The arrival of a regiment of militia into Meryton was both a mixed blessing for those in the Bennet household. The arrival of respectable and marriageable young men was a boon for the bachelor deprived social locality, the officers in particular.
The youngest of the Bennet sisters and Mrs. Bennet found the infusion of dashing looking soldiers and officers in red coats would be the greatest source of entertainment for the majority of winter. They would regularly travel towards their aunt Mrs. Philipps in order to hear gossip and gain intelligence about the various officers of the regiment, the two having found acquaintance with Captain Carter and Lieutenant Denny. The eldest daughters however were indifferent to the arrival of the militia.
The menfolk however were apprehensive and sought to reserve their opinion on the matter, for the morning's conversation bode silly indeed. The flattering embellishment in describing Captain Carter and Lieutenant Denny by Lydia and Kitty was profound bordering on the absurd, they two seemingly immune to the protestations of Mr. Bennet and Alex together.
"From all I can collect by your manner of talking, you must be two of the silliest girls in the county. I have suspected it for some time, but I am now convinced" Mr. Bennet declared.
"I am astonished that you should be so ready to think your daughters silly" Mrs. Bennet said.
"I would sure not call them sensible" Mr. Bennet replied matter of factly.
"But as it happens, they are all very clever" Mrs. Bennet replied "So very determined to find their own happinesses. That wisdom you profess would come with age, and they are far from that age"
Such a sensible reply coming from Mrs. Bennet astonished the assembled family. That Mrs. Bennet looked triumphantly upon the family especially upon Mr. Bennet. Kitty however quickly lost the astonishment upon remembering Captain Carter.
"Captain Carter is to leave for London tomorrow. Invite him to Longbourn so that you may leave together and we may see something of him however brief" Kitty said referring to Alex.
"You are to dine with the officers later, better if you would invite Captain Carter directly" Mrs. Bennet added.
"I am to dine with the officers because it is expected of me as a gentleman, but to convey Captain Carter towards London is not" Alex responded irritatedly.
"Such discourteous actions suit you ill Alex" Mary stated.
Alex was frustrated by the events that continued to delay his departure for Kent, and the prospect of delaying for Captain Carter and diverting towards London added to it. The officers wishing for the surrounding gentlemen to dine with them for dinner had already delayed him the day, the fact that they invited him specifically and not Mr. Bennet made it so that he could not refuse the offer or risk losing face.
The growing tension in the room was thankfully lifted when a footman arrived with a message towards Jane. The attention having shifted towards the footman and away from the retort Alex was to give.
"Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst requests that Miss Jane Bennet join them for dinner at Netherfield, as the gentlemen shall dine with officers" the footman stated and waited for a reply.
"I accept thank you" Jane answered, and the footman left immediately.
"Mr. Bingley dining out with the officers, it is unlucky indeed" Mrs. Bennet stated "Dear Jane would not see Mr. Bingley"
"Can I have the carriage" Jane asked.
"Dear NO, you had better go on horseback, because it seems likely to rain" Mrs. Bennet stated "So that you may stay the night"
The scandalous response only solicited a deep sigh from Mr. Bennet, but the others were used to their mothers unrestrained nature.
"I much rather go in the coach" Jane responded meekly unaffected by the scandalous declaration of Mrs. Bennet.
"Your father cannot spare the horses, for they are needed in the farm" Mrs. Bennet continued, to agreement from Mr. Bennet.
"Alex" Jane pleaded.
It was at this point Alex discovered another wrinkle in the story, for he had a carriage ready. The rainy horse ride that was due to happen was now threatened, this time by his own presence. The following cold' that Jane would develop that furthered both Jane and Elizabeth's story was in danger of never happening. Alex needing to think of a solution sought the only recourse he can do, appeal to Lydia and Kitty.
"I would happily lend you my carriage, but I believe Kitty and Lydia will need it to go to Meryton in order to visit Carter and Denny" Alex stated "I have only a horse to myself for later"
"It would be better if you join Jane on the way to Netherfield" Mrs. Bennet added "So that you may see Miss Darcy before you join the other gentlemen"
"I see no need for such a detour" Alex answered.
