Chapter 16

Elizabeth followed her sister and the footman Andrew downstairs to see if there were any new developments since she'd gone upstairs. There were; there was a late night delivery to the back door from Lakewood, the estate of Sir Jasper. Elizabeth read the note accompanying the package.

Lakewood Manor,

Kent,

Dear Lady Astley,

My wife was concerned about whether Lady Catherine and Anne would have adequate clothing, now that the fire has taken all. She has a number of gowns sent here, left over from last year when she and my daughter were mourning a relative. Lady Oakley and Catherine are close enough in size that the garments should serve until better arrangements can be made. There are gowns and nightwear here for both ladies. I shall call upon Windmere tomorrow.

Yours Sincerely,

Sir Jasper Oakley

Elizabeth sent the gowns upstairs to the appropriate rooms as a clatter was heard in the drive. She and Mr Banks, who had just come down the stairs, went out to see who the new arrival was.

Elizabeth knew the two carriages stopped in front of her door, and could not have been happier to see Mr Roberts and the four nuns he brought to help with the nursing. "Roberts, I cannot say how relieved I am to see you. We did not hope for your arrival before tomorrow."

"How bad is it?" asked Randall Roberts, as he followed Elizabeth into the house.

"Banks could answer better. He has been in charge of getting the injured and displaced settled upstairs, while I have been settling in Miss de Bourgh, and her mother Lady Catherine. When they arrived I was gravely worried about Miss de Bourgh's condition, although she has improved somewhat after refreshing herself, and has taken some nourishment. She and her mother are now resting comfortably. I believe they could wait until morning to be examined. To my knowledge, there are some gravely injured and unwell people upstairs on the second floor. Colonel Brandon thinks some of them will not make it, and I am told one died on the journey here. Please all of you, come into the dining room and make yourself a plate while Mr Banks gives us the latest news about that situation."

They entered the dining room, and Elizabeth introduced everyone who was unacquainted. It was clever of Mr Roberts to recruit the help of the order. They would be needed desperately.

Mr Banks spoke: "Sir, there are five servants upstairs with very severe burns to most of their bodies. Mr James, the apothecary, says he does not believe much can be done for them besides dosing them heavily with laudanum and waiting for them to expire. If they are allowed to awaken, they scream in agony, and no one here knows how to treat such severe burns. There were nine, but three died earlier today. One woke as we were moving him to Windmere, and his pain was so great he appeared to suffer what Mr James believes to be an attack of the heart. He died on the journey to the house. There are another eighteen or so souls whose maladies vary between mild to moderate burns, and varying degrees of smoke poisoning. A few of them are struggling terribly to breathe. Those whose burns are not severe have all been bathed and put to bed. Mrs George and several maids and footmen have been upstairs with them to try to ease their discomfort. Colonel Brandon and Lady Astley have done everything they can to ensure we have all we need."

"Very well. I shall withdraw upstairs for a few moments to refresh myself, and then I shall see them. Lady Astley, as you can see, I visited the convent in London and brought four nurses. Our plan is to have two nurses overseeing the care of the patients with the maids and footmen to assist during the day, and the other two shall take over at night," responded Mr Roberts.

They parted in the hall, Mr Banks to show Mr Roberts to the chamber he always used when visiting Sir Christopher, and then upstairs, Elizabeth to escort the sisters to the second floor to determine with Mrs George what rooms to put them in. When they reached the second floor, it was a hive of activity. Mrs George assisted Elizabeth to settle the sisters into empty rooms at the end of the hall, then sent a maid upstairs to rouse the servants who were resting, and bid them go to the kitchens and eat, and then report to the second floor to relieve those who had been working all evening.

Mr Roberts entered the hall, and Mrs George and Mr Banks explained all that had been done to assist the patients. Elizabeth and Colonel Brandon stood back as Mr Roberts began examining each patient, dictating to the sisters who took his notes, which were left at the end of each bed and would be updated with new information every time a patient received care of any kind or was examined again.

As he finished his last examination, the servants from upstairs arrived. Two of the sisters retired in order to rest for their labours the following day, and the other two remained to acquaint the maids and footmen who had just come down with the steps they would be taking to assist each patient. Mrs George and the other maids and footmen who had been working all evening went to eat and retire, having been replaced by the deputy housekeeper and fresh recruits.

