18th November

The maids scurrying about, carrying towels and hot water, first alerted Elizabeth to an unusual situation as she made her way downstairs to breakfast the following morning. At the top of the main staircase to the first-floor she encountered a pale faced Mr Bingley.

She hesitated, then resolved, spoke up. 'Good morning, Mr Bingley. Are you well?'

He startled, his mind obviously elsewhere. 'Oh, good morning Miss Elizabeth. Yes… yes, I am well.'

She smiled gently, 'Forgive my interference, but you seem rather distracted.'

His eyes wandered around, finally settling on her face. 'Yes, I suppose I am.' He sighed. 'I know you are aware of Louisa's illness.'

She nodded, to encourage him on.

'Well, it seems one of the things we were concerned about may be happening.'

'Her child…' Elizabeth breathed.

'Yes, exactly so.' Mr Bingley seemed relieved that she so quickly understood. 'The Doctor has been in attendance since the first signs and so I find myself unsure of what to do with myself while waiting for him to return with any news.'

Elizabeth patted his forearm. 'Will you not join us in the breakfast room…?' He shook his head. 'In that case, wait here, sir. If you'll excuse me, I will return in a few minutes.'

She hurried down the stairs and into the breakfast parlour, swiftly glancing around to see who else was present. She bid a quick good morning to Mr Darcy and went over to the sideboard to select a few items; a bread roll which she buttered, some toast on which she slavered jam. She then poured out a cup of coffee and placed the whole on a tray. Summoning one of the footman by the door, she said. 'Please take this up the stairs to the family wing. You'll find Mr Bingley waiting there. Give him this tray with my compliments. Arrange to have a chair and a side table prepared there for him too, if you would.'

When the footman left, she poured herself a cup of tea and was hastily swallowing it between bites of buttered toast when she realised she was being watched.

Colouring, she realised Mr Darcy was watching her over the top of his newspaper with barely concealed emotion, although whether it was disapproval or disgust at her table manners she was unsure.

'Pardon my haste, sir. I will return upstairs as soon as may be and so leave you in peace.'

'Not at all, madam. You seem distracted, can I be of assistance?'

'Oh no, it's…' Then she hesitated, despite her embarrassment. Maybe he could be of use to his friend. 'My apologies, sir. It is possible you did not know?'

'I have seen no-one so far, this day, beside yourself,' he replied, laying down his newspaper with a frown.

'I see.' Elizabeth sat still for a moment as she gathered her thoughts. 'As I was on my way down for breakfast, I encountered Mr Bingley waiting at the top of the stairs. He looked very ill to me, so I asked if he was well. I am sorry to inform you that it appears Mrs Hurst has taken a turn. I believe Mr Bingley is waiting for the Doctor to speak with him but is currently unsure what to do with himself. I sent him some breakfast, and a seat, and was about to return to bear him company, but I now wonder… As you are his closest friend, maybe you would better going to him while he waits?'

'I am grieved indeed by your news.' He hesitated a moment and then stood. 'I will gladly bear him company. He would do no less for me. If you will excuse me…'

He barely waited for her assent before giving a small bow and leaving the room, leaving Elizabeth to a leisurely, if, solitary breakfast.

When she had finished her repast, she took a different route back upstairs to appraise Jane of the situation. Maybe she might be able to provide some further comfort to Mr Bingley.

It was a solemn gathering for luncheon. Miss Bingley remained in her room. Mr Bingley and Jane, neither eating much, conversed quietly together while Colonel Fitzwilliam and Darcy discussed some business.

The weary Doctor joined then partway through the meal. Elizabeth took one look at his grey-tinged face and hastily poured him a coffee which he accepted with a small smile.

'How is Mrs Hurst?' Elizabeth murmured.

He took the seat beside her and sighed deeply. 'I managed to persuade her to take some laudanum and she is resting peacefully, for now.'

She nodded. 'That is probably for the best. It is a terrible loss for the family.'

'It is indeed. I just wish I could have done something to prevent it but…' He shook his head, face sorrowful. 'It is a terrible disease, indeed.'

