A/N Interesting, chapter 9 got around half as many visitors as chapter 10. I released those 2 chapters at the same time as a Sunday treat, in case anyone missed that.

Thanks for all the feedback and comments folks, it's very helpful!

16th November

Lydia's wailing and complaining persisted the entire journey to Netherfield and the echoes of her perceived woes reverberated from the walls as they entered Netherfield's entrance hall. When Lydia's wails reached a sound only dogs could likely hear as they passed him by, Elizabeth noticed one of the usually stoic footmen wince, but her sympathy for him was limited. Her ears had been ringing since shortly after leaving Meryton.

A shrill voice echoed down the stairwell. 'Just what on earth is all this noise?'

Halfway down the staircase was Miss Bingley, red faced and furious. She turned to shout at one of the footmen. 'Where is my brother? Bring him here immediately. This is intolerable!'

The footman scurried off to find his master, as Elizabeth attempted to hush Lydia's complaints. 'Lydia, calm yourself. This behaviour is helping no-one and is most unbecoming.'

Dr Williams stepped forward to re-assure Miss Bingley. 'Your brother has kindly agreed to my suggestion to house Miss Lydia Bennet during her illness. It will make it easier for both myself and the nurses to tend our patients.'

'You and the nurses are here solely to care for my sister. This…' she waved her hand in Lydia's direction 'Well, she is nothing to us. Take her to her own home. She is not wanted here. Are we to have all the Bennets in the country here?'

Mr Bingley, strode into the hall. 'Caroline! How dare you be so rude to our guests. Miss Lydia is here at my invitation. This is, after all, my house.'

'But Charles…'

'No buts, Caroline. It is my decision to make.' He stepped forward to greet Lydia. 'Welcome to Netherfield, Miss Lydia. I'm sorry you're here under such unfortunate circumstances. Miss Elizabeth and Mrs Nicholls can show you to your room and help you get settled.'

Lydia, who had stopped wailing when Mr Bingley had reprimanded his sister so publicly, dropped a small curtsy and murmured a quiet thank you.

He turned to the housekeeper, who had followed him from his study on the summons of the footman. 'Mrs Nicholls, can you please escort Miss Lydia to her room and make sure she has everything she needs?'

Elizabeth smiled her thanks and with her arm around her sister's waist, followed Mrs Nicholls to the staircase, passing a red-faced Miss Bingley, who backed away with her hand over her mouth and nose as they went by, and onward to the guest wing. They stopped at a door situated between the two elder sisters. This would become Lydia's sickroom.

'I'll leave you to get settled,' said Mrs Nicholls, after a brief inspection of the room. 'Please ring if there is anything you need.'

Elizabeth unwrapped Lydia and dropped the blankets by the door. 'Could you arrange to have these collected and burnt? Make sure no-one touches them with bare flesh. I know we have been vaccinated but that has yet to take full effect and so we should all still be careful. Can you also check that the blankets used in the carriage meet the same fate? Oh, and I'll need plenty of strong soap and water at all times.'

'Of course, Miss. I'll have a basket sent up for the blankets and I'll organise some trays of food and tea for both of you and Miss Bennet.'

'That would be very nice,' said Lydia, in a small, tired voice. 'I am so very thirsty.'

Elizabeth turned and ushered her sister over to the bed. 'Come now, let's get you settled, Lydie.'

Elizabeth left Lydia sleeping, thoroughly washed her hands in her own room and then changed for dinner, before going into Jane's room.

Jane was sitting beside the fire once more. She looked up on Elizabeth's entering the room and asked in her gentle voice, 'How is Lydia?'

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. 'Asleep. At last. Lord, what a racket she made on the way here. My ears are still ringing. I have no idea what Dr Williams and Mr Darcy must have thought of her behaviour.'

'Oh Lizzy, she is unwell, and it must have been a shock. I can understand her upset.'

Elizabeth sighed and dropped into the chair opposite her sister. 'Yes, I know. It will only get worse, you know. At least the pox is not yet on her face. I must remember to hide the mirrors before they spread that far. She is so concerned with her looks; how will she manage if… no - I must be completely honest – when she has scars on her face?'

'Perhaps they will not be so very bad. Some do not fare so badly, I think.'

'Oh Jane, you have not yet seen the nurses that are here for Mrs Hurst. It is terribly sad.'

'Well, we must have hope for them both, and pray that God will be kind to Lydia and Mrs Hurst.'

'And Mrs Hurst's baby,' Elizabeth added with a frown. 'At least we do not have that worry with Lydia.'

'Oh, yes. The whole situation is most unfortunate. Poor Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst… and Miss Bingley. Our poor Mamma must be beside herself too, now Lydia is also unwell.'

Elizabeth pulled a face, making Jane smile. 'Poor Papa you mean… Mamma does not yet know. Come, let us not worry about what is happening in Longbourn. We have enough concerns here to keep us well occupied, without inviting more.' A distant gong sounded. 'Oh, I must join the others for dinner. Will you come down for a time after?'

'Yes, I think I am well enough for a short visit. I am even dressed, as you see.'

'Good. I will come for you after diner.' Elizabeth stood, hesitated and then faced her sister, a determined look on her face. 'One thing I must demand of you. Do not yet go in to see Lydia, you have not been vaccinated and I would not risk you becoming infected for the world. Mamma would be most displeased seeing as you are our hope of salvation, especially now Lydia is sick. I can almost hear her views on the matter from here.'

