Netherfield Park Quarantined (4 page)

“What will we need to have on hand?” Elizabeth asked.

“You have goosegrass, belladonna, meadowsweet, heartbreak grass? I will
send to Town for more supplies of goosegrass, we will most likely need all we can
get to make poultices for the rashes when they develop. We will have to fight the
fevers and sore throats as well. I have some cough remedy at my office and I will
send for more.”

“I have some belladonna and meadowsweet in my bag. The goosegrass is
in the storeroom at Longbourn. I do not have any heartbreak grass.” Elizabeth
said as she began to search through her bag.

“Not a problem. Now, Lizzy, I insist you wear a cloth mask when you are
tending anyone, and wash frequently with hot water. All clothing and bedding
should be washed in boiling water, to aid in preventing the illness from spreading.
Cold compresses on the body to bring the fevers down, poultice to keep the rash
calmed as much as possible, and the remedy for the sore throats.” Mr Hale
explained. “Gentlemen, I know that most physicians prescribe bleedings. I am
not in favor of them, as I believe they weaken a person too much and can lead to
complications. If you do not agree with this view, then I suggest you send for a
physician from Town.”

Darcy shook his head. “I had done a great deal of reading and have heard
the debates of bloodletting. I must admit that I agree with your view. When
someone is already weak from a fever, blood loss does not strengthen them, it
makes them weaker. Bingley, perhaps your sisters would prefer to stay in the
dower cottage on the property, as it would be more isolated than the main
house.”

“I will suggest it to them when I inform them of the circumstances. It
would be easier on us as well.” Bingley then turned to the physician. “Mr Hale, I
suggest that we turn the ballroom into a hospital of sorts. We can set up bedding
for those who are ill and make it simpler for those who are tending to them. I will
speak with my housekeeper as to keeping a pot of boiling water constantly for use
to clean, as well as the use of cloth masks. We can have whatever supplies
needed sent here, and keep things as contained as possible.”

“That would be perfect, Mr Bingley. You cannot know how grateful I am. If
we can send patients here, it will be a great relief.” Mr Hale then turned to
Elizabeth. “Lizzy, while I make the rounds and prepare people to come here, I will
leave you in charge of making the ballroom into a hospital. I will have supplies
sent here, as well as more bedding and towels from the mercantile. We can
worry about the cost of the items later, after it is all over.”

Darcy stepped forward. “Mr Hale, if there is anything I can do to assist in
covering the expenses, please say the word. Should we send to Town for more
supplies? More coverlets and cots? Whatever you need, I will cover the costs.”

“That is generous indeed. I thank you, Mr Darcy, for our entire
neighborhood. Lizzy, perhaps you could make a list of what we will need,
including food supplies. What we cannot find in Meryton or within the
community, we can send word for supplies. Mr Bingley, I am afraid we will need
to post guards to keep people from entering the estate. The only ones we should
allow into the estate are the ones who are ill, being brought here for care. Any
supplies being brought should be dropped off at the entrance to the estate and
your people can bring them the rest of the way to the house. No contact
between the delivery people and your staff.”

“I will speak to Mr Jeffers to gather willing tenants and staff to assist.”
Bingley said as he rang for his housekeeper.

 

Elizabeth’s brow scrunched as she spoke to Mr Hale. “Will Jane be in
danger, with her current illness?”

“No, I believe that your sister is suffering from a headache and the aching
from the wet chill she had last night. She was already feeling much better when I
saw her. I would recommend keeping her as far from those who are ill, for the
time being, just in case. And, Lizzy, once you begin tending to the sick, do no go
to your sister’s rooms. That should more than protect her.”

“That will not be a problem. I wish to keep her safe. Also, would you stop
by Longbourn? Papa was not well, and now I am very concerned for him.”

 

Mr Hale nodded his head. “Of course, Lizzy, knowing your father, he will
not admit to being sick if he is. My old friend has always been stubborn.”
This brought a smile to Elizabeth’s lips. “Thank you. I will rest easier
knowing his condition.”

 

~~ ** ~~

Everyone went to work immediately. Elizabeth took a few moments to
inform Jane of the situation, insisting that her sister remain in her rooms and
away from the rest of the house, as much as was possible. Caroline Bingley and
the Hursts decided to move to the dower house to stay as far from the illness as
possible. A handful of staff were sent to prepare the house for them and would
remain with Bingley’s family.

