15th November

The Doctor and Mr Bingley set off for Longbourn after tea. After watching them leave, Elizabeth went up to Jane's room.

Jane was looking much improved and was sitting up in bed reading when Elizabeth came in.

'Lizzy! You have been gone a long time. Is everything well?'

'It's been an interesting day, Jane. Look…' Elizabeth lifted her puff sleeve to reveal a small bandage.

Jane sat forward in bed, a frown creasing her forehead. 'What has happened? Are you injured.'

Elizabeth laughed and lifted her other sleeve. 'Not at all. It is nothing serious. I've simply been vaccinated. The bandages can be removed this time tomorrow. We all have, masters and servants alike. Well, apart from you and Miss Bingley.'

'Why has Miss Bingley not been vaccinated?'

'She refused to be done with the rabble and insisted on total privacy.' Elizabeth grinned before continuing. 'So, the good Doctor has gone to Longbourn instead. I expect she'll just have to wait until more of the vaccine arrives, tomorrow.'

'Lizzy, I know you think Miss Bingley is overly proud but I can understand her desire for privacy.'

Elizabeth shook her head. 'Many of the servants were nervous about the whole procedure. As Mistress of Netherfield, Miss Bingley should have provided the female staff with an example to follow and necessary reassurances afterward for those still reluctant, but it was left to me to step up. Miss Bingley was only interested in admiring Mr Darcy without his coat.'

Jane's sudden laugh turned into a coughing fit. After the fit had passed, she looked thoughtful. 'You are right in that respect, but Lizzy, you know she is not yet well experienced in being Mistress of a large estate.'

'Neither am I, as you know full well.'

'I am glad that Mr Darcy took his turn.'

'Yes, he was second only to your Mr Bingley. I took my turn third, after Miss Bingley refused and I am well pleased we persuaded everyone who came after to take their turn without any hysteria.' Elizabeth became pensive. 'I just hope all is going as well at Longbourn. I dread to think how mamma will react.'

'Oh, yes. Mamma may just take to her bed with nerves.'

'Jane! I am most astonished. You, who never have a bad word to say about anyone, using teasing words like that.'

'Maybe I have just learned well from you.'

'it is possible, I suppose.' Elizabeth laughed before continuing, 'Most unexpected, but very welcome nonetheless. Now I think we should write some notes for papa, mamma and Kitty before I need to ready for dinner. Do you feel well enough to help?'

'I would like to write to mamma and Kitty.'

'If you like. I might also write to Aunt Gardiner after dinner. I am not sure she is aware of recent events.' Elizabeth crossed the room and returned with her portable writing desk. 'Do you balance this well enough to write, or would you prefer to sit at the desk?'

'I can manage. You will need the desk for your own letters.'

Elizabeth left her sister to her messages, took her place at the desk, and soon the sound of scratching quills was all that could be heard.

Mr Bingley looked up from his plate and addressed Elizabeth. 'Miss Elizabeth, I would like to thank you for providing such a good role model for my servants this day. I'm not sure Darcy and I could have managed so well on our own.'

'Oh Charles, of course you would have,' Miss Bingley interjected. 'They're just servants, you give them your orders and they do as they are told. After all, they all know they can be dismissed if they disobey.'

'Now Caroline, that's not the-'

Miss Bingley sighed. 'Oh, Charles. You have to learn to be more assertive in these matters.'

'Miss Bingley,' Mr Darcy interrupted. 'Assertiveness is not the issue here. Servants follow by example and that example can only be set by their Master,' he looked up from his plate and briefly looked her in the eye before shifting his gaze to Elizabeth. '…and their Mistress. We are lucky that Miss Elizabeth was kind enough to provide that example today.'

Miss Bingley flushed and shot Elizabeth an angry glare. Elizabeth calmly returned her look and then reached for her wine glass and took a small sip before speaking.

'We may only have a small estate, but my father and mother taught their daughters well,' she said. Nodding in Mr Bingley's direction she added, 'You are most welcome, Mr Bingley. It is, after all, for the good of everyone that we contain this dreadful disease.'

'It is indeed.'

Elizabeth turned to the Doctor. 'Can I ask how was everyone at Longbourn?'

'They are all well,' Mr Williams replied. 'The vaccination process went very well, thanks to your father. Your mother became… unwell… and was helped to her room. I requested a calming draught be sent for her by the apothecary, before I returned to Netherfield. I will need to return another day, when she is recovered sufficiently to perform the procedure.'

Elizabeth flushed slightly and nodded. As expected, her mother's nerves had been on display that day. She could only be grateful that the Doctor and Mr Bingley had been the sole witnesses to them.

Conversation around the table returned to mundane topics as the next course arrived but Elizabeth, who did not have much of an appetite, ate little. The day had been tiring and her energy levels were flagging. Perhaps an early night was called for.

16th November

The next morning, as the early risers were at the breakfast table, another set of vaccination threads arrived.

'Excellent!' said Mr Bingley. 'Dr Williams, maybe you would vaccinate Caroline after you've finished eating and then we can go into Meryton and make an early start there.'

'If you wish,' replied the Doctor between mouthfuls of ham.

'Excellent. I've finished here, so I will go and make sure Caroline is prepared.'

Elizabeth thought she knew exactly what he meant by "prepared". He was going to make sure Miss Bingley submitted to the treatment and she thought to offer her services. 'Mr Bingley, would you like me to sit with Miss Bingley while she is being vaccinated?'

'That would be most kind. I expect her maid will be there with her, but I will ask if she would desire your presence instead.'

Mr Bingley left, and Elizabeth returned her attention to her plate. After some seconds she felt the prickling sensation of being watched and looked up to discover Mr Darcy had put down his newspaper and was eyeing her with some curiosity. She tilted her head and raised an eyebrow in query, but he just picked up his newspaper again and retreated behind it. How strange. He must disapprove of her offer, or wonder why she made it. She just wanted to ensure as many people were vaccinated as possible. It was a terrible illness and Miss Bingley, of all people, would no doubt react badly to being scarred by it. It was bad enough that one of Mr Bingley's sisters were affected, without the other being at risk as well.

Elizabeth finished her cup of tea then stood. The two gentlemen left in the room hastily stood also.

She waved them back, 'No, No. Do not let me disturb your breakfast, Gentlemen. Please be seated,' then turned to the Doctor. 'Dr Williams, I am going up to see Jane now. If you require my services for Miss Bingley, please send for me.'

He bowed in reply, and Elizabeth left the room and headed for the stairwell. She hesitated at the top of the stairs. Raised voices were emanating from the family wing to the left. From the few words that were fully audible, it appeared Miss Bingley was not happy about being vaccinated that morning – if indeed ever. She sighed, turned right, and made her way to Jane's room.