Page 21 of Attempted Compromises
Elizabeth frowned. “Mama, the clouds—”
“Precisely!” Mrs. Bennet interrupted, waving her hand dismissively. “The carriage? Such a waste when the distance is so short. You shall go on horseback, my dear. The exercise will bring color to your cheeks.”
Elizabeth set her embroidery aside. “Mama, surely the carriage would be more sensible, especially as the weather looks uncertain.”
Mrs. Bennet waved her hand dismissively, ignoring her. “Oh, there will be no rain until much later, I’m sure of it. And if we are so fortunate as to have a downpour, she will need to stay the night.”
Elizabeth sighed, biting back her protest. She watched as Jane prepared herself for the visit, her serene demeanor masking the apprehension Elizabeth suspected she felt.
Heavy, grey clouds were gathering in the distance before Jane even set out. The wind picked up as she rode away, her figuresilhouetted against the darkening sky. Elizabeth stood by the window, unease creeping into her heart.
Please, Lord, don’t let her get caught in the storm.
∞∞∞
The Bennet household had not been wrong in expecting Jane’s reception at Netherfield to be warm. Upon her arrival, Caroline Bingley greeted her with the customary airs of politeness, though with an undercurrent of superficial charm.
“Miss Bennet, you look quite chilled!” Caroline Bingley exclaimed, ushering the soaked girl toward the hearth. “Whatever possessed you to ride in such weather?”
Jane allowed herself to be guided and attempted a small smile. “It was just beginning to rain when I left, and I thought it would pass.”
Georgiana Darcy offered her chair near the fire to Jane with a shy but kind gesture. “Please, you must warm yourself.”
Realizing that introductions had not yet occurred, Miss Bingley quickly performed the service as Jane took the seat. Moving across the room, Georgiana observed Jane with wide eyes. Though not yet formally out in society, she had been included in the evening at her brother’s suggestion.
Dinner began with an unusual undercurrent. By the time the first course was served, Jane’s complexion had paled, and she pressed a hand lightly to her temple. She excused herself from engaging fully in the conversation, her usually soft voice now tinged with fatigue.
“Are you quite well, Miss Bennet?” Caroline asked, her tone light but with a trace of skepticism.
Jane smiled faintly. “I may have caught a chill on my ride over, but I assure you, it is nothing of concern.”
Georgiana’s brow furrowed, but she remained silent, unsure if it was her place to speak. Caroline, meanwhile, exchanged a quick glance with Mrs. Hurst, her expression unreadable.
By the time dessert was served, Jane’s condition had visibly worsened. She attempted to rally, her politeness compelling her to endure the meal, but it was clear to everyone present that she was feeling ill. Georgiana, always observant, noticed Jane’s quiet pallor and leaned over to speak softly. “Perhaps you should rest, Miss Bennet. You look unwell.”
“Perhaps we ought to call for your carriage— oh, that is right, you rode over,” Caroline said with a titter. “Well, perhaps we should send you home in one of ours.”
“But it is pouring rain!” Georgiana cried, looking out the window.
Frowning, Caroline looked outside as well, and she was dismayed to discover that she once again could not argue with the younger girl’s observation.
“We should wait until the gentlemen arrive to tell us the state of the roads,” Mrs. Hurst said, eyeing her sister uneasily. “In the meantime, Miss Bennet, allow us to have a room made up for you.”
“I would not wish to be a burden,” Jane whispered.
Caroline feigned concern but seemed more interested in maintaining appearances. “Of course, you must rest, Miss Bennet. The journey was no doubt taxing.”
Georgiana, however, rose immediately. “Shall I fetch a servant to help her upstairs?” she asked, her voice earnest.
Caroline waved her hand. “That won’t be necessary. I’ll ensure she is seen to.”
Jane was escorted to a guest room, her fever rising as the evening wore on. Mrs. Hurst suggested calling for the apothecary, but Caroline dismissed the idea, insisting that rest would suffice and that Jane would soon be on her way home.
When Darcy, Bingley, and Mr. Hurst returned from dining with the officers, however, they were greeted by a strained atmosphere. Darcy immediately noticed the tension in the air, his gaze narrowing as he took in Caroline’s unusually guarded expression.
“What has happened?” Bingley asked, his tone sharp with concern.
Caroline hesitated, then adopted a tone of mild reassurance. “Miss Bennet fell ill during dinner, Charles.”
