A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 13

  Lord Matlock had been holding in his temper. With Lady Catherine’s last statement, he no longer felt the need to control it. “Catherine, how would the future of Pemberley be guaranteed if Darcy married Anne? I love my niece, but she is weak and unqualified to run an estate or to bear a child to any man. What you really mean is that you would have the power to run the largest landholdings in England, do you not? Well, that will never happen in my lifetime. I knew my sister’s desire for her son. That boy has been to hell and back because of the decisions of his father and I will not allow it to continue now that George Darcy is gone!”

  “Furthermore, sister, since you have been in this room, you have yet to inquire as to Darcy’s condition. That shows where your concern lies. My wife has the right of it, Catherine, you may stay here, but you will have no say about Darcy’s care; you will not bring those leeches into this house, and you will not bother Miss Elizabeth Bennet in any way. Am I clear?”

  Lady Catherine was furious. Since her brother and his family were standing against her, she decided to take the letter to her solicitor in London to have him file a claim against Darcy and his properties; that if he does not hold to the agreement between her and his father, she will claim Pemberley and all its related assets as her own. Turning her back to her brother, she snatched the letter out of Colonel Fitzwilliam’s hands, walked out of the room, yelled at the housekeeper to retrieve her daughter, her companion, and all their possessions as they would be leaving Netherfield Park immediately. It was in but moments that Mrs. Nicholls returned downstairs to inform Lady Catherine that her daughter was too weak to travel. Undeterred by this delay, Lady Catherine called for writing materials to be sent to her room. She would write to her attorney, but would keep the letter from George Darcy in her possession.

  Mr. Darcy’s fever did not seem affected by the powders that Elizabeth had used previously. He was restless and his skin was blazingly hot to the touch. The area around the wound was a dark red and Elizabeth was worried. Georgiana was frantic.

  “Parker, please ask Gabriel or Gideon to send for enough cool water to fill the bath. We shall have to try to cool him down in that manner. Georgiana, I need you to stand tall again, please. Would you hurry to the drawing room and explain to your uncle that we need his help, as well as the assistance of your cousins and Mr. Bingley.

  Parker just had to stick his head outside the doorway to get the message to the footman. He returned and began laying out towels and cloths in the bathing room for the patient.

  Georgiana returned quickly with the four men and Elizabeth walked out into the hallway to give them the privacy they needed to get Mr. Darcy into the bath. Lady Matlock and Mrs. Nicholls were there waiting with Georgiana. Elizabeth asked that Mr. Darcy’s bed be stripped and clean linens put on the bed, as well as the room tidied. Mrs. Nicholls saw to it at once. Then they waited. And waited.

  By the time it was over and Elizabeth was called back to re-bandage the wound, the men were soaked. Elizabeth looked closer and saw the swelling around Mr. Bingley’s eye and saw a cut above Colonel Fitzwilliam’s brow. Parker explained that this time Mr. Darcy had fought them diligently. His body had to be weak, so she was surprised at this. She called to Lady Matlock and asked if she would take Georgiana to tend to the wounds, commending Georgiana on her abilities as a nurse. Elizabeth was deeply appreciative and pleased at Georgiana’s willingness to be of help in any way that she was needed. Lady Matlock, Georgiana, and Mrs. Nicholls took the two gentlemen down to the kitchen for some ice packs for their faces. Elizabeth marveled at Mr. Darcy’s physical strength.

  Elizabeth looked at Viscount Stanley and his father. “Gentlemen, Parker is soaked through and the two youngest of you are injured. How, might I ask, did you both escape without harm?”

  Lord Matlock answered with a slight smile. “We took the least dangerous side, his left side.”

  Mr. Darcy was still agitated. However, his skin was slightly cooler. Elizabeth sat next to the chair and, with a cool cloth, she stroked his face, his neck, and his right hand. She started talking to him about the last two books she read; a book of poetry and one of Shakespeare’s comedies, As You Like It. Over and over she applied the cool cloth. The gentlemen stood at the ready in case she needed them. Darcy calmed somewhat, but his condition was severe.

