Before Jane could protest she did not feel so very badly, coughing stopped her. “Mr. Jones?” Jane managed.
“Even though yourgoodfriend would not call him, Mr. Bingley has sent word to Mr. Jones to call as soon as he is able to,” Elizabeth related. “I should have flayed her with my tongue! Allowing you to suffer and not having the apothecary summoned.”
“I am sure…” Jane sneezed twice, “…it was an oversight.”
“You believe that if it makes you feel better,” Elizabeth returned. “Now is not the time to discuss the pros and cons of the supercilious sisters, you need to rest.”
Elizabeth heard the noise of people in the hallway and thought Mr. Jones had arrived already. She opened the door and found Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy without.
“How does Miss Bennet?” Bingley enquired worriedly.
“Much worse than I hoped to find her. Her fever is high and she is not well. Your footman is on the way to summon Mr. Jones, is he not?” Elizabeth queried.
“He is. In fact, he should have reached the apothecary’s house by now,” Bingley averred.
Elizabeth relaxed a tiny bit knowing Mr. Jones would not be long in coming, unless he had some sort of emergency to which he needed to attend. “On behalf of my sister, I thank you for your attentiveness,” Elizabeth stated and then slipped back into the chamber.
“Bingley, you know I would not openly criticise your sister under normal circumstances, but her not calling for the apothecary last night is beyond the pale. She constantly holds herself to be the perfect hostess while forgetting one of the most important things, the care of guests in her house.” Darcy stopped before he included Miss Bingley’s rude behaviour towards Miss Elizabeth in his statement.
Bingley hung his head. “I am not blind to my sisters’ faults. Sometimes I wonder how it is we came from the same parents,” Bingley shook his head sadly. “I agree, it is unconscionable Caroline did not summon Mr. Jones yesternight when Miss Bennet took ill.”
“Her behaviour here has highlighted one of the many reasons I will never offer for her,” Darcy told his friend. “Please make sure she gives up on her delusion I will marry her. There arenocircumstances under which I willeverpropose to her.”
“And I would never sentence you to a life in hell with her by insisting you marry her if she sinks so low as to attempt a compromise,” Bingley assured his friend.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Less than an hour since the footman rode to Mr. Jones’s offices, the man arrived at Netherfield Park and was shown up to Miss Bennet’s bedchamber directly.
Elizabeth remained with her sister while she was examined. “It is a very bad cold,” Mr. Jones pronounced once he had completed his examination of Miss Bennet. “I will leave some willow bark to make tea. It will assist with her fever and any pain your sister may be suffering. In addition, I am leaving two elixirs to assist with reducing her cough.”
“Thank you for coming to see my sister,” Elizabeth stated gratefully.
“It is my pleasure, Miss Lizzy. After all, I have taken care of you and your sisters from the time you and they were born,” Jones replied while he closed his bag and prepared to depart the sick room.
“May I ask a favour?” Elizabeth requested. Mr. Jones nodded his permission. “Please stop at Longbourn and inform my parents of the truth of Jane’s malady.”
“It will be so,” Jones agreed. “She will be well, Miss Lizzy. We know Miss Bennet is susceptible to this kind of illness and sometimes it cannot be helped. Try not to fret too much.”
Elizabeth had to bite her tongue as she wanted to say if it were not for her mother’s machinations, not to mention her father’s abdication of his parental duties, Janey would not have gotten ill. Instead, she smiled a little and said, “Thank you, I will rest a little easier.”
Mr. Jones took his leave and made his way to the study per Mr. Bingley’s request when he arrived. There he met with the master of the estate and his friend Mr. Darcy and reported on Miss Bennet’s state of health.
Bingley thanked and paid the man. When the study door was closed, Bingley turned to his friend. “I know, I need to speak to my sisters. The way they treated Miss Bennet is wholly unacceptable.”
Darcy could do nothing but nod his agreement.
Chapter 6
Later that afternoon, Elizabeth judged it was time for her to depart, Jane called out to her to stay. “As much as I would like to, Dearest, I believe I have overstayed my welcome already,” Elizabeth told Jane.
She had been unaware Mr. Bingley and a much chastened Miss Bingley were standing at the door when Jane beseeched her best friend and favourite sister to remain. Elizabeth did not see Mr. Bingley elbow his reluctant sister in her ribs.
“W-we would welcome you to remain with your sister while she recuperates, Miss Eliza…Elizabeth,” Miss Bingley offered through clenched teeth.
“I do not want to impose,” Elizabeth responded when she saw how reluctant Miss Bingley was to extend the invitation.
“It is not an imposition,” Bingley jumped in before his sister said something impolitic. “I am sure Miss Bennet will be greatly comforted by your presence here with her. Please write a note to inform your family you will remain here and ask them to send a trunk for you. Give it to the maid when you are ready and I will send it to Longbourn forthwith.”
