Chapter 7 - Whispers and Worries

Fletcher stood in the hallway outside Mr Bingley's study. Two maids were walking together speaking in hushed voices. Fletcher caught the words, Mr Darcy's bed and Elizabeth Bennet followed by giggles.

He sighed, watching them disappear around the corner. Miss Bingley was clearly doing nothing to curb the gossip—rather the opposite, if Martha's report was accurate. The housekeeper had overheard her speaking quite pointedly to her maid about the "unprecedented impropriety" of the situation, practically ensuring the story would spread below stairs.

Fletcher had spent years carefully managing his master's reputation. Mr Darcy's dignity was as much a part of his position as his fortune, and Fletcher took pride in maintaining both. But this situation would require particularly delicate handling. Already the whispers were spreading through the servant's hall: the proud Mr Darcy, carrying a young lady through the rain, installing her in his own chambers without a thought for propriety.

He would need to speak with Mrs Nicholls about establishing a proper narrative. The truth could be presented quite respectably if handled correctly—a gentleman's honourable assistance to a lady in distress, and giving up his chamber to her. Nothing more. Though with Miss Bingley seemingly determined to paint the situation in the worst possible light…

The sound of measured footsteps made Fletcher turn. Morris approached from the direction of the entrance hall, his expression suggesting he too had concerns about the household's current state of disorder.

"Mr Fletcher," the butler said quietly as he drew near. "I wonder if I might have a word? These irregular circumstances…" He glanced meaningfully at the study door, behind which Mr Darcy was no doubt still pacing.

"Indeed." Fletcher moved slightly away from the door. "I was hoping to speak with you as well. The servants' hall will need careful management, particularly given Miss Bingley's… observations on the situation."

Morris's lips tightened almost imperceptibly. "Yes, I've noticed her particular interest in ensuring everyone understands the… unusual nature of the arrangements. Though perhaps if we were to emphasize Mr Darcy's prompt action in securing medical attention…"

"And his immediate consideration for the lady's comfort," Fletcher added carefully. "After all, those chambers were the closest to hand with a proper fire already laid, and he has completely removed himself to the blue room. The lady has been given full use of the chambers, with proper attendance from Mrs Nicholls and the maids."

"Quite so." Morris glanced toward the study door again. "Though I confess I'm concerned about how quickly such tales tend to spread. The laundress alone will have it all over Meryton by tomorrow afternoon."

"Ah." Fletcher's expression suggested he'd already considered this complication. "Then we must ensure the story is properly established before it travels beyond Netherfield. A gentleman's quick thinking in an emergency, nothing more. Though I don't suppose there's any way to prevent Miss Bingley's maid from sharing her mistress's… particular interpretation of events."

"No," Morris agreed grimly. "Though perhaps we might suggest to Mrs Nicholls that any maids with a tendency toward excessive chatter might be kept busy in the far wing of the house for now? At least until this situation settles."

"An excellent thought." Fletcher paused as another burst of giggles echoed from the direction of the kitchen. "And perhaps a word with the stable boys? I heard one of them telling quite the tale about Mr Darcy carrying Miss Elizabeth through the storm 'like a knight in a romance.'" His tone suggested exactly what he thought of such dramatic embellishments.

ooOoo

Upstairs in Mr Darcy's chambers, Jane watched anxiously as Mr Jones examined her sister, his weathered hands gentle but thorough as he probed the swelling around Lizzy's ankle. Every small sound of discomfort from her sister made Jane's heart clench, though Lizzy remained mercifully unconscious through most of the examination.

"The ankle appears to be badly sprained rather than broken," Mr Jones said finally, straightening up with a creak of his leather bag. "Though that fever…" He pressed his hand once more to Lizzy's forehead, his weathered face creasing with concern. "You say she was exposed to the rain for some time?"

"Mr Darcy found her trapped in the overturned chase," Mrs Nicholls supplied, her usual efficiency tinged with genuine worry. "She was nearly unconscious when he brought her in, soaked through and burning with fever. Though how long she was trapped there before that…" The housekeeper's voice trailed off meaningfully, her hands busy adjusting Lizzy's blankets.

Jane tightened her grip on Lizzy's hand, trying not to think about her sister trapped and alone in the storm. If Mr Darcy hadn't found her… She pushed the thought away, focusing instead on dabbing the cool cloth against Lizzy's feverish brow.

"I'll prepare a draught for the fever," Mr Jones said, reaching for his medical bag. "And the ankle will need to be wrapped properly. She must not attempt to put any weight on it for several days at least."

"Several days?" Miss Bingley's voice held a note of barely concealed dismay. "Surely once the fever breaks, she might be moved to more suitable—"

"Caroline." Jane surprised herself with the firmness in her tone. "Please."

An uncomfortable silence fell over the room, broken only by the sound of Mr Jones measuring out his medicines and the steady drumming of rain against the windows. Jane returned her attention to Lizzy, whose face was still flushed with fever despite the cool cloth.

"Here now," Mr Jones said, holding out a glass containing some dark liquid. "We'll need to get her to drink this. Mrs Nicholls, if you would help raise her head…"

Jane moved aside to allow Mrs Nicholls better access, though she kept hold of Lizzy's hand. Her sister stirred restlessly as they lifted her head, muttering something that sounded like "horse" and "trapped."

"Shh, Lizzy," Jane soothed, squeezing her hand. "You're safe now. Just drink this for Mr Jones."

They managed to get most of the medicine into her, though Lizzy coughed and tried to turn away from the bitter taste. As they settled her back against the pillows, Jane couldn't help but notice how small and vulnerable her usually vibrant sister looked in Mr Darcy's massive bed.