Mr Roberts indicated to Elizabeth that after their trauma, and subsequent move to the manor, now that the patients were all been bathed of the soot and grime and those who were able had taken some nourishment, the best thing that could be done for them would be to allow them to rest before they were overly meddled with again. He conferred with Mr James regarding supplies, then assured Elizabeth and Colonel Brandon that all was well in hand, and recommended they all get some rest.

The nurses could be trusted to know what emergencies they should be woken for. Elizabeth reminded the deputy housekeeper to send maids to relieve those sitting with Miss de Bourgh and Lady Catherine and footmen to those on duty in the halls, at least once for an hour later in the night, so they could eat and stretch their legs.

The hour was now past midnight. Colonel Brandon went to his room to retire, while Elizabeth checked on her family, poking her head into rooms to make sure they were resting comfortably. She thanked the footman on duty in the family wing, and returned to Anne's room.

She spoke to the maid. "You will stay here and sit by Miss de Bourgh's bed tonight. If she seems to be in any sort of distress, please wake me immediately."

Elizabeth was exhausted. She went to the sitting room, kicked off her slippers, and loosened her gown. Then she pulled her hair down, plaited it, then fell into the daybed and slept heavily.

*****

She awoke at seven of the clock, and the house sounded quiet. The door opened and a maid entered and made a curtsy. She spoke quietly to Elizabeth as the night maid came out of Anne's bedchamber to listen. "Your ladyship, I am Lucy Peverell. My father is a tenant here at Windmere and my parents sent me to help Mrs George. The deputy housekeeper has had the staff change for the morning. I have rested and eaten, and will relieve Molly so she may do so as well. Mrs George has bid me to tell you that she has planned for the servants to change again at seven this evening, as long as there will continue to be no mealtimes."

"It is a good idea to schedule set times for the servants," Elizabeth said. "Thank you for informing me. Molly, how did Miss de Bourgh pass the night?"

Molly answered, "She slept very heavily ma'am. She breathes so lightly though, I was afraid a few times that she'd died."

"Indeed, I noticed the same in the carriage last night," observed Elizabeth. "Lucy, do not wake her if she still rests. I have had that kettle put by the boiler in the dressing room, and you can heat water there to brew tea rather than sending down to the kitchens. Make sure her tea is heavily honeyed, and that you assist her with the invalid feeder if she requires it. She must not drink it hot, rather just warm for now, for her throat. The doctor will want to examine her before she takes a morning meal, so please send for us when she wakes. Molly, you may go take a meal downstairs and then rest. "

Molly curtsied and left as Lucy took her place in Anne's room. Elizabeth went to the mirror and smoothed her hair as much as she could, and then left the room and made her way to the mistress's apartment. Her chambers were empty, but Sarah had obviously been there. All she needed for the day was laid out, and the boiler was lit in the bathing chamber. She undressed, went to the bathing chamber, and filled the tub. She enjoyed the hot water for several moments before attending to her ablutions, and stepping out to dry off with clean towelling. She dried her hair, and pulled it up into a simple but elegant twist, and then stepped into a black gown. Out of respect for Charlotte, she would mourn her cousin for one month before reverting to her usual attire.

When she was ready, she left her suite and went down the hall to the nursery. Miss Carmichael was in the sitting room and Diane and Beau were just waking up. Elizabeth spent a few minutes cuddling and talking with the child and the dog. Lydia entered and informed her that she had sent for their breakfast, that Charlotte had already gone downstairs, and that she planned to spend most of the day in the ballroom with Diane, because it was the largest room in the house, and the child and dog could play some games and get some exercise there. Elizabeth told Miss Carmichael to make sure they had a footman from Netherfield outside the door to whatever room they occupied and headed downstairs.

Elizabeth entered the dining room to find the entire party present, including Mrs George and Mr Banks. Mrs George dropped a curtsey and an apology, to which Elizabeth replied, "Nonsense, Mrs George. We all have much work to be done, and we cannot do it if we are standing on ceremony. Please continue your conversation with Mr Roberts."

