What Happens Next: Mr Bennet.
Author's Note: This is a Short Story, so it will only cover about two or three chapters! Please don't shout at me when it ends! X
Synopsis: What would happen if Mr Bennet suddenly falls gravely ill? Would the remaining Bennet Family be forced out of Longbourn when he dies? Would preparations already have been made?
Mr Darcy pounded against the top of the carriage in an effort to drive the two black horses faster. Their hooves thundered into the mud-soaked road, recent rainfall delaying their progress. Mr Darcy sighed heavily before relaxing back and gently taking his wife's hand.
"All will be well, Lizzy." He said tenderly as he gazed into her reddened eyes.
The commotion had ensued a few hours previously at Pemberley where the Mistress had received a urgent express from Longbourn. Darcy had not considered the missive as he sipped his coffee over breakfast. It was only upon examining her countenance as he gazed up from the daily newspaper, her eyes moist with present tears.
"Lizzy, what is it?" He asked with sincere concern as he crossed to her and took her hand. "You must not distress yourself…the child." He added this softly as he gazed toward his wife's robust abdomen. Lizzy however, dismissed his concerns with a wave of her hand. Darcy softly handed her his handkerchief and waited patiently. He heard her sharp intake of breath before she finally spoke. Her voice was surprisingly strong despite her present distress.
"It is from Mary. She writes that my Mother is too ill to write due to her nerves but insists that we should journey to Hertfordshire as soon as possible."
"You could not possibly travel, Lizzy. Not in your present condition."
"It is my Father, Fitzwilliam." She paused slightly, gathering her composure. "Mary writes that he has taken ill with a fever. I am afraid that the perspective of the family physician is not advantageous." Mr Darcy held his wife softly for a moment before she exited his embrace and walked toward the window, breakfast forgotten.
"Will you send for the carriage, Fitzwilliam?"
"Do you think it wise to travel so far in such a condition, Lizzy?" Darcy asked as she gazed out of the window toward the lake. She turned toward him at this, a slight anger in her eyes.
"It is a very easy distance! If we leave momentarily we should be in Meryton before nightfall." Mr Darcy however, remained reluctant to allow his expectant wife to make such an adventure. "Will you call for the carriage, Fitzwilliam or do I have to do so?"
"Very well, Lizzy. I shall send for the carriage but I shall accompany you to Hertfordshire. I will not allow you to travel alone, despite the confidence I have for my men." Lizzy wishing for no further altercation with her husband, agreed.
The servants of Pemberley had very little time to pack their Master and Mistresses belongings for the journey before Mrs Reynolds hurried them further. Mrs Reynolds was surprised, although she did not express it. For her Master to allow his wife to travel so close to her confinement was very unusual for he had been so protective of her. The Master, concerned for his wife's wellbeing insisted that she not walk from the close gardens since the child was confirmed, yet he was consenting for her to travel. Very unusual indeed.
"Please hurry the horses again, Fitzwilliam." Elizabeth said softly as she massaged the child, who's presence in her abdomen was blatantly obvious.
"Elizabeth, I can hurry them no more. The roads are in a poor condition, I would not wish for any of us to be involved in an accident. You need to remain patient my dear, I am aware that this may be difficult." She sighed heavily. "Are you well?" He watched as she continued to massage her abdomen. She nodded silently. "We should arrive soon." She nodded yet again.
The sun had begun to set on the horizon when the Darcy carriage pulled outside of Longbourn. Mrs Hill rushed out to greet the Darcy's but no family members followed. Elizabeth swallowed hard before taking her husband's hand and stepping down from the carriage. She fought the desire to run into the house but decided against it, her husband would certainly not approve in her condition.
She found her family in the drawing room, Jane and Mr Bingley were also congregated there, taking warmth from the fire.
"Oh Lizzy!" Jane said as she crossed the room and embraced her sister. "You should not have travelled so far, the child. I told Mother that she should not have instructed you to journey so far."
"I am well, Jane. How is Papa?"
"Mother sits with him but she is also unwell with her nerves. He still has a fever and wakes but rarely. Lizzy you must sit down." Jane immediately helped her sister across the room to the fire as Mr Bingley greeted his brother and friend.
