So my husband took my kid to the trampoline park so I had a couple of hours free and could write. Tell me in reviews what pairings you want besides the James/Charlotte, Anne de B/ Mr. B, and Lizzy/Darcy.

Mary, Caroline, Kitty, Lydia, Miss Dor, Miss Hautain, Mrs. Castor, Mrs. Annesley, Maria Lucas, Georgiana, Bingley, Mr. Hadden, Mr. John Lucas, Mr. Henry Lucas, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Lord Barlow, Wickham, other officers, and possibly other OCs are all possible people to be paired (Not that they all have to be).

James Bennet made his way towards Lucas Lodge, happy that the day was warm for the season. The tenant farmers had been able to finish bringing in the crops, and it looked like the harvest had been good despite of the rain. The only blemish on his happiness was the great concern that he felt for his ailing sister.

It was because of the continued illness of Mary and the care provided by Elizabeth that James was making his way to Lucas Lodge on that day. Mary had not been able to call at the Larryson's home for some time and he did not like to neglect that family. As Charlotte was soon to take over some of the duties of Mistress of Longbourn upon their marriage, he hoped she would agree to accompany him on the tenant calls that day. Lucas Lodge had only two tenants, which were easily cared for by my Lady Lucas. Charlotte. therefore, although a capable woman, had little experience in this matter.

Upon entering Lucas Lodge, he was pleased to find his betrothed in the living room alone. He kissed her hand and wrist, before seating himself beside her to explain his request. While he was still speaking, Maria joined them for propriety's sake. Both sisters agreed to accompany him, for Charlotte thought Maria might both act as chaperone and perhaps learn a little about estate management herself.

"I have sent to town for some bottles made to drip the milk into the babe's mouth," said James, showing the bottle to the ladies, "I do not think it good for the babe to be drinking from the cloth. I've seen them used on livestock, but never on a person. I think we might see if the babe would drink from it."

"Do they not have a wet nurse?" asked Charlotte.

"They do," said James, "but the babe is unusually active and the wet nurse becomes exhausted. As the Larrysons are rather elderly, they have not the energy that a young mother might."

They spoke of the family's situation in greater detail, for neither Miss Lucas was at all acquainted with the family. When they arrived, it was to a scene of chaotic agitation. The child was screaming without cessation. Both Mrs. Larryson and the wet nurse were trying to calm the babe. The maid had apparently been called away from cleaning up a fallen vase of flowers to answer the door, for Mr. Larryson had taken up the broom in her stead.

Although James and Maria were shocked into stillness at the sight, Charlotte immediately went to help the women and ordered her sister to help the maid and Mr. Larryson. As James did not have orders from his betrothed, he simply stupidly stood by and watched the scene play out.

"Might I try?" asked Charlotte of Mrs. Larryson. Mrs. Larryson doubted that the young lady would be any more effective than herself, but handed the baby over regardless. Charlotte took out her reticule and found the coral ring that had remained there since the previous Sunday. She gave it to the babe, who immediately began to bite on the ring.

"I hope you do not mind. It is my little sister's coral, but it always brings her relief. It has been cleansed since she used it," said Charlotte.

"It is her teeth!' cried Mrs. Larryson, "Oh goodness, me. It has been so long since I had a babe, and well, Mrs. Castor's babe died so she didn't know. I thought she was ill!"

"My sister Beth is not yet two years of age," said Charlotte, bouncing the child on her hip. Little Mary chewed contentedly on the coral and seemed to enjoy being bounced as well.

"You must forgive the state of us," said Mrs. Larryson, gesturing to her home, "It has been a trying few days. She has always been an active babe, but never so inconsolable."

"It is well," said Charlotte, handing the calmed child back to her grandmother, "Our house is quite turned upside down when Beth cuts her teeth. I remember only last month, my father nearly called off a party when Beth was getting her molars. It was perfectly dreadful."

"Does your sister's nurse give Miss Beth willow tea for the pain?" asked Mrs. Larryson, trying to remember what she had done for her own children.

"Oh no!" cried Charlotte, "You mustn't!"

Everyone started at her exclamation and Charlotte apologized before explaining,

"Mr. Jones says it makes babes have fits or makes them dull. You must not give the babe willow tea until they are older. Not until they are up to your waist in height, he told us."