Elizabeth made herself a plate, then sat down at the table and ate as she listened to the news from while she slept. Another of the severely burned patients had died. Mr Roberts shook his head. "Unfortunately, Mr James is correct. If we allow them to really awaken from the laudanum, they will likely expire from the shock of the pain, like the patient yesterday. Sadly, we just do not have the skill to treat burns of this severity. There have been many trials of attempting to remove the dead and burned skin, and cleaning the areas as much as possible, but infection always sets in, and we cannot nourish the patients well enough for them to survive such terrible injuries for very long. Unfortunately there is only so much pain and suffering the human body can endure."

Mary bowed her head sadly, and Elizabeth knew she was saying a prayer for the departed and terribly injured people, and then her sister spoke, "Perhaps we should send to the next town for a vicar or a curate? In the absence of my late cousin, we are sadly in need of someone to pray with and comfort those who need it, and to perform the unction of the sick."

Charlotte replied, "The curate from Hunsford parish has not left the area. He still has rooms in Hunsford. Since Lord Matlock said in his letter that Lady Catherine is not to be heeded, we could ask him to return."

Colonel Brandon spoke up, "If you would give me the man's name and direction, I shall be glad to ride into Hunsford and ask him to come to Windmere."

"That would be very helpful. Thank you Colonel. Please tell the curate he is welcome to pack a bag and stay here at Windmere if he would like to remain close to the victims for now," Elizabeth said.

A footman entered the room. "Lady Astley, the maid has sent word that Miss de Bourgh is awake. She is helping her to refresh herself now and then will help her to some tea."

"Do you know if Lady Catherine has awakened?"

"She has, Your ladyship."

"Very well, I shall be up with Mr Roberts shortly."

"Very good, madam."

Elizabeth and Mr Roberts quickly finished breaking their fast as the others planned their morning. Colonel Brandon would ride into Hunsford for the curate, and then keep an eye out for Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mary and Charlotte would double check all the guest rooms for the guests who would arrive that day. Mr Banks was asked to send outriders to warn them when Lord Matlock was getting close later in the morning. Mrs George and Mr Banks would both try to keep an eye on everything all at once.

Elizabeth went upstairs with Mr Roberts as he went to examine Miss de Bourgh. She provided introductions to Anne and Lady Catherine and then went downstairs to prepare Anne some pastina [3] and egg so the ladies could have privacy with the physician. She put only half as much macaroni as she normally did, so as not to make the woman ill, and then brought the tray upstairs. Mr Roberts had moved on to the upstairs patients by then.

She sat with Anne as she ate her breakfast. Anne was very excited about the nourishing soup. "Mama never lets me have anything like this. I mostly have only soup and broth, but this is quite hearty."

"Well, that is not healthy at all. You must have some solid food, and soon." Elizabeth replied. Anne changed the subject to discuss her uncle's likely arrival time.

"I expect that he should be here by eleven o'clock. Colonel Fitzwilliam will likely be here any time now, for I understand that he came ahead on horseback." Elizabeth excused herself to check on Lady Catherine, who still had little to say, but was out of bed and dressed in one of Lady Oakley's gowns.

Elizabeth went back downstairs and began to confer with Mrs George and Mr Banks regarding the management of the house and staff. Then she went to the kitchens to speak to the cook about their food stores and available resources. While she was there the back doorbell rang and the delivery man came from the general store, with all the eggs the store had, as well as every pie, loaf and cake from the bakers shop, and two cooked hams and cuts of meat sent by the butcher, which were ordered by Colonel Brandon while he was in the village. Elizabeth and the cook planned to send a groom to the next two villages to do the same again, and to place orders for the next several days. Elizabeth ordered two pigs, a cow, and half a flock of hens to be slaughtered from the home farm to help keep the household fed, and sent the gamekeeper out in search of venison, birds, and fish.

When she came above stairs again, she found Charlotte and Mary in the ballroom with Lydia and Diane, who were practising French verbs, and playing with a ball under the supervision of the nurse and Miss Carmichael. Mary had Beau's favourite toy, a bunch of rags braided into a foot or so of rope. The two tugged the rope and every so often Mary would toss the rope across the ballroom, and the dog would bring it back.

