A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (14 page)

Both
Lady Catherine and Miss Bingley started to argue the point, but Colonel
Fitzwilliam stepped to his mother’s side, giving her his tacit support. He was
immediately joined by his older brother. Mr. Bingley saw the wisdom in aligning
himself with the other gentlemen and so moved accordingly. This quieted both
ladies.

“Now
that we have that clear,” Lady Matlock continued. “You will know that Miss
Elizabeth Bennet is tending my nephew and is doing so under my guidance and
direction.” Her husband, sons, and Elizabeth looked at her in wonder. Lady
Matlock turned her head briefly toward Elizabeth, and winked. Lady Matlock had,
until this time, not expressed an opinion or a suggestion about Mr. Darcy’s treatment,
so her comment, while effective in silencing both Lady Catherine and Miss
Bingley, was a puzzle to the others. However, her authority could not be questioned.
“Am I understood on this point as well?”

Neither
lady uttered a word. Lady Matlock then turned to Mr. Collins. “I believe that
my husband, Lord Matlock, the head of the Fitzwilliam household, which includes
Lady Catherine, has asked you to leave. Due to circumstances, we are not
accepting visitors at this time. Is that not correct, Mr. Bingley?”

Mr.
Bingley nodded his agreement.

She
dismissed Mr. Collins as she would an unwelcome servant. Mr. Collins could do
nothing other than leave as he watched his patroness sputter her displeasure at
this change of circumstances. He gazed at Miss Elizabeth with undisguised
longing. She continued to refuse to acknowledge him and waited for him to
leave.

When
Mr. Burton came back to the doorway of the drawing room, Elizabeth presumed to
think that he was there to escort Mr. Collins out. However, he caught her eye
and whispered that Parker needed her immediately. She quickly left the room,
dragging Georgiana with her. They ran up the stairs to see what danger had
befallen Mr. Darcy.

The
room was left in silence. Finally, Lady Catherine excused Mr. Collins so that
he would feel free to leave and commanded Miss Bingley, as if she were the
housekeeper, not the hostess, to show her, her daughter, and her daughter’s
companion to their rooms. Just as she was leaving the room, she turned back to
her brother. “We are not finished with this, Martin.”

The
day proved long for Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Parker, and it eventually took
its toll on the young girl. Her brother’s fever seemed to rise with each hour
and he again was unable to drink the fresh water that was so beneficial to him.
After hours of wiping his forehead and face with a cool cloth, she started to
quietly weep.  The tears continued to fall, no matter how Elizabeth tried to
comfort her. Finally, she lay her head down by her brother’s and sobbed.

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

While
Elizabeth and Parker continued to struggle with Darcy’s fever, Lady Catherine
had renewed her assault downstairs. She had re-entered the drawing room waving
a sheet of paper that had certainly seen better days. Lady Catherine walked
right up to her brother and thrust the paper in his face.

“Here,
brother, read this.” He took the letter and walked closer to the fireplace. He
began reading aloud.

11 November 1805

Pemberley

Dear Catherine,

No doubt you are aware that my son, Fitzwilliam, has just reached his
majority. As we had previously arranged, it is almost time for us to announce
his betrothal to Anne. I do want to take this opportunity to remind you that
our agreement was that my son spends at least two years, under my tutelage,
learning estate management before his marriage.

I am concerned about Anne’s health and whether she will be able to bear
the heir to Pemberley. You know best of all whether this is possible. If not, I
shall start searching for a lady of quality with a large dowry who would make a
good Mistress for Pemberley. My preference, of course, would be for your
daughter, so our estates would be united once and for all.

Please respond with information about my niece’s physical condition.
All my best to you and your daughter,

Your brother,

George Darcy

Lady
Catherine immediately interjected, “As you can see by the fact that my daughter
hurried to Darcy’s bedside to care for him, she is able and willing to be wife
to Fitzwilliam and to bear his heir. I have told her that the heir must be born
before any girl children.”

Miss
Caroline Bingley, who had her own plans for the master of Pemberley, walked to
Lady Catherine and Lord Matlock with her arm outstretched, as if she was going
to snatch the letter from their possession. “This cannot be.” She had devoted
four long years in her pursuit of Mr. Darcy and she was determined to be the
next Mistress of Pemberley.

“You
see yourself as Mistress of Pemberley?” Lady Catherine looked down her nose at
Miss Bingley, scorn dripping from her voice. “Who are you to presume to attain
to such a lofty position? You are the daughter of a tradesman and are reaching
far too high.” She sneered at her. Nobody in the room came to Miss Bingley’s
support, not even her brother. Charles Bingley had known of her plans almost
since the day Caroline had met Darcy. He also knew how Darcy felt about both of
his sisters and there was no chance that he would ever offer for Caroline. She
was doomed to disappointment.

Miss
Bingley muttered under her breath as she stomped out of the drawing room, “We
shall see.”

At
her departure, Mr. Bingley took his leave from the room, knowing they had
family matters to discuss. It was apparent that he and his sisters had already
over-stayed. He was concerned for Darcy and decided to make his way upstairs.
He did not want to be around his sister until she cooled off.

“Father,
may I see the letter?” inquired his oldest son. When Henry had reread the
letter, he handed it to his younger brother. “It is definitely George Darcy’s
handwriting. Father, did you know of this betrothal?”

“My
sister, Anne, had mentioned that this was George’s desire, but she was opposed.
She wanted her son to have affection and respect in his marriage.”

Lady
Catherine took exception to this remark. “Our sister, Anne, was weak minded.
She could never see the benefits of combining Rosings and Pemberley. George was
a businessman and longed for the wealth and power Rosings would bring to his
estates. The combination would make us the largest landowners in all of
England. Darcy will marry Anne! In fact, we can call my rector, Mr. Collins,
back and the marriage can take place NOW. That way if Darcy dies, the future of
Pemberley will be guaranteed.”

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.

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
face 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.”