by Anne Louise
That afternoon they went into Meryton and Doctor Williams began to discuss this influenza and suddenly shop owners and others came outside to listen to the doctor who told of the influenza and what they needed to do to protect themselves and their family and friends. Elizabeth also spoke and said she would write out specific instructions and post them in Meryton later that day.
They next returned to Longbourn where they learned that Mrs. Bennet had another coughing fit. Again, Doctor Jones gave her some medicine and she ate some soup and crackers before returning to sleep.
“What did you give her, sir?”
“Miss Bennet, I gave her something to help her sleep but it is what Doctor Jones taught you to use. I also added some honey with crushed mint. Essentially, I gave her a placebo, though the honey will help her throat. Do not worry, your mother is improving and will be well soon.”
While Elizabeth was with her mother, Mr. Bennet invited Mr. Darcy to join him in his library.
“Come in sir, and have a seat. I have been looking for an opportunity to speak with you. Lizzy said she met you at a dance in town and later she met your sister while they were shopping. How do you account for this?”
“That is a good question, but we met as we both tried to walk through a doorway at the same time. We were walking in opposing directions and kept moving to let the other pass until she said I must make a military move if I wanted to pass her. That started us talking. Two days later your daughter and her aunt met my sister by accident, and when the owner called out to Miss Darcy, Elizabeth introduced herself.”
“That is benign enough, but why have you come to help us?”
“Mrs. Gardiner said your doctor was sick and I did not want Miss Bennet taking on the responsibility, especially with the influenza that sickened her doctor. I wanted to help your family and others so I asked my doctor to come. As for Doctor Williams and myself, as soon as Doctor Jones is able to see his patients and we see that people are improving, we will leave for town. Presently we plan to leave early on Christmas Eve to return to town.”
“Is that the only reason you decided to come?”
“It is the best reason that I have, for I could never forgive myself if I did not try to save Elizabeth’s mother, and of course, I worried that she would become sick and die.”
“She very much appreciates your coming to help and so does our family. You, appear to be a very upstanding gentleman, so I am certain you will understand me when I tell you that my Lizzy is an innocent. Now I expect you know that some rich men are use to having their way with young innocent women. I hope that is not your plan because that will make me very angry.”
“I do understand you, Mr. Bennet. As a man of honor, I have only tender feelings for your daughter and so does my sister. I do hope to have the opportunity to get to know her better, and so does my sister.”
“Yes, I can see that you do. Now that we have had our little talk, Lizzy said you like to read.”
“The older man got up and went over to the sidebar. Mr. Darcy, please join me for a glass of brandy?”
“Thank you, sir, I would like that.”
The man next poured the glasses and gave one to his guess. “Mr. Darcy, this is the first time that I have spoken with a man about any of my daughters, and I suppose Lizzy told you that she has no brothers and four sisters. To me, that means I am surrounded by a passel of females. Just think of it, I have five daughters and no sons. It is good to speak with a man for a change. Lizzy told me that you enjoy history and politics and current events and studying military history and many other things.”
“That is correct, sir, and I already see that we have a common interest in many things. Your daughter said that you are responsible for her education.”
“It is true that Lizzy and I have spent a lot of time together, but she is intelligent and never forgets something that she reads. Oh, her mother spent time with all our girls but it was Lizzy and later her middle sister, Mary, who both like to read. But Lizzy is too intelligent for the young men in a forgotten little country village and would never be happy living here and married to a local man.”
“She is indeed an intelligent young woman, and my sister and I are happy to call her our friend.”
The two men then spoke of Darcy’s life and Mr. Bennet was surprised how hard the man worked to be able to manage his estate.
“Then I suppose that you are put off by fortune hunters out to snare you?”
“I have met a few and that is why I find your daughter so appealing. She is just a perfect young woman and for the first time in my life, I am happy.”
The men next heard a knock on he door. “It is Lizzy, Mr. Darcy. Come in Lizzy, Mr. Darcy and I have been discussing the world’s problems but have just finished.”
“Papa, things are going well. I have come to ask Mr. Darcy to help me. I promised to post guidance in Meryton for dealing with this influenza and I need to do this now.”
“Very well, Lizzy, you may take the man with you, unless he wants another glass of brandy?”
“Giving the choice you have offered me, I will choose the company of your pretty daughter.”
“You have good sense, Mr. Darcy, now go and do your posters.”
They next went into the drawing room and discussed what the posters should say and how to make them important.
“Miss Bennet, why not tell me what you are thinking and then I will comment and we can hone in on our poster?” After several minutes of brainstorming, they began to decide on their poster. First, it would be large and would have a large warning sign and a picture of a skull and cross bones and would say, in bold letters: “WARNING… DANGEROUS INFLUENZA IN MERYTON - ACT NOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY - NO COST”
Elizabeth then wrote a short summary and listed the symptoms and actions to take to prevent and contain the influenza, and this information was affixed to the larger poster.
