The Heir and Spare (Jane Austen Adaptations)

14. Elizabeth

Chapter 14

Elizabeth

L izzie hurried up the steps of Netherfield Park with Mary in tow. “I cannot believe she is here with only servants and Charles to care for her.” Mary sniffed. “Caroline has left. It’s hardly appropriate and with Lydia running off we can only be too careful.”

“Don’t be too quick to pass judgment, Mary. I bet Charles was the most attentive of hosts.”

She snorted.

With half a smile, Lizzie shook her head. “And the most appropriate. I do not believe Charles would dare do a thing to damage our Jane no matter how much he’d want to.”

“But the appearances.”

Lizzie placed a hand on her sister’s arm. “Which is why we are here and why you are to remain.”

“Is there a reason you are not the sister to stay? I would think you be the most suited. And the one Jane prefers.”

Lizzie studied her sister but the expression that stared back was purposefully devoid of emotion. “Mary. She does not most prefer me. I do believe we are the closest friends. Closest in age you know. But she loves you all dearly. I hope you know that.”

Mary hesitated a moment but then nodded. “I do. She is the kindest and most caring. I lack for nothing as her sister.”

Lizzie vowed to do better by way of Mary. She was definitely a much-overlooked member of the family.

“It needs to be you because someone has to manage our mother.”

Mary did not respond, but Lizzie guessed she’d far rather care for Jane than for Mother’s fits and blaming the world for her daughter’s plight. Lizzie wanted to be there to hear any news of Lydia as well. Perhaps there was some reason to hope, some small chance that all would still be saved.

Darcy’s laughing, teasing eyes came to her mind. Her heart sped. He was so much more than she’d ever given him credit for being. He was kind and giving and caring. She could not account for his behavior toward them in Meryton, but at the house party and since, he’d been all that she’d ever want in a man’s treatment. She sighed. And so very handsome. Her cheeks colored. Why had he stepped in where Jane and Bingley were concerned? Perhaps all was well now that she was apparently at Netherfield?

“Are you well, Lizzie?” Mary studied her closely.

Lizzie fanned herself. “I do hope so.” She shook her head. “I am not ill, that is for certain. Now come. Let’s at least alert the servants we are lurking on their doorstep.”

But as they approached the front door, it opened and Charles appeared on the foot tails of their butler.

The servant stepped aside, bowing.

“Please come in. Miss Bennet, Miss Bennet. I am too pleased to see you. I do believe Jane will be much relieved.” He bowed over their hands and then led them up the stairs. “I have asked the servants to give you whatever you require. Please ask for refreshment for both yourselves and for Jane. I confess I am at a loss and she is…unwell. It concerns me greatly to see her unwell.” His face was filled with so much concern that Lizzie stopped in the hall and placed a hand on his arm. “Please do not concern yourself. She is strong and will recover, I am certain. Your care here cannot be lacking in any way.” She gave him an extra squeeze and then hurried toward the door he indicated.

The room was lovely but dark and a bit musty. Against the far wall, with covers to her chin, Jane lay shivering.

“Oh, my dear Jane.” She rushed to her side. “Mary, open the drapes please, and the windows.”

“Lizzie, you’ve come.” The hand she reached to grasp Lizzie’s was weak and clammy. Her head felt hot to the touch and damp with sweat. Lizzie pulled back her covers.

Jane groaned. “No, I am freezing.”

“But you’re burning up. We have to get your fever to drop.” She turned to a waiting maid. “Please bring me a bowl of water and cloths to lay on her head. Also, your cook’s best remedies for fever and a broth for her to drink.”

The maid bobbed a curtsey and hurried from the room.

A soft knock and the reopening of the door a crack made Lizzie smile. Bingley’s head poked in. “Is there anything you lack? Any other way I can possibly be of assistance?”

Jane pulled a pillow over her face. “Oh, Charles. You cannot see me thus.”

“You are beautiful no matter how I see you, Jane. Be well. Please be well.”

“She will be. I’ve sent the maid for things. Thank you for your kindness. We shall get her right as can be hopefully very soon.”

He nodded, looking past Lizzie to get a glimpse of Jane.

“Can he come in to see you?” Lizzie whispered.

But after a moment, the pillow moved as if Jane nodded.

“I do believe you may come to visit her.” Lizzie stood. “Mary will be with you. And I shall get ourselves situated for a moment while we wait for the servants to bring the required items.”

He rushed to Jane’s side and scooped up her hands in his. “Oh, my dear Jane. Jane darling. I cannot believe you are thus. We will do all in our power until you are as well as you have ever been. All that I have is at your disposal. If there is anything at all I can do to bring greater happiness and wellness.”

Jane lifted her fingers to his mouth. “Hush, my Charles. You are all that is good. If I might rest here, I do believe I shall be as well as ever.” She smiled, her lips dry and her eyes watery and clouded with fever.

But Bingley looked on as though she were the loveliest angelic human he’d ever seen. And in truth, she likely was. Jane was special indeed.

