Chapter 12

B ennet was sitting at his desk reviewing his plans for the autumn harvest when Hill knocked on his study door and proffered him the salver which contained two letters, both in Maddie’s script. One was addressed to himself and the other to Jane.

“They arrived via an express rider, Master,” Hill informed Bennet.

Until Hill told him how the missives had been delivered, there had been no sense of urgency. That changed immediately. “Hill, I believe Miss Bennet is in the stillroom, please have her join me,” Bennet commanded.”

The butler bowed and was on his way to summon Miss Bennet when Bennet decided not to wait for her. He broke the seal and began to read immediately.

10 July 1811

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton

Thomas, you must come to Brighton forthwith. Lizzy has been badly injured.

The pain he felt at the worry for his second daughter felt as if someone had stabbed him in his chest. His Lizzy hurt, and nothing trifling. How could this be. It could not be that he had misplaced his trust in the Gardiners, could it? Bennet knew he was allowing his mind to go places it should not. If there was any family he could trust to care for his girls, it was the Gardiners .

At that moment, he looked at the direction again. How was it the address was that of the Prince Regent’s Pavilion in Brighton? He needed to read on, it was the only way to answer his questions.

This morning…

Bennet read what had occurred. Only his Lizzy would jump in front of a speeding horse to save someone. The fact that it was one of Mrs Fitzherbert’s adopted daughters was not the salient point.

As you may be able to imagine, his Highness is beyond grateful which is why we are his guests. He will move heaven and earth to make sure that Lizzy receives the best care possible.

We will update you as soon as you arrive. We are praying for her recovery,

Maddie

“Papa, what ails you? Do you need a glass of wine?” Jane enquired when she saw that all of the colour had drained from her father’s face.

“Read your letter from your aunt, and then we shall speak.” Bennet handed Jane the one addressed to her.

Jane was already worried based on the look on her father’s countenance. She broke the seal with speed and began to read. Bennet sat helplessly as the tears began to roll down Jane’s cheeks. “We need to go to her as soon as may be, Papa. And Mary should accompany us,” Jane stated firmly as she wiped the tears away.

“I agree. There are a few things I need to do before we go.” Bennet paused as he cogitated about something. “Jane, what would you say if we took Kate and Lydia with us as well? With the improvements they have made, they will behave in a way which will be a credit to the family, and although we will not tell your mother, we will inform the three younger ones why we are departing for Brighton after we have left Longbourn. I do not want your mother to use this as a way to garner sympathy for herself.”

“I think that is a good plan,” Jane agreed as she checked that all of her tears were dried.

“You tell your sisters and Mrs Poppins to prepare, and I will break the news to your mother,” Bennet instructed. Jane made her way upstairs. After instructing Hill to make sure the carriage would be ready to leave at first light on the morrow, Bennet found his wife in the drawing room.

“Have you finally come to your senses and…” remembering the ‘ one year no allowance penalty ,’ Mrs Bennet closed her mouth with a clack.

“I have come to inform you that the four girls, Mrs Poppins, and I will be departing in the carriage on the morrow, and you, Mrs Bennet will not be accompanying us,” Bennet related dispassionately. He had to fight to keep the worry for Lizzy from his face.

“Of course, I am accompanying you. I will not remain alone, and without the carriage. It is unacceptable, you cannot…” Fanny stopped when she saw the look of warning from her husband.

“Yes, I can! You will remain at home, Mrs Bennet. There is enough of everything here, and if the Hills need anything, they know how to acquire the necessities. Before you think you will walk into Meryton and have a shopping spree, your name has been removed from Longbourn’s accounts in every shop in the town. If you purchase something, it will be paid from the allowance money you have in your reticule.”

“How can you be so cruel to me?” Fanny sniffed as she forced some crocodile tears from her eyes.