Darcy wrote a letter to his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, who was in
London currently. He wished his cousin to see to his sister, Georgiana Darcy, and
the news of the outbreak be kept from her.

A letter was also written to Elizabeth’s uncle in Town, who was in trade. Mr
Darcy wrote a letter to Mr Gardiner, verifying that he would cover all costs of the
supplies that would be needed to be sent. The Netherfield housekeeper, Mrs
Watkins, and Elizabeth made a list of items that would be necessary. Food,
bedding, medicines, herbs; all were inventoried and items found lacking were
added to the list. Within two hours, a list was finished, the letters sealed, and an
express runner from Meryton was sent.

After making sure that her sister was informed of the situation, Elizabeth
went to the ballroom, taking stock of all that was being brought into the room.
She then made her way to the conservatory, checking for any herbs that were
growing there. With her mind engaged elsewhere, it took her by surprise when a
deep, baritone voice came from behind her.

“Elizabeth, what can I do to be of service?” Darcy asked.

 

“Mr Darcy!” Elizabeth said as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.

 

Darcy placed a hand gently on her shoulder. “Forgive me, Elizabeth, I did
not mean to frighten you. Are you well?”

 

“Once my heart refrains from running a race, I will be. What was it you
asked as you gave me such a fright?”

“Is there anything I can do to be of service? I know there will be a great
deal to do in the coming days. Please know that you may count on me to aid
you.” Darcy said as his fingers lightly caressed her cheek.

“Mr…William, please, we do not wish to be caught.” Elizabeth said, even as
she leaned into his touch. Her skin tingled where his fingers traveled.

 

“Elizabeth, promise me that you will take care of yourself during this
emergency. I cannot imagine what I would feel if you were to take ill and perish.”

