Chapter 15

Elizabeth and Colonel Brandon finished their meal, and met Mr Banks behind the house, waiting with two carriages and four armed footmen, as well as two sturdy maids to assist Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh with any comfort they could provide. Elizabeth instructed Mr Banks to proceed with the other man-servants, and return to Windmere with the injured and displaced from Rosing's barn as quickly as could be managed, then with Colonel Brandon and the four footmen, Elizabeth in the lead carriage, they proceeded to Rosings Park's Manor House.

Lady Catherine stood on what remained of the front steps of Rosings as they came up the drive, covered from head to toe in soot and ash, along with Sir Jasper, whom Elizabeth had met on one or two brief occasions. Colonel Brandon dismounted and assisted Elizabeth down from the carriage, and the two of them approached the house, Elizabeth's footmen close behind.

Elizabeth addressed the magistrate, "Sir Jasper, would you perform an introduction?"

"Certainly. Lady Catherine de Bourgh, may I introduce Lady Astley of Windmere," replied Sir Jasper Oakley.

"Thank you, and may I also introduce Colonel Christopher Brandon of Delaford in Derbyshire, a comrade of Colonel Fitzwilliam's, who is here to assist until Lady Catherine's family arrives," Elizabeth said.

"Enough introductions! I care not about my idiot nephew's low born connections! By what right do you summon the magistrate to my home? What business have you here, madam, among decent people!" interrupted Lady Catherine.

"Lady Catherine, pray allow me to express my sympathy regarding the fire at Rosings Park, and allow me to escort yourself and your daughter to Windmere, where you can be safe and comfortable until your family arrives to assist you," Elizabeth tried diplomatically.

"How dare you, madam! We need no assistance nor any sympathies! Rosings is perfectly suitable for our needs! We have no need to remove to any location! We are perfectly well here!" shrieked Lady Catherine.

"Sir Jasper, allow me to present this express from his lordship, the Earl of Matlock. I am here by his authority to remove Miss de Bourgh and Lady Catherine to a safer and healthier situation. Lord Matlock fears for his niece's health and safety," said Elizabeth, now ignoring Lady Catherine. She had tried the polite route; now she would take charge of the matter.

Sir Jasper reviewed the letter and said to Lady Catherine, "No doubt about it, Catherine, this is clearly Reggie's hand. If anyone would know it, it would be me, for we have been friends since Eton. I have felt terribly uncomfortable allowing you and Anne to remain here, and I see that I was right. I must insist you allow us to speak with Miss de Bourgh."

"Anne?" She brandished her cane wildly. "Anne needs her rest! She cannot be disturbed by this trollop! I give no permission for you to enter this house!"

"I hate to say this to you, Catherine, but it is known to all that Anne is the owner of Rosings and not you, for two years now. You have no right to forbid admission. We will enter the house and speak to Anne. I could never face Reggie if he arrived here, and I had not done all I could to assist her," stated Sir Jasper as he began to enter the house.

Elizabeth nodded to her footmen, who came forward and took Lady Catherine by an elbow, disarming her as she began to chase after Sir Jasper with her cane. "Take her to the second carriage. Maxwell, Louis and Edna will attend her back to Windmere. I should hate for it to be necessary, but you may bind her hands if she attacks you. You should start back now; we shall follow with Miss de Bourgh."

Elizabeth turned and followed Sir Jasper into what remained of the house with Colonel Brandon. The house was not a pretty sight, nor was it particularly safe. "Lady Astley, perhaps it would be safer if you waited outside and we will bring Miss de Bourgh down," suggested the Colonel.

Elizabeth was about to argue until she went up the third step of the staircase and her foot went through the step. "As much as I hate to admit it, you are correct. I cannot help anyone if I am hurt, but then neither can you."

"Do not worry, madam. Sir Jasper and I will bring the lady down safely," Colonel Brandon went up the stairs slowly, testing each step and memorising which steps seemed weak or unsafe. He disappeared around a corner at the top of the stairs.

He returned two minutes later with Miss de Bourgh in his arms, followed by a soot-covered, bedraggled maid. Sir Jasper came down ahead of him, testing the stairs and guiding him safely.

"It's a good thing you didn't go up, Lady Astley. I have no idea how anyone was living up there. I cannot understand for my life why Catherine did not go to the Parsonage, or come to Lakewood," said the magistrate.

