"Bad tidings I take it?" asked Mr. Hurst as he walked into his brother's study.
He was reading a letter with a deep frown on his face.
"Tis Caroline. She has left our aunt's home to visit 'friends' at their country estate."
"Was she not told your sister was not permitted to leave without your permission?"
"Unfortunately Aunt May only thought Caroline was not allowed to return to town and she thought Caroline had my permission to visit a friend's estate. She only wrote because she was supposed to return after a sen'night and has not."
"This is your doing, Bingley" said an upset Hurst.
"What have I done?" asked a startled Charles.
"You were not explicit in your orders. Aunt May would have never allowed Caroline to leave if she knew all. You should have made it perfectly clear that she was not to be allowed to leave under any circumstances without your permission, and if you had turned Caroline's allowance over to our aunt for her expenses as I advised you instead of allowing Caroline to keep control over it, she would not have the funds to travel. This was badly done, Charles and the duke will be livid. You saw how he reacted when you allowed your sister's letter to reach his aunt when you were supposed to be monitoring her correspondence."
"Where do you think she is, Hurst?" said a now panicked Bingley.
"Who knows what tricks she is up to? Do you know of anyone who would take her in? If she left over a sen'night ago she would have arrived by now if this were her destination. If she were at the townhouse, we would have been notified."
"No. Caroline has no real friends and the ones that pretended to be her friend while she was in the duke's good graces have cut her since the incident at the theater. I can think of no one that would take her in."
"This is bad. What will you do? Will you tell the duke?"
"No, no, this is our problem."
"Our problem?"
"Oh come on, Hurst. She is your sister too whether you wish it or not. What ever she is up to cannot be good for any of us."
"What do you intend to do?"
"Since she did not show up here, I can only surmise that she is in town. I will leave immediately and try to find her before she can do any harm."
"I guess I shall join you. What will we tell Louisa? She cannot accompany us with a home full of guests, tis bad enough that we have to leave."
"We shall tell her the truth. She was always the closest to Caroline. Maybe she knows something we do not."
S******************************************************S
"Welcome to Longbourn" beamed Elizabeth as the Fitzwilliams and Mrs. Hurst were led into the drawing room.
Elizabeth's family had been at Longbourn for a sen'night and she could not be happier, despite all the new restrictions placed on her. She knew her family would love her childhood home as much as she did and she was correct. They could not praise it enough and Tom was excited to learn all he could about the estate.
He rode the estate daily with the duke who he now looked upon with something akin to hero worship and followed the steward during some of his duties. He was as eager to learn about Longbourn as he was about Havensburgh, their grandfather's estate, the seat of the Holder earldom. Her father seemed to improve even faster since their family arrived. He had longed for Tom's presence at Longbourn and he could not be happier.
The Fitzwilliams had newly arrived in the country and were at Longbourn for the first time for the dinner the Ladies Jersey and Vaxton planned to welcome them to the country.
"Thank you, Elizabeth. This is a lovely estate!" said Lady Matlock.
"Thank you, Aunt Sharon. May I introduce you to my family?"
Elizabeth made the introductions and everyone took a seat after greetings and pleasantries were exchanged.
"Elizabeth, you are glowing and look much better than I expected" said Lady Matlock, exchanging glances with Lady Jersey.
She had written her when she first arrived about how unwell Elizabeth looked. She still looked a bit unwell but much better than she expected.
"I am sure you were told I looked as if I was on my deathbed" Elizabeth teased.
"Elizabeth" said Lady Jersey in a warning tone.
"She has been rather obstinate but she is no match for a house full of loved ones with her best interest at heart. She has been made to slow down and she is doing much better than we arrived."
"How was your trip, Lord Uncle?" Elizabeth asked, trying to change the subject.
She refused to have another discussion about her wellbeing. Especially with the way she had been feeling all day.
"It was uneventful. A very easy distance from town" answered Lord Matlock succinctly.
"Yes. I for one could not wait to arrive and start making plans for the ball" Lady Matlock added to groans from the men which made the ladies laugh.
"No talk of balls or lace, I beg you" said Mr. Bennet.
"It shall be delightful" said Lady Vaxton deliberately.
"It is all the neighborhood can talk about" added Elizabeth.
"The dressmaker is overwhelmed with orders to add as much lace as she can to ball gowns" Mary said teasingly.
"We must decide which colors we will use to decorate" Georgiana joined in the fun.
"And what dances we shall have played" added Lady Jersey.
"It is sure to be the best ball the country has ever seen" added Mrs. Hurst, although she was not aware of the other ladies teasing the gentlemen.
She was just happy to be hosting the ball for such prominent people.
"There should be some fine sport to be had during the hunt I shall be hosting in two days' time" Lord Jersey retaliated to the laughter of all.
