Chapter eleven: Growing Gratitude, Growing Suspicion

Jane Bennet shifted in her bed. She positioned herself against the cushions. She just woke up from her sleep. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy did not come back yet. She marveled about that momentarily, but her thoughts darted to something far more important. She felt a wave of goosebumps engulf her body, and this was not because of her sickness. She shuddered for even considering such a possibility. She wanted to convince herself that it could not be real. There is no way that this can be true.

Her sister's care for her has been nothing but astonishing and deeply moving. It certainly nursed her back to health. Yet, how did she accomplish it? For all the wit and intelligence Elizabeth was known for, she never possessed any knowledge of medical practices. However, for some bizarre reason, she suddenly became proficient in the field, with knowledge surpassing even that of doctors.

She consented to Elizabeth's requests in the morning, merely to indulge her. Yet, her methods have been clearly effective. Her sister's demands were not born of mere conjectures based on logical reasoning. No, she seemed to know what she was doing, even if she insisted adamantly on them without providing any answer. Did she read about these practices in some book, and her mind happened to recall them in a moment of urgency? She certainly spent a significant amount of time in their father's library, and Jane would not possibly know all the books her sister read.

No, that would not be possible. If that was the case, the doctor would know about them. Maybe she read about them in a foreign book? The Longbourn library certainly contained French and Italian books. No, that would not be possible either. Her sister never showed any inclination towards other languages. Their father offered to have them taught French lessons when they were young. While Jane thought that it was tempting to learn French, Elizabeth dismissed the offer, and Jane eventually did not want to spend more time away from her dear sister. She merely had a couple of lessons and she learned some basic French words before she decidedly quit to rejoin her sister's lessons.

Elizabeth had only been interested in literature and history. Yet, somehow …

Her thoughts were interrupted with a knock on the door, and her sister entered the room.

"Jane, you are awake!" she said when she saw her looking back at her.

"Oh, yes. Forgive me, I know that you insisted on me sleeping, but I could not help it. I do not want to sound ungrateful, but it is not humanly possible for me to sleep any longer" She sent her a warm smile, and her sister chuckled at this.

"Do not worry about it. You slept sufficiently to replenish your energy. Besides, it will be soon time for dinner. I crossed paths with Mrs. Hurst who offered to have a tray sent to your room when it is ready."

"There is no need. I have already overburdened my hosts. I think that I am strong enough to join them downstairs." She grappled with her curiosity for a while. Then she added, "Say, Lizzy, do you think that I would be able to join them at the dining room?"

Elizabeth did not respond at first. She approached Jane and checked her fever. Then, apparently satisfied, she said "Yes, I think it will be alright. I understand that you can be bored from staying in bed all day. I think that you will benefit from the movement. Besides, I am sure that the fire in the dining room will be lit. That should keep you warm."

Jane's brows rose, but she hid her astonishment. Then, she said "Understood. And do you think that I should be able to go back to Longbourn on the morrow?"

"Well, I do not think that it would be a good idea, Jane. We shall see. If your fever does not rise again during the night, that means that your condition is definitely stabilized. However, you should not expose yourself to the chill morning air. It might worsen your condition again. I think you should heal completely before making the trip. However, if you missed Longbourn, and you think that our mother's care would benefit you more, I think we can make the trip in the afternoon, when the weather conditions should be warmer." Elizabeth's tone breathed confidence and certainty of what she was saying. When Jane stared at her silently, she continued "I will go fetch one of Mr. Bingley's staff to inform them of your decision."

Jane thanked her and Elizabeth exited the room. Jane was immersed in her thoughts again. Her sister definitely did not know about what benefits the sick.

'Staff'. Jane never thought about this before, but she never heard Elizabeth utter the word 'servant' after her fall. Even at Longbourn, she never used it. Her mind was racing in a way it never had before. After lengthy reflections, she decided to cease thinking about this. Elizabeth mysteriously coming to possess this knowledge should not be important. What matters is that she tended to her, and she nursed her back to health. For that alone, Jane should be grateful, and she genuinely was. She saw deep concern in her sister's eyes.

