Chapter 4

Only a few days after the assembly, the ladies of Longbourn made a call on those who resided at Netherfield, and the visit was soon returned. It was clear that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst had little desire to interact with anyone but the eldest Miss Bennet. They took to her side almost immediately upon their arrival at the Bennet estate, and they spoke with no one else.

Mrs. Bennet watched the exchange with great pleasure, certain that these particular attentions were the result of the ladies' favorable opinion of Jane as their future sister.

Elizabeth, on the other hand, felt nothing but trepidation. True, it was almost impossible to not be affected by Jane's simple goodness. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were continually disarmed by Jane's happy manners and unassuming nature. Elizabeth heard them say as they left, "I've never met a more delightful girl in all my life!"

But what would they think when they realized that her gentle nature was all there was to Jane? Would they wish to continue the acquaintance with such a simple girl?

Elizabeth, being only one year younger than Jane (their parents eager for an heir to end the entail), was raised alongside her elder sister. It was very clear by the time Elizabeth was a year old herself that her skills were far beyond those of her sister.

No one noticed how different Jane was until Elizabeth learned to walk first. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, both of whom did not have younger siblings, had no idea that Jane was progressing much slower than most children did. Their somewhat selfish personalities - which naturally included the use of pin money being spent on books and ribbons as opposed to the quality of servants - meant that days would pass before either of them actually saw their daughter in person.

It was only after Elizabeth's first birthday that the Bennets even realized that their second daughter could walk, while the eldest was still only crawling.

After that, everything about the two sisters was compared. Elizabeth was reading words by the time she was five, whereas Jane still struggled as an adult with words of more than two syllables.

Elizabeth's piano playing was pleasing to listen to, but Jane still could not remember which key was a C and which was an F, even though they had the same music master for an entire year when Elizabeth was seven years of age.

Jane's embroidery was still all tangled - even though she practiced daily - while Elizabeth could hold her own with the other ladies of the neighborhood by the time she was twelve.

Even then, it took a stranger from outside the family to help the Bennets see the reality of the situation.

When Mrs. Bennet's brother, Mr. Gardiner, married his wife, the newly-named Mrs. Gardiner recommended a specialist from London come see the then nine-year-old Jane.

The man took one look at Jane's features and immediately asked, "How old was she when she first could sit by herself?"

Upon hearing that it was a month after Elizabeth's birth, he frowned and said, "I'm afraid your daughter is an idiot, and she will always be one. You had best send her to the workhouse and forget she existed, for the sake of your other daughters."

Elizabeth was only eight years old, and even then she was her sister's staunchest protector. She had stormed into the room through the door from which she had been eavesdropping and kicked the man in the shins.

"How dare you tell my parents to give up Jane!" she shrieked.

Then she kicked him again, this time a little higher in between the legs.

The doctor roared in pain and clutched himself with one hand, falling to the ground. He lifted his other hand to smack her, but Mr. Bennet - with agility that surprised even himself - launched from his chair and grabbed the man's arm.

"I suggest you leave before I kick you myself." His voice was deep and menacing.

Mrs. Bennet had swooned on the sofa, weak from having given birth to their fifth child. When she came to, the doctor was gone, and Mr. Bennet was comforting a sobbing Elizabeth.

"I will not allow anyone to take her from us," he vowed to both his wife and daughter.

Since that day, Elizabeth had taken upon herself the mantle of Jane's protector. Well aware of her sister's differences, Elizabeth had done all she could to protect Jane. The older the girls grew, the more worried she became.

Mrs. Bennet had the natural ability of ignoring things that were unpleasant to her. Jane's beauty was enhanced by the small ears, large eyes, and strong jaw that were currently en vogue in society, and Mrs. Bennet convinced herself that Jane would be able to make a good match.

It was only when one looked more closely that you could see the hints of upturned eyes spaced further apart and flat face. But as the Bennets treated Jane as though nothing was amiss, the rest of the neighborhood's twenty-four families had become accustomed to her unique appearance.

