A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation

by J Dawn King

  At her mother’s voice increasing in volume, Jane came out of her room dressed in her traveling clothes, ready to depart. Mr. Bennet was pleased with his eldest. Gentle, pleasing, kind, and attentive to her parent’s needs and wants, Jane deserved a large dowry that would attract a fine gentleman such as Mr. Bingley. As a father of a daughter that had already reached her majority several years past, Mr. Thomas Bennet wanted her settled as close to Longbourn as possible, so Netherfield Park will do. He was completely oblivious to the damage he had caused with Mr. Bingley, and unaware of how his own daughter’s lackadaisical countenance had affected the young man as well.

  Just ten minutes later, his wife descended the stairs, waving her handkerchief in frustration at being so rushed. However, the thought of all that awaited them in London spurred her forward. She entered the carriage like she was the queen of all England. “We are rich,” she stated again for any who had not yet heard. “We are rich!”

  Gracechurch Street – London

  Mr. Gardiner had come home for some papers that he had left in his study when the four men rode up on their tired horses. He had watched them come down the street but could not imagine that they would be coming to his home. When they pulled up in front, his footman hurried to take the reins so the men could dismount.

  “May I help you gentlemen?” Mr. Gardiner asked as he approached. The men had ridden hard; their clothes were covered with mud.

  “Mr. Gardiner,” Darcy doffed his hat and bowed respectfully. “My name is Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and Darcy House at Grosvenor Square. These are my cousins, Henry Fitzwilliam, Viscount Stanley and his brother, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. The other gentleman is Mr. Charles Bingley of Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire. Please forgive our coming without prior introduction. We are here requesting information concerning your niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. By chance, did she arrive safely to your home last evening?”

  Mr. Gardiner was stunned; both by the men in front of him and by the question. Worry quickly overtook him. “No, no. We have not seen my niece.” He gestured hurriedly to the men. “Please, come inside and let me offer you an opportunity to refresh yourselves and provide some food and drink before we talk.” Holding his worry and anxiety over his niece to himself, he quickly asked his butler, Mr. Harrison, to escort the gentlemen to upstairs rooms and to provide a tray of cold meats, cheese, and bread for the men in his study. Mr. Harrison rushed to perform his duties.

  The Gardiner’s study was relatively small, certainly befitting someone of his stature. All available surfaces were cluttered with stacks and stacks of books; his hobby. Mrs. Gardiner had heard the commotion in the entryway and sought out her husband. “Edward, what is the meaning of this?”

  “Maddie, it seems that Lizzy was to have traveled here by coach yesterday. The four gentlemen that are upstairs at this moment appear to have some news. It is Mr. Darcy from Pemberley, his family, and a friend.” At the approach of footsteps, Mr. Gardiner stopped his recitation. Mr. Harrison directed the men inside the room. “Gentlemen, since you have news of our Lizzy, would you please allow my wife to attend? She is not so much a niece as a daughter to us.”

  After the men gave their approval, introductions were made to Mrs. Gardiner. Madeline Gardiner had been raised in a small town not five miles from Pemberley. She had many friends that she continued to correspond with in Lambton and overall the reports of the Darcy family were good. Mr. Darcy had, unlike his father before him, a sterling reputation both as a landowner and as a gentleman. He was diligent in discharging his responsibilities to his families, his tenants, and was reputed to take an interest in the needs of his friends. He was a private man, as his father was before him.

  “Sirs, please be seated.” Mr. Gardiner sat close to his wife, taking her hand. “Tell us what you know about Lizzy.”

  Darcy had been surprised at meeting the Gardiners. He had known that they were in trade, so his expectations were quite low. Seated before him was a fashionable couple that would easily fit in with any of society’s entertainments. Judging by the reading material displayed throughout the room, they were well-read and educated as well. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, it was my sister, Georgiana, that wrote to Miss Elizabeth begging her to come to Netherfield Park to tend her sister, Miss Jane Bennet. Because of that care, it was some days before your nieces were able to return to Longbourn. Apparently, the confrontation between Miss Elizabeth and her father did not go well and Miss Elizabeth decided that there was no basis for staying there.”

