Once Jane was settled in to her room and Elizabeth was happy that she was not feverish, she returned to the drawing room only to find the party soon afterward broke up.

The gentlemen found out about the extra house guests at breakfast. Elizabeth had slept a little and then spent the rest of the night in Jane's room after being woken to be told her fever has risen. She received no enquiries in to Jane's health and so went down to breakfast to see about calling for the local apothecary.

Only Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy were in attendance at this early hour and both were somewhat surprised at seeing her.

"Miss Bennet, how lovely to see you, did you forget something last night?"

"Forgive my interruption Mr Bingley, but I came to enquire of your sister if I might be prevailed on to call for the apothecary"

She saw the gentlemen exchange a confused look.

"Surely you are aware that my sister took ill last night?"

Mr Bingley jumped up "Miss Bennet is ill? Why was I not informed? What can be done?"

Darcy stood up and put a calming hand on his friend. "Miss Elizabeth, due to the rain we all arrived quite late last night and retired immediately. We did not see any household staff and Miss Bingley is not yet awake. Perhaps you could explain?"

"Of course. I apologise. Unfortunately Jane was caught in the rain last evening and became unwell during dinner. We should have travelled home but there were no carriage horses to be had and we concluded that staying was the only option. We all retired before you gentlemen returned. During the night poor Jane has become rather feverish and I feel that the apothecary would be of benefit."

"Of course Miss Elizabeth, I shall see to it immediately" Bingley set off in search of the house keeper

"Did you get caught in the rain?"

His tone was not one of welcome and Elizabeth looked up sharply at Mr Darcy, who's face betrayed the direction of his thoughts until he schooled his expression in to his usual mask.

Interesting, Elizabeth thought, maybe there is more there than I usually see, he did look very concerned.

"Luckily not Mr Darcy" she explained the unfortunate set of circumstances "I shall likely return home this morning but I might ask to look after Jane and return later"

Darcy chastised himself for sounding unwelcoming

"I am sure the Bingleys will extend every curtesy, and of course you must feel free to look after your sister, I can mention to Mr Bingley you would rather stay here if that meets with your approval"

"I thank you Mr Darcy, but I would not wish to impose, I shall see how my sister fares after some of Mr Jones' excellent draughts"

"Of course" he murmured as she curtsied and turned to leave

"Do you not wish for some breakfast?"

"No thank you, I would rather return above stairs. I do not wish to leave Jane alone any longer."

And she was off leaving a rather bewildered Mr Darcy. Here was a lady who had moved away from him at a ball, had refused to dance with him at a soirée and seemed to hurry to leave his presence when alone in a room. Most other young ladies would jump at all these chances. He found himself quite intrigued.

Elizabeth was not long above stairs when a maid knocked bearing a tray of food for her and informed her Mr Bingley had sent for the apothecary and would like to know if Miss Bennet was feeling any better.

Elizabeth smiled and gave her answer then sat down to eat, thinking how kind of Mr Bingley to think of her, she was indeed famished.

Lady Anna Maria called on her soon after and received her report on Jane's progress. She offered to take Miss Lucas home and transport a note to Longbourn as she needed to visit Meryton this morning anyway.

Elizabeth gratefully accepted and quickly penned a note and asked for some clothes for Jane to be brought.

"Would you like me to collect some items for yourself?"

"I would not wish to impose, I plan to return home later today."

"Nonsense, if Miss Bingley hasn't extended an invitation by this afternoon, I shall talk to her. I will collect some of your clothes too."

Elizabeth could only nod her approval, secretly knowing she would rather stay than not.

Miss Bingley did indeed call in later, much later to Elizabeth's consternation, and extended an invitation to stay after Jane became distressed by the idea of her leaving. Elizabeth smiled in satisfaction, happy that good manners were prevailing after all.

When Elizabeth descended for dinner she did not know what her prevailing emotions were. She found Miss Howson and Lady Anna Maria agreeable, Mrs Howson pleasant and Miss Lucy was surprisingly amusing to converse with. Miss Bingley and Mrs hurst remained aloof but continued to extend civilities and professed regard for Jane at least. She was less certain of the gentlemen.

Mr Bingley seemed to be everything gentlemanly and agreeable to all, Mr Chetham was pleasant to converse with but seemed star struck by Jane and so made little effort with anyone else. Mr Hervey she could still not approve of as his generalised flirtatious behaviour persisted and more than one lady of the neighbourhood was harbouring the opinion that she was his choice. Mr Howson and Mr Megash were gentlemanly enough, like kindly uncles to have around, and Mr hurst was almost invisible. No, Mr Darcy was the source of her disquiet.

On the one hand she found him handsome and intelligent, when he wished to exert himself, and there was an endearing something about him. She was starting to think he might just be shy. But another part just thought he did not wish to trouble himself with folk he deemed beneath him. He had certainly offended many in the neighbourhood. She resolved to think of him no more and so was surprised when she came in to the drawing room to find only him in attendance.

"Miss Bennet, I trust your sister is improved"

Again she was surprised by his civility "I thank you, I believe so"

Mr Bingley joined them and the same enquiries took place, Elizabeth added

"I thank you Mr Bingley for sending up a tray earlier, when you enquired in to my sister. It was appreciated"

Mr Bingley looked confused "you are most welcome but I am ashamed to admit I was not responsible for that piece of civility, mayhap my sister thought to send it to you"

Elizabeth noticed Mr Darcy turn away and wondered if he was responsible, she felt it was unlikely that Miss Bingley had even spared her a thought by that time in the morning. At that moment they were joined by the rest of the party and soon after they moved for dinner so Elizabeth's thought of it no more.