Chapter Text
The Darcy carriage rolled to a stop outside of Netherfield much to the relief of the party inside. Darcy had taken heed of the warning from the express rider who had returned with Bingley’s renewed invitation. The man had reported the heavy snow fall that had dogged him to within five miles of London. Concerned that the weather could only worsen he had announced his intention that they would leave a day earlier than expected in case they needed to break their journey due to the weather.
As it happened, they had not needed to do so and had arrived in good order if somewhat late in the afternoon as the snow had been quite thick and the roads were not cleared. His coach men were all veterans of Derbyshire winter snows which often fell thicker and longer than what had fallen in this small part of the world, so Darcy had felt no compunction in trusting them to get them all to their destination.
It was due to this early arrival that he was unsurprised that Bingley had rushed down the stairs with a slightly harried air about him.
“Darcy, I must tender my apologies, I had quite forgotten you were due today. I must have the dates wrong.”
“Not at all, we were forewarned of the conditions, and I thought it prudent to begin our journey early in case we needed to stop overnight somewhere.”
“Well, that was a fine idea,” Bingley replied. “I am glad you seem to have had no trouble. Come, inside before the cold catches you. I have just had a meal prepared for myself so I am sure more can be brought up, and if you have been travelling all day you must be famished. Come.”
Darcy halted Bingley as he began to turn towards the house. “Might I introduce my aunt?” he asked with a thread of humour in his voice.
Bingley flushed. “My deepest apologies, I meant no insult.” He bowed towards the lady. “I am afraid you have not caught me at my best.”
Darcy raised an eyebrow at Bingley but made the proper introductions so that they might continue into the house.
“I have had your rooms made ready,” Bingley assured them as they stripped away their outer layers and then followed him to the small dining room where a meal had been laid out. The servants were just completing laying the extra places as Bingley ushered them to their seats and retook his own. The footman approached with more trays of food that the kitchens had sent up and they settled to the repast.
Darcy indulged his curiosity; “It is an unusual time to partake in a meal, not that we are not grateful after all our travel.”
Bingley nodded. “I have not long returned myself. I am glad I was here to greet you. I have been at Longbourn since dawn.”
“Are the Bennets well?” Georgiana asked before Darcy himself could enquire.
“I have hope that they will be so,” Bingley replied. Seeing his words had only caused further anxiety to Miss Darcy, he elaborated. “A report came to me early this morn that Miss Elizabeth was missing. She had gone to visit her father’s tenants yesterday and before she returned home quite a severe snowstorm set upon us. I went to Longbourn to aid in the search.”
“She has been found?” Georgiana asked somewhat desperately as she paled.
“Yes,” Bingley said. “Bennet sent runners to his tenants and neighbours just before first light. As I did, they reported having not seen her. Mr Bennet, Jane, that is Miss Bennet, and I, set off on horseback to look for her using the knowledge Miss Bennet had of her sister. We found her late into the morning and she has been returned to Longbourn. I fetched Mr Jones while Bennet and Jane brought Miss Elizabeth home.”
“But she is well?” Georgiana asked.
“I fear Miss Darcy, that Miss Elizabeth is quite unwell. She was too far from her father’s tenants to seek shelter there when the snow came upon her. Mr Jones believes that the exposure to cold contributed to her confusion which explained why she was found so far from the route she should have taken to return to Longbourn. Until she wakes, we shall not know how or where she spent the time.”
“Brother, we must go to Longbourn,” Georgiana said half rising from her place, worry painted across her face.
“It would not be appropriate Georgiana, the family will be caring for Miss Elizabeth and not desiring to entertain guests,” Mr Darcy said calmly squashing his own concern for the lady. He knew too well how cold exposure could take a person.
“But Lizzy is my friend!”
“I am to return in two days hence, you would be more than welcome to join me,” Mr Bingley offered. “Mrs Bennet was quite overset with worry about Miss Elizabeth and had to be returned to her chambers and with how Miss Elizabeth attended Miss Bennet when she was ill, I did not wish to impose on Miss Bennet’s care for her sister.”
