Chapter 9

Elizabeth watched as Darcy shook the newcomer's hands and made introductions.

"Shall I show you to your rooms, Doctor?" Mrs. Hurst asked.

"Yes, thank you. I should appreciate washing before seeing the patient."

Elizabeth went to Jane's room to await the man. Jane's eyes were glazed from the laudanum, but she was calm and happy, waxing at length about the agreeable conversation she'd had the night before with "dear Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth had hoped her father would return before the doctor was ready to see her sister, but those hopes were dashed when the door opened.

Mrs. Hurst entered, followed by two maids and the doctor. "Jane, dear, this is Dr. Carson. He'll examine you now; would you like me to stay, or shall I leave you to your sister?"

"Please stay," Elizabeth requested quietly. "I would like to have company, and seeing as my father has not yet arrived from Longbourn…" her voice trailed off.

Mrs. Hurst nodded and gave Elizabeth a sympathetic pat on her shoulder. "The foreman at my father's warehouses had a daughter my age who was much like your sister."

"Was?"

Her lips turned down slightly. "She, too, had a weak heart. My father made his fortune and sent us to finishing school. Maggie died the first winter I was away."

Tears filled Elizabeth's eyes; she'd hoped Mrs. Hurst's was a miracle store to which she could look for hope. Blinking away the moisture, she gave Mrs. Hurst a small smile and turned her attention back to her sister.

Dr. Carson had taken Jane's delicate wrist in his hand, his fingers resting on the inside, while he held a small pocketwatch in his other hand.

"Hmm."

He jotted a few things down in a small notebook - not unlike the one Mr. Jones used - then asked, "Could you please open your mouth and stick out your tongue?"

Jane giggled and obliged. He put on a pair of spectacles and peered into her mouth. "Lift your tongue."

A few more notes, then he lifted up Jane's upper lip, causing her to giggle lightly again. He smiled kindly at her and said, "I know it seems a bit ridiculous. Have you always had such difficulty sticking your tongue out very far?"

Jane nodded.

"Just as I thought. Now, what can you tell me about your courses?"

Jane turn bright red and looked down at the bed, remaining silent. Elizabeth stepped forward and said, "They come once a month, sir. They are usually only for a day or so, and while there isn't much blood, she does get painful stomach cramps and a headache."

"But she does get them?"

"Yes, sir."

"Very good."

He opened the satchel he had placed near her bed and pulled out a unique horn-shaped object. He placed the large end on Jane's chest above her heart, then the smaller end went into his ear. Using the pocket watch again, he was silent for a full minute before withdrawing the instrument.

At Elizabeth's astonished expression, he explained, "I prefer using an ear horn. I know it is typically used by those who have hearing loss, but I've found it gives my patients a better degree of privacy than the typical way."

"That is quite forward-thinking of you," Mrs. Hurst remarked. "I daresay most men wouldn't be so thoughtful."

Dr. Carson frowned. "Yes, well, unfortunately there are many who seek to abuse a system put in place to help those who are less fortunate."

He stood from his place near Jane's bed. "Thank you for being such an excellent patient, my dear. You are perhaps one of the calmest patients I have ever treated."

Jane gave him a sleepy smile, then laid back down on the bed. Elizabeth walked over and kissed her sister on the forehead. "We'll let you rest now, dearest."

Once the doctor, Mrs. Hurst, and Elizabeth left the room, the latter resumed the earlier conversation, sharing Jane's last experience with a doctor from London. "Papa found out later that the doctor was receiving money for each person he brought to the asylum, as it increased the facility's income from donors, and Jane was especially beautiful."

Mrs. Hurst's eyes filled with tears. "I don't understand why asylums and poorhouses even need to exist when I know so many people who keep their children at home! I know many families who do so; why, even Lord Byron has a deformed foot, and he is quite accepted throughout society!"

"Only because of his status and works," the doctor replied. "Besides, a physical defect that is clearly seen is different than an infirmity of the mind. At least, that is the view of many educated people. You would leave a child a with a mother who has a missing limb, but you would not leave a child with a madwoman or idiot."

"A physical ailment often has a cause," Elizabeth pointed out. "I know Lord Byron's is from birth, but it only affects one part of him. With people like Jane, others wonder if it is a hereditary condition."