  “And, how did you become involved, Mr. Darcy?” Mr. Gardiner had not been surprised at the reception Lizzy had gotten at her old home. He knew from the rare news they received from Longbourn that his brother-in-law continued with his grudge.

  “My sister, Mr. Bingley, and I were riding to Meryton only a short time after your nieces left Mr. Bingley’s estate. We found Miss Elizabeth with her valise walking into town to purchase return travel to London. She had stopped to speak with Miss Charlotte Lucas and, at that time, an unidentified man. That man turned out to be my older half-brother, George Wickham.

  At hearing the name, Mrs. Gardiner, showed immediate signs of increased distress. “Mrs. Gardiner,” Darcy asked, “are you well?”

  “Mr. Darcy, that name is very familiar to me. My greatest friend in Lambton, Mrs. Avery, had a daughter who was beautiful in appearance and very, very innocent. George Wickham forced himself upon her when she was but three and ten years of age. The young girl became with child and died along with the babe during delivery. She was not the only young girl that I know he ruined.” Pausing, Mrs. Gardiner looked Mr. Darcy in the eye. “I apologize, Mr. Darcy, for speaking out so and if my directness offends, as he is your brother. He is an evil, evil man.”

  “Mrs. Gardiner, please do not be concerned. Your words are truth.” Mr. Darcy stopped to gather his thoughts. “My young sister, Georgiana, had been threatened by Wickham early this summer. I would do anything to protect her from such wickedness as we knew our brother was capable of. When I saw him speaking to Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas, my heart almost stopped. I determined then and there to remove Miss Elizabeth and my sister, Georgiana, to London immediately. We escorted Miss Elizabeth to the local Inn, returned to Netherfield Park, where Bingley had ridden ahead and requested our carriage be made ready, and returned to Meryton to collect your niece. We had not gone but a short distance from Meryton when we were accosted by a highwayman demanding that we ‘stand and deliver’. It was Wickham.”

  Darcy was deeply disturbed at having to share this horrid information with Elizabeth’s beloved aunt and uncle. Any threat, even one that was past, would be distressful to them.

  “My cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, had heard from his commanding officer that Wickham was in the area of Meryton and knew that he wanted to harm my sister. He came upon us at that moment and fired on George as George fired on me. Miss Elizabeth pulled my arm at the sound of the gunfire so that the bullet went through my left arm rather than into my heart. Wickham was killed.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner both gasped; Mrs. Gardiner’s hand going to her chest.

  “Yes, your niece saved my life.”

  “In more ways than one.” The Colonel interjected.

  “You are right, Richard.” Darcy continued. “We returned to Netherfield Park whereupon Miss Elizabeth cleaned and sutured my wound and then cared for me when fever set in.” Again, he paused, running his fingers through his hair. “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, your brother-in-law heard that his daughter had returned to Netherfield Park and that she was tending me through my malady. Mr. Bennet came to the estate and made serious accusations against Elizabeth, claiming that she had ruined any opportunity for Miss Jane Bennet to marry by being alone in my bed chamber.” Darcy was so upset at having to repeat this false charge that he was unaware that he had referred to Elizabeth by her given name. “This, of course, was unfounded. There was always someone present when she cared for my wound.”

  “Also, during
that time, my family, the Fitzwilliams, came to Netherfield Park. They bore witness to Mr. Bennet’s rage against Miss Elizabeth. Just yesterday, Mr. Bennet returned to Bingley’s estate with a letter addressed to Elizabeth from Mr. Samuel P. Haggerston. Are you familiar with the gentleman?”