Lizzie nodded to Mary who would be the most diligent of chaperones, certainly, and then stepped across the hall. The view from that room covered the entire valley in that direction. It was a lovely situation and from the looks of things, would be all in Jane’s care not too soon a day. As long as wide-spread knowledge of a scandal could be avoided.

She sighed.

Prevention of the gossip spreading was all but impossible. She could not imagine the whole world not knowing.

But who knew now? No one yet. Except for Mr. Darcy and her family. She kneaded her hands together.

She left Jane in Mary’s care in a much-improved state. Her fever was lower. And she was in good spirits.

But she arrived home to a front room full of Lucases with way too many questions.

Lizzie greeted them all. “I’m sorry, my mother is indisposed. Let me order tea for you.” She waved to Hill who immediately left to take care of things and to hopefully keep their mother’s wails to a minimum.

“How is your mother?” Mrs. Lucas was a dear woman but the gleam in her eye told Lizzie she had also come for any bit of news and to confirm her suspicions.

“She is quite unwell to be honest. Something has really bothered her constitution. She is quite consumptive even and carries on about her nerves.” Lizzie shook her head. “She might be quite contagious and so she is keeping to her rooms with no visitors at the moment.”

Mrs. Lucas sat back in her chair a moment as though Lizzie herself were carrying the very thing plaguing their mother. Which of course she was, in a less obvious manner. Lizzie carried her worries and concerns hidden beneath the surface where her mother wore them like a medal.

The tea arrived and everyone spoke of the assembly at Meryton and the many dances they’d all enjoyed.

“And what of Lydia? Kitty?” Mrs. Lucas waved a fan in her face in an odd attempt to stave off the boredom.

“They are out.” Lizzie shrugged. “I do apologize. I am a weak substitute for the rest of the Bennets. But perhaps you’d like to see Mary’s needlepoint?” She stood as though to fetch it, but a slight groan and obvious dislike of the idea brought Mrs. Lucas to her feet. “Well, do tell your mother we were here to see to her well-being. She is as dear to me as any woman. There are nasty rumors about town and I wish to stave them off. Wickham has left too abruptly, left his post, and was perhaps seen with a young woman. No one can as yet identify his victim or if she be willing or no.” Mrs. Lucas clucked, eyeing Lizzie’s face too closely.

But though her heart nearly stopped and her hands ran cold, she shook her head as casually as she could. “What terrible news. I thought him the most congenial, the best manners. I think him incapable…” She tapped her fingers on her legs. “Perhaps no woman was involved at all, merely Wickham running? Has he anything to run from?” Her eyes widened in the pretended innocence of being unaware. But her nails dug into her palm in the hand she clenched together under her skirts.

“I did hear he had much debt in town, people coming after for repayment.” She nodded wisely. “Perhaps you are right and none of our young ladies has been foolish enough to fall for his entrapments.” Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you were once enamored with the man.”

Lizzie gasped. “Goodness no. He was pleasing to look at to be sure, but no part of me was considering him as anything other than a distraction, I assure you.”

She nodded, appearing satisfied. “And your sisters. Nothing in them would attract a man such as he. You have nothing to offer.” She stood. “No, there is nothing for it. He must have preyed upon a servant or tenant family, or no woman is involved. I shall stop the idle talk at once.”

“Have you called upon all the others, then?”

She shrugged. “One has to know how to act and who to protect, doesn’t one?”

Lizzie tipped her head to the side. “Yes, one does. I’d be so sick if he ruined the life and reputation of one of our own.”

“We won’t allow that to happen. We women must band together in situations such as these.” Her eyes burned with an intensity Lizzie was not suspecting, but she loved her for it. Even though she could not reveal why, she hugged her fiercely. “Thank you for that. Let us pray no one is involved.”

“Yes, let’s. Do give Lydia and Kitty my regards.”

“I will. I know my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner will be here shortly to take us all up on holiday to the Lake Country, but I’m certain they shall be by either before or after to discuss the events.”

“Yes, I’m certain as well.” She moved to the door. “Come, ladies.”

The Lucases hustled to the door just as the mail arrived.

Mrs. Lucas’s keen gaze caused Lizzie to gather it without glancing down at the tray and she curtseyed her farewells once again while the servants shut the door after their guests.

She fell against the wall. “Whew. That was something.”

But good had come from the interview. No one knew for certain what Wickham had done. Lydia’s name was as yet, safe. And Mrs. Lucas seemed a powerful ally.

Kitty peeked her head around the corner of the stairs. “Have they gone?”

“Oh, Kitty!” Lizzie smiled. “It was smart of you to stay hidden.”

She nodded. “I thought perhaps it would make more sense for Lydia to be gone from the house if I were absent as well.”

“You are too correct.” Lizzie hugged her sister. “Jane is as well as can be expected. We wait to hear her fever has truly dropped, but I don’t think she is in any danger.”

“Oh good.” Kitty looked to the mail in Lizzie’s hands. “Do we have any news?”

Lizzie lifted the pile, and they sifted through it quickly but saw no news from their father or uncle or anyone else.