When Lightning Strikes

When Mrs. Bennet insists upon Jane riding the family mare to Netherfield despite the oncoming storm, the consequences are much more dire than anyone could have imagined. What will happen when the mare returns to Longbourn riderless?

(AN: Remember, this is a "what if?" It does not begin happily. The ending will wait for the end.)

Longbourn, November 12th, 1811

"Lizzy, stop staring out of the window and help Lydia with her hem!"

Elizabeth did not even turn around as she saw another flash and then heard the rumble of thunder only seconds later. "The storm grows worse."

Mrs. Bennet harrumphed and then flashed a triumphant smile, "You see, your mother knows best. Now my Jane will have to overnight at Netherfield. If the weather holds true, she may be there for several days! More than enough time for Mr. Bingley to fall madly in love and propose."

Quietly to herself, Elizabeth worried, "You are assuming that she will reach there in safety." As if on cue, she saw the dark figure of a riderless horse racing madly towards Longbourn.

~oOo~

Her father and every male servant had been gone for an hour now, searching without result. Mrs. Bennet, upon realizing that Jane was in danger, had fainted dead away as soon as the horse was identified as Jane's mount. The other girls were milling around without purpose or reason. Elizabeth couldn't stand it anymore. Even though her father had forbidden her to help in the search, she was now dressed in her best walking boots and covered in one of her father's old oilskins. While the others were distracted, she slipped out of the house and ran.

Jane and Elizabeth had always had a close connection. Even though their personalities were vastly different, their sisterly bond was legendary. Elizabeth was counting on that now as she followed her instincts, taking a direction entirely off the path to Netherfield. If Nellie was spooked, she could very well have taken Jane anywhere! It is foolish to assume that Jane will be found close to the straight path!

The thunder storm seemed to have abated, but the rain had continued heavy, flooding the ground and obscuring Elizabeth's night vision. Her vision only grew worse as one hour stretched into two. Still, she followed the trail she knew well, aware that it connected to another trail which had its beginning close to Jane's intended destination. Elizabeth almost passed her sister's slumped form, but a single shot of lightening far off provided just enough light to reveal the figure. Elizabeth cried out in triumph and alarm, running to where her sister lay.

Her alarm only worsened as she found Jane shivering and unconscious, a bloody gash on her forehead from where a tree limb had unseated her. Elizabeth made a cursory check, finding no other obvious breaks. This is too far away from where Father and the men are searching. Besides, if I leave her there is no guarantee that I will find her again! Resolved, Elizabeth got her arms under her sister's arms from the back and began dragging.

In later days and years Elizabeth would not remember the harrowing, backbreaking effort it took to drag Jane back to Longbourn. All that she would ever remember about the experience was her fear for Jane and her older sister's unresponsive weight. At some point they left the dirt trail and were on the hard-packed road. There was the sound of horses and male voices. Then Elizabeth collapsed, unable to move a step further. After a few seconds of talk, she lost contact with Jane's body. Then she felt herself being lifted effortlessly by strong male arms. Oddly enough, the voice of the man carrying her sounded like Mr. Darcy... but that could only be delusion... right?

~oOo~

"I mean no disrespect to Mr. Jones by this suggestion, Mr. Bennet, but my offer stands. I can have an express to London by noon. Mr. Abernathy is one of the finest physicians in London. With your two eldest and your wife all indisposed, his expertise could prove invaluable."

Mr. Jones, the apothecary and only medical man in the community, spoke up, "I do not take offense. I have met Mr. Abernathy and know of his reputation. You should let him do this, Mr. Bennet."

Thomas Bennet was too disturbed by all that had happened. When Fanny had first insisted upon Jane riding, he had treated it like a joke. It was no longer amusing when the thunder storm struck, but he had assumed that his eldest would have made it to Netherfield ahead of the storm. Then, when the mare returned and Fanny collapsed, Thomas had assumed that it was one of his wife's usual fainting spells... she had them quiet regularly when she did not get her way, after all. Only minutes ago had he learned from Mr. Jones that Fanny had an apoplexy!

