Page 17

INTERRUPTION, SCANDAL, AND DESERTION

T he week that followed was a busy one. Lady Catherine introduced all three of the Darcys, as well as Colonel Fitzwilliam, to the organisation that Sir Lewis de Bourgh had founded. For the first time, Fitzwilliam and Darcy found a positive use for how alike their looks were. Using that to their advantage, they found ways to find out information that they would not have been able to find out otherwise. Elizabeth decided to play a quieter role with the girls who had already been rescued, rather than in searching for the missing girl. Georgiana, however, was resistant and rebellious to all attempts to include her in the endeavours with both the missing girl and those already rescued. Her attitude and behaviour towards the girls was one of superciliousness and conceit. However, by the end of the week, Lady Catherine had tracked down the last known location of Rosie’s sister. Unfortunately, the maid’s sister was found mutilated and floating in the Thames amongst refuse and excrement.

The day that the maid’s sister was found, Fitzwilliam took his leave. He had decided to return to Netherfield. It was time for him to pursue his bride. Lady Catherine professed great sorrow at the parting and declared that she and Anne would miss him greatly, but let him go with tolerable ease. Darcy and Elizabeth had agreed to stay for a further week, before they would embark on their wedding tour.

As Fitzwilliam rode off on horseback, a ridiculous black figure was hurrying across the fields.

“Elizabeth, you are about to meet your cousin, Mr William Collins,” Lady Catherine warned her.

Elizabeth barely had time to gather her thoughts, before the rector was standing in front of the family, bowing exaggeratedly.

“My dear Lady Catherine,” Mr Collins began. “I have come to confer with you about my sermon tomorrow and to condole with the poor girl who has lost her sister.”

“That is very noble of you, Mr Collins,” Lady Catherine imperiously answered, stopping him from continuing his speech further. “However, as you can see, I have my nephew and his wife staying with me for the moment. He has brought his sister to stay with my Anne for a while too.”

“I. I’m sorry, I didn’t know any of your nephews were married. Your ladyship has not mentioned it before.” His confusion seemed to clear slightly. “Unless, of course, Mr Darcy must have married Miss de Bourgh, in which case it behoves me to offer her my sincere felicitations.”

Darcy groaned in Elizabeth’s ear. “Over my dead body,” he whispered, making Elizabeth giggle. As he said that, he wrapped his arms tightly around Elizabeth’s waist, making her yelp slightly.

Elizabeth’s cry was enough to draw the parson’s attention away from Anne. “Ma’am, I do not believe that I have met that young lady.”

Darcy loosened his grip around Elizabeth, but did not let her go.

Lady Catherine looked at the couple, amused. She and the rest of the family were used to the couple’s shows of affection. “Fitz, may I?”

Darcy nodded.

“Mr Collins, may I present my nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, his wife, Elizabeth Darcy, and his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Mrs Darcy was formerly Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, Hertfordshire,” Lady Catherine introduced them.

“E. Elizabeth B.Bennet?” Mr Collins stammered. “M.my c.cousin?”

“I believe that my father is your cousin,” Elizabeth snapped.

“This cannot be happening,” Mr Collins said.

“What cannot be happening?” Lady Catherine asked.

“My cousin wrote just this week that he and his wife would be happy to receive a visit from me, but that I was to stay away from the daughters. He was very clear that I would be ejected from his home were I to importune them in any way.”

“Why would he make such a stipulation?” Elizabeth’s curiosity was roused.

“I’m not sure. I had inferred that I should like to make restitution to all of you for the entailment,” Mr Collins answered. “I felt that to deprive one’s female children like that was to do them a disservice.”

“My father does not see things as you do. I had just been born when he decided to entail Longbourn away from the female line. Rather than seeing it as depriving us, he thinks that women are incapable of running an estate. He has never bothered to change that opinion, despite training me in the ways to run an estate. All of my sisters know both how to run the home and the wider estate,” Elizabeth told him.

“I am sure that you are all very well trained and could do so if you needed to,” Mr Collins attempted to flatter her. He then went off into a long speech about how he only understood the rudiments of estate management, himself.

Amusement turned to frustration as Mr Collins continued his monologue. Anne and Georgiana began shifting on their feet while Lady Catherine was visibly in pain.

