Inside Elizabeth found Messrs Darcy and Bingley, banyans covering their night attire. At that moment no one cared for propriety. “Miss Elizabeth, the footman woke me and informed me you had sent for Mr Jones. How does your sister?”
The feigned equanimity Elizabeth had tried to present crumbled as she began to sob once again. “It is… pneumonia,” she managed between sobs.
All Darcy wanted to do was pull her into a hug and comfort her as his heart broke for the pain she was carrying. It was not the time or the place. At least he had a handkerchief, one embroidered by Giana with his initials surrounded by some sweet Williams, in his pocket. He wordlessly proffered it to the lady to whom he was losing his heart.
“Is she…” Bingley did not want to say the word.
“No, Jane still fights,” Elizabeth admitted, understanding his reluctance to say what they all dreaded. “Mr Jones says there is a small possibility she will recover, although,” the tears fell freely again, “he did…say to…prepare…for the…worst.”
“Should we inform your parents so they can be at your sister’s side?” Darcy volunteered.
“NO!” Elizabeth almost shouted. “If not for one’s machinations and the other’s indifference and weakness, Janey would not be at death’s door right now. They do not deserve to see her. And Mr Bingley, please keep your sisters away from Jane’s room.”
“They will not bother you,” Bingley promised.
“Miss Elizabeth, regardless of who did what, you will never forgive yourself if you deny your parents the ability to say their goodbyes, and from the little I know of Miss Bennet, she would not be sanguine with that either,” Darcy pointed out gently.
Elizabeth fell back onto the settee behind her. “What yousay is accurate about Janey, Mr Darcy. Can we wait until it is light to send someone to Longbourn? I will write a note and inform them about how sick Janey is. I will not remonstrate with them yet; I will write it in a fashion of which my tender hearted sister would approve.”
Neither of the men attempted to gainsay Miss Elizabeth. “As soon as your note is ready, have Gladys give it to the footman in the hall. I will leave instructions for it to be sent to your parents at first light,” Bingley requested.
“The Gardiners!” Elizabeth suddenly remembered.
“Do you mean Edward Gardiner who lives on Gracechurch Street?” Darcy verified.
“Indeed. Uncle Edward is my mother’s older brother, and he and Aunt Maddie are great favourites of Jane’s and mine.” She began to cry again. “I am afraid even if I send an express in the morning, they will not arrive in time to see Janey.”
“Write your letter,” Darcy suggested. “As soon as it is ready, I will send my courier. There is a moon tonight and he is used to riding in the darkness. The missive will arrive in about three hours or less after Jimmy leaves. They will be able to depart with the dawn. If they need it, I can place a coach and four I have in London, at their disposal.” Seeing the confused look on Miss Elizabeth’s countenance that he had asked about her uncle, Darcy elucidated. “I am one of your uncle’s investors and have had the pleasure of knowing him for some years now. You and Miss Bennet must be his two favourite nieces about whom he speaks so fondly.”
“Thank you, Mr Darcy. That is most gracious of you.” Now that she had a purpose, Elizabeth’s crying ceased. “I will have the letter in your hands as soon as may be. And as to your generous offer for a conveyance, I do not believe Uncle Edward has need of it.”
“Excuse me, I will have Jimmy woken so he may prepare his horse,” Darcy stated as he gave a half bow and exited thesitting room.
“The footman will have clear instructions about what to do with the note for your parents,” Bingley related before he too left the room after a bow. He found the footman and conveyed the relevant orders.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
At a little after six on Wednesday morning, there was an insistent knocking on the door at 23 Gracechurch Street in London. The Gardiners’ butler had just begun his day, when he approached the door with a footman—just in case. He could not imagine a reason someone would be banging on the front door at such an ungodly hour.
He opened the door a crack with the footman ready behind him. As soon as he recognised Mr Darcy’s man, he opened the door all the way. “Very urgent for Mr Gardiner,” Jimmy stated as he handed the butler the letter addressed to the master and mistress of the house.
Edward Gardiner was not one to sleep late, but he was somewhat disoriented when he felt someone shaking him out of his slumber. He saw it was Jamison, and he knew if his butler came into the bedchamber he shared with his beloved Maddie, it had to be something of great importance.
“Please pardon the need to wake you, Sir, but Mr Darcy’s courier delivered this minutes ago and said it was of extreme urgency you read it at once,” Jamison intoned.
“Light the candles and then leave us,” Gardiner commanded.
Madeline was awake but kept herself covered and did not move until the butler lit some candles and exited the room. “Edward, what on earth has Mr Darcy sent you that necessitated your being woken so early?” she enquired as soon as the door was pulled closed.
“This is in Lizzy’s hand, not Darcy’s!” Gardiner exclaimed. “It is addressed to both of us.” He broke theunknown seal and held it so they could both read it.
17 October 1810
Netherfield Park
Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward,
This is a letter I dread writing to you, yet it must be done. I will not apportion blame in this missive, there will be time enough for that later.
