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Authors: Melanie Schertz
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gardener bring fresh flowers when the ones in Elizabeth’s rooms had wilted. Everything that could be done to bring comfort to Elizabeth was done.
Bingley prayed for Jane’s sake that Elizabeth would recover, for if she did not, Bingley was afraid for Jane’s sanity. She was delicate at the moment, and all that was holding her together was the hope that Elizabeth would live.
A knock on the door brought Bingley’s attention back to the present. “Enter.” He called out.
Mrs Cartwright entered the room with the day’s post. “Here, Sir. And there is a letter on top for Miss Bennet from Ireland.”
“Must be from her aunt and uncle, they have been on a business trip since just before the fire. I did not wish to inform them of what happened in so cold and impersonal a manner to learn that your family members have suffered such a tragedy. They were not to return to their home in London for three more months.”
“Would you like me to take it to Miss Bennet?” Mrs Cartwright asked.
“No, I was planning to go upstairs to check on how Elizabeth is faring today.”
“She was able to take a little soft cooked egg this morning as well as some chicken broth. Miss Bennet was pleased with her sister’s progress.”
“That is an improvement. As she takes more nourishment, she will grow stronger. How is her pain today?”
“Her headaches are the same. Fortunately her legs are not feeling any pain, so that might be a blessing. I am praying that Mr Freemont was correct, that when all the swelling and bruising is gone, the paralysis will be gone as well. Perhaps it is her body’s way of healing without placing her in the agony that she would have had to endure otherwise.”
“You are a wise lady, Mrs Cartwright. I am of a mind to agree with you. Once her injuries are healed enough for her to be able to bare the pain, the paralysis will leave.”
“I pray so. Oh, Cook is preparing some biscuits and some fruit tarts to have with tea this afternoon. Miss Bennet is hoping to entice her sister into enjoying some.”
“That sounds wonderful. I look forward to them.”
After Mrs Cartwright left the room, Bingley looked through the pile of correspondence. Again he was disappointed in not finding any letter from Darcy. Bingley had written to his friend after the fire and was surprised that no word had come from him. What could have happened that he would not even send a letter offering his sympathies? It was clear from his words that Darcy cared about the Bennets, as it was his express telling of Caroline’s betrayal with her lies, attempting to keep Bingley and Jane apart, which brought Bingley back to Hertfordshire. Why would he abandon them now?
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 6
Bingley stood and made his way up to Elizabeth’s bedchamber. Jane opened the door and stepped out into the hall just as he prepared to knock. “There was a letter in the post today, my dearest. It is from Ireland.”
Jane took the letter and opened it, immediately smiling. “It is from Uncle Edwin. The letter you sent took forever to find them. They will be returning to England as soon as they possibly can, though it will be several months before Uncle’s business is concluded. They wish that it could be abandoned and they return immediately, but the cost that they would endure for cancelling their business would destroy them. My aunt is beside herself. She wishes that she could come without Uncle, but she would need to bring the children and it would be a difficult
Bingley prayed for Jane’s sake that Elizabeth would recover, for if she did not, Bingley was afraid for Jane’s sanity. She was delicate at the moment, and all that was holding her together was the hope that Elizabeth would live.
A knock on the door brought Bingley’s attention back to the present. “Enter.” He called out.
Mrs Cartwright entered the room with the day’s post. “Here, Sir. And there is a letter on top for Miss Bennet from Ireland.”
“Must be from her aunt and uncle, they have been on a business trip since just before the fire. I did not wish to inform them of what happened in so cold and impersonal a manner to learn that your family members have suffered such a tragedy. They were not to return to their home in London for three more months.”
“Would you like me to take it to Miss Bennet?” Mrs Cartwright asked.
“No, I was planning to go upstairs to check on how Elizabeth is faring today.”
“She was able to take a little soft cooked egg this morning as well as some chicken broth. Miss Bennet was pleased with her sister’s progress.”
“That is an improvement. As she takes more nourishment, she will grow stronger. How is her pain today?”
“Her headaches are the same. Fortunately her legs are not feeling any pain, so that might be a blessing. I am praying that Mr Freemont was correct, that when all the swelling and bruising is gone, the paralysis will be gone as well. Perhaps it is her body’s way of healing without placing her in the agony that she would have had to endure otherwise.”
“You are a wise lady, Mrs Cartwright. I am of a mind to agree with you. Once her injuries are healed enough for her to be able to bare the pain, the paralysis will leave.”
“I pray so. Oh, Cook is preparing some biscuits and some fruit tarts to have with tea this afternoon. Miss Bennet is hoping to entice her sister into enjoying some.”
“That sounds wonderful. I look forward to them.”
After Mrs Cartwright left the room, Bingley looked through the pile of correspondence. Again he was disappointed in not finding any letter from Darcy. Bingley had written to his friend after the fire and was surprised that no word had come from him. What could have happened that he would not even send a letter offering his sympathies? It was clear from his words that Darcy cared about the Bennets, as it was his express telling of Caroline’s betrayal with her lies, attempting to keep Bingley and Jane apart, which brought Bingley back to Hertfordshire. Why would he abandon them now?
~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~
Chapter 6
Bingley stood and made his way up to Elizabeth’s bedchamber. Jane opened the door and stepped out into the hall just as he prepared to knock. “There was a letter in the post today, my dearest. It is from Ireland.”
Jane took the letter and opened it, immediately smiling. “It is from Uncle Edwin. The letter you sent took forever to find them. They will be returning to England as soon as they possibly can, though it will be several months before Uncle’s business is concluded. They wish that it could be abandoned and they return immediately, but the cost that they would endure for cancelling their business would destroy them. My aunt is beside herself. She wishes that she could come without Uncle, but she would need to bring the children and it would be a difficult
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