Assessing Mr. Darcy by Leenie Brown

Author:Leenie Brown [Brown, Leenie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Leenie B Books

Chapter 11

Darcy descended the grand staircase at Netherfield slowly, one painful step at a time. His ankle was improving but placing weight on it was still difficult. Limping around a room with quick steps on a sore ankle as he had done for the past two days was not so bad as attempting to walk down a flight of stairs.

“Are you going somewhere?” Bingley, still dressed in his riding clothes, leaned against the wall at the bottom of the stairs.

How Darcy wished he could have gone for a ride this morning. He was so dreadfully tired of being confined to the house. He had had his fill of his room. However, to venture out of it meant being tended to by Louisa and Caroline, and Caroline seemed just as determined as ever to attempt to sway his mind in her direction. Riding would mean he would be free of both of Bingley’s sisters, but it also meant his ankle would be jostled more than it should be. He had no desire to repeat having his boot become lodged on his foot due to swelling. Therefore, he had come to a decision. He was going…

“Home,” Darcy replied.

“To town or Pemberley?”

“Town. I should l like to see my sister.”

Bingley nodded. “Will you, at least, have tea with me before you leave?”

“Not unless you wish it.” The man had not visited him in two days, and it was obvious from his expression that he was still not happy with Darcy. There was no way Darcy was going to impose on his friend if he was not welcome to do so.

“I do,” Bingley replied, a small smile tipping his lips, giving away the fact that he was not as put out with Darcy as he pretended. “I do not wish for you to leave.”

Darcy blew out a breath as he completed his journey to the bottom of the staircase and lowered himself onto the second step to rest his ankle before he proceeded any further.

“It still hurts?” Bingley nodded to Darcy’s foot.

Darcy nodded. “It is not so strong as I would like it to be. I think it best to have my physician look at it when I am in town. Now that swelling has receded somewhat, he may see something that was missed before.”

“You are determined to leave then?”

Again, Darcy nodded. “My remaining will only hinder any chance you have of securing Miss Bennet.” He looked up at Bingley. “I did not do you harm intentionally, and I apologize for my temper.”

Bingley extended a hand to Darcy. “Come. Have tea with me. I would like to speak with you.”

Darcy looked at Bingley warily. “You would?” He allowed Bingley to help him rise from where he was seated.

“I would.” He took Darcy by the arm. “Lean on me if you need to.”

“Thank you,” Darcy replied and did just that. He leaned his weight partially on his friend as they moved down the hall to a small withdrawing room behind the larger sitting room.

“Caroline does not like this room,” Bingley whispered.

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