A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read online

  “Miss Elizabeth, there may be something I can do for you. If you think it would help you, I would be happy to go to Longbourn to reassure your sister that you are well after this afternoon’s events.” His hopeful look made it easy for Elizabeth to suggest that it would be a kindness if he would do that. She wondered how her sister could possibly know of today’s events, yet she realized that it might be best for Mr. Bingley to receive comfort, himself, by speaking of it to someone else. The day was growing late, the sun was already setting; so she knew he would not be gone long. He directed Mr. Burton to gather his coat and hat and hurried out the front door.

  Parker was not completely taken by surprise that George Wickham was behind the violence that caused his master’s injury. However, he had yet to learn the details. He was certain that Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Elizabeth would care for matters in a way that would protect both Mr. Darcy and his sister. He had assigned Gideon and Gabriel to guard the doorway into Mr. Darcy’s room from anyone not required or unwashed. Therefore, when he heard a disturbance outside the door, he knew he would confront one or the other as he opened the door. Ah, Miss Bingley, after Mr. Darcy again. He went back inside the room, closing the door.

  Elizabeth also witnessed the confrontation between the footman and the lady. Spying Parker in the doorway, she nodded her head at him to let him know that she would take care of it.

  “I do not know who gave you the authority to refuse me admittance to a room on my own estate, but I will make sure that Mr. Darcy knows you have been impertinent and rude to me.” Miss Bingley was in high spirits, her red face in sharp contrast with her burnt orange gown. It was not an attractive combination. Poor Gideon, not used to being exposed to a woman of her class displaying such ill manners, was guarding Mr. Darcy’s door with his body, as if being confronted by Napoleon himself. “I just learned of Mr. Darcy’s injuries and I am certain that he needs me to comfort him.” Gideon was unmoved. Elizabeth deeply appreciated his loyalty and obedience. Elizabeth caught his eye as she approached behind Miss Bingley.

  “May I help you, Miss Bingley?” The carpet on the hallway had silenced Elizabeth’s footsteps so her proximity was quite close when she asked. Miss Bingley yelped and her color rose even higher as she turned and saw who was there. “This servant will not allow me to ascertain if Mr. Darcy is in need of anything for his comfort.” Her disdain fairly oozed from her.

  “Excuse me, Gideon,” Elizabeth asked politely, “has Parker indicated to you that Mr. Darcy was in need?”

  “No, miss, he has not.”

  “Would you please inquire of Parker if Mr. Darcy has any needs at this time?”

  “Yes, miss.” He tapped lightly on the door and did just that when Parker answered that the only thing needed was Mr. Darcy’s bandage checked. Both Miss Bingley and Elizabeth clearly heard his reply.

  “Do you want to cleanse and change the dressing on his wound or shall I, Miss Bingley?” It was not in Elizabeth’s nature to push herself forward, and she knew that she was not wanted here by the mistress of Netherfield Park. Apparently, Miss Bingley was not confident in her own nursing skills, as she turned in a huff and retreated back to her room. Elizabeth did not fail to note the slight grin on Gideon’s face, but chose to ignore it as he stepped aside for her to enter the room. However, she reminded him that she, more than any other person in the house, would need to wash first as she would be touching Mr. Darcy’s injured arm.

  Mr. Darcy was sleeping soundly, undoubtedly a result of the medicine and the reaction to trauma. Parker had Mr. Darcy turned onto his right side so Elizabeth was able to unwrap the bandage and clean the fluid that was oozing between the stitches. There was no indication that infection had set in, but it really was too soon to know. Elizabeth gazed down at Mr. Darcy and smiled at how relaxed he looked in his sleep. He was a handsome man who she knew to be a good man. She silently prayed that he would overcome this.

  It wasn’t long before they were joined in the room by Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy still did not stir. This rest was the best medicine for now, though she reminded Parker and the others that they would need to be vigilant about getting him to drink liquids. It was a good time for Parker to see to his own needs. Georgiana sat in a chair next to her brother and tenderly held his hand. Mr. Darcy may have been unaware of her being there, but it seemed to soothe her to feel his warmth.

  Elizabeth excused herself to go speak with Cook about the recipe for broth for Mr. Darcy. On her way down the stairs, she heard Mr. Bingley’s return. She met him in the hallway. He looked even more discouraged than when he had left. “Mr. Bingley, is all well at Longbourn?”

  “I hardly know how to tell you, Miss Elizabeth.” He removed his gloves and started wringing them in his hands. “I spoke for a moment with Miss Bennet and, rather than being concerned with your health, she was concerned that your being in Hertfordshire would be most upsetting to your parents. It actually appeared that the only one pleased to see me was your mother. As much as I hate to say this, Miss Elizabeth, I do believe that when Darcy is well enough to travel back to London, I may close up the house and go with him.”

  “I am terribly sorry to hear that, Mr. Bingley,” She was quick to reassure him. “It was not unexpected that they would not inquire of me. If you would excuse me, please, I need to speak with Cook about meals for Mr. Darcy.”

