18. Chapter Eighteen

Evaline looked up at the angelic lady in a fevered haze. "Why are you being so nice to me? I hurt your daughter. I am sorry about that, by the way."

Reaching over, Jane gathered the cloth from Evaline's forehead, then she smiled serenely at her before saying, "Everyone deserves kindness, Evaline." Turning, she took a moment to saturate the cloth with cool water in the nearby basin. With a gentle twist, Jane wrung out the cloth and then pressed it against Evaline's burning forehead. "I know you are sorry for your actions. Thank you for your sincere apology."

As her fever climbed and the woman who was kind enough to let her use her first name remained with her. Alternately trying to get her to drink the foul tea or plying her with cool, oddly scented cloths. Evaline repositioned herself again, not quite able to get completely comfortable. Even her mind was uncomfortable. Ideas ran in and out of her head so swiftly that she could not seem to complete a thought. "Is she well?"

"Do you mean Eleanor?" Watching the confusion on Evaline's face, Jane tutted over her for a moment before continuing, "Eleanor is fine. In fact, she is outside playing in the snow with her cousin Artie."

"I'm sorry." Evaline mumbled.

"I know, dear." Came Jane's response.

Rolling over once again, Evaline sighed. "Gabriel is happy. He loves her, you know."

Smoothing the hair back from Evaline"s sweaty face, Jane grinned, "Yes, I know. Mary is quite in love with him as well. It is always lovely to see a sibling happy, isn't it?"

Evaline managed to think about happiness for a time, but then her mind circled back to the kindness she was experiencing. Was it just because of her fever that she felt so cared for in a way that seemed unfamiliar? "Why are you being so kind to me?"

Jane frowned for a moment before removing the blankets from Evaline's feet and starting to wash them in the odd smelling water. "I do believe Evaline, my girl, that you will soon be my newest little sister. If there is anything you may learn about the Bennet ladies, it is that we take care of our own. You are one of ours now."

Once her feet were dried and recovered by Jane, Evaline began to drift off. It was nice to think that she might have a sister, or was it sisters? So far, having a sister was proving to be better than having Jude for a brother, though Gabriel was not too bad. Wrapped in a cocoon of warm feelings and soft blankets, Evaline finally fell into a comfortable sleep.

Mary allowed her sister to shepherd her into the house. Even though it was not storming like the day before, the temperature must have still been below freezing. Riding outside without the proper winter wear was not ideal at all. Her boots were not designed for cold weather, and she had no gloves. While at first her hands and feet had felt like blocks of ice, she no longer felt much of anything at all.

Stumbling as she went up the steps, Mary felt Kiernan slide his arm around her waist to steady her as she went. It still astonished her sometimes that he had grown to such a height so quickly. Just the other day, he had been a fresh eyed boy eager to learn and now here he was practically her height and deceptively strong. "Thank you, Kiernan." She murmured.

Grinning, he shook his head. "I can't have my sister fall on the steps just as she is arriving home." Getting inside, he made sure she was steady before releasing her from his hold.

Elizabeth took up the spot in front of Mary, unwrapping her shivering form from the many layers of blankets. "Though you seemed wrapped up like a mummy, you are still shaking like a leaf." Elizabeth started chaffing Mary"s hands, looking her worriedly in the eyes.

Mary looked around the hall for someone but became distracted by Elizabeth's actions. Wanting to reassure her sister, she tried to joke with her. "I think right now I might prefer to be a m-m-mummy. If I was in Egypt, I doubt I would be this c-c-cold."

With a sharp glance of assessment, Elizabeth's frown of worry turned into action. "Right, we are getting you into a hot bath." Wrapping up Mary in a one-armed embrace, she moved her towards the stairs.

To Mary, things seemed to move in a bit of a haze after that. She was ushered to a warm bath and forced to drink hot tea. Mary thought she remembered Elizabeth steadying her hands around the cup as she tried to drink with numb hands. Warm clothes were provided and in no time at all, Mary was being put to bed like a young child with warm bricks at her feet. Elizabeth sat beside her, smoothing her hair back from her brow in a soothing fashion.

With a start, Mary remembered what she had been forgetting. Struggling to sit up under the drowsy haze that had enveloped her, she spoke urgently to Elizabeth. "Evaline is quite sick."

Pushing her sister back down into the bed, Elizabeth shook her head. "Jane is caring for her. You are going to focus your attention on nothing more difficult than dozing and drinking hot tea. I might even tempt you with porridge in a few minutes. We will care for Evaline."

