A/N Made a slight change to chapter 4, where Lizzy and the Colonel are chatting (after feedback - thanks!). I know it's a bit soon for the personal chat between them but it fits better here until I do a more in-depth rewrite and restructure.

14th November

'Is there any further news on the situation?'

Mr Bingley looked up as the Colonel entered his study. It was mid-afternoon on the day he'd arrived and the Colonel appeared refreshed after a long sleep.

'Thankfully, almost all those infected before the Lucas's party are recovering,' he replied. 'We've also managed to trace the initial case to a young man, a stranger to these parts apparently. Mikey – that's the Lucas's stable-hand – found him ill close to his family home. They thought it was just influenza and took him in until he was well enough to continue his journey. As the family live some distance from the village, they never called the apothecary when his illness took a turn, thinking it was simply chickenpox.' He paused. 'They'd all had chickenpox previously you see, so thought they'd be fine, although it's more likely that money was the issue. They are a poor family and no doubt could not afford the apothecary's potions. Then they started getting sick. Mikey was the first to catch it, probably because he'd practically carried the man to the house.'

'Where is the young man now?' asked Colonel Fitzwilliam.

'He recovered and initially stayed on out of gratitude to help out there until those that survived appeared on the road to recovery.' He hesitated and pressed a hand to his mouth. 'Unfortunately, the family lost their two youngest daughters. The stranger was previously employed as a footman, so decided to return to town a few days ago, seeking further employment.' Mr Bingley looked unhappy. 'I think it unlikely he'll find another position now, though. He was badly scarred, it seems.'

The Colonel scratched his chin. 'A stranger here? Do you know where he came from? A name?'

'It appears he was unwilling to say where he'd come from. His name is Thomson, Andrew Thomson,' said Bingley. 'It is possible he was turned off for some reason, I suppose, and so did not want to mention the matter.'

'Well, I could do with some exercise and I would like to bet that Darcy does too. I will drag him off and set enquiries about. We need to trace where this Thomson was before taking ill.'

'Good man. Dinner is at seven. Caroline likes to keep town hours here.'

Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam reached the top of the hill and dismounted.

'It's a fair prospect, I have to say,' breathed the Colonel, as he took in the overview of Netherfield in one direction and a distant Longbourn in the other, with a small cluster of houses beyond.

'Not bad, although I have to admit I prefer the Peaks.'

The Colonel snorted a laugh. 'Of course, you would. I've never met a man who so dislikes change as you.'

Mr Darcy looked over at his cousin with a frown. 'I do not dislike change.'

'Oh, come now. For a man of eight and twenty, you are very set in your ways. The effect of early responsibility, I guess.'

Darcy looked rather offended. 'Inheriting the responsibility is hardly my fault. Some consistency is necessary when running an estate, as you will find out one day, but I am not set in my ways.'

'Really? Have you loosened up in the very pleasant company here, or do you keep everyone at overly-polite distance, as usual?'

'The company in this neighbourhood is… mostly insupportable. A host of people with no breeding and little talent. There are some who are tolerable, but they are few and far between. If it were not for this illness, I would have probably have returned to town by now.'

'Miss Elizabeth Bennet is delightful, though.'

'She is tolerable, as is her elder sister. The rest of her family though… Her mother and her mother's sister are possibly two of the most ill-bred people I have had the misfortune to encounter, and when I compare her younger sisters' comportment to Georgiana's, I am disgusted.'

The colonel laughed. 'Surely, you exaggerate.'

'I do not. I cannot imagine how the two eldest Miss Bennets have turned out as well as they have, considering the example set by their mother. Their father is a Gentleman but he is rarely seen abroad. Unfortunately, he does not seem to be much involved in their lives either inside or outside of their home.'

'I am sure you are too harsh.'

