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  This work is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ROCKS IN THE STREAM

  Copyright © 2011 by Lewis Whelchel

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any format whatsoever. For information: P.O. Box 34, Oysterville WA 98641

  ISBN: 978-1-936009-06-0

  Graphic design by Ellen Pickels

  Chapter 1

  “I DO NOT KNOW WHAT is to become of us all; indeed, I do not!” cried Mrs. Bennet.

  “Oh, Mama!” Jane crossed the room to stand by her mother who was looking out of a window fronting the house. She lightly touched her shoulder. “You can see that we are all well. Please do not make yourself uneasy.”

  A passing feeling of resentment washed over Mrs. Bennet. “I do not know why your father left the estate to you. I am sure there was some mistake on someone’s part.”

  Mrs. Bennet returned to her chair to resume her work. It had been three years since Mr. Bennet died, and in his will, he had specifically left all of his property, including Longbourn, to his eldest daughter, Jane. It had not been left to his wife, not even for use during her lifetime. Mr. Bennet’s instructions to Jane were that his widow should always have a home at Longbourn.

  “I would have sold the estate and got dowry money for you girls so that you could marry rich gentlemen. Just think, we could have taken a house in London, attended all the balls and parties, and in no time, I would have seen you girls well settled in marriage,” said Mrs. Bennet mournfully. This was her continual lament when the topic of Mr. Bennet’s will was brought forward. “Now we are just as poor as before. Worse, since you are forcing us to save money, though I know not what for.”

  Jane was always sad to be reminded that her mother seemed to grieve more over the married status of her daughters than the passing of her husband.

  * * * * *

  IT WAS TIME FOR HER morning walk, and Elizabeth was ready to escape the house. In her hasty descent of the stairs, she nearly stumbled into Jane.

  “It is beautiful today, my dear sister. Will you not join me for a walk?”

  Rambling through the countryside was one of Elizabeth’s dearest pleasures, which could only be improved on by sharing it with Jane.

  “You know I would like to join you, but I must see to all the accounts today. You will have to go without me.”

  “You are too busy. I do not understand why you do not employ a steward. A young woman of your age has better things to do than manage an estate.”

  “Lizzy! You sound just like Mama!” A burst of laughter filled the hall. “Where will your walk take you today?”

  “Oh, I have not decided. Perhaps I will know when I step outside and smell the fresh air. Are you sure you cannot come?”

  Jane smiled and shook her head.

  “Very well. Goodbye, Jane.” And fetching her bonnet, Elizabeth ran out the door.

  * * * * *

  THE MISTRESS OF LONGBOURN WAS sitting quietly at her father’s old desk reviewing the account books when she was interrupted by her mother.

  “Jane, I would like to go into Meryton to see my sister Philips and then to visit Lady Lucas on the way home. Would you please call for the carriage?”

  “We agreed that Mondays would be the only day the horses left the farm. It is a lovely day for a walk, and I am sure Kitty and Lydia would be happy to join you.”

  “You are as difficult and troublesome as was your father!” Mrs. Bennet stamped her foot and called for the housekeeper as she hurried up to her room.

  “Hill, Hill!”

  * * * * *

  “NOW, THERE, MRS. BENNET,” SAID Mrs. Hill, as she tried to calm the woman’s nerves. “Remember, there will be an assembly next week, and perhaps the new tenants of Netherfield Park will attend. They should be moved in by then, you know. I have it from the housekeeper herself.”

  “Do you really suppose they will come?”

  “Of course, they will.”

  “Well, I do hope so. Oh, Hill, Jane is so stubborn about the horses. She will not let me take the carriage into Meryton today.”

  “Miss Jane has managed the estate well since the passing of your dear husband, and I know I am grateful for her kindness and generosity. She is a sharp one, that girl; nothing gets past her.” What Mrs. Hill thought — but did not say — was that the daughter was doing a much better job of it than the father ever did.

  * * * * *

  ELIZABETH WAS HAPPIEST WHEN OUTSIDE on one of her walks in the country. The summer air and the solitude revived her from the trials that had to be endured in a household of six females.