Mary and the sweet little spaniel made quite the pretty picture while playing tug of war when Colonel Brandon and Colonel Fitzwilliam entered the room. Elizabeth observed Fitzwilliam's arrested expression as he set eyes on Mary, and wondered how she would keep Mary unwed until her majority.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, welcome. We are glad to see you, sir. There is much to be managed here," said Elizabeth as the gentlemen bowed and the ladies made their curtsies.

"Lady Astley, please allow me to thank you for all of your kindness and generosity to my family, and offer condolences on the loss of your cousin. My family can never repay yours, madam. Mrs Collins, I am so sorry for your loss," Colonel Fitzwilliam said.

Charlotte looked down and murmured a thank you and Elizabeth spoke up in response, "Come now Colonel, as if you had not already paid any debt you could possibly owe me long in advance. Your friendship has been invaluable to my family, we will have no more of this talk of repayment. I would have come for Charlotte, and my cousin, and the neighbourhood at large in any case, so you need not worry about any inconvenience to myself."

Colonel Fitzwilliam informed them that his father was probably an hour and a half or so behind him, and Mary offered to show him to his room so he could refresh himself before visiting his cousin and aunt. The Colonel looked to Elizabeth, who said, "Mary and Charlotte are acting as hostesses for me, as all hands have been full with the current crisis. Mary has planned all the guest's rooms. Mary, ring for the footman Simon, who is making sure Colonel Brandon has all he needs, and have him meet Colonel Fitzwilliam in his room. He can easily look after them both. Then you can show him upstairs."

Mary asked the footman in the hall to send Simon upstairs, and as they all made their way toward the staircase, there was a commotion outside. Mr Bennet and Sir William were arriving in Elizabeth's carriage. Introductions were made as the gentlemen entered the house, and Charlotte took their fathers upstairs to their rooms while Mary showed Colonel Fitzwilliam to his quarters. Colonel Brandon promised to show him to his cousin and aunt's rooms when he was ready, and the gentlemen entered Fitzwilliam's room to talk.

When Mary returned downstairs, Elizabeth pulled her aside and said privately, "Mary. Do you think you could try not to look at Colonel Fitzwilliam quite so much while Papa is here?"

"Heaven's, Lizzy, am I that obvious?" cried Mary, looking mortified.

"Yes, I am afraid you both are, and everyone has noticed. No one disapproves, but I have a strange feeling about Papa making me promise not to allow you to wed. I feel like he is still bitter about my dowry, and plans to interfere in one of my sisters' marriages in some way. After my marriage, our uncle discovered he planned to marry me to his tenant farmer and would give the man a few thousand pounds to sign over my dowry to him. I would hate to have him notice Fitzwilliam's attention and take you away in order to extort whatever dowry I plan to settle on you. This is why I want you to wait until your majority to wed, when he cannot interfere. If I were you, I would not allow him to know of your interest."

"I will temper my feelings. I am not even sure of my regard, but I do not wish my father to influence my choice," said Mary.

"I am sure I can find a way to enlighten the colonel that any of my sister's prospective suitors should not reveal their interest to our father," responded Elizabeth. "Mary, if you begin a courtship, prepare for it to be a long one. I cannot help you elope, or Papa will not allow me to take Kitty or Lydia later."

"I understand, Lizzy. I am nearly twenty now, I can wait to be engaged. I am going to take your advice and have at least one season before I am wed, I still have much growing to do as a person before I am married. I must experience the world a bit first."

"That is very sensible Mary, and I completely agree. You will be better for it, I am sure," agreed Elizabeth.

*****

Elizabeth went upstairs after that, to see to the injured and displaced from Rosings. She wanted to wait until the doctor made his rounds and the nurses had time to follow his orders before coming upstairs. She knew her way about a doctor's bag and a roll of bandages, but for special care such as burns, an improperly trained person would only get in the way of the nurses, and Elizabeth did not want to create problems.

Mr Roberts approached her as she entered the room with the most severely burned patients. "Elizabeth, perhaps wait a while before visiting this room. We have just lost another burn victim, and the nurses are preparing the body for removal from the room. Thankfully the Curate arrived moments ago, and was with him."

"How dreadful, I hope that someone knows how to contact all of these servants' families. I have yet to ask if they are from the area," Elizabeth said.

"I believe two of them are. The rest will have to wait until someone becomes well enough to remember the victims and where they hailed from, for I am sure the housekeeper's records burnt in the fire," Mr Roberts answered.

