Chapter Four
“Jane Bennet, whatever are you doing out in this rain? Get in, I will take you home!” Caroline Bingley cried from her carriage as her driver scrambled down to open the door and hand Jane in.
“Thank you, Miss Bingley, but I was very near to my aunt’s home. I am supposed to meet Lizzy there. She had an errand at the bookshop for my father.” Miss Bennet attempted to restore order to her soaked appearance.
“No doubt. I am not surprised to hear of Eliza in a bookshop. Well, I am certain that your aunt will show her every civility.” Caroline pursed her lips.
“Meanwhile, you are soaked through and shivering. Netherfield is closer than Longbourn, I insist that you simply must accompany me to Netherfield. We shall have you warm and in the lap of comfort in a trice!”
“But Lizz-” Jane began to object.
“Now, Jane, do not be difficult. You are likely to die of cold, while you must admit that your sister is shockingly robust,” Caroline said. “And do not forget how close the two of you are. I am certain that Eliza would urge you to look after your health.”
Jane hesitated, giving Miss Bingley the opportunity to pound on the roof of the carriage with her parasol, which she had taken with her on her outing to the village before the weather turned suddenly. The carriage departed, with Jane not seeing what Caroline saw from her advantage.
Elizabeth Bennet was chasing the carriage through the rain as it pulled away down the market street.
Caroline Bingley was bored enough to scream in Hertfordshire.
To make matters worse, Louisa recently announced that she was with child, and though her character had not changed precisely, she had become a great deal more quiet and restful of late, and would not be concerned by Caroline’s complaints.
Caroline must have someone to gripe to, or she would scream. Jane Bennet was mealy-mouthed enough to put up with most of what she said, and would probably be easily led, if Caroline gave her the proper encouragement.
It would not be the first time she was obliged to befriend one of her brother’s angels, only to intentionally lead the young lady into vicious behaviour towards other young women, a tactic certain to alter Charles’s view of the lady every time.
Just because the entire village was buzzing about the dowry of ten thousand the young lady had–really, is that what passes for well-endowed in this dreary backwater–did not mean the beautiful woman was at all suitable.
Charles did not understand that he was not–in Caroline’s opinion–wealthy or important enough for a stunningly beautiful wife–with nothing else to recommend her–to bring him consequence.
Even Mr Darcy, a man who was probably worth at least four times her brother’s wealth once one considered all of his holdings, had married for status, wealth, and property the first time he entered that state.
His first match brought him so much wealth and consequence added to what he already possessed, he would be certain to please himself when he succumbed again.
Caroline must be sure that she kept the most beautiful women out of his hands until he finally settled upon her.
Miss Bennet had instantly responded to Charles’s attention at the assembly, and Caroline only needed to encourage her to moon over him, while eventually persuading her to behave in a manner that Charles would view with distaste.
Obviously, this must take place before he became too serious about the chit.
Charles would leave her harmlessly behind when they departed the area, but in the meantime, Mr Darcy would never look at Miss Bennet due to his friend’s interest. Caroline did not realise that Mr Darcy never had any interest in the women Caroline had played this game with, and that no redirection of beautiful females to his friend would ever make him turn to her.
At least Jane Bennet would give her someone to talk to with Louisa lately being so disobliging. Caroline bustled her new friend into the great hall at Netherfield Park.
“I am showing Miss Bennet to the Willow Room, Mrs Nicholls. Send someone in to make up the bed and a fire, and a maid to borrow a nightgown and robe from my sister. Your feet appear to be of a size with mine, Jane. Mrs Nicholls, ask my maid Mrs Harper to send my new house slippers, the fawn ones. Have a hot bath filled in Miss Bennet’s dressing room and assign her a maid.
She has taken a drenching, as you see. Have my brother and the men departed? ”
“Yes, Miss Bingley. Mrs Hurst has retired to her room and ordered a tray for dinner,” Mrs Nicholls answered.