Then, having searched frantically and fruitlessly for Jane for hours through the night, the search was ended when one of Mr. Bingley's footmen found them to notify them that both of his eldest daughters had been found collapse on the road! Now, nearly two hours later, he was trying to process the fact that Elizabeth had collapsed in extreme exhaustion after dragging her sister, and that Jane, his dear sweet Jane, was in a coma that she might never recover from. He just couldn't seem to think!

Finally, he found his voice to say, "Mr. Darcy, please send for your physician. I will do anything and everything to save my girls." If anyone noticed that he left his wife out of his consideration, they did not mention it.

Longbourn, November 14th, 1811

It had taken longer than Mr. Darcy anticipated to collect Dr. Abernathy, but the man now stood in the sitting room where Mr. Bennet, Mr. Jones, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Darcy waited his prognoses. Although there had been a great deal of complaint issuing from the vicinity of Netherfield Park, the two men had ignored Mr. Bingley's sisters and were practically camping at Longbourn. Occasionally Mr. Darcy's logical minded scolded him that he was giving too much attention to Miss Elizabeth Bennet and awakening speculation, but for once he ignored that side of his brain. Mr. Bingley had no such compulsions. He was determined to remain as close to his "angel" as possible until she recovered.

"I will address the matter of Mrs. Bennet first, Sir," the good doctor said matter of factly, "There is no question that your wife has suffered an apoplexy. How bad it is and whether she will recover is unclear at this point. My initial examination suggests that she may have lost the use of the right side of her body. We will not know the rest until she wakes."

Thomas Bennet tried to feel anything for his wife, but he had lost that long ago. He wanted to blame her for Jane and Lizzy's condition, but he could not deny his own share in the blame. "And my daughters?"

"Miss Elizabeth still has a fever, but she was awake when I checked on her. She did herself some injury by dragging her sister for such a long distance, so she will be sore for some time. Her first and only concern is for her elder sister." Everyone could hear the admiration in the doctor's voice. Mr. Darcy was not certain that he was pleased about it. Dr. Abernathy was thirty, single, and with a very lucrative practice. Although Darcy was not yet ready to accept his own feelings, he still felt an unexpected jealousy.

"As for Miss Bennet, I am afraid that there are several concerning issues: first and most immediate is that she continues to have a very high fever from prolonged exposure to the wet and cold. We have to get that down as quickly as possible. Second, of course, is her coma. She received a very serious blow to her head from the tree limb and the possibly another when she was knocked off of the horse. These types of injuries are uncertain and unpredictable. All that I know from my own experience and from speaking with other physicians is that we must keep her comfortable and safe. The longer that she remains asleep, the more concerning this condition may become. Also, there is the very real chance of damage to her mind."

Mr. Bennet was frozen, unable to know what to think or do. Charles Bingley was wringing his hands and moaning. Mr. Darcy stepped in, "Mrs. Hill seems very capable and Miss Mary is assisting, but perhaps a trained nurse might help?"

Mr. Jones was gratified for the opportunity to help, "Mrs. Stanhope did a great deal in nursing her husband while he lived. He was in a coma for several weeks..." He did not note that Mr. Stanhope eventually died from his head injury. "I think that she would be a great help in this instance."

Mr. Bennet, finally able to think, readily agreed and the men went their separate ways.

~oOo~

Elizabeth sat in her bed and looked down at the book in her hand, confused with the object, its owner, and her own muddled thoughts. It was Mary who had explained the rest of that horrible night and how she and Jane had made it home, "Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy joined the search for you. They encountered Papa when they were returning from a dinner with the militia. Thankfully they still had the carriage with them when you stumbled onto the road right where they were, so they were able to bring you home. Neither man has stayed away for long ever since.

"Mr. Bingley is distraught over Jane and can hardly think," Mary informed Elizabeth. Were it not for her sister's dire condition, Elizabeth would have been pleased with that information. She had not known what to think of Mr. Darcy's presence and was even more confused when Mary said, "Mr. Darcy had been a great help. He sent for Mr. Abernathy and has also done all that he can to help Papa while Papa has been too worried about everything to know what to do. Mr. Darcy also asks after you often. He was very pleased to hear that you are recovering."