"A lady traveling alone no matter how near her destination is, such an action is unsupportable" Mrs. Bennet continued "You had better escort your sister"
The situation once again proved to be impossible for Alex, as Mrs. Bennet's words held sense. The travelling alone of a lady on foot or horseback was not done, within a carriage with footmen is acceptable. That meant he had to travel with Jane, and would most probably get drenched himself.
The great ability of Mrs. Bennet to predict the weather could have been put to better use instead of pushing her daughters upon strange gentlemen, but alas Alex was resigned to the eccentricities of his new family. The abrupt rain that arrived was equally curious as the deluge was not heralded by darkened clouds, the weather of England is truly confusing.
The change of clothes packed in his saddle bags would most likely remain dry and prevent any loss of face with the officers and soaked clothing of himself and Jane would need replacing at Netherfield, this fact was why he also pressed Jane to bring a dry change of clothes. The stupid deluge reduced the visibility enough that going faster than a trot was dangerous and they must now endure being soaked.
Alex delivered Jane to the front door of Netherfield while he traveled towards the stables, intent on changing clothes there. The stablehands gave him some questioning looks, for it was most likely their first time seeing a gentleman changing clothes in a stable.
The rain however would not abate and time passed relatively slowly in the stables, Alex sat with the stablehands and joined them in their game of cards to pass the rain. The rain seemed not willing to stop for the majority of the day, and a glance at his pocket watch indicated that three whole hours had passed and he likely missed meeting the officers. The strike towards his reputation could likely be minimal since the rain could be a hazardous detriment to travel for everyone.
Alex now having missed meeting the officers decided to return home, but before he could mount his horse and brave the deluge a footman entered the stables. The footman informed him of Jane being ill, and that his presence is being requested. Alex could no longer disappear into the wind, since it would seem that the entire household staff already knew he was present. Alex huffed in annoyance and followed the footman having accepted the current events as impossible to change once again.
"You have arrived very quickly Sir Alexander" Miss Bingley noted "I had sent word only a few moments ago"
"I was in the neighborhood, as such I arrived posthaste" Alex replied "Where is Jane"
"She has been carried to a room upstairs. Faucet assist Sir Alexander" Miss Bingley stated.
The Bingley sisters seemed to be oblivious to the fact that he spent the majority of the afternoon in their stables, and the servants were likely unwilling to breach the subject by themselves. The sickness of Jane however brought more complications as now he was well trapped in this part of the story.
Upon entering the room Alex noticed that Georgiana was also present. She gave a bow of greeting and left with haste. Jane only said his name in greeting, and her sickly constitution was evident.
"Let me guess. Fever, Headache and Sore Throat" Alex stated to which Jane only rolled her eyes in response "I will have some medication sent"
Alex returned downstairs to send a servant back to Longbourn to fetch some medication and inform the family. Alex would have preferred to have returned home, but the deluge did not cease and the encroaching darkness made that prospect less possible by the minute. He will have to stay the night.
Later that night the gentlemen returned to Netherfield dripping wet themselves. They were surprised at seeing Alex in the sitting room with the women of the house. The gentleman excused themselves and returned promptly after a change of clothes.
"Sir Alex, we missed you at Lunch" Mr. Bingley stated jokingly "If we knew you would be here we would have had hosted the officers here"
"Such an engagement would have required considerable planning" Mr. Darcy stated "We would be hard pressed to provide a satisfactory gathering on such short notice"
"Satisfactory, debatable. Dry, most certainly" Alex replied "It would have saved the men a drenching, and Jane the fever"
"Jane is unwell" Mr. Bingley said concerned "You must send her my wish for her to get better soon"
"You may do that yourself brother, for Miss Jane Bennet is upstairs recovering" Miss Bingley stated.
"Excuse me then" Mr. Bingley left quickly.
"I have heard that you manage Longbourn" Mrs. Hurst asked after Bingley had left.