The fact that most children weren't seen by neighbors, or even by their own parents, until they were older also contributed to Jane's acceptance. The Bennets were fond of their daughters, but they did not have much to do with the daily care of their children as babies. Wet-nurses, maids, and nannies were hired for that purpose.

None of the hired staff were paid well enough - nor had the courage - to care about the eldest Bennet's development. It was only when Elizabeth came along that any delays in Jane's development was noticed, but Mrs. Gardiner was the only one who encouraged the indolent Bennet parents to do anything about it.

As Jane's beauty increased, Mrs. Bennet became more and more determined that Jane would marry well - which to Mrs. Bennet's mind meant that Jane would marry someone with significant wealth. Not only would that ensure the well-being of any of Jane's family after Mr. Bennet's death, but Jane would be cared for as well.

The lack of gentlemen in Hertfordshire meant that Jane at twenty-one and Elizabeth at twenty were still unmarried. In desperation, Mrs. Bennet had allowed her younger daughters to come out before the elder were wed in an attempt to entice the few young men in the area. The Bennet daughters, while amiable and with many charms, did not possess a dowry that would tempt the few young men of the area.

Bingley's arrival was - in Mrs. Bennet's mind - a direct answer to her prayers. The fact that he seemed besotted with Jane's beauty and unique looks completely washed away any trepidation she may have had over her daughter's unique characteristics and simple mind.

After all, Mrs. Bennet possessed a rather simple mind herself.

It was with great delight, therefore, that a note soon arrived from Netherfield from Miss Bingley. It contained an invitation to dine while the gentlemen were out to dinner with the new officers that had arrived in Meryton.

"My d-d-dear f-f-f… Lizzy, what is this word?" Jane asked, showing her sister the letter.

"Oh, give it here girl!" Mrs. Bennet, impatient with her eldest daughter's inability to read the elaborate cursive of the missive, snatched the paper from her daughter's hand.

"Why, it's an invitation to spend the afternoon at Netherfield and dine with them! What excellent news!" Mrs. Bennet skimmed over the page. "Oh, of all the rotten luck. The gentlemen will be dining with the new officers…"

Mrs. Bennet's voice trailed off as her eyes scanned the sheet again. "Well, there's nothing for it. You must go by horseback, Jane!"

"But it looks like it might rain, Mama," protested Elizabeth. "Besides, Jane can't go by herself. You know she'll get lost."

"Nonsense," Mrs. Bennet sniffed. "I daresay Jane can manage the road to Netherfield. It's not that far, after all."

"And the rain?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow.

"Why, she'll have to stay the night, of course!"

Even Lydia and Kitty gasped at the idea before giggling. "Imagine, staying the night in the house of a single gentleman!" cried Lydia.

"Nonsense," Mrs. Bennet said again, "Mrs. Hurst is there, so the situation would be entirely respectable."

"Let me go, too!" Lydia cried. "I want to see Mr. Darcy!"

"But you weren't invited!" Elizabeth exclaimed, horrified. "It would be a serious breach of etiquette!"

Mrs. Bennet looked at her youngest daughter, torn between propriety and matchmaking.

"Mr. Bingley's sisters might get a poor impression of us," added Elizabeth hopefully.

For once, reason prevailed, and Mrs. Bennet shook her head. "I'm sorry, Lydia, dearest."

Lydia let out an angry screech. "I hate you, Lizzy!" she screamed, stomping her foot. She then ran up the stairs and slammed the door to her room, her sobs echoing through the hallway.

Her absence was hardly noticed as Elizabeth turned her attention back to her mother.

"Mama, I still don't think it's a good idea -"

Elizabeth's words were cut off when Jane said, "But I want to see Mr. Bingley, Lizzy."

The stubborn look on Jane's face caused Elizabeth to sigh slightly. With Mrs. Bennet's approval and Jane's simple obstinacy, Elizabeth knew she would be wasting her breath.

