Page 26 of His Pride and His Prejudice

Elliot was not sure what state he expected Jack to be in. It had been less than a whole day since his brother had left for Netherfield and so Elliot was shocked by just how ill Jack seemed. He lay on an opulent bed, surrounded by plump pillows and thick, ruby covers, and his face was near on the very same colour as some of those fabrics!

Frowning, Elliot sat on the edge of the bed and moved some of the furnishings aside, giving Jack some room to breathe. He noticed a sheen on his brother’s face but was not sure of it were due to the heat his skin seemed to be emitting or the bowl of water next to him which a servant had been using to dampen him down. Elliot had sent the servant away. Though he had no particular medical skills he imagined he was well able to keep Jack comfortable for the next few hours.

“Jack?”

The other man let out a sigh and opened his eyes. “Elliot? What are you doing here?”

“I came to check on you,” Elliot said. “Your note was so very dramatic that there did not seem to be any other option!”

Jack smiled. “I am sorry to have put you to the trouble.”

“It is no trouble. I enjoyed the walk.”

“Is it still raining?”

“Not at all,” Elliot said. “I was fortunate to avoid it entirely. You clearly were not. Now, tell me how you feel, as you look quite dreadful.”

“Thank you for those kind words!” Jack said but his voice was croaky, likely due to a sore throat, and Elliot asked him to describe his symptoms and how they were making him feel.

“Mama should not have allowed you to go on horseback, not in the rain,” Elliot said when Jack was done and had taken a small sip of water.

“I do not think it was the ride, Elliot, for this illness has come quite out of nowhere. Perhaps there is another cause for it?” he asked.

“There is no way to know.”

“I suppose not,” he said dully.

“Are you up to coming home with me?” Elliot asked. “I could ask Mr. Bingley if he would be kind enough to allow use of his carriage? If you could tolerate the drive home, we could be back at Longbourn in time for dinner. I will ensure that you are comfortable in our room though I do not plan to dampen you down all night!”

“Perhaps,” Jack said. “If this dashed headache would just ease up! But tell me, what has happened since I took ill? What did Mr. Bingley say when you arrived?”

Elliot took him through the conversation, thin though it was. Jack then updated him on everything that had happened at Netherfield including the fever that had overtaken him as he was dining.

“It was Mr. Darcy that pointed out that I looked flushed,” Jack said carefully. “He had barely said two words to me up until then, but he suddenly became concerned.”

“That was…considerate of him,” Elliot said.

“And unexpected,” Jack said. “Miss Bingley teased him about it.”

“I am under the impression that Miss Bingley teases whenever she can,” Elliot replied even as he wondered what she was teasing about.

“That is not fair, Elliot,” Jack said. “For when my headache soon followed Miss Bingley installed me in the guest suite and insisted that I rest.”

“And Mr. Bingley?” Elliot asked carefully. “Has he visited you in this room since?”

“He has been nothing but a gentleman,” Jack replied, quickly picking up on what Elliot was asking.

“That is good to know,” Elliot said, and he was just about to press the point about a return home when there was a knock on the door. Elliot jumped up to answer it. Stood outside were Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. They all looked concerned, Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley more so than Elliot would have expected, and he felt himself considering them in a slightly more favourable light.

“I have summoned the apothecary,” Mr. Bingley said.

“I am not sure it is necessary,” Elliot replied.

“Perhaps not,” Mr. Bingley said. “But it seemed prudent. He will be here within the hour.”

And indeed he was. The apothecary was well known to the Bennets, being the only one in Meryton, and he was kind and gentle as he examined his patient, said, as might be supposed, that he had caught a violent cold, and that they must endeavour to get the better of it. He advised bedrest and draughts to ease the worst of the symptoms, and as Jack had taken to coughing in a continuous fashion at that point there seemed to be little choice but to comply.

Elliot did not quit Jack’s room for a moment but when the clock struck three, felt that he must go, and very unwillingly said so to Miss Bingley who had arrived to inquire about the patient. She offered her brother’s carriage, as it had started raining heavily once again which Elliot refused given it was still light and he could be home within the hour. But when Jack expressed concern about Elliot returning home in such weather Miss Bingley quickly converted her offer of the chaise to an invitation to remain at Netherfield for the present. Elliot was once again quick to refuse but desisted when Jack squeezed his hand. He looked down at his brother and immediately picked up on what his silent stare conveyed. Jack wanted some support. He was asking Elliot to provide it. In truth, Elliot did not want to stay at Netherfield. He disliked the idea of spending more time with the Bingleys and the Hursts and was also nervous about being around Mr. Darcy. The reason for his apprehension was not clear, and Elliot did not want to examine it regardless.

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