He accompanied her into one of the rooms with people suffering from smoke inhalation. "We only have a few truly severe cases of smoke poisoning. The sisters have brought them through the worst of it. Everyone suffering from respiratory issues from the fire should rest quietly for about three or four weeks, perhaps more for the truly severe ones, depending on how well they recover. They should avoid any strenuous activity, climbing stairs, anything that would make them breathe heavily. They should avoid raising their voices for at least a month, drink plenty of boiled, cool water, and well honeyed tea, and rest their lungs completely. They should not speak at all if their throat is still bothering them. Plenty of good soup and soft foods, nothing too hot, but warm enough to bring comfort to the throat. Chewing ice can also bring comfort, if there is an ice house."

Then he spoke of the more moderate burn victims, who were burned significantly, but expected to recover. "Their recovery will likely take a number of weeks and they will be in terrible pain for some time, not to mention permanently scarred from their injuries. They should not be moved if at all possible. There is still the chance they could take infection, and it is more likely that will happen if they are moved to a less sanitary environment. They are lucky to be here with the modern conveniences of the plumbing in this house. Their chances would be much less at an estate without such advantages."

Mrs George entered the room and Elizabeth reiterated the doctor's instructions, directing the housekeeper to ensure they were fulfilled and to arrange a schedule for them with the nurses. "Mrs George, how is the demand upon the nurses and staff? Will the twelve-hour schedule be acceptable or too arduous for the staff? Do we need to make any changes? Is the schedule designed to allow everyone to eat three meals a day and get rest?"

"If we were to keep up the schedule indefinitely, I believe we would likely have some difficulty," stated the housekeeper. "But if it is just a few weeks at this pace, we could manage it, especially as the guests begin to recover. We will be getting a few short breaks and our meals throughout the day. And there will also be quieter times when many of the guests are finally getting some rest, and we can take turns resting up a bit then."

"Excellent, please make sure all of the staff continue to attend to their rest, meals, and cleanliness. We do not need anyone falling ill or making our patients ill. I am sure the nurses made you understand that everything must be as clean and sanitary as possible," responded Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Mr Roberts walked through the rooms discussing the situation, and Elizabeth sat down to take tea with a number of the relations of the injured tenants and servants, who were remaining close by to tend their family. She sent for paper and pencil and made a list of the main concerns and needs of the families on the Rosings estate, those with injured family members and those without, then she took a quiet moment and made an additional copy for Lord Matlock.

Elizabeth returned downstairs and encountered Colonel Fitzwilliam in the hall. "Colonel Fitzwilliam. Might I see you for a moment in my study?"

She led Fitzwilliam into her study and left the door slightly ajar. "Colonel Fitzwilliam. What I am about to say is extremely presumptuous and rude. Circumstances, however, make it necessary. Please be aware that I say it completely and entirely without expectations of any kind."

"I should hope that our long-standing acquaintance, indeed our friendship, must demand that we speak openly at all times to one another, Lady Astley. By all means, say what you must, without hesitation," he insisted.

"I am only going to say that my father is a rather singular gentleman who has his own agenda regarding certain matters, and that agenda has nothing whatsoever to do with the happiness of his daughters. It may or may not be of interest for you to know that a gentleman with any interest in my sisters would do well not display it within my father's observation, if they preferred their suit not to be interfered with. For this reason, my sister has vowed not to welcome any offers until she reaches her majority, in order to make her own choices," Elizabeth said.

"Ah," responded the colonel, blushing to his roots and looking anywhere but at her.

"As I said, I speak without any expectations whatsoever, sir. I will say no more." Elizabeth swept past him and into the hall where she was met by Mr Banks.

"The outriders have informed us that Lord Matlock should arrive in twenty minutes, ma'am."

"Thank you, Banks. Please tell Mrs George and also ask all of our guests to wait in the drawing room, and send in tea. I do not believe, under the circumstances, that Lord Matlock would like us to assemble the entire household outside. I will receive him with you and Mrs George, as well as Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam when he arrives.

Elizabeth left Colonel Fitzwilliam and went upstairs to refresh herself and smooth her hair before receiving the earl. She looked in on the nursery on her way back down, and Diane was involved in a lesson with her aunt. She promised to spend some time with Diane after luncheon to give Lydia and Miss Carmichael a rest, and continued downstairs.

