Much Ado in Meryton by Riana Everly

Author:Riana Everly
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781777150488
Publisher: Bay Crest Press

Chapter Thirteen

Constant in the accusation

(Borachio, 2.3)

Mr. Jones came to see Jane shortly after breakfast. He poked and prodded at her ankle and tutted about her for a time, and then declared, with a satisfied smile, that she was healing well. Elizabeth sat with Jane in the large front room; there was little enough involved in this examination that required the privacy of a bedchamber.

He unwrapped the bandages and manipulated her foot this way and that. At times, Jane winced, but quickly regained her serene smile.

“And the pain?” he asked. “Are you able to sleep?”

“Other than a slight ache at times, there is no more pain. There, when you do that, it is less comfortable, but most of the time it gives me no trouble. I have Annie wrap it well before I retire so it cannot move, and I sleep adequately.” She added after a moment, “I have no more need for the draughts.”

“Good, good.” He took her foot in his hand again. “Let us try this… Good. Now do that…. Good. What about this? Fine, fine!”

After some discussion, he proclaimed Jane was sufficiently healed to withstand the short carriage ride and return to Longbourn.

This was met by a cry of alarm by Mr. Bingley, who was sitting at the far end of the room behind a screen.

“I apologise for my outburst,” came his voice. “I am most gratified that Miss Bennet is recovering so well. It is just that, well, I have… my sisters and I have so enjoyed your company. Along with the visitors who have come so often to see you, I have never been so pleased, so diverted in all my life. I shall quite miss you once you have gone from here.”

“I, too, have been most content, despite the unhappy reason behind our prolonged stay.” Jane was everything polite and grateful.

“More talk of that later, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Jones cut in. “Here, I wish to see how you do on a crutch. I shall come by with one later today, and perhaps tomorrow you can see about returning home. You will need some assistance there, however. A room on the ground storey, if such can be managed, and a maid to assist you with all things as Annie here has done. Let me call upon your father immediately upon leaving here to see what can be arranged for you. I shall bring his answers when I come with the crutch.”

He took his leave of his patient and her host and hurried off to complete his tasks.

Elizabeth watched him with envy in her eyes. After yesterday’s glorious ride with Mr. Darcy, she was aching to be outside again. Might she meet him on one of the paths, or in the woods? Her eyes strayed to the window.

“Go, Lizzy. You want a walk, and I shall not stop you from it. Mr. Bingley,” Jane called. “Might your sisters keep me company whilst Lizzy takes some air? It seems like another day of no rain, most certainly a day for exercise if one is of that inclination.

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