'Their mother is a fortune-hunter and has Bingley in her sights for her eldest and she has no compunction telling everyone she meets, loudly and repetitively, her anticipation of their imminent engagement and marriage. She even sent her eldest daughter to visit on horseback during a rainstorm. That's why she is abed at Netherfield now instead of her own home. Bingley is all too likely to succumb to Miss Bennet's charms. She is very lovely, well behaved and just his type, but she does not appear as affected by him as he is by her. Indeed, I have no doubts that her mother would pressure her into accepting Bingley, should he ask, whether she likes him or no.' He made a frustrated sound and suddenly turned to mount his horse. 'We're wasting time here. We should head into Meryton and see what can be discovered about this footman, Thomson.'

'As you wish,' replied the Colonel, setting a foot into a stirrup and hoisting himself onto his horse. 'Let us go, immediately. We should start at the inn.'

Elizabeth waited until the hoofbeats had vanished into the distance before moving. Out for a walk, given an hour to herself while a maid waited on her sister, she'd been sitting on a fallen tree enjoying the view from Oakham Mount. Separated by some bushes when the gentlemen had unexpectedly arrived, she'd been about to reveal herself when their conversation stopped her, first from embarrassment, then from fury.

How dared he judge them so!

Turning to return to the house, she mentally castigated Mr Darcy, that proud, dour, and extremely rude man. Twice now, she'd accidentally overheard him and twice she, or her family, been insulted. True was the adage that those who eavesdrop never heard good spoken of themselves. It seems his opinion of herself was still only tolerable, as he'd stated at the Assembly in Meryton some weeks ago. But Jane? Only tolerable as well. What on earth was wrong with the man? Did he need eye-glasses?

As for his opinions on her family, she would never forgive him for those.

She wandered aimlessly for a time, slashing at the weeds and tall grasses with a stick she'd found. Finally, she took to her heels, hoping to calm her temper with exercise before returning to Netherfield and Jane.

Back at Netherfield, and outwardly calm again after venting her fury in exercise, Elizabeth was attempting to examine her sister for blemishes without Jane realising.

'Lizzy…'

'Hmm?' replied Elizabeth, distractedly.

'What are you doing?'

Elizabeth's eyes shot to her sister's face. 'What do you mean?'

'I mean, why are you looking me over like I am a bonnet you're thinking of purchasing?'

Elizabeth avoided her sister's eyes. 'Am I? I wasn't meaning to.'

Jane struggled to sit up, bringing on a coughing fit. When she had recovered, she said, 'What is going on? I know there is something wrong. Please be truthful with me.'

'Oh, Jane. It's nothing, really.'

Jane frowned. 'Lizzy…'

Elizabeth slumped into the chair beside the bed and dropped her eyes. 'It's Mrs Hurst. She is very unwell. The Doctor told me to look for certain signs, in case you had also been infected.'

'Mrs Hurst…? But I thought she only had a cold, as I do.'

'Yes, so did we all. But it is much more serious than that. Mrs Hurst is also increasing, which adds to the risk.'

Jane's forehead furrowed. 'I feel much better, today, than I did. My fever has broken, has it not?'

'It does seem so. However, Mrs Hurst's fever also broke and she felt very well until…'

'Until?'

'Until the marks appeared.'

'The marks? What marks? Lizzy, tell me the truth now. What is wrong with Mrs Hurst?'

'Oh Jane…' Elizabeth hid her face in her hands, then squared her shoulders and reached out for Jane's closest hand. As she squeezed it tightly, she finished, 'Mrs Hurst has… she has the smallpox.'

The silence lasted a full minute before Jane spoke.

'Does the Doctor think I, too, have the smallpox?'

'There are many others in the village who may have it, all those who have had similar symptoms to you. He will not know if they, or you, have it until the pox appear, but, oh Jane, it seems Maria Lucas does have it, although she is past the worst now. It is thought that Mrs Hurst caught it at the Lucas's evening party.'

'I see.' Jane's face was expressionless. 'Well, you'd better continue your examination. Now that I know, I can help you and you must tell me what signs you are looking for.'

'Yes, of course.'

'And Lizzy? Would you leave a small mirror beside the bed for me?'

As Elizabeth glanced at her sister, she noticed her sister's eyes seemed brighter than usual.