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

Darcy stepped in and defended him from titled bullies that he found his
way clear to stand up for himself. Darcy was several years older, several inches
taller, had the strength in his arms and legs of one who worked the land along
with his tenants, and brooked no arguments with young hooligans, no matter
their parentage.
     
    The
Bennets were landed gentry, which would be a step up for Charles Bingley. He
could not imagine a more fitting partner for his future than Miss Jane Bennet.
Therefore, he was quick to agree to a visit to Longbourn, running upstairs to
ready himself.
     
    Longbourn, Hertfordshire
     
    After
a brief glance at her father, Elizabeth chose to focus on Hill. This man had
saved her from certain harm. His care for her throughout her early years and
gift of coin when she left had guaranteed her safety on her journey to London.
Her small smile was for him only.
     
    Mr.
Hill had loved Elizabeth as if she were his own. It was to him and his wife
that Miss Lizzy would come when her scrapes needed cleaning and bandaging, when
her tears needed wiped from her rosy cheeks, and when she needed a sympathetic
ear. From an early age, Elizabeth had marched to a much different tune than her
sisters. Mrs. Bennet favored the eldest daughter, Jane, because of her gentle
beauty, showering her with constant praise. She also favored her youngest two
daughters, Kitty and Lydia, because they so closely replicated her own self-indulgent
personality. Elizabeth was scorned by her mother while the middle sister Mary
was ignored. When the heir came along, Mrs. Bennet diverted her attention fully
to young Thomas. This caused uproar in the household as Kitty and Lydia vied
for the renewed attention of their parents, which they never received.  Jane,
in an effort to keep peace at Longbourn, pampered her two youngest sisters,
which was only a temporary respite from the tumult. Mary withdrew more and more
into her books and her musings. Elizabeth, who young Thomas favored the most,
was constantly criticized by her mother for involving her little brother in
adventures that his mother felt were unacceptable to a young gentleman. Mr. and
Mrs. Hill understood Elizabeth’s love of the countryside and knew it to be a
refuge for the young miss, keeping her away from the constant fault-finding of
her mother. The affection that the Hills felt for Miss Lizzy was lovingly
returned.
     
    As
she and Jane walked up to the doorway, she looked her father directly in the
eye and determined that she would not submissively look away first. She was not five and ten years of age any more. She had done things and seen places that he
had only read about. She was not returning to her home riddled with guilt over
wrongdoing. It had been his error and his alone.
     
    “Come
to my study, now!” her father demanded. She raised one brow. He had not even
the courtesy to call her by name or extend a polite welcome. This did not bode
well for any future encounters and certainly not the one that would immediately
take place. Hill moved to the carriage to remove their luggage and Jane went
into the house. Elizabeth could hear her mother’s shrill voice asking Jane if
she had yet secured the affections and attentions of Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth
continued to focus her gaze on her father. Finally, after what seemed like many
minutes had passed, her father turned into the house and walked directly to his
study. Elizabeth sighed heavily and followed. It was a small victory for her
that her father at least stood and held the door open for her until he slammed
it behind her and commanded her to “sit” like he did when irritated at the
family dog.
     
    “I
requested your immediate attendance in my express. Were you not capable of
understanding such a simple message?” Sarcasm oozed out of every word.
Elizabeth chose to stand. She would not give ground. “You are only at Longbourn
because your mother has determined that Jane can do better than my heir.” The disdain
in his