Free Miss Bennet & Mr Bingley by Fenella J Miller Page A

‘Mr Bingley,
Mr Bennet and I wish to thank you for taking care of our eldest girls; I am
sure that Jane is getting the best possible consideration at Netherfield and
that without your particular attention she would be far worse than she is
already.’
    ‘It is my pleasure, madam, and I am certain that both the patient and
Miss Elizabeth shall be delighted that you have come so promptly to visit.’
    He wandered into the drawing-room to find his friend hiding behind a
newspaper. ‘It is quite safe to emerge, Darcy. They have gone upstairs for the
moment. However, when they come down I shall expect you to do the pretty and
not leave me on my own. I hope having both her mother and her two younger
sisters visiting will not cause Miss Bennet to have a relapse.’
    ‘It would certainly send me into a decline. I believe I can feel the
need to go out for a long walk around the park coming upon me.’
    Laughing, Bingley threw himself into an adjacent chair. ‘Don’t you dare
abandon me; just having you glowering in the background should be enough to
curtail the visit.’
      * * * *
    A little later Jane was woken by the unmistakable sound of her mother,
Lydia and Kitty approaching her rooms. They had obviously responded to the note
with alacrity. She barely had time to push herself upright before that the door
was flung open and her mother rushed in.
    ‘My dear Jane, we have been beside ourselves with worry for you. I am
most relieved to find you a little better. I do not believe that your illness
is alarming, but on the other hand the longer that you remain here the better
it will be.’ Her mother smiled archly and Jane knew immediately to what she was
inferring.
    ‘I should like to come home at once, ma’am, I am causing nothing but a
nuisance at Netherfield.’
    But her mother would hear none of it. ‘My dear, you shall not budge from
here until you are quite well. Mr Bingley is all anxious attention; you must
stay here as long as possible.’ She looked across at Elizabeth. ‘I suppose that
you could come back with us, Lizzy, now that Jane is a little better. Then Miss
Bingley would have to sit with her and that would be no bad thing.’
    ‘If Jane is to stay here, ma’am, then so shall I. Shall we wait until
the apothecary visits and go by his advice?’
    Jane hoped this gentleman would advise her immediate return to
Longbourn, but he did the opposite and also advised against removal. Resigned
to staying, at least for another night or two, she vaguely listened to the
chattering about this and that. Thankfully Miss Bingley appeared and invited
her mother and sisters to come down to the parlour. Jane hoped that they would
not stay too long, it was the outside of enough having both Elizabeth and
herself to contend with, without anyone else.
      * * * *
    Mr Bingley was poised to greet his visitors as they arrived in the
drawing-room. ‘Mrs Bennet, I hope you have not found Miss Bennet worse than you
expected?’
    ‘I have, sir. She is a great deal too unwell be moved. Mr Jones said we
must not think of moving her. We must trespass a little longer on your
kindness.’
    ‘Miss Bennet removed! It must not be thought of. My sister, I am sure,
will not hear of her removal.’
    Of course Caroline agreed with him. Mrs Bennet then explained to them in
great detail the excellence of Jane’s character. He agreed with her on every
point. She ended her monologue by asking how long he intended to stay at
Netherfield, as she knew that he had a short lease.
    ‘Whatever I do is done in a hurry, and therefore if I should tire of
Netherfield, I should probably be off in five minutes. At present, however, I
consider myself as quite settled.’
    Elizabeth smiled encouragingly at him.
    ‘That is exactly what I should suppose of you, Mr Bingley.’
    ‘You begin to comprehend me, do you?’
    ‘Yes; I understand you perfectly.’
    ‘I wish I might take this as a compliment; but to be so easily seen
through I am afraid is