  Today she found herself walking towards Netherfield, where, since the place had been vacant, she frequently went to enjoy the pleasure gardens. This would be her last visit, for the new tenants were to take possession any day.

  Of course, she was curious about whom their new neighbors would be, but she was not burning with speculation as were her mother and younger sisters. She had no fantasies of a rich young man seeking a wife from among the neighborhood daughters, and even if he were, he certainly would not choose her. Jane was five times as pretty as any young woman in the country. He would choose Jane.

  Elizabeth was walking on the edge of a horse trail, almost within sight of Netherfield, when her attention was caught by a rabbit hopping along the other side of the path. In her momentary distraction, she did not notice a tree root protruding from the ground in front of her. With a cry, she tripped and fell, striking her head on a rock.

  * * * * *

  “IT IS A RELIEF FOR me finally to get a place of my own outside of Town,” Charles Bingley declared triumphantly.

  “You are always welcome at Pemberley,” replied his companion, Fitzwilliam Darcy.

  Bingley had recently purchased a lease on Netherfield Park and this was to be his first night in the house. Staying with him at Netherfield were his sister, Caroline, who had gone directly to the house. Bingley and Darcy were taking a more scenic route in order to see some of the surrounding countryside.

  “I know, and I thank you for it,” said Bingley, “but it seems as though there is something different in having a place that one can call his own. Netherfield is nothing to Pemberley, I know, but the neighborhood is pleasant, and I believe I shall enjoy living here very much.

  “Do you not find country manners to be a bit savage?”

  “Country manners? They are delightful.”

  “Well, then, I suppose you will be happy here,” said Darcy with a laugh.

  As they rounded a corner, Darcy saw a purple bonnet lying across the trail. As he drew nearer, he was horrified to find a young woman lying on the ground next to it. Darcy instantly reined in his horse and dismounted.

  “Bingley!” Darcy shouted as he ran over to the fallen figure. Her foot was twisted in a root, and there was blood on the side of her forehead.

  “Is she dead?” asked Bingley in frightened curiosity as he came up beside Darcy.

  Kneeling down and bending over her, Darcy felt her warm breath on his cheek. “No, she breathes. Come, we must get her to Netherfield.”

  “Very well, Darcy, I will stay with her and you can —”

  “No!” interrupted Darcy, “I will stay with her.” Then he said more calmly, “Bring back the carriage and send for a physician to meet us at Netherfield.”

  “Yes, at once!” Bingley jumped on his horse and rode off at a gallop.

  * * * * *

  DARCY DID NOT KNOW WHAT to do. The young woman was breathing, and the bleeding had stopped, but her skin was cold. He
had no idea how long she might have been there. He took off his coat and wrapped it around her, cradling her in his arms.

  * * * * *

  Bingley burst through the front door of Netherfield.

  “Fosset, have Rossiter bring the coach round at once, then send to Town for Mr. Manning!”

  “What is the matter?” asked Miss Bingley, who was already bored of being in the country.

  “Darcy and I found a young woman lying unconscious on the side of the trail we were following. She appears to have fallen and hit her head on a large stone.”

  “Who could be so clumsy as to do something like that?” laughed Miss Bingley. Her thoughts centered on the insipid nature of country folk. She would never forgive her brother for bringing her here.

  “I am sure it was an accident, Caroline. Will you come with me in the carriage to go to her?”

  “Oh, very well,” said Miss Bingley with some exasperation.

  * * * * *

  DARCY FOCUSED ON THE BLOOD that had trickled onto the young lady’s cheek. A memory from his childhood came unbidden to his mind at the sight of it.

  “Ready, Fitzwilliam?”

  “Yes, Richard. Are you?”

  “Yes! Go!”