  “Yes, Miss Elizabeth.” He shuffled his feet in indecision. “One thing before you go that you should be aware of, Miss Elizabeth. Soon after Lt. Wickham came to Meryton, he started talking about Darcy denying him his heritage, that of being master of Pemberley. It appears from what your father said to me today, that he believed Lt. Wickham’s tales against Darcy. You should also know that Darcy is reserved and does not do well in company he is not familiar with. I am afraid that he did not leave the society of Meryton with a good impression of him. This included Mr. Bennet. I am sorry to tell you this, but you need to know.”

  It pained Elizabeth to see such a good, kind man heart-broken. She wondered at Jane’s thinking, but realized that for five years she had placed herself at her parent’s beck and call. Her sister had always had a tender heart that never wanted to hurt anyone in any way. Elizabeth could imagine just how badly her mother would want Jane and Mr. Bingley to reach an attachment. So, she did not truly understand Jane’s reaction to Mr. Bingley’s call. Elizabeth had no expectations at all of her father. “What will be, will be,” thought Elizabeth as she went through the dining room to the kitchen.

  Returning to Mr. Darcy’s room followed by two maids with trays with a light meal for herself and Georgiana, as well as heavier fare for the Colonel, they stopped at the door and washed before entering. Gideon was pleased that it was not necessary to remind them.

  It appeared, however, that none of them had an appetite. It would be a very long night for them all.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

  The hands on the clock in Mr. Darcy’s chamber seemed to crawl from one minute to the next. Before morning, fever had set in. Throughout the night, Parker, Georgiana, Colonel Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth had taken turns putting cold cloths on Mr. Darcy’s forehead, though it was left up to Elizabeth to tend to the wound. As the night progressed, Mr. Darcy drank less and less water to the point that Elizabeth and Parker were spooning the medicine and tea into his mouth. Georgiana was sleeping on a settee in Mr. Darcy’s sitting room and Colonel Fitzwilliam was sleeping in the adjoining room. Parker and Elizabeth took turns napping in the chair next to Mr. Darcy’s bed. The kitchen staff sent trays at regular intervals, which went for the most part untouched.

  Long past breakfast time, the Colonel came into Mr. Darcy’s bed chamber. He had not slept well, his concern for his cousin keeping sleep at bay. Before the Colonel could take a seat next to the bed, Mr. Darcy started tossing and turning, showing signs of agitation. The Colonel spoke to him to try to soothe him, but it wasn’t until Elizabeth walked behind him to check on his arm and
Mr. Darcy felt her touch that he settled. Elizabeth asked his cousin to help her raise Mr. Darcy so she could try to get him to drink. She worried that if he did not have fluids, his condition would worsen. Elizabeth spoke quietly but encouragingly to Mr. Darcy, being careful not to bump his arm as she held the cup to his lips. It was disconcerting to be this close to a man. Until her travels with the Gardiners, she had never seen a man’s bare neck or arms. It had amazed her to find that different cultures had much different standards for acceptable dress and covering. Being on the docks in many different ports-of-call, she saw various states of dress in men and women that few gently bred women in England would ever see. However, this was her first experience at actually touching a grown man’s skin.

  “Please, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth quietly pleaded, “You need to drink to recover your strength. Please, please drink.” On some level, Mr. Darcy must have heard her pleas as he drank that cup and one other. The effort to hold himself up must have been too much for him, as he fell weakly back to his pillow. Elizabeth, pleased that he had responded well, then excused herself and told Colonel Fitzwilliam that she would return in about twenty minutes so they can try to get more tea or water into his cousin.

  On the way out of the room, she peeked into the sitting room to find Georgiana asleep, a blanket tucked under her chin. However, her brow was furrowed, as if her dreams reflected her waking thoughts. Elizabeth worried what would become of her new friend if her brother did not recover. It was imperative that he do so. So many people relied on him: his young sister, his friend Mr. Bingley, the servants and tenants on his estates and households. It would be a devastating blow to lose a fine man like Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth’s thoughts puzzled her. Living and traveling with the Gardiners had opened the world to her. It left her with a desire to see the Americas, the South Pacific, and the Orient. Her abilities with new languages and her ease with travel, either on land or sea, made the idea of new adventures highly appealing. She had assumed she would never find a man attractive enough to cause her heart to long for roots, a home; a future in just one location. How any man, but especially one in such elevated society, could overlook her lack of dowry and that she had been disowned by her family, that she was living with a family in trade, and that the reputation of her father’s neglect of his estate and most likely his tenants was almost impossible to believe. In honesty, she had to admit to herself that her young heart at fourteen had recognized in that book store that Mr. Darcy was handsome and all that a gentleman should be. The more she learned of his personality and his strengths, the more it made her realize that she could travel the globe and not meet another that would suit her personality as well as he. It was a puzzle where the pieces were starting to align themselves!

  After she returned to the room, she and the Colonel were able to help Mr. Darcy drink deeply of some cool water. It was at this point that Mr. Darcy roused himself enough to need the attention of his valet, who had taken the opportunity to rest. Colonel Fitzwilliam called Parker and Elizabeth again left the room. She entered the sitting room to find Georgiana just waking.

  “How is my brother?”

