16th November

By the end of the afternoon, the Doctor and his helpers had visited and vaccinated the Philipses and the Lucases. Elizabeth spoke briefly to the weary Doctor on his return,

'I am pleased with the vaccination progress, so far.' Dr Williams said, his voice tinged with tiredness.

'I am glad so many of my friends are willing to be vaccinated.'

'Indeed, once I'd explained that you had yourself been vaccinated, they were more willing to submit. Miss Lucas proved especially eager and argued her parents into submission.'

'Dear Charlotte. She is such a sensible woman.'

'She is indeed. I find her a most impressive young lady.'

Elizabeth eyed him with curiosity. Did he imagine the warmth in his speech whenever he spoke of Charlotte? 'She has been my good friend many years now. She is much taken for granted at home and it distresses me.'

'She has no current suitors then? That does surprise me.'

'No, she has never been much sought. Unfortunately, eligible gentlemen are in short supply here in Hertfordshire.'

He was silent for some moments, and Elizabeth hoped her small seed of a hint had found fertile ground.

Then he stirred, 'Vaccinating others has reminded me that I need to remove your bandages and check the vaccination sites. If I show you what I am looking for, can you help with the servants later?'

'I would be honoured, sir.'

She offered her arm and the Doctor unrolled the bandage and examined the small cut.

'This seems fine,' he said, as he carefully pulled the vaccination thread from the wound. Once he'd examined her other arm, he added, 'In another day or two, a small, round vesicle should appear on each arm. It will grow over the course of a few days and become fluid filled. In a se'ennight or so after vaccination there should be a red areola around the vesicle and you might suffer from a slight fever, but it is nothing to be alarmed about. It is simply a sign that the vaccination has been successful.'

'Is there anything else I should know?'

'Just examine the staff members over the next few days and note down any that do not follow that pattern.'

Elizabeth nodded. 'I will prepare a chart, with names and notes for each day I examine them. When do you think my sister, Jane, will be well enough to vaccinate?'

'Soon. She is well enough to leave her bed now, possibly even to come downstairs for a short time. If she is still improved tomorrow, I will decide then.'

'Very good. I will go and inform her now.'

Jane was feeling much improved, so much so she had left her bed for a chair beside the fire, where she'd relaxed for a few hours while reading. Elizabeth was even hopeful that she would feel well enough to join them after dinner for a short time later that evening.

Leaving Jane to her rest, Elizabeth was taking the air in the garden when she saw one of the servants from Longbourn approach the house. She watched as he passed the message to a footman and waited for a reply.

Curious she approached him. 'James, how is it you are here? Is anything amiss at home?'

'Miss Elizabeth, Mr Bennet had word come from the village. Miss Lydia has the smallpox!'

Elizabeth's world reeled for a few seconds. She was grounded by a hand gripping her forearm.

'Miss, Miss, are you well?'

Her eyes regained focus and the ground steadied. 'Yes. I am well. I was not expecting that news and it shocked me a little.' She gripped his arm urgently as he released her. 'Everyone else is well? Kitty, my Aunt and Uncle Philips… all at home?'

'I only know of Miss Lydia, but at Longbourn, Mrs Bennet has taken to her bed.'

She nodded, her face pale. 'Thank you, James. Please take my regards to my Father. Tell him Jane is improving and left her bed for a time today.' She turned to enter the house in her grey haze, only half-hearing his farewell.

The Doctor was descending the stairs when he caught sight of her face and hurried down toward her. 'What has happened?'

She turned unseeing eyes on him. 'My sister… Lydia.'

He took her arm and guided her into the front parlour and toward a sofa. 'Sit. Can I get you something? A glass of wine?'

She was silent for a moment and then her eyes snapped to his face. 'Oh, no, I am well. I have just had some news from Longbourn. My youngest sister, Lydia, apparently has the smallpox. She was staying with my Aunt in Meryton.'

He nodded, solemn faced. 'I was expecting more cases but I am indeed sorry it has affected your family. If you are sure you are well, I will go now and make some preparations to visit. In fact, it might be prudent to move those afflicted into the same area. I will ask Mr Bingley if he would object to housing Miss Lydia. She should feel well enough to move currently, but it should be done soon.'

Elizabeth felt tears prick her eyes and half reached out a hand to him. 'I would be grateful if it were possible to have her close. It would limit the possibilities of it spreading further in my family, too. The vaccinations have come too late to prevent possible infection, I think.'

Dr Williams took hold of her hand and gave it a pat. 'I will go now.'

Before he could release her hand, Mr Darcy entered the room. He took in the tableau before him and his brows drew together.

The Doctor released her hand, moved aside as Elizabeth stood. 'Ah, Mr Darcy. It seems I must return to Meryton, but first I wanted to speak to you, Mr Bingley, and the Colonel. Miss Elizabeth has just heard that her youngest sister has now been confirmed with the smallpox.'

Mr Darcy cleared his throat and his brow cleared, understanding and concern entering his eyes. 'Yes. I was just looking for Miss Elizabeth to inform her about Miss Lydia. I am wondering how you already know?'

'I was taking some air and saw James, my father's man, at the door on my return. I stopped to speak with him.'

He smiled briefly, his eyes flicking between her and the Doctor. 'That would explain it. I am sorry to hear Miss Lydia is now among the infected.'