  Fitzwilliam took off running down the sloping hill on the side of the house towards the stand of Spanish chestnuts. This was their daily challenge. The loser would have to water the horses. His cousin, Richard, almost always won, but today he was determined that he would be the victor. He focused all his strength in his legs, so much so that he even closed his eyes. Suddenly, a dog barked, and he turned his head towards the sound. At that moment, his long legs became twisted up, and he fell.

  When he stood and examined himself, his pant legs were torn, and he had a trail of blood running down his sleeve from a cut on his elbow. Even though he lost that day, Richard was kind enough to water the horses anyway.

  Darcy recollected himself, realizing that he had been staring at the young woman. What would she think if she were to wake up suddenly and find herself being held by him? Regardless of convention, he would not leave her on the ground.

  * * * * *

  TIME HAD PASSED SLOWLY FOR Darcy, but at last, he could hear the carriage. In moments, Bingley and his sister were out of the coach and at his side.

  “We came as fast as we could, Darcy,” said Bingley. “Did she wake up? Has she said anything?”

  Though he had accompanied Miss Bingley in the carriage, Bingley sounded out of breath, as if he had run the entire distance from Netherfield.

  “No, nothing. She is just as she was. She must have been here quite a while, for she is very cold. I am extremely worried about her.” Darcy pressed her closer to his body.

  “Really, Mr. Darcy, one might think that this creature had enchanted you the way you are holding her,” sneered Miss Bingley.

  Darcy did not respond but looked down at the young woman and realized he was cradling her against his chest, her head in the crook of his elbow. Who was she, and why did he feel such a need to protect her?

  He lifted her into the carriage and laid her gently on the seat opposite Miss Bingley. After hovering over her just a moment to arrange his coat around her, he stepped out and made room for Bingley to enter the carriage.

  “Drive on, Rossiter. Carefully!” ordered Bingley.

  “Yes, sir.”

  Darcy walked back to the place where the young woman had fallen. Retrieving her bonnet, he noticed that a piece of light purple ribbon had become detached from it. He placed it in his pocket before mounting his horse and galloping back to Netherfield.

  * * * * *

  MRS. BENNET AND THREE OF her daughters were in the drawing room, sitting around a table cluttered with books, pins and cloth. Jane had finished the accounts and was standing by a window nearest the paddock, staring across the front lawn.

  “Mama, Lizzy has been gone far too long. This is not like her at all.”

  “You worry too much, Jane. You know how she likes to wander. She will be back soon.”

  “But, Mother —” Jane stepped away from the window towards Mrs. Bennet.

  “You already have too much to worry about, Jane. Do not worry about Lizzy,” scolded her mother.

  Jane was not convinced. Lizzy never stayed away for more than a couple of hours at a time, and it was now afternoon. She should have been back. Elizabeth would never do anything to cause worry about her, and Jane was worried. Very worried.

  “Perhaps I should ask some of the tenants to look for her.”

  “You will do no such thing. Elizabeth is just fine and certainly does not need our help. You will only embarrass us with your false alarm. She will turn up soon enough, and then you may have words with her,” said Mrs. Bennet as she left the room.

  Jane did not believe it. She knew in her heart that something must be wrong.

  * * * * *

  DARCY GALLOPED PAST THE CARRIAGE and was waiting impatiently at the front entrance to Netherfield by the time the coach arrived. Never had horse and carriage seemed to move so slowly.

  Bingley had given directions to the housekeeper to ready a bedchamber for an injured young woman, so preparations were well underway for her arrival.

  When the carriage finally stopped, Darcy himself lowered the step and opened the door. He handed Miss Bingley out, Bingley followed, and then he entered the carriage. He paused to look at the woman. Nothing seemed to be different, and he was relieved that she appeared no worse. He picked her up and began to carry her into the house.

  “Mr. Darcy, surely you can let a servant take care of that,” Miss Bingley snidely remarked.

  “No, I cannot.”

  “Come upstairs with me, sir,” said Mrs. Thomas, the current housekeeper and former housemaid at Bingley’s townhouse.

  Darcy followed Mrs. Thomas to one of the bedchambers where a maid was waiting and set the young woman down carefully on the bed.

