A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (3 page)

Mr.
Gardiner ordered the carriage to be brought around and offered the post rider
sustenance in the kitchen while they waited. As he stood in the hallway,
listening to the increased activity, he mindlessly broke the seal on the
remaining letter. The note from Thomas Bennet was brief and abrupt. It was a
summons. A summons to Longbourn. After five long years, this was entirely
unexpected and would come as a shock to Elizabeth. He walked back to the
sitting room as he heard his wife and niece descend the staircase. Taking a
seat, he waited, listening to Madeline’s final instructions and smiling
slightly at the close bond between the two women. This was going to be hard on
both of them. And it was hard on him. He loved his niece as if she were one of
his own. In the years they had traveled together, Elizabeth had proved to be
the best of companions to the whole Gardiner family. She enthusiastically
accepted each adventure and gloried in meeting new people and seeing new
things. She enjoyed learning, both by reading and study, and by experiencing
whatever life had to offer. It had taken many months after first arriving in
London for her to let go of the resentment she had of her parents and recapture
the joy of life that was her character. At times, melancholy set in. The autumn
and beginning of the winter months were particularly hard, as it was at this
time of the year that the Bennet family had suffered the loss of four children,
in particular, the heir. Mr. Gardiner shook his head as he looked unseeingly at
the floor. How Thomas Bennet could possibly blame his own, favorite daughter
for deaths that he himself had done nothing to prevent was far beyond the
thinking of his brother-in-law.

It
had taken years for Elizabeth to face some hard truths about her father. Her
love no longer blinded her to his utter selfishness and his lack of concern for
even his closest family members. He had been a poor master of Longbourn estate
until he had a son. The entail was then broken and he had then resolved to
invest his time and effort to establish an inheritance worthy of the new heir.
His habitual self-indulgent, self-involved lifestyle was gone as he closely
reviewed account books and discussed crops, saw to needed repairs, and tried to
rebuild relations with the tenants that worked to support Longbourn. All of his
efforts ended when little Thomas James succumbed to the plague. It truly was
not his nature to accept responsibility for his own failure. He needed someone
to blame and that someone was the only person that had worked tirelessly to try
to bring some comfort to those ailing. It had taken years to release the weight
of that blame from her slender shoulders; a blame that never should have been
there in the first place.

Madeline
and Elizabeth entered the room as the butler announced the carriage was waiting
and the post rider was ready to leave. “One moment, please.” Mr. Gardiner
looked at the two women. “I need to have a word with my wife and niece.” Mr.
Harrison backed out of the room and closed the door. “Please sit for a moment.”

As
they sat together on the settee, Mr. Gardiner closely observed Elizabeth as he
held up her father’s note. “Lizzy, you need to hear this. I don’t believe any
of us thought that it might be any different from Miss Darcy’s letter. Yet, why
he would want you to nurse your only surviving sister after the blame he
carries for you in the loss of your siblings should have prompted us to believe
differently.” He paused to see if Elizabeth caught his meaning. Observing her
close attention, he volunteered to read its contents aloud.

November 11, 1811

Longbourn

Miss Elizabeth Anne Bennet,

It has come to my attention, from speaking with Miss Lucas, that you
are at this time unwed. My cousin, the heir to Longbourn, is in residence and
desires to marry into the family, so as not to inconvenience your mother by
turning her out of her home upon my eventual passing. Therefore, I have
arranged for your betrothal and demand you return to Longbourn immediately to
be wed. The first of the banns will be read Sunday next and the wedding will
take place in four weeks. It is the least you can do for the harm you have
caused this family.

Mr. Thomas Bennet

Silence
filled the room. The hush seemed to last indefinitely. “Uncle, can my father do
this to me? Does he still have authority? What am I to do?” The questions fired
rapidly from Elizabeth. Her mind was swirling with the need to know immediately
where she stood. When she had left Longbourn all those years ago, she had assumed
the letter that had been handed her by Hill was written by her father to her
uncle, assigning him all rights and authority over her. He stated clearly, she
thought, that she was no longer considered his offspring. Elizabeth was now
just twenty years old and would not reach her majority for almost another year.
“Uncle?” she said into the quiet.

Anger
poured from Mr. Gardiner. He wondered to himself how his intelligent, educated
brother–in-law could possibly continue to blame Elizabeth for a poor decision
he had made to not have his other children protected from harm. Thomas Bennet’s
failure to accept responsibility and to pass the blame on to another reflected
poorly on the Bennet name. His passing the blame on to a beloved, favorite
daughter was unconscionable. “I do not know, Lizzy. I shall have to contact our
solicitor, Mr. Haggerston, to find out if Bennet has the right to sign a
marriage contract in your behalf and whether you are legally obligated to
follow through with this wedding. I shall write for an appointment immediately
and send the answers Mr. Haggerston provides to you at Netherfield Park. Do you
have all you need for your travels?”

