Chapter 5

F anny felt nature was her ally due to the heavy clouds she saw when she looked outside close to the time Jane was to depart the house to travel the three miles to Netherfield Park. She knew what she had to do to make sure Jane remained at the estate, and she would then be in the company of Mr Bingley, as it should be.

"May I use the carriage to convey me?" Jane requested.

"The horses are needed on the estate today," Fanny asserted. "You will ride Nellie."

"Mama no! It is going to rain," Elizabeth asserted. She turned to her father who had been watching the proceedings with amusement. "Papa, please, you know how susceptible Janey is to colds. If she gets wet and cold while she rides it will be especially dangerous for her. Please, I beg in the name of all things holy, send her in the carriage."

Bennet looked at his wife, he could see she was determined to carry her point, if he gainsaid her, there would be no peace for a protracted length of time. "Your mother has the right of it, the horses are not available," he capitulated.

There was no missing the triumphant look on Fanny's countenance as soon as she knew she had got her way. "What do you know, Miss Lizzy?" Fanny crowed. "The rain will begin once Jane has arrived, and then she will need to remain there until it has passed. No one will send her home on a horse in the rain."

"But you are sanguine with sending her thither in the rain?" Elizabeth pointed out. "Papa, Mama, you both know what Mr Jones told me when Janey had influenza. It is why I demanded he tell you directly."

"Mr Jones said he suspected, not that he was certain," Fanny rationalised. "Besides, no one dies from a trifling cold." Fanny Bennet was not callous, she loved her daughters, especially Jane and Lydia, but she was driven by the fears of what would happen to them when Mr Bennet was called home to God and none of her daughters were married. Those fears and her belief she knew what needed to be done to catch a man, made her blind to the fact Jane and Mr Bingley were doing well on their own, without any of her encouragement .

"Yes, he could not be completely certain, but his suspicion was very strong." Elizabeth turned to her father with a look of censure. "Would you truly trade some peace for Janey's health, and possibly her life?"

Rather than call his second daughter out for rudeness, knowing what she had said regarding his reasons for giving in was accurate, Bennet said nothing and looked away. His wife looked very self-satisfied knowing she had won. He felt ashamed of himself for not standing up to Fanny, but not enough to override her.

"Jane, refuse to go, you know what the risks are," Elizabeth pleaded.

"Lizzy, I will be well. I must follow the fifth commandment and not disobey my mother," Jane responded. "As soon as Nellie is saddled, I will leave. That way I will get ahead of the rain."

Elizabeth saw Jane was hiding a look of concern. She would have argued for longer; however the sooner Jane departed, the greater the chances of her arriving before the heavens opened. All Elizabeth could do now was pray He was watching over her sister and all would be well. She did not want to imagine living in a world in which Jane was not with her .

Not too many minutes later, Hill informed Miss Bennet the groom had reported Nellie was ready. Elizabeth accompanied Jane to the stables. Using the mounting block Jane seated herself in the saddle and with a winsome wave to her younger sister, she was off.

Her instinct had been to try and convince Jane not to go as soon as they were out of the company of their parents, but Jane had a look of determination. Elizabeth knew that look, and it would have led to an argument so she held her peace.

Nellie was well past her prime and did not go much above a slow trot, so at best, it would be more than a half hour before Jane arrived at Netherfield Park. Elizabeth looked up at the black, threatening clouds and was not at all confident Janey would arrive before the clouds released the water they were carrying.

Less than fifteen minutes later, when Elizabeth knew Jane and Nellie would only be about half of the way to their destination, the rain began. It was not a light rain, but a hard, driving deluge driven by the wind which had strengthened just before the liquid began to fall. Elizabeth felt a foreboding like she had never felt before in her life. She immediately began to berate herself for not arguing more forcefully on Janey's behalf. She stopped herself as she realised who the true culprits were. She looked at her parents and scowled.

"If something happens to Jane because of your machinations," Elizabeth looked at her mother and then changed her focus to her father, "or your refusal to stand up for my sister, I will never forgive you!" She stormed out of the room knowing there was nothing she could do at that moment.

"I thought it would not rain until she arrived," Fanny lamented.

"What will you do if our daughter gets ill, or worse, all in service of your matchmaking?" Bennet queried.