“That is nothing new. Louisa has lately been retiring earlier than we did as children. She needs her rest, poor dear.” Caroline led Jane Bennet up the stairs. “I am expecting a new niece or nephew. My sister finds her task exhausting, and I cannot blame her.”
“Of course.” Jane Bennet was wide eyed. “The gentlemen are not at home?”
“Charles and the men accepted an invitation to dine with the regiment,” Caroline explained.
“Since Louisa has retired, and you are soaked through and ought to stay by the fire, shall I join you in your room for dinner on trays? You must be used to the company of your sisters, and I should hate to leave you on your own. You simply must spend the night. I will not hear of you leaving. I am certain that if you attempted it, you would surely die of pneumonia, or consumption, or something equally dreadful.”
“I must send word to my family.” Jane was shivering as she spoke.
Caroline thought to herself that the lady truly looked ill. “Of course, dear Jane. I will send a boy immediately. Recover yourself, and I will join you later.”
“Jane is ill,” Mr Bennet announced to gasps from around the breakfast table as he read from a note that was just delivered. “Her misadventure in the rain has done her more harm than yours did to you, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth took the letter from her father worriedly. “Except a sore throat, a fever, and a headache, there is nothing much wrong with me. Poor Jane!”
“I hope that Miss Bingley has made her due preparations and that Jane is not a burden, I understand she is to receive another guest today.” Mr Bennet spread black butter on his muffin.
“Indeed, Mr Bennet, I have heard nothing of it!” Mrs Bennet answered in astonishment. Elizabeth wondered why her father enjoyed toying with his wife so much.
“When I met Mr Darcy at the assembly, he delivered a letter to me, though I have yet to answer. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”
“Oh!" cried his wife, "I cannot bear to hear that name mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children, and I am sure that if I had been you, I would have tried long ago to do something or other about it.”
“The responsibility to produce a son was yours, Mrs Bennet.” Mr Bennet ended his wife’s objections with a cruel remark that left her crestfallen and her daughters looking at their plates as they sympathised with their mother. “Now, do hush and allow me to read the letter.”
He sat back in his chair and began to read.
Dear Sir,
The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.
My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for I have recently learned that I am to visit the village of Meryton to discuss business with my patron, and I wish to make every effort to promote friendship between myself and my relations.
As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I hope that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch.
I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for this accident of birth.
I am to arrive as a guest of Mr Bingley of Netherfield Park on Wednesday, the ninth of October.
If you should have no objection to receive me into your acquaintance, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting upon you and your family on the afternoon of Thursday, the tenth of October.
I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,
Mr William Collins
“I suppose he sounds like a sensible man,” Mrs Bennet muttered.
Her equanimity had not yet recovered from being chastised for not having a son in front of four of the daughters she could have died while birthing in the attempt.
“Lizzy, I expect you will go straight to Jane. You must stay and nurse her until she comes home. Miss Bingley has her hands full, welcoming another guest, and someone from our house must guard your sister from the premature attentions of Mr Bingley. No gentleman will sample your sister’s charms before she is wed. ”
Elizabeth agreed and glared at her father along with her younger sisters as her mother stood and fled the breakfast table.
Mr Bennet had been more sarcastic and cruel to his wife and daughters each day since they learned of his new fortune.
Elizabeth was nearly ready to enter his study and ask him to please not give her any dowry, if he would only cease this new resentment.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Mr Nicholls announced to the room as that lady entered the breakfast parlour at Netherfield Park later that morning.
“Lizzy!” Georgiana exclaimed as Darcy and Bingley stood and bowed. “Good heavens, have you walked all the way here? You must be exhausted.”
“Not at all, Georgie.” Elizabeth curtsied to those in the room.
“I am sorry I disturbed your meal. I see that Miss Bingley keeps town hours. I understand that Miss Bingley rescued my sister from the rain yesterday, and I am here to see to Jane’s welfare.
We received a note this morning that she is ill. May I see her?”