Thinking
of the apothecary case with the herbs and tinctures mixed and ready for use,
her two journals, one with the notes from her study of the healing arts and the
other she kept of their ocean voyages, the few precious volumes she had
collected that Jane might find intriguing to read while she recovered…. if she
recovered… and her personal items, she felt she was as ready as could be. Her
uncle and aunt looked at the small valise and realized their niece had no idea
as to staying in Hertfordshire for any longer than necessary, and nodded to one
another in understanding. She would be back in London with them soon. Mr.
Gardiner took a small purse with coins from his pocket and pressed it into Elizabeth’s
hands. “Just in case, dear, just in case.”

Climbing
into the carriage, Elizabeth watched her beloved relatives as long as possible
and wondered what changes in her life this return to Hertfordshire might bring.
As the carriage wound through the neighborhoods leading from her home to an
unanticipated and unexpected destination, she pondered the differences in her
thoughts and emotions from now to what they had been five years ago. She had
left Hertfordshire a young, naïve, trusting girl and was returning as a woman
of the world; older, knowledgeable of so many different things that she never
could have learned in her home county, and experienced in being part of a
loving, welcoming family. She was not the same person as before, so it was only
reasonable to assume that her family and neighbors had changed as well. Setting
aside the pain of the summons from her father and her deep concern for the
health of her sister, she determined that she would find some morsel of
education or enjoyment from this experience and anticipated meeting the
residents and guests of Netherfield Park. Possibly, she may have opportunity to
again see her beloved friend Charlotte. Elizabeth pondered on Miss Georgiana
Darcy and her brother, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Their last name conjured up an
image of the pleasant young man she had briefly conversed with in the bookstore
all of those years ago. She wondered if he was family to the brother or sister
staying in Hertfordshire. Elizabeth settled back into the cushions of the
carriage and thought about what possibilities her future might hold.

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

The
express rider stayed with the carriage until they reached the small village of
Meryton. He signaled to the coachman that he would ride ahead to Netherfield
Park and inform them of their imminent arrival. There was a man waiting under
the front portico. He was a tall, slim, red-headed gentleman, about two and
twenty years old, with a look of anticipation about him. Well-dressed, with
kind eyes, he hurried ahead of the footman, opened the door to the carriage for
Elizabeth, and helped her down. A quick glance at the surrounding acres and
home revealed a much larger estate than Longbourn. It had been well cared for
and was quite elegant in appearance. The gentleman humbly bowed and greeted
her. “Miss Elizabeth, my name is Charles Bingley and I am pleased to welcome
you to Netherfield Park. We have been in anxious expectation of your arrival.
Would you like to freshen from your travels before I take you to Miss Bennet?”

“Thank
you, sir, but I would like nothing more than to see Jane, if you please.”
Elizabeth could not help but be pleased at the kindness emanating from this
man. Elizabeth was aware that proper rules of society dictated that the owner
of such an estate, who was possibly superior in position, usually awaited
guests in the drawing room, having servants bring any guests to him. His
greeting her out front either indicated that he was humbly unconcerned about
his position or that her sister had taken a definite turn for the worse. Dread
filled her heart as she hoped it was the former and not the latter.

Elizabeth
offered sincere appreciation for his hospitality and asked to be directed to her
sister. A footman moved to open the door and the two entered the hallway. Pleased
at seeing a familiar welcoming face, Elizabeth’s smile reached from her mouth
to her eyes. “Mrs. Nicholls!” Elizabeth moved to the elderly housekeeper and
gently grasped her bony, arthritic hands. “What a pleasure to see you are still
at Netherfield Park. Possibly, after I see to my sister, we might have
opportunity to catch up, if it is not an inconvenience.”

Mrs.
Nicholls had been employed at Netherfield Park for just over five and twenty
years. She was a small woman, who was fierce in her determination to see all
things tidy and cared for in her establishment. Though it had been some time, over
the years, she had had much contact with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The owners of
the estate, when in residence, had brought their children. One daughter was the
same age and had the same adventurous spirit as Elizabeth, so the two girls
often would find it necessary to sneak up the backstairs and find a kindred soul
in Mrs. Nicholls, trusting her to keep their secrets and salvage their muddy
and torn clothes and boots. With both girls gone from the neighborhood, the sun
seemed not to shine as bright and the joy seemed to be missing for the
kind-hearted woman. “I would like nothing more.” She gave Elizabeth’s hands a
squeeze as she looked upon her with affection. The affection was returned. “Miss
Lizzy, I have just come from upstairs, seeing to your sister. I think it best
to let Miss Bennet rest.”

