All Jane could manage was a crooked smile. “I too love you, Lizzy. The men?”
“Evidently they managed to return because I saw a man, I think it was a man, because it much resembled a drowned rat!” Still peeved at herself for the momentary attraction Elizabeth had felt, the best medicine was to disparage Mr Darcy. It was, after all, what Papa would do.
“Who?” Jane managed.
“Mr Darcy! He did not look so arrogant and proud in that state,” Elizabeth smiled, if somewhat forced.
‘The lady doth protest too much,’ Jane thought. Aloud she said, “Sorry Lizzy…I know…did not want to…see Mr Darcy.”
“Janey, you are not at fault because you became sick. I will be with you most of the time and, as you correctly pointed out earlier, when I do see him, we will be in company with others. ‘Seeing him alone in the hall excepted,’ Elizabeth told herself silently. She shook her head hoping to evict any further thoughts of Mr Darcy in the state she had just seen him in. “You must know nursing you is far more important to me than my own comfort.”
“You are too good…to me Lizzy,” Jane managed. She pointed at the water glass and Elizabeth refilled it and assisted Jane so she could drink it.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Once the rain lightened, a groom rode across the fields towards Longbourn. He delivered a note to Mrs Hill in the kitchen. The housekeeper had cook give the cold man a bowl of the hearty stew the servants had eaten for their dinner that evening.
Mrs Hill knocked on the door to Mrs Bennet’s chambers. “What is it Hill? Are we all to be murdered in our beds?” Fanny, sitting up in her bed in her nightgown, babbled. Her hair was wrapped for the night and she was wearing her night time mobcap.
“No Madam, this note arrived from Netherfield Park,” Mrs Hill informed the mistress as she proffered the missive.
Fanny had been very worried until her husband had arrived home. If something happened to him, and God called him home, she and her daughters would be homeless and live in poverty. When her two eldest daughters were missing, she was comforted when her husband opined they would remain at Netherfield Park until the bridge, which tended to flood in such rain, was passable once again.
As much as she hated to see Lizzy proved correct, had the girls ridden as she had desired, they would have been drenched. Lizzy would have been well, but Jane would not have been. This way was much better; her desire for Jane to remain at Netherfield Park with Mr Bingley in the house was being gratified without having to risk Janey’s health.
Fanny opened the note after identifying Lizzy’s script. She assumed it was to tell her they were to remain where they were. But why had Jane not written? She decided the only way to answer that question was to read the missive.
23 October 1812
Netherfield Park
Mama,
As I am sure you are aware, Janey and I had to remain at this estate. It was not because of the weather, although I recently was told that the bridge is impassable.
You know Janey had had a cold recently. My wonderful sister, being who she is, did not want to disappoint Mrs Hurst, after accepting the invitation, so she did not realise that her throat tickling her before we departed Longbourn, was an indication of her cold returning.
Mama, be calm, Jane will be well. As you often say, no one dies from a trifling cold. Her fever is not too high, but if needed, I will have Mr Jones attend Janey in the morning, when hopefully the deluge will have passed us by. As we will be here at least a few days, please send a trunk for us with some clothing and night attire.
Before you ask, Jane will not see Mr Bingley until she is well enough to go downstairs. You must know how improper it would be for Mr Bingley to visit Janey in her bedchamber.
“Why should it be so? I do not see why it is so!” Fanny complained to her chamber. She returned to the letter.
When the rain has ceased, the roads dry and the bridge passable, it may be best for you to see Janey for yourself.
With regards,
Your daughter, Elizabeth
She was much relieved that Jane had not taken ill because of something she had done. Fanny was sure had that been the case, her husband would have been relentless in his making fun of her, and more than likely, Lizzy would have joined him, especially after her prediction.
Now at least, Fanny could rest easier. The trunk would be sent in the morning and she would wait to hear if Mr Jones had to be called, and if so, what he had said.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
By the time Miss Bingley decided to grace her family and Mr Darcy with her presence in the dining parlour so she could break her fast, the rest of them were about to finish their morning meals.
“How pleasant it is to have one’s house back without any Bennet’s present,” Miss Bingley cooed as she looked at Mr Darcy.