'Thank you.'

'Did you also hear that your mother is unwell?'

'Mamma? I knew she had taken to her bed after the Doctor's visit yesterday, but that is nothing unusual. After her upset over the vaccinations and now hearing of Lydia's illness, it is likely her nerves would suffer.'

'I am sorry to say, it is more than her nerves, and she is unaware of Miss Lydia's illness as yet.'

He handed her the message from her father.

Sir,

I have just had word that my youngest, Lydia, has been taken with the smallpox. She remains in her aunt's care in Meryton.

I must also inform you that my wife has been taken unwell with the symptoms of a cold. Will keep you informed of her progress.

Yours etc.

Bennet

Elizabeth paled, her knees trembled and almost gave way and the note fell from her grasp and fluttered to the ground. Mr Darcy and the Doctor, who had also been reading the note beside her, each grasped an elbow and helped her to a seat.

'Oh, no. Mamma…'she murmured.

A glass was pressed into her hand by Mr Darcy. 'Take a small sip, Miss Elizabeth. It will help.'

'Thank you.' She coughed as the drink burned her throat. 'Oh, this gets worse day by day. I need to be home to look after mamma.'

The Doctor grasped her chin, turning her face up to look at him. 'Now, now, my dear. Do not despair. It is still possible Mrs Bennet simply has a cold, after all it is looking more and more like Miss Bennet only caught a chill, but you will definitely be needed here if what we discussed regarding Miss Lydia comes to fruition. Please do try not to worry too much, we all need you to be strong.'

'You are right. I will try,' she said, faintly, then looked up at Mr Darcy. Her voice stronger now, she said, 'With regard to Lydia's plight, the good Doctor has a suggestion to make to Mr Bingley. For what it is worth, I approve and am more than willing to help with the nursing.' She fell silent, regarding the glass in her hand for a few moments before standing, 'I will leave you gentlemen to discuss the matter and shall return to Jane. I must inform her of the news.' She dropped a small, but wobbly, curtsy and moved toward to door.

'Well, I think it is an excellent idea,' said Mr Bingley. 'It would make life much easier for Dr Williams and the nurses can care for two of them just as easily as one. I am sure Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth would be easier too, if their sister were close by. Yes, I approve. We just need to decide on the best way to transport the patient.'

'I suspect your sister would be less amenable,' said Mr Darcy.

'Well then, we just won't tell her until it's done,' he replied. 'Caroline is rarely happy about anything, so it is of little matter.' He turned to the Doctor. 'Dr Williams, how do you think it best to move the patient?'

'Well wrapped up, in a carriage,' Dr Williams replied. 'Place a thick pad of blankets on the seat she will sit on, to protect it. All the blankets should be burned afterward, so it would be well to use old ones. I suggest Miss Elizabeth go with the carriage to provide comfort for her sister.'

'Very well. I will arrange the carriage, if you will arrange Miss Elizabeth's cooperation. Darcy, maybe you could dispatch a note to Mr Bennet and Mr Philips detailing the arrangements and asking for their approval?'

'Right away, Bingley.'

The gentlemen separated to their tasks.

In shorter time than could be imagined, Elizabeth was ready and waiting in the parlour, the carriage was outside the front door and two maids were busy covering the seats with blankets.

Dr Williams was already awaiting their arrival at the Philipses and would be returning with the patient. Mr Darcy was to ride alongside the carriage in case further assistance was required.

Mr Darcy entered the room, ready to leave. 'Shall we, Miss Elizabeth?'

'Yes, the sooner the better, I suppose. I'll warn you now though, Lydia is an extremely peevish and difficult patient. I almost find myself wishing that I, too, could ride beside the carriage on our return.'

Mr Darcy smiled at her and her heart did an odd little flip What a smile! She never knew he had dimples. Maybe she could like this unmasked Mr Darcy, 'twas a shame he was, more often than not, so dour.

She stood, bemused, and his smile faded to confusion. 'Miss Elizabeth?'

She mentally shook herself. 'My apologies, sir. I was woolgathering. Let us go.'

As the carriage rumbled down the drive and onward toward Meryton, Elizabeth found herself contemplating the fine vision Mr Darcy provided for her, sat astride his huge black stallion. Indeed, she found it difficult to drag her eyes from him. She knew he did not find her looks tolerable enough for his taste but, despite his usual grim demeanour, she could admit to herself that he was a handsome man. He could be pleasant and caring too, when he wished it. She found him a conundrum, certainly a more difficult character to decipher than those she usually encountered.

She was still deliberating Mr Darcy when they arrived outside of the Philipses house.

Mr Darcy waited astride, while the Doctor ushered Lydia out of the door, well bundled in blankets, and handed her into the carriage, before joining them within. Elizabeth barely had time to wave to her aunt, who was speaking to Mr Darcy about something, before the carriage was moving and they were on the way back to Netherfield.

Elizabeth looked across the carriage to Lydia's hunched and sniffing shape. 'How do you feel, Lydia?'

'I am totally distraught,' she wailed. 'Why could not Kitty have caught this instead of me? It is so unfair. She gets to meet the officers and I'm covered in these spots…'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. Even now, struck by illness, Lydia was still Lydia, selfish and uncontrolled.

'…and why am I going to Netherfield. I want to go home. Mamma would want me home…'