15th November

The following morning brought grim weather. Heavy rain came down in curtain rods, causing a delay with any plans they had made.

Breakfast was a quiet event. Miss Bingley was, as usual, still abed and those who were already dressed and downstairs were unusually quiet.

Mr Bingley's jovial entrance raised the noise levels significantly.

'Good morning!' he said, as he bounced into the room. 'And how are we all, this…' he glanced at the window, 'grey morning?'

Elizabeth looked up from her plate and swallowed her mouthful of toast hastily. 'Very well indeed, I thank you.'

Mr Darcy shook his newspaper. 'Yes, we're all very well, Charles, although I find your exuberance a touch trying at this time of the morning.'

Elizabeth hid a smile as Mr Bingley grinned at him. Nothing every got him down it seemed. He was like an over-enthusiastic puppy, bouncy and full of fun, despite all that was happening.

'Miss Elizabeth, may I enquire as to Miss Bennet this morning?'

Elizabeth smiled, her face showing some relief. 'She seems much improved. Indeed, I'd say she was on the road to recovery, were it not for the…' Her smile faded as she tailed off, not wanting to voice the obvious.

'That she seems improved is good news indeed. I am very glad. Let us hope it continues to be so.' He reached the sideboard and poured himself a cup of coffee. 'Do you need a refill?'

'No, sir, I thank you but I am almost finished and will be returning to Jane momentarily.' She peered out of the window and sighed. 'Will this rain delay the arrival of the vaccines, do you think? Surely the roads must be awash with mud by now.'

'There will be some delay, I am afraid, but that may aid us,' said Mr Darcy. 'We still need to visit those who may be overcautious agreeing to the treatment. Convincing them of the necessity may take more time than we'd like.'

'You are right.' She finished her tea and stood. 'Most of the people hereabouts know and trust me. Please let me know if I can be of assistance convincing them.'

Mr Darcy nodded agreement and she left the room.

Jane was sleeping when she peeped into her room, so Elizabeth pondered what she could do. It was too wet outside for her customary walk but the Orangery might be pleasant to spend some time in. She collected her book and made her way through the house to the glasshouse, found a comfortable seat and lost herself in her story.

Mr Darcy discovered her there, soon after she had settled. She was unaware of his presence and he watched, fascinated, as she twirled a ringlet around a finger, completely engrossed in her book. It was indeed a charming vista and one he did not want to disturb.

He found her presence disturbing to his mind. There was a physical attraction, of course, but that could be mostly ignored. What disturbed him most about her was deeper than her skin. She was clever and witty and he enjoyed her company. Indeed, if it were not for her connections, most especially her fortune hunter of a mother, he might think himself in danger of succumbing to her charms.

But it could not be. He had obligations to his family. But still he continued watching, entranced, and wishing she came from his social circle.

He only withdrew when he heard the distant, but raucous, tones of Miss Bingley, asking someone, 'Where is Mr Darcy? I simply must speak with him.' Her voice made the hair on his neck lift in a most unpleasant manner.

Slipping silently away, he took the back stairs to his rooms. He had no desire to spend time with Miss Bingley after his pleasant interlude in the orangery. It was still pouring with rain. A book, ensconced in an armchair by the fire would be a pleasant way to while away the time.

He met Colonel Fitzwilliam outside his room and about to pound on his door.

'Ah, there you are! I was just looking for you.'

'And I was just about to go into hiding.'

'Let me guess… Miss Bingley?'

Mr Darcy scowled at his cousin, then nodded.

'Is there anywhere she is unlikely to go?'

Mr Darcy inclined his head at the door and raised an eyebrow. 'She'll not go in there if I lock the door… I can have someone bring a tray, if you care to join me.'

'Don't mind if I do. We really cannot do anything until the messenger from town arrives or this blasted weather clears.'

It was around lunchtime when the Doctor's messenger arrived on horseback, carrying the vaccination equipment. Servants were dispatched throughout Netherfield to find and summon everyone - family, guests and servants all - to the ballroom, as the Doctor wanted to explain the procedure to everyone at once. The only exceptions were Mrs Hurst and her nurses, and Miss Bennet who was still abed.

Sufficient vaccine had been sent in this delivery for everyone in Netherfield. More would arrive on the morrow, and more the day after, until it was no longer required.