Her sister's eyes, she repeated.

The Bennet sisters entered the dining room escorted by Mr. Bingley who rushed to Jane's room when his servants informed him of her decision to join them. He wanted to make sure that she felt indeed better, and that she did not feel obliged to join them instead of having a tray sent to her.

He showed them to their seats and he assumed his own as the servants proceeded to serve them. If not for her mind's preoccupation with other matters, Jane would have melted in response to his meticulous care for her since her sickness. Unfortunately, her thoughts were clouded by an unfamiliar unease to notice this.

As she settled in her seat, she then turned to her hosts and thanked them warmly for providing her with all the care she needed.

"Not at all, Miss Bennet. We are pleased to have you. We are even further pleased to see you standing healthy among us. All credits to Miss Elizabeth, of course. Your recovery has been remarkably swift under her care. It is clear that you benefit from her presence. I must congratulate your family for teaching her about these beneficial practices" said Mr. Bingley, his smile never parting from his lips.

Jane's gaze lingered on Elizabeth. Then she responded "Indeed Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth's presence is a balm to my soul. I am deeply grateful for her and for her immense knowledge."

Jane did not notice Caroline Bingley's scoff at her remark. She was far too busy observing her sister. Her eyes widened when she saw Elizabeth turn to the servant who filled her plate to thank her. The servant was startled, but she kept silent. Jane blinked, momentarily surprised. Thanking the servants for such tasks had never been customary, certainly not in the Bennet household, where routine duties were performed without acknowledgment. Coming to think of it, Jane noticed that Elizabeth had been acknowledging the servants excessively in Longbourn since her fall. But she never pondered on the matter. She merely associated this behavior with the trouble of losing one's memories, and not being able to tell the identity of the people surrounding them.

Again, Jane's feelings dismissed these thoughts from her thoughts. She continued glancing at Elizabeth every now and then, her doubts increasing once a sense of clarity has been introduced to her. Every time her thoughts attempted to mingle to form a logical thread, her feelings and her gratitude would banish them adamantly. However, she could not help silently observing her sister who also seemed in a pensive mood. What was she thinking about? Does it have something to do with Mr. Darcy who also seemed immersed in deep thoughts, although as silent as ever? Jane forgot about her sister's request for a private conversation with the gentleman amid her doubts of Elizabeth's character.

The heavy silence was interrupted by Miss Bingley who suddenly blurted "Ellie!"

"Yes?" To everyone's surprise it was Elizabeth who responded.

"Do you need something Miss Eliza? I was about to ask Ellie to bring me more of the soup. Would you care for more soup yourself?"

"I … I … I am sorry, but who is Ellie?"

Miss Bingley's eyes widened "Why, she is one the servants of course. There she stands, near the tray."

Elizabeth did not respond. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat, trying to conceal her embarrassment, but her blushing gave it away. Caroline did not want to miss the occasion to scorn Elizabeth. Laughingly, she added "Oh, forgive me Miss Elizabeth. I forgot about your condition. I understand that you may still find it troublesome to remember your name." Elizabeth was melting into a shade of crimson.

Jane did not find this amusing at all. She wanted to leap to her sister's defense. As she caught her breath, she was interrupted by Mr. Darcy who said "Miss Bingley, I for one, do not find this strange at all. You refer to Miss Elizabeth as Miss Eliza. Certainly, there would be others who would shorten her name to Ellie. Is that not right Miss Bennet?" He directed his gaze to her.

Jane did not respond at first. She was certain that none of their acquaintances ever called her sister as Ellie. Within the Bennet household, they had always called her Lizzy. Charlotte Lucas and Caroline Bingley sometimes used Eliza. Nobody called her Ellie ever. However, she smiled fondly at her embarrassed sister, and she said "Indeed, Mr. Darcy. Miss Bingley, thank you for your concern for Elizabeth's condition. However, I assure you that there is nothing that warrants alarm."

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Author's note:

Next chapter from Elizabeth's POV.