Authors: Melanie Schertz
“Your mother will not be able to take care of
herself, let alone you. I will not pay an allowance for
her to take you with her. As you are my daughter, I
have to say in where you will live. And I have decided
you require school to teach you properly.”
“And if you run away, then I will have you dragged
back to school, by the ear if need be. I can also hire
someone to be with you constantly, to ensure you
attend school and to do as the instructors tell you.”
“Mr Bennet, you cannot take my dear girl from me.
It would not be fair for you to take my home and my
daughter from me. Please, you must be fair to Lydia.
You cannot imagine what such separation from her
mother would do. It would be too difficult for her.
Jane is grown and would survive it, but not my
dearest Lydia, who is still so young.”
“I will hear no more on this matter. You need to
make your decision, so I can make arrangements. Will
you be moving to Sussex or will you be finding
employment?”
Fear was beginning to take hold of Mrs Bennet’s
mind. What was she to do? She could not turn to the
men she had been bedding, for they had no money to
keep her, and they were living in the vicinity of
Longbourn. “I cannot live with my cousin. She is far
too strict in her ways. I would be miserable.”
“Then you choose to find employment? Very well.
I will see that you have the ten pounds and papers
will be prepared, stating clearly that you will receive
no further assistance or funding.”
Fanny Bennet turned her attention to her brother,
her eyes pleading. “Brother, you would not allow my
husband to treat me in such a manner. Please, tell me
that you will protect me.”
“No, Fanny. You had your choice. You have
chosen not to move to Sussex, so you must now find
employment.” Mr Gardiner stated. “Now, I will begin
to make inquiries about employment for you. We will
most likely be staying here for a few days, no more
than a week. Do you wish to live in Liverpool or
London? And, mind you, if you choose London, it will
not be in a fashionable section of Town. It would,
most likely, not even be in as nice a neighborhood as
where we live. You will need to learn to live within
your means. We will not be giving you any
assistance.”
Finally, Mrs Bennet realized she had no way of
convincing her brother or her husband of changing
their minds. She even thought to pretend to take ill,
though the men were adamant on their decision. “I
would prefer to live in London.” She said, her nose
pointing upwards, as she attempted to keep some
dignity.
“MAID? You think I would clean someone’s home?
Do you think I would lower myself in such a manner?
I have been the Mistress of Longbourn, one of the
larger estates in the neighborhood of Meryton. And
now, you believe I will lower myself to take such an
occupation?”
“If you wish to survive, Fanny, you will. You are
no longer the pampered daughter of a country
solicitor, nor are you the wife of a country squire. You
are now a woman who needs to work to support her.
I will hear no more of this. Tomorrow, you will be put
on a post carriage for Town and that is all to be said.”
Mr Bennet was pleased to find his daughter
sleeping when he returned to the bedchamber. Jane
had gone downstairs with the Gardiners to have
something to eat. As he stepped to the side of the bed,
Mr Bennet noticed beads of perspiration forming on
his daughter’s forehead. He reached out his hand,
gently touching Elizabeth’s face. Finding her to be
extremely warm, Mr Bennet left the room, searching
for the innkeeper. The physician was required, as
Elizabeth had developed a fever.
Once the innkeeper sent his son for the physician,
Mr Bennet returned to the bedchamber, carrying a
pitcher of cool water and some bits of cloth. He began
dipping the cloths in the water, wringing the excess
water from them, before placing them on Elizabeth’s
face. Fevers had not been uncommon to Mr Bennet,
as over the years, he had sat at the bedside of many
relations. It was important to bring the fever down. It
was difficult to watch loved ones when they were ill,
and Mr Bennet had never been comfortable when it
was his beloved first born. Any suffering she had to
endure was pure torment to him.
Jane and the Gardiners returned to the room, and
Jane took over rinsing the cloths in cool water as
needed. “Papa, you and Uncle should wait in the
sitting room. I have asked for a tray to be brought up,
for you must eat.”