The guests and family were assembled in the drawing room and Elizabeth and Mary received Lord Matlock with his son as well as Mr Banks, Mrs George, and two footmen to carry up the earl's trunks. "Lord Matlock, welcome to Windmere, although I am sorry it must be under such circumstances. Forgive us for not assembling the household, the staff are all needed at their tasks given the situation and I felt you may appreciate a moment upon arriving before I introduce all of our guests. May I introduce my sister, Miss Bennet? Mary has taken over my hostessing duties while we are attending to the crisis, My Lord. If there is anything that we can do for your comfort, please let Miss Bennet or Mrs George know. This is Mrs George, the housekeeper, and Mr Banks, my personal steward."

"Lady Astley, thank you for all of your consideration. My family does not deserve your friendship. Please accept my condolences on the loss of your dear cousin," responded Lord Matlock sincerely. He looked to his son as they entered the house. "Are they alright, Son?"

The servants carried Lord Matlock's trunks upstairs and showed the earl's valet to his lordship's room as Colonel Fitzwilliam answered. "I visited with Anne when I arrived. I have not seen Aunt Catherine, although I am told that she is keeping mostly quiet due to smoke injury to her throat. Anne is much as we have ever known her, although rather weaker. I passed the house on my way here, which is where I came upon Brandon, who was also taking a look at the remains. The house is a complete loss."

"We will have to wait for Darcy to get here before we know for sure if the house still has insurance. Catherine has been insisting it is naught but a waste of money for over a decade, and it has been up to him to keep her convinced to keep the policy," said the earl.

"Lord Matlock, my family and guests are assembled in the drawing room ready to make your acquaintance. Would you like to refresh yourself upstairs before meeting them and taking luncheon? The doctor can acquaint you with the particulars of your family's health, as well as that of the injured before you visit with your sister and niece," Elizabeth suggested.

Lord Matlock agreed, and Mary and Mrs George showed him to his room. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam returned to the drawing room and allowed Charlotte to pour them a cup of tea. "Charlotte, will you join me in my sitting room after luncheon? There has not been even a moment to stop and converse, and I would like to just sit quietly with you and talk for a while."

Charlotte agreed, and those in the drawing room made small talk for twenty minutes until there was a shout in the hall, followed a moment later by Mr Banks announcing Lord Matlock and Sir Jasper Oakley.

"Your timing is perfect, Sir Jasper, and welcome to Windmere. You have arrived at an opportune moment, for now you can add your account of events as we apprise Lord Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam of matters here in Kent." Elizabeth performed the introductions for everyone in the room. Lord Matlock paid particular attention to Charlotte and her father as well as Mr Bennet, regarding the terrible loss to the family. Charlotte began to look as if she would crumble, but her father patted her hand and whispered to her, and she regained her composure.

Sir Jasper opened the conversation, explaining the situation at Rosings Park when he arrived. He observed that the fire had taken hold of the house. It was clear it could not be saved and that the fire raged through the dower house and other buildings within wind of the house rapidly. Even a small wood near the house had burned. It was a miracle that the parsonage was spared due to the direction of the winds. When he arrived, servants were carrying furniture outside. When asked where Lady Catherine and Miss de Bourgh were, he was informed that Mr Collins had gone upstairs to retrieve them, and that they were following her ladyship's orders; she had demanded they save the furniture while she went upstairs for her daughter.

Charlotte took up the tale and related haltingly, how Mr Collins ran straight into the house when he learned that the two ladies were inside. No one understood why Lady Catherine did not get help from the servants to rescue Anne, nor why the servants that were upstairs were not saved before the furniture. The housekeeper and the butler left the village entirely as soon as the fire was over, as had a number of other servants who were not injured. It was still unclear if Mrs Jenkinson had left the neighbourhood as well, or if she had succumbed to the fire. The horses were set loose before the barns burned, and tenant families were caring for them at present.