“Mrs Bennet, your refusal to change your manners and attitude like the rest of us have, is the reason you are not included. If and when you make genuine amendments, we will revisit the subject,” Bennet revealed. “And, Mrs Bennet, after the very first time you did it, I have known how you were able to force yourself to cry false tears.”

Bennet left a spluttering wife behind him as he went to make sure everything would be ready for a possible extended time away from the estate.

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

The morning the Bennets departed for Brighton; Darcy was seated in his study, reviewing the notes he had made when calling on his tenants. With two and thirty tenant farms, he found keeping notes made sure he did not forget any pertinent information.

He was in that attitude when Reynolds delivered a letter from Anna to him. Darcy was about to put it to the side until he had reviewed his notes when he saw the word ‘ Urgent ’ written in bold letters below his name.

He threw his notes to the side, and with worry coursing through his body, he broke the seal and began to read.

10 July 1811

The Royal Pavilion

Brighton

William,

I am WELL. I am sure my writing urgent on the outside worried you, and for that, Brother of mine, I beg your pardon. I underline the direction because it is not an error.

Today while we were shopping, Lizzy noticed a man on a horse who was about to kidnap one of the Regent’s lady’s adopted daughters. Other men distracted the guards, and still more, who our footmen bravely dealt with, were there as well. What their role was, I know not.

Lizzy was closest to the girl and before the kidnapper could grab her, Lizzy ran and pushed her out of harm’s way! I think the criminal purposely hit her with his galloping horse. I did not see her right away because Peter jumped in front of me and made sure I was protected by his body.

Between our footmen and the soldiers of the Royal Guard, the kidnappers who were alive were bound and taken to the Pavilion. His Highness and Mrs Fitzherbert arrived with more guards. While the latter, surrounded by guards, took her daughter back to the mansion, the Regent demanded that Lizzy be taken to his house, as he called it, and invited all her party, which Mrs Gardiner insisted included me and Mrs Annesley. As I write, the house you rented for me is being closed, and we are moving to reside under the Regent’s roof.

I think I heard the doctor and surgeon inform his Highness that Lizzy has a broken leg and a head injury, among other things. William, I am so worried for her.

In case the worst happens, and I am praying it will not, I must tell you that she read your apology letter and asked me to tell you that all is forgiven. She stressed ALL. I know you are busy at Pemberley, but if you are able to come to Brighton, I would feel so much better with you here.

With all my sisterly affection,

Anna

His Elizabeth was hurt! He had seen how selfless she was when she walked the three miles to come to Netherfield Park to nurse her sister, but this was so much more. Darcy remembered how close Mrs Fitzherbert was to his Aunt Elaine. He wrote some quick notes and soon multiple couriers were on their way.

No sooner was he done scribing the missives than he rang for the two Reynolds and informed them he would depart on the morrow at dawn. He also sent for Chalmers, so as to give him instructions for tasks to be done for the tenants. Just because he needed to leave in an emergency did not mean his tenants should suffer for it .

As he expected, a note was returned from his aunt and uncle stating they and Andrew, who was visiting Snowhaven, would travel with him on the morrow. Darcy had not doubted his aunt would want to be at her good friend’s side to offer her support.

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

When the Bennet carriage came to a halt under the largest portico any of them had ever seen, the door was opened by a footman in royal livery. From their reception, it seemed they had been expected.

As they approached the Pavilion, all four Bennet sisters had been overawed at the enormous mansion before them. Mrs Poppins had quietly distracted them. Now standing in front of the part of the structure they could see from their vantage point, the youngest two especially, lost the ability to speak, something completely unique for them.

“Mr Bennet, Mrs Bennet, and Miss Bennets, I am the head butler, Jenkins, and I welcome you to the Pavilion on behalf of his Highness, the Prince Regent.” The man gave a stately bow.

“You are correct as far as me and my daughters go, but this lady is Mrs Poppins, my younger girls’ companion. My wife is unfortunately indisposed,” Bennet replied.