"Which it may be," Dr. Carson answered. "We simply don't know enough to know for sure. All we can do is treat the individual as best as we can."

"I understand you have treated Mr. Darcy's family for long," Elizabeth said, hoping to gain more insight into the man who was proving to be such a conundrum.

"Ah, yes, I have," he replied simply.

There was an awkward silence for a few moments. Curiosity burned inside Elizabeth's chest, but she could tell by firm set of the man's jaw that any further questions would be answered with similar vagueness

"What is your prognosis on Jane, then?" she asked instead, redirecting the conversation to her sister.

"I understand from Mr. Darcy that your apothecary, Mr. Jones, has said that Jane's heart is failing her?"

Elizabeth nodded. "He said she may only have a few months left to live, or even a year."

The doctor sighed. "I'm afraid he is correct. Your sister's heart is beating much more quickly than it should be - even for being ill - and there is an unusual rhythm to it. It seems to slow down, speed up, and even skip beats entirely. Additionally, her lungs sound as though she has winter fever - they are filled with fluid. It is why she coughs."

"Then you can do nothing?" Elizabeth's voice broke on the last word.

He shook his head. "I am very sorry, my dear. I can provide some receipts for tisanes that Mr. Jones can mix for her that can ease her symptoms and perhaps add a little more time, but I would not anticipate her surviving more than a year or two longer."

Fighting back tears, Elizabeth asked in a wavering tone, "Can I… can I take her back home?"

Hesitating for a moment, Dr. Carson said, "I think if her cough is able to entirely subside, she can. Winter is already on its way, and with her lungs already filling with fluid, even a half-hour's carriage ride breathing the cold air could prove fatal."

"She is welcome to remain here as long as she needs," Mrs. Hurst said hastily. "That includes you as well, Miss Elizabeth."

"Thank you very much," Elizabeth replied with sincere gratitude. "I promise we will do all we can to be as little burden as possible."

Mrs. Hurst waved her hand dismissively. "What is the purpose of money if it cannot be used to make life easier for others?"

"That is very good of you." Elizabeth reached out impulsively to grasp Mrs. Hurst's hand and place a kiss on it. "I am in your debt."

Dr. Carson cleared his throat. "I will write up those receipts now and leave them for you to pass on to Mr. Jones, then I will be on my way."

"Would you not prefer to stay the night, sir, and travel tomorrow?" Mrs. Hurst offered.

He shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I have several patients who need my attention. My wife is expecting me tonight as well, and I would hate to cause her worry."

Elizabeth watched as Mrs. Hurst led Dr. Carson away to the study in search of paper. She gave a heavy sigh, then turned and limped back towards her room. How was she ever going to break the news to her father?

To Elizabeth's great frustration, Mr. Bennet was accompanied by his wife and three younger daughters when he returned to Netherfield that afternoon. He shrugged in resignation when Elizabeth was finally able to catch his eye. "There was nothing I could do," he murmured.

The entire Bennet family had burst into Jane's room as Elizabeth tended to her. While her cough had eased a bit, Elizabeth was still disturbed to see the tinges of blue on her sister's lips and fingertips, coupled with her pale face.

Mrs. Bennet, upon seeing her daughter in such a state, burst into loud wails and threw herself onto the bed, practically smothering the girl with her ample form. "Oh, my dearest Jane! My poor, beautiful girl."

Startled awake, Jane blinked and looked around. "Mama!" she exclaimed, a beaming smile coming across her face.

"Let's allow Jane some room to breathe," Mr. Bennet said sardonically.

Mrs. Bennet straightened up and gave him a scowl. "You don't know what I suffer," she sniffed. "You haven't a mother's feelings."

His lips pressed together in annoyance, and Elizabeth could see a flash of hurt in his eyes before he retorted, "Well, my dear, if Jane dies of this illness, you can be comforted to know it was all in pursuit of Mr. Bingley."

Elizabeth stifled a small gasp. How can Papa be so cruel? He knows Jane will not survive, yet he turns the matter into a way to aggravate Mama.

She gave him a severe frown, and he winced slightly. Mrs. Bennet - who ignored her husband, as was her custom when he provoked her - began to quiz Jane on whether or not she had seen anything of Bingley.