"She will be well, no one dies from a trifling cold." Fanny was aware repeating that refrain was more to make herself feel better than anything else. Surely Jane would be well, she may catch a cold from being wet and cold, but Fanny assured herself her eldest daughter would recover, as she had each time she had had a cold before.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Within the first minute of the driving rain commencing, Jane had been soaked from head to toe, and thanks to the wind, she was feeling the biting cold down to her bones.

"Why oh why did I not listen to Lizzy?" Jane asked Nellie as she leaned forward and rubbed the old horse's neck. Since the rain began, the mare had slowed to a walk so it would take even more time to reach Netherfield Park. It was already beyond the halfway mark so it was quicker to proceed rather than turn around and return home.

In addition, the wind was coming from her back, so had Jane wheeled Nellie and headed home, it would have been nigh on impossible to see ahead of herself riding into the wind. She did the only thing she could, she urged Nellie to the greatest speed the beast was able to attain. More than ten minutes later Jane guided the mare past the gateposts marking her arrival at Netherfield Park. From there, it was less than a mile to the manor house. She still felt like she was well, so the sooner she could change out of her soaked clothing, have a warm bath, and change into dry garments, the better.

If the footman on duty on the veranda was surprised to see someone arrive on horseback, he did not show it. He at least was dressed in oilskins and held a large umbrella, not that it would save Jane from the soaking she had experienced already. "Please have someone take Nellie to the stables so she is out of this rain, rubbed down, and fed," Jane requested as the footman guided her towards the front doors.

The man nodded and promised the lady it would be so.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~

"I hope this rain does not stop Miss Bennet from arriving," Miss Bingley stated while staring out of the window which was covered with the water running down it in volume. "I must interrogate her. I am sure she is biddable and will tell me what I need to know to direct Mr Darcy and Charles away from that ridiculous family of country bumpkins."

"I am sure you are correct," Mrs Hurst told her sister what she wanted to hear.

Just then the butler announced Miss Jane Bennet. The sisters looked at one another, they had not heard the sounds of an arriving coach, so how was it their guest was here? The question was answered as soon as they saw her. She was soaked, looking more like some riffraff which had drowned, than a lady.

Miss Bingley sneered at the transparent ploy to remain at her house so Miss Bennet would be in company with her brother again. She noted the housekeeper was standing behind Miss Bennet. "Mrs Nichols, bring a towel, the floor is getting wet," Miss Bingley commanded.

Louisa Hurst almost said something to her sister about making sure Miss Bennet was taken care of first. She did not miss the look of disgust on the housekeeper's face. However, knowing what Caroline's reactions would be, she held her peace.

Mrs Althea Nichols had never come so close to slapping a ‘ lady ' of the house she worked in until that moment. She could see Miss Bennet begin to shiver from the cold, and all Miss Bingley cared about was the floor. She dispatched a maid to bring some towels. Surely the Mistress could not be so heartless?

The maid brought three towels, as the housekeeper had instructed her to do, all nice and warm. As she had been ordered, one was placed on the floor, which Miss Bennet stepped onto. Then at Mrs Nichols's nod, the girl was about to hand one to Miss Bennet.

"Did I tell you to give one to my guest ?" Miss Bingley screeched .

"Caroline," Mrs Hurst whispered close to her sister's ear. "Think what a certain gentleman you desire to impress will say if he hears about this."

"You, girl, hurry up and hand Miss Bennet the towel," Miss Bingley commanded grudgingly. She intended to punish the woman for attempting to manipulate her into extending an invitation.

Although it did not do very much, Jane was grateful for the brief warmth she felt from the towel until the water dripping off her wet it. As propriety dictated that she needed to wait for Miss Bingley to offer her the use of a chamber and a bath, Jane waited. As much as she did not like to overstep, she decided, if the woman did not move to offer her assistance soon, she would have no choice but to ask.

Mrs Nichols wanted to lead Miss Bennet up to a chamber. While Miss Bingley had been deciding to give her guest a towel, she had issued orders to lay a fire in the grate in a guest suite and to begin to fill the bath with hot water.

"Caroline, you must allow her to go and change out of the wet clothing. How will it look if she gets sick after you have forced her to stand here in this state?" Mrs Hurst prompted. There was no missing the looks of disgust from the housekeeper, butler, or the maid who were all waiting for orders. Knowing how servants talked, Caroline could order what she would, but her actions would be fodder for gossip, and that would get back to both Charles and Mr Darcy.

"Why should that be so, I do not see why I should. It is her fault she is wet," Miss Bingley hissed. For the first time she noticed the way Miss Bennet was shivering and her whole body was shaking. Not wanting her to feign illness and remain longer than necessary, she told the housekeeper to show Miss Bennet to a chamber.