Slumping back in bed, Mary was glad that Evaline would be in excellent hands. Flexing her fingers, Mary fought a groan. The sensation in her fingers was coming back in annoying pins and needles. "I will not say no to porridge. Though I will expect there to be honey." Mary finally felt herself relaxing. Yawning, she closed her eyes. Evaline was being cared for by Jane, who knew all sorts of remedies. She was warm and Elizabeth was there to look after her. Opening her eyes to gaze at Elizabeth, she asked, "How are you feeling? I know your nausea has been bad most mornings."

Elizabeth screwed up her face and gave a slight laugh. "This morning has been bearable, and I am hoping that I am beyond the worst of it. I have my ginger tea right here and I managed my toast already, without a problem." As if to punctuate her earlier statement, Elizabeth reached out and took up her own teacup and took a sip.

Mary offered a commiserating smile. Elizabeth liked to always be active and useful and being held back from that because of illness was quite frustrating to her. "I will hope that the worst is behind you and that my niece or nephew will behave going forward. Do you think all this trouble means that this child will take more after you than William? I mean, really, I cannot see him behaving badly while you were quite wild to hear mother talk about it."

Laughing in the way that she was known for, Elizabeth grinned wryly. "It would be just my luck to carry a child so like me as to make me ill. Mother always said that she thought I would be the end of her the way I would get into things when her back was turned."

Gabriel watched Mary be guided away by her sister, confident that she would be well cared for. Having completed the task he had set out to do that morning, namely, getting his sister and Mary back to Netherfield, he now felt at a loss as to what he should do next.

Darcy's commanding voice called out to various servants, making sure that all those in the house were being properly cared for. People were scurrying about seeing to his orders. Gabriel knew Darcy was an excellent master and all the servants respected him and Mrs. Darcy. They were so eager to help that they would probably bend over backwards to fulfill everyone's needs.

Hot water was being provided as well as tea and the like. Gabriel noted that there had been a request to make sure that the servant"s quarters had enough wood to keep everyone warm. Was it any wonder that he so greatly respected the man? Gabriel knew some people were put off by his stern demeanor at gatherings, but once you got to know the man, he was a genuinely good person and a great friend.

Gabriel had been so lost in thought he had not realized that Kiernan had been talking with him until he reached out and grabbed his shoulder. "They have a room ready for you, Mr. Goulding. Let me show you the way. I am sure you can feel the icy chill all the way down to your bones. You need to get out of those clothes and into something warm."

"Thank you. It was a rather frigid ride." Gabriel followed Kiernan up the stairs and down the hall to a part of the house that he had never been in before. It occurred to him that they had thought to provide him a room in case he needed to take shelter. He would truly love to be part of this family. He only hoped they accepted him as he hoped they would.

"I suggested they might put you across from me," Kiernan spoke as he opened a door at the end of a hallway. "You seem to be of a size with Bingley. I am sure that someone will bring you some of his things to change into for the time being."

Gabriel looked around the cozy room as Kiernan stoked the fire and added another log to get it really roaring. Still too numb to really think or say much, Gabriel found himself nodding his head.

A maid entered the open door loaded with various items. "I have the tea, sir. As well as the clothes that Mr. Bingley has sent."

Rushing over to relieve her of some of her burden, Kiernan said, "Thank you, Millie."

Looking at Gabriel as she set up the tea, the maid said, "Mrs. Nichols, the housekeeper, wanted to send her apologies sir that we do not have the tub set up for you at the moment, but it will be provided as soon as can be."

Gabriel nodded his head in understanding. Somehow find his way to speak, he responded instinctively to thank the kind young woman. "Thank you. I am sure the tea will help me warm up for now." With a little bob, the maid made her way out of the room and Gabriel sunk into the chair by the fire.

Realizing that he had at some point divested himself of all the blankets he had wrapped around him, Gabriel held his hands out to the fire. The chill within him was bone deep and he could only barely feel his fingers. Looking over at the sound of rattling, he noticed Kiernan was pouring a cup of tea. Soon enough he had wordlessly brought the teacup over to him and, making sure he could hold the cup steady on his own, Kiernan retreated to the chair across from him. Taking a sip, Gabriel sighed as the heat from the tea seemed to melt the ice in his veins. Though Kiernan had added more sugar than he would have normally taken, Gabriel was grateful for the kind gesture. "Thank you for your assistance, Kiernan."