"The physician, does he state that there is any improvement?" Jane sombrely shook her head.
"I am afraid not, the physician routinely bleeds him but there has been no improvement."
"I fear that Papa may not improve, then what are we to do?" Kitty added as she gazed up from her embroidery.
"I fear that God has chosen a path for us, Kitty." Kitty stared at her sister as she examined her music work.
"Mary, I wish to hear no more." Elizabeth stated angrily. She was however, calmed by her husband's soft hand on her own. The door opened at this to admit Mrs Bennet. She did indeed, look ill. Her hair was dishevelled, her eyes withdrawn as though she had not found sleep. She greeted Lizzy and her husband warmly but not with her usual enthusiasm.
"You look well, Lizzy. I am surprised that you arrived so soon from Derbyshire. Did you not break your journey?" Mrs Bennet asked as she took her usual chair before the fire. Elizabeth smiled apprehensively at her Mother.
"We broke our journey for a change of horses but nothing more."
"Kitty, have you called for tea?" Mrs Bennet asked her youngest unmarried daughter with impatience.
"No, Mama."
"Then make haste girl! Lizzy and Mr Darcy must be exhausted." Kitty placed her needlework on the table before approaching the bell.
"Mama, I would much prefer to look upon my Father." Elizabeth stated with anger and she stood from her chair. Mrs Bennet, it had to be said, was quite insulted by her daughter's attitude. Jane however, interceded.
"I will take Lizzy up for a while Mama. You may instruct Mrs Hill to deliver some tea there." Jane took her sister's hand before leading her upstairs.
Mr Darcy was uncomfortable. The atmosphere in the Longbourn drawing room was apprehensive. Mrs Bennet sat in her chair, silent for the first time of Darcy's acquaintance. Her two daughters sat silently at the table at their studies leaving Darcy and Mr Bingley sat alone on the small couch.
"I had hoped for an opportunity to speak to you in private, Bingley. It is a matter of some urgency, nothing that I could have relayed in a missive." Darcy whispered softly to his friend.
"Perhaps later when we return to Netherfield we may find my study and a glass of brandy, Darcy." Bingley said with his usual smile, despite the circumstances. Darcy nodded slightly before turning to Mrs Bennet.
"Mrs Bennet, how do you fare?" He asked softly as he stretched his legs out before him collecting himself for the onslaught of Mrs Bennet's nerves.
Above stairs Elizabeth and Jane sat in silence at the side of the bed. The narrowness and darkness of the room reflected the mood of the two women. Elizabeth was more startled by her Father's condition than Jane had expected, she had hoped that Elizabeth had been prepared to accept their Fathers condition. Yet, Elizabeth gasped loudly upon first looking upon him. He lay motionless in his bed, beads of perspiration on his forehead. She called his name softly as she took the chair beside the bed, he however, remained motionless. She took his hand softly before turning back to her sister.
"How did this occur, Jane?" Jane sighed softly.
"The doctor is unsure as to the cause of the fever. It may be due to an underlying infection. He assures us that the condition should not be passed on to those who wish to nurse him back to health."
"I shall nurse him." Elizabeth said stubbornly with tears tracing a path down her face.
"Lizzy, you cannot. You are expecting a child, you need your strength. You should travel on to Netherfield with Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley. I will stay with him this evening."
"I cannot, Jane. I will stay here, I wish to be at Longbourn."
"Lizzy…"
"No Jane, I shall have no refusals. I wish to remain close to Papa this evening."
"I shall have some of our belongings brought from Netherfield. I will also instruct Charles to return with Mr Darcy in the morning. The doctor shall be returning soon." Elizabeth nodded softly as her Father's head turned in agitation upon the pillow. Jane, wishing to give her sister some privacy with their father left the room to relay instructions to Mr Bingley.
"Papa." Elizabeth whispered as she gently caressed his hand. "Will you not wake and speak to me, Papa?" Mr Bennet did not wake. Elizabeth's eyes filled with tears as she looked upon him, so weak and fragile. She had always been his favourite daughter, an assumption which he often confirmed. Yet now he would not wake for her. The witty gentleman who had always encouraged her witty nature and liveliness. Her adoring Father, who was diminishing before her very eyes.