  Elizabeth mixed and administered more medicinal powders. Later, she, Parker, Georgiana, Lady Matlock, and Colonel Fitzwilliam took turns bathing his face and neck until, finally, after hours of anxiety, Mr. Darcy’s fever broke. After the ladies left the room, Colonel Fitzwilliam helped Parker to again change Darcy’s nightshirt and bedding. For the first time since the injury, a week ago, they all rested the remainder of the night. Only Elizabeth woke every two hours to check and change the bandage. Georgiana slept in the sitting room and Colonel Fitzwilliam slept in the chair next to Darcy’s bed.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Netherfield Park

  Mr. Darcy woke the next morning feeling thirsty, hungry, and frustratingly weak. He recalled little of the events of the night before, but fresh in his mind was his sister coming to him, distraught over Mr. Bennet’s verbal attack on Elizabeth. He well knew the pain that a father’s words could cause a child; even an adult child. False accusations, unreasonable demands, disregard, and being treated as less than another sibling can easily strip a child of self-worth. Darcy recognized what it had done to him. While his mother was living, he had been a happy, confident child. With the permanent introduction of George Wickham to Pemberley at her death, his father suddenly ignored Darcy. All George Darcy’s attention and affection went to his first son. Each time Darcy looked in the mirror, he wondered what had been missing in himself. While he was confident in business dealings and how to behave in a dignified manner in society, he never felt comfortable among people he did not know. Darcy knew he was shy by nature, but he despised in himself that constant uncertainty among company. He knew he did not perform well in social situations, so his circle of close friends was small.

  That circle had widened to include Elizabeth. Her nature was so friendly and approachable, not condescending like so many women of his acquaintance. He lay back on his pillows and meditated on her fine features and her beautiful smile. It made him feel better just to think about her. He wondered what she thought of him.

  Parker came into the room to ply him with more fluids and help him change into a clean nightshirt. Darcy would be happier once he could dress in his regular clothes. He felt he would make a much better impression than having Elizabeth see him so casually attired.

  It wasn’t long before a guest was tapping at his door. He hoped it was Elizabeth. It was his sister. He hid his slight disappointment.

  “Oh, William!” she rushed to the bed to embrace him tightly around his neck. “How happy I am that your fever is gone! We were in constant concern through the night. I just left Elizabeth and she is sound asleep. From the noise coming from the dressing room, it appears that Richard is still asleep as well.”

  “Thank you, Georgie.” Darcy loved his sister and squeezed her again. Releasing her, she sat in the chair next to the bed but kept his hand. “I mean what I say; I thank you with all my heart. You have performed well in whatever tasks Miss Elizabeth has assigned you.”

  “William, she keeps telling me that I am a Darcy and to stand tall. Considering that she is shorter in stature than I am, it makes Richard laugh when she says it. But, I know what she means. I do not want to have the reputation of being a simpering female who swoons easily. I mean, I know that I fainted when we saw George, but those circumstances were extreme and I do not feel bad about myself for that. Elizabeth told me that she probably would have done the same.”

  “Georgie, I am delighted that you and Miss Elizabeth are friends.”

  “William,” she was exasperated at him. “You have called Elizabeth by her Christian name enough times during the past few days that I am sure I would not mind you calling her such in my presence.”

  His fac
e turned bright red. “I have to admit that I think of her as Elizabeth, but it is improper that I call her anything but Miss Elizabeth. Is anyone else aware that I have done so?”

  Georgiana chuckled. “Only Uncle, our cousins, Mr. Bingley, Parker, the housekeeper, the butler, and the maid, Sarah, have heard you. If anyone else knows, I am uncertain.” She patted his hand. “Please do not be concerned, William. These are not normal circumstances and, for the most part, you were influenced by the medicines you were taking. Not one person has made comment about it, which does not mean, however, that you will not be teased by our cousins.”