“Mr Collins, my wife and I will be in the neighbourhood for a further week. Perhaps we could continue this discourse over tea tomorrow afternoon?” Darcy finally interrupted. “I am sure that the ladies would appreciate being able to sit comfortably as opposed to standing out in the sharp winter’s wind.”

Mr Collins bowed. “Of course, sir. Of course.” He seemed momentarily to forget why he had come to the big house and began to turn around and walk away. He stopped momentarily and turned. “If I might see the maid who has lost her sister.”

“Not right now, Mr Collins,” Lady Catherine barked. “I will summon you if she wishes your presence.”

Mr Collins took his leave and seemed to stagger slightly as he walked away.

“That man is either drunk or under some great emotion,” Lady Catherine declared. “I cannot quite make it out.”

“Could be both, though his loquaciousness was not stemmed whichever it was,” Elizabeth quipped.

Lady Catherine almost rolled her eyes at Elizabeth. “Mrs Darcy, I can see why your husband fell in love with you. Although Lord help us when you two have children.”

Elizabeth blushed.

“You are not going to say you are already expecting,” Lady Catherine teased her.

Elizabeth’s blush deepened. “No, I am not going to say that. I have no idea whether that would be a possibility or not. Not yet.”

Lady Catherine laughed. “No need to blush so! I was not trying to pry into your private affairs! I was merely meaning to tease you.”

“I apologise. I have had so little time with my husband over this past week. It would be a miracle if I did conceive just now,” Elizabeth told her.

Lady Catherine raised her eyebrow. “Are you so na?ve? You do realise it only takes once at the right time.”

Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth noticed Anne’s eyes go wide. However, forgetting that both Anne and Georgiana were present Elizabeth began almost incoherently talking. “I know. Although, right now I do not know when the right time would be and well… “ the admission seemed to tumble from Elizabeth as in relief she admitted, “it has felt as though every waking hour has been given over to something or someone else. After our first night here, there’s either no time for ourselves or we’re both exhausted.”

Lady Catherine sighed. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I had not realised how much of your time I have selfishly taken. I forgot how important it is in those early years to take time for yourselves. You are so generous with your time and efforts for those you care about.”

Georgiana snorted. “They take enough time for themselves! That is all that they do!”

“Georgiana Rose Darcy! That is a selfish and rude thing to say!” Lady Catherine admonished her niece. “Get upstairs to your room! Mrs Annesley will accompany you. Elizabeth and Darcy have sacrificed everything for you. You repay them with ingratitude and rudeness at every turn. You are not mature enough to be included in such discussions. Nor is it any of your business!”

Georgiana sullenly turned, entered the house, and went up to her room.

Lady Catherine then turned on her daughter. “You also should not be listening.”

Anne huffed. “He should have been my husband, not hers! I don’t see why….”

“You and I know that the supposed engagement between us was never real. I would have remained unmarried if I had not met Elizabeth,” Darcy almost rudely informed Anne. “Aunt, it is not your fault that things are deficient in that area right now.”

Lady Catherine stopped him. “Anne, would you and Mrs Jenkins please go and check on Rosie? Let her know Mr Collins came and asked if she wishes to have a visit from him at this time.”

Anne did as she was asked, but she was just as sullen as Georgiana.

“Let’s go to your uncle’s study,” Lady Catherine said. “This should not be discussed out in the open.”

The three of them made their way to the study, but Lady Catherine excused herself quickly. “I do not need to know anything further. This is between you.”

The couple watched, marvelling at their aunt. They then burst into laughter. “Well, that was awkward!” Darcy eventually teased, drawing Elizabeth into his arms.

“I’m sorry. I should not have spoken with our aunt like that,” Elizabeth admitted.

Darcy shook his head. “You have as much right to talk about it as I do. Aunt Catherine has everything in hand with Georgiana.” He took a deep breath. “We need to find a balance for ourselves. I am sorry. I have been used to giving everything during my waking hours. I think I took for granted that we would make time for that part of our marriage.”

“I am as to blame as you are. We have gone from one thing to another. From day one, neither of us has been able to just consider what we want,” Elizabeth observed. “You have had such cares on your shoulders and then we needed to make time for Fitzwilliam and Kitty too.”

