Mr Bingley was startled out of his daydream by the appearance of a footman. He excused himself and quickly followed him out of the room towards the library where he found three ashen faced guests, one unconscious. He glanced from Darcy to Louisa unsure who would best be able to tell him what had happened. They both looked to be in shock.

"She's bumped her head and is unresponsive. I've already sent to London for Dr Clarke," Darcy said glancing down at the unconscious Miss Elizabeth.

"She needs immediate medical care Darcy. I'll send for Mr Jones," Bingley replied.

"She needs quality medical care," Mr Darcy stressed.

"She was content to allow Mr Jones to tend to her most beloved sister," Louisa stepped in to help Mr Darcy see reason. ""I'm sure he's not a charlatan. I wouldn't allow anyone near Caroline if I didn't have faith in his ability. Miss Elizabeth would be the same."

"Dr Clarke can still tend to her when he arrives," Bingley continued, "He can look at Miss Bennet while he's here too but we can't wait hours to do something." Bingley sent an order for someone to fetch Mr Jones immediately.

Mr Darcy nodded, acknowledging their reasoning. "I did this. This is my entire fault." He moaned. Bingley looked at him startled. Surely Darcy hadn't knocked her unconscious deliberately.

"Louisa, what happened?" Bingley decided his sister was less affected and directed his enquiries to her. Bingley had only seen Darcy like this twice before, once when his father was dying and again this summer.

"Oh Charles it was a complete accident." She started. "I was on the mezzanine and saw everything." Darcy shot her a strange look but she continued. "Miss Elizabeth was looking for a book to read. She couldn't reach the one she wanted so she was trying to tap it out. Mr Darcy walked in to assist her startling her and the book fell and hit her on the head."

"I tried to stop her from falling back after the book hit her but I made things worse. I grabbed her arm too hard. She hit her head again on the chair." Mr Darcy finished in despair.

"Louisa I think we need to prepare another room for Miss Elizabeth. Is the room next to Miss Bennet suitable?" Bingley asked.

"It will be." Louisa assured. "I'll make sure that the sisters have someone tending to them at all times too."

"Thanks Louisa," Mr Bingley gave her a little smile as a knock on the door signalled that Mr Jones had arrived.

At Mr Jones instruction, Elizabeth was laid on the couch and he began his examination. Darcy immediately felt the lack of her body heat and shivered, something not lost on Bingley. Bingley walked over to the brandy decanter to poor Darcy and himself a large shot. He glanced at his sister and raised his eyebrows to see if she wanted one too but she gently shook her head.

After finishing his examination, Mr Jones got out some smelling salts and waved them in front of Elizabeth. She slowly moved her head from side to side and groaned. Mr Darcy and the Bingley siblings hurried over to her side.

Mr Jones leaned over her and asked, "Do you know who I am?" Elizabeth thought for a moment and nodded her head slowly, wincing as she did.

"Do you know where you are?" Elizabeth carefully glanced about the room taking in all the books.

"I suspect I'm in a library," she whispered closing her eyes.

"Do you know whose library this is?" He continued.

She briefly opened her eyes again and glanced from face to face before resting on Mr Darcy's.

"Is it yours sir?" She asked.

Mr Darcy shot an alarmed look first to Charles then to Mr Jones.

Mr Jones didn't seem too alarmed as he continued his questions.

"Do you recognise these people?"

"No," Elizabeth answered immediately.

Mr Jones patted her on the hand in reassurance.

"This is Mr Bingley, his sister Mrs Hurst and his friend Mr Darcy. Mr Bingley has taken the lease at Netherfield. Jane was visiting Mrs Hurst and her sister Miss Bingley and fell ill yesterday. You arrived today to take care of her and bumped your head."

"Jane is here?" Elizabeth started to get up but moaned at the sudden movement to her head. She lay back down clutching her head and squeezing her eyes closed to block the pain.

"Rest assured she is being well taken care of," he assured Elizabeth.

Mr Jones turned to Mr Bingley. "It's quite common to have some memory loss after a bump to the head. It's usually not permanent. Bed rest and willow bark tea for the pain is usually all that we can do. If it was colder I would suggest ice to help reduce the swelling. I've heard in some cases that it has improved symptoms, however there's none to be had around here at this time of the year. Cold compresses with suffice."

"I'll have some brought from London immediately." Darcy vowed.

"Good lord Darcy. It will melt before it arrives" Bingley exclaimed.

"Not if it is a large enough block and we cover it in sawdust." He replied.

"It's an unnecessary cost with no guarantee of its success," Bingley continued.

"You would not try if it could assure your sister's recovery?" Darcy retorted.

"She's hardly our sister, Mr Darcy" Louisa interjected.

"Miss Bennet's then," Darcy pressed his eyes boring into Bingley's.

Glancing back at Elizabeth's pained facial expression and then up in the direction of Jane's suite Bingley backed down.

"Whatever you deem necessary must of course be attempted." Louisa glanced between the two gentlemen as she spoke for all.

As soon as the room was ready, Bingley had Mrs Teesdale, the housekeeper assign round the clock care for their ailing guests. Mr Jones was offered a room and only needed a little pressing before consenting to remain until Dr Clarke arrived. He had heard of the London physician and looked forward to meeting such a highly regarded practitioner. Before he could retire however word came down that Jane was worse. He immediately returned to examine her again and recommended cold compresses for her as well as sending down to the kitchen for a receipt to be concocted.

Reassured that all was being done for their guests, Darcy and Bingley retired to the drawing room for a nightcap. Caroline had long since given up hope of the gentlemen returning had stormed off to bed leaving Mr Hurst snoring on the chaise. Louisa seeing to the final details of their guests followed the gentlemen into the drawing room a few minutes later and gently shook her husband awake. In spite of all the drama that had unfolded this evening she still had good news to share with him.

Bingley and Darcy settled in for what was bound to be a long night, Bingley keen to obtain a full version of events that had happened. He was mildly amused that Darcy had sent to London immediately after the accident after berating Bingley for wanting to do the same thing. One look at the stormy expression on Darcy's face however was enough to hold back from teasing his closest friend. There would be plenty of time for that once their fair ladies were out of danger.

The gentlemen poured a large glass of brandy each and began their late night vigil.