"That is the best news!" Mrs Bennet exclaimed after listening to her daughter Elizabeth read the letter from a poorly Jane out loud.
"You rejoice in your daughter being taken ill," Mr Collins, their peculiar guest who arrived at Longbourn only two days ago, sounded confused.
"Oh no, Mr Collins. I mean that I am pleased that Jane would be staying at Netherfield and thus would be properly looked after. Mr Bingley and his sisters would make sure that they attend to Jane's needs."
"Pray that her condition does not turn for the worse, for the sake of your poor nerves," Mr Bennet replied in a droll tone.
"It is but a trifling cold. Mr Jones would know the treatment for a sore throat and headache," Mrs Bennet spoke highly of their local apothecary.
"I should go to her," Elizabeth declared, feeling uneasy about her dearest sister.
"But the carriage and the horses are needed in the farm!" her mother raised her objection.
"Then I shall walk," Elizabeth made her resolution.
"How could you think of such a thing? Surely you do not intend to walk three miles in this weather. You will all muddied when you get there," her mother seemed more concerned about the state of her clothes than her wellbeing or Jane's health.
"I need to be reassured that she will be well," Elizabeth persisted. "I am quite capable to walking the distance."
"We could walk as far as Meryton with you," Kitty and Lydia offered, though Elizabeth knew they were eager to seize an opportunity to meet some officers in the village. Elizabeth turned to her father for approval, who slowly nodded his consent.
"Thank you, papa," Elizabeth whispered as she excused herself from the room.
"But… but… first Miss Bennet, and now Miss Elizabeth…" Mr Collins sputtered, anxious that he was losing the company of his prettiest cousins.
"Do not be overly distressed, Mr Collins. Kitty and Lydia will be back before long. For now, you may enjoy reading Fordyce's Sermons with Mrs Bennet and Mary."
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Over an hour later, Elizabeth was shown into the Netherfield breakfast parlour, where everyone except Jane was present. Her unexpected appearance was met with obvious surprise. The first to address her was Mr Bingley, who greeted her warmly. He was then followed by his two sisters who maintained a polite expression. Mr Darcy bowed and simply stared at her, and Mr Hurst let out a grunt, his gaze quickly returning to his food.
"I am here to enquire upon Jane. How does she fare?" Elizabeth asked the assembled party.
"She has a bit of a cold and a little cough. It is nothing serious," Miss Bingley drawled.
"Mr Jones will be here to examine her shortly," Mr Bingley supplied.
"Yes, my brother sometimes worries too much. I am positive that Mr Jones will assure us that Miss Bennet would be able to go home soon. After all, she would be most comfortable at Longbourn with her family to care for her," Miss Bingley strongly suggested.
"We shall wait for the apothecary's diagnosis and recommendations. Please know that Miss Bennet is welcome to stay here for as long as she needs," Mr Bingley guaranteed.
As Elizabeth was escorted out of the parlour by the housekeeper to visit her sister, Darcy's eyes followed he form, admiring her light and pleasing figure. Never before had he seen her eyes so bright, her complexion glowing from rigorous exercise.
"Mr Darcy," Miss Bingley called his attention for the second time.
The handsome gentleman turned to her with a slight frown, piqued at having his pleasant musings disturbed.
"She is an odd creature, is she not? To walk so far! And what, for a sister who has a mere cold?" Miss Bingley remarked in a disbelieving voice.
"It is definitely not enough of a motive," her sister Louisa agreed with her sentiments.
"Could her father not spare her the carriage, or do they not have their own horses?"
The conversation between the two females was largely ignored by the gentlemen. Mr Hurst was occupied with his plate, Mr Bingley was talking to a footman to make certain that Mr Jones was on his way, and Mr Darcy was deep in reverie.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
"Jane, my dearest Jane," Elizabeth cried as she rushed to her sister, looking pale in bed.
"Oh, Lizzy, I am so relieved that you are here," Jane spoke in a weak voice.
