A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Read Online Free PDF Page A

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