As there were always many chambers ready when his Highness was in residence, it was no hardship to accommodate four more than had been expected. “Mr Bennet, would you like to see your daughter or change first?” Jenkins asked.

“I need to see Lizzy,” Bennet averred.

“And so do I,” Jane insisted. The look she gave was one indicating she would brook no opposition, even had someone the inclination to object.

“Will you show my three youngest daughters and Mrs Poppins to their chambers? I would appreciate it if someone will direct my eldest and me to where my second daughter is,” Bennet requested.

The head butler nodded to one of the housekeepers who led the ladies into the house. He asked Mr Bennet and his eldest daughter to follow him to the sickroom. Both were too worried about how they would find Lizzy to pay attention to the opulence of the house.

Father and daughter followed the butler until he stepped aside at a doorway where footmen stood on either side of it, rather than every few yards as they had seen up to now.

Bennet paused before the door was opened. He had to steel himself to see his most active daughter lying hurt in a bed. He froze in place, unable to will his legs to move him forward.

Jane was also apprehensive about what they would find on the other side of the door, but she wanted nothing more than to be at the side of one who was both her best friend and dearest sister. When Jane placed her hand on his arm, Bennet was snapped out of his thoughts and slowly walked through the opened door while the footman stood waiting patiently. He closed the door as soon as they entered.

The chamber was so large he almost missed the bed with the purple curtains behind it against the wall. Both Bennets stopped when they saw Lizzy lying in the bed, her bandages, especially on her head and her obviously broken leg. Bennet heard Jane take a large intake of air which reminded him to move again towards his Lizzy.

At first, the new arrivals had not seen Madeline sitting next to her niece. As soon as she noticed her family members, she was out of her chair and met them in the centre of the room. “Thomas and Jane, you are come. I am so sorry this is the reason which caused you to join us. Come close, you can speak to her. Mr Winthorpe, his Highness’s chief physician, opined that Lizzy can hear us. I have been talking to her and reading to her, as have Edward, Miss Darcy, and the older children when they visit her,” Madeline said quietly as they approached the bed.

Hearing the name of Miss Darcy, Bennet’s eyebrows jumped up in question. “Papa, Lizzy told me in her letters she met Miss Darcy soon after arriving in Brighton, and they have become very close,” Jane related to her father.

Madeline looked to the maid who moved two more chairs next to the sick bed. Before he sat, Bennet leaned over to his sister-in-law. “It is not only us who came; we are all here, except for my wife,” he revealed. “The younger girls and Mrs Poppins have gone to their chambers.”

Once Bennet took a seat next to Jane, Madeline quietly explained more than she had written in the express. “So all of the kidnappers except for the one who hurt Lizzy are captured or dead?” Bennet verified and Madeline nodded. “Have they interrogated them yet?”

“They are being given some encouragement first. I believe the questioning begins today,” Madeline related.

It was unnerving to see her sister lying so still and looking so wan. Jane was used to her vibrant, impertinent, and teasing Lizzy. She knew her sister must have time to heal, but she hated to see Lizzy looking so helpless. That was not who her next younger sister was. She reached her hand forward and gingerly took Lizzy’s hand which was closest to her. It felt clammy.

Jane turned to her aunt. “Has Lizzy woken since she was hurt by the kidnapper?” Jane asked.

“No, Janey, she has not. Sometimes she mumbles and moves around, but if she does that too much she is fed a few drops of laudanum to calm her, and for pain relief. And no, she is not given too much so hopefully she will not develop a dependency on the drug,” Madeline replied. “Both Messrs Winthorpe and Winklevoss have told us after the injuries she sustained, it is not uncommon for the body to rest as much as possible, and when she sleeps like this, it only assists in her recovery. By the way, every few hours we feed her bone broth and make sure she has water, using invalid feeders. You are welcome to take your turn in caring for her.”