“Papa, Lizzy would be furious if she were to learn
you were not taking care of yourself. You do not wish
her to worry over you, do you?”
There was a knock on the door. Mr Gardiner
opened it, finding the physician had arrived. Finally
convincing his brother in law to leave Elizabeth’s
bedside, Mr Gardiner led him to the sitting room. The
food had arrived, yet Mr Bennet could do nothing but
pace the floor.
Richard Fitzwilliam joined the men, having
learned of Elizabeth’s condition. “My cousin will be
difficult to keep in his bed, once he learns of her
fever.”
“No, but he is easily aggravated, as his wish is to
see Miss Elizabeth for himself. It is my belief that he
feels I am keeping the truth from him.”
Richard attempted small talk with the men,
though he was not surprised to find Mr Bennet
unwilling to speak. Mr Gardiner informed Richard of
what had been decided with regards to Mrs Bennet.
After what seemed to be hours, the physician
joined the men in the sitting room. “The fever is a bit
lower, and we have applied a poultice to the wound.
The wound is extremely red and hot to touch. There
was some pus, but we were able to drain the pus
before we put on the poultice. The herbs will aid in
drawing out any infection in the wound. And your
other daughter has been able to encourage her sister
in taking some broth and weak tea. Miss Elizabeth
will need all the nourishment she can get to give her
the strength she requires to recover.”
“I was preparing to come to check on both of my
patients, so I was just leaving my office as the boy
came for me. I will now check on Mr Darcy. There are
some other patients on which I need to pay calls,
before I return home for dinner. If there are any
problems, after I leave, send word to my home.
Otherwise, I will return first thing in the morning.”
Darcy was becoming agitated, wishing to see for
himself that Elizabeth was improving. Richard came
back with the report that she was neither better nor
worse, and to Richard, that was a good sign. To Darcy,
it was agonizing to wait for reports. Richard wished
to keep his cousin calm and in his bed, for the
physician was concerned with Darcy’s wound opening
up. If that were to happen, there was a chance of
Darcy taking a fever as well.
Well after midnight, Darcy was still awake. He
could hear someone in the hallway, and then the door
down the hall opened and closed. Darcy was certain
that the person had entered the room where
Elizabeth was located. It was pure agony, waiting and
praying. Sleep refused to come to Darcy, as he
continued to fret over her well-being.
By morning, Darcy was frustrated to the point of
causing him to lose control of his tongue. Though he
knew his cousin and the staff of the inn were doing all
they could to bring comfort to Darcy, the Master of
Pemberley could not find a civil word for anyone.
Mr Gardiner decided it would be best if he were to
make the journey to London with his sister and
youngest niece. Fanny Bennet would be introduced to
several of his friends, in hopes that a job would be
found for her, while Lydia would be taken to a school
on the outskirts of Town. Mr Bennet had written
letters, one to be sent express to Longbourn to alert
Mr and Mrs Hill, the housekeeper and steward,
informing them of the situation and of Mrs Bennet’s
removal from his home. Another was to the solicitor
Mr Bennet used and one to the head mistress at the
school for Lydia. He also authorized Mr Gardiner to
access his bank account for the ten pounds to give
Fanny, and to pay for Lydia’s tuition.
Mrs Gardiner would remain in Liverpool, to be of
assistance to her nieces and Mr Bennet. It was
decided that Mr Gardiner would remain in Town for a
month, seeing to business and making certain Fanny
did not cause further problems, and would bring their
children to Pemberley at the end of the month.
Having already arranged with Colonel Fitzwilliam
for transportation to Pemberley for the remaining
Bennets and Mrs Gardiner, Edward Gardiner decided
to utilize his carriage rather than hiring one.
Mr Bennet felt it futile for any attempt of civility
towards Fanny or Lydia. He knew they would beg and
plead to remain in their lifestyle at Longbourn.
Knowing it was time to stand his ground, Thomas
Bennet remained in the bedchamber, seeing to his
Lizzy’s care.
