Page 29 of To Love And To Cherish
The room fell into a stunned hush. Mrs. Hurst looked away, clearly embarrassed. Jane, ever gentle, paled visibly despite her fever, and Georgiana’s eyes filled with tears.
Elizabeth struggled to compose herself, though her already bruised heart stung from the fresh insult. She laid a comforting hand over Georgiana’s before offering a gentle smile.
“It is nothing, truly. As we said this morning, small slights are just that, small. Jane is disturbed, as are you, so I will attend to this for your sakes.”
She rose and crossed the room, coming to stand before Miss Bingley, who still wore a smirk of self-satisfaction.
“I fear Mr. Darcy was confused,” Elizabeth said, her voice even and clear. “The local opinion has always been that my mother is the beauty, and I, the wit.” Miss Bingley’s air of superiority deflated at once. Elizabeth smiled sweetly, and to her own surprise, a laugh bubbled near the surface, her eyes lit with amusement. Seeing this, her sister relaxed.
Just then, Jane sneezed again and pressed her handkerchief to her face, her breath coming more shallow than before.
“Jane,” Elizabeth said, turning to her, “are you unwell?”
“I am afraid so,” Jane murmured, her voice hoarse. “My head aches, and I feel quite chilled.”
At that moment, the front door was heard opening, followed by the sounds of boots and voices. Within moments, Bingley and the gentlemen entered, sodden from the storm.
“I’ve had the stable boys see to your horses, Miss Bennet,” Bingley said at once. “The roads are impassable. We returned only because we were mounted. It’s grown wretched out there.”
The men excused themselves to change and retired for the night, leaving the ladies to fend for themselves. Jane and Elizabeth were shown to a chamber with a fire burning enticingly. Elizabeth requested a cot so she could remain at her sister’s side.
Before retiring, Georgiana drew Elizabeth aside in the corridor.
“I once believed my brother to be above reproach,” she whispered. “But today I have heard two grievous things of him.”
Elizabeth embraced her gently. “You feel too much, Georgiana. It is well. Rest easy, and may your dreams be sweet. I shall breakfast with Jane in our bedchamber, but you and I can spend a quiet morning in the library, while my sister sleeps, for the weather shows no sign of relenting. What time shall I meet you?”
They agreed to meet at eight o’clock the next morning in the library, a time early enough to ensure privacy, as Miss Bingley was not accustomed to descending from her rooms until after half past ten. The two young women parted with affectionate warmth, and Elizabeth returned to her sister’s bedside, where Jane lay dozing fitfully in a borrowed nightgown, buried beneath the covers.
Chapter 15: Under The Weather
The following morning, Elizabeth stirred early and asked the maid tending the fire to send up a breakfast tray for herself and her sister. Then, she turned her attention to the pen she was repairing.
She had composed a note to her mother, hoping to forestall what she feared would be an ill-timed visit.
Mother,
Jane has taken ill with a head cold brought on, I presume, by our arrival in the midst of last evening’s storm. We have been invited to remain at Netherfield until she recovers. I beg you not to make the journey to see her, as Miss Bingley has expressed a desire for tranquility in the household and may seize any excuse to hasten us from under her roof. I fear that, should you come, she would insist upon Jane returning home with you. I will send for you should Jane’s condition worsen, but for the present, I am confident she will mend quickly. Please send clothing and night gear for at least three, perhaps four days.
I have sent for Dr. Edgerton to bring saline draughts and willow bark tea. Her fever is modest, and I am using cool cloths to relieve it.
Elizabeth
Satisfied with the contents, Elizabeth sealed both letters, one for her mother, the other for Dr. Edgerton, and handed them to the maid with instructions that the Bennet’s coachman wasto deliver them at once and return the Bennet carriage without delay.
By the time the tray arrived, Jane was awake, still feverish, and her headache had worsened. Elizabeth coaxed her into taking a few bites of toast and strawberries, but she declined, murmuring that she had no appetite. Elizabeth, however, ate her eggs and bacon with relish, for she was quite hungry.
When Jane fell back into a light sleep, Elizabeth left the chamber and made her way softly to the library, hoping for solitude and the comfort of a book. The house was hushed.
She began scanning the shelves, searching for something that would occupy her mind while she sat at her sister’s side. But the quiet was soon disturbed by the sound of heavy steps approaching in the corridor. Elizabeth, guessing the identity of the newcomer and wishing to avoid any encounter with Mr. Darcy, whose recent words still stung, glanced quickly around the room.
Seeing an isolated corner, she slipped into a deep armchair tucked beside one of the larger bookcases. Drawing her legs under her and letting her head rest against the back, she closed her eyes and willed herself to be invisible.
The door creaked as it was opened wider. She heard the rustling of papers, the scrape of a chair, and then silence. She waited.
At length, believing herself alone once more, she shifted to ease her cramped legs, only to open her eyes and find Mr. Darcy standing over her.
Startled, she rose. His tall frame always seemed more imposing indoors and up close.