“Of course, Miss Elizabeth, but are you certain that you will not join us first for a cup of tea or a small meal after such a long walk? I assure you, Caroline has hardly left Miss Bennet’s side. Your sister has every comfort we can provide,” Mr Bingley offered with alacrity.
“Thank you, Mr Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled at the genial young man. “I promise, I am quite well. Perhaps if a footman could show me the way?”
“I would not hear of it. I am quite finished.” Mr Bingley left his place and came around the table. “Allow me to escort you.”
“Do join us in the music room later, Lizzy.” Georgiana begged.
“I will try, Georgie.” Elizabeth took Mr Bingley’s arm. They left the breakfast room and ascended the stairs. “I did not realise Miss Bingley was such a devoted nurse.”
“Nor I, to be sure.” Mr Bingley grinned at Elizabeth. “Our other sister is in a delicate condition, however, I and I believe Louisa’s extensive napping schedule has left Caroline without companionship. She has been devoted to Miss Bennet all night and all morning, or so I understand.”
“How kind of Miss Bingley.”
Elizabeth would not have believed it if she had not seen it with her own eyes. Miss Bingley was in a morning gown with her hair in a simple chignon, sitting on the opposite side of Jane’s enormous bed, leaning back against the pillows next to Jane and giggling.
Jane was obviously sick. Her eyes and nose were red, and Elizabeth knew from her expression that she had a headache. She also knew that poor Jane would never ask her hostess to leave her room so she could sleep.
“Oh Jane, you look simply exhausted! Does your head pain you? I can see that it does. Have you rested at all?” Elizabeth asked in concern.
“Lizzy! You did not have to come all this way. It is far too long of a walk!” Jane exclaimed, her voice hoarse.
“Not at all, Sister. I had to see for myself that you are well.” Elizabeth’s eyes flicked to Miss Bingley. “Perhaps you should rest, Jane. I am certain that Mrs Nicholls must have a powder that can bring you some relief.”
“I have been perfectly well looked after by my new friend.” Jane smiled at Miss Bingley. “Mr Jones will be here soon, and then I will rest. Miss Bingley has been too good, looking after me as she has. There was no need to go to so much trouble, Lizzy.”
“See, Eliza? We are perfectly competent without your supervision,” Miss Bingley giggled.
“My mother has sent me to stay with my sister and nurse her until she is ready to return to Longbourn. We understand that you are expecting another guest today. We would not dream of putting you out with Jane’s care.” Elizabeth was not to be moved.
“Indeed Caroline, you ought to check the room you had prepared for Mr Collins, I believe he is due in only a few hours,” Mr Bingley eyed Jane with the same worries as Elizabeth. It was quite obvious she was exhausted and needed rest.
“I think I can manage a room in the bachelor’s wing without so much fuss, Charles.” Miss Bingley stood and turned to Jane. “I will return when the apothecary arrives, dear Jane.”
“Thank you, Caroline,” Jane answered sweetly. When Mr and Miss Bingley had left them, she glared at her sister in a manner Elizabeth had never witnessed from Jane before. “There was no call to be so rude, Lizzy.”
“I was not rude, Jane. I have known you for twenty of your twenty-two years, and I can see as plain as day that you have a headache. If you are becoming friends with Miss Bingley, that is lovely, but she will still be here after you have recovered from your cold, I am su–”
“You ought to have stayed at Longbourn, Lizzy! I was quite well before you arrived!” Jane snapped. “You ought to go home. You will be a burden to Miss Bingley.”
“Mama said I am to remain until you return home, Jane. Would you have me disobey her?” Elizabeth was incredulous as she stood and rang the bell for a maid.
“You are not yourself, sister. Please, allow me to draw the curtains to shield your poor eyes. I will send for a powder for you to take when Mr Jones leaves, and a compress for your eyes and forehead while we wait for him. Have you had any tea?”
“I am quite well, Lizzy, I do not need you here,” Jane grumbled as she turned away from the window and Elizabeth.