Elizabeth, spotting many nervous faces, volunteered to be the first vaccinated. Lead by example, she decided. She made the offer, then left it to Mr Bingley and Dr Williams to decide.

The Doctor explained the situation to everyone, Mr Bingley and his sister standing beside him. Miss Bingley's nose was higher than Elizabeth had ever seen it, however she paled when the Doctor turned to them and asked who wanted to be first.

Mr Bingley shrugged himself from his coat and rolled up his sleeves.

'Take a seat, Mr Bingley,' said the Doctor, jovially. 'Once the hot water has arrived, we can begin. Will you be next Miss Bingley?'

'Why… I…' She looked about and licked her lips. 'Certainly not. I would prefer privacy.'

'We can arrange screens,' said Mr Bingley. 'Mrs Nicholls, could you arrange for some privacy screens for the ladies?'

'Certainly, sir.' Mrs Nicholls beckoned two footmen over. 'John, Peter, fetch the screens from the Music Room.'

As the footmen left, Miss Bingley leaned in to her brother and hissed, 'Nevertheless, I would prefer it be done elsewhere. I refuse to be treated like one of the commoners.'

As Miss Bingley turned to leave the ballroom, Mr Darcy spoke. 'I will go next, then.'

She stopped at the sound of his voice and turned to watch as he removed his coat. She hesitated, appearing torn between storming out and hovering over the man she wanted.

Mr Bingley applauded. 'Good man! Miss Elizabeth, will you join us?'

'Of course, Mr Bingley. We have to set a good example, after all.'

Elizabeth had deliberately chosen a dress with short puffed sleeves that morning, throwing a shawl over the top, to make it simple for the Doctor to work on her upper arm without any need to violate propriety.

A maid arrived, carrying a bowl of steaming water.

'Ah, wonderful. We can now begin.' Dr Williams extracted a bottle of alcohol, some cloth pads and a container. 'This is the most important material,' he said, as he opened the container. Within, were what appeared to be small sections of thread. 'Each of these threads has been impregnated with the fluid from a pox. First, I wipe the arm with alcohol. Now I must make a small scratch with this…' He held up a small metallic object, '…lancet. Hold very still, sir.'

Mr Bingley winced as the Doctor made a swift shallow incision.

'Once the cut is made, I lay this piece of thread along it. It must remain in place for 24 hours, so I will bind your upper arm to hold it there. I will remove it at this time tomorrow.'

The bandage was placed and the Doctor moved around to Mr Bingley's other arm. 'Now I must repeat the procedure on the other arm.'

Eventually Mr Darcy took Mr Bingley's place, followed by Elizabeth. She and Mr Bingley then spent time reassuring those waiting.

'No, it did not hurt very much.'

'It just felt like small insect bites.'

'The tool is very sharp; you can barely feel it…'

Some hours later, the last member of staff had been coaxed into the chair and had left, sporting new bandages.

The Doctor wiped his brow. 'Tiring work. I've very few threads left now, but another batch will arrive tomorrow. Where is next to visit?'

'Dr Williams, you should take a little time to rest,' said Mr Bingley. 'Mrs Nicholls, could you arrange to have tea and some food laid out? It's long past tea time.'

'Certainly, sir. Will you be relocating to the Drawing Room?'

'I think so, yes.'

Mrs Nicholls, who had been the last in the chair, bustled away to make arrangements.

'How many threads are left, Dr Williams?' Elizabeth enquired.

'Maybe a score,' he replied.

She smiled. 'Enough for Longbourn then. As only my sister Mary is currently at home, my family and the household servants total ten. The stablehands, however, will need to wait on the arrival of more threads. Will you be waiting to see if Jane throws out any spots before vaccinating her?'

The Doctor thought for a moment, 'Yes. We should know in one, maybe two, more days if she has the disease. If she is free of it, I will vaccinate her then.'

Elizabeth frowned, 'The same goes for my sister, Lydia, then. She is staying with my aunt Philips, in Meryton since she became ill.'

The Doctor patted her hand, 'Do not worry, Miss Elizabeth. I have more of the vaccine coming tomorrow.'

She grinned. 'I am not very worried. Well, maybe just a little. Now, let us go and have some refreshments. It's been a long afternoon.'