Chapter 24
Jane had just finished her letter to Darcy and had rung the bell to call the butler to see that it was sent with a groom, when he stepped into the room, his face was grave as he held out a letter of his own.
“There is news from Pemberley, ma’am.”
He gave her such a compassionate look that she was terrified that something might have happened to her sister.
It was obvious that the rider had informed him of the emergency, but she did not demand to know what he knew, instead throwing aside her letter and opening the single folded sheet he had offered.
Jane gasped in horror, drawing the attention of Mary and Mr. Yates.
The message was short and to the point, written by Mr. Forbush, which somehow made it even more urgent as the family had been so worried they were unable to take the time to write themselves.
Mr. Yates hurried to her side, removing the note from her nerveless fingers and helped her to sit as she was nearly unresponsive in her shock.
“What is it, Jane?” Mary cried, setting aside her book and rising. “What has happened? Is it Ben or Tommy?”
Seeing that she was unable to reply, Mr. Yates read the paper, eyes wide in horror. “Mr. Bingley has been grievously injured falling from his horse. They have called for the doctor but they recommend that you travel to Pemberley as quickly as possible.”
“As quick… but I do not ride!” Mary exclaimed, worried over Jane’s continued silence. “And it would not be safe for Ellie. Surely we need to bring her, should the worst come to pass.”
“We will need to take the carriage,” Mr. Yates agreed, immediately taking charge.
“Mr. Fackrell, please see that the ladies things are packed; at least a week’s worth.
And send a footman to the nursery to inform Becky that Miss Ellie and her wet nurse will be traveling with her mother and will need to be packed as well. ”
“What can I do?” Mary asked, wringing her hands.
“Speak with Mrs. Toole to ensure that there is nothing imperative which needs to be taken care of before you leave.”
Mary agreed and hurried from the room behind the butler.
Mr. Yates dropped to his knees beside Jane and hesitantly took her hands into his own. “Mrs. Bingley, are you well?”
Jane’s face remained a blank mask, and he became worried when she did not reply.
“Mrs. Bingley,” he called. “Jane!”
Her eyes turned to his face, and he sighed in relief. “Are you well?” he asked again.
“I hardly know,” she whispered at last, her lips strangely red in her pale face. “Did… Is this my fault?”
“No!” he cried. “No matter what happened, and we do not know any more than that he was thrown, he is a grown man who has been riding for years. If he fell, it was unavoidable and you were miles away at the time, so how could it have been your fault?”
“He was not in a good frame of mind. I was very frank with my displeasure and he—”
“No, Mrs. Bingley. That will not do. Bingley’s guilt, or anger, or outrage, whatever he felt, was his own. Just as his actions, which brought all of this to pass. In no way are you to be anything but lauded, for standing up for yourself and those for whom you are responsible.”
Jane’s mouth twisted in a grimace. “I know that you are right, but I anticipate a lot of judgement, especially from his sisters.”
“If they wish to place blame on anyone, Miss Bingley need only look in a mirror,” he scoffed. “She has been using her brother as a puppet for her devious schemes for years and has finally reaped what she had sown.”
That resonated deeply with her and she nodded slowly, finally noticing that he held her hands in his own strong, calloused ones.
She squeezed his fingers gratefully and slowly pulled hers away.
“Thank you for your reassurance. I will be better able to see him, knowing that I need have no self-reproach in the matter. I had best order the packing of our things… Will you join us, Mr. Yates?”
“If you wish, I shall,” he promised, rising to his feet and assisting her from her seat.
“Pardon my interference, but I already ordered things packed for you and Miss Bennet and Miss Ellie. If you are well, I shall return home and pack my own things. If I return in an hour, will that be enough time?”
“Yes, thank you. And thank you also for stepping in when I was unable to respond as needed.”
“I will always support you when you need,” he replied, bowing in farewell and hurrying away to prepare to join them.
∞∞∞
Bingley’s eyes cracked open just the slightest bit and he groaned, asking for water.
There was a rustle of skirts and the candlelight glanced off the shimmering gold of his wife’s hair.
“Jane!” he croaked. “You have come! I knew you could not remain angry for long. It is not in your nature to abandon your husband.”
She fixed a cup of tea with a spoonful of laudanum without replying, and held it up to his lips, allowing small amounts of liquid to quench his parched throat. “Drink it all,” she encouraged. “It will help with the pain.”
