Elizabeth promised, but Jane could see that she was still watching her closely as the bride conversed with Sir Alastair. It was obvious that Elizabeth had informed the physician of her worries, forhebegan watching Jane as well, much to her irritation, which instantly increased her headache. Jane did not wish for him to view her as an invalid. She turned away, joined Mrs Bennet and Lady Lucas, and listened to their conversation about the elegance and good taste of Mrs Bingley’s arrangements. It warmed Jane’s heart to see Mrs Bennet hand over her crown for best hostess in the village to her daughter with pride, without an ounce of resentment. She felt a rush of fresh affection for the Bennet family and all of theircharms and oddities.
She winced suddenly as a spoon clattered loudly nearby when someone dropped it into a serving bowl. Jane realised the sound probably was not as loud as it seemed, it only disturbed her head so much. She rose and walked back to the darkened corner. She had already said her goodbyes to Elizabeth and Mr Darcy. If she did not feel a bit better in a moment, she would ask a footman to send Daisy up to her with some tea and laudanum, then retire quietly.
“Miss Jane?” Sir Alastair’s brogue interrupted her thoughts. “I beg your pardon, but do you feel quite well?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to send him away and then go to her room with all haste, such was the pain in her head. Before she could even form a response, the pain became intolerable, all went white, and she swooned.
Half an hour later, Jane faded in and out of consciousness as voices spoke in her room. She was aware that she had been changed into a nightgown by Daisy and another maid, and that Sir Alastair had administered a few drops of laudanum to her tongue.
“I assure you, there has been every indication of these megrims improving,” said Mr Jones. “It is true that shehascontinued to have frequent headaches. But their frequency and severity were lessening, and she has not had a collapse like this in some days. Perhaps she had too much punch. It is the season to overimbibe.”
“I do not believe that was the case today.” Sir Alastair’s voice came from closer by the bed. “I will still be here tomorrow. I will examine her again when she wakes. I have a friend in London who studies headaches and head injuries. I know that Darcy would ensure his fee.”
“Mr and Mrs Bingley would not hesitate to do so either, and I understand that their household moves to London this week. I shall leave it in your hands then,” Mr Jones said agreeably.
“Beg pardon sirs, Miss Ben–that is–Mrs Darcy – they are to leave in a moment. Mr Darcy wishes to make it to London before it becomes late, and Mrs Darcy wishes to know if Miss Jane is well before she departs.” Jane heard James’s voice, but the laudanum was takinghold of her and she could not summon the urge to speak or open her eyes.
“I shall come downstairs and deliver the report myself.” Sir Alastair then gave instructions to Daisy, and the men left the room, but Jane had already slipped into oblivion.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Monday 21 December1812
Godmersham Park
“Give me that!” cried a young boy.
“I shan’t! Fanny said I could keep it!” hissed a young girl.
“But I want to-”
“What are you two doing in here?” Entered a young lady. “I leave to relieve myself for two minutes, and you are in here fighting! What will father say?”
“Fanny…”Jane moaned.
“Aunt Jane!” cried Fanny. “She is waking up! Where is Aunt Cassy?”
“Fanny…” Jane croaked, clawing out desperately with both hands, attempting to open her eyes.“Fanny!”
“What is it, Aunt Jane?” her niece begged. “Allow me to find my aunt-”
Jane found her niece’s hand and grasped it tightly. “Do not leave me, Fanny,” she begged.“Hold onto me.”
Fanny turned to her younger siblings. “Get Aunt Cassy! FindPapa!”
Two hours later, Jane was sitting up in her bed at Godmersham Park, still clinging tightly to Fanny’s hand. Shehadslipped briefly back into unconsciousness just after waking, which was what she had been terrified of. She feared that she would slip away and wake up again at Netherfield, and all she could think was to beg her niece,“Hold onto me.”
She had learned thatsomehowshe had travelled through timeagain,and that the date was again the twenty-first of December. Elizabeth and Darcy’s wedding had been on New Year’s Eve. It was at that moment that she knew that despite the terrible gash on the back of her head that had rendered her unconscious for four days, that the well magic was indeed the powerful cause of her experience. The well, and the one in Meryton, had done exactly as she had asked of them. They had given hersomething morethat festive season, and then generously allowed her to return to her family for Christmas. She could hardly believe how blessed she had been.
The final piece of evidence of the well’s incredible gift had come when she snagged her finger on something scratchy. She looked down at her right hand on the sheet to see nothing other than Lydia Bennet’s reed ring from Amwell.
Fanny noticed her toying with it–tears welling in her eyes–and said, “We did not recognise that, but did not wish to remove it, in case it was dear to you.”
“It is dear indeed, dear beyond nearly anything I possess.” When her niece directed her attention to the items beside her bed that had been in her pockets when she was found, Jane wept openly. Next to the reticule she had been carrying when she was injured, was a tiny annotated volume of Wordsworth with the initials EB inside the cover, and a neatly folded handkerchief with the folly at Netherfield embroidered in one corner.
Fanny watched her aunt with trepidation, hoping that all was well with her head. The doctor said she would take time to recover her strength, and Fanny prayed that when her aunt recovered, she would once again be her old self.
Three nights later, Jane was carried downstairs by two of her nephews, and she sat by her brother at the table on Christmas Eve. She smiled as she looked about the table at her many relations. This was all she had wanted. To be with dearest Cassandra and Fanny again. To celebrate the festive season as one ought, among her family, who loved her best.