Jane giggled. 'Oh, Lizzy…'

After the most enjoyable dinner so far, with Colonel Fitzwilliam making her a most amusing dinner partner, Elizabeth escorted Jane down to the parlour and seated her by the fire. Dr Williams sat beside her for a time, asking her questions, and Elizabeth took the time to write a note to her father, informing him of Lydia's safe arrival and Jane's improvement. Mr Bingley had replaced Dr Williams by her sister's side by the time she laid the note out for delivery and so Elizabeth drew the Doctor aside for a quiet conversation about his conclusions.

'How do you find Jane this evening?'

'She has no sore throat or other symptoms to concern me. I think we may be quietly confident she will not develop the smallpox.'

Elizabeth took a deep breath to steady herself. 'That is very good news indeed. I am most grateful for the care you have taken, both for my Jane and now for Lydia also. I must apologise for her… outbursts… in the carriage. She is still full young and…'

He interrupted as she struggled to find the words, taking her hand and paternally patting it. 'Do not worry, Miss Elizabeth. All is well. I remember my youngest sister at the same age and I know very well what you are struggling not to say.'

'Oh dear,' she twinkled. 'I am sorry to hear that.'

He chuckled. 'Indeed. So was I… at the time but she is well past the most trying age. She is now married and has two young daughters of her own and will no doubt discover the joys of the age for herself, given time.'

Shortly after this speech, he was called away to speak with Mr Hurst.

Elizabeth stood, quietly watching Jane and Mr Bingley converse, until Colonel Fitzwilliam came over to join her.

He followed her gaze with a knowing smile before saying, 'They seem very content with each other.'

'Yes, I am happy for her. She is so good and kind, she deserves every happiness. I only hope he deserves her.' She drew her gaze away from them and her eye was caught by Mr Darcy, standing by the window and staring darkly at the couple by the fireplace. 'It seems your cousin does not approve though.'

'Nor his sister, although I think little would please that lady,' he added.

'I can think of one thing that would please her, possibly beyond all other.' Elizabeth said, speaking without thinking.

'Oh?'

Elizabeth recollected herself and coloured slightly. 'Oh dear, my mouth sometimes speaks before it should. Pray forget I said that, Colonel.'

'If you wish, although I will be forever curious.' He leaned in, and confided, 'I must inform you that I am very good at keeping secrets, should you at some time change your mind.'

She smiled. 'It is nothing you would not discover, should you keep your eyes open while you are here.' As she spoke, her eyes were fixed on Miss Bingley, who moved to join Mr Darcy by the window and wrapped her arm tightly around his.

'Miss Bingley's greatest desire… the thing that would make her happiest of all.' He tapped his chin in mock thought, then his gaze was caught by the sudden removal of Mr Darcy from the window, leaving Miss Bingley staring after him. He grinned. 'I think I can guess. Does it involve my dour cousin, perhaps?'

Elizabeth chuckled. 'Indeed. You guess correctly. Miss Bingley would wish to change her name two steps further along the alphabet as soon as maybe.'

The Colonel threw his head back and laughed. 'I think that of the two of them, she is alone in that desire.'

'I am almost convinced they would suite in temperament, though,' Elizabeth said, thoughtfully. 'and the lady seems very sure of herself.'

'Darcy's dour exterior hides someone very different to miss Bingley. Those who know him well are often bemused by his behaviour amongst strangers.'

'He came across as very proud and above his company at the Meryton Assembly, a fortnight ago, and it has not made him many friends here. Still, I suppose it is probable he would not want to make friends here, as it is unlikely we will see him again once he leaves.'

Colonel Fitzwilliam frowned and glanced over at his cousin. 'Perhaps… But even so, he would not be impolite to those he meets.'

Elizabeth held in a snort of amusement, remembering the overheard comment about her being only tolerable, that he'd made to Mr Bingley at the Assembly, and simply replied, 'As you say.'

'Darcy did tell me something related to this smallpox business. Apparently, Mrs Phillips remembered why she thought she recognised the name Thomson.'

'Oh?'

'Yes, it seems she overheard him buying a ticket for the stagecoach, the day before he left for London. He fell into discussion with the seller and mentioned that he was going to join his family before looking for a new job.'

'Oh, I am so glad he had somewhere to go, poor man.'

'Yes, but until we find out where he came from, we're still missing a step. We hope Wickham will be able to fill that in when he returns.'

Elizabeth noticed the change in the Colonel's tone when he mentioned the name and was curious. 'Wickham?'

The Colonel frowned. 'Yes. He's a new recruit to the militia that was seen talking with Thomson in the taproom at the inn, before the coach left.'

'Oh. I just thought, from the way you referred to him that it was someone you knew.'

'We do,' he replied, with gritted teeth.

Elizabeth was unsure how to respond to this and, luckily, the uncomfortable silence was broken by Mr Hurst calling for cards. Soon after Elizabeth escorted Jane back to her room.

After they had left, Miss Bingley waxed long on the inferiority of the Bennets and her extreme displeasure at having yet another Bennet as her house guest. But no-one would agree with her and her face assumed a pinched appearance as her voice became increasingly shrill.

After a short time, Mr Darcy and his cousin removed themselves to the billiard room, on pretext of a business discussion they had delayed. Miss Bingley was most displeased.