  “Yes, I am.” Mr. Gardiner replied. “He is my attorney. I requested from him clarification as to the guardianship of Elizabeth but two weeks ago when we received the demand from my brother-in-law that Elizabeth return to Longbourn and marry his cousin, Mr. Collins. I have yet to get clarification on that matter.” Mr. Gardiner was puzzled. “I cannot imagine why he would have written to Elizabeth directly when the instructions were to inform me and I would write the findings to her.”

  “Mr. Gardiner, we are aware of the letter that Mr. Bennet gave to your niece when she was first cast out of her home. However, it was not this issue that was contained in the letter your brother-in-law brought to Netherfield Park. Rather, it was a dividend notice from the Honorable East India Company. Mr. Bennet was enraged that your niece might have funds that he claims belong to him, as the right of a father. We believe that Mr. Bennet intends to come to London today; in fact, he may be on his way already, for the purpose of claiming those funds. I tried to explain that it was undoubtedly a clerical error and that two letters to two different individuals may have been confused. Mr. Bennet was not able to be reasoned with due to his extreme agitation.”

  “Was Elizabeth present during this discussion?” Anxiety filled Mr. Gardiner.

  “She was.”

  “And, what was her reaction?” Mr. Gardiner nervously awaited the reply.

  “She was confused, but adamant that she had no interest in the East India Company. Also, she was hurt that her father, who was accompanied by your other brother-in-law, Mr. Philips, claimed that his original letter to you was a friendly request for you to care for his daughter while she was a part of your household.”

  Mr. Gardiner shook his head in frustration. He stood and walked to the fireplace, putting his arm on the mantel with his head hung. “My foolish, foolish brother-in-law.” The room was silent as he processed the information received. Finally, he turned back to the men and, walking to his wife, he stood at her side.

  “Gentlemen,” Mr. Gardiner took a deep breath, expelled it, and began to speak. “What I am about to tell you is completely unknown to my niece. She does, indeed, own shares in the Honorable East India Company.” After being witness to Elizabeth’s fervent denial, this came as a shock to the men.

  “While we were in India, Lizzy saved the life of a young boy, almost her age. The father of the boy was a Lord, who at that time was politically involved in the governing of India. He also was a major shareholder in several import/export businesses. This boy was his heir and only child. The father privately arranged the transfer of shares. They were put in my name as Lizzy was not only underage, she was female. The shares and the dividends from the shares are currently held at the Bank of England in an account, also in my name.”

  “Now, Mr. Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner continued. “You have yet to explain to Mrs. Gardiner and I where my niece is and why you are here inquiring after her. Please continue.”

  “Mr. Gardiner. Mrs. Gardiner. During the second confrontation with Mr. Bennet, when he demanded the shares and dividends, the attorney, Mr. Philips, explained his understanding of the law regarding guardianship, explaining that the rights of the father would prevail in a court of law, unless,” Darcy paused here, “unless, of course, Miss Elizabeth was married. Then the rights of ownership of any assets in her possession would fall to the authority of her husband.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner please believe me when I tell you that I am in love with your niece. I had already told the father of my cousins, Lord Matlock, that I longed to make her my wife. However, without forethought, I blurted out that I would marry her.”

  The shock on the Gardiner’s faces was palpable.

  “I easily comprehended Miss Elizabeth’s emotions. She was angry and hurt with her father’s assault, fearful of what her future might bring, confused about the dividend letter, and, undoubtedly, horrified at my declaration, especially as it came directly after finding out that she might be in possession of wealth. She left the room. I had thought she merely returned to her bed chambers to remove herself from the confrontation and would return later when events had calmed, so that I might explain to her how engaged my feelings were and propose in a manner that she deserved.” Darcy fought against the embarrassment that revealing his private feelings in front of others was having on him. “She did not return. It was revealed later by her maid and notes that she left for my sister and Mr. Bingley, that she had slipped out of the house and had traveled to Meryton to arrange transport away from Hertfordshire.”