“I will take as much caution as possible, William. Now, I had best finish here
so that I am back in the ballroom by the time the patients begin to arrive.”
Elizabeth took hold of his hand and squeezed it lightly. “And I will ask you to be
careful with your own health. You have become important to me as well.”

~~~~~~~ ** ~~~~~~~

 

Chapter 4

Mr Hale stopped by Longbourn on his way to the Long’s home. He heard
the voice of an unknown man speaking with Mrs Bennet and her younger
daughters in the drawing room. He was announced and welcomed into the room
by Mrs Bennet. “Ah, Mr Hale, so good of you to come by, as Mr Bennet has taken
ill. With Lizzy foolishly traipsing off to see to Jane at Netherfield, there is no one
to tend to my husband.”

“Fortunately, I spoke with both of your daughters. Miss Jane will be fine,
though she will need to remain at Netherfield for some time. We have an
epidemic brewing, Mrs Bennet. Mrs Long’s niece, two of her staff, and now three
members of the staff at Netherfield have all developed scarlet fever.”

“NO!” Mrs Bennet cried out. “My poor Jane is in danger by remaining
there. She must come home immediately.”

“I am afraid that it will not be possible. We have arranged for Miss Jane to
remain upstairs, isolated from those who are ill with the fever. Of your two
daughters that are at Netherfield, it is your second born who will be in more
danger, as she will be tending to the ill. We are setting up a hospital of sorts at
Netherfield, thanks to the generosity of Mr Bingley.”

“Oh, Lizzy has always had a hardy constitution, not at all delicate as Jane is.
Lizzy will not take ill, she has always been healthy.”

“But she has never been exposed to scarlet fever. I pray that her health
continues.” Mr Hale turned to the Longbourn housekeeper, Mrs Hill. “Is your
master in his study?”

“Yes, I believe he is resting on his sofa.”

“Very good, I will see to him.” Mr Hale said as he stepped into the hallway
outside the drawing room, which led to the back of the main floor, where Mr
Bennet’s study was located. He knocked on the door as he opened it slightly.
Seeing his friend having difficulty calling out, Mr Hale entered the room.

“Bennet, I hear you are ill. Your Lizzy has charged me with informing you
that it is not allowed.”

 

In a harsh whisper, Mr Bennet spoke to his old friend. “Hale, good of you
to come. I am afraid that Lizzy is out of luck this time, for I am quite ill.”

“Do you have a sore throat?” When Mr Bennet nodded his head, Mr Hale
continued. “The fever is not as high as it could be, but that does not mean it will
not climb higher. I am afraid to tell you, we have an outbreak of scarlet fever. It
appears that you may have caught it, as I am sure that the spots will come out
soon enough.”

“My family?”

“No one else seems to have it as yet. Jane’s illness was nothing really, a
headache and chills from the cold rain. She was already much recovered with
Lizzy’s care.”

“Thank the heavens. What can we do?”

Mr Hale took a deep breath. “We will need to move you to Netherfield. We
are making a temporary hospital in the ballroom for all those who contract the
disease. Lizzy has, of course, volunteered to help nurse them.”

Mr Bennet nodded his head. “When shall we go?”

“Allow me to have your carriage prepared for you. I do not wish you to
have any further contact with your family until you recover. Perhaps it is a good
thing that you spend so much time hidden away in this room, your younger
daughters are rarely around you. And Mrs Bennet has always avoided this room.”

This caused Mr Bennet to laugh out loud, the best he could with his sore
throat. “Will miss the rest of my cousin’s visit.” He whispered with a smile on his
face.

“Is that the chap waxing on about nothing in the drawing room? I only saw
him for a moment and feel relieved to not have to endure much more. Are you
sure he is related to you and not your wife? He seems to be an utter fool.”

“My cousin’s son and the apple did not fall far from the tree. He is the heir
to the estate.”

 

“That explains why your wife is being so kind to him. I would not be
surprised if she tries to marry off one of your daughters to him.”

 

“I believe she will do just that. Fortunately, Jane and Lizzy are not here.”

“Well, allow me to send for the carriage and we will get you to
Netherfield.” Mr Hale said as he left the room. He thought to himself that
Elizabeth would be more at ease with her father at Netherfield, where she could
tend to him herself.

~~ ** ~~

Two patients had already arrived in the makeshift hospital and Elizabeth
had already begun to tend to them. One of the maids came up to her to inform
her of a new arrival. Elizabeth turned around and nearly ran to the stretcher that
was carrying her father into the room.

“Papa, oh Papa, forgive me for not being home to take care of you. I knew
you were ill, yet I came here.”

“Lizzy, dearest, do not fret.” Mr Bennet spoke with a scratchy voice. “There
was nothing more you could have done for me than was already done, and now
you are to tend to me when I need you most.”

“You will be well again in no time, Papa. Let us put you on one of the cots
that were brought in. This one, over here, there is a nice view from the window.
It will give you some pleasure while you recover.”

“You are a good girl, Lizzy. Just need some rest, I will be well soon.”

 

Elizabeth nodded her head as she wiped the tears from her cheek. “I love
you, Papa.”

“As I love you, my Lizzy Bee.” Mr Bennet used her childhood nickname. It
had been years since he called her by it, but felt that she could use the
reassurance that she always seemed to garner from hearing it when she was
younger.

Darcy and one of the footmen took the stretcher and carried Mr Bennet to
the cot that Elizabeth assigned to him. Once the Master of Longbourn was tucked
into his cot, a drink of cool water brought to him, and Elizabeth gave him some
medicine, Mr Bennet fell fast asleep. Only when Darcy volunteered to sit by her
father did Elizabeth feel she could see to her other patients.

~~ ** ~~

Mrs Bennet was beside herself with worry. What would happen to her if
her husband died from this illness? She would be thrown from her home for the
new Master to take possession. The settlement that her husband had made for
her was small, barely enough to cover housing and feeding her and her daughters.

And now the odious man who would inherit Longbourn was sitting in her
drawing room, drinking her tea. He was a sycophant, and the way he carried on
about his precious benefactor, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, was repulsive.

The only reason that she tolerated his presence in her home was that he
declared that he was looking to take a bride and wished to choose from her
daughters. This would allow her to remain living in her home after her husband’s
death. So she would do what she could to appease him. Mrs Bennet decided that
the daughter she would sacrifice to marrying this man was her least favorite,
Elizabeth. It would do that foolish girl good to have someone set their foot down
on her and make her behave properly.