“You seemed to take it all in your stride,” Darcy admitted. He took a deep breath. “How about we leave tonight for our wedding tour? Try to find our own routine.”

“We promised your aunt another week,” Elizabeth reminded him.

“I think she will understand,” Darcy argued. He drew his finger down her face. “Besides, I think it’s time I showed my beautiful wife off to the world.”

Elizabeth giggled slightly. “And where do you propose we go?”

Darcy shrugged. “I had thought we might do a tour which included Bath and maybe a few seaside resorts. Maybe we could be away for about a month or two.”

“I’ve never been to the seaside,” Elizabeth told him.

“Then I am definitely taking you to the sea,” Darcy announced. He leant down and kissed her. “Now, Mrs Darcy, I believe that I have been remiss in performing some very important duties as a husband.”

Elizabeth wound her arms around his neck. “Very remiss.” She gave him a cheeky look. “How is my husband going to make it up to me?”

Darcy chuckled and laid her back. “Mmm, let me see….”

The couple enjoyed a brief interlude together. However, for them, it was not long enough. They wanted more time alone. So when Lady Catherine eventually rejoined them in the study, they announced their intention to leave that day.

* * *

F itzwilliam arrived back at Netherfield two days later, but he walked into a family argument.

“Charles, why can we not just go back to London?” Miss Bingley complained.

“I have told you before, Caroline. Our father always wanted to purchase an estate – a desire that I promised to make a reality. We are going to make this a success!” Bingley reminded her. “I like this home and its location. It’s close enough to London that I can go for business meetings, without being away from home for longer than necessary.”

“But do you not see how ridiculous the neighbourhood is?! We’ll become like them! We’ll be a laughingstock in London Society! I’m sorry, Charles, but I will not be a party to our family name being destroyed,” Miss Bingley huffed.

“We have no name to be destroyed,” Bingley laughed.

Miss Bingley glared at her brother. “Our parents made a name for themselves and us! I will not have that equated with ridiculousness!”

“No, but you would pride and conceit! You have not proven anything other than your ignorance as to our situation. If you despise this neighbourhood so much you are despising Fitz’s wife! Mrs Darcy is a lovely young lady,” Bingley argued.

Miss Bingley snorted. “But what about her sisters? Her mother? Surely you cannot say the same about them? Or perhaps you are too blinded by your infatuation with Jane Bennet to notice how ridiculous they all are!”

“I am not blinded at all!” Bingley argued. “However, our family and guests did not make the best impression when we arrived. We managed to offend everyone! We looked like proud peacocks who despised the world around us! No, Caroline, you will not be leaving. You will stay here and learn to appreciate your neighbours!”

Miss Bingley sighed. “I will never appreciate them. I will never even like them!”

Bingley chuckled. “In that case, you had better hope you find a match in London this season because I am staying here!”

Fitzwilliam felt that he had listened to the argument long enough and stepped into the drawing room. Two days on the road had left him tired.

“Ah, Colonel Fitzwilliam, welcome,” Bingley greeted him.

“I hope I am not intruding,” Fitzwilliam answered.

Miss Bingley’s face looked like she had bitten a lemon. “I do not believe my brother had anything else to say to me.”

Bingley shook his head. “Not at present, Caroline.”

“How are our friends at Longbourn?” Fitzwilliam asked.

“All but the eldest Miss Bennet are well. Caroline invited Miss Jane Bennet to tea yesterday and Miss Bennet became soaked through in the rain on the ride over here. So far, none of the family has visited to see how Miss Bennet is,” Bingley informed his guest.

“Have you invited anyone to come?” Fitzwilliam enquired.

Bingley shook his head. “Not yet. We are not sure how bad she is.”

“If she is bad enough to require retiring to her bed then she is bad enough to have a member of her family with her,” Fitzwilliam argued firmly.

Bingley shrugged. “I believe that she sent a letter to one of her sisters to say that she was not feeling well.”

Fitzwilliam drew in a shaky breath. “I do not know how bad she is….”

“Excuse me, sir,” a maid interrupted flying into the room. “Miss Bennet is getting worse, sir. We ought to call for Mr Jones.”

“Of course.” Bingley nodded. “I will ride myself and get Mr Jones.”

“I will ride to Longbourn and see if one of her sisters will come and join her,” Fitzwilliam firmly declared.

