Chapter 3 Avoidance #3
Darcy held little faith in these obscure alternative healers, and Mrs. Reynolds was well aware of his scepticism toward such practices.
Despite this, her willingness to inform him of this man's presence underscored her profound concern for Mrs. Bingley, whose situation grew more dire with each passing moment.
Her intuition was proven right when, merely five minutes after her departure, Mr. Ashton arrived to share his prognosis about Mrs. Bingley's condition.
"Mr. Darcy, I refrained from sharing this with her husband.
I deemed it best to inform him in your presence, as he may need his friend's support on hearing this.
They must be prepared for the worst, Mr. Darcy.
Her situation is dire. If it were merely a fever, we could control it.
But her lungs are afflicted. To be honest, I anticipated an episode like the one today much earlier.
I knew from the outset that she was weak.
She should not have undertaken this journey so soon after her confinement," Mr. Ashton conveyed solemnly.
Darcy had half expected such a report from Mr. Ashton, yet it was difficult to comprehend. He sat silently as Mr. Ashton continued.
"Her sister, the one who is currently by her side, informed me that she first felt unwell on the morning they departed from Baslow.
It was the day they became stranded, and you came to their rescue.
They ought to have stayed at their inn in Baslow on that day.
Instead, she endured the worst of the weather, standing in the snow when their carriage was damaged.
It was all grievously mismanaged," he concluded.
"Mr. Ashton, how much time do we have? Is there any other counsel you can offer? I have summoned two other apothecaries to examine her. Pray do not think we doubt your abilities. As you rightly observed, the situation is dire."
"I care not a whit if you consult other professionals, Mr. Darcy.
It is imperative to explore all options.
In fact, I am curious to learn what these practitioners have to impart.
As for the time we possess, we need a miracle.
Otherwise, she may not survive the week.
Prepare yourself for the worst, and above all, you must inform that gentleman of his wife's perilous state. "
Yet, fate had other plans. As Mr. Ashton finished speaking, they heard a thud from the entrance, and Darcy saw Bingley leaning against the door in shock. Neither he nor Mr. Ashton was aware of Bingley's presence.
Blast! When did he arrive? How much did he overhear?
Bingley
She is dying. My Jane is dying, and I am the reason for it. I killed her.
Bingley had heard everything. He had followed behind Mr. Ashton to Darcy’s study.
His worst fears had already taken root much earlier.
Seeing his beloved wife struggle for breath in such agony was a sight he had never witnessed before.
Jane had always been delicate, and now, due to the wrong choices he had made, she was losing her life.
Leaning against the chamber door for support, he reflected on the day they set out from Baslow.
His initial instinct was to halt the journey until Jane's health improved.
But his fear of being stranded in Derbyshire and, more importantly, his longing to be alone with her at Netherfield, away from the others, led him to ignore his instincts.
And now, cruelly and unjustly, Jane was paying the price with her life.
Bingley did not resist as Darcy gently led him to a chair.
He heard Darcy trying to console him, mentioning the other apothecaries who were called for consultation.
But in his mind, what he had just heard was final.
It was fate, a fate he had brought upon himself.
He believed it was nothing less than what he deserved.
Darcy
Darcy gently led Bingley to his designated guest chamber, urging him to rest. To Bingley's credit, he voiced no opposition when Darcy proposed he retire for the day. There was no benefit in having a despondent Bingley in the sick chamber any further.
Sitting on the edge of the bed, Darcy regarded his friend.
Nay, not merely a friend, but a brother in all but blood.
Alongside Richard, Bingley was the sole man from his circle in whom Darcy placed unwavering trust. Even during their seven years of separation, that trust endured.
Bingley was a paragon of sincerity, always speaking what he truly felt.
His countenance was an open book for all to read.
And within that countenance, Darcy discerned guilt, a destructive emotion that could only make the situation worse.
He lingered in his friend's chamber for an extended period.
When he sensed that Bingley had finally succumbed to fitful slumber, Darcy rose and instructed a footman to stand watch over his friend.
Many matters required his attention. The two apothecaries he had summoned could arrive at any moment, and he also intended to confer with Hurst, preferably after learning the verdict from those two apothecaries.
The apothecaries promptly arrived, and their assessments aligned with Mr. Ashton's earlier prognosis.
After conversing with his fellow practitioners, Mr. Ashton took his leave.
Darcy imparted the apothecaries' findings to Hurst, delegating to him the solemn duty of conveying the grave news to his wife and Elizabeth.
Then, he returned to Bingley's chamber to discover his friend still asleep.
Darcy resolved to remain there through the evening, vigilant over his friend's rest. In the solitude, his thoughts invariably gravitated towards her.
How will she receive this news? Mrs. Bingley is her dearest sister.
Should I not have been there with Hurst when he conveys it to them?
No, it is better if Hurst handles it. I cannot bear witness to her tears, for I have no right to offer her solace.
I dare not approach that sick chamber. I cannot bring myself to face her.
Elizabeth
No, Jane, you cannot die. You cannot leave me alone. I won't let you.
Elizabeth rushed back to her sister's bed, enveloping Jane's feverish form in her embrace as if to shield her from all, even death.
Her eyes welled up with tears, and her hands trembled with sorrow.
Jane, her friend, her constant pillar of support, her unwavering anchor, her kind and loving sister is dying.
The mere thought of a world without her beloved sister at her side was unfathomable.
Elizabeth did not protest when Louisa drew near and gently guided her to a nearby chair.
She willingly entered into Louisa’s embrace as both of them wept.
After a while, she gently removed herself from Louisa's embrace and slowly made her way out of the chamber.
