“I have not seen such convincing performances in the theatres in London,” Miss Bingley mocked. “Come Miss Bennet, wake up. You want to go home indeed!”
Mrs Nichols who had been just outside the dining parlour rushed in. “Miss Bingley, Miss Bennet is not conscious and she is burning up with fever,” the housekeeper related.
“She is nowhere near a fire,” Mrs Hurst pointed out.
“Take her upstairs,” Miss Bingley instructed grudgingly. She would get rid of this Bennet chit as soon as may be. She would not allow her to get her hooks into Charles, which would bring Eliza and herfine eyesto Mr Darcy’s notice again. She did not plan to mention Miss Bennet’s presence to her brother, and she would make sure Louisa would not say a word. Miss Bingley thought not to say anything to the staff and servants, as she did not think about them at the best of times.
A few minutes later, Mrs Nichols returned to the dining parlour. “If I may, I would like to send for Mr Jones. Miss Bennet has a very high fever and she is wheezing,” she requested.
“Certainly not! I will not waste money on a woman who is trying to ensnare my brother with her paltry arts and allurements,” Miss Bingley refused.
“If she has not improved by morning, we will revisit the topic,” Mrs Hurst interceded. Her younger sister glared at her but did not contradict her words. “Caroline I am sure you will want a maid to sit with Miss Bennet, will you not?”
The housekeeper intended to do such, with or without the ‘lady’s’permission. As it was Miss Bingley simply wavedher away disinterestedly.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“I wish I knew how Janey was doing,” Elizabeth bemoaned. “I am sure with the wind and the amount of rain, her clothing was soaked through, and she was freezing by the time she arrived.” She looked at her parents accusatorially for not the first time since her father had arrived home from the dinner with the officers.
“If Jane was not well, I am sure that elegant Miss Bingley would have sent a note,” Fanny insisted, more to make herself feel less guilty about sending Jane on Nellie than anything else.
“You think that if you want, I do not think Miss Bingley either elegant or compassionate,” Elizabeth said bitterly.
For his part, as soon as it began to rain Bennet had owned this was one of the times he should have stood up to his wife. It was too late to change what was, he would have to do better to protect his daughters in the future. He knew he needed to feel how much he had been to blame. Bennet was not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. He was sure it would pass away soon enough.
“It is obvious your sister is remaining at Netherfield Park this evening,” Fanny stated with a smile. Her guilt was forgotten as she crowed about her plan to keep Jane at Mr Bingley’s estate being a success. “I am sure we will hear from Jane in the morning. I am for bed.” Fanny stood and made her way upstairs.
“Your mother is correct in her assertion. There is nothing to be gained by staring off into the darkness. Go join your sisters who are all upstairs now,” Bennet ordered his second daughter.
As much as she hated to agree with her mother about anything, Elizabeth owned that she would know nothing until the morning, so she too headed for bed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Thanks to a footman handing each of them an enormous umbrella other than a few drops on their shoulders, the three men who arrived back at Netherfield Park were dry when they entered the drawing room to find Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst sitting within.
“Mr Darcy, welcome back, you too brothers,” Miss Bingley greeted. As she did more often than not, she batted her eyelashes at Mr Darcy.
As was his wont, Darcy ignored the harridan and felt the aversion he always did to seeing her do what she felt was coquettish, but he found repulsive. He hoped Bingley would suggest a nightcap sooner rather than later, so he would not be in Miss Bingley’s company any more than necessary.
“How did you two pass the evening,” Bingley asked.
“Nothing of note to report,” Miss Bingley prevaricated.
Mrs Nichols had been waiting to time her entrance and stepped into the drawing room at that moment. “Miss Bennet’s fever is getting higher. Do you have any further instructions, Miss Bingley?” she asked innocently.
Caroline Bingley put on her ‘sucking a lemon’ face at the truth coming out in that fashion against all of her desires. “You may leave us now,” she spat out.
“What!” Bingley exclaimed while the housekeeper bobbed a curtsey and left.
Mrs Hurst gave a brief synopsis for the men. Her sister could not complain. After all, it was not her who had told Charles that Miss Bennet was in the house. “She told us the horses were needed on the estate which caused her to ride.”
“Likely story that was. Did I not warn you brother, she is a fortune hunter throwing herself at you,” Miss Bingley crowed.
“Miss Bennet isnotyou!” Bingley barked at his shrew of a sister. “Did you call for the apothecary?”
“It is a simple cold. Miss Bennet will be well in the morning,” Miss Bingley stated dismissively, while she pointedly ignored the inference her brother made about herself.
“We agreed that if she is not on her way to recovery in the morning then we will have Mr Jones summoned,” Mrs Hurst interjected before her sister could say another word. Having said it in front of Mr Darcy, Louisa was aware that meant Caroline would not try and gainsay anyone in the morning if the man’s services were needed.