Mutely, Bingley agreed. His concern was written over his face. The two men left the room and rode together into Meryton, where they took diverging paths. Fitzwilliam rode on towards Longbourn. He had written to Catherine once during the week he had been away. The reply he had received was sweet, but it had not eased his anxiety about the situation he was in. He had allowed one week to pass already. He only had three left and he was not entirely sure about how he would go about convincing her to marry him in that short amount of time.

Fitzwilliam shook his head as he turned into the Longbourn driveway. In his haste to get there, he had forgotten that whichever sister it was who came to nurse Jane, they would not be able to ride his horse. As he stopped at the front of the house the door flew open. Before he could gather his thoughts, he found someone flying into his arms. He looked down and his heart took flight. He leant down and kissed Catherine fiercely. Everything fell into place. Pulling back, he whispered, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you, too,” she told him.

They stood together in an embrace for a moment, before Mr Bennet stormed out of the house.

“I do not know if you are Colonel Christopher Fitzwilliam or Fitzwilliam Darcy, but you will unhand my daughter right now!” Mr Bennet blustered.

Fitzwilliam chuckled, but he did not release Catherine. “I am Colonel Christopher Fitzwilliam, sir. I left my cousin at Rosings two days ago. He and Elizabeth were to stay there for a further week before embarking on their wedding trip,” Fitzwilliam explained.

“And is Elizabeth well?” Mr Bennet asked.

Fitzwilliam was almost angry. There was no whisper of concern about his eldest daughter, just the second daughter who was married. “When I left them, Elizabeth was well.”

Mr Bennet nodded. “And why have you come to visit so late in the evening?”

Fitzwilliam sighed. “I arrived at Netherfield just this evening and found out that Miss Bennet is sick.”

Mr Bennet folded his arms across his chest. “I am aware that Jane is sick at Netherfield.”

“The maid who is looking after her came down and requested Bingley to call for the apothecary — a Mr Jones, I believe. Bingley has gone to summon him. I came here because I understand that none of Miss Bennet’s sisters are visiting with her,” Fitzwilliam informed Mr Bennet. “I would like to take one of them back to Netherfield to nurse their sister.”

Mr Bennet crossed his arms. “You would like one of them to go to Netherfield to nurse Jane? Since when do you care about my eldest daughter?”

Fitzwilliam felt his anger bubbling up inside him. “I have told you that your eldest daughter is sick and have requested for one of her sisters to go and be with her. Instead, you stand there and question my interest in Miss Bennet. I have no interest in her whatsoever. However, I am human and not uncaring towards even the most unconnected person from myself. Yes, I am a soldier and therefore I know that life is short and life is difficult. However, even the lowliest private in my regiment is given the respect of having a friend, lover, or family member sit with them when they are sick or wounded. I respect young women far more highly than that and believe that Miss Bennet deserves the respect of having one of her sisters with her if only to keep her company.”

“And you are not hoping that it would be Kitty to go and nurse Jane, giving you time with her without the rest of her family around. No, Colonel Fitzwilliam, none of my other daughters will be going to Netherfield. I already have one daughter heartbroken after being jilted at the altar and another who has been compromised into marriage. Do you expect me to trust you, your friends, or your family with my other daughters? I will not! Jane is of age and therefore made her own decision about the risk involved with visiting with your friends. She also understood that I dislike what you and your friends stand for. My daughters understand that if any of them defy me and go to Netherfield – I will disinherit them,” Mr Bennet informed the colonel.

“I believe that you did that when you enacted the entailment on the property. I think that you personally are leaving your daughters nothing. I also understand that their mother is only leaving them a mere thousand pounds on her death. Disinheritance is hardly much of a threat then is it?” Fitzwilliam demanded.

“HOW DARE YOU?!” Mr Bennet yelled.

“Is it true, papa? That it was you who put the entailment on the estate?” Catherine asked.

“Yes, I put the entailment on the estate. Women are incapable of running an estate!” Mr Bennet flatly informed his daughter. “I did it to protect the estate and our tenants.”

“That is it! I do not care about money! Jane is sick, I am going to go and look after her!” Catherine declared.

“And how will you get there?” Mr Bennet asked. “The horses are not available for the carriage.”

