Chapter 9
Mr. Gardiner had arrived in Brighton within two days, thanks to Darcy's fast coach and horses. The express from Pemberley with instructions for the housekeeper had already arrived and a message had been sent to the local doctor. Mr. Gardiner was impressed by the overall efficiency of the household. As soon as he had refreshed and met the doctor, both men made their way to meet the Bennets at Colonel Forster’s residence.
The scene at the Colonel’s house was almost pitiful. Mrs. Bennet was already complaining about her nerves and the unfairness of losing her most lively daughter.
“She is such a beautiful, lively girl. How could she be the one injured while that freckled Miss goes about without a care,” she cried, to no one in particular, referring to the lady Mr. Wickham preferred.
Mrs. Forster, who fancied herself as Lydia’s closest friend, was only a couple of years her senior with no useful ability to manage such a crisis.
She herself needed succour which was being provided to her by a sullen Kitty Bennet, who was yet to forgive the lady for not inviting her to Brighton with Lydia.
Kitty, it seemed, was simply unable to comprehend the seriousness of the situation.
“Had I been the one visiting, I would have never inconvenienced my host in such a manner. I think Denny and Chamberlayne are much better company than Wickham is,” she said, while preparing the tea for the inconvenienced hostess who sat sniffling and would burst into loud sobs whenever any of the servants asked her for directions.
The servants were overburdened with trying to care for the plethora of sobbing ladies. It seemed that the only one getting no attention was the girl lying unconscious.
Gardiner had known his relations and was prepared for all their silliness but what bothered him the most was his brother Bennet’s countenance.
He sat in Lydia’s sickroom with a distant vacant expression.
His countenance had aged at least a decade in the last few days.
He was white as a ghost with a sense of helplessness and guilt clouding his expression.
Seeing his brother, Mr. Bennet waved him to sit down as he said,
“It is the worst punishment a parent can suffer to see his own child struggling between life and death as he sits helpless.”
“Lydia will recover, I am sure of it,” Mr. Gardiner said, placing a firm hand on his brother's shoulder.
“I pray to God that you are correct. I am lost, brother, my youngest lies lifeless while my wife sits uselessly wailing of her nerves. Lizzy was right; I have been careless with my family and now it is too late.”
“Bennet, this is not the time to wallow in guilt. Lizzy would hardly blame you for Lydia’s accident.”
“She has no need to blame me. I know very well that I am at fault. But you are right, I need to get the family in order. We can hardly stay here for much longer.” Bennet responded as he picked up Lydia’s hand and gently squeezed it.
She looked pale with bruises visible everywhere.
Her body was completely still, with only a faint breathing movement.
“Mr. Darcy has offered his house in Brighton for Lydia’s convalescence. The housekeeper will have everything ready for Lydia’s comfort by the time we move her. The doctor has also accompanied me and would like to examine at her.”
Bennet, in his incomprehensible state, hardly understood one in five words but was grateful for his brother to take charge of the situation.
Soon the doctor had seen Lydia and though he expressed concern for her unconscious state, he was satisfied that she did not seem to have a fever.
She was cleared to be moved with as little jostling as possible.
By evening the family had moved to Darcy’s house.
Mr. Bennet himself sat with Lydia as she was moved, cradling her head while her uncle held her hands.
Once Lydia had been settled in her new room and the housekeeper had taken charge of the situation, Gardiner decided to speak to his other niece. Kitty’s thoughtlessness at the Forster’s house had been selfish and alarming.
After a strong talking-to by her uncle, it seemed that for the first time Kitty comprehended the gravity of the situation.
The thought that she may still lose her sister was too much for her and she immediately went to her room where she remained until the next day, crying silently as sleep eluded her with memories of her and Lydia bickering about everything all the time.
Mrs. Bennet was assigned a room and a maid, but Mr. Gardiner had made it clear to the household that while he did not want the servants to be rude to his sister, there was no need for them to dance to her whims. She was too set in her ways to change and he did not have the patience for her silliness.
The house was a hubbub of activity with servants cleaning the rest of the rooms and the kitchen busy preparing for the newly arrived residents.
The housekeeper had taken the responsibility of nursing Lydia following the doctor’s orders till someone suitable could be hired.