"I cannot think why. He was very clear on his opinion about me before," Elizabeth said, more confused than annoyed.

Mary, who was usually the most reticent of sisters, teased, "I think that Charlotte was right, Lizzy: no matter what he said at the assembly, he likes you now. Please don't hold one insult against him forever?"

It was clear that Mary was now championing the man. Elizabeth did not know what to think. She tried to focus only on her sister and mother, but thoughts of the tall man kept intruding. Then he had made thinks worse by bringing several books from his personal library that he thought she might be interested in. How could he possibly know that I love Shakespeare's comedies? Who provided that information? All of the Bard's works were in her father's library, but this embossed, leather-bound compendium was a work of art... and it kept the frustrating man in her thoughts! Irritating man!

November 16th, 1811

Elizabeth had spent several hours each at her sister's bedside and at her mother's, but then sociability demanded that she make her presence downstairs. She was shocked and oddly pleased to find that Mr. Darcy had drawn out her father, who had been withdrawn and uncommunicative since that night. The two men were discussing a recent science paper from the Royal Society concerning steam power. Both men rose when she entered and Mr. Darcy seemed as pleased as her own father to see her downstairs.

She noticed that Mr. Bingley seemed quite haggard when he asked, "How are you, Miss Elizabeth... and how is Miss Bennet?" The man entirely forgot to ask after Jane's mother. He had learned that his angel was on horseback due to a scheme of that same woman, so even the usually oblivious Charles Bingley was not feeling too forgiving at the moment.

"Her fever has finally passed, Mr. Bingley. Mr. Abernathy and Mrs. Stanhope are with her now."

For the next hour Elizabeth found herself pulled into the conversation between her father and Mr. Darcy. She was amazed to find that he not only seemed to respect her father's opinions, but her own. Throughout the discussion, she had the strong feeling that Mr. Darcy wanted to say something to her specifically, but she could not fathom what that might be. When her father was called away by Mrs. Hill, the man finally spoke. "Miss Elizabeth... I find that I need to apologize and beg your forgiveness."

Elizabeth, dumbfounded, could only reply, "For what, specifically, Mr. Darcy?"

"Your youngest sister was finding it amusing that I was here, considering something that I had said... an insult that was overheard... on the first night I arrived in Meryton. Please, Miss Elizabeth, allow me to say how very sorry I am that I said such a ridiculous and ungentlemanly insult. There is no justification for my words, but I must tell you that I did not look at you and I had not intended to insult you. I was in a foul mood, I did not wish to be in company, and only wished to send my friend away. It mortifies me to think that I hurt you in any way. May I hope... would it be too much to ask for your forgiveness?"

Mr. Darcy had spoken softly even though Mr. Bingley was across the room and lost in his own thoughts. Elizabeth suddenly felt very aware of their privacy and this man's profound impact on her senses. She needed to get away, but she did not wish to insult the man by withholding her forgiveness, "Mr. Darcy... I do forgive you. I had not meant to eavesdrop, but you and your friend were too close for me to avoid it. Let us allow bygones to be bygones."

Elizabeth was startled when he began to reach for her hand, but thankfully he thought better of it... at least that is what she tried to tell herself. "Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. You cannot know what a great weight that takes off of my shoulders."

The atmosphere was too thick and Elizabeth felt the need to excuse herself and return to her room. It was only later that same evening that Mary came in with the book from Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth tried to read it, but her mind was too focused on the giver.

It was the sound of Lydia and Kitty's wails which finally broke her out of her musings.

Longbourn, 17th of November, 1811

"But Cousin Bennet, I very specifically wrote for you to expect me at four o'clock on this very day! As the heir, I should be given the guest room. Surely this doctor can stay at the local inn?! Surely there is room at the inn?!" Mr. Collins, an odd looking man in the typical garb of a country parson demanded.

