The Apothecary to See Miss Bennet

“If you will pardon my intrusion,” Mrs. Nichols, Netherfield’s housekeeper, inserted, “I can see Mrs. Bennet to Miss Bennet’s room if that will smooth things a bit.”

Elizabeth looked to her mother for a response. Personally, she was torn on what to do. She wanted to see her mother to Jane’s room, but she also did not trust her youngest sisters to be left only in Mary’s care. Mary would do her best, but a lecture in the entrance hall was not a particularly decorous thing for anyone to witness. It would be bad enough for Mr. Darcy to walk in on such a thing with his cousin. Then, he would not have to look for faults with her family, for they would be presented to him on a platter. But far worse would be for Miss Bingley to happen upon such a scene. She was barely civil to Elizabeth as it was. There was no need to give her more things about which to whisper with her sister, Mrs. Hurst, or insert as veiled criticism in conversation.

“I suppose it will have to do.” Mrs. Bennet took Elizabeth by the arm. “However, I would like to have a few words with this daughter before I see my other daughter.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Mrs. Nichols stepped aside as Mrs. Bennet pulled Elizabeth toward the stairs.

“How do you think Jane fares?” Mrs. Bennet hissed as quietly as she was capable of doing, which to Elizabeth’s way of thinking was not quite as quiet as it should be.

“She has a sore throat, a cough, and a fever. She fares ill.” Much too ill to be taken outside and required to ride home. Perhaps in a day or two she would be well enough for that, but at present, Elizabeth feared that such activity would deepen the illness and perhaps cause it to become grave.

“No, no, not her health.” Mrs. Bennet cast a look towards Mrs. Nichols and lowered her voice even further. “With Mr. Bingley. Will Jane’s staying here help him fall in love with her?  Or is he, perhaps, already in love with her?” There was a hopeful lilt to Mrs. Bennet’s final question.

“Mama, Jane is ill. Her health, not her marital status, should be our concern.”

“You may lecture me on what should and should not be my concern when you have five daughters of your own.” Her mother gave Elizabeth one of her most severe glares. “Now, about Mr. Bingley.”

Elizabeth sighed. It was always about finding a good match with her mother, and Elizabeth supposed she could not fault her completely. It was done out of an abundance of care about her and her sister’s futures. Therefore, she pressed the matter no further.

“He is as smitten with her as he ever was, but she worries that she will be a burden. You know how Jane is.”

Mrs. Bennet contemplated that for a moment before pursing her lips and lifting her chin. It was a sure sign that she was determined about something and would not be moved.

“There are times,” Mrs. Bennet said, “when the unpleasant must be borne to achieve the desired end. If you believe Jane is too ill to travel home, then so do I.”

“I did not say that I thought that!” Though, she had thought it. Not that she had thought it just so Mr. Bingley could fall in love with Jane!

“You would not have written to me to come tell Jane she must stay here if you did not think she should not leave. You would have instead enlisted the use of Mr. Bingley’s carriage to bring you both home.”

Elizabeth opened her mouth to reply but then closed it again without saying a word. It was true. She had only called for their mother to convince Jane that what she said was right.

“The only question which remains is whether Mr. Jones needs to be called for or not.” Her mother’s lips curled upward, and her eyes sparkled as they did when she was scheming. “Most likely he does. I shall recommend it, I think.”

“Mama! Really? Using the apothecary in your matchmaking?”

“Someone must ensure Jane is properly married. She is too retiring to see to it herself.” Mrs. Bennet tipped her head to the side and gave Elizabeth an apologetic look. “Unfortunately, that does mean you will need to tolerate Mr. Darcy for a time. Do you think you can do that without causing offense and ruining your sister’s chances? Mary said she would be willing to stay if needed.”

Tolerating Mr. Darcy would not be too difficult a task after the conversation they had just had in the garden.

[from His Father’s Last Gift]