No sooner were the words uttered than Mrs Nichols and the maid were assisting Miss Bennet up to the suite where the fire had been lit. Not five minutes later, the freezing lady was in a steaming bath. Jane lay in the warming water until it began to cool. The two maids the housekeeper left with Miss Bennet, dried her off thoroughly while she stood in front of the now roaring fire.

As much as she did not want to, at her sister's urging, Miss Bingley consented to allow her lady's maid to select one of her oldest gowns, meant for the summer, for Miss Bennet to wear. Louisa had pointed out that as she was shorter than Miss Bennet none of her clothing would be appropriate.

Mrs Nichols entered the bedchamber and looked rather chagrined. "Miss Bingley expects you to join her and Mrs Hurst for dinner," she conveyed apologetically.

"I think I may be developing a fever; do you think she will understand and allow me to rest until I feel better?" Jane requested.

The housekeeper made her way down to the drawing room and passed on what Miss Bennet had implored. "Certainly not. The woman is feigning illness so she can remain here until my brother comes home," Miss Bingley refused. "She will join us for dinner, and then I will send her home in my brother's coach." It was convenient the men had taken Mr Darcy's conveyance.

"Madam, she looks like she is developing a fever," Mrs Nichols pleaded.

"I am sure she stood close to a fire to give that impression, I will not relent, have the girl join us now!" Miss Bingley screeched.

Notwithstanding the woman not deserving any courtesy, Mrs Nichols bobbed a curtsy and made her way back up to Miss Bennet in the guest suite. Being the type of person who did not like to cause trouble, especially not for Mrs Nichols, who was sister to Longbourn's housekeeper Mrs Hill, Jane donned her still damp slippers which had been drying before the fire and prepared to make her way down the stairs. If only she had been lent a shawl to wrap around her shoulders.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"So nice of you to join us," Miss Bingley sneered when Jane entered the dining parlour.

Mrs Hurst looked away in case her sister noticed the embarrassment on her countenance when she observed the light gown Caroline had instructed her maid to provide for Miss Bennet. It was easy to see her sister had not provided a pair of slippers due to the squishing noise Miss Bennet made as she entered the room. The room was warm, but Miss Bennet was shivering once again, not as violently as before she changed, but noticeably. The droplets of sweat on the woman's forehead were easy to see. She had a fever; this was not a ploy.

Miss Bingley placed Miss Bennet a few places past her sister who was at her right hand. There was no chance she would distinguish a Bennet by seating one next to herself.

"How is it you rode a horse?" Mrs Hurst enquired before her sister could begin the interrogation she had planned.

"My parents told me the horses for the carriage were required on the estate," Jane explained.

"Are you telling me your father does not have carriage horses like all of us in high society do?" Miss Bingley derided. "I suppose the lower classes must make do with what they have." She took a dainty sip of creamed mushroom soup. "Was it your parents who disallowed you to use the carriage, or your plan to remain here to importune my brother?"

"Caroline!" Mrs Hurst exclaimed. She always placated her sister, but this was far too much.

"The way Miss Bennet has been chasing after Charles, it must be as I said," Miss Bingley sniffed disdainfully. "As you have no dowries, I am sure a man with my brother's income is an inducement to do what you did tonight."

"Miss Bingley, you are wrong!" Jane insisted. "If that is how you feel, then if you have a carriage available, please send me home." She stood up with all of her might. Her head became light, and Jane began to fall. An observant footman caught her before she reached the floor.

"I have not seen such convincing performances in the theatres in London," Miss Bingley mocked. "Come Miss Bennet, wake up. You want to go home indeed!"

Mrs Nichols who had been just outside the dining parlour rushed in. "Miss Bingley, Miss Bennet is not conscious and she is burning up with fever," the housekeeper related.

"She is nowhere near a fire," Mrs Hurst pointed out.

"Take her upstairs," Miss Bingley instructed grudgingly. She would get rid of this Bennet chit as soon as may be. She would not allow her to get her hooks into Charles, which would bring Eliza and her fine eyes to Mr Darcy's notice again. She did not plan to mention Miss Bennet's presence to her brother, and she would make sure Louisa would not say a word. Miss Bingley thought not to say anything to the staff and servants, as she did not think about them at the best of times.