“Only Lizzy, who is afraid of riding a horse, would jump in front of a galloping steed to rescue someone,” Jane said as she squeezed her sister’s hand. She froze when she felt a squeeze in return. “She squeezed my hand,” Jane said barely above a whisper.

Elizabeth had been having a dream. She had seen that awful man, Wickham, on a horse charging towards her and a young girl, one whose face she could not distinguish, when suddenly from one side she heard Papa’s voice, followed by the sweetest voice in the world, Janey’s. As soon as her sister’s voice was heard the image of the miscreant faded. She was not sure if it was the dream or reality, but she felt a dainty hand take one of hers, and then she felt a gentle squeeze, so she did the only thing she could think of, she returned the squeeze.

Bennet and Madeline ceased talking and looked at Lizzy. All three of her family members saw her eyelids begin to flutter until first one and then the other cracked open. “Janey, Papa, Aunt Maddie,” she croaked. “Water please.”

“Matilda, please have one of the footmen call Mr Winthorpe and inform him my niece is waking up,” Madeline requested of the maid who was seated off to the side.

The maid sprung up and almost ran to the door before opening it and conveying the message to one of the footmen.

In the meanwhile, Bennet and Madeline gently added a pillow behind Elizabeth while Jane allowed her to take small sips from a glass she had half filled. Both Aunt and eldest niece were crying tears of relief, and Bennet’s eyes were suspiciously moist.

Once she had some water to drink, Elizabeth moved her head about, but not very much because it hurt too much to do so. Seeing her leg propped up and splinted explained the pain she was feeling from that quarter. From what she could see, she was in a bedchamber which was most certainly not hers at the house Uncle Edward had rented. “Where am I?” Elizabeth managed.

“In a sickroom at the Royal Pavilion,” Madeline responded.

As soon as her aunt said that, the images from the day she got hurt flooded back into her head. “The girl, is she safe?” Elizabeth worried.

“Yes, Lizzy, Emma is very well and cannot wait until she can thank you in person,” Madeline told her niece. She did not want to overwhelm her with too much information at once.

Elizabeth could feel herself being pulled back into a sleep state. Before she was asleep again she saw the face of the man who had attempted to kidnap the girl. “The kidnapper was Lieutenant Wickham…” Elizabeth mumbled before sleep overcame her again.

Her family members looked at one another to verify each heard the same thing, they had. Before they could say anything, the doctor rushed into the chamber followed by none other than the Regent and Mrs Fitzherbert.

Once Madeline told Mr Winthorpe what had occurred, he was greatly encouraged. “That she woke, even briefly, was an excellent indicator of her recovery. Next time she will remain awake for longer, and each time it will increase until Miss Bennet is awake as she normally would be. It is the best clue we have had that there is no bleeding and swelling in her brain.”

The doctor stepped back and the Regent and his ladylove approached. “Mrs Gardiner, will you introduce us to your friends,” the Regent requested.

Madeline did as she was asked.

“You are all welcome to be hosted here for as long as you want,” Mrs Fitzherbert offered. “George told me it will be a few months before our heroine may be moved.”

“Mr Bennet, relax this evening and spend time with your family. After you break your fast on the morrow, have a footman bring you to my main study,” the Regent commanded.

Bennet bowed again, “Aye your Highness, I will be there,” Bennet confirmed.

The royal and his lady withdrew along with the doctor once any questions his patient’s father and sister asked had been answered. “When you meet with the Prince Regent, make sure you mention Lizzy identified the kidnapper who escaped,” Madeline suggested to her brother-in-law.

“You can be sure I will,” Bennet agreed.

As much as Jane wanted to remain with Lizzy, she was tired from the journey hither and needed to wash and change so she reluctantly left her sister’s side and followed her aunt and father out of the sickroom. A second maid joined the one named Matilda to watch over Lizzy.

It was only when Jane was shown to her bedchamber in the suite which she was sharing with Mary that the opulence of the décor and size of the rooms finally hit her.

“Oh my,” was all she said.