Author's note: thank you for your feedback, everyone! I truly appreciate it. I hope you enjoy this chapter. My kids have been time-consuming this week (it was the 4th of July here in the US, aka Treason Day if you're a Brit, lol) so I haven't been able to write as much as I'd like.
Chapter 9
The dinner-bell rang, and Mr. Bennet took his daughter by the arm and the pair carefully made their way down the stairs. Upon hearing that she would need to remain at Netherfield for some time, Elizabeth determined she would take every opportunity to leave her room and socialize - even if it did mean spending time with Miss Bingley and Darcy.
When they finally entered the drawing room, the rest of the party had already gathered. Darcy instantly shot to his feet upon her entrance and crossed the room to take her other arm. The touch reminder Elizabeth of being in his arms earlier that day; she blushed and looked down, concentrating on her bandaged feet.
Miss Bingley sniffed slightly and remarked, "I am glad you made it. I was beginning to wonder if we would have to choose between a cold dinner or waiting for you."
Mr. Bennet helped Elizabeth into a chair, rolling his eyes at her privately. Elizabeth fought back a giggle and replied, "I apologize if I made you wait. I do not walk as quickly as I usually do, as you can tell."
"I trust your sister is improving?" Mrs. Hurst asked, hastily changing the subject.
The conversation was interrupted when the butler came in to announce dinner. Once everyone had proceeded to the dining room and took their places at the table, Mrs. Hurst repeated her question.
Elizabeth bit her lip and looked at her father, uncertain as to how much information she should share. Mr. Bennet shook his head. "I'm afraid it isn't quite as simple as that."
"What?" Bingley cried out. "What do you mean?"
Mr. Bennet sighed. "Jane was born with a weak heart, as well as a few other frailties. It has made her the wonderful creature that she is, both beautiful and kind, but I'm afraid those differences will end up fatal for her."
Everyone in the room gasped, save Darcy, whose face was cold and grave.
"Fatal?" Bingley asked in a whisper.
"I'm afraid so. Her heart was on the decline before this, but catching this chill has hastened her deterioration. Mr. Jones fears she may not recover. Even if she does recover this time, she may only have a year or so left to live, if that."
"She's been on borrowed time for quite a while now," Elizabeth added in a whisper.
The room fell silent. Even the indolent Hurst had put down his brandy and was watching the conversation with uncustomary attention.
"No!" Bingley declared after a moment, coming to his feet, his fork clattering onto the table. "There must be some mistake. Please, Mr. Bennet, allow me to send for a doctor in town -"
"One has already been sent for," Darcy interrupted.
Everyone turned to stare at him in surprise. His features tightened at being the subject of attention, but his eyes met Elizabeth's with a steady gaze.
"I thank you, Mr. Darcy, but there is no need," Mr. Bennet said slowly, looking between his daughter and the tall young man.
"No need?" shrieked Miss Bennet. "Sure you cannot believe that your apothecary is more knowledgeable than a London doctor?"
"As a matter of fact, young lady -" Mr. Bennet began hotly, but he was cut off by his daughter.
"What my father means to say, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy, is that we have had a doctor from Town come before. His opinion was… well, let's just say that his suggestions of abandoning Jane to a workhouse or an asylum were less than welcome."
Bingley's face darkened as he lowered himself back into his seat. "Who would dare suggest such a monstrous thing?"
Clearing his throat, Darcy said uncomfortably, "Unfortunately, there are many who still cling to the old beliefs that those who are born disfigured or blemished are due to a punishment from God and should be kept away from good society."
"Which is simply not an option for us," Mr. Bennet said firmly. "So while I appreciate your rather extraordinary kindness, Mr. Darcy, I'm afraid your physician is wasting his time coming all this way. Perhaps another message might be sent before he leaves, or at least before he travels too far."
"I can assure you that this physician does not embody any of those beliefs. He is my family physician, and I know of at least one patient he treats with issues such as Miss Bennet's. Not once has he expressed the necessity of placing a person elsewhere if the family is able to care for them."
"Mr. Darcy would only choose the best of doctors," Miss Bingley added. "It is so kind of you, sir, to go to such lengths for people we are not very well acquainted with."