Jane would go to Netherfield. On horseback. Alone.

What could go wrong?

Elizabeth dashed out of the room and down the stables, where she found Jamie watching the stable boy saddling Nellie, the old mare the Bennet girls occasionally rode when the mood struck them.

"Jamie, Mama is determined that Jane should ride to Netherfield alone," she panted, bending over sightly and placing her hands on her knees to catch her breath.

Jamie frowned. "Does Jane even know how to get there on her own?"

Elizabeth shrugged helplessly.

"Don't worry, Miss Lizzy. I'll escort Jane there myself," he promised.

"Are you sure you'll be able to walk that far on your leg?"

Jamie looked down at his twisted leg. "It's aching something fierce - must be a storm coming in - but it'll hold 'til I can get her there. Don't you fret."

True to Jamie's prediction - and Mrs. Bennet's delight - a hard rain began to fall not long after Jane was to have arrived at Netherfield. The rain continued throughout the evening without stopping, and it was clear that the eldest Bennet daughter would be unable to return.

"What a lucky idea I had!" Mrs. Bennet was heard crowing repeatedly throughout the evening, as if she were taking the credit of making it rain.

"Yes, my dear," said Mr. Bennet drolly at dinner when he heard his wife's boasts. "Your matchmaking skills are quite supernatural indeed."

Her husband had at first been quite angry when he returned home from visiting tenants to discover Jane had been sent off without so much as a groom to accompany her. As there was nothing that could be done, however, his natural tendency towards indolence allowed him to convince himself that all would be well with Jane.

Unfortunately, breakfast had scarcely ended the next morning when a liveried servant arrived from Netherfield with a note for Elizabeth.

Dear Lizzie,

I got lost and wet. I fill sic. Plees kum.

Jane

Elizabeth jumped to her feet in alarm. "I must go to Jane at once!"

Mr. Bennet looked severely at his wife. "If your daughter should die of this illness, I'm certain it will give you comfort to know that it was in pursuit of a good match."

Eyes filling with tears, Mrs. Bennet waved her handkerchief and said in a warbling voice, "Nonsense! People do not die of trifling colds! She will be well, I am sure." Her voice faded away, however, and concern was etched upon her brow.

After a brief argument over Elizabeth's desire to walk to Netherfield in all the mud - the carriage was not to be had - the decision was made for the second Bennet daughter .

As they left the breakfast room to prepare themselves for the walk, Mr. Bennet - who had long since finished his meal and escaped to his typical sanctuary - came out out of his study. "Ah, Lizzy, do you have a moment?"

Elizabeth looked at the large clock and sighed, irritated at being delayed from going to Jane. "What is it, Papa?"

"I need you to take a look at these ledgers. I cannot make the two columns balance, and I'm not sure where the error is."

Thirty minutes later, Lydia poked her head through the door. "Lizzy, what on earth is taking you so long? I want to go!"

"Papa needs me to find about fifty pounds that's gone missing before we can go."

"Well, it shouldn't take that long!" Lydia stamped her foot.

"I'd like to see you try it!" Elizabeth retorted.

Lydia flounced over to the desk and looked down at the numbers. Elizabeth scoffed, "If Papa and I can't find it after looking so long, I highly doubt you can."

Ignoring her sister, Lydia's eyes darted quickly back and forth across the page. Less than ten seconds later, she jabbed her finger at a spot and cried out, "There!"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Lydia, it doesn't work like that. You can't just make things up…"

Her voice trailed off as she blinked down where Lydia's stubby finger was pointing. "How… how did you…?"

"How's it coming, Lizzy?" Mr. Bennet looked up from his book, then blinked in surprise at his youngest daughter. "Oh, it's Lydia. When did you come in?"

Lydia rolled her eyes at her father and huffed slightly. She then crossed her arms over her chest and demanded, "Well? Let's go then!"

"Did you find it, Elizabeth?"