Elizabeth and Windmere's maid Mabel entered the carriage in order to help Colonel Brandon get Miss de Bourgh in. "She has been insensible, her maid has followed us down."

He moved aside to reveal a middle aged woman who curtsied and said. "Margaret Porter, ma'am. I'd be very grateful if I could continue to assist Miss de Bourgh at your home."

"You may come, but you will be resting for some time before you will assist anyone. Do not worry. Miss de Bourgh will receive the best of care," Elizabeth said as the woman climbed into the carriage. They tucked blankets and cushions about Miss de Bourgh for comfort and stability as Sir Jasper stepped forward.

"I would have them at Lakewood if Catherine would have agreed. I'd still take them there but Reggie will be at your place tomorrow, so it makes the most sense for them to go with you. Windmere is much closer to Rosings in any case, and Reggie will have much to manage. With your permission, Lady Astley, I will call on Windmere tomorrow to confer with Matlock. It's very good of you to assist Lady Catherine after her dreadful behaviour toward you," said Sir Jasper.

"You are welcome at any time, Sir Jasper, to call upon Lord Matlock, who we expect by luncheon, or to inquire about the injured and displaced residents from Rosings. We will not be standing on ceremony, or worrying about calling hours, or mealtimes while we are sorting things out for the next few days. There will be a standing buffet in the dining room at Windmere, and you are welcome to join us at any time, for a sandwich or a conversation," replied Elizabeth.

"Brandon here said something upstairs that caught my attention a moment ago. I had never guessed that Parson Collins was your cousin," said Sir Jasper.

"Mr Collins himself did not know until last autumn, sir," answered Elizabeth.

"That must have been awkward. Well he wasn't a sensible man, although his wife seemed to improve him somewhat, but I must tell you, your cousin died a hero,'' said Sir Jasper. "Lady Catherine and her daughter never would have survived if not for him. He carried Miss de Bourgh and dragged Catherine at the same time. I do not know how he did it. Your family has my condolences upon your loss."

The magistrate stepped back and the carriage pulled away, followed by Colonel Brandon and the armed footmen. Miss de Bourgh awoke briefly during the journey and moaned as if in distress. Elizabeth attempted to calm her. "Miss de Bourgh, do not be alarmed. My name is Lady Astley of Windmere Manor. I am a friend to your cousins, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy. I am not certain what you remember, but there has been a fire at Rosings Park. I am taking you and your mother to Windmere Manor, where you will be safe and well cared for. Your Uncle Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam arrive tomorrow to assist you in your recovery."

"Thank you," Miss de Bourgh whispered before her eyes rolled back into her head. The maid Margaret coughed heavily all the way, and Miss de Bourgh seemed like she was barely breathing at all. The carriage arrived at Windmere, and Colonel Brandon appeared immediately at the door of the carriage.

"She woke for only a moment, but she seemed to understand me when I spoke to her," said Lady Astley.

"That bodes well," replied Colonel Brandon as he lifted the young lady into his arms and out of the carriage. Elizabeth was handed down by a footman, and followed him up the stairs, where Mary was waiting to guide them to the room that was prepared. Elizabeth handed the maid Margaret over to Mrs George with strict instructions that she was to be bathed, fed, and put to bed until she could be seen by a doctor. Charlotte could be heard in the room across the hall, attempting to reason with a very angry Lady Catherine. They brought the young lady directly into the dressing room, and laid her on a cot Mary had the foresight to have placed there. She was covered in thick black soot and ash. Elizabeth left her in the care of two maids for a moment, and motioned Mary out of the room.

"Charlotte might be the best person to deal with Lady Catherine, for she knows her better than us, but regardless of how unpleasant it will be for you and I to attend her, we must remove Charlotte from that room. She has been through enough. Not one of us, including her, has had even a moment to absorb that her husband has died, and on top of that she is with child, and has lost her home and security. Let us have her assist with Miss de Bourgh's care, and we will deal with Lady Catherine." Elizabeth then addressed Andrew in the hall and sent him to the kitchens for extra sweetened tea with honey and an invalid feeder for Miss de Bourgh's rooms, and another tray for Lady Catherine.