Thomas Bennet stared at the man, almost dumbfounded at his hubris. Then anger took over, "Mr. Collins! My dear wife died last evening! My eldest daughter is right now fighting for her very life! You will forgive me if I forgot something so unimportant to me as the uninvited visit of the heir presumptive to my estate! Now, as you have so correctly, there is room at the inn. You are more than welcome to stay there, but that is your own business. Right now my house is in mourning and will not be entertaining guests for the full mourning period!"

When the parson tried to protest that he was more than just a guest, Mr. Bennet was ready to leap down his throat. Thankfully a more logical person was present in the form of Miss Charlotte Lucas. She had walked over to see if there was anything she might do for the family, "Mr. Bennet, if I might... I am quite certain that my mother and father would welcome your cousin in this trying hour?"

Mr. Bennet gratefully accepted and closed his door, leaving poor Charlotte to listen to the ridiculous cousin's praises and complaints all of the way back to Lucas Lodge. Due to Jane's condition above stairs, the family chose to forego any viewing and asked that condolences wait for another day. Nobody seemed to notice that Messers Bingley and Darcy were still welcome visitors that day.

Longbourn Chapel, 18th of November, 1811

Fanny Bennet was not particularly liked among the gentry of Meryton and Thomas Bennet was just antisocial enough that he had few true friends, so it might have been surprising to some to see how many men attended the funeral. The truth was that the tragic story of the family had already enjoyed wide circulation and everyone was curious. Those husbands who did not choose to attend of their own accord were pressed by their wives, hoping for new gossip.

The only gossip-worthy details were the four bachelors in attendance: Mr. Bingley was no surprise, given his interest in Miss Bennet. Mr. Abernathy was also no surprise since he was attending the sick at Longbourn. Mr. Collins was noteworthy as the heir and as a man who was already making himself ridiculous in town for his complaints. Nobody knew what to think about Mr. Darcy's attendance.

Mr. Edward Gardiner, Fanny's brother, had only just arrived by carriage in time for the funeral, but it turned out that he was well acquainted with Mr. Abernathy. Since that worthy needed to return to London in order to attend his other patients, Gardiner offered his carriage. Darcy, who had continued to note the man's interest in Miss Elizabeth, found himself relieved to see the man depart... though he could not help but worry about the man's close friendship with Miss Elizabeth's uncle. Over the past few days he became resolved to pursue the young lady himself. After all, a young woman who would brave such a storm and then drag her sister home was truly someone worthy.

Mr. Bennet was shocked when Mr. Collins displayed his hubris once again, this time asking to marry Miss Elizabeth. He had seen the second eldest sitting in the garden and was quite taken with her beauty and form. When he said as much to his cousin, however, Mr. Collins was shocked at Mr. Bennet's anger, "You have the audacity to ask for my daughter's hand three hours after my wife's funeral, Sir! Get out of my house this minute and do not ever speak about or approach my family again for as long as I live!"

It only made him more despised by one and all when he then attempted to propose to Miss Charlotte Lucas that same evening. Suddenly finding that he was also unwelcome at Lucas Lodge, Mr. Collins stayed the night at the inn and then departed for Hunsford, his home, the very next morning!

Longbourn, 20th of November, 1811

Happy indeed was the day that Miss Jane Bennet opened her eyes again for the first time. The pall which hung over Longbourn was rapidly dispelled when Mr. Abernathy, who had only just returned to check on his patient, happily proclaimed that Jane was awake and seemed to have her full senses.

Even Kitty and Lydia understood the wisdom of withholding any information about their mother from Jane for that first day. She was only told that her mother was unable to visit her room at the moment. Jane was easily distracted by the news that her Mr. Bingley had almost taken up residence at Longbourn since her injury. Mr. Bennet turned a blind eye when the man enlisted the two youngest to carry little messages back and forth from upstairs and downstairs.