"Then can we only relieve her pain with the coral?" asked Mrs. Castor, the wet-nurse.

"You can use a cold rag and rub her gums. Once the weather is colder, you might even freeze the rag. Mr. Jones said clove tea or rosehip tea are fine for babes and help with the pain. It is only willow that is so harmful. Not much of the clove or rosehip, though. It mustn't be so much that the babe won't want her milk."

"I don't think there's any danger in that," said Mrs. Castor with a sigh at the pudgy babe. She had been woken seven times the night before to nurse the child. She did adore little Mary, and it soothed her after the loss of both her husband and her babe that she had a child to care for, but it was so very much. The child might have done better to have two or mayhap three wet nurses.

James watched in amazement as his betrothed conversed with the ladies. He had never considered that Charlotte would have been so involved in the care of her younger siblings. It did, of course, make sense. While the Lucases had servants, they did not have so many as the other families in the area. The girls were expected to help with cooking and caring for the home. He knew that Charlotte watched out for David and Maria often, but he had not even considered that she might have had to help with little Beth. He nearly always saw little Beth being tended to by Lady Lucas or a servant, but he supposed that would be the case when they were in company. He told his intended as much as they walked back to Lucas Lodge.

"You know we have no nurse," said Charlotte, "only the girls-of-all-work. We had not the income to pay a nurse when Mama or I might as easily care for the babe. Mama thinks it better for the children, anyhow. She says it is one thing when nature demands that a wet-nurse be employed, such as when the mother dies or when the mother's milk will not come. But she thinks it against nature for a mother to bind her chest and stop the milk, handing the child over to another to raise until they are walking and talking."

"I suppose I had not considered. We were all sent to a village woman to be nursed. I do not recall with the others, but Lydia was nearly Beth's age before she was brought back to Longbourn."

Charlotte would not say what she thought of James' mother's way of sending the child away for two years, only visiting on occasion. She could not insult him so, but she planned to make it very clear after they wed and had babes of their own that they would not be doing the same. She was indifferent to the hiring of a wet nurse to live within their house, perhaps to wake at night with the babe. But regardless of what Mrs. Bennet might say, she would nurse her babes and care for them during the day. She would not see them sent to live with a village woman, even if that was what most of the gentry did.

Little did she know, James agreed with her. He had been so very confused as a child when he could only go to visit baby Lydia. He remembered not understanding why the baby did not live with them like the rest of his sisters. By the time she came home, it was time that he went off to school. As a result, he felt he did not know Lydia nearly so well as his other sisters and scarcely knew what to do with her. He hoped that the Misses Teann had a better idea of what might calm her than he did, but given Lydia's recent letter, he could not suppose that to be the case.

Mary's fever had risen quite high during the night. She began to call out in her sleep and had alarmed Mrs. Annesley greatly. That good lady spent the whole of the night dabbing at Mary's brow with cool rags and pushing Mary to sip a little of a fever draught or a bit of water or tea. She refused to let Miss Darcy into the sick room any longer, for Miss Mary Bennet might be contagious. She was certain of her own robust health, but Miss Darcy had always been more delicate. She knew it would be useless to try to ban Miss Bennet from her sister's bedside, so she insisted that the lady wear a scarf about her face to keep her from breathing in the miasma of the sick room. All the maids and Mrs. Annesley were to do the same, as the foul air would then be filtered through the cloth.

Mr. Jones said much the same, only leaving some larger supplies of the draughts. He did agree with Mr. Darcy that perhaps a London doctor might be sent for, as the illness had progressed quite further than he was used to treating.

Mr. Hadden, Darcy's own physician, was sent for, and arrived by mid-afternoon. That gentleman was the fifth son of Viscount Longford. He had taken up the occupation as his father was a rather impoverished viscount and had nothing to give to any sons beyond the first. Although he was a physician, and most physicians did little more than look at the patient and pronounce them ailing, Mr. Hadden had formed a particular friendship with a surgeon who had taught him much of what was needed for that trade as well. Elizabeth remained in the room while Mr. Hadden did his examination of her sister.

