Read Online A Father's Sins: A Pride and Prejudice Variation by J Dawn King - Free Book Online

voice when he said “heir” was obvious. “If I had another daughter I
certainly would never have you return. But, I do not have another daughter, do
I, Lizzy?”
     
    Hatred
emanated off him in waves that washed over Elizabeth with force. It was
unimaginable that he, who had claimed to love her especially, could hold onto
such anger for so long. Before that thought had settled in her mind, there was
a firm knock at the door. Without waiting for a reply, the door was opened and
her mother, accompanied by a short, rotund gentleman, entered.
     
    Oblivious
to the tension that surrounded her husband and least-favorite daughter, Mrs.
Bennet grabbed the man by the arm and pulled him toward Elizabeth. “Lizzy, you
must meet your betrothed, Mr. Collins. It is all settled and I have finished
the plans for a simple wedding, one fitting the position of wife to a
clergyman.” She reached around and pulled Mr. Collins closer, prompting him to
“get on with it.”
     
    Mr.
Collins was sweating profusely which added to his already rather fragrant aura.
“ Did the man never bathe?” Elizabeth wondered. She watched as he rubbed
his hands down the side of his jacket and used the back of his forearm to wipe
his brow. He opened his mouth several times as if to speak, but only sounds
similar to a croaking toad were heard.
     
    Not
one to allow nerves in others to ruin an occasion, her mother finally blurted
out, “Lizzy, Mr. Collins has told me that you are the companion of his future
life. Is that not sweet?” Sweet was not the word that came to Elizabeth’s mind.
“You will be a good wife to this gentleman and you will resume
the care and attention you always gave to Longbourn, is that clear?”
     
    Mr.
Collins must have agreed with Mrs. Bennet because he, though still not having
uttered one word, smiled with great affection at the older woman. He reached
out his hand like he was going to grasp Elizabeth’s in his own and she reacted
by drawing her hands behind her. She did not want the toad to touch any part of
her.
     
    Elizabeth
felt that since her mother had made the offer, it would be to her mother that
she would respond. “Mama, you are much mistaken if you think that I would
accept a man who I do not know. Nor am I desirous at this time to be married at
all.” Now, she looked at Mr. Collins, still apparently delighted in the company
of Mrs. Bennet. “Please, do not take my refusal as a personal affront. I do not
know you.”
     
    Mr.
Collins started to reply when Elizabeth turned back to her father. Her anger
simmered over and five long years of neglect and abuse bubbled forth. “How dare
you!” Elizabeth strode to his desk and leaned across with her finger pointed,
her chin lifted and her eyes on fire. “How dare you attempt to arrange my life
when you threw it away all those years ago. No contact. Not one word in five
years and now you think that I would possibly do your bidding without
question?” She backed away from his desk. “Sir, you no longer have authority
over my life. You gave away that right with your letter. You do not know me any
longer and I realized quite clearly all those years ago that I do not know
you.” Turning, she walked to the door, opening it, and pausing to look back
from the threshold, and said, “I shall see to Jane’s comfort and then I shall
not darken your doorstep any longer. I am not wanted here.”
     
    Elizabeth
slammed the door on the way out. The release of her pent up emotions was
freeing. She heard her father yell, “We shall see about that!” Climbing the
stairs to Jane’s room, she wondered at Jane’s comments about Mr. Collins. How
she could feel that he would be a good match for her was a mystery. Good
heavens!
     
    She
tapped on Jane’s door and met with silence. She tried the knob and found it
locked from the inside. Elizabeth sighed, dropping her head. Bringing her hand
up to rub the tension from the back of her neck, she pondered her next move. It
was apparent