"Do not mention it. You took care of my sister. It is the least I could do." Kiernan settled more comfortably into his chair, an infectious grin settling across his face. It took Gabriel a moment to notice the glint in Kiernan's eyes that did not match the smile. "Of course, if you had allowed her to come to any harm, well then, things would be different. She arrived safe and sound and presumably happy enough, so we are fine."

Gabriel blinked at the implication of the young man's words. It was a stance he might have held if his sister had been caught in a storm with some gentleman. The bond Kiernan had with the Bennet ladies was akin to that of siblings and close siblings at that. He would do whatever he could to keep them out of harm"s way, despite his tender age. "I would never allow Mary to come to any harm if it was within my power to prevent it."

"Good answer. Mary has collected a strong enough group of brothers. You would not fare well if you were to wish for anything but her happiness." Nodding, Kiernan got up and poured himself a cup of tea and then resettling this time with a more youthful mean. "So, did you and Mary come to any decisions while you were stuck at Longbourn?"

Gabriel saw the young man across from him in a new light. He was an old soul with flashes of maturity beyond his years, but he was still a teenager who was happy to have fun. Give him a decade or so and he would be able to accomplish anything. "Yes, while Mary was quite put out with me for a time, we spoke. You were right by the way she was hurt by my hesitation. And though I should really be speaking to Darcy about this first, I will let you know we are now engaged."

"Good." Finishing his cup of tea, Kiernan stood and, putting his cup of tea down, he stretched. He stretched in the way of all growing young men who always seemed to be finding extra bits of themselves that needed to be aligned with the rest. "I am going to see if I can scrounge up something for you to eat. While you wait for your bath. Can't have Mary's husband-to-be fading away before she has a chance to marry you. She would be quite unhappy."

Mary felt entirely too coddled, laying abed when she strictly did not have to. Eating in bed was something she rarely indulged in, but she had taken porridge earlier and now after a brief nap she was having broth and bread, all while abed. If she was offered another cup of tea, she would probably float away.

At least, she had finally rid herself of the bone deep cold that she had earlier felt. She was glad to be warm and wondered that something so enjoyable was never noticed unless you had really been cold. Looking up from her nearly empty bowl, she saw Jane entering the room.

Jane smiled as she approached, asking, "How are you, dear?"

Putting her tray to the side, Mary attempted to sit up straighter and, seeing this, Jane helped to rearrange the pillows in a better fashion. Finally comfortable, Mary looked at Jane. "For a while I felt like I would never again be warm, but that has passed. I am well. I doubt there will be any lingering effects of my morning in the cold." Mary indulgently let Jane feel her brow. Jane had ever been a mother hen, especially when they were sick. So it was a familiar feeling to have Jane check her brow for fever. "I was hoping you would visit. They tell me that Gabriel is fine, but I know Evaline is sick. I had wanted to come find you and check on Evaline. However, Elizabeth was quite insistent that I stay in bed."

Sitting down in the bedside chair, Jane sighed. "You do not seem to have developed a fever, but I do not think taking it easy would be amiss. I agree with Elizabeth that staying in bed until tea later this afternoon is a good idea."

Mary watched her older sister carefully, it seemed that she was worn herself and could use some rest. "I will comply with your requests, but it looks as if you may need rest yourself. Is Evaline that bad that you have worn yourself out caring for her?"

Grimacing, Jane looked shook her head. "She is very unwell. Her fever had climbed quite high but seemed to come down when I started bathing her feet in vinegar water. Her cough seems to have settled in her chest. It"s hard to believe that she was so healthy just two days ago. Sometimes I wonder how some people have such rapid declines in health. What all happened while you sheltered from the storm?"

Mary realized Gabriel must not have passed on any information about their experience. "I had decided to confront Gabriel about his intentions and found him chastising Evaline for her earlier actions."

Eyebrows raised, Jane cut in. "Gabriel, is it?"

Knowing she was blushing, Mary could do nothing but roll her eyes and confirm her sister's suspicion. "Yes, Gabriel. I will get that part of the story in a minute or two."

Leaning back in her chair, Jane propped her feet up on the footstool. Her eyes dancing, she waved Mary on in an encouraging gesture. "I will hear it all. Proceed."

"Anyway, Gabriel was chastising Evaline, and she ran off. I got off my horse and told him he should be more understanding of his sister. After that, we argued for a while, not noticing that the weather was growing steadily worse. When it started sleeting, we were both caught completely by surprise." Shaking her head, Mary remembered how he had wanted her to seek shelter while he looked for his sister alone. "We went searching for Evaline in the storm. It took some time before we found her and could bring her back to Longbourn. Between getting so thoroughly wet and cold, I think she was already at risk of getting sick, but then we had to dress in clothes from the attic and we were looking for blankets. Dust was everywhere. I think she might react strongly to dust. So much so that she started wheezing."