Darcy nodded. “If you wish to write to Miss Kitty or Miss Mary, then perhaps they can offer further information but if Miss Elizabeth is very unwell it would not be neighbourly to expect them to host visitors.”
“But I am not going as a visitor,” Georgiana argued. “The Bennet’s are my friends, I have been invited to call whenever I wish and I should not like to imply my friendship is so fickle when the situation is as it is.”
Mrs Annersley put a calming hand on Georgiana's arm. Georgiana gave her a chagrined look and resettled in her seat.
“If Miss Mary or Miss Kitty say you may visit then you may,” Darcy compromised.
“Thank you, brother,” Georgiana said regaining her composure.
The meal passed quickly from there, and then the travellers all retired to their rooms to refresh themselves and rest. Georgiana wrote her missive and handed it over to be delivered then retreated to the music room to find solace in her practice.
Darcy found Bingley in his study. He waited for Bingley to tidy his papers away and join him in taking a seat beside the fire. He took careful note of Bingley’s expression and asked. “What have you not mentioned? I shall keep Georgiana from the Bennet’s if necessary though she shall chafe under the direction.”
Bingley shook his head. “Mr Jones was optimistic. Miss Elizabeth was able to speak, though Bennet said she was confused. I cannot say I know anything about what cold exposure can do to a person, but there was mention of possible convulsions. I have never seen anyone so white before Darcy, I scarcely recognised her. She has always been such a lively lady, to see her so pale and still in the snow. It quite overset me.”
“Has a physician from London been sent for?”
“I do not believe so. I have begged Jane to send a message should she need anything; she has consented to do so. If one is needed, I shall hope that I may be prevailed upon. But enough of this, your letter spoke of troubles with your cousin. Tell me, how have things turned out so poorly?”
Darcy acknowledged Bingley’s preference to not speak further of what was distressing him. Stifling his concern over Miss Elizabeth's health, he endeavoured to distract his friend with the details of his time in London.
Mrs Hill lingered in the hall as Jane led her sisters from the dining room after their evening meal. Jane paused allowing Mary Kitty and Lydia to pass her.
“Is there any change with Lizzy?” Jane asked with concern.
“No Miss Jane, she is still sleeping. It is the Gardiners, according to the correspondence Mrs Bennet last shared with me, they are due to arrive tomorrow.”
Jane paused, partly in surprise, she had not realised that the visit was so imminent. “We cannot put them off, the letter would not reach London before they left. The rooms are ready?”
“Yes, Miss Jane,”
“Very well. Then we shall have to continue, the Gardiners will not begrudge the situation.”
“Very good.” Mrs Hill said with a nod.
Jane gave the housekeeper a small smile of acknowledgement. “I shall stay with Lizzy tonight, let Sarah sleep. I shall need her to stay with Lizzie more during the Gardiner’s visit.”
“Yes Miss Jane,” Hill agreed. The housekeeper bobbed a curtsey, leaving Jane to steel herself. If they were to host visitors, Jane was glad it was the sensible Gardiners. She entered the parlour to find Mary Kitty and Lydia gathered on the settee.
“Hill has reminded me that the Gardiners are to arrive tomorrow. I confess the date had escaped me. Lydia, would you remain at home tomorrow, please? We shall need your help with the children. If mama is not yet well enough to leave her bed and with Lizzy needing care.”
“I will,” Lydia answered. She looked about the room before asking cautiously. “Jane, will Lizzy be well?”
Jane smiled as reassuringly as she could. “I am sure Lizzy shall recover and be quite dismayed to find herself a patient. Mr Jones has laid out how we shall nurse her, and Lizzy is not prone to illness generally so we shall soon see her up and about again.”
The Gardiner’s carriage rolled into Longbourn mid-afternoon. Mr Bennet joined Jane, Mary, Kitty, and Lydia in greeting the Gardiners as they alighted from the carriage. The children ran joyously towards their cousins, happy to be out of the confining carriage space. Once the cacophony of greetings had died away, Lydia and Kitty took the children up to the nursery. Mary and Jane escorted their aunt to the parlour while Mr Gardiner followed Mr Bennet back to his book room.