“I will ride with Fitzwilliam! I will pop upstairs and pack a trunk, which I hope a servant will come and collect. Meanwhile, Fitzwilliam will take me to Netherfield to be with Jane,” Catherine boldly announced.

“Then you will not return under my roof. You are no longer my daughter,” Mr Bennet snapped. “You already put your reputation in jeopardy being in the middle of the rumours around Fitzwilliam, Lizzy, and yourself. This has got to stop and it stops now! Our family reputation has taken a blow that it is doubtful that we will recover from. You have to make a choice, Kitty. Will you be disinherited and go to Netherfield or will you stay at Longbourn?”

Catherine coolly looked at her father. “You have never cared about any of us. Lizzy was merely here for your convenience, someone to talk to and to share a laugh with. Jane had your attention as your firstborn, but as for Mary, Lydia, and I, you never even tried to be a true father to us. I choose to go to Netherfield. I will look after my sister in her hour of need. Once that is done, I will look out for my interests. If no one else, I know that Fitz and Lizzy will always stand by us.”

“My family and I will see you right, Kitty,” Fitzwilliam promised.

Catherine did not acknowledge Fitzwilliam’s promise, but continued speaking to her father. “Your behaviour makes no sense. Have you disinherited Jane for going to Netherfield? Or Lizzy for her behaviour? NO ! Because they are your favourites. If you will disinherit me, then so be it. My life will not be any different. If anything, my life will be better because I will be the one who makes the decisions about my life.”

Mr Bennet folded his arms across his chest. “Go then! I will have Lydia pack your trunks and will send them to you at Netherfield.”

Catherine raised her head. “Very well, I shall go and take my leave of mama.”

Mr Bennet shook his head. “No, you have chosen to go against my wishes, you will never step foot in Longbourn again as long as I live. I will not have you encouraging Mary or Lydia in rebellion.” Mr Bennet backed up to the Longbourn entrance. Opening the door, he called for Hill to bring Catherine’s outerwear to her. Mr Bennet then waited outside long enough to see that Catherine had her pelisse, bonnet, and reticule before he retreated inside Longbourn and slammed the door on Fitzwilliam.

“I am sorry, Kitty,” Fitzwilliam told her. “I only wanted your sister to have someone with her while she is sick.”

Catherine shook her head. “My father has always treated us with disrespect. At every turn, he calls us all silly and will try and make out that he is better than everyone around him.” She shrugged. “I would like to get to Netherfield and see how Jane is. We can discuss this later.”

* * *

F itzwilliam and Catherine arrived at Netherfield shortly after Mr Jones. Instead of entering Jane’s room, Catherine anxiously paced the hallway while the apothecary examined Jane.

“Kitty....” Fitzwilliam tried to pull Catherine into his arms, but she spun away.

“Please don’t, Christopher!” She begged. “I need to think about Jane right now, not anything else. If you want to be helpful, talk to Mr Bingley and ask if I may stay while Jane is sick. Once Jane recovers, I will visit my Aunt Phillips to see if she can take me in while I find employment of some kind. However, I cannot even begin to look until Jane recovers. Let me sort my life out.”

Fitzwilliam angrily spun on his heel. “Very well. I will give you what you ask for.” He walked away with clipped footsteps, leaving Catherine standing watching him.

“You look angry,” Miss Bingley observed as he entered the drawing room a short time later.

“I’ve got a lot on my mind,” Fitzwilliam snapped. He sat down at the table at the side of the room and pulled out a blank piece of paper. His situation had changed that evening, precariously. He glared at the blank piece of paper. Would his love for Catherine be his final undoing?

Bingley paced the drawing room, as he waited for news. The whole room seemed to be on edge. However, when the apothecary entered the drawing room after seeing the patient, Catherine came with him rather than tending to her sister. This initially seemed to be odd to Fitzwilliam. However, it soon became clear as to what the issue was. Jane’s condition was deadly. The apothecary’s grave warning on the young woman’s condition was only yet one more inducement for Fitzwilliam to write to his cousins and bring them back to Netherfield.

“I counsel you to bring in the family. Miss Bennet is gravely ill. While she may well have only a cold, I do not know. What I do know is that she has something else as well. Miss Bennet is not a well woman,” Mr Jones told them.

Fitzwilliam swallowed. “How long does she have?”