The
news was welcome and the feeling of relief was intense. Memories of far more
pleasant days at Netherfield Park flitted quickly through Elizabeth’s mind. She
turned to the stairwell, assuming Jane was in one of the guest rooms, when she spotted
a gentleman and a young lady standing in the doorway to the drawing room off to
the left of the stairs. The girl stood just behind the gentleman. She had long,
straight, blonde hair and the clearest blue eyes; blue eyes that reflected genuine
anxiety, nervousness, and timidity. The gentleman was tall, with broad
shoulders, dark wavy hair, and dark eyes. Another memory tapped at her brain,
seeking its way to the surface. He was looking closely at her as if he had a
memory too. He took a step towards her as if to see her more closely.

Behind
the pair, inside the drawing room, were two elegantly dressed women. Good
manners dictated that Elizabeth take the time to receive introductions and give
thanks to her hostess, whichever woman that might be, yet, her underlying
concern for a sister that she had not seen in five years commanded her
immediate attention, but it was best that Jane rest. Regardless of her roiling
emotions, Elizabeth looked back to her host. “Please, may I have an
introduction to Miss Darcy?”

Mr.
Bingley stepped forward and offered introductions. “Please allow me to
introduce you to one of my closest friends, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, and his
sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, of Pemberley Estates in Derbyshire. Mr. Darcy and
Miss Darcy, I would like you to meet Miss Bennet’s sister, Miss Elizabeth
Bennet, lately of London.”

Elizabeth
offered a deeper curtsey to the young girl. “Miss Darcy, it is a great pleasure
to meet you. Words cannot express my gratitude for your letter. My family in London
and I are deeply concerned for my sister, Jane. Can you tell me, please, how is
she?”

Miss
Darcy stepped out from behind her brother as they crossed the hall and came
closer. “I am pleased to say that we agree with Mrs. Nicholls. There has been
improvement since I wrote this morning. Your sister is not as warm as she had
been last night and she has been able to take small amounts of food and drink.
Miss Bennet slept poorly last night and cried for you often, as I mentioned in
my letter. When she arrived at Netherfield Park yesterday for tea, she had been
caught in a downpour. She was soaked through and exhibited symptoms of a chill
almost immediately.” Elizabeth felt immediate relief that the report was better
than she had imagined. Jane had never had a strong constitution and the
potential for harm was great from even the slightest illness. Miss Darcy
continued, “I take this opportunity to apologize for the impropriety in
contacting you when we had not been introduced.”

“Actually,
Georgie, we have already met.” Darcy had walked closer as his friend made the
introduction. Extending his hand, he lightly touched Elizabeth’s gloved right
hand, bowing low over it. He straightened and looked into her eyes. Yes, here
was the young lady from the bookstore with the chocolate-brown hair just
peeking out from her bonnet and the sparkling hazel eyes rimmed with dark,
thick lashes that he had kept in the part of his mind reserved for the most
pleasant of memories. She now had deep wisdom reflected in those eyes and he pondered
what her life had been the past six years. His own life had changed so greatly
that he wondered if she possibly recognized him from their brief encounter at Hatchards
Book Sellers. Darcy was unaware that he still held her hand in his grasp until
she started to pull away. He knew the accepted rules of society required that
he let her go, but his heart indicated that he not. His heart rarely made
demands on him; in fact, it was possible that this was the first time in years
that his heart felt more than a flutter. It had been five years to the day,
November 11, since he buried his father and responsibility came crashing down
on his shoulders. At that thought, he turned to his sister and, letting go of
Miss Elizabeth’s tiny hand, held out his hand to Georgiana. “Miss Elizabeth
Bennet is an old acquaintance, Georgie.”

Elizabeth
smiled slightly at his phrasing. She noted how tightly Miss Darcy had gripped
his hand. Both ladies dropped a curtsey in greeting. “Miss Darcy, I look
forward to furthering acquaintance with you as well as with my
old
friend, Mr. Darcy.”  She saw Miss Darcy glance at her brother to see how he
would respond.

“Oh,
Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy quickly replied, “I don’t think my brother intended
to imply you are
old
.” Again she glanced at Darcy. “I’m certain he did
not.”

Miss
Bingley also had walked into the hallway and was paying unusually close
attention to the conversation. Her discomfort with the interest shown by the
Darcys was evident in her agitated state. In a loud whisper to her sister, she
said, “Why he would chose to remember someone like
her
is truly beyond
acceptable conduct. Why, she is nothing memorable at all.” Both women failed to
hide their giggles at this rude remark.