Sir Jasper told of how Mr Collins had heroically appeared coming from the house, carrying Anne over his shoulder and dragging Lady Catherine by her arm across the floor. How Mr Collins had managed the stairs was unknown. The ladies and even the gentlemen exclaimed, and Charlotte wept as Sir Jasper detailed how the man collapsed when he reached safety, and died a hero in his wife's arms, unable to overcome the smoke he had inhaled.

Everyone was taken to a barn as the fire burned out, eventually helped along by a heavy rain that swept through the area and spent itself quickly. Many hours were spent in the barn caring for those who were hurt. A number of tenants had seen the smoke, and came running for the house, entering and attempting to save servants, particularly their relatives that worked in the house, so there were injured tenants, grooms, and gardeners, as well as indoor servants. Lady Catherine and Anne were still unconscious when Charlotte went to the parsonage after the fire was finally burnt out to prepare the house for Lady Catherine and Anne to be taken there, since it was the closest building with proper beds that they could be moved to. Sir Jasper had gone to his estate for a carriage to move Lady Catherine and Anne, and when he and Charlotte returned to the barn for them, Lady Catherine was awake and issuing orders. She would not allow herself or Anne to be moved, and she chastised Mrs Collins thoroughly that her husband had not gotten Anne out before she could be injured by the smoke. Lady Catherine became so irate and unreasonable that Sir Jasper sent Charlotte home in his carriage so she would not be abused further by the woman.

When Lady Catherine realised that her physician was treating the injured along with the apothecary, she threatened the man with non-payment, so eventually he left the premises. She also threatened the apothecary with non-payment, which did not deter him. Before dawn, Lady Catherine had worn everyone out with her raging and demands. Sir Jasper went to his home again to obtain more food and whatever supplies he could for everyone in the barn, and when he returned, he found that Lady Catherine had entered the house, determined that the fire was out and that the house was safe (even though it was still smoking), and while the apothecary was gone to his shop for more medical supplies, Lady Catherine demanded that the servants who were able, carry Anne back into the house and up the stairs to her room.

Sir Jasper and Charlotte, who had eventually returned to offer aid again, could not persuade Lady Catherine to come to his home or to the parsonage, and the Lady became quite agitated when they attempted to enter the home, eventually ordering Charlotte out of the parsonage immediately, for offering hospitality she had no right to, since she was no longer the wife of the rector. Lady Catherine hysterically threatened all manner of dire consequences when her brother arrived, so Sir Jasper, believing that Matlock had been notified, eventually went home. Charlotte suspected that Lady Catherine had informed no one, and knew the estate needed assistance. Once the villagers removed her husband's body to the church, she retired to the inn and wrote to Elizabeth.

Elizabeth took up the tale, explaining the scene that unfolded at Rosings when they arrived, and the care that was given to Anne and Lady Catherine's comfort since they had been brought to Windmere.

Mr Roberts eventually began detailing the deaths and injuries that he had recorded. In addition to the victims that passed away since they arrived, he had also ridden to the barn and examined the rest of the bodies of the deceased, and attempted to assist the apothecary and two of the servants who were able to identify some of the bodies.

He explained the condition of the burned and smoke injured victims, the treatments that were being performed, and what their recovery would entail. Then he described Anne and Lady Catherine's condition. "Lady Catherine and Anne are both suffering from small, minor burns and different degrees of smoke inhalation. Lady Catherine should speak as little as possible for the next few weeks, drink plenty of water and honeyed tea, eat soft and warm, but not hot foods. She damaged her vocal cords further with her raging and screaming after the fire. Otherwise she is unharmed.

‘As far as Miss de Bourgh is concerned, I examined her carefully, with consideration to information regarding her previous ailments, and can find little wrong with her other than smoke inhalation and malnutrition. Miss de Bourgh states that her mother only allows her to eat broth and soup. I have questioned her maid and other servants who wait upon her closely, and they say that she eats very little of her own accord. Her maid has found her purging many times, and that Miss de Bourgh regularly demands to be bled by the doctor. It is difficult to determine if she is malnourished due to her mother's interference or that of her own, or both, but it is my belief that there is nothing wrong with the lady other than her injuries from the fire, which are minimal, and her lack of nourishment and exercise. She should probably be careful about her chest in the future, since we know she is often unwell. Anything that could irritate her lungs should be avoided until we are sure there is no permanent damage to them by the smoke."

