Chapter 12
One morning, as the middle of November approached, Jane received a note from Miss Bingley, inviting her and Catherine to join the ladies of Netherfield for dinner that evening. The gentlemen of Netherfield were planning to attend a dinner with the officers of a newly arrived militia regiment, and Miss Bingley wished to make the most of their absence by having a special dinner for just the ladies.
Due to their mother’s machinations, the carriage was not available, so the two sisters headed off to Netherfield that afternoon on horseback, just as it looked like it was going to rain. Mrs. Bennet had insisted that if they did not have a carriage, they would have to stay the night, thereby getting a chance for Jane to be in Mr. Bingley’s company.
Mama’s plans bore fruit, though not quite in the way she had hoped. It did rain, but the rain began before they even arrived at Netherfield, quite soaking the ladies through. When they arrived at their destination, Georgiana was the picture of concern, whereas Miss Bingley merely sneered at their poor choice of conveyance.
Despite her sneering, however, Miss Bingley made certain Jane and Catherine were dried off and warmed up. She and Georgiana provided replacement garments while their dresses were dried by the fire. Fortunately, the dresses were done drying just before dinner was served.
Despite the fact that they had issued the invitation, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were a little colder at dinner than they had been toward Jane in the past. When they did speak, it was usually to ask impertinent questions about Jane’s and Catherine’s family, in the process bringing to light the fact that their relations and connections were all far beneath their own station as gentlewomen.
Georgiana paid little attention to Miss Bingley’s attempts to belittle the Bennet sisters. She had known for years now that Catherine’s relations did not match her fortune, and they had been excellent friends despite that.
As expected, the rain did not let up, and Miss Bingley was obliged to extend an offer to spend the night to Jane and Catherine, though she did not give them separate rooms.
In the middle of the night, Catherine was awakened by Jane coughing, and she could feel that her sister had grown feverish. For a few moments, anger at her mother’s conniving surfaced in her mind, but she shoved it back down. It did not matter who was at fault, the fact was that Jane was ill, and she would not be returning home until it was certain the journey would not make her condition worse.
As early as possible the following morning, Catherine informed Miss Bingley, who surprised Catherine by expressing concern for Jane and insisting that both sisters stay for as long as it took for Jane to recover. She also assigned Catherine to a different room so that her sleep would not be disturbed by Jane’s cough.
Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst also spent time with Jane in the afternoon, chatting easily. Though Catherine had not particularly liked the two sisters’ haughty ways, there was no denying that they could converse pleasantly and with spirit when they chose.
Mr. Jones, the local apothecary, was sent for, and he relieved Catherine’s worries by telling her that Jane’s fever was not particularly high and that she would likely recover fairly quickly.
That evening, Catherine felt it necessary to descend to dine with the family. She did not wish to incommode the servants by asking to eat in her room. Besides, she wished to see Georgiana.
Unfortunately, Georgiana was not placed close enough to Catherine at the table for them to easily converse. Additionally, Miss Bingley dominated the conversation by constantly seeking the attention of either Miss Darcy or Mr. Darcy, often both at the same time.
Catherine had noticed Miss Bingley’s attentions in that direction, but until now, she had not known how determined the young lady was, nor how uncomfortable she made the Darcys.
Fortunately, Catherine was not left completely out, for she had been seated next to Lord Hilldale, who kept up a running commentary on Miss Bingley’s futile efforts to win over Mr. Darcy and Georgiana.
Most of his comments were lighthearted, but occasionally they were sharp. The one that stuck in her mind the most was when he said, “It seems Miss Bingley has not your sense.”
Confused, Catherine said, “I do not know to what you refer.”
“Even at the age of fifteen, you had enough sense to know that irritating a man was not particularly likely to convince him to propose. It appears Miss Bingley has not learned that lesson.”
Catherine didn’t know how to respond to his reference to their first conversation, but the blush that came to her cheeks spoke for her.
“There is no need to be embarrassed by the memory,” he said. “I had not laughed so well in years and only seldom sincethen. If anyone should be embarrassed, it should be me, since I behaved abominably to you. Unfortunately, I lost the knack of feeling embarrassed somewhere along the way, and I have no idea how to find it again.”
“Would you like help looking for it?” she asked, cheekily. “Or perhaps you would prefer it remain lost.”
Lord Hilldale chuckled. “To be honest, I have not missed it. We may let it remain wherever it is. Life is much easier when one can do what they wish without fear of remonstrance from others or from oneself.”
“No one has that much freedom,” said Catherine. “Not even you.”
He eyed her carefully while he thought of a reply. Catherine suspected he was debating whether to respond seriously or with a joke. “You certainly know how to take the fun out of things, Kitty,” he said. Then he turned back to his food.
It was several minutes before they spoke again.
~~~~~
Though Catherine wished to remain with the group after dinner, her concern for her sister overruled her desire, and she made her way back to Jane to check on her. Before she left the dinner table, however, Mr. Bingley made a point of asking about Jane. He seemed genuinely concerned, so Catherine tried to be as positive in her answer as she could while remaining truthful.
When she got back upstairs, Jane’s fever had gone up a bit, so Catherine spent the rest of the evening attempting to keep Jane cool with wet rags on her forehead. She did not get a chance to go back downstairs.
The next day was spent much the same. Jane was uncomfortable enough that Catherine only left her side to eat. Once again, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst joined them in the afternoon, and the company seemed to cheer Jane.