Fanny entered the carriage, complaining of how
ill-treated she was, being cast from her home and
family, and separated from her beloved Lydia. In her
mind, Fanny felt she had done no wrong to her
husband, and that she had treated Elizabeth kindly.
After twenty years of enduring her foolishness, no one
had any sympathy for her lot in life.
Elizabeth’s fever continued for two more days. It
would lessen slightly, before climbing high by the end
of the day. The discharge from the wound was
disgusting and smelly, causing Jane to have to leave
her sister’s side when the bandages and poultices
were changed. Finally, the wound began to improve.
The pus became less and the color of the wound
improved to a natural light pink, rather than the
harsh, angry red.
A week passed by before the physician felt she
was on the road to recovery. He suggested that she
remain where she was for another week, before
making the journey to Pemberley. Even then, he
suggested she wear a sling, relieving her shoulder of
having to support her arm, until the wound was
completely healed. The physician stated that, in his
opinion, it would allow a better chance for complete
recovery if the muscles and nerves were not taxed for
at least a month.
Darcy was well on his way to recovery, and the
physician chuckled as his patient declared he was fit
enough to travel as soon as Elizabeth was. There was
no question or asking permission, Darcy stated the
fact and that was how it was going to be. Fortunately,
the Master of Pemberley was fit enough.
Finally, Darcy was allowed to visit Elizabeth, the
day before they were to leave for Pemberley. Mr
Bennet had assisted his daughter into the sitting
room, and left Mrs Gardiner as chaperone, while he
took Jane to do some shopping.
Elizabeth’s eyes were lowered as she spoke to her
protector. “Mr Darcy, I cannot begin to thank you for
your assistance. I am deeply grieved you were
injured in your attempt to protect me.”
“I would gladly take such an injury again to
protect you, Miss Elizabeth. My main concern was for
your safe recovery to your family.” Darcy was
surprised at Elizabeth’s subdued demeanor.
“My family is extremely grateful for your
intervention. Papa says he cannot thank you enough
for all you have done for us.”
Darcy looked at Elizabeth, then turned his puzzled
expression towards Mrs Gardiner. The lady was kind
enough to take pity on the young man. “I am looking
forward to visiting Pemberley, Mr Darcy. I can
remember touring the grounds when I was younger.”
“Ah, yes, you are from Lambton. I hope the estate
meets with your memories. We have had to make
some changes with the gardens, though I made
certain my mother’s rose garden was not altered. We
have a grove of apple trees which was added last year.
Though it will be another year before we can expect a
good yield, the trees have been thriving.”
“I remember your mother’s rose garden. I have
never seen so many colors of roses in my life. Your
gardener was proud of some of the new varieties he
had a hand in creating.”
“Mr Howard has always been proud of the roses.
Though he is head gardener, his true passion is the
roses. He has even won a ribbon at the fair for the
Lady Anne red rose which he and my mother nursed.
It has the most beautiful deep red tips on the ruby red
petals. They are my sister’s favorites.”
Elizabeth was surprised at the conversation, and
the ease in which Darcy was conversing with her aunt.
But she still could not bring herself to raise her eyes
to look in his. Her life was so confusing, she had no
notion of who she truly was. To learn the truth of her
birth, and how Fanny Bennet was not her mother, the
fact that her mother had died at Elizabeth’s birth, and
that Elizabeth and Jane were not only not twins, but
they were only half sisters, Elizabeth’s view of herself
was at an all-time low. She could not even begin to
comprehend what Darcy’s reasons were for following
Elizabeth and coming to her rescue. To Elizabeth, it
was best to believe Darcy’s kindness was out of a
sense of gratitude for her assistance in Hyde Park.
Darcy continued to speak with Mrs Gardiner of
people they both knew from Lambton and the
neighborhood. Mrs Gardiner was pleased to see
Darcy’s comfort and kindness, even his inquiry as to
the health of the maid who had been with Elizabeth
when abducted.