She knocked lightly at Lady Catherine's door, then let herself and Mary into the room. Lady Catherine was in the corner, brandishing a candelabra at Charlotte, while two maids watched from the doorway of the dressing room. "This is precisely what I meant when I said no upsetting tasks. Charlotte, I must insist that you attend Miss de Bourgh across the hall. Please ensure the maids remove all of her soiled clothing, and bathe her as best as they can in her unconscious state. As soon as she is dressed in clean garments, she must have some of the hot tea with honey that I have sent up with the invalid feeder. She isn't coughing, but we must treat her throat for smoke inhalation with as much fluids and honey as she can take. I will come up later with something more substantial for us to try to get into her. Mary and I will manage here."

"Eliza, are you sure?" asked Charlotte.

"I am completely certain, Charlotte, and I must insist that you take on less taxing duties than this. I do not wish to find you in here again, enduring more abuse in your condition. You must take care," Elizabeth said firmly.

Charlotte left to go across the hall, and Elizabeth turned to Lady Catherine who was still holding the candelabra aloft uncertainly. "For heaven's sake, put that down and be reasonable," Elizabeth snapped irritably. "We have enough trouble here without you adding to it. Lady Catherine, I know that you are aware that my late husband was a brilliant physician who was honoured by Her Majesty. I learned much from him, and I must tell you that you are suffering from inhalation of smoke, which can be poisonous. Your voice is quite hoarse, and you may not cough, but smoke inhalation can present a number of symptoms besides respiratory distress. One of those symptoms is mental confusion, from which you seem to be suffering. I take no pleasure in removing you from your home by force, but I must insist that you look in that mirror."

Lady Catherine slowly turned and looked at herself in the full length mirror on the wall. "Your home, Rosings Park, burned down a full day ago. You have been covered in soot, ash, and filth for over twenty-four hours. Your daughter is nearly dead from exposure to this terrible situation. You must allow us to assist you. Yours and your daughter's lives and health depend upon it."

Lady Catherine stared in the mirror in horror. "When your brother arrives tomorrow, is this how you wish to be found? Ask yourself this moment if you would like to bathe with dignity, and the assistance of a servant, or if you would like us to bind and drug you with laudanum, then cut your clothes from your body and bathe you while you are unconscious. I promise you I will order it done without hesitation. I am not your good natured Charlotte Collins. My servants and I have had a very long day of preparation and travelling to assist you in your hour of need. I am vexed to no end about the death of my Cousin Collins, and the abuse of my dearest friend, his wife. I will not play foolish games with you, madam," said Elizabeth firmly.

"Cousin?" whispered Lady Catherine.

"Mr Collins was unaware that he was my father's cousin until he visited Hertfordshire last autumn. It was decided between him and his wife not to complicate their lives by distressing you with the information. I will not lie and say that I thought very much of my cousin, but to my understanding, he died saving you and your daughter. I am sure he felt it worth the sacrifice, but I will admit I am extremely vexed at his loss, and the damage it might cause to his wife's and my family's future and security. Now choose, madam; will you bathe on your own?"

"Not you," Lady Catherine said hoarsely. "A servant."

"Very well. You see the two maids waiting. This lady is my sister, Miss Bennet, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Will you allow her to remain to oversee your care?"

Lady Catherine nodded once. "Very well then. I shall leave you. You will not be abusive or unkind to my sister. She is a gentleman's daughter, and a kind and gentle girl who is entitled to respect. When you are done bathing, you must be certain to drink the heavily honeyed tea that I have sent to you. It will help soothe your smoke damaged throat. I will also send soup and bread and butter. If you dip the bread and butter into the soup, that should help it to go down without causing you too much discomfort. You must do your best to take in nourishment, and then take the sleeping draught I will send you, so that you may rest comfortably tonight. You cannot help Miss de Bourgh if you are unwell. I will not deny to you that I find her condition very alarming indeed, madam. We are doing everything we can to make her comfortable."

Elizabeth turned and went across the hall to find that Charlotte and the maids had cut the clothes from Miss de Bourgh's person and lifted her into a hip bath. Miss de Bourgh was only slightly conscious, and rested her head in Charlotte's hands as Charlotte spoke quietly to her, explaining all that they were doing and why, so that Miss de Bourgh would not be afraid. "We shall have to bathe her twice tonight, your ladyship, with all this soot and grime. We have filled the slipper tub as well, and will move her there in a moment when we have removed as much of the soot as we can here. We will likely have to bathe her for days to remove every bit of soot and smoke scent from her hair," explained one of the maids.