"Remember, Mama, that Jane has been too ill to go downstairs, and it would hardly be proper for him to attend her in her chambers," Elizabeth said gently.

Mrs. Bennet's mouth formed a pout. "Well, we shall just have to make sure you stay here until after you have recovered, then, Jane."

"But Mama -" Elizabeth began to protest.

"No, Elizabeth," her mother replied sharply. "You have done nothing to further your sister's cause with Mr. Bingley, and I am quite put out with you. Jane will not leave Netherfield until she has been able to spend time with him. With her beauty, I predict he will offer marriage within two days of her departure, or my name's not Fanny Bennet."

Having put her second daughter in her place, Mrs. Bennet turned to Mary. "Did you bring your trunk, my girl?"

Mary darted a look over at Elizabeth before mumbling, "Yes, Mama."

"Her truck?" Elizabeth asked suspiciously. "Why would Mary need to pack a trunk to visit Jane?"

"Because she will be staying here to care for Jane, and you will be returning to Longbourn with us," Mrs. Bennet replied smugly.

Elizabeth's mouth dropped open. "But, Mama, I cannot leave Jane!"

"I would rather -" Jane's protest was interrupted by a strong fit of coughing, which went unheeded by Mrs. Bennet.

"You will if I tell you to," the matron retorted. "I am your mother, and I have the final say!"

"I believe I am still the head of the Bennet family," Mr. Bennet responded dryly. "Unless something has occurred of which I am not aware?"

Mrs. Bennet rounded on her husband. "I insist you bring Lizzy home immediately!"

"And why would I do that?"

"Because Mr. Collins is coming tomorrow! As Jane is for Mr. Bingley, it only makes sense that Mr. Collins will want the next eldest daughter to wed."

Elizabeth gaped at her mother. "Surely you cannot mean for me to marry the author of that pompous letter!"

"Why not? It's not as if you have any other prospects You would be the next mistress of Longbourn and secure our family."

Dismayed, Elizabeth turned towards her father, who was smirking at his favorite daughter. "You do not wish to take your mother's place when I die?"

Mrs. Bennet blinked at her husband. "What do you mean, take my place?"

"Well, when I die, Mrs. Bennet, it will make Mr. Collins the master of Longbourn. Naturally, you will give way for his wife, whomever she may be." Mr. Bennet looked over at Elizabeth and gave a sly wink.

Latching onto this idea, Elizabeth tapped her chin with her finger. "An intriguing notion, Papa. I think one of my first orders of business will be to decrease everyone's pin money. After all, I will wish to economize for the benefit of my own children."

Mrs. Bennet's jaw dropped, her eyes widening with horror. She gaped at Elizabeth, then at Mr. Bennet, then back at Elizabeth again. Her mouth opened several times, but no words come out for several long moments. At last she said, "Perhaps I have been hasty in deciding that Elizabeth should marry Mr. Collins. She may be too headstrong for a parson's wife."

Elizabeth sighed in relief. "Then I may stay here with Jane, Mama?"

"Hmm?" Mrs. Bennet was gazing at her three remaining daughters, an appraising look on her face. "Oh yes, we don't want you around disturbing Mr. Collins."

"A wise idea," Mr. Bennet said dryly. "Now, I think it best we leave Jane to rest."

Jane, who had been watching the conversation with a smile on her face - interrupted only by the occasional coughing fit - had begun to doze off once again. Mrs. Bennet gave her eldest a fond look and said, "Very well. We have much to do to prepare for your heir's arrival, in any case."

The matron then bustled out of the room, loudly discussing with her three youngest which would make the best wife for Mr. Collins. Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes at Elizabeth, who responded with a tight smile. "Narrow escape, my dear daughter."

"Quite."

Mr. Bennet let out a loud sigh, then said glanced sheepishly at Jane. Noticing she was now fast asleep, he whispered, "Now tell me everything the London doctor told you."

Elizabeth quietly summarized the man's findings, including the fact that Jane could not return to Longbourn until her cough had completely gone away. "I do not like the idea of staying at Netherfield indefinitely," she finished. "It means depending too much on the kindness of strangers."

