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Authors: Melanie Schertz
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journey. They will come to Netherfield as you invited. Oh, Charles, I am so pleased. My Aunt and Uncle Phillips are kind, do not mistake me, but Uncle Edwin and Aunt Helen have been like a second set of parents to Lizzy and me. Their coming will make Lizzy happy as well. And by the time they arrive, Lizzy will be stronger.”
“I heard that Lizzy was able to eat some egg today. I am pleased to hear that she is taking more nourishment than just broth. It will allow her to regain her strength and heal better.”
“Would you like to come in and visit with her? She is awake and I just finished with her hair. She is having a good day, as her headache is not as severe as it has been.”
“Are you certain that she will not mind?” Bingley asked.
“I think she would enjoy having another face to see, as I believe she is bored with seeing mine and Mrs Hill every day.”
“I would be delighted to see her.” Bingley said as Jane led him into the bedchamber.
“Lizzy, Charles has brought us a letter from Uncle Edwin. He and Aunt Helen will be leaving Ireland as soon as Uncle’s business is finished. Uncle Edwin is having success with the business meetings that he has arranged. Charles and I wrote to them while you were still unconscious and told them that there was nothing that they could do here at that point. But in another month, you will have recovered even more and it will be pleasant to have visitors.”
Elizabeth looked frail lying on the bed. She had lost weight and was pale from being indoors so long. The scars were very apparent against her white skin. It was hard to believe that she was the same young lady he danced with at the ball he gave less than a year past. Even her hair had lost its luster. The life that had always danced in her eyes dimmed a little more each day.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you today. I understand that you were able to take more nourishment today. Cook is making some of her fruit tarts and some biscuits to have with tea today.”
Elizabeth gave him a slight smile. “That sounds wonderful, Mr Bingley.”
“Now, if there is any food that you desire, you need only ask. Cook is pleased to see you getting your appetite back and she would fix anything you desire.”
“A little at a time, my stomach has shrank of late.” Elizabeth tried to smile again, though it was difficult for her. “Jane, have we heard from anyone else?”
“I am afraid not, dearest. Perhaps soon.” Jane replied. She knew that the longer Elizabeth went without word from Darcy, the melancholia took a little further control of her sister’s thoughts.
“I do not know if your sister told you, but I have to travel to Town for a few days next week. If there is anything that would bring you pleasure, I am more than willing to shop for you.”
“No, Mr Bingley, I am fine with what I have. I thank you for your generosity and kindness though.” Elizabeth said as her eyes began to show her fatigue.
“It was a pleasure to see you looking better today, and, now, I will leave you to rest.”
Elizabeth gave a slight nod as she began to drift off to sleep. Jane smiled as she watched her sister. Once she was sure that Elizabeth was sleeping, Jane took Bingley by the hand and led him to the hall. “It is wonderful to see her being able to carry a conversation. Thank you for coming in to visit her.”
“Of course, my love, I care deeply for your sister’s recovery. Even though we are not wed, I think of your sister as my own.”
“Thank you, Charles. I know that Lizzy will be grateful when she is better. You have done so much for us, taken such care of us. I do not know what would have happened if you had not returned to Netherfield as you did.”
“It is due to your sister and Darcy that I returned when I did. Had Lizzy not spoken with Darcy and told him that you love me, he would not have written to me and told me what my sister had done.”
“Has there still been no word from
“I heard that Lizzy was able to eat some egg today. I am pleased to hear that she is taking more nourishment than just broth. It will allow her to regain her strength and heal better.”
“Would you like to come in and visit with her? She is awake and I just finished with her hair. She is having a good day, as her headache is not as severe as it has been.”
“Are you certain that she will not mind?” Bingley asked.
“I think she would enjoy having another face to see, as I believe she is bored with seeing mine and Mrs Hill every day.”
“I would be delighted to see her.” Bingley said as Jane led him into the bedchamber.
“Lizzy, Charles has brought us a letter from Uncle Edwin. He and Aunt Helen will be leaving Ireland as soon as Uncle’s business is finished. Uncle Edwin is having success with the business meetings that he has arranged. Charles and I wrote to them while you were still unconscious and told them that there was nothing that they could do here at that point. But in another month, you will have recovered even more and it will be pleasant to have visitors.”
Elizabeth looked frail lying on the bed. She had lost weight and was pale from being indoors so long. The scars were very apparent against her white skin. It was hard to believe that she was the same young lady he danced with at the ball he gave less than a year past. Even her hair had lost its luster. The life that had always danced in her eyes dimmed a little more each day.
“Miss Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to see you today. I understand that you were able to take more nourishment today. Cook is making some of her fruit tarts and some biscuits to have with tea today.”
Elizabeth gave him a slight smile. “That sounds wonderful, Mr Bingley.”
“Now, if there is any food that you desire, you need only ask. Cook is pleased to see you getting your appetite back and she would fix anything you desire.”
“A little at a time, my stomach has shrank of late.” Elizabeth tried to smile again, though it was difficult for her. “Jane, have we heard from anyone else?”
“I am afraid not, dearest. Perhaps soon.” Jane replied. She knew that the longer Elizabeth went without word from Darcy, the melancholia took a little further control of her sister’s thoughts.
“I do not know if your sister told you, but I have to travel to Town for a few days next week. If there is anything that would bring you pleasure, I am more than willing to shop for you.”
“No, Mr Bingley, I am fine with what I have. I thank you for your generosity and kindness though.” Elizabeth said as her eyes began to show her fatigue.
“It was a pleasure to see you looking better today, and, now, I will leave you to rest.”
Elizabeth gave a slight nod as she began to drift off to sleep. Jane smiled as she watched her sister. Once she was sure that Elizabeth was sleeping, Jane took Bingley by the hand and led him to the hall. “It is wonderful to see her being able to carry a conversation. Thank you for coming in to visit her.”
“Of course, my love, I care deeply for your sister’s recovery. Even though we are not wed, I think of your sister as my own.”
“Thank you, Charles. I know that Lizzy will be grateful when she is better. You have done so much for us, taken such care of us. I do not know what would have happened if you had not returned to Netherfield as you did.”
“It is due to your sister and Darcy that I returned when I did. Had Lizzy not spoken with Darcy and told him that you love me, he would not have written to me and told me what my sister had done.”
“Has there still been no word from
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