“Jane, what has occurred? Is your mother unwell? And Lizzy, it is unusual for her to forget we are come.”
Jane took a seat, Mary next to her as Mrs Gardiner settled across from them. Mrs Hill entered with a tray of tea and once Jane had dealt out the cups, she explained the happening of the last few days.
“So, you see, we could not send word for it would have crossed you on the road.”
“Goodness, well since we are here, I will help in any way I can. Has your mother not roused at all?”
“She did briefly this morning,” Jane replied. “She knows Lizzy has been found but she was so overset that Mr Jones has recommended she keep to her bed at least until the morrow.”
“If there is anything you need me to do my dear, do ask.”
“Oh no aunt, you are here for a visit,” Jane protested.
“Stuff and nonsense,” Mrs Gardiner rebutted. “We are family, and I am quite capable of speaking with Hill or Cook should the need arise. I shall also happily nurse Lizzy to spell either you or your sisters.”
“Thank you, aunt. It is kind of you,” Mary answered before Jane could protest further.
Mrs Gardiner smiled at them both. “Now, if we may I believe both of you have things to tell me that were alluded to in your recent letters. A courtship Jane, and a suitor for Mary? I have been most keen to hear more details on both topics. You will indulge me at least a little, won’t you both?”
After the family party had retired for the evening, Mrs Gardiner made a last check on the nursery ensuring her children were all abed asleep. She tapped gently on the door of Lizzy’s room before stepping in. The maid Sarah rose from her chair hurriedly, bobbing a curtsey.
“How does she fair?” Mrs Gardiner asked approaching the bed. Elizabeth was the palest her aunt had ever seen her. Mrs Gardiner lifted Elizabeth’s hand from the counterpane pressing it between her own just to assure herself that her niece still lived. She had spent the afternoon with all her other nieces, offering a calm helping hand where she could and so had not yet been able to come to see Lizzy. The wait had not made the shock of Lizzy’s state any easier.
“She has been mumbling,” Sarah said. “Mr Jones said that was a good sign. That we might expect her to do so a bit more before she wakes.”
Replacing the hand gently, Mrs Gardiner smiled at Sarah. “I shall leave you to your duty, thank you for caring for her.”
Sarah bobbed another curtsey. “Miss Lizzy is a kind soul. There’s no one here at Longbourn that would begrudge her the care.”
With another nod to the maid Mrs Gardiner left the room quietly making her way down the hall to the room she and Mr Gardiner shared. He was waiting, dressed only in his breeches and shirt.
“How are the children?” he asked as she silently turned her back to him so he could help with her buttons.
“Asleep. Between a day of travel and Kitty and Lydia, they are quite worn through. I stopped to see Lizzy.”
“How is she?”
Mrs Gardiner lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “Sarah says she is mumbling which Mr Jones said was good news and could be expected before she wakes. What did our brother say?”
“I should think you’ve had the same story from Jane, I offered to cut our stay short, what with our sister taken to her bed as well as Lizzy, it might be for the best.”
“I should not like to leave, not until we know how Lizzy fares. Jane will take too much upon herself if she is allowed.”
“Then we shall stay. Indeed, I was going to suggest it. I’ve never seen Bennet so badly shaken. Truly my dear, I believe he thought Lizzy was lost to us.”
Mrs Gardiner stepped behind the dressing screen, swapping the loosened dress and stays for her nightrail. Slipping into bed she waited while Mr Gardiner took his turn behind the screen before joining her.
“I cannot say that we may not yet,” she said quietly. “For all that there is talk of her recovery, I have never seen Lizzy so pale or so still. If I had not felt her heartbeat for myself,” she trailed off.
“Come, my dear, do not distress yourself so. Lizzy is a strong girl. What other gossip have you had from our nieces? Was Jane willing to speak of her courtship? Shall we meet this Mr Bingley soon do you think?”