19th November

It was the following day, and everyone had gathered in the parlour for some late morning tea when a footman entered bearing a tray. He paused by Miss Bingley and she took the card from the tray.

'Oh, for goodness sake,' she sputtered, passing the card to her brother. 'We apparently have a caller. A Mr Collins. Not someone I have heard of, but may be known to the Bennets, perhaps?'

Elizabeth glanced with concern at Jane, only to find she was returning the look guiltily.

'Mr Collins?' said Mr Bingley. 'Have we met a Mr Collins?'

'I think this may be our cousin, come to visit,' said Jane quietly.

'He recently came to stay with our family for a short time,' added Elizabeth, 'but we have not yet had the pleasure of an introduction. I cannot imagine why he has come here at such a time.'

'Well, we'd better have him in then,' said Mr Bingley. He nodded to the footman, who left, returning soon after and announcing their visitor.

Mr Collins was a tall, dark, and somewhat stout man, of around five and twenty, bearing a grave demeanour. He bowed low upon entering the room then launched into his greetings, which contained, amongst many superfluous words, compliments to the ladies and comparisons of the room with his patroness's home.

Mr Bingley looked rather perplexed during this convoluted and lengthy opening address but waited patiently for Mr Collins' verbosity to cease before welcoming him to Netherfield, before adding, '…and what may we do for you, Mr Collins?'

'I flatter myself that present overtures will be kindly received. I was informed, upon arrival, by my dear cousin Mr Bennet, that no less than three of his amiable daughters were currently absent from their home and indeed staying only three miles distant. I found myself uneasy on receiving this information, for I could not imagine why it was necessary for my cousins to be staying in a location so unrelated to them, and containing unmarried men, when their own home is so close by…'

Elizabeth, already weary of Mr Collins speeches found her concentration wandering, and looking around, noticed that Miss Bingley was nodding with complete agreement, Mr Darcy had donned his Mask and Mr Bingley's mouth was opening and closing as if he were waiting for a gap in the speech before himself speaking.

'… but having been assured it was a necessary absence, I felt it was my immediate duty to travel here in person to meet those of my charming cousins I had yet to encounter and to reassure myself as to the respectability of their present company.' At this, he bowed in Jane and Elizabeth's direction, ignoring the gasp of shock emanating from Miss Bingley's direction. 'Cousin Jane, cousin Elizabeth, I have heard much of your beauty, but in this instance your fame has fallen far short of the truth. I have no doubt you will, in due time, all be well disposed of in marriage, you are both charming indeed.'

Elizabeth blushed and again glanced at Jane, whose colour was also rising. Neither of them chose to speak as his comments were too ridiculous to warrant reply.

Miss Bingley tittered behind her hand then asked, 'Please be seated, Mr Collins. May I offer you some tea?'

'You are very kind. I would be delighted to accept a cup of tea from your fair hand.'

He collected the cup and then crossed to the sofa where Jane and Elizabeth sat and, without warning, squeezed into the space between them, offering a smile to each lady as they shuffled aside to make more room without being pressed against him.

Miss Bingley poured another cup and held it out. 'Mr Darcy, here is your tea, just as you like it.'

Mr Collins started, spilling a few drops of tea from his cup. Carelessly brushing the drops from his coat onto Elizabeth's dress he said, 'Mr Darcy? Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire?'

'Yes,' was the taciturn reply.

'This being the case, I have the very great pleasure of informing you that my patroness, your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh was in the best of health when I left for Longbourn, not a se'ennight ago…'

'I am very glad to hear it.'

'…and you will be pleased to hear that her daughter, your betrothed, Miss de Bourgh, was also in the best of health, given her delicate constitution. Indeed…'

They were not to learn what Mr Collins was to continue with as Mr Darcy abruptly interrupted his speech, frowning severely. 'I am pleased to hear they are both well, although you are misinformed as to my connection to Anne. We are cousins, nothing more.'

'Nothing more, as yet,' said Mr Collins, with a sly smile followed by a finger to his lips. 'I understand you perfectly. Of course, until the official announcement is made we must not speak of it, but it is purely a formality. As her ladyship confidently informs me…'

'Indeed.' Mr Darcy said with finality. 'Therefore, I suggest you cease speaking of it.'

