Page 71 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Once Miss Bingley had also been under the measuring tape, the ladies entered the Bingley coach to return Lydia to Longbourn.
Chapter 12
Elizabeth and Jane are Invited to Tea at Netherfield Park
“Lizzy, before you go into the drawing room, I ask you to come see Kitty. I fear she has a fever,” Mary said, speaking between them while Jane removed her outerwear in the hall of Netherfield.
“I will go directly,” Elizabeth said, excusing herself to Miss Bingley before following Mary.
Upon entering the room, Elizabeth ordered cool water and a cloth, finding Mary had already removed Kitty’s gown. Kitty mumbled, tossing and turning in her distress. Whatever caused Kitty’s recent coughing fits had manifested into something more.
Elizabeth stepped into the hallway, hoping to locate a footman or maid to tell Miss Bingley the apothecary should be called. Elizabeth was surprised to discover Mr. Darcy pacing in the corridor.
“What can I do to aid you, Miss Elizabeth?” Darcy asked, crossing the distance to her in large strides.
“I need both the apothecary and Mary’s menthol oil from Longbourn.”
“I will send a footman to Meryton and ride to Longbourn myself.”
“Mrs. Hill will know what Kitty needs. Apply to her.”
“What doyouneed, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Only for my sister to be well. Could you please have Jane sent up so we might speak?”
“Do not fear. Miss Kitty has you. I cannot imagine any other outcome but that she will soon recover.”
Elizabeth gave him a small smile, taking his hand to convey her appreciation.
“Tell me what I can do foryou, Miss Elizabeth.”
“It is getting late, and I must soon return to Longbourn. I should ask Mrs. Nicholls if she will—”
“I can say with certainty Miss Bingley will want you to stay, knowing you are so concerned. I shall request your mother pack a valise for you, then will return with it and the mint oil.”
“If it is what I suspect, you will have been an even greater help than I, Mr. Darcy. Thank you.” Elizabeth squeezed his hand, then she returned to Kitty.
Elizabeth was surprised to find Mr. Darcy had knocked on the door to Kitty's room soon after Jane had come to check on Kitty and say her goodbye so she could explain the truth of Kitty’s illness herself. Further, he had come even before taking off his coat to give Elizabeth the menthol oil.
“The apothecary, Mr. Jars, is to arrive within the hour. Your bag is in the room next to this one. And from Ana and Miss Mary, I am tasked to share their desire to sit with Miss Kitty once it is confirmed she is not contagious.
Elizabeth gave way to their insistence when they had placed her tray in the sitting room that adjoined her room withKitty’s. Next to the tray was a novel with a young lady who saves the kingdom…and a note written in a gentleman’s hand:
Even heroines require rest. I hope this aids you in finding yours.
Your servant, F. D.
While Kitty recovered her strength, Mrs. Bennet visited at eleven each day, Kitty remaining abed, stopping only to offer her thanks to Miss Bingley for the hospitality before departing.
Four days later, Kitty had recovered enough to join everyone in the drawing room. Then, after Sunday services, Elizabeth, Mary, and Kitty returned to Longbourn, and Georgiana chose to join them for the afternoon before returning to Netherfield Park.
Chapter 13
Another Day Dawns at Longbourn
Bennet woke after dreaming that his sister’s husband, Henry Collins, was on Longbourn's doorstep. Having fallen asleep before the fire in his bookroom, Bennet rushed to his desk to rifle through the correspondence. A letter addressed to him a month previous stated that their son, his heir, intended to arrive that very afternoon. His family was in the midst of turmoil. He neither wanted nor wanted to host a stranger he was likely to despise as much as he had the man’s father.
“Damn. I had meant to tell him to delay until after the holidays,” Bennet muttered, wincing in the face of this further evidence of his making too little effort.