  Georgiana had the right of it. Richard always delighted in identifying his weaknesses and tormenting him about it. Richard was only one year older, but they were close enough that Darcy’s mother and Aunt Elaine had called them their twins. His cousin was never malicious, but seemed to find exquisite delight in unsettling him.

  “Speaking of cousins, William, I had the most unusual conversation with our cousin Anne this morning. Were you aware that she and Aunt Catherine are here at Netherfield Park?”

  “No, I was not aware. Is Aunt causing trouble?”

  “William, I am concerned.” Georgiana’s disposition changed, suddenly worried. “She has a letter from Father arranging your marriage with Anne.”

  “What!”

  “Yes, she showed it to Uncle. Henry and Richard confirmed that it was our father’s handwriting. Aunt Catherine is determined to take it to her solicitor in London to have it verified that you are legally bound to marry. She wanted to call back her parson and have the marriage performed yesterday so that she could take control of Pemberley if you died.” By then, Georgiana had dissolved into tears. “She cannot do this, can she?”

  “No, poppet, she cannot.” He sighed in frustration. “Anne reached her majority several years ago. She has told me that she has no interest in marriage, to me or to any other. If there were arrangements made in the past, it would only be a matter of her breaking off the engagement. Unless she has changed her mind, there is nothing to worry about.”

  “She does not want to marry you, William.” Georgiana wiped her tears. She was reassured hearing that there would not be a forced marriage between her cousin and her brother. “That was the unusual conversation I had with her this morning. Anne knew what her mother was planning, so she is feigning illness to postpone their travels to the solicitor. She even admitted that she and her physician have an arrangement where he gives her sugar in her water instead of medicinal powders and this satisfies Aunt Catherine that he is treating her mysterious ailments. I was shocked that Anne would be so manipulative, especially to her mother.”

  Darcy chuckled. “Dear, she has been doing this for years. Richard and I sneak gothic novels to her when we visit and you know how Aunt Catherine feels about reading anything other than the Bible. Also, when we visit in the spring, we take your cousin away from the house in her phaeton and then turn the reins over and she drives; the faster the better. Anne is not the timid miss that she wants people to think she is.”

  “That is shocking to me, William. I hope Aunt Catherine never finds out. I certainly will not tell.”

  “And, neither will I.” He gently squeezed her hand. “I love you, Georgie.”

  “I love you as well, brother.” Georgiana rose from the chair.”I should leave and let you rest, brother. It would displease Elizabeth if you became overtired and I do not want her angry at me. She might assign me to keep Aunt Catherine company - alone.” Georgiana shuddered at that. Her brother smiled.

  He watched her as she quietly left his bed chamber. She had grown up so much and he was grateful to see her return to the same joyful girl she was before Ramsgate. It had been a source of great worry for him the past several months. Georgie had always been timid and reticent, however, she had fallen into a pit of self-reproach that almost paralyzed her. He hated George for what he had done to her. He could not regret that they would never have to contend with him any longer. Thinking of his sister was pleasant and it was not long until he was fast asleep.

  The week passed with Mr. Darcy getting stronger each day. Lady Catherine was anxious to leave for London and have this matter of Darcy’s marriage to her daughter resolved. The sooner she could take possession of Pemberley, the happier she would be. Lady Matlock chose to keep Catherine reined in and keep her away from Miss Elizabeth.

  Mr. Bingley hosted the Fitzwilliams and his brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, in an early morning hunt. Mr. Hurst loved food, drink, cards, and hunting; not necessarily in that order. He usually spent his days napping between meals and rarely interacted with others, unless guns or wagering were involved. Another day, Mr. Bingley invited Sir William Lucas and his son, Robert, to join the hunting party. Colonel Fitzwilliam showed his prowess with a firearm by bringing in the largest brace of birds. Cook was delighted to receive them. Mr. Bingley was pleased to host the fine gentlemen and they were all grateful to be out of the house.

