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I nodded, not knowing what to say next. “Will you be staying with her or do you return to Longbourn today?”
“Miss Bingley has kindly offered me a room, so I shall stay here and nurse her. Jane does not like to be a burden to anyone and would never ask for anything. I shall rest easier if I am with her.”
“She sounds like my sister.”
“Oh? Is Miss Darcy modest and unassuming as well?”
Her smile was warm and inviting and I found myself gesturing for her to sit in the chair by the fire and sinking into the one across from her.
“Yes, Georgiana is shy and terrified of putting anyone out. She would suffer alone with a fever for days before she asked for a glass of water.”
“Oh dear! You must exhaust yourself with worrying over her.”
She had no idea. “I have hope that she will grow in confidence and things will be easier for her when she is older.”
“I am sure they will be. Time has a way of sorting these things out.”
I certainly hoped so. “I heard there was influenza spreading, but if Miss Bennet is recovering so swiftly, it is likely only a cold.”
Her smile dropped and she shifted in her chair. “Yes, I had heard that as well. There were some sick children at Longbourn, but after a little rest and some of Hill’s tonic, they are nearly all recovered.”
“Mr. Jarvis was boasting that Hertfordshire is the healthiest county in England. He supposes there is something in the water.”
The twinkle came back to her eyes and she laughed lightly. “Perhaps there is.”
Elizabeth
I crept into Jane’s room and closed the door gently behind me.
“Lizzy? Is that you?”
“It’s me, Janey. How are you feeling?”
She sighed. “Much better now that I have slept. What time is it?”
“Half past four. I will need to dress for dinner soon.”
“I did not realize I slept so long. What have you been doing?”
“I was in the library.” I felt my cheeks flush, but I did not know why.
“Did you find a good book?”
I held up the book of poetry. “I did find one, but I have not read it yet. I met Mr. Darcy in the library. We spoke for a time before I came up.”
“Oh?”
A litany of questions were held in that one tiny word.
“Yes.”
“What did you talk about?”
“You, actually.”
“Me?”
“Yes. Then he told me of his sister. She sounds a lot like you.”
