After learning that Lydia had called for her, Kitty went to find her sister to provide her some assistance. Upon approaching their shared room, Kitty heard some screams from inside and she quickened her pace. Not minding Caroline who was standing outside, she immediately opened the door to investigate the cause of the noise.
"Why are you here? You should not be here!" Lydia cried as she struggled to cover herself.
"Oh! Yes, yes, I am so sorry. I… I thought… I heard you say 'enter'… so I did and—" Mr Jones stammered his response.
"I was expecting my sister Kitty! I told the maid to call my sister!" a distressed Lydia answered in a raised voice.
"I see… well, Miss Bingley asked me to examine you… er… perhaps I should come back later when --" Mr Jones awkwardly explained and turned to go.
"Kitty! What took you so long! That maid is so stupid. She spilled water on me!" Lydia complained.
"I came as soon as I can, Lydia."
Mrs Bennet suddenly appeared and wondered at the scene she happened upon. "Upon my word, Lydia! Why are you screaming so? I can hear you from outside!"
"Mama! I was cleaning myself and changing into a fresh shift when that dim-witted maid spilled water on me. I do not know how she can be so careless! Then Mr Jones entered the room while I was --"
"You were dressing? While Mr Jones was here?" Mrs Bennet questioned, giving the apothecary a curious glance.
"I have no idea. He just came in--"
"Allow me to explain, Mrs Bennet. You see, Miss Bingley asked me to examine Lydia as she was reportedly coughing violently a short while ago. I did not mean to cause any distress. My apologies," Mr Jones reported before he exited he room.
"Have you fallen ill, Lydia? When did your coughing start?"
"Erm… just this afternoon… but I told Miss Bingley there is no need to consult Mr Jones. I do not think it will lead to a serious illness… I do not really get so poorly as Jane or Kitty," Lydia said evasively.
"Mrs Bennet," Caroline addressed the woman. "Lydia's cough sounded dreadful, and I would hate for any of my guests to suffer. That was why I thought to do the generous deed of asking Mr Jones to ensure her health." Caroline pretended to show concern.
Mrs Bennet studied Caroline's demeanour, remembering that she had seen their hostess hovering outside the door moments ago. If she was not mistaken, she had noticed a smirk on the young lady's expression then.
"Why did you not come in with Mr Jones?"
"I… I was about to... but I did not want to interfere."
"Lydia told you she does not need to be seen by Mr Jones, yet you insisted. What are you about, Miss Bingley?" Mrs Bennet became suspicious.
"What could you mean, madam? I was only being a good hostess. I saw a maid distraught after emerging from this room. She told me that Lydia needed help so I assumed that she has turned for the worse --"
"You knew that Lydia was in the middle of changing and then you sent a man in! Is that what happened, Miss Bingley?"
"No. Why would I do such a thing?" Caroline replied in an innocent voice.
Thoroughly dismayed, Mrs Bennet shook her head and declared, "Girls, gather your things. We are leaving now."
"What? But mama--" protested Lydia and Kitty.
"If you could please ask for our carriage to be ready, Miss Bingley, we should be on our way home shortly," Mrs Bennet said in a clipped tone.
"Of course, Mrs Bennet, if that is your wish."
Caroline gave some instructions to a servant and had a quiet conversation with the apothecary before he left.
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"Mary, why are you still not ready?" Mrs Bennet questioned her middle daughter.
"I was helping Lydia and Kitty with --"
"Oh, never mind. We shall go ahead. The carriage can come back for you, Jane and Lizzy later."
"Why the rush, mama?"
"I know when we are not welcome, Mary. We are all safer back at Longbourn."
When Mrs Bennet and her two youngest daughters appeared downstairs, Mr Bingley was there to meet them, his countenance full of concern. He had learnt that the Bennets had decided to return to Longbourn today instead of the following day.
"Mrs Bennet, I am surprised that you are leaving now. I had hoped that you would be staying another day."
"After the events this afternoon, I think it is best that we take our leave now. I thank you for accommodating us, Mr Bingley," Mrs Bennet forced a small smile, acknowledging that the young man had nothing to do with his sister's actions.
"I have asked my sister Caroline to make amends with Lydia. I was hoping that would resolve any ill feelings between them."
"I am afraid something else has happened after their first encounter today," Mrs Bennet's usual lively disposition was replaced by a grim expression.
Mr Bingley shook his head and looked confused.
"It is not something I am prepared to discuss now, sir. We shall be on our way." As Mr Bingley assisted the ladies into their carriage, he wondered what damage Caroline had caused again. Without wasting any time, he summoned for his younger sister in a bid to find out what else had transpired. Caroline assured him that she had done nothing wrong and that she had apologised as instructed. Observing that Caroline kept her answers quite brief, he was doubtful that she had provided him a full account.
Not long after, the three other Bennet daughters emerged from their rooms and proceeded downstairs to wait for their conveyance.
"We thank you for your hospitality, Mr Bingley," Jane remarked with sincerity.
"It was my pleasure to host you and your family. I am only grieved that you are leaving earlier than planned. Are you certain you cannot delay your departure until tomorrow?" Charles voiced hopefully.
"We have imposed on you for longer than necessary. Our mother expects us to follow them shortly, so we must go."
"Miss Bennet, in an earlier conversation with Miss Elizabeth, I have offered her the use of my carriage, should your family need it," Mr Darcy addressed Jane but his eyes moved towards Elizabeth a couple of times.
"That is very kind of you, sir," Jane said then turned to Elizabeth with an expectant look.
"Thank you, Mr Darcy, but our carriage should be back within the hour," Elizabeth replied, a little surprised to learn that the gentleman's suggestion was done in earnest.
"Miss Elizabeth, I hope you do not take this the wrong way, but it would be better if you and your sisters are able to travel before it starts to get dark. Mr Bingley and I will accompany you on your way," Mr Darcy explained.
Realising that the gentlemen were determined to guarantee their safety, Jane and Elizabeth gratefully accepted their thoughtful gesture. The ladies enjoyed the quality and comfort afforded by the luxurious carriage, while the men rode alongside them on their horses.
Unaware that his distant relations have already left Netherfield, Mr Collins was in a panic the moment he learnt that he had been left behind. He went off to seek Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley in a bid to make arrangements for his transport.
"It has completely escaped by notice that my dearest cousins have already left. I expected to join them in the carriage but unfortunately, I have missed the opportunity. I was hoping that you would be able to help me."
"Your conveyance is ready and waiting for you, Mr Collins. The donkey cart has been mended and is now in a good state of repair," Caroline declared, eager to finally be rid of the last of their unwanted visitors.
"I see. Well, I guess that will have to do," Mr Collins nodded. "Before I go, please allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for generously receiving all of us here in your well-appointed house. I must say that my accommodation was far more than adequate and the dinner courses were almost comparable with the feast served at Rosings --"
"Pardon me, sir, but I would suggest that you go on your way soon, so that you make it to Longbourn before darkness sets in," Caroline advised.
"Oh, yes. Of course. I just need to collect my belongings."
"Have you retrieved your book from the parlour, sir?" Caroline prompted him, not wishing to give him a chance to come back in search of some missing article.
"How could I forget? I appreciate you reminding me, Miss Bingley."
"Mr Collins, I am glad we made you feel welcome here," Louisa added.
Mr Collins bowed to the ladies in his own singular way. Later on, he would be surprised to see something inserted in between the pages of his book. And Caroline would be impatient to discover if she would succeed with her plan.
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Subject to editing
Thank you.