“Please
be at ease, Miss Darcy.” Elizabeth, who could not help but hear the Bingley
sister’s comments and assumed that Miss Darcy had heard it as well, lightly
touched Georgiana’s arm to draw the girl’s eyes back to her own. “I am certain
your brother meant nothing of the kind.”  Determined to put Miss Darcy’s
emotions to rest, she continued. “From our first contact with one another six
years ago, your brother gave proof that he could accept a challenge and a
tease. Do not distress yourself, please. We shall all be good friends, I
believe. Now, if I could be introduced to the ladies that have just joined us?”

Mr.
Bingley turned toward the others who had wandered into the entryway and
introduced his next older sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, who was serving as his
hostess for his stay in the country. Elizabeth curtsied.

Miss
Bingley was of average height with a slim, elegant figure. Sharing her
brother’s pale complexion, her hair glistened in a deeper shade of auburn and
was fashioned in the latest style, well adorned with decorative feathers. Her
dress was made of the finest orange silk, a color that rather shocked the eye against
the backdrop of her hair and skin. Miss Bingley’s eyes were sharp and her
narrow nose was slightly elevated over firmly pursed lips. She looked decidedly
unhappy about the newest arrival to the estate. Miss Bingley’s pride of place
and stature was evident as she tilted her head in mock acknowledgement.
“Pleased, I am sure.”

Mr.
Bingley then turned to the last occupant of the entry and introduced his eldest
sister, Mrs. Louisa Hurst. Mrs. Hurst was an older, slightly rounder version of
the younger Miss Bingley. Like her sister, she barely lowered her head to
indicate she had heard her brother’s introduction. Elizabeth dropped an elegant
curtsey and quickly determined to discover the source of the ladies pride and
haughtiness while she was in residence. Be that as it may, for now, she felt
prudence dictated that she freshen herself before seeing to her sister.

“Mr.
Bingley, Mrs. Hurst, Miss Bingley, Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, I am pleased to make
your acquaintance.” Turning to Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth asked, “Now that the need
to tend to my sister is not immediate, may I accept your offer of respite to
care for my needs?”

“Certainly,
Miss Elizabeth.” He looked to his housekeeper, “Mrs. Nicholls, please show Miss
Elizabeth to the guest room you have prepared.” To Elizabeth, he bowed again.
“If you are in need of assistance in any way, for yourself or your sister,
please do not hesitate to make your request known.”

Again,
she caught the upset look on the face of Miss Bingley as Mrs. Nicholls moved to
respond immediately. Not understanding why she fell under such censure,
Elizabeth decided that any possible affront to her hostess was not the way to
start a visit that may extend in length, depending on the progress of Jane’s
recovery, so she turned to Miss Bingley. “I again thank you for your kind
hospitality. If I may be excused?”

“You
may, Miss Elizabeth.” Miss Bingley’s reply was curt at best and rudely given at
the least.

“Your
valise and case have already been taken to your room. Please follow me, Miss.”
After a quick curtsey to those in the hallway, Elizabeth followed Mrs. Nicholls
up the stairwell to the room next to Jane’s. Just before Elizabeth entered the
room, Mrs. Nicholls turned to her, putting a hand to her arm to stop her. “I
feel I should give you a word of warning. I do know it is not proper for me to
speak so of my betters and especially the sister of the gentleman leasing this
estate, but you need to watch yourself with Miss Bingley. She has set her eyes
firmly on Mr. Darcy and no matter your course of conduct, which I have always
known to be impeccable, she will view you as competition. I doubt that she
plays fair.”

Elizabeth
was quite surprised at the housekeeper’s words. She had been pleased to see Mr.
Darcy again and gratified to meet his sister. She had thought Mr. Darcy a
handsome man when they first met six years ago and he had kept his form and
fashion and not let himself go with the despotic lifestyle that many from his
age and station of life had done after leaving University.  Overindulgence was
almost expected amongst the rich and idle that she observed on the streets and
parks of London. Pondering briefly at her response to Mr. and Miss Darcy, a
smirk drew one side of her mouth and she raised one eyebrow. “Thank you, Mrs.
Nicholls, it is better to know there is a possibility of battle; so I can be
fully armed. We shall see.” She went into the bed chamber.

The
room was beautifully appointed, decorated in vibrant reds and golden yellows.
There was a long, narrow bed with a nightstand where a candle could be placed
to read at night. A door to the right of the room led into a dressing room
where Elizabeth found a maid unpacking her clothes. The maid immediately curtseyed.
“Pardon me, Miss, I am almost finished. Is there anything I can bring you?
Perhaps some hot tea or something to eat, Miss?”