Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner Read Online Free

Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner
Book: Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner Read Online Free
Author: Jack Caldwell
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came to a stop and dashed to his houseguest’s side, Miss Bingley and the Hursts close behind.
    “My God!” cried Mr. Bingley. “What has happened? Darcy — Darcy, are you well?”
    Mr. Darcy pushed away Mrs. Bennet’s attentions to his forehead. “Must you yell, Bingley?”
    Miss Bingley was quite overcome. “Oh, Mr. Darcy! Good lord! Someone fetch a physician — this instant! Mr. Darcy, I — ”
    Elizabeth saw Miss Bingley’s eyes go wide, and she turned to see what had paled the lady’s complexion so completely. All she could see was Mr. Darcy, trying to prop himself up by one elbow, the wound on his forehead once again bleeding freely, as such injuries are wont to do.
    The next instant there was the sound of a body crumpling to the road as Miss Bingley fainted dead away.
    “Oh, bother! Now I have two people to care for,” grumbled Mr. Bennet. “Come, gentlemen, let us bring them inside.”
    It was not a good day for Mr. Bennet.

Chapter 2
    Miss Bingley was brought into the house by her brothers, and as Mr. Bennet was considered too old and Mr. Collins too nervous to perform the same service for Darcy, two coachmen were commandeered for the task. Mrs. Bennet pointed at the parlor as she led the way upstairs to a room for Miss Bingley.
    “Put Mr. Darcy in there. The room is quite warm as the windows are full west.”
    Mrs. Hurst followed the parade upstairs, and Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet accompanied their father into the parlor. The other Miss Bennets gathered at the door while Mr. Collins volunteered to stand watch outside for the apothecary.
    The men laid the gentleman on the couch as gently as they could. Darcy endeavored to act the gentleman; he had not uttered a sound during his transport save a grunt that escaped his lips when first lifted. By the time the party reached its destination, Darcy’s face was damp with pain and aggravation. Mrs. Hill shooed the men away as she again tended to Darcy’s injured forehead.
    “There, there, dearie,” the housekeeper said in the same soft tone that she had used years ago when caring for the girls when ill. “All will be right soon. Mr. Jones will be here in two shakes.”
    Darcy thought himself a man and such ministrations childish. He tried to halt Mrs. Hill’s attentions. “I . . . I thank you, but that is not necessary.” The weakness in his voice belied his words.
    Mrs. Hill looked to Mr. Bennet. “I expect he could use something for the pain, sir,” she said with a nod of her head towards the door. The action roused her employer from a bemused observance.
    “Jane,” he said, “please fetch a bottle of brandy from my book room.” The lady turned, made her way through a gaggle of sisters, and was only a minute in returning with a bottle.
    Mr. Bennet groaned softly. “Not my good Cognac! Another bottle, my dear.” His words were soft, meant only for his daughter, but in the quiet of the room, every syllable was overhead by all, including Darcy. Lydia and Kitty found this hilarious, and Darcy saw that Miss Elizabeth blushed in mortification.
    An acceptable brandy was soon acquired, and Darcy consumed the first glass quickly. Mr. Bennet poured a refill and enquired how the accident happened. Darcy glanced at a beet-red Miss Elizabeth.
    “I was riding to Longbourn, and as I was slightly behind my time, I took the turn in the road rather quickly. I must have startled some animal. I had a glimpse of something furry in the road. Whatever it was, it frightened the horse, and I was thrown.”
    “You fell off your horse?” Mr. Bennet said in a voice that could have been kinder. “How extraordinary! Elizabeth, did you see what terrifying animal caused Mr. Darcy to be unhorsed?”
    Darcy was taken aback at the older man’s sarcasm. For her part, Miss Elizabeth seemed embarrassed as she said, “It was Cassandra.”
    “Indeed?” cried Mr. Bennet to the sound of Miss Lydia’s and Miss Kitty’s renewed giggles. “It seems the family cat almost
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