  “My sister, Georgiana, informed me that Miss Elizabeth had spoken of her desire and intent to travel to the Americas. Until we went to the Inn in Meryton, where your niece purchased the ticket, we were unaware which direction she had gone. The innkeeper informed us that she was on the coach to London with an elderly woman and her son for protection. It was already dark, so we were unable to follow her last night, however willing we were to do so. This is a true account as to why we are now here at your home.”

  “As you are no doubt aware, gentlemen, Elizabeth is not in my home.” Mr. Gardiner was not as worried as Darcy expected him to be. “My niece is a seasoned traveler. Yes, it concerns me that she left Meryton in time to arrive in London and is not here, however it is possible, in fact, highly probable, that she changed her mind while in the coach and instead traveled to Dover, Portsmouth, Liverpool, or any other port where travel outside the country could be easily arranged. In that event, I expect that Mrs. Gardiner and I will receive notice of her intent at any time via express. My niece is a very resourceful young woman who is independent-minded and unwilling to submit to a father or,” he looked directly at Mr. Darcy, “a husband who was not loving, kind, affectionate, or respectful to her.”

  “Good Sir,” Darcy rejoined. “I shall spare no expense to have investigators sent to every port city in England in search of your niece. May I, please, have directions to your office so I can contact you as soon as I receive any information as to her location?”

  “Yes, Mr. Darcy, you may.” Mr. Gardiner pondered the situation. “In the meantime, should I hear from my niece, I will send a messenger with the information to your home.”

  The occupants of the room all stood as Mr. Gardiner rang for a footman to bring their horses to the front of the house. As the gentlemen filed out of the study into the entryway, the front door opened to the sound of a high-pitched female shriek. The Bennets had arrived.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Gracechurch Street – London

  At the addition of Mr. Philips, Mr. Bennet, Mrs. Bennet, and Miss Jane Bennet to the Gardiner’s house, Madeline Gardiner rolled her eyes as she stood behind her husband; unseen by their newest visitors. Before proper welcomes could be made, Mr. Bennet spotted the men and his anger was instantaneous.

  “Gardiner, how could you let these men into your home?”

  Mrs. Bennet, in her quest for silks and lace for her eldest daughter, was oblivious to the tension and anger that filled the small room. “Oh Madeline, we are rich! Jane will have the best of fabrics and trims and a wonderfully large dowry to attract an important man, such as Mr. Bingley of Netherfield Park!” Mrs. Bennet was a silly woman that tended toward the vulgar in her speech, actions, and thought processes. She was a slight woman that was confronted with four handsome gentlemen. Suddenly, she recognized that one of the men was Mr. Bingley himself. Refusing to be held accountable for her speech nor embarrassed at what she said, she continued. “Oh, Jane, look! It’s Mr. Bingley. What brings you to London, sir? Surely, you have much to do in Hertfordshire. Why the running of such a large estate is such a responsibility. You had best secure a wife soon, Mr. Bingley, to aid you in making a success of Netherfield Park. My Jane… she would make an e
xcellent wife for a gentleman in your position.”

  “Mama, please do not speak of this!” Jane whispered in an effort to halt her mother’s inappropriate words. The men and her in-laws were horrified at her blatant attempts to matchmake.

  Bingley’s face turned bright red as he looked down and away, in embarrassment. He had wondered how he would feel should he come in contact with Miss Jane Bennet. Jane Bennet was truly all that was beautiful. The first emotion, after the embarrassment, was regret.

  Mr. Bennet ignored his wife’s comments and stared at Mr. Darcy. Without looking at his brother-in-law, he repeated, “How could you let these men into your home? Do you not know that they mean you harm? They are thieves, here to steal Elizabeth’s wealth. You should have them removed immediately!”

  Darcy stood back and respectfully waited for Mr. Gardiner to respond, although the disgust on his face spoke volumes. Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was still wearing his uniform, put his hand on his sword, having a difficult time keeping still.

  “Bennet, these gentlemen have come here today to assure the safety of your daughter. They mean no harm.”