Darcy settled back into the chair gratefully, at last able to rest his aching leg on the target of his contortionist efforts, which immediately alleviated some of the pain. He opened his mouth to answer his sister’s question, but at that very moment Miss Bingley appeared, sweeping into the room with questions of her own.
“Mr. Darcy, what is the matter? Why are you in need of a doctor?"
The fashionable young woman was immaculately groomed as usual, highlighting the Darcy siblings’ disheveled states in comparison. Fastidious about his person under normal circumstances, Darcy tamped down on his instinctual embarrassment; there was nothing to be done, as his luggage would not be arriving until the evening. He made a futile attempt to straighten his coat as Miss Bingley spoke again:
"It seems to me that coming to Sanditon is a cause of more injury than recovery. If you need me to call for the doctor, you should stay with him Georgiana."
“The doctor has already been summoned,” he reassured, before either lady could fly out of the room on his behalf. “I sent the maid directly after I arrived. He should be here within the hour. Forgive me for not standing to greet you Miss Bingley, but as you can see,” he gestured to his laid up foot, “I am unable to do so at present. Now,” Darcy looked back at his sister, “both of you, please sit. We have much to discuss. Miss Bingley’s statement has confirmed what I suspected, if indirectly.”
He paused, and met both ladies eyes: first his sister, who was all anxiety, and then Miss Bingley, who was all composure. Keeping a measured voice, he continued, “Tell me what difficulty occurred on your way into Sanditon. I have been kept in suspense these last four days, and I have no desire to remain in ignorance a moment longer. I will impart my own experience once my mind has been put at ease in regards to your safety.”
Darcy leaned back into his chair. He folded his hands on his lap, trying to assume an air of calm control, and willed his face into an expression of neutral expectation.
[OOC: Some of my delay in explaining Darcy’s circumstances is because I’m still not sure what happened, haha. So please regale him with your exciting tale! Also one of the doctors are welcome to appear at any moment. ;) ]