With everything they could account for told, the party moved to the dining room as Elizabeth explained their current dining plan to the earl, who found it eminently sensible. "Charlotte arranged it, my lord. She is quite resourceful. If I had not come to help her, I would have sent for her to come and assist me."

"It is good for both of you that you have cousins you can count on. My children have that as well, and I am grateful." commented Lord Matlock.

"Long before we were cousins, we have been dearest friends, for Charlotte and I grew up on neighbouring estates," Elizabeth replied. The company sat in no particular order other than Elizabeth at the foot of the table with Lord Matlock on one side, and Sir William on the other. For once, Sir William was struck dumb as he drank in the presence of the earl. Elizabeth knew that Meryton would hear of it for years.

Once seated, Lord Matlock took over the conversation. "It is obvious to me that my sister has become unwell since I last spent time with her. The woman has become dangerous. Once she is well enough to travel, I believe that I will have her transported to a comfortable new home, an older dower house on the Matlock property, and hire a staff to look after her. She cannot be allowed to manage Anne's care any longer.

"Also, Anne can no longer live buried here, ill, in the country," he continued. "I will have to visit and speak with her first, but at some point I think she ought to come to London and spend some time with my wife. Perhaps her health can improve. As far as the estate and house at Rosings go, we must wait for Darcy. He is the only one who knows the accounts and management of the estate intimately. His father originally looked after the estate when de Bourgh died, at her father's request. Darcy took it over when his father passed and he knows the estate well. When he arrives, he will know what can be done about the house and the estate as a whole. In the meantime, I will assume the expenses. Lady Astley, I will have your steward give me the amounts you have spent to help us, and I will reimburse you."

"Lord Matlock, I must insist that you do not suggest such an idea again. As the closest estate to Rosings, and having family on the estate myself, it is my duty to extend aid and hospitality to my neighbours and family. I would have done it no matter who my neighbour was, and I will not be reimbursed for doing my Christian duty. If you must, you may assume the doctor and apothecary fees. I consider any suggestion of anything more to be an insult to the hospitality of my house."

Colonel Fitzwilliam spoke up. "Lady Astley, it must be costing you a fortune to feed so many mouths, and you have taken on every unemployed young person in three miles to assist with caring for the injured. In light of our family's debt to you, we could not allow you to take on so much expense."

"Colonel Fitzwilliam, I have already told you that any debt your family may have accrued with me was paid long in advance, with your loyal friendship and assistance these last few years. Lord Matlock, your son has helped me select all of my servants. As a widow with an estate, I must be very careful about my security. His friendship and advice have been invaluable to my family. With his assistance I have been able to employ men I can trust, and also give employment to our officers home from military service. You must also agree that in light of the current crisis here in Kent, it is the responsibility of the other local landowners to stimulate the local economy. Is it not, Sir Jasper?"

"Indeed, Lady Astley. When you put it that way, you make your point perfectly. The community must be thriving in order to provide assistance to the recovering estate. Such expenditures allow the entire neighbourhood to thrive," agreed Sir Jasper.

Lord Matlock set aside the discussion of remuneration, and asked about the services the next day. They discussed the plans for the funeral, and when the meal was finished, Elizabeth stood and mentioned to Mary that she and Charlotte would be attending to some business upstairs. Colonel Fitzwilliam agreed to show Lord Matlock upstairs to visit Anne and Lady Catherine. Mary would remain downstairs and see to the household and everyone's comfort. Sir William and her father retired to the library, and Colonel Brandon called for his horse to ride to Rosings and assist with rounding up a few horses that had not yet been caught after the fire, and herd them to Elizabeth's stables. Elizabeth instructed Banks that when he was finished visiting Anne and Lady Catherine, to show Matlock to a parlour at the back of the house that had a large desk and comfortable furniture which the earl could use as a study while he was in residence, if he needed a desk to work at, or a room to meet with anyone regarding Rosings business. There were three such rooms that were furnished to act as offices for visiting guests who needed space to work in. Elizabeth furnished them when her late husband often had other physicians to visit while conferring about medical textbooks and journals. She also gave Banks the list of concerns taken down while talking to the wives of the injured tenants, so that his lordship could address the matters. Last, she requested that all of the correspondence that was waiting in her study to be sent up to her sitting room.