“I do not know. It may be days or it could be years,” Mr Jones informed them.

Bingley suddenly sank heavily down on his seat and placed his head in his hands.

“We will inform the parents,” Fitzwilliam promised.

“I would not count on papa doing anything,” Catherine said bitterly. “His behaviour has changed recently.”

Mr Jones raised his eyebrow. “He has? In what way?”

Catherine shrugged. “He has always been withdrawn from the family, but recently he has become completely uncaring. When I came to care for Jane, he told me not to go home and that he would disinherit me for coming here.”

Mr Jones frowned, but showed no other kind of emotion. “I will call at Longbourn myself. I am not sure what to make of what you have to say.” He took his leave and left the house.

“Oh really, Charles! You are being ridiculous!” Miss Bingley snapped.

“Ridiculous?” Bingley drawled. “Do you not realise that we are finished in this area if Miss Bennet dies under our roof? “Do you not realise that not only will we be blamed, but the neighbourhood will ostracise us? They are going to believe that nobody is safe under our roof. We could even be finished in society.”

“Fitz will stand by us!” Miss Bingley declared.

“Miss Bennet is his sister-in-law. Are you really that deluded that he would not stand with his new family over us?” Bingley asked.

“Miss Bennet is not gone yet.” Miss Bingley shrugged. “At least if it happens then we can go back to London.”

“I can promise you that if you go to London immediately afterwards, the neighbourhood will believe that you have something to hide!” Catherine snapped. “Jane is my sister. If you will excuse me, I will go and look after my sister .”

The room watched as Catherine spun on her heel and left the room. Shock pervaded and quietude reigned. The Bingleys and the Hursts were uncomfortable.

“Miss Bennet was right. If her eldest sister dies here and we left, it would appear that we have something to hide,” Mr Hurst eventually agreed. “We are stuck here for the moment.”

Fitzwilliam took a deep breath and turned again to his blank piece of paper. The Bingley family again began to argue with each other as they began to comprehend the situation that they found themselves in. The attention that Bingley had shown to Jane was canvassed along with the potential outcome for the family and how the situation would affect them. Fitzwilliam did not partake in the conversation. He had no patience for it. The subject was of little interest to him. The strange behaviour of Mr Bennet was of more concern to him, as was Catherine’s situation. He took a deep breath. His position was getting more complicated by the moment. He had to sort himself out. He had to sort his life out. He took a deep breath and picked up the pen. He would have to write the difficult letters. He owed that much to Catherine. No, he owed more to her than he was admitting.

Netherfield 8.30pm

Mr Bennet,

I write to inform you that Mr Jones has just left. However, the apothecary has informed us that the condition of your eldest daughter is extremely grave. We do not have any details other than the apothecary telling us that she may have hours to years. It is unknown at this point. Please come and visit your daughters as soon as possible,

Colonel Christopher Fitzwilliam

When he had finished the note, Fitzwilliam handed it to Bingley who added his own note underneath before the letter was sealed and sent to Longbourn. Fitzwilliam then turned his attention to writing to his cousins and then to the army. He would need an extension on the time they had given him. He was not so dishonourable as to take advantage of the situation that he had with Catherine. He could not, would not, take such advantage – though it would get him precisely what he wanted.

Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley excused themselves to visit with Jane, leaving Fitzwilliam, Mr Hurst, and Bingley to discuss the situation amongst themselves. Fitzwilliam had finished his letters and sat down heavily in his seat. The gentlemen had no wish to talk, yet they were lethargic to the point of not settling down to doing anything either. As a soldier, this was unusual for Fitzwilliam.

The ladies did not return to the drawing room. It was almost sunrise by the time the gentlemen decided to go to bed. However, it was five in the morning when the Bennet family burst into the Netherfield drawing room.

“Where is my Jane?” Mrs Bennet hysterically demanded.

Bingley’s reply was low and Mr Hurst rose to show Mrs Bennet to the ailing girl’s bedside.

To Fitzwilliam’s surprise, Mr Bennet did not go with his wife and two younger daughters. Instead, Mr Bennet folded his arms across his chest and glared at the two young men that stood in front of him. “I do not know what you are both playing at, but worrying my wife about our eldest child is disgusting. I suggest that you learn to live with the fact that I have disowned Kitty. I will not have you worrying my wife unnecessarily.”