"Lizzy." Elizabeth turned slightly to the door where Jane stood silently. "Mr Darcy wishes to speak with you before they depart for Netherfield." Elizabeth nodded slightly before entering the corridor where Darcy stood, now alone, resting against the wall. He raced to her when she exited the room and held her affectionately. His warm lips kissed the top of her head softly before he sighed.
"Is this what you want, Lizzy? You wish to remain here? Would you not prefer to journey onto Netherfield and rest?" She shook her head firmly.
"I believe that for this evening, Fitzwilliam, this is my rightful place. I need to be at my Father's side."
"You swear that you will attempt to rest. We do not wish for you to become ill."
"I am well. Jane will watch over me, vigilantly." Darcy smiled slightly.
"Of course she will. I will return in the morning, Lizzy." He kissed her softly at this before turning back toward the staircase. She watched him exit Longbourn from the upstairs window, no family greeting them farewell.
Silence came upon Longbourn with a long night ahead of them all, Lizzy especially who had no intentions of resting, despite her sisters attempts.
"What sad business this is!" Charles Bingley cried as he passed a rather large brandy to his Brother.
"Indeed. What are the physicians beliefs in relation to Mr Bennet surviving this fever?"
"He informed me in confidence that Mr Bennet will very likely die. The fever is placing strain on his heart and no matter how many times he is bled, it will not break."
"Poor Lizzy." Darcy said softly.
"Poor Mrs Bennet! She has always held concerns for herself and her remaining daughters should Mr Bennet die before her." Darcy nodded slightly. "Then there is Lydia who has not arrived at Longbourn."
"A note has been sent?" Darcy asked with concern.
"Of course. A reply came from Mr Wickham who insisted that his wife could not travel due to her present condition and Lydia booked no refusals."
"Ignorant girl!" Darcy said angrily. "Although she may not be entirely to blame." Bingley agreed before refilling his scotch glass.
"It is the Bennet family that I wished to discuss, Bingley. I would like to do anything within my power to assist them if Mr Bennet does indeed die."
"Assist them?"
"Mr Bennet's estate will be entailed away to Mr Collins, leaving Mrs Bennet and her two daughters with no home and a less than satisfactory allowance."
"What are you proposing?" Bingley asked as he sat before the fire. "Do you wish to purchase them a home?"
"No, I purchased a home for Mrs Bennet a few days before I entered into matrimony with Elizabeth." Bingley laughed slightly.
"You do not surprise me my old friend! Which house did you buy, for I feel that it may be scrutinised greatly."
"Longbourn." Bingley laughed loudly at this but upon encountering Darcy's expression, stopped, "You are serious!"
"Of course!"
"Longbourn is entailed to Mr Collins upon Mr Bennet's death."
"Yes, but I purchased it before it was entailed." Darcy paused. "I visited Mr Collins and made him an offer that was more than generous. He, who is reluctant to leave Kent due to his annoying attentiveness to my Aunt, happily agreed. It was of course, all signed before my Aunt could persuade him otherwise. I received a letter from her, passed down to my solicitor who dealt with the whole affair."
"You have purchased Longbourn! I can scarcely believe it Darcy!"
"I wished to secure our family's happiness. That includes Mrs Bennet and her daughters."
"I would like to have input in this matter Darcy." Bingley said firmly.
"Very well." There was a pause for a moment as Bingley thought.
"My income has increased further so I could provide them with further allowance."
"That is very generous."
"How much would be appropriate, Darcy? One thousand a year?"
"That would be appropriate, it would allow them to live comfortably with servants and keep a carriage." Bingley nodded enthusiastically.
"It is settled then!" Bingley raised his glass gently and Darcy joined him.
"I would like to ask something of you, Bingley."
"Of course, anything." Darcy smiled softly.
"I would like this matter to remain between ourselves until the time is appropriate."
"Of course, Darcy. You do not need to ask! Discretion is appropriate under the circumstances." The pair nodded before refilling the brandy glasses and enjoying each others company for the evening.