"I manage the finances, but father handles the day to day running" Alex replied.
"If you controlled the money, would that not make you master of the house in all but name. Your father nought but a steward" Miss Bingley stated, and to the agreement of Mrs. Hurst.
"I am rarely at Longbourn for the majority of the year, I could hardly be called Master if I seldom reside there" Alex stated "All things in consideration, Mrs. Bennet would be more apt to call Master of the House. She certainly has the temperament for it"
"You live in London" Mrs. Hurst asked.
"Yes, it affords me better distance to my myriad of responsibilities in London" Alex replied "Everything within an hours ride away"
"Are you returning for the season" Miss Bingley asked.
"The season is when most of my responsibilities rear their ugly heads" Alex replied.
"You are, much alike Mr. Darcy" Mrs. Hurst noted "Attending court and social events are a burden for Alex as well"
"Not at all, court and social events are important in building acquaintances and connections" Alex replied "It is the aftermath of these events that I loathe, the rich bachelors and bachelorettes descend on the town in search of fashion, food and entertainment. They end up at my surgery every morning, and attend my rounds for the remainder of the day"
"I can see how that would be insufferable" Mrs. Hurst stated "Not having a single moment for oneself"
"I wonder how we have never heard of your practice Sir" Miss Bingley questioned.
"I have made more enemies of my fellow Doctors than allies I admit" Alex stated "I can only gain fame through the efficacy of my care"
"And are your treatments effective" Mr. Darcy questioned.
"Yes, but I do not claim to be able to cure all ailments" Alex answered "For some diseases only a person's will to live and God can determine, for now"
"My cousin Anne is sickly" Georgiana interjected "Mayhaps you can remedy her"
Alex was astonished at the coincidence that presented itself. He had forgotten that Anne was a cousin of Darcy and therefore of Georgiana as well. The opportunity was not to be wasted however and Alex answered.
"I am most willing" Alex replied confidently.
"I shall write them directly, to recommend your practice" Georgiana said.
The rest of the evening was dedicated to the unravelling of the symptoms of Anne's illness. The lack of disease identifiers presented at first was difficult, a greater picture needed to be gleaned in person.
At breakfast the following day, the topic of discussion for the morning was the lunch with the officers of the regiment, their names, ranks and probable incomes all speculated upon by Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. The men however were content to eat their breakfast in peace.
Elizabeth arrived mid breakfast and immediately went to see Jane. The notorious scene of Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst disparaging her never occurs likely due to the presence of Alex. The only person that can be noted was Mr. Darcy whose eyes seemed to follow Elizabeth out the hallway.
Alex took a plate of food upstairs for Jane and Elizabeth, followed by a servant with tea. Elizabeth informed that she had already eaten, but she was happy to converse with Jane as she ate. Alex informed the maid to serve only hot tea with honey to the Bennets, Jane noted that Alex's lack of trust in the water of Netherfield was rude, but Alex waved her off.
The hosts stood watch for a while, before Mr. Bingley invited Alex to go shoot some Pheasants with Colonel Forster and some other officers. Alex declined the offer stating that he does not wish to intrude, because he was not invited. With Mr. Darcy supporting his reasoning, the men left Netherfield.
Alex also left shortly after, leaving instructions with Elizabeth about the medicine for Jane and other arrangements. Miss Bingley stressed that Alex was not intruding, but Alex would not be prevailed upon.
Alex arrived at Longbourn where he was immediately set upon by Mrs. Bennet. Her voice carried through the house to alert her daughters to his sat while Mrs. Bennet implores him to return to Netherfield and tell Elizabeth to return home.
The progression of the story required Elizabeth exposure to Mr. Darcy in a comfortable place. The problem of Georgiana was remedied by telling Mr. Darcy that young ladies may get infected if exposed long to disease, and therefore Elizabeth and Georgiana remained separated for a majority of the day.
The arrival of Mr. Collins needed to be prepared for, and first upon that list was space in Longbourn for him to reside in. So Alex needed to move out, luckily he could bunk in his office at Watford.