Bingley staggered to his feet and then strode over to Mr Bennet. As he walked, Bingley’s stride became steadier and firmer. “Mr Bennet!” He hissed. “I assure you that I am not playing at anything ! I have no idea how long your daughter has been sick nor do I have any idea as to what she was thinking to arrive here on horseback in the middle of a rainstorm. My sisters and I were disgusted that her mother and father should allow such a manoeuvre! Why it is almost designed to get her to be a mistress rather than a wife! When Mr Jones gave us the news earlier that she was gravely ill, I was consumed with worry. Worry about Miss Bennet and worry about how it will look should she pass while under my roof. However, seeing your behaviour this morning, I am convinced that she is better off here than she would be at home. My sisters and servants will be around to care for her as much as she needs. You have shown that you do not care about any of your daughters’ well-being.”

Mr Bennet glared at Bingley. “Young man, I have yet to be convinced that Jane is as sick as you state. The company that you keep is not encouraging me to believe anything other than this is some elaborate ruse to make me change my mind about Kitty. I will not. She defied my express wishes last night. I made sure that my wife and other daughters brought her belongings with us. She is no longer to be considered a member of the Bennet household. Why I should not be surprised....”

“ Oh, Mr Bennet !” Mrs Bennet came rushing into the room wailing. “We have failed our eldest daughter! She is truly sick. You must come and see her. We need to get her home.”

Mr Bennet looked at his wife dispassionately. “No, I do not think that we do! Let Mr Bingley and his friends care for her. I am done with my rebellious daughters. Elizabeth brought scandal to our door, but Kitty will be the one to embrace the scandal. No, Mrs Bennet, you have seen your eldest daughter, go up and say goodbye to her. She will not be returning to Longbourn.”

Mrs Bennet flung herself into the nearest chair, her screams and hysterics unpleasant on the ears of all around her.

* * *

D arcy and Elizabeth had arrived at Darcy House in the early hours of Sunday morning. Revelling in their time alone and without any firm plans as to where their wedding tour would take them, they passed the whole of Sunday and Monday with Elizabeth getting to know the housekeeper and staff at her new home. Darcy showed Elizabeth every inch of the house on Sunday and then on Monday Elizabeth had met with the housekeeper early, before making a trip to the drapers and modiste to have a new wardrobe made. During their trip, the couple met with many friends and received many congratulations on their wedding. They were, however, surprised when an express arrived in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Netherfield, Hertfordshire, 9.30pm

Dear Fitz and Lizzy,

I know that you will be anxious to embark on your wedding tour, however, I beg to interrupt it with some news we have received this evening. Miss Bennet was invited to tea yesterday, and by all accounts, (I was not here as I stayed with my parents last night in London) Miss Bennet arrived soaking wet from coming in on the back of a pony during a rainstorm. How she was cared for, I know not. However, Mr Bennet had refused to allow any of his other daughters to join Miss Bennet with the threat of being disinherited. This I did not know and on finding Miss Bennet sick and an apothecary visit needed, I rode over to Longbourn.

When I arrived, Kitty ran out to greet me. However, events took a turn that has left Kitty vulnerable. On receiving the news that Mr Jones had been called for, Mr Bennet impassively declared that he would not allow any of the younger daughters to visit Netherfield. I am proud to report that Kitty stood up to her father and came to Netherfield to nurse her eldest sister. However, in doing so her father ejected her permanently from Longbourn and made Kitty homeless. I was forced (though not unwilling) to ride to Netherfield with Kitty on my horse. This fact, I fear, will only fan the flames of the scandal surrounding you and Kitty. For that, I am truly sorry, but it could not be helped. I assure you both that when the time is right, I will, again, ask for Kitty’s hand in marriage. At the moment, however, she has requested that I do not make any overtures of that kind to her. As frustrating as that is, I respect her choice.

That, however, is not the only reason I must beg you to come back to Netherfield. Mr Jones’s visit was not a happy one. He says that Miss Bennet is gravely ill. He gave us days to years assessment of how much time she had left. Her life hangs in the balance. Please come as I know that Elizabeth will regret not being with her sister, should the worst happen.

Yours etc,

Christopher

“We must go to Hertfordshire. We cannot leave Jane or Kitty at this time,” she said quietly.

