The Heiress

by Ldibo

Mr. Bennet had been married twice in his lifetime. His first marriage was not of his own choosing, and it was an unhappy one. His second marriage brought him much happiness, and he was deeply devoted to his wife. When Mr. Bennet passed away, to Jane's surprise, he chose Elizabeth as the heiress of Longbourn. This is a story about deception,betrayal and love. Unedited story. E&D J&B

39. Chapter 39

Notes: Second part of the chapter...

PPP

Another issue that plagued the entire Bennet family with anxiety was Kitty's fragile health. Regrettably, towards the end of February, a flu epidemic swept through the town of Meryton, and a servant infected Kitty and Mary. While Mary exhibited signs of improvement after a few days of diligent care and attention, Kitty's condition took a precipitous turn for the worse, causing grave concern among the ladies of Longbourn.

For several agonizing days, Kitty teetered on the precipice of life and death. However, as fate would have it, she eventually began to exhibit signs of recovery, much to the immense relief and joy of her devoted family.

Despite the passage of more than a month, Kitty's persistent cough and intermittent breath distress persisted. Upon the advice of Mr. Jones, her mother sent a message to Mr. Gibbs, a renowned physician from London specializing in respiratory maladies.

Three days later, Mr. Gibbs arrived in Longbourn. He subjected Kitty to a comprehensive and meticulous examination, and he confirmed that her lungs had become alarmingly vulnerable. He counselled her mother to take Kitty to the coast, as the salubrious sea air held the potential to alleviate respiratory ailments.

With a wan smile, Elizabeth's thoughts drifted back to the previous day's conversation. As they were having dinner, Kitty was suddenly seized by a fit of coughing. Instantly, her mother sprang into action, promptly handing Kitty a glass of water while simultaneously soothing her back with gentle, comforting strokes. Then, with a clear voice, she addressed them, "I bear news of great significance," the three of them looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. "Two days ago, I requested my brother's assistance in securing a property in Ramsgate or Brighton to lease for a few months. We can depart in late May when your mourning period will be over, and I will be in half-mourning."

As Kitty's face lit up with a radiant glow since she had listened carefully to the doctor's advice, Mary smiled. Unbeknownst to her, Elizabeth frowned as there were many tasks to do before the harvest. Guilt gnawed at Elizabeth's conscience, as Kitty's well-being outweighed the concerns of Longbourn. Discerning Elizabeth's disquietude, her mother hastily interjected, "My brother has pledged to oversee the administration of Longbourn during our sojourn to the coast."

With a final, lingering gaze upon the captivating panorama beneath Oakham Mount, Elizabeth turned and slowly returned home. The last few months had been a tapestry woven with sorrow and rife with tribulations, yet a glimmer of curiosity stirred within her, compelling her to ponder the uncertainties that lay ahead.