  “He was able to drink deeply, Georgiana. Parker and the Colonel are with him now.” Elizabeth sat on the settee next to her. “How about you, dear friend, are you ready to break your fast? I certainly would be delighted with the company, if you please.”

  “I would enjoy that, Elizabeth. I shall return to my room to change out of these clothes I slept in and will meet you in the breakfast room.” They parted only to meet again in a short while.

  Descending the stairs, Elizabeth heard Mr. Burton, the butler, greeting visitors. She heard the deep voice of several men and the softer voice of a woman. When she reached the bottom stair, she spied the older man first. He was an older version of Colonel Fitzwilliam. The Matlocks must have arrived. Neither Mr. Bingley nor his sisters were present, so Elizabeth walked forward to extend a greeting. She inadvertently overheard their pleas for immediate news of Mr. Darcy’s condition.

  “Please, pardon me for intruding, but I have just come from attending Mr. Darcy. I believe you are the family of the Darcys and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Am I correct?”

  Lord Matlock met Elizabeth in the middle of the entry hall and he bowed to her curtsey. “We are, indeed, family members. I am Martin Fitzwilliam, Lord Matlock, and the Earl of Smithton. This is my wife, Elaine Fitzwilliam, Lady Matlock, Countess of Smithton, and this is my eldest son, Henry Fitzwilliam, Viscount Stanley. I understand from the express we received from my youngest that a Miss Bennet has been seeing to the care of my nephew. Perchance, are you Miss Bennet? How is he faring?”

  The concern was evident in the way all three Fitzwilliams gathered to hear the news. They were more concerned with Mr. Darcy than seeing to their own comfort. “Please rest assured that although he has a fever, he was able to take much fluid over the past hour and he has already expressed a desire to get out of his bed and resume his activities. He is an intelligent man, however, and realized quickly that he was reaching far too high for the moment. I believe he will be very pleased that you have arrived safely, as will your niece.” She looked behind them and found Mr. Burton and Mrs. Nicholls lingering in anticipation of assisting the travelers to their rooms. “I am sure that while Mr. Burton informs Mr. Bingley that you are here at Netherfield Park, Mrs. Nicholls will show you to your rooms so you may freshen up. Mr. Burton will also inform your son and nephew of your arrival. I am expecting Miss Darcy downstairs in but a moment.”

  She looked directly into Lord Matlock’s eyes. “Lord Matlock, Lady Matlock, Viscount Stanley, you will need to be aware that we are taking every measure necessary to see to the recovery of Mr. Darcy. With that in mind, we have stationed outside his room a young, strong, footman to make sure that no person, regardless of rank or position, will enter Mr. Darcy’s room without washing first. The footman is part of Mr. Darcy’s staff and is committed to his care. My experience, though not vast, has led me to believe that it is vital that Mr. Darcy’s bed chamber, his person, and his wound be kept as clean as possible. Please understand that no exceptions will be made, not even for close family members. Do you have any questions about these procedures, sir?”

  He looked down at this young woman and realized that she was not intimidated at all by his size, his name, or his title. How refreshing! “No, Miss Bennet, I do not. My family will do anything to see to Darcy’s health.” Looking to his wife and son, he repeated sternly in a voice that allowed no argument or disagreement, “Anything!”

  Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned and glanced up the stairway. Elizabeth was pleased to see her friend and to observe her delight at the appearance of her relatives.

  “Uncle Martin! Aunt Elaine!” All sense of propriety flew out the window as Georgiana squealed, ran down the stairs, and jumped into her waiting uncle’s arms. Her uncle wrapped his strong arms around his niece and spun her as if she were a toddler. His eyes closed and a look of pleasure and pain mixed momentarily until he regained himself. Whether it was her uncle that did not immediately let her go or Georgiana that continued to cling to her uncle, Elizabeth could not tell. However, it was reassuring to see the relief her uncle was bringing her as Georgiana rested her head against his chest. Her head rested just under his chin; a position of comfort and familial love. Like his youngest son and his nephew, Lord Matlock was a tall man, broad of chest and shoulders. His face was weathered from exposure to the outdoors and his laugh lines were deeply formed at the corners of his eyes. “I am so happy you have arrived,” she whispered into his jacket. She leaned back from him, stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. He quickly hugged her in return and released her so she could properly greet her aunt and oldest cousin. Her welcome to her aunt and cousin was still affectionate, but more subdued.

  “Have you met Elizabeth, Uncle? She is my most trusted friend.”

  This was high recommendation from a girl who had learned from experience to be reserved, especially with new acquaintances.
“Yes, Georgie, we have met.” He scanned the room and noted that the housekeeper was patiently waiting to take them upstairs to their rooms. Miss Bennet stood back with her eyes to the floor, allowing the family as much privacy as possible in the narrow entryway, and his oldest son gazed at Miss Bennet with an interested expression. “We are just to be shown to our rooms where we will refresh ourselves. When we return, we shall request Richard’s company, along with our host, Mr. Bingley, before we go and bother your brother. We would like you and Miss Bennet to be in on that conversation as well, as Richard’s letter yesterday provided only the most basic information. It would be good to get the full circumstances out in the open and, to do so, we will have to hear from you, poppet.” He looked to Elizabeth. “Is this agreeable?”