Darcy wrapped his arms around his distraught wife. “Of course, my love,” he murmured into her ear. “We will leave immediately.”

The arrangements took longer than they had anticipated and being at home, it took longer for things to be organised - especially as they knew it could be an extended stay away from home. Their housekeeper tried to reassure them that everything would be well in their absence. Elizabeth’s distress at her sister’s condition did not allow her to face the situation with any kind of sanguinity. Therefore she constantly doubted both herself and the orders she gave for their absence. Darcy found it both frustrating and amusing that his wife had taken to running his homes so quickly. However, he eventually had to stop her. “Elizabeth, if you keep on like this, we will not be leaving any time soon and poor Mrs White will be very confused. You have done well, love. Trust that Mrs White knows her job. She has been with my family since I was a young boy and has never guided me wrong.”

Elizabeth mutely nodded. “Are our trunks ready?”

“Everything is in order,” he assured her. He guided her towards the front door where their carriage waited, but as they donned their outerwear a second express arrived. It was all Darcy could do to get Elizabeth in the carriage before she had the offending letter open in her lap.

Netherfield 6am

Fitz and Lizzy,

Come quickly! Mr Bennet has lost his mind. I told you yesterday that he had disinherited Kitty for coming to Netherfield to care for Jane. The situation has become worse. Mr Bennet has ejected every single one of his daughters from his home. Jane lies sick and is getting worse. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia refuse to leave her bedside and for this, Mr Bennet sees proof that the girls have lost all sense of morality and dignity. Thus, he has decided that none of them should return to his home. Bingley is beside himself and believes that his reputation and that of his family is being eroded. Hurst and I are doing our best to reassure him, but with my marked attention to Kitty before and Bingley’s marked attention to Jane, it is a situation that has disaster all around. The presence of the Hursts saves the girls’ reputations, but that protection will disappear quickly enough once it becomes known that Mr Bennet has turned the girls out of his house and onto Bingley’s kindness. Unless we do something, they will be lost to polite society and necessity will force them onto the streets to survive. As you will remember, the night you and Elizabeth got engaged, I asked Kitty to marry me which Mr Bennet openly denied. Despite that, I would willingly marry Kitty tomorrow. Alas, she refuses to even consider her situation while Jane lies sick. She and her sisters remain without protection and aid. I do not know if it is going against her father’s express wishes or the situation that causes her to hold back. Fitz, I confess that I love Kitty! I love her to distraction. I never knew it was even possible to love someone like this or to desire to provide the protection that she and her sisters so desperately need, but I cannot. Only you and Lizzy can do that right now.

Christopher

Elizabeth sighed. “We cannot abandon our sisters, but there are not enough bedrooms at Darcy House for everyone,” she exclaimed. “They will have to share. Our home will never be quiet and we will never have any privacy.”

Darcy chuckled at his wife. “We have eight hours to decide how to deal with that. I am sure you are already working on a plan. I would like to take advantage of our last eight hours of privacy.”

Elizabeth gasped and then giggled at her husband. Giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek, she told him, “I do not have a plan. I only know that my sisters need us. I am trying to think how we can help them. I think that we will have to enlist the help of both my aunts. From what you have told me, we have plenty of room at Pemberley so maybe it’s a case of asking my Aunt Gardiner to host one or two while we are in Town.” She chewed her lip. “I do not know what is the best option.”

Darcy sighed. “Let’s just get there and see what your sisters wish before we organise their lives. Jane is of age, so she will decide what she wants to do. We will make it work just the same as we will if we have a big family.”

Elizabeth blushed again and poked her husband in the ribs.

Darcy sighed, stretched his legs across the carriage, and leant into the side of the carriage. “Very well, I shall go to sleep for a while,” he said. “I will leave it to you to plan and organise our and your sisters’ lives.”

Elizabeth shook her head, but plan she did. She thought of different scenarios. Fitzwilliam’s care for Kitty came through, but Elizabeth was unsure if Catherine was ready for marriage. Of course, Catherine marrying would certainly solve one problem. She needed to know what was going on between Jane and Bingley too. How seriously ill was Jane? Elizabeth had so many questions that she could not find an answer to. Eventually, Elizabeth snuggled into her husband’s side and joined him in sleep.