"I do not see that we have any choice, my dear," Mr. Bennet replied. "Not if we wish to have Jane with us as long as possible."

Their conversation was interrupted when Mary stuck her head back in the room and said solemnly, "Papa, I think it best if we leave now. The time for an appropriate social call has come to an end."

"Quite right, my dear. Where would we be if we did not have you around to help us maintain propriety?"

Mary beamed at this statement, quite oblivious to her father's sardonic tone. Elizabeth, anxiety rising within her, asked, "Where is Mama, Mary?"

"She is in the drawing room with Mr. Bingley and his party," Mary replied. "I believe Mama is attempting to convince him to hold a ball here at Netherfield."

The disapproval was plain in her inflection, and Elizabeth groaned inwardly. The three of them left a sleeping Jane to the care of a maid and quickly made their way down the stairs. Mrs. Bennet's resonating voice could be heard long before they reached the door that would take them into the room.

Fortunately, only Darcy appeared to be inconvenienced by the conversation; he stood silently at the window, an cold mask of stone easily seen in the reflection as he gazed at the vista.

For his part, Bingley was delighted with the idea of holding a ball at Netherfield, and Mrs. Hurst was surprisingly as agreeable as her brother about the notion. She was telling an eager Kitty and Lydia about the latest fashions, while Mrs. Bennet prattled on to the attentive young master of Netherfield about what fine dancers her girls were.

"I shall dance with all of them," he promised, causing Mrs. Bennet to squeal slightly and clap her hands with glee.

Mr. Bennet loudly cleared his throat. "I believe the carriage is just about ready for us, my dear. Let us make sure we still have Mary's trunk. The servants may have unloaded it prematurely."

Mrs. Bennet exclaimed in dismay and ushered her three youngest daughters out the door. Mrs. Hurst accompanied her, promising to have the housekeeper and footmen do all they could to remedy the situation.

This left Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet alone with Bingley and Darcy. "I want to thank you again, Mr. Darcy, for sending for a physician for my daughter," Mr. Bennet said.

Darcy merely bowed his head in solemn acknowledgment. When it was clear that he wouldn't speak, Mr. Bennet turned his attention to Bingley. "I'm afraid we must trespass on your kindness for a bit longer," he said. "The doctor was in complete agreement with Mr. Jones: any attempts to remove Jane to Longbourn while she still has a cough is too dangerous."

"I'm delighted to hear it," Bingley cried, then blushed. "That is to say… I mean… I am not delighted that she is still unwell. Only that I am able to offer her aid."

Mr. Bennet chuckled slightly. "I hope you still feel that way after a month or two of hers and Lizzy's presence."

"A month or two?!"

Darcy and Elizabeth looked at each other in astonishment at having said the exact thing at the same time. Mr. Bennet gave a short laugh. "Well, perhaps not that long. It really is difficult to say. You may verify it with the doctor, if necessary."

This last bit was directed pointedly at Darcy, whose face reddened slightly. "That is not necessary," he said stiffly.

"I will be leaving Elizabeth to care for her sister," Mr. Bennet continued. "I would not like to leave my daughter alone to the care of strangers. I am concerned, however, for the state of things with regards to certain members of your party."

Bingley, looking flustered, cleared his throat nervously. "Yes, I completely understand. I have not yet fully decided what to do about my sister. For now, she is confined to her rooms."

"If I may be so bold as to offer my advice?" Mr. Bennet asked.

"Please do!"

"I have found that the best way to deal with young ladies who are firmly set in their opinions is to give consequences about things that matter to them. Elizabeth, for example, was often punished by being denied her walks or time in my library. Such discipline wouldn't affect Mary, however."

Bingley frowned. "Yes, I see what you mean. I will discuss it with Louisa; she will know best what to do."

"Mr. Bingley, I'm going to be very frank with you," Mr. Bennet said with a severe look. "I will not allow my daughters to be abused. The doctor confirmed what Mr. Jones diagnosed: my Jane has less than a year left of life. I would rather shorten her life by bringing her home than lengthen it by having her remain in a place where she is not treated with kindness."

Bingley looked sheepishly at the ground, and Darcy broke in to say, "My friend understands the situation, Mr. Bennet."

"I certainly hope so."