Mr. Gardiner was tired from his travels but made sure that his brother had eaten before he retired.
It was only by the end of the second day that he found time to pen a letter to Longbourn.
He was aware that Lizzy and his wife were still in Derbyshire but was worried for Jane and Mary.
Lydia was still to regain consciousness and though that was disturbing, he decided to focus more on the positives to assure the girls.
Their sister was in a most comfortable atmosphere with all possible care provided to her and had seemed to have borne the move from the Colonel’s house without any decline was an encouraging news .
He assured them that their parents were as well as can be expected under the circumstances and that they would have no need to leave Longbourn.
By the end of the week all was more or less settled. Mr. Bennet, though worried for his daughter, seemed to have gained some confidence with the presence of his brother. Mrs. Bennet was still spending all her time in her rooms though Kitty had taken to sitting with her sister for some time daily.
One evening after dinner Bennet finally spoke to his brother, proving that he was not completely insensible to all that was happening around him.
“You never mentioned how it is that we came to be established in Mr. Darcy’s house.”
“We were staying not five miles from his home in Derbyshire and as such had made the gentleman’s acquaintance, Elizabeth was obviously much better acquainted.
It was by happenstance that when Jane’s letter for Elizabeth arrived, Mr. Darcy had chosen to call on us.
He came upon Lizzy right after she had got the news and was quick to offer all his help.
There was nothing that he would not do for the family’s benefit and even convinced Mr. Bingley to reopen Netherfield.
Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth would by now have reached Longbourn with his escort.
He plans to reside with Mr. Bingley and has assured me that he would look out for the ladies. ”
Mr. Bennet was most surprised by this account for all that he knew, his second daughter had detested the man in question. Looking at his incredulous expression Mr. Gardiner spoke to convince him.
“Mr. Darcy was most courteous towards us and seemed to hold Lizzy in high esteem. From what I understood most of the misunderstanding between the two had been cleared in Kent where he had warned Lizzy regarding Mr. Wickham's character.”
“Kent! Lizzy met Mr. Darcy in Kent?”
“He was visiting his aunt Lady Catherine. I thought that you would have been aware of it.”
“And they spoke about Wickham. It does make sense as to why Lizzy was so against Lydia visiting Brighton.
I was so quick to dismiss her concerns, calling any man who judged her based on her sister's behaviour not worth her time.” He ran his hand through his hair and closed his eyes as he continued. “She must have meant Bingley.”
“All is not lost on that account either. As I said Netherfield Park will be opened again. Bingley was a guest at Pemberley and seemed to still recall Hertfordshire with fondness. Jane may still have her chance.”
Mr. Bennet got up and poured a generous amount of brandy and took a large sip before replying, “You know Gardiner, it is sobering to realise that the child you nurtured has now grown so much that she prefers to keep her own counsel. I always declared Lizzy as my favourite child as if I was awarding her some special privilege, but it seems I was never her trusted confidant. You and your wife enjoy that honour much more than her own parents.”
“Bennet, I am sure that is not the case.”
“Do not worry about me. I am not offended. It is my own failing after all. Lizzy has always been special, and I am happy that she does share her concerns with someone.”
Mr. Gardiner, realising that his brother needed to sort through his own thoughts, decided that silence was probably for the best. In the next few days, nothing was mentioned about Mr. Darcy or Derbyshire.
Jane’s reply had arrived from Longbourn and confirmed what Gardiner already knew that Lizzy would have arrived by the time this letter made it to Brighton and that her aunt was supposed to stay with them.
She had only passingly mentioned that Netherfield was to be opened and Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy were to reside there.
Though the letter seemed to be most proper with Jane’s concern for Lydia expressed in the compassionate manner she had always had.
Her father had finally learnt to read between the lines for Mr. Bennet appeared to be deep in thought as he held onto the paper.
Jane had always been apt at hiding her troubles, but she felt them deeply.
He felt ashamed as he remembered joking about Bingley’s departure.
His eldest had suffered for all these months and he had thought it entertaining.
He hoped that she would still find her happiness.
Finally, he retired to his bedchamber but there were too many questions in his mind for him to sleep.
What had happened between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy in Kent?
Why had he involved himself in the Bennets’ affair?
He hoped that Lizzy did not have to pay a heavy price for his kindness.