"Mr Jones will be here soon. Have you had anything for breakfast?"
"They sent up some broth and hot rolls… but I could not… I did not feel like eating…"
"You must try," Elizabeth implored, collecting the bowl then giving Jane a few spoonfuls of the warm liquid.
"How is everybody at Longbourn?" Jane asked.
"We are all well. Home is not much different than when you left it. With the exception of the arrival of Mr Collins, that is," Elizabeth pulled a face.
"Our cousin easily switched his regard from me to you," Jane smiled.
Elizabeth groaned and added, "I do love you, Jane, and I would do anything for you. I will try my best to shield you from that man, just to make sure you and Mr Bingley form a match."
"Mr Bingley is everything a young man ought to be… he is sensible, amiable, so good-humoured… and such happy manners…" Jane sighed. "Do you really think he likes me, Lizzy?" Jane sounded unsure.
"Of course, he does. He danced with you twice at the assembly and he looks at you so adoringly," Elizabeth pronounced with confidence.
"I hope you are right…. and I hope Mr Collins is not too bothersome. I do not want you to feel forced to endure his attentions."
"He does test the limits of my patience, but I can withstand him. I just wish mama would desist in encouraging him to display his favour upon me."
"Well, we are both safe from him at present," Jane said then coughed.
"You are not pretending to be ill to escape him, are you? But I cannot blame you, for Mr Bingley is far superior to him, and very handsome indeed."
"Hush, Lizzy!"
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
Soon afterwards, the apothecary arrived and after due examination, he concluded that his patient had caught a nasty cold and he prescribed some draughts. Jane was advised to remain in bed until her feverish symptoms subsided. Elizabeth diligently tended to her ill sister until late afternoon when she felt she had to leave so as not to overstay her welcome.
"Miss Eliza, I am glad Mr Jones confirmed that it is only a cold. Did I not say so earlier? Your sister would probably be well enough in the morning after a good night's sleep. I shall arrange for your use of the chaise. You must not walk in this weather on your own." Caroline was ready to be rid of this particular Bennet daughter. While she found the eldest to be more than tolerable, the second one she could not take a liking to.
"Mr Jones recommended that Miss Bennet's condition is observed throughout the night. It would be most beneficial for Miss Elizabeth to stay with her sister until she has recovered," Charles insisted.
"Very well, if Miss Eliza is of the same mind. I shall have a room prepared."
Elizabeth expressed her gratitude for their hospitality and immediately penned a note to Longbourn. The master of the house was satisfied with this development, understanding that Jane would much prefer her closest sister to be by her side. The mistress, however, did not look forward to having to host the impertinent Eliza. And Mr Darcy? The usually stoic man convinced himself that he was indifferent to the presence of the additional guest and her fine eyes.
/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/
This story idea just came about yesterday. Like my other stories, it will be 'anything can happen'. There is no outline, no solid plan. Sorry, that is just how I work. I do have a few ideas and scenes in mind. Hopefully they will develop and become clearer as I write and come together somehow. Needless to say… it will be ODC HEA. ;-)
A few characters will make their appearance earlier than in canon, like Mr Collins arriving before Jane's stint at Netherfield. I dare not say how long this story will be, but I do not want it to be long LOL. I imagine that some parts will be silly and not too realistic. If you can accept all this and wish to continue reading, then I am happy for you to join me on this journey.
Thank you and please take care.
Updates on my unfinished stories (not abandoned):
In Her Defence – I have some ideas but I do not think they are good enough, so still on hold.
Unbridled – I have a very rough outline of the main events, but I find it difficult to write this story. All my doing…
What You Do Not Know – I have the big picture but no idea how to execute it yet.
One Shot of Utter Nonsense – I know what I want for the ending, but how to get there is not yet clear.
These 4 former one-shots… SMH… I need time to sit down and face them sometime.
On One Condition – currently updating
Meryton Playground – erm… I don't think anyone will miss this one anyway… maybe one day…