There was an uncomfortable silence as Mr Collins subsided, before recovering and taking a swallow of his tea. He then turned to Jane, interrupting her quiet conversation with Mr Bingley with an ingratiating smile and said, 'Cousin Jane, I am very pleased to meet you, at last. I was distressed to find you absent when I arrived. I had been anticipating our meeting greatly. Now I have had the very great pleasure of seeing you, I find the reports of your beauty vastly underrated. Indeed, I am much gratified, and can assure you that I hope we will soon become the closest of family.'

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly at this speech, hoping Mr Collins did not mean what she thought he meant, and she shot a brief glance at Mr Bingley, who was seated on a chair near to Jane and obviously unhappy with the interruption. Something had to be done.

Dr Williams broke the awkward silence. 'Mr Collins, you may not be aware that there has been an outbreak of smallpox in the neighbourhood. I have been busy vaccinating the local populace and any servants that require protection from the disease. As a clergyman, you will often be called on to attend on the sick and diseased, so I offer my vaccination services should you require them.'

Mr Collins smiled and waved a hand in dismissal. 'That will be unnecessary, I assure you,' he said. 'My patroness, Lady Catherine de Bough, assures me that anyone with a strong mind and good morals will not become infected by these diseases that afflict the poor and uneducated.'

Despite the sputtering from others in the room, as they choked on their tea, the Doctor simply said, 'As you desire,' and ended the conversation.

Elizabeth then saw her chance to remove Mr Collins from the gathering, unpleasant a chance as it was. Swallowing, she reluctantly said, 'Mr Collins, if you have finished your tea, would you care to take a turn with me? The gardens and views here are very pleasant, and I would show them to you.' As she spoke, she stood, causing all the seated gentlemen to also stand. All excepting Mr Collins that is, who reluctantly hauled himself to his feet after seeing the other men do so.

'Why, cousin Elizabeth, I am very fond of gardening and would be delighted to view the splendid offerings surrounding this most pleasant of abodes. If my cousin, Miss Bennet,' here he bowed at Jane, 'would care to accompany us, my joy would be complete.'

'Jane is but recently recovered from an illness and should remain where it is warm,' said Elizabeth, hurriedly.

Ever the gentleman, Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the breach. 'If I may, I would join you. I fear I have been indoors too long and feel in need of some air.'

Elizabeth shot him a grateful look and said, 'The more the merrier, Colonel Fitzwilliam. You are very welcome to join us.'

'Well, I er…' stammered Mr Collins reluctantly, looking at Jane.

'Excellent,' said the Colonel, moving forward and slapping Mr Collins so hard on the back that he stumbled forward. 'Come along, Mr Collins!'

Mr Collins took so long to bow himself out of the room, he had to scurry in an undignified manner to catch up with Elizabeth and the Colonel, who had already donned their outerwear and gone outside.

Mr Collins' delight on realising he was in the presence of not just one, but two, of Lady Catherine's nephews was extreme, exceeding even his delight at Jane's pretty face and figure. On returning to the house, he spent much time in speech with Mr Darcy, expounding on his gratitude to his patroness, Lady Catherine. So much so, that Mr Darcy soon felt obliged to excuse himself to write a letter of business.

Colonel Fitzwilliam, after a gruelling half hour's conversation with Mr Collins, sequestered himself in the billiard room.

Mr Collins attempts to corner Jane did not, however, meet with much success. Mr Bingley was her near constant companion, and Elizabeth did her utmost to distract Mr Collins from her sister when Mr Bingley was obliged to be elsewhere.

Elizabeth found the man exceedingly tedious company but was willing to sacrifice her peace of mind for her darling Jane. Luckily Mr Bingley and Jane took the opportunity to escape, undetected by anyone but Elizabeth, into the Orangery whilst Mr Collins was refreshing himself. This gave Elizabeth a chance to escape outside and into the woods for some well-earned peace and fresh air, leaving Miss Bingley and Mr Hurst to entertain Mr Collins when he returned.