  Miss Bingley, who was slightly cowed under the presence of two such strong-willed women as the Ladies Matlock and de Bourgh, generally associated only with her sister, seeing to the needs of the others but not extending herself in furthering conversation. She was silently scheming how to rid Netherfield Park of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The seeds of gossip she had planted about Elizabeth’s impropriety of being in a single man’s bed chamber had not blossomed any further than Longbourn. However, it had seemed to serve the purpose of separating her brother from the eldest Miss Bennet, and for this, she was pleased at her efforts.

  On the fourth day after the stitch was replaced, Mr. Darcy demanded that he be allowed to rise, dress, and join the others downstairs. Elizabeth was hesitant, but understood his frustration. She commissioned Parker to watch him closely as he dressed to discern if he was strong enough. Then she asked Gideon, the young, strong footman, to escort Mr. Darcy in case the task should prove too much. He made it downstairs with minimum assistance.

  Mr. Darcy’s family and friends all rejoiced at his improvement. He was offered every comfort. Miss Bingley was more than willing to fuss over him, attending to his every possible need or desire. Elizabeth had spoken with Mr. Bingley when she heard of Mr. Darcy’s intentions of joining the gathering downstairs. Just after Mr. Darcy was settled in a chair by the fireplace in the drawing room, Mr. Burton, the butler, started directing the Darcy staff and the Netherfield Parkhousehold staff into the room, lining them up in a row.

  “Bingley, what is the meaning of this?” Lady Catherine demanded.

  Mr. Bingley just grinned at her. Waiting to answer until all the staff had arrived, he turned to Lord Matlock and asked him to proceed.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he spoke to the staff. “I am Lord Matlock, the Earl of Smithton, Uncle to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the man you have assisted in caring for the past week. It is due to your sterling actions in performing any and all tasks asked of you that my nephew is now well along in his recovery. We want to take this opportunity to extend our gratitude to each and every one of you. Mr. Bingley has arranged punch and cake in the kitchen, along with a small token to use as you please. Our family and friends,” he swept his arm to include those gathered around Mr. Darcy, “join in extending our sincerest thanks to all of you.”

  This was unprecedented and completely unexpected by the staff. Often they were called upon to extend themselves, but rarely were they ever thanked for their efforts. As they started filing out of the room, Lord Matlock stopped them. “If the Darcy staff would remain behind for a moment, we would like to address them further.”

  Parker, Georgiana’s maid, Gideon, Gabriel, and John Coachman stopped and turned back to the Earl, who waited until Bingley’s staff was out of the room before having the doors closed.

  Mr. Darcy had been surprised, but pleased that his uncle and Bingley had arranged this. He imagined that Lady Matlock, Georgiana, and Elizabeth had been behind this generosity, mostly Elizabeth. He wondered what his uncle had planned to say specifically to his
staff and decided that he, himself, was strong enough to care for this in his stead.

  “Excuse me, Uncle, but I would like to speak with my staff.” He thought about standing but did not want to collapse in front of Elizabeth, or the others. The walk down the stairs had been harder than he had expected. “My sister and I concur with everything that Lord Matlock said. I want you to know, as well, that we have always known you to be loyal and diligent. Each of you proved, in an outstanding way, that you can be relied upon to protect and to act in a manner that demonstrates courage, duty, and valor. My sister and I thank you.” Georgiana stood by his side, holding his right hand. “Please, feel free to go enjoy the refreshments provided. You will be receiving a reward in your next pay packet.”

  With many, “Thank you, sirs”, the staff left the room.

  Lady Catherine would have been appalled to know that Miss Bingley concurred with her low opinion of this praise. The elder woman blurted out, “Of all the ridiculous displays, Martin, this certainly outranks them all. They are servants! They are only doing what they are supposed to do. You have ruined them, brother, just you see.” Turning to her nephew, she added, “Were you shot in the arm or in the head? I see that the loss of blood has affected your intelligence.”