A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J Dawn King Page A

and bowls and other
servants wiping down the table and returning the chairs to their places. Mr.
Burton stepped into the room, having replaced the sword back above the mantel
in the library. “Miss, Colonel Fitzwilliam requests the presence of yourself
and Miss Darcy in the master’s study, if you please.” Elizabeth nodded and
after following Georgiana to the wash basin to clean up, she put her arm
through her young nursing assistant’s and they left the room. They were almost
across the hallway when Miss Bingley called to them while descending the
stairs.
     
    “What
is the meaning of this!” she demanded. Georgiana could not stop the chuckle as
she realized how much Miss Bingley sounded like her aunt, Lady Catherine. While
Elizabeth did not understand the reason for the chuckle, she certainly was not
surprised by Miss Bingley’s displeasure in seeing her on the premises. Mr.
Bingley must have heard his sister’s voice as he came out of his study to
intercept his sister.
     
    “Caroline,
Mr. Darcy was seriously injured, so the Darcys and their cousin, Colonel
Fitzwilliam will be staying here. Miss Elizabeth will be seeing to his care as
Darcy’s surgeon is away. Mrs. Nicholls has already seen to their rooms, as well
as to the rooms for Lord and Lady Matlock, should they arrive tomorrow. You
need not bother yourself.” He turned from his irate sister and, extending his
arm towards the study door, indicated that the two ladies should precede him.
Miss Bingley was not invited to attend.
     
    “Ladies,
please have a seat.”After closing the door, Mr. Bingley sat behind the desk
while Colonel Fitzwilliam stood next to it. Mr. Bingley looked to both Miss
Darcy and Miss Elizabeth and regretted what he was about to say. “Colonel
Fitzwilliam expects to be meeting soon with the magistrate and would like to
hear your accounts of what happened. We both are deeply sorry that you need to
recall something so upsetting; however, it might make things go more smoothly.
Colonel, please proceed.”
     
    The
Colonel cleared a throat that was suddenly choked with emotion. “Georgie,
first, I must start by telling you how proud I am of you. When I rode up and
saw you lying on the ground, I swear that my heart almost stopped.” He
unknowingly put his hand to his chest and approached his cousin, kneeling at
her feet and grasping her hands in both of his. They were strong hands that
showed the evidence of battle and hardship; large, capable hands that made
Georgiana’s look so small. “My dear girl, I need to know how you are. What you
witnessed… well… you know that I never liked George and I will not pretend
tender feelings for him now that he is gone. However, I know that at one time
he truly seemed to care for you.”
     
    Mr.
Bingley, realizing that these were extremely personal family matters, chose to
quietly remove himself from the room.
     
    “Richard,”
Georgiana spoke up even as she continued with her eyes downcast. “Elizabeth has
proven to be a trusted friend. In the short time we have known each other, I
have been able to share with her the events at Ramsgate. She showed only
kindness to me and I consider her a friend. You need not have any caution in
speaking in front of her about George.”
     
    “Miss
Elizabeth, excuse me, but do you mind if I call you Miss Elizabeth as the
others do?” She readily agreed. “There are not words… or, at least I do not
have the words to express the thanks of the whole Fitzwilliam family for the
deeds you have performed on this day. For too many years, men and women of our
circle, old and young, have sought the attention of my family by trying to
perform favors in hopes that greater favors would be returned to them. My
cousin Darcy and I, as Georgiana’s guardians, have had to learn caution as some
have even tried to go through her to get to Darcy; in particular the fair
gender. To have someone, with no ulterior motives, treat my cousins with the
kindness and skill you