16th December

With the arrival of the Colonel before dinner, carrying a message from Colonel Forster, Mr Darcy and Mr Bennet were able to finalise their plans for the following day before joining the rest of the party.

Doctor Williams was dining with them this evening. He had returned to Netherfield and brought Mrs Mason back with him on his return to Longbourn, as she was no longer needed to care for Mr Collins. Her arrival would allow the ladies to catch up on their sleep, after a disturbed and upsetting night.

Mrs Bennet was indeed pleased to have another single man at her table, but her pleasure was expressed in a more subdued manner than her daughters were used to. She merely smiled and watched as he flirted with her youngest during the meal.

Mr Darcy missed the presence of Elizabeth, who normally brought some much-needed sense to the table. Instead, he was seated beside Miss Bennet, a lovely woman, but without the liveliness and impertinence of Elizabeth that he now craved. They had the pleasure of talking of Mr Bingley and when he would return. Miss Bennet had received a letter from Mr Bingley, and she shared the less personal parts of it with him. Mr Bingley would return, with his sister, two days hence.

Mr Bennet was also missing his second eldest. He had insisted Kitty sit beside him, so that he could keep an eye on her and subdue her complaints. Every so often they bubbled up, and he sternly reminded her that she needed to be on her best behaviour. He decided to have Kitty and Jane sit with Elizabeth after dinner until bedtime, giving the nurse some time to eat and rest, in the hope that seeing her bedridden sister would bring about a sense of shame regarding the whole elopement episode. He would not, however, be holding his breath on that hope just yet. The Wickham denouement the following day would do that, of that he had no doubt.

Once dinner was over, Mary escaped to the pianoforte, and the rest of the party moved to the drawing room where the tea tray was waiting.

Mr Darcy was, at last, allowed to visit with Elizabeth, although with Kitty and Jane along to chaperone. The nurse bobbed a curtsy, spoke with Jane about her sister's care over the next few hours, and left.

Elizabeth, who the doctor had said must remain in the downstairs room for another night at least, was not long awake when they went in. She was a little groggy after taking some drops of laudanum for her pain, but still alert enough to smile a bright welcome to her betrothed as he dropped to his knees beside her.

'How are you this evening?' he asked, taking her hand and dropping a kiss on her knuckles.

'Sore, just about everywhere,' she grumbled. 'I cannot do a thing for myself, it is so frustrating.'

'All you need to do for yourself at present is to rest. I need you to get well as soon as maybe. We have a wedding to plan.'

'I so dislike being confined to bed, and this was never my favourite room in the house.'

'Lizzy, you're whining,' called Jane, with a laugh, from the other side of the room. 'Still, it can only be a good sign if you feel well enough to complain.'

Elizabeth chuckled, then groaned. 'Jane, that was unkind. Do not make me laugh.'

Jane was immediately contrite. 'I am sorry dearest. I will be severe and unamusing from now on.'

'I thank you.' Elizabeth turned amused eyes back to Mr Darcy. 'And you must promise me to get some sleep, you look tired, my love.'

'I have been worried. I cannot help that, but I am glad you seem in better spirits today, despite your aches.'

A gentle, loving smile crossed her face. 'I am much better for seeing you. I was not sure if my last awakening was real or a dream.'

'It was more a dark nightmare the first time I saw you after, but then you woke, and the world grew bright again.'

'You say the nicest things.' She lifted an eyebrow at him. Then a crooked smile formed, drawing his eyes to her lips. 'Sometimes, at least.'

'And you are far too impertinent, my dear.' They looked at each other for a long moment, then he said, 'Can I get you anything? A drink or something to eat? Can I read to you, maybe?'

'No, I am perfectly at ease, if anything I am sleepy. It is hard to believe, as I have slept most of the day away, but there it is. You can read to me if you like, but do not be offended if I fall asleep while you do so. It is no verdict on your reading, which I know from experience is excellent.'

'I would take it as the greatest honour if you fall asleep as I read to you.' He stood to take up the book she indicated, from a small table. He pulled a chair closer to the bedside, sat and opened the book at the bookmark.