The weight of worry and sorrow seemed to oppress and suffocate her, and she yearned to seek solace through walking.
It had always been her way of coping with sadness.
However, the relentless and cruel weather, which had caused Jane's illness in the first place, now prevented her from venturing outside.
Instead, she paced back and forth in the corridor before the sick chamber, attempting to regain control over her emotions while grappling with the overwhelming sense of injustice that clouded her mind.
Troubling questions persisted, seeking answers that were beyond her reach.
What had Jane done to suffer so? And what of her children?
Dear God, little Beth is but a few months old.
What had she done to be robbed of her loving mother at such an early age?
What injustice? Why could no one do anything to prevent this?
Why couldn’t Mr. Ashton save her? Where is Charles?
And where is Mr. Darcy, the gentleman who, by all accounts, took great care of those under his protection?
Why could he not protect Jane? He said he loved me all those years ago.
Yet, at this moment of dire need, why is he absent?
Hearing voices, she looked up to see Mrs. Reynolds and Lady Catherine approaching, accompanied by Mr. Hurst. And there, behind them, she beheld Mr. Darcy’s eyes on her.
Darcy
Darcy couldn't linger in Bingley's chamber for long. His thoughts were consumed by her and how she would handle the news. As much as he desired to be by her side and comfort her, propriety and prudence held him back.
But, in the face of such overwhelming love, propriety and prudence often rendered powerless.
Confound it! What am I doing here? If she wants my help, I must be with her. Society be damned.
He instructed the footman to watch over Bingley and headed towards the sickroom.
On his way, he encountered his aunt, Mrs. Reynolds, and Hurst, who informed him that Mrs. Hurst and Elizabeth were already aware of the apothecaries' prognosis.
Both ladies were deeply affected, with Elizabeth particularly distressed.
Lord above, what can I do to ease her suffering?
He abruptly stopped when he spotted Elizabeth pacing in the corridor, her face in tears.
She turned upon hearing their entrance, her gaze fixed on him.
In her eyes, which always spoke to him more than her words, he discerned her worries and helplessness, and therein he found the answer to his question.
"Mrs. Reynolds, arrange for hot bricks and the thickest blankets you can find. As soon as the sleighs return from delivering the apothecaries to their homes, I shall journey to Chesterfield," he declared with urgency.
Mrs. Reynolds understood his intentions and swiftly set things in motion. Both Hurst and Aunt Catherine expressed their concerns for his safety, but Darcy's decision was final.
It was a perilous journey, especially at night.
The roads were slippery, and he might not return until late.
Yet, despite the danger, he was determined to seek out the reputed healer from India, if such a person existed, and have him attend to Mrs. Bingley.
His only concern was whether he would be able to bring the healer back in time.
Darcy took time to alleviate the concerns of both Hurst and Aunt Catherine before turning to Elizabeth.
He saw the fear and unease in her eyes. His heart longed to hold her trembling hands in reassurance, yet he resisted.
Instead, he looked directly at her and spoke in the calmest voice he could muster.
"Mrs. Goulding, I am but a mere mortal, powerless to change the dictates of fate. Nevertheless, rest assured that I shall do my utmost to assist your sister. Mrs. Reynolds apprised me of this learned healer who recently came to live near Chesterfield. Though sceptical of unscientific practices, I defer to her judgement in this dire circumstance, for she has a wealth of knowledge and experience in handling situations like this. If she deems this gentleman worthy of consultation, then I believe it is my duty to heed her counsel. I acknowledge my lapse in not seeking Bingley’s consent beforehand, yet his own sorrow renders him incapable of deciding.
Therefore, I shall assume this responsibility on his behalf.
I promise you that I will persuade this man to return with me to see your sister, regardless of whatever obstacles that may arise. I entreat you to maintain your faith."
With a nod to Hurst, signifying that his decision was final, Darcy withdrew to his chamber to prepare for the arduous journey ahead.
Louisa
Since her initial encounter with Elizabeth and Jane seven years ago, one aspect that deeply impressed Louisa was the profound care they held for each other.
It was as if they were always prepared to make sacrifices for one another, always ensuring the other's comfort—a bond unlike any she had ever experienced with her own sister, Caroline.
She knew that both Jane and Elizabeth were aware of her role in trying to separate Charles from them.
Yet, they treated her with nothing but love and consideration over the years.
It was as though she were completely forgiven, with no questions asked.
Although she occasionally felt like an outsider in their presence, it wasn't due to any deliberate exclusion on their part.
Rather, it arose from the profound connection shared between the two sisters—a connection that Louisa could never quite penetrate.
The overwhelming sorrow she felt at Jane's current predicament took her by surprise.
Only now did she fully comprehend how much she cared for Jane.
If offering solace to Elizabeth and being there for her was what she needed to do in return for their care, then Louisa was determined to do just that.
She was now certain that if ever in need of a sisterly presence in her life, it wouldn't be Caroline she would turn to.
It would be Elizabeth, and if fate allowed, Jane.
Louisa was learning to love others. It had begun with George, when she experienced for the first time how the distress of another soul, her son, could profoundly affect her.
After losing Amelia, she had grieved for her daughter for days.
Her husband had been a source of unwavering strength since Amelia's passing, although she had never made an effort to grow closer to him.
Her brother had also forgiven her for her role in separating Jane from him and continued to take care of her.
It was time to return the love that was freely offered to her.
Jane’s plight, visible right in front of her now, made her aware that life was short, and unexpected events could transpire at any moment.
If she did not open her heart to the kind individuals surrounding her, she might never have the chance.
Unbeknownst to Louisa, her resolve was soon to be severely tested on this very night.