  “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. Anne will stay with her. Please send up Mr. Manning as soon as he arrives.”

  “Yes, of course. Please let me know at once of any change in her condition.”

  “Yes, certainly, sir. I will send you word immediately.”

  Mrs. Thomas wondered at the depth of his worry. She had known Mr. Darcy for quite some time and realized he was not one to reveal his emotions; with that expression of concern, he had illuminated his whole soul.

  * * * * *

  UNABLE TO FIND ELIZABETH, MRS. Hill sought out Jane. “Ma’am, Mrs. Bennet has asked me to send for Miss Elizabeth. Do you know if she has come back yet?”

  “No, Hill,” answered Jane anxiously, “she has not yet returned.”

  Jane walked slowly up to her mother’s room, feelings of dread disrupting her peace of mind. She found Mrs. Bennet arranging the pillows on her bed, obviously bored and unconcerned.

  “Mama, Lizzy has not yet returned from her walk!” Jane said heatedly. “Oh, Mama, I am sorry, it is just that I am so worried about her.”

  “What do you mean she has not returned? Of course, she has returned.”

  “No, she is not here. Mama, we must begin a search for her. I fear that she has been injured . . . or worse.” Unable to mask her worry, Jane began to pace the floor in front of her mother.

  Mrs. Bennet was immediately alarmed upon hearing Jane’s concern. Though Elizabeth was not her favorite child, her maternal feelings were roused at the possibility that her second daughter might be suffering.

  “But it is so late now,” whined Mrs. Bennet. “What can be done?”

  “Mother, I am not going to sit by and do nothing while Lizzy may be lost or hurt!” With that, Jane hurried from the room.

  * * * * *

  JANE WENT INTO THE LIBRARY to pen a note to their nearest neighbor.

  Sir William Lucas,

  I am begging your assistance. My sister, Elizabeth, has been missing since this morning. She went for a walk and did not tell me in which direction she would be going. Would you please send servants t
o search around the area of Lucas Lodge for her and alert Colonel Forster that she is missing? I fear that some type of mischance has befallen her.

  Thank you.

  Jane Bennet

  Jane also sent word to her Aunt Philips, begging her to spread the alarm.

  * * * * *

  “HILL, WILL YOU PLEASE SEND for David?” Jane would ask him to deliver her letters.

  “Certainly, ma’am.”

  Jane felt helpless. There had not been a night in her life that she did not spend at least a portion of it with Elizabeth, talking about the events of the day or sharing their hopes and dreams for the future. Of all her family, Elizabeth was the one for whom she felt the most affection, and while she loved all the others, she believed that only Elizabeth returned her love equally.

  It was a surprise to everyone who knew how devoted Mr. Bennet was to his second daughter when the estate was left to Jane. She wanted to share it with Elizabeth, but Elizabeth steadfastly refused to take away from Jane’s inheritance.

  Jane depended on Elizabeth for her courage. When Elizabeth knew that she was right, she was firm and steady, and Jane relied on her strength while she learned to deal with all the people she had to encounter as a landowner. It had been a slow and difficult process for her.

  The news that Elizabeth was missing had spread quickly through the servants’ quarters, and when David was asked to go to his mistress, he was already armed with sympathy and understanding. Miss Elizabeth was a favorite with him as she was with all the servants. She always greeted him with a kind word and a smile.

  “Did you send for me, ma’am?”

  “Yes, David. I need your help. Miss Elizabeth is missing, and we must find her before nightfall. Please gather the servants and have them search all the paths as far as Meryton while you deliver these two letters. My sister is missing,” she repeated with a broken voice, “and I cannot bear the thought of her spending a night out alone.”

  “How long has she been gone?” he asked gently.

  “She left on her walk this morning.” Jane went to a window and stared at the rose garden. Elizabeth so much enjoyed flowers. Elizabeth so much . . . Jane’s eyes began to burn. “She invited me to come with her, but I told her I was too busy.” Jane wiped a tear from her eye. “She should have been back hours ago.”