"I like to think myself a fine shot and look forward to bagging the most birds" added the duke.
"I shall take up that challenge" said Lord Vaxton.
"I have a new hunting rifle and it is a thing of beauty."
"We shall be hosting a lovely tea for the ladies while you gentlemen are out" said Mrs. Hurst, making the room explode in laughter.
"You win, you win, please do discuss the weather or some such" said Mr. Bennet.
Louisa smiled brightly as they were called to dinner and the women congratulated her on winning the bout. She was still not sure what was going on but she liked it.
"So Mrs. Hurst," Elizabeth started as they were seated and the first course was served.
"I thought your husband and brother would be joining us. I hope nothing is amiss. Are they well?"
Louisa was suddenly uncomfortable. She knew, of course, that the question would be asked, but she had no desire to bring up the unsettling letter her aunt had sent her brother concerning Caroline.
"They were called to town on some urgent business. I am sure it shan't take long to resolve" she answered nervously.
Elizabeth saw her unease and changed the subject but the duke was intrigued as he watched Mrs. Hurst face, searching for clues. What would call Bingley away without any notice so quickly? He caught Mrs. Hurst eye asking a silent question which she nodded to and dropped her eyes in answer causing the duke to sigh.
'That Bingley woman! What now?' he wondered.
His wife looked at him with concern and he shook his head and gave her a small smile of reassurance. She held his eye, glanced to Mrs. Hurst, looked back at him, and quirked her beautiful eyebrow in her own silent question. He nodded his head and bit back a laugh as his wife dramatically rolled her eyes.
'My duchess is not concerned in the least. I will ramp her security back up until we find out what is amiss but I shall give her no further thought for now.'
Dinner was pleasant and a good time was had by all with only a minimal talk of balls, lace, and hunting. During the separation of the sexes Elizabeth discreetly pulled Mrs. Hurst into a corner of the music room where the ladies had gathered to await the men.
"Mrs. Hurst, forgive me for intruding, but does your brother's trip have anything to do with your sister?"
"I am afraid it does, Your Grace. She has left my aunt's home and we know not where she has gone. My brother believes she is somewhere in London since she did not come to Netherfield or try to contact us."
"I am sure all will be well" said an unconcerned sounding Elizabeth as she led her across the room to join the other ladies.
She was a little concerned. She was not so much concerned with Caroline Bingley bringing any harm to her or her family, but she thought the enmity was at an end. The silent Lewises were a bit worrisome but she did not truly concern herself with them.
This was the happiest time of her life and she would dearly love to enjoy it without the constant conflicts, but if that Caro wanted to cause more problems she better be ready to be squashed again, quickly!
The duke went directly to his wife when the men joined the women. She was sitting slightly away from the other ladies and appeared to be in deep thought.
"Dearest, are you well? Has something happened?"
She assured him that she was well and relayed what Mrs. Hurst had told her.
"I just want to enjoy my family in peace. I want no more conflict surrounding me any time soon. I am not afraid, I just would rather not have to deal with her or any of her kind at the moment. Which is why I am now relieved that we are not doing the season. I have dealt with enough animosity."
"Of course you have, my love. You do not need any more added pressure right now. If Miss Bingley decides to show up here I will personally deal with her so you will not have to, failing that, look around this room and name one person who would let her cause you any harm."
"That is true" she said with a hollow laugh as she rubbed her stomach.
She had been extremely uncomfortable all day and it was worsening. She did not want to worry anyone and planned to retire soon. Of course her husband did not miss her gesture.
"Elizabeth" he said with worry as he placed his hand over hers.
"Is something wrong? You have looked uneasy all day, my love."
'Of course he noticed' she thought lovingly.
"I am well, My Grace. A bit tired, tis all. I planned to retire soon."
"Not soon enough apparently" said the frustrated duke.
He rose and handed her up from her seat making their excuses to a room full of concerned faces against his wife's protests. He had had enough. She had slowed down since her family arrived but she was still not taking enough time to rest.
She was able to tolerate food more but she still emptied her stomach contents at least once a day. The dry toast she was served continuously throughout the day seemed to help settle her stomach but she was still not eating enough. Now she was hiding her pain and he would not have it.
He called for the doctor against her request to at least wait until the morning. She would have to just be angry with him because he was no longer prepared to listen to her put her health and the babe's wellbeing at risk due to her stubbornness.
When the doctor came he refused to leave the room. He knew she would be truthful with the doctor and he would be there to hear all instead of relying on her account of the visit. He was sure she would leave out parts or downplay her condition once the doctor left.
It was just as he feared. Not only had she been uncomfortable all day, but she also complained of stomach pains and light bleeding. He wanted to throttle her! How dare she not immediately seek help or inform him of what was going on? Those were signs of miscarriage and things could be a lot worst before she ever decided to open her mouth.
