Page 9 of Resilience

“I must send word to my family.” Jane was shivering as she spoke.

Caroline thought to herself that the lady truly looked ill. “Of course, dear Jane. I will send a boy immediately. Recover yourself, and I will join you later.”

“Jane is ill,” Mr Bennet announced to gasps from around the breakfast table as he read from a note that was just delivered. “Her misadventure in the rain has done her more harm than yours did to you, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth took the letter from her father worriedly. “Except a sore throat, a fever, and a headache, there is nothing much wrong with me. Poor Jane!”

“I hope that Miss Bingley has made her due preparations and that Jane is not a burden, I understand she is to receive another guest today.” Mr Bennet spread black butter on his muffin.

“Indeed, Mr Bennet, I have heard nothing of it!” Mrs Bennet answered in astonishment. Elizabeth wondered why her father enjoyed toying with his wife so much.

“When I met Mr Darcy at the assembly, he delivered a letter to me, though I have yet to answer. It is from my cousin, Mr. Collins, who, when I am dead, may turn you all out of this house as soon as he pleases.”

“Oh!" cried his wife, "I cannot bear to hear that name mentioned. Pray do not talk of that odious man. I do think it is the hardest thing in the world that your estate should be entailed away from your own children, and I am sure that if I had been you, I would have tried long ago to do something or other about it.”

“The responsibility to produce a son was yours, Mrs Bennet.” Mr Bennet ended his wife’s objections with a cruel remark that left her crestfallen and her daughters looking at their plates as they sympathised with their mother. “Now, do hush and allow me to read the letter.”

He sat back in his chair and began to read.

Dear Sir,

The disagreement subsisting between yourself and my late honoured father always gave me much uneasiness, and since I have had the misfortune to lose him, I have frequently wished to heal the breach; but for some time I was kept back by my own doubts, fearing it might seem disrespectful to his memory for me to be on good terms with anyone with whom it had always pleased him to be at variance.

My mind, however, is now made up on the subject, for I have recently learned that I am to visit the village of Meryton to discuss business with my patron, and I wish to make every effort to promote friendship between myself and my relations. As a clergyman, moreover, I feel it my duty to promote and establish the blessing of peace in all families within the reach of my influence; and on these grounds I hope that the circumstance of my being next in the entail of Longbourn estate will be kindly overlooked on your side, and not lead you to reject the offered olive-branch.

I cannot be otherwise than concerned at being the means of injuring your amiable daughters, and beg leave to apologise for this accident of birth. I am to arrive as a guest of Mr Bingley of Netherfield Park on Wednesday, the ninth of October. If you should have no objection to receive me into your acquaintance, I propose myself the satisfaction of waiting upon you and your family on the afternoon of Thursday, the tenth of October.

I remain, dear sir, with respectful compliments to your lady and daughters, your well-wisher and friend,

Mr William Collins

“I suppose he sounds like a sensible man,” Mrs Bennet muttered. Her equanimity had not yet recovered from being chastised for not having a son in front of four of the daughters she could have died while birthing in the attempt. “Lizzy, I expect you will go straight to Jane. You must stay and nurse her until she comes home. Miss Bingley has her hands full, welcoming another guest, and someone from our house must guard your sister from the premature attentions of Mr Bingley. No gentleman will sample your sister’s charms before she is wed.”

Elizabeth agreed and glared at her father along with her younger sisters as her mother stood and fled the breakfast table. Mr Bennet had been more sarcastic and cruel to his wife and daughters each day since they learned of his new fortune. Elizabeth was nearly ready to enter his study and ask him to please not give her any dowry, if he would only cease this new resentment.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Mr Nicholls announced to the room as that lady entered the breakfast parlour at Netherfield Park later that morning.

“Lizzy!” Georgiana exclaimed as Darcy and Bingley stood and bowed. “Good heavens, have you walked all the way here? You must be exhausted.”

“Not at all, Georgie.” Elizabeth curtsied to those in the room. “I am sorry I disturbed your meal. I see that Miss Bingley keeps town hours. I understand that Miss Bingley rescued my sister from the rain yesterday, and I am here to see to Jane’s welfare. We received a note this morning that she is ill. May I see her?”

“Of course, Miss Elizabeth, but are you certain that you will not join us first for a cup of tea or a small meal after such a long walk? I assure you, Caroline has hardly left Miss Bennet’s side. Your sister has every comfort we can provide,” Mr Bingley offered with alacrity.

“Thank you, Mr Bingley.” Elizabeth smiled at the genial young man. “I promise, I am quite well. Perhaps if a footman could show me the way?”

“I would not hear of it. I am quite finished.” Mr Bingley left his place and came around the table. “Allow me to escort you.”

“Do join us in the music room later, Lizzy.” Georgiana begged.

“I will try, Georgie.” Elizabeth took Mr Bingley’s arm. They left the breakfast room and ascended the stairs. “I did not realise Miss Bingley was such a devoted nurse.”

“Nor I, to be sure.” Mr Bingley grinned at Elizabeth. “Our other sister is in a delicate condition, however, I and I believe Louisa’s extensive napping schedule has left Caroline without companionship. She has been devoted to Miss Bennet all night and all morning, or so I understand.”

“How kind of Miss Bingley.”

Elizabeth would not have believed it if she had not seen it with her own eyes. Miss Bingley was in a morning gown with her hair in a simple chignon, sitting on the opposite side of Jane’s enormous bed, leaning back against the pillows next to Jane and giggling.

Jane was obviously sick. Her eyes and nose were red, and Elizabeth knew from her expression that she had a headache. She also knew that poor Jane would never ask her hostess to leave her room so she could sleep.