"I'll need to see Thomas next," Mr Jones said, packing away his supplies. "But I'll leave instructions for the next dose, and I'll return this evening to check on her progress. Keep up with the cool cloths for the fever, and make sure she drinks whenever she's conscious enough. The ankle should be elevated…" He glanced around and spotted a small pillow, which Mrs Nicholls immediately moved to place under Lizzy's injured foot.

"And Mr Jones," Miss Bingley interjected smoothly, "regarding the appropriateness of the current arrangements—"

"Miss Bingley," Mr Jones interrupted with unexpected firmness, "my primary concern is my patient's well-being. Miss Elizabeth must not be moved until that fever breaks and she's strong enough to be transported safely. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another patient to attend to."

As the door closed behind him, Jane felt tears pricking at her eyes. Whether from relief at his support or worry for her sister, she couldn't quite say. She blinked them back quickly, focusing on refreshing the cloth for Lizzy's forehead.

"Jane, dear," Miss Bingley tried again, her voice honey-sweet, "you really must rest yourself. You're still recovering from your own illness. Why don't you let me—"

"No." Jane didn't look up from her task. "I'll stay with her. But please, don't let me keep you from your other duties."

Caroline drew herself up stiffly at Jane's dismissal, colour rising in her cheeks. "Really, Jane, there's no need to martyr yourself. After all, your own recovery—"

"Is progressing quite well, thank you," Jane interrupted, her usual gentle manner hardening slightly. She continued to bathe Lizzy's forehead, though her hands trembled slightly from the effort of remaining upright.

Mrs Nicholls stepped forward smoothly. "Perhaps, Miss Bingley, you might see to the arrangements for dinner? With all the confusion today…"

"Yes, I suppose someone must maintain proper order in this household," Caroline replied tartly. She moved toward the door but paused, her hand on the handle. "Though really, Jane, when you've had time to reflect, you must see how irregular these arrangements are. Mr Darcy's private chambers…"

A small sound from the bed interrupted her. Lizzy stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Jane?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

"I'm here, Lizzy." Jane leaned closer, relief flooding her features. "You're safe now."

Lizzy's gaze wandered the unfamiliar room, confusion evident in her fever-bright eyes. "Where…?" She tried to sit up but fell back with a small cry of pain.

"Careful now," Mrs Nicholls said, moving to adjust the pillows. "You've had quite an ordeal, Miss Elizabeth."

"The chase…" Lizzy's voice trembled. "It was raining, and then… Mr Darcy?" Her eyes widened slightly as she seemed to remember something. "He was so kind… Oh!" A flush that had nothing to do with fever spread across her cheeks.

Caroline made a small sound of disapproval from the doorway, but before she could speak, Mrs Nicholls intervened.

"Miss Elizabeth needs rest," the housekeeper said firmly. "Miss Bingley, shall I have Sarah assist you with the dinner arrangements?"

Lizzy's eyes were already closing again, the brief moment of consciousness clearly exhausting her. She murmured something that sounded like "dripping water on the floors" before drifting off once more.

Caroline's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched the scene. Without another word, she swept from the room, closing the door perhaps a touch more firmly than necessary.

Mrs Nicholls and Jane exchanged a look over Lizzy's sleeping form. "Don't worry about Miss Bingley," the housekeeper said quietly. "Mr Jones was quite clear about not moving your sister, and Mr Darcy himself insisted…"

Jane nodded gratefully, though she couldn't quite suppress a small sigh of worry. "Mrs Nicholls, what exactly happened?"

Mrs Nicholls busied herself adjusting Lizzy's blankets. "Miss Bingley offered the chase for Miss Elizabeth's return journey. No one could have foreseen the storm would arise so suddenly, or that tree coming down. Most fortunate Mr Darcy went out when he did."

Jane looked down at her sister's feverish face. "I was sleeping when she left - there would have been little for her to do here." She refreshed the cool cloth on Lizzy's forehead. "Though I wish now she had waited…"

"No one could have predicted such a storm, miss," Mrs Nicholls replied quietly, continuing with her duties.

Mrs Nicholls moved to the fire, adding another log with practiced efficiency.

"The chase hadn't returned when expected," she said quietly, keeping to her duties. "Mr Darcy noticed the delay and went out searching with Mr Bingley and some of the men. They found it overturned near the stone bridge, where a tree had fallen across the road. Thomas had been thrown clear, but Miss Elizabeth was trapped inside." She paused in her work. "Mr Darcy managed to free her and brought her back on his horse, walking beside it himself in the storm. Mr Bingley and the others stayed to tend to Thomas and secure the chase."

"And Thomas?" Jane asked anxiously. "Is he badly hurt?"

"Mr Jones is with him now, miss," Mrs Nicholls replied, straightening her apron. "These chambers were the nearest with a good fire, which Miss Elizabeth needed urgently. She was nearly unconscious when Mr Darcy brought her in."

A soft knock at the door interrupted them. Mr Morris appeared, maintaining his dignified manner despite the household's disorder. "Mrs Nicholls, when you have a moment - there are matters requiring attention downstairs."

"Of course." Mrs Nicholls turned to Jane. "Will you be alright with your sister, Miss Bennet? Martha can stay if you'd prefer."

"No, thank you," Jane replied, her attention already on Lizzy. "We'll be quite well."

Jane barely noticed them leave, too focused on her sister's feverish face. She dipped the cloth in cool water once more, silently willing Lizzy's fever to break.

Note - Sorry for the delay in posting I was finishing posting Mr Collins' Bride, which is up and completely now and will be available until the 10th of Jan 2025, then on the 14th of Jan it will be up on Kindle.