"I understand. Please do your very best for now, to clean her hair and her person of as much of the soot as you can remove, then remove her to the chaise in the bedroom when you have a dressing gown on her. She shall need to be sitting up for a while to take some tea and nourishment before we let her sleep," replied Elizabeth. "Charlotte, I am going downstairs to make Miss de Bourgh some broth. When you have her dressed, please try to get a cup of the honeyed tea into her with the invalid feeder. You could probably also do with a cup of well honeyed tea yourself."

Then she spoke to her maid who was directing the younger maids. "Sarah, please ring and ask a footman to remove one of the daybeds from an unused family suite and install it in the empty corner of Miss de Bourgh's sitting room. Then have them find a maid to make it up with bedding."

*****

Elizabeth then went to the nursery, where Diane and Beau and the nurse were sleeping in their beds, and Lydia and Miss Carmichael were in the nursery sitting room, reading in armchairs. "How did it go?" asked Lydia, setting her book down and moving with Elizabeth and Miss Carmichael to the hallway.

"Better than it could have. We did not give Lady Catherine much opportunity to cause trouble. Mary is supervising the maids helping her to bathe. Her mind is clearly confused from all the smoke she inhaled. I am more concerned with Miss de Bourgh. I have never seen anyone so truly unwell. Charlotte is assisting with her bath. She is not even completely conscious. I am going now to make her a special broth. Is there anything you need? Anything you would like me to send up to you?" Elizabeth said.

"I am well. The kitchens sent up a good dinner," answered Lydia.

"When you are ready to retire, you must send for a footman to stand outside the door and relieve you. You could retire to your room now that Diane is asleep. I didn't mean you must watch over her as she sleeps. You, as well, Miss Carmichael. You may ring for a footman and retire for the evening. Make sure it is one of our trusted footmen from Netherfield, not one of the new men hired today by Mrs George. They will be on duty until we relieve them in the morning, so ensure they eat something," said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth met Colonel Brandon in the downstairs hall. "I have just been helping Mr Banks bring up the last of the displaced and injured to the second floor. Some of them will not make it, I am afraid. One expired on the journey here. How are the two ladies?"

"As well as can be expected. Lady Catherine has been brought to see reason, at least for the moment, and is allowing Mary and the maids to assist her with a bath, and Charlotte is overseeing Miss de Bourgh's bath. I am about to write an update to send to Lord Matlock so he knows what to expect when he sets out in the morning. Then I am headed to the kitchens to make Miss de Bourgh a special broth," Elizabeth answered.

They went to her study, and she wrote a brief note to Lord Matlock and hailed a passing footman. "Take this to the stables and have a groom take this with all haste to Matlock House in London. Tell the groom that he will be arriving very late at night, so to bring the note to the back door, and tell the hall boy on duty that it is not urgent enough to disturb Lord Matlock if he has retired. It is just an update of the situation, and it can wait until he wakes in the morning. If they do not offer him a place to sleep, tell him to go to Astley House, and to return when he is rested. Have him bring a pie and a bottle of cider for himself from the kitchens.

The groom set forth with the following missive:

Windmere Manor,

Kent,

Lord Matlock,

I write to bring you the news that we have removed Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh from Rosings. Their condition in that place was unhealthy and dangerous in the extreme. Lady Catherine is suffering a mental confusion as a result of the amount of smoke she inhaled. Miss de Bourgh's condition is very poor indeed but we are making them both as comfortable as possible. I have not even yet been to the second floor to see the displaced and injured servants and tenants yet, but I am told they are in a dreadful state. All is in readiness for your arrival. I wish you and the colonel safe travels.

Yours Sincerely,

Lady Astley

Colonel Brandon followed her to the kitchens, and watched her as she brought a small pot of bouillon to a boil, briskly whisked in an egg, and grated a small amount of pungent cheese from a small wheel. She then poured the mixture into an invalid feeder and placed it upon a tray along with bread and butter. She then made herself and Charlotte each a small plate from the buffet laid out for the servants. Then he asked her: "What do you need me to do? Give me some employment, I beg you. I cannot sit about idle."

Elizabeth looked at him. He looked exhausted, as they all were already, and they would all become significantly more tired before the night was out. "The first task I must have you undertake is to nourish yourself and rest a few moments. Have something to eat, and a strong cup of coffee or tea before you begin your next labours. Then, it would help if you could coordinate things on the second floor for a time. I have not gone up there yet because I know that when I do, I may not come back down for a long while if it is not organised. I would see Miss de Bourgh safely nourished and resting before I do so. I must also make sure Charlotte goes to her bed soon. She lost her husband and her home a day ago, and she is with child. If you could make sure the physician and apothecary have all they need? No matter what it is, spare no expense, and charge it to my estate. Wake up shopkeepers if necessary to obtain what is needed. The village will all pull together and help."