“Oh yes,” Mrs Gardiner said then went on to reveal the details she had been told.
Mr Jones arrived just before breakfast and was shown swiftly upstairs to both his patients. Mrs Bennet was given leave to rise from her bed but warned against strenuous activity and over-excitement.
The examination of Elizabeth took longer behind closed doors with Sarah assisting. When Mr Jones re-joined the family in the breakfast parlour he was greeted by the anxious faces of the elder Gardiners, Mr Bennet, and the remaining Miss Bennets.
At Jane’s prompting he took a seat at the breakfast table accepting the offer of coffee and toast.
“I am delighted to report that Elizabeth’s temperature appears to be remaining in the normal range and I was able to rouse her. She was able to confirm her name and recognise her chamber and name the maid Sarah.”
Mr Jones allowed the outpouring of joy as he ate his toast, once finished, he held up a hand. “She is not yet well enough to remove from her bed. In truth, she was asleep again before I left the room. This is to be expected. I should think that for the next few days, you will find that her waking spells will become longer as her recovery begins in earnest. I will visit again tomorrow, I have left some more tonics with Mrs Hill, but I recommend that you continue to ensure Miss Elizabeth is kept warm and to her bed.”
He rose, drinking down the last of his coffee. Mr Bennet rose as well to walk him out, leaving everyone at the table to express their joy over the good news.
Mr Jones turned to Mr Bennet while his outerwear was fetched. “You do not need me to tell you how very fortunate Miss Elizabeth is. I am aware that as she regains her strength she will wish to be up and about. You must not let her overexert herself. An hour in the parlour of an evening is something to aim for in the next fortnight.”
Mrs Hill brought Mr Jones’ outwear and helped him into it.
“Thank you,” Mr Bennet said holding out his hand to the man.
“Of course,” Mr Jones said shaking hands firmly. “I shall be quite delighted to hear of your troubles in keeping Miss Elizabeth housebound. There is one other matter, I did not wish to say in front of your family, but it is about Mrs Bennet.”
Mr Bennet raised an eyebrow in query. “There is something amiss with Mrs Bennet? She was overset when we discovered Lizzy missing but I thought it no more than her usual complaint of nerves.”
Mr Jones waggled a hand back and forth. “Truly I cannot say. I can say that she received quite a shock and while her complaints of nerves have never troubled me overly much, I feel I should...” Mr Jones stopped, considering his words. “She often complains of fluttering in her chest, I have not previously been able to identify what these might be, but my examination of your wife yesterday and today does seem to indicate that her heart is not quite as settled as it was. I believe that with a few days of quiet, with no further upset this will settle once more. Mrs Bennet, despite her complaints, is of a strong constitution, but equally, she has had quite a large shock. I urge you to take care that she is not so soon again overset.”
Mr Bennet nodded then hesitated before asking cautiously. “There is no risk that she might, well, she is in no danger, is she?”
Mr Jones grimaced. “I can offer only caution and warning. I do not believe that Mrs Bennet is in any immediate danger. A few days quiet and I shall expect her to return fully to her previous levels of health. However, another large shock or upset before she has fully recovered, I fear may permanently damage her health.”
Mr Bennet nodded. “I thank you once again for your care of my family.”
Mr Jones nodded in return, then strode out the front door to his waiting gig.
Mr Bennet looked about the hall where he stood. Mrs Hill had remained throughout the conversation and the footman was closing the door behind the departed doctor.
“Not a word,” he said quietly but firmly. “Not a word to my wife or my daughters.”
Mrs Hill and the footman agreed quietly with bobbed curtseys and a stiff bow. Mr Bennet heaved a heavy sigh before bypassing the parlour for the sanctuary or his book room. At his departure, Mrs Hill crossed the hall to Daventry the footman.
“You’ll say nothing of this below stairs,” she said firmly. “I’ll not have it bandied about the village.”
Daventry, who had known Mrs Hill all his life and thus was considerably more in awe of her than his employer, nodded eagerly. “Not a word ma’am, you have my promise.”