

Elizabeth, over the course of the next two days, came back to an awareness of herself and her surroundings. She was tired, a result of the fright combined with the laudanum, but she was speaking to Jane and Mr. Jones and could recite her name and age and home estate. She was hungry, as well, and was encouraged to eat as often as she wished, but in small quantities. Her memory of the event that caused her distress was, predictably, lost. If not for her sister’s presence, her disorientation at awakening in a strange room might have caused a resurgence of her panic, but she knew Jane would be able to share with her what happened and why they were not at Longbourn.

“Come, sit beside me, Jane,” she begged. “Tell me where I am and how I came to be here.”

Jane did as Elizabeth bid, and settled on the bed beside her, back to the headboard. Taking her sister’s hand, she gently began. “Do you remember the ball? Here at Netherfield?”

“I do. I was enjoying myself; I think I danced every set, at least the ones I can recall.”

“Yes, we were both asked for every dance.” Jane smiled, remembering her set with Mr. Bingley. “Do you remember leaving the ballroom?”

Elizabeth did not answer immediately. In her mind, she catalogued each event that she could recall, beginning with dressing in her room at home. She found that she did not have a memory of leaving the dancing. Filled with dread, she told Jane so.

“I thought that might be the case. You were lured, I fear, to the water closet and locked in with Mr. Darcy.” At Elizabeth’s gasp, Jane rushed to assure her that gentlemen had nothing to do with her entrapment. “However, the candles blew out from the force of the door shutting, and it is a very small room. Mr. Darcy tells us that you became hysterical, and that he did his best to soothe you.”

“He did?” She felt a vague memory stirring in the back of her mind. “I think I remember him proposing to me, but it might have just been a dream.

“He did propose. He knew that your reputation would be called into question, and being an honorable gentleman, he did his duty by you. He was very angry that you had been put in the situation. He carried you upstairs and sat with you until Mr. Jones and I arrived. He has been worried; I hear him asking after you every day.”

“Oh, Jane, I am so embarrassed. I do not remember what I did or said.

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