Jane had to be told the next morning. She did not take the news of her mother's passing well, but Elizabeth's steady presence and the comforting presence of her nurse, Mrs. Stanhope, helped. It helped even more when, three days later, Jane was able to be helped downstairs where she could sit and visit with Mr. Bingley. He wasted no time at all in asking for her hand in marriage. She paused only a heartbeat before accepting. When Jane mentioned feeling guilty about doing so while her mother had only just passed, Elizabeth happily reminded her elder sister that the match was her mother's fondest wish.

That same afternoon Mr. Darcy, who was of a more circumspect nature, requested to court Elizabeth after her mourning was over. Since they were already practically courting, she happily agreed.

Neither agreement was shared abroad. Not even Mrs. Phillips, Fanny's sister, was apprised of the matches. She was a consummate gossip and therefore it was deemed best to keep her ignorant.

In an odd twist of fate, business in London called Messers Bingley and Darcy away for almost a month. Since Longbourn was in mourning the family stayed home and therefore never met Mr. Wickham. And since the community moved on to more interesting gossip, Mr. Wickham never even knew that his old rival and enemy was in the neighborhood. Left to present himself on his own merits, he quickly amassed sufficient debts and scandals to make himself unwelcome. By mid-December his commanding officer, Colonel Forster, had the man sent to a combat unit.

~oOo~

Bingley and Darcy reappeared near the Christmas holidays. Mr. Bingley's sisters and brother-in-law had followed him to London in November. He left them there upon his return. Mr. Darcy, on the other hand, was pleased to bring his dear sister Georgiana to meet his Elizabeth and the Bennets. A quite holiday was shared between the two estates.

Georgiana Darcy was immediately taken with Jane and Elizabeth. She was less enthused about the two boisterous youngest, Kitty and Lydia. But it was Mary who truly caught her interest. The two shy and quite young ladies who both loved music formed a friendship which would deepen and last until their dying days, many decades hence.

Jane quietly surrendered the name "Bennet" in January of 1812. She took up residence as the Mistress of Netherfield where she quickly proved her worthiness for the role. She had recovered her full faculties except that she would never remember the event which almost ended her life. Jane's health was never quite what it had been, but she still managed to birth and raise three delightful children.

Charles Bingley purchased the property shortly after the marriage and worked hard to become a worthy landowner like his friend.

Mr. Bennet, a very wise man, could not help but observe the heated looks which passed between his second child and the man who wished to court her. He very wisely decided that discretion was the better part of valor, so he proposed a wedding date in March. Both young people happily agreed. Darcy never actually proposed... which was probably for the better.

When Lady Catherine deBourgh, Mr. Darcy's aunt, learned of the reason that her nephew would not be making his annual Easter visit, she was livid. She quickly had her carriage made ready to pay a visit to "that upstart country chit." Unfortunately for her, her carriage was bogged down in the mud during another terrible storm. When she refused to abandon the vehicle and demanded that her coachmen free the rig, they abandoned her instead. She ended up with a flu which turned to pneumonia and took her life. Anne deBourgh, her daughter, suddenly recovered her health and led a healthy and happy life as the rightful heir to Rosings Park.

Mr. Bennet's wisdom was proven when Elizabeth's first child, a son, was born eight months after the wedding. The passion between the pair was such that seven more followed. The halls (and shades) of Pemberley were graced with the noise and tumult of children and grandchildren for many years to come.

Mr. Collins found a wife in Hunsford but he never inherited Longbourn. Mr. Bennet was so appreciative of the help of the still young and pretty Mrs. Stanhope that he asked for her hand. She gave his three sons, thus ending the entailment.

The new Mrs. Bennet also took Kitty and Lydia in hand and did her best to turn them into ladies. Though she was not entirely successful, both made decent matches and left Longbourn to torture their own husbands with their silliness.

Mary Bennet left Longbourn when her sister Elizabeth married. She and Georgiana Darcy had become such close friends that Georgiana would not hear of leaving Mary behind. Mary spent the next three years at Pemberley or with her friend in London until she met a Knight with a kind heart and a love for music. Thankfully he also had an estate only three miles away from Georgiana's new husband.

Which only goes to prove that you never know what might happen when lightning strikes.