He finished the cup and then flailed about for her hand. “Jane…” he moaned. “Jane!”
“Hush, Charles,” she replied finally, replacing the cool cloth on his heated brow. “You will not be in pain much longer. The doctor says you will be gone by morning.”
Bingley was hurt by the quiet finality in her voice. Surely his wife should be inconsolable with grief. “Have you lost all affection for me then?” he whimpered.
There was a pregnant pause before she leaned close and took his hand. “Of course not, Charles. You are my husband and though you hurt me deeply, I love you as much as ever.”
He attempted to smile at her, but his swollen face made it more of a grimace. ”You do not love Mr. Yates? You are certain?”
“What are you speaking of?” she gasped. “Why would you say such a thing?”
Bingley ignored her question and gripped her hand desperately. “You must promise me that you will honor our vows for the remainder of your life! I shall never be able to find my eternal rest if you do not swear to mourn me forever.”
She gasped again but remained silent and he pushed further. “No man will ever love you as deeply as I, please, for my eternal peace, you must depress any gentlemen like Mr. Yates, who will certainly try to sway you from your promise. Say you will be mine forever!”
“I—" He began to grow restless at her reluctance and tossed and turned, moaning of his pain.
“Hush now, Charles, please, you are making it worse by moving about. Of course, I shall keep you in my heart forever and forswear any future marriage. I shall devote myself to our beautiful daughter and managing her future inheritance.”
“You must find a new steward as well!” he insisted.
“Yes, I shall speak with William. Rest now.”
“And you must promise to forgive Caroline. She will be devastated to lose the family home and it is only right that she live there as long as she needs. Support her in her grief. She will make a good companion for you until she marries. You must hold strong, my dearest Jane, for I am certain that Elizabeth will demand that you ignore my wishes completely. Do not listen to her or I shall never rest.”
“I shall not speak to her of it at all. Please, do not mention any of it again, it is too painful to contemplate my life without you. You must promise me now. Never speak a word of it again. We alone shall know of our promises, and you may watch over Ellie and I from Heaven. Every time I say your name, it will be a confirmation of my promise.”
“Yes, yes, that is good. We shall never speak of it again.”
“Thank you, Charles.” Her voice sounded thick with tears.
“You honor me with your tears, I hope they continue for many, many years.” He sighed contentedly as he rested back into the pillows.
Her voice shook as she agreed.
“I forgive you, Jane,” he murmured as he lost consciousness at last.
Kitty dropped his hand in disgust and sat back in her chair as she wiped her own hand in her skirts, “Pig,” she muttered.
An hour later, Elizabeth returned from overseeing the preparation of rooms for the Ivy Well visitors and their servants. Mrs. Reynolds was entirely capable, but her mistress had found the long hours of tedious, sedentary waiting to be a trial.
“Thank you for sitting with Charles, Kitty,” she declared as she swept into the room. “Has he woken at all?”
“For a moment,” she admitted. “I was able to give him his medicine for the pain.”
“That is good, I do not want him to suffer, no matter that he deserves a great deal of discomfort for what he did to Jane.”
“You have no idea,” Kitty muttered under her breath.
∞∞∞
When Jane and her party arrived, she greeted Elizabeth with a fierce hug and stepped back, demanding an update on her husband’s condition as she removed her outerwear.
“He will not last much longer,” Elizabeth informed them all with quiet finality. “I am sorry, Jane.”
Tears welled, more for the loss of life than for the man himself, but she dashed them away. “Mary, could you please settle Ellie in the nursery while I go to him?”
She agreed and led the wet nurse and Ellie up the stairs while Mr. Yates went to find Darcy to learn more.
Elizabeth led her sister to the sick room, explaining how he had been found and that a tenant farmer had recently brought the horse, which he had found injured and wandering along the river near his property.
Jane listened with half an ear as she fought the tears which threatened to fall.
A maid sat with the sleeping patient when they entered, and Jane was slightly disappointed to hear that he had not regained consciousness since speaking with Kitty. They let the girl go to her dinner, requesting trays for them both, and Elizabeth settled in beside Jane with a grateful sigh.
“Jane, I cannot tell you how relieved I am that you are not bemoaning your perceived culpability in all this.” She lay her head onto her shoulder as they had done as girls.