Understanding the situation, she nodded her head and remarked, "It sounds like the poor thing did not have a chance of staying healthy. I have a feeling that she will have to stay at Netherfield for some time. I would not risk her traveling home in this weather."

Nodding at the news Mary, said, "I think she will be happy for an escape from her home environment for a while."

Jane"s normally serene expression hardened slightly, her lips thinning. "I had a feeling that might have influenced her earlier inappropriate behavior."

Finding herself becoming angry at the woman"s manipulations of her young and impressionable daughter, Mary wanted to growl. "Would you believe that Mrs. Goulding is already preparing her daughter for her to come out? Apparently, she will accept nothing less than the best. Her daughter must be the leading lady in society by the time she is seventeen. The poor girl"s head is full of all of her mother"s sayings." With a pointed look Mary continued, "Among which is ‘a lady doesn't allow herself to become dirty on any occasion for any reason or there will be consequence'."

Shaking her head, a frown flitted across Jane's face before being replaced by a grim visage. "I had a feeling it might be something like that. Society is full of mothers like that. Is it no wonder we avoid it as much as we can?"

"Too true. Look what happened during poor Kitty's first season. I will be perfectly content to never attend a society gathering again." Mary had been upset when the petty tabbies had gone after her younger and more vulnerable sister. Even now, with her sister so happily married, Mary was still put out with those women.

Jane stood as a maid entered the room with tea. "Thank you. Can you set it over there?" Moving to pour the tea for her sister and herself, Jane smiled back at her sister. "Do not think that you will be able to get out of telling me about what happened between you and Gabriel. What exactly did you argue about, and did you finally agree on something?" Handing Mary her cup with that look that older sisters seem to do so well. With a raised eyebrow, a slight head tilt, and a knowing smile, she silently communicated her superior understanding compared to her younger sibling. Moving back to her seat with her own teacup in hand, Jane sat and then waited for the story to continue.

Giving a little huff, Mary sat for a moment contemplating and staring at the steam coming off of her tea. Finally, she looked up and said, "I demanded that he tell me what his intentions were. While he was eager to assure me of his love, I realized that it was not enough for me. I told him I wanted more than just his love. I told Gabriel that love without action is not enough for me to be happy."

"How very brave of you." Taking a sip from her cup, Jane said, "How did he respond to that?"

"We spoke of matters for some time. You were right, by the way. He was concerned about his ability to provide for me. I think he feels inferior when compared to Bingley, William, and Colonel Theodore."

"It seems that pride is something that most men struggle with. Though to be fair, he is correct to worry about things like where you shall live," Jane commented in her normally serene way.

"I simply want to be part of the decision about how we will live. Worrying about it by himself was not helping matters." Mary took a sip of her tea, knowing that she was already beginning to blush. "Yes, well, after some back and forth and some rather romantic statements on his part. He proposed, and I accepted. We may not know where we are going to live yet or what we shall do exactly, but we will do it together."

Putting down her cup, Jane leaned in and gave Mary a big hug. "I am so happy for you, Mary. I know how much you love each other." With her arm draped around Mary, Jane sat on the edge of the bed and chuckled. "I do not envy you, your mother-in-law. Though I am sure you and Kitty shall have plenty of stories to share with each other. I suppose in some ways, Elizabeth and I are lucky that our husbands came to us as orphans."

Leaning into her sister"s hug, Mary grinned. Despite the intervening issues, her joy shone through brightly. "Yes, well, I doubt Mrs. Goulding can ever be as bad as Lady Matlock. She simply does not have the connections to try and have me harmed." Laughing momentarily with her sister, Mary enjoyed the sisterly moment before sobering slightly and saying, "I am sure that it will be a long engagement. It will be some time before we can come up with living arrangements and the like, but I am content."

Jane smiled kindly at her sister once again. The happy light that appeared in Jane's eyes when Mary had spoken about living arrangements made Mary suspicious. It was a look that said Jane knew something that Mary did not, but was choosing not to share the information. Mary began to feel a slight unease. What was it that her sister or, more likely, sisters were plotting? When, after waiting a moment, Jane still did not speak of whatever she was thinking, Mary shrugged inwardly. Her sister would share, eventually. Besides, Jane was a kind soul who would only withhold something if she wanted it to be a good surprise. The only question in Mary's mind was—would she enjoy the surprise as much as Jane seemed to?