21st November

On receiving a message from Colonel Forster that Wickham had arrived back the previous day to take up his commission, Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam arranged to meet them both later that day. Mr Bigley had accompanied them as far as the village, then taken himself off to visit his betrothed.

'Let's hope that Wickham doesn't run off when he hears who he'll be meeting with,' chuckled the Colonel as they rode out from Netherfield. 'He's not the bravest of men.'

'Unless he resigned his commission, he must know he would be in serious trouble should he vanish.'

'He was never one to think before acting. I foresee a certain amount of bravado in front of his new Commanding Officer.'

'Well, shall we make him sweat a little beforehand? Let us stop by the inn first.'

'I can send a message to Colonel Forster, informing him that he should let Wickham know we are on our way but that we will be a little delayed. He knows of our relationship with Wickham and will understand our tactic.'

The two men were walking through Meryton on their way to the inn, when they were hailed by Mrs Philips from her front window.

'Good day, Mr Darcy. I hope you are all well up at Netherfield. If you could watch out for my niece, Kitty, on your walk, would you please tell her to return here immediately? The wretched girl has gone out again without letting me know.'

'Are you not under quarantine, Mrs Philips?'

'Yes, indeed we are.' Mrs Philips wrung her hands together while glancing up and down the street. 'But she keeps slipping out. She's been so bored since Lydia took ill. If only the officers were not camped here…'

'I will watch out for her, Madam, and send her back to you.' Mr Darcy touched his hat and the men continued on their way.

After a swift drink at the inn, they arrived at the barracks some ten minutes after their original time, and they were immediately shown through to the Colonel's office. Wickham was waiting as they entered, looking rather pasty-faced and wearing a sickly smile.

'Ah, Colonel Fitzwilliam, it is good to see you and Mr Darcy again. Please take a seat, gentlemen.'

The two visitors seated themselves, neither paying attention to Wickham at this point. 'Our thanks, Colonel,' said Mr Darcy. 'We are grateful for your co-operation.'

'What news do you have on the situation?' Colonel Forster asked.

'Nothing much good, I'm afraid,' said Colonel Fitzwilliam. 'Mrs Hurst is seriously ill…' Colonel Forster shook his head, sadly, 'Mrs Bennet has been confirmed with the smallpox, and a Mr Collins, cousin to Mr Bennet, decided to visit Netherfield two days ago, despite being warned not to. During his visit, which was prolonged due to the bad weather, he managed to expose himself to the disease. Unfortunately, as he had not been vaccinated, we have been forced to put him into quarantine as well.'

'It's a bad business, however on a positive note, we have not discovered any more infected since our last meeting. Now that people are aware, they are more cautious and many of them have taken up the offer of vaccination.'

'That is indeed a good sign.' Mr Darcy now decided to acknowledge Wickham. 'We are come now to see if Lieutenant Wickham, having now returned, can shed any light on the source of the outbreak.'

'Me?' sputtered Wickham. 'What could I know of it?'

'Our enquiries discovered that you had a conversation with the person we think was initially infected. A man called Thomson. You were seen speaking to him at the inn over a beer. He was waiting for a stage to London. It was also the day you left for London, so you may remember him. His face will have been badly scarred.'

'Thomson…' Wickham seemed relieved at the unexpected question. 'The name does sound familiar. What was it you wanted to know of him? I could not say where he is now.'

'We were wondering what you talked of? Did he mention where he had been before Meryton, for example?' said Colonel Fitzwilliam.

'No…' He paused. 'Wait a moment. He did say he had been let go from his job as a footman. A big house, some two miles or so from the village he said. Apparently, the lady of the house threw him out when he first became unwell. He started walking to the village but passed out and was found fevered and rambling.' He frowned. 'You know, even I would know better than that. At this time of year, it could have been a death sentence.'

'I don't suppose this big house had a name?' asked Mr Darcy.

'He did say, but the name escapes me. Said the lady was a real harridan though, red hair and a temper to match.'

Mr Darcy sighed. 'Was the name Netherfield, by any chance?'

'Yes, that's it.'

Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam shared a grimace. 'Miss Bingley… We must speak with Bingley. Oh, and Wickham, knowing your predilections, you might want to get yourself vaccinated against smallpox as a matter of urgency. Colonel Forster can arrange it with Doctor Williams.'

Wickham paled.

After leaving the barracks, and stopping by Mrs Philips's to discover Kitty had returned of her own volition, they travelled on to Longbourn to collect Mr Bingley, filling him in on the situation as they rode the three miles back to Netherfield. However, thoughts of where Kitty Bennet had been disappearing to, or of asking Miss Bingley about the footman were driven from their minds at the news that awaited them.