After that, they went into Meryton. Almost immediately a crowd came to see them and begin to ask questions. At first, Doctor Williams answered their questions but later he asked Elizabeth to do much of the speaking for these were her neighbors.
For the next hour Doctor Williams and Elizabeth spoke to all who would listen. When one man asked what the charges were, Doctor Williams said there was no charge and that he and Doctor Jones earlier agreed that this was a serious health risk and everyone who needed help would get it without charge. There were enough people listening such that Elizabeth felt confident that the word would pass quickly.
After their meetings, Elizabeth and the two men met with those remaining and discussed specific people who were sick. There was no longer a crowd as it had slowly disbursed, but there were five additional names added to the list of people they would visit on the morrow.
The following day the two doctors saw everyone on their list before returning to Longbourn, where they saw Mrs. Bennet, who was improved from earlier.
“Doctor Williams, we thank you for all your help and assistance. Mama, Doctor Williams has been treating you and many of our neighbors who are sick. Doctor Jones was also sick but he and Doctor Williams are now working together to get everyone well again.”
“Thank you Lizzy, I suppose I was confused, but how did Doctor Williams learn that Doctor Jones was sick?”
Elizabeth next explained everything, even her meeting Mr. Darcy.
“Then you have gone a good job, Lizzy. I would like to meet your friend.”
“Yes, Mama, but would you not want to look better?”
“No, Lizzy, I want to thank him as soon as you finish brushing my hair and straightening up the room.”
Minutes later Elizabeth appeared and after gaining the invite, Darcy entered the room.
“Mama, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Darcy.”
“I am pleased to see that you are recovering nicely, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Yes, Mr. Darcy, but I need to thank my Lizzy and you for bringing Doctor Williams to help whilst Doctor Jones was sick.”
&n
bsp; “It was nothing, Mrs. Bennet.”
“No, you are wrong in what you say. No doubt, you have saved many lives by coming to help us.”
Elizabeth could not hide her blush when Darcy thanked her mother for her kind words.
“Mr. Darcy, I do hope you will visit us again at Longbourn, and you should bring Miss Darcy and Doctor Williams with you when you do return. It is nearly Christmas and you will be away from your family.”
“Mama, Mr. Darcy lives with his sister. He and Doctor Williams plan to leave early on Christmas Eve to return to town.”
“Thank you for your kind offer, Mrs. Bennet.”
“Mama, it is time for you to sleep some more.”
After she gave her mother some medicine, the men went downstairs and Mrs. Bennet went to sleep. Doctor Williams next joined Mr. Bennet in the library as Elizabeth grabbed Darcy and walked him to the adjoining greenhouse.
“What is so funny, Miss Bennet? You have a mischievous look about you.”
“Is that look on my face really that obvious?”
“You are playing with fire when you invite me in here with no other person.”
“Yes, it is true that I should be more careful, but you are a gentleman. My father told me so.”
“What did you speak of when you spoke with him?”
“We did speak and he thanked me for coming to help your mother and others.”
“By the time you leave, your name will be known to all as a man who saved many lives during an outbreak of influenza.”
“But I did it mostly for you and your family, and I am pleased that your mother and others are recovering. You must know that I have enjoyed being near you these last few days.”
“You do know that your presence puts me in an awkward position. Soon all will know that you are the rich and handsome bachelor that the London papers keep writing about. Some might say that I am your latest conquest.”
Darcy laughed but saw that Elizabeth was serious.
“Miss Bennet, you have it all wrong. You have bewitched me, body and soul.”
He reached for her hands and gently pulled her near him. “All my life I hoped to meet a woman like you, and I have that dance to thank and your wit for drawing me in. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me and I need to be near you.”
Elizabeth quivered as he drew her into his strong arms as she wrapped her arms around his waist. Her eyes watched as his head lowered and she could feel his lips kissing her neck and cheeks. The sensation raised the hair on her neck and arms and he gently claimed her lips as she felt the heat and passion of his kiss, but he next released her and backed away.
“I cannot continue. You see, I promised your father that I would be a gentleman around you.”
“But you are a gentleman, even though I felt your closeness.”
Elizabeth watched as Darcy blushed. “Now that you have kissed me, I will hold you hostage.”
“And what if I leave now?”
“If you leave now I will tell my father that you kissed me.”
“That will have him demand that we marry. Let me see, how would that work?”
She next giggled softly.
“Then how shall I escape from you if you continue to hold me hostage?”
“You must pay me.”
“Pay you, what amount will you charge?”
“To escape from me, I require another kiss.”
That was all he needed as he gathered her into his arms and kissed her fully and heard her moan and press against him as she breathed heavily, matching his own breath until he again pulled away.
“We must return to the house or your father will take me to the woodshed.”
“But, sir, I have never been kissed by a man before, and you have done it twice.”
“Miss Bennet, when we are together and away from others, I would like to call you Elizabeth and wish you to call me William.”
“I should like that, William. After you return to town, please do not forget about me?”
“Elizabeth, would you agree to allow me to court you?”
“Yes, but may I suggest you ask my father before you take your leave?”
“That seems risky.”
