Page 14 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
No, they were frightened. What frightened them?
Then I saw the knives and butcher’s saw on the bed beside Jane’s leg.
“What are you doing?” I screamed. Mr. Jones fell back in surprise, and I beat him away from Jane with one hand, balancing the precious saucer in the other. Then the Scottish maid was between us, and the housekeeper was shouting, and it was a frenzy.
I reached Jane. The cups of cold chocolate were on the shelf by the bed, and I splashed a little into the saucer, having nothing else, and swished around the mess, trusting Jane would not be hurt by a few drops of her sister’s blood in the mix.
“No… do not…” Jane was muttering, her eyes closed. She pushed blindly as I leaned over her.
“Jane darling. Drink this little bit. Please, for me.” I tipped the saucer into her mouth, and she swallowed, coughing and grimacing.
Mr. Jones shouted orders, and a man’s hands pulled me back. I twisted and saw one of the stablemen. “Remove your hands from me!” I said, shocked. He backed away, tugging his forelock, then ran from the room.
Other boots pounded up the stairs, and Mr. Bingley entered. “What on earth—” His eyes widened, recognizing that Jane’s leg was exposed, and he fled, a hand shielding his eyes. Loud apologies echoed from the hallway.
There was a lull. Mr. Jones was panting, his collar askew and hair messed. My own hair hung loose around my face. I dared not examine my clothes.
“What is happening, Lizzy?” Jane said. She pulled the cover to her chin and stared at us as if we were mad.
7
A SWEET RECOVERY
The next morning,supplied with clean petticoats and stockings by the young housemaid, I went downstairs to find the breakfast parlor.
Breakfast was set, with candles warming the filigree silver pots, but the room was empty and the food untouched. The Bingley household had not yet risen.
I opened the pots, discovered chocolate, and poured myself a cup. We did not serve it at Longbourn because Kitty and Lydia would drink nothing else. I took a sip. It was silky smooth, swirling with cream, and had far more sugar than I was used to.
I topped up my cup. A reward seemed justified.
Yesterday, Mr. Jones had examined Jane, his bushy eyebrows furrowed in bewilderment. The swelling on her leg was retreating.
He spoke with me outside her room. “I am greatly relieved, Miss Bennet. Your sister’s recovery is God-sent. I apologize for considering treatment that would have been excessively severe and dangerous.”
“You acted on your professional understanding. Please do not apologize.” There were vivid scratches across his cheek; those could be from my nails, or the Scottish woman’s. “Feelings were high for all present.”
He nodded. He had not seen what I gave Jane, being under assault by a Scottish maid. I knew I should explain, but I wished to answer my own questions first. And I was exhausted and wanted to return to my sister.
I slept beside Jane that night, unwilling to leave her unprotected. That was foolish, of course. Mr. Jones would not burst through the door brandishing a saw. But I was not the only guard. The little housemaid, who attended me now with such wide-eyed awe that I was quite self-conscious, had slept curled in a chair beside the bed, snoring.
Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley entered the breakfast parlor with a rustle of skirts.
“Miss Elizabeth, please tell me of dear Jane,” Miss Bingley said, taking my hand. She was concerned and sincere, which made me feel better toward her.
“She is recovering well, but is tired, and has a headache and sore ankle. I should not expect her for breakfast, or that she will be about anytime today.”
Miss Bingley expressed her great relief. I did not know what news had circulated, but it would be difficult not to be alarmed by shouting doctors and sprinting guests.
Whether the sisters were satisfied by my answer or not, I had left no polite avenue for further inquiry. They contented themselves with remarking on the weather and offering to lend me a dress while the servants ironed mine, for they had spotted wrinkles.
I repeated this exchange when Mr. Bingley arrived, absent the offer of a dress. He exclaimed happily and thanked me many times for attending to Jane. Mr. Darcy inquired and received his answer with distant formality. Mr. Hurst was last to arrive and thought only of his breakfast.
After breakfast, I returned to Jane. The sisters came up to visit, and Jane smiled and chatted a little and ate a bite of toast.
“You are receiving wonderful care,” I said to Jane. “I should return home.”
“Wewillmiss you,” Miss Bingley proclaimed cheerily. “I shall have the carriage brought around.”