A few minutes later, Mrs Nichols returned to the dining parlour. "If I may, I would like to send for Mr Jones. Miss Bennet has a very high fever and she is wheezing," she requested.

"Certainly not! I will not waste money on a woman who is trying to ensnare my brother with her paltry arts and allurements," Miss Bingley refused.

"If she has not improved by morning, we will revisit the topic," Mrs Hurst interceded. Her younger sister glared at her but did not contradict her words. "Caroline I am sure you will want a maid to sit with Miss Bennet, will you not?"

The housekeeper intended to do such, with or without the ‘ lady's' permission. As it was Miss Bingley simply waved her away disinterestedly.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

"I wish I knew how Janey was doing," Elizabeth bemoaned. "I am sure with the wind and the amount of rain, her clothing was soaked through, and she was freezing by the time she arrived." She looked at her parents accusatorially for not the first time since her father had arrived home from the dinner with the officers.

"If Jane was not well, I am sure that elegant Miss Bingley would have sent a note," Fanny insisted, more to make herself feel less guilty about sending Jane on Nellie than anything else.

"You think that if you want, I do not think Miss Bingley either elegant or compassionate," Elizabeth said bitterly.

For his part, as soon as it began to rain Bennet had owned this was one of the times he should have stood up to his wife. It was too late to change what was, he would have to do better to protect his daughters in the future. He knew he needed to feel how much he had been to blame. Bennet was not afraid of being overpowered by the impression. He was sure it would pass away soon enough.

"It is obvious your sister is remaining at Netherfield Park this evening," Fanny stated with a smile. Her guilt was forgotten as she crowed about her plan to keep Jane at Mr Bingley's estate being a success. "I am sure we will hear from Jane in the morning. I am for bed." Fanny stood and made her way upstairs.

"Your mother is correct in her assertion. There is nothing to be gained by staring off into the darkness. Go join your sisters who are all upstairs now," Bennet ordered his second daughter.

As much as she hated to agree with her mother about anything, Elizabeth owned that she would know nothing until the morning, so she too headed for bed.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~

Thanks to a footman handing each of them an enormous umbrella other than a few drops on their shoulders, the three men who arrived back at Netherfield Park were dry when they entered the drawing room to find Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst sitting within.

"Mr Darcy, welcome back, you too brothers," Miss Bingley greeted. As she did more often than not, she batted her eyelashes at Mr Darcy.

As was his wont, Darcy ignored the harridan and felt the aversion he always did to seeing her do what she felt was coquettish, but he found repulsive. He hoped Bingley would suggest a nightcap sooner rather than later, so he would not be in Miss Bingley's company any more than necessary.

"How did you two pass the evening," Bingley asked.

"Nothing of note to report," Miss Bingley prevaricated.

Mrs Nichols had been waiting to time her entrance and stepped into the drawing room at that moment. "Miss Bennet's fever is getting higher. Do you have any further instructions, Miss Bingley?" she asked innocently.

Caroline Bingley put on her ‘ sucking a lemon ' face at the truth coming out in that fashion against all of her desires. "You may leave us now," she spat out.

"What!" Bingley exclaimed while the housekeeper bobbed a curtsey and left.

Mrs Hurst gave a brief synopsis for the men. Her sister could not complain. After all, it was not her who had told Charles that Miss Bennet was in the house. "She told us the horses were needed on the estate which caused her to ride."

"Likely story that was. Did I not warn you brother, she is a fortune hunter throwing herself at you," Miss Bingley crowed.

"Miss Bennet is not you!" Bingley barked at his shrew of a sister. "Did you call for the apothecary? "

"It is a simple cold. Miss Bennet will be well in the morning," Miss Bingley stated dismissively, while she pointedly ignored the inference her brother made about herself.

"We agreed that if she is not on her way to recovery in the morning then we will have Mr Jones summoned," Mrs Hurst interjected before her sister could say another word. Having said it in front of Mr Darcy, Louisa was aware that meant Caroline would not try and gainsay anyone in the morning if the man's services were needed.

If Darcy had not already been absolutely sure Miss Bingley would never be mistress of his estates and houses, this cavalier attitude towards a sick guest in her house would have convinced him. For all of her boasting about her exclusive education, the woman had not a clue how to be the mistress of anything, not even a tenant's cottage.

Before he went to bed, Bingley made sure his staff and servants knew to do whatever was needed to make Miss Bennet comfortable.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The maids on duty did what they could to cool Miss Bennet down as her fever raged through the night, while she suffered from delirium.