A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation (13 page)

Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire

Mr.
Darcy slept for several hours with Parker, Georgiana, and Elizabeth watching
over him the whole time. When he awoke, he was hot and thirsty, but he noted
that Elizabeth had fallen asleep in the chair next to his bed and he could not
help but look upon her lovely face; so peaceful while at rest. He wondered at
his tender affections for her. Their acquaintance had not been long. Elizabeth
was so full of life; the perfect complement to his nature. She was not of his
station. His position in society and the expectations of his family would not
allow him to pursue her as a wife, but his heart was telling him that this was
the only woman that he could ever love.

Wife?
Love?
Where did those thoughts come from?
His mind was screaming at him
that it is too soon… ah, but his heart…his heart recognized in her that she was
the one.

Georgiana,
sitting quietly by, working on a piece of embroidery, noticed her brother was
awake. She approached the bed and asked if he required anything for his
comfort.

“Water,”
he whispered, not wanting to wake his Elizabeth. Was Elizabeth his? Might she
feel the same?

Georgiana
brought the cool water to him and Parker immediately came to assist him to rise
so he could drink. “How are you brother?” She was deeply concerned. This was
now twice that she had helped with surgery on his arm and, though they were as
cautious as they could be, she was worried about the possibility of infection.
She loved her brother, William. He was more like a father to her than an older
brother and she could not bear the thought of losing him. She had observed the
way William had been looking at her friend and it pleased her greatly. It would
be wonderful to have Elizabeth as a sister.

Georgiana
did not realize that she had voiced her wish aloud until William sputtered,
“What did you say, Georgie? Just now, what did you say?”

Barring
no secrets from her brother, she boldly replied, “I believe you heard me
clearly, brother.” They continued to whisper so as not to disturb Elizabeth. “I
truly like her. She is amiable, unfailingly kind, and do not forget that she,
too, stepped in front of me when Wickham threatened to abscond with me. She put
me ahead of her own safety, William. Gabriel and Gideon told me that she
protected me and they sing her praise. She refused a very practical offer of
marriage that would have secured her future and that of her family because she
did not love the gentleman. That proves to me that she is not a fortune hunter,
nor one to seek her own advantage above others. William, I know that I could
learn much from her and that together we would be a family that has joy and
laughter in our household. Pemberley has been far too quiet for far too long. How
could I not want her for a sister?”

“But
what of her family Georgie? What of her position in society?” William reasoned
with his sister. These were matters that he had considered, reasoned through,
and rejected. He needed her to do the same.  “You know our position in society.
It is uncommon in our sphere to marry for love or affection. How would having
Elizabeth for a sister affect your own opportunities for marriage?”

“William,”
she replied firm enough that Elizabeth started to stir. “Had not my own
foolishness at Ramsgate been cause enough for shame to our family? What could
Elizabeth do that I have not already done?”

“Georgie,
you need not feel guilty over the events at Ramsgate. They were entirely
constructed by Wickham, whom we know was capable of great evil.” While Darcy
found it hard to hear his sister castigate herself for something for which she
carried no responsibility, Darcy was more than pleased to hear Georgiana defend
the feelings that already resided in his heart. Any match made by him would
affect her, so he needed to know where she stood before he pursued a relationship.
As her brother and guardian, it was his responsibility to promote her, to make
an arrangement for her, so that his sister’s future was secure and felicitous.

Before
they could continue the conversation, Parker brought it to the attention of the
pair that it was time to rouse Miss Elizabeth so the master’s dressing could be
changed. Georgiana gently shook Elizabeth’s shoulder until her eyes started to
flutter and the first thing from her mouth was an apology for having fallen
asleep. They were all tired. Darcy could not look away. Parker brought him
another cup of water, so his attention was distracted for the moment it took
him to drink it.

Coming
fully awake, Elizabeth moved around the bed and tended Mr. Darcy’s arm. The
area where the newly placed stitch was located was red and angry looking, as
was to be expected. However, it still worried Elizabeth and she gave a quick,
silent prayer for his recovery. After the wound was cleaned and wrapped, the
two ladies left Mr. Darcy’s chambers and went to their own rooms to change for
the rest of the day.

Later,
when they went downstairs, Mrs. Nicholls was waiting in front of the drawing
room to speak with Elizabeth. It seemed that there was a concern from Cook
about the food that was to be prepared for Mr. Darcy. Up until this point, Mr.
Darcy had had only broth, water, and tea. Not knowing about the need for
repeated surgery, Cook wanted to know if she should start sending dry toast or
a light meal to his room.

Before
Elizabeth could reply, Miss Bingley spoke up. “Mrs. Nicholls, why are you
consulting a guest in this home, an uninvited guest, mind you, about matters
involving Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth
was quick to protect Mrs. Nicholls, who had gone out of her way to see to the
comforts and needs of all of those staying at Netherfield Park. At Miss
Bingley’s reply, the voices inside the drawing room became silent. Georgiana
was horrified that Elizabeth was being questioned so, for even though Miss
Bingley addressed the housekeeper, it was apparent that it was Elizabeth’s
treatment of Mr. Darcy that was under attack.