Elizabeth had been checking the vaccination sites of some of the housemaids up in the servants quarters, pleased that everyone appeared to be responding appropriately to the vaccination, and that the expected red halo had appeared around the spot where the threads had been. Some were slightly feverish, and she had told them to return to their beds until they felt improved, as the doctor had ordered. She had just reached the head of the main staircase when she heard someone call her name.

'Miss Elizabeth?'

She turned to see the Doctor hurrying toward her. He was unsmiling, which was unusual for this normally jovial man.

'Yes, what is wrong?'

'I may be asking too much but I would very much like your help. I fear Mrs Hurst is… in need of a friendly face at her bedside. I hope it would help her at this time not to be alone or with strangers. Maybe you could read to her?'

'Miss Bingley does not want to be present?'

The Doctor shook his head. 'She is in her room and not to be disturbed.'

'Would not her brother be a better companion?'

'I have requested his attendance on his return, but he has gone to Meryton with Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam and is not expected back for another hour at least.'

Elizabeth hesitated. She was not sure whether her presence would be welcomed by Mrs Hurst but if there was no-one else available… 'Very well. I will come.'

She followed the Doctor into the family wing and was shown into a large room, darkened to twilight by the drawn curtains and lit by firelight and a small number of candles, the air stale in the heat from the fire.

The Doctor spoke to the figure in the bed as he carried a chair across and placed it at the bedside. 'Mrs Hurst, I have brought Miss Elizabeth to sit with you for a time. She has offered to read to you, if you would like that.'

Elizabeth looked about, noting the nurse dozing at the fireside, and located a book left on a small table beside the door. It was the Bible. She looked at the Doctor with a raised eyebrow and he nodded before leaving.

She picked up the Bible and a candle. Placing the candle on a small table by the bed she sat and, angling herself to the light from a candle, flipped though the book until she located Psalms.

'Good morning, Mrs Hurst. If you would like, I will read some of my favourite Psalms to you?'

A hand shifted slightly on the bed, and a face turned toward her. It was difficult to recognise Mrs Hurst's features in the ruin that faced her now, but Elizabeth pasted a smile onto her own and reached out to touch the hand on the bed. It turned to weakly grasp hers and a small sigh escaped each lady, one from relief at another human's touch, the other of deep pity. Elizabeth gave the hand a small squeeze and began to read from Psalm 23.

'The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want…'

'…I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart…'

She was nearing the end of Psalm 27 when the Doctor returned, bringing with him a maid carrying a tea-tray and some bread and butter.

'I thought you might be in need of some refreshment,' he commented, moving over to examine his patient. He held Mrs Hurst's wrist to measure her pulse, adding, 'I've brought you some other reading material also. I took the liberty of asking Miss Bennet to provide a book from your room.'

'That was a kind thought, thank you. Is Mr Bingley returned yet?'

'He had just arrived as I reached the top of the stairs. I will go and speak with him after I have finished my examination.'

Elizabeth nodded absently, as she moved to the wash basin to wash her hands. 'Then I will remain here until Mr Bingley comes.'

Elizabeth poured herself and the nurse some tea, as the Doctor again left the room.

She had just finished her tea and had eaten a slice of bread and butter when Mr Bingley arrived. She stood as he entered the room and moved toward her.

'Miss Elizabeth!' he exclaimed, grasping her hands gratefully. 'I cannot thank you enough for your kindness to my sister.'

'Do not mention it. It is the least I could do. Go to her, I believe she is awake at the moment.' She looked into his eyes, gave a small nod and gave his hands a slight squeeze before shoving him gently toward the bed.

She picked up her book from the tea-tray and joined the nurse beside the fire, giving Mr Bingley and his sister some privacy.

'It won' be long now,' muttered the nurse.

'I'm sorry?' said Elizabeth.

The nurse nodded toward the bed. 'I've sen it go yon way afore.' Her voice low she added, 'Won' be mor'n a day, I reckon.'

Elizabeth blinked. 'I see.' She looked over at the bed. Mr Bingley was chatting away to the still figure in the bed. At first glance he seemed cheerful but looking more closely she could see the strain lines around his eyes. The Doctor had obviously told him what the nurse had just told her, and her heart bled for the pain he must be feeling.

Heartsick, she turned back to her book. How long she read the same paragraph over and over, she had no idea, but she was roused from her stupor by Mr Bingley speaking close by her.

'…think she is sleeping again now. I will go now and find Caroline and Mr Hurst and explain the situation to them. I will return later after I have requested the vicar's attendance. Would you be kind enough to remain with her until…' He choked slightly and coughed before continuing, 'until I return?'

What else could she say? 'Of course. I will remain here as long as I am needed.'