"Sadly, there is no physician. Lady Catherine's physician left entirely when her ladyship said she would not pay him to treat the injured, and when he was called to return to Rosings, he refused to treat her ladyship and Miss de Bourgh in such an unsafe environment as Rosings Park. The apothecary is attempting to manage on his own, although he has written to his colleagues in neighbouring villages to come help," answered Colonel Brandon.

"I have not heard from my physician yet, but I hope he will arrive tomorrow," Elizabeth replied as they left the kitchens to go upstairs, Colonel Brandon insisting on carrying the tray.

"I will do as you ask and try to arrange affairs upstairs until the physician arrives, and make sure everything that is needed is obtained. It is a very sensible suggestion," said Colonel Brandon.

"Make sure that you get some food as well," insisted Elizabeth as they arrived at the bedchamber and she took the tray.

Elizabeth entered Miss de Bourgh's suite and set the tray down on a table. Miss de Bourgh was mostly clean and in a fresh nightgown borrowed from Mary, resting on the chaise. The maids were drying her hair as Charlotte assisted Miss de Bourgh to sip tea from the invalid feeder. "How much has she taken?" Elizabeth asked

"Nearly all of it, and she thinks she can manage some broth as well," answered Charlotte. Miss de Bourgh was looking more alert as Charlotte spoke and she eyed Elizabeth speculatively.

"Mrs Collins explained to me the odd surprise that you are the cousin of her late husband. That must have been difficult for you when you resided here in Kent after your widowhood, Lady Astley," Miss de Bourgh spoke hoarsely.

"Mr Collins was not aware of the situation until he visited my father's house in the autumn, and I saw no reason to complicate matters with the information before that time," explained Elizabeth.

"Yes, so Mrs Collins tells me. And now the poor man has died saving me and my mother, which your family and Mrs Collins must find a poor return indeed. Please allow me to express my gratitude, and my sorrow for his loss. I would never have wished for anyone to be harmed for my sake," replied Miss de Bourgh sadly. "Lady Astley, words cannot express my gratitude to you for your assistance this night. My mother was out of her mind, and I believed I should die in that place." She then took a fit of coughing.

"Let us not dwell on sad or upsetting thoughts now, Miss de Bourgh. You must rally all your strength and get well. And please, call me Elizabeth."

"Very well, but only if you should call me Anne. I understand that my uncle and cousin will arrive tomorrow?"

"They will, and I shall be grateful for the reinforcements. I have yet to go above stairs to assist with the injured, but I am told it is a desperate situation up there. Please, try some of this fortifying broth that I have made for you myself. Charlotte, I must insist that you retire shortly. I have brought you a plate. You must eat with us, and then get some rest to conserve your strength," said Elizabeth.

"How is my mother? She stopped her ranting some time ago," inquired Anne as Elizabeth's maid Sarah assisted her to sip the broth from the feeder. "Oh, that tastes heavenly," she sighed.

"I have not been in Lady Catherine's rooms since I went downstairs about an hour ago. I gave her the option to allow the maids to assist her in the bath, or to have us bind and drug her, and then cut the clothing from her body and be bathed while unconscious. She chose the former. My sister Mary is overseeing her care. She will have some honeyed tea and soup when she has finished bathing, and then we shall give her a sleeping draught. I hope she will rest comfortably," replied Elizabeth.

Anne held Sarah's hand still for a moment and peered into the feeder. "May I ask what I am drinking, Lady Astley? It tastes wonderful, and is ever so warm and comforting, but it looks rather as if someone has blown their nose into the broth."

Elizabeth laughed. "That is egg. I whisked a scrambled egg into the broth for extra nourishment. It cooks in tiny wisps in the broth, and then slides down the throat very easily without the need for chewing or effort in swallowing. There is also a small amount of grated cheese for flavour. It is a secret taught to me by my Italian grandmother. Typically there would be some tiny bits of macaroni in the broth as well, or if you are doing very well, even a little chicken, all shredded up. That is an Italian dish called pastina and egg, which is very nourishing to those who are ill. I wanted to begin with something light, until we knew what you could tolerate."