"Then it seems I have no choice but to thank you, Mr. Darcy," Mr. Bennet said.
This led into a soliloquy in which Miss Bingley effusively extolled the generous nature of the Darcy family and how well thought of they were in Town and amongst the first circles. Darcy sat uncomfortably silent at the praised that monopolized the remainder of the dinner conversation.
Elizabeth ate her food mechanically, the rich dishes seeming to be tasteless. Instead, she surreptitiously inspected Darcy from the other end of the table, trying to make out the reason why he would send for help for Jane when he had spoken so harshly of her at the Meryton assembly.
Eventually, Miss Bingley signaled an end to the meal, and Elizabeth stood to go with the two ladies and leave the gentlemen to their port and cigars. Mr. Bennet, who greatly enjoyed both - but only in the solitude of his bookroom - attempted to excuse himself to help Elizabeth to the drawing room.
His excuses were gainsaid, however, when Bingley began to pepper the elder man with questions about Jane and her life. Elizabeth gave her father a sympathetic smile just before the door closed behind her. A footman gave her a kind smile and offered his arm.
Once they were settled in the drawing room, it was clear that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were also eager to learn more about their "dear Jane" and the Bennet family.
"I understand you have family in London? Which part of town do they live in?"
"Your mother's sister married her father's clerk, do I have that right?"
"I heard from an acquaintance that your sisters will each share your mother's five thousand pounds upon her death. She must have brought quite a dowry with her, seeing as the estate is entailed."
It was this last question that pushed Elizabeth's temper further than she had patience for. Her anger about her sister's condition, coupled with the snide comments all evening, had worn her down. Her feet were aching quite dreadfully, and she wished for nothing more than to be back in her room.
"I believe it was only five thousand pounds," Elizabeth replied coolly. "I must admit, I find your questions somewhat surprising, Miss Bingley. I would have thought you to have more confidence in yourself."
"What do you mean?" Miss Bingley's eyes widened at this rebuttal.
"Only that it's peculiar for so many personal questions to be asked on so short an acquaintance. I can only conclude that the fact you are a tradesman's daughter has left you insecure, and you are eager to learn how the daughters and wives of gentlemen live. "
Miss Bingley's gaping mouth reminded Elizabeth of a fish. She continued, "It is either that, or your seminary truly did not do an adequate job of preparing you to engage in conversation with those above your station. After all, a true lady would know how impolite it is to discuss something as vulgar as money with an acquaintance. I guess I couldn't expect better from a trademan's daughter."
"Elizabeth!"
"Caroline!"
The three ladies turned towards the door, where the four gentlemen were standing in the open frame. Miss Bingley's face, which had turned an alarming shade of purple during Elizabeth's diatribe, was the first to respond.
"Oh, Brother! You will not believe what this… this chit said to me!"
"Not. One. Word." Mr. Bingley seethed. His voice trembled with fury, and his face was as red as his hair.
Mr. Bennet's voice, on the other hand, was quite firm. "Elizabeth, I believe you are quite exhausted. You must be wishing to retire to check on Jane."
Elizabeth hung her head and nodded mutely. Shame washed over her, replacing the indignation that had consumed her only moments before. She attempted to stand, but as no stool had been offered for her to keep her feet elevated, the sudden pressure almost caused her to collapse.
For the second time that day, Elizabeth found herself in Darcy's arms. Miss Bingley gasped in shock, then narrowed her eyes. "I believe a servant could do that, Mr. Darcy. Or perhaps Mr. Bennet."
Darcy looked over at the heavyset Mr. Bennet, who clearly spent more time in his bookroom than on his horse, and said coolly, "It is the gentlemanly thing to do, Miss Bingley, as any lady would know."
Stricken, the orange-clad woman clamped her mouth shut. She turned pleading eyes to her sister and brother in turn, but they deliberately avoided meeting her gaze.
As Elizabeth was carried from the room, she heard Bingley say, "Well now, I think that we are all rather done for the day. I recommend everyone go to bed. We will discuss things in the morning."
She sighed. It was going to be a long night.