She lasted for six minutes before sleep claimed her once more.

17th December

Mr Collins was pleased. The doctor had given him permission to leave quarantine early that very morning, and as he packed his few belongings, he thought about returning to his home and Lady Catherine. A scowl passed over his face, thinking about her betrayal. It would take some hard work to crawl back into her good graces, but he had no doubt he would be successful. He need only pay the old bat sufficient compliments and wait for the events to fade a little in her mind, and he flattered himself he was proficient at both flattery and patience.

Picking up his bag he caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and shuddered. The smallpox had ravaged his features. Even to himself he looked… repulsive. Shuddering again, he turned his back on the mirror, picked up his bag and left the room.

Followed by two footmen, he made his way from the servant's quarters where he had been housed – disgraceful treatment for a clergyman - to Netherfield's entrance hall, scowling at his faithful followers as they allowed no detour. He had been hoping to peek in some of the rooms on the way out, thinking to find something that would be to his advantage with Lady Catherine. Finding one of her nephews up to something that she would not approve of, perhaps. Maybe some small, but valuable, trinket he could pocket… He sighed his disappointment, then stiffened in disapproval to find both of Lady Catherine's nephews awaiting his arrival by the main doors.

'Mr Collins.'

'Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam.' Mr Collins bowed low to both men, using the lowness of his bow to hide his expression. He assumed an obsequious appearance before returning to an upright position and gave them a half-hearted smile.

'I have been charged with a reminder from Mr Bennet,' said Mr Darcy. 'You are not, under any circumstance, to set foot on his property. Is that clearly understood?'

Mr Collins ducked his head and wrestled once more with his emotions, before finally being able to spit out, 'It is.'

'Good. There is a conveyance awaiting your presence outside. It will take you to the inn at Meryton, from where the stage departs. It leaves an hour after noon. Lady Catherine has been apprised of your imminent return and you are to attend her at Rosings Park. She expects you promptly at ten in the morning, two days hence. It is not an invitation, and you are not to visit Rosings before that appointment or you will be denied entry.'

Mr Collins bowed again, unable to speak through a throat closed by rage.

Assuming the cleric's obeisance conveyed his agreement, Mr Darcy moved aside and gestured to the door, which a footman then hurried to open. 'Your transportation awaits. I bid you farewell.'

Muttering under his breath, Mr Collins followed the direction of the gesture, and left Netherfield, noting the utter disrespect of the transportation offered him. A cart pulled by a single horse! Disgraceful. Looking back at the door to express his disapproval, he was further angered to find it already closed.

The driver spoke, a large muscular farmer in worn and patched clothing. 'Come along, sir, and climb up. I bain't got all day. I must get back to my fields.'

Muttering more oaths, Mr Collins dropped his bag in the back and heaved himself onto the box. 'Mr Collins at your service,' he offered.

The farmer grunted and clicked to his horse, who plodded off and down the drive.

Mr Collins fumed the entire way to Meryton where he was paraded, indignantly, near the full length of the main street to the inn.

'This be your stop. You'll have a bit of a wait, stage bain't for another 3 hours.'

Mr Collins climbed down and barely had time to retrieve his bag before the cart moved away. Muttering yet more oaths, he entered the inn, bought himself a ticket and arranged for his bag to be left with the porter, so that he could take a walk around the town to kill some time.

He had walked the length of the street and was drawing close to the militia barracks when he spotted a familiar carriage pass by. Ducking behind a street vendor, he watched Mr Bennet and two of his daughters, one of them his Cousin Jane, alight from their carriage and greet Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who had just that moment arrived on horseback. They all went into the militia office buildings leaving Mr Collins thinking hard.

His anger, never far below the surface had bubbled up again at the sight of Jane, the author of all his problems. He needed to be avenged before he departed.

Mr Bennet was away from Longbourn - the estate that should be his - possibly for some time. Two of his daughters were with him, leaving three more and his wife possibly at home. Was she still confined to her bed? He was unsure, but he could deal with women easily enough.

Did he have enough time to go there and… His mind blanked at this point. And what? A slow smile formed on his face as he thought about all the possible answers to that question.