"How clever. I should like to try it with the macaroni another time. It sounds very nourishing. For now I believe I have taken all I can, and my throat is very painful. I would like to take a little more of that tea if I may, and then sleep," rasped Anne. "Where is Miss Jenkinson?"

Elizabeth glanced at Charlotte. "Mrs Jenkinson is Anne's companion. She has been unaccounted for since the fire."

"The tea and honey should help soothe your throat from all the smoke you inhaled and you ought to drink as much as you can," responded Elizabeth. "I shall alert the men, and a search will be mounted at dawn by those who are able for your companion." Anne took about half of the broth, which was better than Elizabeth expected. She had been told by Mrs George that Miss de Bourgh's maid informed her that the lady was perpetually indisposed, and ate little besides broth and soup. Elizabeth and Charlotte finished their meals while Sarah plaited Anne's hair, then the maids assisted Anne to her bed.

"Miss de Bourgh, there is a daybed in your sitting room. There will be a maid sitting with you next to your bed if you need anything, and later on this evening I will sleep on the daybed to be near to you in case you have any distress in the night," Elizabeth informed her guest.

"Thank you, Lady Astley, for all of your kind assistance," whispered Anne, who clearly was on the verge of falling asleep.

Elizabeth took Charlotte and Sarah aside. "Sarah, when you are done assisting Charlotte for the evening, please find two maids who have rested to come and sit with Miss de Bourgh and relieve these girls. Send one here and one to Lady Catherine's room to relieve the maids there. You will have to go to the servants' quarters and rouse them; I had Mrs George send several servants to rest hours ago. They should send the footman in the hall for me immediately if I am needed. I am going to look in on Lady Catherine before heading upstairs to see what I can help with there. I task you to ensure that Charlotte sleeps, Sarah. I do not wish to find her downstairs, or attending to anyone's sick bed until she has had several hours rest. You must rest also. Tomorrow will be a long day. Please use the cot in Charlotte's dressing room, so you will be close if you are needed. I will return here soon to sleep in the daybed in the sitting room."

"Yes, your ladyship." Sarah curtsied and followed Charlotte from the room.

Elizabeth followed them into the hall and addressed the footmen waiting for Charlotte and Mary in the hall. "Matthew, Mrs Collins will soon be retiring for the night, and there will already be a footman on duty in the hall of the family wing, so you must eat and get some sleep, for tomorrow will be another long day. Please see Charlotte and Sarah to the family wing, and then retire. There are footmen upstairs resting until they are needed, please send one down to be on duty here in the hall in case one of the maids needs something in the night. Andrew, I believe Mary will be finished here soon. When she leaves Lady Catherine's room, please escort her to get something to eat, and then back to the family wing, and you can retire as well." Elizabeth wanted the ladies of the house to be escorted by a trusted footman from her other houses until Wickham was caught, particularly considering all of the unknown temporary servants in the house.

Elizabeth then knocked lightly and entered Lady Catherine's suite. Lady Catherine was in her bed, eating soup from a tray. "You look much refreshed, Lady Catherine. I hope you feel better. I bring you news that as of a few moments ago, your daughter was much improved, and taking nourishment herself. She is now resting comfortably. There is a maid with her now, and later when I take my rest I shall do it upon a daybed in her sitting room, so I will be nearby in case she takes a turn in the night. Has the honeyed tea relieved your throat at all?"

Lady Catherine nodded once without saying anything. "I am glad to hear it. Now that you are refreshed and nearly ready to sleep, I shall have my sister leave you to take some rest herself. Soon, a new maid will relieve these girls, who are due to take some rest as well. You should not always expect the same maid to assist you while you are here. I am adamant that everyone, especially the servants, must take some rest, so the maids may rotate a few times a day. You may always send for me or my sister if there is something particular that you need. My housekeeper's name is Mrs George, and she may also be called upon. Your brother and nephew are expected before luncheon tomorrow. I shall leave you now to your rest." Elizabeth motioned to Mary to follow her to the hall.

"How was she?" Elizabeth asked.

"Once you made her look at herself in the mirror, she seemed to realise her situation more clearly. She is very irritable, which is to be expected, but she hasn't actually spoken much. She seems to be in shock," answered Mary.

"Her throat is also probably more damaged from the smoke than she lets on, and all of her screaming would not have helped," observed Elizabeth. "Go eat something and get some sleep, Mary. You can return to check on Lady Catherine tomorrow morning, after you have broken your fast. You must take care of yourself before you can take care of anyone else."