Mr. Bennet came around the desk and peered over Elizabeth's shoulder as she crossed out the very entry Lydia had indicated, writing the correct one to the side. "Very good, my dear," he said, patting her on the shoulder.

"Actually, Papa, it was Lydia who discovered it."

Elizabeth still couldn't believe that Lydia had identified the miscalculation - and so quickly! She stared in disbelief at the young girl, who tossed her head and replied airily, "La, it wasn't as if it was all that difficult!"

Mr. Bennet's jaw dropped slightly. Lydia's gaze narrowed at the look of shock on his face. "Just because I look a bit like Jane does not mean that I'm as simple as she is."

Before either her father or sister could respond, she turned on her heel and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Mr. Bennet watched the outburst with quizzical expression, even after the door had closed. Elizabeth, still reeling from Lydia's startling display of mathematical talent, finally said, "Well, Papa, if that is everything you need, I really must go to Jane."

He waved his hand towards her, ushering her out the door, his brow still furrowed in thought. Dashing up the stairs, Elizabeth quickly changed into a walking dress before coming back down again to don her boots and spencer.

Finally, the Bennet girls - save Mary, that is - headed towards Meryton. Lydia had wished to accompany Elizabeth to see Jane - "After all, I might see Mr. Darcy!" - but by the time they reached the small village, Lydia was too tired to continue on another two miles.

Declaring fatigue, she and Kitty chose to remain near the shops in the hopes of being introduced to some of the handsome young officers who had recently settled in. For all that Lydia spoke of wanting to marry the wealthy man from Derbyshire, she couldn't say no to admiring a man in a red coat.

Elizabeth continued on her way to Netherfield, doing her best to quiet the concerns in her mind by concentrating on the scenery. Unfortunately, she became too lost in her thoughts and did not pay attention to her surroundings. She muttered an oath as she landed in a mud puddle, the wet dirt splashing up onto the hem of her dress.

It was in that state that she arrived in view of Netherfield with tired ankles, dirty shoes, and a flushed face. To her dismay, she was shown into the breakfast parlor instead of directly up the stairs to her sister. All of the Netherfield residents - save Jane - were still sitting down to eat their meal, and their surprise was evident on each of their faces.

"Good morning," Elizabeth said with false brightness. "I have come to inquire after my sister. How is she doing?"

Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst exchanged glances before the younger replied, "I am afraid she slept very ill indeed. She was awake when I inquired after her via a maid, but she was too unwell to join us for breakfast."

"It is quite distressing!" exclaimed Bingley, running a hand through his hair. "I am quite dismayed that she was caught in the rain. I understand a bolt of lightning startled the horse, causing her to bolt away into the woods. It took some time for your servant to find Miss Bennet and get her back on the path Netherfield, so I'm afraid she did not arrive until well after the rain had begun."

Elizabeth's eyes widened at this information, and she begged to be excused to see her sister. A footman was summoned to lead the way, and she dipped a brief curtsy. The door hadn't even closed behind her when she heard Miss Bingley loudly declare, "Did you see her hem, Louisa?"

She rolled her eyes and followed the servant up the stairs and into the guest wing of the house. Opening the door, she was quite alarmed when discovered her sister to be very pale and feverish.

Jane sat up and burst into noisy sobs when she saw Elizabeth. "Oh, Lizzy!"

Sighing slightly, Elizabeth sat down on the bed next to her sister and pulled her into her arms. "There now, Jane, I'm here."

Eventually Jane's tears gave way to slumber, allowing Elizabeth to gently lay her back down on the pillow. Her worry had grown considerably during the time she held her sister; Jane's body had felt far warmer than was normal. Between her tears and temperature, it was clear that Jane was quite unwell indeed.

She crossed the room and rang for a maid. "Can you ask Miss Bingley to send a servant for Mr. Jones, please?"

Returning to her sister's side, Elizabeth began to pray. Please, Lord, let him come quickly.