Chapter 14 #2
“Indeed. We have been here but a week, and we already know Brighton by heart!” Lydia said.
“It was a lucky coincidence that we met the officers here today, but we met Mr Wickham a couple of days ago while strolling along the promenade one evening, and there was a Punch and Judy show. There were so many people, and we saw Mr Wickham with some officers! He saw us and came to greet us.”
“You were not alone, I hope?”
“No, we were with Aunt and Uncle Gardiner and our cousins,” Kitty answered.
“Does Papa know you met Mr Wickham?”
“I am not sure, Lizzy. But why are you so upset? Please do not make any fuss!”
“We shall discuss it tomorrow, Lydia. For now, please do not mention anything about Mr Wickham during dinner. Mr Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam had some unpleasant past dealings with him. I wish to avoid any subject that might displease them and upset Jane!”
“Very well. But Lord, you have become so dull, Lizzy! Upon my word, you are as grumpy as an old spinster!” Lydia ended irritably as a footman opened the door.
Elizabeth was pleased to notice they had arrived first, as she had a moment to calm herself.
She spent a few minutes with Jane, grateful that the Darcy party had not seen Wickham and even more so that she had been able to reverse Lydia’s thoughtless invitation.
Since the Bingleys were completely oblivious to Wickham’s past schemes and manipulations, they would surely welcome him into their home.
What a disaster it would have been if Darcy and Georgiana had found that scoundrel at a family dinner!
As she considered the situation, Elizabeth decided she must inform Darcy about Wickham.
Be it a mere coincidence or some nefarious scheme, Wickham’s presence in Brighton must be made known to him.
Shortly afterwards, the rest of the guests arrived.
As much as she missed her family, Elizabeth admitted to herself that seeing Darcy thrilled her the most.
He looked as reserved as usual and their eyes only met briefly during the polite greetings. Unlike him, Anne, Georgiana, and the colonel immediately mingled with the others, the conversations easy, spiced with humour and laughter.
Elizabeth barely joined in; she felt restless, glancing at Darcy often. He was standing alone behind a chair, only entering into the discussion when directly addressed.
Half an hour later, Elizabeth gathered her courage and approached Darcy, who was standing alone by the window with a glass in his hand. As she stepped before him, his surprise was apparent and his face coloured.
“Mr Darcy, please forgive my interruption of your solitude.”
“My solitude welcomes your interruption, Miss Bennet,” he said lightly, astonishing her. “Lady Kendal and Lord Alveston are well, I hope? My sister and cousin were exceedingly pleased with the time they spent with you. I must thank you all for your kindness.”
“And we were exceedingly pleased with the time spent with Anne and Georgiana, so no thanks are needed.” There was silence for a moment, then she continued with no little hesitation.
“Mr Darcy, there is something that I must tell you. Earlier, I found my sisters, Lydia and Kitty, speaking to Mr Wickham. Here in Brighton. On the street.”
The news stunned him, and he narrowed his dark eyes.
“He was with two fellow officers. He claimed it was a fortuitous meeting, but Lydia confessed they also met two days ago on the promenade. Two coincidences in a row are suspicious when it comes to Mr Wickham. I thought you should know.”
Darcy stared at her wordlessly, then glanced about the room and returning to her eyes said, “I agree. It is disturbing and I can easily foresee some dishonest intent. If not, he would have called on your father and announced his presence, instead of sneaking about after your sisters.”
“I suspect he is here for his own reasons. He could not have possibly known that my family would spend the summer in Brighton,” Elizabeth said. “Could he? Would he dare approach Georgiana?”
“I doubt he would attempt anything regarding my sister. If he has a remnant of wit, he should avoid being on the same side of the road as her. Our last discussion on this subject was clear. I shall do everything in my power to keep him away. I will show no mercy and no forgiveness. But you should consider how your family is now subject to rumours due to your upcoming wedding and your future position in society. Your own sisters might now be the target of mercenary interest. And being so young, they could be easy prey.”
Elizabeth shivered as he whispered to her.
“You are right, of course. I shall speak to my father and warn him. Lydia and Kitty must be supervised more diligently. I shall talk to them too.”
“And I shall contact Wickham, to be certain he understands the circumstances properly. Any harm he inflicts upon your family will be properly punished. I am not altogether master of my temper lately. The days of my conciliatory dealings with Wickham are over.”
His tone was cold, and Elizabeth felt a chill from the weight of his sentiment.
The menace in his statement and the implication of his unsaid promise that he would watch over her family’s safety was a comfort.
They stared at each other in silence, yet in complete understanding. Once again, they shared a secret.
Bingley’s voice interrupted their interlude, inviting his guests into dinner. They walked side by side, close enough that Elizabeth could breathe in Darcy’s heady cologne, while a certain distance remained. Once seated, their attention returned to the party, yet each was vividly aware of the other.
The rest of the evening progressed as any gathering among family and friends might.
For the first time in many months, Elizabeth and Darcy joined in their fair share of conversation on subjects that had never interested them much before—and looking at each other and exchanging brief opinions seemed slightly less painful.