“Time will tell, William, but I do not believe he will refuse a courtship.”
The guests later joined the family for dinner. Later, after checking on Mrs. Bennet, they left to return to Meryton.
CHAPTER 3
Early on Christmas Eve the two men stopped by Longbourn to take their leave. The Bennet family came outside and Mrs. Bennet came to the door to see Mr. Darcy and Doctor Williams off to town. All was well again and Mrs. Bennet thanked the men, but Darcy pressed a missive into Elizabeth’s hand before the coach pulled away, as all waved goodbye. Elizabeth watched as Darcy’s coach rode out of sight this fine Christmas Eve morning. Once back inside, Elizabeth returned to her room where she read Darcy’s missive.
Dearest Elizabeth,
I hardly know how to say it but I am overjoyed that you have come into my life. We are surely courting but I did not ask for your father’s approval just yet. He has a lot on his mind and we do not need to rush him. I can see he is still very worried over your mother’s health.
This will not be your traditional Christmas with the Gardiners, but it is certainly a celebration of life and your family has your mother back. There is a package that Mrs. Hill is holding for you so you may want to see her before the day is over.
You will likely receive a letter from Georgiana any day now. Frankly, I expected that you would have received her letter earlier. Please know that I shall be bereft of your company as soon as the coach leaves, but we shall see each other soon.
Affectionally,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
Elizabeth walked into the breakfast room and joined her family. Mr. Bennet welcomed the family and said the Christmas Eve blessing and prayed that the two good men who had just left would have a safe trip back to town. Everyone made much of their mother’s appearance, but she still was weak but now had a color about her. Though she picked at her food, she managed to eat all of it and enjoyed the company of her family. It was Lydia, the youngest sister, who next surprised everyone. “Mama, did you get to meet Mr. Darcy?”
“I did meet him briefly. He is a fine man, and so is Doctor Williams. Your father met him at Cambridge and I met him when your father and I were courting.”
“Mama, but these men came to do good for our family and others who they did not know, and Mr. Darcy wanted to get a doctor to help you and the others. Lizzy, you have made friends with a very good man and a good looking man too.”
“Yes, Mama,” said the second youngest sister, Kitty. “Mr. Darcy is the rich and handsome bachelor that is often written about in the society papers in town. I will show you the stories I have saved.”
“Save that for later, Kitty, but I can see that he is a good man. I hope he and Lizzy have a future together if that is their desire.”
The family was surprised at their mother’s countenance. Normally she would have been excited and loud and would have talked over the others, but not today, and her family liked the change.
Next she returned to her room and her husband followed. “I am glad you are doing better, Fanny. Christmas is going to be different this year.”
“Yes, but at least we will all be together.”
“Certainly that is most important. The Gardiners could not come this year, but we can see them later. Cook still will have a Christmas roast with Yorkshire pudding and fresh bread and assorted vegetables and mince pie, and there are gifts that we will exchange.”
“This will likely be our last Christmas with Lizzy.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“But Thomas, can you not see that Lizzy is in love with Mr. Darcy and he is in love with her? Our girl is grown up and I want her to be happy and it looks like she has found a good man.”
“He is a good man and I believe he loves her, but we must see how this goes. It must b
e their decision, but it has all happened so suddenly. She has never been interested in a man romantically, but now she is, and I will support her. Fanny, you may not wish to get your hopes up. He is one of the most sought after bachelors in the country.”
“Has she told you of her feelings?”
“No, but we did talk and without saying so directly, I have come to the same conclusion as you. At least for the present, they seem to be in love. And what of Lydia’s remarks at breakfast? She seems to have matured overnight.”
“Perhaps seeing Lizzy with Mr. Darcy shows her she might also find a good man as well.”
“I quite agree with you, Fanny.”
After the family ate an early dinner that evening, all but Mrs. Bennet attended church and then returned home. They visited with their mother and exchanged small gifts and Mary read the Christmas story from the bible before they all prepared for bed.
As the others left, Mr. Bennet asked Elizabeth to join him in his library. Elizabeth acted surprised when she saw the man reach for a new book.
“So, Lizzy, you are behind these new books, are you not?”
“Yes, I got them from a man clearing out his library. He said that he had some extra copies and I wished for you to have them. I would have preferred to give them to you this evening but did not want to make the others jealous.”
“That is thoughtful of you, Lizzy. Earlier today I saw Mr. Darcy speaking with Mrs. Hill and he handed her a package and later I saw you carrying it.”
“Papa, Mr. Darcy insisted that I take them as he had extra copies and I left Darcy House without them. They were not on my mind when I left to return home. Mr. Darcy brought them here and left them with Mrs. Hill.”
“Does the man really have such a library that he keeps extra copies?”
“Yes, Papa, I saw it and these are truly extra copies.”
“But you know that you cannot accept such a gift. Can you explain?”
“There is not a good answer, except Mr. Darcy knew of your love of reading and suggested that I give them to you. He also included the book that you have been looking to buy. They are your books and I was only to bring them to you.”