“Miss
Bingley, I thank you for tolerating my presence when I was not invited into
your home. Your condescension and concern that my presence might over-tax your
staff is commendable. I take it that, during my absence, you have discussed
this situation with Mr. Darcy’s family and your brother and found my skills
inadequate and that you, yourself, are much more qualified and accomplished
than I in the matter of medical care. If, however, you have not spoken with
Lord Matlock and his family, nor your own brother about Mr. Darcy’s current
situation, I suggest that we move into the drawing room and do so now.”  Though
she had had a brief nap, Elizabeth was tired and worried about what the day’s
events would do to Mr. Darcy. She was concerned that Georgiana would not be
able to endure much more upset and she was distressed that Miss Bingley would
ask her to remove herself from Netherfield Park. Without waiting for a
response, Elizabeth turned, put her arm through Georgiana’s and headed into the
drawing room where the Matlocks and Mr. Bingley were gathered.

During
the confrontation in the hallway, they had not heard the approach of an elegant
carriage and four horses with three females riding inside. It wasn’t until
Elizabeth and Georgiana were settled on a settee with Lady Matlock, that they
became aware of visitors in the entryway. Miss Bingley, in deference to her
position as hostess, chose to wait in the drawing room for the guests to be
brought to her, rather than welcoming them in the entry. Thus, it was a
surprise when the three ladies were invited into the room by Mr. Burton. All
seated in the room stood politely as the butler announced, “Lady Catherine De
Bourgh, Lady Anne De Bourgh, and Mrs. Jenkinson.”

Elizabeth
heard a collective groan from the Fitzwilliams. She dropped her head and
quickly gathered her composure, trying not to grin.

“Martin,”
Lady Catherine barked at her brother, “why was I not informed immediately about
Darcy? What is being done? Why has he not been taken to London? Who is seeing
to him?” The tirade continued and Lord Matlock appeared to be waiting for his
sister to take a breath so he could reply.

“Cathy,
stop
!” He finally interrupted. Lady Catherine stopped speaking but did
not stop her progression into the room. “Let us observe niceties first. You
need an introduction to your hosts and it looks like Anne could use some time
to refresh herself and lie down after her travels. You should do the same.”

Lady
Catherine walked right up to her brother, almost to the point that their toes
were touching. “I am here, Martin, to see to the care of my nephew. I will be
taking charge of his medicines and of this household. Before leaving Kent, I
consulted with Anne’s personal physician and he provided the best leeches and
lances for ridding Darcy of any poisons remaining from the shoddy care he has
already certainly received. There cannot be a competent doctor in all of
Hertfordshire. My Anne will see to his personal comfort.” At this, all eyes
went to her daughter, who seemed on the verge of collapse. Her pale face became
even whiter at her mother’s declaration.

“Lady
De Bourgh,” Miss Bingley inserted at this moment, “Welcome to Netherfield Park.
I am sure you will find that we have taken the best care possible under the
circumstances.”

Lady
Catherine turned on Miss Bingley like a hungry lion looking at his prey. “Who
are you? And, why are you interrupting me?” Miss Bingley was now at the
receiving end of the disdain she normally showed to those she felt were
inferior to her. She did not like this reversal of position.

Lord
Matlock knew his sister well and was aware that she would not back down unless
she saw it was to her own advantage. Lady Catherine’s weakest link was her
daughter Anne. He was just about to claim again that his sister see to her
daughter first when the butler returned to announce another visitor.

Standing
behind Mr. Burton was a heavy-set young man, about five and twenty years, with
dark greasy hair that showed the marks where his hatband had been and a large
bald spot at the crown of his head every time he bowed; which was frequently. “Mr.
Collins.”

Before
he could be greeted or welcomed, he rushed to his patroness, Lady Catherine de
Bourgh, and bowed as deeply as if she were the queen herself. “Lady Catherine, I
saw your carriage, with the de Bourgh family crest emblazoned on the door, as I
was walking into Meryton, and hurried to Netherfield Park to see if I can be of
service to you.” He bowed again. “How may I, your humble servant, be of
service?”

Lord
Matlock had had enough. Waiting until Mr. Collins had risen from his bow, he stated
forcefully, “I do not know who you are or why you are here, young man, but you
need to return to Meryton, or wherever you are from. You are intruding on
family business and into a situation that is not your concern.”

Mr.
William Collins had never been the brightest of men. He had not fared well at
university, so he was deeply appreciative of the patronage of so important a
person as Lady Catherine de Bourgh. He was a simple man that did not understand
nuances or innuendos. For him to miss the command in Lord Matlock’s voice,
though, implied a selfish attention to his own desires and pleasure. Right now,
his pleasure was found in pleasing Lady Catherine and pursuing his suit with
Miss Elizabeth, so he was not dissuaded by any comments of Lord Matlock.

“But
I am the family member of one, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, as well as her
betrothed.” This statement of Mr. Collins fell on shocked ears, including those
of Elizabeth.

“Betrothed!”
Echoed around the room. Georgiana reached over and squeezed Elizabeth’s hand in
a show of support.

“Pardon
me for entering a discussion that I normally would have no part in.” Elizabeth
found it a challenge to keep her voice calm. “I am not betrothed to Mr.
Collins, my father’s cousin, nor will I
ever
be betrothed to Mr.
Collins. He cannot be here for me.” She refused to look at him. Instead,
catching the eye of Lord Matlock, as the highest ranking personage in the room,
she begged to be excused to return to Mr. Darcy and asked that Georgiana
accompany her.

Unexpectedly,
it was Lady Matlock that responded. She lifted her chin and her eyes hardened. She
glared at her sister-in-law and her hostess with an icy stare. “Catherine, Miss
Bingley, from this moment until my nephew is able to rise and walk out of this estate
on his own power, I will be making the decisions as to his care. Until that
time, if you have any questions, comments or opinions to express, you will
bring them to me. You are not to interfere in any way. Have I made myself
clear?”