14th November

The game had just finished, and the players returned to the sofas and chairs, when Elizabeth and the Doctor returned to the drawing room.

Miss Bingley was beside Colonel Fitzwilliam, once again flirting. Mr Hurst had taken a sofa in a quiet corner and appeared to be settling down for a sleep.

The gentlemen stood as she entered and Mr Bingley approached her.

'How is Miss Bennet, this evening?' enquired Mr Bingley.

'She seems somewhat improved and her fever has broken, I believe. Thank you.'

He led her to a sofa by the fire.

'I met Dr Williams on the way down and was enquiring of Mrs Hurst,' she told Mr Bingley as he seated himself beside her.

'Indeed?' said he. 'Doctor, pray continue.'

Dr Williams gave a small bow and joined them on the sofa. 'She is much the same, although the size of the existing blemishes has increased. The appearance of new spots should slow in another day or two.'

'And what can we next expect?'

'The existing marks will increase in size, fill with a thick fluid and become pustular. The pustular stage is the most dangerous, and most infectious. She will require careful nursing at that point. Currently, she feels quite well.'

Caroline shuddered. 'Pray, do not talk of such things in my presence. I am quite undone by it all.'

'My apologies, madam. I will desist. Perhaps the gentlemen would prefer to discuss this matter elsewhere?'

Caroline seemed to realise the possibility of losing her audience and hastily retracted. 'No, no. gentlemen. I am sure there is no need to stir. I will endeavour to contain my revulsion for the topic.'

The Doctor bowed slightly in her direction. 'There is one thing I would like to suggest, while we are all gathered.'

Mr Bingley frowned at his sister and then turned back to the Doctor. 'Pray continue.'

'I do not know if any of you are familiar with Dr Jenner's work…' he hesitated and looked around.

Elizabeth nodded. 'Yes, indeed. I read a pamphlet on his vaccination method and was quite fascinated.'

The Doctor seemed delighted. 'I would like to suggest those of you currently unaffected by the illness be vaccinated.'

''There is no need in my case,' said Colonel Fitzwilliam. 'As Darcy no doubt informed you, due to my travels and the high risk of coming into contact with this disease, thanks to variolation I am already resistant to it.'

'Yes, I was so informed. The more immune helpers we can gather, the better in my experience.'

'It is possible I am also immune,' said Elizabeth, rather hesitantly.

The Doctor turned to her, expectantly.

'I know that Jenner worked with cowpox to create his vaccine, after discovering that once a person had contracted cowpox from working with cattle, they did not catch the smallpox.' She paused, noticing that Miss Bingley was impatiently waiting to interrupt.

'That is generally correct. Please, go on,' the Doctor encouraged.

'Well, when I was younger, I used to spend much of my time on our farm. Indeed, I was encouraged by my father to familiarise myself with the source of my family's income.' She looked about, with a twinkle in her eye. 'What my father did not know though, was that I persuaded one of the farmhands to teach me to milk the cows. My mother was horrified when she found out. Not that she would have ever known of it, were it not that I contracted cowpox.'

'And now you think you, also, may be immune to smallpox?'

'Indeed. It is one of the reasons I have little concern while nursing my sister – who I hope and pray does not have the smallpox after all. Still, if she does, then I will be able to nurse her through that too.'

'That desire does you credit, indeed,' said Mr Bingley. 'But I hope it is unnecessary and Miss Bennet is back to her normal, delightful self in a day or two.'

Elizabeth smiled up at him. 'As do I.'

'This is all very charming,' broke in Miss Bingley with a sneer, 'And I am sure Miss Eliza is perfectly at home in a farmyard, to be sure.' At this Elizabeth flushed slightly. 'But those of us who prefer more ladylike, and gentlemanlike, pursuits cannot be expected to put ourselves in harm's way.'

Mr Darcy noticed the slight and finally joined in the conversation. 'I did much the same as a child. Although I never contracted cowpox, I did learn milking techniques.' He nodded at Elizabeth. 'My father also thought it appropriate I be familiar with all aspects of landowning.'

Miss Bingley closed her mouth with a snap and Elizabeth smiled inwardly.

'The avoidance of harm referred to by Miss Bingley, is why I am suggesting vaccination,' said Dr Williams. 'Doing so will prevent any possibility of infection. But I must stress, it needs to be done as quickly as it can be arranged. I can send to London for the necessary materials. I suggest, Miss Elizabeth, that you are also vaccinated, just to be safe.'

Elizabeth concurred.

'We should also think about offering vaccination to other families in the neighbourhood,' added Mr Darcy. 'The Bennets, Philipses and Lucases, especially, as they have, or may have, infected family members.'

'Oh, surely not,' said Miss Bingley. 'I expect they can manage for themselves in this matter.'

'Miss Bingley,' began Mr Darcy, 'it behoves us all to do everything we can to limit the spread of this disease. Indeed, as Christians with many families under our care it is our duty to do so.'

'But, Mr Darcy! Surely, we should not need to involve ourselves with those who are so beneath us. They are perfectly capable of seeing to their own matters, I am sure.'

Mr Darcy turned away from her, his face blank, and spoke to the Doctor. 'I can arrange to have your message sent express as soon as you are ready. We have a list of those with family affected, so we can calculate the number of vaccinations required. Of course, we may have to convince some that it is necessary.'

'Of course. I will prepare a message immediately. We should also send messages to the various affected households preparing them for our visit.'

Mr Bingley stood. 'I can make a start on them…'

'Oh Charles,' sighed Miss Bingley. 'They will need to be able to read what is said in the letters. Your writing is… unsuitable - so many blots and crossings out… If it must be done, I will write what you dictate and you can sign them.'

'Thank you, sister mine,' Mr Bingley replied, rolling his eyes.