The doctor put her on complete bedrest, forbidding her to rise even to use the necessary and ordered a chamber pot be brought to her when she needed it. She had only seen a few spots of blood and only once. The doctor said it was not very unusual for some bleeding during pregnancy but they must take all care for the time being.
He was also concerned with the rate that she was increasing. She was a very small woman and it appeared she would be having a very big babe. She teasingly blamed that on her very tall husband. The duke was not amused. He was livid with her!
The doctor left promising to return on the morrow and advising them to send for him immediately if they needed him. The duke paced the room trying to bring his ire under regulation as Elizabeth watched him with no little alarm.
She knew that she had went too far this time. She just did not want to worry him and thought she was just having a bad day. She was upbraiding herself for being so reckless with the life of her precious babe. She did not blame her husband for being so upset.
"I am sorry, Your Grace" she said hesitantly.
"Elizabeth how could you…ugh" he said in frustration.
He needed to pace some more before he could speak calmly.
This time she decided not to speak and wait for him to calm himself enough to finish a sentence. She waited a long time. She was still waiting when there was a knock on the door and she bid enter.
Her sisters, aunts, and godmother entered with looks of concern on their faces. They all knew something was amiss when the duke abruptly made their excuses. When they heard he had sent for a doctor they quickly ended the night and waited on news. Once the doctor left and they still had not heard from the duke they decided to go check on Elizabeth.
"Lizzy, what is it?" asked her anxious Aunt Martha.
"Why was the doctor called? What did he say?"
The ladies were all shocked when Elizabeth told them. Georgiana's eyes immediately filled with tears as she went to her brother's side and grabbed his hand. He had stopped pacing and stood glaring at his wife. She had not seen him so angry for a while now and never with Elizabeth. This was not good.
"His Grace is very angry with me" she said as her husband scoffed.
"Justifiably so" she stressed hoping to calm him.
"I did not mean to worry him or any of you and I thought it would pass" she tried to explain to her husband and the now pissed off women in the room.
They were all angry at her putting herself at risk so.
"I assure you all that this will never happen again. I am very concerned for my babe as well and will do nothing to cause any further harm. From now on I promise I will not try exert myself in any way. Fitzwilliam, I will tell you every little detail and never hide anything from you again. Please forgive me."
He nodded his head and only looked a little less like he wanted to run her through. He still had not spoken.
"Elizabeth you must take care" said Lady Jersey.
"Not only will you promise not to exert yourself, we will not allow it. No more! You shall eat and sleep and not much more! Even when the doctor says it is safe for you to move around."
"The first few months are so important, dear" added Lady Matlock.
"And the doctor is correct, a babe of this size can put a lot of strain on a woman of your size."
"Elizabeth, no one will think less of you for not being as strong as you normally are and I think we both know that this is what this is about, is it not?" asked the perceptive Mary as her sister wept and nodded in agreement.
Her tears finally melted the duke's cloak of anger and he no longer looked as if he was steps away from ordering her death as he came to her side and held her hand.
"Oh dearest, I have told you that! You are not alone and you do not have to be so strong at all times. You are at a vulnerable time in life and everyone expects you to be more delicate than you normally would. Needing to rest or being in pain is not a weakness, dear one. Please do not do this to yourself or us, let us help you" she nodded her head again.
"Lady Godmother is correct, you will be allowed to do nothing but be well and increase" he said trying to lighten the mood.
"Correct, and since you are such a horrible patient, we shall take turns entertaining you while you are abed" said Aunt Martha.
"I am sure the men would like to challenge you to a few chess matches, we can play cards, read to you, what ever you like."
"And we shall bring the drawing room to you as much as you like. We can take tea here, gossip, and even see callers in your sitting room if the doctor will allow it" added Lady Jersey.
"We can start sewing things for the babe while you are on bed rest" suggested Georgiana.
"See, you shall never want for company or activities to occupy you" said Lady Matlock.
"I shall also make the men drag your husband away from his hovering a few times a day" she teased.
"Good luck with that" snarked Georgiana making everyone laugh.
"You get some sleep and when the doctor arrives on the morrow we shall ask him what activities are safe for you or if he would like you undisturbed and we shall plan accordingly. Good night, dear" said Aunt Martha as she kissed her forehead.
The rest of the women fare welled her and left her to her husband.
"Again, I am so sorry Fitzwilliam."
"Please do not trouble yourself. I understand and as long as it never happens again, we shall be fine, dearest"
"It shall never happen again. Will you not join me? I think we both need the comfort of each other's arms."
"There is nothing that would give me more pleasure than holding you and our babe."