Mr. Hadden asked for hot rosehip tea to be sent up along with white vinegar. These liquids he then mixed together and ordered that Miss Mary was to gargle the mixture. She did so, despite the truly awful taste. He said that she was to do this every two hours, for her throat was inflamed and needed to be cleansed. In addition, the window was to be left open a little, enough that the miasma might be able to escape the sick room. She was to eat nothing but broth and soft foods so as to not irritate her throat further.

Mr. Hadden was later requested by Darcy to remain, for he did not wish Miss Mary to be left to the care of the country apothecary if she worsened further. Mr. Hadden agreed, so long as Darcy paid for an express to be sent to another physician, informing him that he was to take over any patients in town until his return. This was agreed upon and a room was arranged for Mr. Hadden.

Elizabeth did not leave her sister's side for the rest of the day, only leaving the sick room when Mrs. Annesley ordered her to bed. She did not see much of anyone, only Mrs. Annesley and the maid who brought up notes from the others requesting information regarding Miss Mary. She was gratified to see that Mary's friends were so concerned for her, but did not know what to say in response except that she was not improved.

Netherfield, near Meryton, Hertfordshire

15th November

Dear Cousin Anne,

I know your Mr. B has family in trade, and I feel no concern for his connection, but you must admit that your situation is remarkably different than mine. I see GG or Rich must have written of her as well, for I did not say all that you know of her. It is true that I admire her. I perhaps am not entirely out of danger concerning her. Particularly now, as her sister became ill while visiting GG and now Miss Bennet is here and attending her sister. Still, I take relief in the fact that Miss Bennet has been always in the sick room and hardly in my company. I think I should survive well enough for the next two weeks until we remove to town for the season.

I will take your advice though. While I know I cannot marry Miss Bennet, I will look for someone of a similar spirit who I will not make miserable and who will make me and GG miserable either. Do not worry that I will marry a Miss Bingley. While she is quite lovely to look at, her effect is quickly done away with the moment she opens her mouth. I find most ladies the same. Perhaps I will take Uncle Frank and Aunt Elinor up on their offer to matchmake. They have been trying to introduce me to several ladies of their acquaintance for some time. I will tell them my requirements and mayhap they will know someone who would be a good sister to GG.

By the bye, please tell your mother to stop telling GG she is too tall or that she will be soon. My poor sister is already terribly insecure about her height. If Lady Catherine continues, I will no longer bring GG to Rosings when I visit. I do not care if some short duke might not wish to wed my tall sister.

I have indeed been to the Downs before. I visit often after I leave Rosings, for I need to be away from people after being in company with Aunt Catherine. I am so pleased to hear that Mrs. J is keeping your confidences and helping you to see more of your area. I do quite agree with your Mr. B. I think it would be good if you marry him sooner rather than later. Even if you cannot be a true wife, I do not think he will resent you. He loves you and I am sure he knows there is a possibility that you will never be able to be a true wife to him or that he may never be able to have heirs.

I should not say this to you, but we have always been quite open with each other. If you do wed Mr. B before you can be a true wife to him, there are other things to do in the marriage bed that do not create children. I am certain Mr. B will know of what you speak if you ask him after you are wed. There, Cousin, now I am blushing terribly, and I have scarcely told you anything. Pray, burn this letter after you read it.

I do not wish to end the letter on such a topic so I will write of Bingley. He is quite put out because his most recent angel fell in love with another, Miss E's brother in fact, and is to be married. You know Bingley as well as I. I think this will be very good for him. He still mopes about a little, but never when we are in company with Miss E or GG. He wished to remove to town immediately after the engagement was made known, but I would not let him abandon the tenants before winter was upon them. He was most displeased with me, but he accepted my judgement. We have had to do a great many repairs on the tenant houses, for many of them were not fit even for the milder winters of the south. I do not know how the people got on in winters past, for I am certain their houses have been in such a state for many years. I was reminded to tell you of this, for I am certain Lady Catherine will not tend to the tenants and Richard will not be making his fall visit. While your steward has done well in years past, he will not have Richard to help convince your mother of the necessity of the repairs. Mayhap you might write and ask Andy or Uncle Frank to visit for the fall visit in his stead.

I will write again soon,

Yours, etc.

Fitz