Affections and Wishes Chapter V

Chapter V: Walking

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The next morning, breakfast was scarcely over when a servant from Netherfield brought the following note for Darcy:

"My Dearest Darcy, I find myself very unwell this morning, which, I suppose, is because of getting soaking wet yesterday. My kind friends will not hear of my returning till I am better. They insist also on my seeing Mr. Jones. Therefore do not be alarmed if you should hear of his having been to me. Except a sore throat and headache, there is not much the matter with me. I only wish I had not forgotten my notebook. Yours, Jane."

"Well, my dear," said Mr. Coulson after the note was read aloud, "If your daughter should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr. Odinson."

"Oh! I am not afraid of her dying. People do not die of trifling little colds. She will be taken good care of. As long as she stays there, it is all very well. I would go and see her if I could have the carriage,” Mrs. Coulson said.

“As I said yesterday, I cannot get the horses as often as I should like. They cannot be spared,” Mr. Coulson said, “I am sorry, my dear, but your original plan is interrupting your current one.”

“This is ridiculous. I will go and see her,” Darcy said.

“You are no horsewoman, Darcy,” Maria said as she fetched her sketchpad from the side table in the dining room.

“No, I am not. I can walk there. It will be no trouble to me,” Darcy said.

"How can you be so silly to think of such a thing, in all this mud? You will not be fit to be seen when you get there!" Mrs. Coulson said.

"I shall be very fit to see Jane—which is all I want," Darcy said.

"Is this a hint to me, Darcy," said Mr. Coulson, "to send for the horses anyway?"

"No, indeed, I do not wish to avoid the walk. The distance is nothing when one has a motive; only three miles. I shall be back by dinner," Darcy said.

"We will go as far as Meryton with you," said Natasha. Maria nodded in agreement.

Darcy accepted their company, and the three young ladies set off together.

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In Meryton they parted; the two youngest went to the lodgings of one of the officers' wives. Darcy continued her walk alone, crossing field after field at a quick pace, jumping over stiles and springing over puddles with impatient activity, and finding herself at last within view of the house, with weary ankles, dirty stockings, and a face glowing with the warmth of exercise. The quickest way to the house was an entrance through a small hedge maze.

A few minutes into the hedges, Darcy turned a corner in the maze and ran into Loki Odinson. “Oh, sorry. I am so sorry.”

Loki placed a small book in his pocket and glared at Darcy. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see my sister, since she is ill,” Darcy said.

“Why did you not arrive by the main gate?” Loki asked.

“I walked here. The maze was the closer entrance,” Darcy said, motioning behind her.

Loki looked her over before offering his arm. “May I escort you to the house, Miss Darcy?”

Darcy hesitantly took it. “You may.”

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“Ah, Miss Darcy Coulson! What a pleasure to see you!” Thor said when Loki escorted Darcy into Jane’s room.

“Morning, Darcy,” Jane said quietly.

Darcy sat on Jane’s bed and smiled. “How are you? Are your hosts giving you plenty of rest?”

“Yes, they have. They have been very kind,” Jane said, glancing at Thor with one of her gentle smiles.

“We are quite worried for her,” Thor said.

“I have told you that such illnesses are common, Mr. Odinson,” Jane said.

“And illnesses are almost unheard of after childhood in Asgard,” Thor said. He gave a small smile. “The apothecary seemed hopeful.”

“How have you slept, Jane?” Darcy asked.

“Not as well as I am used to, but that is to be expected,” Jane said.

“She has a headache and a fever,” Thor added.

“It is just a cold,” Jane said.

“Well, you should rest. We will allow her that, do you not agree, Mr. Odinson?” Darcy said.

“Of course,” Thor said, smiling broadly, but not moving to leave.

Loki grabbed his brother by the shoulder and started dragging him out of the room. “Oh!” Thor said, “Rest well, Miss Coulson!”

Darcy covered her mouth as she tried not to laugh. “He is not that bright, is he?”

“He is quite intelligent, but he is not always observant,” Jane said, smiling slightly.

“Oh, I brought this,” Darcy said. She handed Jane her notebook.

“Thank you!” Jane said.

“But you only get it if you try to sleep for a little bit,” Darcy said.

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As the morning went on, Jane received several visitors, which Darcy had to shoo away. Thor understood enough to know that after Loki dragged him out of the room, he was not to return unless called. Volgstaff brought in what he considered a mid-morning snack, which would count as a large supper for most. Fandral gave Jane flowers to brighten the room. Hogun entered the room for a moment, saw Jane sleeping, and knew to leave immediately. Lady Sif came and sat with Darcy for a moment, offering to let Darcy borrow a dress. Darcy declined, knowing that she would be leaving in a few hours.

There was only so much a person could do while a loved one slept off an illness. Darcy began exploring the bookshelves in the room.

“Are you searching for a way to get mud out of dresses?” Loki asked.

Darcy spun around and covered her mouth so that her surprise would not wake Jane. Loki smirked. “Or some romantic drivel?”

“I was looking for anything of interest be it a book of ‘romantic drivel’ or a book of etiquette, which you sorely need,” Darcy said.

Loki looked at her in a similar manner as in the maze. Darcy felt uncomfortable, but did not look away.

“Spin around for a moment,” Loki said.

“Why?” Darcy asked, crossing her arms.

“A magic trick,” Loki said.

“I better not be turned into a spider or something of the sort,” Darcy said before she did as Loki asked.

When she stopped, Darcy looked down and saw that her dress was clean. “It is only temporary. I did not want you to ruin any of the furniture,” Loki said before exiting the room.

Darcy sat down and examined the bottom of her dress, rubbing the fabric between her fingers. It felt clean and looked clean. She sniffed the edge of the dress and found it to be as fresh as when it was freshly laundered.  Darcy had always wondered if magic could be sensed, but it just simply happened. There was not tingling or burning like the books said. It just existed.

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When the clock struck three, Darcy went to Lady Sif and Mr. Odinson in the drawing room. “I am afraid I must leave now if I am to return home before dark, Mr. Odinson.”

“Does Miss Coulson feel well enough to be parted with you?” Thor asked, looking a mix of hope and apprehension.

“She will recover,” Darcy said.

“What Thor means to ask is if she is willing to be parted from you,” Lady Sif said.

Darcy bit her lip.

“Well then, you must stay if it will make Miss Coulson happy!” Thor said.

“I would not wish to intrude,” Darcy said.

“Nonsense! You will aid in Miss Coulson’s recovery and you shall not worry as much,” Thor said.

Lady Sif waved her hand. “We will send a servant to inform your family of your stay as well as to fetch you some clothes.”

“That is very kind of you,” Darcy said, bowing slightly, “Thank you. I do feel better knowing that I can be here for Jane. Even on her best days, she forgets to take the best care of herself.”